Bangkok holds ‘Ride to Grow’ event ahead of Earth Hour campaign



BANGKOK, 27 March 2015 (NNT) – Officials from the upper districts of Bangkok have joined the ‘Ride to Grow for Change’ cycling event held prior to the 60 Earth Hour 2015 lights-off campaign to raise the public awareness on climate change.

The Deputy Governor of Bangkok Jumpol Sumpaopol today presided over the ‘Ride to Grow for Changes’ cycling event hosted by the upper districts group of Bangkok. The event is held prior to the 60 Earth Hour 2015 lights-off campaign that is set to take place on 28 March 2015.

The activity, held at the Dog Park in Vachara Phirom Park, was participated by the executives and officials from Bangkok’s upper districts including Chatuchak, Don Mueang, Bang Khen, Bang Sue, Lad Phrao, Sai Mai, and Lak Si. Government and private agencies, the military, and the general public are also participating in the event.

The cycling route of this event starts from Central Ramindra shopping mall to the Vachara Phirom Park in Bang Khen district along the Ramindra road. A tree planting activity at the Vachara Phirom Park is also a feature of the event.

The event aims to instill environmental awareness and conservation in the public, increase green zones in Bangkok, and to promoting campaign for the 60 Earth Hour 2015 lights-off event. The public is invited to turn their lights off for one hour during 8:30-9:30pm on 28 March 2015 in the 60 Earth Hour 2015 event. The global activity will be done concurrently with other cities in the world.

-- NNT 2015-03-27

Alone at controls, co-pilot sought to 'destroy' the plane
LORI HINNANT, Associated Press
DAVE McHUGH, Associated Press


PARIS (AP) — The co-pilot of the doomed Germanwings jet barricaded himself in the cockpit and "intentionally" sent the plane full speed into a mountain in the French Alps, ignoring the pilot's frantic pounding on the door and the screams of terror from passengers, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812205-alone-at-controls-co-pilot-sought-to-destroy-the-plane/

Suthep Reports to NACC For 2010 Crackdown Charges
By Khaosod English


Suthep Thaugsuban formally reported to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to contest charges related his role in the deadly crackdown on Redshirt protesters in 2010, 26 March 2015.

BANGKOK — Former deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban formally reported to Thailand's national anti-graft agency to contest charges related his role in the deadly crackdown on Redshirt protesters in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812233-suthep-reports-to-nacc-for-2010-crackdown-charges/

Consumer group wants decision on SLC stake in NMG reversed
THE NATION


NMG chairman Suthichai Yoon files a petition to Department of Special Investigation chief Suwana Suwanjata, seeking an investigation into the questionable trading of NMG stocks since 2014, as senior company executives look on.

BANGKOK: -- A CONSUMERS rights group yesterday called on three members of the broadcast regulator to rescind their decision on the legitimacy of SLC's stake in Nation Multimedia Group (NMG).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812234-consumer-group-wants-decision-on-slc-stake-in-nmg-reversed/

US TIP REPORT
'Report on fishermen abuse hurts Thailand'
THE NATION

Govt worries over status in US tips report despite bid to tackle human trafficking

BANGKOK: -- WHILE EXPRESSING confidence in the measures to combat human trafficking, the government yesterday admitted that fresh reports on forced workers being found on Thai trawlers in Indonesia could hurt Thailand when the United State's new Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report is released this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812235-us-tip-report-report-on-fishermen-abuse-hurts-thailand/

Regular flights from Thailand still allowed to Japan, Transport Min says



BANGKOK, 27 March 2015 (NNT) – The Transport Minister has confirmed that Japanese authorities will not be reducing the number of scheduled flights operated by Thai airliners, stressing that there will be no flight cancellations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812236-regular-flights-from-thailand-still-allowed-to-japan-transport-min-says/

UPDATE:

PM mulls alternative to martial law
JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he was thinking of replacing martial law with other laws including giving himself "absolute power".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812085-prayut-ponders-martial-law-lifting/#entry9235008

Cop wanted over monk killing held
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- WITH the help of Laotian authorities, police yesterday apprehended a junior policeman accused of being involved in the murder of a revered Udon Thani-based monk earlier this month, national police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812237-cop-wanted-over-thai-monk-killing-held/

INHERITANCE TAX
Inheritance tax rate slashed from 10 to 5 per cent: Sommai
The Nation

The inheritance tax will now be 5 per cent, not the 10-per-cent level proposed in the inheritance tax bill.

BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said yesterday that the planned tax cut would follow the majority vote of the National Legislative Assembly's special committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812238-inheritance-tax-rate-slashed-from-10-to-5-per-cent-sommai/

EXPORT
Private sector upbeat on export in H2
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


Pornsilp Patchrintanakul

BANGKOK: -- The private sector is optimistic that exports will bounce back in the second half of this year due to higher imports of raw materials, despite the shrinking of shipments in the first two months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812239-thai-private-sector-upbeat-on-export-in-h2/

EDITORIAL
Prayut must raise his sights
The Nation

The PM should have thanked Channel 3 for exposing the plight of Thai fishermen jailed abroad; instead, he again resorted to 'shooting the messenger'

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was incensed over a recent investigative report by a respected journalist on the fate of Thai fishermen on Indonesia's Benjina Island. Channel 3's "Three Dimension News" programme found that some 400-500 Thai fishermen were languishing in jail there. Some had died behind bars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812240-prayut-must-raise-his-sights/

Young German suffers drive-by bag snatch in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- An 18 year old German female became the latest victim of a bag snatch in Central Pattaya early on Thursday Morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812241-young-german-suffers-drive-by-bag-snatch-in-central-pattaya/

Pattaya Construction Site fight leads to death of Cambodian



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday the body of a 31 year old Cambodian construction worker was found in undergrowth close to a construction site which was raided by officials less than 10 days ago due to constant fighting between workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812243-pattaya-construction-site-fight-leads-to-death-of-cambodian/

Tourist arrivals exceed 2 million now



BANGKOK: -- Tourism and Sports Korbkarn Wattanavrangkul says tourist arrivals in the country continue to rise with now over two million tourists have arrived this month, representing a 25.8% increase.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812244-thai-tourism-minister-tourist-arrivals-exceed-2-million-now/

'Fast and Furious 7' showing suspended until further notice

BANGKOK: -- The Civil Court issued an injunction on Wednesday suspending the show of Hollywood’s action-packed movie “Fast and Furious 7” scheduled on April 1 pending the court’s trial of a breach of contract case between Saha Mongkol Film and one of the actors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812245-fast-and-furious-7-showing-suspended-in-thailand-until-further-notice/

Lawyer: Phra Dhammachayo knows nothing about the cheques



BANGKOK: -- Phra Dhammachayo has never touched any of the 15 cheques issued by the former chairman of Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative Mr Supachai Srisupa-aksorn to Wat Dhammakaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812246-lawyer-phra-dhammachayo-knows-nothing-about-klongchan-cheques/

UPDATE:

Trafficking to carry death penalty

REUTERS

BANGKOK: -- PARLIAMENT VOTED overwhelmingly yesterday to introduce harsher punishments for human traffickers, including life imprisonment and the death penalty in cases where their victims had died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812199-nla-passes-anti-human-trafficking-bill/#entry9235075

Final clause of charter lets junta off hook for coup
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) yesterday spent only 30 seconds deliberating the last clause of the draft constitution that would in effect grant amnesty to the junta for its involvement in the coup last May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812247-final-clause-of-thai-charter-lets-junta-off-hook-for-coup/

Democracy activist arrested, charged with violating junta's order
THE NATION


Pro-democracy activist Pansak Srithep is handcuffed as he is taken to Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday. Pansak faces three charges

BANGKOK: -- PRO-DEMOCRACY activist Pansak Srithep was arrested early yesterday and charged with three offences, including violating the order of the military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order forbidding political gatherings of more than four people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812248-democracy-activist-arrested-charged-with-violating-ncpos-order/

Class sizes to be cut
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Classes in all state schools will be pared down to 40 students or less in five years, compared to about 50 now.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812249-class-sizes-to-be-cut-in-all-state-schools/

Rice farmer hangs himself over mounting debts
By Sayan Chucham
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A 46-year-old rice farmer in Phichit's Muang district committed suicide by hanging himself yesterday morning allegedly due to overwhelming debts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812250-thai-rice-farmer-hangs-himself-over-mounting-debts/

Garbage impeding flow of rainwater: BMA

Tanatpong Kongsai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MORE than 10 tonnes of garbage has been retrieved from pipes and sieves at each of Bangkok's pump stations every time city officials rush there to facilitate the flow of water out of the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812252-garbage-impeding-flow-of-rainwater-bangkok-administration/

UPDATE:

Unwell abbot sends finance |director to answer DSI queries
Piyanut Tamnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- WAT DHAMMAKAYA abbot Phra Dhammachayo yesterday sent as his representative a monk in charge of finance to answer questions from the Department of Special Investigation, as he was suffering from chronic illness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812246-lawyer-phra-dhammachayo-knows-nothing-about-klongchan-cheques/#entry9235127

Slain insurgents were plotting attacks: Isoc
Nakarin Chinworakomon,
Pares Lohasan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- FOLLOWING Wednesday's operation in which four suspected insurgents were killed and 22 others arrested in Pattani's Thung Yang Dang district, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc)'s 4th Region Front Command yesterday told the press that operative insurgents had gathered there to plot attacks in the area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812253-slain-insurgents-were-plotting-attacks-isoc/

Teacher quality project revived
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

TDRI president says good choices possible with high supply, low demand

BANGKOK: -- THE Education Ministry is reviving the Khuruthayat Project through which successful candidates will get scholarships to study in teacher-education programmes and get teaching jobs after their graduation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812254-teacher-quality-project-revived/

Trains collide in Thailand, over 20 injured

Image source: Internet

BANGKOK (AP) — Two passenger trains collided north of Thailand's capital late Thursday, injuring more than 20 people, authorities said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812223-trains-collide-in-ayutthaya-several-people-injured/

New York fire, building collapse injure 12; gas blast blamed
By JONATHAN LEMIRE and COLLEEN LONG

NEW YORK (AP) — An apartment building collapsed in a fiery burst of rubble on Thursday and flames spread to nearby buildings in what officials said appeared to be a gas-related explosion, injuring at least a dozen people and scattering debris across surrounding streets in the heart of Manhattan's trendy East Village.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812255-new-york-fire-building-collapse-injure-12;-gas-blast-blamed/

Mentally stable at 38,000 feet: Can you trust your pilot?
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

NEW YORK (AP) — Airline pilots are supposed to be the ones we trust.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812257-mentally-stable-at-38000-feet-can-you-trust-your-pilot/

'Downton Abbey' to end after upcoming 6th season
By FRAZIER MOORE

NEW YORK (AP) — A grand manor will close its doors to millions of weekly guests after "Downton Abbey" concludes next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812259-downton-abbey-to-end-after-upcoming-6th-season/

House OKs bipartisan Medicare doctor bill; fate up to Senate
By ALAN FRAM

WASHINGTON (AP) — In uncommon bipartisan harmony, the House approved a $214 billion bill on Thursday permanently blocking physician Medicare cuts, moving Congress closer to resolving a problem that has plagued it for years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812261-house-oks-bipartisan-medicare-doctor-bill;-fate-up-to-us-senate/