Thailand Live Wednesday 25 Nov 2015

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ISRA INSTITUTE THAI PRESS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
Nation Group wins four prizes for its reports on children's rights
The Nation



Nation Group has won four prizes this year for best news coverage and documentary on children's rights promotion.

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday Isra Institute Thai Press Development Foundation hosted the award ceremony at Century Park Hotel Bangkok with support from United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Thailand, giving four prizes to Kom Chad Luek and Krungthep Turakij newspapers and the NOW26 TV station.

The top award for print media was given to Kom Chad Luek for its report on the rights of handicapped children entitled "Miracle Bless" by Patinya Aiumtan, who was given Bt50,000.

Consolation prizes worth Bt20,000 each were awarded to Krungthep Turakij for its reports on violence during freshmen initiation ceremonies, written by Panjai Pinjinda and Sakun Bangkra, and on cyber bullying by Chutima Suncharen.

NOW26, meanwhile, was given a runners-up award for its report on the rights of stateless children.

Kom Chad Luek reporter Patinya said her report was inspired by the fact that many handicapped children still did not get aid from the government and that she wanted to publicise this issue so the authorities could take action. It was later discovered that once her report was published, the government began taking steps to help the children.

Isra Institute director Prasong Lertratanawisute said this award ceremony was initiated 10 years ago and this year, many media groups submitted their news coverage on children's rights in order to highlight this problem.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Nation-Group-wins-four-prizes-for-its-reports-on-c-30273674.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-25

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Women Accused of Drugging Farangs with Xanax-Spiked Breasts

Pattaya police display today a hardcopy of a CCTV image taped to a piece of cardboard they claim shows two women involved in drugging and robbing to foreign men.

PATTAYA — Pattaya police accused two women today of spiking drinks and their breasts with drugs to incapacitate two tourists and rob them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873397-women-accused-of-drugging-farangs-with-xanax-spiked-breasts/

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POLITICS
EU invite spurs wide debate
THE NATION


Yingluck Shinawatra

Court will decide if Yingluck will be able to go abroad : Prawit

BANGKOK: -- THE EUROPEAN Parliament's invitation for former premier Yingluck Shinawatra to visit for a meeting was the talk of the town yesterday - on whether the junta and Supreme Court will allow her to leave the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873455-yingluck-eu-invite-spurs-wide-debate/

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RAJABHAKTI SCANDAL
Defence Ministry to investigate Army park kickbacks scandal
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- IN THE FACE of growing public pressure, the Defence Ministry has decided to set up a committee to look into the Rajabhakti Park scandal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873456-thai-defence-ministry-to-investigate-army-park-kickbacks-scandal/

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DEPORTATION
China lauds Thai decision to repatriate two activists
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

Prayut dismisses international criticism and says he acted in national interest

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE international criticism, Thailand was right to repatriate two Chinese activists last week as they are citizens of China and they committed a crime, the Chinese ambassador to Thailand said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873457-china-lauds-thai-decision-to-repatriate-two-activists/

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LOY KRATHONG
Strict ban on floating lanterns near Bangkok landmarks and airports
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has warned that anybody selling or releasing airborne lanterns in key venues with tall and large buildings from 6pm today until 5am tomorrow would face up to three months in jail and/or Bt6,000 in fines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873458-loy-krathong-strict-ban-on-floating-lanterns-near-bangkok-landmarks-and-airports/

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FUND
Cabinet nod for fund to back 10 targeted sectors
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Cabinet has approved in principle a Finance Ministry proposal to set up a Bt10-billion fund to boost national competitiveness and new investment projects in 10 "future" industries targeted by the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873459-thai-cabinet-nod-for-fund-to-back-10-targeted-sectors/

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SEAFOOD
Progress made in fishery industry, says executive
The Nation, The Jakarta Post

BANGKOK: -- The THAI government has made remarkable progress on the issues of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and human trafficking, according to Thai Union Group's president and chief executive, Thiraphong Chansiri.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873460-progress-made-in-thai-fishery-industry-says-executive/

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OUTLOOK
Thai Union thrives amid bad news
PIchaya Changsorn
The Nation


Thiraphong

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE all the bad news surrounding the Thai fishery industry, Thai Union Group has achieved a record level of free cash flow and higher profitability this year - and is forecasting brighter prospects for 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873461-thai-union-thrives-amid-bad-news/

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4G
NBTC vows to be hospitable during 900MHz bidding procedure
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The telecom committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yesterday agreed to revise the bidding procedure for the December 15 auction of the two licences on the 900 MHz spectrum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873462-4g-nbtc-vows-to-be-hospitable-during-900mhz-bidding-procedure/

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Duped investors file complaint with CSD
Donrawee Sudphum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some 20 people yesterday filed complaints at the Crime Suppression Division saying that they had been duped by a 30-year-old woman from Trat via LINE app into investing a total of Bt10 million in stock, and not getting the high returns they were promised.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873464-duped-investors-file-complaint-with-csd/

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UPDATE:

South Korean man arrested over murder
Supakorn Akkanant
The Nation
CHON BURI

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday announced the arrest of a South Korean man for his alleged role in the November 19 murder of compatriot and syndicate gang member Lim Dong Joon, whose body was found in a car at a resort in Chon Buri's Huai Yai district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873149-south-korean-held-over-drug-charges;-thai-police-seek-to-link-him-to-murder/#entry10117240

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Warrants sought for suspects plotting against 'Bike for Dad'
WATTANA KHAMCHU
THE NATION


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cabinet members pedal through the grounds of Government House yesterday as part of rehearsals for the upcoming

BANGKOK: -- POLICE are seeking arrest warrants for suspects in an alleged plot to disrupt the upcoming "Bike for Dad" event in Bangkok, Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873465-warrants-sought-for-suspects-plotting-against-bike-for-dad/

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Erawan Shrine suspects face 10 charges in military court
Jitraporn Senawong
The Nation


Erawan Shrine bomb suspects Mieraili Yusufu, centre, and Bilal Mohammed, behind, are brought |to the Military Court in Bangkok yesterday before being indicted on 10 charges.

BANGKOK: -- THE Bangkok military court has formally indicted the two prime suspects in the August bombings in Bangkok on 10 charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873466-erawan-shrine-suspects-face-10-charges-in-military-court/

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Prawet district has highest number of dengue cases
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PRAWET district in Bangkok has had the highest number of dengue haemorrhagic fever cases this year with 745 patients, followed by Chatuchak (651) and Bang Kapi (625) as of November 14, the Health Bureau has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873467-bangkoks-prawet-district-has-highest-number-of-dengue-cases/

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Charae explains delays
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE SACKED secretary-general of the House of Representatives Secretariat yesterday issued a statement to explain delays in construction of the new Parliament building.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873468-charae-explains-delays-in-construction-of-the-new-parliament-building/

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BURNING ISSUE
Prawit's foreign policy blunders bringing Thailand into disrepute
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has been proven to be a novice in international relations. His foreign policy toward China is always wrong and counterproductive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873469-prawits-foreign-policy-blunders-bringing-thailand-into-disrepute/

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New bodies not needed to steer country through crises: CDC
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHARTER drafters believe that the Constitutional Court and other existing agencies are sufficient as "mechanisms to steer the country through crises", their spokesman said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873470-new-bodies-not-needed-to-steer-country-through-crises-cdc/

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PM adamant about academics
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha would not back down on prohibiting academics from expressing political views, saying: "If they don't fear [the] laws, let them [go ahead]."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873471-pm-prayut-adamant-about-academics/

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NRSA upbeat about draft reform plans
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Steering Assembly met with the media yesterday to update progress on its work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873472-nrsa-upbeat-about-draft-reform-plans/

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Former Pattaya Police Foreign Volunteer Arrested by Chonburi Immigration



PATTAYA: -- Immigration Police arrested a Danish man on Tuesday, accused of extortion of an arrested man and attempting to bribe a Royal Thai Police Officer, following an incident which occurred in 2012.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873474-former-pattaya-police-foreign-volunteer-arrested-by-chonburi-immigration/

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Crazed Russian arrested at South Pattaya Apartment Complex



PATTAYA: -- Police were called to an apartment complex in South Pattaya late on Monday night by its owner who was concerned over a Russian Resident who appeared to be acting erratically.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873476-crazed-russian-arrested-at-south-pattaya-apartment-complex/

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UPDATE:

Two drugging and robbery suspects arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- Two women aged 30 and 33 were arrested on Walking Street in South Pattaya on Tuesday afternoon, accused of drugging and then robbing an Israeli and Iranian Tourist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873397-women-accused-of-drugging-farangs-with-xanax-spiked-breasts/#entry10117300

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Bizarre fatal road incident in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 43-year-old pick-up driver was killed as he opened the driver door and was struck by a passing truck in East Pattaya on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873478-bizarre-fatal-road-incident-in-east-pattaya/

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PM blames previous governments for THAI's financial woes



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has blamed previous governments for doing nothing to address the chronic financial problem in Thai Airways International, the national flag carrier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873479-pm-prayut-blames-previous-governments-for-thais-financial-woes/

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100 Thais die each day from drug-resistant diseases



BANGKOK: -- About 38,000 Thais die of drug-resistant diseases each year out of some 88,000 people infected with bacteria or an average of 100 deaths a day which is higher than worldwide average rate, according to Ms Niyada Kiatying-ansulee, manager of the drugs development and monitoring centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873480-100-thais-die-each-day-from-drug-resistant-diseases/

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UPDATE:

PM defends the repatriation of two Chinese activists



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha reiterated today (Tuesday) that the repatriation of two Chinese activists back to China was done properly in accordance with the laws as there were warrants for their arrest from China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873457-china-lauds-thai-decision-to-repatriate-two-activists/#entry10117334

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UN human rights agency wants Thailand army jail closed

BANGKOK (AP) — The U.N. human rights agency on Tuesday called on Thailand to immediately close a military detention center where two high-profile prisoners died in controversial circumstances over the past month.

A statement from the U.N. Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia called on the country's ruling junta to stop using military facilities to hold civilian detainees.

The U.N. appeal follows the deaths in custody of two people arrested on charges of insulting the monarchy by claiming to be representing the royal palace for their own financial benefit. One was said to have died by suicide and the other from blood poisoning, but their bodies were hurriedly cremated, raising suspicions of a cover-up of inadequate care, if not abuse.

Thailand's military government has made safeguarding the monarchy a priority and has vigorously prosecuted alleged insults to the monarchy, a crime known as lese majeste that is punishable by 3 to 15 years imprisonment.

The military, which seized power from a civilian government last year, in September designated an army base on the outskirts of Bangkok as a venue to detain individuals on charges related to national security and other special cases. It mandated military trials for several offenses, including lese majeste, soon after taking power.

"The use of a military barracks as a detention facility is prone to human rights violations, including torture," the U.N. statement quoted Matilda Bogner, the right's agency's regional representative, as saying.

The U.N. office also called for a thorough investigation into the two deaths, explaining in its statement that "an independent and impartial investigation would clarify the circumstances of the deaths, ensure accountability and help prevent further similar incidents."


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-11-25

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Drought holds back Thailand's retail store expansion
BANGKOK | BY KHETTIYA JITTAPONG

BANGKOK: -- Nov 25 Sales have fallen at all but one of Thailand's major supermarket retailers as the worst drought in a decade strikes at the heart of the farming sector - the backbone of the rural economy - and frustrates plans to open more stores in the provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873481-drought-holds-back-thailands-retail-store-expansion/

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UPDATE:

One killed in brawl between vocational students
Angsuma Sridokkham
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A brawl between students from two rivalling colleges erupted yesterday morning near Soi Srinakarin 26 in Bangkok's Suan Luang district, resulting to one death and one injury.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873289-incredible-footage-captures-shocking-shooting-and-gang-fight-in-bangkok/page-4?p=10117357#entry10117357