Thailand Live Thursday 18 Jun 2015

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NLA’s energy committee suggests establishment of National Energy Corporation

BANGKOK, 18 June 2015 (NNT) – The energy reform committee under the National Legislative Assembly has suggested the setting up of a new entity to help pursue the reform process.

Chairman of the NLA's Energy Committee Gen. Sakon Satjanit held a press conference on Wednesday to disclose the progress of the working committee in charge of the study of the enforcement of the Petroleum Act and the Petroleum Income Tax Act.

Gen. Sakon said that the committee found that Thailand remains poorly informed about how its petroleum supply is acquired. He therefore suggested three alternative petroleum production methods.

The alternative approaches include concessions with new conditions, a production sharing agreement and revised contract production.

He said that the committee also proposed the setting up of a National Energy Corporation which would be the only holder of exploration rights and be the the sole authority granting any related business rights, on behalf of the government.

Gen. Sakon added that the committee has compiled all available information and submitted it to the Energy Ministry to consider and utilize in the amendment of related laws.


-- NNT 2015-06-18

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Red & Yellow Politicians 'Invited' to Discuss Junta's Reforms
By Khaosod English


Soldiers at the Army club during state-sanctioned forum on national reforms, 23 April 2015.

BANGKOK — Politicians from Thailand's two rival political camps have been asked by the military junta to attend a forum on its national reform efforts this Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833666-red-yellow-politicians-invited-to-discuss-thai-govts-reforms/

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Army put on disaster alert
THE NATION



PM orders troops and local officials to prepare for floods, landslides after forecast of heavy rain over next five days

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered preparations yesterday for possible flash floods and landslides, as heavy rains were forecasted for many parts of the country over the next five days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833667-thai-army-put-on-disaster-alert/

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UPDATE

CASINO
Police chief backs casinos, PM 'not opposed' to idea
THE NATION


Police chief General Somyot Poompanmoung

BANGKOK: -- NRC member Sungsidh says Singapore has earnt a huge sum from its casinos and Thailand could reap even more

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833522-thai-police-chief-backs-legalisation-of-casino-operations/#entry9525913

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Thai Boyfriend shoots his British lover in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 67 year old British National was shot in the neck by his Thai Boyfriend in front of a South Pattaya Apartment Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833668-thai-boyfriend-shoots-his-british-lover-in-south-pattaya/

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Hi-Low Gamblers caught behind Central Pattaya Police Box



PATTAYA: -- A group of 14 suspected gamblers were caught playing the popular dice game Hi-Low for money on a piece of land behind a Police Box in Central Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833669-hi-low-gamblers-caught-behind-central-pattaya-police-box/

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AVIATION
ICAO to announce its decision on Thailand's safety plan today
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is expected to give Thailand another four months to implement measures to improve its aviation safety standards in an announcement today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833670-icao-to-announce-its-decision-on-thailands-safety-plan-today/

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NEW CHARTER
'Outsider PM' clause remains after debate
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

CDC wrangles over controversial controversial provisions in draft charter

BANGKOK: -- WARY charter drafters yesterday did not completely shoot down the suggestion of a non-elected "outsider" prime minister from their charter draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833671-outsider-thai-pm-clause-remains-after-debate/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Police 'know source behind counter-coup rumour'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang said yesterday the police could identify the person who allegedly spread rumours about a possible counter-coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833513-thai-police-chief-proposes-tighter-control-of-internet/page-4#entry9525936

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Chamber calls for master plan for tourism, wellness sectors
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- BUSINESSES in the tourism and wellness sectors have urged the government to set up a master plan to promote the Kingdom as a prime destination, with an emphasis on the goals of achieving sustainable tourism and the growth of small enterprises.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833672-chamber-calls-for-master-plan-for-thai-tourism-wellness-sectors/

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Australian father, son assaulted in Chiang Mai



Chiang Mai: An Australian father and his son were attacked and injured by a group of Thai men, prompting them to flee into a temple in Chiang Mai's Mueang district early Tuesday morning.

According to Khaosod, the father was identified as Peter Hanberg, 60 and the son as Jesson Kusell, 18.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833623-australian-father-son-assaulted-in-chiang-mai/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
It's time to get past Thaksin and focus on things THAT MATTER

BANGKOK: -- For the last decade, Thailand has been a tormented country. That predicament has coincided with the political fate of one man, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. For many diverse and complex reasons and motives, his own problems have been turned into the country's problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833674-its-time-to-get-past-thaksin-and-focus-on-things-that-matter/

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EDITORIAL
A gamble we must WEIGH CAREFULLY

LEGALISING CASINOS CARRIES GREAT RISKS AS WELL AS BENEFITS

BANGKOK: -- Several members of the National Reform Council (NRC) have proposed that casinos be legalised in a bid to increase state revenues. They argue that the huge amount of money Thai gamblers currently stake in foreign casinos could be kept in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833675-thai-editorial-a-gamble-we-must-weigh-carefully/

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THAI TALK
WHICH ROAD MAP are we talking about today?

BANGKOK: -- If someone should ask you today whether you believe the government will ultimately follow its road map, you should respond with a question: "Which road map are you talking about?"

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833676-thai-talk-which-road-map-are-we-talking-about-today/

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'Men in black' target community
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A community in Soi Sri Pathum of Pathum Thani's Klong Luang district claimed yesterday that men wearing black outfits used a backhoe to block the entrance of the soi in a bid to force them out. The men claimed the foundation that owns the land had sold it to a private firm and the buyer wants residents out within 15 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833677-men-in-black-target-thai-community/

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Warning issued on tattoo ink
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Department of Medical Sciences warned that some tattoo ink might contain metals and bacteria leading to skin problems including cancer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833678-thai-department-of-medical-science-issues-warning-on-tattoo-ink/

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A woman plunges to her death from the third floor while using her smart phone

RAYONG: -- An office worker was killed when she accidentally fell into an elevator shaft of a condominium under construction as she took pictures of electricity control panels with her smart phone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833679-thai-woman-plunges-to-death-from-3fl-while-using-her-smart-phone/

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Plan is afoot to improve cleanliness and safety of toilets on trains and at railway stations



BANGKOK: -- Three ministries have joined hands to improve the cleanliness and safety of toilets on trains and at railway stations throughout the country, particularly in 12 towns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833680-plan-is-afoot-to-improve-cleanliness-and-safety-of-toilets-on-thai-trains-railway-stations/

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Leicester City orgy trio sacked: Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley praises Foxes' "positive action"
BY HAMISH MACKAY

LEICESTER: -- Tom Hopper, Adam Smith and James Pearson were seen laughing as they verbally abused three Thai women, while having sex with them in a hotel room.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833683-leicester-city-orgy-trio-sacked-for-verbally-abusing-thai-women/

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NRC panels oppose judicial body changes
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Council's panel on law and justice reform has teamed up with the NRC's panel on political reform to seek the removal of provisions in the draft charter that may undermine the independence of the judiciary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833686-nrc-panels-oppose-judicial-body-changes/

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UPDATE:

Leicester sack three players over racist orgy on Thailand tour
• Manager Nigel Pearson’s son, James, one of three dismissed
• Other two players are Tom Hopper and Adam Smith
Nick Ames

Leicester City have sacked the three footballers who had been accused of taking part in a racist sex film on a post-season tour to Thailand – including James Pearson, the son of the club’s manager, Nigel Pearson.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833683-leicester-city-orgy-trio-sacked-for-verbally-abusing-thai-women/#entry9526040

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Greece, creditors dig in their heels on eve of meeting
DEREK GATOPOULOS, Associated Press
RAF CASERT, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece and its creditors publicly blamed one another for an impasse in bailout talks Wednesday, on the eve of a eurozone finance ministers' meeting billed as key to their outcome.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833691-greece-creditors-dig-in-their-heels-on-eve-of-meeting/

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Carter: Iraqi training goal to fall way short of recruits
By DEB RIECHMANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will fall way short of meeting its goal of training 24,000 Iraqi forces to fight Islamic State militants by this fall, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday on Capitol Hill where lawmakers are already skeptical of the Obama administration's strategy to address threats in the Mideast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833692-carter-iraqi-training-goal-to-fall-way-short-of-recruits/

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2 boys rescue young children from burning home in Florida
By MIKE SCHNEIDER

OAKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Typical of their hot summer days free from school, 11-year-old Jeremiah Grimes and 10-year-old Isiah Francis were plopped on the couch watching YouTube and playing video games, but Tuesday they smelled something unusual.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833693-2-us-boys-rescue-young-children-from-burning-home-in-florida/

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Presidential candidates lean on well-funded outside groups
By JULIE BYKOWICZ

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Jeb Bush and Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton are asking donors to write the checks to get their campaigns started. Yet these "new" candidates have been fueling their presidential ambitions for months — years, in Clinton's case — thanks to outside groups that will continue serving as big-money bank accounts throughout the race.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833694-us-presidential-candidates-lean-on-well-funded-outside-groups/

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'Welfare tourism' in focus ahead of Denmark election
JAN M. OLSEN, Associated Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Election billboards across Copenhagen warn immigrants against thinking they can exploit Danish welfare benefits. "If you come to Denmark, you have to work," the posters say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833695-welfare-tourism-in-focus-ahead-of-denmark-election/

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Hungary considers border fence to keep out migrants
PABLO GORONDI, Associated Press

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The Hungarian government is considering building a 4-meter-high (13-foot-high) fence along the border with Serbia to stop the flow of migrants reaching the country, the foreign minister said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833696-hungary-considers-border-fence-to-keep-out-migrants/

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CAMP PENDLETON, California (AP) - Marine found guilty of murder in retrial of Iraq war-crimes case for 2006 civilian killing.

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Korean Ambassador: MERS situation not worrying

BANGKOK, 18 June 2015 (NNT) – Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office ML Panadda Diskul has met with the South Korean Ambassador to Thailand, who played down the seriousness of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833711-korean-ambassador-to-thailand-mers-situation-not-worrying/

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Lt. Gen. Prakan reassures Army’s readiness to facilitate Islamic practices during Ramadan

YALA, 18 June 2015 (NNT) – Army Region 4 Commander Lt. Gen. Prakan Chonlayuth has reassured the southern Muslim people of the Army’s readiness to facilitate their activities during the holy month of Ramadan.

He told newsmen that, after a recent meeting with local Muslim leaders and government officials on the matter, the Army has adjusted its security patrolling protocols especially after late night praying session. Officials would also relax checkpoint inspection, to facilitate Muslims returning home from mosques. The commander said the security plans have been adjusted to better conform to the Islamic religious codes.

Lt. Gen. Prakan also mentioned about the program to draw villagers’ participation in ensuring security on public roads, saying the government has raised understanding with locals resulting in several hundreds of them supporting the joint patrol scheme. The regional army chief was of the opinion that the joint patrols should further cement the sense of security among the residents during Ramadan.


-- NNT 2015-06-18