Thailand Live Thursday 4 Jun 2015

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Commerce Ministry discusses marketing and PR plan to attract more investors to SEZs

BANGKOK, 4 June 2015 (NNT) – The Sub-committee on Marketing and Public Relations for Special Economic Zone chaired by Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya held its first meeting to outline action plans to motivate both Thai and foreign investors to invest in the five Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

In the aspect of marketing, the meeting agreed that road shows will be conducted whenever international conferences or leaders’summits are held in Thailand, as well as when the Thai Prime Minister and ministers visit other countries. Special booths to promote investment in SEZs will also be set up at international trade show joined by Thai exhibitors.

Moreover, the Sub-committee plans to hold seminars on SEZ development targeting Thai and overseas investors and relevant sectors including foreign ambassadors and international press working in Thailand.

For PR strategy, the meeting agreed to use a variety of media platforms to attract more investors. These include TV, radio, print, website, social media and billboards around locations of the SEZs as well as investor guidebook. All messages should be written in Thai and english.

Moreover, One Stop Service (OSS) Center will be set up at Chamchuri Square, Bangkok to be officially opened by the Prime Minister on 25 June 2015.


-- NNT 2015-06-04

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Chiang Mai Cops Hunting for Man Behind Naked Road Sign Photos
By Khaosod English


Pol.Maj.Gen. Pacha Rattapan holding up an image of the naked man on his cell phone, 3 June 2015.

CHIANG MAI — Police are looking for a man who has posted a series of nude photos of himself standing next to road signs in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Facebook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830239-chiang-mai-cops-hunting-for-man-behind-naked-road-sign-photos/

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'Great Food Good Service Award 2015' launched to boost passenger satisfaction at Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK, 4 June 2015 (NNT) - Suvarnabhumi Airport has teamed up with the Airports of Thailand (AOT), the Transport Ministry and King Power Suvarnabhumi Company in establishing the “Great Food Good Service Award 2015” in their joint effort to improve the quality of services in the airport, hoping to market Suvarnabhumi as the “Airport of Smiles”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830240-great-food-good-service-award-2015-launched-to-boost-passenger-satisfaction-at-suvarnabhumi/

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Govt vows to take stern action against lottery overpricing

BANGKOK, 4 June 2015 (NNT) – Deputy Government Spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd has affirmed the government is serious about prosecuting vendors of overpriced lottery while urging consumers to boycott such violators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830241-thai-govt-vows-to-take-stern-action-against-lottery-overpricing/

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UPDATE:

LT-GENERAL MANAS
Army adviser and suspected human trafficker surrenders
THE NATION



Lt-General Manas faces intensive police questioning; bail plea to be opposed

BANGKOK: -- SUSPECTED Rohingya trafficking kingpin Lt-General Manas Khongpaen yesterday turned himself in at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok, in a much-awaited surrender under the media microscope.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830149-thai-army-officer-wanted-for-migrant-trafficking-surrenders/#entry9478986

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Minivan driver loses leg in North Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- A minivan driver suffered a traumatic amputation of his left leg in a high-impact road crash on the Sukhumvit Road in North Pattaya early on Wednesday Morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830242-minivan-driver-loses-leg-in-north-pattaya-road-crash/

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Over-priced Lottery Ticket Crackdown by Pattaya Police begins



PATTAYA: -- In a regular Police Meeting held at Pattaya City Hall on Tuesday, the Pattaya Police Chief announced the start of a crackdown on Lottery Vendors who were over-charging for their tickets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830243-over-priced-lottery-ticket-crackdown-by-pattaya-police-begins/

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PRIZE-DRAW SCHEME
Sommai plans carrot-and-stick approach to battle tax evasion
Pichaya Changsorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry will resort to adopting a number of carrot-and-stick measures in a bid to combat widespread tax evasion, including a prize-draw scheme linking value-added tax invoice numbers to the government lottery results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830244-prize-draw-scheme-sommai-plans-carrot-and-stick-approach-to-battle-thai-tax-evasion/

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ARTICLE 112
DSI sees case for lese majeste against Thaksin over Seoul remarks
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is likely to press the lese majeste charge against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over his recent interview in South Korea in relation to the 2014 coup, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830245-dsi-sees-case-for-lese-majeste-against-thaksin-over-seoul-remarks/

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LAND RIGHTS NETWORKS
Forest reclamation faces bigger battle
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

Rights Groups seek to protect rubber tappers in Trang

BANGKOK: -- LAND RIGHTS networks have called for a halt to forest-reclamation operations on land cultivated by small rubber tappers and for a committee to be formed to prove ownership rights to the land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830246-thai-forest-reclamation-faces-bigger-battle/

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1,070 VICTIMS SO FAR
Two more arrested as FBI joins UFUN probe
KORNKAMON AKSORNDECH
THE NATION



Gay rights activist captured in northeast, another suspect nabbed in Nong Khai

BANGKOK: -- BESIDES cooperation from Malaysian, Chinese and Australian crime busters in the case of UFUN's alleged pyramid scheme, Thai police will also get some help from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), as American nationals were found to be among the damaged parties, the assistant national police chief said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830247-two-more-arrested-as-fbi-joins-ufun-probe/

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INSURGENCY
4 soldiers killed in Yala
The Nation

YALA: -- Suspected insurgents killed four soldiers in an ambush in Yala province yesterday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830248-4-soldiers-killed-in-yala/

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Police launch smartphone app to speed up response
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Royal Thai Police yesterday officially launched an application called "Police i lert u" to allow people to inform police of emergencies via their smartphones. National police chief Pol General Somyos Poompan-muang said Police i lert u was designed to help increase the capability of police to deal with emergency requests quickly, rather than relying only on phone calls via 191.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830249-thai-police-launch-smartphone-app-to-speed-up-response/

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EDITORIAL
Time Thailand stubbed out this killer habit
The Nation

The govt stands poised to strike a blow against a ruthless industry

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet last week endorsed a tougher law on tobacco products and protections for non-smokers. The draft bill will now be sent to the National Legislative Assembly for ratification.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830250-time-thailand-stubbed-out-this-killer-habit/

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THAI TALK
What's the fuss over 'citizens' and 'people' in the new charter?
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Does it really matter whether the new constitution uses the term "citizens" instead of "the people" or "persons"? For chief charter writer Borwornsak Uwanno, the answer is, yes, it's crucial. In fact, it's the very heart of the new constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830251-thai-talk-whats-the-fuss-over-citizens-and-people-in-the-new-charter/

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Political parties call for changes to charter
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
WATTANA KHAMCHU
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- POLITICIANS from the rival Pheu Thai and Democrat parties agreed at yesterday's discussion on reconciliation hosted by the Army that the country's economy was now "really bad", a participant said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830253-political-parties-call-for-changes-to-thai-charter/

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Revoking Thaksin's passports 'will have no effect'
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE series of sanctions against fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra over the past week were prompted by the remarks he made to South Korean media that were deemed detrimental to national security and the country's reputation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830254-revoking-thaksins-passports-will-have-no-effect/

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BURNING ISSUE
Is Thaksin doomed to be a follower of his movement?
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- FORMER prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra recently criticised the country's latest coup when giving an interview to South Korean media in Seoul. He suggested that different groups of people had worked together against him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830255-is-thaksin-doomed-to-be-a-follower-of-his-movement/

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Yingluck not involved in issue of passports to Thaksin: NACC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been found to have had no role in her brother, fugitive former premier Thaksin, being issued a passport, anti-corruption panel chairman Panthep Klanarongran said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830256-yingluck-not-involved-in-issue-of-passports-to-thaksin-nacc/

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Somyot seeks harsher laws amid street racers' jeers
Jessada Chantharak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- General Somyot Pumpunmuang, the National Police chief, yesterday dismissed a reported verbal threat by juveniles who were recently arrested for racing on Bangkok's streets and affirmed that those who violated the law would be severely punished.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830257-somyot-seeks-harsher-laws-amid-street-racers-jeers/

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Ministry campaign against Middle East virus threat
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry will use funds from the Ebola budget and apply the same prevention measures to avoid an outbreak in Thailand of the Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERS-CoV), Disease Control Department chief Dr Sopon Mekthon said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830258-mers-cov-thai-ministry-campaign-against-middle-east-virus-threat/

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Two South Koreans arrested for running gambling website

Bangkok:- Two South Korean men were arrested at a Bangkok condominium Wednesday evening for having allegedly run an online gambling website here for at least six months.

Park Changhyeong and Choi Mingoo were arrested at 5:30 pm at their rented room on the 12th floor of a luxurious condominium on Phetchaburi Road in Bangkok's Huay Kwang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830220-two-south-koreans-arrested-for-running-gambling-website/

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Thailand's 50 Richest 2015: Collective Wealth Crosses $100 Billion
Naazneen Karmali Forbes Staff

(Bangkok) Amid Thailand’s economic drought, which followed last year’s military coup, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s Thai Beverage, maker of Chang beer, reported double-digit increases in revenues and profits in a recent quarter. Shares of the brewer are up, moving Charoen also up one spot to No. 2, with a net worth of $13 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830260-thailands-50-richest-2015-collective-wealth-crosses-us100-billion/

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Americans split on whether Clinton cares about their needs
By JULIE PACE and KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to spend the summer building a case that Republicans are out of touch with the public. But many people aren't convinced she empathizes with them, either, polls suggest, in a potential early warning sign for the Democratic front-runner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830262-americans-split-on-whether-clinton-cares-about-their-needs/

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Officials: Dozens of labs received potentially live anthrax
By ROBERT BURNS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon disclosed Wednesday that it inadvertently shipped possibly live anthrax to at least 51 laboratories across the U.S. and in three foreign countries over the past decade, but it has yet to determine how it happened, who is to blame, why it was not discovered earlier and how much worse the embarrassment will get.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830263-us-anthrax-scare-widens-to-51-labs-in-17-states/

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FIFA executive committee member Blazer admitted bribes
RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer told a U.S. federal judge that he and others on the governing body's ruling panel agreed to receive bribes in the votes for the hosts of the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830264-fifa-executive-committee-member-blazer-admitted-bribes/

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Mukdahan-Khon Kaen bus crash kills one, injures 30

MAHA SARAKHAM: -- A Mukdaharn-Khon Kaen bus skidded off the road and flipped over while taking a curve on the road from Kalasin to Khon Kaen province Wednesday morning, killing a woman and injuring 30 others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830140-mukdahan-khon-kaen-bus-crash-kills-one-injures-30/

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UPDATE:

Tributes paid to Thai death dad

MANCHESTER: -- TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Wigan father after his shock death in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829842-mystery-of-british-mans-death-in-thailand-hotel/page-4?p=9479284#entry9479284

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JIANLI, China (AP) - Chinese state broadcaster CCTV says death toll in river cruise capsizing jumps to 65.

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Agreement signed over development of U-Tapao Airport as 3rd airport serving Bangkok


File photo: U-Tapao Airport

CHONBURI, 4 June 2015 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Navy and the Ministry of Transport have signed a collaboration agreement to develop U-Tapao Airport into the third commercial airport serving the capital city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830278-u-tapao-to-become-bangkoks-3rd-commercial-airport/