DPM Prawit discusses political development with German Ambassador to Thailand

BANGKOK, 25 September 2015 (NNT) - The deputy prime minister in charge of security has discussed Thailand’s political development and transition to democracy, with the German Ambassador to the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon, on Thursday welcomed to the Defence Ministry Mr. Peter Prugel, the German Ambassador to Thailand, who has recently arrived in the country to take up the post.

The two held a meeting during which the cordial relations between Thailand and Germany over many years became the focus of discussion.

Mr. Prugel said that, during Thailand’s period of transition, Germany will continue to affirm comradeship and continued cooperation to help with all development plans.

He added that Germany understands the current government’s efforts to solve many problems.

The Germany Ambassador also inquired about the progress of Thailand’s reform road map and pledged support to help the country achieve transparent political and administrative systems under democratic rule.


-- NNT 2015-09-25

Pattaya Declares War on Crime: Footpath Intrusion
By Khaosod English


An official discusses the importance of complying with municipal regulations on use of public space last night outside a go-go bar on Pattaya's Walking Street.

CHONBURI — Thailand's vice city, a known haven of transnational crime syndicates where sex, drugs and money are fluid commodities, isn't going to tolerate any more scofflaws. At least not where its sidewalks are concerned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858166-pattaya-declares-war-on-crime-footpath-intrusion/

Committee Convened to Probe Welfare Agency’s Sexy Dance Show
By Khaosod English


Attendees of a Saturday event organized by the Social Security Office document the offending show using their smartphones.

BANGKOK — The Ministry of Labor is investigating why a bikini-clad singer was invited to serenade officials at a recent concert organized by the Social Security Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858242-committee-convened-to-probe-thai-welfare-agencys-sexy-dance-show/

DIGITAL GATEWAY
Don't fear Internet single gateway: ICT minister
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The objective of the international-Internet single gateway initiative is not to enhance national security, but to help Internet businesses reduce costs by sharing a single gateway, Information and Communication Technology Minister Uttama Savanayana said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858243-dont-fear-internet-single-gateway-thai-ict-minister/

ERAWAN BOMB BLAST
Suspect 'confesses' he planted shrine bomb
THE NATION



Police looking for clinching evidence to prove Adem Karadag was the bomber in yellow t-shirt

BANGKOK: -- ADEM KARADAG, the foreigner arrested late last month in connection with the Erawan Shrine bombing, has confessed that he was the man who planted the explosive device that killed 20 people and injured 100 others on August 17.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858244-bangkok-blast-suspect-confesses-he-planted-erawan-shrine-bomb/

POLITICS
Meechai wants time to decide on CDC leadership
ANAPAT DEECHUAY
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FORMER Senate Speaker Meechai Ruchupan has asked for time to decide whether he will head the new constitution drafting committee (CDC), Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858245-thai-politics-meechai-wants-time-to-decide-on-cdc-leadership/

ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED
IUU efforts pass muster, Prawit says
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THAILAND is ready for the inspection by the European Union of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858246-iuu-efforts-pass-muster-thai-dpm-prawit-says/

Beer queen brews up a storm
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION


Chitpas

Eyebrows in her previous roles, Singha heiress finally gives in and withdraws her police application

BANGKOK: - FORMER co-leader of the movement against the previous government, Chitpas "Tant" Kridakorn finally gave in to pressure from the police and her opponents and withdrew her application to the police force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858247-singha-heiress-finally-gives-in-withdraws-her-police-application/

INVESTMENT
Five projects worth Bt200 billion get the green light under new PPP law
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Somkid

BANGKOK: -- Five projects worth a total of Bt200.38 billion are expected to kick-start public-private participation under the new PPP law as part of the country's infrastructure development plan from 2015 to 2020.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858248-five-projects-worth-bt200-billion-get-the-green-light-under-new-ppp-law/

COURT
Rice mill owner acquitted of Bt11m embezzlement
Sutthipong Settharangsi
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE APPEALS Court has acquitted the owner of the Nopporn rice mill in Chaiyaphum's Ban Khwao district for their roles in the alleged use of forged warehouse receipts to embezzle rice worth Bt11 million, but upheld suspended jail terms for nine farmers in a case involving 750 tonnes of rice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858250-chaiyaphum-rice-mill-owner-acquitted-of-bt11m-embezzlement/

BURNING ISSUE
Amending PPP law won't really unleash private investment
SASITHORN ONGDEE

BANGKOK: -- THERE IS not much hope that the easing of the new public-private partnership law will immediately beef up private investments in state undertakings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858252-amending-ppp-law-wont-really-unleash-private-investment-thai-politics/

EDITORIAL
Fight against corruption is halfway up the mountain
The Nation

There are encouraging signs that Thailand is weaning itself off a damaging habit, and worrying indications of how far we have to go

BANGKOK: -- Uprooting the graft that has long been second nature to Thais in positions of authority will be a daunting endeavour, but we can take heart in signs that the effort is at least underway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858253-thai-editorial-fight-against-corruption-is-halfway-up-the-mountain/

UPDATE:

Pattaya Walking Street Committee and Army inspection



PATTAYA: The Chairman of the Walking Street Committee led a group of over 20 officials including Army personnel on an inspection of the street on Wednesday Night to see if local regulations were being adhered to.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858166-pattaya-declares-war-on-crime-footpath-intrusion/#entry9893733

Man commits suicide by drowning in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Just before daybreak on Thursday the body of a 47 year old Landlord was pulled from a lake in East Pattaya and it is assumed he committed suicide after making an attempt at his life earlier in the day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858255-man-commits-suicide-by-drowning-in-east-pattaya/

Human Skull found beside East Pattaya Water Treatment Plant



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday afternoon a construction worker made a gruesome discovery beside a Water Treatment Plant in East Pattaya after he stumbled upon a Human Skull.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858256-human-skull-found-beside-east-pattaya-water-treatment-plant/

No trafficking victims in Phuket, says report
The Phuket News


Migrant workers, beggars, prostitutes and Rohingya are the target groups of the investigation as they have a high risk of being trafficked, explained V/Gov Punlop. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- After months of research, the Human Trafficking Crime Prevention and Suppression Centre delivered its report this week with the stunning revelation that the task force found not a single case of human trafficking on the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858257-no-trafficking-victims-in-phuket-says-report/

Government spokesman defends political roadmap and Section 44



BANGKOK: -- The government spokesman on Thursday hit back at Human Rights Watch for its statement calling on the United Nations to put pressure on the Thai government to speed up election in Thailand and to return democracy to the people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858258-thai-govt-spokesman-defends-political-roadmap-and-section-44/

UPDATE:

More than 700 pilgrims die in stampede at Hajj near Mecca

MECCA: -- More than 700 dead and over 850 injured is the sickening death toll following a stampede near Mecca during the Hajj religious festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858152-scores-killed-in-saudi-hajj-stampede/page-2?p=9893752#entry9893752

Pressure mounts on Saudi Arabia over imminent beheading and crucifixion of alleged protester

SAUDI ARABIA: -- International pressure is mounting on Saudi Arabia to stay the execution of young Shi’ite Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, accused of taking part in anti-government protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858259-pressure-mounts-on-saudi-arabia-over-imminent-beheading-and-crucifixion-of-alleged-protester/

Pope Francis tackles subjects that divide America in historic speech to Congress

WASHINGTON: -- Pope Francis, in the historic first address to the US Congress by the leader of the Roman Catholic church, ranged far and wide covering a number of hot-button issues including climate change, the death penalty, the arms trade, and marriage and the family.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858260-pope-francis-tackles-subjects-that-divide-america-in-historic-speech-to-congress/

Austria returns migrants to point of entry into Europe to register

VIENNA: -- Migrants attempting to move through the EU to the country of their choice face disappointment, as Austria and Germany have reestablished rules requiring asylum seekers to register at the point of entry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858261-austria-returns-migrants-to-point-of-entry-into-europe-to-register/

Bones found in Florence likely belong to 'Mona Lisa'

FLORENCE: -- Experts think that bone fragments found at a monastery in Florence likely belong to the woman many people believe was immortalised in the “Mona Lisa”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858262-bones-found-in-florence-likely-belong-to-mona-lisa/

Honduran priest Padre Melo wins Rafto human rights prize

OSLO: -- Norway’s prestigious Rafto Prize for human rights has been awarded to the Honduran priest and radio activist Padre Melo for his defence of freedom of expression in one of the world’s most violent countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858263-honduran-priest-padre-melo-wins-rafto-human-rights-prize/

Croatia and Serbia hit each other with further border embargoes

BERLIN: -- The tug of war over border controls in Croatia and Serbia has intensified.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858264-croatia-and-serbia-hit-each-other-with-further-border-embargoes/

New InfoAid app makes life easier for modern-day migrants

Modern technology is a must for today’s migrants

VIENNA: -- In Vienna, free WiFi and SIM cards, courtesy of several businesses, have helped refugees equipped with smartphones to navigate their route, glean vital information and keep in touch with home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858265-new-infoaid-app-makes-life-easier-for-modern-day-migrants/

First step to independence? Catalonia’s big stakes poll approaches

MADRID: -- Catalonia goes to the polls on Sunday in local elections that some hope could set the ball rolling towards independence from Spain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858266-first-step-to-independence-catalonias-big-stakes-poll-approaches/

Winterkorn's VW pension pot could top 28m euros

WOLFSBURG: -- He’s leaving Volkswagen amid the scandal over widespread emission test fraud – but not entirely empty handed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858268-winterkorns-vw-pension-pot-could-top-28m-euros/

Tour vehicle, charter bus collide on Seattle bridge; 4 dead
By PHUONG LE

SEATTLE (AP) — A "duck boat" tour vehicle and a charter bus carrying foreign college students collided on a busy Seattle bridge Thursday, killing four people and sending dozens to hospitals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858269-tour-vehicle-charter-bus-collide-on-seattle-bridge;-4-dead/

Vietnamese refugees reach out to Syrians fleeing by boat
By AMY TAXIN

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — When Jonathan Huynh heard the haunting story of two young Syrian boys and their mother fleeing their country and drowning when their small rubber boat capsized on its way to Greece, he saw himself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858271-vietnamese-refugees-reach-out-to-syrians-fleeing-by-boat/

South Park savages Caitlyn Jenner, Donald Trump in controversial episode
Network Writers

CONTROVERSIAL cartoon South Park has savaged US presidential candidate Donald Trump, showing him being raped and killed after becoming president of Canada.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858272-south-park-savages-caitlyn-jenner-donald-trump-in-controversial-episode/