Thailand Live Friday 27 Feb 2015

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Canals to be cleared, cleaned for boat transit
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: MCOT

BANGKOK: -- More than 10,000 families living along Bangkok canals will be evicted to clear the way for improvements to the waterways.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804073-bangkok-canals-to-be-cleared-cleaned-for-boat-transit/

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SCB compensates KMITL for 1.5 billion baht loss



BANGKOK: -- Siam Commercial Bank today reached agreement with King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) to compensate the loss of 1.5 billion baht from the embezzlement scam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804075-scb-compensates-kmitl-for-15-billion-baht-loss/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Murdered US journalist's family relish 'Jihadi John' prosecution

MIAMI (AFP) - The family of Steven Sotloff, an American-Israeli journalist murdered by the Islamic State group, said they were relishing seeing his killer face justice after the apparent executioner was named Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803955-muslim-group-jihadi-john-resembles-uk-man-mohammed-emwazi/page-2?p=9124782#entry9124782

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NBTC claims Thailand’s cellular voice tariff second lowest among ASEAN

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) says Thailand's mobile phone voice tariff is the second's lowest after Indonesia.

Thailand’s tariff for 3G cellular voice service is 84 satang/minute while the lowest rate in Indonesia is 32 satang. Coming after are Malaysia 1.05 baht, Laos 1.28 baht, Myanmar 1.6 baht, Vietnam 1.92 baht, Cambodia 2.17 baht, Singapore 2.90 baht, and Brunei 4.63 baht.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tanthasith said the finding was bases on its survey of telecom tariffs of big three operators in each ASEAN country.

For SMS, he said Brunei was found to have the highest rate of 2.43 baht for a short message, followed respectively by Singapore 2.40 baht, Indonesia 2.14 baht, Thailand 1.33 baht, Malaysia and Cambodia 1.05 baht, Philippines 1 baht, Myanmar 80 satang, Laos 64 satang, and Vietnam 48 satang.

He said further that for the mobile internet tariff, the survey found Singapore the lowest rate of 11 satang per megabytes, followed by Laos 17 satang, Malaysia 21 satang, Thailand 28 satang, Cambodia 60 satang, Philippines 78 satang, Brunei 1.25 baht, Vietnam 2.30 baht, and Indonesia 4.43 baht.

For Myanmar, he said the tariff is based on time used at 13 satang per minute.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nbtc-claims-thailands-cellular-voice-tariff-second-lowest-among-asean

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-27

[Lite Beer]

SET up 0.01 to 1,593.56 at midday / Bangkok Post

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Official Denies Grounding Planes at BKK Airport in 'Revenge'
By Khaosod English


A file photo of an Airbus A380 airplane operated by Thai Airways taking off at Suvarnabhumi Airport [photo provided by Thai Airways].

BANGKOK — A top immigration official has denied allegations that he deliberately grounded planes at Bangkok's international airport because of a personal vendetta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804134-top-immigration-official-denies-grounding-planes-at-suvarnabhumi-in-revenge/

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Russian Attacked for 'Not Buying Weed' in Pattaya
By Khaosod English

CHONBURI — A foreign tourist was allegedly attacked with brass knuckles in the resort town of Pattaya early this morning because he refused to buy weed from a dealer, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804137-russian-tourist-attacked-for-not-buying-weed-in-pattaya/

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THAI RED CROSS SOCIETY
Urgent appeal for blood launched

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Red Cross Society has asked the public to donate blood, which is in critically short supply. The society reported that the shortage was affecting hospitals nationwide, which need as much as 8,000 units for daily operations.

While the TRC was previously able to allocate more than 80 per cent of the required blood volume to hospitals, it can currently supply only 25 per cent or 2,000 units per day. This amount falls far short of the standard stock of 3,000 units per day set aside for emergencies.

The blood crisis has forced some hospitals to postpone surgeries, pending sufficient blood supplies. People wishing to help the Thai Red Cross Society build up its blood reserves can do so at the National Blood Center on Henri Dunant Rd. or regional blood centers. For more information, call (02) 256 4300 and (02) 263 960099 extension 1101.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Urgent-appeal-for-blood-launched-30254973.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-27

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Former princess’s parents confess

BANGKOK: -- Parents of Thanpuying Srirasmi Suwadee have confessed to have abused royal connection to bully a woman that consequently landed her to be jailed 18 months on a bogus fraud conviction.

The confession was made in front of the investigators at the Crime Suppression Division today when they turned in to meet police for further questioning.

The parents, Mr Apiruj Suwadee and his wife Wantanee, were summoned to the CSD to hear charges after a woman in Ratchaburi province accused both of using their royal connection to bully her in 2003.

According to the charges, the pair used their royal influence to have the woman, Sawita Maneechan, jailed for 18 months on a bogus fraud conviction.

After questioning, both were brought to appear at a press conference to announce their confession.

Acting commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau Pol Maj Gen Thitiraj Bongharnpitak said both admitted to all charges.

He said the CSD will today escort the to the Criminal Court for permission to detain them and would also request the court to reject their release on bails.

Mrs Wantanee admitted to the charges and said she bullied the woman out of anger with no intent.

Her husband also said his family had no connection with the former CIB commissioner on taking bribes from gambling dens.

In addition to defaming the monarchy, they also have been charged with facilitating the filing of false police reports that led to criminal charges.

The family was stripped of their royal surname last year.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/former-princesss-parents-confess

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-27

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DSI Taking a Second Look at Klongchen Embezzlement Case

DSI will investigate its own investigators who may have mishandled the initial investigation into the Klongchen Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is taking a second look at the Klongchen Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case. The department is looking into how the early stages of the case were handled to determine why the charges were dropped against two suspected accomplices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804145-dsi-taking-a-second-look-at-klongchen-embezzlement-case/

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UPDATE:

PATTAYA: Drug Dealer Attacks Russian On Walking Street
Published by Stickboy BKK



PATTAYA: -- A Russian holidaymaker ended up needing hospital treatment after he seen the wrong side of a knuckleduster when he got into an altercation with a Thai drug dealer in the early hours of Friday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804137-russian-tourist-attacked-for-not-buying-weed-in-pattaya/#entry9125207

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Pheu Thai concerned new charter to destabilise politics

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party deputy secretary general Chavalit Wichayasut expressed concern Friday that the new charter would destabilise politics by weakening political parties because it would lead to formation of several small parties and political groups.

Without political stability, foreign investors would decline to invest in the kingdom, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Pheu-Thai-concerned-new-charter-to-destabilise-pol-30254987.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-27

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Parents of former Thai princess confess to insulting monarchy

AFP

BANGKOK: -- The elderly parents of a former Thai princess were taken into police custody Friday after confessing to defaming the kingdom's royal family, an institution protected by one of the world's toughest lese majeste laws.

The pair are the latest close relatives of fallen former Princess Srirasmi to face legal proceedings after a corruption scandal involving her family erupted late last year.

Apiruj Suwadee, 72, and his 66-year-old wife Wanthanee, told reporters that they were guilty of defaming the monarchy, lodging a malicious claim and asking officials to file false charges.

"We confess to all charges," Wanthanee said, her head bowed as she faced the media after a meeting with Thai police.

"We plead for mercy from the royal family," her husband added, before the couple were detained to face a bail hearing later Friday.

The police case against them centres on a former neighbour's complaint that she had been jailed for 18 months on a fraud charge brought maliciously by the Suwadee couple.

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn divorced Srirasmi and she also renounced her royal title following the scandal, which has gripped a public unused to seeing palace intrigue play out in the open.

One of her relatives Pongpat Chayapun, the former head of Thailand's elite Central Investigation Bureau, has been slapped with a 31-year jail term for a series of convictions linked to an alleged criminal empire that spanned illegal gambling, extortion and kidnapping.

He was initially sentenced to six years in jail in January -- along with his deputy -- after admitting lese majeste under the feared "section 112" of Thailand's criminal code and for corruption.

On Thursday he received another 15 years for taking bribes to transfer police to desirable posts and for oil smuggling -- adding time to earlier sentences for money laundering and possession of rare wood.

Police have said Pongpat's group had made "false claims" to be acting on behalf of an unnamed royal to aid their underworld dealings.

The spectacular demise of the former princess's family comes at a time of heightened anxiety over the health of the country's revered but ailing monarch.

Experts say the last decade of political turmoil in Thailand is intertwined with concerns among competing elites over the direction of the kingdom once the reign of 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulaydej comes to an end.

Under the royal defamation law -- one of the world's strictest -- anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

Both Thai and international media must heavily self-censor when covering the country's lese majeste rules. Even repeating details of the charges could mean breaking the law under section 112.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-02-27

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Five Thai women recognised power businesswomen in Asia by Forbes



BANGKOK: -- Leading American business magazine, Forbes Magazine, has recognised five Thai women among 50 powerful businesswomen in Asia in its fourth annual Asia’s Power Businesswomen list.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804175-five-thai-women-recognised-power-businesswomen-in-asia-by-forbes/

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Hong Kong woman gets 6 years in Indonesian maid abuse case
KELVIN CHAN, Associated Press

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong mother of two was given a six-year prison term Friday for abusing her Indonesian maid in a case that aroused widespread outrage over its brutality.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804177-hong-kong-woman-gets-6-years-in-indonesian-maid-abuse-case/

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More than 3,000 kilogrammes of ivory tusks registered in one month



BANGKOK: -- Over three tonnes of ivory tusks have been registered after one month of the enforcement of the Ivory Act B.E. 2558.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804185-more-than-3-tonnes-of-ivory-tusks-registered-in-one-month-in-thailand/

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President says NLA members can hire spouses, children as helpers

BANGKOK: -- National Legislative Assembly President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said the regulations did not prohibit NLA members from appointing their spouses and children as their helpers, and thus making them eligible for salaries from the state.

When asked whether the practice was appropriate, Pornpetch said the NLA simply wanted to have helpers whom they could trust and the practice has been done earlier.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/President-says-NLA-members-can-hire-spouses-childr-30254994.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-27

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Fire breaks out at Korat department store

KORAT: -- A small fire broke out at the Klung Plaza Department Store in Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district at 1:40 pm Friday.

Fire engines took about 15 minutes to control the blaze that broke out at the ceiling of the entrance from the store's car park. The fire caused panic among many shoppers who rushed outside. No one was injred.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Fire-breaks-out-at-Korat-department-store-30255000.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-27

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Somali pirates release Thai hostages held for 4 years
AFP

NAIROBI: -- Four Thai fishermen held hostage by Somali pirates for nearly four years have been released, local officials said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804198-somali-pirates-release-thai-hostages-held-for-4-years/

[thai tech]

Govt announces plans for affordable broadband throughout Thailand

Thailand’s deputy prime minister, Mr Pridiyathorn Devakula, has announced plans to make affordable broadband Internet available nationwide within the next two and a half years.

The plans, which form part of the government’s strategy to create a digital economy, would see all of Thailand’s 75,000 villages have access to low cost high speed Internet.

The creation of a national broadband network would see the installation of fibre optic cable across all areas of Thailand, which would be financed and carried out by public/private partnerships and joint ventures between the government and private companies.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/govt-announces-plans-for-affordable-broadband-throughout-thailand/5717/

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SET index closed 1,587.01 down 6.54; Bt/USD32.25; GBP49.63; AUD25.01; EUR36.02; CAD25.69; HKD4.15; SGD23.66; JPY26.93

[Lite Beer]

NLA chief defends the appointment of family members

BANGKOK: -- Pornpetch Vichitcholachai, president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), said Friday that it was understandable that NLA members would want to appoint their spouses or relatives as aides or personal experts as these were the people they could trust.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804276-nla-chief-defends-the-appointment-of-family-members/

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Land tweaking team lays out plans for Phuket

On the left, the current land boundaries next to the Burma Victory Field. On the right, the proposed changes, giving each piece of land a new shape and road access.

PHUKET: Officials from the government's Land Readjustment Bureau arrived back in Phuket last week to lay the groundwork for Phuket’s part in a massive nationwide efforts to tweak the boundaries of just about every piece of land so that roads and infrastructure can be improved.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804289-land-tweaking-team-lays-out-plans-for-phuket/

[Lite Beer]

22-Year-Old Burmese Man Found Dead on Koh Samui

SURAT THANI - A 22-year-old Burmese man was found dead on the southern island of Koh Samui this morning, less than a week after his cousin was murdered on the same island.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804294-22-year-old-burmese-man-found-dead-on-koh-samui/

[Lite Beer]

Thanpuying Srirasmi’s parents detained after court rejected their bail

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court has rejected the request for bail of the parents of Thanpuying Srirasmi Suwadee fearing that they may escape and interfere with evidences.

The two suspects, Mrs Wanthanee and Mr Apiruth Suwadee, were on Friday brought before the Criminal Court by the enquiry officers to seek the court’s order for their detention pending further investigation.

The couple were charged with lese majeste and abusing the Monarchy to intimidate Ms Saveeta Maneechan and her family to the extent that she, under duress, confessed to a fraud charge that she didn’t commit. As a result of her confession, Ms Saveeta was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment. She spent one year and six months behind bars before she was pardoned.

The Suwadee couple put up one million baht each as bail but the court rejected the bail after it was told that the couple had interfered with evidences.

After the court’s rejection of the bail, Mrs Wanthanee was taken to the women’s remand home in Bang Khen for detention whereas Mr Apiruth was escorted to Bangkok special prison for detention.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thanpuying-srirasmis-parents-detained-after-court-rejected-their-bail

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-28

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CDC has completed drafting of a new charter except the provisional chapter

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee has completed its task of drafting of a new charter with the exception of the provisional chapter, CDC spokesman General Lertrat Rattanavanich said Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804307-cdc-has-completed-drafting-of-a-new-charter-except-the-provisional-chapter/

[Lite Beer]

Three major parties say no to non-elected prime minister

BANGKOK: -- Three major political parties are unanimous in their opposition to the draft constitution proposed by the Constitution Drafting Committee which which states that the next prime minister needs not be an elected representative.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804308-three-major-parties-say-no-to-non-elected-prime-minister/

[Lite Beer]

Former pop star Gary Glitter sentenced to 16 years in prison

LONDON (AP) — Former pop star Gary Glitter has received a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexually abusing three young girls in the 1970s.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804311-former-pop-star-gary-glitter-sentenced-to-16-years-in-prison/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 28 Feb 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804355-thailand-live-saturday-28-feb-2015/