Thailand Live Friday 14 Aug 2015

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BMA: preparations for Bike for Mom 90% complete



BANGKOK, 13 August 2015 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) made known that preparations for the Bike for Mom event this Sunday are 90 percent completed.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra led 54 City Hall executives in receiving royally bestowed commemorative pins and t-shirts for the event before presiding over the meeting on measures taken for Bike for Mom.

Repair work has been carried out on road surfaces and more lightings have been installed along the bike path. The BMA has also prepared medical teams to be stand-by during the Sunday event in case of any illnesses.

The Bike for Mom activity in Bangkok will begin at the Royal Plaza on August 16 at 3 pm and travel down Si Ayutthaya Road and Phayathai Road before entering Vibhavadi Rangsit Road via the Victory Monument and Din Daeng intersection. The finish line will be located at the 11th Infantry Regiment King’s Guard on Phahonyothin Road, and the total distance will be 43 kilometers.


-- NNT 2015-08-14

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Devoted Burglar Arrested for 7th Time
By Khaosod English


Police said hyper-recidivist burglar Chaturong Komolpanik pried open this safe in Buriram province to make off with jewelry and cash worth more than 1 million baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848213-devoted-thai-burglar-arrested-for-7th-time/

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Thanasak: Nothing to Explain About Stripping Thaksin’s Rank to Foreign Governments
By Khaosod English


Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra speaks at the 2013 Asian Business Leadership Forum Awards in the United Arab Emirates in this photo posted to his Instagram.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s top diplomat said there is no need to explain a campaign to strip former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his police rank to foreign governments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848214-thanasak-nothing-to-explain-about-stripping-thaksins-rank-to-foreign-governments/

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'No skirting of Thaksin rank revocation'
THE NATION



STUNG BY CRITICISM, NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF THREATENS MEDIA WITH LAWSUITS

BANGKOK: NATIONAL police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang yesterday denied dragging his feet over the revocation of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's rank of police lieutenant-colonel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848215-thaksin-rank-revocation-national-police-chief-threatens-media-with-lawsuits/

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Chemical Spillage follows road accident in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Highly concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide leaked from a container which was attached to a truck which jackknifed due to adverse road conditions in East Pattaya on Thursday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848216-chemical-spillage-follows-road-accident-in-east-pattaya/

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Falling Coconut Tree kills 72 year old farmer in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A tragic accident occurred in an area of farmland behind a Temple in East Pattaya on Thursday Morning, which left a 72 year old man dead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848217-falling-coconut-tree-kills-72-year-old-farmer-in-east-pattaya/

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DRAFT CHARTER
NRC chairman answers queries on 'blueprint for change', likelihood of long-term success
KHANITTHA THEPKAJORN,
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION


National Reform Council chairman Thienchay Kiranandana, right, is interviewed by Suthichai Yoon, adviser to the Nation Multimedia Group

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Council yesterday handed over the country's reform blueprint - 37 agenda items plus six special items - to the government, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha receiving a symbolic document from NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848218-nrc-chairman-answers-queries-on-blueprint-for-change-likelihood-of-long-term-success/

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Recovery in some sectors to contain export contraction to 3 per cent: Apiradi
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN,
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S EXPORT sector will likely benefit from the recovery of automotive, jewellery and food shipments in the remaining months of this year to contain the slide to minus 3 per cent year on year amid negative impacts from the global economic slowdown and China's recent devaluation of its currency, Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848219-recovery-in-some-sectors-to-contain-thai-export-contraction-to-3-per-cent-apiradi/

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New panel to ensure ongoing reforms: PM
THE NATION



PRAYUT SAYS POLITICIANS WOULD SHIRK THEIR DUTY OTHERWISE

BANGKOK: -- The National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Commission (NSRRC) under the new charter will ensure that the subsequent government continues with implementing reform plans, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha explained yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848220-new-panel-to-ensure-ongoing-reforms-pm-prayut/

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AVIATION
THAI may miss Bt180 bn revenue goal
Suchat Sritama
The Nation


THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira answers questions after announcing a second-quarter net loss of Bt10.2 billion.

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) President Charamporn Jotikasthira said yesterday that the airline may not achieve the Bt180-billion revenue targeted for this year, amid delay in some cost-cutting plans and the occurrence of several non-current expenses during the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848221-thai-may-miss-bt180-bn-revenue-goal/

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How low can China go?
Curtis S Chin
Special to The Nation


Traders watch the boards from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday after US stocks fell amid the first of China's surprise devaluations of the yuan this week. //Reuters

BANGKOK: -- With talk of a currency war after multiple devaluations of the yuan this week, what can Beijing do to win back confidence in its economy?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848222-how-low-can-china-go/

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Korean drowns in heavy Phuket surf
Eakkapop Thongtub


Phuket rescue workers administered CPR on the sand. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Korean tourist died after being recovered from heavy surf at Karon beach, on Phuket’s southwwest coast, this afternoon (August 13).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848223-korean-drowns-in-heavy-phuket-surf/

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Natthawut says no to national reconciliation government



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua has rejected the idea of a national reconciliation government claiming that it will pave the way for a non-elected outsider to be named the prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848224-natthawut-says-no-to-national-reconciliation-government/

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Hunan college student found dead on beach in Thailand

PATTAYA: -- A 20-year-old university student from Hunan province was found dead on a beach in Pattaya, Thailand's red-light district, after losing contact with her parents earlier this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848226-chinese-college-student-found-dead-on-beach-in-pattaya/

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UPDATE:

Chuwit ready for the worst over 2003 bar raid
KESINEE TANGKHIEO
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- AS THE Supreme Court was set to rule on the case of a notorious raid in which roadside beer bars were razed in downtown Bangkok in January 2003, former MP Chuwit Kamolvisit showed up yesterday outside the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court carrying a plastic bowl with toiletries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848012-demolition-of-60-sukhumvit-beer-bars-chuwits-fate-known-today/page-6?p=9732331#entry9732331

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Vocational schools ease tattoo plan
CHULEEPORN ARAMNET
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIVATE vocational schools have now agreed to consider applications from students who sport tattoos and stretched ear piercing on a case-by-case basis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848228-vocational-schools-in-bangkok-ease-tattoo-plan/

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Somyot worried about safety of share recipient
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- National police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang has said he is worried about the safety of Kanthana Siwathanapol, who received Bt228 million in shares days before the death of construction tycoon Chuwong Saetang in June, as police were not able to contact her for more than a week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848229-somyot-worried-about-safety-of-chuwong-share-recipient/

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BURNING ISSUE
Changing rules for first-time car buyers makes sense
SASITHORN ONGDEE

BANGKOK: -- THE IDEA of shortening from five years to three the length of time first-time car buyers must keep possession of their cars under the government's scheme makes sense given the economic slowdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848230-thai-politics-changing-rules-for-first-time-car-buyers-makes-sense/

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NRC's reform proposals call for major overhaul of country's education sector
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- BIG changes to the country's educational sector are now in the pipeline, after the National Reform Council (NRC) yesterday submitted its proposals to the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848231-nrcs-reform-proposals-call-for-major-overhaul-of-countrys-education-sector/

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Death toll rises to 50 in massive blasts at Chinese port
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

TIANJIN, China (AP) — The death toll from the fiery explosions at a warehouse of hazardous chemicals climbed Thursday to 50, and the Chinese government sent experts to the shattered and smoldering port to assess any environmental dangers from the spectacular blasts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848233-tianjin-disaster-death-toll-rises-to-50-in-massive-blasts-at-chines-port/

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Truck bomb targeting Shiites kills 67 at Baghdad market
By VIVIAN SALAMA and SINAN SALAHEDDIN

BAGHDAD (AP) — In one of the deadliest single attacks in postwar Baghdad, a truck bomb shattered a popular fruit-and-vegetable market in a teeming Shiite neighborhood Thursday, killing 67 people and wounding more than 150 others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848234-truck-bomb-targeting-shiites-kills-67-at-baghdad-market/

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US state court bars execution of 11 death row inmates
PAT EATON-ROBB, Associated Press

HARTFORD, Connecticut (AP) — Three years after Connecticut abolished the death penalty for any future crimes, the state's highest court on Thursday spared the lives of the state's 11 remaining death-row inmates saying it would be unconstitutional to execute them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848235-us-state-court-bars-execution-of-11-death-row-inmates/

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Greek government defends bailout deal ahead of vote
ELENA BECATOROS, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Greek government defended its new bailout program in tumultuous parliamentary sessions Thursday, as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras faced a rebellion in his governing Syriza party ahead of a vote on the deal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848236-greek-government-defends-bailout-deal-ahead-of-vote/

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Julian Assange case: UK to make formal protest to Ecuador

LONDON: -- The UK is to make a formal protest to the government of Ecuador over the country's decision to "harbour" Julian Assange, the Foreign Office has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848238-julian-assange-case-uk-to-make-formal-protest-to-ecuador/

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Air pollution killing 4,000 in China a day, US study finds
By SETH BORENSTEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Air pollution is killing about 4,000 people in China a day, accounting for 1 in 6 premature deaths in the world's most populous country, a new study finds.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848239-air-pollution-killing-4000-in-china-a-day-us-study-finds/

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DNA proves President Harding fathered child out of wedlock
By BRETT ZONGKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — DNA testing all but confirmed Thomas Jefferson slept with his slave Sally Hemings. Now it's rewriting another lurid chapter in presidential history, this one from the Roaring '20s.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848240-dna-proves-us-president-harding-fathered-child-out-of-wedlock/

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11-year-old gives birth to girl in Paraguay
By PEDRO SERVIN

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — An 11-year-old girl who was denied an abortion after being raped gave birth Thursday, the culmination of a case that put a spotlight on child rape in this poor South American nation and drew criticism from human rights groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848241-11-year-old-gives-birth-to-girl-in-paraguay/

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Leno: Accusers of Bill Cosby face unfair double standard
By LYNN ELBER

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Jay Leno says an unfair double standard is being applied to the dozens of women accusing Bill Cosby of decades-old sexual assaults.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848242-jay-leno-accusers-of-bill-cosby-face-unfair-double-standard/

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Stephen Lewis, On the Buses' 'Blakey', dies aged 88

LONDON: -- Actor Stephen Lewis, best known for his role as officious inspector "Blakey" in the 1970s ITV sitcom On the Buses, has died aged 88, his family has announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848244-stephen-lewis-on-the-buses-blakey-dies-aged-88/

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Purported ISIS militants post list of 1,400 U.S. 'targets'
By Dugald McConnell and Brian Todd, CNN

(CNN) A group calling itself the Islamic State Hacking Division this week posted online a purported list of names and contacts for Americans it refers to as "targets," according to officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848245-purported-isis-militants-post-list-of-1400-us-targets/