Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Nov 2015

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Thailand blasted for deporting Chinese dissidents

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK:-- The UN’s refugee body is furious at the Thai government for kicking out five Chinese nationals, including two dissidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871466-thailand-blasted-for-deporting-chinese-dissidents/

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Prayuth Asks Kanchanaburi to Tone Down River Disco Parties

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen

Staff Reporter

This is not a night club - it's a disco raft operated by Thaisaree. Photo: Thaisaree.com

KANCHANABURI — Head west from the capital for an idyllic weekend on the Khwae Noi river in Kanchanaburi province and discover a reality of serenity-blowing dance music screaming from an armada of floating disco barges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871467-prayuth-asks-kanchanaburi-to-tone-down-river-disco-parties/

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AFTERMATH
Security stepped up for Loy Krathong, King's birthday, New Year
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION


Yingluck Shinawatra also went to the French Embassy on Charoen Krung Road and signed a book of condolences.

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT will step up security precautions during the upcoming festive season, which includes next Wednesday's Loy Krathong and New Year celebrations - in response to heightened concerns following the horrific terror attacks in Paris last Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871517-security-stepped-up-for-loy-krathong-kings-birthday-new-year/

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HALF-MARATHON?
Bangkok runners to get shirts for 'longest-ever' half-marathon
The Nation, Agencies

BANGKOK: -- Organisers of the Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon have promised to hand finisher jerseys in compensation to participants who were made to run an extra 5.5 kilometres on top of the standard 21.1km in Sunday's early morning race.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871518-bangkok-runners-to-get-shirts-for-longest-ever-half-marathon/

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NEW CHARTER
Senators may lose power to impeach politicians
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

CDC considers taking away this authority in bid to end Parliament's 'Spouse House'

BANGKOK: -- CONSTITUTION drafters are eyeing the option of stripping senators of the power to impeach political office holders, so voters do not voice dissatisfaction if the commission resolves not to have elected senators, commission spokesman Norachit Sinhaseni said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871520-new-thai-charter-senators-may-lose-power-to-impeach-politicians/

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RICE PLEDGING SCHEME
Wissanu clarifies govt decision to enforce civil liability law
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam held a press conference yesterday to clarify the government's move to enforce the civil liability law, which allows the state to issue an administrative order against officials who damage national interests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871521-rice-pledging-scheme-wissanu-clarifies-govt-decision-to-enforce-civil-liability-law/

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CABINET APPROVE
Cabinet green lights deal with China on double-track railway from Nong Khai to Bangkok
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved the signing on December 19 of the memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with China for building the Bt400 billion double-track railway from Nong Khai to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871522-cabinet-green-lights-deal-with-china-on-double-track-railway-from-nong-khai-to-bangkok/

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APEC
Japan investors wooed for 'Super-Cluster'
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has urged Japan to invest more in the Kingdom under the Super-Cluster policy, and also increase market access for farm crops such as mangos and processed pork.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871523-japan-investors-wooed-for-super-cluster/

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Underground parking to ease traffic in Rattanakosin
The Nation


Sanam Luang

BANGKOK: -- In a bid to ease traffic around Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will build a carpark under Sanam Luang, the city governor's adviser Wanlop Suwandee revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871524-bangkok-underground-parking-to-ease-traffic-in-rattanakosin/

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UPDATE:

Child rapist, murderer gets life in prison, for third time
The Nation


Nui

BANGKOK: -- A MAN who confessed to raping as many as 10 children and killing four, received another life sentence yesterday after being convicted of raping and killing a seven-year-old boy in Loei's Wang Saphung district in November 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871454-thai-man-given-life-imprisonment-for-sexually-assaulting-and-murdering-a-7-year-old-boy/#entry10090242

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Vaccine expected in five years
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THAI researchers expect a vaccine for all strains of dengue haemorrhagic fever will be available in the next five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871525-mahidol-university-dengue-fever-vaccine-expected-in-five-years/

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UPDATE:

Doctors call for more funds to find cure for dengue fever
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT should fund research and human-resource development to combat dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), an expert told a recent seminar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871525-mahidol-university-dengue-fever-vaccine-expected-in-five-years/#entry10090249

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Six new panels join 'Five Rivers' as reform plan takes shape
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION


Representatives from the civic sector present a proposal to Anothai Ritpanyawong, chairman of the NRSA committee on social reform, at Parliament.

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET has endorsed a new structure to drive reforms, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at his weekly press briefing yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871526-six-new-panels-join-five-rivers-as-reform-plan-takes-shape/

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BURNING ISSUE
Fierce rivalry in cellular market bodes well for consumers
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- WHILE the latest auction of 1800 MHz spectrum for the fourth-generation (4G) telecom licences was hailed for its transparent bidding, Thai consumers will gain more if the upcoming 900 MHz spectrum leads to additional operators and greater competition in the marketplace.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871527-thai-politics-fierce-rivalry-in-cellular-market-bodes-well-for-consumers/

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STOPPAGE TIME
What's next for the 'bad boy' of Thai politics?
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- If Chuwit Kamolvisit lives up to his reputation for brutal honesty, he will have landed at Suvarnabhumi by the time you are reading this, or at least be in the air, Bangkok-bound. And "with one foot behind bars", as the Thai saying goes, that's courageous. How many politicians or rich celebrities in similar circumstances would choose to leave the safety and comfort of life abroad?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871528-whats-next-for-the-bad-boy-of-thai-politics/

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EDITORIAL
Successful 4G bidding just half the battle
The Nation

The national telecom regulator should help new firms break the grip of the "big three", thus assuring reasonable service rates

BANGKOK: -- There were few surprises in the just-ended 4G bidding hosted by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Key players True Move H Universal Communication (True) and Advanced Info Service (AIS) remain the dominant forces in the lucrative industry after securing 1800MHz licences. And all the signs indicate they will be even more omnipresent for the near future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871529-thai-editorial-successful-4g-bidding-just-half-the-battle/

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Leopard video from Jomtien Real Estate Office investigated by Pattaya Officials



PATTAYA: -- A video of what appeared to be a Leopard roaming free inside a Real Estate Office in Jomtien was investigated by District Officials and the Army on Tuesday and saw the seizure of a number of endangered animals from the location.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871530-leopard-video-from-jomtien-real-estate-office-investigated-by-pattaya-officials/

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Cat jumps to its death from South Pattaya Condominium



PATTAYA: -- A 3 year old pet cat jumped to his death from a South Pattaya Condominium on Monday and was then electrocuted after falling onto a power transformer located next to the building.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871531-cat-jumps-to-its-death-from-south-pattaya-condominium/

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UPDATE:

Thailand believed to have deported 2 Chinese activists

BANGKOK (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency criticized Thailand on Tuesday for deporting two refugees who were about to be resettled in a third country. Rights groups identified the two as Chinese pro-democracy activists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871466-thailand-blasted-for-deporting-chinese-dissidents/#entry10090281

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Trial Dates Set for Journalist in Possession of Bulletproof Vest, Helmet in Thailand
by CHRIS FUCHS

BANGKOK: -- A Thai court has set trial dates for a Hong Kong-based photojournalist arrested in August on charges of violating Thai law for possessing a bulletproof vest and helmet after covering a bombing at a Bangkok shrine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871532-trial-dates-set-for-journalist-in-possession-of-bulletproof-vest-helmet-in-thailand/

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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - Nigerian ex-security adviser accused of stealing $2 billion meant to fight Islamic extremists.

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Chuvit warned by the court not to leave the country again without prior court's permission



BANGKOK: -- Rak Prathet Thai party leader Chuvit Kamolvisit was on Tuesday warned by the Bangkok South Criminal Court not to leave the country again without prior permission from the court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871533-chuvit-warned-by-the-court-not-to-leave-the-country-again-without-prior-courts-permission/

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Ex-energy minister will need a permit from NCPO to attend conference in Washington DC



BANGKOK: -- Former energy minister Pichai Nariptapant will have to get a permission from the National Council for Peace and Order in order to attend a conference organized by the US Congress in Washington DC, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871534-ex-energy-minister-will-need-a-permit-from-ncpo-to-attend-conference-in-washington-dc/

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UPDATE:

PM to attend UN conference on climate change in Paris



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will attend the United Nations Conference on Climate Change to be held in Paris during November 30-December 11.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871397-prayut-confirms-participation-in-paris-climate-change-summit/#entry10090314

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Resident Protest at Waterless Village in North Pattaya gets result



PATTAYA: -- Following years of not receiving a government water supply at a Village in North Pattaya, residents made a final protest to the local Mayor and the Army and their pressure appears to have paid off.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871535-resident-protest-at-waterless-village-in-north-pattaya-gets-result/

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Phuket's 'Hollywood Museum' set for Friday showdown
The Phuket News


Tourists relax in the shades of the trees that are at the centre of Phuket 'Holltywood Museum' maelstrom. Photo: Courtesy of Brian Stamm

PHUKET: -- The date has been set – any persons who would like to express their support or opposition to the now re-designed B40 million Phuket movie scene “museum” on the Nai Harn beachfront can voice their opinion at a meeting on Friday (Nov 21).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871536-phukets-hollywood-museum-set-for-friday-showdown/

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UPDATE:

“Stupidity Fee” Valued at 9.8 Billion Baht Approved by Thailand’s Cabinet 0
BY JACOB MASLOW

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Cabinet has agreed to what is called a “stupidity fee.” This fee has been assessed following the scandal of the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant. In total, the fee will be 9.8 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871393-cabinet-approves-bt8-billion-to-pay-compensation-over-klong-dan-project/#entry10090337

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Master Poll has reservations about Thai human trafficking record
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Master Poll's study yesterday revealed 15 issues deterring Thailand's progress in tackling crimes involving human trafficking. They include agencies' differences in identifying victims, a lack of unity on related laws, and scattered data about the human trafficking crimes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871539-master-poll-has-reservations-about-thai-human-trafficking-record/

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'Bike for Dad' day may be declared national holiday
Nantida Puangthong
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday considered whether it should declare December 11 a national holiday. This is the day when "Bike for Dad" events will be held nationwide, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said after the Cabinet's weekly meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871540-bike-for-dad-day-may-be-declared-national-holiday/

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Russia vows to hunt down airliner bombers and steps up strikes on ISIL in Syria



MOSCOW: -- Russia says it has stepped up airstrikes against ISIL militants after the Kremlin accepted that it was a bomb that brought down a Russian airliner over Egypt last month killing all 224 people on board.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871541-russia-vows-to-hunt-down-airliner-bombers-and-steps-up-strikes-on-isil-in-syria/