Thailand Live Monday 1 Jun 2015

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LONG LIVE THEIR MAJESTIES
Crowd pray for King and Queen's health as they return to hospital
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND THE QUEEN yesterday headed back to the Bangkok-based Siriraj Hospital after a brief seaside palace stay.

His Majesty arrived at the hospital at 12.08pm amid loud cheers from his loyal subjects. They quickly gathered along the road in front of the hospital after hearing that the royal couple had left Prachuap Khiri Khan province for the hospital.

"Long Live Their Majesties" signs dotted the area, confirming that the royal couple commanded the overwhelming love and respect of the public.

At about 12.34pm, the Queen arrived. She waved to the crowd, as her daughter HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn waited to greet her.

Their Majesties have frequently stayed at Siriraj Hospital in recent years for medical |treatment and recuperation.

His Majesty has previously granted audiences to Cabinet members at the hospital.

On May 10, the royal couple left the hospital to stay at the Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan to the joy of the public. Their well wishers prayed for their good health and for them to enjoy long lives.

"I wish His Majesty great health. May he live on as the soul of the nation forever," a 54-year-old woman said.

She said she was worried about the royals' health as she did not know why they suddenly came back. "They left the hospital not so long ago," she said.

Another woman, 49, said her heart went out to His Majesty when she heard that he had to come back to the hospital.

"I hope he enjoys good health. I hope he lives to the age of 120, just like he has previously said that he will," she said.

Supaporn, a state-enterprise employee, was among the crowd cheering the royal couple when their vehicles reached the Siriraj Hospital.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Crowd-pray-for-King-and-Queens-health-as-they-retu-30261352.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-01

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Ailing Thai king returns to hospital
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's revered but ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej has returned to hospital in Bangkok for medical tests, the palace said Sunday, amid deep public concern over his health in the politically turbulent country.

The 87-year-old king, the world's longest-serving monarch, is treated as a near-deity by many Thais.

Bhumibol spent nearly seven months convalescing in Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital after an operation to remove his gall bladder in October.

During his time there he made few public appearances and has not spoken publicly since the operation.

Fears for his health lessened in May when he attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of his official coronation at a palace in Bangkok.

A few days later he was discharged from hospital alongside his also ailing wife Queen Sirikit and the pair travelled to a royal palace in the seaside resort of Hua Hin.

His return to hospital on Sunday will do little to ease Thai fears for the future as Bhumibol's reign enters its twilight years.

In a statement released late Sunday the Royal Household Bureau said Bhumibol would undergo scans to ascertain whether doctors needed to drain fluid from his spinal chord.

Other tests had showed that "his majesty's temperature, blood pressure, heart and respiratory system were normal," the statement read.

Bhumibol was accompanied by his wife but the statement did not give any further details on her health.

Most Thais have only ever known Bhumibol on the throne, and anxiety over the future once his six-decade reign ends is seen as an aggravating factor in Thailand's bitter political schism.

In May 2014, the military took over in a coup following months of street protests that led to the toppling of former premier Yingluck Shinawatra's elected government.

It was the latest chapter in Thailand’s long-drawn political conflict, which broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite -- backed by parts of the military and judiciary -- against rural and working-class voters loyal to Yingluck and her elder brother Thaksin, also deposed in a coup in 2006.

Thailand’s generals have said they will hand back power once the country's constitution has been rewritten and corruption has been expunged.

But critics say the military has used its self-designated status as the defender of the monarchy as a pretext to grab power and ensure the Shinawatras -- whose populist parties have won every election since 2001 -- never return to politics.

The king’s health is a controversial topic. The Thai monarchy is shielded by one of the world’s toughest lese majeste laws and prosecutions using the legislation have increased dramatically since the military took over.

Media have to routinely self-censor when reporting on the monarchy for fear of falling foul of the broadly-worded royal defamation law.

Anyone convicted of insulting, defaming or threatening the monarchy can be jailed for up to 15 years on each count.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-06-01

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Survey:

With the current government in Power are things getting better or worse?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829349-survey-with-the-current-government-in-power-are-things-getting-better-or-worse/

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ROHINGYA COMMUNITIES POLL
Officials blamed for boat people crisis, survey finds
The Nation

Poll of Rohingya communities in Ranong reveals migrants paid officials monthly to avoid arrest

BANGKOK: -- WHILE the authorities say human trafficking is the major cause of the migrant crisis, a new survey conducted in migrant communities in Ranong points the finger at corrupt officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829468-officials-blamed-for-boat-people-crisis-thai-survey-finds/

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WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY
Number of Thai smokers up 21% despite 50,000 deaths last year
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- STATISTICS released on World No Tobacco Day revealed 50,000 people die each year due to smoking, yet the number of smokers rose rose by as much as 21 per cent last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829469-number-of-thai-smokers-up-21-despite-50000-deaths-last-year/

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'OVERLY BROAD' TERMS
Clauses related to protection of rights worry academics
Kasamakorn Chanwanpen,
Wiraj Sripong
The Nation

Concerns raised on 'overly broad' terms used in new charter

BANGKOK: -- International and Thai academia are worried about clauses related to rights protection in the draft charter, saying the terms are still vague, undefined or inconsistently used.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829470-new-thai-charter-clauses-related-to-protection-of-rights-worry-academics/

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EDITORIAL
Look who's attacking the Shinawatras now
The Nation

Leftist Somsak Jeamteerasakul has landed another heavy blow on Thaksin

BANGKOK: -- The accusation that Thaksin Shinawatra is himself an "elite" who is simply better than others at hiding behind the poor is not new. But what is surprising is that a hardcore leftist is now saying this. In his most stinging attack against the Shinawatras yet, Somsak Jeamteerasakul asserted that the clan is no different from those who the family's members claim are hell-bent on destroying them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829472-thai-editorial-look-whos-attacking-the-shinawatras-now/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Litmus test for ASEAN: the new boat people crisis
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- For years, before the monsoon season begins in July, boatloads of refugees from the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Bengal have sailed south to the seas of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. They come from the Muslim communities in Bangladesh and Rakhine State in Myanmar. Whatever names they are being called, apart from the much-debated Rohingya, the challenge has always been there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829473-thai-opinion-litmus-test-for-asean-the-new-boat-people-crisis/

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Govt rules out revenge from Thaksin camp
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT'S move to strip former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his police rank does not require Thailand to raise its alert level, the Prime Minister's Secretary-General said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829475-thai-govt-rules-out-revenge-from-thaksin-camp/

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Graft panel to probe MPs, Worachai over amnesty bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to launch a criminal inquiry into alleged abuse of power by Worachai Hema for sponsoring the amnesty bill in 2013 and 310 other MPs for voting to adopt it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829476-graft-panel-to-probe-mps-worachai-over-amnesty-bill/

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Drafters expected to remove some controversial charter provisions
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) may agree to remove controversial provisions that give special powers to the prime minister, National Reform Council (NRC) spokesman Wanchai Sornsiri said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829477-drafters-expected-to-remove-some-controversial-charter-provisions/

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INTERVIEW
Thailand to engage all partners on equal basis: NSC's Anusit
Supalak Ganjanakhundee,
Wiraj Sripong
The Nation


Anusit Kanakorn

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE the changing regional geopolitical front where superpowers like the United States and China are competing, Thailand's security strategy will mainly focus on non-traditional security threats, as the National Security Council (NSC) secretary general Anusit Kanakorn foresees no military tension - at least for the short-term.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829478-thailand-to-engage-all-partners-on-equal-basis-nscs-anusit/

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Couple arrested for sex abuse
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police arrested a man and his wife in Nakhon Si Thammarat province yesterday for the alleged sexual abuse of the woman's 12-year-old daughter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829480-thai-couple-arrested-for-sexual-abuse-of-12-year-old-daughter/

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Police search home tied to UFUN
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday searched a luxury house belonging to a suspect wanted in connection with the UFUN scandal.

Armed with a warrant approved by Southern Bangkok Criminal Court, police searched the house of Kawin Wongsa-nguan, 47. A warrant for Kawin's arrest was approved by the Criminal Court on May 23 on charges of conspiring to commit public fraud via a loan plan. He is the 32nd suspect implicated in the scandal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829481-police-search-home-tied-to-ufun/

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Leicester City players apologise over racist orgy in Thailand

LONDON: -- Three Leicester City players have apologised after they were filmed in an orgy with a Thai woman who was racially abused. The club has said it is “deeply concerned” and has launched an investigation after calls for the trio to be sacked.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829483-leicester-city-players-apologise-over-racist-orgy-in-thailand/

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Two South Koreans arrested for smuggling used smartphones

Nong Khai:- Two South Korean men were arrested in the northeastern province of Nong Khai Saturday evening when police found 50 refurbished smartphones in their bags, which they declined to declare at the Mueang Nong Khai border checkpoint.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829450-two-south-koreans-arrested-for-smuggling-used-smartphones/

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NSA surveillance powers set to lapse with no deal in Senate
ERICA WERNER, Associated Press
KEN DILANIAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Security Agency will lose its authority at midnight to collect Americans' phone records in bulk, after an extraordinary Sunday Senate session failed to produce a deal to extend the fiercely contested program.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829485-nsa-surveillance-powers-set-to-lapse-with-no-deal-in-us-senate/

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Demolition of torched HQ of Mubarak's old party begins
SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian workers, using construction drills and cranes, began Sunday to demolish the former headquarters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak's now-defunct party, a towering structure which was torched by protesters during the 2011 uprising that ended Mubarak's rule.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829486-demolition-of-torched-hq-of-mubaraks-old-party-begins/

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Platini to lead Europe's fightback against ex-ally Blatter
ROB HARRIS, AP Sports Writer

LONDON (AP) — In the buildup to the Champions League final, Lionel Messi and Andrea Pirlo could be overshadowed by a star of the showpiece 30 years earlier: Michel Platini.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829487-platini-to-lead-europes-fightback-against-ex-ally-blatter/

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Greek leader discusses bailout deal with Hollande, Merkel
DEMETRIS NELLAS, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday spoke with the leaders of France and Germany in their second conference call in three days to discuss progress in the talks between Athens and its lenders, Greek officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829488-greek-leader-discusses-bailout-deal-with-hollande-merkel/

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A bitter battle for control of oldest synagogue in the US
By MICHELLE R. SMITH

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — A bitter struggle for control over the nation's oldest synagogue goes to trial this week, with lawyers saying they may use more than 1,000 exhibits dating as far back as 1733.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829489-a-bitter-battle-for-control-of-oldest-synagogue-in-the-us/

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Obama's trade agenda faces tougher odds heading into House
By JIM KUHNHENN and CHARLES BABINGTON

WASHINGTON (AP) — After several near death experiences in the Senate, the trade agenda that President Barack Obama is pushing as a second term capstone faces its biggest hurdle yet in the more polarized House.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829492-obamas-trade-agenda-faces-tougher-odds-heading-into-house/

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Pattaya-Koh Lan passenger boat sinks

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- A passenger boat sank shortly after it left Koh Lan heading back to the Pattaya shore Sunday evening, police said. All of its 82 passengers were safely rescued by two other passenger boats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829498-pattaya-koh-lan-passenger-boat-sinks/

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Apirat: Lottery tickets to be sold no higher than 80 baht apiece beginning June 16th

BANGKOK, 1 June 2015, (NNT) - Government Lottery Office (GLO) Chairman Major General Apirat Kongsompong has said all lottery tickets will be sold at no more than 80 baht apiece.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829504-apirat-lottery-tickets-to-be-sold-no-higher-than-80-baht-apiece-beginning-june-16th/

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NLA to deliberate draft Cosmetics Act this week

BANGKOK, 1 June 2015 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly is slated to deliberate the draft law on cosmetics on Thursday and Friday.

NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai has scheduled Thursday's and Friday's meetings of NLA members in order for the NLA to acknowledge the Cabinet of Ministers' work performance, per the observation of the Committee on Economics, Monetary Affairs and Finance. The NLA will also deliberate the draft of the Cosmetics Act, which the NLA's extraordinary committee has already gone over.

This week, the NLA will query the minister of justice about the Department of Corrections' release of inmates, whereas the prime minister will be queried about the government's policy to regulate against excessively high medication and treatment fees charged by private hospitals.


-- NNT 2015-06-01

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Famous jubkung noodle shop among ten shop houses destroyed by fire
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Ten shop houses on Charoenkrung Road in Bangkok's Pomprap Sattrupai district were destroyed in a massive fire at 4 am Monday. One of the shop house was the famous jubkung or labourer noodle shop, which has been in business for over 70 years.

The shop is well-known for offering a huge bowl of noodle for labourers at low price. Fire fighters took about over a hour to put out the blaze.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Famous-jubkung-noodle-shop-among-ten-shop-houses-d-30261361.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-01

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PM Prayut to deliver 1st year performance address on June 4



BANGKOK, 1 June 2015 (NNT) - The government will deliver a summary of its first year in office to members of the National Legislative Assembly and the National Reform Council on June 4.

Secretary-General of the National Reform Council whip Alongkorn Polabutr said that Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister and chief of the National Council for Peace and Order, will take the lead in presenting the performance report.

Mr. Alongkorn added that, on the scheduled date, there will also be a joint seminar of the NRC and the NLA in which a discussion on all related bodies’ experiences in the past year will be brought up to help improve the country’s administration.

NLA’s second Vice President Peerasak Porjit said that all five deputy prime ministers will also be present at the seminar to clarify all work progresses in order for everyone to be able to update the people with the same information during their subsequent trips and meetings with the public.


-- NNT 2015-06-01

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Qatar extends travel ban on ex-Gitmo inmates; talks continue
By MATTHEW LEE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Qatar has agreed to temporarily extend travel bans on five senior Taliban leaders released last year from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a senior U.S. official said on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829507-qatar-extends-travel-ban-on-ex-gitmo-inmates;-talks-continue/

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Myanmar man killed in hit and run car crash in Chon Buri
The Nation

PATTAYA: -- A 20-year-old Myanmar man was killed in a hit and run crash in Pattaya early Monday. Police said the man was identified as Ong Teng.

He was hit by a speeding car in font of Soi Pattaya 28 in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district at 1:30 am. Police later found the car that allegeldy hit the man abandoned on Soi Pattaya 14. Police have yet to summon the car owner for questioning.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Myanmar-man-killed-in-hit-and-run-car-crash-in-Cho-30261362.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-01

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MIAMI (AP) - Andres now Category 4 hurricane in eastern Pacific; rough surf, but no threat to land.