Thailand Live Thursday 22 Oct 2015

[webfact]

BIKE FOR DAD
Thai expats urged to join 'Bike for Dad'
Anapat Deechuay, The Nation



BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday exhorted Thais to join the "Bike for Dad" events across the world as a declaration of their eternal love for His Majesty the King.

Long Live the King' out loud. Make the world hear us," he said.

"Bike for Dad" activities will kick off at 3pm on December 11 in many countries to celebrate His Majesty's 88th birthday, which falls on December 5.

The world's longest-reigning monarch commands overwhelming affection and respect from his subjects. He is the ultimate revered paternal figure in Thailand.

Prayut chaired the meeting of the "Bike for Dad" organising committee.

The event is being organised in response to HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's initiative to plan bike rides as a channel for Thais to express their loyalty to the King, he said.

"The Crown Prince will lead the procession of bicycles," he said.

"He will also give away 100,000 T-shirts, wristbands and water for those joining the event."

In August, the Crown Prince spearheaded the hugely successful "Bike for Mom" celebration of the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

The bicycle parade was entered into the Guinness Records as the largest ever.

People interested in participating in the "Bike for Dad" programme could pre-register via www.bikefordad2015.com from November 2-15.

"If you want to get more information, you can call 1122," he said.

The Crown Prince would also arrange outdoor Khon performances for the public to enjoy from December 11-13, he said.

People can start putting up signs commemorating the King's birthday already, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thai-expats-urged-to-join-Bike-for-Dad-30271382.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-22

[webfact]

Man arrested after police find huge haul of yaba stashed in his car

Image: Dailynews.co.th

CHUMPHON : A man was arrested on Tuesday after police found 486,000 yaba pills hidden inside a secret compartment in his car.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864617-man-arrested-after-police-find-huge-haul-of-yaba-stashed-in-his-car/

[webfact]

KASETSART UNIVERSITY
Varsity gets Thailand's first 'mobile phone lane' for smartphone junkies
VISARUT SANKHAM
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S first footpath "mobile phone lane" for pedestrians has been implemented at Bangkok's Kasetsart University (KU) to accommodate tardy students who are sick of bumping into smartphone users on their way to class.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864704-varsity-gets-thailands-first-mobile-phone-lane-for-smartphone-junkies/

[webfact]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Biden announces he won't run for president.

ZURICH (AP) - FIFA ethics committee says German soccer great Franz Beckenbauer is under investigation.

MOSCOW (AP) - Moscow says Russia, US, Turkish, Saudi foreign ministers to meet Friday about Syria.

[webfact]

LESE MAJESTE CHARGE
Trio confess
THE NATION



Fortune-teller Mor Yong admits he had committed the offence for more than two months, more arrests to be made

BANGKOK: -- THREE well-known figures arrested over lese majeste charges have confessed to violating Article 112 of the Penal Code, the national police chief said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864705-lese-majeste-charge-trio-confess/

[webfact]

INDONESIA'S FOREST FIRES
Smog in South worsens
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The smog in the South triggered by the Indonesian forest fires worsened yesterday, with several provinces reporting that levels of particulate matter of up to 10 microns in size (PM-10) had gone beyond the safe limit of 120 micrograms per cubic metre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864708-smog-in-thailands-south-worsens/

[webfact]

TU enforces strict ethics for supplies
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH,
PICHAYA CHANGSORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAI UNION GROUP, the world's largest tuna canner, has stopped receiving supplies from about 1,200 fishing boats in Thailand over the past one to two years as part of its strictly-enforced code for responsible sourcing and conduct.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864710-fishing-thai-union-group-enforces-strict-ethics-for-supplies/

[webfact]

Situation ripe for growth-driving strategies, BOT governor says
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- ECONOMIC stimulus comes with inherent risks, but the Bank of Thailand's new governor Veerathai Santiprabhob believes that the latest schemes have low exposure and the financial system is strong enough to withstand any undesirable side effects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864712-situation-ripe-for-growth-driving-strategies-bot-governor-says/

[webfact]

Exhaust fumes likely killed mother, child
Kornkamol Aksorndej
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE TRAGIC deaths last Friday night of a woman and her five-year-old son, who were found unconscious inside a car with the engine still running, may have been caused by a defective exhaust pipe that filled their vehicle with toxic fumes, a Traffic Police Division expert said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864713-exhaust-fumes-likely-killed-thai-mother-child/

[webfact]

Demolition of Klong Ong Ang structures to go ahead
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said yesterday that the Klong Ong Ang landscape-development measures and the demolition of canal-blocking structures would go ahead and should be completed by December.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864714-bangkok-demolition-of-klong-ong-ang-structures-to-go-ahead/

[webfact]

2 more bombs set off in Pattani
Pares Lohasan,
Santhiti Khorjitmet
The Nation



PATTANI: -- TWO SMALL bombs were detonated yesterday morning in Pattani's Khok Pho district after Tuesday night's bomb attacks at seven locations and detection of suspicious items at several areas in the district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864716-2-more-bombs-set-off-in-pattani/

[webfact]

Experts want stronger laws on environment
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- STRONGER sections on environmental protection should be included in the next charter, while new laws on environment-quality management should also be drafted, experts said this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864717-thai-experts-want-stronger-laws-on-environment/

[webfact]

Six ministries spend big on PR activities
JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRUNG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SIX ministries have spent more than Bt100 million each on public relations, advertising and events over the past six months, a source revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864718-six-thai-ministries-spend-big-on-pr-activities/

[webfact]

Could this be a transitional period to non-democracy?
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION


Six academics lead a seminar yesterday

EXPERTS WARY OF REGIMES THAT CAN LEGALLY OVERRULE ELECTED BODIES

BANGKOK: -- THE PROBLEM with Thai politics is that the majority of the votes are being exploited by politicians; however, the way out is to strengthen democracy rather than abandoning it, political scientists have pointed out.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864719-thai-politics-could-this-be-a-transitional-period-to-non-democracy/

[webfact]

NSC to undergo major structural revamp
The Nation

BANGKOK:: -- The Cabinet has approved an amendment to the outdated National Security Act in order to restructure the National Security Council (NSC) and allow it to catch up with modern challenges such as technological threats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864721-nsc-to-undergo-major-structural-revamp/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Giving EC absolute power may not be the solution
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee has agreed to give the Election Commission (EC) the power to issue both yellow and red cards against politicians suspected of having won due to dishonest dealings. Under the new plan, the EC will be able to punish fraudulent winners both before and after the election result is announced without having to get a court involved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864722-giving-ec-absolute-power-may-not-be-the-solution/

[webfact]

RATCHABURI
Museum to houses memories of poet Nai Pee
The Nation

RATCHABURI: -- The family of poet Asanee Polchan, or Nai Pee, is gathering a collection of his personal items to be enshrined in a proposed museum to be located at a temple near his home in Ratchaburi province.

Siriporn Puttachat, 63, Nai Pee's niece, said the family, including his son Kolit Polchan, will collect Nai Pee's handwritten notes, his books, his poems and his belongings to display in a museum at Wat Mahadhat Woraviharn, where his ashes are being kept for annual merit making.

The temple abbot plans to build the new museum early next year and would spare some space to display Nai Pee's exhibition. He said the younger generations could learn more about Thai political history. Nai Pee was known as one of the intellectual leaders of the politically turbulent 1970s, when a large number of students fled to the jungle and joined the communism doctrine.

His poetry is well known through a melodic song called Duen Pen (Full Moon), through which his thoughts of home are conveyed in beautifully poetic words.

The family is also thinking of contributing his items to the October 14 Monument at Kokwoa intersection to educate the public about his life and work, Siriporn said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Museum-to-houses-memories-of-poet-Nai-Pee-30271379.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-22

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Faith restored on a muddy riverbank
The Nation

Chat Ubonjinda's ingenious rescue of a foreign couple in trouble demonstrates what's still possible in these mean and apathetic times

BANGKOK: -- Noble acts of kindness appear to be rare these days. People who go out of their way to help strangers in need might seem in short supply.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864723-thai-editorial-faith-restored-on-a-muddy-riverbank/

[webfact]

THAI TALK
The real economic test: Stimulus versus reform
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: - Deputy Premier for economic affairs Somkid Jatusripitak won't discuss the shape of the expected economic recovery. But he certainly didn't endorse the "U-shaped" formula projected by former deputy premier Virabongsa Ramangkura.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864724-the-real-economic-test-stimulus-versus-reform/

[webfact]

The return of the Marcos nightmare
Amando Doronila
The Philippine Daily Inquirer
Asia News Network


Vice presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr and his mother, former first lady Imelda, wave to supporters during a campaign rally in Manila on October 10.

The dictator's son has stunned many by declaring his bid to become vice president

MANILA: -- On September 23, the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines by president Ferdinand Marcos, Filipinos were stunned to read on the front page of their newspapers that Senator Bongbong Marcos, the dictator's son, was running for vice president in the 2016 elections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864725-the-return-of-the-marcos-nightmare/

[webfact]

Funerals first, then police will hunt down Phuket riot suspects
Saroj Kueprasertkij


Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Tesa Siriwato. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- Police will wait for the funerals to be held of the two young men whose deaths sparked the Thalang Police Station riot earlier this month before they unleash their manhunt for 47 suspects wanted for their roles in the historic unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864726-funerals-first-then-police-will-hunt-down-phuket-riot-suspects/

[webfact]

Forced water shutoffs in Kamala, Wichit
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The Kamala mains water supply upgrade will take only one day, but areas in Wichit will suffer until next Tuesday (Oct 27).

PHUKET: -- Mains water supply will be shut off in selected areas of Kamala and Wichit from Thursday (Oct 22) as the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority upgrades major power cables serving mains water pump stations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864727-forced-water-shutoffs-in-kamala-wichit/

[webfact]

Thai Police to give 600,000 Baht to family of traffic police who died in an accident

BANGKOK, 22 October 2015 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police will give 600,000 Baht to the family of a traffic policeman who recently lost his life in a motorcycle accident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864728-thai-police-to-give-600000-baht-to-family-of-traffic-police-who-died-in-an-accident/

[webfact]

Driver in Chiang Mai, Smashes Three Cars and Eight Motorbikes before Crashing into a Retail Store

CHIANG MAI – Several people were injured when 74 year old Somnuek Saritnet smashed into three cars, eight motorbikes and a retail store in Chiang Mai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864729-driver-in-chiang-mai-smashes-3-cars-8-motorbikes-before-crashing-into-a-retail-store/

[webfact]

Siriraj hospital appeals for more blood donation



BANGKOK: -- Siriraj hospital is appealing for blood donation from members of the public for use at the hospital without depending on blood bank of the Thai Red Cross.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864730-siriraj-hospital-in-bangkok-appeals-for-more-blood-donation/

[webfact]

FBI: Eden suspect in teen prostitution ring fled to Thailand
By Margaret Moffett


photo courtesy Eden police
Mickey Dale Snow

GREENSBORO — The FBI believes a suspect in an underage prostitution ring fled to Thailand. The agency is working with other federal agencies to bring him back to Rockingham County.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864731-fbi-eden-suspect-in-teen-prostitution-ring-fled-to-thailand/

[webfact]

EU roasts Starbucks, slams Fiat Chrysler over ‘illegal’ tax deals



LUXEMBOURG: -- Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler should pay back between 20 and 30 million euros in taxes after the European Commission ruled on Wednesday that illegal tax deals unfairly reduced how much they had to pay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864732-eu-roasts-starbucks-slams-fiat-chrysler-over-illegal-tax-deals/

[webfact]

Ferrari IPO races onto Wall Street



NEW YORK: -- Ferrari briefly left the racing track behind on Wednesday to race to a new destination – Wall Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864733-ferrari-ipo-races-onto-wall-street/

[webfact]

Lego victim of own success as it warns of Christmas shortage



A Christmas stocking crisis beckons in Europe this year

PARIS: -- Many children may be disappointed because according to reports it seems demand for lego is outpacing supply – and the result is a potential chronic shortage of plastic bricks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864734-lego-victim-of-own-success-as-it-warns-of-christmas-shortage/

[webfact]

Merkel calls for calm in Middle East; Netanyahu blames unrest on Palestinians



BERLIN: -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Israelis and Palestinians to calm the situation in the Middle East following a month of escalating violence in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864735-merkel-calls-for-calm-in-middle-east;-netanyahu-blames-unrest-on-palestinians/