Supreme Court appoints new Spokesperson of the Courts of Justice

BANGKOK, 23 October 2015 (NNT) - The President of the Supreme Court has appointed Suebpong Sripongkul as the Spokesperson of the Courts of Justice, in order to effectively provide the public with up-to-date information.

Supreme Court Chairman Weerapol Tangsuwan, has tasked Mr Suebpong, who heads the appeals court within the Office of the President of the Supreme Court, with providing the public with updates regarding meetings by the Judicial Administration Commission, the Judicial Commission and Judges of the Courts of Justice, policy announcements by the Supreme Court as well as urgent matters that require clarification to the public.


-- NNT 2015-10-23

INDONESIA'S FOREST FIRES
South's worst haze
The Nation



Health of locals threatened as particulate matter far exceeds safe level; Flight to Trang and Krabi hit ; Indonesia apologetic

BANGKOK: -- THE WORST haze crisis in 17 years hit Songkhla’s Hat Yai district hard yesterday, with the amount of PM10 particles far exceeding the safe level.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864991-worst-haze-crisis-in-17-years-hits-thailands-south/

UPDATE:

BEVERAGE
Apologetic actress admits to promoting beer on social media
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- VIDEO JOCKEY and actress Virithipa Yamnam has confessed that it was business, and not fun or a personal favour, that drove her to post a picture of herself online with an alcoholic beverage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864847-thai-celebritys-instagram-posing-with-beer-bottles-is-commercial/#entry9993965

POLITICS
Pheu Thai accuses govt of targeting Yingluck over rice scheme
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE PHEU Thai Party has defended former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over allegations related to the party's flagship rice-pledging scheme that caused up to Bt500 billion in damages to the state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864992-pheu-thai-accuses-govt-of-targeting-yingluck-over-rice-scheme/

ENVIRONMENT
10 resorts in Phu Tub Berk face demolition, villagers charged
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE Royal Forestry Department is going ahead with the demolition of 10 resorts in Petchabun's Phu Tub Berk mountainous area after a court ruled that they were violating the law and ordered occupants to leave immediately, the department's director-general Chonlatid Suraswadi said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864993-10-resorts-in-phu-tub-berk-face-demolition-villagers-charged/

NEW CHARTER
Reform assembly agrees on form of political amnesty
PRAPHASRI OSATHANONT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MEMBERS of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) on Tuesday reached agreement over the form a political amnesty should take. The agreement was reached at an NRSA workshop in which the 200 assembly members formed separate groups to discuss amnesty and reconciliation efforts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864994-thai-reform-assembly-agrees-on-form-of-political-amnesty/

4G
Licence bidders set for fight in earnest
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation


Representatives of four major telecom companies submitted bid documents yesterday at the NBTC office for the 900MHz

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) expects genuine competition in the auctions of telecom licences on the 900- and 1,800-megahertz spectra, said NBTC member Pravit Leestapornvongsa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864995-4g-licence-bidders-set-for-fight-in-earnest/

Villagers on SEZ land told to be selfless
The Nation

Those against expropriation urged to put country first, promised compensation

BANGKOK: -- THE government has urged villagers protesting the expropriation of land for a special economic zone in Tak's Mae Sot district to disregard self-interest for the sake of the country while reaffirming affected residents will receive compensation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864996-villagers-on-sez-land-told-to-be-selfless/

One drug suspect killed in Chiang Mai gunfight
The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- Narcotics suppression police yesterday killed one drug-trafficking suspect and arrested two others during a sting operation in Chiang Mai's Mae Taeng district, senior police officer Pol Lt-Colonel Sakorn Kaewsa said. Police also seized 120,000 methamphetamine pills in the operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864997-one-drug-suspect-killed-in-chiang-mai-gunfight/

Vendors file lawsuit against BMA over demolition
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Forty-eight vendors, whose shops in the Saphan Lek area are facing demolition to make way for landscaping of the historical Klong Ong Ang area, filed a lawsuit at the Central Administrative Court yesterday in a bid to halt the move.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864998-saphan-lek-vendors-file-lawsuit-against-bma-over-demolition/

Chinnapat 'may be fired' over Obec probe

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- EDUCATION Ministry permanent secretary Kamchorn Tatiyakawee has said allegations of disciplinary violations and corruption made against the Office of the Basic Education Commission's former secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat and five other people had been forwarded to the Education Minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864999-chinnapat-may-be-fired-over-obec-probe/

Govt cautions against 'red' campaign in support of Yingluck
JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG,
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
NATCHA ORAVEERAKUL
THE NATION



PHEU THAI, UDD LEADERS DENY ROLE IN RALLY PLANNED FOR NOV 1

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT has warned the public to exercise proper judgement over whether to stage a symbolic protest by wearing red on November 1 in support of former premier Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865000-govt-cautions-against-red-campaign-in-support-of-yingluck/

CDC considers setting 'duties of the state' for governments to follow
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Commission (CDC) is considering listing "duties of the state" in the new constitution, in a bid to force government to serve the people efficiently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865001-cdc-considers-setting-duties-of-the-state-for-governments-to-follow/

Celebrities, the law and publicising on social media
SASITHORN ONGDEE

BANGKOK: -- STATE officers should be responsible and not pretend to look the other way, as we saw in the case of Thai celebrities posting pictures of themselves with beer products on social media a few weeks ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865002-thai-politics-celebrities-the-law-and-publicising-on-social-media/

No Shock, Awe from 'Cyber War' as ‘National' Gateway Moves Forward
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


A display panel at the Royal Thai Army's cyber unit taken Sept. 9. Photo: WeLoveRTA.org

BANGKOK — Damage from an attack on government services online appeared limited today, while state-owned CAT Telecom said it will begin preparations to build a single gateway project that has been rebranded as a business-positive part of the kingdom’s “digital economy” strategy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865004-no-shock-awe-from-cyber-war-as-national-gateway-moves-forward/

TAT unveils new tourism projects for 2016

BANGKOK, 23 October 2015 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized the launch of its new projects to stimulate Thai tourism next year, with a focus on weekday travels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865006-tat-unveils-new-tourism-projects-for-2016/

Cambodian killed in Pattaya Highway road crash



PATTAYA: -- Following the announcement that Thailand is the second most dangerous country in the World when it comes to road safety, another fatal road accident occurred in the Eastern outskirts of Pattaya on Wednesday Night, which say a 17 year old Cambodian killed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865007-cambodian-killed-in-pattaya-highway-road-crash/

“Friendly” check of bars by Pattaya Police as School Holiday begins



PATTAYA: -- 100 Police Officers took part in what was described as a “friendly” check of Bars and Pubs in the 3rd Road area of Pattaya, which is popular with Thai patrons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865008-friendly-check-of-bars-by-pattaya-police-as-school-holiday-begins/

Ripley’s in Pattaya launch “Horrors of Prison” for Halloween



PATTAYA: -- As we move closer towards 31st October and Halloween Night in Pattaya, the city is preparing for the scariest night of the year and preparations at Ripley’s! Believe it or Not have begun with the launch of their new attraction “Horrors of Prison”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865009-ripleys-in-pattaya-launch-horrors-of-prison-for-halloween/

US operation in northern Iraq was launched to prevent "imminent" mass execution of hostages by IS, Pentagon says /BBC

WASHINGTON (AP) - US official: US service member killed in rescue 1st to die in action in anti-IS campaign.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Swedish official: Man who killed 2, wounded 2 others in school knife attack has died.

Government sponsors 'Swine Beauty Queen' contest for fat women
By Prae Sakaowan



What is the message they’re trying to promote in this pageant? We imagine it must not be body-positive

BANGKOK: -- To celebrate National Swine Day in December, the Swine Farmer Association together with Kasetsart University, an institute well-known for its agriculture studies and making students wear an anti-cheating helmet, will throw a “Swine Beauty Queen” pageant contest for women.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865011-government-sponsors-swine-beauty-queen-contest-for-fat-women/

Chinese family of zipline accident in Chiang Mai was paid 2.5 million baht in compensation



CHIANG MAI: -- A 2.5 million baht initial compensation was yesterday presented to the family of a Chinese tourist who died in an accident while riding a zipline in Chiang Maki’s Mae Rim district on October 11.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865012-chinese-family-of-zipline-accident-in-chiang-mai-was-paid-25-million-baht-in-compensation/

Transport minister is confident Thailand’s air safety standards will pass FAA tests



BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit is confident that the Thai aviation standards will pass the tests of the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865013-transport-minister-is-confident-thailands-air-safety-standards-will-pass-faa-tests/

Government promises beach rule clarity by high season
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- With Phuket’s high season starting next month, the details of exactly how the beach "management" system on the island will be maintained and implemented remain hazy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865014-government-promises-phuket-beach-rule-clarity-by-high-season/

US voters split over Biden’s decision not to run for president



WASHINGTON: -- There has been a mixed reaction in the US to news that Joe Biden will not be seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2016 presidency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865015-us-voters-split-over-bidens-decision-not-to-run-for-president/

Kerry calls for end to incitement as he meets Israel's Netanyahu



BERLIN: -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has called for an end to incitement, as a wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians continues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865016-kerry-calls-for-end-to-incitement-as-he-meets-israels-netanyahu/

Sweden: assailant now dead after double-fatal school sword attack



STOCKHOLM: -- Police investigating a sword attack at a school in Sweden say the attacker is now dead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865017-sweden-assailant-now-dead-after-double-fatal-school-sword-attack/

Germany’s interior minister says migrant crisis has two faces



BERLIN: -- Migrants not needing protection in Europe will be sent back home. The warning from Germany’s interior minister Thomas de Maiziere, who says the politics of migration has two faces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865018-germanys-interior-minister-says-migrant-crisis-has-two-faces/

Erdogan: Ankara attacks were a “collective” effort



ANKARA: -- The Turkish President says he now believes the Syrian secret police or Mukhabarat along with ISIL and Kurdish militants all played a role the recent suicide bombings in the centre of Ankara.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865019-erdogan-ankara-attacks-were-a-collective-effort/

Polish right would tip EU centre of gravity eastward
By Adrian Lancashire



WARSAW: -- Beata Szydlo (pronounced ‘shédwa’) of Poland’s right-wing Eurosceptic Law and Justice party (PiS), at 52 could lead a new nationalist-driven government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865020-polish-right-would-tip-eu-centre-of-gravity-eastward/