Thailand Live Monday 11 May 2015

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King, Queen return to palace
THE NATION



Thousands cheer beloved royal couples as they head back from Siriraj Hospital to Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin.

BANGKOK: -- THOUSANDS of well-wishers, many in tears, were overjoyed to see Their Majesties the King and the Queen leave Siriraj Hospital yesterday afternoon, where they have been convalescing, to return to their beloved Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.

The motorcade took two hours to arrive at the summer palace, where the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement the royals could rest and recuperate in a place with fresh air.

Oblivious to the blazing sun, huge throngs waited at the hospital, along the route and near the palace. They waved flags with the King's insignia to greet the highly-revered monarch and express their love and loyalty to their Majesties, who were seen waving back at them.

Nakin Ratchatasuwan said this was the second time he had seen the royal couple off from Siriraj Hospital.

"Last year, I felt happy and cheered up so I came again. The weather was really hot but no one seemed to mind," he said.

He had arrived late and was looking for a spot when officials said their Majesties' convoy was approaching. "An old woman then made some space for me, saying 'you can sit with me, we're children of the same father (the King)'.

"When I saw the head of the motorcade, I had tears in my eyes, but I wiped them away quickly for fear that I would be unable to see them clearly when they passed by," he said.

"I saw the Queen as she turned toward me and waved, while the King turned the other way."

He was glad that their health had improved and they could return to the palace. Staying in limited environs at the hospital for a long time would surely make them uncomfortable. The sea breeze at Klai Kangwon Palace would definitely be better for their health, he said.

Angkhana Tongpool joined the event with Japanese friends Tomofumi Nagashima and his wife; Warangkana. "I am determined to see their Majesties once in my life because their projects help develop my native home in Phetchburi province," Angkhana said. "I really wept when I saw them pass in the motorcade.

She said her Japanese friend had asked to see their Majesties off to Hua Hin.He was well prepared as he brought his suit along so he could go to a function after.

"When the motorcade passed, he shouted Long Live the King loudly and in Thai. He told me after that he was very happy although he saw the monarchs [only] briefly," she said.

Their Majesties travelled in separate vehicles.

Watchara Changsri was visiting Hua Hin with his family and about to head back to Bangkok when he heard the news that Their Majesties had left Siriraj for Hua Hin. He decided to stop on the way.

"When the motorcade moved past me, although it was very quick, my family and I felt uplifted and excited. We did not feel the heat at that moment," he said.

Their Majesties have been staying in Siriraj Hospital since late last year for thorough medical check-ups.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/King-Queen-return-to-palace-30259784.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-11

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Survey:

What Is the Main Deterrent to Living in Thailand?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824167-survey-what-is-the-main-deterrent-to-living-in-thailand/

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Buddhist Authority to Investigate Anti-Islam 'Facebook Monk'
By Khaosod English


Screenshot from the now-deactivated Facebook page where a user claiming to be a monk has published content deemed offensive to the religion of Islam.

BANGKOK — Thailand's Office of National Buddhism (ONAB) is investigating a social media user claiming to be a monk who has published offensive remarks about the religion of Islam on the web.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824266-buddhist-authority-to-investigate-anti-islam-facebook-monk/

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ROHINGYA
Satun councillor arrested over the trafficking of boat people in South
THE NATION


Migrants at a facility in Songkhla

BANGKOK: -- INTENSIVE EFFORT by the authorities to tackle Rohingya labour trafficking continues as a 10-day timeframe designated by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to crack down on the illicit trade looms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824267-satun-councillor-arrested-over-the-trafficking-of-boat-people-in-south/

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18 injured in Japanese Tour Bus road accident in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon, Police and medics were called to Highway 36 in East Pattaya to deal with a single-vehicle road accident involving a tour bus carrying foreign tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824269-18-injured-in-japanese-tour-bus-road-accident-in-east-pattaya/

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Central Pattaya Underpass Construction Site blamed for fatal road crash



PATTAYA: -- A witness to a fatal road crash, which occurred on Sunday Night, blamed sand on the road caused by the Central Pattaya Underpass construction site.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824270-central-pattaya-underpass-construction-site-blamed-for-fatal-road-crash/

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Police Officer hurt in high-speed road crash in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 42 year old Police Officer along with his Wife, were injured in a high-speed road crash in Central Pattaya on Sunday afternoon, which saw his pick-up truck flip onto its roof in the center of the road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824271-police-officer-hurt-in-high-speed-road-crash-in-central-pattaya/

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UPDATE:

2 Thai’s and 1 Foreigner injured in South Pattaya crash



A foreign bike driver, his Thai girlfriend and a Thai driver of a further bike were injured in an early morning road crash in South Pattaya.

PATTAYA: -- On a weekend which was dominated by road accidents, both major and minor, across Pattaya City, this particular crash occurred just before 2.30am on Saturday on Pattaya Second Road in front of Soi 13.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/823829-one-farang-two-thais-injured-on-pattaya-road/page-2#entry9393119

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NEW CONSTITUTION
Charter 'will empower state over people'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DR NIRAN Pitakwatchara, the National Human Rights Commissioner, has criticised the charter draft, saying it disempowers people while giving the state more power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824272-new-thai-constitution-charter-will-empower-state-over-people/

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NEPAL
Situation much improved after relief efforts : Thai aid team
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION


From Facebook page of Dr Sorarit Kiatfuengfoo

Medical Council to stay in Nepal for three months to help victims pick up their lives

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE the shortage of |commodities in rural areas, the overall situation in Nepal two weeks after the devastating |earthquake is much improved, the first Thai government medical team reported over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824273-nepal-situation-much-improved-after-relief-efforts-thai-aid-team/

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Finance minister: Growth in Thai household debt slows down

BANGKOK, 11 May 2015 (NNT) - Finance Minister Sommai Phasi has remarked that a continuous slowdown in household debt is a positive sign suggesting that the Thai economy is on its way to recovery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824274-finance-minister-growth-in-thai-household-debt-slows-down/

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BICYCLE
Warning signs on risky roads to pave way for city cyclists
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- TO BOOST cyclists' safety on public roads in Bagnkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Adminstration, will install warning signs in |accident-risk areas and widen bicycle lanes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824275-bangkok-warning-signs-on-risky-roads-to-pave-way-for-city-cyclists/

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BOT measures a tonic for foreign investment
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- BUSINESSES believe the Bank of Thailand's (BOT) move to lower the policy interest rate and relax foreign exchange regulations have depreciated the baht and made it easier for firms to invest abroad.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824276-bot-measures-a-tonic-for-foreign-investment/

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EDITORIAL
Let's truly foster quality social media
The Nation

The "anything goes" era is passing

BANGKOK: -- The "lines" are often blurry on social media sites. Is it "private" or "public"? Is it "friend" or "fan"? Is it sincere admiration or jealousy in disguise? We can rarely tell. Even if we can clearly tell, others probably can't.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824277-thai-editorial-lets-truly-foster-quality-social-media/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Making Thailand an Asean-friendly country
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

Gone are the days when merely mentioning the acronym AEC

BANGKOK: -- The Asean agenda has been on top of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's must do list since the very first day. A few weeks after his power seizure, the Preparation Centre for Asean Community (PCAC) was set up to show he meant business on Asean matters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824278-making-thailand-an-asean-friendly-country/

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US planes on relief missions in Nepal are allowed stopovers at U-tapao



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet last week granted permission for the United States to use U-tapao airbase as a stopover for its planes to fly relief and medical supplies to Nepal, said Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy, on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824279-us-planes-on-relief-missions-in-nepal-are-allowed-stopovers-at-u-tapao/

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Jellyfish colonies off Phi Phi spark fears of big quake
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- The emergence of colonies of red and purple coloured jellyfish off the coast of Koh Phi Phi in recent days has sparked fear among some villagers and tourists that another, more deadly quake is nigh.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824280-jellyfish-colonies-off-phi-phi-spark-fears-of-big-quake/

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Draft constitution still shrouded in doubt
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

KEY AGENCIES REMAIN AT LOGGERHEADS AS WORK LOOMS ON AMENDMENTS

BANGKOK: -- AS THE DEBATE ABOUT amendments continues, the charter's drafters and those who approve the draft constitution are now at loggerheads. That leaves political scientists looking out for what the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) should do.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824281-draft-constitution-still-shrouded-in-doubt/

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Somyot seeks extra pay for police for 10 months of martial law
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- POLICE COMMISSIONER General Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang will seek government approval for police to be remunerated for service when martial law was imposed in parts of the country from last May to March this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824282-somyot-seeks-extra-pay-for-police-for-10-months-of-martial-law/

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Many parents report increased costs for children's education
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- SOME 71 per cent of parents say they are shouldering increased cost for children's education this year, according to the latest survey by Bangkok Poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824283-many-parents-report-increased-costs-for-childrens-education/

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Germans push 'green' water projects for Thailand, not 'grey'
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- LEARNING from mistakes made in Germany, a German institution has now recommended that Thailand adopts a greener approach while fighting floods and drought.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824284-germans-push-green-water-projects-for-thailand-not-grey/

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Calls to create crisis centres
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- KEY tourism bodies have called on the government to prepare measures to deal with possible natural disasters in a bid to ensure tourist confidence while travelling in the Kingdom. The call was made following the earthquake tragedy in Nepal that killed thousands including many foreigners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824286-thai-tourism-calls-to-create-crisis-centres/

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Castro: Pope Francis so impressive I might return to church
By FRANCES D'EMILIO

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cuban President Raul Castro paid a call Sunday on Pope Francis at the Vatican to thank him for working for Cuban-U.S. detente — and said he was so impressed by the pontiff he is considering a return to the Catholic church's fold.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824287-castro-pope-francis-so-impressive-i-might-return-to-church/

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Survivors recount Nazi camp horrors at liberation memorial
By GEORGE JAHN

MAUTHAUSEN, Austria (AP) — Many people were worked to death or starved. Others were gassed or killed by injection. But of all the ways to die at Mauthausen, Austria's largest concentration camp, one method in particular reflected the horrible cynicism of the Nazis in charge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824289-survivors-recount-nazi-camp-horrors-at-liberation-memorial/

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Hezbollah leads fight in strategic Syrian mountain range
By BASSEM MROUE

QALAMOUN MOUNTAINS, Syria (AP) — Here in pockets of the rugged mountains near the Lebanese border, the distinctive yellow flag of Hezbollah now flies where al-Qaida militants once held sway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824291-hezbollah-leads-fight-in-strategic-syrian-mountain-range/

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West Point names barracks for black graduate who was shunned
By MICHAEL HILL

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Benjamin O. Davis Jr. entered West Point in 1932 as its only black cadet and spent the next four years shunned. He roomed alone, and no one befriended him. The future Tuskegee Airman and trailblazing Air Force general later said he was "an invisible man."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824293-west-point-names-barracks-for-black-graduate-who-was-shunned/

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Poll: Opposition forces runoff in Poland's presidential vote
MONIKA SCISLOWSKA, Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Nationalist opposition candidate Andrzej Duda made a surprisingly strong showing Sunday in the first round of Poland's presidential election, apparently forcing a runoff with incumbent Bronislaw Komorowski who faces a tough re-election campaign, according to exit poll results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824294-poll-opposition-forces-runoff-in-polands-presidential-vote/

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Gunmen in Macedonia had planned many attacks, leader says
BORIS GRDANOSKI, Associated Press
KONSTANTIN TESTORIDES, Associated Press

KUMANOVO, Macedonia (AP) — An armed group battling Macedonian police over the weekend left 22 people dead and aimed to destabilize the country with terror attacks, the country's president declared Sunday in a nationwide television address.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824295-gunmen-in-macedonia-had-planned-many-attacks-leader-says/

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2 Mississippi officers fatally shot; 3 suspects arrested
REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (AP) — Two Mississippi police officers were shot to death during a routine evening traffic stop turned violent, a state law enforcement spokesman said Sunday. Four suspects were in custody, including two who were charged with capital murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824296-2-mississippi-officers-fatally-shot;-3-suspects-arrested/

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Monk dead and nine merit makers injured in road accident

Chainat: - A Buddhist monk died at the wheel when his car crashed into a van, injuring nine merit makers, at a local road in Sanburi district, police said.

Alerted about a road accident, Lieutenant Wichokchai Onlamai of Sanburi police station went to investigate the scene Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/824290-monk-dead-and-nine-merit-makers-injured-in-road-accident/