Thailand Live Wednesday 16 Sep 2015

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AROUND THAILAND
Buffaloes on the run
THE NATION


Buffaloes on the run

You'll be surprised - and terrified - at the beasts' terrific speed but poor sense of direction.

Buffaloes on the run

Thai water buffaloes might not be as aggressive as Spanish bulls but they can certainly give the bulls a good run for their money and they're a lot more fun. Chon Buri province, about an hour’s drive east of Bangkok, is hosting its annual Buffalo Races from October 24-26. Race day is October 26 when. beefy buffaloes, skinny buffaloes and white buffaloes will race against each other over a 100-metre-long grassy strip, leaving a huge cloud of dust in the air. You'll be surprised - and terrified - at the beasts' terrific speed but poor sense of direction.

Spirit of the sea

Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province celebrates the spirit of the sea on September 26-27 with a little-known rite that has been practised in local Chinese and fishing communities for more than 100 years. The ceremony pays homage to lives lost to the sea and is centred on San Chaomae Taptim, the revered shrine in the resort town - where local fishermen build a "boat of fortune". Cultural shows will take place at night before the fishermen release the boat into the sea..

Seafood sensations

Cha-Am, the much-loved beach town in Phetchaburi province, is now playing host to the annual seafood extravaganza known as "Kin Hoy Duu Nok Took Muak". Running through to Saturday, it features freshly fished mussels, oysters, lobster, squid and red snapper in a variety of dishes - often simply steamed with herbs or pan-fried - guaranteeing you will eat more than you deserve! The festival also offers squid hunting and bird watching to improve the digestion. Cha-Am is about two hours drive to Bangkok’s South.

Training deal inked with Boeing

Thai Airways International recently signed a pilot training agreement with Boeing, under which Boeing Flight Services, a business unit of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, will provide flight training for the Thai Airways International's 787-8 fleet at Boeing's Singapore campus. The deal will provide the airline with training for nearly 50 crewmembers by the end of the year. Thai Airways took delivery of its sixth B787-8 in August and is waiting delivery of two 787-9s in 2017.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/Buffaloes-on-the-run-30268897.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-16

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Nation writer, politicians let go after signing pact
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
JITRAPORN SENWONG,
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION



PM warns tere will be no negotiations, 'offenders' will face court in the future

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday released from detention The Nation's senior reporter and two Pheu Thai politicians after getting them to sign an undertaking to desist from any move or expression of opinions opposing the junta's road map.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856134-nation-journo-politicians-freed-after-signing-agreement/?p=9858818#entry9858818

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POLITICS
PM ready to shorten time before next poll
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FOLLOWING mounting pressure, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he would shorten the road map timeline and hold a general election in less than the previously planned 20 months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856215-pm-prayut-ready-to-shorten-time-before-next-poll/

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UPDATE:

ERAWAN SHRINE BLAST
Attack 'linked to Uighur deportations'
JESSADA JANTARAK,
SUPACHAI PHETTEWEE
THE NATION

PM dismisses police claim, blames human traffickers for blasts

BANGKOK: -- THE BANGKOK bombing was the handiwork of an international human-trafficking network seeking retaliation against Thailand for the return of 109 Uighur to China and a crushing crackdown on their underground activities, police said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856047-somyot-admits-bangkok-bombs-link-uighur-deportation-and-human-trafficking-gang/page-3#entry9858823

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PREMIER
Protect country like a tree: PM
THE NATION


THAIS should love each other, stay in harmony and stop brawling, a 14-year-old student suggested yesterday after Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presented him with a prize for winning a government-sponsored drawing contest.

BANGKOK: -- Anuchit Sakethong, from Luangporparn Khlongdarn Anusorn School in Samut Prakan province, won the first prize in the drawing contest titled "Our Home, Our Country Together", jointly organised by the Public Relations Department and the PM's Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856216-protect-country-like-a-tree-pm-prayut/

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UPDATE:

LOW-COST-CARRIER
Don Mueang is world's busiest LCC
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Don Mueang International is the world's busiest low-cost-carrier (LCC) airport in terms of passenger traffic, ahead of Las Vegas and Kuala Lumpur, according to the Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation (CAPA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856079-don-mueang-airport-is-worlds-largest-low-cost-carrier-airport/#entry9858832

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INTERVIEW
Colombia reaches out for Thai investments
Kumar Krishnan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is firmly in the sights of Colombia as the Latin American country reaches out to Asia and Southeast Asia in particular to boost trade relations, ambassador Andelfo Garcia told The Nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856217-colombia-reaches-out-for-thai-investments/

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Sopon to take over as top public health official
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved the appointment of Dr Sopon Mekthon as the new permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry from October 1 onwards.

An informed source said Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn had proposed Sopon, the current chief of the Disease Control Department, as successor to the ministry's incumbent permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahametapat who retires at the end of this month.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Sopon-to-take-over-as-top-public-health-official-30268879.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-16

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Thai students win US Embassy animators contest on Asean unity
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE US Embassy Bangkok has announced the winners of the young animators contest "Asean: Ten Nations, One Community," hosted by the embassy in collaboration with Sripatum University's School of Digital Media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856218-thai-students-win-us-embassy-animators-contest-on-asean-unity/

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Firm closer to applying for mining licence amid local uproar
Seksanti Kanlayanawisut
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As Udon Thani environmentalists expressed their objection to a public meeting on mining concessions being held at a military camp, Asia Pacific Potash Corporation (APPC) was one step closer to applying for the mining licence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856219-firm-closer-to-applying-for-thai-mining-licence-amid-local-uproar/

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Construction firms hired for 3 BMA flood-prevention projects
THE NATION September



BANGKOK: -- CONSTRUCTION firms have been hired to build the three major flood-prevention projects implemented by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and each project will take about four years, Adisak Kantee, BMA deputy permanent secretary, said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856220-construction-firms-hired-for-3-bangkok-flood-prevention-projects/

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New scheme to end row over forest encroachment
VISARUT SANKHAM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ABOUT 420 families in Nakhon Si Thammarat province will benefit from a government scheme allowing locals to use parts of a mangrove forest in their hometown, if they agree to vacate some areas they have long encroached on.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856221-new-scheme-to-end-row-over-forest-encroachment/

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DSI accuses 12 of share manipulation
THE NATION


Chai

12 called to report after new evidence in share case

BANGKOK: -- 11 accomplices over the alleged manipulation of Solution Corner 1988 (SLC) shares back in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856222-thailands-dsi-accuses-12-of-share-manipulation/

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BURNING ISSUE
Attitudes cannot be 'adjusted' through force and fear
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IT IS difficult to understand why the junta is resorting to arbitrarily detaining its critics to "adjust" their attitudes, when it keeps insisting that its main aim is to bring the country closer to democracy and reconciliation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856223-thai-politics-attitudes-cannot-be-adjusted-through-force-and-fear/

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Abhisit still keen to play role in the reform process
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN,
PIMNARA PRADUBWIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ABHISIT Vejjajiva, Democrat Party leader, has kept the door open to sending party representatives to join the reform-steering council, saying he sees no conflict of interest involved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856224-abhisit-still-keen-to-play-role-in-the-reform-process/

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EDITORIAL
English teaching needs a bottom-up approach
The Nation

Only teachers and students can forge sustainable progress for Thailand

BANGKOK: -- For a government seeking to boost students' proficiency in English, one particular statistic underlines the daunting scale of the mission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856225-english-teaching-needs-a-bottom-up-approach-thai-editorial/

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STOPPAGE TIME
What happens next is up to 'Grandpa Yoo'
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- At the end of the famous cautionary tale, Grandpa Yoo grabs the biggest chunk of the fish and walks away. What happens next, nobody knows. We imagine that Grandpa In and Grandpa Na stare at what is left in front of them in disbelief, kicking themselves for not sharing, while they could, what they had - a whole fish that would have been more than enough for both of them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856226-thai-opinion-what-happens-next-is-up-to-grandpa-yoo/

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New Zealand father and son arrested at Phuket Airport over Patong restaurant bill
Eakkapop Thongtub


New Zealanders Brian Russell Finn, 54, and his son Luke, 24, were arrested on arrival at Phuket Airport last night. Photo: Kathu Police

PHUKET: -- A New Zealand father and his son were taken into custody on arrival at Phuket International Airport last night (Sept 14) and presented with a warrant for their arrest for failing to pay a bill at a Patong restaurant two years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856227-new-zealand-father-and-son-arrested-at-phuket-airport-over-patong-restaurant-bill/

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Phuket residents plea for help against forced eviction
The Phuket News


Mr Noppadol, and the letter of complaint, called for officials to investigate the authenticity of a Chanote land title deed being used to claim the land. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- More than 200 residents from Baan Koktanod in Chalong filed a joint petition yesterday (Sept 14) calling for Phuket authorities to investigate a land title being used to force hundreds of residents to leave their homes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856228-phuket-residents-plea-for-help-against-forced-eviction/

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Does Thailand Really Want to Join the TPP?
By Prashanth Parameswaran

Bangkok is uttering maybes. But it is unclear if it can get to yes

BANGKOK: -- On Monday, The Bangkok Post reported that Thailand’s deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak had said his country would be interested in joining the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856229-does-thailand-really-want-to-join-the-tpp/

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Hungary declares emergency, seals border, detains migrants
By DUSAN STOJANOVIC and VANESSA GERA

HORGOS, Serbia (AP) — Hungary sealed off its border with Serbia with massive coils of barbed wire Tuesday and began detaining migrants trying to use the country as a gateway to Western Europe, harsh new measures that left thousands of frustrated asylum-seekers piled up on the Serbian side of the border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856231-hungary-declares-emergency-seals-border-detains-migrants/

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Refugee surge to Europe raises concern about militants
By LORI HINNANT, SARAH EL DEEB and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA

PARIS (AP) — When Islamic State extremists lost control of a key crossroads town in northern Syria in June, some militants shed their jihadi garb and blended in with the flood of Syrians fleeing across the Turkish border. Since then, the exodus of Syrians and Iraqis toward Europe has surged — and Europeans opposed to taking in more refugees say that more than ever, they fear "disguised terrorists" in their midst.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856232-refugee-surge-to-europe-raises-concern-about-militants/

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Kerry seeks Syria answers in new call with Russian FM
MATTHEW LEE, AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry has made his third phone call to his Russian counterpart in the last 10 days, a State Department official said, seeking to clarify the intent of Moscow's military buildup in Syria, and warning that continued support for President Bashar Assad will only prolong the Syrian conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856233-kerry-seeks-syria-answers-in-new-call-with-russian-fm/

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UN: Israel-Palestinian clashes a threat beyond Jerusalem
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N.'s Mideast envoy warned Tuesday that clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in and around Jerusalem's holy sites have the potential to ignite violence well beyond the walls of its old city, pointing to "a vicious tide of terror and extremism" in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856234-un-israel-palestinian-clashes-a-threat-beyond-jerusalem/

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Accomplishments of US-led airstrikes against IS in Syria questioned as France joins campaign
By SYLVIE CORBET and LORI HINNANT, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French lawmakers are debating the decision to join a military air campaign over Syria, raising new questions about what a year of U.S.-led bombing of the Islamic State group has accomplished.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856235-accomplishments-of-us-led-airstrikes-against-is-in-syria-questioned-as-france-joins-campaign/

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Amid Trump bombast, quiet Ben Carson rises in GOP 2016 field
By STEVE PEOPLES

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Amid all the bombast in the Republican race for president, Ben Carson comes across more like a whisper.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856237-amid-trump-bombast-quiet-ben-carson-rises-in-gop-2016-field/

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North Korea warns it has restarted all nuclear bomb fuel plants
By ERIC TALMADGE

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — With a big anniversary drawing near, North Korea declared Tuesday it has upgraded and restarted all of its atomic fuel plants — meaning it could possibly make more, and more sophisticated, nuclear weapons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856238-north-korea-warns-it-has-restarted-all-nuclear-bomb-fuel-plants/

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Elton John's Special Relationship With Russia
SPENCER KORNHABER

The singer has said he may meet with Vladimir Putin to talk LGBT rights

NEW YORK: -- Among the more pressing international disputes of the week is the question of whether Vladimir Putin rang up Elton John. John’s Instagram post on the matter is pretty unambiguous—“Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today,” he wrote Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856239-elton-johns-special-relationship-with-russia/

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Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe reads wrong speech

HARARE: -- Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has read out the wrong speech at the opening of parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856240-zimbabwes-robert-mugabe-reads-the-wrong-speech-while-opening-parliament/

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UPDATE:

Thai junta frees journalist, politicians critical of regime
NATTASUDA ANUSONDISAI, Associated Press
GRANT PECK, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's military government on Tuesday freed a journalist and two politicians who were detained for defying orders against criticizing its rule.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856134-nation-journo-politicians-freed-after-signing-agreement/page-2?p=9859115#entry9859115