Thailand Live Sunday 9 Aug 2015

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Military junta now chases progress in stripping of Thaksin’s police rank

BANGKOK: -- Justice minister General Phaibul Khumchaya said Saturday that he would officially ask the legal affairs officials of the ministry to question over the delay in considering stripping former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his police rank and would also invite a representative of the Royal Thai Police to clarify the issue.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ns-police-rank/

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Medical Innovation of Thailand to take place during 18-20 Aug

NONTHABURI, 8 August 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology will be holding Medical Innovation of Thailand exhibition, showcasing Thailand medical innovations during 18-20 August 2015.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ring-18-20-aug/

[Lite Beer]

Governor orders assistance for Phuket flood victims

A man walks through floodwaters south of Phuket Airport. Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong has ordered officials to provide relief to flood victims in the Nai Yang Beach area after heavy rains there yesterday (August 7) left many houses under a metre of water.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....-flood-victims/

[Lite Beer]

Prayut 'to retain power till new govt is formed'
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHARTER DRAFTERS AGREE FOR NCPO CHIEF TO HAVE AUTHORITY VIA ARTICLE 44 TILL ELECTED CABINET IS READY TO TAKE OFFICE

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846915-prayut-to-retain-power-till-new-govt-is-formed/

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Angry fishing groups want govt funds to help with career change or buy their boats
KAMPANART KHANTRAKUL,
MATTANA LADDASIRIPORN,
SANTIPARP RAMASUT
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE FISHERIES sector has called on the government to set up a fund to support fishermen changing careers following the implementation of sweeping industry reforms.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846916-angry-fishing-groups-want-govt-funds-to-help-with-career-change-or-buy-their-boats/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Firms offering bribes 'also targeted'
Piyaporn Wongruang
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- AS the principal anti-graft agency, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has realised the necessity of keeping pace with this worsening problem.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846917-firms-offering-bribes-also-targeted/

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IEA signs deal for largest Asean wind farm in south Laos
ITTHI C TAN
THE SUNDAY NATION

VIENTIANE: -- renewable company Impact Energy Asia (IEA) plans to build the largest wind farm in Asean - and generate 600 megawatts on 400,000 rai in southern Laos - under an agreement signed by the Lao government and the company on Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846918-iea-signs-deal-for-largest-asean-wind-farm-in-south-laos/

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Memories are made of this
Khetsirin Pholdhampalit
The Sunday Nation

Designers put their talents to work in coming up with souvenirs unique to each of Thailand's 77 provinces

BANGKOK: -- YOU CAN see them all over the tourist areas of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket - kitsch elephant dolls, tacky tuk tuk key rings, tasteless Temple of Dawn magnets and cheesy "I love Thailand" T-shirts. Mass produced and not made to last, they are nonetheless snapped up by visitors wanting to take home something from their holiday in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846920-memories-are-made-of-this/

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Three nabbed over drugs
THE SUNDAY NATION

Two Malaysian men and a Laotian woman were arrested over suspicions that they were going to deliver drugs to a Thai trafficker in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district.

The three suspects - Kelantan State residents Abdul-wahid Bin Deuramae, 49; and Muhammad-Kairudin Bin Ibrahim, 42; and Lao woman Dan Bala, 32 - were nabbed at 5.30am yesterday along with 3.1 grams of cocaine and 0.18 grams of crystal meth or "ice".

The men reportedly confessed that they smuggled the narcotics from Malaysia to deliver to a Thai dealer, while the woman claimed innocence despite her urine testing positive for drugs.

Source http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Three-nabbed-over-drugs-30266220.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-09

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Two women face obscenity charge for dance in temple
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Two women, who were captured in a video clip dancing provocatively in skimpy red dresses at Ayutthaya's Wat Chaiwatthanaram, surrendered to police yesterday and apologised for their behaviour.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846921-two-women-face-obscenity-charge-for-dance-in-temple/

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Call for all children to wear motorcycle helmets
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- EARLY tomorrow children from six schools in Bangkok will attend Save the Children's Race for Survival event to raise awareness about the importance of children wearing helmets on motorcycles.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846922-call-for-all-children-to-wear-motorcycle-helmets/

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UPDATE:

Review of Thaksin's police rank 'to be clear soon'
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- An assessment on whether former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's police rank should be revoked will become "clear" soon, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846894-military-junta-now-chases-progress-in-stripping-of-thaksins-police-rank/page-2#entry9714582

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Former Revenue officials face seizure of assets
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Several more state officials will have their assets confiscated in relation to the Bt4.3 billion tax-refund case, National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Supa Piyajitti said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846923-former-revenue-officials-face-seizure-of-assets/

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EU diplomat visits Isaan student group
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE SUNDAY NATION

KHON KAEN: -- A SENIOR European Union diplomat has visited the Daodin activist student group in Khon Kaen province to see if they had illicit items such as weapons and to get an update on their activities.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846924-eu-diplomat-visits-isaan-student-group/

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PM to attend Singapore's 50th year celebrations
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will go to Singapore to attend the island nation's 50th anniversary celebrations today, deputy government spokesman Maj-General Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said.

The PM, who will fly out in the morning and return at night, will be among many foreign dignitaries attending the function today.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-to-attend-Singapores-50th-year-celebrations-30266226.html

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EDITORIAL
US lawmakers should realise the world wants peace
The Nation

WASHINGTON: -- Nuclear deal with Iran should be given a chance despite vocal campaign against it by lobbyists and republicans in Washington

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846925-us-lawmakers-should-realise-the-world-wants-peace/

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Englishman, 52, found dead in Patong hotel room thought to have suffered heart attack: Police
Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: Police do not suspect foul play in the death of a 52-year-old English tourist whose corpse was discovered by his older brother in the room of a popular Patong beach-side resort this evening (August 8).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846926-englishman-52-found-dead-in-patong-hotel-room-thought-to-have-suffered-heart-attack-police/

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Injured father of toddler killed in West Bank arson dies
MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The father of a Palestinian toddler killed in a firebomb attack blamed on Jewish extremists died Saturday of the wounds he suffered in the assault.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846927-injured-father-of-toddler-killed-in-west-bank-arson-dies/

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Argentine judge orders body of racing star Fangio exhumed

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The body of the late Formula 1 star Juan Manuel Fangio has been exhumed by orders of an Argentina judge for testing to determine paternity claims brought by two men who believe they are his sons.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846928-argentine-judge-orders-body-of-racing-star-fangio-exhumed/

[Lite Beer]

5 women accused of being witches beaten to death in India

PATNA, India (AP) — Dozens of villagers in eastern India beat to death five women Saturday, accusing them of practicing witchcraft and blaming them for a series of misfortunes in the village, police said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846929-5-women-accused-of-being-witches-beaten-to-death-in-india/

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Phuket Opinion: Bracing for a decade of traffic woes
The Phuket News

The current traffic trends, and problems, in Phuket are likely to persist fro the coming decade. Photo: The Phuket News / file

PHUKET: The fast-track signing last week of construction contracts for two more underpass projects underlines the government’s strategy to “address” Phuket’s worsening traffic.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846930-phuket-opinion-bracing-for-a-decade-of-traffic-woes/

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Motorists Advised To Beware Of Illegal Street Racers.

BANGKOK: -- Weekend travellers planning to visit Nakhon Nayok’s Wang Takrai park are warned to drive in extreme caution if taking the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok highway as several thousands of teenage street racers are heading there.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846939-motorists-advised-to-beware-of-illegal-street-racers/

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Paiboon Upatising: A tale of Phuket origins and legacy
Tanyaluk Sakoot

Paiboon Upatising had gained a reputation as 'a man of the people'. Photo: PPAO

PHUKET: This week hundreds of people turned out at the family home of Paiboon Upatising to mourn the death of the former Phuket Senator and Phuket’s highest elected official.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846942-paiboon-upatising-a-tale-of-phuket-origins-and-legacy/

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Thalang resident busted with revolver and 5.5 kilos of kratom after failed postal smuggling attempt

Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Thalang Police yesterday arrested and charged a Thai man who they caught with an unregistered pistol and 5.5 kilogrammes of fresh kratom leaves that he had attempted to smuggle onto Phuket via post.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846996-thalang-resident-busted-with-revolver-and-55-kilos-of-kratom-after-failed-postal-smuggling-attempt/

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UPDATE:

Several hundreds of young street racers rounded up by police

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan and provincial police today rounded up several hundreds of young motorcyclists as they mustered at several locations in Bangkok and adjacent provinces to drive to Nakhon Nayok's Wang Takrai waterfall.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846939-motorists-advised-to-beware-of-illegal-street-racers/#entry9715580

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Jet Ski Scams Yet Again

PATTAYA:--August 6,2015 [PattayaDailyNews]; in the afternoon at Pattaya City Hall, Mr Ronakit Aekasingha- deputy mayor of Pattaya- chaired a meeting to deal with Jet Ski operators in Pattaya who are ripping tourists off.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846995-jet-ski-scams-yet-again/

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Safety Roller Corruption Issue

PATTAYA:--August 7,2015 [PattayaDailyNews]; Mr Sanit Boonmachay- a Pattaya member- addressed a conference about purchasing Safety Rollers that protect pedestrians from cars which may lose control, they cost about 10 million baht. He claimed that they had been purchased by Pattaya officials and were very expensive and useless. He added that there was corruption involved.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846993-safety-roller-corruption-issue/

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Army tackling flood problems amid concerns by PM

BANGKOK, 9 August 2015 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Army is providing urgent help to flood-affected people in many regions while Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has voiced concerns for residents of the Northeast and the South, where heavy rains are occurring.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd revealed that Prime Minister Prayut is currently worried about the weather conditions in the northeastern and southern regions of Thailand. He said incessant rains have raised the water level in the Mekong River and resulted in strong currents while scattered thunderstorms are also hammering the South.

The premier reportedly encouraged local residents to stay constantly updated with weather forecasts and disaster warnings. Related authorities have also been instructed to take care of the people and issue warnings well in advance so as to allow the locals enough time to make preparations or evacuate if necessary.

Meanwhile, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr affirmed that the Army already has contingency plans in place for all regions. Last week, he said assistance was given to flood victims in Mae Hong Son while units in Bangkok were put on standby in case of flooding.

As for flood relief for Myanmar, the government has prepared donations, both in cash and kind, for the neighboring country while the Army is ready to deliver them, awaiting only coordination with the Myanmar government.

-- NNT 2015-08-09

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs to celebrate 48th ASEAN anniversary on 10 Aug

BANGKOK, 9 August 2015 (NNT) - The Department of ASEAN Affairs will celebrate the 48th anniversary of ASEAN or the ASEAN Day on 10 August 2015. The celebratory event is expected to be attended by more than 800 people.

At 9 AM on 10 August 2015, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Norachit Sinhaseni will deliver a speech to open ASEAN’s 48th anniversary celebration and give educational materials about ASEAN to representatives of schools. The event’s main activities will include the annual “ASEAN Quiz” for middle school students from all regions of Thailand, exhibitions and edutainment activities for students.

From 2 - 5 PM, the department and the ASEAN - Thai Association will arrange a free seminar under the topic of “My ASEAN, Our Dreams” aimed at informing the public of benefits of the ASEAN economic integration, particularly in terms of education, business, public health and labor. Speakers of the seminar will include a former director-general of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, a public health high-ranking official, a representative of ASEAN Watch, academics and a media member.

-- NNT 2015-08-09

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Police chief to seek approval from ministry to make direct order of 150,000 Sig Sauer pistols

BANGKOK: -- Police chief to seek approval from ministry to make direct order of 150,000 Sig Sauer pistolsPolice chief to seek approval from ministry to make direct order of 150,000 Sig Sauer pistols

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/847032-police-chief-to-seek-approval-from-ministry-to-make-direct-order-of-150000-sig-sauer-pistols/