Thailand Live Wednesday 11 Mar 2015

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Northeast Red Leader Dismisses Links to Grenade Suspects
By Khaosod English


The NVDD neckerchiefs (upper right) found on the suspects arrested in connection with the grenade attack on the criminal court in Bangkok, 7 March 2015.

BANGKOK — A former Redshirt leader has denied any connection between Saturday’s grenade attack on a Bangkok court house and the Northeast-based political organization he helped found last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807542-isaan-redshirt-leader-dismisses-links-to-grenade-suspects/

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Bangkok’s Gaggan Tops Best Restaurants in Asia List

Bangkok’s Gaggan tops the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list this year. The progressive restaurant aims to bring Indian cuisine to a fine level.

Bangkok’s progressive Indian restaurant Gaggan nabbed the top spot on San Pellegrino’s list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant. This is second year in a row Bangkok has scored the top slot on the list. It’s also the second time Gaggan made the list, moving up from the third slot in 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807541-bangkoks-gaggan-tops-best-restaurants-in-asia-list/

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Is it ghost or undertaker?

Pathum Thani:- A photo taken during a cremation rite led to a widespread debate among online social networkers whether it was a rare capture of ghost or whether an undertaker happened to be in the scene.

It was the cremation of Suthep Khamprasong or Khru Rod, 89, the late temple affair manager of Adisorn Temple in Tambon Bueng Thong Lang of Pathum Thani’s Lamluka district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807505-is-it-ghost-or-undertaker/

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Smog in Chiang Mai hits highest level for year
PATINYA SRISUPAMART,
STANLEY BENNETT
THE NATION

CHIANG MAI: -- CHIANG MAI reported the worst smog this year yesterday morning with tiny particles at 253 micrograms per cubic metre at an air station near Yupparat Wittayalai School, while a City Hall station recorded 247 mg per cu/m.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807549-smog-in-chiang-mai-hits-highest-level-for-year/

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FEE HIKE?
Tax axe to fall on tutorial schools
Chularat Saengpassa,
Kawin Praneetlekha
The Nation



When tax exemption ends, 'cram' school bosses say they will raise course fees

BANGKOK: -- THE MULTIBILLION-BAHT business of cram schools will no longer enjoy tax exemptions once new regulations go into effect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807459-tutoring-schools-ordered-to-pay-tax/#entry9170605

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30-PER-CENT STAKE
Thai investor close to AC Milan deal
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An Italian newspaper has reported that Silvio Berlusconi, the owner of Italian football club AC Milan, has agreed to sell a 30-per-cent stake in the Serie A club to Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807551-thai-investor-close-to-ac-milan-deal/

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1.435-METRE STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY
Third meeting with China on Northeast railway project today
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong said yesterday that a third meeting on Thailand and China's cooperation on railway infrastructure development will be held today in Nong Khai, where both sides will consider making preparations for railroad construction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807552-third-meeting-with-china-on-isaan-railway-project-today/

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Prayut eyes plan to reduce price of lottery
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government is considering plans to lower the price of lottery tickets to Bt80 a pair and introduce vending machines to distribute the tickets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807553-prayut-eyes-plan-to-reduce-price-of-lottery/

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CDC spells out its key priorities
THE NATION

Charter drafters' chief outlines four goals, like curing nation's social divide, inequality

BANGKOK: -- CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Borwornsak Uwanno has compared the current imposition of martial law to a medicine to contain a disease - in this case social and economic injustice, that has led to social division and conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807554-thailands-cdc-spells-out-its-key-priorities/

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COMPENSATION
More airlines settle collusion lawsuit
The Nation


Thai Airway International

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International is likely to pay out compensation this year as part of the settlements on a class-action lawsuit involving collusion on airline ticket sales, as the case is coming to an end.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807555-compensation-more-airlines-settle-collusion-lawsuit/

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EDITORIAL
Time Thai Buddhism opened up to women
The Nation

The ban on the ordination of females is a violation of the Lord Buddha's teachings

BANGKOK: -- Women's struggle to be afforded the same rights as men goes on, and the freedom to fulfil their spiritual aspirations is no exception. Buddhism, like other religions, still has mechanisms that prevent women from enjoying privileges given only to men.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807556-editorial-time-thai-buddhism-opened-up-to-women/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Country trapped in tunnel vision over PM's selection
Tulsathit Taptim

Must the prime minister be a member of Parliament? Yes. Does it really matter? (Will it help Thailand?) No.

BANGKOK: -- Is it more "democratic" for a country's Constitution to require that the prime minister come from the ranks of elected MPs? Maybe, and maybe not.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807557-thai-opinion-country-trapped-in-tunnel-vision-over-pms-selection/

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Pattaya Police arrest 2 suspected drug dealers



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police were out in-force on Tuesday evening in the South Pattaya area, searching for those involved in the sale and use of illegal drugs and arrested two men who were found in possession of nearly 10g of Crystal Methamphetamine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807559-pattaya-police-arrest-2-suspected-drug-dealers/

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12 year old girl killed in East Pattaya hit-and-run road crash

PATTAYA: -- A 12 year old girl later died from her injuries after she was involved in a road crash as her father took her to school on Tuesday Morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807560-12-year-old-girl-killed-in-east-pattaya-hit-and-run-road-crash/

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Pattaya Internet Technician killed as street pylon collapses in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police and medics were called to the scene of an accident which occurred in East Pattaya on Tuesday afternoon which saw an Internet Technician crushed by a falling street pylon he had climbed up to replace some cables.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807561-internet-technician-killed-as-street-pylon-collapses-in-east-pattaya/

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Chinese victim of North Pattaya Bag Snatch



PATTAYA: -- A 51 year old female Chinese Tourist reported the theft of a bag containing cash and valuables as she returned to her Hotel after a late night walk in the Naklua area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807562-chinese-victim-of-north-pattaya-bag-snatch/

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BURNING ISSUE
While the junta's in power, everything can be called 'reform'
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THEY'RE denying any ambition to perpetuate their rule, but the junta's key organs - the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) and the National Reform Council (NRC) - are designing a political structure for the junta, military and themselves to have more room in a future power setting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807563-while-the-juntas-in-power-everything-can-be-called-reform/

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Falling out with the NCPO can be costly
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION


Anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngam-anong is selling clocks with a political message to make ends meet since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) froze his bank money last May.

BANGKOK: -- THE consequences for those who dared to publicly oppose the military junta after the May coup have led to some peculiar life changes - and for some, money issues have become a major concern.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807564-falling-out-with-the-ncpo-can-be-costly/

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Another suspect held over Criminal Court blast
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- WICHAI YOOSUK, one of four suspects who the Military Court issued an arrest warrant for on Monday night - in relation to the grenade blast on Saturday at the Criminal Court - has been apprehended. He sent for interrogation at an Army camp yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807565-another-suspect-held-over-bangkok-criminal-court-blast/

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ROME (AP) - Ex-Italian premier Berlusconi's acquittal in 'bunga bunga' case upheld by Italy's high court.

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No plans to return donations: lawyer
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI,
CHATCHAWAN KAEWKRAJAI
THE NATION

FUNDS ALREADY USED IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; ABBOT FAILS TO ANSWER DSI SUMMONS

BANGKOK: -- THE Dhammakaya Temple has never had any plans to return the Bt600 million to Bt800 million it received in donations back to the Klong Chan Credit Union , a lawyer for the temple's abbot said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807567-no-plans-to-return-dhammakaya-temple-donations-lawyer/

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UPDATE:

Newsletters to outline state projects, achievements
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT is planning to produce series of newsletters about its achievements and future projects for distribution to the public nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807364-thai-military-govt-to-publish-pr-gazettes/#entry9170732

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New Delays Leave Migrant Workers in Limbo

Myanmar migrant workers are stuck in limbo as they wait for Thailand to approve a new registration scheme. The new scheme will affect half a million migrant workers.

Myanmar migrant workers will have to wait even longer for Thailand to approve a registration scheme. Migrant workers are concerned as the expiration dates on their temporary documents draw near.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807566-new-delays-leave-migrant-workers-in-limbo/

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ASEAN AVIATION
Full steam ahead for aviation integration
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

BANGKK: -- The Asean Single Aviation Market aims to link the region with Europe, China, India and South Korea to take advantage of Asean Economy Community 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807569-asean-aviation-full-steam-ahead-for-aviation-integration/

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Transport Ministry to Launch Common Ticketing System Next Year

The Transport Ministry plans to launch a common ticketing system for BTS trains and expressways next year. The system will launch in the Bangkok area next August and expand to other transport systems in the future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807568-transport-ministry-to-launch-common-ticketing-system-next-year/

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UK police: Schoolgirls who went to Syria are not terrorists
By JILL LAWLESS

LONDON (AP) — Three British schoolgirls who traveled to Syria to join the Islamic State group won't be prosecuted for terrorism if they return, a senior British police officer said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807573-uk-police-schoolgirls-who-went-to-syria-are-not-terrorists/

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Clinton on emails: I should have used government account
By KEN THOMAS and JULIE PACE

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Confronting a growing political furor, Hillary Rodham Clinton conceded Tuesday it was a mistake to exclusively use private email as secretary of state, but she defiantly rejected accusations that she created a security risk or violated the law. She also defended getting rid of tens of thousands of personal emails.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807574-clinton-on-emails-i-should-have-used-government-account/

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Ex-Italian premier Berlusconi's acquittal upheld
NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Italy's highest court upheld Silvio Berlusconi's acquittal in his infamous "bunga bunga" case Tuesday, giving the former premier a welcome legal victory as he tries to rally his Forza Italia party ahead of regional elections in May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807575-ex-italian-premier-berlusconis-acquittal-upheld/

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Democrats deplore Republican letter to Tehran on nuke talks
By DEB RIECHMANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats said Tuesday that the GOP letter about nuclear talks with Iran undercuts the U.S. at the negotiating table and threatens to torpedo bipartisanship on Capitol Hill when it comes to the delicate issue of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807576-us-democrats-deplore-republican-letter-to-tehran-on-nuke-talks/

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Arrest ordered for woman who fled with son over circumcision
MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press

DELRAY BEACH, Florida (AP) — A judge issued an arrest order Tuesday for a woman who fled with her son to prevent his circumcision and ignored a demand to appear in court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807577-arrest-ordered-for-us-woman-who-fled-with-son-over-circumcision/