Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Jul 2015

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Foreign minister Tanasak to officially visit Russia on Jul 14

BANGKOK, 14 July 2015 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn begins his official visit to the Russian Federation on Tuesday in order to extend the Thai-Russian cooperation in all aspects.

His six-day visit will end on July 19 after various meetings with numerous high-profile officials of the Russian government.

Gen Tanasak will pay a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation.

Thereafter, Gen Tanasak will meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Their discussion is expected to cover preparations for the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the Thai-Russian diplomatic relations in 2017. The two sides will sign an action plan on the Consultations between Thai and Russian Foreign Ministries for the next three years, 2016-2018.

During his visit, Gen Tanasak is also scheduled to participate in the sixth meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Russia, during which he will meet with Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov to discus trade cooperation.


-- NNT 2015-07-14

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South Pattaya Condo Manager charged with Animal Cruelty Offences



PATTAYA: -- Late on Sunday Night, a case of alleged animal cruelty, was dealt with by Police at a Condominium in South Pattaya but the Army became involved the following day as they judged the incident was not dealt with in the correct manner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840238-south-pattaya-condo-manager-charged-with-animal-cruelty-offences/

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DROUGHT
Farms face threat of going dry as water cut
Pratch Rujivanarom,
Wattana Khamchu
The Nation



Dams to reduce water released for irrigation to avert tapwater crisis

BANGKOK: -- THE Cabinet will consider a plan today that seeks to avert a tap-water shortage crisis - by cutting the volume of irrigation water from dams and barring farmers from diverting water from public channels to their farmland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840239-drought-crisis-farms-in-thailand-face-threat-of-going-dry-as-water-cut/

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THAI-CHINESE RELATIONS
China in talks seeking to get more Uighurs repatriated
THE NATION



Prayut delays decision on remaining 52 amid pleas from west to eject them

BANGKOK: -- CHINA HAS maintained communications with the Thai government over the plight of the remaining 52 Uighur Muslims in Thailand, bidding to have them repatriated, a Chinese official said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840240-china-in-talks-with-thailand-seeking-to-get-more-uighurs-repatriated/

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UPDATE:

CRIME
Camronwit freed, Tokyo airport gun case dropped
Nuntida Puangthong.
Jessada Jantarak
The Nation


File Photo

Ex-city police chief might be barred from japan for years due to overstay; could face gun possession charges in thailand

BANGKOK: -- JAPANESE AUTHORITIES have decided not to prosecute Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank, a former metropolitan police chief, for carrying a gun into the Narita Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840025-former-bangkok-metropolitan-police-commissioner-kamronwit-freed-in-japan/page-5?p=9617285#entry9617285

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SOUTH CRISIS
Police on alert in far South amid fear of more attacks
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE AUTHORITIES are conducting stricter checks of all vehicles on land and water in their hunt for two motorcycles used in bomb and arson attacks in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district last Friday and Saturday, an informed source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840241-thai-police-on-alert-in-far-south-amid-fear-of-more-attacks/

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THAI-FRENCH TIES
French envoy gets list of lese majeste suspects in exile
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister General Paiboon Khumchaya yesterday handed a list of suspects facing lese majeste charges to French Ambassador to Thailand Thierry Viteau for acknowledgement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840242-french-envoy-gets-list-of-lese-majeste-suspects-in-exile/

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Drop in consumer confidence in June
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S CONSUMER Confidence Index remained low in June, reflecting consumers' continued lack of confidence in the economy, according to the Commerce Ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840243-drop-in-thailands-consumer-confidence-in-june/

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CRIME
Long jail terms for TrueMove card hackers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three men found guilty of fraud in True Move Co's money-top-up electronic card will serve jail terms ranging from five years and four months to 50 years, according to a ruling by the Supreme Court on June 29 that was announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840244-long-jail-terms-for-truemove-card-hackers/

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JetAsia suspends flights to Japan
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- JETASIA AIRWAYS has temporarily suspended flights to Japan in the wake of aviation safety tests being conducted by a team of United States Federal Aviation Administration officials in Thailand this week, with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) set to receive the test results this week and have another 65 days to fix any problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840245-jetasia-suspends-flights-from-thailand-to-japan/

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EDITORIAL
The UN won't dance to THAILAND'S TUNE

COUNTRY'S BID FOR A SEAT ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS FALLEN FOUL OF THE COUP

BANGKOK: -- While there's no harm in promoting our culture abroad, sending a Thai classical dance troupe to New York won't help us secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840246-the-un-wont-dance-to-thailands-tune/

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Transport minister is unsure of greenlight from FAA



BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Prajin Juntong admitted on Monday that he was not sure that all the necessary steps taken by the Civil Aviation Department to improve aviation safety standards supervision will pass the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840247-aviation-thai-transport-minister-is-unsure-of-greenlight-from-faa/

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Court grants bail to woman accused of spreading rumours
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The businesswoman who was arrested for spreading a rumour online that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had transferred Bt10 billion to Singapore has been granted bail on a Bt100,000 guarantee, her lawyer said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840145-martial-court-approves-bail-for-woman-accused-of-spreading-prayut-rumor/#entry9617317

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Teacher shot dead in Pattani two years after brother killed
The Nation



PATTANI: -- Pattani physical education teacher Sakol Chadarat was fatally shot yesterday afternoon when ambushed by two men on a motorcycle while riding a motorcycle home in Muang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840248-teacher-shot-dead-in-pattani-two-years-after-brother-killed/

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PM Prayut orders National Security Council to step up intelligence operations

BANGKOK, 14 July 2015 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has ordered the National Security Council to step up its intelligence operations to fully cover all areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840250-pm-prayut-orders-national-security-council-to-step-up-intelligence-operations/

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BURNING ISSUE
Student arrests - a starting point for reconciliation?
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH

BANGKOK: -- THE ARREST, detention and release of the 14 anti-coup students have taught some lessons to both the students and the junta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840251-thai-politics-student-arrests-a-starting-point-for-reconciliation/

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Unity govt 'a plot to extend NCPO's stay'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A RED-SHIRT leader yesterday lambasted the idea of forming a unity government, saying it was an attempt to prolong the junta's time in power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840252-unity-govt-a-plot-to-extend-ncpos-stay/

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Key witness threatened in trafficking case, top cop says
The Nation

HAT YAI: -- A key witness had asked to "lie low" in Malaysia after she received a threat from a key suspect following initial court hearings, said Deputy national police chief Aek Angsananont, responsible for inquiries into the trafficking of Rohingya and other migrants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840253-key-witness-threatened-in-trafficking-case-thai-top-cop-says/

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COMMENT
Exploitation of resources in Isaan needs PUBLIC INPUT
JOHN DRAPER, PEERASIT KAMNUANSILPA
SPECIAL TO THE NATION

AN UNDERLYING CAUSE OF THE ARRESTS OF THE 14 DAO DIN STUDENTS IS THEIR SUPPORT FOR VILLAGERS IN THE NORTHEAST OVER THE EXPLOITATION OF LOCAL NATURAL RICHES

BANGKOK: -- In a charged atmosphere in which government officials have criticised politicians, red shirts, NGOs, US agencies and even parents for being invisible "puppet masters", it is worth considering one underlying cause of the arrests of the 14 New Democracy Movement students - a cause which despite facing ongoing charges, they are still espousing. This is the Dao Din Group's support for villagers in the Northeast regarding natural resources exploitation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840254-exploitation-of-resources-in-isaan-needs-public-input/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar's President Thein Sein says will not run for second term

BY AUNG HLA TUN

Myanmar President Thein Sein has decided not to run in a parliamentary election scheduled for Nov. 8, a senior official from his office said on Monday, meaning he will not be eligible for a second term as head of state.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840255-myanmars-president-thein-sein-says-will-not-run-for-second-term/

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Body found amid Phuket jungle
Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- Police are attempting to identify a man whose body was found in jungle near Phuket’s popular Rawai beach area Monday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840258-body-found-amid-phuket-jungle/

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Thailand-China Submarine Deal: US Taking A Backseat To Chinese As Superpower Influence
By Michelle FlorCruz

WASHINGTON: -- A controversial billion-dollar submarine deal between China and Thailand has aggravated relations between the U.S. and Thailand, which could potentially disrupt the greater U.S. naval “pivot” in the region, reports indicate. Thailand’s military junta-led government approved the purchase of three attack submarines earlier this month from China, bridging military ties with Beijing as Washington took a step back.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840260-thailand-china-submarine-deal-us-taking-a-backseat-to-chinese-as-superpower-influence/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Leicester City's Thai owners appoint Claudio Ranieri as new manager

STEVE DOUGLAS, AP Sports Writer

LEICESTER: Experienced Italian coach Claudio Ranieri was hired as the new manager of Leicester on Monday, returning to the English Premier League eight months after being fired following a brief and disappointing spell in charge of Greece's national team.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840261-leicester-citys-thai-owners-appoint-claudio-ranieri-as-new-manager/

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David Letterman Reveals Top 10 'Facts' About Donald Trump (VIDEO)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840262-david-letterman-reveals-top-10-facts-about-donald-trump-video/

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More UFUN suspects face arrest, in Thailand and overseas
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Four more suspects in UFUN's alleged pyramid scheme will be taken into custody today, assistant national police chief Lt-General Suwira Songmetta said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840263-more-ufun-suspects-face-arrest-in-thailand-and-overseas/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Microsoft to launch Windows 10 on July 29

NEW YORK (AP) — Microsoft will launch Windows 10 on July 29.

The upgraded operating system will allow users to switch seamlessly between personal computers, tablets, smartphones and other gadgets.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/microsoft-to-launch-windows-10-on-july-29/12400/

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NRC agrees to amend reforms on party structure, state agencies
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Council (NRC) has approved a revised proposal on political party structure and access put forward by its Political Reform Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840264-nrc-agrees-to-amend-reforms-on-party-structure-state-agencies/

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Issues opposed by judges 'already amended'
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- JUDGES should stop protesting because the two issues in the draft charter that they oppose have already been amended, Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Borwornsak Uwanno said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840265-issues-opposed-by-thai-judges-already-amended/

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What next? More twists and turns ahead for Greece
By DAVID McHUGH

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Greece's bailout deal isn't a deal — yet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840267-what-next-more-twists-and-turns-ahead-for-greece/

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Pentagon announces plan aimed at lifting transgender ban
By LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon's current regulations banning transgender individuals from serving in the military are outdated, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday, ordering a six-month study aimed at formally ending one of the last gender- or sexuality-based barriers to military service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840268-pentagon-announces-plan-aimed-at-lifting-transgender-ban/