Thailand Live Tuesday 31 Mar 2015

[webfact]

Thailand admits 'urgent' need to improve aviation safety
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thai authorities Monday said they would use special powers under junta rule to "urgently" improve airline safety as several carriers face bans on new international flights following concerns raised by a UN aviation agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813417-thailand-admits-urgent-need-to-improve-aviation-safety/

[webfact]

Redshirt TV Channels Suspended For 'Inciting Unrest'
By Khaosod English


Core Redshirt leader Nattawut Saikua speaking on Peace TV in Sept 2014.

BANGKOK — Two satellite TV channels operated by Redshirt organizations have been suspended from the air for seven days for allegedly "inciting unrest" against the military junta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813345-nbtc-suspends-two-satellite-tv-stations/

[webfact]

Thai court lifts ban on 'Fast & Furious': lawyer
AFP

BANGKOK: -- A Thai court Monday lifted a ban on the latest instalment in "The Fast and the Furious" blockbuster franchise, a lawyer said, following a contract dispute with a local actor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813419-thai-court-lifts-ban-on-fast-furious-lawyer/

[webfact]

ARTICLE 44
Prayut promises to exercise absolute power 'constructively'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday promised to exercise his powers under Article 44 of the provisional charter "in a constructive manner" - an apparent bid to allay concerns over a new order he will issue to replace martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813420-prayut-promises-to-exercise-absolute-power-constructively/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

REGULATORY SYSTEM OVERHAUL
Article 44 to be used to fix aviation woes
SUCHAT SRITAMA,
ANAPAT DEECHUAY
THE NATION

Govt vows to overhaul regulatory system in 2 to 8 months; fears of limits on flights from Thailand

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha's will use the immense power given to him by invoking Article 44 of the interim charter to address substandard Department of Civil Aviation procedures that may lead to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) downgrading its rating.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813417-thailand-admits-urgent-need-to-improve-aviation-safety/#entry9250400

[webfact]

Govt to make fight against human trafficking a national priority in bid to avoid foreign sanction
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE suppression of human trafficking will be made a national priority on Friday to avoid the risk of Thailand being downgraded under an international protocol against trafficking, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813421-govt-to-make-fight-against-human-trafficking-a-national-priority-in-bid-to-avoid-foreign-sanction/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Dozens of Myanmar migrants arrested on train to Thai south
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thai police said Monday they had charged 70 migrants from Myanmar and six Rohingya Muslims with illegal entry after they were arrested on a train bound for a southern province bordering Malaysia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813421-govt-to-make-fight-against-human-trafficking-a-national-priority-in-bid-to-avoid-foreign-sanction/#entry9250413

[webfact]

STREETWISE
The coup to end all coups: A reading culture in Thailand
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- The annual book fair returned last week and, as in previous years, it came with new statistics on reading. The Chulalongkorn University study delivered a few surprises, especially for those who stick to the old assumption that "Thais don't read".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813422-the-coup-to-end-all-coups-a-reading-culture-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Woman robbed at knife point in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday a 32 year old Thai woman reported an armed robbery which occurred in South Pattaya which resulted in the theft of her shoulder bag.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813423-woman-robbed-at-knife-point-in-south-pattaya/

[webfact]

'Undesirables' rounded-up by Police on Pattaya Beach



PATTAYA: -- On Monday Night, Pattaya Police conducted one of their sweeps of Pattaya Beach, in search of those considered as “undesirable”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813424-undesirables-rounded-up-by-police-on-pattaya-beach/

[webfact]

Suspected drunk-driver killed in Pattaya road crash



BANGKOK: -- Late on Monday Night a 38 year old Thai man, who was suspected of being intoxicated, was killed after he smashed into a parked motorbike in Soi Huay Yai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813425-suspected-drunk-driver-killed-in-pattaya-road-crash/

[webfact]

Police officer arrested for trafficking in 1.2 million methamphetamine pills



BANGKOK: -- A border patrol police sergeant and eight other civilians were arrested separately in several places after they were responsible for trafficking in 1.2 million methamphetamine pills from across the border to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813426-thai-police-officer-arrested-for-trafficking-in-12-million-methamphetamine-pills/

[webfact]

Amnesty for 35,000 prisoners on the occasion of Princess Sirindhorn’s birthday anniversary



BANGKOK: -- Altogether 35,000 prisoners throughout the country will be granted amnesty on the occasion of the 60th birthday anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on April 2.

Under the amnesty law, prisoners who have served at least three years or half of their imprisonments and have less than a year jailterm left will be set free.

Disabled inmates or those who are suffering from cancer, leprosy, AIDS, chronic kidney disease will also be freed if they have served at least three years or half of their imprisonments.

First-time female prisoners who have served half of their jailterms prisoners who are over 60 and who have less than three years to serve, those who are over 70 and first-time female prisoners who are less than 20 and have served half of their jailterms and well-behalved prisoners who have only two years to serve will be released.

Condemned prisoners will be spared the death sentence and to serve life imprisonment, life imprisonment prisoners will have their terms commuted to 50 years and their remaining terms will be reduced according to their behavior.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/amnesty-for-35000-prisoners-on-the-occasion-of-princess-sirindhorns-birthday-anniversary


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-31

[webfact]

Pattaya Beach Traffic Re-organization Program begins



PATTAYA; -- Despite many failed attempts in the past, Pattaya Beach Road is once again the subject of a traffic re-organization program which is hoped will reduce traffic congestion along the road caused by illegally parked vehicles, including Baht Buses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813427-pattaya-beach-traffic-re-organization-program-begins/

[webfact]

Police hunt for Russian for selling 'bongs'

Surat Thani:- The Surat Thani police chief Monday instructed police on Koh Pha Ngan to launch a manhunt for a Russian who has posted an online ad to sell ‘bongs’ or water pipes made of bamboo for smoking marijuana.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813362-police-hunt-for-russian-for-selling-bongs/

[webfact]

Body of South Korean navigator found

Chum Phon:- The body of the navigator of a South Korean cargoes ship who accidently fell off the ship in Surat Thani last week has been found on a Chum Phon beach, police said.

The body of Jong In Shang, 45, was found at 6:45 pm on Sunday on the Ban Klang Ao beach in Moo 13 village of Tambon Bong Maprao in Chum Phon’s Lang Suan district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813366-body-of-south-korean-navigator-found/

[webfact]

High kicks and high spirits
PARINYAPORN PAJEE
THE NATION



A confident Tony Jaa chats about his experiences making movies in Hollywood and Hong Kong

BANGKOK: -- It’s been two years since Thai action star "Tony" Jaa Phanom Yeerum agreed to chat with the local press and he was surprisingly relaxed when he sat down with reporters last week to talk about his upcoming film "Skin Trade", which is set for release in Thailand on April 23.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813428-tony-jaa-chats-about-his-experiences-making-movies-in-hollywood/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Beware of those who see the need for Article 44
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

BANGKOK: -- THE IRONY of the current political situation is that while the junta-appointed chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Borwornsak Uwanno, is busy promoting the new charter and its numerous built-in checks and balances, junta leader and Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is seriously considering anointing himself with unchecked absolute power under Article 44 of the provisional charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813429-thai-politics-beware-of-those-who-see-the-need-for-article-44/

[webfact]

Sangha Council cancels Bangkok 'mass prayer'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Sangha Supreme Council yesterday cancelled a "mass prayer" that was due to be held at Bangkok's Royal Plaza today on the grounds that the venue and the timing was not appropriate.

It had been reported that seven Buddhist organisations - including the Association of Scholars for Buddhism (ASB) - was to join the event to call for more religious protection.

Phra Methithammajarn, advisor to ASB, said the event would be cancelled as instructed by the council but the ASB would follow the government's religion reform measures closely. Acting ASB president Sathien Wipornmaha said the association would host a press conference later today about its next move.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Sangha-Council-cancels-Bangkok-mass-prayer-30257080.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-31

[webfact]

Centre set up for victims of forced labour
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A ONE-STOP service centre has been set up by a special multi-ministerial task force at the Tantui seaport on Indonesia's Ambon island so Thai and foreign labourers forced to work in the fishing industry can return home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813431-centre-set-up-for-victims-of-forced-labour/

[webfact]

Pattaya defendants awaiting trial to be issued with ankle bracelets
Supakorn Akkanan
Dethawee Theewarangkool
The Nation

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Provincial Court will allow electronic monitoring devices, or ankle bracelets, to be used as a guarantee for temporary release of court-embattled suspects, it was announced at a press conference yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813432-pattaya-defendants-awaiting-trial-to-be-issued-with-ankle-bracelets/

[webfact]

Moves to make child protection laws stronger
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is keen to improve the Child Protection Act so it benefits children more. The move came after the arrest of a man on Sunday for assaulting his two-year-old stepson, who later died of his injuries in Bangkok's Klong Sam Wa district last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813433-moves-to-make-child-protection-laws-stronger/

[webfact]

Monk's murder case to be completed in a week or two
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The police report on the murder of revered Udon Thani monk Phra Bundit Supanditto should be completed in one or two weeks, Muang Udon Thani Police superintendent Colonel Phumwit Vejkama said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813434-thai-monks-murder-case-to-be-completed-in-a-week-or-two/

[webfact]

German co-pilot was once treated for suicidal tendencies
By FRANK JORDANS and CHRISTOPH NOELTING

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — How could someone once diagnosed with suicidal tendencies get a job as a commercial pilot, entrusted with the lives of hundreds of people? That's the question being asked after officials confirmed Monday that Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz received lengthy psychotherapy before receiving his pilot's license.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813437-germanwings-co-pilot-was-once-treated-for-suicidal-tendencies/

[webfact]

Campaign begins for most unpredictable UK election in years
JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron paid a courtesy call on Queen Elizabeth II, then launched a most uncourteous attack on his main political rival as campaigning formally began Monday in the most unpredictable U.K. election in decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813439-campaign-begins-for-most-unpredictable-uk-election-in-years/

[webfact]

Trevor Noah set to replace Jon Stewart on 'The Daily Show'
By FRAZIER MOORE

NEW YORK (AP) — Trevor Noah, a 31-year-old comedian from South Africa who has contributed to "The Daily Show" a handful of times in recent months, will become Jon Stewart's replacement as host, Comedy Central announced Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813440-comedian-trevor-noah-set-to-replace-jon-stewart-on-the-daily-show/

[webfact]

Obama: Politicians should carry themselves more like Kennedy
DAVID ESPO, Associated Press
NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday that American politicians in an era of partisanship should try to carry themselves more like Edward M. Kennedy, as politicians from both parties lauded the late senator's collegial spirit at the dedication of an institute that bears his name.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813441-obama-politicians-should-carry-themselves-more-like-kennedy/

[webfact]

Iran nuclear talks near deadline; differences remain
GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press
MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program reached a critical phase Monday with diplomats struggling to overcome substantial differences just a day before a deadline for the outline of an agreement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813443-iran-nuclear-talks-near-deadline;-differences-remain/

[webfact]

Thailand has highest household debt: Finance Minister

Bangkok: – The country’s household debt soars to 80 per cent in seven years, a highest increase in the world, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said.

The soaring debt is one of the major economic woes and the government has to rule out consumption-led stimulus measures, Sommai said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813451-thailand-has-highest-household-debt-finance-minister/

[webfact]

Teen drug gang suspected to kill two police officers

Satun: – Provincial police have sought and received the court-approved warrants to arrest a drug gang member Natthaporn “Nik” Dumsin, 16, on charges related to the killing of two police officers.

Based on police report, a police teamset up a road checkpoint on a local road at Manang district on Saturday. The team leader was Lt Colonel Jirapas Sengseng, deputy superintendent of Manang police station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813450-teen-drug-gang-suspected-to-kill-two-police-officers/