Thailand Live Wednesday 24 Jun 2015

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Minister: Water conservation measures needed

BANGKOK, 24 June 2015 (NNT) - Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya warned that the country's water supply continues to drop, and said measures to control the use of water are important.

Mr Pitipong on Tuesday said people have to be instructed to help save more water and irrigation must be made more efficient.

He said water shortage was severe in the Chao Phraya river basin, an area containing about four million rai of farmland. Any further rice planting must be postponed in the area.

The minister added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding talks with neighbouring countries for permission to source water from the Salween and Mekong rivers to supply reservoirs in the West and Northeast. The levels of two border rivers remained high enough, he said.


-- NNT 2015-06-24

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Former BKK Police Chief 'Arrested With Gun' in Japanese Airport
By Khaosod English


File photo of then-commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronwit Thoopkrachang ® speaking to reporters on 1 March 2013.

BANGKOK — The former commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police has been detained at an airport in Japan for trying to carry a gun on-board a Bangkok-bound aircraft, a police spokesperson said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835213-former-bangkok-police-chief-arrested-with-gun-in-japanese-airport/

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Red Light-Running Bus Driver Loses License for 30 Days [+video]
By Khaosod English


A screenshot of the video of a bus running through a red light at Khae Rai intersection in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Transportation authorities in Thailand have suspended the license of a bus driver who ran a red light at a busy intersection in Bangkok and nearly collided with two people riding a motorcycle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835214-red-light-running-bangkok-bus-driver-loses-license-for-30-days-video/

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Pedestrian killed by speeding Minivan in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police and rescue workers attended a fatal road crash on the main Sukhumvit Road late on Tuesday Night which resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835215-pedestrian-killed-by-speeding-minivan-in-south-pattaya/

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Body of Russian washed-up on Pattaya Island Beach



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Sea Rescue Units were called to Larn Island, 4kms off the coast of Pattaya, on Tuesday Morning, following the discovery of a body, thought to be a Russian who went missing 2 days prior to the discovery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835216-body-of-russian-washed-up-on-pattaya-island-beach/

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Motorbike Theft Gang and Gun-Maker arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- The Chief of Banglamung Police announced on Tuesday, the arrest of 9 people in connection with the theft of motorbikes from the Pattaya and Banglamung areas and production and sale of illegal firearms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835217-motorbike-theft-gang-and-gun-maker-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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MERS
Nine who were in proximity of patient still to be found
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- NINE of the 163 people who were in close contact with the Omani patient diagnosed with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) remain elusive, and the search for them is ongoing despite only a small chance of them having contracted the disease, Public Health Ministry deputy permanent secretary Surachet Satitramai said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835218-mers-nine-who-were-in-proximity-of-omani-patient-still-to-be-found/

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NEW CHARTER
CDC decides to remove 10 touchy items from draft charter
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) has agreed to remove 10 contentious issues from the draft charter as well as amend more than a hundred articles, a source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835219-cdc-decides-to-remove-10-touchy-items-from-draft-charter/

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CAMPAIGN
Crowd-funding portal set up to help fight human trafficking
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- CROWD-funding portal, www.6Degree.|org, was officially launched in Bangkok yesterday to help people donate to assist victims of human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835221-crowd-funding-portal-set-up-to-help-fight-human-trafficking/

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THE 1932 REVOLT
No political activities to mark anniversary, police chief warns
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang warned against the holding of any political activities today - the 83rd anniversary of the revolt that ended absolute monarchy - and said, those defying the orders of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would be prosecuted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835222-the-1932-revolt-no-political-activities-to-mark-anniversary-thai-police-chief-warns/

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OVERHAUL AVIATION AGENCY
Transport minister outlines overhaul of aviation agency
ERICH PARPART,
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation


Transport Minister Prajin Juntong

BANGKOK: -- THE TRANSPORT Ministry has outlined a major restructuring of the Civil Aviation Department, and associated budgetary requirements, as it strives to resolve the aviation-safety crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835223-transport-minister-outlines-overhaul-of-thai-aviation-agency/

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SUVARNABHUMI PHASE 2
EIA nearly complete for Suvarnabhumi Phase 2
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT tendering for the second phase of the Suvarnabhumi Airport development could begin in the second half of this year as the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project is expected to be finalised before the end of this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835224-eia-nearly-complete-for-suvarnabhumi-phase-2/

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EDITORIAL
Without aid for seniors, we're heading for CATASTROPHE

AS THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE NATIONAL SAVINGS FUND GATHER DUST, OUR GREYING SOCIETY FACES A GRIM FUTURE

BANGKOK: -- An individual planning ahead for retirement is an entirely different matter than planning for the future of the country's entire populace. And yet, as we speedily transform into a "grey society", Thailand is running out of time to get its retirement cottage in order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835225-thai-editorial-without-aid-for-seniors-were-heading-for-catastrophe/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Thailand WEIGHING UP BETS on its gambling future

BANGKOK: -- Even if we decide not to legalise casinos, it would still be a gamble. That's why I don't quite get the ongoing fuss. Gambling is not just about money - it's about making a choice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835226-thailand-weighing-up-bets-on-its-gambling-future/

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PAD member seeks to raise Bt7m to cover court fees
THE NATION


File Photo

BANGKOK: -- A FORMER People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader is soliciting donations to help 13 core PAD leaders cover Bt7 million in court fees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835227-pad-member-seeks-to-raise-bt7m-to-cover-court-fees/

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Acting US ambassador apologises to Pramote in person
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Acting US ambassador Patrick Murphy Monday went to apologise a veteran Thai politician in person and delivered a new Fourth of July invitation card to him after the previous invitation identified him as an "anti-Thaksin activist".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835228-acting-us-ambassador-apologises-to-pramote-in-person/

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Prayut calls for ACMECS stronghold in Asean
THE NATION


Leaders at the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw pose for a photograph yesterday. From left, Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Lao PM Thongsing Thammavong, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Thai PM Prayut

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND has made great strides to adjust its rules and regulations to work seamlessly with the ACMECS member nations and their plan of action, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835230-prayut-calls-for-acmecs-stronghold-in-asean/

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BURNING ISSUE
China tough going despite 40 years of bilateral ties
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- NEXT WEEK, the first day of July marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. The relationship has been meaningful and colourful over the past four decades due to the political and economic shifts of nations in the region and around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835231-thai-politics-china-tough-going-despite-40-years-of-bilateral-ties/

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A general said to be behind push for casino
Prapasri Osathanon,
Jessada Jantharak
The Nation

Top brass is also 'offering rewards to those who lobby for a gambling venue'

BANGKOK: -- A POWERFUL general has been spearheading the push for opening a casino in Thailand, National Reform Council (NRC) member Sira Jenjaka said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835232-a-general-said-to-be-behind-push-for-thai-casino/

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UPDATE:

Ex-top cop held over gun in luggage
The Nation


Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank

BANGKOK: -- Former Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank was apprehended on Sunday at Narita International Airport in Japan for allegedly carrying a firearm and munitions while waiting for a return flight to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835213-former-bangkok-police-chief-arrested-with-gun-in-japanese-airport/#entry9545961

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UPDATE

Youth network calls for forum on alcohol ban plan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The anti-alcohol youth network yesterday urged the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to organise a forum to hear the opinions of students, university personnel and members of the public on the problem of alcohol being sold near universities and to voice their support of the proposed ban on the sale of alcohol within 300-500 metres of educational institutions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835096-brewer-opposes-alcohol-sale-ban/#entry9545964

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Hearing-impaired Chinese man killed by a train
Khanathit Srihirundaj
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A hearing-impaired Chinese man was killed in the heart of Bangkok yesterday when he was hit by a train.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835233-hearing-impaired-chinese-man-killed-by-a-train-in-bangkok/

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Senate vote moves Obama's trade agenda to brink of enactment
By CHARLES BABINGTON and DAVID ESPO

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's long-pursued trade agenda took a giant step toward becoming law on Tuesday, and opponents grudgingly conceded they now must fight on less-favorable terrain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835234-senate-vote-moves-obamas-trade-agenda-to-brink-of-enactment/

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Clinton says Confederate flag has no place in US
By KEN THOMAS

FLORISSANT, Mo. (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday the Confederate battle flag should not be displayed "anywhere," weighing in as South Carolina lawmakers seek to remove it from the grounds of their statehouse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835236-clinton-says-confederate-flag-has-no-place-in-us/

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WikiLeaks: NSA eavesdropped on the last 3 French presidents
ANGELA CHARLTON, Associated Press
RAPHAEL SATTER, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — WikiLeaks published documents late Tuesday that it says show the U.S. National Security Agency eavesdropped on the last three French presidents, releasing material which appeared to capture officials in Paris talking candidly about Greece's economy, relations with Germany — and, ironically, American espionage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835239-us-spied-on-french-presidents-wikileaks/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Indian warships in Cambodia, Thailand on South China Sea deployment

NEW DELHI: Indian warships today entered Cambodia and Thailand as part of a two-month-long operational deployment in South China Sea in pursuant of India's 'Act East' Policy.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835235-indian-warships-in-cambodia-thailand-on-south-china-sea-deployment/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cambodia Struggling to Curb Child Labor

PHNOM PENH— On the southern outskirts of Cambodia’s capital, a ramshackle factory turns out tens of thousands of bricks each month. Pale rows of freshly fired bricks wait for buyers under the corrugated iron roof, while a 50-meter-long oven leaks a dull heat as it bakes a new batch.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835160-cambodia-struggling-to-curb-child-labor/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Battleground Burma

By NADÈGE ROLLAND

Beijing may be leveraging military contacts with rebel groups to engage in a proxy war with India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently sent his country’s special forces into Burma to attack two militant camps, in retaliation for a series of deadly ambushes on Indian soil.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835237-battleground-burma/

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Study: Scant evidence that medical pot helps many illnesses
By LINDSEY TANNER

CHICAGO (AP) — Medical marijuana has not been proven to work for many illnesses that state laws have approved it for, according to the first comprehensive analysis of research on its potential benefits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835244-study-scant-evidence-that-medical-pot-helps-many-illnesses/

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Australian leader makes no promises on IS man's children
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's prime minister said Wednesday he felt for the five children of an Australian convicted terrorist in the Islamic State movement who became notorious last year for posing for photographs while clutching the severed heads of Syrian victims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835252-australias-pm-tony-abbott-makes-no-promises-on-is-mans-children/