Thailand Live Thursday 26 Feb 2015

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Supreme Court reverses death sentence for two convicts in murder of Aussie auditor in 1999



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court today reversed the death sentences for two convicts and upheld life sentence for another for their involvement in the 1999 murder of Australian auditor Michael Wansley in Nakhon Sawan province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803509-supreme-court-reverses-death-sentence-for-two-convicts-in-murder-of-aussie-auditor-in-1999/

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Food Academy Bangkok Abruptly Closed Down



BANGKOK: -- The Food Academy Bangkok (F. A. B.), set up by a Swede only a few years ago, has come to an abrupt end. F.A.B suddenly closed down by the end of 2014 and in the process a dream project of the initiator, Susanna Asklöf, was ruined.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803529-food-academy-bangkok-abruptly-closed-down/

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DSI asked to speed up actions against alleged embezzlers in Klong Chan Credit Union Cooperative

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation was asked today (Wednesday) by a group of members of Klong Chan Credit Union Cooperative to speed up legal proceedings against the former chairman of the cooperative and his associates for having cheated the cooperative of over 1.6 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803575-dsi-asked-to-speed-up-actions-against-alleged-embezzlers-in-klong-chan-credit-union-cooperative/

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Obama Calls Thailand a Partner and Ally

U.S. President Barack Obama called Thailand a friend and ally in a personal response to Ambassador Pisan Manawapat’s letter to the U.S.

WASHINGTON: -- U.S. President Barack Obama says Washington considers Thailand a partner and an ally, despite differences over the country’s current military government and the coup last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803661-obama-calls-thailand-a-partner-and-ally/

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Fire destroys three boarding houses of poor Myanmar children

Mae Sot, Tak:- Three boarding houses of underprivileged Myanmar children at the well-known Mae Tao Clinic of Ramon Magsaysay Award-winner Cynthia Maung were burned down 6 pm Wednesday.

Officials said the fire spread from the burning of the sugarcane plantation near the Children’s Development Center School run by Cynthia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803622-fire-destroys-three-boarding-houses-of-poor-myanmar-children/

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Body with dragon tattoos found in Phuket

Phuket:- A body with dragon tattoos of an unidentified man was found in a small creek in Thalang district Wednesday morning.

Pol Lt Col Watcharin Jirattikalwiwat, an interrogator of Thachatchai police station, said he was alerted about the body of the unidentified man at 8:45 am.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803612-body-with-dragon-tattoos-found-in-phuket/

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MAE MOH POWER PLANT
After 10-year battle, power plant victims win Bt25 million
Chularat Saengpassa,
Patinya Srisupamart
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 100 people living near the Mae Moh power plant in Lampang province have finally won a 10-year-long battle against the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), with the Supreme Administrative Court awarding them a total of Bt25 million in compensation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803665-after-10-year-battle-mae-moh-power-plant-victims-win-bt25-million/

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'No threat' to energy security
The Nation

Energy minister sees no impact from delay in concessions; production-sharing to be written into petroleum act

BANGKOK: -- Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee said yesterday that the decision to halt petroleum concession bidding has no significant impact on the industry and his government was ready to introduce a production-sharing scheme in the amendment of the Petroleum Act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803666-no-threat-to-thailands-energy-security/

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Bt5.8 bn earmarked to protect buffaloes
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CABINET MINISTERS in charge of economic affairs yesterday set aside a budget of Bt5.8 billion to protect and increase the number of water buffaloes after recent reports indicated the species would become extinct in five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803668-bt58-bn-earmarked-to-protect-buffaloes/

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Overfishing in Thailand Leads to Boat Slavery

Thailand is the third-largest seafood exporter on the planet. But that may soon change, according to a new report.

BANGKOK: -- The Environmental Justice Foundation, a British non-profit organization, released a report today that states overfishing and illegal trawlers have nearly destroyed Thailand’s marine ecosystems and have severely depleted fish stocks. Boats are catching 85% less fish than they were 50 years ago. The report called the region the “one of the most overfished” in the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803667-overfishing-in-thailand-leads-to-boat-slavery/

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Sangha urged to release report on Feb 20 meeting



Wissanu to oversee investigation into donations made to Phra Dhammachayo

BANGKK: -- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Wissanu Krea-ngam has asked the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) to publicly release the report on its February 20 meeting when the hot issue related to the Dhammakaya Temple and its abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, was raised.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803670-sangha-urged-to-release-report-on-feb-20-meeting/

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Thailand Using DNA Testing to Prevent Illegal Ivory Trade

Authorities used DNA testing to determine the origin of ivory products in local markets. Test showed that the majority of ivory came from African Elephants.

In an effort to put an end to illegal ivory trading, Thai authorities are using DNA tests to determine the origin of elephant ivory sold in local markets. The project is a collaborative effort between TRAFFIC and the Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803669-thailand-using-dna-testing-to-prevent-illegal-ivory-trade/

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CONSTITUTION WATCH
New provisions on censure debate
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION
PATTAYA

Charter drafters also create new structure for senate to boost checks and balance; set regulations for senators, MPs

BANGKOK: -- AS PER A new provision written by the charter drafters yesterday, the entire House of Representatives and Cabinet will be dissolved if the prime minister or the Cabinet fail to pass a censure debate in Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803671-thai-constitution-new-provisions-on-censure-debate/

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Thammasat lecturers rage over Somsak's dismissal
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION


Somsak Jeamteerasakul

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat lecturers have accused the university's administrators of unfairly dismissing noted Thammasat historian Somsak Jeamteerasakul earlier this week, amidst a denial by its rector, Somkid Lertpaitoon, that the move was politically motivated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803672-thammasat-lecturers-rage-over-somsaks-dismissal/

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Safety already top priority for Thai airlines
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAI AIRLINES say they have enhanced safety procedures ahead of the release of a new Asia-Pacific aviation and safety manual by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) this quarter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803673-safety-already-top-priority-for-thai-airlines/

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Govt approves more measures to shore up economy, help farmers
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT has given the nod to two more measures to stimulate the economy and help farmers after requests from the private sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803674-thai-govt-approves-more-measures-to-shore-up-economy-help-farmers/

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EDITORIAL
It's time to reform Thai Buddhism
The Nation

Many in the sangha have strayed from the path of dharma, but ordinary worshippers are partly to blame

BANGKOK: -- Calls for religious reform are growing following a spate of reports detailing monks' misdemeanours and controversies involving the Dhammakaya Temple and its abbot Phra Dhammachayo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803675-its-time-to-reform-thai-buddhism/

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THAI TALK
Political reconciliation without collusion or conspiracy
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The concept of a "national unity government" in Thai political culture has always been linked to a perception of "collusion" and/or "conspiracy".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803676-thai-talk-political-reconciliation-without-collusion-or-conspiracy/

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Tourists Urged to Respect Park Rules Protecting Elephants
By Khaosod English


There were at least 4 incidents of young male elephants assaulting cars in January 2015.

BANGKOK— Officials at Khao Yai National Park are urging tourists to abide by the park’s new hours, which were shortened following several incidents of elephants attacking cars earlier this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803677-tourists-urged-to-respect-khao-yai-park-rules-protecting-elephants/

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Politicians impeached or guilty of election cheats cannot contest the next elections



BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee has introduced new provisions in the draft constitution which will bar politicians who used to be impeached or were found guilty of election fraud by the court from contesting the next election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803678-thai-politicians-impeached-or-guilty-of-election-cheats-cannot-contest-the-next-elections/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
Hitler does not live here, nor does Mao or Mussolini
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- And J Edgar Hoover does not reside at the Hoover Institute, continuing his habit of collecting secret files, at its base in Stanford University - the alma mater of Doug Bandow, who writes for Forbes Magazine, and of myself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803679-thai-opinion-hitler-does-not-live-here-nor-does-mao-or-mussolini/

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Results of Provincial Crime Clean-up announced in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- The Provincial Police Commander announced the results of a Province-wide crime clean-up operation which took place recently and chose Pattaya to present a selection of the higher-profile cases to the media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803680-results-of-provincial-crime-clean-up-announced-in-pattaya/

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BURNING ISSUE
Will "do's" and "don'ts" for politicians work in practice?
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- UNDER THE new constitution, now being written by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), politicians will find it more difficult to gain political power and to exercise that power. They will face tougher scrutiny before they attain political power and again when they are in power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803681-thai-politics-will-dos-and-donts-for-politicians-work-in-practice/

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Murder-accused named adviser to justice minister
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- President of the Southern Press Association Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, who is facing a court trial for allegedly hiring gunmen to kill his 48-year-old wife Wanphen in a rubber plantation in Songkhla province last year, was among five individuals appointed as advisers to Justice Minister General Paiboon Khumchaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803682-murder-accused-named-adviser-to-thai-justice-minister/

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UPDATE:

Top court upholds convictions in murder of Australian auditor Wansley
WansleyKesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE SUPREME Court yesterday upheld a lower-court ruling that had sentenced a former executive of Kaset Thai Sugar Co to life imprisonment for his role in the 1999 murder of Australian auditor Michael Wansley.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803509-supreme-court-reverses-death-sentence-for-two-convicts-in-murder-of-aussie-auditor-in-1999/#entry9118979

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Ministry survey shed light on street beggars
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has 1,186 street beggars, 750 of whom are Thai and 436 foreign, according to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803683-thai-ministry-survey-shed-light-on-street-beggars/

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Bt5 million worth of illegal goods seized by Customs
The Nation


The Customs Department yesterday announces the seizure of ivory and other illegal items worth Bt5 million that were mailed to Thailand from October 2014 to February this year. The announcement was made at the Bangkok Express Mail Service Centre in Lak Si

BANGKOK: -- AUTHORITIES have seized ivory, illegal liquid inhalants, pornographic materials, libido-boosting medication, hookah tobacco, electronic cigarettes and other illegal items worth Bt5 million in Thailand-bound packages, Bangkok's Customs Office director Prayuth Maneechote told the press yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803685-bt5-million-worth-of-illegal-goods-seized-by-thai-customs/

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Suspected Child Abusing Step-Father arrested for Murder in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Morning the Chonburi Provincial Police Commander announced the arrest of a 19 year old man who is suspected of causing the death of his 2 year old Step-Son.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803686-suspected-child-abusing-step-father-arrested-for-murder-in-pattaya/

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Two Brothers arrested in recent North Pattaya Drive-by shooting case

PATTAYA: -- Banglamung Police have arrested two men, in connection with the recent drive-by fatal shooting of a man, outside of a Store owned by a former Mayor of Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803687-two-brothers-arrested-in-recent-north-pattaya-drive-by-shooting-case/

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US-Israel quarrel intensifies over Netanyahu speech
By JULIE PACE and LAURIE KELLMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trading barbs, the U.S. and Israel escalated their increasingly public spat Wednesday over Benjamin Netanyahu's GOP-engineered congressional speech next week, with the Israeli prime minister accusing world powers of rolling over to allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons. Secretary of State John Kerry openly questioned Netanyahu's judgment on the issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803688-us-israel-quarrel-intensifies-over-netanyahu-speech/