Thailand Live Thursday 12 Nov 2015

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BIKE FOR DAD
Over 600,000 riders register
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A TOTAL of 607,909 people in Thailand and beyond have registered their participation in the upcoming "Bike for Dad" event- the historic cycling parade to mark the 88th birthday of His Majesty the King.

Krisda Boonraj, permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, yesterday said 99,999 of the registered participants were from Bangkok and 498,105 were from the provinces.

"A total of 9,805 participants registered themselves to join the events overseas," he added.

The Bike for Dad event will be held on December 11 in various parts of Thailand as well as many other countries. Although that Friday is not a national holiday, the government plans to seek co-operation from organisations involved to allow their members to join the event.

The mass bicycle ride is in response to HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's wish to encourage Thai people from all walks of life to express their gratitude and loyalty to His Majesty the King on the occasion of his birthday celebrations.

The event is also meant to show the unity of the Thai people.

The Crown Prince will lead the Bike for Dad event in Bangkok.

Dr Kamjorn Tatiyakavee, permanent secretary of the Education Ministry, said his ministry was in charge of preparing commemorative books for the Bike for Dad event.

"The books will compile the history and royal works of the Crown Prince, and also present pictures of people participating in the Bike for Dad event," he disclosed.

Kamjorn said the commemorative books will be in two languages: English and Thai. They will also be available in two versions. The 500-page version will be given to various government agencies. The 160-page version will be given to members of the general public.

"We will publish 10,000 copies of the 500-page version, and 100,000 copies of the 160-page version," he said.

He added that an e-book version would be available for people to download too.

"We should be ready to hand out the books in February next year," he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, instructed all relevant authorities to ensure the safety of cyclists taking part in the event and to facilitate the traffic on that day.

Deputy Police Spokesman Pol Colonel Krissana Pattancharoen disclosed that more than 10,000 police officers would be deployed for the Bike for Dad event.

"We have also prepared more than 1,000 CCTV cameras," he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Over-600000-riders-register-30272731.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-12

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Finnish Tourist caught-up in unpaid bill dispute at Pattaya Beer Bar



PATTAYA: -- A 53 year old tourist from Finland was caught-up in a situation outside of a Beer Bar in Soi 8 off Pattaya Beach Road late on Monday Night which saw him struck over the head with a shoe belonging to a Ladyboy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/869999-finnish-tourist-caught-up-in-unpaid-bill-dispute-at-pattaya-beer-bar/

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DEADLY DISEASE
Spotlight on dengue danger after actor stricken with disease
Puangchumpoo Prasert
Kampranart Lalong
The Nation


Actor Tridsadee Sahawong

BANGKOK: -- THAI medical centres are now on full alert for the deadly threat of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), after the disease left popular actor Tridsadee Sahawong in a critical condition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870095-spotlight-on-dengue-danger-after-thai-actor-stricken-with-disease/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Yingluck writes to PM over 'inaccurate' reasons
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FORMER prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has written an open letter to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha seeking justice over the current government's attempt to seek massive compensation for damages estimated at around Bt600 billion caused by the previous government's rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/869921-yingluck-petitions-prayut-for-fair-trial/page-3?p=10067785#entry10067785

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UPDATE:

COURT
Four red shirts sentenced over City Hall arson attack
The Nation


File Photo

KHON KAEN: -- Khon Kaen's provincial court yesterday sentenced four red-shirt protesters to between three and 13 years in jail for their role in an arson attack on the provincial City Hall five years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/869947-4-udd-members-jailed-for-torching-khon-kaen-provincial-hall-in-2010/page-2#entry10067786

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Chinese, Thai air forces to hold first joint exercise

BEIJING: -- The Chinese and Thai air forces will this month hold their first joint exercises, China's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, in another sign of army-led Thailand's increased engagement with Beijing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870096-china-thailand-to-hold-first-air-force-joint-exercises/

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Top Thai Airways execs to take pay cuts in loss-making months
SOMLUCK SRIMALEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAI AIRWAYS International's eight top-level executives will take a 10-per-cent pay cut in loss-making months until the airline returns to profitability, its president announced yesterday amid growing criticism of the carrier's poor management and huge losses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870097-top-thai-airways-execs-to-take-pay-cuts-in-loss-making-months/

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NBTC consults junta on timing of 2G switch-off after spectrum auctions
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has consulted the junta on when it should switch off second-generation cellular service after its two spectrum auctions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870098-nbtc-consults-govt-on-timing-of-2g-switch-off-after-spectrum-auctions/

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SBPAC vows to establish peace in southern border provinces in 2016

YALA, 12 November 2015 (NNT) – Peace will be finally established in Thailand's southernmost provinces in 2016, confirmed Phanu Uthairat, the secretary-general of the Southern Border Province Administration Center (SBPAC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870099-sbpac-vows-to-establish-peace-in-southern-thai-border-provinces-in-2016/

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Ministry of Labor launches crackdown on human trafficking

BANGKOK, 12 November 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Labor has launched a crackdown on suspected human traffickers, especially those preying on illegal laborers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870100-thai-labor-min-launches-crackdown-on-human-trafficking/

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Govt rates three public organisations as very poor
The Nation

Only three of 35 organisations ranked as 'outstanding', rest may face the axe

BANGKOK: -- THE STANDARDS of just three out of 35 public organisations fall in the "improvement needed" category, according to an Office of Public Sector Development Commission report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870101-thai-govt-rates-three-public-organisations-as-very-poor/

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Probe into park scandal on hold as no complaints filed
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- POLICE have yet to begin investigating the alleged irregularities involving the Royal Thai Army's Rajabhakti Park project because no formal complaints have been filed so far, a senior police spokesman said yesterday.

Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman Pol Maj-General Piyapan Pingmuang said Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr had not been summoned for questioning, because initial fact-finding efforts found nothing linking him to the scandal.

"To summon anyone for questioning, a police complaint must be filed first. So far nobody has come forward to file a complaint," he said.

Piyapan was responding to questions from reporters about allegations that kickbacks had been sought from foundries commissioned to cast the imposing statues of seven Thai kings for Rajabhakti Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

On Tuesday, Udomdej, who inaugurated the project while serving as Army chief, confirmed that officials had intervened and the foundries had agreed to donate the money they had set aside for kickbacks.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said the police investigation into a high-profile lese-majeste case had not yet been expanded to cover the Rajabhakti Park project scandal.

Deputy national police chief Pol Lt-General Srivara Ransibhramanakul said yesterday that no complaints had been filed with police over alleged irregularities involving the project. He said he knew nothing about the case and declined to comment about it.

As for the lese-majeste case, Srivara said it involved 16 offences and four suspects - two of whom died in detention recently.

Of the three arrested suspects, Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapa was allegedly found hanging in his cell, while well-known fortune-teller Suriyan Sujaritpolwong is believed to have succumbed to a blood infection. The third Jirawong Wattanathewasilp is still under detention at the 11th Military Circle. Srivara said the last suspect - Colonel Kachahart Boondee - has reportedly fled to Myanmar, adding that the two deaths should not affect the case.

Piyapan said yesterday that investigation into the lese-majeste case was nearly complete, though a few more witnesses still had to be questioned.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Probe-into-park-scandal-on-hold-as-no-complaints-f-30272737.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-12

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PM candidates must be listed before polls, CDC panel says
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

AIM IS TO ENSURE PEOPLE KNOW WHO THEY WILL BE ELECTING WHEN CASTING BALLOT

BANGKOK: -- A CHARTER drafter's sub-panel proposed yesterday that political parties must submit the names of their prime minister candidates during an election campaign in order to give voters a clear idea of who would lead the country if the party won the election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870102-thai-pm-candidates-must-be-listed-before-polls-cdc-panel-says/

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Steering assembly briefs foreign diplomats on its planned reforms
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) yesterday briefed 74 Thailand-based foreign diplomats and the heads of six international organisations about its reconciliation and reform efforts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870103-steering-assembly-briefs-thailand-based-foreign-diplomats-on-its-planned-reforms/

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Military and NCPO urged to stop threatening people
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The New Democracy Movement yesterday called on the military and related agencies such as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to stop threatening people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870104-military-and-ncpo-urged-to-stop-threatening-people/

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Book of condolences for late-chancellor available
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The German Embassy in Bangkok will make available a book of condolences for those wishing to mourn the passing of former chancellor Helmut Schmidt.

Schmidt, 96, passed away on Tuesday in Hamburg.

He was the fifth chancellor of then-West Germany, serving from 1974 to 1982.

A book of condolences will be made available today from 10am to 4pm and tomorrow from 10am to 1pm at the German Embassy.

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier mourned the death of Schmidt, describing him as "a German democrat, a European pioneer and a global thinker".

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Book-of-condolences-for-late-chancellor-available-30272741.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-12

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THAI TALK
Eighteen-month countdown to election remains touch-and-go
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Only about two weeks before he told a gathering of youngsters that the next general election will be held 18 months from now, Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha had told another audience: If national reconciliation doesn't take place, the election may not be held.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870105-thai-talk-eighteen-month-countdown-to-election-remains-touch-and-go/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
A country where everyone is corrupt, even grandmothers
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- That's not a description of Thailand - not yet anyway. It was applied by a Kenyan to his own country, an East African state roughly the size of Thailand and known for its coffee and safaris. It is also the home country of US President Barack Obama's father.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870106-thai-opinion-a-country-where-everyone-is-corrupt-even-grandmothers/

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EDITORIAL
Rajabhakti Park scandal a test for the government
The Nation

The fight against corruption could pivot on how allegations of kickbacks for Army officers are handled

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has reacted swiftly to revelations that some of its officers might have received kickbacks from foundries commissioned to cast the enormous statues of seven great Thai kings for its Rajabhakti Park project in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870107-rajabhakti-park-scandal-a-test-for-the-government-thai-editorial/

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Thai Immigration Deports Four Russian Nationals

BANGKOK – Four Russians Nationals, who were arrested in Thailand on request of Interpol’s Russian National central bureau, were deported from the country to their homeland, RIA Novosti reported on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870108-thai-immigration-deports-four-russian-nationals/

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DSI deputy chief moved to Forensic Science Institute



BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation’s deputy director-general for special cases Pol Lt-Col Wannapong Kotcharak has been transferred to become deputy director of Forensic Science Institute of the Justice Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870109-dsi-deputy-chief-moved-to-forensic-science-institute/

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Deputy PM: Rice pledging scheme case being treated fairly

BANGKOK, 12 November 2015 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has affirmed that the government upholds fairness in handling the rice pledging scheme case, insisting that the issuance of an administrative order is to protect public interests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870110-deputy-thai-pm-rice-pledging-scheme-case-being-treated-fairly/

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Beer giants AB InBev and SABMiller agree terms for mega merger



MILWAUKEE: -- The mega beer merger is a step closer. The world’s biggest brewer AB InBev has launched its bid of over 100 billion dollars for its nearest rival SABMiller.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870112-beer-giants-ab-inbev-and-sabmiller-agree-terms-for-mega-merger/

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Alibaba sales break Singles’ Day record in China



BEIJING: -- China’s e-commerce market leader Alibaba says online sales during Singles’ Day have exceeded last year’s total of $9.3 billion (8.6 billion euros).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870113-alibaba-sales-break-singles-day-record-in-china/

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Sharm el-Sheikh and Egypt’s tourism fear hangover from Sinai crash
By Alasdair Sandford | With MOHAMMED SHAIKHIBRAHIM, REUTERS



CAIRO: -- Egypt’s President has said the “lights will not be going out in Sharm el-Sheikh”, as he visited the Red Sea resort hit by the suspension of foreign flights in the aftermath of the Russian plane crash that international investigators suspect was caused by a bomb.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870114-sharm-el-sheikh-and-egypts-tourism-fear-hangover-from-sinai-crash/

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Trump under fire from rivals in US Republican debate



MILWAUKEE: -- The fourth Republican debate in the search for a US presidential nominee saw Donald Trump under sustained attack from his rivals – not least over the billionaire businessman’s plan to build a wall along the border with Mexico and deport millions of illegal immigrants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870115-trump-under-fire-from-rivals-in-us-republican-debate/

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Migrant crisis: Slovenia begins building fence on border with Croatia



PARIS: -- Slovenia has started erecting a wire fence along its border with Croatia to help control the flow of refugees and migrants arriving daily.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870116-migrant-crisis-slovenia-begins-building-fence-on-border-with-croatia/

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Spain: PM Rajoy turns to Constitutional Court to block Catalonia independence moves



MADRID: -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has moved to block Catalonia’s efforts to split from Spain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870117-spain-pm-rajoy-turns-to-constitutional-court-to-block-catalonia-independence-moves/

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Millions fall silent to mark Armistice Day
By Tokunbo Salako | With REUTERS/AP



PARIS: -- Millions of people across Europe and the world have taken part in Armistice Day commemorations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870118-millions-fall-silent-to-mark-armistice-day/

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Syria conflict: Turkey's Erdogan issues a ‘friendly warning’



ANKARA: -- Turkey renewed calls for a safe zone for refugees in Syria on Wednesday as war continues to tear that country apart.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870119-syria-conflict-turkeys-erdogan-issues-a-friendly-warning/