Thailand Live Friday 8 May 2015

[webfact]

Postman fired after lost mail found at his home
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Thailand Post, the organization known for folding, breaking, throwing and totally losing mail, fired a postman yesterday after a customer, who was sick of waiting for her mail, visited the postman’s home to find a bunch of undelivered packages.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823646-thai-postman-fired-after-lost-mail-found-at-his-home/

[webfact]

MOAC prepares to host Royal Ploughing Ceremony next week

BANGKOK, 8 May 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has made preparations to host the royal ploughing ceremony on Wednesday. The annual ceremony marks the beginning of the rice growing season in Thailand.

Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chavalit Chookajorn will play the role of an astrologer during the ceremony.

Two oxen have been selected by the Department of Livestock Development, named ‘Pra Ko Lert’ and ‘Pra Ko Fah’. The ceremony will use 11 types of rice with a total weight of 260 kilograms.

360,000 packets of rice grains will be handed out to people attending the ceremonial grounds at Sanam Luang. The ploughing ceremony began in ancient times. In 1966, the government declared May 13th of each year to be Farmers’ Day.


-- NNT 2015-05-08

[webfact]

21-year-old man arrested for assaulting 51-year-old man to death
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A 21-year-old man who was caught on a security camera repeatedly kicking the head of a 51-year-old man who later died at a hospital in Prachinburi early Tuesday was arrested Friday, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823650-21-year-old-man-arrested-for-assaulting-51-year-old-man-to-death/

[webfact]

Unbuilt Phuket condo buyers appeal to Gov to push refunds
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Not at all happy: Buyers Didier Giesen (left) and Paul Schmieken.

PHUKET: -- Thai and foreign buyers in a stalled condo project in Patong went to Provincial Hall on Wednesday (May 6) to push for the return of money they have already paid to the development company.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823651-unbuilt-phuket-condo-buyers-appeal-to-gov-to-push-refunds/

[webfact]

Fourth quake in a week hits Phuket
Matt Pond

The quake was centred in the same spot on the Klong Marui fault line.

PHUKET: -- Phuket has today (May 8) been hit by its fourth earthquake in a week, albeit a smaller one than the previous three.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823654-fourth-quake-in-a-week-hits-phuket/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thai Soldiers Detain Israeli Businessmen 'Out of Misunderstanding'
By Khaosod English


Junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha speaking to reporters on 8 May 2015.

BANGKOK – Thai soldiers mistakenly arrested nine businessmen from an Israeli technology firm while they were meeting with police yesterday, junta officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823629-thai-army-interrupts-israeli-demonstration-of-wiretapping-devices-to-special-branch-bureau/#entry9384403

[webfact]

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's military says ambassadors of the Philippines and Norway killed in helicopter crash

[webfact]

Taxi driver fined for pretending car broke down to kick out passengers
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A taxi driver who allegedly pretended his car had broken down to kick two passengers out was summoned and fined by the Department of Land Transport today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823676-taxi-driver-fined-for-pretending-car-broke-down-to-kick-out-passengers/

[webfact]

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - In memo to staff, new Malaysia Airlines CEO says finances worse, airline to shrink to survive

[webfact]

Israel's New Settlement Plans Negatively Affect Talks on Palestinian Issue

Russian Foreign Ministry said that Israel’s new plans on constructing new settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are having a negative effect on the stable negotiations process.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Israel’s new plans on constructing new settlements...

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823679-russian-fm-israels-new-settlement-plans-negatively-affect-talks-on-palestinian-issue/

[webfact]

PM says not his duty to advise politicians what they should do



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said today that it was not his responsibility to tell or advise politicians to stop their movements or activities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823690-pm-prayut-says-not-his-duty-to-advise-politicians-what-they-should-do/

[webfact]

Special Postage Stamps issued to celebrate 40th anniversary of Thai-North Korean Diplomatic Relations

BANGKOK, 8 May 2014 (NNT) - Thailand Post Co.,Ltd., in cooperation with the Post Office of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has issued a set of commemorative stamps on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and the DPR Korea.

The stamps depict separated pictures of national birds of Thailand and the DPR Korea. The Thai bird on the stamp is Siamese Fireback or "Kai Fah Paya Loh" (ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ), a majestic creature which has been announced as a National Bird of Thailand by the Royal Forest Department since 1985. The bird often appears in Thai literature while the Northern Goshawk represents the national bird of the DPR Korea. The stamps valued at 3 baht each are available for sale at the Post Offices throughout the country from today onward, and at 14 baht per one complete set. Each set contains 5 Postage Stamps of each country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand Post Co.,Ltd., and the Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Thailand also organize the "DPRK at a Glance " Exhibition showcasing postage stamps from the DPR Korea which depicts every dimension of that country including political, economic ,social and cultural activities.

The exhibition is open at Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum Bangkok, located at the Post Office, Sam Sen Nai branch from today to 31 May.


-- NNT 2015-05-08

[webfact]

Chinese couples may be allowed to have a second child soon, experts say
Wang Xiaodong
China Daily

(China) - All couples in China may be allowed to have a second child in the next few years with the relaxation of the family planning policy, population experts say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823692-chinese-couples-may-be-allowed-to-have-a-second-child-soon-experts-say/

[webfact]

Thai trafficking crackdown targets corrupt police, officials
THANYARAT DOKSONE, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's police chief announced the arrest of a powerful mayor on Friday and said 50 police officers are under investigation in a widening human trafficking scandal spanning four Asian countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823694-thai-trafficking-crackdown-targets-corrupt-police-officials/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,510.51 up 12.20; Bt/USD33.36; GBP51.39; AUD26.03; EUR37.17; CAD27.35; HKD4.28; SGD24.86; JPY27.63

[webfact]

David Cameron's Conservatives on course to win 325 seats in UK general election - an effective majority, forecast predicts /BBC

[webfact]

LONDON (AP) - UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage loses bid for seat in British Parliament.

[Lite Beer]

Padang Besar mayor and two police officers held in connection with human trafficking ring

Padang Besar mayor and two police officers are the latest three suspects taken into police custody for alleged involvement in the trafficking and illegal detention of Rohingya people.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823750-padang-besar-mayor-and-two-police-officers-held-in-connection-with-human-trafficking-ring/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Former Yingluck Govt Officials Impeached Over Rice Corruption

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — Three former government officials have been retroactively impeached by the Thai junta's rubber-stamp parliament for their involvement in a fraudulent rice sale.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823634-nla-impeaches-boonsong-poom-manas/#entry9385656

[Lite Beer]

City administration to ponder restricting car speed limits for cyclists’ safety

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is pondering restricting speed limits for cars plying city’s roads and soi which are frequented on regular basis by cyclists in order to enhance safety for the bikers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823753-city-administration-to-ponder-restricting-car-speed-limits-for-cyclists-safety/

[Lite Beer]

New charter must solve country’s problems without relying on military

BANGKOK, 8 May 2015 (NNT) - The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has said that the new constitution must be able to tackle the country’s longstanding problems in a sustainable way, without having to rely on military intervention.

CDC Chairman Borwornsak Uwanno said the conflict leading up to the May 22 takeover was the result of a political gridlock and the inability to resolve conflicts under the constitution. He said the new constitution must therefore ensure that the country can move forward without military rule.

Prof Borwornsak said the new charter is designed to solve the country’s longstanding problems through four main principles: citizen empowerment, clean politics, social equality and reconciliation.

He expressed support for a public referendum to be held on the new charter. The CDC Chairman pointed out that the new charter must replace the 2007 constitution, which underwent a nationwide vote to attain legitimacy.

According to Prof. Borwornsak, the government must facilitate the public referendum and properly inform the people of the new charter’s provisions.

-- NNT 2015-05-08

[Lite Beer]

RT@BBCBreaking: Full #GE2015 result:

#Conservative 331

#Labour 232

#SNP 56

#LibDems 8

#UKIP 1

#Greens 1

#Plaid 3

Others 18

[Lite Beer]

Agricultural reform necessary, PM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Friday that reforms must be introduced in all agricultural sectors, from rice, rubber, palm and cassava to sugar cane.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823759-agricultural-reform-necessary-pm/

[Lite Beer]

Rain storm and hail storm wreck havoc in northern and northeastern provinces and Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Rain storm and hail storm wreck havoc in northern and northeastern provinces and BangkokRain storm and hail storm wreck havoc in northern and northeastern provinces and BangkokRain storm and hail storm wreck havoc in northern and northeastern provinces and Bangkok

Freak rain storm and hail storm wrought havoc in several northern and northeastern provinces on Friday, damaging hundreds of houses and farms.
In Bangkok, torrential rains lashed Phra Nakhon, Samphanthawong, Pathumwan, Bang Rak, Pom Prab, Ratchathevi, Phya Thai, Din Daeng, Yan Nawa, Huey Kwang and Bang Sue causing flooding in some low-lying roads.

Hail storm was reported to have hit the Government House, causing minor damages to several cars in the area.

In Chaiyaphum province, about 100 houses in Chaturas and Bamnet Narong districts were damaged with most of their roofs blown away. Somboon Orchaiaphum, a resident of Khewa district, said the storm was especially stronger this year and there was hailstorm as well.

About 100 houses in Prasart and Phanom Dongrak districts of Surin sustained heavy damages from the freak storm.

In Udon Thai, a power tower collapsed and dozens of houses were reported to be damaged by strong winds.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/rain-storm-and-hail-storm-wreck-havoc-in-northern-and-northeastern-provinces-and-bangkok

-- Thai PBS 2015-05-08

[Lite Beer]

to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 9 May 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823789-thailand-live-saturday-9-may-2015/

[Lite Beer]

Padang Besar mayor nabbed for trafficking
The Nation

Suphoj

POLICE HAVE arrested the mayor of Padang Besar municipality in Songkhla province over his alleged involvement in human trafficking and started a probe into a close aide on suspicion that the latter was also involved.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823750-padang-besar-mayor-and-two-police-officers-held-in-connection-with-human-trafficking-ring/#entry9386250