Thailand Live Wednesday 27 May 2015

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UPDATE:

Cabinet endorses new cigarette control bill‏



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle a new tobacco products bill which seeks to tighten up the sale of tobacco products or cigarette to minors and at public places and cigarette promotion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828299-measures-to-deter-youths-from-smoking/#entry9450124

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Iraq begins operation to oust Islamic State from Anbar
By SINAN SALAHEDDIN

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq vowed Tuesday to retake Anbar province — now mostly held by the Islamic State — by launching a large-scale military operation less than two weeks after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the extremists in the provincial capital of Ramadi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828330-iraq-begins-operation-to-oust-islamic-state-from-anbar/

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Gunmen try to kill Libya's recognized prime minister
RAMI MUSA, Associated Press

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Gunmen tried to assassinate Libya's internationally recognized prime minister on his way to the airport in the eastern city of Tobruk on Tuesday, a spokesman for his government said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828331-gunmen-try-to-kill-libyas-recognized-prime-minister/

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Bill Clinton company shows complexity of family finances
By STEPHEN BRAUN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The newly released financial files on Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton's growing fortune omit a company with no apparent employees or assets that the former president has legally used to provide consulting and other services, but which demonstrates the complexity of the family's finances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828332-bill-clinton-company-shows-complexity-of-family-finances/

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Lock of Mozart's hair going under the hammer at Sotheby's

LONDON (AP) — Music lovers have the chance to own a strand of history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828333-lock-of-mozarts-hair-going-under-the-hammer-at-sothebys/

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UPDATE:

Two spa products shops in Chon Buri arrested

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- Tourist police Tuesday raided two spa and herb products shops in Pattaya for selling soaps made to look like men’s sex organ and arrested two staffs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828311-penis-and-breast-shaped-soap-seized-by-police-from-south-pattaya-stores/#entry9450314

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Thailand Automotive Institute tones down car production target for 2015

BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT) – Reduced purchasing power has prompted Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI) to lower its car production target for 2015 to 2 million units, albeit expressing confidence that the country will become the 8th largest automobile manufacturer in the world within 5 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828351-thailand-automotive-institute-tones-down-car-production-target-for-2015/

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UPDATE:

Thai-Japanese rail development cooperation endorsed



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet yesterday endorsed a draft memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on Thailand-Japan joint rail development, covering three rail projects in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828307-way-clear-for-joint-rail-project/#entry9450831

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SET down 6.55 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Two more human trafficking suspects turn in to police

SONGKHLA: -- Two more wanted suspects in the case involving Rohingya human trafficking operations have turned themselves in to authorities yesterday in Songkhla.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828371-two-more-human-trafficking-suspects-turn-in-to-thai-police/

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Transport Ministry will propose a modified route in MRT orange line

BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT) - Transport Minister ACM Prajin Janthong says his ministry will propose a modification to the MRT Orange Line subway to the meeting of the Commission for the Management of Land Traffic on June 10.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828395-thai-transport-ministry-will-propose-a-modified-route-in-mrt-orange-line/

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10 Laotian children drown after ferry sinks in Nam Ngum river

VIENTIANE: -- Laotian and Thai divers in Nong Khai province continued Wednesday morning to search for 10 Laotian students after they went missing when an overcrowded ferry sank into the Nam Ngum river yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828396-10-laotian-children-drown-after-ferry-sinks-in-nam-ngum-river/

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PEA to hold energy-saving exhibition in November

BANGKOK, 27 May 2015, (NNT) - Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and N.C.C. Exhibition Organization Co., Ltd. (NEO) have collaborated to organize a third energy-saving innovation exhibition from November 19 - 21, ahead of the ASEAN Economic Community.

Deputy Director of the PEA’s Planning and Developing Division Theerawut Watkitpaisan said the fair is called ‘PEA presents EcoLight Asia 2015,’ and will be held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Mr. Theerawut said there will be two other exhibitions scheduled later this year, which are ‘C-Tech 2015,’ a show promoting coolant systems and air conditioning, and ‘Solar-Tech 2015,’ a show promoting solar power innovation and technology.

The Deputy Director said the PEA has been the main supporter of the three exhibitions for over two years now. He added that the the fairs helped expand business negotiations in the energy sector by 54 percent and generate 200 million baht in trade.

He expected the shows this year would draw 5,000 - 8,000 attendees, while generating 300 million baht in trade.


-- NNT 2015-05-27

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Australia warns children of foreign fighters risk charges
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An Australian boy who was photographed holding the severed head of a Syrian soldier could reportedly return to Australia with his mother and siblings, prompting the prime minister to warn Wednesday that children as well as adults who break terrorism laws face prosecution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828399-australia-warns-children-of-foreign-fighters-risk-charges/

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NRC to present their amendment cases next week before CDC

BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT) - The National Reform Council (NRC) has submitted all of its amendment proposals on the new constitution and will send representatives next week to appear before the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) make their cases on each proposal.

NRC Deputy Chairperson Tassana Boonthong said the CDC has allowed up to five representatives to speak on each amendment proposal.

She said the CDC will be best advised to incorporate the proposals into the second draft of the constitution as the NRC sees all of the proposals as critical to the improvement of the new charter.

Ms Tassana said NRC will wait until the second draft is completed before passing judgement and assures that the NRC has full autonomy in deciding whether to approve of the document.


-- NNT 2015-05-27

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Surat Thani man arrested in Phuket with drugs, gun and ammunition
Eakkapop Thongtub


Sanan admitted to selling drugs to local teenagers.

PHUKET: -- A man from Surat Thani was arrested at a rented room in Rassada yesterday (May 26) when he was found in possession of crystal meth (ya ice), kratom leaves, a gun and ammunition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828405-surat-thani-man-arrested-in-phuket-with-drugs-gun-and-ammunition/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Stepping out of Anwar's shadow and into Malaysia's political spotlight



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is back in politics after winning the recent by-election in Penang's Permatang Pauh district. The seat was vacated after her husband, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, was sentenced to prison on sodomy charges, which many believe were politically motivated. Thepchai Yong, The Nation's Group Editor-in-Chief, talked to her in Kuala Lumpur shortly before the poll

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828406-stepping-out-of-anwars-shadow-and-into-malaysias-political-spotlight/

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Two Laotian bulk cash smugglers arrested

BANGKOK: -- Custom officials in Mukdaharn province arrested two Laotian nationals Wednesday morning when they tried to smuggle 26 million baht in bulk cash out of the country to Laos.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828408-two-lao-men-arrested-for-trying-to-smuggle-26-mil-baht-cash-out-of-thailand/

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Tanasak hopes all countries will share responsibility on Rohingya crisis without causing conflicts



BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanasak Patimaprakorn hoped that the Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean on 29 May 2015 in Bangkok would be able to draw up urgent assistance plan for migrants still adrift in the sea without causing any conflicts between participating countries in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828410-tanasak-hopes-all-countries-will-share-responsibility-on-rohingya-crisis-without-causing-conflicts/

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NEPAL
Donations to be raised until Sunday

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 GeneralPrayut 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-30261036.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-27

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Probe is underway on Rohingya association and foundation

BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr stated Wednesday that security authorities are now carrying out investigation of association and foundation set up by Rohingya people in the country.

His disclosure came after Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha voiced concern over the Rohingya migrants’ conditions and advised security authorities if association and foundation set up by Rohingya people living in the country had part in human trafficking.

Gen Udomdej said the police are probing these organisations and seeing to it that they were legitimately established or not.

They are also instructed to find out if any of them were involved in human trafficking, he said.

The army chief who is also deputy defence minister said the Armed Forces have set up the Operation Center for Patrol and Humanitarian Assistance to Irregular Migrants in the Indian Ocean (OCPHAM) to take care of the Rohingya problem and the Army has been designated to conduct patrol and check all entries by illegal migrants before sending them to the Internal Security Operation Command to process under the principles of human rights and international laws.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/probe-is-underway-on-rohingya-association-and-foundation

-- Thai PBS 2015-05-27

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Three killed, 24 injured in bus crash in Lampang
The Nation

LAMPANG: -- Three passengers were killed and 24 other people were injured when an air-conditioned bus lost control and crashed into two vehicles and three houses in Lampang's Mueang district at 6:30 am Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828443-three-killed-24-injured-in-bus-crash-in-lampang/

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SET falls 2.90 to 1,495.08 at midday /Bangkok Post

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@RichardBarrow: "Samed in Love Music Festival 6" on 6th June 2015 http://t.co/pWXPeiItOB

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RT@SkyNewsBreak: Update via @pressassoc - #FIFA Vice President Jeffrey Webb is believed to be one of a number of officials arrested by swiss authorities

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Several Fifa officials arrested over US corruption charges in dawn raid at Zurich hotel, source confirms to BBC /BBC

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Thai elections pushed back to September 2016: junta
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's junta confirmed Wednesday that elections will not be held until September 2016, dealing a further blow to hopes that the kingdom's generals will swiftly hand power back to a civilian government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828424-thai-elections-pushed-back-to-september-2016-govt/

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CORRUPTION CHARGE

Six Fifa executives arrested in Switzerland

Agencies

BANGKOK: -- Six Fifa officials arrested in Switzerland for allegedly getting and paying millions in bribes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828426-six-fifa-executives-arrested-in-switzerland/

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Thai Govt Unveils 12-Nation 'Friends of Thailand' Bloc
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK – Diplomats from twelve countries are visiting Bangkok today as a part of the Foreign Ministry's effort to form a new diplomatic bloc that promotes Thailand's standing in the international community, a government spokesperson said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828435-thai-govt-unveils-12-nation-friends-of-thailand-bloc/

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Defense Minister: No coup if draft charter rejected

BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT)- Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has insisted that there will be no military coup if the National Reform Council (NRC) does not accept the draft charter as rumored.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/828436-thai-defense-minister-no-coup-if-draft-charter-rejected/