Thailand Live Thursday 9 Jul 2015

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PEA: Drought won’t affect power generation

BANGKOK, 9 July 2015 (NNT) – The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has assured the public of uninterrupted power generation despite the current water shortage while a power saving campaign has been launched ahead of a gas field closure.

PEA Governor Sermsakool Klaikaew was adamant the drought crisis being witnessed in many parts of the country will not have any impact on the agency’s generation of electricity. He reasoned that Thailand mostly relies on natural gas for power production and hydropower accounts for only 5 percent.

Meanwhile, ahead of the temporary closure of the Thailand-Malaysia Joint Development Area (JDA) gas field for maintenance during July 19-23, Mr Sermsakool said the PEA has kicked off the Demand Response campaign for power conservation in cooperation with the Energy Regulatory Commission. A target has been set to reduce energy usage by 100 megawatts.

Thus far, 103 private companies have signed up for the project and, in return, they will be given a discount on electricity bill at the rate of 3.40 baht per unit. The PEA Governor revealed that more participants will be accepted until the day the gas delivery from the JDA is suspended.


-- NNT 2015-07-09

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Jilted Wife attempts suicide following split with Swiss Husband



PATTAYA: -- Medics rushed to a house in Jomtien on Wednesday afternoon to assist a 32 year old woman who had attempted to take her own life by overdosing on Tylenol pain relief tablets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839088-jilted-wife-attempts-suicide-following-split-with-swiss-husband/

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Drunk Driver in high-speed road crash in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Just before daybreak on Wednesday a 38 year old female driver, who was suspected of being heavily intoxicated, was involved in a high-speed road crash which saw her car flip onto its side and two parked vehicles were badly damaged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839089-drunk-driver-in-high-speed-road-crash-in-central-pattaya/

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Pattaya Tourist Police arrest man on-the-run for 8 years



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Morning, the Pattaya Tourist Police arrested a man wanted on an arrest warrant dating back to 2007.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839090-pattaya-tourist-police-arrest-man-on-the-run-for-8-years/

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14 ANTI-COUP STUDENT ACTIVISTS
Govt 'not a hardline dictatorship', says Paiboon, as freed students stay defiant
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE JUNTA-installed regime under Prayut Chan-o-cha, which yesterday released 14 anti-coup student activists, was not a "hardline dictatorship", Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya said yesterday, noting his government had provided channels for the students to express their political opinions as they wished.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839091-govt-not-a-hardline-dictatorship-says-paiboon-as-freed-students-stay-defiant/

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UPDATE:

BRITISH BACKPACKERS
Accused in Koh Tao murder case want to independently test forensic evidence
The Nation, Agencies

KOH SAMUI: -- THE DOUBLE-MURDER trial over the deaths of two British backpackers on Koh Tao began yesterday with families of the victims issuing statements mourning the deaths of their loved ones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838898-koh-tao-trial-opens-for-2-accused-of-killing-british-tourists/page-9?p=9598870#entry9598870

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CHINESE ECONOMY
BOT monitors China stocks
The Nation, agencies

Continued sell-offs could result in serious ramifications for the Chinese economy, and by extension Thailand, says Thai central bank

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand is keeping a close eye on the consequences of sharp Chinese stock market falls over the past three weeks marked by yesterday's further 5.9 per cent drop of benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which led to significant declines of Thai and other Asian share prices, said spokesman Chirathep Senivongs na Ayudhya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839092-bot-monitors-china-stocks/

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MOVING REFORM FORWARD
Abhisit to join TV show on reform and reconciliation
THE NATION


Abhisit Vejjajiva

COUNCIL TO INVITE OPPOSING GROUPS TO KICK-START DISCUSSIONS

BANGKOK: -- DEMOCRAT Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday agreed to join the "Moving Reform Forward" television programme, an initiative of the junta government to lay the ground rules for the reform and reconciliation process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839093-abhisit-to-join-tv-show-on-reform-and-reconciliation/

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IUU FISHING PROTOCOL
Fishing crew lay-offs looming
The Nation



Looming trawlers will have to stop hiring workers if they are forced to dock

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 4,000 people in Ranong province risk losing their jobs by the end of this month if fishing trawlers are still not able to go out to sea in the face of stricter law enforcement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839094-fishing-crew-lay-offs-looming-in-thailand/

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Indian tour company seeks more Thai visitors after a big decrease last year
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- INDIA'S SHASHI Travels and Tours is strengthening its marketing in Thailand to reclaim two-way traffic after a huge drop trips to Thailand last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839095-indian-tour-company-seeks-more-thai-visitors-after-a-big-decrease-last-year/

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Baht expected to stay 34/$ for now
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE WEAKER baht is helpful to Thai exporters but the slowdown in global demand remains a problem, and the woes in the euro zone surrounding the Greek debt crisis will worsen this factor, said Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839096-thai-baht-expected-to-stay-34-for-now/

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EDITORIAL
Flood, then drought - the NEVER-ENDING CYCLE

IT IS DISMAYING THAT THAILAND FACES ANOTHER NATURE-INCURRED CRISIS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASED THROUGH RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

BANGKOK: -- Four years ago this month vast swaths of Thailand began submerging beneath what was soon being called "the flood of the century". Ultimately more than 12 million people in 65 of the 76 provinces were affected and damage was estimated at more than Bt1.4 trillion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839097-flood-then-drought-the-never-ending-cycle/

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THAI TALK
Thailand CANNOT ENDURE as a 'mai pen rai' country

BANGKOK: -- Despite all the hoopla about the 11 areas of "reform" on the official agenda of the National Reform Council (NRC), there is no real hope that any substantial action will be taken after the proposals are tabled in the next few months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839098-thailand-cannot-endure-as-a-mai-pen-rai-country/

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Prayut apologises for seizing power, but explains that 'it was necessary'
THE NATION


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has his picture taken with a group of students and their parents visiting Thailand from the United States at Government House yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday told a group of returning students that he was sorry for seizing power last year, but something had to be done to break the political deadlock.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839099-prayut-apologises-for-seizing-power-but-explains-that-it-was-necessary/

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Govt urged to sue over losses from rice scheme
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- FORMER Democrat MP Warong Dechgitvigrom yesterday urged Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam to file a civil suit over the Bt600-billion damage incurred from the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839100-thai-govt-urged-to-sue-over-losses-from-rice-scheme/

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ANALYSIS
Govt must allow room for expression if it wants to win 'benign and moderate' stamp
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE 12-DAY pre-trial detention of the now-released 14 anti-coup students and activists shot them to fame and alarmed some foreign countries. Though the pressure has been diffused, it is likely to be temporary, as the group vows to renew its call for democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839101-thai-govt-must-allow-room-for-expression-if-it-wants-to-win-benign-and-moderate-stamp/

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BURNING ISSUE
Leaders wanting unity, should examine their use of power
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THE ARREST of 14 student activists from the New Democracy Movement (NDM) is a reflection Thailand's past social events and could help us envision the country's future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839103-thai-politics-leaders-wanting-unity-should-examine-their-use-of-power/

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Teacher arrested for drunk driving after collision
The Nation



BURI RAM: -- A schoolteacher was arrested for drunk driving after allegedly crashing her Toyota Fortuner into a motorcycle in Buri Ram's Muang district on Monday night, an informed source reported yesterday. The motorcyclist was injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839105-teacher-arrested-for-drunk-driving-after-collision-in-buri-ram-video/

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DSI targets Tourism Dept's equipment purchases
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) claimed yesterday that it has found irregularities in the Tourism Department's Bt714-million procurements of recreational/exercise equipment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839104-dsi-targets-thai-tourism-depts-equipment-purchases/

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Military officers checked after marine's mystery illness
The Nation



Chon Buri - Ninety military officers have been placed under surveillance for meningococcal disease after a marine developed suspicious symptoms and died on Sunday, Vice Admiral Thanakan Kraikruan, Commander of the Royal Thai Marine Corps, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839106-thai-military-officers-checked-after-marines-mystery-illness/

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UPDATE:

Irish backpacker David Houlihan (24) drowns in Thailand
David Kearns

A 24-YEAR-OLD Irishman has died in a suspected drowning accident in Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838978-dutch-tourist-drowns-in-koh-samuis-wasted-water-pond/#entry9598943

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Thailand ranks the world's No 18 for high incidence of TB infection

BANGKOK: -- The World Health Organisation has put Thailand the world’s No 18 ranking for high incidence of tuberculosis infection from the previous No 22 ranking, Dr Songkram Sapcharoen, chairman of the central committee of the Anti-Tuberculosis Association, said at a national conference on TB on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839108-thailand-ranks-the-worlds-no-18-for-high-incidence-of-tb-infection/

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Revenue from domestic tourism is likely to fall short of target



BANGKOK: -- Domestic tourism for the second half of the year will not be brisk as earlier predicted and revenue for the whole year is likely to fall short of the 800 billion baht target by up to 300 billion baht, said Mr Yutthachai Sunthornrattanavech, president of Domestic Tourism Business Association.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839110-thai-revenue-from-domestic-tourism-is-likely-to-fall-short-of-target/

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Police search intensifies for Somyot killer
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police continue to examine possible motives for the murder of former night-entertainment tycoon Somyot Suthangkool and would summarise the most likely motives on Friday, Police Major General Chanthep Saesawet, city police deputy commissioner and chief investigator, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839111-police-search-intensifies-for-somyot-killer/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Rights group condemns Myanmar bill on interfaith marriage

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's parliament is "playing with fire" by passing a bill regulating the right of women from the country's Buddhist majority to marry men from outside their religion, an international human rights group said Wednesday.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839051-union-parliament-passes-interfaith-marriage-bill/?p=9598948

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Election seen as crucial step for Myanmar set for Nov. 8

AYE AYE WIN, Associated Press

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A general election seen as a crucial next step for Myanmar's transition to democracy has been scheduled for Nov. 8.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839107-election-seen-as-crucial-step-for-myanmar-set-for-nov-8/

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Drought-affected farmers urged to try new plants
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AS THE severe drought continues to ravage many parts of Thailand and rice fields wither from the water shortage, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday encouraged people to grow herbs such as mucuna pruriens instead of rice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839112-drought-affected-thai-farmers-urged-to-try-new-plants/

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Baltimore mayor fires police commissioner amid homicide rise
By JULIET LINDERMAN

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore mayor fired the troubled city's police commissioner Wednesday, saying that a recent spike in homicides in the weeks after an unarmed black man died of injuries in police custody required a change in leadership.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839113-us-baltimore-mayor-fires-police-commissioner-amid-homicide-rise/

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A secret to IS success: Shock troops who fight to the death
By HAMZA HENDAWI, QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and BASSEM MROUE

BAGHDAD (AP) — Bearded and wearing bright blue bandanas, the Islamic State group's "special forces" unit gathered around their commander just before they attacked the central Syrian town of al-Sukhna. "Victory or martyrdom," they screamed, pledging their allegiance to God and vowing never to retreat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839114-a-secret-to-is-success-shock-troops-who-fight-to-the-death/

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In long-predicted shift, California Latinos outnumber whites

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The long-expected moment when Latinos surpassed whites as California's largest racial or ethnic group has come and gone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839115-in-long-predicted-shift-california-latinos-outnumber-whites/