Thailand Live Wednesday 27 May 2015

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Commerce: Exports still dropping

BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT) - Thai exports in April declined for four consecutive months due to the slower-than-expected global economic recovery and the falling in oil prices, Trade Police and Strategy Office director-general Somkiat Triratpan said on Tuesday.

Mr Somkiat said the country's export value was down 1.7% year-on-year and 3.99% for the first four months of this year.

He said last month's exports totalled US$16.9 billion, while imports were worth $17.4 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $523 million.

However, the official indicated that the rate of contraction was less severe than the previous months. The Ministry of Commerce Ministry will deploy 25 teams to help stimulate Thai exports in different countries, starting with India.


-- NNT 2015-05-27

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Measures to deter youths from smoking

BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT) - The Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed a proposal to increase the minimum age of cigarette buyers in Thailand to 20 years of age, deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkumnerd said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828299-measures-to-deter-youths-from-smoking/

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Prayuth: Rohingya Aid Groups Under Scrutiny
By Khaosod English


Ali Ahmad (center), a representative of Rohingya Association of Thailand, gives talk about the persecution of Rohingya people in Myanmar at an academic forum in Bangkok, 24 May 2015.

BANGKOK — Thai junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said authorities are investigating Rohingya rights advocates in Thailand to determine whether they are linked to human trafficking operations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828300-prayuth-rohingya-aid-groups-under-scrutiny/

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IRREGULAR MIGRATION
US planes may fly out of Phuket or U-Tapao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND is considering letting the United States use Phuket Airport or U-Tapao in Rayong as a base for planes assigned to monitor the movement of migrants stranded on surrounding seas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828301-irregular-migration-us-planes-may-fly-out-of-phuket-or-u-tapao/

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NEW CHARTER
Major changes sought by Cabinet
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cabinet proposed amendments yesterday to several controversial provisions in the new charter, such as the open-list electoral system for party-list MPs, the picking of senators and articles related to reform and reconciliation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828303-new-charter-major-changes-sought-by-thai-cabinet/

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DIGITAL TV
Fears of further dropouts
Usanee Mongkolporn,
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Executives of Thailand's major commercial banks have expressed worries about the rough business environment facing the operators of the new digital television channels, after Thai TV Co became the first victim of the tough transition from analog to digital broadcasting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828304-digital-tv-fears-of-further-dropouts/

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POLITICS
Will Prayut accept an outsider PM: Nuttawut
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

Red-shirt notes that proposal is not among the several changes the Cabinet wants to make to the Constitution draft

BANGKOK: -- NUTTAWUT Saikuar, leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), hit out at the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday and asked why Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha does not oppose the "outsider PM" article in the draft charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828305-will-prayut-accept-an-outsider-pm-nuttawut/

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NEPAL
Donations to be raised until Sunday
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government will continue raising money for earthquake victims in Nepal until Sunday, while also collecting donations of basic necessities until tomorrow, government spokesman Maj-General Weerachon Sukhontapatipak said yesterday.

He said the Cabinet set these deadlines after learning from the Nepalese government that the rescue mission had been completed. As for requests for specific aid, such as medical assistance, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha called on related agencies to get on the job and set the time frame to July 31, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Donations-to-be-raised-until-Sunday-30261006.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-27

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LUXURY DESTINATION
Thailand cost-effective destination for luxury brands, retailer says
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand remains an attractive country for global luxury brands as the cost of investment here is about half that of some neighbouring destinations, said Kriengsak Tantiphipop, chief executive officer of The Emporium, who also manages Bangkok's EM District.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828306-thailand-cost-effective-destination-for-luxury-brands-retailer-says/

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CABINET APPROVE
Way clear for joint rail project
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Prajin

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft memorandum of cooperation (MoC) between Thailand and Japan on the joint development of a high-speed railway from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and a feasibility study for the Mae Sot-Mukdahan railway to connect the eastern and the western economic corridors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828307-way-clear-for-joint-rail-project/

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EXPORT TARGET
Thai exports have turned the corner: Commerce
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

The Commerce Ministry is optimistic that the country's exports will recover soon after bottoming out in April.

BANGKOK: -- It cites a slowdown in the rate of export contraction, rising imports in foreign markets and increased export competitiveness as a result of the weakening baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828308-thai-exports-have-turned-the-corner-commerce/

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Penis and Breast-Shaped Soap seized by Police from South Pattaya Stores



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday Night a joint operation involving Pattaya’s Tourist Police and a team from the Chonburi Provincial Police Special Operations Unit took place and targeted two shops which were reportedly selling Penis and Breast-shaped soap to locals and Tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828311-penis-and-breast-shaped-soap-seized-by-police-from-south-pattaya-stores/

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Attack and gold theft at North Pattaya Petrol Station

PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday a 28 year old IT Engineer was subjected to an assault and robbery inside a Toilet located at the rear of a North Pattaya Petrol Station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828313-attack-and-gold-theft-at-north-pattaya-petrol-station/

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2 dead in Pattaya Highway crash



PATTAYA: -- Two factory workers from Rayong Province were killed as their bike was struck by an 18-wheel truck on the dangerous Highway 331 in the Huay Yai area late on Monday Night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828314-2-dead-in-pattaya-highway-crash/

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Two Burmese waitresses seriously injured in Central Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- Two Burmese waitresses, who work at a Seafood Restaurant on the Central Pattaya Road, are currently fighting for their lives in Hospital following a hit-and-run road crash in the early hours of Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828315-two-burmese-waitresses-seriously-injured-in-central-pattaya-road-crash/

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BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) - Libya's internationally recognized government says gunmen tried to assassinate prime minister.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - US court won't lift hold on Obama's action that could protect millions from deportation.

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Chinese tourist drowns at Koh Samet

Koh Samet, Rayong:- A 53-year-old Chinese tourist drowned at the Saikaew beach on Koh Samet Tuesday, police said.

The Kho Laemya – Koh Samet National Park officials were informed of the accident at 11 am. Nearly at the same time, Pol Maj Wirat Yodsao, an officer on duty of Pe police station in Rayong’s Muean district was also alerted of the accident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828263-chinese-tourist-drowns-at-koh-samet/

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EDITORIAL
Thailand still IN DENIAL over teenage sex

AND THAT MEANS OUR STAGGERING TEEN PREGNANCY RATE WILL KEEP CLIMBING

BANGKOK: -- The alarming rate of pregnancy among Thai teenagers has been a serious and growing problem for years and yet it never attracts more than "seasonal" attention from the authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828318-thailand-still-in-denial-over-teenage-sex/

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STOPPAGE TIME
How to save the Rohingya, AND OURSELVES

BANGKOK: -- There's something ironic about the current uproar over the Rohingya. The controversy seems to have all the ingredients of what made those people become refugees in the first place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828319-thai-opinion-how-to-save-the-rohingya-and-ourselves/

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Special pay rise for govt security personnel
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET yesterday approved a special pay rise for officials and police officers assigned to assist members of the Cabinet, including those working under former PM Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828320-special-pay-rise-for-thai-govt-security-personnel/

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BURNING ISSUE
Thailand missed diplomatic boat over Rohingya
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S handling of the Rohingya and Bangladeshi boat people issue is no different from that of other countries in Southeast Asia - but the military government's diplomatic exposure has revealed nothing of value.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828321-thailand-missed-diplomatic-boat-over-rohingya/

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Leena gets 5-year ban for breaking electoral law
THE NATION


Leena

BANGKOK: -- FORMER SENATE candidate Leena "Leena Jung" Jungjanja has received a five-year ban from politics after the Supreme Court's Election Division found her guilty of violating an election law during the Senate election in 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828322-former-thai-senate-candidate-leena-gets-5-year-ban-for-breaking-electoral-law/

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Two NRC panels oppose provision on premier
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- TWO NATIONAL Reform Council (NRC) panels want the clause allowing a non-elected PM to be removed from the draft charter so ill-intentioned groups can be stopped from creating a political crisis to put their preferred person on the non-elected PM's seat, Direk Teungfung said yesterday. He is deputy chief of the NRC panel on political reform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828323-two-nrc-panels-oppose-provision-on-thai-premier/

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Police charge four for using fake credit card
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A Filipino man and his three Thai accomplices were arrested for allegedly using a fake credit card to purchase luxury goods online, police said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828325-thai-police-charge-four-for-using-fake-credit-card/

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21 cops on the move 'to boost efficiency'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- TWENTY-ONE police officers, most of whom were stationed in Nakhon Pathom and Provincial Police Region 7, were transferred to the police operations centre to boost efficiency, the national police chief explained yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828326-21-thai-cops-on-the-move-to-boost-efficiency/

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Key agencies to work on details if quakes occur
The Nation

Four state agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding to share earthquake-related information.

BANGKOK: -- The move is aimed at reducing public confusion and panic in the wake of earthquakes and make released information more current, the National News Bureau of Thailand reported yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828327-key-thai-agencies-to-work-on-details-if-quakes-occur/

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AEC threat to private schools
The Nation

Many at risk from fierce competition

BANGKOK: -- INCREASINGLY fierce competition from the upcoming Asean Economic Community (AEC) could drive between 10 and 30 per cent of Thai private schools out of business, a study has suggested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828328-aec-threat-to-thai-private-schools/

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Thai Navy to deploy 7 vessels to assist Rohingyas
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The guided missile frigate Saiburi is one of seven vessels that are being deployed.

PHUKET: -- Vice-Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Naval Area, explained today (May 26) how the Thai Navy will be used to find Rohingya refugee ships in Thai waters and help them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828328-aec-threat-to-thai-private-schools/

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UPDATE:

Prayut orders check on Rohingya associations and foundations if they are involved in human trafficking



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha today ordered authorities to probe into a possibility that Rohingya associations and foundations might be involved in the smuggling of Rohingya migrants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828300-prayuth-rohingya-aid-groups-under-scrutiny/#entry9450114

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UPDATE:

Credit card fraud gang smashed



BANGKOK: -- A credit card fraud gang comprising a Filipino and three Thais were arrested today by Crime suppression Division police after they used a fake card to shop online for brand-name products worth almost a million baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828325-thai-police-charge-four-for-using-fake-credit-card/#entry9450117