Foreign Driver Crashes Car into Motorbike and Minivan in Patong

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Sa Kaeo’s bird-watching festival begins

BANGKOK, 7 September 2015 (NNT) - The northeastern province of Sa Kaeo has officially opened its bird-watching festival to promote conservation and tourism.

Sa Kaeo Provincial Governor Pakharatorn Thienchai officially opened the bird-watching festival which is jointly organized by the tourism and sports office of Sa Kaeo and the Tambon Chong Kum Administration Organisation.

The festival is held at the Phra Prong reservoir, where several activities have been organized, including fishing and hunting games, an exhibition on the Snake Bird, along with sales of OTOP items. There are also boat trips to observe the life of the Snake Bird.

The event was initiated to promote the province’s tourism industry which will help generate income in the local economy.

Phra Prong reservoir is the province’s largest water retention system with an abundance of fish and aquatic animals living in it and various species of birds flocking to the area to hunt prey. The Snake Bird, is one of the 40 birds in Thailand which are at risk of extinction.


-- NNT 2015-09-07

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Relief and uncertainty after NRC rejects charter
Wassamon Audjarint,
Wiraj Sripong,
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation



NCPO seen as helping to kill a flawed draft and giving itself more time in office

BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Council (NRC)'s rejection of the draft charter yesterday was a major relief for many and a disappointment for others - but its consequence, in delaying a new election and extending the junta and the military government's rule, was also a big concern.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854049-relief-and-uncertainty-after-thailands-nrc-rejects-charter/

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Borwornsak hints at pressure from above after 'no' vote
The Nation

CDC chief says he won't work on writing charter again; others deny being lobbied

BANGKOK: -- FORMER Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Borwornsak Uwanno hinted yesterday that former National Reform Council members from the military voted down the charter because of pressure from their superiors.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854050-thai-charter-borwornsak-hints-at-pressure-from-above-after-no-vote/

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SURVEY:

Should EU countries continue to accept refugees and migrants?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/853898-survey-should-eu-countries-continue-to-accept-refugees-and-migrants/

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Foreigners still confident in Thai security and tourism, NCPO says



BANGKOK, 7 September 2015 (NNT) - Col Winthai Suwaree, spokesperson of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) gave a daily statement on TV Pool pertaining to the Bangkok explosion that foreigners are still confident in security measures and a great number of them were visiting famous tourist attractions in Thailand.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854051-foreigners-still-confident-in-thai-security-and-tourism-ncpo-says/

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Charter draft rejection not a worry for the private sector
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The private sector has pointed out that the failure of the National Reform Commission (NRC) to approve the draft charter would not negatively impact confidence in trade and investment in the country.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854052-thai-charter-draft-rejection-not-a-worry-for-the-private-sector/

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PM sees funny side as student makes protest during speech
The Nation


A security officer approaches a student displaying a banner calling for education reform during the AntiCorruption Day ceremony at the Centara Grand Hotel yesterday.//Photo by Sukol Kerdnaimongkol

Boy, 18, handed to police but later released without charge

BANGKOK: -- A STUDENT protester who displayed a banner demanding education reform during the prime minister's Anti-Corruption Day speech yesterday was apprehended by security guards and turned over to Pathumwan Police Station, before being released.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854053-pm-prayut-sees-funny-side-as-student-makes-protest-during-speech/

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Police check on money sent from Turkey
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police are checking reports that money was transferred from Turkey to Thailand for the recent bombs in Bangkok.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854054-bangkok-erawan-bombing-police-check-on-money-sent-from-turkey/

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PM defends use of Article 44 on Thaksin
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha justified his decision to enforce Article 44 of the interim charter to strip fugitive former premier Thaksin ShInawatra of his police rank by saying it was meant to reduce the burden on the monarch.

Prayut, who enforced Article 44 in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace and Order, said Article 44 was legitimate as it is addressed in the interim charter.

On that basis, he asked, who would dare file a lawsuit against him for such a move?

Asked if he feared the move would prompt public disorder, Prayut said that if there is disorder, those who cause it would be responsible.

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said the prime minister

had carefully considered the matter before making his decision.

To protect the royal institution from people who had bad intentions and those who wanted to drag it into politics, the prime minister decided he had a responsibility to protect the institution's reputation.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said the enforcement of Article 44 to strip an officer of his rank is done on a case by case basis.

In Thaksin' s case, he said, every legal step was followed before reaching the point where the officer is stripped of rank, which the prime minister chose to do in this way.

"The prime minister has always said that Article 44 is [only used for the purpose] of facilitating the administration of state affairs," Paiboon said.

This would not spark protests, Paiboon said, because the government followed the law every step of the way. This process began even before the coup and the government just pursued it to its natural conclusion following the legal procedures.

"I'm not afraid as I did it right. If I'm wrong, I should be afraid of the people," Paiboon said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-defends-use-of-Article-44-on-Thaksin-30268290.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-07

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Another Late Night Pub raided by Police in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Just after daybreak on Saturday over 30 Police Officers from Chonburi and Pattaya conducted a raid of a late night Pub in South Pattaya.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854055-another-late-night-pub-raided-by-police-in-south-pattaya/

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Freelance Photographer self-harms at his East Pattaya home



PATTAYA: -- On Saturday Morning Police and medics were called to a house in East Pattaya following reports of the occupant self-harming.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854056-freelance-photographer-self-harms-at-his-east-pattaya-home/

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Cambodian attacked by Thai Youths outside of Pattaya Market



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday a 27 year old Cambodian was attacked by a gang of youths outside of a Pattaya Market as he argued with his wife.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854057-cambodian-attacked-by-thai-youths-outside-of-pattaya-market/

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Charter rejection is A political game
The Nation

Sadly, Thai constitutions are never about collective values

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is a nation at odds with itself, which is why the killing of the charter draft by the military-installed reform assembly yesterday was just a part of the journey into the unknown. Pessimistically speaking, we are a country where constitutions do not represent collective values.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854058-thai-opinion-charter-rejection-is-a-political-game/

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Sira to return his Bt1.7m salary today
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sira Jenjaka, a member of the National Reform Council, yesterday vowed to return all his salary and benefits for failing to push for passage of the draft constitution against what he claimed was intense lobbying.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854059-thai-nrc-member-sira-to-return-his-bt17m-salary-today/

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EC unfazed by charter draft 'no' vote
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Election Commission member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn has said the EC's work in preparing for a referendum on the draft constitution has not been affected by the National Reform Council's decision to vote down the draft.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854060-ec-unfazed-by-thai-charter-draft-no-vote/

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Charter draft shelved comprehensively after NRC 'no' vote
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Those in the National Reform Council (NRC) opposed to passing the charter draft have succeeded, with the draft voted down yesterday.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854061-thai-charter-draft-shelved-comprehensively-after-nrc-no-vote/

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EDUCATION
Flurry of action on many fronts
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



Reform plans going ahead in many areas, giving rise to a feeling of confusion

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND has just got a new education minister, General Dapong Ratanasuwan, and a blueprint for educational reform from the National Reform Council (NRC).

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854062-thai-education-flurry-of-action-on-many-fronts/

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Pattani blast injures four soldiers
Parez Lohasan
The Nation, Pattani



PATTANI: -- FOUR SOLDIERS were wounded yesterday when their pickup truck was caught in a bomb blast in the southernmost province of Pattani.

The victims were identified as Second Lieutenant Manas Thong-ngern and three rangers, Theptara Chonsakhon, Bancha Apaijit and Thirasak Koinaphan.

Thirasak was the most seriously injured of the four, suffering a ruptured lung.

The men were returning to their base in Kapho district when their pickup was hurled 50 metres by the explosion. The bomb had been planted on a motorcycle and sidecar that had been stolen two years ago.

Officials who inspected the scene said the bomb had gone off at full force.

A source said officials believe the attack may have been the work of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK), a militant Islamic group that has sought to fan violence in the deep South. The region has been reeling from violent unrest for about a decade.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Pattani-blast-injures-four-soldiers-30268283.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-07

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Satellites to show the way forward for Mekong region
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation


NASA administrator Major General Charles Frank Bolden, right, USAID Asia Regional Development Mission director Beth Paige, centre, and Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre director Peeranan Towashiraporn, left

BANGKOK: -- EFFICIENT NATURAL resource management, disaster warning and a reduction in the effects of climate change on the Lower Mekong region will be enhanced thanks to the SERVIR - Mekong project.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854063-satellites-to-show-the-way-forward-for-mekong-region/

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Passenger Train Crashes into Truck Killing two in Nakhon Sawan

NAKHON SAWAN – Pol Lt Bonchote Kiewlek, a duty officer at Takhli police station in Nakhon Sawan Province has told reporters that two men were killed Sunday in Takhli district after their six-wheel truck cut in front of a moving train and was struck before it could cross the tracks.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854064-passenger-train-crashes-into-truck-killing-two-in-nakhon-sawan/

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Dr Wyn Ellis: British academic detained in Thailand after exposing official as plagiarist

KASHMIRA GANDER

THE INDEPENDENT

Dr Ellis has been accused of threatening Thai society

BANGKOK: -- A British academic, who exposed a Thai official who had plagiarised his work, is being held at a detention centre in Bangkok over allegations he is a threat to national security.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854065-british-academic-detained-in-thailand-after-exposing-official-as-plagiarist/

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Opinion:
Who Was Really Behind the Bangkok Bombing?
BY JOSHUA KURLANTZICK
Newsweek

BANGKOK: -- Over the past several days, Thai police have made arrests in the Erawan Shrine bombing case and publicly identified other suspects still at large.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854067-who-was-really-behind-the-bangkok-bombing/

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CHALK TALK
Bizarre college hazing rituals must be stopped
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FOR MORE than two decades, bizarre and unreasonable freshmen initiations have been going on in Thailand.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854068-bizarre-college-hazing-rituals-must-be-stopped/

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Migrants flow west on Hungarian trains; 13,000 reach Austria
By MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC and SHAWN POGATCHNIK

HEGYESHALOM, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian police stood by as thousands of migrants hopped cross-border trains Sunday into Austria, taking advantage of Hungary's surprise decision to stop screening international train travelers for travel visas, a get-tough measure that the country had launched only days before to block their path to asylum in Western Europe.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854070-migrants-flow-west-on-hungarian-trains;-13000-reach-austria/

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In EU and US, virulent immigration debate strains solidarity
By DAVID CRARY

NEW YORK (AP) — The United States and the European Union project themselves as models for the world when it comes to democracy and human rights. Yet a common issue — migration — is bitterly dividing each of them, testing whether they can maintain solidarity amid virulent debate over border controls, deportations and national values.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854071-in-eu-and-us-virulent-immigration-debate-strains-solidarity/

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Trump defies political gravity thanks to fed-up supporters
By JILL COLVIN

NORWOOD, Mass. (AP) — Donald Trump insults and exaggerates. He dismisses the need for public policy ideas, gets confused about world affairs and sometimes says things that flat-out aren't true.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854072-trump-defies-political-gravity-thanks-to-fed-up-supporters/

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Independent group rejects Mexican gov't case on 43 missing
By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO and KATHERINE CORCORAN

MEXICO CITY (AP) — An independent report presented Sunday dismantles the Mexican government's investigation into last year's disappearance of 43 teachers' college students, saying the prosecutor's contention that they were incinerated in a giant pyre never happened and fueling the anger of parents who have gone nearly a year not knowing what happened to their sons.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854073-independent-group-rejects-mexican-govt-case-on-43-missing/

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Austria to resume border limits on migrants
The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Austria will roll back the measures that allowed migrants to cross the border in their thousands from Hungary over the weekend.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854074-austria-to-resume-border-limits-on-migrants/

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Rayong officials reclaim encroached forest land

RAYONG, 07 September 2015, (NNT) - Provincial Administrative, military, and police officials in Rayong on Sunday joined forces to reclaim encroached forest land, removing illegal structures and rubber trees in the area.

Having received reports of forest encroachment, Rayong Deputy Governor Pinyo Prakorbphol on Sunday led the team to reclaim the encroached land in the province's national forest linking Ban Khai and Wang Chan districts, where they found several dwellings and rubber trees.

The team proceeded to remove the dwellings and rubber trees and used the felled trees to block the road leading to the protected woods. The area of Rayong's national forest is approximately 330,000 rai, about 20 percent or 65,000 rai of which has been dedicated for agricultural purposes for underprivileged farmers.

According to officials, they ordered encroachers to remove their dwellings and move out of the forest area since October last year. However, some chose to ignore the officials' order.

Officials initially gave the occupants in the area 10 days to move out of the encroached land and that they would return to remove any structures found in the area in order to begin a reforestation process. Illegal occupants who have no place to live have been urged to contact Rayong Provincial Administrative Office for assistance.


-- NNT 2015-09-07

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Huge fireball spotted in North of Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A huge fireball was spotted in North of Bangkok by hundreds of people in most parts of Bangkok during the morning rush hour at about 8.45 a.m. causing panic among those who saw this unusual fireball.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854096-huge-fireball-spotted-in-north-of-bangkok/