Thailand Live Wednesday 15 Jul 2015

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CDC: charter establishes new justice departments to combat corruption

BANGKOK, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) claims the new constitution will allow the public to directly submit cases to the Office of the Ombudsman or the National Anti-Corruption Committee.

CDC Vice Chairman Chuchai Supawong said the move is part of the new constitution’s efforts to address corruption, by encouraging those who have reason to believe government officials are committing acts of corruption to speak up by filing case requests to the two anti corruption bodies which would then investigate the matter and forward the case to the administrative court.

Mr Chuhcai revealed that the new constitution will establish a department within the administrative court for cases relating to financial and budgetary abuse and a department within the criminal court for cases relating to corruption and malpractice by government officials.

He said the introduction of the two departments, as well as allowing the public to directly file case requests would serve as key mechanisms in combating corruption in the country.


-- NNT 2015-07-15

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URGENT:

Blood donation needed for O - (O negative) for Spanish citizen in Hua Hin

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840512-urgent-blood-donation-needed-for-o-o-negative-for-spanish-citizen-in-hua-hin/

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This Irish couple saved three students from jail time in a Thailand airport


John O'Brien and Julianne Ní Laoire
Image: Julianne Ní Laoire/Facebook

SURAT THANI: -- THREE IRISH STUDENTS were facing what could only be described as a worst nightmare in Thailand when a fellow Irish couple came to their rescue – and they didn’t even know each other’s names.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840513-couple-saves-three-irish-students-from-visa-overstay-jail-time-in-thailand/

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Udon Thani Police Fine Models for Topless Pool Party
BY Khaosod English


An advertisement for the pool party in Udon Thani province where 3 models were later fined for taking of their tops.

UDON THANI — Three models have been fined for taking off their tops at a pool party in northeastern Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840514-thai-police-fine-models-for-topless-pool-party-in-isaan/

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Rainmaking operations succeed in bringing water to Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams



CHIANG MAI, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - The Director of the Northern Royal Rainmaking Operation Center, Miss Nuengruethai Tantiplubthong has announced that 86 per cent of the 800 rainmaking flights during the last three months were conducted successfully. The operations were launched on 125 days, 90% of which had successfully brought artificial rain to Bhumibol Dam and Sirikit Dam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840515-rainmaking-operations-succeed-in-bringing-water-to-bhumibol-and-sirikit-dams/

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Scottish Man falls from 5th floor room at Jomtien Hotel

PATTAYA: -- Police and medics were called to a Hotel off Jomtien Beach Road on Tuesday afternoon, to assist a Scottish man who had fallen from a 5th floor window at a Hotel off Jomtien Beach Road.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840465-scottish-man-falls-from-5th-floor-room-at-jomtien-hotel/

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PM orders officials to urgently solve farmers' debts

BANGKOK, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda has instructed governors of all provinces to urgently look into farmers’ debts which have accumulated to 388 billion baht nationwide, in response to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s policy to prevent farmers from losing rights over their agricultural lands to capitalists or creditors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840516-pm-prayut-orders-officials-to-urgently-solve-farmers-debts/

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DROUGHT
Everyone must save water till rains come mid-Aug: PM
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION


Locals near Nopparat Temple in Pathum Thani province try to rescue fish from the drying out canal. The fish will be relocated to other natural resources, while the fish that have died will be sold to raise money for the temple.

Ground water chief removed for failing to counter severe drought

BANGKOK: -- IT IS now absolutely necessary for everybody - be they farmers or not - to save fresh water for consumption and daily use, at least until mid-August, when more rain is expected, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840517-everyone-must-save-water-till-rains-come-mid-aug-pm-prayut/

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UPDATE:

CRIME
Freed by Japan, Camronwit now faces queries over hidden gun
Jessada Jantarak,
Nuntida Puangthong,
Pimnara Pradubwit
The Nation


After being detained in Japan for |20 days for |carrying a gun into Narita Airport, former metropolitan police chief |Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank flew back to Thailand yesterday. On his arrival, he gave a wai and smiled at waiting reporters.

BANGKOK: -- POL LT-GENERAL Camronwit Toopgrajank, a former metropolitan police chief, returned from Japan as a free man yesterday after Japanese public prosecutors decided not to prosecute him for carrying a small handgun into Narita Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840351-airport-to-file-criminal-charge-against-kamronwit/page-3?p=9620763#entry9620763

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DROUGHT
No water to grow any plants, farmers say
Pratch Rujivanarom,
Pakawan Rojanasingsawad
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- PROVINCIAL agriculture offices in areas hit by drought have noted that there is absolutely no water for farmers to grow any plants, not even those that consume little water.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840518-no-water-to-grow-any-plants-thai-farmers-say/

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PHUKET
Drop Phuketwan case, UN urges
The Nation

Rights groups voice concern over trial of Phuketwan journalists for rohingya story

BANGKOK: -- THE UNITED Nations and international human rights groups expressed concern yesterday over the trial of Phuketwan journalists who have reported intensively on the smuggling of Rohingya and noted alleged involvement of the Thai Navy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840519-drop-phuketwan-case-un-urges/

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CHIANG MAI
Two ziplining tourists hurt after colliding mid-air
The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- Two female tourists were injured when they crashed into each other mid-air while taking part in a ziplining tour in Chiang Mai's Mae On district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840520-two-ziplining-tourists-hurt-after-colliding-mid-air-in-chiang-mai/

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SPENDING SURVEY
Thais set to double their holiday spending, says Visa
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai tourists will lavish Bt83,000 on an overseas trip in two years, nearly double the Bt44,000 outlay two years ago, according to Visa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840521-thais-set-to-double-their-holiday-spending-says-visa/

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FREEZE VAT
VAT freeze to stay for another year
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Prime Minister Prayuth

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET has approved a Finance Ministry proposal to maintain the value added tax (VAT) at 7 per cent until September 30, 2016, as the economy is still considered sluggish and the government does not want to add burden on the public's purchasing power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840522-vat-freeze-to-stay-for-another-year/

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EDITORIAL
'Zoning' won't stop children from drinking
The Nation

More comprehensive measures are needed to curb teenage alcohol use

BANGKOK: -- The battle to prevent youngsters from drinking is an arduous one, perhaps tougher even than curbing alcohol consumption among adults. The snag is that while authorities perceive underage drinking to be a problem, the young drinkers see it as a rite of passage and a pleasure. Over the years, measures aimed at placing the bottle out of children's reach have met with little success. The government now reckons it has the answer in the shape of a ban on the sale of alcohol close to schools and colleges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840523-thai-editorial-zoning-wont-stop-children-from-drinking/

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STOPPAGE TIME
The first casualty of social-media wars?
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- As someone who has been doing a lot of writing in coffee shops lately, I was disturbed to hear reports of people being charged Bt2,000 for "working" at a Bangkok cafe. You can't blame me for being distracted by the whole episode, or for overlooking a celebrity couple's break-up, or the Prayut government's latest repatriation fiasco. As they say, an ankle sprain is a far bigger deal than a distant earthquake.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840524-thai-opinion-the-first-casualty-of-social-media-wars/

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Thais will soon dial 911 as the new and single national emergency number



BANGKOK: -- Thailand will soon have the national emergency number 911 as a universal hotline number for the people in the whole nation to call when they need emergency assistance. It is the same emergency call number as the Americans when they need help from the police or fire department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840525-thais-will-soon-dial-911-as-universal-emergency-number/

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Moderate earthquake hits Sangkhlaburi

KANCHANABURI: -- A moderate 4.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Sangkhlaburi district of Kanchanaburi province at about 9.20 p.m. Tuesday night, forcing hundreds of residents in the whole town to run out of their homes and buildings to the streets in panic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840526-magnitude-48-quake-strikes-kanchanaburis-sangkhlaburi-district/

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Prayut turns up heat on crooked civil servants
Wasamon Audjarint
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha revealed during yesterday's Cabinet meeting his impatience over the lack of progress of the corruption probe of high-ranking civil servants and he called for a single, shared database on corruption for all ministries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840528-prayut-turns-up-heat-on-crooked-civil-servants/

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UPDATE:

NRC member claims two parties working to oust govt
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A MEMBER of the National Reform Council (NRC) has alleged that two political parties are making preparations to instigate an uprising to oust the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840424-nrc-member-claims-two-parties-working-to-oust-thai-govt/page-2#entry9620841

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Watchlist for lese majeste offenders
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI,
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PEOPLE WITH the potential to defame the monarchy will be divided into five watchlist groups for monitoring, Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said yesterday after chairing a meeting on how to tackle lese majeste offences. Some of these people were linked to groups in nearby countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840529-watchlist-for-lese-majeste-offenders/

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Scope of anti-graft penalties widened
WASSAMON AUDJARINT,
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION

CORRUPT OFFICIALS AND FOREIGNERS CAN EVEN BE EXECUTED UNDER AMENDED LAW

BANGKOK: -- SEVERE penalties - including execution - can now be handed down to not only civil servants but all state officials involved in corruption such as taking or offering bribes, according to a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840530-scope-of-anti-graft-penalties-widened/

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LRCT seeks to amend laws on drug addicts, ensure they are treated
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Law Reform Commission of Thailand (LRCT) will propose amendments to relevant laws so drug abusers are not subjected to criminal punishments, but are instead forced to undergo rehabilitation. LRCT also does not want them detained for 45 days pending drug test results as it is a serious violation of rights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840531-thai-lrc-seeks-to-amend-laws-on-drug-addicts-ensure-they-are-treated/

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Public Gatherings Act is now enforceable



BANGKOK: -- The Public Gatherings Act which requires organizers of a rally or a political protest to notify authorities concerned 24 hours in advance and which ban gatherings within 50 metres from the Government House, the parliament or the court has already come into force after its publication in the Royal Gazette.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840532-public-gatherings-act-is-now-enforceable-in-thailand/

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Cabinet gives green light to three motorway projects



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet on Tuesday approved two infrastructure mega projects worth about 260 billion baht which include three new motorways and an electricity transmission line of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840533-thai-cabinet-gives-green-light-to-three-motorway-projects/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cover-up in paradise

EXCLUSIVE: Fears there won’t be justice in Thai beach murders trial

By JONATHAN SAMUELS, Koh Samui, Thailand

THE families of two Brits murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand may never see justice — amid fears of a police cover-up.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838898-koh-tao-trial-opens-for-2-accused-of-killing-british-tourists/page-90#entry9620888

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Iran deal sets 2016 clash between Clinton and GOP hopefuls
By LISA LERER and KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton's embrace of a landmark nuclear deal with Iran as a worthwhile agreement that also needs strict enforcement underscores the tension between President Barack Obama's foreign policy legacy and the White House aspirations of his first secretary of state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840534-iran-deal-sets-2016-clash-between-clinton-and-gop-hopefuls/

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Iran nuclear deal: Fine 'new chapter' or 'historic mistake'?
By JULIE PACE, MATTHEW LEE and GEORGE JAHN

VIENNA (AP) — Overcoming decades of hostility, Iran, the United States, and five other world powers struck a historic accord Tuesday to check Tehran's nuclear efforts short of building a bomb. The agreement could give Iran access to billions in frozen assets and oil revenue, stave off more U.S. military action in the Middle East and reshape the tumultuous region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840535-iran-nuclear-deal-fine-new-chapter-or-historic-mistake/

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Greece: Revolt over austerity deal grows ahead of vote
By DEREK GATOPOULOS and ELENA BECATOROS

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's left-wing government launched a frantic 24-hour effort late Tuesday to push more austerity measures through Parliament and meet demands from European creditors as it faced down mounting anger at home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840536-greece-revolt-over-austerity-deal-grows-ahead-of-vote/

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Obama calls for shorter sentences for nonviolent convicts
By JOSH LEDERMAN

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Calling it an issue America can't afford to ignore, President Barack Obama laid out an expansive vision Wednesday for fixing the criminal justice system by focusing on communities, courtrooms and cellblocks. He announced a federal review of the use of solitary confinement and urged Congress to pass a sentencing reform bill by year's end.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840537-obama-calls-for-shorter-sentences-for-nonviolent-convicts/