Thailand Live Friday 26 Jun 2015

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar's parliament blocks changes to constitution

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's parliament voted against several constitutional amendments Thursday, 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/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

The British are coming … to teach: Burma’s Skills Sector in the Spotlight

RANGOON — Sources in domestic business circles have welcomed a recent call for British companies to consider investing in Burma’s skills sector, with the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) office saying a dearth of qualified workers could be remedied, in part, by British education and training enterprises.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835819-the-british-are-coming-to-teach-burmas-skills-sector-in-the-spotlight/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cambodia to investigate decade-old killings of union leaders

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's prime minister has established a special commission to investigate the long-unsolved killings of three labor leaders.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835821-cambodia-to-investigate-decade-old-killings-of-union-leaders/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thai airlines to continue flying to Europe without restrictions

BANGKOK, 26 June 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Transport has said the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has decided not to ban Thai airlines from flying to Europe, despite the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s decision to red flag Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835796-thai-aviation-industry-will-be-ready-for-icao-re-audit-by-sept/#entry9553568

[webfact]

Buriram quarantines a couple returning from a MERS risk country

BURIRAM, 26 June 2015, (NNT) - The public health office in Buriram has quarantined a male and a female who returned from a MERS risk country over a week ago, despite the lack of any symptoms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835830-buriram-quarantines-a-couple-returning-from-a-mers-risk-country/

[webfact]

The $80 Million Fake Bomb-Detector Scam—and the People Behind It
When Baghdad bought tens of millions of dollars’ worth of British-made A.D.E. 651s, advertised as a foolproof bomb detector, the Iraqi government thought it would be saving countless lives. But the devices were laughable—based on a toy—and, in the end, have led to many deaths. Iraq is not the only country that has been fooled.
BY JEFFREY E. STERN

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835832-the-80-million-fake-bomb-detector-scam-and-the-people-behind-it/

[webfact]

Japanese prosecutors to take another 10 days to decide whether to prosecute Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit

BANGKOK, 26 June 2015 (NNT)-The Royal Thai Police has revealed that Japanese prosecutors have yet to make a decision whether to charge Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thoopkrachang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835833-japanese-prosecutors-to-take-another-10-days-to-decide-whether-to-prosecute-kamronwit/

[webfact]

New Zealand government slammed over $10m New York apartment

Wellington: New Zealand's government is under fire for spending $NZ11 million ($A9.82 million) on a "lavish" new apartment for its top diplomat in New York.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835834-new-zealand-government-slammed-over-a10m-new-york-apartment/

[webfact]

Continual artificial rain making produces rains in 70 provinces



BANGKOK: -- Airborne artificial rain making conducted in various drought stricken areas have brought rainfalls in 70 provinces nationwide, according to deputy government spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835835-continual-artificial-rain-making-produces-rains-in-70-thai-provinces/

[webfact]

German Ambassador meets PM's Office Minister to say farewell

BANGKOK, 26 June 2015 (NNT) – The Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office has met with the retiring Ambassador of Germany who paid a visit to say goodbye upon the completion of his term in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835836-german-ambassador-meets-pms-office-minister-to-say-farewell/

[webfact]

Commerce to produce high quality bag rice to sell to low income earners



BANGKOK: -- The government will release 5,000 tonnes of quality rice in its stocks to produce bag rice to sell to low income earners
According to the Commerce Ministry, the rice bag scheme has been approved by the cabinet.

Under the scheme, around 5,000 tonnes of 5 percent white rice will be released from the government’s rice stockpiles and distributed to local communities and cooperatives so as to allow them to pack in small bags and sell to low income earners.

The price of this high quality rice will be 20% lower than the market price.

The scheme is intended to help low income people make end meet.

The bag rice scheme is expected to begin in August 2015.

At the same time, the government will also start to release around 1.3 million tonnes of deteriorating rice to the industrial sector soon, said the ministry.

This rice amount may be used to make animal feed.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/commerce-to-produce-high-quality-bag-rice-to-sell-to-low-income-earners


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-26

[webfact]

Plane carrying 9 crashes on Alaska cliff; conditions unknown
MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A sightseeing float plane carrying eight cruise ship passengers and a pilot crashed against the granite rock face of a southeast Alaska cliff Thursday, and rescuers were trying to reach the site 800 feet (243 meters) above a lake to determine if there were survivors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835838-plane-carrying-9-crashes-on-alaska-cliff;-conditions-unknown/

[webfact]

SET opens up 0.60 to 1,520.07 /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Haiti: Dominican deportations causing 'humanitarian crisis'

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's prime minister warned Thursday that the Dominican Republic is creating a humanitarian crisis with its crackdown on migrants, noting that 14,000 people have crossed the border into Haiti in less than a week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835847-haiti-dominican-deportations-causing-humanitarian-crisis/

[webfact]

White House: Putin calls Obama, discuss Ukraine, IS, Iran
By JIM KUHNHENN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Barack Obama spoke by telephone Thursday and discussed continued tensions in eastern Ukraine and the fight against the Islamic State in the Middle East. The last time the men spoke was in February, the White House said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835851-white-house-putin-calls-obama-discuss-ukraine-is-iran/

[webfact]

Jokowi OKs plan for foreigners to own flats

JAKARTA: -- With President Joko Widodo's approval, the Indonesian government is close to finalizing a regulation that would allow foreigners to own apartments, The Jakara Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835854-indonesias-joko-widodo-oks-plan-for-foreigners-to-own-flats/

[webfact]

Phuket earthquakes: prepare for the worst, says expert
Suthicha Sirirat


Dr Smith warned Phuket future earthquake.

PHUKET: -- Dr Smith Dharmasaroja, the man who warned Thailand to prepare for disaster before the 2004 Asian Tsunami devastated the Andaman Coast, has urged Phuket officials and residents to prepare for the worst in case a severe earthquake strikes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835855-phuket-earthquakes-prepare-for-the-worst-says-expert/

[webfact]

Jakarta investigates claim that Indonesian jihadist executed by IS for “spreading AIDS”

JAKARTA: -- Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry is investigating a report that an Indonesian jihadist fighting for the Islamic State has been executed by the group for infecting some of its members with AIDS. The ministry said the report cannot yet be verified, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835856-jakarta-investigates-claim-that-indonesian-jihadist-executed-by-is-for-spreading-aids/

[webfact]

Myanmar acquires 36 aircraft over past four years

Naypyidaw: -- The Myanmar Air Force has purchased 36 aircraft over the last four years in response to keep Myanmar on even footing with other countries in the region, reported The Irrawaddy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835857-myanmar-acquires-36-aircraft-over-past-four-years/

[webfact]

CNN Philippines assistant cameraman gunned down in Cavite



MANILA: -- Philippine police are investigating after an assistant cameraman of CNN Philippines was shot to death by unidentified assailants in Imus City, Cavite province, while on his way to work on Thursday, INQUIRER.net reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835859-cnn-philippines-assistant-cameraman-gunned-down-in-cavite/

[webfact]

Maroon 5 adds second Bangkok show after ticket drama
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Maroon 5 announced this morning they will add a second night in Bangkok after sales for their first show were hijacked by scalpers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835880-maroon-5-adds-second-bangkok-show-after-ticket-drama/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Japanese prosecutor seeks 10 more days to detain former Bangkok police chief



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police says the Japanese prosecutors have sought to detain the former Bangkok police chief for 10 more days before making a decision whether to indict him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835833-japanese-prosecutors-to-take-another-10-days-to-decide-whether-to-prosecute-kamronwit/#entry9554099

[webfact]

Army chief warns certain political group to back off student movement



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief says a certain political group or politicians was behind the protest movement by a group of student activists against the military junta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835882-thai-army-chief-warns-certain-political-group-to-back-off-student-movement/

[webfact]

Charter Referendum Set for 10 Jan: Election Commissioner
By Khaosod English


Thianchay Kiranandana, chairman of the National Reform Council (NRC), with the draft of the new constitution, 17 April 2015.

BANGKOK — The referendum on the Thai junta's new constitution will be held in January 2016, according to an election official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835884-thai-charter-referendum-set-for-10-jan-election-commissioner/

[webfact]

Mt Kinabalu to reopen to climbers in Sept

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Mount Kinabalu, closed after the June 5 earthquake that hit Malaysia's Sabah, is expected to be reopened to climbers in early September, according to New Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835886-mt-kinabalu-to-reopen-to-climbers-in-sept/

[webfact]

Ex-PetroSaudi director to stand trial in Thailand, says report

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Former PetroSaudi International director Xavier Andre Justo has been denied bail and will be tried in Thailand, reports Malaysiakini.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835890-ex-petrosaudi-director-to-stand-trial-in-thailand-says-report/

[webfact]

MOAC to upgrade Thai sticky rice

CHONBURI, 26 June 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has planned to upgrade production of organic sticky rice in the country, to improve the quality of life for Thai farmers.

During his meeting with the agro-elite of Chonburi province, Agriculture and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Amnuay Patise said the Thai sticky rice industry had been hampered by inefficient production and farmers’ lack of technological knowledge and support. Therefore, it is necessary for the country to overhaul sticky rice production.

To reform the country’s rice industry, Mr. Amnuay disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives assigned the Rice Department to introduce technology to reduce costs and reduce dependency on chemicals under its Smart Farmer campaign.

The program will be piloted in the provinces of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen during the rice farming season, then in 15 other provinces during the off-season farming period.


-- NNT 2015-06-26

[webfact]

Crews dig in on Jomtien Beach facelift

An artist’s rendering of what it might look like when finished.

PATTAYA:--Jomtien Beach’s 270-million-baht facelift is underway and officials promise that, two years from now, it will look a lot better than it does currently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835892-crews-dig-in-on-jomtien-beach-facelift/

[webfact]

Cable madness entangles Pattaya

PATTAYA:--In Pattaya, cables go up, but they never come down.

The gravity defying cables are the ones hanging high, and sometimes low, from the city’s utility poles. There are electric wires, phone lines, lots of Internet lines and, of course, cables for cable TV.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835893-cable-madness-entangles-pattaya/

[webfact]

THB5m of marijuana seized in Nakhon Phanom

BANGKOK, 26 June 2015 (NNT) - About 200 slabs of compressed marijuana have been confiscated by the Royal Thai Navy on Thursday, Capt. Nattakiat Monkhunthod, a patrol unit commander, said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/835918-thb5m-of-marijuana-seized-in-nakhon-phanom/