Thailand Live Friday 22 May 2015

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Thailand hosts 2nd APFSD 2015 to boost sustainable development in Asia-Pacific

BANGKOK, 22 May 2015 (NNT) - Gen Tanasak Patimaprakorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening remark at the 2nd Session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD 2015) at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.

The APFSD 2015 was attended by the Vice President of Iran and ministers from over twenty countries such as Tonga, Pakistan, Japan, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Tajikistan as well as high-level representatives from international organizations such as the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In his opening remarks, Gen Tanasak stressed the importance of the APFSD 2015 as it reflected the Asia-Pacific region's views and standpoints on the post 2015 Development Agenda.

He also addressed the regional challengings such as disaster risk reduction, aging societies, and migration and reaffirmed Thailand's readiness in sharing experiences on sustainable development based on His Majesty the King's concept of sufficiency economy.

With the theme of "Strengthening Integration and Reviews for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific", the outcomes of the forum will be presented to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The APFSD is a forum for Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) member countries to discuss and share ideas on sustainable development and the region. Thailand and ESCAP co-hosted the first session of APFSD on 19-20 May 2014 in Pattaya.


-- NNT 2015-05-22

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Pattaya Immigration arrest Russian and British man in theft and extortion case



PATTAYA: -- Chonburi Immigration Police announced on Thursday the arrest of a Russian and British National wanted in connection with a case of theft and extortion from March 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827057-pattaya-immigration-arrest-russian-and-british-man-in-theft-and-extortion-case/

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1 dead 1 injured in North Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- Just before daybreak on Thursday another fatal road crash occurred in Pattaya resulting in the death of a female and serious injury sustained to another.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827058-1-dead-1-injured-in-north-pattaya-road-crash/

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Police chief: Rohingya boat people will face illegal entry charge

BANGKOK, 22 May 2015 (NNT) - Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police Pol.Gen. Somyot Phumphanmuang has lauded a meeting between 15 countries to find solutions to the problem of Rohingya illegal migrants. Thailand will play host to the meeting scheduled for 29 May 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827060-thai-police-chief-rohingya-boat-people-will-face-illegal-entry-charge/

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IRREGULAR MIGRATION
Pressure on Myanmar to deal with migrants
THE NATION, AGENCIES



Nay Pyi Taw softens stance but rules out recognising Rohingya; more arrests made in Thai crackdown on trafficking

BANGKOK: -- ALL ROADS lead to Myanmar as ministers from Asean countries and a senior official from the United States head to Nay Pyi Taw for intensive diplomatic talks to find a solution to the migrants exodus to Southeast Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827061-pressure-on-myanmar-to-deal-with-migrants/

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FIRST ANNIVERSARY
May 22 coup pre-planned or provoked by the situation?
POLITICAL DESK
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- AS THE NATION marks the first anniversary of the coup, witnesses are recounting what happened inside the Army Club on that day when then Army chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha announced his decision to seize power, after the conflicting political sides failed to reach an agreement at a two-day meeting brokered by the military.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827062-may-22-coup-pre-planned-or-provoked-by-the-situation/

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NEW CHARTER
EC eyes referendum minefield
THE NATION

Supachai wants the focus to be on disseminating content of charter

BANGKOK: -- ELECTION Commission chairman Supachai Somcharoen yesterday suggested that the public should be asked only one question when responding to the upcoming referendum on the charter draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827063-new-thai-charter-ec-eyes-referendum-minefield/

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POLITICS
Thaksin wants strong support base before contemplating return home
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- FUGITIVE former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has told a South Korean newspaper that he would prefer to wait until support for his camp is strong enough before making a political return.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827064-thaksin-wants-strong-support-base-before-contemplating-return-home/

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BAHT
Baht to remain volatile for now, BOT warns
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE BAHT will continue to be volatile, the Bank of Thailand has warned, suggesting that business operators keep guarding against foreign-exchange risks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827065-baht-to-remain-volatile-for-now-bot-warns/

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Economy will expand to 4.7%: Prayut
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha expects the economy to expand by 3.7 to 4.7 per cent next year, when the government starts spending the Bt2.72-trillion budget earmarked for the 2016 fiscal year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827066-economy-will-expand-to-47-prayut/

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EDITORIAL
North Korea explodes with DEFIANCE again

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN SECURE A MORE PEACEFUL FUTURE FOR ASIA BY TREATING PYONGYANG WITH THE DIGNITY IT SO CRAVES

BANGKOK: -- Shortly after announcing it had cancelled United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's planned visit to the country this week, North Korea declared it had the ability to miniaturise nuclear weapons, which is a step towards building nuclear missiles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827067-north-korea-explodes-with-defiance-again/

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UPDATE:

22 tuk-tuk drivers rounded up for cheating tourists

BANGKOK: -- A total of 22 tuk-tuk drivers operating in front of Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) have been arrested by police for cheating tourists wanting to visit the famous temple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826911-22-thais-arrested-for-deceiving-causing-nuisances-to-foreign-tourists/page-2#entry9432403

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Ministry to propose releasing aging prisoners to ease cost burden



BANGKOK: -- The Justice Ministry is to propose Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to invoke Section 44 of the interim constitution to release aging prisoners and prisoners with chronic sickness to reduce the state burden.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827068-thai-ministry-to-propose-releasing-aging-prisoners-to-ease-cost-burden/

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Police raid uncover over 8,000 counterfeit car license plates

BANGKOK: -- Police raided a printing house in Rong Muang area, Bangkok Metropolis, on Thursday and seized altogether 8,400 counterfeit car license plates.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827069-bangkok-police-raid-uncover-over-8000-counterfeit-car-license-plates/

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BURNING ISSUE
Banks must learn to share their cost benefits with customers
SASITHORN ONGDEE

BANGKOK: - WHO will be next to follow Kasikornbank (KBank) and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) in introducing interest rate cuts after the Thai central bank recently convinced them to do so?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827071-banks-must-learn-to-share-their-cost-benefits-with-customers/

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Group to sue NCPO despite arrest risk
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Despite the risk of being arrested, between 10 and 20 members of an anti-coup group plan to march to the Criminal Court to file a lawsuit against the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for illegally tearing up the constitution a year ago today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827072-group-to-sue-ncpo-despite-arrest-risk/

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ANALYSIS
Changing status of elephants in Thailand A CAUSE FOR WORRY
ADIS ISRANGKURA
SPECIAL TO THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- In Thai culture, no animal can rival the significance the elephant enjoys. In centuries past they ferried merchandise across the country, transported people over rough terrain, harvested timber and earned fame and notoriety for their fierce exploits in war. Thais regarded elephants as sacred creatures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827073-changing-status-of-elephants-in-thailand-a-cause-for-worry/

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NCPO's heavy hand casts cloud on rights
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DURING the past year, villagers in rural provinces have felt their power to protect their communities weaken in the face of the mighty National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827074-ncpos-heavy-hand-casts-cloud-on-rights/

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Living in fear of drilling impact in Khon Kaen
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- EVERY morning members of the Ban Na Mun-Dun Sad Environmental Conservation Group in Khon Kaen's Kranuan district gather to raise villager awareness about what they allege will be the negative impact of a nearby petroleum-drilling operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827075-living-in-fear-of-drilling-impact-in-khon-kaen/

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Swap places with boat migrants, Thai PM tells critics
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's junta chief Thursday said those who felt his government should do more to help stranded boatpeople should "migrate" to sea themselves and swap places with them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827076-swap-places-with-boat-migrants-thai-pm-tells-critics/

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BMA gets Bt800m from Austrian firm over vehicles
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has received 20.5 million euros (Bt800 million) from Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzefug in accordance with the arbitration committee's order, deputy governor Asawin Kwanmuang said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827077-bangkok-administration-gets-bt800m-from-austrian-firm-over-vehicles/

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UFUN suspects smuggled Bt776m so far, police say
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The four suspects who were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly trying to smuggle Bt22.7 million cash into Malaysia are believed to have withdrawn and smuggled up to Bt776 million over the past year, police claimed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827079-ufun-suspects-smuggled-bt776m-so-far-police-say/

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Forest reclamation plan 'major mistake'
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THERE have been up to 44 cases of people being adversely affected in 21 provinces by the government's forest-reclamation policy, the National Human Rights Commission said yesterday - suggesting that the enforcement of the policy has spawned mistakes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827080-thai-forest-reclamation-plan-major-mistake/

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Free, anonymous HIV testing 'will save thousands of needless deaths'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND can stop thousands of needless deaths from HIV by 2022 by increasing the availability and use of free and anonymous testing and treatment of HIV infection among all at-risk groups, World Bank experts suggested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827081-thailand-can-stop-thousands-of-needless-deaths-from-hiv/

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Samui bombing suspects claim innocence
The Nation

SURAT THANI: -- Two men accused of being involved in the April 10 bombing of a shopping mall on Koh Samui in Surat Thani province yesterday denied all the charges and said they would fight to clear their names in court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827082-samui-bombing-suspects-claim-innocence/

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Obama's trade bill narrowly clears a key Senate hurdle
By DAVID ESPO and CHARLES BABINGTON

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a triumph for President Barack Obama, sweeping legislation to strengthen the administration's hand in global trade talks advanced toward Senate passage Thursday after a showdown vote that remained in doubt until the final moment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827083-obamas-trade-bill-narrowly-clears-a-key-senate-hurdle/

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Fears mount over Palmyra as IS expands territory in Syria
ALBERT AJI, Associated Press
ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Fears mounted over the fate of one of the Mideast's most prominent archaeological sites after Islamic State militants overran the historic Syrian town of Palmyra, seizing control Thursday of its temples, tombs and colonnades within hours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827084-fears-mount-over-palmyra-as-is-expands-territory-in-syria/

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US prosecutor: 6 officers indicted in death of Baltimore man
JULIET LINDERMAN, Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — A grand jury indicted all six officers charged in the case of an African-American whose death from injuries he suffered in police custody sparked rioting in Baltimore and nationwide protests. The indictment allows the city's top prosecutor to press ahead with the most serious charges despite criticism that she was part of an "overzealous prosecution."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827086-us-prosecutor-6-officers-indicted-in-death-of-baltimore-man/

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US concludes airstrike in Syria killed 2 innocent children
LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two children were likely killed during an American airstrike targeting al-Qaida-linked militants in Syria last year, and two other adults were wounded, according to an investigation released Thursday by the U.S. military.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827087-us-concludes-airstrike-in-syria-killed-2-innocent-children/

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Hundreds saved from Boko Haram now in military custody
IBRAHIM ABDULAZIZ, Associated Press
MICHELLE FAUL, Associated Press

YOLA, Nigeria (AP) — All 275 women, girls and children rescued from Boko Haram and taken to the safety of a northeast Nigerian refugee camp have been taken into military custody amid suspicions that some are aiding the Islamic extremists, a camp official and a Nigerian military intelligence officer said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827088-hundreds-saved-from-boko-haram-now-in-military-custody/