Trump chickens out again.

[webfact]

Unregistered mobile numbers to be terminated from 1 Oct


File photo. Source: Internet

BANGKOK, 26 August 2015 (NNT) – Mobile carriers have been ordered to notify users of 3.6m unregistered mobile numbers regarding cellular service termination, prior to the deadline on 1 October 2015, NBTC Secretary-General says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851152-unregistered-thai-mobile-numbers-to-be-terminated-from-1-oct/

[webfact]

Bangkok Bombing: City Officials Bridle at Claims of Broken CCTVs
By Khaosod English


The last known image of the lead suspect in last week's deadly bombing attack shows the so-called yellow-shirted man riding south on Ratchadamri Road on a motorcycle taxi, in this image from a leaked internal police report.

BANGKOK — A day after the Royal Thai Police chief blamed his fruitless investigation into the Erawan Shrine bombing on faulty security cameras, city officials today accused him of wild exaggeration, insisting nearly all its cameras work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851095-bangkok-bombing-city-officials-bridle-at-claims-of-broken-cctvs/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

BANGKOK DANGEROUS

Theory of suspect changing bag in Hua Lumphong backed
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police believe they now have another jigsaw piece in the ongoing investigation into the Erawan Shrine bomb blast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851019-taxi-driver-says-he-drove-bangkok-bomber-to-hua-lamphong/page-4#entry9777305

[webfact]

STOCKS
Thai stocks bounce back
Erich Parpart
The Nation

Finance minister attributes SET rally to strong economic fundamentals

BANGKOK: -- THAI STOCKS have rebounded on the back of the country's strong economic fundamentals after a steep drop of 64 points to an 18-month low on Monday, Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851155-thai-stocks-bounce-back/

[webfact]

ERAWAN BOMBING
Police to simulate bombings at testing site as part of investigation
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
SUPACHAI PETCHTHEWEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- POLICE investigators are preparing to simulate the two recent bomb blasts that rocked the centre of Bangkok at an explosion-testing site as part of their ongoing investigation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851156-erawan-blast-police-to-simulate-bombings-at-testing-site-as-part-of-investigation/

[webfact]

NEW CONSTITUTION
Prayut irritated by attacks on charter draft as vote nears
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday lashed out at some politicians for encouraging the National Reform Council (NRC) to vote down the charter draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851157-prayut-irritated-by-attacks-on-charter-draft-as-vote-nears/

[webfact]

HACKING
NSC to probe state website hacking claim by Tunisians
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Security Council (NSC) is looking to see if a Tunisia-based Islamic group is really behind the recent hacking of several state websites in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851158-nsc-to-probe-thai-govt-website-hacking-claim-by-tunisia-based-islamic-group/

[webfact]

CRIME
Police defend arrest over body armour
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, an assistant National Police chief, yesterday insisted that police were justified in arresting a Hong Kong photojournalist for possessing body armour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851159-thai-police-defend-arrest-of-hong-kong-photojournalist-over-body-armour/

[webfact]

TOURISM
Major players want ministry to be devoted
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Big players involved in tourism agree there must be a separation of the Tourism and Sports Ministry's two portfolios to strengthen the travel business and increase the country's competitiveness amid the current political and economic instability.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851160-thai-tourism-major-players-want-ministry-to-be-devoted/

[webfact]

CABINET MEETING
Honeymoon period over, Prayut tells new Cabinet
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

BANGKOK: -- The honeymoon period is over, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha told the newly appointed Cabinet at its first meeting yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851161-honeymoon-period-over-prayut-tells-new-cabinet/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Collective effort needed in a battle against plastic
The Nation

The no-bag policy should be just "temporary packaging" in itself

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is bidding to become a plastic-bag-free nation. As part of an agreement between traders and the government, on the 15th of each month, shoppers will not be given any plastic bags at supermarkets, convenience stores or large malls. The aim to encourage them to bring their own reusable bags.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851162-thai-editorial-collective-effort-needed-in-a-battle-against-plastic/

[webfact]

STOPPAGE TIME
Ratchaprasong bomb is testing our collective strength
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- We were saddened and we couldn't believe it. But as the shock dies down, we start to wonder if we should have been shocked in the first place. If certain human traits have faded over the centuries, the tendency to use violence to push for a goal is not one of them. We have kidded ourselves in many ways, not least over the notion that we are now civilised and noble and could never ever do anything like this.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851163-ratchaprasong-bomb-is-testing-our-collective-strength/

[webfact]

Man armed with shotgun in South Pattaya hunts for friend who left him at bar

PATTAYA: -- Police arrested a 27 year old Thai Man in the early hours of Tuesday armed with a loaded shotgun who was searching for his friend who left him to pay a bar bill of 1,000 Baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851164-man-armed-with-shotgun-in-south-pattaya-hunts-for-friend-who-left-him-at-bar/

[webfact]

Couple seen fighting, attacked by 'sister' in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Police were made aware of an incident which took place in the Pratamnuk Hill area of South Pattaya late on Monday Night which resulted in a couple sustaining severe cuts after being attacked by a family member who was armed with a broken bottle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851165-couple-seen-fighting-attacked-by-sister-in-south-pattaya/

[webfact]

Money, Phone and Credit Card stolen from food vendor in North Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- A street food vendor in North Pattaya turned her back to a customer for a split second and lost 3,000 Baht, her phone and credit card.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851166-money-phone-and-credit-card-stolen-from-food-vendor-in-north-pattaya/

[webfact]

Top postings merit based, says Prayut
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION



OFFICIALS NOT CHOSEN TO EMPOWER JUNTA, HE SAYS, BUT TO PROTECT NATION'S INTERESTS

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said the recent appointment of top bureaucrats to administrative roles in the government was based on merit, not with the intention of holding on to power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851167-top-postings-merit-based-says-prayut/

[webfact]

EC mulls letting public speak on charter via TV
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ELECTION Commission (EC) member Prawit Rattanapean said yesterday the EC would likely invite people to express their opinions about the on television, as part of the campaign for the national referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851168-ec-mulls-letting-public-speak-on-charter-via-tv/

[webfact]

Wissanu defends strategic panel's special powers
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday defended the special powers that would be granted to the National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee (NSRRC) under the proposed constitution, saying the panel would only exercise these powers when the country was in a "crisis".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851169-wissanu-defends-strategic-panels-special-powers/

[webfact]

WWF lauds Thai efforts against ivory trafficking
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has lauded Thailand's decision to crush two tonnes of confiscated ivory today as a strong message of the country's "zero tolerance for illegal ivory trafficking".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851170-wwf-lauds-thai-efforts-against-ivory-trafficking/

[webfact]

Police raid house, arrest five illegal migrants, one trafficker
Narong Nuansakul,
Arithat Pornasawayothin
The Nation
NARATHIWAT

NARATHIWAT: -- IMMIGRATION police in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district yesterday raided a rented house that they said was allegedly occupied by a human-trafficking ring, and arrested one Thai suspect and five Myanmar men, who were waiting to be taken to Malaysia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851171-thai-police-raid-house-arrest-five-illegal-migrants-one-trafficker/

[webfact]

Banyin gets bail, vows to fight charges
Noppadol Srithaweekard
The Nation


Former deputy commerce minister Pol Lt-Colonel Banyin Tangpakorn yesterday has his fingerprints recorded before being escorted to apply for the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court

BANGKOK: -- FORMER deputy commerce minister Pol Lt-Colonel Banyin Tangpakorn yesterday morning reported to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police to fight allegations of theft, document forgery and taking possession of stolen items in relation to the transfer of Bt300 million shares owned by late construction tycoon Chuwong Saetang. Banyin was later yesterday granted bail by the court after depositing Bt5 million in cash.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851172-chuwong-case-banyin-gets-bail-vows-to-fight-charges/

[webfact]

CDC tries to assuage NRC doubts on draft charter
KHANITTHA THEPKAJORN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Council (NRC) held an informal meeting with the Constitution Drafting Committee to clear doubts over several controversial issues of the draft charter before voting on September 6 to endorse or reject it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851173-cdc-tries-to-assuage-nrc-doubts-on-draft-thai-charter/

[webfact]

DSI: Dhammakaya temple received more donations than earlier reported



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation has found out that the Dhammakaya temple has received 1,216 million baht in donations through its affiliates which are double of the amount earlier discovered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851174-dsi-dhammakaya-temple-received-more-donations-than-earlier-reported/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Men accused of killing British tourists in Thailand refused access to Met report

Burmese pair lose high court attempt to view Scotland Yard report into Thai investigation of murders of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge
By Jamie Grierson

LONDON: -- Two Burmese men accused of the murder of two British tourists in Thailand in September 2014 have lost a high court challenge that sought access to a secret report by Scotland Yard on the Thai police investigation into their alleged crimes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849310-koh-tao-murder-trial-reconvenes-in-koh-samui/page-42?p=9777410#entry9777410

[webfact]

Probe of Bangkok bombing recalls bad reputation of police
By GRANT PECK

BANGKOK (AP) — Investigating a crime with little forensic evidence, no clear motive and no claim of responsibility — like the Bangkok bombing that killed 20 people — would challenge anyone. Yet the Royal Thai Police department is handicapped even in the best of circumstances by a legacy of corruption, brutality and political influence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851175-probe-of-bangkok-bombing-recalls-bad-reputation-of-police/

[webfact]

Hezbollah throws weight behind protests, deepening crisis
By ZEINA KARAM and SARAH EL DEEB

BEIRUT (AP) — The powerful Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah threw its weight Tuesday behind mass protests calling for the government's resignation, deepening a crisis that started over piles of uncollected garbage in the streets of the capital but has tapped into a much deeper malaise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851177-hezbollah-throws-weight-behind-protests-deepening-crisis/

[webfact]

China cuts interest rates again to spur economic growth

BEIJING (AP) — China cut interest rates for a fifth time in nine months Tuesday in a new effort to shore up slowing economic growth, and its top economic official tried to dispel fears its yuan might fall further in value.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851179-china-cuts-interest-rates-again-to-spur-economic-growth/

[webfact]

Fox News chief: Donald Trump owes Megyn Kelly an apology
By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News chief Roger Ailes said Tuesday that Donald Trump owes the network's Megyn Kelly an apology for an unprovoked Twitter attack that "is as unacceptable as it is disturbing," but Trump isn't backing down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851180-fox-news-chief-donald-trump-owes-megyn-kelly-an-apology/

[webfact]

Less-lethal weapons get new interest amid police shootings
By DENISE LAVOIE

FITCHBURG, Mass. (AP) — Police in more than 20 North American cities are testing the latest in less-lethal alternatives to bullets — "blunt impact projectiles" that cause suspects excruciating pain but stop short of killing them. Or at least that's the goal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851183-less-lethal-weapons-get-new-interest-amid-us-police-shootings/

[webfact]

France train suspect watched jihadi video, prosecutor says
By THOMAS ADAMSON and GREG KELLER

PARIS (AP) — Minutes before he slung an assault rifle across his chest and walked through a high-speed train, the Moroccan suspect in the foiled attack watched a jihadi video on his cellphone, the French prosecutor said in formally opening a terrorism investigation Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851184-france-train-suspect-watched-jihadi-video-prosecutor-says/