Thailand Live Friday 6 Mar 2015

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TJA AWARDS
Nation Group bags 4 awards on Journalist Day
THE NATION


Nation Multimedia Group lensman Adisorn Chabsungnuen, centre, who won three awards at an event marking the annual Thai Journalist Day yesterday, is flanked by NMG chairman Suthichai Yoon, right, and group editor-in-chief Thepchai Yong.

BANGKOK: -- NATION MULTIMEDIA GROUP yesterday bagged four media awards from the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) on Thai Journalist Day.

The Nation newspaper won two first-place complimentary awards for news photos as part of the prestigious Isra Amantakul Award.

The two prizes went to The Nation's photographer Adisorn Chabsungnuen.

One of his snaps, "Daredevil", captured a fireman dousing water on his face to cool himself off after battling a blaze at a plastics factory in Chom Thong district that caused major damage. Another prize was for his "Resistance", depicting political activist Veera Somkwamkid being arrested by police for defying martial law, which prohibits political gatherings of five people or more, after he and his fellow activists held a campaign for energy reform.

The TJA, Isra Amantakul Foundation and Thai Society of Environmental Journalists jointly organised a contest for news reports and photos published last year.

The awards were presented yesterday evening at a Bangkok hotel. The event also marked Thai Journalist Day, which falls on March 5 every year. This year the TJA celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Kom Chad Luek, The Nation's sister newspaper, also won a second-place complimentary award for a news photo also taken by Adisorn.

The photo, titled "Heartbreak", showed a father grieving over his two children who were killed by a grenade that landed in front of the Big C shopping mall on Ratchadamri Road during a People's Democratic Reform Committee rally.

Krungthep Turakij newspaper, also hailing from the Nation Group, won a complimentary prize from the Thai Society of Environmental Journalists for its report on the perils of electronic waste.

There was no recipient for the Top Natural and Environmental Conservation News Award this year.

On a wider scope of news, the Isra Amantakul Award also did not confer the Best News Report Award to any media outlet this year.

A Thai Rath newspaper report on the surrogacy business won the Outstanding News Report award.

The top prize for Best Photograph went to Bangkok Post lensman Thiti Wannamontha, who captured a red-shirt supporter punching a monk in front of the National Anti-Corruption Commission's office.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Nation-Group-bags-4-awards-on-Journalist-Day-30255418.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-06

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Latest On Nightlife Closing Times
Published by Stickboy BKK



BANGKOK: -- With no official announcement from police other than what came from one meeting at Lumpini police station with Soi Nana bar bosses on Tuesday night it seems no other bars, pubs or clubs have received “official” notification of early closing and the Bangkok rumourmill is in overdrive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805949-latest-on-bangkok-nightlife-closing-times/

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UPDATE:

CHARTER WRITING
Prayut opposes proposal for two-year political sabbatical
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

PM sees no reason to distrust junta appointees; general election likely in April 2016

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday voiced his opposition to a proposed two-year exclusion from politics for members of the five junta-appointed organisations in a bid to prevent them from "inheriting power" gained from the coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805940-pm-prayut-rejects-proposal-to-bar-coup-leaders-from-office/page-2#entry9150884

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BMA to open 24-hour library next year

Bangkok:- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will spend Bt200 million to develop a building at the Kokwua Intersection on Rajdamnoen Road as a 24-hour library, a senior BMA official said Thursday.

Pranee Satayaprakorb, director of BMA’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, said the city administration is under commitment to operate a 24-hour City Library after the Thai capital was selected as the World Book Capital for 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806020-bma-to-open-24-hour-library-next-year/

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Several farang tourists injured in van crash

Mae Hong Son:- A passenger van from Chiang Mai heading to Pai district in Mae Hong Son overturned on a mountainous road Thursday after noon, killing one and injuring 14 others. Several western tourists were among the injured, police said.

Pol Capt Pichit Sekha, the interrogator on duty of Pai police station, was alerted of the accident at 2:35 pm. He was told that the accident happened at the kilometer marker No 81 on the Chiang Mai-Pai Road. He rushed to the scene with rescue officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806000-several-farang-tourists-injured-in-van-crash/

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Deputy PM to follow up with agencies over credit union
JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRUNG,
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI,
PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE,
KAMONCHANOK THIKHAKUL
THE NATION

Link between Dhammakaya temple, its abbot to embazzlement to be probed

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam will today meet with four agencies to follow up progress on the investigation into the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative's embezzlement and possible links to the Dhammakaya Temple and its abbot Phra Dhammachayo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806059-deputy-pm-to-follow-up-with-agencies-over-credit-union/

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AMLO's auction a big success
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM,
PIYANUT TAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

Hopes to rake in Bt130 million; items seized from former CIB chief Pongpat among those under the hammer

BANGKOK: -- MANY ANTIQUES and other expensive items, including those seized from the network of former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief Pongpat Chayapan, sold like hot cakes on the first day of the auction organised by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805957-art-fine-wine-thai-auction-puts-police-corruption-on-view/#entry9150904

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SURVEY
Bangkok 117th among cities for quality of living
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Vienna has secured top spot in Mercer's annual quality-of-living survey while Bangkok placed 117 out of 230 cities. Baghdad was last.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806061-bangkok-117th-among-cities-for-quality-of-living/

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Red shirts get jail
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE PROVINCIAL Court of Pattaya yesterday sentenced 15 red-shirt leaders to four years in jail for their involvement in the storming of the Asean Summit venue in April 2009 that forced the government to cancel the meeting and caused national embarrassment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806062-red-shirts-get-jail/

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CONFIDENCE INDEX
Slide in consumer confidence prompts calls for rate cut
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Consumer confidence continued to crumble last month, prompting a call for the Monetary Policy Committee to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points to cut borrowing costs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806063-slide-in-consumer-confidence-prompts-calls-for-rate-cut/

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EDITORIAL
Good Muslims, bad Muslims and the lies the govt tells you
The Nation

State misinformation about the southern insurgency has fostered an undercurrent of religious bigotry across the country

BANGKOK: -- The dispute over the planned construction of a mosque in the northern province of Nan has reached an unprecedented level. But the anger being voiced by a growing number of Buddhists there is fuelled by falsehood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806064-thai-editorial-good-muslims-bad-muslims-and-the-lies-the-govt-tells-you/

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THAI TALK
Yes, anyone can become PM, if the new charter says so
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- There is no avoiding the deeply rooted suspicion that the Constitution drafters who pushed through Article 174 were paving the way for the coup-makers to continue to hold political power even after a new election is held.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806065-thai-talk-yes-anyone-can-become-pm-if-the-new-charter-says-so/

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UPDATE:

15 Red Shirt Activists sentenced to Prison by Pattaya Provincial Court



PATTAYA: -- The Pattaya Provincial Court was a hive of activity on Thursday as 15 Red Shirt Activists were ordered to serve prison sentences in connection with the 2011 Red Shirt raid of the ASEAN Summit which was held at the Peach Convention Center at the Royal Cliff Resort.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806062-red-shirts-get-jail/#entry9150934

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Body of man found floating in waters off Pattaya Island



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday afternoon the body of a man, presumed to be a Thai National, was found floating face-down in waters off Larn Island, 4kms off the coast of Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806066-body-of-man-found-floating-in-waters-off-pattaya-island/

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UPDATE:

Pattaya Bar Owner arrested for selling liquor on Holy Day



PATTAYA: -- Police attempted to arrest a 49 year old female bar owner on Wednesday night, for selling Liquor to members of the public on a Holy Day when the sale of such items are prohibited under Thai Law. The Army was called in and used their powers under Martial Law to detain the woman after she refused to be taken away by the Police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805846-soldiers-arrest-pattaya-woman-for-selling-alcohol-to-foreign-tourists/page-4?p=9150948#entry9150948

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Man drowns in lake inside East Pattaya Village



PATTAYA: -- A 36 year old man who was receiving treatment for health issues caused by Alcoholism, drowned in a small lake behind an East Pattaya Village on Thursday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806067-man-drowns-in-lake-inside-east-pattaya-village/

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UPDATE:

Court sentences 15 core red shirts to four years in prison for disrupting ASEAN Summit in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- The Pattaya Provincial Court today sentenced 15 red-shirt core leaders to four years in prison after finding them guilty of leading red shirt protesters to storm and disrupt the ASEAN Summit in Pattaya in 2009.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806062-red-shirts-get-jail/#entry9150960

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Police chief transfers Suvarnabhumi airport immigration chief



BANGKOK: -- Commander of the Immigration Division 2 Pol Maj Gen Suwichpol Imchairat was transferred to inactive post after he was accused of causing delays of about 20 outbound flights of Thai Airways International at Suvarnabhumi airport late last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806068-police-chief-transfers-suvarnabhumi-airport-immigration-chief/

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NLA hears impeachment case against 38 former senators
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THIRTY-EIGHT FORMER senators and the National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday faced questions from the National Legislative Assembly during impeachment proceedings over the senators voting to amend the 2007 charter to change the composition of the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806069-nla-hears-impeachment-case-against-38-former-senators/

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BURNING ISSUE
Lessons to be learned from resignation of charter drafter
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH

BANGKOK: -- IT IS possible the drafting of the new constitution is not going as smoothly as previous charters and with one drafter resigning, the public should keep a very close eye on the process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806070-lessons-to-be-learned-from-resignation-of-thai-charter-drafter/

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Public Health Ministry to put fresh new warnings on cigarette packets
PAKAMARD JAICHALARD
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE PUBLIC Health Ministry will soon introduce new warning messages for all cigarette packets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806072-thai-health-ministry-to-put-fresh-new-warnings-on-cigarette-packets/

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ID printing machine stolen from Thai consulate in US
NANTIDA PUANGTHONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE MACHINE used to print identity cards at the Thai consulate general in Los Angeles was stolen in December, while it was being used to offer services to Thai expats in San Francisco, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806073-id-printing-machine-stolen-from-thai-consulate-in-us/

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Convicted murderer sentenced over bar brawl
Kesinee Taengkhieo
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Santiparb Pengduang, who is already serving a life sentence for murdering his boss and outspoken businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr in June, 2013, was yesterday sentenced to an additional 20 days behind bars for his role in the December, 2012, assault of a staff member of a Lat Phrao district karaoke bar and damage to the bar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806074-convicted-thai-murderer-sentenced-over-bar-brawl/

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UPDATE:

Explosion at Samut Prakan factory
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THREE WORKERS were wounded seriously, while eight sustained slight injuries when an explosion occurred at a food processing factory in Samut Prakan province yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805939-11-injured-others-missing-in-factory-explosion-outside-of-bangkok/#entry9151001

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Human-trafficking bill passes first reading
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday agreed in principle to a bill aimed at tackling human trafficking with heavier penalties, including the immediate closure of businesses found to be abusive to employees and death penalty if the abuse results in deaths.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806075-human-trafficking-bill-passes-first-reading/

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Fishermen want help cleaning up oil in Rayong
Jumpol Nikhomrak
The Nation



RAYONG: -- Rayong fishermen and beachside vendors yesterday urged to the government to help clear up an oil slick and garbage from the Mae Rampeung Beach in Muang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806076-fishermen-want-help-cleaning-up-oil-in-rayong/

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Major survey shows most Americans support same-sex marriage
By EMILY SWANSON

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the late 1980s, support for gay marriage was essentially unheard of in America. Just a quarter century later, it's now favored by clear majority of Americans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806078-major-survey-shows-most-americans-support-same-sex-marriage/

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US actor Harrison Ford injured in small plane crash in Los Angeles, US media report /BBC

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Plane skids off LaGuardia runway, slams into fence near bay
By MEGHAN BARR and SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

NEW YORK (AP) — A Delta jetliner landing at LaGuardia Airport in a driving snowstorm on Thursday skidded off a runway and crashed through a chain-link fence, its nose coming to rest on a berm at the edge of an icy bay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806080-us-plane-skids-off-laguardia-runway-slams-into-fence-near-bay/

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Ringling Bros. to give up elephant acts in 3 years
By TAMARA LUSH

POLK CITY, Fla. (AP) — The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus says the "Greatest Show on Earth" will go on without elephants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806081-ringling-bros-to-give-up-elephant-acts-in-3-years/