Thailand Live Monday 22 Jun 2015

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SET up 3.03 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Prayut to Myanmar today for 6th ACMECS Summit



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will leave Monday afternoon for Myanmar to attend the two-day economic cooperation summit in Naypyidaw.

According to NNT, Gen Prayut and leaders of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam will be joining the sixth Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit starting June 22-23.

The meeting is aimed at bridging economic gaps among the five countries, decentralise prosperity and to promote development in the sub-region.

The prime minister will update his counterparts on the progress of border economic development projects, including the cross-border transport system, the special economic zones, the establishment of twin cities, and regional tourism promotion under the theme ‘five countries, one destination.’

The first ACMECS Summit was held in 2003 in Bagan of Myanmar, with Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos being initial members.

Vietnam joined the group in 2004. The latest summit was held in 2013 in Laos.

Thailand will host the next ACMECS Summit in 2017.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-to-myanmar-today-for-6th-acmecs-summit


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-22

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Village headmen association opposed to termination of power of local governance

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) – Representatives of the association of village headmen of Thailand have called on the National Reform Council and the Constitution Drafting Committee to retain within the draft charter the power of local administrations.

Yongyot Kaewkhiao (ยงยศ แก้วเขียว) , president of the village headmen association, yesterday submitted a letter to the NRC to express the association’s objection to the termination of local administrative powers as stipulated by the draft charter. He argued that the system of local governance played a key role in ensuring the well-being of people and in reinforcing security and orderliness in the country.

Mr. Yongyot added that local governing bodies were able to gain access to the populace quickly and optimally, and the termination of the existing system could have detrimental results on the central government’s planning, use of resources and maintenance of internal security. He indicated that the retention of existing powers of local governance would benefit check-and-balance processes and would be appropriate for the current condition of Thai society.


-- NNT 2015-06-22

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Foreign Affairs Min asks embassies & consulates to update world on Thai MERS-CoV prevention



BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested all Thai embassies and consulates to assure foreign countries of Thailand’s tight MERS-CoV prevention measures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834655-fm-asks-embassies-consulates-to-update-world-on-thai-mers-prevention/

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Golf veteran Prayad claims Queen's Cup
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng swept to victory on home soil at the Queen's Cup on Koh Samui yesterday, shooting a six-under-par 65 on a day that proved a nightmare for Japan's lead player.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834659-golf-veteran-prayad-claims-queens-cup/

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Phuket sings the blues for Nepal
The Phuket News



PHUKET: -- The Rotary Club of Tongkah will hold a charity jazz concert in Phuket Town tonight (June 22) to raise funds for victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834663-phuket-sings-the-blues-for-nepal/

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Workers to petition PM on wage adjustment



BANGKOK: -- Workers plan to petition the prime minister on Thursday to voice their opposition to plan to adjust minimum wage in accordance with cost of living and economy in each region. They wanted the same rate or 360 baht in all regions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834665-workers-to-petition-pm-prayut-on-wage-adjustment/

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JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesian court rejects final appeal of French national facing execution for drug offenses.

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Indonesia court rejects appeal of Frenchman facing execution

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court on Monday rejected the final appeal of a French national facing execution for drug offenses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834687-indonesia-court-rejects-appeal-of-frenchman-facing-execution/

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State bus company loses business opportunities to budget airlines



BANGKOK: -- The state-run Transport Company is to undergo major business revamp of its public transport strategies after losing 30 per cent in passengers to budget airlines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834688-thai-transport-company-loses-bus-passengers-to-budget-airlines/

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Min of Commerce denies rumors of bad rice to be sold in markets

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has denied rumors that it will sell low quality rice for domestic consumption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834690-commerce-min-denies-rumors-of-bad-thai-rice-to-be-sold-in-markets/

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DOE: Thais can continue to find work in South Korea

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) - The Department of Employment (DOE) has allayed concerns of job seekers wanting to work overseas and affirmed that the government has no plan to halt employment programs to South Korea, due to the MERS-CoV outbreak.

The DOE confirmed it will continue to send Thai workers for jobs in East Asia. Each month, about 1,000 Thai people travel to South Korea for employment in small-scale manufacturing, construction and agriculture. These hiring contracts are often negotiated government-to-government. Currently, at least 23,000 Thais workers are in South Korea.

Although the recruitment service will proceed as normal, the department said it has tightened pre-departure requirements to ensure that all Thais going to South Korea are well-informed of ways to protect themselves against MERS-CoV and other infectious diseases.

Aside from required health check-ups, the workers must participate in an orientation that gives them guidance to prevent infection by the fatal virus.

The Thai embassy in Seoul and the Thailand Overseas Employment Administration will regularly check on Thai workers in South Korea to observe their health and living conditions. So far, no Thai nationals in South Korea were reported to have come down with MERS-CoV.


-- NNT 2015-06-22

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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Witnesses: Large explosion in front of Afghan parliament.

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Phuket police hunt three foreigners for car break-in (Video)
Eakkapop Thongtub


The three men police believe are responsible for the break-in.

PHUKET: -- Police are currently looking for three foreigners who they believe broke into a vehicle parked at Tesco Lotus Thalang yesterday (June 21) stealing an iPhone, iPad mini and two bags.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834703-phuket-police-hunt-three-foreigners-for-car-break-in-video/

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HOSPITALITY
Montara Hospitality Group eyes young, wealthy Chinese visiting Phuket
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation, Phuket

PHUKET: -- Montara Hospitality Group, owner and operator of Thailand's ultra-luxury resort brand Trisara is set to increase its presence on Phuket in a bid to capture emerging markets while also expanding locally and abroad for the first time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834707-montara-hospitality-group-eyes-young-wealthy-chinese-visiting-phuket/

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Yasothon unearths 19th-century ship
By Coconuts Bangkok



YASOTHON: -- As if last month’s rocket festival and giant toad museum weren’t enough, Yasothon has to show off again this week with the discovery a buried wooden ship thought to be two centuries old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834717-yasothon-unearths-19th-century-ship/

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Auto gas industry shrinks



BANGKOK: -- Installation of gas tanks on cars has dropped 50 percent for the first half of this year compared to the same period last year with the business for the whole year to be worth between 2,000-3,000 million baht compared to 6,000 million baht annually for the past several years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834718-thailands-auto-gas-industry-shrinks/

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Drivers suffer only minor injuries in Phuket three vehicle collision
Eakkapop Thongtub


The driver of the Toyota was lucky not to have injured himself and others involved in the collision.

PHUKET: - Three people were taken to hospital yesterday (June 21) when the driver of a Toyota missed the curve near the PTT petrol station in Muang Mai and collided with a pick up truck and a motorbike before crashing into an electricity pylon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834721-drivers-suffer-only-minor-injuries-in-phuket-three-vehicle-collision/

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Thailand’s Central Group in talks to bring Centara brand to Myanmar

By Clare Hammond

The Central Group is in discussions with local companies with a view to bringing the Centara hotel brand to one or more of Myanmar’s major tourism destinations.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834708-thailands-central-group-in-talks-to-bring-centara-brand-to-myanmar/

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Police chief unperturbed by negative poll results against legalizing casinos



BANGKOK: -- Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang has brushed aside all the opinion polls which show most people are against legalizing casinos, saying the polls represent the minority of the people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834723-thai-police-chief-unperturbed-by-negative-poll-results-against-legalizing-casinos/

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More rains forecast for Thailand's Northeast, East and South

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) - More heavy rains are expected in the Northeast, East and South of Thailand as monsoons gain strength over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834726-more-heavy-rains-forecast-for-isaan-east-and-south/

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An outsider to lead BOT: Sommai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said Monday that the Bank of Thailand governor selection committee nominated two outsiders for the post.

"Both of them are qualified," he said. "It’d be even better if they can adapt themselves to the new work environment. If they adapt well, they could perform even better than Prasarn Trairatvorakul (the incumbent governor)."

Among five applicants, three are outsiders - Veerathai Santiprabhob, a former exchange executive; Supavud Saicheua, managing director of Phatra Securities; and Kiatchai Sophastienphong, a former central bank official.

Sommai is fully empowered to nominate one of the two as the next governor.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Outsiders-to-lead-BOT-Sommai-30262829.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-22

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MOPH holds daily MERS surveillance meeting

NONTHABURI, 22 June 2015 (NNT) – Daily meetings of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) continues to monitor the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) situation, while the HSS has urged private hospitals and clinics to follow common practices in coping with the MERS case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834760-thai-public-health-min-holds-daily-mers-surveillance-meeting/

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Catch me if you can, Dao Din students tell authorities
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The seven Dao Din activists, who refused to meet police to face charge of violating rally ban, remained helping farmers in Loei's Wang Sapung district plant rice Monday.

They have also issued a short video clip on their Facebook page, saying they are still waiting for the authorities to arrest them.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Catch-me-if-you-can-Dao-Din-students-tell-authorit-30262832.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-22

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Govt mulling future of SRT's Makkasan complex, Sommai says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said Monday that the government was brainstorming the future of the State Railway of Thailand's 500rai (80-hectare) Makkasan complex, and a 100year concession including a 50-year extension is one of the scenarios being bandied about.

"The 50-50year model is being studied but there is no conclusion regarding the investment budget or its price yet," he said.

Turning the area into a public park under a 30-year concession plus 30-year extension had been considered, but now that could be lengthened to a 50-year concession plus 50-year extension. This could increase the value of the land.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Govt-mulling-future-of-SRTs-Makkasan-complex-Somma-30262833.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-22

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Narathiwat finds no MERS case as the province is listed as area under close surveillance

NARATHIWAT, 22 June 2015 (NNT) - Narathiwat, one of Thailand's border provinces on the list of areas requiring close surveillance against MERS outbreak, has not found any person infected with the deadly virus so far, and the situation remains normal, reported on Monday the Chief Medical Officer of Narathiwat.

Narathiwat has been put on the surveillance list as it is a border transit often used by those travelling from Saudi Arabia and South Korea. The Chief Medical Officer continued, "For public safety, health officials and medical volunteers are assigned to visit those people to follow up on their health conditions".

He has signed an order requiring all hospitals to clearly post a notice urging cooperation from their patients to inform doctors if they came back from risk countries. He said information on travel history would help doctors in their diagnosis for better and faster results.

Thai Muslims going on a Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia can proceed with their schedule as planned but must follow self-protection instructions during their trip, the chief medical officer said. Medical staff will travel with them to the country and will be on standby to take care of their health. Therefore, Thai Muslims can stay assured of the best treatment in case of illnesses.


-- NNT 2015-06-22

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Mers outbreak has no negative affect on Phuket̕s tourism industry: official
Suthicha Sirirat


Vice President of the Phuket Tourism Association, Phurit Martwongsa.

PHUKET: -- The recent "Mers" outbreak in South Korea is having no negative impact on the island̕s tourism industry according to the Vice President of the Phuket Tourism Association, Phurit Martwongsa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834772-mers-outbreak-has-no-negative-affect-on-phuket%CC%95s-tourism-industry-official/

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SET index closed 1,504.06 up 12.60; Bt/USD33.50; GBP52.97; AUD25.65; EUR37.88; CAD27.07; HKD4.29; SGD24.88; JPY27.15

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Residents in three central provinces told to use water sparingly

BANGKOK: -- Residents in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani and Chainat provinces have been asked to use water sparingly and for those who are living close to Chao Phraya river to be watched out for erosion of river banks which will cause serious damages to their properties.

The notice to conserve water and to watch out for erosion of the river banks was issued by the 12th irrigation office in Chainat to the governors of the three central provinces so that the message will be passed on the people and that they must work out contingency plans to cope with the consequences.

Mr Rurongkorn Somton, director of the irrigation office, said that the storage water at the Bhumibol, Sirikit and Kwae Noi Bamrungdaen is only enough for consumption, to maintain ecological system and to irrigate farmland already cultivated.

The amount of water in the Chao Phraya river that flows through Nakhon Sawan is steadily reducing to the extent that the river banks are at risk of collapsing, he warned.

The level of the river was measured at 13.05 metres above mean sea level at 9 am on Monday which will pose danger to buildings on river banks from bank erosion.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/residents-in-three-central-provinces-told-to-use-water-sparingly

-- Thai PBS 2015-06-22

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Thailand's MERS risk remains

BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed the remaining risk of MERS case in Thailand despite a better condition of the Omani MERS patient.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/834776-thailands-mers-risk-remains/