Health Ministry promises to probe beer advertisements in social media

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has promised to investigate health activists’ allegation that major breweries have used celebrities to advertise their beer in the social media.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....n-social-media/

Thailand to join Trans-Pacific Partnership

BANGKOK, 9 October 2015 (NNT) - Minister of Commerce Apiradee Tantraporn has confirmed that Thailand is ready to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) while playing down the effects of Vietnam’s membership in the group.

Ms.Apiradee said Thailand had prepared itself in all aspects for joining the TPP. Thailand had continuously arranged meetings between the public and private sectors and updated laws on doing business, said the minister.

As for Vietnam’s acceptance to take part in the TPP, the minister said it would not affect Thailand's competiveness since only three members of the TPP had not yet signed Free Trade Agreements with Thailand. The countries are the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The minister added that Thailand and the World Intellectual Property Organization jointly organized an exhibition in honor of His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn from 5-21 October 2015 at the organization's headquarters. The exhibition is aimed at promoting their contributions and work on intellectual property

-- NNT 2015-10-09

UPDATE:

PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION
Thai PBS chief shown the door
THE NATION

Somchai

Director General Somchai axed for failing to fix problems at station; lift ratings

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861840-thai-pbs-director-fired/#entry9948208

SMOG
Haze in the South 'easing'
The Nation

CHUMPON: -- Particulate measurements within safe limits in 7 provinces

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861902-haze-in-the-south-easing/

NEW CHARTER
Meechai to rely on 1992 experience on 'outsider PM'
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE idea of an "outsider", non-MP prime minister has not been ruled out by the new Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), though chairman Meechai Ruchupan said he will use Black May as a lesson and a reminder. The Black May political crisis partially stemmed from the 1992 charter, which allowed a non-MP premier.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861903-meechai-to-rely-on-1992-experience-on-outsider-pm/

UPDATE:

POLICE
Teenage girl 'unintentionally' hit in shootout with dealers
The Nation

Police Lance Corporal Panonthorn Chaiyatham yesterday apologises to the mother of Anatta Songrat, who got hit

BANGKOK: -- Officer says he fired gun at drug dealers when car with girl passed by

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861622-stray-bullet-may-have-hit-16-year-old-thai-police-say/#entry9948228

UPDATE:

THAI-EU RELATIONS
EU criticism misguided: Sek
THE NATION

THAILAND has voiced disappointment over the European parliament's damning resolution on human rights in the Kingdom, saying it did not reflect the reality on the ground.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861790-thailand-disappointed-with-european-parliaments-resolution-on-human-rights/page-2#entry9948239

LAW
Showbiz celebs under fire over alcohol posts on social media
Puangchompoo Prasert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of young campaigners at the Public Health Ministry call yesterday for an investigation into actors and singers who posted images of beer products on their online media accounts.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861904-showbiz-celebs-under-fire-over-alcohol-posts-on-social-media/

Release of high-profile convict stirs unease on felons going free
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- IN Thailand, there have been cases in which high-profile convicts, originally sentenced to death for serious crimes, have had their sentences commuted to life or several years behind bars.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861905-release-of-high-profile-convict-stirs-unease-on-felons-going-free/

Cement truck brings down 43 power poles in Samut Prakan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- At 8pm on Thursday night, a cement truck got caught on electricity wires in Samut Prakan's Muang district and brought down 43 power poles, which hit three cars and left a man seriously injured.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861906-cement-truck-brings-down-43-power-poles-in-samut-prakan/

Turkish man who looks like Erawan Shrine bombing suspect released
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- POLICE in Nong Khai province have released a Turkish man who was thought to look similar to a suspect in the Erawan bombing after he was found to have no involvement in the attack.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861907-turkish-man-who-looks-like-erawan-shrine-bombing-suspect-released/

UPDATE:

Street vendors rail against demolition order
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Street vendors in Saphan Lek have complained to the National Human Rights Commission over the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration move to shut them down.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861825-vendors-revolt-as-bma-moves-to-demolish-saphan-lek/#entry9948281

Reform steering council gets ready to hold its first meeting
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Reform Steering Council is scheduled to convene for the first time on Tuesday, with Chai Chidchob, a former member of the now-defunct National Reform Council, expected to chair it.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861909-reform-steering-council-gets-ready-to-hold-its-first-meeting/

Army unit helps Isaan folk find 'correct political understanding'
JITTRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- "CORRECT" political understanding has been given to people in 20 provinces in the Northeast - with good feedback received, Lt-General Thawat Sookplang, the commander of the Second Army Area, said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861910-army-unit-helps-isaan-folk-find-correct-political-understanding/

EDITORIAL
Idle political parties can make good use of their 'free time'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rather than complaining from the sidelines, politicians should be preparing for the nobler struggle ahead

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861912-idle-political-parties-can-make-good-use-of-their-free-time/

-- The Nation 2015-10-09

PM urges dissenters to respect law, avoid causing disturbances

BANGKOK, 9 October 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has called on dissident groups to refrain from illegal activities while being mindful of negative consequences before taking any action.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861913-pm-urges-dissenters-to-respect-law-avoid-causing-disturbances/

Security guard in Bangla tourists' beating suspected of Tourist Police volunteer assault
The Phuket News

PHUKET: One of the Bangla security guards involved in the vicious beating of two Australian tourists early Wednesday morning is believed to have attacked an expat Tourist Police volunteer just days earlier.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861914-security-guard-in-bangla-tourists-beating-suspected-of-tourist-police-volunteer-assault/

Apparent suicide attempt by Labourer at East Pattaya construction site

PATTAYA: -- Nongprue Police were called to a village, currently under construction, just before daybreak on Friday to deal with an apparent attempted suicide.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861915-apparent-suicide-attempt-by-laborer-at-east-pattaya-construction-site/

EU to seize smugglers’ boats near Libya

The United Nations security council has authorised European Union naval operations off the coast of Libya to discourage groups of people traffickers from smuggling migrants to Europe.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861916-eu-to-seize-smugglers-boats-near-libya/

Israelis and Palestinians clash in West Bank on ‘anger day’

Clashes between Palestinians and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) erupted after Friday prayers in several cities across the West Bank.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861917-israelis-and-palestinians-clash-in-west-bank-on-anger-day/

Deadly shooting on college campus in Arizona

One person is dead and three others have been wounded in a college shooting in the US.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861918-deadly-shooting-on-college-campus-in-arizona/

UN proposes unity government in Libya

“Not an easy task,” said Bernardino Leon, the United Nations envoy to Libya, as he announced plans to form a national unity government in the country.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861919-un-proposes-unity-government-in-libya/

Russia denies US claims cruise missiles malfunctioned over Iran

Twenty six cruise missiles were fired from four Russian ships on the Caspian sea. The attack has sparked an information war with the US.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861920-russia-denies-us-claims-cruise-missiles-malfunctioned-over-iran/

UPDATE:

Thai PBS director cries foul against his dismissal by the board

BANGKOK: -- Thai PBS director Somchai Suwannaban said that he was unfairly fired by the board of governors as he had done nothing wrong and would take the case to the Administrative Court or the Labour Court to defend his rights.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861840-thai-pbs-director-fired/#entry9948396

North Korea readies massive anniversary celebration
ERIC TALMADGE, Associated Press

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea is holding what is expected to be one of its biggest celebrations ever Saturday for the 70th anniversary of its ruling party's creation, an attention-getting event that is the government's way of showing the world and its own people the Kim dynasty — now in its third generation — is firmly in control and its military a power to be reckoned with.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861921-north-korea-readies-massive-anniversary-celebration/

German county declares refugee emergency

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The latest developments as hundreds of thousands of people seeking safety make an epic trek through Europe. All times local.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861923-german-county-declares-refugee-emergency/

RT@Atomicalandy: Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo arrive at Koh Samui Court this morning for final two days of Koh Tao trial, today's witnesses http://t.co/kJe4GNWOeF

Arkansas judge halts executions as inmates challenge law
CLAUDIA LAUER, Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) — An Arkansas judge on Friday halted the upcoming executions of eight death row inmates, dealing a blow to the central U.S. state's efforts to begin putting prisoners to death for the first time in a decade.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861943-arkansas-judge-halts-executions-as-inmates-challenge-law/

CDC spokesperson says draft framework is in accordance with interim constitution

BANGKOK, 10 October 2015 (NNT)-Charter Drafting Committee (CDC) Spokesman Amorn Wanichwiwatana said the committee has finished discussing the framework of drafting the constitution. The framework is in accordance with article 35 of the 2014 interim constitution. The committee has also discussed the five-point working guideline given by CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861957-cdc-spokesperson-says-draft-framework-is-in-accordance-with-interim-constitution/