Thailand Live Thursday 6 Aug 2015

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NLA to vote on August 14 whether to impeach 248 ex-MPs



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly is due to vote on August 14 whether to impeach 248 former MPs of the coalition government for their involvement in the failed attempt to amend the Constitution regarding the composition of the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846349-nla-to-vote-on-august-14-whether-to-impeach-248-ex-mps/

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Frustration erupts in Flight 370 wing flap investigation
EILEEN NG, Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The confusion and frustration that have punctuated the investigation into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 erupted anew on Thursday, after officials offered conflicting levels of confidence on whether a piece of a wing found washed up on an Indian Ocean island last week came from the vanished plane.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846351-frustration-erupts-in-flight-370-wing-flap-investigation/

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UPDATE:

Commerce predicts 3 percent export contraction for 2015



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Commerce has announced a newly-revised forecast for the whole year’s exports at minus three percent against the original 1.2 percent growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846293-thai-export-target-revised-to-minus-3/#entry9705276

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How to use Thaivisa.com - Pattaya City Expat Club presentation

See more here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846352-video-howto-use-thaivisacom-pattaya-city-expat-club-presentation/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Two Western Women Raped in 3 Days Reveal Sihanoukville’s Dark Side

SIHANOUKVILLE (Khmer Times) – The coastal city of Sihanoukville is one which is working hard to tackle its demons and lay ghosts to rest. It is also a city that still wears two faces.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846358-two-western-women-rapes-in-3-days-reveal-sihanoukvilles-dark-side/

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UPDATE:

THAI-US TIES
US Senate approves Davies' appointment as ambassador to Thailand
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The US Senate on Wednesday approved the appointment of Glyn Townsend Davies as the new ambassador to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846298-us-senate-approves-new-bangkok-envoy/?p=9705416#entry9705416

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Karen activist Billy’s wife wants her husband’s disappearance to be treated a special case



BANGKOK: -- The wife of missing Karen activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen on Thursday lodged a complaint with the Department of Special Investigation to accept her husband’s disappearance as a special case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846362-karen-activist-billys-wife-wants-her-husbands-disappearance-to-be-treated-a-special-case/

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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Police chief: Afghan military helicopter crashes, killing 17.

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UPDATE:

Glyn Davies officially approved as ambassador to Thailand



BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) - The US Senate has approved the appointment of Glyn Davies as the new ambassador to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846298-us-senate-approves-new-bangkok-envoy/?p=9705537#entry9705537

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Thailand to host ASEAN Day celebration on 7 Aug

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) – The Thai DPM will chair the celebration of the 48th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN on 7 August 2015 in Chonburi, according to an MFA official.

The Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Sek Wannamethee has revealed that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn will preside over the event to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. The celebratory event will be hosted by the MFA and the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters, on 7 August 2015 at the RTAF Strategic Studies Center in Chonburi Province.

Many high-level delegates, including the Secretary-General of ASEAN, ambassadors, and honorable guests will be attending the event. The celebrations will include the playing of the anthem song of ASEAN, along with hoisting the flags of 10 ASEAN member countries to the top of the flag poles, while 49 doves will be released to symbolize peace.

An international seminar on the topic ‘The Dawn of ASEAN Community’ will take place at the event, organized by the RTAF with about 200 academics and experts invited to exchange their views to raise the public’s awareness and the preparedness on the realization of the ASEAN Community.

On this occasion, the former Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niumpradit will be officiating the RTAF’s Strategic Studies Center located at the building, that was once used for the discussion between leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand on the founding of ASEAN on 6 August 1967, prior to the signing of the ASEAN Declaration on 8 August 1967.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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Subcommittee set to established for human trafficking prevention

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) – A subcommittee tasked with the prevention of human trafficking in employment is set to be established by the Ministry of Labour, an official has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846365-subcommittee-set-to-established-for-human-trafficking-prevention/

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Australia says it turned back Vietnamese asylum seekers

(BBC) Australia has confirmed it sent 46 asylum seekers back to Vietnam after intercepting their boat off the coast of Western Australia last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846367-australia-admits-refugee-turn-back/

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Roadside Bomb Strikes Convoy, Killing Soldier In Deep South
By Khaosod English


Marines raid the home of a Muslim woman near the scene where a roadside bomb struck a convoy, killing one soldier today in the south of Thailand.

NARATHIWAT — A soldier was killed and three others injured when a roadside bomb hit their convoy in Narathiwat this morning, while a family came under gunfire elsewhere as they rode a motorcycle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846370-roadside-bomb-strikes-convoy-killing-soldier-in-narathiwat/

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NLA passes first reading of bill on usage of electronic monitoring on suspects
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly Thursday passed the first reading of a bill that would allow the authorities to use electronic monitoring devices to monitor suspects who are released on bail.

The bill seeks to amend the Criminal Procedure Code so that criminal suspects can be monitored with the electronic devices during their temporary release so that they will not have to place high amount of assets as a guarantee.

The NLA approved the bill with 171 votes. One NLA member voted against it and five abstained.

The NLA set up a 15-member committee to vet the bill in seven days.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NLA-passes-first-reading-of-bill-on-usage-of-elect-30266061.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-06

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MSDHS holds Rohingya-language training workshop for interpreters working to support screening process of Rohingya victims

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) held a skill development workshop for Rohingya-language interpreters for better screening process of Rohingya refugees. The workshop was opened by Minister Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo at the Prince Palace Hotel, Bangkok on Thursday.

Pol Gen Adul said that the workshop would benefit human-trafficking control and screening of Rohingya people who mostly are victims of the modern-day slavery.

Under the supervision of professional interpreters of Rohingya language, participants in the workshop will help in the screening process of Rohingya victims so that appropriate assistance would be given to each of them.

Minister Adul was confident that the interpreters enrolling in the workshop would greatly contribute to a reduction in the severity of the human trafficking problem in the country.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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China orders homemade sex videos removed from social media

BEIJING (AP) — China's top anti-pornography office on Thursday announced its latest mission: a campaign to remove amateur sex videos from China's social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846373-china-orders-homemade-sex-videos-removed-from-social-media/

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US proposes halt to provocative South China Sea activities
MATTHEW LEE, AP Diplomatic Writer

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — In a direct challenge to China, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Thursday for all claimants to disputed territories in the South China to Sea immediately halt provocative activities that have ratcheted up tensions in some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. He also said the United States would not accept restrictions on navigation or overflights of the disputed territories

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846374-us-proposes-halt-to-provocative-south-china-sea-activities/

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SET index closed 1,430.58 down 5.78; Bt/USD34.99; GBP54.41; AUD25.32; EUR37.97; CAD26.35; HKD4.49; SGD25.08; JPY27.85

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Bunyin petitions Supreme Court president over unusual share transfer



BANGKOK: -- Former deputy commerce minister and ex-Nakhon Sawan MP Pol Lt Col Bunyin Tangpakorn today petitioned the Judicial Commission seeking its hand to consider the ethics of a senior judge for giving advice to the family of construction billionaire Chuwong Sae Tang on all affairs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846376-bunyin-petitions-supreme-court-president-over-unusual-share-transfer/

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Govt approves 768 village funds

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) – The committee in charge of National Village and Urban Community Fund has approved financial support for more than 700 villages today.

PM's Office Minister Suwapan Tanyuwattana revealed that the approval of funding for 768 villages came in response to Tuesday’s cabinet meeting during which ministers voiced their concern for problems faced by upcountry residents.

The committee still has to deal with more than 18,000 projects which are in need of further fund injections. The fund recipients are divided into six groups, based on their needs and potential. Approval of the remaining requests is expected to conclude in September. The rehabilitation plan is expected to begin on August 15. Results should be noticeable in November.

Mr. Suwapan reiterated that the fund committee would do its best to take care of villages having difficulty in managing the budgets, adding that special measures may be applied to solve their problems.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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Free Airport Rail Link services for mothers on 12 August, Mother’s Day

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) – The SRTET has announced that all mothers are eligible to travel on the Airport Rail Link train service in Bangkok, without charge on 12th August 2015, to celebrate Mother’s Day.

SRT Electrified Train Co, Ltd (SRTET), the operator of Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link (ARL) train service, will be providing a fare exemption on the City Line’s train service for all mothers from 6am to midnight on 12th August 2015.

The special offer is to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 83rd birthday, and to tighten the relationship in all families.

Mothers, along with their children, can present their identification cards to receive free tickets at ticket offices in ARL stations. Children with a height of less than 90 centimeters can also access the City Line train free of charge.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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Hill people in Chiang Mai ready for Bike for Mom

CHIANG MAI, 6 August 2015 (NNT) - Thai hill tribe and people in Chiang Mai province are getting ready for the Bike for Mom bike ride in honor of Her Majesty the Queen.

All sectors in Chiang Mai, including hill tribe and ethnic minority people, are enthusiastic to join in the nationwide bike ride. A hill tribe radio announcer in the province has invited his fellow hill people to take part in the event to celebrate the 83rd birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen.

Many people in Chiang Mai have brought their bicycles to practice on the roads and in public parks such as Royal Park Rajapruek and Huay Tueng Thao. There are people who have bought new bicycles and tuned up their old ones in preparation for the bike ride.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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Consumer confidence hits lowest point in 14 months
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- CONSUMER confidence has continued its downward trend, dropping for seven consecutive months and hitting its lowest point in 14 months in July, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846405-thai-consumer-confidence-hits-lowest-point-in-14-months/

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Juthamas to be indicted over bribes from Hollywood executives
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan will be indicted for allegedly accepting Bt60 million in bribes in 2010 in exchange for giving two US film executives movie festival contracts, a graft official said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846409-juthamas-to-be-indicted-over-bribes-from-hollywood-executives/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 7 Aug 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846472-thailand-live-friday-7-aug-2015/