Hurricane Milton Intensifies: Urgent Warnings as Florida Residents Face Catastrophic Storm

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New Cabinet sworn in



BANGKOK, 24 August 2015 (NNT) - The newly-appointed Cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha have an audience with His Majesty the King to be sworn in before their first day in office.

On 23 August 2015 at 5.45 PM, His Majesty the King met with the PM and new ministers who were sworn in in front of him at Siriraj Hospital. The Cabinet met at Government House before they traveled to meet His Majesty.

Among the new ministers are Deputy PM for economic affairs Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Minister of Commerce Suwit Mesinsi and Minister of Industry Atchaka Sribunrueng.


-- NNT 2015-08-24

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BANGKOK ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL
A window on Asean
Phatarawadee Phataranawik
The Nation

'Golden Kingdom' follows four novice monks at aremote monastery in Myanmar.

11 films from Thailand and its neighbours will be screened for free this week

BANGKOK: -- Fresh launching of its Asean Culture Centre in Bangkok earlier this month, the Culture Ministry is underlining its goal of turning the capital into the region's arts hub with the Bangkok Asean Film Festival, which opens on Thursday with a new documentary on Thai boxing.

The ministry has again teamed up with the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, with whom it partnered in June for the Thai Film Festival in London as part of the "Totally Thai" event.

"The Bangkok Asean Film Festival aims to introduce each member country's culture though good quality, non-mainstream movies of different genres. These range from drama, comedy and action, to documentaries and children's films. The selected films have been screened at prominent film festivals like Berlin and Warsaw and will be shown here with Thai and English subtitles," Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat says.

A total of 11 films will be screened at SF World Cinema at CentralWorld from Thursday to Sunday. The festival will also be held in Chiang Mai, Khon Khan and Surat Thani.

"All the movies strive to stimulate cultural awareness by portraying and reflecting different perspectives, lifestyles and social issues and aim to prepare the country to welcome our neighbouring companies through film," said Suvannee Chinchiewchan, secretary of the Federation and the SF Cinemas' president.

The opening title is "Mart Payak", a new documentary about boxing champ Samart Payakarun, who was dubbed "The Jade Faced Tiger". It is part of the "The Great Muay Thai Fighter" series produced by Krungthep Thurakij and the Now 26 channel, with support from the Culture Ministry. It follows Samart from his childhood in Chachoengsao and start in boxing at the age seven to his career as one of Thailand's best fighters. It includes footage of actual fights, including his 1988 comeback bid, in which he won Thai Fighter of the Year in 1988. The film will later be shown on Now 26, and there are plans to distribute it Asian and European markets.

Another documentary is "Golden Kingdom", covering Myanmar. The film was screened in the Generation K-plus programme of the Berlin International Film Festival in February, and director Brian Perkins was a nominee for the Best First Feature Award and the Crystal Bear. It tells the story of four young monks left alone in their remote monastery.

"Brian Perkins' exploration of four young Buddhists' coming of age fuses docustyle observation with transporting spiritualism," Variety critic Guy Lodge wrote. "A cultivated sense of calm - no more or less than you'd expect from a study of Buddhist practice - permeates 'Golden Kingdom', an impressively disciplined, occasionally transporting debut feature."

Also from the Berlin fest is the Vietnamese gay romantic drama "Big Father, Small Father and the Other Stories". Set in 1990s Ho Chi Minh City, it deals with Vu, a photography student who falls in love with his roommate Thang, a small-time drug dealer. Conflict arises as Vu's father has arranged for son to marry a woman back home.

In "Crocodile", the Philippines offers a trip to the marshlands of Agusan del Sur - the country's largest water catchment basin and home to the Manobo tribe. Directed by Francis Xavier Pasion, the story is based on a 2009 incident in which a 12-year-old girl was attacked and killed by a crocodile.

From Singapore is "1021", about a teenage girl's struggles following the death of her mother. Directed by Vicknesh Saravanan, it's an entry from the city-state's up-and-coming Tamil-language film movement.

Other entries are "Men Who Save the World" from Malaysia, "Siti" from Indonesia and "The Last Reel" from Cambodia. There is even a pair of romantic comedies from countries that don't make many movies - "What's So Special About Rina?" from Brunei and "Really Love 2" from Laos.

And another Thai entry is "Latitude Six", a drama set in Pattani that was produced by the Internal Security Operations Command. It has various stories about life in the restive South, including a cross-cultural romance between a Muslim woman and a Bangkok musician, portrayed by Peter Corp Dyrendal.

"I hope the festival will introduce non-mainstream films to Thai audiences and also boost Asean films in the Thai market. At the same time, if Asean members join hands to co-produce movies, our industry will be stronger and can market quality films to the world," Suvannee told XP.

SOUTHEASTERN STORIES

The Bangkok Asean Film Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday at SF World Cinema at CentralWorld. The fest will also be held at SF cinemas in Chiang Mai from September 3 to 6, Khon Kaen from September 10 to 13 and Surat Thani from September 17 to 20.

Admission is free. Tickets can be collected 30 minutes before the shows. For details, call (02) 268 8888 or check www.SFCinemaCity.com.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/A-window-on-Asean-30267159.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-24

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SURVEY:

Are the recent attacks in Bangkok a harbinger of a new and dangerous chapter in Thailand?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850381-survey-are-the-recent-attacks-in-bangkok-a-harbinger-of-a-new-and-dangerous-chapter-in-thailand/

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Pakistani Goat Farmer falls from tree and dies in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police and medics were called to a Cow & Goat Farm in North Pattaya on Sunday Morning following reports that a Pakistani employee had climbed a tree in search of food for the goats and had fallen causing his eventual death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850632-pakistani-goat-farmer-falls-from-tree-and-dies-in-north-pattaya/

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Pedestrian killed by car driven by 17 year old in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A car, driven by a 17 year old unlicensed driver, hit and killed a pedestrian in South Pattaya in the early hours of Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850633-pedestrian-killed-by-car-driven-by-17-year-old-in-south-pattaya/

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2 dead as pick-up hits motorbike in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- The driver and passenger of a motorbike lost their lives in the early hours of Sunday after their bike was struck head-on by a pick-up.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850634-2-dead-as-pick-up-hits-motorbike-in-east-pattaya/

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ENVIRONMENT
Dams 'destroying Mekong fish stock'
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation
Vietnam



Fishermen in delta and Northeast Thailand say dams in China and Laos have hit breeding and yields, forcing many to quit

BANGKOK: -- MEKONG River fishermen have already suffered dramatically from dams and irrigation works, which have decimated fish stocks and undermined livelihoods that supported families for generations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850635-dams-destroying-mekong-fish-stock/

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UPDATE:

BANGKOK BLAST
Police scouring Bangkok guesthouses for bomber
The Nation, Agencies



Checking places popular among foreigners; Indonesian probe of MIT Islamic state link

BANGKOK: -- SECURITY officials are checking guesthouses, apartments and places popular among foreigners in their bid to catch the suspected bomber behind the deadly Erawan Shrine blast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850530-troops-police-k9-bomb-sniffers-deployed-to-check-tourist-areas-in-bangkok/#entry9769206

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POLITICS
Worst charter ever, Pheu Thai claims
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
WIRAJ SRIPONG,
OLAN LERTRATDAMRONGKUL
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- KEY PHEU Thai Party leaders have given the thumbs down to the draft charter, saying it would be the worst and most authoritarian constitution that Thailand has ever had.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850636-worst-charter-ever-pheu-thai-claims/

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NOW 26'S "26TH HOUR"
We need a coalition govt: Anek

KEY CDC MEMBER EXTOLS VIRTUES OF THE 'GRAND DESIGN'

BANGKOK: -- WHILE THE CHARTER drafters were busy finishing the document before officially handing it over to the National Reform Council (NRC) on Saturday for further studying ahead of the NRC's September 6 vote, a "grand design" for the country's reform, reconciliation and revitalising democracy has also been hatched.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850637-we-need-a-coalition-govt-anek/

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Uphill task for Somkid to deliver despite having economic dream team
WICHIT CHAITRONG
THE NATION


Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak

BANGKOK: -- CAN Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak deliver amid slower economic growth and the aftermath of last week's Bangkok bomb blast, which has shaken confidence?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850638-uphill-task-for-somkid-to-deliver-despite-having-economic-dream-team/

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Government urged to support private hospitals in research and development
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE government must facilitate medical research and development in a bid to increase competency and strengthen Thailand's efforts to become a real regional medical hub, the president of the Private Hospital Association has warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850639-thai-govt-urged-to-support-private-hospitals-in-research-and-development/

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EDITORIAL
Bureaucratic and political reforms ARE INSEPARABLE

SOLUTIONS TO NATIONAL STRIFE ARE HEAVILY LINKED TO BOTH

BANGKOK: -- Politicians - or the powers-that-be - and bureaucrats either work in cpahoots or they clash. While we have given so much attention to the former in the current "reform" process, little has been heard or said about the latter. This is despite the glaring evidence of bureaucratic involvement in Thailand's political strife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850640-thai-editorial-bureaucratic-and-political-reforms-are-inseparable/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand MUST NOT GIVE UP THE UNSC BID

BANGKOK: -- Despite all the odds and dysfunction - including the latest bomb carnage to hit Bangkok - Thailand must not give up its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (2017-2018). In fact, we should go all out for it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850641-thailand-must-not-give-up-the-unsc-bid/

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Fisherman, 55, found hanged in loo of Phuket fish meal factory
Darawan Naknakhon



PHUKET: -- Police do not suspect foul play in the death of a 55-year-old Thai man whose corpse was found this evening inside a locked toilet stall at a Rassada fish meal factory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850642-fisherman-55-found-hanged-in-loo-of-phuket-fish-meal-factory/

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Turkish National Teke Onur Mustafa Busted in Krabi for ATM Skimming

KRABI – Turkish National Teke Onur Mustafa (36) and his Thai accomplice Kanitha Saramee (45) were arrested by Thai authorities for the manufacturing and used fake credit cards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850643-turkish-national-busted-in-krabi-for-atm-skimming/

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Woman and accomplice arrested over 'drug money'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A WOMAN and her alleged accomplice were arrested on suspicion of transferring money for a drug syndicate based in Min Buri.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850644-woman-and-accomplice-arrested-over-drug-money/

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New court divisions aim to speed up convictions
Opas Boonlom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE CRIMINAL Court's three new divisions, covering human trafficking, narcotics, and corruption and misconduct of state officials, were established to boost the effectiveness and speed of prosecutions, the court's deputy-chief judge Pongsak Tragoolsilpa said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850645-new-thai-court-divisions-aim-to-speed-up-convictions/

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Special teacher degrees at ten Rajabhat universities
Kantamanee Baingern,
Sirin Sampaothip
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Five-year initiative aims to create happy learners at happy schools, involves collaboration with the teachers council, Thai-health and institute for research on the education system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850646-special-teacher-degrees-at-ten-rajabhat-universities/

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POLITICS

Thai sufficiency stance seen as a wise economic plan for growth

WIRAJ SRIPONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S sufficiency economy could help contribute to sustainable economic growth and development with the key concepts of moderation and reasonableness, said panellists at a Bangkok symposium.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850647-thai-sufficiency-stance-seen-as-a-wise-economic-plan-for-growth/

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Experts: British tourists routinely ripped-off in currency conversion scam

LONDON, England - Brits traveling abroad are being routinely ripped-off when using their bank card to pay for meals and hotels by choosing to be charged in sterling rather than the local currency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850648-british-tourists-routinely-ripped-off-in-currency-conversion-scam/

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Belgium calls for major rethink of Schengen passport-free travel zone

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Europe's passport-free travel zone that allows people to move around the continent without checks must be reviewed in light of the foiled terrorist attack on a French train, the Prime Minister of Belgium has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850649-belgium-calls-for-major-rethink-of-schengen-passport-free-travel-zone/

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Tube strikes likely to cripple London's transport next week

LONDON, England - Union leaders will decide on Monday whether to go ahead with two 24-hour tube strikes which will cripple London's transport next week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850650-tube-strikes-likely-to-cripple-londons-transport/

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Activists: Islamic State destroys temple at Syria's Palmyra
By BASSEM MROUE

BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic State militants have destroyed a temple at Syria's ancient ruins of Palmyra, activists said Sunday, realizing the worst fears archaeologists had for the 2,000-year-old Roman-era city after the extremists seized it and beheaded a local scholar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850652-islamic-state-destroys-temple-at-syrias-palmyra/

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US airman says train attacker 'ready to fight to the end'
By ELAINE GANLEY and MAGGY DONALDSON

PARIS (AP) — Three American travelers say they relied on gut instinct and a close bond forged over years of friendship as they took down a heavily armed man on a passenger train speeding through Belgium.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850654-france-train-shooting-us-airman-says-attacker-ready-to-fight-to-the-end/

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Reid says he's going to support Obama's Iran nuclear deal
By JESSE J. HOLLAND

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid on Sunday threw his full support behind President Barack Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran, saying "it is the best path to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850655-reid-says-hes-going-to-support-obamas-iran-nuclear-deal/

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UAE army frees British hostage as al-Qaida expands in Yemen
By AYA BATRAWY

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates said Sunday that its military freed a British hostage who was kidnapped 18 months ago by al-Qaida in Yemen, which has expanded its reach amid fighting between Shiite rebels and their opponents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850656-uae-army-frees-british-hostage-as-al-qaida-expands-in-yemen/

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Dengue fever getting worse this year



BANGKOK: -- The situation of dengue fever this year is getting worse with the number of victims likely to double that of last year, said public health permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahamethapat over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850657-dengue-fever-getting-worse-in-thailand/

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Explosion at US base in Japan lights up night sky

TOKYO (AP) — An explosion at a U.S. Army depot outside of Tokyo set off a large blaze that lit up the night sky early Monday morning, but there were no reports of injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850658-explosion-at-us-base-in-japan-lights-up-night-sky/

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NY stages topless parade with 60 cities worldwide
VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Dozens of bare-chest women taking part in the GoTopless Pride Parade took to the streets of midtown Manhattan Sunday to counter critics complaining about topless tip-seekers in Times Square.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850659-new-york-city-stages-topless-parade-with-60-cities-worldwide/