Thailand Live Friday 24 Apr 2015

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38,000 owners of ivory items have registered in time, Police report

BANGKOK, 24 April 2015 (NNT) - Over 38,000 owners of ivory and related items have registered their possessions, weighing a total of 200 tonnes, Pol. Gen. Chalermkiat Srivorakan, Deputy Police Commissioner General says.

Pol. Gen. Chalermkiat said anyone who fails to register their ivory by the deadline on April 21 would be prosecuted. Punishment term is a fine of three million baht for an individual owner. Suppliers will get stronger punishment of a 6-million-baht fine and 3 years in prison. However, the number of registered ivory unveiled still excludes those to be reported through the Post.

Police also vowed to continue investigations into illegal possession of ivory to bring big boss behind the trade to punishment. They believed these measures would mitigate the ivory smuggling in the country.

Pol. Gen. Chalermkiat also revealed the progress of Thailand’s action to suppress international illegal ivory trade as pressured by CITES. He said that Thai authorities have submitted latest report on Thailand’s action to CITES since March and are now waiting for the latter’s decision. However, he confirmed Thai authorities have done their best to take Thailand out of the CITES black list.


-- NNT 2015-04-24

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UPDATE:

IUU FISHING ACTIVITIES
Prayut gets Indonesian backing to tackle fishing
The Nation


Workers move fish at a wholesale seafood market in Samut Sakhon yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand yesterday got a helping hand from Indonesia with President Joko Widodo accepting Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha's proposal to set up a working group on fisheries and related affairs for solving problems resulting from illegal unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing activities in foreign countries' territorial waters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819570-thailand-and-indonesia-poised-to-forge-mutual-trade-and-solve-illegal-fishing-and-terrorism/?p=9335266#entry9335266

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CONCERN OVER DEMOCRACY
Parties not averse to poll delay
Pravit Rojanaphruk,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation



Democrats, Pheu Thai express concern, want constitution to be democratic

BANGKOK: -- Politicians from the country's two largest political parties would not object to a delay in holding the next general election provided the new constitution is democratic, according to the participants of a junta-organised meeting yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819707-parties-not-averse-to-thai-poll-delay/

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UPDATE:

NACC accuses former ministers of fabricating G2G rice scheme
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Claims of rice stockpiles being sold through government-to-government (G2G) scheme by the Yingluck Shinawatra administration were "total lies", National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member Vicha Mahakhun told members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819579-nla-begins-impeachment-hearing-of-g2g-rice-scam/#entry9335281

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Harsher penalties for belligerent taxi drivers who are not fair with the fare
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- TAXI DRIVERS who tamper with or refuse to use their meters and those who damage the country's reputation by abandoning their passengers will face heavier penalties, the Department of Land Transport said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819709-harsher-penalties-for-belligerent-thai-taxi-drivers-who-are-not-fair-with-the-fare/

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Thailand 'must remain' at bottom of TIP report
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Ex-US envoy pushes for lowest ranking as 'many of the problems still remain'

WASHINGTON: -- The US State Department's former ambassador for trafficking in persons has urged Washington to maintain Thailand's bottom-of-the-pile tier-three ranking in its upcoming Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819710-thailand-must-remain-at-bottom-of-tip-report/

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Landless farmers join protest to demand urgent help from govt
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



Sansern accepts petitions but warns the protesters against rallying

BANGKOK: -- HUNDREDS OF people gathered outside Government House yesterday to demand that the government start providing solutions for their problems, most of which are land disputes with local authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819711-landless-thai-farmers-join-protest-to-demand-urgent-help-from-govt/

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ECONOMIC
Internal factors seen as major risk to Thai economy this year
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE RISKS to the economy from now until the end of the year are mostly internal factors such as the slower than expected recovery of the grassroots section of society and the possibility of further delays to the government's investment plans, economists warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819712-internal-factors-seen-as-major-risk-to-thai-economy-this-year/

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EDITORIAL
End to abuses in fishing industry long overdue
The Nation

It has taken dire threats of foreign trade sanctions to shake Thailand up over this horror story. We must respond quickly

BANGKOK: -- Given that Thailand's commercial fishing industry generates Bt30 billion annually, we would think that the authorities and those directly involved would do more to protect this precious source of revenue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819714-thai-editorial-end-to-abuses-in-fishing-industry-long-overdue/

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OVERDRIVE
Beijing preparing for role in global finance by end of the year
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- It will be an interesting time this October when China reveals its trump card. And when it does so, it might lead to a wake-up call for the global financial markets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819715-beijing-preparing-for-role-in-global-finance-by-end-of-the-year/

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Infant Corpse Found in Chiang Mai Sparks Police Investigation

Police received complaints from locals that sparked an investigation in Chiang Mai. Police were investigating on Tuesday when they found a gruesome discovery at Huai Din Jee Temple. Police discovered a glass coffin containing an infant child underneath a temple shrine.

Locals are afraid that black magic rituals may be the reason for the corpse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819702-infant-corpse-found-in-chiang-mai-sparks-police-investigation/

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Thailand Named Best Wedding Destination for the 4th Year in a Row

Thailand has been named the best wedding destination for the fourth year in a row by Travel + Leisure India & South Asia. The honor was awarded at India’s Best Awards 2014 at New Delhi’s Leela Ambiance Gurgaon Hotel. This is the fourth consecutive year the country has been given this honor from the prestigious travel magazine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819708-thailand-named-best-wedding-destination-for-the-4th-year-in-a-row/

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Over 1,000 Homes Damaged in Violent Storms

Violent storms damaged over 1,000 homes and farms in many parts of Thailand late Wednesday. Meteorologists are warning that more violent storms are on the way. Thais should be prepared for more stormy weather in the coming days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819706-over-1000-homes-damaged-in-violent-storms/

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'Supplementary food that boosts CD4'

Bangkok:- A group of Thai researchers Thursday announced that they have found supplementary food that can boost CD4 count on people with HIV.

The research result was announced by representatives of Chiang Mai University’s Biological Medical Technology Research Center and Asian Phytoceuticals Plc in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819679-supplementary-food-that-boosts-cd4/

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New Fishing Trawler Regulations to Start May 6

The Thai government is launching new fishing trawler regulations, which are set to start on May 6. The new port-in, port-out system will affect 22 coastal provinces and help the government tackle illegal fishing and human trafficking in the fisheries industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819705-new-fishing-trawler-regulations-to-start-may-6/

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3 Injured in Phuket After Bus Crashes Into a Taxi and Pick-up Truck

Patong, Thailand - The island of Phuket. Area in front of inn Baumanburi. White bus driven by visitors on a tour. STOCK IMAGE

Yesterday, a tour bus in Phuket slammed into a taxi and pick-up truck, leaving three Indian tourists injured. The accident occurred near the Heroines’ Monument.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819701-3-injured-in-phuket-after-bus-crashes-into-a-taxi-and-pick-up-truck/

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Chinese Couple prevent bag snatch in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- An attempted bag snatch took place in North Pattaya on Thursday Night and was not successful due to the victims fighting back and preventing the bag from being stolen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819723-chinese-couple-prevent-bag-snatch-in-north-pattaya/

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Birth drama on speed boat from Pattaya Island



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday Night a heavily pregnant woman who lives on Larn Island began feeling contractions and then her waters broke which prompted an emergency call to Pattaya Sea Rescue who attempted to transport the woman to a Pattaya Hospital before the baby was born.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819724-birth-drama-on-speed-boat-from-pattaya-island/

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North Pattaya Market Vendors caught gambling



PATTAYA: -- On a slow morning at a Market in Naklua, a group of vendors decided to gamble as they waited for customers but someone at the market contacted the Police and vendors were arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819725-north-pattaya-market-vendors-caught-gambling/

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Talad Thai: A model market which is free from illegal foreign migrant workers



BANGKOK: -- Talad Thai in Pathum Thani is the biggest market of farm products. The market has been hailed as the only market which is free from illegal foreign migrant workers as all about 5,000 foreign migrants working there have been properly registered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819726-talad-thai-a-model-market-which-is-free-from-illegal-foreign-migrant-workers/

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CDC defends inclusion of some groups
Nitipol Kiravanich
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee yesterday attempted to allay fears that by recognising political-interest groups, the new constitution would bring about a fresh round of political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819727-thailands-cdc-defends-inclusion-of-some-groups/

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BURNING ISSUE
Structural changes to the economy now an imperative
Sasithorn Ongdee

BANGKOK: -- Between the "yellow card" for illegal fishing given by the European Union (EU) and a "drop" in export growth target for this year to only 1 per cent, which one is more worrying for Thailand?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819728-thai-politics-structural-changes-to-the-economy-now-an-imperative/

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4,000 fishery workers still on I'nesian seas
Wiraj Sripong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As many as 4,000 fishery workers, of whom 2,000 are Thais, continue to work in Indonesian seas while fewer than 200 have been rescued by the authorities over the past weeks, panellists said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819729-2000-thai-fishery-workers-still-on-indonesian-seas/

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40 injured, 30 seriously, as bus overturns in Buri Ram
The Nation

BURI RAM: -- A Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani air-conditioned bus overturned on a road in Buri Ram's Prakone Chai district at 2am yesterday, injuring 40 passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819730-40-injured-30-seriously-as-bus-overturns-in-buri-ram/

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Ex-crimebuster has more assets seized
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police and the Office of the Anti-Money Laundering Commission yesterday seized assets from two buildings owned by former Investigation Bureau Crime Suppression Division chief Pongpat Chayapan in Nonthaburi's Pak Kret district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819731-ex-crimebuster-pongpat-has-more-assets-seized/

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100 units bought by UFUN at Bangkok Marina seized
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE CONSUMER Protection Police Division (CPPD) yesterday impounded 100 housing units worth Bt165 million that UFUN Store, which is in the centre of pyramid-scheme allegations, had allegedly bought at the Bangkok Marina Resort & Spa Project Project in Samut Prakan's Bang Bo district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819732-100-units-bought-by-ufun-at-bangkok-marina-seized/

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More evidence sought in govt graft probe
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has ordered the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to find additional evidence of graft against some of the 115 Interior Ministry officials on a blacklist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819733-more-evidence-sought-in-thai-govt-graft-probe/

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ISOC claims lower rate of violence in southernmost provinces

PATTANI, 24 April 2015 (NNT) - Thailand's Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) the 4th Region, has joined other Thai authorities to report to the public its six-month performance under the Prayut administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819734-isoc-claims-lower-rate-of-violence-in-thailands-southernmost-provinces/

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Hundred years of Anzacs - in the pursuit of peace
Reuben Levermore
Special to The Nation

A tribute to the courage, compassion and comradeship of New Zealanders and Australians who have served in military conflicts and peace-keeping roles

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819735-hundred-years-of-anzacs-in-the-pursuit-of-peace/

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Asian-African Summit adopts declaration on Palestine
English.news.cn

JAKARTA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Asian-African Summit 2015 adopted a declaration on Palestine, which reaffirmed full support of the just struggle of the Palestinian people to regain their right to self-determination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/819736-asian-african-summit-adopts-declaration-on-palestine/