Thailand Live Thursday 25 Jun 2015

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Hospital homecoming for Australian born prematurely in NYC
By JENNIFER PELTZ

NEW YORK (AP) — James O'Leary weighed barely over a pound when he was born by surprise, a world away from his home in Australia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835688-hospital-homecoming-for-australian-boy-born-prematurely-in-nyc/

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Flash floods and mud slides warning in four eastern and western provinces

BANGKOK: -- People in Kanchanaburi, Trat, Ratchaburi and Chanthaburi were told to brace for possible flash floods and mud slides from Thursday until Friday, according to the National Disaster Warning Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835689-flash-floods-and-mud-slides-warning-in-four-eastern-and-western-thai-provinces/

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Labour umbrella group calls for minimum daily wage increase to Bt360
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some 150 labour activists led by the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee and the State Enterprise Labour Relations Committee Thursday submitted their demand for a daily minimum wage increase to the prime minister and chief of the National Council for Peace and Order.

They called for an increase from Bt300 to Bt360. Kamol Suksomboon, an advisor the a PM's Office minister, came out to take up their letter on behalf the prime minister.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Labour-umbrella-group-calls-for-minimum-daily-wage-30263094.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-25

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GSB to suspend interest payments for about 1,000 indebted teachers



BANGKOK: -- The Government Savings Bank has agreed to suspend interest payments by indebted teachers who have been sued by other creditors prior to May 31, said Mr Chartchai Payuhanavichai, director of the bank, on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835697-gsb-to-suspend-interest-payments-for-about-1000-indebted-teachers/

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Constitutional Court dissolves Damrong Thai Party, bans executives
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitutional Court vote unanimously Thursday to dissolve the Damrong Thai Party for failing to submit its spending report on the political party development fund for the 2015 fiscal year that it has received from the Election Commission.

The court also banned executives of the party from contesting elections for five years.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Constitutional-Court-dissolves-Damrong-Thai-Party--30263096.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-25

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HSBC cuts growth forecast to 3.1%
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- HSBC has lowered Thailand's 2015 economic growth forecast further to 3.1 per cent from 3.6 per cent, taking into consideration the weak economy recovery and persistent negative risks for exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835700-hsbc-cuts-thailands-growth-forecast-to-31/

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Mentally ill Thai man jailed for lese majeste
AFP

BANGKOK: -- A Thai man was sentenced to more than three years in jail Thursday under the kingdom's controversial royal defamation law, despite having a history of mental illness.

Thanet Nonthakot is the second person in the last month suffering from a mental health condition to be convicted under Thailand's notorious lese majeste legislation -- one of the world's strictest.

Under Section 112 of Thailand's criminal code anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

Thanet, 45, from northeastern Phetchabun province, was found guilty of insulting Thailand's monarchy over the contents of an email he sent four years ago, a judge at Bangkok's main criminal court said.

A psychologist at his trial testified that Thanet suffered from a mental health illness but was fit to stand trial and was aware of his actions when the alleged offence took place.

"The defendant cannot prove that he was unable to control himself when he sent the email," the judge said.

Thanet denied breaching the royal defamation law but accepted he had sent the email.

He was handed a five years jail term but the sentence was reduced to three years and four months thanks to his "useful testimony".

Local and foreign media must heavily self-censor when reporting lese majeste cases. Even repeating details of the charges could mean breaking the law.

Lese majeste prosecutions have surged since former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha seized power in May 2014.

According to iLaw, a local rights group that monitors such cases, just two people were being prosecuted for royal defamation before the coup. Now that number is at least 46.

Recent cases include a 58-year-old man sentenced to 25 years in prison for the content of five Facebook posts and a bookseller jailed for an alleged offence back in 2006.

In early May a mentally ill 65-year-old woman was also jailed for allegedly insulting a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Critics of the law say it is frequently used to pursue political opponents of the royalist elite and their military allies.

Public discussion of the law, its impact and application is virtually impossible. Earlier this month the junta banned the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand from holding a planned debate on the law.

On 19 June the UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights criticised the "excessive interpretation of lese majeste" saying it had an "adverse effect" on Thai society.

"The abuse of Article 112 has become an international embarrassment for Thailand and it is damaging the image of the Thai monarchy," Karim Lahidji, president of the International Federation of Human Rights said in a statement published on Tuesday in response to the UN criticism.

"It's time for Thailand to heed the numerous recommendations made by various UN human rights bodies to amend its lese-majeste legislation," he urged.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-06-25

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BEIRUT (AP) - Islamic State group attacks northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh, capturing parts of it.

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UPDATE:

New US ambassador to Thailand maintains US's neutrality towards Thai politics

BANGKOK, 25 June 2015 (NNT) - US’s new ambassador to Thailand, Glyn Davies, has stressed that America has not taken sides in the kingdom’s political conflict and is committed to its support for democratic principles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835581-full-speech-of-glyn-davies-nominee-for-us-ambassador-to-thailand/#entry9551532

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Marine Department conducting survey of fishermen to prevent illegal fishing

BANGKOK, 25 June 2015 (NNT)-The Marine Department (MD) has conducted survey among fishermen around Thailand to make sure the fishing industry is under control.

MD Deputy Director General Nat Japjai said the survey has a been carried out since June 10th, under the collaboration between the Royal Thai Navy and the Department of Fisheries.

The survey has been launched in 3 areas under the jurisdiction of the Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center. A total of 70 teams will be deployed to the 331 ports located in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Andaman Sea to inspect the fishing boats.

The numbers of legal and illegal workers are expected to be accounted for during the survey. The figures would be used in developing a fisheries policy and marine resources management as well as preventing illegal fishing.


-- NNT 2015-06-25

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Thailand and Peru celebrate 50 years of bilateral ties

BANGKOK, 25 June 2015 (NNT) - Thailand has held a diplomatic ceremony to commemorate 50 years of bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the Republic of Peru.

First Vice President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Surachai Liengboonlertchai presided over the opening ceremony at Parliament. The event was organized by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. It featured presentations of the historical and cultural attractions of the South American country, as well as a selection of Peruvian cuisine. The NLA VP said that bilateral ties between the two countries have been stable and will continue to strengthen in the future.

Ambassador of Republic of Peru to Thailand H.E. Felix Denegri thanked the Thai government for its history of cooperation and hoped to continue these positive bilateral ties into the future.

Thailand and Peru formally established diplomatic relations half a century ago on November 10, 1965. Since then, the two countries have exchanged regular diplomatic visits. In 2003, the two countries entered into the Framework Agreement on Closer Economic Partnership between the Government of Thailand and the Government of the Republic of Peru.

The Framework Agreement relaxes tariffs for trade and services conducted between the two countries, as well as promotes joint ventures and investments. The Framework Agreement was signed in Bangkok on October 17, 2003.

-- NNT 2015-06-25

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Phuket Safari World rumours dismissed
Matt Pond


It was reported that construction of a Safari World Phuket, similar that that already in Bangkok, would commence in the middle of 2015.

PHUKET: -- It was reported earlier this year that the company behind Phuket Fantasea, Safari World Plc, planned to spend B1.35 billion developing land adjacent to Phuket Fantasea to become a new attraction and facilities. However, the plans have been dismissed by a company representative.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835707-phuket-safari-world-rumours-dismissed/

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Pro-Democracy Activists File Assault Charges Against Officers
By Khaosod English


The seven pro-democracy activists who filed a complaint against security officers after a seven hour stand-off outside Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok, 24 June 2015.

BANGKOK — Seven pro-democracy activists successfully filed complaints against three security officers who allegedly abused them during a protest last month, following a stand-off with police officers that lasted for nearly seven hours yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835710-pro-democracy-activists-file-assault-charges-against-officers/

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Govt boosts artificial rainmaking operations amid drought



BANGKOK, 25 June 2015 (NNT) - More artificial rain operations will be conducted over the Central Plains to increase water supplies for farming activities.

Artificial rainmaking operations will be expedited to increase the water levels in the Chao Phraya Dam.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Puengboon Na Ayutthaya reported that around 3.4 million rai in the Central Plains have already been used for growing rice, despite government decree to postpone the crop’s cultivation. Farmers have been encouraged to grow other types of plants that require less water, such as corns and beans.

Officials have also been advising farmers on how they can conserve water throughout their daily lives. People are urged to use water wisely, as the government must use a supply of fresh water to prevent salination of the farmlands.

Meanwhile, the government has instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to extract groundwater to help farmers that have already begun rice cultivation.


-- NNT 2015-06-25

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YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's parliament blocks Aung San Suu Kyi from presidency, in vote against charter changes.

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SA may leave ICC over Bashir warrant

South Africa to review participation in International Criminal Court over attempt to arrest Sudan leader there /BBC

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Yingluck promises coffee drinking with her 4th million Facebook fan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra Thursday posted on her Facebook wall that she is waiting to drink coffee with her 4th million fan of her page.

The post has been liked by over 109,000 times in just one hour. At press time, the former prime minister's fan page has over 3.993 million fans.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Yingluck-promises-coffee-drinking-with-her-4th-mil-30263105.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-25

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UPDATE:

Thais caught with gun in Pakistan return home
AFP

BANGKOK: -- A group of Thai students who were detained in Pakistan after one of them was caught carrying a gun through Lahore airport returned home Thursday after officials secured their release.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835650-arrested-thai-students-arrive-home-from-pakistan/#entry9551811

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar's parliament blocks changes to constitution

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's parliament has voted against proposed constitutional amendments, ensuring that the military's veto power remains intact and that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi cannot become president in an election this year.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835738-myanmars-parliament-blocks-changes-to-constitution/

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SET index closed 1,519.47 up 1.21; Bt/USD33.62; GBP52.53; AUD25.54; EUR37.45; CAD26.92; HKD4.31; SGD24.80; JPY26.97

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Myanmar's parliament blocks changes to constitution

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) Myanmar's parliament has voted against proposed constitutional amendments, ensuring that the military's veto power remains intact and that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi cannot become president in an election this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835738-myanmars-parliament-blocks-changes-to-constitution/

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PM rejects minimum wage increase



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has rejected outright a call by a labour activist group for the adjustment of minimum wage from 300 baht/day to 360 baht/day to be enforced across the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835742-pm-prayut-rejects-minimum-wage-increase/

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Islamic State group storms northeast Syrian city of Hassakeh
By BASSEM MROUE

BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic State militants in Syria stormed government-held neighborhoods in the predominantly Kurdish northeastern city of Hassakeh on Thursday morning, capturing several areas of the city, officials and state media said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835744-islamic-state-group-storms-northeast-syrian-city-of-hassakeh/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand to teach journalists how to ask inoffensive questions

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday he was not afraid of the press, days before the government is to hold a meeting to teach journalists how to ask questions that won't offend him.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835749-thailand-to-teach-journalists-how-to-ask-inoffensive-questions/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 26 Jun 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835790-thailand-live-friday-26-jun-2015/