Thailand Live Thursday 2 Jul 2015

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Identity of mystery 'Australian' woman with amnesia revealed as Ashley Menatta
Lisa Visentin

SYDNEY: -- A mystery woman, whose identity had perplexed the FBI, Interpol and thousands of online amateur sleuths, has been named after her nephew saw her call for help in the avalanche of media coverage that her plight generated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837158-us-woman-battling-cancer-and-amnesia-relies-on-faith-social-media-to-retrace-past/#entry9575026

[webfact]

Drought crisis worsens in various parts of Thailand

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT)-Water levels in reservoirs in several provinces in Thailand have significantly declined. Many farmers have been forced to forgo rice growing while others may have to abandon their fruit orchards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837356-drought-crisis-worsens-in-various-parts-of-thailand/

[webfact]

Indonesia bans foreign currencies in domestic transactions
DOW JONES

(INDONESIA) Australians holidaying in Indonesia could find themselves short of money from today after the country’s central bank pushed through new legislation prohibiting foreign currencies from being used in domestic transactions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837357-indonesia-bans-foreign-currencies-in-domestic-transactions/

[webfact]

Princess Sirindhorn visits Germany



BANGKOK: -- Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn left early Thursday on a four-day visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from during July 2-6, The NNT reported.

According to the Bureau of the Royal Household, the princess will be attending the closing ceremony of the 65th Nobel Laureate Meeting in Mainau Island, Germany, and will grant an audience to young Thai scientists who are participating in the meeting.

Besides, the princess will observe the operations and exhibition of Ottobock Healthcare Company in Berlin and visit places of historical importance such as Museum Brandhorst, Rosgarten Museum, an archaeological museum in Baden-Wurttemberg and the Archives of the Federal Commission on Historical Record of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

The princess will return to Thailand on July 6 at 6.25 a.m.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/princess-sirindhorn-visits-germany


-- Thai PBS 2015-07-02

[webfact]

141 bodies retrieved from Hercules C-130 crash site in Medan



MEDAN: -- A total of 141 bodies have been retrieved by rescue workers from the wreckage of a military plane that crashed into a residential area shortly after taking off on Tuesday in Medan, North Sumatra, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837363-141-bodies-retrieved-from-hercules-c-130-crash-site-in-medan-north-sumatra/

[webfact]

All govt organizations to use LED light bulbs in five years

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT)-In an effort to cut energy cost, the Ministry of Energy is determined for all government organizations to replace the 3 million light bulbs now in use with LED ones within 5-6 years' time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837410-all-thai-govt-organizations-to-use-led-light-bulbs-in-five-years/

[webfact]

SET down 1.99 points at opening /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Special rain-making centre in Nakhon Sawan officially opens



NAKHON SAWAN: -- The special royal rain-making centre was officially opened yesterday in Nakhon Sawan province under instruction from His Majesty the King who was concerned about the drought situation faced by farmers.

The special centre special is assigned oversee emergency rainmaking operations to help ease drought in 13 provinces in the Chao Phraya River basin.

Presiding over the opening ceremony was the deputy secretary general of the Royal Household Bureau Mr Dissathorn Vajarodaya.

The centre is one of the two special rainmaking units setup at the royal guidance of His Majesty the King to help mitigate drought impacts currently faced by his subjects.

The other special rainmaking centre is in the northern Chiang Mai province.

The special rainmaking centers allow concerned authorities to bypass time-consuming bureaucratic process in order to swiftly conduct rainmaking operations in drought stricken areas.

The special rainmaking center in Nakhon Sawan is mainly tasked to conduct rainmaking operations to boost water supply in dams.

The center has four aircrafts – two Casa aircrafts and Caravan aircrafts to operate rainmaking operations on a permanent basis.

Two additional rainmaking aircrafts from Chiang Mai and Lopburi provinces could also be deployed to assist the operation at request. The center would implement operation to create artificial rain as soon as weather condition becomes suitable.

Meanwhile the rain-making has proved a success in Nakhon Sawan yesterday with rains falling in many areas where farmers have already cultivated their rice.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/special-rain-making-centre-in-nakhon-sawan-officially-opens

-- Thai PBS 2015-07-02

[webfact]

PM to attend 7th Mekong Japan Summit today in Tokyo

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT)-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is leaving for Japan today to attend the 7th Mekong-Japan summit in Tokyo,during which he will emphasize the role of Thailand in the regional cooperation.

According to Deputy Spokesperson to the Prime Minister’s Office, Major General Weerachon Sukontapatipak, member nations including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Japan will strive toward achieving sustainable growth between Japan and the Mekong region in various areas.

The summit serves as a platform for them to brainstorm and establish Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation. In addition, Prime Minister Prayut is scheduled to attend Mekong-Five Economic Forum and meet with Japanese parliamentary members as well as discussing bilateral cooperation with his Japanese counterpart.

General Prayut will also join a luncheon with Japanese investors later today and preside over the signing ceremony of the joint cooperation on Dawei project between Thailand, Myanmar and Japan. He will return to Thailand on Saturday.


-- NNT 2015-07-02

[webfact]

Udon Thani holds commodity goods fair from July 1-5

UDON THANI, 2 July 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce and Udon Thani provincial administration office have jointly organized a major commodities fair from now until July 5, hoping to generate 50 million baht in revenue.

Organizers said the fair aims at preparing the province for the ASEAN Economic Community. The fair is part of government policy to promote Thailand as a hub transportation and tourism investments, while developing a skilled labor force. The event offers another distribution channel to local OTOP producers, as well as small and medium enterprises.

The fair is being held in a large air-conditioned pavilion set up at Thung Si Muang, Mueang district. More than 300 business operators from Thailand, Vietnam and Lao PDR set up their booths, offering a wide range of products to the attendees. These entrepreneurs are expected to use this opportunity to exchange their experiences, as well as conduct business matchmaking during the event.

Event-goers are greeted with various menus of food and drinks. They will also have a chance to purchase discounted commodity products from the Ministry of Commerce's famous Blue Flag campaign. Those interested are invited to visit the fair everyday from now until July 5 from 10:00 - 21:00 hrs.


-- NNT 2015-07-02

[webfact]

With great fanfare, Pyongyang opens new airport terminal

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea opened a new terminal building at Pyongyang's international airport on Wednesday, underscoring an effort to attract more tourists and to spruce up the country ahead of a celebration of a major anniversary of the founding of its ruling party in October.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837394-with-great-fanfare-pyongyang-opens-new-airport-terminal/

[webfact]

Phuket Park residents oppose workers camp
Suthicha Sirirat


The land seen here is believed to be being cleared so a workers camp can be constructed there.

PHUKET: -- Residents of Phuket Park in Srisoonthon yesterday (July 1) filed a complaint with the Damrongtham Centre requesting they put a stop to the construction of a Burmese worker̕s camp close to their houses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837396-phuket-park-residents-oppose-workers-camp/

[webfact]

Most fishing boats anchor on shores as Government starts D-Day against IUU fishing



BANGKOK: -- The start of the government's D-Day against illegal, unregistered and unreported (IUU) fishing yesterday has forced more than 3,000 illegal fishing boats to anchor on shores, and push up prices of seafood by 50 baht per kilogramme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837144-food-industries-feel-the-repercussion-as-thai-fishing-vessels-stat-put-on-shores/page-2#entry9575559

[webfact]

248 former MPs all wish to speak in their defense

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT) - The former 248 Members of Parliament (MP) accused of an unlawful attempt to amend the previous constitution have all expressed the desire to speak in their defense in their upcoming impeachment hearing on July 15-16.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837399-impeachment-hearing-248-former-thai-mps-all-wish-to-speak-in-their-defense/

[webfact]

Navy chief warns of tough action for IUU fishing



BANGKOK: -- The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy yesterday affirmed that all illegal fishing boats will face seizure and skippers arrested if they continued to fish.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837401-thai-navy-chief-warns-of-tough-action-for-iuu-fishing/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Govt urges operators to approve of anti-IUU fishing campaign

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT) - The government has pleaded with fishing boat operators affected by the campaign against illegal fishing to understand its intention to salvage the image of the country’s fishing industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837401-thai-navy-chief-warns-of-tough-action-for-iuu-fishing/#entry9575624

[webfact]

CDC begins reviewing 2nd chapter of new constitution

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has begun reviewing Chapter 2 of the draft constitution, while maintaining its objectivity regarding pressures from the National Reform Council (NRC).

According to CDC member Suchit Bunbongkarn, the committee is now reviewing Chapter regarding good political leadership and the political structure. He said that the CDC would consider amendment proposals submitted by all parties when amending various provisions.

Mr Suchit also assured that the CDC would carefully review Section 228, in response to recent objections to the provision by the Office of the Attorney General.

Section 228 currently stipulates that the Chairman of the Public Prosecutor Commission must not have been a civil servant, politician or Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General claims the stipulations are too broad and susceptible to abuse.


-- NNT 2015-07-02

[webfact]

Surat Thani authorities arrest jet-ski rental operators for unfair trading

SURAT THANI, 2 July 2015, (NNT) - Surat Thani military dispatched soldiers to arrest five jet ski operators in Ko Phangan, due to local complaints of unfair trading and causing environmental impact.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837404-surat-thani-authorities-arrest-jet-ski-rental-operators-on-koh-phangan/

[webfact]

PM urges business sector to promote farm goods globally

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has encouraged local manufacturers to reach out to farmers and help promote agricultural goods globally.

The Department of International Trade Promotion's North Thailand Office revealed that General Prayut encouraged the agro-industry and business sector to collaborate through a social business platform.

According to the Prime Minister, farmers will be able to receive advice and assistance needed to promoted their goods on a global scale. He said cooperation should begin from the ground up, to plan and promote agricultural products.

New generations of product designers are encouraged to market to global consumers.


-- NNT 2015-07-02

[webfact]

UPDATE:

RID to ensure water supplies last until next year if drought persists

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT) - The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will only release water for domestic consumption and to prevent seawater intrusion, amid the ongoing drought crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837356-drought-crisis-worsens-in-various-parts-of-thailand/#entry9575681

[webfact]

PM plans to establish dialogue with Dao Din group to resolve issues peacefully

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha has revealed he is planning to conduct a dialogue with the student activist group whose members have been arrested for defying the law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837411-pm-prayut-plans-to-establish-dialogue-with-dao-din-group-to-resolve-issues-peacefully/

[webfact]

Activists Pledge to Rally Until 14 Anti-Junta Dissidents Released
By Khaosod English


Supporters of the detained activists rally outside of Bangkok Remand Prison on 1 June 2015.

BANGKOK — Supporters of the 14 activists arrested for demonstrating against the military junta have vowed to gather every night outside the prison where they are being detained until the group is released.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837420-thai-activists-pledge-to-rally-until-14-students-released/

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport kicks off job fair

BANGKOK, 2 July 2015 (NNT) – Suvarnabhumi Airport is hosting a job fair in a move to offer job opportunities to residents and job seekers living close to the airport.

The fair comprises over 30 companies operating within the airport’s compound which are looking for new staff for various positions such as technicians, porters and passenger service agents. Job seekers with all levels of education are welcome.

Executive Vice President of Planning and Finance at Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited Noppadon Mongkonsin who chaired the fair’s opening ceremony said the job fair was intended to give residents living near the airport the opportunity to choose a job that suits their expertise and abilities. Suvarnabhumi Airport also expects that the job creation program would foster ties between the airport and nearby communities.

The job fair is being held between July 2 and 3 at the Public Transportation Center, Suvarnabhumi Airport.

-- NNT 2015-07-02

[webfact]

Blacklist warnings spread on websites in North Korea
ERIC TALMADGE, Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — North Korea, already one of the least-wired places in the world, appears to be cracking down on the use of the Internet by even the small number of foreigners who can access it with relative freedom by blacklisting and blocking social media accounts or websites deemed to carry harmful content.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837443-blacklist-warnings-spread-on-websites-in-north-korea/

[webfact]

Greece in limbo: Shuttered banks keep lifeline
By ELENA BECATOROS and DEREK GATOPOULOS

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece braced for more chaos on the streets outside its mostly shuttered banks Thursday, as Athens and its creditors halted talks on resolving the country's deepening financial crisis until a referendum this weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837337-greece-proceeds-with-vote-plan-as-creditors-rebuff-overture/#entry9576152

[webfact]

BERLIN (AP) - Swiss say US has filed formal request to extradite 7 FIFA officials arrested in May.

[webfact]

Police Investigating 5 Men for Eating Cat Meat in NE Thailand
By Khaosod English


Pol.Lt.Col. Yongyuth Pinitkarn questioning the five men at Lahansai Police Station in Buriram, 1 July 2015.

BURIRAM — Five men in Buriram province are being investigated for violating Thailand's animal welfare act after posting photos on social media of themselves preparing and eating cat meat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837446-police-investigating-5-men-for-eating-cat-meat-in-isaan/

[webfact]

At least 33 dead after Philippine ferry carrying 170 people capsizes /South China Morning Post

[webfact]

Koh Larn faces growing environmental threat from huge garbage



PATTAYA: -- Garbage problem is deteriorating in Koh Larn with local authorities and people now pondering of having a garbage disposal of their own fearing that in near future Pattaya people may reject garbage from the island for disposal on shore.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837448-koh-larn-faces-growing-environmental-threat-from-huge-garbage/

[webfact]

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Coast guard says ferry in central Philippines with 173 aboard capsizes; rescue ongoing.