Thailand Live Sunday 24 May 2015

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Crowd for last rites for monk
The Sunday Nation

People wait in long queues under intense sunlight to enter the Kanchanaphisek Auditorium in Khon Kaen University yesterday for an opportunity to pay homage to respected Buddhist monk Luang Phor Khoon.

KHON KAEN: -- Several thousand people from all over the country gathered at a Khon Kaen University hall where respected Buddhist monk Luang Phor Khoon's body lay in state for a religious ceremony for the last day yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827484-waves-of-people-flock-to-pay-last-respect-to-luang-phor-koon-tonight/#entry9439391

[Lite Beer]

COUP ANNIVERSARY
No action against anti-coup student protesters: NCPO
THE SUNDAY NATION

Student protesters console one another after their release at Pathum Wan police station yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- THE National Council for Peace and Order will not take any special action against more than 30 students staging symbolic anti-coup protests to mark the first anniversary of the May 22 coup, NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvari said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827512-no-action-against-anti-coup-student-protesters-ncpo/

[Lite Beer]

Open-sky policy must continue, say airlines
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Warn move will tarnish image of country; call for long-term plans

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827513-open-sky-policy-must-continue-say-airlines/

[Lite Beer]

NRC's term 'won't be extended'
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Key charter drafter says PM won't change interim constitution to say NRC if charter draft is rejected next year

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827514-nrcs-term-wont-be-extended/

[Lite Beer]

'Slow City' Chiang Mai cuts speed limit to 40km/h
NISANART KANGWANWONG
THE SUNDAY NATION

CHIANG MAI has introduced the so-called "slow city" concept in a bid to reduce the number of road fatalities - with the inner-city speed limit now 40 kilometres per hour.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827515-slow-city-chiang-mai-cuts-speed-limit-to-40kmh/

[Lite Beer]

Study finds huge difference in treatment costs
POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE cost for treating five illnesses is about three times higher in private hospitals compared to prices charged by public hospitals, a study by a National Legislative Assembly (NLA) panel tasked with scrutinising hospital pricing has found. Results of the study were due to be submitted to the NLA yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827516-study-finds-huge-difference-in-treatment-costs/

[Lite Beer]

Police oppose bail for KMITL case suspect
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday brought Kittisak Matthujad, a key suspect in the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang (KMITL) embezzlement case, to Min Buri Court in Bangkok seeking approval for an initial 12 days in custody until June 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827517-police-oppose-bail-for-kmitl-case-suspect/

[Lite Beer]

Man who attempted to rape girl, 4, nabbed
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Provincial Police Region 7 yesterday announced the arrest of a mute man who allegedly abducted a four-year-old girl from her Myanmar parents at a hospital with the intention to rape on May 14 in Kanchanaburi's Muang district.

Thawatchai Kwanwang, 24, whose image was captured by security cameras leading to his arrest on Friday, reportedly told police through an interpreter that he had abducted the girl from the hospital to rape her in a wooded area behind the Chaopor Khao Tok shrine. After his failed attempt, he left the little girl there and she was found the next morning.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Man-who-attempted-to-rape-girl-4-nabbed-30260806.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-24

[Lite Beer]

Rohingya need citizenship: Kasit
THE SUNDAY NATION

Three key suspects allegedly involved in trafficking of Rohingya are taken to court in Songkhla yesterday for an extension of their time in police detention.

BANGKOK: -- FORMER FOREIGN minister Kasit Piromya has urged Thailand and related countries and organisations to apply lessons learned from the influx of Vietnamese migrants two decades ago to solve the Rohingya boat people crisis. Kasit said Thailand should provide temporary shelter for the Rohingya and seek the help of the Sheikhul Islam Office so they have proper living conditions.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827518-rohingya-need-citizenship-kasit/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Handling of Rohingya issue was embarrassing
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Things are better, but it's time Thailand tackled the trafficking and boat people problem with sincerity

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827520-handling-of-rohingya-issue-was-embarrassing/

[Lite Beer]

Assistance expedited in 50 provinces affected by thunderstorms, DDPM reveals.

BANGKOK, 23 May 2015 (NNT) - A total of 50 provinces have been affected by summer thunderstorms since 21 April 2015. Provincial officials have urgently delivered assistance to the affected people in parallel with conducting preliminary survey of damages, according to Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) Director-General Chatchai Phromlert.

According to the official survey, as of 23 May, nearly 26,900 households in 2,210 villages of 240 districts in 50 provinces across Thailand have been affected. Fourteen deaths and 25 injuries were reported.

The DDPM said thunderstorms still threaten many parts of Thailand. The Meteorological Department forecasted that the rather strong southwesterly winds prevail over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand while the low pressure cell covers the Gulf of Martaban, Myanmar. Rain and isolated heavy rains are predicted in the North, the Central, the East and the western coast of the South. The 2-meter wind wave is predicted in the Andaman Sea. Seafarers are advised to beware when leaving for the sea during this period.

On the contrary, the drought disaster which has occurred since October last year remains in effect in 36 provinces, covering 249 districts, 1,400 subdistricts and nearly 12,400 villages, accounting for 16.50 per cent of the whole villages in Thailand.

Local authorities including the military have been assigned to distribute water for general consumption and agricultural purposes to people in the drought-hit areas.

-- NNT 2015-05-24

[Lite Beer]

IOC observes Police Operations to control southern violence

YALA, 23 May 2015 (NNT) - Commissioner of the Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Center welcomed delegates of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which visited Yala Province on Saturday to observe the violence situation in the South of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827521-ioc-observes-police-operations-to-control-southern-violence/

[Lite Beer]

NCPO wins private sector’s approval

BANGKOK, 23 May 2015 (NNT) – The private sector has voice its approval of the economic performance of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), despite Thailand's ongoing economic slowdown.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827523-ncpo-wins-private-sectors-approval/

[Lite Beer]

Trang Airport enlargement nears completion

TRANG, 23 May 2015 (NNT) – Trang Airport has announced its readiness to welcome a larger number of passenger flights, as its apron enlargement project is close to completion.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827524-trang-airport-enlargement-nears-completion/

[Lite Beer]

Kanchanaburi:- The abbot of the Temple of Tigers or Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua in Kanchanaburi’s Saiyok district was badly injured when a tiger he was pulling along pawed his face and bit his right arm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827492-abbot-of-tiger-temple-pawed-bitten-by-tiger/

[Lite Beer]

Samui Regatta 2015 to close out the 2014/15 regional sailing circuit
Boats from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and more to compete

Boats from around the region have arrived in Samui to compete in the 2015 Samui Regatta.

SAMUI, Thailand – Asia's top yachts have come together at the Thai tropical island of Samui to battle it out for the 14th Samui Regatta honours – the curtain-closing event of the prestigious 2014/15 AsianYachting Grand Prix championship. Held 23rd to 30th May off Chaweng Beach, Samui Regatta comprises five days of racing in the tropics with six nights of beachside parties.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827526-samui-regatta-2015-to-close-out-the-201415-regional-sailing-circuit/

[Lite Beer]

Ohio patrolman acquitted in 2 deaths amid 137-shot barrage
MARK GILLISPIE, Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) — A white Cleveland patrolman who fired down through the windshield of a suspect's car at the end of a 137-shot barrage that left the two unarmed black occupants dead was acquitted Saturday of criminal charges by a judge who said he could not determine the officer alone fired the fatal shots.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827527-ohio-patrolman-acquitted-in-2-deaths-amid-137-shot-barrage/

[Lite Beer]

Putin signs Russian law to shut 'undesirable' organizations

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law Saturday giving prosecutors the power to declare foreign and international organizations "undesirable" in Russia and shut them down.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827528-putin-signs-russian-law-to-shut-undesirable-organizations/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Video: Thai PM: I have never been against democracy

A year after coming into power in a coup, Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to CNN's Andrew Stevens about when the country will return to a democracy

Watch it here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827529-video-thai-pm-i-have-never-been-against-democracy/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Temple tiger attacks abbot

KANCHANABURI: -- A 7-year old Bengal tiger attacked the abbot of Wat Pa Luang Ta Maha Bua or widely known as "Tiger Temple" in Saiyok district of Kanchanaburi causing injuries on his face and arm.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827492-abbot-of-tiger-temple-pawed-bitten-by-tiger/#entry9439691

[Lite Beer]

"Beware of being Political Tool”, NCPO warns students

BANGKOK, 23 May 2015 (NNT) - National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesman Winthai Suvaree has warned students of being political tool. Any students who re-commit such an illegal action will receive stronger punishment

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827542-beware-of-being-political-tool-ncpo-warns-students/

[Lite Beer]

Secretariat of House of Representatives joined in reforestation project to honour HM the King

BANGKOK, 24 May 2015 (NNT) - The Secretariat of the House of Representatives has joined in a reforestation project in Prachin Buri province to honour HM the King.

Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Charae Panpruang chaired the opening of the reforestation project in the National Forest - Paa Kaeng Dinsor, Paa Kaeng Yai and Paa Khao Satone in Nadi district of Prachin Buri.

The project is the collaboration between the Secretariat of the House of Representatives and the Prachin Buri City hall as well as the Forest Resource Management Office 9 - Prachinburi.

Mr. Charae said that the project was not only planned to help reforest but to mark HM the King’s 88th birthday anniversary on December 5, 2015 and to encourage the public to be aware of the importance of forest reservation.

He added that the reforestation plan is also an adoption of HM the King’s call for the serious preservation of forest and mangroves which will help maintain the richness of natural resources and promote the balance of the ecology.

-- NNT 2015-05-24

[Lite Beer]

NRC whip denies reports on attempts to overthrow draft charter

BANGKOK, 24 May 2015 (NNT) - The National Reform Council whip has denied reports that there have been attempts to overthrow the draft of the new Constitution.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827543-nrc-whip-denies-reports-on-attempts-to-overthrow-draft-charter/

[Lite Beer]

Sweden wins Eurovision Song Contest while Russia is booed
GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press

VIENNA (AP) — Sweden beat Russia to win the 60th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, in an event described by organizers as beyond politics but marred by boos for the Russian that were apparently prompted by the Ukraine conflict and the Kremlin's anti-gay policies.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827545-sweden-wins-eurovision-song-contest-while-russia-is-booed/

[Lite Beer]

Udon Thani:- A farang driver was killed Saturday evening when his pickup truck crashed into the rear of a trailer truck in Udon Thani’s Nong Harn district.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827546-farang-killed-in-pickup-crash-in-udon-thani/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Thailand to Limit Incoming Flights Due to Congestion

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK (DPA) — Thailand's Transport Ministry is reportedly planning to limit incoming flights, ending its open skies policy.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827513-open-sky-policy-must-continue-say-airlines/#entry9440016

[Lite Beer]

Phuket:- A body of an unidentified foreigner who looked like an Arab was found at rocks on a beach near a well-known resort in Tambon Rawai of Chalong district Saturday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827549-body-of-arab-like-foreigner-found-on-phuket-beach/

[Lite Beer]

Entries are hotting up for 2015 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek

Multihulls roar
Thailand's multihull fleet is growing, especially in Phuket, and with two key events on the local multihulls calendar in July – Multihull Solutions Regatta and the Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek – the Green Season is a great time to sail in Phuket.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827580-entries-are-hotting-up-for-2015-cape-panwa-hotel-phuket-raceweek/

[Lite Beer]

Perv schoolmaster Jeremy Forrest plans to teach in Thailand when he's released early from jail

BY NICK DORMAN

The maths teacher who fled to France with an underage pupil could be out on licence by the end of July after serving half his sentence

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827582-perv-schoolmaster-jeremy-forrest-plans-to-teach-in-thailand-when-hes-released-early-from-jail/

[Lite Beer]

OPINION: Another day in 'Paradise' as Phuket traffic accident tally continues to surge

Even rescue ambulances are not immune to the danger on our roads.

PHUKET: More people continue to be killed on Phuket's dangerous roads. Something needs to be done.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/827595-opinion-another-day-in-paradise-as-phuket-traffic-accident-tally-continues-to-surge/