Thailand Live Tuesday 28 Apr 2015

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QUAKE-HIT NEPAL
HM the King sends condolences



BANGKOK: -- HIS MAJESTY the King has sent a note of condolences to the president of Nepal in the wake of the massive earthquake that killed thousands in the Himalayan country on Saturday.

The Queen and I are deeply distressed by reports of the devastating earthquake, which caused immense loss of human lives, casualties and destruction of cultural heritage and infrastructure in your country," his statement to President Ram Baran Yadav said.

"We wish to extend our sincerest sympathy and condolences to Your Excellency and through you to all those who have suffered loss and bereavement in this natural disaster."

The number of people killed in Nepal by the country's worst earthquake in eight decades had risen to 3,726, a home ministry official said yesterday.

That figure is a jump of 500 from earlier yesterday. Some government officials fear the toll from the 7.8 magnitude quake could rise to 5,000.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/HM-the-King-sends-condolences-30258892.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-28

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UPDATE:

Redshirt TV Channel Ordered Off the Air
By Khaosod English


Core Redshirt Nattawut Saikua on Peace TV in 28 Jan 2015.

BANGKOK — A Redshirt-run television station has been permanently canceled after Thai authorities decided its news coverage was politically divisive and could "incite unrest."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820710-peace-tvs-operating-license-revoked-by-the-broadcasting-board/#entry9348706

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Navy Camp Tackles Student Gang Fights
By Khaosod English


Vocational school students at an 0rientation camp on a Navy base in Chonburi, 27 April 2015.

CHONBURI — More than 400 incoming students at vocational schools in Chonburi province are attending a 3-week orientation camp organized by the Royal Thai Navy to reduce problems of gang rivalry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820752-thai-navy-camp-tackles-student-gang-fights/

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UPDATE:

TROPICAL STORM
Trees block Sarasin Road after storm
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A STORM that ripped through the heart of Bangkok yesterday uprooted many trees in the Sarasin Road area of the city and blocked the tracks of the BTS Skytrain's Silom Line.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820656-traffic-chaos-as-tropical-storm-hit-bangkoks-inner-zone/page-2?p=9348721#entry9348721

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ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED FISHING
Rules on IUU must be tightened, Thai envoy says
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND NEEDS to put a much stronger legal framework in place for the fisheries sector to meet international standards on environmental protection, as required by the European Union because of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a senior Thai envoy has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820755-rules-on-iuu-must-be-tightened-thai-envoy-says/

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Mineral Resources Dept keeps eye on Thai fault lines after Nepal quake

BANGKOK, 28 April 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Mineral Resources has confirmed that Thailand saw no impact from the recent earthquake in Nepal, though admitting that fault lines in the country are being monitored constantly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820756-mineral-resources-dept-keeps-eye-on-thai-fault-lines-after-nepal-quake/

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NEW CHARTER
Half of charter draft 'needs change'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- NATIONAL Reform Council member Seree Suwanphanont yesterday proposed a debate before the NRC votes on the final constitution draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820757-half-of-thai-charter-draft-needs-change/

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TERESPOL, Poland (AP) - Polish border guards say they are refusing to let a group of 10 Russian bikers enter Poland.

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Mission to brief EU on fishery progress
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Commerce Ministry will send an urgent mission to the European Union this week to explain Thailand's endeavours to solve the problem of illegal labour practices, hoping the EU will give the country a clean bill of health by an October deadline.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820758-thai-mission-to-brief-eu-on-fishery-progress/

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ANALYSIS
Strong baht aside, export sector needs structural changes, economists warn
ACHARA DEBOONME
THE NATION


Labour work at Klong Toey port at the period of Thailand's export dropped.

BANGKOK: -- THE RELATIVE strength of the baht is just one of the reasons for weakening demand for Thai export products. Other factors are more important, such as a static export structure and lack of improvement in infrastructure, economists say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820760-strong-baht-aside-export-sector-needs-structural-changes-economists-warn/

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PRAY FOR NEPAL
Nepali govt struggling, Thai student says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A THAI medical student in Nepal has described the harsh conditions there with a severe food and drink shortage, destroyed infrastructure and urgent need of medical help.

Tanasarn Plutistaporn, a Himalayan Health Exchange International Volunteer from Rangsit University, described the situation in Nepal as he experienced it after the devastating earthquake.

He said the mountain kingdom was in chaos and as the Nepalese government was rather new - it did not appear to be handling the situation very well.

Tanasarn said many Nepalese were finding food and drink hard to access. When a supply truck arrived, people would rush in for supplies and many were injured. Clean water was in short supply with a bottle costing up to Bt100.

"Many people have to stay on the street as their homes are damaged. There is high demand for bedding and blankets as well," he said.

He said medical staff and equipment were critically needed to treat seriously injured patients.

Public Health Deputy Minister Somsak Chunharas said a small pioneer group of experts had gone to Nepal to assess medical needs and share information with allied organisations already in Nepal.

The three-member team is headed by Suriya Wongkongkathep, deputy permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry. The other two are Phumin Silapan from the National Institute for Emergency Medicine and Pairoj Kruakanchana from Rajavithi Hospital.

Somsak said the team would gather information to decide on how many team members the ministry should send. If a small group was sent, it would set up small field hospital near the Thai embassy. If a larger group was more appropriate, the team would coordinate with Nepal's Public Health Ministry.

A newly established help centre for earthquake victims is responsible for setting up the medical team and assessing the situation in Nepal.

Somsak said many doctors from leading medical institutes intended to volunteer to join the medical teams in Nepal. However, he said forming the medical team had to depend on actual needs according to information from the field. The latest report said that the volunteer doctor quota was now full.

Deputy permanent secretary Surachet Satitramai said the team for Nepal had to be experienced, as members should able to take care of themselves.

Surachet said the victim help centre still required translators who could communicate in Hindi, English and Thai.

Anyone interested could contact directly by calling 02-590-1994 and 02-590-1993.

The Medical Council of Thailand has also been seeking doctors to volunteer for medical assistance mission as well. More than 450 names have been registered with the council.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Nepali-govt-struggling-Thai-student-says-30258884.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-28

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2 injured as Iranians fight at South Pattaya Bar



PATTAYA: -- Police are currently hunting for an Iranian man wanted in connection with a fight which left another Iranian and a Thai woman injured and requiring Hospital treatment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820763-2-injured-as-iranians-fight-at-south-pattaya-bar/

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Burmese man killed as he falls into meat grinder in Chonburi City Pet Food Factory



PATTAYA; -- Police and medics based in Chonburi City, 50kms outside of Pattaya, attended a gruesome industrial accident on Monday Night which saw a Burmese Factory Worker pulled through a meat grinder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820765-burmese-man-killed-as-he-falls-into-meat-grinder-in-chonburi-city-pet-food-factory/

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek Prime Minister Tsipras rules out early elections if bailout talks with creditors fail.

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Eight Myanmar migrant workers die in road mishap

BANGKOK: -- Eight Myanmar migrant workers were killed and a dozen injured when a pickup truck they were travelling back homes after work crashed into a concrete barrier on the Rama 2 highway in Samut Sakhon province Monday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820766-eight-myanmar-migrant-workers-die-in-road-mishap/

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Phuket gov sticks to his beach plan
Nattha Thepbamrung


Governor Nisit gets hands-on with the beach cleaning.

PHUKET: -- Governor Nisit Jansomwong led Rawai officials and local volunteers to clean famed Naiharn beach today (April 27) and to check on progress in the island-wide beach management drive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820767-phuket-gov-sticks-to-his-beach-plan/

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King spends over half an hour relaxing and viewing riverside scenery



BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King today spent over half an hour relaxing and viewing the Chao Phraya riverside scenery from the Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital.

The King left his hospital room on the 16th floor of the Chalermphrakiat building in the Siriraj Hospital at 5.09 pm Monday and was driven in the car to the Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital.

Along the way to the new hospital, people shouted with happiness “Long Live the King” after learning of his visit to the hospital.

The King proceeded to the hall on the second floor of the Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital where the hospital clinical professor Pradit Panjavinin briefing the King on the holding of a celebration party to mark the fourth anniversary of the hospital today which has been operating with success.

The King later went up the 7th floor of the Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine inside the Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital and later went to the 12th floor to view the Bangkok Noi canal, the Rama 8 bridge and the Chao Phraya river.

The King spent 36 minutes viewing the riverside scenery until 5.45 pm and then returned to Siriraj Hospital for relaxing.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/king-spends-over-half-an-hour-relaxing-and-viewing-riverside-scenery


-- Thai PBS 2015-04-28

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Undertaker and gang will face criminal action for dealing in human parts



BANGKOK: -- Police are to take legal action against an undertaker, his wife and about 10 accomplices for disposal human parts without a license.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820768-thai-undertaker-and-gang-will-face-criminal-action-for-dealing-in-human-parts/

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BURNING ISSUE
Do private hospitals charge reasonable prices?
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA

BANGKOK: -- WHAT would happen if you needed emergency medical services and were sent to a private hospital?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820769-thai-politics-do-private-hospitals-charge-reasonable-prices/

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'Middle-class prefers a controlled democracy'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE new charter will bring about a controlled democracy where elected politicians will have limited power, a seminar at Thammasat University concluded yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820770-middle-class-prefers-a-controlled-democracy/

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UPDATE:

Six police dismissed for kidnap, ransom: Somyot
Jessada Jantarak,
Seksanti Kalayanawisut
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SIX POLICE officers accused of kidnapping two Laotians over the weekend and demanding Bt2 million in ransom have been dismissed from their duties and face a probe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820680-six-thai-police-three-civilians-arrested-for-kidnapping-two-laos/#entry9348795

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Investor notes the sheer 'glamour' of UFUN trading
Pantipa Jittrawudtiporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE VALUE of U-Tokens traded and earned among members of the controversial UFUN Thailand investment scheme can be volatile and varying like Buddha amulets, depending on demand and the number of members, an investor has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820772-investor-notes-the-sheer-glamour-of-ufun-trading/

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Polish border guards refuse entry for 10 Russian bikers
By NEBI QENA

TERESPOL, Poland (AP) — Polish border guards on Monday blocked 10 nationalistic Russian bikers loyal to President Vladimir Putin from entering Poland as part of a ride to commemorate the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany 70 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820773-polish-border-guards-refuse-entry-for-10-russian-bikers/

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Kerry, Iran FM hold nuke talks in NY as Senate weighs move
By BRADLEY KLAPPER and DEB RIECHMANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration moved on two fronts Monday to advance its nuclear diplomacy with Iran, with talks between top U.S. and Iranian diplomats and an aggressive effort to sell the emerging deal to skeptical American lawmakers and constituencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820774-kerry-iran-fm-hold-nuke-talks-in-ny-as-senate-weighs-move/

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Miller says he will plead guilty in Jewish site shootings

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) — A white supremacist from Missouri who is accused of killing three people at two Jewish centers in Kansas plans to plead guilty to capital murder to avoid a lengthy trial because of his failing health.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820775-us-miller-says-he-will-plead-guilty-in-jewish-site-shootings/

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Riot erupts after funeral for man hurt in police custody
By TOM FOREMAN Jr. and AMANDA LEE MYERS

BALTIMORE (AP) — Rioters looted stores and hurled rocks and bricks at Baltimore police Monday, injuring several officers just hours after thousands mourned the man who died after suffering a severe spinal injury in police custody.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820777-riot-erupts-in-baltimore-after-funeral-for-man-hurt-in-police-custody/

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California teen confesses to fatally stabbing 9-year-old boy

DISCOVERY BAY, Calif. (AP) — A newspaper says a Northern California teenager has confessed to stabbing to death a 9-year-old boy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820779-california-teen-confesses-to-fatally-stabbing-9-year-old-boy/

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Thailand Joins Global Efforts to Help Nepal

Thailand is joining the global effort to send aid to Nepal after a devastating earthquake has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people. Doctors, soldiers, supplies and planes are being mobilised, and fundraisers are being organized to help victims.

The Medical Council of Thailand asked for volunteers and created an online registration to aid in the process. By late Monday afternoon, over 350 doctors had volunteered. The council warned that volunteers would need to be prepared to face hardship as water, food and basic facilities were far and few between in disaster areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820761-thailand-joins-global-efforts-to-help-nepal/

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Phuket Police Issue Arrest Warrants for 5 Suspects in Samui Car-bombing

Phuket police have issued arrest warrants for five men suspected in aiding in the Koh Samui car-bombing that occurred earlier in the month. While the five men are not yet being charged for any crimes, they are being sought under the Emergency Decree.

There are already 3 other suspects in military custody.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820759-phuket-police-issue-arrest-warrants-for-5-suspects-in-samui-car-bombing/

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BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland governor declares state of emergency, activates National Guard to help with riot.