Thailand Live Friday 20 Mar 2015

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Deputy PM content with developments in Deep South

YALA, 20 March 2015 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has expressed satisfaction with the progress made by security officials in the Deep South and disclosed that delegates for the next peace dialogue are being chosen.

Gen Prawit paid a visit to the three southern border provinces today to follow up on the works of local security units. The deputy premier announced that he was content after discovering that the number of insurgent activities has been reduced by more than half. He said the improvement signifies higher effectiveness of the cooperation of police, soldiers, state officials and residents.

Nonetheless, the Deputy Prime Minister admitted there are still insurgent members active in certain areas but he pointed out that the situation is heading in a better direction. Regarding the ongoing peace dialogue with separatist groups, he said related agencies are in the process of selecting the most suitable representatives to take part in the upcoming talks.

While visiting Yala, Gen Prawit also chaired a meeting of the Committee to Mobilize Policy and Strategy to Solve Problems in the Southern Border Provinces, with attendants including the Army Chief, related ministers, military commanders, heads of security agencies and provincial governors. During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the necessity of conducting security operations in parallel with development works and the promotion of public understanding and acceptance.

-- NNT 2015-03-20

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Claims of torture over court attack materialise
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK,
SUPHACHAI PETCHTHAWEE,
PANYA THIEWSANGWAN
THE NATION



Doctors to re-examine suspects, but warden denies allegations of assault

BANGKOK: -- POLICE WILL get doctors to re-examine four of the suspects allegedly involved in the hand-grenade attack on the Criminal Court following allegations of physical assault and torture to obtain confessions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810275-claims-of-torture-over-bangkok-court-attack-materialise/

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Diving Company to Face Charges for 'Starfish Ads'
By Khaosod English



Photos posted on the Facebook page of Lanta Adventure Trips.

KRABI — The Director of Lanta National Park in southern Thailand says he will file charges against a diving company that advertised its business with photos of a tour guide picking up marine life.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810276-diving-company-to-face-charges-for-starfish-ads/

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Jatuporn fights back as junta makes NBTC shut red TV station
WIRAJ SRIPONG,
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- JATUPORN PROMPHAN, a co-leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, insisted yesterday that there was no reason for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to close down the movement's Peace TV, saying the channel welcomed opinions from all sides, irrespective of one's political leaning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810277-jatuporn-fights-back-as-ncpo-makes-nbtc-shut-red-tv-station/

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Police officer charged with biker's murder
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A POSTMORTEM has found that a Chon Buri motorcyclist who was killed on Tuesday while passing a police checkpoint was shot once at a horizontal trajectory in the back of the head, Thai Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810278-thai-police-officer-charged-with-bikers-murder/

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Forest sector liberalisation plan for AEC postponed
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

Five-year delay follows warnings of disputes, inequality

BANGKOK: -- THE controversial plans to liberalise forestry-sector investment and to allow foreign investors - other than those from Asean countries - to be given the same investment rights as Asean nationals have been postponed by another five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810279-forest-sector-liberalisation-plan-for-aec-postponed/

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PM tells Superboard to create '2020 educational vision' master plan
SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI,
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday instructed the Education Superboard, established during this transition period, yesterday assigned a team to formulate a master plan for education reform from 2015-20 by studying South Korea, Singapore and Finland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810280-pm-prayut-tells-superboard-to-create-2020-educational-vision-master-plan/

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TOURIST BUSINESS
Tourism industry players suggest how to improve Kingdom's competitiveness
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Experts from the airline, hotel, and travel industries have proposed initiatives to improve country's ability to compete in the growing global tourism market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810281-tourism-industry-players-suggest-how-to-improve-thailands-competitiveness/

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EDITORIAL
A blunder that could come back to haunt the govt
The Nation

Detaining an eyewitness to the Wat Pathum Wanaram shootings incommunicado for a week has raised suspicion of a cover-up

BANGKOK: -- Whether Nattatida Meewangpla is guilty of organising bomb attacks in Bangkok, no one can say. The jury has not yet spoken.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810282-thai-editorial-a-blunder-that-could-come-back-to-haunt-the-govt/

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OVERDRIVE
US allies defect as new world order tips towards China
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- Washington is losing its clout. Its allies in Europe - the UK, Germany, France and Italy - have applied to become members of the China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), defying US calls for them to exercise caution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810283-us-allies-defect-as-new-world-order-tips-towards-china/

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Malaysian, Thai arrested in ivory trade

Bangkok:- Police have arrested a Malaysian and a Thai for having allegedly carried out illegal ivory trade by buying and smuggling in tusks from Africa to resell to customers in Thailand.

The arrest was announced at a joint press conference held by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dapong Ratanasuwan and National Police chief Pol Gen Somyos Pumphanmuang at the Royal Thai Police at 4:30 pm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810246-malaysian-thai-arrested-in-ivory-trade/

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Fire destroys bus transporting 34 farang

Chumphon:- A fire completely consumed a bus transporting 34 farang tourists from Khao Sarn Road to the Don Sak-Samui ferry pier early Thursday.

No one was injured because the driver woke up the passengers and had them flee before the fire engulfed the two-platform air-conditioned bus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810242-fire-destroys-bus-transporting-34-farang/

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Lambo Taxi owners sue internet for embezzlement accusation
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Joe Maesai Facebook

BANGKOK -- Maesai “Joe” Prapasawat, famous now as the slap-happy Lambo Taxi Man, filed a police report yesterday against a web forum where someone accused him of embezzlement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810287-lambo-taxi-owners-sue-internet-for-embezzlement-accusation/

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Pakistani man wanted for theft in Phuket caught in Songkhla
Eakkapop Thongtub


Paris Azeem was caught after police shared information about the crime on various social media channels.

PHUKET: Thanks to social media, a man from Pakistan who was wanted in Phuket on a theft charge was arrested in Songkhla.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810288-pakistani-man-wanted-for-theft-in-phuket-caught-in-songkhla/

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BURNING ISSUE
Reform bodies ponder their survival under new charter
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE CHAPTER on "national reform and promoting reconciliation" established in the new charter will end its term after five years once the Constitution comes into force - yet there is still one method to extend this chapter through referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810290-thai-politics-reform-bodies-ponder-their-survival-under-new-charter/

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Charter referendum will delay election: CDC official
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CONSTITUTIONAL DRAFTING Committee (CDC) vice president Nareewan Chintakanond has said it will take an additional three to six months before a general election is held if there were a charter referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810292-thai-charter-referendum-will-delay-election-cdc-official/

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Credit union being 'lenient' with temple
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE KLONGCHAN Credit Union Cooperative's decision to withdraw civil and criminal lawsuits against Wat Dhammakaya after receiving an initial payment of Bt684 million is far too lenient, National Reform Council (NRC) member Paiboon Nititawan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810293-klongchan-credit-union-being-lenient-with-dhammakaya-temple/

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Myanmar asked to help in haze crisis
NATTHAWAT LAPING,
STANLEY BENNETT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THAILAND has asked for Myanmar's cooperation in tackling forest fires in the haze-hit northern region and to inform Thailand of outdoor burning or wildfires in advance so the authorities can build fire buffer zones, a senior officer of the Pha-muang Task Force said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810294-myanmar-asked-to-help-in-thailands-haze-crisis/

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Man Pleads for Electricity After 3 Decades of Waiting


Electricity is common all over the world, but one man in Nong Mamong has been waiting for electricity for over 30 years. Payup Rungruang is 73 years old and lives in a small village in the Nong Mamong district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810289-man-pleads-for-electricity-after-3-decades-of-waiting/

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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's office says he has died aged 84.

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Israeli leader backtracks from Palestinian state opposition
By IAN DEITCH

JERUSALEM (AP) — Days after winning re-election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday backtracked from hard-line statements against the establishment of a Palestinian state in the face of a diplomatic backlash.


Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810297-israeli-leader-backtracks-from-palestinian-state-opposition/

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Islamic State claims responsibility for Tunisia attack
By JAMEY KEATEN and PAUL SCHEMM

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Thursday for the attack that killed 21 people at a museum. But Tunisian authorities said the two slain gunmen had no clear links to extremists, and analysts said existing militant cells are merely being inspired by the group, rather than establishing its presence across North Africa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810299-islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-tunisia-attack/

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AP Exclusive: Draft agreement cuts Iran's nuclear hardware
By BRADLEY KLAPPER and GEORGE JAHN

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The United States and Iran are drafting elements of a nuclear deal that commits Tehran to a 40 percent cut in the number of machines it could use to make an atomic bomb, officials told The Associated Press on Thursday. In return, the Iranians would get quick relief from some crippling economic sanctions and a partial lift of a U.N. embargo on conventional arms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810300-ap-exclusive-draft-agreement-cuts-irans-nuclear-hardware/

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Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser dies aged 84

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Malcolm Fraser, a former Australian prime minister has died. He was 84 years old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810301-former-australian-prime-minister-malcolm-fraser-dies-aged-84/

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Army chief warns of IS spread to Europe if Libya gets no aid
By MOUNIR AL-DRISI and MAGGIE MICHAEL

AL-MARJ, Libya (AP) — Libya's army chief, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, warned in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday that Europe will face infiltration by Islamic State group militants from Libya if the West fails to support his forces with arms and ammunition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810302-army-chief-warns-of-is-spread-to-europe-if-libya-gets-no-aid/

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Grenade lobbed at husband and pregnant wife

Saraburi: – Nong Khae police are checking into a grenade explosion which caused serious injuries for two victims, a husband and his pregnant wife.

Alerted by neighbours, police and the explosive ordnance disposal team went to investigate the scene at a rental room at Nong Khae three-way junction, Nong Khae district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810306-grenade-lobbed-at-husband-and-pregnant-wife/

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Conservation vs Renovation of Historical Buildings

Bangkok: – Wat Kalayanamitr has cited renovation to justify the repairs of historical buildings, rebutting the Fine Arts Department’s accusation for the destruction of historical properties.

Department director general Borvornvate Rungrujee has filed a police complaint charging the temple for failing to abide by the law on historical buildings conservation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810303-conservation-vs-renovation-of-historical-buildings/

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Singaporean man, three Thais arrested for allegedly selling pseudoephedrine

Bangkok:- Police have arrested a Singaporean man and three Thais in connection to alleged trade of pseudoephedrine, the precursor chemical for crystal methamphetamine.

The four suspects were identified as Lo Eng Boon, 68, Suchada Jitsopha, 33, Athi Sathitthanatham, 58, and Jirawut Suphapong, 28.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810314-singaporean-man-three-thais-arrested-for-allegedly-selling-pseudoephedrine/

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Facebook chat kills again

Phetchaburi:- Police have arrested a man for having allegedly killed his wife out of jealousy after he found she had chatted with other men via mobile Facebook chat app.

Initially, Sangwal Maidee, 37, called the Mueang Phetchaburi police station Thursday night, claiming he had returned from work to find the body of his wife, Sujitra Maidee, 30, in their rented room in Mueng district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/810321-facebook-chat-kills-again/

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Surin joins hands with Buriram bringing their OTOP goods to Cambodia

SURIN, 20 Mar 2015, (NNT) - The provinces of Surin and Buriram have joined hands bringing their OTOP products to Cambodia, as they plan to expand the market to neighboring countries.

More than 100 OTOP producers from the 2 provinces and Nakhonratchasima traveled to Allongweng District of Udonmechai Province in Cambodia yesterday to take part in an exhibition showcasing their products to the locals.

The efforts is part of the the Interior Ministry’s OTOP promotion policy which highlights the expansion of the products’ distribution channel, while promoting ties with neighboring nations.

The event is the first of its kind in 2015. Officials strongly believe that the fair would also cement the already strong ties between Thais and Cambodian.

The event has opened up rare opportunities for Thai vendors to conduct business matchmaking with their Cambodian counterparts.

The most popular Thai OTOP items among Cambodian are foods, closely followed by herbal products, cosmetics, silk, and clothes. The fair will be concluded on Sunday, March 22nd.


-- NNT 2015-03-20