Thailand Live Wednesday 9 Dec 2015

[webfact]

Bike for Dad Won’t be a Public Holiday, Cabinet Rules
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen


Cyclists pedal through a Bike for Dad dry run on Nov. 22 in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Roads will close throughout the capital city and elsewhere for a nationwide cycling event honoring His Majesty the King, but the day won’t be made a public holiday, the junta cabinet decided today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877042-bike-for-dad-wont-be-a-public-holiday-cabinet-rules/

[webfact]

RAJABHAKTI SCANDAL
Uneasy stand-off over park
Wasamon Audjarint,
Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation


A soldier stands behind a barricade outside Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin, |which was closed |yesterday morning.
Students vow to return, but prime minister says they won't be permitted

BANGKOK: -- STUDENT ACTIVISTS barred from visiting the controversial Rajabhakti Park vowed yesterday they would not give up and would reach the site to publicise their anti-corruption campaign before the New Year. However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday they would not be allowed to go there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877081-uneasy-stand-off-over-rajabhakti-park/

[webfact]

GMO FOOD BILL
Farmers to rally at Govt House and round the country
Chularat Saengpassa,
Pimnara Pradapwit
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- CONSUMER rights and organic farming advocates will rally at Government House today - and in 43 other provinces - to protest against the Biological Safety Bill, which will allow use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for commercial purposes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877082-thai-farmers-to-rally-at-govt-house-and-round-the-country/

[webfact]

FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
UK envoy's support for activists 'disappointing'
Wasamon Audjarint,
Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation

Deputy govt spokesman speaks out after remark on Twitter by ambassador while students protest over graft at park

BANGKOK: -- A DEPUTY government spokesman expressed disappointment yesterday about the position taken by a foreign diplomat who voiced support for a student group seeking to travel to Rajabhakti Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877083-uk-envoys-support-for-thai-activists-disappointing/

[webfact]

COAL-PLANT PLAN
Chaiyaphum residents complain to Asean embassies
Chularat Saengpassa,
Visarut Sankham
The Nation



Fear 56mw plant linked to potash mine will ruin the environment

BANGKOK: -- PEOPLE from Chaiyaphum's Bamnet Narong district have lodged complaints with the embassies of five Asean nations in Bangkok to press for the scrapping of the plan to set up a coal-fired power plant in their hometown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877084-chaiyaphum-residents-complain-to-asean-embassies/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

RUSSIA
'Ambassador not at questioning'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- RUSSIA AMBASSADOR to Thailand Kirill Barsky was not present when Thai police questioned three Syrians on whether they had links to Islamic State.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877038-ambassador-not-at-questioning/?p=10169341

[webfact]

UPDATE:

AVIATION
EU air safety verdict tomorrow
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ALL EYES will be on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)'s announcement of results of its evaluation of Thailand's aviation-safety standards tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877059-transport-minister-optimistic-that-easa-will-spare-thailand-aviation-safety-downgrade/#entry10169346

[webfact]

Thai bourse slides amid seven-year low oil prices, China's trade data
THE NATION, AGENCIES

BANGKOK: -- THE Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday declined on a drop in oil prices and China's trade data in line with global markets, including those in Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877086-thai-bourse-slides-amid-seven-year-low-oil-prices-chinas-trade-data/

[webfact]

Sovereign wealth fund not a goal for central bank
ACHARA DEBOONME
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Bank of Thailand is not pursuing a path towards the creation of a sovereign wealth fund, but rather seeking greater flexibility in managing foreign reserves to cope with volatility in the year ahead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877087-sovereign-wealth-fund-not-a-goal-for-central-bank/

[webfact]

Low inflation to help boost real wages, with Thailand at 6.1 per cent
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Salaries in Thailand are expected to increase by 6.1 per cent next year, according to a forecast issued yesterday advisory firm Korn Ferry. Asia are forecast to increase by 6.4 per cent - down 0.4 per cent from last year. However, real wages are expected to rise by 4.2 per cent - the highest globally. The largest real wage increases are forecast in Vietnam (7.3 per cent) and China (6.3 per cent).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877088-low-inflation-to-help-boost-real-wages-with-thailand-at-61-per-cent/

[webfact]

Wilas stands by his corruption claim in BMA purchase
Pimnara Pradapwit,
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- DEMOCRAT Party member Wilas Chanpitak confirmed yesterday that he had evidence to support corruption allegations about the buying of musical instruments by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877089-wilas-stands-by-his-corruption-claim-in-bma-purchase/

[webfact]

Former finance secretary Anuthep out on bail
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A former deputy permanent secretary for finance, accused of fraud, was granted release on bail by Min Buri Provincial Court in Bangkok yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877090-former-finance-secretary-anuthep-out-on-bail/

[webfact]

Ministers tasked with solving problem of student brawls
Piyanuch Tamnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya and Education Minister Dapong Ratanasuwan met yesterday to come up with solutions for student brawls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877091-ministers-tasked-with-solving-problem-of-student-brawls/

[webfact]

Prayut wants ministry road maps on reform and higher standards in the civil service
ANAPAT DEECHUEY
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he was sincere about improving the quality of government officers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877092-prayut-wants-ministry-road-maps-on-reform-and-higher-standards-in-the-civil-service/

[webfact]

Corrupt officials thieves, traitors, Prem says in anti-graft address
JAKRAWAN SALAYTOO
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIVY Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday condemned corrupt officials as being traitors who rob the country and citizens every day despite ongoing anti-graft efforts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877094-corrupt-officials-thieves-traitors-prem-says-in-anti-graft-address/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Independent review of park project needed to clear govt
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IF this military-led government fails to clear its name in relation to Rajabhakti Park, it will badly fail in its so-called mission to tackle corruption and introduce reforms in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877095-independent-review-of-rajabhakti-park-project-needed-to-clear-govt/

[webfact]

NRSA panel ready with media reform plans
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) panel on media reform has wrapped up its proposals on broadcast, print and online media, the panel's chief General Kanit Suwannet said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877096-nrsa-panel-ready-with-media-reform-plans/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
This is not the time to let GMO crops flourish

A non-elected government should not be allowing the spread of genetically modified organisms

BANGKOK: -- The row over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has waxed and waned in Thailand since the first pilot plantation two decades ago, but it's back on the front burner again now as legislators mull a law to regulate the type of organisms used in agriculture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877097-this-is-not-the-time-to-let-gmo-crops-flourish-thai-editorial/

[webfact]

STOPPAGE TIME
Looking back on 2015, the year of fragile political peace
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Ranking this year's landmark events by significance is a tough challenge, as Thai politics is played at several levels - by geniuses, by fools and by unknowing participants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877098-looking-back-on-2015-the-year-of-fragile-political-peace-thai-opinion/

[webfact]

Cabinet Approves Orange Line Project in Bangkok and Tollway Merger
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet approved the Orange Line railway project in Bangkok and a major transportation merger on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877099-thai-cabinet-approves-orange-line-project-in-bangkok-and-tollway-merger/

[webfact]

IMF Supports Thailand’s Fiscal Plan
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is supportive of Thailand’s fiscal plan, noting that infrastructure investment plans will not threaten the country’s fiscal health as officials have taken steps to maintain financial discipline.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877100-imf-supports-thailands-fiscal-plan/

[webfact]

Teen gamer high on Valium flies into rage after losing, stabs man to death
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: TNN 24

BANGKOK: -- A 19-year-old gamer high on Valium allegedly stabbed an innocent Laotian man to death on his way home in Nonthaburi after flying into a rage when he lost his game.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877101-teen-gamer-high-on-valium-flies-into-rage-after-losing-stabs-man-to-death/

[webfact]

Four killed and one injured in a car race accident



BANGKOK: -- Four people were killed and another was seriously injured when a passenger van slammed into a roadside power pole while engaging in a car race with another van on the in-bound Chon Buri-Rayong highway in Chon Buri’s Muang district on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877102-four-killed-and-one-injured-in-a-car-race-accident-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Special Branch police know who leaked information about suspected ISIS presence



BANGKOK: -- Special Branch police knew who was responsible for leaking to the media an intelligence report about the presence of suspected ISIS terrorists in Thailand, Special Branch deputy commissioner Pol Maj-Gen Pittaya Sirilak said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877103-special-branch-police-know-who-leaked-information-about-suspected-isis-presence/

[webfact]

Democracy Study Group vows to return to Rajabhakti Park during New Year's holidays



BANGKOK: -- The defiant leader of the Democracy Study Group has vowed to return to the Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin during the New Year’s holidays to carry on with the group’s attempt to expose alleged corruption in the park project.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877104-democracy-study-group-vows-to-return-to-rajabhakti-park-during-new-years-holidays/

[webfact]

Four Prawet district police axed after casino raid



BANGKOK: -- The superintendent of Prawet police station and four of his men were abruptly moved to the operations centre of Metropolitan Police Bureau for gross negligence of duty after a raid of an illegal casino by army troops in which 31 gamblers were rounded up.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877107-four-bangkok-prawet-district-police-axed-after-casino-raid/

[webfact]

EC’s secretary-general sacked



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission today resolved by four votes against one to sack Mr Puchong Nutrawong as the secretary-general of the Office of the Election Commission with immediate effect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877108-ecs-secretary-general-sacked/

[webfact]

British tourists at risk of new holiday terror threat as police hunt Syrian ISIS jihadis
By TOM BATCHELOR

A HOLIDAY hotspot that welcomes millions of Britons is on high alert after intelligence sources claimed Islamic State jihadis are preparing to launch a major terror attack

LONDON: -- Western tourists were specifically named as targets in the alleged plot in Thailand, which police say could be launched on resorts, embassies or other areas popular with foreign nationals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877110-british-tourists-at-risk-of-new-holiday-terror-threat-as-thai-police-hunt-syrian-isis-jihadis/

[webfact]

Suu Kyi holds 8th meeting with Shwe Mann
Myanmar Eleven

National League for Democracy chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday met Union Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann for the eighth time after the election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877112-suu-kyi-holds-8th-meeting-with-shwe-mann/

[webfact]

Veterans protest at the gates of Downing Street



LONDON: -- Veterans from several UK conflicts arrive at Downing Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877113-veterans-protest-at-the-gates-of-downing-street/