Thailand Live Tuesday 19 May 2015

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Surrogate baby's Aussie father accused of charity cash grab
AFP

BANGKOK: -- The Australian biological father of a Thai-born Down syndrome baby who sparked a global debate over surrogacy was Tuesday accused of trying to access money donated to help the boy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826233-surrogate-babys-aussie-father-accused-of-charity-cash-grab/

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Sommai: Thailand needs to develop its bourse

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015, (NNT) - Thailand needs to better develop her stock market after joining the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said the Minister of Finance, Sommai Phasee, yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826266-sommai-thailand-needs-to-develop-its-bourse/

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Government to sell 2 million tons of rice in two months

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) – The government is preparing to release another 2 million tons of rice within the next two months, in order to minimize effects on the new rice crop due this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826267-thai-govt-to-sell-2-million-tons-of-rice-in-two-months/

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Yingluck reaches Supreme Court to make a plea in rice-pledging case
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra reached the Supreme Court at 8:45 am Tuesday to make a plea in the rice-pledging case in the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office.

She was charged with nonfeasance for failing to stop alleged massive corruption in the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Yingluck-reaches-Supreme-Court-to-make-a-plea-in-r-30260421.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-19

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UPDATE:

Nephew arrested for shooting of Phuket fruit shop owner
Darawan Naknakhon

Suntiparb Kosuk with the homemade pistol he used to shot his aunt.

PHUKET: -- Police last night (May 18) arrested the nephew of of a fruit shop owner who was shot in the face in her shop yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826267-thai-govt-to-sell-2-million-tons-of-rice-in-two-months/

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Survey by Prachamati.org finds 93 per cent want referendum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An opinion survey by the Prachamati.org website found that 93.54 per cent of 2,359 Internet users support the holding of national referendum on the draft charter while 6.46 per cent disagree.

The website was launched on May 4. The result of the survey was announced at noon Monday. The website also found that 90.79 per cent of its respondents disagree with the provision that would allow a non-MP to become the prime minister.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Survey-by-Prachamati-org-finds-93-per-cent-want-re-30260423.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-19

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SET up 5.09 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Anifah to meet Thai, Indonesian counterparts May 20



Malaysia: Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman will meet his Thai and Indonesian counterparts on May 20 to discuss human trafficking and people smuggling, New Straits Times report.

According to a statement of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting shows Malaysia’s commitment to working closely with affected countries and members of the international community in resolving this issue in the region.

“Malaysia will continue to seek a solution on this issue through, inter alia, concerted and coordinated efforts among the countries of origin, transit and destination,” the statement added.

Concerning this matter, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Sunday that Myanmar should shoulder the responsibility of dealing with its escalating migrant crisis instead of involving other Asean countries.

Muhyiddin said Malaysia was careful in dealing with the current Rohingya migrant crisis as it did not want a repeat of the “Vietnamese boat people” saga, referring to refugees who fled Vietnam by boat and ship after the Vietnam War in 1978 and 1979.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/anifah-to-meet-thai-indonesian-counterparts-may-20


-- Thai PBS 2015-05-19

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Myanmar says 'boat people' crisis not caused by Rohingya strife



BANGKOK: -- The government of Myanmar on Monday vows to collaborate with regional governments to combat trafficking while denying the recent exodus was caused by conflict and discrimination in the country, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826276-myanmar-says-boat-people-crisis-not-caused-by-rohingya-strife/

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Ousted Thai PM proclaims innocence as criminal trial starts
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted on her innocence Tuesday at the start of a trial that could see her jailed for a decade, part of what observers say is a vendetta against her family.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826277-ousted-thai-pm-yingluck-proclaims-innocence-as-criminal-trial-starts/

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CDC Chairman: No plan to abolish village-Tambon chief positions under new charter

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) – The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee has assured that there is no part in the new charter that calls for the abolition of the positions of local administrative leaders.

CDC Chairman Borwornsak Uwanno on Monday accepted a petition from a network of local and community administration associations, who wished to show their support for the charter drafting process, particularly regarding the decentralization of power and the setting up of a large local administrative body with full authorization to manage their respective areas.

Mr. Borwornsak thanked the representatives of the network for their support and said that he believed a strong local community would play an important role in driving Thailand forward.

He also took the opportunity to calm upset village and Tambon chiefs who had earlier come out to protest the draft Charter as they believed their positions would be abolished when the new Constitution took effect.

The CDC Chairman assured them that there was no such a stipulation in the upcoming charter at all.


-- NNT 2015-05-19

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Man wanted for murder in Nakorn Sri Thammarat arrested in Phuket


Kittisak told police he shot Mr Saroj because he had tried to shoot him before.

PHUKET: -- A man from Nakorn Sri Thammarat who was wanted by police in connection with a murder carried out last year in Nakorn Sri Thammarat was arrested in Phuket yesterday (May18). He was also wanted for possession of drug a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826291-man-wanted-for-murder-in-nakorn-sri-thammarat-arrested-in-phuket/

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Hat Chao Mai park to close for four months



TRANG: -- Hat Chao Mai National Park in Trang province will be closed for four months beginning June 1 to September 30, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation announced this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826294-hat-chao-mai-park-in-trang-to-close-for-four-months/

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UPDATE:

Yingluck is not allowed to go abroad



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders today prohibited former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra from traveling on overseas trips unless permission is sought, and must appear at all session of the court trial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826277-ousted-thai-pm-yingluck-proclaims-innocence-as-criminal-trial-starts/#entry9421899

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Government asserts there is long-term plan to allocate land to the needy

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asserted on Monday there is a long-term plan to allocate land to underprivileged people who needed land to make a living out of.

General Prayut explained that although the government intends to allocate land for some 300,000 poverty-stricken people, he could not yet say which method of allocation will be employed. He added that the allocation will be a long-term process, and succeeding governments will need to adhere to this process.

The prime minister also noted that the government does not have the resources to allocate as much land as demanded by those in need.

General Dapong Ratanasuwan, the minister of natural resources and environment, revealed after Monday's meeting of the national land allocation committee that the meeting resolved to reduce the fee for exploitation of land under the committee-sponsored projects to 25 baht, from 50 baht. The committee also agreed to allocate land at another site, following the success of its first round of allocations. The second round of allocations will involve 9,164 rai of land and 1,862 eligible farmers.


-- NNT 2015-05-19

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NLA will finalize amendment proposals on May 22

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has expressed confidence that submit its summarized suggestions on the new constitution within the planned timeframe.

NLA First Vice President Surachai Liengboonlertchai said the legal body is set to finalize the suggestions by May 22.

Discussions mainly revolved around the need for an unelected prime minister in times of crisis, the emphasis on decentralized government, and the selection process of constitutional court judges.

The legal body also reiterated that a public referendum requires a constitutional amendment to the current interim charter.

Mr Surachai said that if the government agrees to a public referendum on the new charter, they must submit to the NLA an amendment proposal to the 2014 interim constitution to stipulate a public referendum on the next charter. Once the National Reform Council approves of the new constitution, the public will have the opportunity to vote on the charter.


-- NNT 2015-05-19

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Anti-government banners put up by suspected militants in Bannang Sata district



YALA: -- Members of a bomb disposal unit escaped unhurt when suspected militants blew up a hidden bomb as the officers scoured an area where an anti-government banner was hung up in public in Yala’s Bannang Sata district this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826300-anti-government-banners-put-up-by-suspected-militants-in-yala/

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Former Anti-Govt Protester Arrested for Destroying Police HQ Sign
By Khaosod English


Anti-government protesters vandalize the police HQ sign in Bangkok, 22 Jan 2014.

BANGKOK — Police say they have arrested a man who vandalized a granite entrance sign in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters during anti-government protests in Bangkok sixteen months ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826303-former-anti-govt-protester-arrested-for-destroying-thai-police-hq-sign/

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UPDATE:

Briton’s drowning death a suicide, police say
By Coconuts Bangkok

KOH CHANG: -- Police have ruled the death of a British woman found dead in a swimming pool on the resort island of Koh Chang was a suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/825974-british-tourist-found-dead-in-a-swimming-pool-on-koh-chang/page-3?p=9422067#entry9422067

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Ex-Thai PM stresses rule of law as sister appears in court

SEOUL: -- Thailand's wildly divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday told Asian governments the "rule of law" was key to democracy, nearly a year after the military toppled his sister's administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826327-ex-thai-pm-thaksin-stresses-rule-of-law-as-sister-appears-in-court/

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Thaksin says Prayut government's performance unimpressive yet



BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the first year performance of the military-installed government was not impressive yet and called on it to work harder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826334-thaksin-says-prayut-governments-performance-unimpressive-yet/

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Thousands call for the North of England to become part of Scotland
'New Scotland' would take in everything north of Chester to the west and Sheffield to the east - including Manchester
BY JENNIFER WILLIAMS



MANCHESTER: -- Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the north of England to break free - and join an independent Scotland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826336-thousands-call-for-the-north-of-england-to-become-part-of-scotland/

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Deadly carnage on foundering Asian migrant boat
AFP

Langsa, Indonesia: -- Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants on board a foundering vessel off Indonesia fought with axes, knives and metals bars in vicious clashes that left at least 100 dead, survivors said as they recovered from their ordeal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826337-deadly-carnage-on-foundering-asian-migrant-boat/

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More human trafficking suspect arrested



BANGKOK: -- The wife of the key suspect in Rohinya human trafficking and wanted for trafficking conspiracy was arrested today in Ranong province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826344-rohinya-human-trafficking-suspect-arrested-in-ranong/

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Fight of century becomes fight in court as fans sue Pacquiao
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Boxing fans across the country and their lawyers are calling the hyped-up fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. a fraud and want their money back, and then some.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826356-fight-of-century-becomes-fight-in-court-as-fans-sue-pacquiao/

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NEW CONSTITUTION
Public referendum for charter draft to be held

BANGKOK: -- A joint meeting of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Cabinet have agreed on Tuesday that the 2014 provisional constitution be amended to allow the hosting of public referendum on the charter draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826357-public-referendum-for-thai-charter-draft-to-be-held/

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Fall of Ramadi raises doubts about US strategy in Iraq
By ROBERT BURNS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Islamic State group's capture of Ramadi, a key provincial capital in western Iraq, calls into question the Obama administration's strategy in Iraq.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826359-fall-of-ramadi-raises-doubts-about-us-strategy-in-iraq/

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Thai economy signals recovery, says Chamber of Commerce

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) – The Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand has revealed that the country's economy has shown signs of recovery and has retained this year's growth rate forecast at 3.5 percent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826360-thai-economy-signals-recovery-says-chamber-of-commerce/

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NRC members disagree with reducing provisions on reconciliation

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) - Members of the National Reform Council (NRC) have disagreed with condensing the new constitution’s sections regarding reconciliation.

NRC member Prasarn Marukpitak revealed that many NRC members are against the charter drafters’ latest move to cut the original 20 provisions regarding reconciliation down to only two sections, leaving the rest to be enacted later as organic laws.

He said some NRC members have argued that this would diminish the purpose of the new constitution to implement extensive reform measures. Furthermore, there is no concrete guarantee that the omitted provisions would ever resurface as organic laws.


-- NNT 2015-05-19

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Yingluck pledges 30-million baht cash in savings account to secure release on court bail



BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was temporarily freed on a 30-million baht court bail, her lawyer said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826385-yingluck-pledges-30-million-baht-cash-in-savings-account-to-secure-release-on-court-bail/