Thailand Live Monday 22 Jun 2015

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Trat airport prepares for MERS



BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) - The Trat airport has formed an emergency committee on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and planned to conduct drills to prepare for communicable diseases transmitted on board an aircraft.

Manager of the Trat airport Kanlaya Chaisamrit on Sunday said the drills would be conducted to check the efficiency of the airport’s staff and equipment and prepare for communicable diseases. If a person with MERS-like symptoms arrived in the airport, he/she would be quarantined and taken to a hospital with the capacity to take care of MERS patients, said the manager.

The airport’s preparations are expected to help relevant units act according to the process and be ready for a MERS outbreak.


-- NNT 2015-06-22

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Survey:

What direction is the Thai Economy headed?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834296-survey-what-direction-is-the-thai-economy-headed/

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Kazakhstan victim of bag snatch at 'Pattaya Viewpoint'



PATTAYA: -- A 29 year old female tourist from Kazakhstan became the latest victim of a street robbery on Saturday at the highest point in Pattaya, on the Pratamnuk Mountain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834580-kazakhstan-victim-of-bag-snatch-at-pattaya-viewpoint/

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1 dead, 2 injured in East Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- A 19 year old driver of a luxury car, who is suspected of being intoxicated, is at the center of a Police investigation into a fatal road crash which occurred along the railroad, running along the East side of Pattaya in the early hours of Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834581-1-dead-2-injured-in-east-pattaya-road-crash/

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Mortar Shell found by street refuse collector in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Morning the Police EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) Unit was alerted to the discovery of a Mortar Shell by a street refuse collector in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834582-mortar-shell-found-by-street-refuse-collector-in-east-pattaya/

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MERS
Screening stepped up
THE NATION


AIRPORT

About 30,000 fly in each day from seven countries with MERS infections; no new cases found

BANGKOK: -- SCREENING for the disease MERS has been stepped up at Suvarnabhumi Airport to include all passengers from seven countries where infections have been confirmed - about 30,000 people per day - having to pass inspection checkpoints before entering Thailand and facing close monitoring after arrival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834583-mers-screening-stepped-up-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

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HEALTH
'Overpriced medical care could bring down Thai health system'
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM,
PAKAWAN ROJANASINGSAWAD
THE NATION



Critics call for standardised fees at private hospitals, notably for drugs

BANGKOK: -- THOUSANDS of Thai patients are checking out of private hospitals with hefty bills - creating many doubters who blame the "medical tourism policy" which attracts a growing number of patients from higher-income nations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834584-overpriced-medical-care-could-bring-down-thai-health-system/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Yingluck celebrates birthday with get-well wish for the Land of Smiles
OLAN LERTRUDTANADUMRONGKUL
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FORMER prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra celebrated her 48th birthday yesterday by wishing for love, warmth and forgiveness among Thais.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/736322-yingluck-makes-merit-for-birthday-anniversary-today/page-6?p=9539288#entry9539288

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FOURTH OF JULY
US apology
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE US Embassy in Bangkok expressed regret and apologised yesterday after a veteran Thai politician was identified as an "anti-Thaksin activist" in a formal invitation for him to attend an Independence Day party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834585-independence-day-reception-us-embassy-bangkok-apology/

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UPDATE:

TOURISM
Complaint app gets wider reach
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FOR THE FURTHER convenience of foreign tourists wishing to make complaints to the authorities, app PSC1111 will be soon be active on iPhone and Android phones, said deputy government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834446-gov-plans-app-for-receiving-complaints-from-foreign-tourists/page-2#entry9539301

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UPDATE:

POLL
Mixed views on casinos
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- LIKE the ongoing public debate on the controversial proposal to permit casinos, a Suan Dusit Poll opinion survey has shown mixed results among respondents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834467-suan-dusit-poll-shows-more-people-are-against-legalising-casinos/#entry9539306

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MID-YEAR REPORT
Beach clean-up campaign a success, but can the results be sustained?
Achara Deboonme,
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Small shops, umbrellas and chairs are now things of the past at major beaches across the nation, thanks to the junta's clean-up campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834586-thai-beach-clean-up-campaign-a-success-but-can-the-results-be-sustained/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thai-China relations: THE NEXT 40 YEARS

BANGKOK: -- On July 1, 1975, to prepare for the celebration of historic diplomatic ties with China, the Thai delegation headed by Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj put on board the special TG flight five essential items: 200 durians, 50-packs of Samit Virginia cigarettes, dozens of Tara and Maekhong whisky bottles, Singha beer and lots of fresh flowers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834587-thai-china-relations-the-next-40-years/

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Thai tourism remains intact despite MERS

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) – The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has expressed confidence in the government’s measures to control a MERS outbreak in Thailand. A number of Thai tourists visiting South Korea where the virus has proliferated has slightly decreased.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834588-thai-tourism-remains-intact-despite-mers/

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Help people hit by drought and floods, PM orders
THE NATION


ALL HANDS TO THE PUMPS Farmers from Suphan Buri

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed officials at local and central government levels to brace for water crises - both drought and floods, deputy government spokesman Maj General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834590-help-people-hit-by-drought-and-floods-pm-prayut-orders/

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Extra questions 'must be constructive'
KAMASAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

SOME NRC MEMBERS WANT ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS WHEN CHARTER REFERENDUM IS HELD IN NEW YEAR

BANGKOK: -- EVER SINCE last month when members of the National Reform Council floated the idea of allowing additional questions to be put to the people in the referendum on the draft constitution early next year, debates have been raging in the political arena.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834591-thai-politics-extra-questions-must-be-constructive/

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Democracy activists warned to be careful
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ANY anti-government groups planning to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the Siamese Revolution of 1932 - sometimes called the advent of Thai democracy - on Wednesday better not stray out of bounds, PM's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana warned yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834592-democracy-activists-warned-to-be-careful/

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Water level at Chao Phraya dam drops to critical point



BANGKOK: -- The water level at the Chao Phraya dam has recently reached the critical point for the first time in 30 years because farmers in the upper part of the dam have stepped up storing more water for use.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834593-water-level-at-chao-phraya-dam-drops-to-critical-point/

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CHINA BUSINESS WEEKLY
Thailand and China - TIES OF BLOOD AND CULTURE

In a little over a week, China and Thailand will celebrate 40 years of deepening diplomatic relations.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand was not one of the first to recognise the People's Republic of China - over 100 countries were ahead of us - but the recognition was a major breakthrough that marked the end of a very difficult period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834596-thailand-and-china-ties-of-blood-and-culture/

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Israel, Hamas in unspoken alliance against Gaza extremists
By FARES AKRAM

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Nearly a year after a devastating war, Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers appear to have formed an unspoken alliance in a common battle against the shared threat of jihadis aligned with the Islamic State group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834597-israel-hamas-in-unspoken-alliance-against-gaza-extremists/

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European leaders working hard to keep Greece in eurozone
DEMETRIS NELLAS, Associated Press
RAF CASERT, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras headed to Brussels late Sunday for a crucial emergency eurozone summit aimed at reaching a deal between Athens and its international creditors that would allow the debt-ravaged country to avoid a default and a potentially disastrous exit from the euro.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834598-european-leaders-working-hard-to-keep-greece-in-eurozone/

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US developing 'Plan B' for deporting convicted plane bomber
By ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government has been exploring a "Plan B" to deport a man who placed a bomb on a Hawaii-bound airplane in 1982 and who has remained in immigration custody since being released from prison two years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834599-us-developing-plan-b-for-deporting-convicted-plane-bomber/

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Huckabee: Confederate battle flag should be up to state
By KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mike Huckabee and other GOP presidential contenders are staying clear of the Confederate flag debate in South Carolina, saying it's an issue that should be decided by the state, not the federal government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834600-huckabee-confederate-battle-flag-should-be-up-to-state/

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Austere brand of Islam on rise in Europe, stirring concerns
By ELAINE GANLEY

PARIS (AP) — Its imams preach austere piety, its tenets demand strict separation of sexes — and some of its most radical adherents are heeding the call of jihad. Salafism, an Islamic movement based on a literal reading of the Quran, is on the rise in France, Germany and Britain, security officials say, with Salafis sharply increasing their influence in mosques and on the streets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834601-austere-brand-of-islam-on-rise-in-europe-stirring-concerns/

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Transport Co says low-cost airlines cause its customers to drop by 30 per cent
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Anusorn Saengnimnual, the chairman of Transport Co's board of directors, said passengers of the state firm's air-conditioned buses have dropped by 30 per cent because travellers turned to use services of low-cost airlines, especially for long travels from Bangkok to Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, and some northeastern provinces.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Transport-Co-says-low-cost-airlines-cause-its-cust-30262816.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-22

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Chiang Mai traffic police armed with Chinese phrase sheet

[Photo credit: Manager Online]

Chiang Mai:- With so many Chinese tourists renting motorcycles to ride around the northern capital of Chiang Mai, traffic police in the city have to carry a sheet with Chinese phrases so that they can tell the tourists which traffic offenses they have made, the Manager Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834614-chiang-mai-traffic-police-armed-with-chinese-phrase-sheet/

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Chainat and Thammasat University join hands giving English lessons to locals

CHAINAT, 22 June 2015, (NNT) - The province of Chainat and Thammasat University Language Institute are joining hands giving English lessons to the locals, from June 21 - 25. The program is to to prepare residents, civil servants, and the private sector in the area for the advent of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

According to organizers, English is a universal language and widely used in the ASEAN region. Those who can use the language proficiently stand to gain tremendous advantages over those who can not.

Realizing the importance of the English language and the AEC, the province of Chainat and Thammasat University are holding a program for 60 selected individuals from the government and the private as well as the public sectors from 8 districts of the province to hone up on their language skills.

The participants are expected to be able to communicate better in English after attending the program, while having a better understanding of the ASEAN cultural, and economic as well as social backgrounds.


-- NNT 2015-06-22

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TLSC says minimum wage rise should be 360 baht in every province next year

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT)-The Thai Labor Solidarity Committee (TLSC) and members of the labor networks nationwide will be in Bangkok to urge the Prime Minister to enforce the same minimum wage rise across the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834617-tlsc-says-minimum-wage-rise-should-be-360-baht-in-every-province-next-year/

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NLA passes new buildings regulation law into use

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly has passed the draft bill on importation and exportation in its first reading, and has put the bill on buildings regulation into use.

In its first reading, NLA members voted 175 in favor of the bill on exportation and importation of good, which was proposed to the NLA by the Cabinet. The draft bill will replace the current Act that has been in effect for 36 years. Lawmakers indicated the new bill would be more appropriate to handle the ever-increasing volume of transnational transport of goods by providing better measures against goods smuggling and measures to protect the benefit of the state.

The NLA also passed the draft bill on buildings regulation in its third reading, making it into law. The bill was passed with the vote of 176 to nil in favor.

The new law is aimed at keeping with modern construction techniques. It also requires construction company to purchase insurance coverage for third parties in cases of losses related to certain types of buildings.


-- NNT 2015-06-22

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Jazz and classical musician Gunther Schuller dies at 89
By CHARLES J. GANS

NEW YORK (AP) — Gunther Schuller, a horn player, educator and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer who was the leading proponent of the Third Stream movement fusing jazz and classical music, died Sunday at age 89.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834618-jazz-and-classical-musician-gunther-schuller-dies-at-89/