Thailand Live Wednesday 10 Jun 2015

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Rice Dept, Local Administration Dept. to collaboratively reduce costs, increase yield



BANGKOK, 10 June 2015 (NNT) – The Rice Department is seeking cooperation with the Department of Local Administration in restructuring the structure of rice production, with the aim of reducing costs and increasing yield.

According to Chanpithya Shimphalee, director-general of the Rice Department, his agency has signed a collaboration agreement with the Department of Local Administration on joint development of paddy farmers, rice production and rice management. The two departments will work together to empower paddy farmers and rice-growing communities, and improve rice management practices of farmers. The agencies will also collaboratively set up a database to be used by paddy farmers, local communities and other entities. Furthermore, the two departments will work to publicize news related to rice, and monitor developments that are of relevance to rice.

Mr. Chanpithya indicated that through the collaborations, his department was planning to improve access to farmers. He explained that it was difficult for his department to reach farmers if it worked alone, as local branches of the department did not exist in some localities, whereas the Department of Local Administration had officials stationed in all localities and the said officials also had very close relations with farmers.


-- NNT 2015-06-10

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Transport Minister asserts rail development going as planned

BANGKOK, 10 June 2015 (NNT) – Thailand’s cooperation with China and Japan on railroad development projects are moving forward as planned, according to the Transport Minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831766-thai-transport-minister-asserts-rail-development-going-as-planned/

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Monk Defends Smacking Temple-Goers with Holy Stick [+video]
By Khaosod English


Phra Jirapan Analyo showing the grass stick he uses to "bless" temple-goers with, Saraburi province, 8 June 2015.

SARABURI — A monk who was seen forcefully hitting temple-goers' heads with a bundle of dried grass has defended the unorthodox practice, calling it his unique way of blessing the faithful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831767-thai-monk-defends-smacking-temple-goers-with-holy-stick-video/

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Victim suffers Diabetic shock after street robbery in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday a 48 year old woman suffered a Diabetic episode prior to her being involved in a violent street robbery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831768-victim-suffers-diabetic-shock-after-street-robbery-in-east-pattaya/

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TOURISM
Kobkarn sets out progress on joint tourism
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism and Sports Ministry is pressing ahead with plans under the "Asean Connectivity Project", under which Thailand aims to improve linkage with neighbouring countries, in a bid to boost arrivals from Asean markets as well as from those outside the regional grouping.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831769-thai-tourism-min-kobkarn-sets-out-progress-on-joint-tourism/

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POLITICS
Prayut 'committed' to road map to democracy
THE NATION



PM says preparations on course for handover by next May

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday dismissed calls for perpetuating his government in power for two more years, saying he would abide by the country's road map for democratic reform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831770-prayut-committed-to-road-map-to-democracy/

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BANGKOK
Junta to help fight floods
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation

PM brushes off call for Bangkok chief to be sacked

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has brushed off a request for him to sack the Bangkok governor over alleged failure to prevent recent flooding, saying it was up to "the people" to decide on the fate of their elected city chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831771-ncpo-to-help-fight-floods-in-bangkok/

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NEW CHARTER
NCPO, Cabinet okay referendum
THE NATION

Interim Consitution amendment to allow plebsicite on interim charter

BANGKOK: -- THE provisional charter will be amended to allow for a referendum on the draft constitution and for more questions to be asked on the ballot, the National Council for Peace and Order and the Cabinet agreed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831772-ncpo-thai-cabinet-okay-referendum/

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NEW LAW
NRC to propose land bank bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Council (NRC) yesterday agreed to propose draft legislation to set up a land bank in a bid to prevent land grabbing by investors. The council gave 143 votes in support of the bill, with 53 votes against and 25 abstentions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831773-thai-nrc-to-propose-land-bank-bill/

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CRIME
Financial crisis suspected to be cause of family tragedy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Relatives of four family members found dead early on Sunday say foul play was not suspected. Financial problems were very likely the motive behind the breadwinner's decision to shoot his wife, their two children and himself, an ongoing police investigation suggested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831567-family-found-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide-in-bangkok/page-2?p=9498916#entry9498916

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INVESTMENT
Central boosts European presence
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation


The exterior of the KaDeWe department store in Berlin, one of the three premium outlets of Germany

BANGKOK: -- CENTRAL Group is acquiring a 50.1-per-cent stake in the German premium department-store chain, The KaDeWe Group, in a move that will boost the Thai operator's sales in Europe from 600 million euro (Bt22.85 billion) last year to 1.2 billion euro this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831774-thailands-central-group-boosts-european-presence/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Will reform OVERSTAY its welcome?

The resurgence of the "reform-before-election" idea has met with three different responses.

BANGKOK: -- One group of people shrieked their approval, the second grunted their dissent and sent their toys flying out of the pram, and the third scratched their heads and asked "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Each bunch had its reason for responding as it did.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831775-thai-opinion-will-reform-overstay-its-welcome/

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EDITORIAL
Digital TV makes wrong kind of splash

Operators fear a bloodbath, blaming the national regulator for a botched transition from analog

BANGKOK: -- One year after digital television licences were auctioned in Thailand, the 24 winners have little to celebrate. Audience ratings are nothing to boast about, with TV channels struggling to survive financially.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831776-thai-editorial-digital-tv-makes-wrong-kind-of-splash/

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Three farang girls seen high on laughing gas on Koh Phi Phi

[Photo credit: Daily News]

Krabi:- Three young farang women have been caught on camera apparently high on laughing gas on Koh Phi Phi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831708-three-farang-girls-seen-high-on-laughing-gas-on-koh-phi-phi/

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Accomplice to murder arrested at Phuket shopping mall
Eakkapop Thongtub


Phurksa Kaewjeen, 30, reads his own arrest warrant for accomplice to murder at the shopping mall last night. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Shoppers in Patong might have witnessed the quiet arrest of a man wanted for accomplice to murder as undercover officers served a warrant at the Jungceylon shopping mall (June 8).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831778-accomplice-to-murder-arrested-at-phuket-shopping-mall/

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Crash injures 11, blamed on out of order traffic lights
Eakkapop Thongtub


The bus was travelling from Phuket to Had Yai.

KRABI: -- Eleven people were taken to hospital this afternoon (June 9) when a delivery truck collided with a Phuket-Had Yai tour bus at the Na Neur junction in Ao leuk, Krabi. Police have blamed the incident on traffic lights which were not in service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831779-krabi-crash-injures-11-blamed-on-out-of-order-traffic-lights/

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ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY
Yingluck misses date with NACC, claims 'urgent business'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has extended until June 30 the date by which former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra must to appear before it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831780-yingluck-misses-date-with-nacc-claims-urgent-business/

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Supreme Court upholds 22-year prison term for six kidnappers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld a 22-year imprisonment given to six people accused of kidnapping a 36-year-old Taiwanese millionaire for Bt30 million ransom in 2009.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831781-thai-supreme-court-upholds-22-year-prison-term-for-six-kidnappers/

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Police may sue people who reveal location of checkpoints
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- POLICE are considering legal action against people who post the location of checkpoints for street racers on their social network pages, as they would be accessories to such offences, police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831782-thai-police-may-sue-people-who-reveal-location-of-checkpoints/

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Egat urged to drop Salween dam project
Jim Pollard
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S power utility Egat has been accused of exacerbating conflict in Myanmar's Shan state by backing a controversial dam on the Salween.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831783-egat-urged-to-drop-salween-dam-project/

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IRREGULAR MIGRATION
Suu Kyi urged to play a role in solving the Rohingya problem
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- EXPERTS on international relations and immigration have urged Aung San Suu Kyi to take part in campaigning to return citizenship and rights to the Burmese Rohingya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831784-suu-kyi-urged-to-play-a-role-in-solving-the-rohingya-problem/

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UK bill for an in-out EU referendum passes first hurdle
JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers overwhelmingly voted a bill setting up a referendum on European Union membership over its first big hurdle in Parliament Tuesday, with Prime Minister David Cameron gaining support from the Labour opposition but facing unrest within Conservative ranks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831785-british-mps-back-eu-referendum-plan/

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Court ruling against gay marriage could cause legal 'chaos'
By MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Gay and lesbian couples could face legal chaos if the Supreme Court rules against same-sex marriage in the next few weeks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831786-us-court-ruling-against-gay-marriage-could-cause-legal-chaos/

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Mama instant noodles sale drops for the first time in 42 years

BANGKOK: -- Sale of Mama instant noodles dropped 0.3 percent for the first four months of this year, the first ever record of Saha Pattanapibul Corporation in 42 years, said Mr Wathit Chokewattana, vice president of the company, on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831699-mama-instant-noodles-sale-drops-for-the-first-time-in-42-years/

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Officer caught on video in Texas pool party incident resigns
DAVID WARREN, Associated Press
TERRY WALLACE, Associated Press

MCKINNEY, Texas (AP) — The white police officer who was recorded on video pushing a black girl to the ground at a Texas pool party resigned from the police force Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831787-officer-caught-on-video-in-texas-pool-party-incident-resigns/

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Film taken before Amelia Earhart's last flight surfaces
By JOHN ROGERS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It was a clear spring day in 1937 when Amelia Earhart, ready to make history by flying around the world, brought her personal photographer to a small Southern California airport to document the journey's beginning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831788-film-taken-before-amelia-earharts-last-flight-surfaces/

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Bush seeks stronger steps against Putin, avoids specifics
By THOMAS BEAUMONT

BERLIN (AP) — Republican presidential contender Jeb Bush is warning Russia that if he becomes president, the U.S. will do more to tamp down Vladimir Putin's aggression, especially in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, and to "isolate his corrupt leadership from his people." But Bush did little to tip his hand on what those steps would be.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831789-jeb-bush-seeks-stronger-steps-against-putin-avoids-specifics/

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BONNE TERRE, Missouri (AP) - Missouri executes man for killing his girlfriend and her 2-year-old daughter in 2000.

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Bomb threat prompts White House press room evacuation
English.news.cn

WASHINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The White House press room was evacuated over a bomb threat after a phone call alerted the Metropolitan Police Department, said White House Spokesman Josh Earnest Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831795-bomb-threat-prompts-white-house-press-room-evacuation/

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South Korea says its deadly MERS outbreak may have peaked
HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press
KIM TONG-HYUNG, Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea believes its MERS virus outbreak may have peaked, and experts say the next several days will be critical to determining whether the government's belated efforts have successfully stymied a disease that has killed nine people and infected more than 100 in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/831802-south-korea-says-its-deadly-mers-outbreak-may-have-peaked/