Thailand Live Saturday 20 Jun 2015

[Lite Beer]

THAI waives rescheduling fees due to MERS outbreak

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International today announced that all passengers who are unable to travel due to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak can reschedule their flights without any fee.

The waiver will be effective until the end of July, it said in a statement.

"THAI waived the fee due to concern for customer safety and convenience," said Wiwat Piyawiroj, THAI vice president of Sales and Distribution, Thailand and Indochina.

The fee has been waived for changes to flights and routing of THAI tickets booked roundtrip from Bangkok to Seoul and Bangkok to Busan. This also covers domestic flights issued prior to June 8, 2015 for travel destined for Seoul and Busan, initially intended for travel now until July 31. The tickets must have been booked by a THAI ticketing office, THAI ticket agent, or through www.thaiairways.com.

Source: http://www.nationmul...k-30262741.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-19

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Two motorcyclists rob money truck of Kasikorn Bank, make off with Bt8 million
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two robbers on a motorcycle robbed a money truck of the Kasikorn Bank at the Tesco Lotus Rama I branch Friday evening and made off with Bt8.45 million in cash, police said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....th-bt8-million/

[Lite Beer]

POLITICS
PM denies formerly banned politicians will join new council
THE NATION

PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rejected speculation that former executives of disbanded political parties would be appointed to a new body that would replace the National Reform Council (NRC).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834137-pm-denies-formerly-banned-politicians-will-join-new-council/

[Lite Beer]

Nationwide MERS alert
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Minister says situation under control; people who came in contact with Omani patient quarantined

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834138-nationwide-mers-alert/

[Lite Beer]

CRIMES
$100m banknotes found in Supachai's safes are fake
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The stacks of US$100-million banknotes found in the safe-deposit boxes of former Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative chairman Supachai Srisupa-aksorn are fake, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director general Suwanna Sarajutha confirmed yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834139-100m-banknotes-found-in-supachais-safes-are-fake/

[Lite Beer]

Dao Din vows to fight culture of coups
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Group of 7 students happy to be 'flies who won't let the cat enjoy its meal'

AS THE DEADLINE for them to surrender to police for repeatedly and publicly opposing the military junta was set to expire yesterday, the seven wanted Dao Din students insisted from an undisclosed location that they were fighting for a legitimate cause and refused to relent.

"I think there are others who may want to come out [to oppose the National Council for Peace and Order] but don't dare to. We want to show them that we can fight and create political space that's beyond the red and yellow [political] divides," said Suphachai Phukrongpoly, one of the seven members of Dao Din.

"I feel that the military coup is a terrible culture in that it forces people to think alike," said Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, 23, the most expressive among his peers, all law students from Khon Kaen University and all from the Northeast. "It's tantamount to cutting short the learning process [of society]."

Jatupat is well aware that seven core members, himself included, is minuscule compared with the 30,000 students at Khon Kaen University alone but he said the group's fight was like trying to ignite an idea so people could rise up. "If you don't agree [with the coup] but don't come out, it is as if you condone it."

Another member, Suwitcha Pitankkorn, said: "I am glad that we're the minority who have the guts to rise up."

Besides having to deal with the military junta, which is now after them, some members of the group said they found it difficult to deal with their friends and families |but all had eventually made |their parents understand that it was their decision even though the|odds were heavily against them.

Jatupat feels he had to take a stance. "If our numbers eventually increase, we can overcome," he said, adding that at least they were "like flies that won't let the cat enjoy its meal".

Suwitcha said he was disappointed with some of his long-time buddies, as he found them to be utterly apolitical and indifferent to what was going on. "I feel anguished," he said.

Balancing studies and keeping up the struggle for democracy is no easy task under a military dictatorship. Yesterday, three non-core members of the group were arrested in Khon Kaen province after they placed drawings of the seven at the province's Democracy Monument.

"My position is that I would choose to commit myself to society before my own interests. I can deal with the latter later," said Jatupat, adding that he had to do this because dictatorship forced people to shut their mouths. Even rural villagers are affected as the junta has colluded with big businesses, and this is adversely affecting villages on land issues, forests and petroleum exploration - issues the group originally devoted themselves to, he said.

"I don't hate Prayut. I won't hit him if he sits next to me, but I hate his thinking," said Jatupat, who is known as Phai among friends. "Prayut is power-crazy. Well, he's the lousiest PM I have ever heard speaking."

"Under a normal government, there is naturally an opposition party. So I will be an opposition for you," Suwitcha interjected.

"They told us to obey the law but they themselves tore up the constitution. It's really ironic," added Wasan Setsit, another member. "They have to be more fair. Why don't they acknowledge first that they tore up the charter?"

Supachai "Arty" Phukrongploy said: "Autocratic power comes with fear, no matter which era," adding that the power of social media should be harnessed to fight repression.

The secretary-general of the National Security Council sent a message to the Dao Din group yesterday, asking how they could benefit the country by doing what they were doing.

NSC secretary-general Anusit Kunakorn said he was concerned, as these people were still young. He said that if the group stuck with opposing the military junta, the country could only progress slowly.

Jatupat said there was no point asking Prayut to stop ruling the country autocratically. "I don't think he would stop even if he were told to stop. So I will catch him later! As for those supporting the coup makers, I want to say that the negative impact will last 10 to 20 years, so please consider the long-term consequences."

Suwitcha, meanwhile, said he was still intrigued by the accusation that they were paid to oppose the regime.

As for nerdy-looking Panuphong Sritananuwat, he said he would like to thank the public for their overwhelming moral support, which was beyond expectation.

"I thought [our actions] would only elicit support in Khon Kaen. I am delighted, and please convey my thanks to them," he said.

Jatupat said he had gambled everything and hoped others would also step up to defend freedom and democracy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Dao-Din-vows-to-fight-culture-of-coups-30262730.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-20

[Lite Beer]

FDA warns consumers over fake 'Korean' cosmetics
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SEVERAL cosmetic products with Korean-language labels have hit the Thai market. They look innocent and tempting, particularly when their sellers say, "These products are good. Your skin will get whiter. They are imported from [south] Korea. They even have FDA licence numbers here. No risks."

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834140-fda-warns-consumers-over-fake-korean-cosmetics/

[Lite Beer]

Commission to raise awareness of living wills
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE OFFICE of National Health Commission (ONHC) is planning to raise public awareness about terminal patients' right to die, after the Supreme Administrative Court recently endorsed the legitimacy of "living wills".

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834141-commission-to-raise-awareness-of-living-wills/

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Choose amusement parks over legalised casinos, says Abhisit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE PUBLIC debate over the controversial proposal to have legal casinos in Thailand is heating up, with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva questioning whether Thailand wanted to be known as gambling and a prostitution destination.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834142-choose-amusement-parks-over-legalised-casinos-says-abhisit/

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LIKE IT SHARE IT
Lotteries, casino legalisation heat up social media
KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI
@Aim_TH

BANGKOK: -- This week has seen a deluge of issues being discussed on social media - from the SEA Games to teenage motorcycle racers to politics. By Thursday night, messages had begun to flood timelines about the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) detected in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834144-lotteries-casino-legalisation-heat-up-social-media/

[Lite Beer]

UFUN gets ready to offer IPO in London

BANGKOK: -- The police attache of the British Embassy met with Thai police to seek additional information on the alleged UFUN pyramid scheme.

Jon King from the embassy said he needed the information because UFUN was getting ready to sell its fund units via an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. The meeting took place at the Consumer Protection Police Division. Thai police have been investigating UFUN on suspicions that it has swindled its members of money.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/UFUN-gets-ready-to-offer-IPO-in-London-30262698.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-20

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Merchandise exports to further worsen this year: BOT
ERICH PARPART,
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BOT Assistant Governor Mathee Supapongse

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S merchandise exports will be in the negative zone and the contraction is going to be worse than last year as the economies of major trading partners have yet to recover, says the Bank of Thailand, a prediction confirmed by the Thai National Shippers Council (TNSC).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834146-merchandise-exports-to-further-worsen-this-year-bot/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
The never-ending PARADE of daredevils on Thai roads

BANGKOK: -- A FRESH REPORT CONFIRMS THAT SAFETY AWARENESS HAS NOT IMPROVED, DESPITE REPEATED EFFORTS TO CHANGE OUR MINDSET

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834147-the-never-ending-parade-of-daredevils-on-thai-roads/

[Lite Beer]

ANALYSIS
The ever-evolving cyber-threat to PLANES
ERIC RANDOLPH
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
PARIS

Hackers and cyber-terrorists present an ever-evolving threat to airlines, with experts constantly testing for new vulnerabilities - including the fear that drones could be used to throw a plane off course.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834148-the-ever-evolving-cyber-threat-to-planes/

[Lite Beer]

COMMENT
US police plagued by WARRIOR SPIRIT of shoot more, talk less
PAT REBER
DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR
WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON: -- Social change has brought blacks into police forces around the country - but that hasn't solved the problem of excessive force being used against African-Amercian

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834149-us-police-plagued-by-warrior-spirit-of-shoot-more-talk-less/

[Lite Beer]

SOOPSIP
Sek Loso gives his wife a Bt17-million goodbye kiss
The Nation

Sek Loso posted photos of himself and his divorce decree on Facebook.

BANGKOK: -- Seksan "Sek Loso" Sukpimai's three million followers on Faceook already know this, but we might as well get it out there for general consumption.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834150-sek-loso-gives-his-wife-a-bt17-million-goodbye-kiss/

[Lite Beer]

Putin criticizes US but offers to cooperate on global crises
By SANDY MACINTYRE and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Despite the showdown with the West over Ukraine, Moscow wants to cooperate with Washington and its allies in dealing with the threat posed by the Islamic State group and other global challenges, President Vladimir Putin said Friday as he tried to allay investors' fears over Russia's course.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834153-putin-criticizes-us-but-offers-to-cooperate-on-global-crises/

[Lite Beer]

Obama rejects mass shootings as 'new normal' in America
NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Barack Obama said Friday he refuses to accept the idea that regular mass shooting are "the new normal" in America. He acknowledged, though, that it will take a shift in public opinion before the country acts to tighten access to guns.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834151-obama-rejects-mass-shootings-as-new-normal-in-america/

[Lite Beer]

Pakistan suspends death penalty during Ramadan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif temporarily suspended the use of the death penalty during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began on Friday, the government said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834156-pakistan-suspends-death-penalty-during-ramadan/

[Lite Beer]

WikiLeaks says it's leaking over 500,000 Saudi documents
RAPHAEL SATTER, Associated Press
MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press

ISTANBUL (AP) — WikiLeaks is in the process of publishing more than 500,000 Saudi diplomatic documents to the Internet, the transparency website said Friday, a move that echoes its famous release of U.S. State Department cables in 2010.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834157-wikileaks-says-its-leaking-over-500000-saudi-documents/

[Lite Beer]

Tap water is not salty despite water crisis in the Chao Phraya, MWA confirms

BANGKOK, 19 June 2015 (NNT) – The quality and taste of tap water in the metropolitan area still meet the standards despite a water shortage in Chao Phraya River, confirmed Director of the Corporate Communication Department of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) Jutharat Somjitranukit on Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834158-tap-water-is-not-salty-despite-water-crisis-in-the-chao-phraya-mwa-confirms/

[Lite Beer]

Rick Perry calls Charleston church shooting an 'accident'

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry on Friday suggested the fatal shooting of nine black people at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a white male was a drug-induced “accident”.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834166-rick-perry-calls-charleston-church-shooting-an-accident/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket big bike rider dies after smashing into red light runners

PHUKET: A Phuket man is dead after sustaining head injuries when the Kawasaki motorbike he was driving late last night smashed into a motorbike that a had run a red light in Thalang.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834167-phuket-big-bike-rider-dies-after-smashing-into-red-light-runners/

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RT@RichardBarrow: This weekend at QSNCC in #Bangkok: “Commart Next Gen 2015” ณ ศูนย์การประชุมแห่งชาติสิริกิติ์ เวลา 10.00 - 20.00 น. http://t.co/9dMQVnBKah

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Street Food Festival 2015 at The Platinum Fashion Mall Pratunam in #Bangkok until 1 July http://t.co/1tpgDyDkl8

[Lite Beer]

PM gives well wishes to Muslims as the holy month of Ramadan begins

BANGKOK, 20 June 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday gave well wishes to Muslims nationwide, as the holy month of Ramadan started on Thursday June 18th.

The leader's wish was conveyed last night during his weekly broadcast program ‘Returning Happiness to the People’.

He said Ramadan is an important period of Islam, a month of belief and determination for Muslims to express their religious will through fasting from sun up till sun down, while refraining from doing harmful acts against themselves and their society.

The Prime Minister wished all Muslims taking part in this auspicious event a success and that the result of the holy act would return happiness to them exponentially.

-- NNT 2015-06-20

[Lite Beer]

Princess Soamsawali opens ‘Puen Pueng Pa Kaset Fair 2015’

BANGKOK, 20 June 2015 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali yesterday presided over the opening of the annual Puen Pueng Pa Kaset Fair 2015 at Kasetsart University Bangkhen Campus.

The fair is jointly organized by the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteer Foundation of the Thai Red Cross and Kasetsart University to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of her fifth cycle birthday anniversary, April 2, 2015.

This year’s fair is held under the theme of “Organic Agriculture, Way of Sufficiency Nuturing Thai Farms”, to demonstrate how organic farming in line with His Majesty the King’s Sufficiency Economy brings sustainable growth and living. The event is also intended to publicize research work, organic farm products and other agricultural innovations that Kasetsart University has successfully developed to the commercial scale such as processed food and desserts from the new riceberry rice variety, and the production of biogas from water hyacinth using natural microbe. The biogas gained through the technique has proven beneficial to the production of alternative energy for household use on a sustainable basis.

“Puen Pueng Pa Kaset Fair 2015” also offers a wide selection of gardening and kitchen plants, pet animals, One Tambon One Product goods, and mouth-watering dishes including seafood offered in the floating-market style. The fair will continue until June 28, with proceeds going to support activities of the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteer Foundation.

-- NNT 2015-06-20

[Lite Beer]

Chanthaburi:- For the rest of us, winning the first price lottery is next to impossibility but a 32-year-old man in Chanthaburi has won it – not just once but twice.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834173-chanthaburi-man-wins-first-price-lottery-twice-in-five-months/

[Lite Beer]

PM asks farmers to delay or suspend rice farming

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has pleaded with rice farmers to delay their main-crop cultivation and to suspend second-crop cultivation until there is enough water.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834177-pm-asks-farmers-to-delay-or-suspend-rice-farming/

[Lite Beer]

Superyacht charter permits inch ahead at Phuket forum

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Marine Department Director-General Chula Sukmanop. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: Marine Department Director-General Chula Sukmanop announced at a public forum in Phuket yesterday (June19) that foreign-flagged superyachts will soon be able apply for one-year permits to stay and operate charters in Thai waters.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834200-superyacht-charter-permits-inch-ahead-at-phuket-forum/