Thailand Live Wednesday 2 Dec 2015

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US Downgrades Thai Air Safety Rating
By Todd Ruiz
Editor


Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok in an undated file photo. Photo: Matichon

WASHINGTON — Civil aviation officials in the United States have ruled Thailand does not comply with international safety standards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875266-us-downgrades-thai-air-safety-rating/

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UPDATE:

RAJABHAKTI PARK SCANDAL
Defiant Udomdej vows to stay on
THE NATION


Rajabhakti Park

ABHISIT URGES PERSON AT CENTRE OF PARK SCANDAL TO STEP DOWN

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr remained defiant yesterday amid growing pressure over the Rajabhakti Park scandal, making it clear that he would stay on while the investigation into the scandal goes on.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875071-general-udomdej-says-he-will-carry-on-with-his-work-as-usual/#entry10142304

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WRITING A NEW DRAFT
Yingluck 'can run in election after ban ends'
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION


Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- FORMER prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra would be able to contest in an election once she completes the five-year ban imposed on her following her impeachment, chief charter drafter Meechai Ruchupan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875269-yingluck-can-run-in-election-after-ban-ends/

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Thais protest over move to let foreigners practice law
PREEWADI WICHAIPRASIT
THE NATION

RALLY PLANNED IN BANGKOK AGAINST THE PROPOSED LIBERALISATION OF SECTOR

BANGKOK: -- THAI LAWYERS were getting ready yesterday to launch a rally in Bangkok today to voice their objection to an amendment to the Thailand Lawyers Act 1985, which would reportedly allow foreigners to practice law in the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875270-thais-protest-over-move-to-let-foreigners-practice-law/

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UPDATE:

AVIATION
'Little progress seen' on aviation safety woes
Suchat Sritama
The Nation


Thai Airways aircraft are parked on the tarmac at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport./Reuters

BANGKOK: -- A major airline operator has expressed frustration over poor aviation safety management, claiming that it is still facing difficulties expanding its services, particularly to Japan and other places in East Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875266-us-downgrades-thai-air-safety-rating/#entry10142311

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HIV/Aids stigma is putting patients at risk
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation


Red Cross Aids Research Centre

Carriers worry about discrimination if their infection becomes known

BANGKOK: -- FRETTING about rejection, people suffering from HIV/Aids naturally hide their secret, even from other people. To doctors, this is putting medical staff at risk and could hamper the effectiveness of treatment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875271-hivaids-stigma-is-putting-patients-at-risk/

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Critics doubt PM's climate pledge
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM,
JANJIRA PONGRAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday declared in front of the world community that Thailand would slash greenhouse gases by 20-25 per cent within 15 years, but critics panned the plan, saying it was just for show, as it looked unrealistic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875272-critics-doubt-thai-pms-climate-pledge/

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INFRASTRUCTURE
Cabinet nod for Transport Ministry mega-project plan
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET has approved the Transport Ministry's action plan for the fiscal 2016 budget, which involves the auctioning process for 20 transportation projects worth Bt1.796 trillion between 2015 and 2017, while around Bt58.435 billion is expected to be disbursed to fund construction of some of the projects during the current fiscal year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875273-thai-cabinet-nod-for-transport-ministry-mega-project-plan/

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RESERVE CURRENCY
Thailand to gain from IMF's yuan move
Business reporters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is expected to gain from more international trade and investment as a result of the wider use of the yuan after the International Monetary Fund's inclusion of the Chinese currency in its SDR (special drawing rights) basket, according to a senior Bank of Thailand official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875274-thailand-to-gain-from-imfs-yuan-move/

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AUTOMOBILE
Auto firms bank on Motor Expo
KINGSLEY WIJAYASINHA
THE NATION


The Subaru Viziv-2 concept car features a turbodiesel boxeengine and 3 electric motors.

BANGKOK: -- AUTOMOBILE companies are hoping to reap a significant number of orders at this year's "Thailand International Motor Expo", due to major excise-duty changes that take effect next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875275-auto-firms-bank-on-motor-expo/

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Residents seek probe into Ban Man Khong scheme projects
Kornkamon Aksorndech
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Canal-side residents in Bangkok city yesterday urged the authorities to suspend projects under the Ban Man Khong scheme and investigate alleged corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875276-bangkok-residents-seek-probe-into-ban-man-khong-scheme-projects/

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Vendors worry BMA drive will hurt their livelihood
VISARUT SANKHAM
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- STREET vendors in Bangkok's Tha Chang-Tha Phrachan area are lamenting that the city's "landscape improvement" operation, which prohibited all footpath stalls from Monday onwards, would "kill the area's charm and identity".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875277-bangkok-vendors-worry-bma-drive-will-hurt-their-livelihood/

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Oil spill in Chumphon buried
The Nation



CHUMPON: -- Provincial authorities yesterday employed heavy machinery to clear nearly 100-kilometres of a beach in Chumphon's Lang Suan district after it was covered in crude oil on Monday evening. Most of the oil deposit was disposed off by burying it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875278-oil-spill-in-chumphon-buried/

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Northeast farmers told to refrain from off-season rice
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FARMERS in Khon Kaen and three neighbouring provinces in the Northeast have been told to refrain from growing rice in the off-season, and instead opt for plants that consume less water until April 30 due to plunging water levels at the Ubonrat Dam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875279-farmers-in-isaan-told-to-refrain-from-off-season-rice/

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UDD leaders held 'as their aim was to cause confusion'
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- TWO leaders of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) were detained on Monday because their action was aimed at causing public confusion instead of checking on corruption as claimed, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875280-udd-leaders-held-as-their-aim-was-to-cause-confusion/

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EDITORIAL
Even celebrities deserve some privacy
The Nation

Media coverage of TV star Por Tridsadee's medical affliction has gone too far; it's time to end such invasiveness

BANGKOK: -- It's difficult to imagine having a loved one in critical condition in hospital with the news media swarming around as if on some sort of death watch. And yet, for celebrities, this is the norm. People on the street will discuss the case. Commentators will speculate about the chances of survival. Little if any regard is spared for the family's feelings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875281-thai-editorial-even-celebrities-deserve-some-privacy/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Why politics and technology are such bitter enemies
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Ever wonder why we never use science and technology to solve political problems?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875282-thai-opinion-why-politics-and-technology-are-such-bitter-enemies/

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Pattaya Court issues arrest warrant in Australian abduction case



PATTAYA: -- As Police continue to investigate the abduction of a 38-year-old Australian who was beaten unconscious and taken away in a pick-up truck from the front of his luxury villa in Jomtien early on Monday Morning, an arrest warrant for one of the suspected abductors has been issued and drug taking paraphernalia was found during a search of the victim’s villa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875283-pattaya-court-issues-arrest-warrant-in-australian-abduction-case/

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Stabbing at Central Pattaya Bus Station



PATTAYA: -- Police were called to a Bus Station in Central Pattaya late on Monday Night following reports of a stabbing which left a 21-year-old with minor injuries to his right hand and left wrist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875284-stabbing-at-central-pattaya-bus-station/

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UPDATE:

USFAA downgrades Thai aviation industry



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s aviation industry is dealt a devastating blow after the US Federal Aviation Administration has downgraded the aviation sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875266-us-downgrades-thai-air-safety-rating/#entry10142365

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Army warns elements who attempt to cause public disorder or confusion



BANGKOK: -- People who attempt to stir up unrest, public disorder or public confusion have been warned that they will be dealt with in accordance with the law by the military.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875285-thai-army-warns-elements-who-attempt-to-cause-public-disorder-or-confusion/

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Government likely to lose heavily from auction of spoilt rice



BANGKOK: -- The committee tasked with releasing old rice bought under the Yingluck government’s rice pledging scheme will soon meet to consider the bidding prices offered by 13 qualified bidders whether the 37,400 tonnes of spoilt rice should be sold or not.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875286-thai-government-likely-to-lose-heavily-from-auction-of-spoilt-rice/

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UPDATE:

Thailand Aviation Downgraded by US Federal Aviation Administration
BY JACOB MASLOW


Phuket, Thailand - October 25, 2014: AirAsia plane takes off from Phuket Airport. AirAsia group operates scheduled domestic and international flights to 100 destinations spanning 22 countries

BANGKOK: -- Thailand aviation sector has been downgraded by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday. The downgrade may result in a ripple effect, with bans occurring around the world for Thailand airlines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875266-us-downgrades-thai-air-safety-rating/#entry10142381

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Three injured in two-truck, one-car Phuket pile-up
Eakkapop Thongtub


Rescue workers were forced to use the 'jaws of life' to cut free two passengers injured in the back of the truck cab. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Three people were injured when three vehicles, two of them six-wheeled trucks, piled into each other in central Phuket yesterday afternoon (Nov 30).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875287-three-injured-in-two-truck-one-car-phuket-pile-up/

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Vice Governor vows to demolish Surin Beach clubs
Phuket Gazette


Vice Governor Chokdee said that returning Surin Beach to its natural beauty will be a New Year's gift to the world. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- What was once arguably Phuket’s most famous stretch of beach clubs will be demolished by New Year, vowed Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornrat today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875288-vice-governor-vows-to-demolish-surin-beach-clubs/

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Burning butts: Senior students humiliate freshmen in hazing rituals
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Senior students at an unknown vocational college have an unusual method of welcoming freshmen students to higher education: they humiliate them by setting fire to their buttocks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875289-senior-students-humiliate-freshmen-in-hazing-rituals/

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Man Arrested for Murdering Neighbour
by Aydan Stuart



CityNews – On November 30th, police arrested a Burmese man suspected for the murder of a man in Hang Dong, and concealing the body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875290-man-arrested-for-murdering-neighbour-in-chiang-mai/

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'Green Jihad': Faith leader’s call to save the planet



"The Green Jihad is to protect and save lives"

PARIS: -- Their methods may be unconventional but their passion for the cause can’t be denied.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875291-green-jihad-faith-leaders-call-to-save-the-planet/

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The Tonbari family of Syrian refugees arrive in Canada



MONTREAL: -- Ibrahim Tonbari and his family are starting a new life in Canada.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875292-the-tonbari-family-of-syrian-refugees-arrive-in-canada/

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Condom maker calls for safe-sex emoji to mark World AIDS Day



PARIS: -- World AIDS Day is being celebrated around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875293-condom-maker-calls-for-safe-sex-emoji-to-mark-world-aids-day/