Thailand Live Friday 4 Dec 2015

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Phuket targets biker gangs after Aussie Hells Angels slaying
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Police are on the lookout for any criminal activity being conducted by biker gangs on the island. Photo: Roy Lister

PHUKET: -- Police in Phuket ramped up security measures geared toward tracking international bike-gang members following the gunpoint abduction and slaying of Australian Hells Angels motorcycle gang member Wayne Rodney Schneider in Pattaya this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875774-phuket-targets-biker-gangs-after-aussie-hells-angels-slaying/

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Thailand must get tough on tricksters targeting tourists, says official
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK -- Thailand must clamp down on scammers targeting tourists as they are damaging the country's image overseas, the Tourism Department says.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875800-thailand-must-get-tough-on-tricksters-targeting-tourists-says-official/

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Moscow Warns That ISIS in Thailand to Attack Russian Targets
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Still image from an Islamic State propaganda video found on YouTube.

BANGKOK — Ten Syrian members of the Islamic State slipped into Thailand last month to attack Russian interests, according to a leaked Thai police memo citing information from the Russian Federal Security Service, or FSB.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875864-moscow-warns-that-isis-in-thailand-to-attack-russian-targets/

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ERAWAN BOMBING
Interpol arrests couple wanted for fatal bombing
THE NATION


Wanna

BANGKOK: -- Interpol has arrested Thai and foreign suspects for their alleged role in the Bangkok bombings in August that claimed 20 lives and injured many others, deputy police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875865-interpol-arrests-couple-wanted-for-fatal-bangkok-bombing/

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AVIATION
Govt to hold urgent meeting with airlines
JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG,
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION



Experts don't expect Thai tourism business to be affected by downgrades

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan will today hold an urgent meeting with 41 airlines to ensure that they follow international aviation-safety standards after the downgrade by the US agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875866-thai-govt-to-hold-urgent-meeting-with-airlines/

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THAI-US RELATIONS
Public criticism of US ambassador worrying, says PM
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed concern over the public criticism of US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T Davies after pictures of him with red-shirt leaders went viral on social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875867-public-criticism-of-us-ambassador-worrying-says-pm-prayut/

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UPDATE:

THAI-CHINESE TIES
Govt signs pact over rice and rubber with China
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG
THE NATION



Deal involves sale of 1m tonnes of rice; no signs of progress in train project

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND and China yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding on agricultural products, related to the sale of rice and rubber to Chinese firms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875797-deal-to-sell-rice-rubber-to-china/#entry10150609

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
BOT governor worried about uneven growth next year
Achara Deboonme
The Nation


Veerathai Santiprabhob

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob has expressed concern about uneven economic growth next year that could be addressed only by integrated macro-economic policies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875868-bot-governor-worried-about-uneven-growth-next-year/

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REFORM SCHEMES
CEOs urged to join in reform schemes
Petchanet Pratruangkrai,
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha yesterday met with chief executives of 24 major companies to urge them to collaborate on an unprecedented scale with his regime's efforts to reform the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875869-ceos-urged-to-join-in-reform-schemes/

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Villagers fight waiver of EIA for power plants
VISARUT SANKHAM
THE NATION


People from seven provinces gather outside the Central Administrative Court on Bangkok

ENVIRONMENTALISTS VOICE CONCERN OVER RELEASE OF DIOXINS, OTHER CARCINOGENS

BANGKOK: -- REPRESENTATIVES of people from seven provinces yesterday filed a complaint with the Central Administrative Court in Bangkok calling on the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to revoke its announcement waiving environment impact assessments (EIA) for waste-fired power plants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875870-thai-villagers-fight-waiver-of-eia-for-power-plants/

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Safety paint used on dangerous Nan highway
SANTICHAI JARUPIPATBUT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- HIGHWAY No 1168 in Nan has become the country's first "red road" after being covered with special anti-skid light-reflective paint.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875871-safety-paint-used-on-dangerous-nan-highway/

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Smog in North worsens
POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THIS YEAR'S smog in the North was worse than last year's in terms of the concentration of dust particles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875872-smog-in-north-worsens/

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Police to present probe reports to military court on lese majeste cases
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police will today forward four investigation reports in connection with the lese majeste scandal to prosecutors in the Military Court.

General Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul, the deputy national police chief, said yesterday that police were awaiting results of forensic tests and for more evidence, but that all related reports would be submitted to prosecutors by the end of the year.

Police at the general and colonel levels were implicated in an alleged conspiracy with Pol Major Prakom Warunprapa to set up a radio station without permission, he said.

Solid evidence linking them to the intrigue includes audio clips of conversations between Prakom and Maj-General Akaradej Pimolsri, former commander of Crime Suppression Police.

Since other government officials were also involved, police would petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission to take legal action against them, he said.

Lt-General Thitirat Nonghanpitak, commissioner of Central Investigation Police, said reports that three high-ranking police who were lese majeste suspects had fled abroad had not been confirmed.

They are Maj-General Suchart Prommai, Colonel Pairoj Rojanakachorn and Lt-Colonel Thammawat Hiranyaleka.

Police would continue to search for them and bring them to justice, he said.

Pol Lt-Colonel Thanabat Prasertwit, deputy chief of Anti-Human Trafficking Subdivision 1, has not surrendered to police after an arrest warrant was issued against him for alleged lese majeste.

Crime Suppression Division Commander Maj-General Kornchai Klaiklung said Thitirat dismissed Thanabat when the court approved the arrest warrant.

Akaradej is not subject to a disciplinary probe for dereliction of duty. The national police chief would decide on any course of action, he said.

Police have not yet pressed charges against anyone over the corruption claims surrounding the construction of Ratchapakti Park, he said.

Police were waiting for an order from above on how to handle the case. There were, however, petitions on the matter, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-to-present-probe-reports-to-military-court--30274287.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-04

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UDD slams govt for 'stalking Nuttawut'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- LEADERS of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) yesterday submitted a petition to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, calling on him to stop intimidating them, as some of them have been stalked 24 hours a day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875873-udd-slams-thai-govt-for-stalking-nuttawut/

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Charter drafters decide to excise first reading of bill by Senate
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has agreed to remove the Senate's first reading - the in-principle approval - in passing a law. The in-principle approval is a privilege reserved only for Lower House members, CDC spokesman Udom Rathamarut said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875874-thai-charter-drafters-decide-to-excise-first-reading-of-bill-by-senate/

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BURNING ISSUE
Sino-Thai railway project can wait until terms are right
SASITHORN ONGDEE

BANGKOK: -- DO THAIS really need to rush to build a medium-speed railway on the northeastern route? The answer is obviously no.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875876-sino-thai-railway-project-can-wait-until-terms-are-right/

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EDITORIAL
The problem with sharing a history
The Nation

An official account is under fire for its perceived political taint and lack of crucial chapters

BANGKOK: -- Just how elusive the facts of history can be was demonstrated in a debate this week among scholars gathered at the National Theatre to discuss a newly published official history of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875877-thai-editorial-the-problem-with-sharing-a-history/

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UPDATE:

Urgent:
Leaked Memo reveals possible ISIS plot against Russians in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Night, news organizations around Thailand received a copy of a leaked memo issued by the Royal Thai Police Special Branch to Police Divisions around Thailand detailing information from the Russian Authorities indicating a possible ISIS plot against Russians in key tourist cities including Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875864-moscow-warns-that-isis-in-thailand-to-attack-russian-targets/#entry10150585

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Man wrecks car at Pattaya Port



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday Night, Police were called to the Bali Hai Port at the south-end of Pattaya Beach, after a car owner returned to his vehicle to find it had been wrecked by a drunk man who mistakenly thought it was his car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875878-man-wrecks-car-at-pattaya-port/

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CP All chairman insists on his innocent in Siam Makro's share purchase



BANGKOK: -- CP All Plc chairman Korsak Chairasmisak has insisted on his innocence in the purchase of the shares of Siam Makro Plc before the company was taken over by CP All in a deal worth 189 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875880-cp-all-chairman-insists-on-his-innocent-in-siam-makros-share-purchase/

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UPDATE:

UDD demands the government to stop harassment of its leaders



BANGKOK: -- Core leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship submitted petition addressed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha demanding an end to what they charged as government’s harassment and violations of the basic rights of the people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875873-udd-slams-thai-govt-for-stalking-nuttawut/#entry10150682

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Bang Sue Grand Station Plans Still on Track
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- Bang Sue Grand Station, the mega-investment project, is on track for construction to begin in 2018. Yesterday, private developers asked for more flexibility in handing over the developed areas, a longer land-lease term, and additional tax incentives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875882-bang-sue-grand-station-plans-still-on-track/

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Wounded 'Muntjac' Escapes Hunter, Seeks Police Protection
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Bleeding onto the floor from gunshot wounds, a muntjac seeks sanctuary Thursday inside a Trat province police station.

TAK — When a dog-sized deer got shot by a hunter today in Tak province, she knew where to go for help.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875883-wounded-muntjac-escapes-hunter-seeks-police-protection/

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The US military has opened all combat roles to women



WASHINGTON: -- It has been announced that all combat roles in the US Army are to be opened to women.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875885-the-us-military-has-opened-all-combat-roles-to-women/

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Paris attacks: further arrests and questions



BRUSSELS: -- Police in Belgium have made two further arrests in connection with last month’s attacks in Paris.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875886-paris-attacks-further-arrests-and-questions/

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Greek capital brought to a standstill as workers strike against austerity



ATHENS: -- Protesters marched through the streets of Athens on Thursday as over two-and-a-half-million workers took part in a general strike that has brought public services to a standstill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875887-greek-capital-brought-to-a-standstill-as-workers-strike-against-austerity/

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Authorities struggle to find motive for San Bernardino massacre



SAN BERNARDINO: -- Authorities in the US are struggling to work out why a man and woman reportedly opened fire after a dispute at his employer’s Christmas party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875888-authorities-struggle-to-find-motive-for-san-bernardino-massacre/

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Brazil thrown even further off-balance by pressure to oust Rousseff
By Adrian Lancashire | With REUTERS



BRASILIA: -- The bid to impeach Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is expected to slow efforts to reboot Latin America’s biggest economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875889-brazil-thrown-even-further-off-balance-by-pressure-to-oust-rousseff/

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Greece: death at the border leads to violence



SKOPJE: -- The deaths of migrants at sea are all too common.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875890-greece-death-at-the-border-leads-to-violence/

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Spanish government poll says it will win country’s election



MADRID: -- According to a Spanish government opinion poll, the country’s governing People’s Party is set to win the most seats in this month’s general election with 28.6 percent of the vote, less than it will need for a majority.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875891-spanish-government-poll-says-it-will-win-countrys-election/