Thailand Live Wednesday 29 Jul 2015

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Anti-tobacco network supports Tobacco Control draft act

BANGKOK, 29 July 2015 (NNT) - The Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center and partners show their support for the Tobacco Control draft act in the hope to reduce effects on the Thai economy in the long run.

Secretary-General of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation M.D. Prakit Wathisathokkit expressed his belief that the draft act would help prevent cigarette addiction and new smokers. It would also save medical costs for first-hand and second-hand smokers, said the doctor.

Smoking-related illnesses and deaths cost the economy 74 billion baht or 0.78% of the GDP in 2009 while the tobacco excise tax revenue stood at 40 billion baht.


-- NNT 2015-07-29

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27 Chao Phraya water basins dredged to ease drought

BANGKOK, 29 July 2015 (NNT) – Twenty-seven water detention basins are to be excavated in nine provinces along the Chao Phraya River to solve the prevailing drought problem. The project is expected to help reserve over 350 million cubic metres of water to be fetched from rainfalls expected in August.

According to the Royal Irrigation Department, the artificial swamps are located in nine provinces, namely Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi, in compliance with the Prime Minister's urgent policy to solve droughts. By far, 21% of the construction has already been completed.

Other ponds being dredged at eight tributaries are Nhong Ta Mek Swamp (หนองตาเมฆ), Nhong Bon Swamp (หนองบอน), Nhong Sarai Swamp (หนองสาหร่าย), Bueng Krajab Yai Pond (บึงกระจับใหญ่), Bueng Lahan Pond (บึงละหาน), Sra Khao Ka Basin (สระเขากา) , Sra Nhong Jok Basin (สระหนองจอก) and Kao Khwa Public Pond for Irrigation Purpose (สระสาธารณะคลองส่งน้ำเก้าขวา), expected to reserve 193,400 cubic metres of water when completed.

Lertviroj Kowattana, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, says during his field trip to Bueng Lahan (บึงละหาน) Lake in Chainat Province that an extension is being held on the lake as the drought has made the lake shallow, causing difficulty to farmers to pump up the water.

When the excavation is finished, the pond will generate 60,000 cubic metres of water to 3,000 rai of paddy fields to help local farmers, he says.

Sa Khao Ka Basin (สระเขากา) in Nakhon Sawan Province is expected to be finished by August 12 to honor Her Majesty the Queen on her birthday.


-- NNT 2015-07-29

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Spanish Resident of Pattaya found dead in his Central Pattaya apartment



PATTAYA: -- On Monday Night Police and medics were called to a Central Pattaya apartment following the discovery of a recently deceased Spanish resident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844143-spanish-resident-of-pattaya-found-dead-in-his-central-pattaya-apartment/

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Cleaner wanted following theft of money from North Pattaya Recycling Center



PATTAYA: -- Late on Monday Night Police were called to a Recycling Center in the Northern outskirts of Pattaya after its owner noticed that money had gone missing and security cameras indicated his cleaner was to blame.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844144-cleaner-wanted-following-theft-of-money-from-north-pattaya-recycling-center/

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Your will can be ignored, say judges
The landmark Court of Appeal ruling has implications for how people should draw up their wills, legal experts say

LONDON: -- The right of people to leave money and assets to whom they wish in their will has been seriously undermined by a landmark court ruling, lawyers warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844145-landmark-court-of-appeal-ruling-your-will-can-be-ignored-say-uk-judges/

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TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
PM takes TIP report in stride
THE NATION


Patrick Murphy, US charge d'affaires in Thailand

Foreign Ministry plants to send its response to the US

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT yesterday expressed its displeasure with the decision of the United States to keep Thailand at Tier 3 in its latest Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, but it vowed to continue combating human trafficking to meet international standards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844146-thai-pm-takes-us-tip-report-in-stride/

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MACROECONOMIC
Tourism strong enough to expand economy by 3%
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE ECONOMY will be able to expand by more than 3 per cent in 2015 as tourism is still going strong, the Council of Economic Ministers has maintained.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844147-tourism-strong-enough-to-expand-thai-economy-by-3/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Suthep leaves monkhood, vows to never seek amnesty
THE NATION



NCPO warns former PDRC leader to steer clear of politics at press conference

BANGKOK: -- SUTHEP THAUGSUBAN, the former leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said after leaving the monkhood yesterday that he would not seek amnesty for himself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844038-ncpo-tells-suthep-to-steer-clear-of-politics/#entry9674616

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ANALYSIS
Is report 'political tool' of US govt?
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A TOTAL of 188 countries are covered in the United States' 2015 report on "Trafficking in Persons", with Thailand down in Tier 3, the lowest level, along with the likes of North Korea, Yemen, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844148-thai-analysis-is-tip-report-political-tool-of-us-govt/

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SONGKHLA
'Thepha model' eyed for other power projects
Somchai Samart,
Supitcha Rattana
The Nation



Opponents seek to nullify the process

BANGKOK: -- THE ELECTRICITY Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) declared yesterday that the public review on its coal-fired power plant and coal pier project in Songkhla's Thepha district was a success, and that it was planning to use the "Thepha model" for other such projects in the future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844149-songkhlas-thepha-model-eyed-for-other-power-projects/

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TIP report setback 'won't affect'
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION


Poj Aramwattananont

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE Thailand remaining in Tier 3 - the lowest level of the US' annual Trafficking in Persons report, businesses still believe trade will not be impacted, only the country's image. Companies in the fishery industry share the view that the Kingdom had tried hard to solve the trafficking problem, but the US had disappointed Thailand by maintaining it in Tier 3 for a second year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844150-tip-report-setback-wont-affect-thai-fishery-industry/

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SPENDING SURVEY
Spending during Lent long weekend to rise less than 2%, survey finds
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thais are expected to spend only 1.98 per cent more during the upcoming long weekend than they did last year, at Bt5.36 billion, because of the drought impact. But if there were no drought, they should spend 2.7 per cent more, or Bt5.4 billion, a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844151-spending-during-lent-long-weekend-to-rise-less-than-2-thai-survey-finds/

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EDITORIAL
A setback in the heritage-conservation war

The Fine Arts Department has lost ground to destructive forces at a Bangkok temple

BANGKOK: -- Something is seriously wrong in the conservation war between the Fine Arts Department and the historic Kalayanamit Temple in Bangkok. Their prolonged battle recently intensified after the department sought police help to halt the temple's construction of new buildings. The department won court approval to demolish two pavilions that had been built without its permission. The new structures would have damaged heritage that dated back to the reign of King Rama III.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844152-thai-editorial-a-setback-in-the-heritage-conservation-war/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand joins deal to end tariffs on tech products

BERLIN (AP) — The World Trade Organization says Taiwan and Thailand have joined an agreement reached last week to abolish duties on more than 200 technology products.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/taiwan-thailand-join-deal-to-end-tariffs-on-tech-products/12667/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Will tough anti-graft action work for or against us?
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- No matter how you look at it, Article 111 of the draft Constitution is dynamite. Leaving aside Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, it could be the most effective tool yet against the rampant political corruption that has plagued this country. The bad news is we can't really take the Shinawatra siblings out of the equation, and the proposed lifelong ban on politicians found guilty by the judiciary or Parliament of serious abuse of power could become a devastating bomb that detonates prematurely.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844153-thai-opinion-will-tough-anti-graft-action-work-for-or-against-us/

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Flight training suspended following a near miss by Bang Fai rockets in Kamphaeng Phet

Kamphaeng Phet: -- Flight training by Air Force airmen of the 46th Air Wing was abruptly cancelled on Tuesday when three Bang Fai rockets were fired into the air and narrowly missed an aircraft on training.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844154-flight-training-suspended-following-a-near-miss-by-bang-fai-rockets-in-kamphaeng-phet/

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Same-sex couple wows to remain in Thailand until surrogate mother signs papers for baby to come home to U.S.
LA Blake

LOS ANGELES: -- Florida couple Gordon "Bud" Lake and Manuel Santos have spent the past six months in Thailand, stuck in what in what they call a "nightmare" situation. They say their infant daughter's surrogate mother will not sign the papers necessary for them to bring their baby home to the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844157-us-gay-couple-stuck-in-thailand-with-baby-says-surrogate-wont-sign-papers/

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We're still a target, claim anti-coup students
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE 14 anti-coup students who were imprisoned by the government claimed yesterday that they are still being followed by security officials - three weeks after their release from prison for opposing the coup, despite being less politically active.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844158-were-still-a-target-claim-anti-coup-students/

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Chuwong kin seek new chief investigator
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE FAMILY of construction magnate Chuwong Saetang, who died suspiciously in a car crash last month, yesterday urged the police chief to change the chief investigator on the case because of his familiarity with the car's driver.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844159-chuwong-kin-seek-new-chief-investigator/

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PM tells officials to keep saving water despite easing drought
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed officials working on solving the water shortage to keep sticking with water-saving measures, even though more water has been flowing into major dams, Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844160-prayut-tells-officials-to-keep-saving-water-despite-easing-drought/

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Western NGOs back Tier 3 TIP ranking for Thailand
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- TWENTY-FIVE Western NGOs have written to US Secretary of State John Kerry, supporting the State Department's decision to maintain Thailand's Tier 3 designation in the 2015 Global Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844161-western-ngos-back-tier-3-tip-ranking-for-thailand/

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BURNING ISSUE
Learning how to debate is the first step to democracy
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

BANGKOK: -- ALL THE fuss over a high-school student leaving her civics exam paper blank sheds light on Thailand's fragility when it comes to differing political opinions. In a society where tolerance for different opinions is low, the act of a student handing in a blank exam paper becomes big news.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844162-thai-politics-learning-how-to-debate-is-the-first-step-to-democracy/

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Countdown begins on Phuket’s new B1.1bn underpasses
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The contract has been signed, but the final plans for the Chalong Underpass have yet to be completed. Image: Highways Department

PHUKET: -- The construction contracts have been signed and the two contractors have 780 days from today (July 28) to complete their respective underpasses – at the Bang Khu Intersection and under Chalong Circle – but the plans have yet to be finalised, The Phuket News has learned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844163-countdown-begins-on-phukets-new-b11bn-underpasses/

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Cabinet approves Phuket port expansion, mulls cruise port for Krabi
The Phuket News

Star Cruises' SuperStar Libra no longer cruises to Phuket, and instead has now made home port in Xiamen, China. Photo: Manvendra Bhangui

PHUKET: -- The Cabinet has approved a raft of upgrades to the Phuket Deep Sea Port in order to enable the facility to accommodate bigger cruise ships, and is also considering the construction of a similar port either in Krabi or on Koh Samui.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844164-cabinet-approves-phuket-port-expansion-mulls-cruise-port-for-krabi/

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Pollard to be freed; US analyst spied for Israel
By ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jonathan Pollard, the former Navy intelligence analyst whose conviction of spying for Israel stoked fierce international passions, has been granted parole and will be released from prison in November after nearly 30 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844165-pollard-to-be-freed;-us-analyst-spied-for-israel/

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Zimbabwe: American being sought for lion poaching
By FARAI MUTSAKA

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwean police said Tuesday they are searching for an American who allegedly shot a well-known, protected lion known as Cecil with a crossbow in a killing that has outraged conservationists and others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844166-zimbabwe-american-being-sought-for-lion-poaching/

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Obama delivers frank words about Africa's problems
By JULIE PACE

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — President Barack Obama arrived in East Africa with no big American aid packages, no ramped up U.S. military resources for fighting terror groups and no new initiatives with billions in government backing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844167-obama-delivers-frank-words-about-africas-problems/

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2,100 migrants try to storm Eurotunnel site in French port
ELAINE GANLEY, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — About 2,100 migrants tried to storm the area surrounding the Eurotunnel early Tuesday before being repelled by police, an official in the northern French port of Calais said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844168-2100-migrants-try-to-storm-eurotunnel-site-in-calais/

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Boy who lost limbs to infection gets double-hand transplant
By KATHY MATHESON

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An 8-year-old boy who lost his limbs to a serious infection has become the youngest patient to receive a double-hand transplant, surgeons said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844170-8-year-old-us-boy-who-lost-limbs-to-infection-gets-double-hand-transplant/

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Kerry implores Congress to back Iran nuclear deal
By DEB RIECHMANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry warned skeptical lawmakers not to nix the contentious nuclear deal with Iran, insisting that it includes strict inspections and other safeguards to deter cheating by Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844172-kerry-implores-congress-to-back-iran-nuclear-deal/