Thailand Live Monday 2 Nov 2015

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Govt invites Thai Buddhists to worship Buddha relics

BANGKOK, 2 November 2015 (NNT) – Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont, as the representative of His Majesty the King, and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak welcomed the President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, Maitriphala Sirisena on an official visit to Thailand.

President Sirisena is bringing a collarbone relic from Lord Buddha from Sri Lanka to be temporarily enshrined in Thailand from 1-16 November, in honor of the birthdays of His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

President Sirisena's visit also coincides with the 60 years anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and President Sirisena will come to worship the Buddha relics and attend the chanting ceremony on Monday. The government invites Thai Buddhists to worship the Buddha relics and celebrate the good relations of Thailand and Sri Lanka.


-- NNT 2015-11-02

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Guns and Drugs seized from Thai-Middle Eastern Man

PATTAYA: Banglamung Police arrested a mixed-race Thai-Middle Eastern man in the early hours of Sunday, who was caught in possession of class 1 drugs. A search of his rented room uncovered a stash of illegal firearms.

Fuull story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867360-guns-and-drugs-seized-from-thai-middle-eastern-man/?p=10028751

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Pattaya Rescue Workers clash with Pattaya Police Officer during call-out

PATTAYA: A group of 30 Pattaya Rescue Volunteers, supported by the Chairman of the Rescue Foundation, made a complaint at Pattaya Police Station early on Sunday Morning following an angry incident which occurred between a group of rescue workers and a Pattaya Police Officer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867362-pattaya-rescue-workers-clash-with-pattaya-police-officer-during-call-out/

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SURVEY:

Should Thailand legalize marijuana?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867239-survey-should-thailand-legalize-marijuana/

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Red shirts go to ground after Article 44 used
The Nation

No rallies or activities reported yesterday, govt says, despite plan to give moral support to Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- Red sHIRTS in major provinces were quiet yesterday, failing to give a moral boost to former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra as she faces increased pressure from the junta over her government's rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867468-red-shirts-go-to-ground-after-article-44-used/

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Annan, Geldof, Yunus and other icons heading this way
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- GLOBAL ICONS - including Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, Muhammad Yunus, Uma Thurman and Manny Pacquiao - will be heading to Bangkok this month for an international youth summit with 1,300 participants from more than 190 countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867469-annan-geldof-yunus-and-other-icons-heading-to-bangkok/

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MMA 'challenges fairness of elections'
Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation



Proposed new electoral system leaves experts to mull the meaning of fair polls

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND has been introduced to a new electoral system proposal that could see changes in the proportions of constituency candidates and party-list ones. The aim of the so-called Mixed Members Apportionment (MMA) system was to make every vote meaningful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867470-mma-challenges-fairness-of-thai-elections/

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EDUCATION
Time to reform education: PM
Anapat Deechuay,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FOR education reform to materialise detected flaws need be fixed - such as reforming the process of assessing students and devising exams with more open-ended questions, Education Ministry permanent secretary Kamjorn Tatiyakavee has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867471-time-to-reform-education-pm-prayut/

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Lion Air flight cancelled after passenger makes bomb joke
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Lion Air flight was abruptly cancelled yesterday afternoon after one of the passengers jokingly suggested that his carry-on bag might have contained explosives in his bid to attract a flight attendant, an ongoing police investigation revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867472-lion-air-flight-from-don-mueang-cancelled-after-passenger-makes-bomb-joke/

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POP ART
The soda that went pop
Phatarawadee Phataramawik
The Nation


Ted Ryan, Coca Cola's heritage caretaker, shows Pakpoom Siliphan's 'Double Ali Punch on Coke'. Photos courtesy of Coca Cola Thailand

Coca Cola's place in the art world is celebrated in a Bangkok exhibition

BANGKOK: -- What do the late American pop artist Andy Warhol and London-based Thai artist Pakpoom Siliphan have in common? It's a bottle of Coke - and specifically the classic shape of the Coca-Cola bottle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867473-coca-colas-place-in-the-art-world-is-celebrated-in-a-bangkok-exhibition/

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EDUCATION
New history textbook seen as inflammatory, not neutral
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



Academic says it could aggravate the political divide

BANGKOK: -- A NEW THAI history book has stirred up experts from various institutions who have found many flaws, some of which could aggravate the political divide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867474-new-thai-history-textbook-seen-as-inflammatory-not-neutral/

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EDUCATION
New system to focus on science and maths in selected schools
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SCHOOLS in Thailand will soon adopt an innovative education system that will help young learners perform better in both science and mathematics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867475-thai-education-new-system-to-focus-on-science-and-maths-in-selected-schools/

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Villagers give advice on countering climate change
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- REPRESENTATIVES of communities from across the country attended a forum last week to show ways of using local wisdom to adapt to the shifting climate and prevent natural disasters caused by global warming.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867476-thai-villagers-give-advice-on-countering-climate-change/

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CDC member explains reasons for new system

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is back on the road to democracy and new political systems are being figured out after the old one broke down following the coup last year. Praphan Naiyakovit, a member of the new Constitution Drafting Commission and chairman of its panel studying parliamentary systems, talked to The Nation's Piyaporn Wongruang about why a new system is needed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867477-thai-cdc-member-explains-reasons-for-new-system/

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The red-shirts' dilemma: to wear or not to wear
Wasamon Audjarint
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SUPPORTERS of Yingluck Shinawatra were divided yesterday over whether they should wear red to provide the former prime minister with moral encouragement as she face a criminal trial to decide her civil liability over damage incurred from her government's rice-pledging policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867478-the-red-shirts-dilemma-to-wear-or-not-to-wear/

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EDITORIAL
Lamentable 'tradition' in Thailand's battle against graft
The Nation

People accused of corruption should get thorough trials, not flowers from supporters

BANGKOK: -- Through all of Thailand's lacklustre fight against corruption, one practice has stood out. It's the practice of "giving moral support" to the accused. Some gatherings were low-key, involving just a few people and a few flowers. Others were not, featuring vociferous, sometimes aggressive, crowds who had to be kept within barricades. The demonstrators have the right to do what they do, but there is one thing that they should keep in mind.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867479-lamentable-tradition-in-thailands-battle-against-graft/

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Four Cambodians die and over 20 injured in road accident in Prachin Buri



BANGKOK: -- Three Cambodian migrant workers and a one-year old boy were killed and 20 others were injured when a packed pick-up truck in which they were travelling overturned after a rear tyre burst.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867480-four-cambodians-die-and-over-20-injured-in-road-accident-in-prachin-buri/

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Crystal meth bust was only 900 grams, not 2kg as initially reported, clarify Phuket police
Darawan Naknakhon


Crystal meth bust was only 900 grams, not 2kg as initially reported, clarify Phuket police

PHUKET: -- Thachadchai Police have recalled their initial report about a multi-million-baht crystal meth bust at the Thachadchai Police Station, claiming that that bust was much smaller than initially reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867481-crystal-meth-bust-was-only-900-grams-not-2kg-as-initially-reported-clarify-phuket-police/

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60-year-old Belgian man found hanged in Patong resort bathroom had financial troubles, police told by man's Thai wife
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- Police do not suspect foul play in the death of a 60-year-old Belgian national who was found hanged in a Patong resort bathroom this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867482-60-year-old-belgian-man-found-hanged-in-patong-resort-bathroom-had-financial-troubles/

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RETAIL
Family outlet goes public
Sasithorn Ongdee
The Nation
Chiang Rai


Thawatchai Phutthiphiriya, managing director of Thanapiriya Plc, and his wife Amorn, deputy managing director, show off their Chiang Rai shop, which is modelled on a Western supermarket.

CHIANG RAI: -- "Thanapiriya" will be the first ever local "mom and pop" store in Chiang Rai to raise funds from the public for business expansion in response to a fast-growing demand for consumer products from Asean in the wake of the region's incoming single market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867483-chiang-rai-family-outlet-goes-public/

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3G
TOT set to announce 3G partner
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- TOT is expected to officially announce the name of its business partner for its 3G wireless broadband service at its board meeting on November 13.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867484-tot-set-to-announce-3g-partner/

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TRADE PROMOTION
Ministry to seek trade promotion strategies
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Commerce Ministry will propose that the International Trade Development Committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, draw up a five-year trade-promotion strategy and measures to stimulate the economy, as well as decide whether Thailand should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867485-thai-commerce-ministry-to-seek-trade-promotion-strategies/

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Egypt President: air crash investigation 'might take months'



CAIRO: -- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said that it is far too early to hypothesize about the cause of Saturday’s air crash in the Sinai peninsula that killed 224 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867486-egypt-president-air-crash-investigation-might-take-months/

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Gunter Schabowski the man who accidentally sparked the Fall of the Berlin Wall dies



BERLIN: -- Gunter Schabowski the East German spokesperson whose error led to the demise of the Berlin Wall has died aged 86.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867487-gunter-schabowski-the-man-who-accidentally-sparked-the-fall-of-the-berlin-wall-dies/

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Clinton encourages Israelis to carry on legacy of Rabin 20 years after assassination



TEL AVIV: -- Tens of thousands of Israelis have gathered together in Tel Aviv to mark the twentieth anniversary of the assassination of Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867488-clinton-encourages-israelis-to-carry-on-legacy-of-rabin-20-years-after-assassination/

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Bodies of migrants and refugees wash ashore on Greek island of Lesbos



LESBOS: -- Eight bodies washed up on the shore of the Greek island of Lesbos on Sunday morning – migrants and refugees who did not survive their boat journeys to reach Europe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867489-bodies-of-migrants-and-refugees-wash-ashore-on-greek-island-of-lesbos/

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Turkey's ruling party sweeps back to majority in parliament
By SUZAN FRASER and DESMOND BUTLER

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's ruling party secured a stunning victory in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, sweeping back into single-party rule only five months after losing it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867490-turkeys-ruling-party-sweeps-back-to-majority-in-parliament/

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Romania: Nightclub death toll to rise 'significantly'
By ALISON MUTLER

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians wept, cursed and prayed Sunday as they mourned the victims of a fire in a nightclub, while doctors warned the death toll could rise "significantly" because so many of the injured have severe burns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867491-romania-nightclub-death-toll-to-rise-significantly/

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UPDATE:

Official: Russian jet broke up at high altitude over Egypt
By BRIAN ROHAN and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — The Russian jetliner that crashed shortly after takeoff from an Egyptian resort city broke up at high altitude, scattering fragments of wreckage over a wide area in the Sinai Peninsula, Russia's top aviation official said Sunday as search teams raced to recover the bodies of the 224 people who died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867486-egypt-president-air-crash-investigation-might-take-months/?p=10030485

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) - Family statement: Fred Thompson, former US senator who acted in TV and films, has died at 73.