Thailand Live Tuesday 2 Jun 2015

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Thais across the Kingdom, neighbouring countries mark Visakha Bucha Day
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- BUDDHISTS nationwide yesterday participated in morning alms-giving and evening candlelight processions at temples to mark Visakha Bucha Day, which commemorated three great events: the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Lord Buddha.

Residents in border areas such as Yala, Tak, Ranong, Si Sa Ket and Nong Khai provinces were joined in merit-making events by people from neighbouring countries.

In Bangkok, throngs of devoted Buddhists presented alms offerings to 233 monks at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. In the evening, participants were due to perform a "Buddhamamaka" ritual of declaring themselves Buddhists, followed by a candlelight procession.

Yesterday's event was part of an 11-day Buddhism campaign, held from May 29 until June 9.

The campaign was hosted by the city, the Buddhism Promotion Centre in Thailand, the Department of Religious Affairs and allies. It aimed to promote Buddhism and raise public awareness about the Lord Buddha's teachings and how they can be applied in daily life.

On June 9, the Lord Buddha's Cremation Commemorative Day, another alms-offering ritual to 261 monks will be held in the morning and followed by a robe-offering ritual in the evening.

In the western border province of Tak, over 500 residents on both sides of the Moei River came together on the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to offer alms to 198 monks - 99 from each side of the river. The event was presided over by Tak deputy-governor Suttha Saiwanich and Myanmar's Myawaddy governor Lwin Ko Oo.

In Ranong's Muang district, Myanmar people from Koh Song crossed the border yesterday to join Thais and Myanmar migrant workers in celebrating Visakha Bucha Day at Wat Suwan Khiri. They also worshiped at the sacred Dathu pagoda, which was reportedly built by Myanmar people at this Thai temple site.

In Si Sa Ket province, hundreds of Thais were joined by 200 Cambodian monks and 300 Cambodian lay people for an event that included a prayer, meditation, a candlelight procession at Wat Prai Pana in Phu Sing district.

In Nong Khai's Muang district, provincial governor Suchat Noppawan led Thai Buddhists and Laotian youths to offer alms and attend a candlelight procession at Wat Pho Chai yesterday.

Down South, merit-making events in Yala's Betong district were joined by both local residents and Thai nationals living on the Malaysian side to mark this Buddhist holiday.

Not only free people were celebrating this important day - some serving time behind bars also took part. In the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham, the provincial prison hosted a Dhamma training session for inmates to encourage them to practice the Five Precepts and meditation.

In Uttaradit's Tha Pla district, provincial governor Chat Kittinaphadol led many residents on boats to attend a candlelight procession at an island in the middle of Sirikit Dam, to worship at the 200-year-old golden pagoda at Wat Doi Phra That. The rest of the city - except for this temple that was originally on a mountaintop - is under water due to a dam built there 49 years ago.

The auspicious occasion also led the Somdet Putthachan-Tho Foundation to organise a moulding ceremony of the 99-metre-long reclining Buddha image at the Somdet Putthachan Vihara in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district. The ceremony was attended by some 2,000 people.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thais-across-the-Kingdom-neighbouring-countries-ma-30261389.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-02

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People mass at Siriraj to pray for good health for King and Queen
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MANY people went to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok yesterday to pray for the good health of the King and Queen, after the Royals returned from Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin on Sunday for routine medical checks.

The Royal Household Bureau said in the 13th statement issued on Sunday that His Majesty, who had been in Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan since May 10 for a retreat and rehabilitation, was asked by the medical team to return to the Bangkok hospital for follow-up medical checks with special equipment. The medical team conducted a brain examination on HM the King with a computerised X-ray machine to follow up the May 2 treatment of his spinal chord, the bureau said.

The team's X-ray test on His Majesty's lung did not detect any lung inflammation - the condition which His Majesty had in 2009 and 2013, the statement said. Besides, test results on his blood condition, body temperature, blood pressure, heart beat and respiratory system were normal, the statement said. It added that His Majesty was still required by his doctors to undergo rehabilitation.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/People-mass-at-Siriraj-to-pray-for-good-health-for-30261397.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-02

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MAJ-GENERAL MANAS
Army man sought for trafficking of Rohingya in South
The Nation


Maj-General Manas Khongpaen

Arrest warrant issued for major general suspected of trafficking after large sum found in his bank account

BANGKOK: -- POLICE YESTERDAY obtained a warrant for the arrest of an influential Army major-general accused of running or benefiting from trafficking in Rohingya and other migrants in the South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829724-high-ranking-thai-army-man-sought-for-trafficking-of-rohingya-in-south/

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DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT NO D215863
Ministry pushed over former PM's passport
The Nation

Ex-democrat MP notes Thaksin was once foreign minister, with diplomatic status

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry should come clean on whether fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who also served as foreign minister early in his political career, still holds some kind of Thai passport, former Democrat MP Watchara Petthong said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829725-ministry-pushed-over-former-pm-thaksins-passport/

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Lawyer group checks Egat's Mae Moh action
PRATHEEP NANTHAPARP
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE LAWYERS COUNCIL of Thailand has dispatched a team to follow up on the progress of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) in responding to Supreme Court-ordered measures at its controversial lignite-fuelled power plant in Lampang's Mae Mo district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829726-thai-lawyer-group-checks-egats-mae-moh-action/

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Campaign for alternate designs to Chao Phraya promenade
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A GROUP called the Friends of River has launched a campaign on Facebook, urging people to come up with an alternative design to the government's Chao Phraya Riverside Promenade Project, which has been the subject of criticism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829727-campaign-for-alternate-designs-to-chao-phraya-promenade/

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ENERGY
Kingdom on path towards lower energy consumption
ACHARA DEBOONME,
WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- NEW BUILDINGS will soon be required to introduce new technology and equipment to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent from the 2010 base if they are to win construction licences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829728-thailand-on-path-towards-lower-energy-consumption/

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EDITORIAL
Saving face while casting migrants adrift
The Nation

Friday's 'special meeting' of regional countries and other states did nothing to address the root causes of the Rohingyas' plight

BANGKOK: -- Though few observers expected last week's "special meeting" of Asean to yield a breakthrough on the Southeast Asian migrant crisis, we were dismayed that the senior government officials and experts who gathered in Bangkok offered no means to tackle the root cause of the problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829729-thai-editorial-saving-face-while-casting-migrants-adrift/

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STREET WISE
Keeping the lottery price at Bt80 is not the winning solution
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Growing up in a small town about 500 kilometres from Bangkok, I encountered all kinds of gambling that have long existed in Thai society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829730-keeping-the-lottery-price-at-bt80-is-not-the-winning-solution/

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Sudden 'bowel movement' fails to distract Police in Central Pattaya Burglary case

PATTAYA: -- A suspect caught following a Burglary at an apartment complex in Central Pattaya, suffered an unexpected “Bowel Movement” during his arrest which caused some unwanted attention for the suspect at the Police Station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829731-sudden-bowel-movement-fails-to-distract-police-in-central-pattaya-burglary-case/

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Burmese Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run road crash in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday a 20 year old Burmese man was killed by a hit-and-run motorist in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829732-burmese-pedestrian-killed-in-hit-and-run-road-crash-in-north-pattaya/

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BURNING ISSUE
Forget Thaksin, there are more important issues to deal with
KRIS BHROMSUTHI

BANGKOK: -- Thaksin Shinawatra's controversial comments in South Korea only goes to prove that the fugitive former prime minister - perhaps one of the most divisive personalities in modern Thai politics - can still get under the skin of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829733-forget-thaksin-there-are-more-important-issues-to-deal-with/

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Chiang Mai police help Malaysian mother locate runaway daughter

Chiang Mai:- Chiang Mai police Monday helped a Malaysian mother locate her runaway daughter who left Malaysia since the middle of last month.

The mother and her elder sister, Yap Lai Kuen, 21, filed a complaint with Mae Ping station inspector Pol Maj Chalermpol Kaewwong to locate Yap Lai Khei.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829639-chiang-mai-police-help-malaysian-mother-locate-runaway-daughter/

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Deep South: Under the wreckage of lies, a complicated truth
Don Pathan
Special to The Nation
Yala, Thailand

The killing of two Buddhist monks on Visakha Bucha day four years ago shed light on the nature of the conflict in this historically contested region

YALA: -- Just before dawn four years ago on Visakha Bucha Day, one of the most important days on the Buddhist calendar, two young men were hiding inside the tree-line keeping a look out for an oncoming Army patrol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829736-deep-south-under-the-wreckage-of-lies-a-complicated-truth/

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New Zealand concerned over Thai vulnerability
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION
AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND : -- NEW ZEALAND businesses are concerned about Thailand's economic vulnerability due to the political uncertainty and its attractiveness for manufacturing in its path of returning to democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829737-new-zealand-concerned-over-thai-vulnerability/

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Three South Korean men arrested for operating online gambling
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Crime Suppression Division police arrested three South Korean men for having allegedly run an online slot machines website for five months.

The three were arrested at their rented room on the third floor of Bangkok Feliz condominium at 6 pm. They were identified as Kim Yungjin, 36, Lee Jeong Il, 35 and Park Jisong, 26.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Three-South-Korean-men-arrested-for-operating-onli-30261405.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-02

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Govt denies Sino-Thai railway project will be cancelled
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Government Spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd denied Monday that the Sino-Thai double-track railway project linking Nong Khai, to Map Ta Phut in Rayong and Bangkok would be cancelled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829738-govt-denies-sino-thai-railway-project-will-be-cancelled/

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Seminar to equip young women with legal knowledge to fight social violence

BANGKOK, 2 June 2015 (NNT) - The Office of the Education Council (ONEC) is to hold a seminar to empower young women with legal knowledge so that they can use them for self-protection from social violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829740-seminar-to-equip-young-women-with-legal-knowledge-to-fight-social-violence/

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Boat with more than 450 people sinks in China's Yangtze

BEIJING (AP) — A passenger ship carrying more than 450 people sank overnight in the Yangtze River during a cyclone in southern China, and eight people have been rescued, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829741-chinese-ship-sinks-with-at-least-450-on-board/

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More than 680 in South Korea isolated over MERS virus fears

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — More than 680 people in South Korea are isolated after having contact with patients infected with a virus that has killed hundreds of people in the Middle East, health officials said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829742-more-than-680-in-south-korea-isolated-over-mers-virus-fears/

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Ex-inmates regret destruction of notorious Syrian prison
BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press
ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — For decades, the mere mention of Tadmur Prison was enough to send chills down a Syrian's spine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829743-ex-inmates-regret-destruction-of-notorious-syrian-prison/

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IS revamps recruitment, with savvy, professional broadcasts
By LORI HINNANT

PARIS (AP) — After a selection of tunes, the presenter with an American accent offers "a glimpse at our main headlines." IS militants have just seized three Iraqi cities. A bomb blows up a factory, killing everyone inside. Militants destroy four enemy Hummers and an armored vehicle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829745-is-revamps-recruitment-with-savvy-professional-broadcasts/

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Sepp Blatter, FIFA facing more criticism this week
ROB HARRIS, AP Sports Writer

LONDON (AP) — In the House of Commons, they're calling for Sepp Blatter's head. And even inside the FIFA president's own executive committee, there is the threat of resignation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829746-sepp-blatter-fifa-facing-more-criticism-this-week/

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Surveillance powers lapse with no deal in Senate
By ERICA WERNER and KEN DILANIAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Security Agency lost its authority at midnight to collect Americans' phone records in bulk, after GOP Sen. Rand Paul stood in the way of extending the fiercely contested program in an extraordinary Sunday Senate session.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829748-nsa-surveillance-powers-lapse-with-no-deal-in-senate/

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Pattaya passenger boat catches fire

[Photo credit: Manager Online]

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- A two-deck ferry between Koh Lan and Pattaya caught fire in the Pattaya sea Monday afternoon, a day after a passenger boat sank near the island. All 102 Chinese tourists on the ferry were safely evacuated by speed boats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829751-pattaya-passenger-boat-catches-fire/

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Buriram on guard against dengue fever during transition period into rainy season

BURIRAM, 2 June 2015 (NNT) – The provincial public health office in Buriram is warning residents in all districts to guard against the spread of dengue fever during the transition period into the rainy season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829757-buriram-on-guard-against-dengue-fever-during-transition-period-into-rainy-season/

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Gemma Wale of Birmingham in UK jailed for breaching loud sex noises order

BIRMINGHAM: -- A WOMAN who breached a court order that barred her from making “loud sex noises” has been jailed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829762-uk-woman-jailed-for-breaching-loud-sex-noises-order/

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UPDATE:

Pattaya Island Ferry Engine Fire, 102 Chinese Tourists escape unhurt



PATTAYA: -- The 2nd ferry incident in 48 hours occurred in the middle of Pattaya Bay at 1.30pm on Monday as a fire occurred in the engine room of a Pattaya Island ferry carrying 102 Chinese Tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829751-pattaya-passenger-boat-catches-fire/#entry9472250

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UPDATE:

Govt confirms to proceed with Thai-Chinese railway project

BANGKOK, 2 June 2015 (NNT) – The Thai government has given assurances that it will carry on with the joint railway construction project with China, saying the Bangkok-Kaeng Khoi-Khorat section will begin to take shape within this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829738-govt-denies-sino-thai-railway-project-will-be-cancelled/#entry9472280

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BBC obtains video of Islamic State torturing Syrian boy, 14, Ahmed in Raqqa

SYDNEY: -- A GRAPHIC mobile phone video shows militants from terrorist group Islamic State torturing a 14-year-old Syrian boy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829768-bbc-obtains-video-of-islamic-state-torturing-syrian-boy-14/