Thailand Live Thursday 17 Sep 2015

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TOT may seek Bt60 bn payout from AIS over 'amendments'
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE TOT BOARD is expected to consider seeking compensation from Advanced Info Service (AIS) over past amendments to the company's concession agreement, said a source in the state agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856484-tot-may-seek-bt60-bn-payout-from-ais-over-amendments/

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CONCERT REVIEW
"Surprise!" BON JOVI'S unscheduled thrill
MANTA KLANGBOONKRONG
THE NATION

The beloved American rockers make Bangkok a lastminute stop on their Asia tour - and roll out two hours of harddriving hits

THE BANGKOK CONCERT calendar had a sudden surprise addition on Tuesday when venerable American pop-metal band Bon Jovi found time on their Asian tour to do an unplanned show at Impact Arena, marking their visit here in 20 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856485-surprise-bon-jovis-unscheduled-thrill-bangkok-concert-review/

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NLA President presented Pan Waen Fa Awards to 2015 recipient

BANGKOK, 17 September 2015 (NNT) – The President of the National Legislative Assembly has presented awards to the recipient of this year’s Pan Waen Fa Awards.

NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai on Wednesday chaired the ceremony to present awards to the recipients of this year’s Pan Waen Fa Awards, which marked the 120th birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Prajadhipok.

Secretary to the House of Representatives Charae Panpruang, who presented this year’s recipients to Mr. Pornpetch, said that 125 pieces of literary works have been submitted for consideration this year, of which 91 are poems while the other 34 pieces are documentaries.

The second runner-up award in the poetry category went to “120 Years of the Graciousness of HM King Prajadhipok” by Mr. Chomporn Petchanankul. However, there are no winner and first runner-up for this category.

No pieces in the documentary category have won any award this year, according to Mr. Charae.


-- NNT 2015-09-17

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SET up 4.23 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

PM urges more ‘monkey cheeks’ be built to store water for expected drought

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to come up with a water management plan and assistance measures within the next two weeks in its effort to resolve the expected drought due to this year’s lower rainfalls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856444-prayut-wants-urgent-plan-on-drought/#entry9863588

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Australian father takes on Chinese drug dealers
Zhu Xin and Luo Wangshu
China Daily
Publication Date : 17-09-2015

BEIJING: -- Police in Anhui province are investigating a case involving synthetic drugs after an Australian father went undercover as a buyer to drug dens in Hefei, the provincial capital, and exposed the deal on the Australian edition of 60 Minutes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856490-australian-father-takes-on-chinese-drug-dealers/

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Weather bureau forecasts heavy to heaviest rains to continue for a few days



BANGKOK: -- Tropical storm "Vamco" has caused havoc in many provinces across the country after it landed on the Vietnamese coastline early this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856492-thai-weather-bureau-forecasts-heavy-to-heaviest-rains-to-continue/

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Deputy PM launches Thailand Yacht Show
Phuket Gazette


Andy Treadwell (3rd left), Deputy PM Thanasak (4th right) with the official Thailand Yacht Show launch delegation.

PHUKET: -- Deputy Prime Minister General Thanasak Patimaprakorn officially launched the much-anticipated Thailand Yacht Show yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856499-deputy-pm-launches-thailand-yacht-show/

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Phuket in blackout as storm fells tree, power lines
Eakkapop Thongtub


The storm brought the tree and power lines down across Srisoonthorn Rd, near Baan Manik. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Tropical storm Vamco over the South China Sea is to blame for heavy rain and wind that brought down a tree and caused a power outage in central Phuket’s Srisoonthorn area last night (Sept 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856501-phuket-in-blackout-as-storm-fells-tree-power-lines/

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DCA advises public against floating lanterns for aviation safety

BANGKOK, 17 September 2015 (NNT)-The Department of Civil Aviation of Thailand (DCA) is asking the public not to release floating lanterns or homemade flying objects as they could be dangerous to aviation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856504-thai-dca-advises-public-against-floating-lanterns-for-aviation-safety/

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His Majesty’s overall health is improving

BANGKOK, 17 September 2015 (NNT) - The Bureau of the Royal Household has released the 17th statement on the development of health of His Majesty the King while staying at Siriraj Hospital.

The Statement said His Majesty the King had no fever since Tuesday (Sep 15). His heart beat and blood pressure were normal.

His breathing rate and the level of oxygen in his blood had also returned to normal. Results of blood test on His Majesty showed decreased infections while latest chest x-ray showed great improvement to his lung inflammation.

The Statement said that His Majesty was able to eat, but royal physicians agreed to continue administering nutrients intravenously for a longer period of time. The doctors also continue to give him oxygen and physical rehabilitation.


-- NNT 2015-09-17

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Sathorn Unique owner files complaint against 'Team Farang' for trespassing
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The company that owns the famous abandoned Sathorn Unique skyscraper, aka the “Ghost Tower”, filed a police complaint against star freerunners “Team Farang” for trespassing on the property to shoot a pakor video in April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856507-sathorn-unique-owner-files-complaint-against-team-farang-for-trespassing/

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UPDATE:

Severe weather warnings remain in place until this weekend



BANGKOK, 17 September 2015 (NNT)-Severe weather warnings have been issued across the country as a low pressure system is still lingering over many regions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856492-thai-weather-bureau-forecasts-heavy-to-heaviest-rains-to-continue/#entry9863989

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Foreigner arrested at Suvarnabhumi with cocaine worth 20 million Baht


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK:-- A Bolivian man was arrested on Tuesday after customs officials at Suvarnabhumi airport found him to be in possession of 5.2 kgs of cocaine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856515-foreigner-arrested-at-suvarnabhumi-with-cocaine-worth-20-million-baht/

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Thai man busted with more than 2.3 million yaba pills


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK:-- A 47 year old Thai man has been arrested after police found him to be in possession of more than 2.3 million methamphetamine tablets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856520-thai-man-busted-with-more-than-23-million-yaba-pills/

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Chiang Mai police hunt for farang man filmed hanging off the back of a tuk-tuk

CHIANG MAI:-- Police are trying to trace a foreign man who was filmed clinging onto the back of a tuk tuk as it drove at high speed through the streets of Chiang Mai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856522-chiang-mai-police-hunt-for-farang-man-filmed-hanging-off-the-back-of-a-tuk-tuk/

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More than 2,000 enslaved fishermen rescued in 6 months
By ESTHER HTUSAN and MARGIE MASON

AMBON, Indonesia (AP) — More than 2,000 fishermen have been rescued this year from brutal conditions at sea, their freedom prompted by an Associated Press investigation into seafood brought to the U.S. from a slave island in eastern Indonesia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856523-more-than-2000-enslaved-fishermen-rescued-in-6-months/

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Video of Thai navy cadets smashing phones stirs criticism

BANGKOK (AP) — When the Thai military says cadets can't bring phones to training, they mean it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856525-video-of-thai-navy-cadets-smashing-phones-stirs-criticism/

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Thai sea police claim 'self defence' after deadly Vietnam fishermen clash
BY MAI NGUYEN AND PANARAT THEPGUMPANAT

HANOI/BANGKOK: -- Thai marine police said they opened fire on a Vietnamese fishing boat while trying to intercept another vessel in waters near Malaysia last week, a clash Vietnamese state media said killed a fisherman and wounded two others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856526-thai-sea-police-claim-self-defence-after-deadly-vietnam-fishermen-clash/

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Taxi Driver Accused of sexually assaulting Drunk Passenger Leaving RCA
By Khaosod English


Taxi driver Chartchai Pinthurak yesterday at the Kok Kram Police Station in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — A taxi driver has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting his passenger and stealing her mobile phone last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856528-taxi-driver-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-drunk-passenger-in-bangkok/

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Jeb Bush wants Margaret Thatcher on $10 note

(BBC) US Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush has picked the UK's former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, as his choice for the face of the $10 bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856531-jeb-bush-wants-margaret-thatcher-on-10-note/

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Issues, too: GOP candidates debate more than Trump this time
By JULIE PACE and STEVE PEOPLES

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — Amid the back-and-forth bickering over Donald Trump, the Republican presidential contest took a substantive and serious turn in Wednesday's prime-time debate, with candidates wrangling over immigration, gay marriage and foreign affairs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856532-issues-too-gop-candidates-debate-more-than-trump-this-time/

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Tsunami advisory for Hawaii, California after Chile quake
JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER, Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii and part of California's coast are under tsunami advisories after an 8.3-magnitude earthquake off the coast of north Chile.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856534-tsunami-advisory-for-hawaii-california-after-chile-quake/

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Smuggled reptiles confiscated in Nakhon Phanom

NAKHON PHANOM, 17 September 2015 (NNT) – Authorities in Nakhon Phanom Province have confiscated a large number of smuggled reptiles at the provincial bus terminal.

The animals, consisting of monitor lizards, Himalayan newts and boas, were hidden in a box left unattended at the passenger rest area. Local people notified police after having spotted the unclaimed box.

Authorities said the creatures were most likely destined for neighboring countries as pets. They could be worth over 100,000 baht in market value. The animals are on the list of reptiles protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

This is the first time in a decade the Nakhon Phanom authorities have come across smuggled reptiles. According to police, the culprits must have fled but confirmed that they would track them down and bring them to justice.


-- NNT 2015-09-17

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Prayut orders speed-up efforts to alleviate Pattaya flooding
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Government Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has been closely monitoring the flooding in Chon buri and Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856565-prayut-orders-sped-up-efforts-to-alleviate-pattaya-flooding/

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BOT Chief urges Thailand to adapt to new economic context

BANGKOK, 17 September 2015 (NNT) – Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul has indicated during the BOT Symposium that Thailand is vulnerable to changes in the world economy and suggested the country to adjust strategies accordingly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856566-bot-chief-urges-thailand-to-adapt-to-new-economic-context/

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Plastic bag possibly killed dolphin, says Phuket expert
Phuket Gazette


The dolphin died enroute to PMBC despite rescue workers' best efforts. Photo: Winai Sarot

PHUKET: -- A striped dolphin found washed up on Nai Yang Beach on Tuesday most likely died from the consumption of a plastic bag, explained marine experts today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856567-plastic-bag-possibly-killed-dolphin-says-phuket-expert/

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Three foreign tourism ambassadors appointed
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand has reached out to three foreign celebrities to help it revive the tourism industry in the aftermath of the deadly bombing in August.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856574-three-foreign-tourism-ambassadors-appointed/

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Soldiers Seize 'Anti-China' Falun Gong Materials
By Khaosod English


A soldier looks today looks through a van being used by Wattana Anuraksrithong and five other Falun Gong followers in Mae Hong Son province. They were briefly detained and had their pamphlets seized by soldiers concerned about their criticism of China.

MAE HONG SON — Six Falung Gong activists were briefly detained by soldiers in the north of Thailand today for carrying pamphlets deemed critical of China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856579-thai-soldiers-seize-anti-china-falun-gong-materials/

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Warrant to be issued for another bombing suspect



BANGKOK: -- Police are to seek a court’s warrant for the arrest of another suspect who was believed to be a supporter of the movement responsible for the Erawan Shrine and Sathorn pier bombings, said Pol Lt-Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, spokesman of the National Police Office, on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856583-warrant-to-be-issued-for-another-bangkok-bombing-suspect/