Thailand Live Thursday 23 Apr 2015

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PM gives “Thai-African Initiatives” statement at Asian -African Conference Summit 2015

JAKARTA, 23 April 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha gave on Wednesday a statement on “Thai-African Initiatives” to members of the Asian -African Conference Summit 2015 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Asian -African Conference Summit 2015 was this year held under the concept “South-South Cooperation for Peace and Global Prosperity” which was officially opened on Wednesday.

In his statement, Gen Prayut said: “Over a hundred of co-founder countries of the Asian -African Conference Summit have given their consistent efforts to cooperation in politics and economics. Nowadays, Asian traders have a 26% stake in the overall African trade revenues. Plus, there are eight big airlines linking 28 cities in Asia and Africa together.”

The Thai-African Initiatives also mentioned about Thailand’s intention to be a successful partner of Africa in all aspects especially bilateral trade and investment in both regions. Gen Prayut also exalted the King’s philosophy of the Sufficiency Economy. It has made Thailand well recognized by the world and navigated the country to a sustainable development. He was pleased to share the success to other fellow countries.


-- NNT 2015-04-23

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Local people escape Bang Phli dump's toxic fumes
Tanpisit Lerdbamrungchai,
Theerapol Khumsuk
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Factory workers seek refuge in temple"MY FAMILY were told to evacuate to a local school because the smoke from a fire at a dumpsite nearby was toxic. While we waited to leave, my children and I inhaled smoke and got respiratory and nose irritation."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819435-local-people-escape-bang-phli-dumps-toxic-fumes/

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IUU PRACTICES

Crackdown on illegal fishing
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION



Govt might use Article 44 to put an end to IUU practices; four-point priority action plan devised

THE GOVERNMENT could resort to exercising its power under Article 44 of the interim charter to fast-track measures tackling illegal fishing practices with four priority action plans so as to avoid a potentially damaging ban on the export of Thai fishery products to the European Union.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819436-crackdown-on-illegal-fishing/

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Survey:

Will Thailand Regain its Lead as a Regional Economic Leader?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818404-survey-will-thailand-regain-its-lead-as-a-regional-economic-leader/

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ARTICLE 207
CDC chief rules out return of power to bureaucrats
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH,
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE CHIEF constitution drafter yesterday defended the new system of appointing civil servants under Article 207 of the new charter, insisting that it does not promote 'bureaucratic polity' - more power to the bureaucrats, as many National Reform Council (NRC) members fear.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819437-cdc-chief-rules-out-return-of-power-to-thai-bureaucrats/

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3 Bonanza execs face charges
The Nation



Encroachment probe to end soon; case to be sent to prosecutors in early May

BANGKOK: -- ONGOING investigations into alleged encroachment by three big businesses in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district, namely Bonanza, Kirimaya and Moon Dance, have progressed significantly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819438-korat-3-bonanza-execs-face-charges/

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2006 COUP SUICIDE
Junta agents force cancellation of event to honour late taxi driver
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A SYMPOSIUM and the ceremonial opening of a conference room in honour of a taxi driver who killed himself in protest against the 2006 coup was banned by the authorities after they visited the organisers on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819439-2006-coup-suicide-govt-agents-force-cancellation-of-event-to-honour-late-taxi-driver/

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Progress made on illegal fishing
PICHAYA CHANGSORN
THE NATION
BRUSSELS

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI government's efforts to tackle illegal fishing in a bid to avoid trade sanctions from the European Union have not all been in the right direction, said a senior executive of a leading Thai seafood exporter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819440-progress-made-on-illegal-fishing/

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EDITORIAL
Rogue Army sergeant just tip of the iceberg
The Nation

Kudos to PM for stepping in to punish soldier caught on camera; govt should make sure law is the same for bigger fish too

BANGKOK: -- There was uproar on the social media recently after an Army sergeant in Surin was stopped by a traffic policeman for riding a motorcycle without a helmet and for refusing to produce a driver's licence. The sergeant simply drove off, as if to mock the authority of the police - and the law. Fortunately the incident was caught on video for all to share online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819441-thai-editorial-rogue-army-sergeant-just-tip-of-the-iceberg/

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Thailand Global Tourism Drops According to UN World Tourism Organization

A family on an open boat in Ratchaprapha Dam, Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province, Thailand (Guilin of Thailand).

The UN World Tourism Organization released their rankings for top tourist destinations in 2014. Thailand saw its tourist earning rankings drop from 7^th to 9^th, with international arrivals falling 6.7% from a year prior. In total, there were 24.8 million international arrivals. More concerning is that money spent by tourists also shrank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819433-thailand-global-tourism-drops-according-to-un-world-tourism-organization/

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Bad Taxi Drivers Will Lose Their License After One Serious Offence

Bangkok city rush hour traffic in Thailand (Stock Photo)

The Land Transport Department is implementing a one strike rule for bad-behaving taxi drivers. One single serious offence will cost taxi drivers their license.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819429-bad-taxi-drivers-will-lose-their-license-after-one-serious-offence/

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Police Search for Cause of Mysterious Fires in Phatthalung

Local police are searching for the cause of a string of mysterious fires that have plagued a home in the Tamot district of Phatthalung. Since last month, 150 fires have been reported in the home.

Officials accompanied Winai Buapradit, Phatthalung governor, on a visit to the Tamot home on Wednesday to investigate the cause of the fire. During the investigation, a wardrobe caught fire in one of the bedrooms. The family quickly put out the fire before it could do any major damage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819432-police-search-for-cause-of-mysterious-fires-in-phatthalung/

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Officials to Investigate Alleged Drunken Prosecutor

A public prosecutor will be investigated by senior attorney-general officials. The prosecutor was allegedly intoxicated and refused to take a breathalyzer test. The man was filmed refusing the test and intimidating a police officer. The incident took place during the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819431-officials-to-investigate-alleged-drunken-prosecutor/

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Italian-Thai Development Expected to Sign SEZ Deal by June

The initial Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is expected to have a contract finalized between Myanmar authorities and the Italian-Thai Development and Rojana Industrial Park. The contract is scheduled to be signed at the end of May and will allow for the initial phase of the zone to commence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819430-italian-thai-development-expected-to-sign-sez-deal-by-june/

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Chinese tourist injured in Phuket accident

Phuket:- A Chinese tourist was injured Wednesday morning when a car he was driving on a Patong road fell into a hole at a construction site that had no warning sign.

The Paton unit of the Kusoltham Phuket Foundation was informed of the accident at 7 am. The unit was informed that a car fell into a hole where a roadside drainage was being built on Siriraj Road in Tambon Patong of Krathu district and a foreigner was still inside the car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819385-chinese-tourist-injured-in-phuket-accident/

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Five Injured in Pattaya Island shooting over 'Cat Poo' issues

PATTAYA: -- 5 people, all thought to be related, were shot by a Resort Owner, over the placement of “Cat Poo” in front of his house by an angry neighbor who is also related to him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819448-five-injured-in-pattaya-island-shooting-over-cat-poo-issues/

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Body of 'Asian' man found washed-up on Pattaya Island Beach



PATTAYA: -- The body of an unidentified man, thought to be of Asian descent, was found washed-up on a beach on Sark Island, close to Larn Island, on Wednesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819449-body-of-asian-man-found-washed-up-on-pattaya-island-beach/

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Laundry Gamblers caught in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- In an attempt to recover money spent during the recent Songkran Festival, a 44 year old Laundry owner decided to organize an illegal gambling event but someone informed the Police of the unlawful gathering.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819450-laundry-gamblers-caught-in-south-pattaya/

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Koh Tao named Asia's No 1 island



BANGKOK: - Koh Tao was named Asia’s Number 1 island and the world’s Number 5 island among tourists ahead of Bali and Phuket, according to TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819451-koh-tao-named-asias-no-1-island/

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Predicted heavy rainstorms from China cause widespread damage in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- As predicted, a High Pressure Weather system from China has begun to affect Pattaya and on Wednesday Morning a period of heavy and sustained rainfall and high winds caused significant damage around Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819452-predicted-heavy-rainstorms-from-china-cause-widespread-damage-in-pattaya/

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Anupong has no qualms about sacking corrupt officials
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said yesterday that if any ministry officials on the graft blacklist were proven corrupt, he would suspend or sack them immediately "If it's clear, I'm ready to take action, otherwise we may need a special power to deal with them. The PM may use the special power or Article 44 to punish some of them,'' he said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819453-anupong-has-no-qualms-about-sacking-corrupt-officials/

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Give graft court death penalty powers: Veera
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE charter drafters have been urged to set up a corruption court empowered to give corrupt officials the death penalty if the damage to the state from their crimes exceeds Bt5 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819454-give-graft-court-death-penalty-powers-veera/

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LIKE IT SHARE IT
Murmurs as charter draft leans toward coalition govt
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Council (NRC) this week is debating the draft charter just completed by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819455-thai-politics-murmurs-as-charter-draft-leans-toward-coalition-govt/

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Bangkok pet owners warned of rabies danger
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration yesterday warned that 40 per cent of domesticated dogs in the capital city were at a greater risk of rabies, according to a survey. As a result, people should take their pet dogs to get the annual rabies vaccination at BMA veterinarian clinics or mobile units in various communities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819456-bangkok-pet-owners-warned-of-rabies-danger/

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DSI joins hunt for temple's three missing tigers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Representatives of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department yesterday submitted more documents for the Department of Special Investigation (DSI)'s probe into the alleged disappearance of three Bengali tigers at Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua, aka the "Tiger Temple", in Kanchanaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819457-dsi-joins-hunt-for-temples-three-missing-tigers/

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Three taxi drivers fined and suspended
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE Land Transport Department has swiftly punished three taxi drivers - two for charging Japanese passengers more than their meter-based fares and the other for abandoning his passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819458-three-taxi-drivers-fined-and-suspended/

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Foreign Crewmen Rescued in Bangkok
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Twelve Chinese and Myanmar crewmen aboard a cargo ship stranded on the Chao Phraya River were rescued yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819459-foreign-crewmen-rescued-in-bangkok/

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Man who shot Reagan seeks to live outside mental hospital
By JESSICA GRESKO

WASHINGTON (AP) — The would-be assassin of President Ronald Reagan is "clinically ready" to live fulltime outside a mental hospital, his lawyer argued in federal court on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819460-man-who-shot-reagan-seeks-to-live-outside-mental-hospital/

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Anti-human trafficking bill passes Senate
By ERICA WERNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday to help the victims of human trafficking, ending a tortuous partisan standoff over abortion that also delayed confirmation of President Barack Obama's attorney general nominee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819461-anti-human-trafficking-bill-passes-us-senate/

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After 4 decades as fugitive, ailing man turns himself in
By BRUCE SCHREINER

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Frail and tired of leading a secret life for four decades, 66-year-old Clarence David Moore called police this week to surrender. The deputy who answered thought it was a prank. It wasn't.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819462-after-4-decades-as-fugitive-ailing-us-man-turns-himself-in/