Thailand Live Monday 29 Jun 2015

[webfact]

Gun-toting teenagers commit five robberies in Huamark area
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Gun-toting teenagers on three motorcycles robbed several persons in Huamark sub-district of Bang Kapi district at about 1:30 am Monday, police said.

Police alter arrested one suspect. A victim was shot at his left arm and left side of the body and another victim at his left shoulder. The robbers made off with the victims’ motorcycles, cash and mobile phones.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Gun-toting-teenagers-commit-five-robberies-in-Huam-30263330.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-29

[webfact]

Surat Thani chief public prosecutor murdered in his own house
The Nation

SURAT THANI: -- Surat Thani chief public prosecutor Phayong Dokmaihom, 54, was found dead on his bed inside his official residence in Surat Thani's Mueang district Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836567-surat-thani-chief-public-prosecutor-murdered-in-his-own-house/

[webfact]

World Sanskrit Conference held in honor of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

BANGKOK, 29 June 2015 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony of the 16th World Sanskrit Conference at Renaissance Hotel in Pathuwan District.

The conference was jointly organized by the Sanskrit Study Center, Silpakorn University and the International Association of Sanskrit Studies in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of her fifth-cycle birthday on April 2, 2015.

The five-day world conference is the first of its kind ever held in Thailand as well as in Southeast Asia. Over 600 scholars from 60 countries are participating in the academic conference during which they will share their views and exchange experience using Sanskrit as the medium of communication.

One of the guests of honor at the opening ceremony was External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj, who also gave the inaugural speech. The conference provides a stage for the participants to express their perspectives on the modern world in relation to the two great Sanskrit epic poems, Ramayana and Mahabharata, which offer models in all aspects of life that can be applied to the modern-day life.

The Princess Maha Chakri has interest in Sanskrit studies since she was very young. She obtained her Master of Arts degree in oriental epigraphy from Silpakorn University and Master of Arts in Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University. The Princess has also supported further education in Sanskrit by granting scholarships for university students to study the language abroad, many of whom have become lecturers at Silpakorn University.


-- NNT 2015-06-29

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry strikes deal with UAE

BANGKOK, 29 June 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has successfully struck trade deals worth over 100 million baht with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and two other economies in the Middle East.

According to the Department of International Trade Promotion Director-General, Nantawan Sakuntanaga, the new deal is part of the Commerce Ministry’s policy to penetrate new markets abroad.

The recent visits to the UAE, Kuwait and Jordan have landed 275 more business matching meetings for Thai businessmen and their counterparts in the two countries,which are to be held in the coming months. The Thai team has also secured 185 million baht worth of orders from their food sectors.

A study undertaken by the Ministry has revealed that the Middle East markets have high demands for a number of products, which will benefit Thai food manufacturers. However, adjustments must be made to the products to ensure compliance with the Middle East nations' specifications. /


-- NNT 2015-06-29

[webfact]

Foreigners to have lifelong “right to use” property in Indonesia



JAKARTA: -- Foreigners living in Indonesia will be able to secure the “right to use” property in the country for as long as they live under a newly planned state policy, The Jakarta Globe reported, citing a minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836575-foreigners-to-have-lifelong-right-to-use-property-in-indonesia/

[webfact]

US report highlights Indonesia's poor law enforcement

JAKARTA: -- Despite progress as one of the world’s biggest democracies, Indonesia’s law enforcement is still substandard and rampant with human rights violations, according a report by the US government states.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836576-us-report-highlights-indonesias-poor-law-enforcement/

[webfact]

CDC spokesman: Most residents of Deep South endorsed draft charter



BANGKOK, 29 June 2015 (NNT) - The spokesman of the Constitution Drafting Committee has revealed that most residents in the southernmost region have voiced out their acceptance of the draft charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836578-cdc-spokesman-most-residents-of-deep-south-endorsed-draft-charter/

[webfact]

SET falls 17.04 to 1,500.99 points /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Thammasat students, lecturer back their detained colleagues
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- SCORES of students and members of the public turned up at Thammasat University yesterday to show support for the 14 students held for staging a protest against the military coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836580-thammasat-students-lecturer-back-their-detained-colleagues/

[webfact]

Special rainmaking units set up in royal concern over drought

BANGKOK, 29 June 2015 (NNT) - His Majesty the King has ordered the opening of two special rainmaking units in Chiang Mai and Nakhon Sawan to relieve shortage of water due to droughts.

The rainmaking unit in Nakhon Sawan has been assigned to conduct artificial rain making operations in the Chao Phraya basin while the one in Chiang Mai has been entrusted to launch similar operations in the northern region. The operaions come under the supervision of the Director-General of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation.

The objectives of the operations are to increase the volume of reserved water at various dams. If the operations are successful, these dams will have sufficient water to be released to farmland and for tapwater production. The use of rainmaking operations was one of the solutions that His Majesty the King had suggested to officials to solve the drought crisis in 1999.


-- NNT 2015-06-29

[webfact]

Thai student teams to compete in 2015 World Robot Games

BANGKOK, 29 May 2015 (NNT) – Four student teams from Thailand have been selected to compete at the 2015 World Robot Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, aiming to integrate their in-class knowledge to practical use, according to the OBEC.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836585-thai-student-teams-to-compete-in-2015-world-robot-games/

[webfact]

Supreme Court begins first trial of fake rice deal



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Offices today began the trial of the controversial fake G2G rice deal that former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and his deputy were accused of corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836588-thai-supreme-court-begins-first-trial-of-fake-rice-deal/

[webfact]

Media reports allege Australian politics infiltrated by Italian mafia

Two Australian media organisations reported on Monday (Jun 29) that Australian politics has been infiltrated at high levels by the Italian mafia.

SYDNEY: -- Two Australian media organisations reported on Monday (Jun 29) that Australian politics has been infiltrated at high levels by the Italian mafia, although there was no suggestion of direct links between lawmakers and the criminal syndicate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836590-media-reports-allege-australian-politics-infiltrated-by-italian-mafia/

[webfact]

Prayut to Chiang Mai today for 2-day mobile cabinet meeting



CHIANG MAI: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside over the first mobile cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai to be held from June 29-30 at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Commemorating His Majesty’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836591-prayut-to-chiang-mai-today-for-2-day-mobile-cabinet-meeting/

[webfact]

Puerto Rico governor says island can't pay its public debt
DANICA COTO, Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The governor is warning that Puerto Rico can't pay its $72 billion public debt, delivering another jolt to the recession-gripped U.S. island as well as a world financial system already worrying over Greece's collapsing finances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836593-puerto-rico-governor-says-island-cant-pay-its-public-debt/

[webfact]

Report: World Jewish population nears pre-Holocaust level

JERUSALEM (AP) — The world's Jewish population has grown to be nearly as large as it was before the Holocaust, an Israeli think tank said in its annual report Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836594-world-jewish-population-nears-pre-holocaust-level-report/

[webfact]

Israel intercepts Gaza-bound flotilla in 'casualty-free' operation
20 activists on Marianne boat, among them MK Basel Ghattas (Joint Arab List) and former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki, currently en route to Ashdod port.
By Gili Cohen , Barak Ravid and Jack Khoury

JERUSALEM: -- Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound boat Marianne late Sunday night, in what the Israeli Defense Forces said was a short operation, free of any casualties. The boat is currently en route to the Ashdod port.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836598-israel-intercepts-gaza-bound-flotilla-in-casualty-free-operation/

[webfact]

Anna Reese begs cop's family for forgiveness
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Thai-English actress Anna Reese asked for forgiveness Saturday from the family of the police officer who died after she rammed her Mercedes into his parked car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836602-thai-english-actress-anna-reese-begs-cops-family-for-forgiveness/

[webfact]

Baht weakens to $/33.85
The Nation, Reuters

BANGKOK: -- Thai baht weakened to 33.85-86 against US dollar at the open Monday, as most emerging Asian currencies led by the Malaysian ringgit lost ground.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836603-baht-weakens-to-us3385/

[webfact]

Government pleads for peace and order in the country



BANGKOK: -- The government today pleaded for peace and order in the country after several groups of people have surfaced to either admire or attack the tough police action taken against student activists' defiance of the military junta's order banning political gathering.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836628-thai-government-pleads-for-peace-and-order-in-the-country/

[webfact]

UPDATE

Boonsong and associates deny charges in G-to-G rice scam



BANGKOK: -- Former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom and 18 co-defendants in the dubious Chinese rice deal denied all the charges against them and asked to present their testimonies in writing in 2-4 months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836588-thai-supreme-court-begins-first-trial-of-fake-rice-deal/#entry9565218

[webfact]

Police confiscate student activists’ mobile phones to find mastermind



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police have confiscated five mobile phones of the student activists to look into their mastermind or supporters, Pol Maj Gen Chayapol Chatchaidej, commander of the Sixth Division of Metropolitan Police Bureau said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836629-thai-police-confiscate-student-activists-mobile-phones-to-find-mastermind/

[webfact]

Asian stock markets sink after Greece closes banks
By JOE McDONALD and PAUL WISEMAN

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets sank Monday after Greece closed its banks and imposed capital controls in a dramatic turn in its struggle with heavy debts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836630-asian-stock-markets-sink-after-greece-closes-banks/

[webfact]

Phuket drain-construction delays blamed on lack of sand
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Work has stopped on the drains due to a lack of sand. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- A large chunk of Phuket’s busy bypass road where drain construction has been ongoing for several months has started to crack and there are concerns that the road could collapse should works not be completed or repairs carried out soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836633-phuket-drain-construction-delays-blamed-on-lack-of-sand/

[webfact]

Oil slick seen off Mae Rampoeng beach in Rayong



RAYONG: -- An oil slick stretching several kilometers long has been found floating in the sea off Mae Rampoeng beach in Muang district of Rayong Monday morning with some of the oil slick washed ashore.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836634-oil-slick-seen-off-mae-rampoeng-beach-in-rayong/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thai baht predicted to move between 33.75-34.00 against greenback this week

BANGKOK, 29 June 2015 (NNT)-Kasikorn Research Center (KRC) has forecast that the resistance levels in the Thai stock market this week will be around 1,525– 1,535 points.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836603-baht-weakens-to-us3385/#entry9565349

[webfact]

DLT to revoke licenses of bus drivers exhibiting bad behavior

BANGKOK, 29 June 2015 (NNT)-The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is planning to revoke the driving licenses of public bus drivers who behave unprofessionally, after receiving numerous complaints from passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836635-thai-dlt-to-revoke-licenses-of-bus-drivers-exhibiting-bad-behavior/

[webfact]

Former Post editor wins court battle after 10 years of unjust layoff



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Labour Court today ruled in favour of the Labour Court that Post Publishing Co Ltd had illegitimately terminated employment of an editor for running a news story about the cracking of a runway at Suvarnabhumi airport 10 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836636-former-post-editor-wins-court-battle-after-10-years-of-unjust-layoff/

[webfact]

20 of 36 people deemed at high-risk of infection after contact with Thailand's only confirmed Mers case have been cleared, released from quarantine/ Bangkok Post

[webfact]

German woman commits suicide on Phi Phi
The Nation

KRABI: -- A 26-year-old German tourist was found hung from a tree on Koh Phi Phi Sunday evening.

Police believe Katharina Rebacz committed suicide because a suicide note was found in her shirt pocket. Her body was sent to the Krabi Hospital and the German embassy was informed of the accident. She stayed on the island for several days and she was scheduled to leave the kingdom on October 7.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/German-woman-commits-suicide-on-Phi-Phi-30263349.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-29