Thailand Live Tuesday 16 Jun 2015

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Thailand and Cambodia under talk on avoidance of double taxation for their investors, Thai Ambassador says

PHNOM PENH, 16 June 2015 (NNT) - Thailand and Cambodia are negotiating on the avoidance of double taxation for investors from each others side.

Thai Ambassador to Phnom Penh Nuttavudh Photisaro told Radio Thailand reporters that if the negotiation is successful, it will save both Thai and Cambodian investors from paying taxes twice.

The statements were part of the interview the ambassador gave to a group of Radio Thailand officials of the Thai Government Public Relations Department, who were visiting Cambodia under the framework of the MoU on IT and Radio Broadcasting Cooperation between the national radio stations of both countries.

At the interview, the Thai ambassador was also asked about his opinion on measures to regulate migrant workers from neighboring countries.

At present, Thailand is the ninth largest foreign investor in Cambodia while many Cambodians are also interested to invest more in Thailand.

-- NNT 2015-06-16

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Parents could be held accountable for their children's involvement in street racing



BANGKOK, 16 June 2015 (NNT) – Parents’ may be held accountable if their children are found to be involved in street racing, while Article 44 is set to be imposed to solve this issue, says the Minister of Justice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833112-parents-could-be-held-accountable-for-their-childrens-involvement-in-street-racing/

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MERS to be officially declared a dangerous disease in Thailand

BANGKOK, 16 June 2015 (NNT) - Minister of Public Health Ratchata Ratchatanawin today signed a ministerial announcement designating the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS as the seventh dangerous communicable disease in Thailand. The announcement will become effective as soon as it is published in the Government Gazette.

Director-General of the Disease Control Department Sopon Mekthon said the announcement is expected to be incorporated in the Government Gazette on 17 June. The announcement will facilitate Public Health Ministry officials in monitoring and controlling the spread of MERS in line with the Communicable Disease Act B.E. 2523.

According to the Director-General, he has invited representatives of tour agencies to a meeting on Tuesday (16 Jun) to ensure they would understand the measures and control of MERS and apply them to their customers visiting the Republic of Korea and the Middle East.


-- NNT 2015-06-16

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Interesting twist to the Seafood Spray saga at North Pattaya food stall



PATTAYA: -- There were a number of developments in the case of the Facebook video clip which claimed to show a Seafood vendor in North Pattaya spraying the food with insect repellant when, in fact, she was using edible oil which is used to mask the smell of the seafood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833113-interesting-twist-to-the-seafood-spray-saga-at-north-pattaya-food-stall/

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Trusting Transsexual’s motorbike stolen by new lover in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Banglamung Police arrested a 20 year old man on Monday, accused of stealing a motorbike from his transsexual lover who lives in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833114-trusting-transsexuals-motorbike-stolen-by-new-lover-in-east-pattaya/

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Three arrested in Pattaya/Bangkok Drug Supply Chain



PATTAYA: -- Three arrests of drug suspects were made on Monday in Pattaya and Bangkok as Police uncovered a drug supply network which was active in Pattaya and originated in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833115-three-arrested-in-pattayabangkok-drug-supply-chain/

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Illegal foreign tour guides to be allowed to work as 'tour coordinators'

Bangkok:- Illegal foreign tour guides may be allowed to work legally for tour companies as tour coordinators if the plan of the Tourism Department of the Tourism and Transport Ministry is approved by the prime minister next week, a senior official said.

Promchote Traiwej, deputy director general of the Tourism Department, said his department would next week propose a measure for solving the issue of foreigners working illegally as tour guides to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833100-illegal-foreign-tour-guides-to-be-allowed-to-work-as-tour-coordinators/

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KING OF FRUITS
Govt rushes to pacify Hong Kong over concern on tumeric-soaked durian
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE Ministry will help the Agriculture Ministry to clarify health concerns Hong Kong officials have about the use of the turmeric liquid in exported durian.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833118-thai-govt-rushes-to-pacify-hong-kong-over-concern-on-tumeric-soaked-durian/

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NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL
NRC group proposes legalising casinos
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A SMALL group of National Reform Council members has called for casinos to be legalised in Thailand, citing the presence of booming casinos over the border in neighbouring countries. They said Pattaya was the logical location for one.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833119-nrc-group-proposes-legalising-casinos-in-thailand/

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PAKISTAN
Five Thais stuck in Pakistan still being grilled
MARISA CHIMPRABHA
THE NATION

PAKISTAN was still questioning the five Thai students who tried to board a plane with a pistol and ammunition - and Lahore police have already referred the case to the Federation Investigation Agency, a security source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833120-five-thais-stuck-in-pakistan-still-being-grilled/

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Govt House to be named an historic site
The Nation


Government House

BANGKOK: -- GOVERNMENT House will soon be registered as an historic site, an informed source said yesterday.

The Fine Arts Department has started surveying and photographing all buildings in the complex under the supervision of Government House staff.

The source noted that nine antique canons placed in front of the complex were exquisitely carved, adding that "these are rare and should be registered for further protection and recognition".

The registration will be announced formally in the Royal Gazette, the source added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Govt-House-to-be-named-an-historic-site-30262391.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-16

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POLITICS
Reformers debate whether to kill charter, give govt more time
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN,
PRAPASRI OSATHANON,
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- SOME National Reform Council (NRC) members suggested yesterday that the Council should vote down the charter draft in order to prevent people from instigating political turmoil - because if the NRC backs the draft, a referendum must be held on the new charter, a source has revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833121-reformers-debate-whether-to-kill-charter-give-thai-govt-more-time/

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People are happier now: Prayut
THE NATION



PM TELLS AL JAZEERA THAT EVEN FOREIGNERS ARE PLEASED WITH HIS LEADERSHIP; PROMISES TO STEP DOWN IN A YEAR OR TWO

BANGKOK: -- IN A televised interview over the weekend, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said he was confident both Thais and foreigners had become happier since he came into power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833122-people-are-happier-now-prayut/

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Govt urged to ask Chinese to share cost of railway
PIMNARA PRADUBWIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT should review its plan to borrow money from China to finance the electric-railway project between Bangkok and Nong Khai, a former finance minister and Democrat Party MP has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833123-thai-govt-urged-to-ask-chinese-to-share-cost-of-railway/

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Growth forecast of farm economy cut as drought hits production
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION


The Office of Agriculture Economics yesterday slashed its GDP forecast for the farm sector, citing drought affecting crop production. The photo shows the low water level in the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi, which is currently running at only 9 per cent

BANGKOK: -- THE agriculture sector of the national economy is now expected to grow by only 1.45 per cent, compared with an earlier projection of 2.5-3 per cent, after declines in crop production as a result of drought, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' Office of Agricultural Economics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833124-growth-forecast-of-thai-farm-economy-cut-as-drought-hits-production/

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STREETWISE
Workers' tales shed light on the PRODUCTIVITY ISSUE

BANGKOK: -- Once in a while, workers are told they must increase their productivity if they want increased rewards. However, that simple equation doesn't apply to all workers. Masseuses, for instance, need to do a lot more than increase their productivity, in order to receive higher pay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833125-thai-opinion-workers-tales-shed-light-on-the-productivity-issue/

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Owner of Phuket death jump to be visited by family lawyer
Matt Pond


Kathu District Chief Sayan Chanachaiyawong (right) is shown the equipment being used when the Kuwaiti fell to his death.

PHUKET: -- The family of the Kuwaiti man who died whilst bungee jumping at World Bungy Jump in Patong on May 27 are in the process of sending a lawyer to Phuket to discuss with the owner of the venue about compensation. It is believed that the lawyer will arrive within the next 7-days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833126-owner-of-phuket-death-jump-to-be-visited-by-family-lawyer/

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War on lottery over-pricing by wholesalers now declared



BANGKOK: -- In an effort to stamp out lottery overpricing, the Government Lottery Office (GLO) will work closely with the Revenue Department, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to strictly enforce the law with any wholesalers found to distribute overpriced tickets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833127-war-on-thai-lottery-over-pricing-by-wholesalers-now-declared/

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Weng: Majority of people against outside PM idea, won't support CDC draft
Prapasri Osathanon,
Nitipol Kiravanich
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- RED-SHIRT leader Weng Tojirakarn Monday predicted the new Constitution might not pass its referendum process, judging from National Statistical Office (NSO) surveys.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833128-weng-majority-of-people-against-outside-pm-idea-wont-support-cdc-draft/

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BURNING ISSUE
Govt should bring banned politicians back to the fold
KRIS BHROMSUTHI

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s recent proposal to amend the interim charter strongly suggests that the government is likely to stay in power for another two years as the National Reform Council (NRC) is expected to reject the draft of the new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833129-thai-govt-should-bring-banned-politicians-back-to-the-fold/

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Thaksin may avoid losing his police rank, Somyot says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- IT MAY NOT be possible to strip fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his police rank during the current term, the national police chief said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833130-thaksin-may-avoid-losing-his-police-rank-somyot-says/

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TIME
Earth slowing; time adjusted
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE ROYAL Thai Navy's Hydrographic Department will adjust the time by one second in order to meet international standards, deputy director Vice Admiral Jarin Bunmoah said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833131-earth-slowing;-time-adjusted/

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Thousands of trees on encroached land cut down
The Nation

TRANG: -- A 200-strong team of officials yesterday cut down some 4,000 rubber trees on five plots after their owners were accused of encroaching on forestland in Trang's Kantang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833132-thousands-of-trees-on-encroached-land-in-trang-cut-down/

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Region-wide campaign launched to fight dengue
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



Initiative aims to stop outbreaks, rid atrisk areas of carrier mosquitoes

BANGKOK: -- DENGUE MISSION Buzz, a regional campaign against dengue fever, was launched on Sunday in response to the rising number of dengue cases in Southeast Asia and for the Asean Dengue Fever Day, which is marked on June 15 yearly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833134-region-wide-campaign-launched-to-fight-dengue/

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Child workers often an overlooked issue in trafficking: NGOs
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- RECENT measures taken by the government might have pleased the United States as it dealt with the TIP report, but they failed to tackle the human trafficking problem at its root - corruption by state officials, social workers said yesterday. Moreover, the issues of child labour and forced labour were not highlighted enough, they said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833135-child-workers-often-an-overlooked-issue-in-trafficking-ngos/

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Jeb Bush has optimistic message, faces challenges in '16 bid
By STEVE PEOPLES and BRENDAN FARRINGTON

MIAMI (AP) — Vowing to win the Republican presidential nomination on his own merits, Jeb Bush launched a White House bid months in the making Monday with a promise to stay true to his beliefs — easier said than done in a bristling primary contest where his conservative credentials will be sharply challenged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833136-jeb-bush-launches-optimistic-campaign-for-president/

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Family shocked by UK suicide bomber's reported death in Iraq
By GREGORY KATZ

LONDON (AP) — Members of the family of a teenage British boy who reportedly killed himself in a suicide bombing in Iraq say they are devastated by his death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833137-family-shocked-by-uk-suicide-bombers-reported-death-in-iraq/

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Kurdish fighters seize large parts of IS border stronghold
By ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters captured large sections of a strategic town on the Syria-Turkish border on Monday, dealing the biggest setback yet to the Islamic State group, which lost a key supply line for their nearby self-proclaimed capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833138-kurdish-fighters-seize-large-parts-of-is-border-stronghold/

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US archbishop quits after archdiocese charged with cover-up
By NICOLE WINFIELD

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The embattled archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis and his deputy resigned Monday after years of pressure, an indication Pope Francis is making good on his promise that no one is above the law when it comes to covering up for clergy who sexually abuse children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833140-us-archbishop-quits-after-archdiocese-charged-with-cover-up/

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Head of Spokane NAACP quits amid furor over racial identity
By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Rachel Dolezal resigned as president of the NAACP's Spokane chapter Monday just days after her parents said she is a white woman posing as black — a dizzyingly swift fall for an activist credited with injecting remarkable new energy into the civil rights organization.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833141-rachel-dolezal-civil-rights-activist-quits-naacp-after-black-row/