Thailand Live Tuesday 7 Jul 2015

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As dams cut water release, promise of rain next month
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation


Rice paddy sits in the cracked soil surface, waiting for rainfall, in Phraya Bunleu Canal in Ayutthaya yesterday. The area is said to be suffering the worst drought in 16 years.

BANGKOK: -- WITH water levels in dams "more critical than the 1987 and 1998 severe drought situations", the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) proposed yesterday that two major dams release less water to ensure stocks last for this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838537-as-thai-dams-cut-water-release-promise-of-rain-next-month/

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UPDATE:

Students will face military court, Prayut maintains
ANAPAT DEECHUAY,
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE PRIME MINISTER insisted yesterday that the 14 student activists arrested for violating an order prohibiting political gatherings would have to be tried by a military court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838371-pm-prayut-14-students-will-be-tried-by-military-court/page-2?p=9591240#entry9591240

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GREXIT
Euro group awaits Greek government's next move
The Nation, agencies

Asian markets slip after voters' resounding rejection of more austerity

BANGKOK: -- Euro-group ministers expect fresh reform proposals from Athens today after Greeks overwhelmingly rejected terms demanded by creditors in a national referendum on Sunday, which sent shock waves across European and Asian stock markets, with Thai shares down by 1.08 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838539-euro-group-awaits-greek-governments-next-move/

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Man attacked outside of South Pattaya Karaoke Bar



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday a 29 year old man, who had encountered an earlier problem inside a Karaoke Bar in South Pattaya, was badly assaulted outside of the bar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838541-man-attacked-outside-of-south-pattaya-karaoke-bar/

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Smart Phone theft suspect arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- On Monday afternoon, Pattaya Police announced the arrest of a 29 year old man wanted in connection with the theft of a 15,000 Baht Smart Phone in South Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838542-smart-phone-theft-suspect-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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Suspected Child Molesting Football Coach arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police



PATTAYA: -- A 46 year old Thai man, accused of sexually assaulting over 40 children under the age of 15, who is currently working as a coach for a youth soccer team and has been wanted on warrant since 2012, was arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police on Monday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838543-suspected-child-molesting-football-coach-arrested-by-pattaya-tourist-police/

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'Another round of amendments to draft charter not needed'
THE NATION

WISSANU SAYS EXISTING PROCESS WILL SUFFICE

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Wissanu Krea-ngam has dismissed talk of the interim charter going through another amendment phase to facilitate disrupted reform work. He said existing channels were enough to tackle the task.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838545-thai-politics-another-round-of-amendments-to-draft-charter-not-needed/

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UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
Hospitals get flexibility on use of NHSO funds
Pratch Rujivanarom,
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

Prayut says no plan to scrap universal healthcare; prateep is new nhso chief

BANGKOK: -- Hospitals will be able to cover their electricity and repair costs using money from the universal healthcare scheme, Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838546-universal-healthcare-thai-hospitals-get-flexibility-on-use-of-nhso-funds/

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KHON KAEN ZOO
Zoo operator apologises for deadly crash that killed 5, pledges to pay compensation
Jitima Janphrom
The Nation



Khon KAEN facility shut as police launch probe

KHON KAEN: -- ZOOLOGICAL PARK Organisation director Benjapol Nakprasert, along with Khon Kaen Zoo head Thewin Ratanawongsawat, held a press conference yesterday to apologise for the tram collision which killed five people and injured 55 others on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838547-khon-kaen-zoo-apologises-for-deadly-crash-that-killed-5-pledges-to-pay-compensation/

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Little impact seen on tourism
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE TOURISM sector is expected to suffer minimal further impacts from the Greek debt crisis as the industry has already been hit by the economic problems in Europe since 2013, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838548-greek-debt-crisis-little-impact-seen-on-thai-tourism/

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Government told not to rush West coast development
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE TOURISM industry has cautioned the government about developing the West coast of Thailand as a new destination, saying it should take time to ensure the areas are fully prepared before marketing them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838549-thai-government-told-not-to-rush-west-coast-development/

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EDITORIAL
Outrageous timing for a submarine purchase
The Nation

Funds are drying up for healthcare, but the Navy still wants bigger muscles to flex

BANGKOK: -- With defence expenditures directly linked to the country's development, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is obliged to consider both the current economic malaise and his government's relatively limited funds in making a decision on buying expensive new equipment for the military.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838550-thai-editorial-outrageous-timing-for-a-submarine-purchase/

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STREETWISE
Thailand should welcome the unavoidable 'Grexit'
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- It looks more likely than ever that Greece will exit the euro zone, though however "voluntarily" it does so remains to be seen. The process could take considerable time following the referendum on Sunday in which 61.3 per cent of voters rejected an austerity package proposed by the country's creditors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838551-thailand-should-welcome-the-unavoidable-grexit/

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Thailand's Rising Crackdown on Dissent Sparks Coup Criticism
The junta is tightening its grip on power.
By Shawn W. Crispin

BANGKOK: -- The detention of 14 student activists in Thailand underscores the ruling junta’s rising crackdown on dissent and free expression, signaling a deeper descent into strongman-led authoritarian rule. While army commander cum Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has strongly consolidated his rule after a year in power, his government is nonetheless tightening its grip amid plans to delay elections deep into 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838552-thailands-rising-crackdown-on-dissent-sparks-coup-criticism/

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Phuket's horror week road toll climbs to six dead in five days
Eakkapop Thongtub


Sontaya Jonglaaiat, 21, was the seventh person to die in Phuket road accidents in less than a week. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A woman died after her motorbike slammed into the back of a stopped six-wheeled truck in Mai Khao this afternoon (July 6), bringing the number of deaths in Phuket road accidents to six within the past five days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838553-phukets-horror-week-road-toll-climbs-to-six-dead-in-five-days/

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NEW YORK (AP) - Longtime Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub, who backed 'Karate Kid,' 'Ocean's Eleven,' dies.

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Phuket to gain new hospital by 2018
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) chief Dr Kajornsak Kaewjarat. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- Construction of the long-awaited Chalong Hospital is expected to begin next year with a budget of B105 million, Phuket health officials have announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838554-phuket-to-gain-new-hospital-by-2018/

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GrabTaxi app on its way to Phuket
Nattha Thepbamrung


Taxi drivers will be given an education on the GrabTaxi service next Tuesday (July 14).

PHUKET: -- The GrabTaxi phone application will soon be available in Phuket and those taxi drivers who wish to join will be educated on the service next Tuesday (July 14).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838555-grabtaxi-app-on-its-way-to-phuket/

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Prayut asks for donations to support universal healthcare scheme
Puangchompoo Prasert
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha hopes Thais will donate their money in support of the universal healthcare scheme, according to Public Health Minister Dr Rajata Rajatanavin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838556-prayut-asks-for-donations-to-support-universal-healthcare-scheme/

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Prayut: the economy will grow
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has vowed that Thailand's economy will move forward, as he tried to maintain foreign confidence in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838558-thai-pm-prayut-the-economy-will-grow/

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'Bt300 wage only good for family of 2'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A FAMILY of three may not be able to rise above poverty on just the Bt300 minimum daily wage, a research director on labour development at the Thailand Development Research Institute said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838559-bt300-wage-only-good-for-family-of-2/

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Poll shows most community leaders support illegal fishing crackdown
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Community leaders have shown their support for the government's crackdown on illegal fishing and are confident the European Union yellow card against fishing industry for widespread illegal fishing will be withdrawn within six-month deadline given by the EU, a survey released Monday found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838560-thai-poll-shows-most-community-leaders-support-illegal-fishing-crackdown/

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Poker players in Somyot murder probe called back for police questions
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The poker players who allegedly had a Bt4 million gambling debt with slain night-entertainment tycoon Somyot Suthangkool will be summoned by police for a second round of questioning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838561-poker-players-in-somyot-murder-probe-called-back-for-police-questions/

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BURNING ISSUE
Is universal healthcare a basic right for Thai people?
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A BIG conflict is erupting in the country's healthcare sector over whether the universal healthcare scheme should go ahead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838563-is-universal-healthcare-a-basic-right-for-thai-people/

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Academics claim harassment, demand talks with the PM
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A GROUP of academics supporting 14 detained student activists said yesterday they would request a meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief, if the students were not freed and if alleged harassment of lecturers continued.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838564-academics-claim-harassment-demand-talks-with-the-pm-prayut/

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Monsoon influence expected to cause heavy rain from late July

CHIANG MAI, 7 July 2015 (NNT) – The Northern Meteorological Center is expecting a dry spell during early July, while monsoon winds could cause heavy rains from late July until December, with the potential of floods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838565-monsoon-influence-expected-to-cause-heavy-rain-from-late-july/

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After vote win, Greek leaders face pressure to restart talks
By DEREK GATOPOULOS and ANGELA CHARLTON

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Despite triumphing in a popular vote against austerity, Greece's leaders Monday faced the urgent need to heal ties with European creditors and reach a financial rescue deal to prevent it from falling out of the euro — possibly within days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838566-after-vote-win-greek-leaders-face-pressure-to-restart-talks/

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Clinton says she opposes boycott effort against Israel
By KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton says in a letter to American Jewish organizations that she opposes a grassroots protest movement promoting boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel over policies involving the Palestinian territories.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838568-clinton-says-she-opposes-boycott-effort-against-israel/

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Longtime Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub dies at 77
JAKE COYLE, AP Film Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Jerry Weintraub, the dynamic producer and manager who pushed the career of John Denver and produced such hit movies as "Nashville" and "Ocean's Eleven," has died. He was 77.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838571-longtime-hollywood-producer-jerry-weintraub-dies-at-77/

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SC Senate votes to remove flag from Statehouse grounds
By JEFFREY COLLINS

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate voted Monday to pull the Confederate flag off the Capitol grounds, clearing the way for a historic measure that could remove the banner more than five decades after it was first flown above the Statehouse to protest integration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838573-us-sc-senate-votes-to-remove-confederate-flag-from-statehouse-grounds/