Thai Trafficking Suspects Face Civil Lawsuit
By Khaosod English

SONGKHLA — Public prosecutors in Thailand are filing civil lawsuits against suspected members of a human trafficking ring in an effort to secure financial compensation for the victims, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828167-thai-trafficking-suspects-face-civil-lawsuit/

Indonesia gripped by plastic rice scare
The Straits Times

JAKARTA: -- A scare over rice contaminated with plastic grains has gripped Indonesia as officials in provinces from Aceh to South Sulawesi and across populous Java conduct checks on rice samples, prompting president Joko Widodo to call for calm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828169-indonesia-gripped-by-plastic-rice-scare/

Successful compulsory vaccination in Thailand satisfies WHO, Ratchata reveals

BANGKOK, 26 May 2015 (NNT) - Public Health Minister Rachata Ratchatanawin revealed that General Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Margaret Chan expressed her satisfaction with successful compulsory vaccination program in Thailand during her attendance at the 68th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Switzerland last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828191-successful-compulsory-vaccination-in-thailand-satisfies-who-ratchata-reveals/

NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL
Boonlert proposes amnesty for demonstrators

BANGKOK: -- Boonlert Kachayutthadej, a member of the National Reform Council, proposed on Tuesday that a provisional clause granting protesters amnesty be included in the charter along with the removal of some independent organisations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828192-boonlert-proposes-amnesty-for-demonstrators/

Rangers seize 500,000 meth pills in Mae Hong Son
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rangers and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board intercepted an attempt to smuggle 500,000 methamphetamine pillls across the border into Mae Hong Son's Khunyuam district early Tuesday.

Actin on tip-off the rangers and officials staked out at a border spot where Muser drug traffickers would deliver the drug. The officials spotted the traffickers at 1:30 am but they managed to flee into forests, leaving behind the meth pills.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Rangers-seize-500000-meth-pills-in-Mae-Hong-Son-30260950.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-26

Temple tax gets opposition from abbots



BANGKOK: -- A new round of mass protest is expected from temples across the country after the National Reform Council's (NRC) Buddhism protection committee proposed taxing temple and monks and the proposal won acknowledgement from the cabinet last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828198-thai-temple-tax-gets-opposition-from-abbots/

Police foil attempt to smuggle 20 kgs of 'ice' to Malaysia
The Nation

SADAO: -- Officers from the Sadao police station in Songkhla Tuesday arrested three men for allegedly attempting to smuggle 20 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine or 'ice' to Malaysia.

Acting on tip-off, the police stopped a pick-up truck at a road checkpoint and found the drug hidden inside. Police said the drug had a street value of about Bt20 million.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Police-foil-attempt-to-smuggle-20-kgs-of-ice-to-Ma-30260954.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-26

SET index closed 1,497.98 down 10.18; Bt/USD33.62; GBP51.59; AUD25.82; EUR36.41; CAD27.02; HKD4.31; SGD24.71; JPY27.27

Thailand, Japan to sign agreement on railway development tomorrow

BANGKOK, 26 May 2015 (NNT) – The Thai Ministry of Transport is set to sign the memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on railway development projects with Japan tomorrow after approval was granted by the Cabinet.

Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong revealed that the Cabinet meeting today gave the green light to the draft MOC between Thailand and Japan in relation to their joint development of new rail systems in the Kingdom. The official signing of the MOC between the Thai and Japanese governments will take place tomorrow in Japan.

The agreement applies to three rail routes, namely the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route which is part of the high-speed rail system, the Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Laem Chabang Port route, and the Mae Sot-Mukdahan route for which Japan will contribute support in the survey process.


-- NNT 2015-05-26

Army Welcomes Exiled Separatists to Thailand for Ramadan, Promises No Arrests
By Khaosod English

NARATHIWAT — The Thai army says it will allow members of the southern separatist movement currently living in Malaysian to visit Thailand during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828209-army-welcomes-exiled-separatists-to-thailand-for-ramadan-promises-no-arrests/

NEW YORK (AP) - Charter Communications confirms $55.33 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable.

Cabinet appoints new deputy government spokesman

BANGKOK, 26 May 2015 (NNT) – The Cabinet has resolved to appoint many officials to their new positions, including Maj Gen Weerachon Sukondhapatipak who was named a deputy government spokesperson.

According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Maj Gen Weerachon, who was a member of the Prime Minister’s working team overseeing foreign affairs, was chosen during the weekly Cabinet meeting as another deputy spokesperson for the government. Following the meeting, the premier reportedly cited the new deputy spokesman’s proficiency as an interpreter as a reason for his nomination for the job.

Maj Gen Sansern added that the Cabinet also endorsed Mr Sermsakool Klaikaew as Governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority and Mr Kasemsan Jinnawaso as Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

Meanwhile, Mr Anan Lila was appointed the Inspector-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives while Mr Somchai Channarongkul became Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.


-- NNT 2015-05-26

Thai competitiveness in ASEAN will increase by 25% if language skills improve, Surin Pitsuwan suggests

BANGKOK, 26 May 2015 (NNT) - Former ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan was confident that Thai competitiveness in ASEAN will definitely increase by 25 per cent if language skills of Thai population have improved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828231-thai-competitiveness-in-asean-will-increase-by-25-if-language-skills-improve-surin-pitsuwan/

Thailand starts air search for stranded migrants
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand said Tuesday it had begun air reconnaissance missions looking for stranded migrant boats in the Andaman Sea, following criticism that regional nations were not actively searching for stricken vessels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828235-thailand-starts-air-search-for-stranded-migrants/

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Thailand Live Wednesday 27 May 2015

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