Thailand Live Friday 13 Nov 2015

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More than 600,000 Thais will join BIKE FOR DAD

BANGKOK, 13 November 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Interior has revealed that more than 600,000 Thais in both Thailand and abroad have expressed their interest in joining BIKE FOR DAD on December 11.

Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda revealed that out of the 607,090 people joining the biking campaign, 99,999 are in Bangkok, 498,105 are from other provinces and the remaining 9,805 are living overseas.

General Anupong has instructed provincial governors and related agencies to provide security for participants of this event. The campaign will be organized in honor of His Majesty the King’s 88th birthday anniversary on December 5.


-- NNT 2015-11-13

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Tiger meat seized before being served in Bangkok restaurants
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Morning News

BANGKOK: -- A tiger meat trade gang was busted with a dead female tiger in their car as they were en route to deliver the meat to Bangkok restaurants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870247-tiger-meat-seized-before-being-served-in-bangkok-restaurants/

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WORLD CUP
Thailand on brink of qualification after comeback win over Taiwan


Photo : Tatchadon Panyaphanitkul

BANGKOK: -- Teerasil Dangda and Thana Chanabut each scored one goal and set up another to help Thailand secure a comeback 4-2 victory over a gritty Taiwan side yesterday, which put them on the brink of automatic qualification for the last-12 team round of the World Cup qualifiers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870292-world-cup-thailand-on-brink-of-qualification-after-comeback-win-over-taiwan/

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RAJABHAKTI SCANDAL
Army orders probe
JITRAPORN SENWONG,
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION



Investigation to be finished in one week and 'action taken against the guilty'

BANGKOK: -- THE ARMY has ordered an urgent investigation into alleged irregularities in the Rajabhakti Park project and vowed to take action against any guilty party.

"The Army expects the fact-finding committee to conclude its probe within one week," Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said yesterday.

He said the Army took this move to protect its reputation from the ongoing scandal.

"If any Army officer is found guilty, they will face actions in line with the law," he said.

"If any Army officer is found guilty, they will face actions in line with the law," he said.

Rumours about alleged irregularities in the Rajabhakti Project started swirling after Colonel Kachachart Boondee, a staff officer at the Third Army Area, was charged earlier this month with lese majeste along with the late famous fortune-teller Suriyan Sujaritpolwong's secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp.

It was alleged that they had falsely cited the Royal Family to demand money from big companies.

One suspect in custody

Jirawong is the only suspect in the high-profile case still in custody.

Suriyan, better known as Mor Yong, became ill during his detention at a temporary detention centre inside a Bangkok-based military camp and succumbed to blood infection on Saturday. The other suspect, Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapa, committed suicide last month.

Before he was arrested, Suriyan was a public relations subcommittee member for two prestigious campaigns - "Bike for Mom", which took place in August, and "Bike for Dad", scheduled for next month.

Kachachart stopped coming to work after Suriyan's gang was exposed. He is on the run.

After Kachachart's name was linked to Suriyan's gang, word spread that he was also involved in alleged irregularities in the Rajabhakti Park project

Funded by about Bt1 billion in donations, the project has developed a grand park in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district and erected huge statues of seven former Thai kings there under the Army's supervision.

After the scandal broke, top government figures with military backgrounds were pressured to look into the issue.

Winthai said that although the Rajabhakti Park project did not use a state budget, the Army decided to launch a probe in a bid to clear any lingering doubt.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the Rajabhakti Park Foundation and the Army would clarify the matter, as both were involved in the implementation of the project.

He denied that a major-general, who had recently resigned, was involved in the project's alleged irregularities.

"No, there's no complaint against him," Prawit said.

Acting deputy national police commissioner Lt-General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul disclosed that investigators had already completed one of the 16 cases against Suriyan's gang.

"The investigation report will be submitted to national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda for review," Srivara said.

Corrections Department director-general Vitaya Suriyawong denied rumours that Jirawong was dead.

"No, he is still alive and healthy," Vitaya said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Army-orders-probe-30272825.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-13

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BIDDING
Gruelling 4G licence auction nets Bt80 billion after 33 hours
BUSINESS REPORTERS
THE NATION November 13, 2015 1:00 am



BANGKOK: -- AFTER MORE than 33 hours of marathon bidding spread over two days, Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) of Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Move H Universal Communication of True Corp emerged as winners of 4G-1800MHz licences, with their combined bid amounting to Bt80.778 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870293-gruelling-4g-licence-auction-nets-bt80-billion-after-33-hours/

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UBON RATCHATHANI
Red-shirt leader offers to work with govt
ANAPAT DEECHUAY
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A RED-SHIRT leader in Ubon Ratchathani yesterday promised to work with the government in restoring peace in society and helping to develop the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870294-red-shirt-leader-offers-to-work-with-thai-govt/

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NEW CHARTER
Doubts raised over CDC's 'PM list' idea
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

Politicians query real intention, say list quite unnecessary

BANGKOK: -- TWO KEY political parties have raised doubts about the charter drafters' intentions behind the "PM candidate list", saying they don't think this list is necessary as voters know that it is usually the winning party's leader who becomes the premier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870295-thai-charter-doubts-raised-over-cdcs-pm-list-idea/

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PRINCE MAHIDOL AWARDS
Inventor and researcher win the awards
Keskarn Boonphen
The Nation


Professor Morton M Mower

American Mower, Briton Marmot chosen for contributions to healthcare

BANGKOK: -- TWO FOREIGNERS have won the prestigious Prince Mahidol Awards this year for their outstanding contributions to the world's healthcare sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870296-american-mower-briton-marmot-win-prince-mahidol-awards/

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4G
A huge learning curve for NBTC
USANEE MONGKOLPORN,
SIRIVISH TOOMGUM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE MARATHON bidding for two telecommunication licences on the 1800-megahertz spectrum by three of the four bidders ended yesterday after cut-throat competition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870297-4g-bidding-a-huge-learning-curve-for-nbtc/

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BUSINESS ACT
'One person, one firm' mulled
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Business Development Department plans to propose a law allowing a single person to establish a new company.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870298-thai-business-act-one-person-one-firm-mulled/

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JEWELLERY
Gems, jewellery industry to seek govt support
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The gems and jewellery industry plans to ask for the government's support on four main issues in a bid to double the share of Thai exports of these products in the world market to 4 per cent within five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870299-gems-jewellery-industry-to-seek-thai-govt-support/

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Bangkok bomb suspects, identified as Uighurs, set to be indicted
The Nation


Corrections officials yesterday accompany the two prime suspects in the double bombings in Bangkok in August to the Military Court to seek their further detention. Out front is Meiraili Yusufu, followed by Bilal Muhammed.

BANGKOK: -- THE MILITARY Court's prosecutors are expected to next week indict two suspects accused of involvement in the two bomb explosions in Bangkok in August, the lawyer of one of the suspects said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870300-bangkok-bomb-suspects-identified-as-uighurs-set-to-be-indicted/

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Actor Tridsadee still fighting for his life, uproar over photos online
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- ACTOR TRIDSADEE Sahawong remained in critical condition yesterday following complications related to dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870301-actor-tridsadee-still-fighting-for-his-life-uproar-over-photos-online/

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Thailand rated high-risk for graft
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND has been rated as a very high-risk country for corruption in the defence and security industries, according to Transparency Inter-national, a Berlin-based global coalition against corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870302-thailand-rated-high-risk-for-graft/

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BURNING ISSUE
Excessive focus on structure won't bring us true democracy
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG

BANGKOK: -- It has been over a month now since work on the new charter began. Considering the timeframe for its completion, it could be said that the new round of charter writing has completed one-fourths of the journey.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870303-thai-politics-excessive-focus-on-structure-wont-bring-us-true-democracy/

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Man gunned-down outside of East Pattaya Village



PATTAYA: -- Late on Wednesday Night Police and rescue workers were called to the front of a village in East Pattaya to deal with the murder of a 30 year old man.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870306-man-gunned-down-outside-of-east-pattaya-village/

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14 year old student killed in North Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday afternoon a 14 year old student who was driving home from school on a motorbike, collided head-on with a pick-up truck and was killed instantly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870307-14-year-old-student-killed-in-north-pattaya-road-crash/

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13 people caught gambling at East Pattaya house



PATTAYA: -- A total of 13 people were caught playing cards for money at a house in the Pong area on Thursday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870308-13-people-caught-gambling-at-east-pattaya-house/

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Phuket police, officials ramp up anti-drink driving offensive
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Armornwat today supported all calls to curtail drink driving by public transport operators. Photo: Tanayluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- Police and the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) today (Nov 12) vowed to end the deadly antics of public transport drivers on the island after a week of horror car crashes left a Chinese tourist comatose and a traffic police officer mowed down dead by a minivan with a drunk driver behind the wheel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870309-phuket-police-officials-ramp-up-anti-drink-driving-offensive/

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Phuket officials check for illegal tour business operators and guides
The Phuket News


Santi Pawai said that they did find some tour companies using illegal tour guides and that they had been given a warning, but if they find them doing the same again their tour operation licence may be revoked.

PHUKET: -- The Ministry of Tourism & Sports director together with over 40 officials from Royal Thai Navy, Tha Chatchai Police and Tourist Police yesterday (Nov 11) conducted checks on minivans, tour buses and tour operations at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870310-phuket-officials-check-for-illegal-tour-business-operators-and-guides/

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Phu Tab Boek landfill to be closed permanently



PETCHABUN: -- A landfill at Phu Tab Boek in Petchabun’s Lomsak district will be permanently closed after some 40 resort operators at the popular mountain resort agreed to dispose their garbages at another landfill on the foot of the mountain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870311-phu-tab-boek-landfill-to-be-closed-permanently/

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Launch of rockets for rain making to start next February or March



BANGKOK: -- The Agricultural Aviation and Rain-making Department and the National Defence Technology Institute will start launching rockets into the atmosphere to make rains in next February or March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870312-launch-of-rockets-for-rain-making-to-start-next-february-or-march/

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Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s relatives arrested



CARACAS: - Two of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s relatives have been indicted in the US for cocaine smuggling. The action comes at the end of an international sting which Venezuela cast as an “imperialist” attack. It’s believed the move will further strain relations between the countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870313-venezuela-president-nicolas-maduros-relatives-arrested/

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Palestinian killed as Israeli forces mount undercover raid Hebron hospital



HEBRON: -- Undercover Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian and seized a man suspected of stabbing and wounding an Israeli in a hospital in Hebron.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870314-palestinian-killed-as-israeli-forces-mount-undercover-raid-hebron-hospital/

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ISIL claims responsibility for bloody Beirut bomb blasts



BEIRUT: -- ISIL has claimed responsibility for the deadly double bomb attack in Beirut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870315-isil-claims-responsibility-for-bloody-beirut-bomb-blasts/

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Coffee for George Clooney in Edinburgh



EDINBURGH: -- What do you do when a Hollywood star drops into your shop – offer him a coffee. George Clooney visited the charity cafe Social Bite in Edinburgh after an invitation from the co-owner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870316-coffee-for-george-clooney-in-edinburgh/

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Jordanian police academy killer on a journey to ‘paradise or hell’



AMMAN: -- Thousands of mourners have attended the funeral of a Jordanian police captain who shot dead five people at police training centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870317-jordanian-police-academy-killer-on-a-journey-to-paradise-or-hell/

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Platini not included on list of five candidates for FIFA presidency



ZURICH: -- Football’s world governing body FIFA has approved five candidates to run for its presidency in February, amid the worst crisis in the organisation’s history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870320-platini-not-included-on-list-of-five-candidates-for-fifa-presidency/

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'Jihadist network' dismantled in Europe-wide anti-terror crackdown



PARIS: -- At least 15 people suspected of terrorism offences were arrested across Europe on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870321-jihadist-network-dismantled-in-europe-wide-anti-terror-crackdown/

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Greek 24-hour general strike as protesters demonstrate against austerity measures



ATHENS: -- Workers in Greece have responded to austerity measures and taken to the streets of Athens. Three separate rallies led to the centre of the city being closed. Traffic ground to a standstill as protesters made their way to the Greek Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870322-greek-24-hour-general-strike-as-protesters-demonstrate-against-austerity-measures/