Thailand Live Friday 2 Oct 2015

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DROUGHT
Farmers to be told to skip dry-season rice crop
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



Water shortage looms as current levels well below the average

BANGKOK: -- SEVERE WATER shortages seem inevitable as the level in both the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins were well below average and farmers were instructed not to plant the dry-season rice crop to ensure availability of water for domestic consumption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859886-thai-farmers-to-be-told-to-skip-dry-season-rice-crop/

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INTERNET
Govt backs off for now from single Internet gateway idea
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION



ICT minister rules out infringement on the right to privacy after online attack on state website

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT has partly retreated from its controversial plan to merge the country's Internet connections into a single gateway after widespread criticism and heavy pressure from netizens.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859888-thai-govt-backs-off-for-now-from-single-internet-gateway-idea/

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UPDATE:

CHILD LABOUR
US elevates Thailand to best child-labour category
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE UNITED States has recognised Thailand's solid progress in fighting the worst forms of child labour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859795-us-elevates-thailand-to-best-child-labour-category/#entry9917783

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UPDATE:

ERAWAN SHRINE
Hunt for Thai bomb suspect intensifies
The Nation October 2, 2015 1:00 am


Aod

Police have interviewed his mother and are attempting to confirm his identity

BANGKOK: -- POLICE have stepped up their investigation of a Thai man suspected of supplying the explosives used in the Erawan Shrine blast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859682-bangkok-bombing-new-thai-police-chief-orders-extensive-dragnet-for-aod/page-3#entry9917790

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NEW CHARTER
Meechai heading CDC 'could face opposition'
PRAPASRI OSATHANONT,
NATTAPAT PHROMKAEW
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- EKACHAI SRIVILAS, a former National Reform Council member, warned yesterday that the possibility of Meechai Ruchuphan becoming chairman the new Constitution Drafting Committee could arouse opposition from the relatives of the May 1992 heroes and other factions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859889-new-thai-charter-meechai-heading-cdc-could-face-opposition/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Yingluck risks being counter-sued, says ex-judge
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FORMER prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra risks getting slapped with a counter-suit for accusing a former attorney-general and three prosecutors of abuse of authority, former Supreme Court justice Chuchart Srisaeng said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859852-yingluck-risks-being-counter-sued-says-ex-judge/#entry9917798

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ENERGY
New CEO wants PTT to be 'Pride of Thailand'
Pichaya Changsorn


Tevin

BANGKOK: -- New PTT chief executive Tevin Vongvanich yesterday outlined his "three-year aspirations" to transform the state-controlled energy giant to become a "pride and treasure of Thailand".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859891-new-ceo-wants-ptt-to-be-pride-of-thailand/

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INFLATION
Inflation target cut further
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Commerce Ministry has cut its inflation target for the year to negative territory - minus 0.2 per cent to minus 1 per cent - much lower than the previous projection of plus 0.6-1.3 per cent, following the continued drop in oil prices and sluggish domestic economic growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859892-inflation-target-cut-further/

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DSI launches fresh probe of suspected pyramid scammer
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investiga tion (DSI) yesterday delivered a fresh blow to a firm suspected of running a pyramid-fund scheme and causing damages of over Bt800 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859893-dsi-launches-fresh-probe-of-suspected-pyramid-scammer/

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Police chief not worried about compensation ruling
Jessada Jantharak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL police chief is not concerned about a ruling handed down by a Chiang Mai court on Wednesday that it pay Bt96.9 million in compensation to PCC Development and Construction Co for cancelling its contract to build police stations nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859894-thai-police-chief-not-worried-about-compensation-ruling/

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Bangkok to host One Young World Summit 2015
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok will host the One Young World Summit in November to become the first Asian home of the event, which provides a forum for young leaders aged 18-20 can share their thoughts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859895-bangkok-to-host-one-young-world-summit-2015/

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BURNING ISSUE
Protecting our forest resources will need political will
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ON WEDNESDAY, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry held a press conference to update the media on the state of the country's forests, stressing the challenge ahead that forest cover must be increased from 31 per cent, or 102 million rai now, to 40 per cent in the next 10 years, or another 26 million rai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859896-thai-politics-protecting-our-forest-resources-will-need-political-will/

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EDITORIAL
Sending Thai troops abroad affords a chance to learn
The Nation

If the military can help civilians overseas, what of the citizens dealing with repression at home?

BANGKOK: -- We welcome the announcement that units of the Thai military will be joining United Nations peacekeeping forces for assignments overseas. Dispatching officers and troops from engineering and development units signals Thailand's readiness to assume broader responsibility in international affairs and should also help improve professionalism among the armed forces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859897-sending-thai-troops-abroad-affords-a-chance-to-learn/

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Three Ladyboys arrested on Pattaya Beach Road



PATTAYA: -- Following a barrage of complaints from tourists of a group of thieving Ladyboys on Pattaya Beach, Pattaya Police arrested three suspects on Thursday afternoon who matched descriptions given to them by their alleged victims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859898-three-ladyboys-arrested-on-pattaya-beach-road/

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Cambodian stabbed over admiration of woman on Jomtien Beach



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Night, Police and medics were called to Jomtien Beach, close to the entrance of Soi Watboon, following reports of a 19 year old Cambodian who had been stabbed in the stomach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859899-cambodian-stabbed-over-admiration-of-woman-on-jomtien-beach/

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Young Australian Attacked in Koh Samui by American Millionaires Son's Charged with Assault

KOH SAMUI – Jack Hansen-Bartel a young Australian who suffered serious facial injuries when he was bashed by two Americans in Thailand is facing assault charges — and his family believe he is being unfairly targeted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859900-young-australian-attacked-in-koh-samui-by-american-millionaires-sons-charged-with-assault/

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Panthongtae ready to hand over the 7-million baht cash reward



BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s only son, Panthongtae, is ready to hand over the 7-million baht reward that he earlier promised to give to the police if they manage to arrest the Erawan Shrine bomber.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859901-panthongtae-shinawatra-ready-to-hand-over-the-7-million-baht-cash-reward/

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Residents in 7 central provinces told to brace for water crisis next year



BANGKOK: -- People living in the Mae Klong river basin which seven provinces have been advised to brace themselves for water crisis next dry season and to use water sparingly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859902-residents-in-7-central-thai-provinces-told-to-brace-for-water-crisis-next-year/

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Metro Manila has 'worst city traffic on Earth': Waze
Aries Joseph Hegina
Philippine Daily Inquirer


Traffic congestion in Manila/Philippines Daily Inquirer

MANILA: -- The Philippines has another world record on its belt as Metro Manila is reported as having the worst city traffic in the world, the results of the first "Global Driver Satisfaction Index" (GDSI) by traffic and navigation application Waze revealed on September 29.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859904-metro-manila-has-worst-city-traffic-on-earth-waze/

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SPENDING
Most Thais deterred from overseas trips
Suchat Sritama
The Nation
Kuala Lumpur

BANGKOK: -- Most Thais are expected to make domestic leisure trips rather than overseas visits during the remainder of the year due to their lack of disposable income and a general economic decline in the region, executives of MasterCard said on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859905-most-thais-deterred-from-overseas-trips/

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WASHINGTON (AP) - Obama says US becoming numb to mass shootings, says perpetrators have sickness in their minds.

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EU probes illegal fishing, slave labor before Thai ruling

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is including Thailand's actions to stamp out slave labor in the fishing industry during its investigation whether to impose sanctions on the major fish-exporting nation for failing to crack down on illegal and unregulated fishing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859907-eu-probes-illegal-fishing-slave-labor-before-ruling-on-possible-thailand-sanction/

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US: Multiple deaths in school shooting in Oregon State



ROSEBURG: -- In the US at least 13 people have been killed in a shooting in Oregon State. It’s understood the gunman who was believed to be in his twenties is dead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859909-us-multiple-deaths-in-school-shooting-in-oregon-state/

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unequivocal in his criticism of the Iran nuclear deal



NEW YORK: -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the United Nations General Assembly and was unequivocal in his criticism of the Iran nuclear deal. It does not make peace more likely, he said it makes war more likely and he added the deal does not block the path to nuclear weapons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859910-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-unequivocal-in-his-criticism-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal/

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Russia defends air strikes in Syria

MOSCOW: -- On the diplomatic front, Russia has mounted a firm defence of its air strikes in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859912-russia-defends-air-strikes-in-syria/

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McCain claims Russian air strikes hit US-backed Syrian rebels

WASHINGTON: -- The US Senator John McCain has accused Russia of targeting Free Syrian Army rebel recruits backed by Washington.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859913-mccain-claims-russian-air-strikes-hit-us-backed-syrian-rebels/

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Residents evacuated as huge sinkhole appears in St Albans near London



ST ALBANS: -- A huge sinkhole has appeared overnight in a British residential area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859914-residents-evacuated-as-huge-sinkhole-appears-in-st-albans-near-london/

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UN desperately seeking solution to refugee crisis



NEW YORK: -- As the world faces its worst refugee crisis since World War II UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon has convened a meeting on migration and refugee movements on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859915-un-desperately-seeking-solution-to-refugee-crisis/

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Voter apathy grips Portugal ahead of Sunday's general election



LISBON: -- Voters in Portugal look set to express their dissatisfaction with traditional politics by not voting in Sunday’s general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859917-voter-apathy-grips-portugal-ahead-of-sundays-general-election/

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Trouble in paradise as six Greek islands lose tax breaks



ATHENS: -- For years the Greek Aegean islands have benefited from a VAT rate 30 percent lower than the rest of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/859918-trouble-in-paradise-as-six-greek-islands-lose-tax-breaks/