Thailand Live Tuesday 9 Jun 2015

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SET down 3.69 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

Tourist who went naked on Mount Kinabalu arrested



(MALAYSIA) The Star Online reported that one of the foreign tourists from a group of 10 wanted by police for stripping and urinating on top of Mount Kinabalu on May 30 has been arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831250-sabah-official-blames-malaysia-earthquake-on-naked-tourists/page-2?p=9496147#entry9496147

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PM to tackle street racing by 'Dek Van' seriously



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to stop street racing by "Dek Van" (underaged motorcycle racers) once and for all after these youths continued to defy law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831538-pm-prayut-to-tackle-street-racing-by-dek-van-seriously/

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Australia widens probe into illegal home buying by foreigners

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey on Tuesday widened a probe into the illegal buying of residential property by foreigners, with almost 200 sales being investigated for breaching investment rules.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831542-australia-widens-probe-into-illegal-home-buying-by-foreigners/

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Min of Transport and BOI push for charter amendment to promote investment

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport and the Board of Investment (BOI) have joined hands to push an amendment of investment legislation, hoping to boost the Kingdom’s capacity.

The statement was made by Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Junthong, who said the amendment also aims at increasing the nation’s competitiveness with other countries.

The charter amendment to promote investment would retain the original content, but adjust terms to better facilitate investments, research & development and promoting innovation.

The Transport Minister said adjusting the terms of the legislation would eventually benefits infrastructure investment in the transport sector as well.

ACM Prajin disclosed that once the BOI approves the draft, the proposal will be forwarded to the Cabinet for further consideration and implementation.


-- NNT 2015-06-09

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Video of officer who drew gun on black teens raises tension
DAVID WARREN, Associated Press

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — A police officer's actions raised tensions and led to a protest Monday in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, where some community activists accused the officer of racism while others urged calm until the facts are investigated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831546-video-of-us-officer-who-drew-gun-on-black-teens-raises-tension/

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OBEC launches online course to improve quality of teachers

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015 (NNT)-The office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is introducing an online course called ‘Teachers and Educational Personnel Enhancement (TEPE)’ with the aim of improving the quality of classroom instructions in schools nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831547-obec-launches-online-course-to-improve-quality-of-teachers/

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Gen. Chatchai: More study needed before selling stockpiled rice to the public

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015, (NNT) - Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya told news media that further deliberation is needed before the government can greenlight selling stockpiled rice to the public.

The minister had been referring to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s recent idea to sell stocked rice at affordable prices. He stressed that the proposal is in its infancy, and more careful study and discussions with related agencies are required.

These agencies include the Public Warehouse Organization, the Market Organization for Farmers, and other agencies under the ministry of Commerce.

He reiterated that the ministry would only sell good quality rice to the public, of which there are two million tons in government silos.


-- NNT 2015-06-09

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Phuket receives B3bn budget for safety, security projects
Nattha Thepbamrung


The dignitaries sign the MoU on public safety and security in Phuket. Photo: Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: -- The government has granted Phuket a B3-billion budget for safety and security management projects in an attempt to make the island a model province for sustainable tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831561-phuket-receives-b3bn-budget-for-safety-security-projects/

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SAHA Group recommends freezing VAT at 7 percent

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015, (NNT) - President of the SAHA Group Boonyasit Chokwattana told news media that consumer spending has yet to fully recover, recommending the government hold Value Added Tax (VAT) at 7 percent and minimum wage at 300 baht per day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831563-saha-group-recommends-freezing-vat-at-7-percent/

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Investor Confidence Index to decline in the next 3 months

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015, (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Capital Organizations (FETCO) revealed that the investor confidence index for the next three months is expected to decrease by 14.7 percent to 88.16, due to the less-than-optimum local economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831565-investor-confidence-index-to-decline-in-the-next-3-months/

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Thai embassy in South Korea issued 2nd warning against MERS virus for Thai citizens

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015 (NNT)-The Thai Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, has warned Thai citizens to protect themselves against MERS-CoV virus that has already killed 6 Koreans.

The Thai Embassy has issued its second warning after the number of South Koreans contracting the deadly virus has increased to 87 people. Six people have died and more than 2,000 people have been quarantined in their own homes or hospitals.

Thai nationals living in Seoul, Gyeonggi and Chungcheongnam-do have been told to wear a face mask when leaving home or when they are in a crowded place.

They have also been advised to seek medical attention and notify the Thai embassy if they ever visited the three aforementioned areas in South Korea between May 15th – 30th.


-- NNT 2015-06-09

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Family found dead in apparent murder-suicide
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A family of four was found shot to death in their home in Bangkok’s Taling Chan district last night, which police believed to be a case of murder-suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831567-family-found-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide-in-bangkok/

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Woman killed by detached carriages

BANGKOK: -- A 55-year-old woman was killed this morning after detached train carriages crashed into unaware passing vehicles at the railway crossing at Bangson railway station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831570-woman-killed-by-detached-carriages-at-a-railway-crossing-in-bangkok/

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Yingluck designates lawyer to hear charges

BANGKOK: -- Ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra today designated her lawyer to formally hear charges imposed on her for paying compensation to political unrest victims between 2005-2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831572-yingluck-designates-lawyer-to-hear-charges/

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50,000 Signatures Submitted in Support of Election Delay
By Khaosod English


Panadda Diskul ( R ), Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, accepts the petition from Phra Buddha Issara (L) at Government House in Bangkok, 9 June 2015

BANGKOK - The ultra-conservative activist monk Phra Buddha Issara has submitted the 50,000 signatures he collected to show support for junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to stay in power until national reforms are completed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831580-buddha-issara-submits-50000-signatures-in-support-of-election-delay/

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TDRI says floating minimum wage is a disadvantage for workers



BANGKOK: -- The National Wage Committee's resolution to float minimum wage beginning next year will be a disadvantage for workers, a research director of labour development of Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) Dr Yongyuth Chalamwong said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831583-tdri-says-floating-thai-minimum-wage-is-a-disadvantage-for-workers/

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UPDATE:

Royal Thai Police to crack down on nighttime street racing in 30 days

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police Chief is planning to take legal action against Facebook pages revealing police nighttime patrol schedules, in an effort to prevent street racing and other crimes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831538-pm-prayut-to-tackle-street-racing-by-dek-van-seriously/#entry9496791

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NBTC says digital TV viewership rises 3 times

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015 (NNT)-The National Broadcasting Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has revealed that the number of digital TV viewers have tripled since it was introduced.

Following the recent market survey in April, NBTC Secretary General Thakorn Tantasit said the viewership has increased significantly. The survey also coincided with the first anniversary of TV digital in Thailand.

Correspondingly, the number of people watching channel 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 via the analog and satellite systems has dwindled by 20 and 34 percent, respectively.

-- NNT 2015-06-09

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Federal judge orders last 'Angola Three' inmate released
By CAIN BURDEAU

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The last of the "Angola Three" inmates, whose decades in solitary confinement on a Louisiana prison farm drew international condemnation and became the subject of two documentaries, was ordered released Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831587-us-federal-judge-orders-last-angola-three-inmate-released/

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Twelve passengers injured in bus crash

BANGKOK: -- Twelve passengers were injured, two seriously, when an inter provincial bus they travelled in from Yasothorn skidded amid heavy downpour, smashing through a fence wall of Don Mueang airport and concrete pillar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831591-twelve-passengers-injured-in-bus-crash-at-don-mueang-airport/

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Deputy Police Chief joining 15th SOMTC

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015 (NNT) - Deputy Police Chief Police General Chaktip Chaijinda is attending 15th Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) and Its Related Meetings in Cambodia to establish bilateral cooperation on transnational crime.

Police General Chaktip said that Thailand wants to show its determination towards preventing transnational crimes with other nations at the meeting.

Thailand has presented its current transnational crime prevention plan to the SOMTC panel, as well as a new plan focused on eradicating drug trafficking. The current plan was implemented over the past three years, while the next three years will see Thailand adopting the new plan.

At the conference held in April, Police General Chaktip spoke of the success Thailand has met in raising awareness of transnational crimes. Thailand has also been chosen to helm the investigation of some transnational crimes, and is also trying curb the illicit trade of wildlife and exotic plants.

The results of SOMTC will be presented in a report to ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime at the end of this year.


-- NNT 2015-06-09

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UPDATE:

Activist abbot urges Prayut to stay on to accomplish reforms in two years



BANGKOK: -- The activist abbot of Wat Ornoi in Nakhon Pathom, Phra Buddha-isra, today submitted a list of 50,000 names to support reform-before-election proposal to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha Tuesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831580-buddha-issara-submits-50000-signatures-in-support-of-election-delay/#entry9496985

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UPDATE:

Motorcyclist killed by out-of-control train coach
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: MCOT

BANGKOK: -- A woman was killed this morning after she rode her motorbike over a railway crossing in Bang Sue district and was hit by a runaway train carriage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831570-woman-killed-by-detached-carriages-at-a-railway-crossing-in-bangkok/#entry9497108

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Indian city to pay residents to use public toilets

(AFP)A city council in western India is planning to pay residents to use public toilets in a desperate attempt to stop legions of people urinating and defecating in public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831621-indian-city-to-pay-residents-to-use-public-toilets/

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EC issues performance report, vows to strengthen Thai democracy and politics

BANGKOK, 8 June 2015 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has announced its achievements over the past year while confirming to continue strengthening the democratic system and the political sector of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831633-ec-issues-performance-report-vows-to-strengthen-thai-democracy-and-politics/

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Cambodian migrant workers vital to Trat province

TRAT, 9 July 2015 (NNT) - Cambodian migrant workers have become a vital part of Trat's workforce.

Since the province borders Cambodia, many from the neighboring country have made their way into the province's labor market.

Trat governor Narong Teerachuntarangkul said it was especially true of sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and agriculture, all of which rely heavily on the Cambodian migrant workforce.

However, some labor problems still occur. Labor issues in Trat have been dealt with systematically to the benefit of business operators and workers alike.

Trat businesses have high demand for foreign labor, despite facing legal hurdles. The province has demonstrated willingness to go through the necessary immigration procedures to make sure foreigners work legal jobs and reside in the country under lawful conditions.


-- NNT 2015-06-09

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Myanmar man implicates a former headman for abetting his human smuggling racket

KANCHANABURI: -- A Myanmar man who was caught while attempting to smuggle seven migrant workers from Myanmar into Thailand claimed he paid 1,200 baht per head to Mon motorcyclists and a former assistant village head for their help in human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831638-myanmar-man-implicates-a-former-headman-for-abetting-his-human-smuggling-racket/

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UPDATE:

Prayut takes Sukhumbhand to task for flooding
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Tuesday took Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra to task for repeatedly failing to solve flooding in the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831478-governor-under-fire-as-rains-bring-bangkok-to-a-standstill/page-3?p=9497397#entry9497397

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PM instructs Cabinet to adhere to roadmap

BANGKOK, 9 June 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has encouraged all units at the Cabinet meeting to continue to follow the existing roadmap in order to propel the country forward.

At the Cabinet’s joint meeting with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) today, Prime Minister Prayut emphasized to all participating officials the importance of adhering to the national reform roadmap put in place earlier. He affirmed that, after the drafting of the new constitution is completed, there will be a general election as planned. The premier insisted he has no intention to extend his time in office and will keep the people’s interest at heart in all procedures.

On this occasion, there were also discussions on the progress being made by each ministry as well as the NCPO. All of the attendants were told to wrap up their works within April 2016 in a bid to pass on their responsibilities to the incoming government.

Moreover, Prime Minister Prayut touched on the issue of land allocation to the impoverished as well as the promotion of alternative careers among agriculturists, who are often affected by drought and price declines.

-- NNT 2015-06-09