Thai Hostages Still Missing a Year After Hamas Attack

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More Songkhla fishermen comply with fishing regulations



SONGKHLA, 25 August 2015 (NNT) - Fishermen in Songkhla province said they are willing to cooperate with the authorities to help raise industry standards.

Around 30 – 40 fishing boats have reportedly been passing through the Port In – Port Out Center each day in Songkhla. The center was established to prevent illegal fishing, after the European Union said it will ban seafood from Thailand unless stricter measures are enforced.

Since new regulations were put in place, Songkhla fishing vessels have not ventured beyond Thai territorial waters. Head of the Center Lieutenant Commander Chana Rattachaya said more fishermen have been complying with the regulations.

Those who have difficulty keeping up with the new laws have been receiving support and advice. The monitoring of fishing boats and human trafficking prevention at 28 centers across 22 provinces is supported and supervised by the Royal Thai Police.


-- NNT 2015-08-25

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Anna Reese Settles With Family of Dead Policeman
By Khaosod English


Actress Anna Reese on Saturday puts her arms around Chanthana Wongbundit, the wife of Police Lt. Naphadol Wongbundit, at a Bangkok police station after agreeing to pay an undisclosed amount of restitution to the family. Lt. Naphadol died June 26 when Anna hit the police vehicle he was sleeping in with her Mercedes-Benz.

BANGKOK — After two rounds of negotiation, the actress who killed a police officer with her Mercedes Benz has settled for an undisclosed sum with the policeman’s family, though she still faces criminal proceedings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850902-british-thai-actress-anna-reese-settles-with-family-of-dead-policeman/

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28,700 Baht’s worth of items stolen from South Pattaya Phone Shop



PATTAYA: -- On Monday the owner of a Phone Shop in South Pattaya appealed for help from the local media to publicize the recent theft of two Smart Phones and a Tablet from her shop.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850903-28700-bahts-worth-of-items-stolen-from-south-pattaya-phone-shop/

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Desperate Thai man drinks toilet cleaner in suicide attempt at East Pattaya apartment



PATTAYA: -- On Monday afternoon Police and medics were called to an apartment complex in East Pattaya to assist a Thai man who had attempted to take his own life by drinking toilet cleaner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850904-desperate-thai-man-drinks-toilet-cleaner-in-suicide-attempt-at-east-pattaya-apartment/

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BUSINESS
Stock plunge nightmare
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



Somkid puts on brave face despite big SET fall on his first day in charge of economy

BANGKOK: -- HUGE external pressures, especially China's stock market rout, pushed down Thai share prices by as much as 4.7 per cent yesterday - and dealt a deadly blow to any immediate positive result from the government naming a new economic team.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850905-stock-plunge-nightmare/

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ERAWAN BOMBING
Police say trail for bomber has gone cold
THE NATION



Authorities say case progressing, foreign intelligence bodies have given more information

BANGKOK: -- ALTHOUGH the authorities reported progress yesterday in the investigation into the August 17 bombing in Bangkok, police admitted that the trail in the hunt for the bomber had gone cold.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850906-erawan-bombing-bangkok-police-say-trail-for-bomber-has-gone-cold/

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CHARTER DRAFT
Some NRC members skeptical about public support
THE NATION


Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, chairman of the National Reform Council

BANGKOK: -- MEMBERS of the National Reform Council's political reform panel may not vote the same way on the charter draft, the committee's chairman Sombat Thamrongthanyawong said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850907-some-nrc-members-skeptical-about-public-support/

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UPDATE:

CRIME
Banyin, share recipients face arrest
Noppadol Srithaweekard,
Monthien Inthaket,
Jessada Chantharak
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for former deputy commerce minister Pol Lt-Colonel Banyin Tangpakorn over allegations of theft, document forgery and taking stolen items into possession in relation to the transfer of Bt300 million worth of shares owned by a late construction tycoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850830-chuwong-case-arrest-warrants-issued-for-ex-deputy-commerce-minister-3-alleged-accomplices/#entry9773396

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NEW ARMY CHIEF
Udomdej defends top military brass selection process
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Defence Minister and outgoing Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr insisted on Monday that the proposed promotion of top military brass - including the new Army chief - had been carefully vetted before being sent to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850908-udomdej-defends-top-military-brass-selection-process/

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STRONGER THAILAND
Messages of support, show of solidarity from our Asian friends
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Members of media and other organisations in Asia have sent messages of support to Thais via The Nation, in a show of solidarity following the August 17 bombing at the Erawan Shrine. The Nation is passing on these messages via Nation Group's different media channels:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850909-stronger-thailand-messages-of-support-show-of-solidarity-from-our-asian-friends/

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Proposed land tax called back for 'review' by economic team, says new finance minister
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE LAND and building tax, which had been on its way to the Cabinet for approval before the recent reshuffle, will be called back for a further review by the Finance Ministry and the revamped Council of Economic Ministers, the newly-appointed finance minister said yesterday during his first day on the job. Apisak Tantivorawong said "many processes and details" could be revised, but he did not elaborate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850910-proposed-land-tax-called-back-for-review-by-economic-team-says-new-thai-fm/

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Central group presses govt to ensure 'high season' success
SUCHAT SRITAMA,
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- CENTRAL GROUP has strongly urged the government to ensure the coming tourism high season is a success, while the group's revenue forecasts for its hotel and food businesses this year remain unchanged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850912-central-group-presses-thai-govt-to-ensure-tourism-high-season-success/

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EDITORIAL
The draft charter's democratic deficit
The Nation

The new constitution would turn back the clock to the authoritarian rule of the late 1970s and '80s

BANGKOK: -- The draft constitution, if passed by the National Reform Council (NRC) and then a public vote, would be a serious setback for democracy in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850913-thai-editorial-the-draft-charters-democratic-deficit/

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STREET WISE
Private sector can play crucial role in conserving public forest
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Banthoon Lamsam must have had a wonderful weekend. The Kasikornbank chairman and CEO's initiative to preserve the fast-disappearing forests in the northern province of Nan won a positive response.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850914-thai-opinion-private-sector-can-play-crucial-role-in-conserving-public-forest/

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Police tell man in blue to show up to prove his innocence



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police today called on the man in blue shirt to show up to prove he was not involved in the explosion at Sathorn bridge on August 18 after he was caught in surveillance camera at the place where the bomb exploded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850915-thai-police-tell-man-in-blue-to-show-up-to-prove-his-innocence/

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Police and health officials raid a beauty clinic



BANGKOK: -- Public health officials and police raided a beauty clinic in Bangkok Monday after a student who reportedly visited this clinic for beauty treatment was found dead at her apartment room in Nonthaburi recently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850916-bangkok-police-and-health-officials-raid-a-beauty-clinic/

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BURNING ISSUE
Govt's tilt toward China a move to guarantee stability
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE BOOST in Sino-Thai military cooperation may lead to a change in the attitude of Thai military officers - who have always clung to the US military model - to the Chinese one.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850917-thai-govts-tilt-toward-china-a-move-to-guarantee-stability/

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Court criticised for indicting UK human rights activist in defamation case
THE NATION


Andy Hall // AFP

BANGKOK: -- FINNISH civil society organisation Finnwatch has expressed regret over a Thai court's decision to indict British rights activist Andy Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850918-thai-court-criticised-for-indicting-uk-human-rights-activist-in-defamation-case/

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Man shot dead in Yala
THE NATION

YALA: -- A FRUIT merchant was shot dead in Yala's Muang district yesterday morning. Police found the body of Samarn Kootae, 34, next to a railway line in Tambon Yupo.

He had been shot in the neck, but no gun shells were found at the scene. They had yet to determine reasons for his killing.

The Raman incident occurred at about 8pm, when assailants opened fire at a teashop from a Mitsubishi pickup truck. Police suspect the attack was part of unrest in the far South.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Man-shot-dead-in-Yala-30267344.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-25

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Couple surrender over UFUN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A COUPLE has surrendered to Phuket police over their roles in the UFUN Store, an alleged pyramid scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850920-couple-surrender-over-ufun/

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Chao Phraya riverside project to start in June 2016
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A LANDMARK project to remodel prime areas alongside the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok has been postponed six months, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850922-chao-phraya-riverside-project-to-start-in-june-2016/

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UPDATE:

Billion-baht Ufun scam suspects surrender in Phuket
The Phuket News


Damrongsak Pitisuk, 38, and Pornthicha Pitisuk, 37, were both wanted on an arrest warrant for defrauding investors of tens of millions of baht. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- Two suspects wanted for their part in the international, multibillion-baht Ufun investment scheme have surrendered to police in Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850920-couple-surrender-over-ufun/#entry9773464

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Ace Condo case to be filed at Phuket court in 10 days
The Phuket News


Amphol Wongsiri, Secretary-general to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board and Col Angkul Klaikueng of Royal Thai Police Consumer Protection Division speak at today's meeting.

PHUKET: -- Those who purchased units for the Ace 1 Condominium project in Patong and have yet to file complaints with the police have been given a further 10 days to do so before the case is filed in court it was announced today (August 24).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850923-ace-condo-case-to-be-filed-at-phuket-court-in-10-days/

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Rival Koreas find a way to avoid disaster, reach deal
HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press
FOSTER KLUG, Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — After 40-plus-hours of talks, North and South Korea on Tuesday pulled back from the brink with an accord that allows both sides to save face and avert the bloodshed they've been threatening each other with for weeks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850925-rival-koreas-find-a-way-to-avoid-disaster-reach-deal/

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Family feud? Obama caught between Clinton, Biden ambitions
By JULIE PACE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is the man in the middle, caught between the White House aspirations of two of his closest advisers: Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850926-family-feud-obama-caught-between-clinton-biden-ambitions/

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Amnesty report finds Saudi Arabia executed 175 in past year

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia has executed at least 175 people over the past 12 months, on average one person every two days, according to a report released Tuesday by Amnesty International.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850927-amnesty-report-finds-saudi-arabia-executed-175-in-past-year/

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Police: Ashley Madison hack might have led to suicides
By ROB GILLIES

TORONTO (AP) — The hacking of the cheating website Ashley Madison has triggered extortion crimes and led to two unconfirmed reports of suicides, Canadian police said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850928-canada-police-ashley-madison-hack-might-have-led-to-suicides/

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Dominating TV, Donald Trump a ratings draw
By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) — Opinion polls are one thing, but Nielsen numbers speak more loudly to television executives: Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump's ability to pull in viewers makes him catnip for news programs and wins a level of coverage that feeds on itself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850929-dominating-tv-donald-trump-a-ratings-draw/

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Stocks slump; Dow ends down 588 after early 1,000-pt. slide
By ALEX VEIGA and STEVE ROTHWELL

NEW YORK -- U.S. stocks slid again Monday, with the Dow Jones industrial average briefly plunging more than 1,000 points in a sell-off that sent a shiver of fear from Wall Street to Main Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850930-us-stocks-slump;-dow-ends-down-588-after-early-1000-pt-slide/

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How China's tremors could weaken the world's major economies
PAUL WISEMAN, AP Business Writers
DAVID McHUGH, AP Business Writers

WASHINGTON (AP) — China is exporting something new to the world economy: Fear.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/850932-how-chinas-tremors-could-weaken-the-worlds-major-economies/