Thailand Live Friday 28 Aug 2015

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UPDATE:

Thai court issues warrant for suspect in second bomb blast

BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for an unnamed suspect in a riverside blast that occurred a day after the bombing of a shrine in central Bangkok which killed 20 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851636-bangkok-blast-police-have-dna-other-results/page-2#entry9786178

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Police probe possible Indonesian terror link to Bangkok blast

JAKARTA: -- Indonesian police are looking into the possibility that a terrorist network in Indonesia was involved in the deadly bomb attack on the famous Erawan Shrine in the centre of Bangkok on Aug 17, according to The Jakarta Globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851686-jakarta-police-probe-possible-indonesian-terror-link-to-bangkok-blast/

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SET up 18.26 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Preliminary design of eastern seaboard aircraft maintenance cluster developed further

BANGKOK, 28 August 2015 (NNT) – An industrial estate dedicated to aircraft maintenance will be set up within 10 years under a 15 billion baht budget, with U-Tapao International Airport in Chonburi at its heart, according to the consensus at a seminar on the preliminary design of the industrial estate, held by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Ministry of Transport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851711-design-of-u-tapao-aircraft-maintenance-facilities-to-be-developed-further/

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Por Tor (Hungry Ghost) Festival now underway in Phuket
Saroj Kueprasertkij


A host of cakes are traditionally offered to appease the spirits during the festival.

PHUKET: -- The annual Por Tor (Hungry Gost) Festival organised by the Phuket City Municipal Office and Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office is currently being held in Phuket Town and everyone is being invited to join and enjoy the event which runs until September 12. (Full schedule below)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851712-por-tor-hungry-ghost-festival-now-underway-in-phuket/

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14 Orangutans found abandoned in Phuket to be sent back to Indonesia next month.

RATCHABURI, 28 August 2015, (NNT) - Fourteen orangutans found abandoned on roadside in Phuket province are to be sent back to Indonesia next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851714-thailand-to-return-14-smuggled-orangutans-to-indonesia/

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Chief investigator says Erawan shrine bombing was not the work of Thai perpetrators



BANGKOK: -- Head of the Erawan deadly bomb explosion investigation expressed confidence that the bombing was not the work of Thai perpetrators while the possibility of involvement by foreign-based group is not ruled out.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851718-chief-investigator-says-erawan-shrine-bombing-was-not-the-work-of-thai-perpetrators/

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Democratic Party lags in money before presidential year
By JULIE BYKOWICZ

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Democratic National Committee barely has more cash than it does IOUs, and it is being outraised month after month by its Republican competitor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851719-us-democratic-party-lags-in-money-before-presidential-year/

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North Korea leader dismisses top officials after standoff eases
By HYUNG-JIN KIM

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dismissed top officials in the wake of a recent standoff with South Korea, state media reported Friday, a move that suggests the young leader holds them responsible for allowing the confrontation to nearly spin out of control.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851721-north-korea-leader-dismisses-top-officials-after-standoff-eases/

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Lawyer Who Represented Churches in China Is Missing
By CHRIS BUCKLEY
The New York Times

HONG KONG — A lawyer who energetically represented Christian churches whose crosses were torn down by the Chinese government has disappeared, probably into police custody, a colleague and supporters said on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851722-lawyer-who-represented-churches-in-china-is-missing/

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Myanmar woman critical in Phuket hospital following acid attack *Graphic images*


Ta Zin Moe was tracked down at a rented home on Srisuthat Rd in Rassada.

PHUKET: -- A young Myanmar woman has been left blinded and her face and body severly disfigured following an acid attack by her best friend. The woman is still in critical condition at Vachira Hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851724-young-myanmar-woman-critical-in-phuket-hospital-following-acid-attack/

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Norwegian overstays 86 days

PATTAYA:--A broke Norwegian was arrested for overstaying his visa by nearly three months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851728-norwegian-overstays-86-days/

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Banglamung chief calls for checks of Pattaya's hundreds of broken CCTVs

PATTAYA: -- The head of Banglamung District ordered that all of Pattayas nearly 1,600 CCTV cameras be checked to ensure they work as the area ramped up security measures following the Bangkok shrine bombing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851729-banglamung-chief-calls-for-checks-of-pattayas-hundreds-of-broken-cctvs/

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Pattaya to spend 60 million baht on 200 more CCTV cameras

PATTAYA:--Despite lacking funds to repair the nearly 1,600 closed-circuit security cameras it already has, Pattaya will spend another 60 million baht to install 200 more cameras on passenger ferries and at boat terminals on the mainland and Koh Larn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851731-pattaya-to-spend-60-million-baht-on-200-more-cctv-cameras/

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Referendum Campaign Ban Extends to Social Media, Line, SMS
By Khaosod English


'Crayon Shin-chan' Line stickers.

BANGKOK — The ban on “campaigning” for or against the new constitution will include uses of social media, a government official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851764-thai-referendum-campaign-ban-extends-to-social-media-line-sms/

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Army Chief: Investigation into Ratchaprasong bombing cannot be rushed

BANGKOK, 28 August 2015 (NNT) - Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr is asking the public to be patient and give authorities more time to investigate the Ratchaprasong bombing and deliver results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851765-army-chief-investigation-into-ratchaprasong-bombing-cannot-be-rushed/

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VIDEO:

Post office boss under fire for viral sexual harassment video
By Coconuts Bangkok



CHONBURI: -- Thailand Post has taken action against a Chonburi office boss after a video of him sexually harassing a female employee went viral yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851766-chonburi-post-office-boss-under-fire-for-viral-sexual-harassment-video/

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Two Turkish men arrested for working illegally on island off Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


Ahmet Komurco, 37, and Altin Cem Salih, 49, were working at Coral Island restaurant without work permits.

PHUKET: -- Two Turkish men were arrested on Koh Hae (Coral Island) by tourist police yesterday (August 27) for working without works permits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851768-two-turkish-men-arrested-for-working-illegally-on-island-off-phuket/

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Australian survivor of WWII 'Great Escape' dies aged 101
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Paul Royle, an Australian pilot who took part in a mass breakout from a German prisoner of war camp during World War II that is remembered as The Great Escape, has died in his hometown of Perth, his son said Friday. He was 101.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851770-australian-survivor-of-wwii-great-escape-dies-aged-101/

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ASEAN
Thai PM vows commitment to code of conduct on South China Sea row
Kristine Angeli Sabillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA -- As the conflict over the South China Sea persists, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday assured Philippine President Benigno Aquino III that Thailand would continue to ensure the implementation of a code of conduct between China and the members states of the Association of Southeast Asean Nations (Asean).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851772-thai-pm-vows-commitment-to-code-of-conduct-on-south-china-sea-row/

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IUU
Nestle accused of using slave-caught fish in cat food

New York - Swiss food giant Nestle is being sued in the United States for allegedly knowingly allowing its Fancy Feast cat food to contain fish from a Thai supplier that uses slave labor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851774-nestle-sued-in-us-for-using-thai-slave-caught-fish-in-cat-food/

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BANGKOK BLAST
Arrest warrant issued for man in Sathorn pier bombing
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for an unidentified man seen on CCTV dropping what is believed to be a bomb into a canal near the Sathorn pier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851796-arrest-warrant-issued-for-man-in-sathorn-pier-bombing/

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Chuwong's death probe back to square one



BANGKOK: -- Crime Suppressionn Division (CSD) commander says the investigation of the unusual death of billionaire construction contractor Chuwong Sae Tang will be back to square one with coordination from the car company to help in establishing the impact that could cause death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851803-chuwongs-death-probe-back-to-square-one/

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VIENNA (AP) - Austrian official: Death toll of migrants found in truck left on highway rises to more than 70

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Inspection of stockpiled rice to be more thorough

BANGKOK, 28 August 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Commerce will decide how best to release C-grade rice from the government stock.

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce Chutima Boonyaprapatson said she would visit rice silos today to observe how good grains are being identified and separated from bad ones.

Her visit came in light of the government being taken to task for its inefficient rice inspection. Ms. Chutima believed quality rice is still mixed in the C-grade stock.

A qualified company will be hired to conduct the inspection. Samples will be taken to the lab to determine their quality and whether the rice in stock is contaminated, before it can be released for industrial purposes.

The release process is expected to be carried out soon to save the government as muvh as 42 million baht a day on the cost of stockpiling the grains.


-- NNT 2015-08-28

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Phuket gears up for the Vegetarian Festival
The Phuket News


The spectacle that is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

PHUKET: -- The island's famed Vegetarian Festival is set for take place from October 13-21 to once again preserve part of the islandʼs beautiful cultural heritage. But in addition, this yearʼs event will include a procession to honor HM King Phumipol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851811-phuket-gears-up-for-the-vegetarian-festival/

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UPDATE:

Austrian official: Death toll of migrants in truck over 70

VIENNA (AP) — The number of migrants found dead in a truck abandoned on Austria's main highway to Hungary has risen to more than 70, the Interior Ministry said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851650-dead-migrants-found-in-abandoned-truck-near-austrian-capital/#entry9787651

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SET index closed 1,365.94 up 7.91; Bt/USD35.68; GBP54.78; AUD25.18; EUR39.99; CAD26.80; HKD4.58; SGD25.25; JPY29.29

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NCPO asserts investors still confident with Thailand

BANGKOK, 28 August 2015 (NNT) – Investors are still confident with Thailand, in the wake of the bombing incident in Bangkok, while the public are encouraged to help monitor the suspects, NCOP Spokesman says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851839-ncpo-asserts-investors-still-confident-with-thailand/

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Floundering Bomb Investigation Deepens Doubts About Competency

By Khaosod Eng.

Investigators canvas the scene after the 17-Aug bombing of Bangkok's Erawan Shrine.
By Todd Ruiz

BANGKOK — Less than a year after Thailand’s last high-profile criminal investigation left observers scratching their heads, the competency and professionalism of its police are under a new level of scrutiny, only this time much more is at stake.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851860-floundering-bomb-investigation-deepens-doubts-about-competency/