Thailand Live Friday 3 Apr 2015

[webfact]

APRIL 2
Kingdom unites in purple to mark beloved Princess's birthday
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PEOPLE ACROSS the nation marked Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 60th birthday yesterday by wearing the colour purple in her honour and taking part in several special activities, ranging from handing out alms to monks to joining bicycle parades and candle-lighting rituals.

Early yesterday morning, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha led an alms-giving ceremony with 161 monks in Sanam Luang. He was joined by hundreds of people and government officials. After that, the premier and his wife went to the Grand Palace to sign birthday messages for the Princess.

Similar events were held across the country, attracting a huge turnout of people - most of them wearing shades of purple.

In Ranong province, for instance, more than 500 people wore purple and rode their bicycles around a 5-kilometre route to mark the Princess' birthday.

"We have also held an alms-giving ritual, a reading event and a candle-lighting ceremony," Ranong Governor Suriyan Kanjanasilp said.

The United States Embassy in Bangkok also joined in by posting photographs on Facebook of staff wearing purple and a message that read: "On behalf of the American and Thai community of the US Mission to Thailand, the Embassy of the United States and the US Consulate General in Chiang Mai join the people of the Kingdom of Thailand in extending our best wishes to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of her auspicious fifth-cycle birthday anniversary.

"We celebrate her inspirational and enduring work for the people and nation of Thailand, and her many contributions to Thai-American friendship, and wish Her Royal Highness continued health, happiness, and prosperity".

While presiding over a conference, Education Minister Narong Pipatanasai described the Princess as a great teacher.

"She has taught at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy [CRMA] for more than 30 years. She has also taken care of Chitralada and many other schools," he said, adding that the Princess often visited many schools in remote areas.

Meanwhile, at another event, Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also Army chief, said the Princess had helped CRMA students and alumni become aware of their duties to society and the nation.

"Her work reflects her compassion and kindness, and Thais recognise this with their hearts," Udomdej said.

The Army held many activities to make merit in honour of the Princess, including organising blood donations and rescuing cattle from the slaughterhouse.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Kingdom-unites-in-purple-to-mark-beloved-Princesss-30257310.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-03

[webfact]

Former Army Chief Named as Witness in 2010 Crackdown Inquiry
By Khaosod English


Redshirt protesters cheered as they stormed into the Government Complex in Bangkok, 5 April 2010.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s national anti-graft agency has named former army chief Anupong Paochinda as a witness in a legal case investigating the violent military crackdown on Redshirt protesters in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814350-former-army-chief-named-as-witness-in-2010-crackdown-inquiry/

[webfact]

Thai police seek security forces over deaths in rebel-hit south
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Police in Thailand's insurgency-hit south on Thursday said they are seeking members of the security forces over the killing of four people in a firefight in a remote village in the Muslim-majority region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814351-thai-police-seek-security-forces-over-deaths-in-rebel-hit-south/

[webfact]

Nakhon Ratchasima Ravaged by Violent Storms and Drought

The Nakhon Ratchasima province has simultaneously been plagued by drought and violent storms. Farmland and buildings have been damaged or destroyed as a result. Over 250,000 families in 159 tambons have been affected, and 32 districts have now been declared drought zones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814345-nakhon-ratchasima-ravaged-by-violent-storms-and-drought/

[webfact]

Pongpat Sentence Extended for Illegal Possession of Historic Artefacts

Pongpat Chayapan, former CIB (Central Investigation Bureau) chief, has had his sentence extended by the Criminal Court. The court added an additional two years and six months to his sentence for the illegal possession of historic artefacts. Initially, the courts sentenced Pongpat to five years, but that sentence was reduced by half.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814344-pongpat-sentence-extended-for-illegal-possession-of-historic-artefacts/

[webfact]

28,000 Thai Farmers to Receive 4 Billion Baht Debt-Relief

A new scheme approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday aims to help relieve farmer debt. Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister states that the new scheme will help 818,000 farmers that have been loaned more than 116 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814334-28000-thai-farmers-to-receive-4-billion-baht-debt-relief/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Ladies Beware: Injured-Foot Con Man is Scamming Bangkok Motorists

A “fake-injury” scammer is targeting Bangkok motorists, particularly women, and extorting money from them. Motorists who have been scammed by the man are sharing their stories online, warning other motorists to be on the lookout for the con man.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814338-ladies-beware-injured-foot-con-man-is-scamming-bangkok-motorists/

[webfact]

Fishing Vessels Inspected in Four Provinces to Stop Human Trafficking

BANGKOK: -- Thailand authorities are taking further measures to stop human trafficking. Mid-sized trawlers that arrive or depart from Thailand ports will be inspected. The new measures were announced yesterday by Joompol Sanguansin, the Fisheries department director.

Four provinces will be a part of the inspection: Chumphon, Phuket, Songkhla and Ranong. When porting in or out, vessels will need to report to authorities. Crew members will be counted. All who are on board will be checked to ensure that they have a work contract and are all legal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814337-fishing-vessels-inspected-in-four-provinces-to-stop-human-trafficking/

[webfact]

ARTICLE 44
New junta order 'more worrying'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION



US and UN join rights group in criticising the govt's replacement to martial law

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT may have received some plaudits for lifting martial law from the local business community, notably the tourism sector, but the international community, especially the United States and the United Nations, besides rights groups have lashed out at the government for invoking Article 44 of the interim charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814357-article-44-new-govt-order-more-worrying/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

LIFTING OF MARTIAL LAW
Media seek clarity over 'peacekeeping' officers
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FOUR MEDIA organisations yesterday issued a joint statement asking the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to shed more light on Peace and Order Maintaining (POM) officers in order to ensure that the media and the general public will not be affected by Article 44.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814301-four-media-organisations-voice-concern-over-press-curb-order/#entry9263170

[webfact]

ABUSE
WHO 'seriously' looking into allegations of abuse
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the alleged abuse of an Ethiopian domestic worker by one of its Thailand-based executives is a matter it is taking "very seriously".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814358-who-seriously-looking-into-allegations-of-abuse/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

SOUTH CRISIS
Blasts rock Pattani, power poles felled
THE NATION



Nine new areas closely monitored as more attacks feared

BANGKOK: -- EXPLOSIONS ROCKED four locations in Pattani's Muang district, while five power poles were blown up in separate incidents on Wednesday night, causing heavy property damage and blackouts in a wide area. However, no casualties were reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814152-string-of-blasts-rock-pattani/#entry9263184

[webfact]

NEW CHARTER
CDC to go ahead with merging of rights body with ombudsman
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee yesterday stood by its plan to merge the National Human Rights Commission with the Office of the Ombudsman as stipulated in the new charter's Article 275.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814359-new-thai-charter-cdc-to-go-ahead-with-merging-of-rights-body-with-ombudsman/

[webfact]

Businesses greet end of martial law
BUSINESS REPORTERS
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- BUSINESS leaders have expressed optimism over the lifting of martial law and they believe the move will encourage a better business environment, especially in the tourism sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814360-businesses-greet-end-of-martial-law-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Aviation agency to talk with Korea, China after Japan eases restrictions
SUCHAT SRITAMA,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- HAVING SECURED an easing of Japan's restrictions on Thai charter flights into that country, the Thai Department of Civil Aviation will talk with South Korea and China next to achieve similar cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814361-thai-aviation-agency-to-talk-with-korea-china-after-japan-eases-restrictions/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Invoking Article 44 THROWS DOUBT on junta's competence

BANGKOK: -- The government has retained its faith in absolute power as the solution for Thailand's woes, yet its record over the past 10 months does little to inspire confidence

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814362-thai-editorial-invoking-article-44-throws-doubt-on-juntas-competence/

[webfact]

Farang threatens to throw kid from balcony (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok

CHIANG MAI: -- Witnesses said an upset foreigner threatened to throw his son from the balcony of a Chiang Mai shopping mall yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814363-foreigner-threatens-to-throw-kid-from-balcony-video/

[webfact]

UDD wants a role in the DSI's probe into the 2010 anti-government protests



BANGKOK: -- The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has demanded a parallel panel to be set up to investigate the anti-government red-shirt protests in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814364-udd-wants-a-role-in-the-dsis-probe-into-the-2010-anti-government-protests/

[webfact]

Bunthoon says lifting of martial law will boost tourism



BANGKOK: -- Lifting of the martial law will help boost tourism business and will convince more western tourists to visit Thailand, Mr Bunthoon Lamsam, chairman of Kasikorn Bank, said on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814365-bunthoon-says-lifting-of-martial-law-will-boost-tourism/

[webfact]

Dr Visanu: Section 44 is needed to deal with ill-intent elements



BANGKOK: -- The government has decided to invoke Section 44 of the interim Constitution to replace the martial law because there are many elements who are bent on destabilizing the situation in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Visanu Krua-ngarm on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814366-dr-visanu-section-44-is-needed-to-deal-with-ill-intent-elements/

[webfact]

ARTICLE 44 IN PROVISIONAL CHARTER
Orders issued under Article 44

BANGKOK: -- Here is a summarised version of the 14-point Order on Maintaining Public Order and National Security, issued on Wednesday night by Prime Minister and National Council for Peace and Order head General Prayut Chan-o-cha, to replace martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814367-orders-issued-under-article-44/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Junta's actions making country far from democratic
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH

BANGKOK: -- IT HAS been nearly 10 months since the junta seized power in a coup. At a time when many problems facing the country are surfacing rapidly, it believes the one way to contain these problems - instead of solving them - is to vest absolute power in its leader.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814368-thai-politics-juntas-actions-making-country-far-from-democratic/

[webfact]

Officials to defend their role in rice scheme
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PROMINENT figures in Yingluck Shinawatra's government, who have been accused of corruption in relation to the rice-pledging scheme, will deliver their opening remarks to prove their innocence in front of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on April 23.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814369-thai-officials-to-defend-their-role-in-rice-scheme/

[webfact]

New warning signs placed around notorious Phuket lake
Eakkapop Thongtub


The new warning sign that has been placed around Nai Harn Lake.

PHUKET: -- New warning zone signs, written in three languages, were put up around Nai Harn Lake today (April 2) aimed at preventing drowning incidents, especially involving children. Several have died there in previous years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814371-new-warning-signs-placed-around-notorious-phuket-lake/

[webfact]

Valuable Gem Stones mislaid on Pattaya Pleasure Boat by Iranian Tourist



PATTAYA: -- An Iranian Tourist reported the loss of valuable gem stones and other pieces of jewelry he reportedly left on a Pleasure Boat which took him back from a day out at Larn Island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814372-valuable-gem-stones-mislaid-on-pattaya-pleasure-boat-by-iranian-tourist/

[webfact]

Fake bomb woman held
The Nation

BANGKOK: - A scavenger was arrested yesterday for allegedly planting a fake bomb at the mouth of Pattanakan Soi 65 in Bangkok's Prawet district on Wednesday.

The 54-year-old Roi Et native, living in the Pattanakan area, was allegedly caught by security cameras in the area stopping at the power pole, where the fake bomb was found.

She reportedly confessed to hanging the fake bomb there after she found it in the trash but forgot it because she had to run after a garbage truck, Lt Colonel Burin Thongprapai of the military's Judge Advocate General's Office said yesterday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Fake-bomb-woman-held-30257314.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-03

[webfact]

Nuke deal: World powers, Iran seal breakthrough framework
By GEORGE JAHN and MATTHEW LEE

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Capping exhausting and contentious talks, Iran and world powers sealed a breakthrough agreement Thursday outlining limits on Iran's nuclear program to keep it from being able to produce atomic weapons. The Islamic Republic was promised an end to years of crippling economic sanctions, but only if negotiators transform the plan into a comprehensive pact.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814373-historic-iran-nuclear-deal-reached/

[webfact]

Al-Shabab militants kill 147 at university in Kenya
By TOM ODULA, RODNEY MUHUMUZA and KHALIL SENOSI

GARISSA, Kenya (AP) — Al-Shabab gunmen rampaged through a university in northeastern Kenya at dawn Thursday, killing 147 people in the group's deadliest attack in the East African country. Four militants were slain by security forces to end the siege just after dusk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814374-al-shabab-militants-kill-147-at-university-in-kenya/

[webfact]

German crash co-pilot researched suicide, cockpit doors
By GEIR MOULSON

BERLIN (AP) — Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz spent time online researching suicide methods and cockpit door security in the week before crashing Flight 9525, prosecutors said Thursday — the first evidence that the fatal descent may have been a premeditated act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814375-german-crash-co-pilot-researched-suicide-cockpit-doors/

[webfact]

'Police' ordered assault and abduction in Pattaya targets wrong man



PATTAYA: -- Details emerged on Thursday of a case of assault and abduction which, it is claimed, was ordered by a Banglamung Police Officer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814376-police-ordered-assault-and-abduction-in-pattaya-targets-wrong-man/