Thailand Live Saturday 4 Jul 2015

[Lite Beer]

164 people indicted in Ufun scam

BANGKOK: -- A total of 164 individuals associated with Ufun Store Company have been indicted by the Office of Attorney-General on charges of operating lending and borrowing services in a way suspected to be public fraud.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....d-in-ufun-scam/

[Lite Beer]

People gather to support student detainees
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SOME 250 people showed up at the skywalk near Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre Friday night to express their support for the 14 detained anti-coup students, writing messages on post-it notes, despite the presence of some 100 police.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....dent-detainees/

[Lite Beer]

CDC acknowledges importance of right to information

BANGKOK, 3 July 2015 (NNT) - The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has acknowledged the importance of the public’s right to information.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....to-information/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Supercheap worker murder case suspect caught
Darawan Naknakhon

Ong-art Meekaew, 29,has admitted to taking part in the murder of Supercheap worker Nattapon Nukulwhen just after midnight on Tuesday.

PHUKET: Police have caught one man in connection with the murder of a Supercheap worker in the early hours of yesterday morning (July 2). However, a second man from Nakorn Sri Thammarat is still being hunted.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....suspect-caught/

[Lite Beer]

FISHERY CRISIS
Fisheries situation 'expected to return to normal soon'
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE AUTHORITIES are convinced that the crisis in the country's fishery industry, stemming from tougher government regulations, will abate soon and that seafood supply and prices will return to normal.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837818-fisheries-situation-expected-to-return-to-normal-soon/

[Lite Beer]

BT36 BILLION PROCUREMENT?
Experts split over subs plan
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION July 4, 2015 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- MANY BELIEVE THAILAND DOES NOT HAVE MARITIME ISSUES TO WARRANT BIG SPENDING ON SUBMARINES

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837819-experts-split-over-subs-plan/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Anti-coup students 'won't seek bail'
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SAY PARENTS SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR ACTIONS

THE 14 detained anti-coup students will not seek bail despite an overture by the National Security Council and National Reform Council to change their minds, Kritsadang Nutcharas, a representative of the students' legal team, said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837784-arrested-students-plan-to-ask-for-an-open-trial/#entry9581417

[Lite Beer]

Water bill 'requires more debate'
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Experts tell forum that some aspects of the new law need clarification

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837821-water-bill-requires-more-debate/

[Lite Beer]

Helping others help themselves
Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A project inspired by His Majesty the King's theories on water conservation returns for a third year

NOW IN ITS third year, the "Power of Human Energy: A Journey Inspired by the King", project has once again been busy rallying volunteers to design catchment areas - loom kanom krok or kok nong na as they are known in Thai - in and around the Pa Sak River to prevent floods and provide water in times of drought.

"We now have 27 catchment models that are suitable for individual plots, communities and schools. And the project is growing: it is slowly expanding into a much wider area of the country," says Pairoj Kaweeyanun, president of Chevron Thailand's exploration and production.

"This year, we are focusing on landscape design for managing water resources and creating different catchment patterns to suit areas of different sizes.

"This time, we will go to the Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary in Lop Buri, which is the last virgin forest in Thailand's Central region and one of the water sources along the Pa Sak River basin. There, we will learn about forest conservation and, most importantly, about restoration and melioration of the soil through natural farming and folk wisdom. This is particularly apt as the United Nations has declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils to raise awareness of the importance of soils for food security and essential eco-system functions."

Designed by Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, the Institute of Sufficiency Economy and the Agri-Nature Foundation, this human-driven project aims to teach everyone about His Majesty the King's theories on water-resource conservation. It has been very successful, with hundreds and volunteers signing up to take part in natural resource management, according to Dr Wiwat Salyakamthorn, president of the Agri-Nature Foundation and the Institute of Sufficiency Economy. The project caravan, which runs from July 18-26, will visit communities between Bangkok to Lop Buri.

Other agencies have also become involved. The King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang held a three-day workshop on landscape architecture for water management at Mab Euang Natural Farming Centre in Chon Buri and followed up in May with a five-day theory and practice workshop on Geo-Social Design for Self-Sustained Environments and Disaster Resilience in Nan province. More than 80 participants worked with the students and architecture volunteers to design the land and implement the catchment project.

"Last year, we started offering free services for landscape architecture and quickly registered more than 70 areas in the Pa Sak River basin and more than 200 areas outside of it. By the beginning of this year that number had increased to more than 500 areas. Today, we have more than 700 areas in 19 river basins. The largest area covers more than 4,000 rai and is owned by Phra Ajarn Win of Wat Rakang, while the smallest, which is at my house, is only 30 square wah," says Assistant Professor Pichate Sowittayasakun, dean of the Faculty of Architecture at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang,

"Designing for the different size of areas depends on the geo-social conditions. For example, there are two villages in Tak's Amphoe Mae Ramad but different sub-districts that meet the same geographical criteria. But the villages are inhabited by Karen and Hmong hilltribe people who have very different cultures and well as different diets. That means the vegetation is also different and that in turn affects the design of the catchment,

"Our workshop helped spread the word and now many more people are paying attention to catchment design. We had a team of 20 architects and spent three days coming up with the landscape design for each area. After completing the workshop, we started a Line group so we could follow the participants. We took them to the area facing a problem so they could learn about the solution," he adds.

Four celebrities are joining this year's project. Young actor Jirayu "Kao" La-Ongmanee will work with headwoman Uthumporn "Oy" Sukpaet at Ban Kok Salung in Lop Buri on July 19, actress Kemmanij "Pancake" Jamikorn will team up with Malai Khumthong at Khao Ti Hin community also in Lopburi on July 20 and will be at Kok Charoen Natural Farming Centre on July 21. Pisanu "Boy" Nimsakul will pair up with Prasert Kwanpueak at Ban Tha Mai Thong in Phetchabun on July 22-23, and Siwat "Cee" Chotichaicharin will be with Dorn Petchnarong at Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary on July 24-25.

Boy and Pancake are particularly interested in the lessons to be learned as they have jointly invested in six rai at Ban Doo in Surin.

"It was very arid when we purchased it. Our project is called 'Kok Nong Na Dara Model', which loosely means the catchment by celebrities. We wanted a chance to express our feelings and to take part in this project. As celebrities, we are hoping to use our fame to inspire people to take part in this project and to watch how our land develops from drought-stricken to verdant," Boy explains. "On August 2, we will transplant rice seedlings into our paddy fields. For now, we have covered the dry land surface with straw stems to reduce wind and water erosion."

OUR LAND, OUR WATER

- The project activities will be broadcast on Channel One's "Joh Jai" at 10.20pm on September 11, September 18 and September 25.

- Find out more by calling (062) 327 6701-2 or visit www.Facebook.com/ajourneyinspiredbytheking.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/Helping-others-help-themselves-30263683.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-04

[Lite Beer]

Drug tests for residents in troubled community
The Nation,

BANGKOK: -- ANTI-NARCOTICS officials are preparing to get all residents in the Suan Son Soi 9 community to undergo drug tests next Friday to determine if they have used narcotics.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837822-drug-tests-for-residents-in-troubled-community/

[Lite Beer]

More travellers finding mobile devices essential
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- TRAVELLERS are using mobile devices more and more throughout their journey, from research to booking to the trip itself and beyond, according to a new report by TripAdvisor.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837823-more-travellers-finding-mobile-devices-essential/

[Lite Beer]

NACC gets 2,500 complaints over officials in Isaan
Natthapat Phromkaew
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has received nearly 2,500 complaints against state officials in the Northeast, including a provincial governor and a judge.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837824-nacc-gets-2500-complaints-over-officials-in-isaan/

[Lite Beer]

MERS patient fine, allowed to fly home
The Nation

Officials help an Omani man into a vehicle at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute yesterday after he fully recovered from MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). The man was the only confirmed MERS patient in Thailand.

BANGKOK: -- THE 75-year-old Omani man who was the first confirmed case of MERS-CoV (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) in Thailand, was discharged from hospital late yesterday after fully recovering from the disease.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837825-mers-patient-fine-allowed-to-fly-home/

[Lite Beer]

Universities to continue dealing with SCB
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Rajabhat University Presidents Council of Thailand and Rajamangala universities yesterday decided not to boycott Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), which recently caused an uproar by advertising that only graduates from certain universities would be considered for jobs.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837826-universities-to-continue-dealing-with-scb/

[Lite Beer]

Diary may be key to tycoon's killing
Kittipong Maneerit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The diary of murdered former night-entertainment tycoon Somyot Suthangkool reveals that there are 22 issues that could possibly be motives behind his death, police have revealed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837827-diary-may-be-key-to-tycoons-killing/

[Lite Beer]

Democracy in Thailand 'a work in progress'
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEMOCRACY in Thailand is a work in progress like it is in the United States, US charge d'affaires W Patrick Murphy said while expressing his wish for Thailand's reform process to succeed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837828-democracy-in-thailand-a-work-in-progress/

[Lite Beer]

Abhisit backs limited amnesty proposal
THE NATION

DEMOCRAT Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday voiced support for the idea of granting amnesty to ordinary protesters, as suggested by a study panel on reconciliation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837829-abhisit-backs-limited-amnesty-proposal/

[Lite Beer]

CDC to hand draft charter to the NRC on August 22
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee is slated to submit the draft charter to the National Reform Council on August 22 before the council votes on the document in early September, NRC whip spokesman Wanchai Sornsiri said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837830-cdc-to-hand-draft-charter-to-the-nrc-on-august-22/

[Lite Beer]

Seafood industry expects EU to pull 'yellow card'
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAI EXPORTERS and processors of seafood and fishmeal say they are confident that tougher fishing rules will improve the European Union's estimation of this country's efficiency in fishery management, while the export sector should not be affected by a short-term docking of fishing boats for inspection.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837831-seafood-industry-expects-eu-to-pull-yellow-card/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Farewell to the poor man's computer paradise
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With phones, tablets so easily discarded, Pantip Plaza has opted for a new business concept, yet we lose much in the trade-off

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837832-farewell-to-the-poor-mans-computer-paradise/

[Lite Beer]

Task force formed to help govt. deal with drought

BANGKOK, 3 June 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Science and Technology has set up a task force to tackle drought. A hotline has been operated to provide useful information on the situation.

Minister of Science and Technology Phichet Durongkhawerote said the task force would support the government's solutions to drought by giving updates on the situation and forecasting weather conditions. It would also help find new natural water sources, the minister said.

Mr. Phichet added that the public could access a database of water conditions on www.thaiwater.net. The website features water situation updates, weather forecasts, water levels of dams, water courses, groundwater sources as well as isotope hydrology.

-- NNT 2015-07-04

[Lite Beer]

Piling for riverside promenade project to start in October

BANGKOK: -- Piling work for the grand Chao Phraya riverside promenade project is expected to start in October despite protests from affected communities, green groups, architects and bicyclists who are promised a spacious bike lane.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837834-piling-for-riverside-promenade-project-to-start-in-october/

[Lite Beer]

ITD says hoarders of seafood could face 7-year in jail



BANGKOK: -- The Internal Trade Department warns operators of cold storages not to hoard seafood otherwise they could face up to seven years in prison and a fine of 40,000 baht.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837836-itd-says-hoarders-of-seafood-could-face-7-year-in-jail/

[Lite Beer]

Officer arrested after failing to rob a goldshop in Phayao

BANGKOK: -- An assistant district officer of Phayao province was injured and arrested after he tried to rob a goldshop in Phayao’s municipal area and shot the owner’s wife.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837837-officer-arrested-after-failing-to-rob-a-goldshop-in-phayao/

[Lite Beer]

Only 5 percent of usable water at four major dams

BANGKOK: -- Only five percent of the water in the country’s four major dams are usable but rice farmers have not reduced their water consumption to irrigate their main crops.

Mr Thongplaew Kongchan, director of water and flood management of the Royal Irrigation Department, said Friday that the department had already slashed the daily volumn of water released from Bhumibol, Pasak Chonlasit, Kwae Noi Bamrungdaen and Sirikit by five million cubic metres due to the worsening drought situation.

Pasak Chonlasit, for instance, has only 53 million cubic metres of water that can be used for consumption against the dam’s full capacity of water storage of 930 million cubic metres. Yet, about 1.3 million cubic metres of water are required to be released each day and, worse still, there are no rainfalls to replenish the shrinking water at the dam.

The Meteorological Department predicted that on July 7 there might be heavy rains in the upper north due to a monsoon wedge. But the sustainable rains are expected in August or September but the amount of rainfalls are less this year.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/only-5-percent-of-usable-water-at-four-major-dams

-- Thai PBS 2015-07-03

[Lite Beer]

Tunisia: 8 people suspected of direct links to beach attack
BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA, Associated Press

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Eight people are in custody in Tunisia, suspected of having direct links to a deadly beach attack that killed 38 people, but four other possible suspects have been released, a minister said Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837841-tunisia-8-people-suspected-of-direct-links-to-beach-attack/

[Lite Beer]

Solar plane lands in Hawaii after record-breaking flight
AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press

KAPOLEI, Hawaii (AP) — A plane powered by the sun's rays landed in Hawaii Friday after a record-breaking five-day journey across the Pacific Ocean from Japan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837842-solar-plane-lands-in-hawaii-after-record-breaking-flight/

[Lite Beer]

Greek campaigns, neck and neck, reach dramatic finale
DEREK GATOPOULOS, Associated Press
MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greeks packed city squares for dueling rallies late into the night Friday, as polls showed a dead heat between the 'yes' and 'no' camps ahead of a bailout referendum Sunday that could be Greece's most important vote since it joined the European Union.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837843-greek-campaigns-neck-and-neck-reach-dramatic-finale/

[Lite Beer]

Hispanic leaders want GOP field to condemn Trump's 'idiocy'
By STEVE PEOPLES

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hispanic leaders are bristling at the largely tepid response by Republican presidential candidates to Donald Trump's characterization of Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837844-hispanic-leaders-want-gop-field-to-condemn-trumps-idiocy/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Man tied to 2013 Myanmar hotel blast gets life in prison

AYE AYE WIN, Associated Press

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A court in Myanmar on Friday sentenced a man linked to a 2013 bombing that wounded an American tourist in one of the country's most prestigious hotels to life imprisonment and hard labor.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/837833-man-tied-to-2013-myanmar-hotel-blast-gets-life-in-prison/