Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Mar 2015

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Visit to Chitralada
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- HM the King makes a visit to royal projects in Chitralada Palace yesterday to follow up on work including that of a model rice-mill. He travelled from Siriraj Hospital where he has been receiving treatment. The King previously resided in the Palace.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Visit-to-Chitralada-30255686.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-10

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HM King Visits Royal Farm Project in First Trip Outside Hospital
By Khaosod English


HM the King at Suan Chitralada Palace in Bangkok, 9 March 2015.

BANGKOK — His Majesty the King visited a royal agriculture project inside his palace in Bangkok today in his first trip outside the hospital since he was checked in last October.

King Bhumibol, 87, was escorted out of his ward at Siriraj Hospital to Suan Chitralada Palace at around 3.30 pm today. At the palace, His Majesty visited farm projects that he helped initiate, according to a statement provided by the Royal Household Bureau.

Suan Chitralada Palace is the official residence of His Majesty the King, though in recent years he has spent most of his time at a summer palace in Prachuap Kiri Khan province, approximately a two hour drive south of Bangkok.

According to the Royal Household Bureau, the king returned to the hospital at around 5 pm today. Crowds of well-wishers lined the roads and shouted "Long live the King" as his motorcade passed.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1425908398&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-03-10

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Thailand’s First Blind Orchestra Gives Hope to Disabled Thais

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s first blind orchestra is giving hope to disabled Thais. The orchestra, comprised of mostly young teens, took to the stage in an open-air auditorium in a local national park. W

ith the help of a braille score, the 30 young players memorized scales and played instruments they’ve held but never seen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807165-thailands-first-blind-orchestra-gives-hope-to-disabled-thais/

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Officials to Release New Etiquette Video in Chinese

Officials will release a new etiquette video in Chinese to discourage public nudity. The two-minute animated video will be released in coming weeks.

Thailand officials are set to release a new two-minute etiquette video in Chinese that warns against public nudity. Sparked by public outcry, the new video will discourage tourists from taking their clothes off in inappropriate places.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807164-officials-to-release-new-etiquette-video-in-chinese/

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Thai Farmers Find a Profitable Market in Edible Insects

Thai farmers have found a profitable market in edible insects. Insect farming and demand have fueled this new growing trend in Thailand.

Thai farmers have found a new profitable market: edible insects. In recent years, Thailand’s insect trade has taken off. Today, the country is the leading importer of insects in Southeast Asia. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Thailand imports an estimated 800 tons of edible insects from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Another 370 tons of silkworm pupae are imported from China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807163-thai-farmers-find-a-profitable-market-in-edible-insects/

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Sukhothai Adventure app launched

Sukhothai:- The Sukhothai provincial administration has joined hands with the Thailand Research Fund and Naresuan University to develop a smartphone app that will help foreign tourists learn more about the ancient capital of Sukhothai.

The app was officially launched on Saturday at the Sukhothai Historical Park in a ceremony chaired by Prasom Charnchaikittikorn, deputy mayor of Tambon Old Town Municipality.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807128-sukhothai-adventure-app-launched/

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Uproar over teacher’s shoe-tapping goodbye

Ayutthaya:- Online social networkers strongly criticized a 58-year-old female teacher in Ayutthaya after seeing a YouTube clip in which she used a shoe to gently slap on a cheek of her pupils.

In the clip, the teacher was seen waiting at the door of her classroom waiting for her pupils to leave. Her students walked past her one by one and she tapped each on the left cheek with a shoe in her right hand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807123-uproar-over-teachers-shoe-tapping-goodbye/

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Arisman, 12 other red-shirt leaders freed on bail

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court Region 2 Monday night freed Arisman Pongruangrong and 12 other red-shirt leaders on bail.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807169-arisman-12-other-red-shirt-leaders-freed-on-bail/

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Govt reduces land tax rates
Business reporters
The Nation

No tax on homes worth less than bt1.5 million; tax to be limited to just 1 home

BANGKOK: -- The government has relaxed a new law on land and building tax in order to push for prompt implementation of a new tax structure that previous administrations failed to bring in.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807170-thai-govt-reduces-land-tax-rates/

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New successors to take over as NMG executives
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Nation Multimedia Group Plc (NMG) yesterday announced a fresh round of management that will take over leadership of the group - geared for robust growth.

Under the new structure, Sermsin Samalapa, vice chairman of NMG's board of directors, will become chairman of NMG's executive committee or Group CEO, while three other insiders will take over as chief executive officer (CEO) for NMG and its subsidiaries.

NMG president Duangkamol Chotana will serve as NMG CEO; president of National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Adisak Limprungpatanakij as NBC CEO; and NINE president Pana Janviroj as NINE CEO.

Thepchai Yong remains NMG's group editor in chief, responsible for the group's news editorial policy.

"The three CEOs are Nation Group's successors. They have the soul of journalists and are also distinct professionals in management in the media industry," NMG chairman Suthichai Yoon said.

Suthichai will serve as adviser to the executive committee and focus his energy on editorial work.

Suthichai explained that Nation Group is going through a transition, which opens up opportunities for aggressive policy moves. He said he believes the three new CEOs will be strong leaders, who can provide fresh directions and initiate changes.

As for himself, Suthichai said he would focus more on news content, particularly in his "Black Coffee" column in Krungthep Turakij, a newspaper in the NMG group, and "Thai Talk" column in The Nation. He said he would also concentrate on his "Time Line" talk show on Nation TV and "CEOs Up-Close" programme broadcast on NOW channel.

"In the media industry, the Nation Group is better prepared than other competitors to take on new challenges. It has high potential for growth, with a vast pool of talent and broad connections with foreign media. My role is to lead the Nation Multimedia Group to expand its business without any constraints, especially in the financial arena," Sermsin said.

Duangkamol said that from now on, there would be a change in NMG's business structure in a bid to cope with stiffer competition in the media industry. The group would focus on investment expansion and boost its strength in the region in response to the Asean Economic Community's free flow of trade, investment and capital, which would be fully effective by the end of this year.

Duangkamol was also named chairman of NINE's board of directors.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/New-successors-to-take-over-as-NMG-executives-30255685.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-10

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UPDATE:

CRIMINAL COURT ATTACK
Grenade linked to Siam BTS blast
THE NATION


Former Army chief General Chaisit Shinawatra holds up his arm at a press conference yesterday to deny any involvement in the grenade attack at the Criminal Court on Saturday, saying he was ready to give statements to police and would not flee.

Police say 'same movement' behind both attacks; Chaisit denies involvement

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE responsible for the grenade explosion outside the Criminal Court on Saturday night are linked to those behind the two small blasts outside the Siam Paragon mall last month, the national police chief said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807114-thaksins-cousin-denies-links-to-bangkok-grenade-attack/page-2#entry9166603

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Monks fail to appear at DSI
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
Jeerapong Prasertponkrung
The Nation

Phra Dhammachayo defers opportunIty to shed light on Klongchan CredIt UnIon case

BANGKOK: -- THE ABBOT OF Dhammakaya Temple, Phra Dhammachayo, and another monk at the centre of the Klongchan Credit Union embezzlement case have postponed their appointment at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to answer questions about their alleged receipt of huge donations from the controversy-plagued cooperative.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807171-monks-fail-to-appear-at-dsi/

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Govt may file civil suit in Admin Court to recoup rice scheme losses
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT is considering filing a lawsuit with the Administrative Court over losses and alleged corruption in the rice-pledging scheme and government-to-government rice deals, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807172-thai-govt-may-file-civil-suit-in-admin-court-to-recoup-rice-scheme-losses/

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Economists expect MPC to keep policy rate at 2 per cent
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ECONOMISTS EXPECT the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to maintain the Kingdom's key interest rate at 2 per cent after its meeting tomorrow, since the economy is still struggling and lowering lending rates would not help growth at this time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807173-economists-expect-mpc-to-keep-policy-rate-at-2-per-cent/

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Petrol price falls Bt2 today as contribution to fund adjusted
WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
THE NATION


Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee

BANGKOK: -- THE ENERGY Policy Administration Committee has resolved to reduce petrol's contribution to the Oil Fund by Bt2 per litre from the present Bt9.15, that of gasohol 95 to Bt2.25 per litre from Bt3.25, and that of gasohol 91 to Bt1.25 per litre from Bt2.25 currently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807174-petrol-price-falls-bt2-today-as-contribution-to-fund-adjusted/

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EDITORIAL
Ethics assembly a recipe for mischief
The Nation

Proposed body could become a political tool used by unscrupulous groups to maintain their hold on power

BANGKOK: -- A vision of "ethical politics" for Thailand is being widely touted. With corruption rife in public life, a focus on moral standards is welcome. Yet there's a major snag: who will define and police standards for politicians, civil servants and the business community? Also, how will they do it?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807175-thai-editorial-ethics-assembly-a-recipe-for-mischief/

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STREETWISE
For gender equality, it's the little things that count
Achara Deboonme

On Sunday, women around the world joined marches for equality.

BANGKOK: -- Equal opportunities in the workplace was a core demand on International Women's Day, echoing calls made 20 years ago in Beijing by tens of thousands at the World Conference on Women.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807176-thai-opinion-for-gender-equality-its-the-little-things-that-count/

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Eighth flood tunnel construction to save Bangkok from flooding making progress



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is now constructing its eighth flood tunnel with aim to ease flooding in the capital’s six major areas. It has planned to build four other flood tunnels which will resolve flooding in the capital sustainably.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807177-eighth-flood-tunnel-construction-to-save-bangkok-from-flooding-making-progress/

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Injured ranger from bomb explosion dies



NARATHIWAT: -- The paramilitary ranger who was seriously injured in last week’s motorcycle bomb explosion at Narathiwat’s has died from his injuries.

A bathing rite for Sgt Thaweewat Onkwanpetch was held at Wat Bangnara in Muang district this afternoon after which his body would be brought back to his native town in Sabayoi district of Songkhla by his relatives.

Security sources, meanwhile, said that the motorcycle which was rigged with explosives was stolen from Mrs Chatsuda Nilsuwan, a school teacher in Cho Airong district of Narathiwat, after she was killed by suspected militants about three years ago.

The sources said that the bombers were aided by sympathisers in four villages in Rueso district.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/injured-ranger-from-bomb-explosion-dies


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-10

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Rights panel calls on NLA to review public gatherings bill
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday called on the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to review the bill on public gatherings as the draft is deemed to be in violation of international practices of human rights and freedom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807178-rights-panel-calls-on-nla-to-review-public-gatherings-bill/

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Relying on military 'is not sustainable'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- TECHNOCRATS have relied on military dictators over the past five decades to push for their preferred policies, but this is not sustainable due to the lack of legitimacy, Thammasat University economist Assoc Prof Apichat Santitniramai said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807179-thai-politics-relying-on-military-is-not-sustainable/

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UPDATE:

Convicted Red Shirts at Pattaya Remand Prison granted Bail by Appeals Court



PATTAYA: -- Despite initially being refused bail by the Pattaya Provincial Court last Thursday, 15 convicted Red Shirt activists were released on bail granted by the Appeals Court on Monday Night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807169-arisman-12-other-red-shirt-leaders-freed-on-bail/#entry9166658

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Nonthaburi Gold Theft suspects tracked to Pattaya Construction Site



PATTAYA: -- An early morning raid involving over 70 Police Officers, took place at a construction site in Jomtien on Monday as officers searched for 4 men wanted in connection with the theft of 14 Million Baht’s worth of gold from a shop near Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807180-nonthaburi-gold-theft-suspects-tracked-to-pattaya-construction-site/

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Pattaya Tourist Police arrest Hardware Shop theft suspect



PATTAYA: -- A former cleaner of a Hardware Shop in South Pattaya was arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police on Monday Night following allegations she stole over 300,000 Baht’s worth of items from the shop she was employed to clean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807181-pattaya-tourist-police-arrest-hardware-shop-theft-suspect/

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District Officers get tough on unregistered Pattaya Motorbike Taxi Drivers



PATTAYA: -- The Chief of Banglamung District is angry that only 50% of Pattaya Motorbike Taxi Drivers have completed their registration process, despite warnings from the District and Army that those that don’t register may lose their chance of ever working as a motorbike taxi driver again, if they fail to register themselves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807182-district-officers-get-tough-on-unregistered-pattaya-motorbike-taxi-drivers/

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Thailand fifth in Asian children's literacy poll
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND ranks second in Asean and fifth in Asia when it comes to the problem of children missing out on basic education.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807183-thailand-fifth-in-asian-childrens-literacy-poll/

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Outbreak unlikely after death of Cambodian woman
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cambodian woman who died in Chachoengsao province had meningococcal disease, according to provincial governor Anukul Tangkhananukulchai and provincial health officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807184-outbreak-unlikely-after-death-of-cambodian-woman-in-chachoengsao/

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Chiang Mai hospitals warned of worsening smog
The Nation



CHIANG MAI: -- The Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office has instructed hospitals to prepare medical supplies for more patients suffering from smog-triggered illnesses, as the air pollution in the North remains severe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807185-chiang-mai-hospitals-warned-of-worsening-smog/

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UPDATE:

Woman, man charged with false report of attack at golf course
PENSRI KADEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A WOMAN found injured at a Samut Prakan golf course last Friday reportedly hired a man for Bt50,000 to assault her in hope of getting her boyfriend back, national police chief Pol General Somyos Phumphanmuang told a press conference yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807087-abduction-of-witness-in-cib-case-a-hoax-thai-police-say/#entry9166694

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Chaiyaphum bears brunt of summer storms
Sanom Boonchanteuk,
Sutthipong Settharangsi
The Nation

CHAIYAPHUM: -- Chatturat district in the northastern province of Chaiyaphum was hit by hailstorms yesterday morning and 1.45am. Homes and a local school were damaged and the storm caused a blackout in the area.

More than 500 homes in Chatturat, Nong Bua Rawe, Kaeng Khro and Phakdi Chumphol districts had already been damaged storms over the past week while a Kaeng Khro woman was killed.

In related news, the 'worst summer storm in 30 years' hit the central province of Phetchabun's Nong Phai district on Sunday evening, destroying 100 homes. Another summer storm also damaged 10 homes in Lom Sak district on the same day. In Lom Sak, Red Cross officials were dispatched to provide relief bags for the storm victims.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Chaiyaphum-bears-brunt-of-summer-storms-30255681.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-10