RIP Wayne Guest

[webfact]

ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU
His Majesty's condition improves
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- His Majesty's condition has improved, with blood pressure returning to a stable level and fever reducing close to normal level after treatment at Siriraj Hospital, the Royal Household Bureau said on Monday.

Though heartbeat has returned to normal, His Majesty's breathing rate, at times, is still slightly faster than normal, the bureau said, referring to the results of a recent electrocardiogram test.

"The fever has dropped to almost normal and His Majesty is able to sleep well," the statement said. This was the 15th statement released by the Royal Household Bureau on His Majesty's treatment at hospital.

However, it said, doctors are continuing prescribe antibiotics as well as intravenous feeding and oxygen intake when necessary.

Last Thursday, His Majesty returned to hospital due to high fever, shivering, low-blood pressure and fast breathing. Tests revealed that His Majesty had developed a blood infection, while an X-ray showed inflammation of the right lung. His Majesty had also developed an infection in the windpipe, the statement said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/His-Majestys-condition-improves-30268372.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-08

[webfact]

UPDATE:

BANGKOK BOMB BLAST
Chinese man accused of bomb mastermind
THE NATION


Yusufu Mieraili

Alleged bombmaker has told police his Chinese 'boss' flew out day before Erawarn Shrine blast

BANGKOK: -- A CHINESE national was behind the plot to bomb the Erawan Shrine and has already fled the country, one of the suspects in custody revealed yesterday.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854224-sa-kaew-suspect-identifies-mastermind-of-bangkok-blasts/page-2#entry9827813

[webfact]

POLITICS
Wissanu outlines timeline set for lead-up to 2017 general election
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE NEXT general election is expected to be held by June 2017, after formation of a new constitution drafting committee (CDC) early next month, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854309-wissanu-outlines-timeline-set-for-lead-up-to-2017-general-election/

[webfact]

POLITICS
Prayut invokes Article 44 on Thaksin to protect monarchy
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had decided to rely on Article 44 to revoke fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's police rank in order to protect the royal institution from negative political repercussions.

Instead of seeking His Majesty's endorsement, Wissanu said Article 44 was used to put the matter of revoking Thaksin's lieutenant colonel rank to rest swiftly and effectively.

"This legal step would not disturb or involve His Majesty, because the NCPO believes some groups want to politicise the issue. We all know which groups. This way, the matter can end neatly and swiftly. No one will gain or lose," he said.

The Royal Thai Police had been under pressure to remove Thaksin's rank after he was charged of several criminal offences.

Meanwhile, national police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang defended his decision to approve the revocation after a lawyer filed a complaint, claiming the revocation had not been carried out properly.

However, Somyot insisted that he followed all directives and regulations.

Thanadej Puangpool, a lawyer with a private firm, yesterday filed a petition calling on Somyot to review the matter.

He cited Article 28 of the 2004 National Police Act, which says that His Majesty should endorse all rank revocations. Taking recourse to Article 44 does not exempt this obligation, he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is also NCPO chief, issued an order dated September 5 to strip Thaksin of his rank, stating that Article 44 was being used as the NCPO considers the matter as having an impact on national security, which requires urgent action.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-invokes-Article-44-on-Thaksin-to-protect-mo-30268370.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-08

[webfact]

UK academic Wyn Ellis released from Thai detention


Wyn Ellis //Photo from : BBCThai

BANGKOK:-- A British academic who was detained at a Thai airport over a dispute linked to a UN report he wrote nine years ago has been released.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854344-uk-academic-wyn-ellis-released-from-thai-detention/

[webfact]

POLITICS
NRC no-voters face complaint
THE NATION


Ex-National Reform Council member Sira Jenjaka tries to return the Bt1.7 million he earned as council member.

BANGKOK: -- A COMPLAINT has been filed against National Reform Council (NRC) members who voted against the draft charter on grounds that they voted "no" because of conflicts of interest.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854313-thai-politics-nrc-no-voters-face-complaint/

[webfact]

Baht hits new low on charter woes, US data
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION


Usara Wilaipich, senior economist at Standard Chartered Bank, said the fall in the baht was mainly due to external factors in the US and not so much on internal factors via the NRC

BANGKOK: -- US ECONOMIC data released last week and developments on the domestic political front sent the baht to a six-and-a-half year low at more than 36 per US dollar yesterday.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854314-baht-hits-new-low-on-charter-woes-us-data/

[webfact]

Foreign chambers see continued political stability after charter rejection
ERICH PARPART
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE FOREIGN business community in Thailand has expressed optimism that political stability will continue despite the National Reform Council's rejection of the constitution draft on Sunday.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854315-foreign-chambers-see-continued-political-stability-after-thai-charter-rejection/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Suspicious fire engulfs South Pattaya Constructors Campsite

PATTAYA: -- No injuries were reported following a major fire which engulfed a constructors campsite in South Pattaya on Monday afternoon, which Police suspect may be arson.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854127-huge-explosion-rips-through-pattaya-construction-site/page-2?p=9827842#entry9827842

[webfact]

Armed Robbery at East Pattaya Convenience Store



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday a man armed with a knife held-up a 24-hour convenience store in East Pattaya and escaped with 1,300 Baht in cash.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854316-armed-robbery-at-east-pattaya-convenience-store/

[webfact]

'Good points from rejected draft charter can be included'
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
WIRAJ SRIPONG,
PRAPHAN JINDALERT-UDOMDEE
THE NATION

OPPONENTS AND SUPPORTERS OFFER IDEAS ON NEXT CONSTITUTION

BANGKOK: -- SUPPORTERS and opponents of the rejected charter draft gave suggestions yesterday on what a new group of drafters should do to prevent a new constitution from being rejected, in a referendum.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854317-opponents-and-supporters-offer-ideas-on-next-thai-constitution/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Why the draft's rejection seemed a relief for all sides
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH

BANGKOK: -- THE LONG and protracted journey of Thailand's 20th Constitution came to an abrupt halt on Sunday when the National Reform Council (NRC) shot down the charter draft, delaying the general election for at least seven months.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854318-thai-politics-why-the-drafts-rejection-seemed-a-relief-for-all-sides/

[webfact]

Exploding meteor sends social media into a tizzy
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM,
THANATPHONG KONGSAI
THE NATION


FIRE IN THE SKY A big fireball is caught on dashboard cameras at different locations, in Bangkok as well as the provinces, while it was streaking through daytime skies yesterday. An expert confirmed that it was likely to have been an exploding meteor.

BANGKOK: -- A LARGE meteor dazzled in the daytime sky over Bangkok and nearby provinces yesterday morning before dramatically exploding.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854319-exploding-meteor-sends-thai-social-media-into-a-tizzy/

[webfact]

Khao Yai project stalled; locals fear their land will be seized
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE environmental project to restore the forest corridor between Khao Yai National Park and Tublan National Park is not proceeding as planned, because locals are worried their land will be taken away and don't trust the funding method.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854320-khao-yai-project-stalled-locals-fear-their-land-will-be-seized/

[webfact]

New minister urged to scrap power plan
The Nation



Extra power not really needed, will cause ecological problems, Group says

BANGKOK: -- A NETWORK of local residents called on new Energy Minister Gen Anantaporn Kanjanarat yesterday to scrap the national Power Development Plan (PDP).

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854321-new-thai-energy-minister-urged-to-scrap-power-plan/

[webfact]

Media focus on Dane in Thai prison

BANGKOK: -- Peter Jensen, a 49 year old Danish man currently in prison in Phuket, was interviewed in the Danish daily newspaper Nordjyske.dk on Sunday 6 September 2015. The interview was made by using the mobile phone of his Thai girlfriend who visited him in the hospital where he was recovering after sustaining a blow to his head in prison. The story was reflected in the Danish tabloid EkstraBladet.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854322-media-focus-on-dane-in-thai-prison/

[webfact]

Press release
Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Thailand



Mr Brian Davidson is to succeed Mr Mark Kent as Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854323-brian-davidson-announced-as-new-uk-ambassador-to-thailand/

[webfact]

Italy top court: Amanda Knox conviction based on poor case
FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Italy's top criminal court has scathingly faulted prosecutors for presenting a flawed and hastily constructed case against Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, saying Monday it threw out their convictions for the 2007 murder of her British roommate in part because there was no proof they were in the bedroom where the woman was fatally stabbed.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854325-italy-top-court-amanda-knox-conviction-based-on-poor-case/

[webfact]

Putin jockeying for deal with US on Syria
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Signs of an ongoing Russian military buildup in Syria have drawn U.S. concerns and raised questions of whether Moscow plans to enter the conflict. President Vladimir Putin has been coy on the subject, saying Russia is weighing various options, a statement that has fueled suspicions about the Kremlin's intentions.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854327-putin-jockeying-for-deal-with-us-on-syria/

[webfact]

Clinton says no email apology: 'What I did was allowed'
By CATHERINE LUCEY

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday she does not need to apologize for using a private email account and server while at the State Department because "what I did was allowed."

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854328-clinton-says-no-email-apology-what-i-did-was-allowed/

[webfact]

Hundreds surge past police near Hungary border, march north
By NICOLAE DUMITRACHE and SHAWN POGATCHNIK

ROSZKE, Hungary (AP) — Hundreds of angry and frustrated asylum-seekers broke through police lines Monday near Hungary's southern border with Serbia and began marching north toward Budapest, while Britain and France pledged to take in tens of thousands more refugees to try to ease the crisis.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854329-hundreds-surge-past-police-near-hungary-border-march-north/

[webfact]

Greek island overwhelmed by stranded migrants, despair
By HAMZA HENDAWI

MYTILENE, Greece (AP) — It was supposed to be the first step on their journey to Western Europe. But now thousands of migrants are mired in despair, anger and frustration on the scenic Greek island of Lesbos.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854330-greek-island-overwhelmed-by-stranded-migrants-despair/

[webfact]

AP Analysis: Palestinian leader's retirement claim doubted
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH and KARIN LAUB

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — With paths to Palestinian statehood blocked, President Mahmoud Abbas is warning he's fast-tracking his retirement and hinting he will announce dramatic policy changes at the United Nations this month, including a more confrontational relationship with Israel's right-wing government.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854331-ap-analysis-palestinian-leaders-retirement-claim-doubted/

[webfact]

Islamic State conflict: Two Britons killed in RAF Syria strike

LONDON: -- Two British Islamic State jihadists who died in Syria were killed by an RAF drone strike, David Cameron has said.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854332-islamic-state-conflict-two-britons-killed-in-raf-syria-strike/

[webfact]

Stressed? Chinese tourists in Thailand, facing 10-hour flight delay, sing the national anthem in departure hall
Laura Zhou

BANGKOK: - Dozens of mainland tourists, faced with a 10-hour delay, vented their anger by singing the Chinese national anthem in an airport departure hall in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854337-10-hour-delay-furious-chinese-tourists-sing-the-national-anthem-at-don-mueang-airport/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

UK drone strike kills 3 Islamic State fighters in Syria
GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister David Cameron revealed Monday that British forces had used a drone strike over Syria in August to kill three Islamic State fighters, including two Britons.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854332-islamic-state-conflict-two-britons-killed-in-raf-syria-strike/#entry9827960

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Campaign begins for Myanmar election set to decide scope of democratic change

YANGON | BY ANTONI SLODKOWSKI

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will take her election battle straight to one of the president's closest allies when campaigning gets under way this week for the first free general election since the end of military rule.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854341-campaign-begins-for-myanmar-election-set-to-decide-scope-of-democratic-change/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar's Opium Users Have Few Options

Daniel De Carteret, Simon Lewis

TAUNGGYI, MYANMAR— Phone Myint Han has been addicted to opium for eight years. The 26-year-old from Myanmar once attempted to come clean at a state-run facility, one of the few options available to addicts here. But he found little help in a place where he said, addicts were seen as criminals, rather than patients.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854342-myanmars-opium-users-have-few-options/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thai baht hits lowest point in 6 years

BANGKOK, 08 September 2015, (NNT) - The Thai baht hit its lowest point in six and a half years on Monday, reaching 36 baht to the U.S. dollar.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854314-baht-hits-new-low-on-charter-woes-us-data/?p=9828284#entry9828284

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Suspect in Bangkok bombing tells police he's 'guilty'
NATTASUDA ANUSONADISAI, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — A key suspect in last month's deadly Bangkok bombing was transferred Monday to police custody after a week of military interrogation, and was asked to acknowledge the charge against him before police and the media.

Full story http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854224-sa-kaew-suspect-identifies-mastermind-of-bangkok-blasts/page-2#entry9828328