Thailand Live Monday 16 Mar 2015

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SPECIAL FEATURE
A hero remembered
Wiraj Sripong
The Nation



Thammasat University exhibition honours the life and fair-minded ideals of its much-loved rector Puey Ungphakorn

BANGKOK: -- There are no signs declaring "freedom, equality and fraternity" at the new exhibition honouring the life and times of the late Thai technocrat Puey Ungphakorn currently on show at Thammasat University but the sentiments behind the notion can nonetheless be felt floating through the air.

Organised to mark the 99th anniversary of his birth, the exhibition opened last week with a symposium that underlined how much Thammasat University's well-known rector is still missed.

Another former Thammasat rector Charnvit Kasetsiri, who served as vice-rector during Puey's tenure, Thamrongsak Petchlertanan of the Foundation for the Promotion of Social Sciences and Humanities Textbook Projects, economist Pokpong Janwit and former Bank of Thailand governor Tharisa Wattanaket were profuse in their praise as they discussed topics ranging from Puey's visions for the university, his contributions to rural development and his commitment to freedom of expression in the academic world.

"The best way to commemorate Puey's contribution to Thai society is to study his academic legacy," Pokpong opined.

Charnvit agreed, listing the facets that made up the man.

"Puey was a teacher, an economist, a war hero, a proponent of rural development, and most importantly, a humanitarian," said Charnvit, stressing that Puey's interests and works went far beyond the scope of economics.

Charnvit cited social sciences, humanities, science and technology as other areas touched by Puey. His ultimate goal, he added, was to realise the concept of Santi Pracha Dhamma, a society in which the rule of law prevailed and economic disparity was reduced.

"Puey's idea was to empower academia through freedom of expression," said Thamrongsak, adding that university should always serve as a forum for discussion of ideas.

Praising Puey for his ethics and courage to stand for what was right, Tharisa spoke of his major role in shaping Thailand's economy and noted that he remained a legend at the Bank of Thailand. "In some respects, Puey's devotion to his work has become the DNA of the bank," she said.

The fourth child of an immigrant Chinese fishmonger, Puey enjoyed a modest childhood. One of the first group of students to attend the newly opened Thammasat University, he studied there from 1934 to 1937 before earning a government scholarship to further his education in economics at the London School of Economics in 1938. Following the outbreak of World War II, Puey joined the Free Thai Movement in the UK. He received military training from the British army and parachuted into northern Thailand in 1944. He was immediately captured and held as prisoner of war until Japan surrendered in 1945.

When the war ended, Puey returned to the UK to further his studies and earned a PhD in economics in 1949. He returned home after his graduation and went to work at the Bank of Thailand. He quickly rose through the ranks to become governor, a position he held for 12 years, during which he fought hard against political pressure from the-then premier Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat and his cronies who tried to influence the Bank of Thailand and the country's monetary system. Puey's efforts and contributions to development projects gained international attention when he was awarded the Magsaysay Award for his devotion to government service in 1964, the first Thai to receive the honour.

In 1966 Puey became the dean of the Faculty of Economics at his alma mater and initiated a long-term project that looked at raising the productivity and economic level of rural Thais.

Despite pressure to enter politics, Puey demurred and in 1973 assumed the position of rector of the university.

"He was appointed rector at a time of great political turmoil but did his utmost to protect freedom in the academic world," Charnvit said, pointing to the parallels between the 1970s and today.

"Thammasat is once again in crisis due to the controversial relationship between some of its administrators and the current military regime."

Puey's defence of academia was not to last. Branded a communist by the political right despite speaking out about the student demonstrations of 1975 and '76, he was forced to flee Thailand in 1976 for the UK, where he lived until his death in 1999.

Yet his commitment to freedom has lived on. The Foundation for the Promotion of Social Sciences and Humanities, which he founded in 1966, has recently launched an e-library that allows the public to easily access several Thai and translated texts free of charge.

Despite all his contributions to society, Puey remained humble and modest in his manner to the very end.

"A case in point was his failure to mention that he had been awarded the title of Member of the British Empire by His Majesty King George VI in 1946 for his participation in World War II," says Chanisara Sokan, the organiser of the "A Man called Puey" exhibition, which covers aspects of his youth as well as his time as rector at Thammasat.

And even today, Puey's vision and work are inspiring new generations of Thais.

"I was particularly drawn by his concept of Santi Pracha Dhamma," says Chanisara. "I find the idea of rule of law prevailing and the concept of dharma being used as a basis for societal power particularly appealing."

COURAGEOUS INTEGRITY

"A Man called Puey" continues through the end of the month in the foyer of the Pridi Banomyong Library at Thammasat University, Tha Pra Chan.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/A-hero-remembered-30255973.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-16

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SURVEY:

Do Avatars affect Your Opinion Of Posters?

Poll: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808792-survey-do-avatars-affect-your-opinion-of-posters/

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Martial law, ambiguity cloud push for development of SEZs
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH
THE NATION
SA KAEW

INVESTORS WORRIED ABOUT LAW; PLUS DECISIONS ARE YET TO BE MADE ON SITES

DESPITE Thailand's push for the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) in border provinces, there are still concerns over the continuation of martial law in those areas and ambiguity in the development plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809017-martial-law-ambiguity-cloud-push-for-development-of-sezs/

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Ban Ki-moon invites Prayut to UN assembly
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has inquired about Thailand's progress in its road map to democracy during a meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Japan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809019-ban-ki-moon-invites-prayut-to-un-assembly/

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Mastermind of court attack reportedly in Australia
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLICE WILL SEEK the extradition of a man suspected of masterminding the hand-grenade attack on the Criminal Court last week, who is also wanted for allegedly committing lese majeste and failing to report to the junta, Royal Thai Police commander General Somyot Poompanmuang said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809020-mastermind-of-bangkok-court-attack-reportedly-in-australia/

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'Junta seeking to retain influence'
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

MAKE-UP OF REFORM BODIES SHOWS MILITARY WANTS ITS MEN TO ENSURE REFORMS ENACTED

BANGKOK: -- THE CHARTER drafters' proposals to set up two new reform bodies have been interpreted by some as a sign that the junta will attempt to retain power or significant influence after the next general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809021-thai-politics-junta-seeking-to-retain-influence/

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Decentralise health system: experts
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

WANT HEALTHCARE ZONES IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO HAVE MORE HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY

BANGKOK: -- EXPERTS have recommended that the health system be decentralised and healthcare zones be implemented - a move they claim would lead to greater hospital efficiency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809022-decentralise-thai-health-system-experts/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand woos India: time for an Act West policy
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
New Delhi

BANGKOK: -- At the Delhi Dialogue VII last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn was actively engaging India. He was the most senior Asean official to attend this year's dialogue, showing Thailand's strong support for India's "Act East Policy" and seizing the momentum so that Thailand and India can share "progress and prosperity truly meaningful for our peoples."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809023-thailand-woos-india-time-for-an-act-west-policy/

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EDITORIAL
TV revolution has only just begun
The Nation

But content upheaval doesn't guarantee big profits

BANGKOK: -- Everyone has a science fiction style of imagination regarding what our TV will be able to do. From the latest reports, it seems that, sooner rather than later, just about everyone will be right.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809024-thai-editorial-tv-revolution-has-only-just-begun/

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Polish Woman injured during fight with Ladyboy in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 23 year old Ladyboy was arrested by Police on Walking Street in South Pattaya in the early hours of Sunday, after he was involved in a fight with a Polish woman, who was reportedly angry that he was talking with her Husband and subsequently sustained a deep cut to her forehead from a high-heeled shoe belonging to the Transsexual.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809025-polish-woman-injured-during-fight-with-ladyboy-in-south-pattaya/

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Lucky escape for Driver and Passengers in Pattaya Highway Minivan Fire



PATTAYA: -- 4 passengers and the driver of a Toyota Minivan, were lucky to escape with their lives after their vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as the group travelled to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809026-lucky-escape-for-driver-and-passengers-in-pattaya-highway-minivan-fire/

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Motorbike Driver killed by suspected drunk driver in Central Pattaya road crash



PATTAYA: -- A 28 year old motorbike driver was killed after he was struck by a pick-up truck, whose driver is suspected of being heavily intoxicated, and then dragged along the road for 100 meters by a Pattaya Meter Taxi which was following behind and could not avoid striking the fallen bike driver.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809027-motorbike-driver-killed-by-suspected-drunk-driver-in-central-pattaya-road-crash/

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UPDATE:

Russian attempts suicide at Pattaya Police Station Holding Cells



PATTAYA: -- Medics were called to Pattaya Police Station on Saturday night after the Custody Sergeant found a Russian inmate hanging from a noose in his cell.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808871-russian-makes-suicide-attempt-at-pattaya-police-station/#entry9190663

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UPDATE:

Danish rampage in Central Pattaya leaves Police Officer injured



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Saturday a 25 year old Danish National was arrested following an incident at a Central Pattaya restaurant where he is alleged to have punched a Traffic Police Officer in the face as he resisted arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808502-dutchman-goes-berserk-hitting-police-thais/page-5?p=9190670#entry9190670

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Phuket red light district 'masseuse' found dead in room had violent fight with ex-boyfriend, say colleagues
Darawan Naknakhon


Phuket red light district 'masseuse' found dead in room had violent fight with ex-boyfriend, say colleagues

PHUKET: -- Police today responded t o a call about a dead 'masseuse' discovered in an apartment room on Phoon Phon Soi 7, near Phuket Town's red light district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809028-phuket-red-light-district-masseuse-found-dead/

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French tourist, 64, booked for shoplifting sun tan lotion from Patong Family Mart


The suspect (in orange shirt) questioned by Patong police and a French translator.

PHUKET: -- An elderly French woman was arrested and charged with theft in Patong this morning after she was found with a bottle of sun tan lotion belonging to a convenient store concealed in her hand bag.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809029-french-tourist-64-booked-for-shoplifting-sun-tan-lotion-from-patong-family-mart/

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Public participation will help create strong organic democracy
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PEOPLE HAVE BEEN very enthusiastic in offering ideas for the new constitution and national reform, according to Thawilwadee Bureekul, who leads the committee on gathering opinions and public participation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809030-public-participation-will-help-create-strong-organic-democracy/

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Draft charter 'problematic'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLITICIANS and a political activist pointed out yesterday that many parts of the draft charter remained highly problematic, including the clause giving the premier the "overwhelming" power to decide which legislative bills are significant and must be enacted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809032-draft-charter-problematic/

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Big stash of US dollars found in bag in Bangkok hotel
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A bag containing US$200,000 (Bt6.6 million) that police suspect is counterfeit and would have been used in a fraudulent act was found yesterday at The Boutique Place Hotel in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809033-big-stash-of-us-dollars-found-in-bag-in-bangkok-hotel/

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Jewellery maker Roos eyes Thai hub for AEC
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION


Rien Rozendaal, founder and designer of Roos 1835

BANGKOK: -- BELGIUM-BASED jewellery-maker Roos 1835 sees great business potential in Asean and expects Thailand to serve as its administrative and management hub, company founder and designer Rien Rozendaal said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809034-jewellery-maker-roos-eyes-thai-hub-for-aec/

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CHINA BUSINESS WEEKLY
How a Chinese superpower may be different
Suwatchai Songwanich
Chief executive Officer,
Bangkok Bank (China)

BEIJING: -- Is China a superpower? This intriguing question was recently posed by Vanchai Srichana, president of Mae Fah Luang University, at a Bangkok Bank event.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809035-how-a-chinese-superpower-may-be-different/

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Netanyahu legacy on the line in Israeli vote
By JOSEF FEDERMAN

JERUSALEM (AP) — As Israelis prepare to vote in parliament elections on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself at a fateful crossroads: Make history or become history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809036-netanyahu-legacy-on-the-line-in-israeli-vote/

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Putin: Russia prepared raising nuclear readiness over Crimea
JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia was ready to bring its nuclear weapons into a state of alert during last year's tensions over the Crimean Peninsula and the overthrow of Ukraine's president, President Vladimir Putin said in remarks aired on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809039-ukraine-conflict-putin-was-ready-for-nuclear-alert/

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Man, 20, charged with shooting 2 officers in Ferguson
By JIM SALTER

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — A 20-year-old man charged Sunday with shooting two police officers watching over a demonstration outside the Ferguson Police Department had attended a protest there earlier that night but told investigators he wasn't targeting the officers, authorities said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809041-man-20-charged-with-shooting-2-officers-in-ferguson/

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US, Iran press for nuke pact; lesser announcement on table?
By BRADLEY KLAPPER and GEORGE JAHN

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The United States and Iran plunged back into negotiation Sunday, hoping to end once and for all a decades-long standoff that has raised the specter of an Iranian nuclear arsenal, a new atomic arms race in the Middle East and even a U.S. or Israeli military intervention. Two weeks out from a deadline for a framework accord, some officials said the awesomeness of the diplomatic task meant negotiators would likely settle for an announcement that they've made enough progress to justify further talks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809043-us-iran-press-for-nuke-pact;-lesser-announcement-on-table/

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Saddam's tomb suffers extensive damage in Iraq fighting
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA

OUJA, Iraq (AP) — The tomb of Iraq's late dictator Saddam Hussein was virtually leveled in heavy clashes between militants from the Islamic State group and Iraqi forces in a fight for control of the city of Tikrit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809046-saddams-tomb-suffers-extensive-damage-in-iraq-fighting/

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Lost handbag returned to Chinese writer

Phuket:- Two Chinese tourists have got back their passports, credit cards and about Bt10,000 cash after accidentally leaving behind a handbag on a Phuket bus.

Li Muzi, a 25-year-old writer, says she lost the bag on the Saturday – the very first day she arrived at the world-famous Phuket with her mother.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809044-lost-handbag-returned-to-chinese-writer/

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Lottery tickets to be sold at convenience stores

Bangkok: – The Government Lottery Office is expected in June to start designating convenience stores as new outlets for distributing and selling lottery tickets.

The GLO will reallocate lottery quotas designed to cap the lottery retail price at 80 baht by using convenience stores to counterbalance the market control of five lottery wholesalers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809042-lottery-tickets-to-be-sold-at-convenience-stores/

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GMP launched for Thai food industry

Bangkok: - The Office of Industrial Economics, Industry Ministry, has launched an awareness campaign, dubbed “Eat Safe, Eat Smart”, to ensure good manufacturing practice for Thai food.

Food producers and caterers should adopt GMP, recognised as the international standard on food production, in order to boost the consumer’s confidence in food safety, OIC director general Udom Wongwiwatchai said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809040-gmp-launched-for-thai-food-industry/

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Vanuatu struggles to account for cyclone damage, deaths
By NICK PERRY

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The official death toll from a massive cyclone that tore through Vanuatu has risen to four, with fears it could jump significantly, officials from the tiny South Pacific archipelago said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809055-vanuatu-struggles-to-account-for-cyclone-damage-deaths/