Worst Joke Ever 2024

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DWR: Water situation in crisis

BANGKOK, 23 September 2015 (NNT) – The general public in Thailand are urged to conserve their water usage as the nation is facing a crisis from low water reserves, the DWR chief says.

The Director-General of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Jatuporn Buruspat has revealed that the water situation in the central region is now in crisis. The general public, especially people in the central region, should conserve water usage and consume water with maximum efficiency.

He said that the government, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), will proceed with necessary measures to help the affected public from water resources shortages, particularly the public in the central region and in the Mae Klong River Basin area, who rely heavily on the irrigation system. The low volume of water reserves in dams will be a potential problem for irrigation in cultivation areas.

The DWR Director-General has also stressed that the general public should heed the MOAC’s announcement on the prohibition of off-season rice cultivation, to prevent further disruption due to the lack of water.


-- NNT 2015-09-23

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DRY SEASON
Drought tipped to drag on till mid-2016
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



Dams near record lows, farmers told to look for jobs

BANGKOK: -- DROUGHT will be more severe and could drag on until at least next May, water experts have warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857772-drought-in-thailand-tipped-to-drag-on-till-mid-2016/

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ERAWAN ATTACK
Bomb probe team in KL to see suspect
THE NATION



Man allegedly confessed to playing role : source

BANGKOK: -- THE CHIEF investigator looking into the deadly Erawan Shrine blast flew to Malaysia yesterday to seek more information and meet with a detainee believed to be a prime suspect in the attack, an informed source said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857773-bangkok-erawan-attack-bomb-probe-team-in-kl-to-see-suspect/

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BURNING ISSUE
How my attitude was 'adjusted' by the NCPO
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

BANGKOK: -- THESE are some of the things I remember best during my second round of "attitude adjustment" under the military junta, also known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

My crime was tweeting and posting comments questioning the legitimacy of the NCPO and its leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is also prime minister, for which I was detained from September 13 to 15.

SECRET DETENTION ROOM

After being blindfolded and taken in a nondescript van on an hour-and-a-half journey out of Bangkok, with some four men in black short-sleeved shirts wearing surgical masks, I was deposited in a 4-by-4 metre cell. All the pane-less wooden windows, with iron bars, were shut tight and the ventilation outlets in the adjoining tiny toilet and shower area were covered from the outside with brown paper. The cell had a non-functioning mobile air-conditioner that went no lower than 29 degrees Celsius, a CCTV that stared at me from a corner of the ceiling, a hazy TV set and several small bottles of water. There were no chinks to let in the sun or air, and the cell was locked from outside.

I was told to knock if I wanted anything, and that I would be told of my "programme" the following day.

TREATMENT

Unlike the mid-ranking or senior officers I had encountered in earlier "attitude adjustment" session, the four men in charge, who worked in shifts of two at a time, were always terse, always sported a surgical mask and were always in civilian clothes. They only spoke or answered me when it was absolutely necessary.

In the morning of day two, after barely being able to eat the breakfast given to me by the guards, I begged to be taken outside for some fresh air, citing the lack of ventilation inside the cell.

The stern guards reluctantly obliged. They first got me to sit facing away from the door so I couldn't see what was outside, and then they blindfolded me and guided me outside for some "fresh air". I was allowed to stay outside the cell for 20 minutes - always blindfolded - and gulp what air I could from the outside door they had left open.

After a few outings like this, one guard complained that I was being too demanding, to which I said I was only asking for air, which is free, and not a Bt15 bottle of Coke.

Later in the evening, after spending some 20 hours without proper human interaction, an officer introducing himself as a lieutenant came in for a chat. He asked if there was anything he could do for me. I asked for some sunshine, fresh air and perhaps some soap, shampoo and washing powder.

He granted me some air, by leaving the door to my cell open, provided I faced the other way. As for sunshine - it was never granted.

THE INTERROGATION

Before I was blindfolded on the first day at an Army camp in Bangkok, some six Army officers - ranging from mid- to senior ranking, wanted to know my nickname, details about my parents, their profession, my siblings, my political network, my address, etc.

They also asked why I was against the coup and critical of the lese majeste law. The interrogation lasted about six hours.

When I told them that I was not a supporter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, they wanted to know what group I belonged to. All I could say was things can't be just black and white.

MILD STOCKHOLM SYNDROME

By the end of day three, I was blindfolded again and driven back to the First Army Division headquarters in Bangkok. The No 2 boss of the division, General Asawin Chaemsuwan, eventually walked in with half a dozen uniformed men in attendance.

I had met this general earlier on two occasions when he warned me against being too expressive about the controversial lese majeste law.

"I will not give you a red card yet, because we're all Thais," he said, using football analogy to refer to the "yellow card" that I had been given during my first "adjustment" session immediately after the coup in May last year.

However, Asawin warned that the charge - which I later found to be a sedition - would proceed if I breached the "contract" by joining, assisting or leading an anti-coup movement or by "crossing the line" in my criticism of the junta. Sedition charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years.

I then asked the general and the half dozen mid-ranking officers about how long the statute of limitations was, and they said 15 years. However, my question "would the NCPO be long gone by then?" went unanswered.

The general changed the subject by mentioning two locations, and asking me if I lived at any of them. Obviously they had been tracking my whereabouts via my phone's GPS.

He then bade me farewell, before one of his men escorted me home.

"I wish we don't have to meet again," the old general said before leaving, and as I found myself thinking of him as a kind and considerate man, I realised I may have developed a mild Stockholm syndrome.

-- Editor's note: This is the last "Burning Issue" column to be written by this writer.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/How-my-attitude-was-adjusted-by-the-NCPO-30269362.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-23

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KOH TAO
Hoe, clothing become focus of case
Chularat Saengpassa,
Suwannee Bandisak
The Nation


Family members of the two Myanmar defendants show up at the Koh Samui Provincial Court yesterday to listen to the court hearing on the much-publicised murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao last year.

KOH SAMUI: -- TWO KEY AGENCIES have come to the same conclusion that the DNA of two Britons who were brutally killed on Koh Tao last year appeared on a hoe believed to be the murder weapon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857515-forensic-team-to-testify-in-koh-tao-murder-trial/page-11?p=9885296#entry9885296

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POLITICS
PM unfazed by Thaksin's HK meets
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he was paying no attention to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's meeting with followers in Hong Kong. He would not let it distract him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857774-pm-prayut-unfazed-by-thaksins-hong-kong-meets/

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Lick the Sweet Taste of Bilateral Relations in Stamp Form

By Khaosod English


New stamp commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Singapore were announced today.

BANGKOK — To honor the mutually “sweet” relations with Singapore, Thailand’s military government has reached for one of the kingdom’s most delicious assets: mango sticky rice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857775-lick-the-sweet-taste-of-bilateral-relations-in-stamp-form/

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Suspected Hotel cheater arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police arrested a 25 year old man at a Hotel in Central Pattaya on Monday Evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857776-suspected-hotel-cheater-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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Woman threatens to jump from Overpass leading to Pattaya Port



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday afternoon Pattaya Rescue workers were called to the overpass leading to the Bali Hai Port in South Pattaya following reports of a woman who was threatening to jump down 10 meters to the road below.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857777-woman-threatens-to-jump-from-overpass-leading-to-pattaya-port/

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UPDATE:

Prayut ensures Thai-China railway is in progress

BANGKOK, 23 September 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha pleaded Thai people not to put much pressure on the government over the Thai-China dual-track railway construction as the government needs to run the project prudently to prevent corruption allegations. He confirmed the government has been following up the project’s progress.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857455-china-and-thailand-to-be-connected-by-new-840km-railway/page-3?p=9885316#entry9885316

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TAT launches special campaign for tourists



BANGKOK, 23 September 2015 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joined hands with a private tourism company to promote the Thailand Stronger Together campaign with attractive offers from today until the end of October 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857778-tat-launches-special-campaign-for-tourists/

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Thai students win medals at global science olympiad
Visarut Sankham
The Nation


The students who won a gold and three bronze medals at the 9th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO); from left, Patsakorn Tangadulrat, Panthon Imeinkamon, Pitchapon Jirawongsapan and Kunanon Leelahakorn.

BANGKOK: -- FOUR THAI students have returned from the ninth International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) in Brazil with one gold and three bronze medals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857779-thai-students-win-medals-at-global-science-olympiad/

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Authorities open to offers from South's Mara Patani
The Nation

Separatist group makes several demands, negotiators willing to make adjustments

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT is willing to accept proposals from the separatist umbrella group Mara Patani, Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) spokesman Colonel Banpot Poonpien said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857780-thai-govt-open-to-offers-from-souths-mara-patani/

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Anti-gold mine groups submit 4 petitions
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation


Protesters from 12 provinces gather at the Office of the Civil Service Commission yesterday to submit petitions to the government.

BANGKOK: -- FOUR petitions to stop a new gold-mine concession, end existing gold-mining operations, scrap the minerals bill and evacuate people from pollution-affected areas were presented to the government yesterday by protesters from 12 provinces covered by the gold-mine concession plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857781-anti-gold-mine-groups-submit-4-petitions-to-thai-govt/

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Chitpas closer to joining police
THE NATION


Chitpas

BANGKOK: -- CHITPAS Tant Kridakorn, a former key member of the People's Democratic Reform Committee with an arrest warrant against her name, had a physical examination yesterday as part of her application to become a member of the Police Patrol and Special Operations Division, or 191.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857782-chitpas-closer-to-joining-thai-police/

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Meechai vague about joining new charter panel
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
JAKRAWAN SALAYTOO
THE NATION


Meechai

BANGKOK: -- FORMER Senate speaker Meechai Ruchupan has not made it clear if he is willing to become chairman of the new charter-drafting committee (CDC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857783-meechai-vague-about-joining-new-charter-panel/

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EDITORIAL
In teaching English, say it first, grammar later
The Nation

Thailand is wasting money on language education if the curriculum smothers the joy of learning

BANGKOK: -- With Thai students seemingly unable on the whole to improve their English-language skills, it is becoming increasingly urgent for the Education Ministry to sweeten the bitter pill and coax youngsters into swallowing it. The country's ability to become fully developed depends on it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857785-thai-editorial-in-teaching-english-say-it-first-grammar-later/

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Irish jockey loses foot after horrific motorbike accident in Thailand

Brendan McDonagh, 23, had his right foot amputated following the incident on the holiday island of Koh Samui

BELFAST: -- A young Irish jockey has lost his foot in a horrific accident while on holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857786-irish-jockey-loses-foot-after-horrific-motorbike-accident-on-koh-samui/

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Hong Kong downgrades travel warning for Thailand as terror threat diminishes in wake of Bangkok bombing
Danny Mok

HONG KONG: -- The Hong Kong government on Tuesday downgraded the red travel warning to Thailand to an amber alert, as the threat of terrorism dissipated six weeks after the deadly Erawan shrine bombing in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857787-hong-kong-downgrades-travel-warning-for-thailand/

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Major blackout to affect heart of Phuket
The Phuket News


The major blackout will affect residential and commercial areas in the heart of Phuket. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Thalang Office has announced a major blackout affecting residential and commercial areas alongside Thepkrasattri Rd, from Thalang in the heart of Phuket all the way into Koh Kaew, on Wednesday (Sept 23).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857788-major-blackout-to-affect-heart-of-phuket/

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Cabinet to issue three executive decrees to fast-track restructuring of air safety supervisory bodies

BANGKOK: -- The cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal of the office of the Prime Ministers secretary-general to completely overhaul the Department of Civil Aviation in order to upgrade Thailands aviation safety standard red-flagged by ICAO.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857789-aviation-cabinet-to-issue-executive-decrees-to-fast-track-restructuring-of-supervisory-bodies/

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STOPPAGE TIME
You have the right to be paranoid
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Honestly speaking, I would have easily beaten Usain Bolt's 100-metre world record had a certain teenager named Ahmed Mohamed come anywhere near me with that "clock" of his. The point is, I don't have the training to tell the difference between a home-made timing device and a bomb. More importantly, the fact that I would run like hell makes me appreciate why so many others did the same.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857790-thai-opinion-you-have-the-right-to-be-paranoid/

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Texas man says wife was arrested in China on spying charges
By DAVID WARREN

DALLAS (AP) — Chinese authorities have held a Texas businesswoman in custody for six months on allegations that she's a spy who stole state secrets, the woman's husband said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857791-us-man-says-wife-was-arrested-in-china-on-spying-charges/

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Amy Winehouse documentary to be lesson for Thai delinquents

BANGKOK (AP) Social workers in Thailand think the tragic story of the late singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse can be a lesson to wayward youth, so they are treating about 100 of them to a movie about her.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857792-amy-winehouse-documentary-to-be-lesson-for-thai-delinquents/

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Pope Francis arrives in US, faces a polarized country
By NICOLE WINFIELD and RACHEL ZOLL

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pope Francis arrived Tuesday on the first visit of his life to the United States, bringing his humble manner and his "church of the poor" to a rich and powerful nation polarized over economic inequality, immigration and equal justice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857793-pope-francis-arrives-in-us-faces-a-polarized-country/

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Clinton opposes construction of Keystone XL pipeline
By KEN THOMAS and CATHERINE LUCEY

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday she opposes construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, breaking her longstanding silence over a project assailed by environmentalists as a threat to the planet's climate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857794-clinton-opposes-construction-of-keystone-xl-pipeline/

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VW CEO: 'I am endlessly sorry' brand is tarnished
By DEE-ANN DURBIN and GEIR MOULSON

DETROIT (AP) — Volkswagen AG's smog-test scandal escalated Tuesday as the company acknowledged putting stealth software in millions of vehicles worldwide. The crisis has already cost VW more than 24 billion euros ($26 billion) in market value.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857795-vw-ceo-i-am-endlessly-sorry-brand-is-tarnished/

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Greece keeps bailout rescuer Tsakalotos as finance minister
By DEREK GATOPOULOS

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's newly re-elected left-wing government has retained Euclid Tsakalotos as finance minister to continue tough negotiations with other eurozone countries on the terms of a large new bailout deal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857796-greece-keeps-bailout-rescuer-tsakalotos-as-finance-minister/

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Gay couples want Kentucky clerk to reissue marriage licenses
ADAM BEAM, Associated Press
CLAIRE GALOFARO, Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Kentucky (AP) — Gay couples in Kentucky are questioning the validity of altered marriage licenses issued by a defiant county clerk and have asked a federal judge to order her to reissue the licenses or put the office in receivership and have someone else do it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857797-gay-couples-want-kentucky-clerk-to-reissue-marriage-licenses/

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UPDATE:

US clerk could head back to court over licenses
ADAM BEAM, Associated Press
CLAIRE GALOFARO, Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Kentucky (AP) — A U.S. clerk who has already spent five days in jail because she refused to issue marriage licenses after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide could be back in court soon for altering documents issued to same-sex couples.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857797-gay-couples-want-kentucky-clerk-to-reissue-marriage-licenses/#entry9885433