Thailand Live Monday 7 Dec 2015

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NLA President cancels all meetings on Dec 10-11

BANGKOK, 7 December 2015 (NNT) - Members of the National Legislative Assembly have been informed that there won't be any sessions over the Constitution Day holiday.

The Secretariat of the House of Representatives, which is acting as the Secretariat of the NLA, said that NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai has issued an order to cancel sessions on December 10th and 11th.

The NLA initially resolved to meet twice a week on Thursdays and Fridays to discuss various issues.

The Secretariat of the House of Representatives explained that the cancellation order was based on the fact that December 10th is Constitution Day, which is a public holiday, and that there is no pending agenda that needs to be brought up for discussion even on December 11th.

However, there will still be a series of meetings by various NLA committees, such as the committee on legal and justice system and the committee on information communications, from December 8th to 11th.


-- NNT 2015-12-07

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ISLAMIC STATE
Syrian trio not linked to Islamic State, say police
THE NATION


Tourist Police commander Pol |Maj-General Surachet Hakphan shakes hands with a tourist on the walking street

BANGKOK: -- POLICE yesterday questioned three Syrians in the presence of Russian Ambassador Kirill Barsky and found they have no connection to Islamic State.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876572-syrian-trio-not-linked-to-islamic-state-say-thai-police/

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Former US President Jimmy Carter says his brain tumour has disappeared following cancer treatment /BBC

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RAJABHAKTI SCANDAL
Students pose new challenge at army park
VISARUT SANKHAM,
ANAPAT DEECHUAY,
OLAN LERTRUDTANADUMRONGKUL
THE NATION



Plan an event at the corruption plagued site today despite threat of arrest from govt

BANGKOK: -- A STUDENT group remains intent on travelling to Rajabhakti Park today as part of a campaign to look into alleged corruption during construction of the site - despite a warning from the government that its members will face legal action if they break the law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876573-students-pose-new-challenge-at-army-park/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Prayut regime 'moderate', says new French Ambassador
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN
THE NATION


Gilles

BANGKOK: -- GILLES GARACHON, the newly appointed French ambassador to Bangkok, has expressed sympathetic views on Thailand's ongoing political transition towards a democratic path, saying the current regime led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was considered "moderate".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876574-prayut-regime-moderate-says-new-french-ambassador/

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RICE PLEDGING SCHEME
Rice farmers fighting debt and loss of land again, group says
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- MANY rice farmers are facing the old problems of indebtedness and loss of farm owner-|ship despite short-term gains from the former government's rice-pledging scheme, accord-ing to research by a non-government organisation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876575-thai-rice-farmers-fighting-debt-and-loss-of-land-again-group-says/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Veterans back indirect election
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION


Suchon Chaleekrua

Former senators say it could be the best way to create an effective upper House

BANGKOK: -- VETERAN senators believe indirect election is the best method yet for picking people to fill the Upper House of Parliament, given that use of only directly elected or selected senators both have loopholes that prevent them from performing to their full potential.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876577-thai-politics-veterans-back-indirect-election/

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Thailand set to gain from adventure tourism event
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE PACIFIC ASIA Travel Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will stage the first adventure mart in the Kingdom next year, with the aim of promoting more destinations throughout the region and boosting arrivals from niche markets. The Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart will be held at Dusit Island Resort in Chiang Rai on February 17-19.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876578-thailand-set-to-gain-from-adventure-tourism-event/

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Focus on Thailand's connectivity and its role in regional trade
ACHARA DEBOONME
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AT A BRIEFING by National Economic and Social Development Board secretary general Porametee Vimolsiri, the 16 Asian business journalists present all sat still.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876579-focus-on-thailands-connectivity-and-its-role-in-regional-trade/

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Soldiers in gunfight with militants in Yala
NAKARIN CHINWORAKOMON
THE NATION

YALA: -- A FORCE of 50 soldiers and rangers yesterday clashed with a group of suspected insurgents in the mountains of Bannang Sata district in the southern border province of Yala.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876580-soldiers-in-gunfight-with-militants-in-yala/

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Criminal Code adds clauses to tackle child pornography
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- STARTING from tomorrow, the Criminal Code will cover three more types of crimes - all of which are related to child pornography.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876581-thai-criminal-code-adds-clauses-to-tackle-child-pornography/

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New charter 60 per cent ready and on course: CDC
THE NATION

THE new charter is up to 60 per cent written and on schedule to be published by the target date of January 29, 2016.

BANGKOK: -- However, the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) still needs to do more study on certain issues, such as the acquisition of senators and the Cabinet's authority, CDC secretary Pakorn Nilprapunt said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876583-new-thai-charter-60-per-cent-ready-and-on-course-cdc/

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Anti-graft chief sees the urgent need for reform
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION


Panthep

BANGKOK: -- WITH his knowledge, skills and experience directing an anti-graft agency for nine years, Panthep Klanarongran has all it takes to chair the newly appointed anti-graft reform committee under the new National Reform Steering Assembly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876584-thailands-anti-graft-chief-sees-the-urgent-need-for-reform/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand yet to fulfill ASEAN blueprints
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As the chair of the Preparedness Centre for the Asean Community (PCAC), Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha must be accountable for any delay or ineffective implementation of all Asean blueprints.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876585-thailand-yet-to-fulfill-asean-blueprints/

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WHAT OTHERS SAY
Asean Community is almost here
Japan Times
Asia News Network

TOKYO: -- Southeast Asian leaders in their summit late last month declared that the Asean Community will be launched on December 31. Compared with the European Union, which involves transfer of some state sovereignty to the union and the use of a common currency for most of its members, the Asean Community will be a rather loose supranational grouping.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876586-asean-community-is-almost-here/

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Thailand, Cambodia to open new border crossing in Sa Kaeo

SA KAEO, 7 December 2015 (NNT) – Thailand and Cambodia are pushing for a move to open a new permanent border crossing in the province of Sa Kaeo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876587-thailand-cambodia-to-open-new-border-crossing-in-sa-kaeo/

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Fatal Road Accident in Jomtien



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon a motorbike driver was killed after his bike collided with a fast-moving Minivan, which is suspected of jumping a red traffic light. The driver of the minivan ran away from the scene before authorities arrived.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876588-fatal-road-accident-in-jomtien/

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Tourist Police Commander visits Pattaya to reassure Tourists

PATTAYA: -- As news emerges from Bangkok that 4 Syrian men, who are thought to have entered Thailand in October and have now overstayed their visas, are currently unaccounted for, the National Commander of the Tourist Police was in Pattaya to reassure Tourists that their safety is of paramount importance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876589-tourist-police-commander-visits-pattaya-to-reassure-tourists/

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Huge 'ya ba' haul seized in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai



BANGKOK: -- Police and army troops seized 195,000 methamphitamine tablets and arrested an alleged major drug trafficker in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai provinces on Saturday and Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876590-huge-ya-ba-haul-seized-in-mae-hong-son-and-chiang-mai/

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Ex-finance deputy permanent secretary Anuthep arrested

BANGKOK: -- Former deputy permanent secretary of finance Anuthep Uthensoot was arrested Sunday evening at the Thai-Cambodian border immigration police checkpoint in Aranyaprathet by police on charges of public fraud.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876591-ex-finance-deputy-permanent-secretary-anuthep-arrested/

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Thailand, Cambodia agree to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND and Cambodia have agreed to strengthen ties in trade, investment, and other forms of cooperation, aiming for double-digit annual growth in bilateral trade from now on.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876593-thailand-cambodia-agree-to-strengthen-cooperation-in-trade-and-investment/

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SPECIAL MILITARY DETENTION
Media inspect cells where lese majeste suspects held
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

Military only providing security, the Corrections Department chief says

BANGKOK: -- AFTER TWO lese majeste suspects died mysteriously while under detention at a special prison in the 11th Military Circle's compound, the Corrections Department last Thursday took the media on a tour of the secretive facility.

Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapa was found hanged in his cell in late October and his alleged accomplice fortune-teller Suriyan "Mor Yong" Sujaritpalawong was found infected with a blood disease. Mor Yong died in a hospital early last month.

Wittaya Suriyawong, director-general of the department, allowed the journalists to observe but not to take photos, carry any communication device or talk with the inmates.

The detention centre has five cells but prison warden Boonrak Boonyathikan told the visitors that the department has approved Bt500,000 to remodel the facility for six more cells so it would have 11 cells ready to support an increase in court orders.

At the 1st Company building's left wing, a room under the stairs was modified into a cell where Mor Yong was held, but was now occupied by his secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp.

The 10-square-metre room was equipped with iron bars, mosquito net, fluorescent light and ceiling fan. It was furnished with a bed, complete with a mattress, pillow and blanket, and a reading desk with some books and a bottle of water and a glass in one corner.

In front of the cell was a three-drawer cabinet to store the inmate's uniform, dishes and spoons. A toilet-and-shower room with no door was in the area. Two guards would usher the inmate to the toilet upon request.

The inmate would be required to stay at a certain spot where officials could observe him at all times, to prevent escape, self-inflicted injuries and sickness.

The inmates are allowed one hour of exercise per day. One inmate at a time would be sent to the gym, a space with two pieces of abdomen-workoutequipment, to prevent them from talking to one another.

At the Sixth Company building, a cell surrounded by barbed wire was used to house Pol Sgt-Major Prathin Chanket, a suspect in the "Khon Kaen model" case, also involving charges of lese majeste. This was where Prakrom allegedly took his own life.

Officials told the media that Prakrom's body was in a blind corner. On that day, a guard called out his name because he couldn't see him and told him to stay at the spot where he could be seen, but got no reply.

The guard then went to get the key and unlocked the cell. A guard would check on the cell every hour, but wouldn't carry the key in case of a fight to steal it.

At the Fifth Company building, a cell was used to hold Nattaphol Nawanlay, another Khon Kaen model suspect.

The main building has a cell shared by Bilal Mohammed, an Erawan Shrine bombing suspect, and Pahiran Kongkham, another Khon Kaen model suspect. The ganging up was necessary because of an insufficient number of modified rooms.

This building also had a break room for the inmates to meet their lawyer and a different room for them to meet their relatives.

The officials didn't take the journalists to see the cell where Erawan Shrine bombing suspect Mieraili Yusufu and "Khon Kaen model" suspect Wallop Boonchan were detained together.

The inmates receive a health check-up twice a week and, in case of emergency, there were military doctors standing by at the facility around the clock.

The inmates were not given vocational training as they were pending trial.

Wittaya said this media visit was aimed at showing the detention conditions. A suspect's custody would end when the prosecutor pressed charges in court, after which he would be transferred to the civilian remand prison.

The Erawan bombing case should be filed in court by February 16, he said.

"The military personnel are merely providing security around the premises and support in flight prevention," he said.

This facility was more convenient than other normal prisons because there were few detainees, so they could be kept separate. A toilet could also be provided in a cell.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Media-inspect-cells-where-lese-majeste-suspects-he-30274443.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-07

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Yemen: ISIL claims car bomb killing of Aden governor



ADEN: -- The governor of Yemen’s southern port city of Aden was killed in a car bomb attack on Sunday. ISIL says it was responsible.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876594-yemen-isil-claims-car-bomb-killing-of-aden-governor/

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Turnout slightly up in early stages on French regional elections
By Robert Hackwill



PARIS: -- Voter turnout was slightly up on five years ago in early voting in the French regional elections on Sunday. The trend strengthened as the day wore on, and by 5pm local time turnout was four percent higher than at the same time in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876595-turnout-slightly-up-in-early-stages-on-french-regional-elections/

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No respite for aid workers as refugees continue to flood into Europe
By Robert Hackwill



PARIS: -- An indication of just how desperate some people are to get to Europe is that it is now December, when a sea crossing in an open boat is extremely dangerous, and yet some 4,600 have arrived in southern Italy in the past four days. The UNHCR says the current arrival rate of refugees in Europe is still running at some 8000 per day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876596-no-respite-for-aid-workers-as-refugees-continue-to-flood-into-europe/

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Defiant Londoners keep living their lives despite Tube stabbing and terror threat



"I am going to continue with my way of life as it is"

LONDON: -- Undaunted London-dwellers were still taking the Tube on Sunday at Leytonstone station, despite the knife attack there a day earlier by a man reportedly shouting ‘This is for Syria’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876597-defiant-londoners-keep-living-their-lives-despite-tube-stabbing-and-terror-threat/

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Venezuelans vote as polls predict return of the right after 16 years out of office
By Robert Hackwill



CARACAS: -- Venezuela may be on the verge of turning away from Socialism and electing a majority conservative government for the first time in 16 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876598-venezuelans-vote-as-polls-predict-return-of-the-right-after-16-years-out-of-office/

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Jimmy Carter says latest brain scan shows no cancer
By KATHLEEN FOODY

ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter said Sunday that his most recent brain scan showed no signs of cancer, more than three months after he began treatment for four melanoma tumors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876599-jimmy-carter-says-latest-brain-scan-shows-no-cancer/

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Obama to urge Americans not to give into fear of terrorism
By JULIE PACE

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare Oval Office address, President Barack Obama on Sunday night will urge Americans to not give into fear following attacks in Paris and California, while trying to assure the public that he takes the threat of terrorism seriously.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876600-obama-to-urge-americans-not-to-give-into-fear-of-terrorism/

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US Muslims struggle with how they should condemn extremism
By RACHEL ZOLL

NEW YORK (AP) — By now, the tableau has become tragically familiar: American Muslims standing before a bank of cameras, condemning an attack linked to Islamic extremism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876602-us-muslims-struggle-with-how-they-should-condemn-extremism/