Thailand Live Saturday 29 Aug 2015

[Lite Beer]

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....out-competency/

[Lite Beer]

BANGKOK BLAST
Police 'no closer to solving Erawan case'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AFTER questioning some 200 witnesses over the August 17 Erawan Shrine bombing, police investigators are still unable to rule out any of the possible motives, a senior police officer said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851897-police-no-closer-to-solving-erawan-case/

[Lite Beer]

Lone robber escaped with 360,000 baht from Thanachat bank

BANGKOK: -- A lone robber held up a commercial bank in Min Buri and escaped with 360,000 baht in cash Friday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....thanachat-bank/

[Lite Beer]

EDUCATION
Pilot project set to slash school hours
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Some 3,500 schools across the country will cut academic hours and offer more extracurricular activities in 2nd semester

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851898-pilot-project-set-to-slash-school-hours/

[Lite Beer]

SOUTH CRISIS
Mara Patani vows peaceful measures to resolve conflict
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- REPRESENTATIVES of separatist groups in the far South, who held peace talks with Thai negotiators on Tuesday, have promised to use peaceful means to resolve problems in the region, saying they would only use weapons for self-defence.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851899-mara-patani-vows-peaceful-measures-to-resolve-conflict/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Nestle sued in the US over Thai slave labour claim
THE NATION
AGENCIES

GLOBAL FOOD company Nestle is being sued in the United States over claims that its Fancy Feast cat food brand contains fish from a Thai supplier that uses slave labour.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851774-nestle-sued-in-us-for-using-thai-slave-caught-fish-in-cat-food/page-3?p=9789258#entry9789258

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POLITICS
Freedom of speech still exists, Wissanu insists
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PEOPLE still have the freedom to express their political opinions as long as they don't violate the law, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam insisted.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851900-freedom-of-speech-still-exists-wissanu-insists/

[Lite Beer]

Indonesian smog hits southern provinces
KANITA SEETONG,
CHIDCHANOK PHUTTHONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- RESIDENTS WARNED OF HEALTH RISK; SMOKE FROM FOREST FIRES BLAMED

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851901-indonesian-smog-hits-southern-provinces/

[Lite Beer]

Universities to tackle student gambling issue
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MORE than 500,000 university students are addicted to gambling, and peer pressure, as well as media influence are major factors behind this, a study by Ramkhamhaeng University has revealed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851902-universities-to-tackle-student-gambling-issue/

[Lite Beer]

PM vows to back South China Sea code of conduct
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
ASIA NEWS NETWORK

THAILAND will continue to ensure the implementation of a code of conduct between China and Asean states, as conflict over the South China Sea persists, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has assured Philippine President Benigno Aquino.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851903-pm-vows-to-back-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct/

[Lite Beer]

Army chief praises NLA for approving Bt2.72-tn 2016 national budget
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ARMY CHIEF General Udomdej Sitabutr thanked the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for approving the 2016 national budget worth Bt2.72 trillion.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851905-army-chief-praises-nla-for-approving-bt272-tn-2016-national-budget/

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'Crisis panel' cannot run nation: CDC
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DRAFTERS INSIST PROPOSED STRATEGIC COMMITTEE IS NOT LIKE A POLITBURO

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851906-crisis-panel-cannot-run-nation-cdc/

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Koh Kong zone 'will reduce illegal migrants'
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

THE Koh Kong Special Economic Zone (KKSEZ) is expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs for Cambodians, which should help ease the problem of illegal migrant workers in Thailand, a KKSEZ official insisted.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851907-koh-kong-zone-will-reduce-illegal-migrants/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
With Somkid, Prayut takes an unprecedented gamble
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As a Thaksin ally joins the Cabinet, the pm is betting that his startling break from traditional cronyism will yield results

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851908-with-somkid-prayut-takes-an-unprecedented-gamble/

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PM thanks Thais for showing unity, urges help in rebuilding confidence

BANGKOK, 28 August 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed appreciation to the Thai people for demonstrating their unity after the recent bomb blast while asking all to help restore confidence among foreign travelers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851909-pm-thanks-thais-for-showing-unity-urges-help-in-rebuilding-confidence/

[Lite Beer]

Egyptian Drug Dealing suspect arrested by Pattaya Immigration

PATTAYA: -- Late on Thursday Night Chonburi Immigration Police, based in Jomtien, announced the arrest of a 61 year old Egyptian accused of selling class 1 drugs in Pattaya.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851910-egyptian-drug-dealing-suspect-arrested-by-pattaya-immigration/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Army and City Officers shutdown illegal Pattaya Port Bar

PATTAYA Despite giving them a chance to leave without any further problems, The Army was forced to intervene and remove an outdoor Bar from the promenade close to the Bali Hai Port on Thursday Night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851862-soldiers-bust-illegal-sidewalk-bars-in-pattaya/#entry9789343

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Primary students will spend less time in classrooms under new education policy

BANGKOK: -- Starting November 1, some 3,000 selected primary schools will reduce the hours spent in classrooms of primary students by two hours from 8 am to 2 pm instead of 8 am to 4 pm in accordance with a new policy laid down by Education Minister Dapong Rattanasuwan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851898-pilot-project-set-to-slash-school-hours/#entry9789351

[Lite Beer]

Government sets out five missions to kick-start the economy

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha outlined five major economic missions that his government is determined to carry out to kick-start the sputtering economic engine.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851911-government-sets-out-five-missions-to-kick-start-the-economy/

[Lite Beer]

Gen Teerachai appointed the new army chief

BANGKOK: -- General Teerachai Narkvanich was Friday night appointed the new commander-in-chief of the Army, succeeding Gen Udomdej Sitabutr who will retire end of September.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851912-gen-teerachai-appointed-the-new-army-chief/

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Gov: “No changes to Phuket beach management system”
Saroj Kueprasertkij

No changes have been made to the beach management rules so no vendors are allowed.

PHUKET: Although the study into Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwongʼs beach management system is complete and has been handed over to the relevant officials, no decision has yet been made on any changes that could be made.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851913-gov-no-changes-to-phuket-beach-management-system/

[Lite Beer]

George W. Bush visits disaster zone, 10 years after Katrina
CAIN BURDEAU, Associated Press
JEFF AMY, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Former President George W. Bush enjoyed sympathetic audiences in New Orleans and Mississippi on Friday as he returned to the region where Hurricane Katrina sank his popularity 10 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851914-george-w-bush-visits-disaster-zone-10-years-after-katrina/

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Radar detects object believed to be missing Nazi gold train
MONIKA SCISLOWSKA, Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Polish official said Friday he has seen an image made by ground-penetrating radar that seemed to prove the discovery of an armored Nazi train missing in southwestern Poland since World War II.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851915-radar-detects-object-believed-to-be-missing-nazi-gold-train/

[Lite Beer]

Extremists kill 28 in villages in northeastern Nigeria
By HARUNA UMAR

BAUCHI, Nigeria (AP) — Boko Haram extremists killed 28 people during attacks on remote villages in northeast Nigeria, members of a civilian defense group said on Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851916-extremists-kill-28-in-villages-in-northeastern-nigeria/

[Lite Beer]

Nationwide GI Products to be featured in the government's floating market

BANGKOK, 29 August 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is inviting all to visit Phadung Krung Kasem Floating Market near Government House, where Geographical Indication (GI) products from all regions will be featured from September 1st to 27th.

Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Office for Administrative Affairs Pranee Sriprasert, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Chutima Bunyapraphasara made a joint announcement. Pranee said the market is a part of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha's policy to help Small and Medium Enterprises to develop their products, give them an additional channel to distribute goods, and generate income.

Throughout the month, the market will feature signature or Geographical Indication (GI) goods from different regions; such as Doi Mae Salong tea, fabrics from Ban Na Kha fabric, and pottery from Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The fair will feature items from the North and Northeast from September 1st to 13th, while products from the Central, Eastern and Southern regions will be put on show from Septermber 14th to 27th. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will officially open the event on September 7th.

-- NNT 2015-08-29

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M.L. Panadda meets officials to follow-up on their works

BANGKOK, 29 August 2015, (NNT) - Minister M.L. Panadda Diskul yesterday met with officials from the Prime Minister's Office to follow up on their works.

Attending the meeting included Director-General Apinan Juntarungsri, Deputy Director-General of the Public Relations Department (PRD) Jamlong Singto-ngam, Executive Director of Radio Thailand Ratchawan Suebyam and other officers of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The meeting's top agenda was the follow-up on the works of the PM’s Office, the PRD, the Office of Consumer Protection Board, and MCOT Public Company Limited.

According to M.L. Pandda, the role of the members of the media is to provide information to the public while upholding the image of the country. He urged civil servants to exercise and promote unity and to always be humble. He also received a comprehensive report on the recent achievements of the Damrongtham Centers.

Director-General Apinan briefed M.L. Panadda on the PRD’s recent efforts in publicizing various articles on the works of His Majesty, national reform progress, confidence building programs, and campaigns promoting peace in the 3 southernmost provinces.

-- NNT 2015-8-29

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PM: No room for corruption in govt’s policy

BANGKOK, 29 August 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has emphasized that the Cabinet reshuffle was made to boost confidence in all sectors and the government will not allow corruption to exist.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851954-pm-no-room-for-corruption-in-govts-policy/

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Teenager slain in Phuket tourism pier shooting
Eakkapop Thongtub

Forensic police were called in to investigate the scene. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Police are hunting three suspects for the shooting at a popular Phuket pier that left one teen dead and another in hospital with gunshot wounds last night (August 29).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851958-teenager-slain-in-phuket-tourism-pier-shooting/

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UPDATE:

MILITARY RESHUFFLE
Another 'Eastern tiger' rises to top of Army
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Assistant Army chief Gen Thirachai Nakwanit has been appointed by a royal command as the next Army commander-in-chief.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851912-gen-teerachai-appointed-the-new-army-chief/#entry9790328

[Lite Beer]

Free ride for Purple Line in May next year before grand opening

Bangkok commuters will enjoy free one month ride of the new Purple Line electric train by May next year before its schedule official opening of the train service on August 12, 2016.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851984-free-ride-for-purple-line-in-may-next-year-before-grand-opening/