Thailand Live Thursday 19 Mar 2015

[webfact]

Iranian man arrested with over 1,000 fake passports

Bangkok:- An Iranian man who has been living in Thailand for some 20 years has been arrested with over 1,000 fake passports of more than 60 countries and has been charged with running a human trafficking gang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809926-iranian-man-arrested-with-over-1000-fake-passports/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

HAZE CRISIS
All-out efforts to fight smog
Nattawat Laping,
Panya Thiosangwan,
Ayuthai Nontirat,
The Nation



Singaporean air force joins mission as situation in northern provinces to worsen today; Army mobilising resources

CHIANG MAI: -- THAILAND mobilised all its resources yesterday to combat the haze crisis in the North, which threatens to be the worst in recent history, with air pollution in some parts of Chiang Ri province already three times beyond safety limits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809836-singapore-chopper-joins-in-effort-to-douse-forest-fires-in-north/#entry9203479

[webfact]

At least 8 dead in Tunisia attack on leading museum
BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA, Associated Press

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Gunmen opened fire Wednesday at a leading museum in Tunisia's capital, leaving at least eight dead and six wounded, including foreign tourists, authorities said. It was the first attack on a tourist site in years in Tunisia, a shaky young democracy that has struggled to keep Islamic extremist violence at bay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809900-at-least-8-dead-in-tunisia-attack-on-leading-museum/

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Supreme Court decides today on hearing Yingluck rice case
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders will today decide whether to accept the case filed against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for negligence by failing to stop corruption and mismanagement in the rice-pledging scheme that inflicted a loss of Bt600 billion to the national coffers and the rice trade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809965-supreme-court-decides-today-on-hearing-yingluck-rice-case/

[webfact]

ESTIMATED 700
No figures on civilians being tried by military court
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

NCPO clueless while other groups estimate the number to be up to 700

BANGKOK: - AT THE heart of the fierce debate over whether civilians should face a military tribunal under martial law is the mystery and disagreement on the exact number of civilians who are being tried in military courts since the coup last May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809967-no-figures-on-civilians-being-tried-by-thai-military-court/

[webfact]

Row over Nan road widening resolved
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

Road expansion project will spare 800 metre long tunnel of trees

BANGKOK: -- THE UPROAR over the Highways Department's plan to widen a road in Nan province at the expense of towering tree tunnels ended yesterday with the promise that at least one of them would be spared.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809968-row-over-nan-road-widening-resolved/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Stop hiring relatives, NRC members told
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Council has instructed its members to terminate the employment of their relatives after it was revealed that 12 NRC members had hired family members to work for them, Wanchai Sornsiri, spokesman of the NRC whip, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809837-nrcs-whips-to-consider-the-practice-of-hiring-relatives-to-be-assistants-of-nrc-members/?p=9203508#entry9203508

[webfact]

Chinese company launches electric vehicles in Thailand
PICHAYA CHANGSORN
THE NATION



THE FIRST COMPANY to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) to Thailand is not Japanese or Western, but Chinese.

BANGKOK: -- BYD, a Chinese car and battery manufacturer 9.9-per-cent-owned by American billionaire Warren Buffett, yesterday held a grand ceremony to announce the launch of its K9 electric bus and e6 electric sedan to the Thai market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809969-chinese-company-launches-electric-vehicles-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Directors equally split over economy
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE first-ever "Thai Directors Survey", conducted by the Thai Institute of Directors (IOD) earlier this year, shows that opinion regarding Thai economic prospects is split down the middle, while corruption remains their top concern despite the ongoing efforts of the military-led government to tackle the problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809970-directors-equally-split-over-thai-economy/

[webfact]

THAI TALK
Suspicion over NCPO's role after charter is promulgated
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- One day, he said he was ready to call it quits "if the public doesn't want me". The next day, he was equally unequivocal that nothing could change his determination to stay the course.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809971-suspicion-over-ncpos-role-after-charter-is-promulgated/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Taking the sting out of the North
The Nation

To clear the annual smog, we need to put a stop to the burning of farmland

BANGKOK: -- The smog that periodically envelopes parts of northern Thailand is back worse than ever this year, fed by the uncontrolled burning of scrub and forest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809972-thai-editorial-taking-the-sting-out-of-the-north/

[webfact]

Chinese tourist found dead in Mae Sot hotel

Mae Sot, Tak:- A 59-year-old Chinese tourist was found dead in a hotel in the northern border town of Mae Sot in Tak province Wednesday.

Police believe Wang Sheng had succumbed to his chronic illness that might worsen because of the heat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809898-chinese-tourist-found-dead-in-mae-sot-hotel/

[webfact]

Thailand Detains Illegal Fishing Vessel

Phuket officials have detained a fishing vessel with a long history of illegal fishing. The vessel, known as Kunlun, is wanted by Interpol and has been internationally blacklisted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809959-thailand-detains-illegal-fishing-vessel/

[webfact]

AMLO to impound 7 billion baht worth of assets of four companies

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office has decided to impound 192 items of assets worth about 7 billion baht belonging to four companies linked with associates of Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative’s former chairman who allegedly embezzled about 13 billion baht from the cooperative.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809976-amlo-to-impound-7-billion-baht-worth-of-assets-of-four-companies/

[webfact]

Prayuth: Terror Suspect Invited to Army Camp, Not Arrested
By Khaosod English


Nattathida Meewangpla in front of martial court in Bangkok on 17 March 2015.

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has insisted that soldiers did not harm a 36-year-old woman who was held incommunicado in military custody for six days and later accused of participating in a terror plot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809977-prayut-terror-suspect-invited-to-army-camp-not-arrested/

[webfact]

Political prisoners can be released right away: Paiboon
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha's government should not wait until the new charter comes into effect before pardoning and releasing hundreds of political prisoners as this can be done right away, Constitution Drafting Committee member Paiboon Nititawan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809979-political-prisoners-can-be-released-right-away-paiboon/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Wrong approach leads to wasted chance to cut inequality
ATTHAYUT BUTRSRIPOOM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ONCE PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha had ordered a delay in the plan to collect land and building tax, many people clearly felt relieved. They were glad the government had heeded the views of the opposition and not slammed through the scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809980-thai-politics-wrong-approach-leads-to-wasted-chance-to-cut-inequality/

[webfact]

Taxing tutorial schools only fair, says Sansern
Jeerapong Prasertponkrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government's decision to tax tutorial schools is aimed at boosting taxation fairness as research shows tutorial schools' profit rate is as high as 40 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809981-taxing-tutorial-schools-only-fair-says-sansern/

[webfact]

Woman held over court attack may be key operative
THE NATION


Suphaphorn Mit-arak, a key suspect in the hand-grenade attack on the Criminal Court, is yesterday taken to the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok for further questioning.

BANGKOK: -- POLICE BELIEVE a suspect arrested for her alleged role in the March 7 hand-grenade attack on the Criminal Court is a key operative coordinating with a high-profile US-based suspect who has been financing an anti-government movement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809982-woman-held-over-bangkok-court-attack-may-be-key-operative/

[webfact]

Administration sets record for withholding government files
By TED BRIDIS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration set a record again for censoring government files or outright denying access to them last year under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, according to a new analysis of federal data by The Associated Press.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809984-obama-administration-sets-record-for-withholding-government-files/

[webfact]

Netanyahu win dashes prospect for a thaw with Obama
By JULIE PACE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration signaled on Wednesday it could take a tougher stance toward Benjamin Netanyahu following his decisive Israeli election victory and campaign tack to the right, saying there will be consequences for his sudden reversal on the idea of an independent Palestinian state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809985-netanyahu-win-dashes-prospect-for-a-thaw-with-obama/

[webfact]

Prosecutor in Texas execution case accused of misconduct
By EVA RUTH MORAVEC and PAUL J. WEBER

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A prosecutor who handled the case of a Texas man executed for the fire deaths of his three daughters has been formally accused of misconduct over allegations that he concealed evidence during the 1992 murder trial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809986-prosecutor-in-texas-execution-case-accused-of-misconduct/

[webfact]

Russia: North Korean leader to visit Moscow for Victory Day

MOSCOW (AP) — The leader of North Korea is among 26 world leaders who have accepted invitations to Moscow to take part in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809987-russia-north-korean-leader-to-visit-moscow-for-victory-day/

[webfact]

Even with hiring up, Fed want further gains before rate hike
MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — After holding interest rates at record lows for more than six years, the Federal Reserve still isn't ready to start raising them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809988-even-with-hiring-up-us-fed-want-further-gains-before-rate-hike/

[webfact]

Burmese immigrant faces murder charges in killing of 3 boys
By JONATHAN DREW

NEW BERN, N.C. (AP) — Police say a Burmese immigrant has been charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of three young brothers, ages 1, 5 and 12.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809990-burmese-immigrant-faces-us-murder-charges-in-killing-of-3-boys/

[webfact]

Policeman to face charges for shooting dead motorcyclist

Bangkok: – A policeman in Chon Buri might have used excessive force to open fire and kill a motorcyclist who allegedly tried to evade a road checkpoint, police spokesman said.

Lt General Prawut Thavornsiri said Senior Sergeant Major Suphan Khamnit would be summoned and charged for multiple criminal violations, including murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809989-policeman-to-face-charges-for-shooting-dead-motorcyclist/

[webfact]

GMM Grammy threatens to enforce intellectual property rights

Bangkok: – The entertainment powerhouse, GMM Grammy, has issued a warning on the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

The warning reminds proprietors of restaurants, pubs, bars, karaoke boxes and entertainment venues to seek advance permission and pay licensing fees before turning on the music and music videos under the GMM label.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809992-gmm-grammy-threatens-to-enforce-intellectual-property-rights/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Museum attack in Tunisian capital kills 19; 2 gunmen slain
By BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA and PAUL SCHEMM

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Foreign tourists scrambled in panic Wednesday after militants stormed a museum in Tunisia's capital and killed 19 people, "shooting at anything that moved," a witness said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809900-at-least-8-dead-in-tunisia-attack-on-leading-museum/#entry9203688

[webfact]

3,500 houses on Lard Prao Canal face demolition

Bangkok:- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will demolish some 3,500 houses of squatters living on the banks of Lard Prao Canal, a senior BMA official said.

BMA’s Drainage and Sewerage Department Director Kungwal Deesuwan said some 13,900 squatters living in the houses will be evicted to make way for constructions of flood embankments along the 24-kilometer-long canal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809999-3500-houses-on-lard-prao-canal-face-demolition/

[webfact]

Swedish police: Several people shot, some dead, in Gothenburg
KARL RITTER, Associated Press

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish police say several people have been shot inside a restaurant in the city of Gothenburg and that some of have died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810009-swedish-police-several-people-shot-some-dead-in-gothenburg/