Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Nov 2015

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BIKE FOR DAD
Thousands sign up
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THRONGS of Thais flocked to city halls and other designated places across the country to sign up for the "Bike for Dad" cycling event on the first day of registrations yesterday.

The event's website (bikefordad2015.com) attracted 1.211 million visitors by 6.30pm yesterday, while 87,071 entrants registered online.

The cycling event, in commemoration of His Majesty the King's 88th birthday on December 5, will be held at 3pm on December 11.

In Bangkok, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will lead cyclists from the Royal Plaza through the designated route, while other "Bike for Dad" events across the country will start from city halls. Overseas, Thais in various countries are also invited to participate in cycling activities in tribute to His Majesty.

Online registration will be open until November 10. Bangkok officials at 50 district offices are aiding people to register during office hours and from 9am to midday on Saturday and Sunday.

Bangkok residents who successfully registered with the event can collect souvenir items, comprising a T-shirt, pin and wristband, between November 28 and 29 at the National Stadium.

The route for the Bangkok cycling event will go through Phra Pok Klao Bridge instead of the Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut), said Benjasai Kiyapat, deputy spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Provincial officials provided similar registration assistance to the public yesterday, but the huge number of online applications prompted various provinces in the afternoon to report that their servers were down.

Among the well-known applicants who registered for the event was Krabi hero Chat Ubonjinda. He earned praise after a video clip of him rescuing two mud-trapped tourists by letting them step on his back went viral.

In Phitsanulok, 49-year-old Khampa Kaewjeen, who was born with polio, rode his tricycle from his home, 40kms away, to the City Hall to be the first applicant of the day. Wanthana Kam-in or Nong Tham, the 11-year old armless student who made the news after taking part in the "Bike for Mom" cycling event on August 16 in Phitsanulok also registered yesterday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thousands-sign-up-30272117.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-03

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VIDEO : Fireball in sky is a shooting star



BANGKOK: -- The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand said that the fireball which was seen in the sky in Bangkok and several provinces on Monday night was believed to be a meteor or a shooting star.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867703-fireball-lights-up-thai-skies/

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POLITICS
Govt dismisses abuse of power allegations
Natthapat Phromkaew,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

Prayut could have already seized Yingluck's assets under Article 44: Wissanu

BANGKOK: -- The government is not abusing its power in the cases against Yingluck Shinawatra stemming from the rice-pledging scheme - as it could have invoked special authority under Article 44 of the interim charter to seize her assets, Deputy Premier Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867704-thai-govt-dismisses-abuse-of-power-allegations/

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EDUCATION
Shorter school day all the rage
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Nearly 4,000 schools across the country yesterday went ahead with a new policy that allows their students to spend fewer hours in the classroom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867705-thai-education-shorter-school-day-all-the-rage/

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AVIATION
First-time flier could face jail for bomb joke that backfired
Supachai Petchthewee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A 23-YEAR-OLD passenger found himself in hot water shortly after boarding his first flight on Sunday - in legal trouble for a "bomb joke" that backfired on an air stewardess.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867706-first-time-flier-could-face-jail-for-bomb-joke-that-backfired/

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MILITARY
Ministry urges support for producers of military gear
THE NATION


The locally manufactured Black Widow Spider armoured personnel carrier, developed by the Defence Technology Institute, is seen on display at the Defence & Security 2015 trade fair at Impact Arena yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- THE Defence Ministry is seeking support from the private sector to locally produce or assemble military equipment, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867707-thai-ministry-urges-support-for-producers-of-military-gear/

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Solar power plan burns bright with overwhelming response
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 1,000 government units and agricultural cooperatives nationwide are expected to take part in a public-sector solar energy programme in partnership with private interests who will invest an estimated Bt36 billion in total power-generation capacity of 600 megawatts, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867708-solar-power-plan-burns-bright-with-overwhelming-response/

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UPDATE:

Army colonel linked to LM case
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE national police chief said yesterday he was convinced an Army colonel was involved in a high-profile lese majeste case, which has seen three people arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867629-prawut-has-returned-to-thailand-chakthip/#entry10033773

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Asean steps up efforts to counter haze
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

Countries agree on 'Road map to eliminate problem by 2020'; annual meeting to bolster local efforts

BANGKOK: -- ASEAN countries have agreed to draw up a plan to eliminate haze in the region by 2020.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867709-asean-steps-up-efforts-to-counter-haze/

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Fishing boats checked in Samut Sakhon
Visarut Sankham
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE authorities have continued efforts to fight illegal, unreported and |unregulated (IUU) fishing, as the European Union prepares to review its stance towards Thai seafood exports next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867710-fishing-boats-checked-in-samut-sakhon/

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FDA to toughen regulations on cosmetic advertisements
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE Food and Drug Administration is drafting a ministerial regulation so that prohibited messages in cosmetics ads can be identified - and harsher punishment given to offenders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867711-thai-fda-to-toughen-regulations-on-cosmetic-advertisements/

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BMTA and SRT fail service assessment 'but are safe'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK'S Mass Transit Authority and the State Railway of Thailand have failed to provide satisfactory public services but are safe, a new report has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867712-bangkoks-mta-and-srt-fail-service-assessment-but-are-safe/

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Heavy security presence as schools reopen in deep South
Nakarin Chinworakomon,
Pares Lohasan
The Nation



YALA: -- SECURITY in the deep South was tightened yesterday when schools opened for the second semester.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867713-heavy-security-presence-as-schools-reopen-in-deep-south/

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BURNING ISSUE
Campaigns fizzle, legal tactics blocked, as Yingluck's court day nears
Jintana Panyaarvudh

BANGKOK: -- A campaign aimed at showing symbolic support for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra by wearing red shirts last Sunday appears to have caused less trouble for the junta than expected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867714-campaigns-fizzle-legal-tactics-blocked-as-yinglucks-court-day-nears/

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WRITING A NEW DRAFT
Reconciliation 'will be aided by MMA'
Kasamakon Chanwanpen
The Nation

CDC chief shrugs off criticism that voting system is untested

BANGKOK: -- The proposed electoral system in which votes for losing constituency candidates would be calculated as party-list votes was designed to promote reconciliation as Parliament seats would be distributed proportionally among political parties, Constitution Drafting Commission chairman Meechai Ruchupan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867716-thai-politics-reconciliation-will-be-aided-by-mma/

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Call for lifetime ban for corrupt politicians
Wasamon Audjarint
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Corrupt politicians must be banished forever, several National Reform Steering Assembly members said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867717-call-for-lifetime-ban-for-corrupt-thai-politicians/

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STREETWISE
Hanker for the life of a corporate god? Think again
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Most top executives at major companies envisage themselves as corporate chiefs. They do, after all, enjoy absolute power and extravagant lifestyles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867718-thai-opinion-hanker-for-the-life-of-a-corporate-god-think-again/

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Fake Police Gang arrested in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Night a press conference was held at Pattaya Police Station to announce the arrest of 4 people accused of operating as fake Police Officers and extorting money and assaulting individuals they would illegally detain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867719-fake-police-gang-arrested-in-pattaya/

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Rogue Pattaya Police Officer sent to Prison for 3 days



PATTAYA: -- Although the recent dispute between rescue volunteers and an off-duty Pattaya Police Sergeant was amicably resolved, the Pattaya Police Chief is not so forgiving and sent the officer to a Prison on a remote Island close to Pattaya which will be followed by a transfer to Police Headquarters in Chonburi City.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867720-rogue-pattaya-police-officer-sent-to-prison-for-3-days/

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Pedestrian killed in road crash close to Pattaya City Hall



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday a 50 year old pedestrian was killed by a speeding SUV in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867721-pedestrian-killed-in-road-crash-close-to-pattaya-city-hall/

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Monk calls on govt to burn down 1 mosque for 1 dead Buddhist monk
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Buddhist monk has urged the government to burn a mosque for every Buddhist monk killed by insurgents in the deep South and to let people in the southern provinces carry guns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867722-monk-calls-on-thai-govt-to-burn-down-1-mosque-for-1-dead-buddhist-monk/

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Indian Family thank Pattaya Traffic Police for returning lost bag



PATTAYA: -- A group of Traffic Police Volunteers were commended by the Pattaya Police Chief on Monday for ensuring a bag containing passports and jewelry which was misplaced by an Indian family in North Pattaya was safely returned to its rightful owner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867723-indian-family-thank-pattaya-traffic-police-for-returning-lost-bag/

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Radical Makeover of Chao Phraya River Delayed
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Fourteen kilometers of a concrete ‘promenade’ lining both sides of the mighty Chao Phraya river - to cost 14 billion baht - could prove a first phase of a larger 50-kilometer project proposed by the ruling junta. Photo: Matichon

BANGKOK — An ambitious and costly redevelopment project of the capital city’s greatest natural feature has been delayed after only one company was left in the running to get it started.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867724-radical-makeover-of-chao-phraya-river-delayed/

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UPDATE:

Pol Gen Prawut has returned from abroad but has not reported to work yet



BANGKOK: -- Former spokesman of the National Police Office Pol Gen Prawut Thavornsiri has returned home from an overseas trip after a weeklong speculation that he may resign from the police force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867629-prawut-has-returned-to-thailand-chakthip/#entry10033849

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US: Porsche and Audi drawn deeper into Volkswagen emissions-cheating scandal



WASHINGTON: -- The United States has expanded its investigation into Volkswagen, with claims the German carmaker has also installed emissions-control cheating devices in the latest diesel models of its luxury brands Audi and Porsche.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867725-us-porsche-and-audi-drawn-deeper-into-volkswagen-emissions-cheating-scandal/

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Russian plane crash: 'external factors' blamed



MOSCOW: -- External factors have been blamed for a Russian plane to crash on the Sinai Peninula in Egypt which claimed 224 lives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867726-russian-plane-crash-external-factors-blamed/

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Romania: Nightclub owners quizzed in manslaughter probe after deadly fire



BUCHAREST: -- The three owners of the Bucharest nightclub engulfed by fire during a rock concert were questioned on Monday on suspicion of manslaughter, as the death toll in one of Romania’s worst disasters in decades rose to 31.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867727-romania-nightclub-owners-quizzed-in-manslaughter-probe-after-deadly-fire/

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German village of 102 residents ordered to take in 750 asylum seekers

SUMTE: -- A German village of 102 inhabitants has been ordered to take in 750 asylum seekers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867729-german-village-of-102-residents-ordered-to-take-in-750-asylum-seekers/

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The ISS in numbers: 15 things it has improved on Earth



Today marks an important milestone in the history of humanity in space.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867730-the-iss-in-numbers-15-things-it-has-improved-on-earth/

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Two arrests in Vatican's worst leaks scandal since 'Vatileaks'



ROME: -- A “serious betrayal of the trust bestowed by the pope”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867731-two-arrests-in-vaticans-worst-leaks-scandal-since-vatileaks/