Thailand Live Wednesday 15 Jul 2015

[Jonathan Fairfield]

The Islamization of Thailand

BANGKOK:— The perceived relative homogeneity of Thai culture and society is being challenged on multiple fronts today.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840631-the-islamization-of-thailand/

[webfact]

4G auction to take place on November 11th

BANGKOK, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - The National Broadcasting Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) will be accepting bids for 4G spectrum licenses on November 11.

NBTC Secretary General Thakorn Tantasit said the auction criteria has already been approved by the broadcasting panel. Only two 12.5 MHz licenses are available for the 1,800 MHz spectrum.

The minimum bid is 11.6 billion baht per license and will increase to 16.5 billion baht with two or more bidders. A public forum will be held on July 18, before announcing the auction in the Royal Gazette by August 26.

Invitations to the bidding process will be announced from August 28 – September 28. The auction is expected to take place on November 11. The results will be revealed in December as scheduled. The general public will have full access to the 4G network at the beginning of next year.


-- NNT 2015-07-15

[webfact]

Running to help fight HIV in Phuket
Press Release


Colin celebrates crossing the finishing line.

PHUKET: -- Colin Gallagher, an English Lecturer at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism from the Prince of Songkla University (PSU), recently ran the Laguna International Marathon on June 7. He entered, having never undertaken a marathon before, but wanted to raise money for the Phuket Loves You Club (PLU) who, as well as organising the past 4 years Phuket Pride Week, raise funds to fight HIV in Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840638-running-to-help-fight-hiv-in-phuket/

[webfact]

Deep South gas stations reopen after strike

YALA, 15 July 2015 (NNT) – Gas stations in the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala have resumed their operation after a strike earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840640-deep-south-gas-stations-reopen-after-strike/

[Lite Beer]

RT@Atomicalandy: Phuketwan trial day 2 hearing just adjourned early as Oi finishes her testimony, no prosecutor to cross examine.

RT@Atomicalandy: Day 3 Phuketwan trial will re-commence tomorrow at 9am with national human rights commissioners and computer crimes defense expert/witnesses

[Lite Beer]

BKK Police Chief Angered by Breathalyser Test Requests

By Kaosod Eng.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Sriwarah Rangsipramkul (center) visits an exhibition about police checkpoint discipline at the Traffic Police Division in Bangkok, 16 October 2014 [Matichon]

BANGKOK — The commander of Bangkok's police force lashed out at volunteer traffic cops who asked him to take a breathalyser test even after he insisted he was not drunk.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840643-bkk-police-chief-angered-by-breathalyser-test-requests/

[Lite Beer]

SET rises 6.34 to 1,494.74 at midday / Bangkok Post.

[webfact]

Another South Korean online gambling gang smashed in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- A combined force of immigration, tourist and Chonburi police raided three single houses in three housing estates in Bang Lamung last night and arrested 11 South Koreans for illegally operating online gambling in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840648-another-south-korean-online-gambling-gang-smashed-in-pattaya/

[webfact]

Satun still gripped by floods

SATUN, 15 July 2015 (NNT) – Some schools in the southern province of Satun remain closed as a result of the ongoing floods. Meanwhile, the provincial governor has warned parents to keep their children away from water.

The worst flood-hit areas include the districts of Kuan Done, Thapae, Langu and Muang. Although water levels have begun to recede, some communities remain under water. In Langu district, water overflowing from the local canal has made the road leading to the downtown impassable.

In Muang District, disaster prevention and mitigation officials have installed danger warning signs in flood-damaged zones, and are closely monitoring the situation. Three schools have been forced to suspend their classes temporarily due to the inundation.

The Satun governor has called on parents to keep a close watch on their children as flooding could lead to drowning.

-- NNT 2015-07-15

[webfact]

In Arab world, worries that deal will boost Iran's power
ADAM SCHRECK, Associated Press
LEE KEATH, Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The nuclear deal with Iran was met with a profound wariness in the Arab world, where concerns are widespread that the easing of its international isolation could tip the already bloody contest for power in the region toward Shiite-led Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840650-in-arab-world-worries-that-deal-will-boost-irans-power/

[webfact]

Government helps farmers facing seizures of their farmland



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet yesterday gave instruction for state bank side to help farmers from losing their farmlands after defaulting their debt payments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840651-government-helps-thai-farmers-facing-seizures-of-their-farmland/

[webfact]

Commerce Min ensures adequate supply of drinking water in drought-hit provinces

BANGKOK, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is carrying out inspections on major supermarkets to ensure adequate supply of drinking water for drought-hit communities across the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840656-thai-commerce-min-ensures-adequate-supply-of-drinking-water-in-drought-hit-provinces/

[webfact]

Irrigation Department denies it mismanaged water releases from dams



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Irrigation Department has brushed aside allegations that it mismanaged water management causing water shortage rendering damages to rice farmland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840657-thai-irrigation-department-denies-it-mismanaged-water-releases-from-dams/

[webfact]

Deep South Gunmen Raid Three Officials' Homes for Firearms
By Khaosod English


Security officers inspect vehicles at a checkpoint in Betong district of Yala, 13 July 2015

NARATHIWAT — Masked gunmen forcefully stole four state-issued firearms from the homes of three local officials in the restive province of Narathiwat last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840659-deep-south-gunmen-raid-three-officials-homes-for-firearms/

[webfact]

70 years on, Japanese firm to apologize to US WWII veterans
MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A major Japanese corporation will offer a landmark apology this weekend for using U.S. prisoners of war for forced labor during World War II, according to the Simon Wiesenthal Center that is hosting the event.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840662-mitsubishi-materials-to-apologize-to-us-wwii-veterans/

[webfact]

LUENEBURG, Germany (AP) - German court convicts 94-year-old former Auschwitz guard as accessory to murder.

[webfact]

HUA HIN: -- Three elephants were found dead mysteriously at Huai Sat Yai wildlife sanctuary in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840663-three-elephants-die-mysteriously-in-hua-hin/

[webfact]

NSC chief visits China to monitor Uighur situation

BANGKOK, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Anusit Kunakorn is set to depart for China to monitor the living conditions of 109 Uighurs repatriated to Chinese authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840669-nsc-chief-visits-china-to-monitor-uighur-situation/

[webfact]

Former Auschwitz guard, 94, convicted as accessory to murder

LUENEBURG, Germany (AP) — A 94-year-old former SS sergeant who served at the Auschwitz death camp has been convicted on 300,000 counts of accessory to murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840687-former-auschwitz-guard-94-convicted-as-accessory-to-murder/

[webfact]

U-Tapao could be renamed U-Tapao Pattaya airport

File photo. Source: Internet

BANGKOK:-- U-Tapao airport in Rayong province could be renamed U-Tapao Pattaya airport under new plans announced by Thailand’s minister for tourism and sports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840690-u-tapao-could-be-renamed-u-tapao-pattaya-airport/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

112 Emergency Number Dropped to Avoid Confusion with Lese Majeste
By Khaosod English


A sign hung by activists calling for abolition of Section 112 at the Criminal Court in Bangkok, 12 February 2012 [Matichon]

BANGKOK — Thailand's military government has chosen 911 as the country's new emergency service number, instead of the alternative 112, which was dropped because of its connection to the draconian law that outlaws criticism of the Thai monarchy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840525-thais-will-soon-dial-911-as-universal-emergency-number/page-2#entry9622918

[webfact]

Submarine procurement project put on hold
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The proposal to buy three Chinese submarines has been put on hold and would not be put into consideration by the Cabinet yet, said Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840694-submarine-procurement-project-put-on-hold-says-thai-deputy-pm/

[webfact]

Commerce sets recommended prices for bottled water
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- To prevent price gouging for bottled water, the Commerce Ministry has posted recommended retail prices and will impose more stringent measures in case of serious shortages.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840697-thai-commerce-sets-recommended-prices-for-bottled-water/

[webfact]

Thailand confident it can avoid U.S. sanctions as trafficking report looms
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will likely avoid U.S. sanctions even if it stays on the lowest tier of an annual State Department human trafficking report, Thailand's defence minister said on Wednesday, days before the crucial progress report is due out.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840699-thailand-confident-it-can-avoid-us-sanctions-as-trafficking-report-looms/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,486.74 down 1.66; Bt/USD33.89; GBP52.78; AUD24.90; EUR37.06; CAD26.39; HKD4.35; SGD24.69; JPY27.82

[webfact]

Tourist division opened at North Bangkok District Court
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The North Bangkok District Court Wednesday opened a new division to help the court speed up trials of cases related to foreign tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840704-tourist-division-opened-at-north-bangkok-district-court/

[webfact]

Culture Minister eyes management model of Peru's Machu Picchu

MACHU PICCHU, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - Culture Minister Weera Rojpojanarat was impressed with Peru's management of its historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, saying the pattern could be adopted for use at world heritage sites in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840707-thai-culture-minister-eyes-management-model-of-perus-machu-picchu/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Navy told to conduct more study about Chinese submarines



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Navy has been told to put on hold its plan to purchase three Chinese submarines at an estimated cost of 36 billion baht and to conduct more study about the benefits that the country will gain from this multi-billion baht deal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840694-submarine-procurement-project-put-on-hold-says-thai-deputy-pm/#entry9623105

[webfact]

Injured sea turtle rescued on Phuket beach
Eakkapop Thongtub


Rescue workers help transport the injured turtle to the Marine Biology Centre.

PHUKET: -- An Olive Ridley sea turtle with its flipper slashed was found washed up on Mai Khao Beach yesterday night (July 14). Officials have said that the damaged flipper was caused by a fishing net.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840708-injured-sea-turtle-rescued-on-phuket-beach/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

191 still active as legislative process is needed to change the Police emergency line to 911

BANGKOK, 15 July 2015 (NNT) - People across Thailand can still call the existing police emergency number 191 when they need help pending a change to the universal hotline 911 which is under a preparatory process, according to National Police Chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840525-thais-will-soon-dial-911-as-universal-emergency-number/page-2#entry9623242