Thailand Live Friday 10 Jul 2015

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Agriculture Minister meets German Ambassador on agricultural cooperation



BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) – Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya has attended a meeting with the German Ambassador to Thailand to tighten the two countries’ agricultural relations.

After a meeting with Mr Rolf Peter Gottfried Sculze, German Ambassador to Thailand, Mr Petipong disclosed that Germany still perceives Thailand and other countries in this region as an important market, especially for the trade of agricultural products. He also said his discussion with the Ambassador was aimed to pave the way for stronger cooperation in agriculture and other areas that interest both sides.

According to the minister, Germany is ranked 21st among Thailand’s leading agricultural traders. During 2012-2014, farm trade with Germany was valued at 21.67 billion baht a year on average, equivalent to 1.55 percent of Thailand’s trade with the world.

The top five agricultural products exported to Germany consist of processed chicken meat and viscera, processed shrimp, frozen shrimp, processed pineapple and animal feed.


-- NNT 2015-07-10

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University 'Accidentally' Sells 3 Tons of Rare Books to Recyclers
By Khaosod English


File photo of Silpakorn University in Bangkok [Matichon].

BANGKOK — A prominent state university in Thailand is frantically buying back 3,000 kilograms of rare books and magazines that it mistakenly sold as recycling materials to a vendor for 6,000 baht last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839316-thai-university-accidentally-sells-3-tons-of-rare-books-to-recyclers/

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NCB regulates pharmacies to prevent drug abuse

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) – The Narcotics Control Board (NCB) is set to start regulating the sales of drugs at pharmacies to prevent the misuse of drugs especially in children and youth, says NCB Secretary-General.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839317-ncb-regulates-thai-pharmacies-to-prevent-drug-abuse/

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Pattaya Property Scammer arrested by Police in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A Pattaya-based Estate Agent, who is accused of cheating potential buyers out of millions of Baht has been arrested by Nongprue Police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839318-pattaya-property-scammer-arrested-by-police-in-east-pattaya/

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FISHERY
One-stop service to certify trawler captains and mechanics
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION


Trawlers that have been docked in Songkhla province for more than a week were able to resume their fishing operations yesterday after the government relaxed strict regulations by dispatching mobile units to provide the trawler operators with legal support

BANGKOK: -- THE MARINE Department has launched a mobile one-stop service to issue certificates for captains and mechanics, as one of the measures to legalise fishing vessels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839319-thai-fishery-one-stop-service-to-certify-trawler-captains-and-mechanics/

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ATTACK ON THAI CONSULATE IN TURKEY
Prayut blames repatriated Uighurs
THE NATION, AGENCIES



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday blamed the Uighur Muslims that Thailand returned to Turkey for the attack on the Thai honorary consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839320-attack-on-thai-consulate-in-turkey-prayut-blames-repatriated-uighurs/

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NEW CHARTER
CDC nod for new political structure in draft charter
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG,
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN
THE NATION

Controversial provision for non-elected premier remains but some others dumpted

BANGKOK: -- THE PAST WEEK has seen the country's new political structure take shape with some groundbreaking provisions, including the one on a non-elected prime minister, and the removal of some other proposals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839321-cdc-nod-for-new-political-structure-in-draft-charter/

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ECONOMY
Thailand adopts key strategies to drive economy
Sirivish Toomgum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has adopted four key strategies to drive the economy and foster its competitiveness in the global landscape, Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said in his keynote speech at the Thai-Chinese Exim Association on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839322-thailand-adopts-key-strategies-to-drive-economy/

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BANGKOK
BMA wants parking fees on 51 more roads
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will soon propose to the Metropolitan Police Bureau the list of 51 additional public roads it hopes to collect parking fees from, said BMA deputy permanent secretary Krisda Klantanon on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839323-bangkok-administration-wants-parking-fees-on-51-more-roads/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Unfazed by detention, anti-coup students plot next move
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION


Panupong

BANGKOK: -- TWENTY-year-old Panupong Sritananuwat, as he takes a cigarette break from a meeting on what to do against the regime of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, looks like any other university student - except for his not-so-fashionable shaved head, which was forced on him in prison, and what's on his mind.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839324-thai-interview-unfazed-by-detention-anti-coup-students-plot-next-move/

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THAI
Thai Airways reacts to global crises
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation


Charamporn

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International is preparing crisis management to deal with economic and financial problems outside Thailand, said the airline's president, Charamporn Jotikasthira.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839325-thai-airways-reacts-to-global-crises/

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DROUGHT IMPACT
Prolonged drought 'likely to hurt GDP'
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE worst drought in half a century will drag economic growth down by half a percentage point this year, causing gross domestic product to expand by less than 3 per cent, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839326-prolonged-drought-likely-to-hurt-thai-gdp/

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EDITORIAL
IRAN COULD HELP turn the tables on the jihadists

ONCE AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED ON TEHRAN'S NUCLEAR PLANS, ITS STRATEGIC AID IN PACIFYING THE MIDDLE EAST IS URGENTLY NEEDED

BANGKOK: -- Several more days remain in negotiations between Iran and the world's five major powers over the fate of that country's nuclear programme, but many observers are claiming the deal is already secured, and they have shifted focus to its potential impact on regional security and the oil market. The price of crude oil is expected to drop if economic sanctions on Iran can be eased.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839327-iran-could-help-turn-the-tables-on-the-jihadists/

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Truck falls off subsided canal road but driver safe



BANGKOK: -- A 6-wheeler fell off the canal road which subsided over two metres deep from the surface in Nong Sua district of Pathumthani early Thursday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839328-truck-falls-off-subsided-canal-road-but-driver-safe/

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Last tourists stuck on island off Phuket arrive back
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Speedboats finally managed to bring the tourists back to Phuket this morning (July 9).

PHUKET: -- The last of more than 150 tourists who had been stuck on Koh Racha Yai since Phuket Marine Office chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut ordered that no speedboats less than nine meters in length put to sea finally made it back to Phuket this morning (July 9).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839329-last-tourists-stuck-on-island-off-phuket-arrive-back/

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Ex-Songkhla PAO chairman given 18 years by the Supreme Court



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court has upheld the 18 years imprisonment imposed on former chairman of Songkhla provincial administration organization who was found guilty of corruption charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839330-ex-songkhla-pao-chairman-given-18-years-by-the-supreme-court/

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No 'Thailand Moves Forward' date for Abhisit and Yingluck
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva says he has not been asked by the government to appear with former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on its weekly television programme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839331-no-thailand-moves-forward-date-for-abhisit-and-yingluck/

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Army chief denies students, parents being intimidated
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Defence Minister and Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr yesterday denied that the government had sent officials to intimidate the parents and members of the New Democracy Movement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839332-thai-army-chief-denies-students-parents-being-intimidated/

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Govt dared to show proof of international 'role'
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE 14 NEW Democracy Movement (NDM) students, who were released from prison on Wednesday, yesterday dared the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government to show evidence to prove whether they were really backed by international agencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839335-thai-govt-dared-to-show-proof-of-international-role/

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UPDATE:

Tight control over pharmacies as youth found modifying pills
The Nation



BANGKOK: --The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are planning to impose stricter controls on pharmacies in Bangkok after some young people were found to be modifying over the counter pills into stimulants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839317-ncb-regulates-thai-pharmacies-to-prevent-drug-abuse/#entry9603205

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UPDATE:

UN slams deportation of Uighurs
THE NATION



PM SAYS REPATRIATION TO CHINA WAS IN KEEPING WITH INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS

BANGKOK: -- THE UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the broader international community yesterday expressed alarm after the government deported some 100 Uighur Muslims to China, a move that prompted an attack on the Thai embassy in Istanbul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839320-attack-on-thai-consulate-in-turkey-prayut-blames-repatriated-uighurs/#entry9603213

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Mother of bank robber returns cash
Khanathit Srihirundaj,
Jessada Chantharak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE MOTHER of fugitive Sattra Suksom, who was allegedly involved in the June 19 money truck robbery in Bangkok, has returned Bt496,000 to police because she suspected it to be ill-gotten gains and directed the police to impound her son's brand-new car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839338-mother-of-bank-robber-returns-cash-to-thai-police/

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UPDATE:

Court may order retesting of DNA in Koh Tao double murder case
The Nation



KOH SAMUI: -- A court looks set to commission the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) to retest the DNA of two Myanmar nationals who are facing charges of killing two British backpackers in Thailand last year, an informed source disclosed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838898-koh-tao-trial-opens-for-2-accused-of-killing-british-tourists/page-29?p=9603224#entry9603224

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UPDATE:

Pumping of water blamed for road cracks
The Nation



Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839328-truck-falls-off-subsided-canal-road-but-driver-safe/?p=9603232#entry9603232

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Police interview drug inmate over Somyot murder
Supachai Phetchthewee
The Nation


Somyot Suthangkool

BANGKOK: -- Police investigating the shooting murder of night-entertainment tycoon Somyot Suthangkool interviewed a drug inmate at Ratchaburi's Khao Bin Prison yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839340-thai-police-interview-drug-inmate-over-somyot-murder/

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BURNING ISSUE
Rice stocks from subsidy scheme must be liquidated soon
SASITHORN ONGDEE

BANGKOK: -- THE VALUE of the overflowing state rice stockpiles of around 16 million tonnes, a legacy of the previous government's flagship subsidy scheme, was recently estimated at only Bt200 billion - if they are sold.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839341-thai-politics-rice-stocks-from-subsidy-scheme-must-be-liquidated-soon/

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40 behind Yala bombs in May
The Nation

YALA: -- Investigations into the small bomb attacks in Yala's Muang district on May 14 to 16 shows that 40 people were involved, chief detective at the Southern Border Provinces Police Operations Centre said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839342-40-behind-yala-bombs-in-may/

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Amid detente with Hamas, Israel says 2 citizens held in Gaza
By JOSEF FEDERMAN

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Thursday said that two of its citizens are being held captive in the Gaza Strip, an announcement that brought back bitter memories of the case of an Israeli soldier who was captured and imprisoned for five years by the Hamas militant group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839343-amid-detente-with-hamas-israel-says-2-citizens-held-in-gaza/

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Greek government offers sweeping proposal to creditors
By DEREK GATOPOULOS and RAF CASERT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece finally met a deadline that counted on Thursday and made a series of sweeping proposals that its creditors needed by midnight to set off a mad rush toward a weekend deal to stave off a financial collapse of the nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839345-greek-government-offers-sweeping-proposal-to-creditors/

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Man accused of killing 7 in New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Associated Press

ALLENTOWN: -- A man killed seven people in New Jersey and Pennsylvania over a seven-week period during shooting sprees in which at least some victims may have been targeted at random, authorities said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839347-us-man-accused-of-killing-7-in-new-jersey-pennsylvania/