UPDATE:

Suthep is back to earthly life



SURAT THANI: -- Phra Suthep Paphakaro, or Suthep Thaugsuban, left monkhood early this morning at Wat Tritham-aram in Muang district of Surat Thani province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843811-thai-politics-suthep-will-focus-on-nation-after-he-leaves-the-monkhood/#entry9671992

UPDATE:

Thai Govt: US Should Clarify Annual Trafficking Rankings
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — A Thai government spokesperson said the United States is obligated to explain why Thailand was not upgraded in its annual assessment of human trafficking around the globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843907-thailand-wont-feel-downhearted-by-the-downgrade-us-tip-report/#entry9672013

UPDATE:

Suthep must seek permission to hold press conference



BANGKOK: -- The military made it clear to Suthep Thaugsuban that he needs to seek permission from military authorities before holding a press conference.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843811-thai-politics-suthep-will-focus-on-nation-after-he-leaves-the-monkhood/#entry9672023

Police Recruit Monks to Help Promote Road Safety
By Khaosod English


Monks gather for a meeting with police in Nakhon Si Thammarat about promoting road safety, 28 July 2015.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — Police in southern Thailand have asked Buddhist monks to help promote road safety by explaining to temple-goers that accidents are caused by recklessness, not bad karma.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843970-thai-police-recruit-monks-to-help-promote-road-safety/

Reforestation project for elephants in Surin



SURIN: -- The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is joining hands with the Zoological Organisation to launch a reforestation project in Surin province to return forest to the elephants to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday on August 12.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843973-reforestation-project-for-elephants-in-surin/

Malaysian PM axes deputy, attorney general amid fund scandal
EILEEN NG, Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, stung by allegations that he received some $700 million in government money, on Tuesday fired the attorney general who had been investigating him and a deputy who has been among his most prominent critics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843979-malaysian-pm-axes-deputy-attorney-general-amid-fund-scandal/

No visas for air traveller



BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Myanmar will sign a memorandum of understanding to exempt visas for citizens of both countries travelling on planes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843982-thailand-and-myanmar-citizens-no-visas-for-air-traveller/

Thailand and Israel sign medical cooperation agreement

BANGKOK, 28 July 2015 (NNT) - The Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital and Israel's Hadassah Medical Organization have signed an agreement for academic cooperation on elderly diseases.

The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Don Poramudwinai, Thai ambassador in Tel Aviv Angsana Sihapitak and Israeli ambassador to Thailand Simon Roded.

Both nations have been exchanging medical knowledge since 2013. The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, who initiated the cooperation, has invited medical personnel from the Hadassah Medical Organization to discuss and share their views on the subject at Ramathibodi Hospital today and tomorrow.

They will also observe medical services for the elderly and meet with hospital executives on the following day.


-- NNT 2015-07-28

UPDATE:

PM: TIP report only reflects early stage of human trafficking eradication efforts

BANGKOK, 28 July 2015 (NNT)-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is urging the Thai public not to be overly concerned with the US decision to keep Thailand on Tier 3 in its human trafficking report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843907-thailand-wont-feel-downhearted-by-the-downgrade-us-tip-report/#entry9672188

Happy(?) National No Drinking Day!
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Your paycheck will have to sit idle until the weekend hits, as it will be very difficult to buy any booze Thursday and Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843985-happy-national-no-drinking-day/

Water shortages in Thailand less severe now due to rainfall

BANGKOK, 28 July 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Interior has said water shortages in Thailand have become less severe thanks to the recent rainfalls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843986-water-shortages-in-thailand-less-severe-now-due-to-rainfall/

UPDATE:

Surapong says Thai govt has not done much enough in combating human trafficking
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Surapong Towichakchaikul said Tuesday that the Thai government has not done much and serious enough in combating human trafficking, and thus causing the nation to remain on the bottom of the US annual report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843919-pm-prayut-says-he-wont-worry-about-poor-us-ranking/#entry9672289

Microsoft launches Windows 10: Here’s what that means

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Microsoft’s new Windows 10 operating system debuts Wednesday, as the longtime leader in PC software struggles to carve out a new role in a world where people increasingly rely on smartphones, tablets and information stored online.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/microsoft-launches-windows-10-heres-what-that-means/12663/

New Android vulnerability lets hackers take over your phone with an SMS

All Android users are being warned about a new security flaw that enables hackers to take over your device via a text message.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/new-android-vulnerability-lets-hackers-take-over-your-with-an-sms/12658/

Cambodia traffic cops to keep 70% of fines

Traffic cops will personally pocket 70 per cent of the fines they give out from January 2016 onwards, when the country’s new traffic law is implemented and penalties will rise five-fold.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843966-traffic-cops-to-keep-70-of-fines/

Cambodia doing more to tackle human trafficking than Thailand, says US report

For the third straight year in a row, Cambodia has found itself on the Tier 2 Watch List of the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report, a ranking reflective of a seeming inability to fully implement the country’s own anti-trafficking plan.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843968-cambodia-doing-more-to-tackle-human-trafficking-than-thailand-says-us-report/

RID is ready for the large scale water resource management project

BANGKOK, 28 July 2015, (NNT) - The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is ready to proceed with large-scale water management projects, once they obtain Cabinet approval.

RID Director-General Lertwiroj Kowattana made the announcement after a department official suggested the Prime Minister invoke Section 44 to expedite the RID's projects. Such projects include the construction of Mae Wong Dam, reservoirs along the Mekong, Loei, Chi, and Mun rivers, and a dam in Phitsanulok province.

The RID chief said the idea is merely a personal opinion and does not reflect the position of the organization as a whole. He added the department has clear and transparent steps when initiating such large-scale projects, which include conducting related studies and proposing the project to the Environment Council and the Cabinet for approval.

Mr. Lertwiroj stated his department would be ready to proceed with the aforementioned construction projects, once the Cabinet gives the green light.


-- NNT 2015-07-28

Military government backpedals on booze ban
By Todd Ruiz


Patrons continue enjoying fine spirits and company along Bangkok's Soi Cowboy. Photo: Alden Nusser

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government will spend six months mapping out new entertainment zones to clarify where alcohol can and can not be sold.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843991-thai-government-backpedals-on-booze-ban/

Phuket government offices to close for Buddhist holiday long weekend
The Phuket News



PHUKET: Government offices across the island are preparing for a four-day shutdown as the nation marks the Buddhist holidays Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) on Thursday and Friday (July 30-31) ahead of the regular weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843994-phuket-government-offices-to-close-for-buddhist-holiday-long-weekend/

UPDATE:

Suthep says he has a mission to accomplish after leaving monkhood



BANGKOK: -- Former leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thaugsuban said he had a mission to accomplish – a mission that he cannot do so long as he remains in the monkhood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843811-thai-politics-suthep-will-focus-on-nation-after-he-leaves-the-monkhood/page-2#entry9672588

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - Libyan court sentences Gadhafi's son, Seif al-Islam, to death over killings in 2011 uprising.

Libya court sentences Gadhafi son to death for 2011 killings

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — A court in the Libyan capital has sentenced a son of Moammar Gadhafi to death over killings during the country's 2011 uprising.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844000-libya-court-sentences-gadhafi-son-to-death-for-2011-killings/

SET index closed 1,408.07 down 4.48; Bt/USD34.78; GBP53.94; AUD25.03; EUR38.29; CAD26.51; HKD4.46; SGD25.23; JPY27.98

Motorcycle Injures 3 Near Memorial Service for Motorcycle Crash Victim


Medics assist a man injured in a motorcycle accident that took place across the street from where a ceremony was being held for a woman killed in the same spot two weeks ago, Pathum Thani, 28 July 2015.

BANGKOK: -- Medics assist a man injured in a motorcycle accident that took place across the street from where a ceremony was being held for a woman killed in the same spot two weeks ago, Pathum Thani, 28 July 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844008-motorcycle-injures-3-near-memorial-service-for-motorcycle-crash-victim/

Foreign journo allegedly posts dick pic into gov Line chat

By Coconuts Bangkok

Either he was in the wrong group or it was an extremely slow news day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844012-foreign-journo-allegedly-posts-penis-pic-into-gov-line-chat/

Phuket Town raids target youth booze vendors

Officers raided several venues in Phuket Town. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- More than 100 officers, including naval security personnel, staged raids on entertainment venues throughout Phuket Town last night to ensure that operators were not selling alcohol to underage youths.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844042-phuket-town-raids-target-youth-booze-vendors/

Myanmar police seize over 26 million Methamphetamine tablets

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Police in Myanmar's largest city say they've seized more than 26 million stimulant tablets in what appears to be the country's biggest such seizure ever.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844053-myanmar-police-seize-over-26-million-methamphetamine-tablets-in-biggest-drug-seizure/

'Darkie' Monk arrested for lying his amulets are magical
By Coconuts

BANGKOK: -- A magic monk who goes by the name "Phra Darkie" was arrested today after locals who worship his amulets discovered they are in fact not magical.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844065-darkie-monk-arrested-for-lying-his-amulets-are-magical/

Senior SNLD Leaders to Forgo Shot at Parliament
By YEN SNAING / THE IRRAWADDY

RANGOON — A handful of senior leaders from one of Burma’s strongest ethnic political parties, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), will not contest in the country’s upcoming general election, saying their abstentions will allow them to advance their political agenda outside the walls of Parliament.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844069-senior-snld-leaders-to-forgo-shot-at-parliament/

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 29 Jul 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844142-thailand-live-wednesday-29-jul-2015/