Thailand Live Wednesday 4 Jun 2014

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Low-cost airline Nok Air received approval from telecom regulator to offer in-flight WiFi and voice calls for passengers /The Nation

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One soldier wounded in bombing ambush against teacher protection unit in Pattani; CCTV torched, suspicious object found in Yala /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,456.06, gains 1.82 points /MCOT

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NCPO says it has not yet invited anyone to help with infrastructure affairs



BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order asserted on Tuesday it had yet to invite anybody to help with the 2 trillion baht infrastructure development project, responding to the offer by former transport minister Chatchart Sittipunt who said he was ready to help the NCPO with the infrastructure affairs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731593-ncpo-says-it-has-not-yet-invited-anyone-to-help-with-thailands-infrastructure-affairs/

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NESDB: More Thais to default on their loans due to increased household debts

BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 (NNT) - According to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), more Thais are likely to default on their debt payments due to soaring expenses per household.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731598-more-thais-to-default-on-their-loans-due-to-increased-household-debts-nesdb/

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Obama Syria policy under fire from former envoy

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama's former ambassador to Damascus has harshly criticised the White House's Syria policy, saying Washington should have done more earlier to arm moderate rebel factions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731603-obama-syria-policy-under-fire-from-former-envoy/

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US fossils dealer jailed for dinosaur smuggling

NEW YORK: -- A US fossils dealer has been jailed for three months for smuggling dinosaur bones including those of a 70-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus bataar from Mongolia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731604-us-fossils-dealer-jailed-for-dinosaur-smuggling/

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Plan to talk with the company providing ‘LINE’ services in Japan cancelled

BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has cancelled a plan to talk with a service provider of a famous multi platform messaging application ‘LINE’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731610-plan-to-talk-with-the-company-providing-line-services-in-japan-cancelled/

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NCPO summons Potjamarn's step brother Bannaphot to report



BANGKOK: -- Bannaphot Damapong, the step-brother of Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, the former wife of ex-Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order Tuesday night to report Wednesday.

Also summoned to report to the NCPO in the same order is senior journalist and owner of the Matichon Group Kwanchai Boonparn.

Both were ordered to report to military authorities at the Army Auditorium in Theves from 10.00 a.m. to noon.

Matichon media group is widely known to have close connection with the previous government of ex-Premier Yingluck Shinawatra.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ncpo-summons-potjamarns-step-brother-bannaphot-report/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-04

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Sahapat boss sees economic recovery after military coup



BANGKOK: -- Sahapat Group president Bunyasit Chokwatana says Thai economy activates again after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) made clear of its policy to implement several measures to stimulate economy.

He expressed confidence of the measures to activate economy, citing example of rice farmers.

He said if good earnings of rice farmers could be maintained while the exchange rate also is stabilised at 33.5 baht for a US dollar, the country’s GDP for the year could grow by 2-3 %.

However he admitted that the company’s product sales have been in the negative during the first quarter of the year, particularly luxury and fashion goods.

But he was certain that since the sales of food has continued to grow, his company would more likely still see growth for the year.

ICC International president Boonkiat Chokwatana also said he is ready to join hands with the Ministry of Commerce to stabilise price of goods for another six months.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/sahapat-boss-sees-economic-recovery-military-coup/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-04

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Truck slams into footbridge, cripples morning traffic on Petchburi Road
By Coconuts Bangkok

Photo: FM. 91 Trafficpro

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731617-truck-slams-into-footbridge-cripples-morning-traffic-on-bangkoks-petchburi-road/

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Children tablets put on hold



BANGKOK: -- The Education Ministry has put the children tablet project on hold pending a two-week study by a working group of its advantage and disadvantages.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731621-one-tablet-per-child-scheme-put-on-hold/

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Police: No plain clothes officers carry media arm band to access protest sites

BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police affirmed that no plain clothes police officers were assigned to patrol protest sites by using media arm bands as reported by a national press association.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731623-thai-police-no-plain-clothes-officers-carry-media-arm-band-to-access-protest-sites/

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Details of light rail tram system for Phuket
Wiparatana Nathalang


Artist's impression of the LRT going through the intersection with Phang Nga Rd in Phuiket Town. Graphic Apichart Jansangkul/Enrich Consultant

PHUKET: -- Work on Phuket’s long-awaited light rail tram project may start within three years, after the official route and type of transport system were officially confirmed at a public hearing yesterday (June 3).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731625-details-of-light-rail-tram-system-for-phuket/

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National Rice and Farmers Day being celebrated

BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday (June 3) opened a fair held in celebration of the National Rice and Farmers Day, June 5, at the Rice Department inside Kasetsart University in Bang Khen District.

The fair is being organized by the Rice Department from June 3 to 5, under the theme of ‘Rice and Thai Farmers: Heart of the Nation’. The Cabinet has designated June 5 as the National Rice and Farmers Day to commemorate the day King Rama VIII and his younger brother, HRH Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej, visited Kasetsart University in 1946 and sowed rice seeds into the experimental field, signifying the importance of rice as the main staple food of Thai people.

The day is also designed to boost morale of farmers and encourage people to realize the importance of rice and farmers who are the backbone of the nation.

The 3-day fair features an exhibition on rice-related projects initiated by Their Majesties the King and Queen, innovations and researches by related units and several demonstrations such as rice production technology and decorative items made from rice. Other highlights include a contest of rice milling machines aimed at reducing dependence on imported equipment, and ancient-style rice sowing and pounding competitions.

-- NNT 2014-06-04

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Insurgents in Pattani cause riots at the Kotabaru Subdistrict, Yala Province

YALA, 4 June 2014 (NNT) - Insurgents in Yala have committed arson by burning CCTV security cameras at the Kotabaru Subdistrict within the province.

Police Lieutenant Winit Pakdivanich of the Kotabaru Police Station received reports from locals that insurgents have burned CCTV cameras and car tires around the subdistrict’s municipality area. Three security cameras have been totally destroyed and a cable line was set ablaze.

Authorities have also discovered several suspicious black plastic bags in the middle of a traffic island and some petrol bottles, which were used to ignite the objects.

The explosives recovery team and forensic police were dispatched to inspect the scene and collected the objects as evidence in the hopes of finding the suspect’s DNA.

Apart from that, the perpetrators had also scattered several road spikes at a bend on the Kotabaru-Raman Road. Following this incident, police have been dispatched to survey the area to prevent further violence.


-- NNT 2014-06-04

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Tiananmen 25 years on: The day I drove famed hunger strikers to safety
By Jaime A. FlorCruz, CNN

Beijing, China (CNN) -- Twenty-five years ago, when tanks and automatic rifles silenced massive political demonstrations in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, I was TIME magazine's correspondent in China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731631-tiananmen-25-years-on-the-day-i-drove-famed-hunger-strikers-to-safety/

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Matichon Exec Asks To Postpone Military Junta's Summons
By Khaosod English


Executive chairman and co-founder of the Matichon media group Khanchai Boonparn receiving flowers from Princess Maha Chakri Srindhorn while he recovers from heart surgery in the hospital, 27 May 2014.

BANGKOK — The executive chairman and co-founder of the Matichon media group has asked to postpone his summons by the military junta because he is currently in the hospital recovering from heart surgery.

Khanchai Boonparn was ordered to report to the Army Club in Bangkok's Theves district in an announcement issued by the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) on Tuesday night.

Mr. Khanchai has been hospitalised since receiving heart surgery in April. His condition is steadily improving.

Thakoon Boonparn, manager of the Matichon group and a nephew of Mr. Khanchai, reported to the military this morning to inform the officers that Mr. Khanchai remains hospitalised and has requested to postpone his summons.

The military acknowledged Mr. Thakoon's letter but did not immediately provide a response. Mr. Thakoon was allowed to leave the Army Club after 10 minutes of discussion with the officers.

Like all other summons announcements, the NCPO did not indicate why Mr. Khanchai was ordered to report to the military.

Matichon Publishing operates a number of news publications, including Matichon, Prachachart, Khaosod, and Khaosod English.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1401860601


-- Khaosod English 2014-06-04

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Victory Monument to turn into musical ground



BANGKOK: -- Reconciliation effort to bring unity to the divided societies moves forward with the Army, Royal Thai Police and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration cooperating closely to hold big musical event at the Victory Monument.

Calling the event “Returning Happiness to the People,” the musical performances will be joined by several well-known celebrities and is expected to attract large audience.

The event will also feature shows by Army and police musical bands, cultural shows, and show from the Second Calvary Division.

Free drinks and food are provided throughout the events.

The activities will begin 4.00 p.m.

Apart from the musical shows, free medical checkup services will also be provided.

The performance is part of the reconciliation plan undertaken by the Internal Security Operations Command to resolve the deep rooted differences among the people spoilt by crooked politicians.

It plans to hold same event at all conflict areas to bring unity to all Thais.

(photo : https://www.facebook.com/phattraporn.tpbs)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/victory-monument-turn-musical-ground/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-04

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THAI reveals newly painted B787-8 Dreamliner in THAI livery



BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) today reveals the first newly painted Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in THAI livery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731634-thai-reveals-newly-painted-b787-8-dreamliner-in-thai-livery/

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UPDATE:

Thai farmers are becoming more indebted: survey

By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 4 - More Thai farmers were found burdened by debt in terms of the number of households and amount of debt, according to Kasetsart University's Office of Agricultural Economic Forecast Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731598-more-thais-to-default-on-their-loans-due-to-increased-household-debts-nesdb/#entry7926936

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RT @tulsathit: A Thai Rath article: One year and a half for reform is realistic. The deep-rooted Thai problem can't be solved in a couple of days.

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Matichon owner Khanchai sends nephew to meet NCPO

BANGKOK: -- Matichon newspaper owner Khanchai Boonpan sent his nephew, Matichon general manager Thakoon Boonpan, to inform the National Council for Peace and Order Wednesday that he is in hospital.

The NCPO Tuesday night summoned Khanchai to report himself.

Thakoon came the Army Auditorium in Thewes at 10 am to submit a hospital certification that Khanchai is in the hospital.

-- The Nation 2014-06-04

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Thai coup brings border blues for traders

Mae Sot, Thailand - Merchants with a stake in the enormous off-the-books trade at the border crossing here say their business has taken a hit since the Thai military staged a coup last month, The Irrawaddy reported.

Legal two-way border trade across the Moei River has resumed after a brief interruption in the immediate aftermath of the coup, but currently only goods from Thailand can be transported into Myanmar at the so-called “informal trading centers.” Myanmar goods are not being allowed to enter Thailand through these channels.

Regarding the flow of people between the two countries, formal crossings over the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge are proceeding as usual, but the so-called “informal crossings” via boats have ceased since the military coup in Thailand on May 22.

The informal trading centers at the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border were shut down for two days following the coup, reopening early last week. Merchants on the border said trading conditions remain restricted under the new junta government in Bangkok, although goods ranging from vehicles and vegetable oil to cement and petrol have continued to pass from Thailand to Myanmar, both formally and informally.

“We can send the goods from Thailand, but within a limited time set by the Thai military, and it is not as free as in the past,” said a merchant, who declined to be named, some 12 days after the Thai coup.

Much of the trade conducted between the two countries is carried out informally, as this allows for more timely transactions that also bypass some of the duties levied by the respective governments.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-coup-brings-border-blues-traders/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thai-coup-brings-border-blues-traders

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-04

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BANGKOK: -- Rice export this year is expected to rise to nine million tons from earlier projection of 7.5 million tons, Thai Rice Exporters Association president Chookiat Ophaswongse said. He attributed higher export to higher demand in the global market, and lower rice prices.

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-04

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AFTER COUP
Queen Elizabeth's birthday celebration in Bangkok cancelled

BANGKOK: -- In line with the United Kingdom's reaction to the military coup, the British Embassy in Thailand announced yesterday that it had cancelled the reception to celebrate the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on June 11 at a Bangkok hotel.

We regret to inform you that the reception to celebrate the Official Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday, June 11, at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, has been cancelled because of the current situation," said the statement from the embassy.

The UK reacted strongly to the military coup last month, voicing concern about the "deterioration of the democratic environment in Thailand".

Minister of State for Southeast Asia Hugo Swire said earlier that "in view of these negative developments, the UK is reviewing the scope of its cooperation with Thailand".

Swire also voiced concern over the limitations on freedom of expression and assembly in the country imposed by the military junta after the coup.

"Arbitrary detentions, restrictions on local and foreign media, and limitations on freedoms of expression and assembly undermine trust in the intentions of the military leaders," he said.

The UK urged the military authorities to provide a clear timetable for the restoration of a civilian government through elections.

-- The Nation 2014-06-04

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ATTA calls for curfew lift at more places

BANGKOK: -- The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is calling on the National Council for Peace and Order to consider lifting curfew in more places so as to revive the tourism industry and remove safety fear by tourists.

ATTA president Sidhivajara Chivaratanaporn said the lifting of curfew in Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui has returned tourism atmosphere back to these places and revive tourism.

But as curfew is a factor in making decision on travel and travel planning, he would like the NCPA to lift curfew in more places where the situation has returned normal to ease tourists’ concern and fear.

He said as most tourists visiting the country would like to have experience on night travels, the existing curfew could make them feel insecure.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/atta-calls-curfew-lift-places/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atta-calls-curfew-lift-places

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-04

[Jonathan Fairfield]

NOK Air gets go ahead for in-flight Wi-Fi

BANGKOK:-- Budget airline, NOK Air has been given the go ahead by Thailand’s telecom regulators to offer its passengers in-flight voice calls and broadband internet connections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731667-nok-air-gets-go-ahead-for-in-flight-wi-fi/

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Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service.

The following Travel Advice has changed or been added since our last

update (30 May 2014 22:27:33 EST):

* Thailand

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"

Change Summary:

This advice contains updated information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil unrest/Political tension (the curfew no longer applies in Pattaya City, Samui district and Phuket province.

The curfew continues to operate in all other parts of Thailand between 2400 hrs and 0400 hrs, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Martial law continues to be imposed nationwide. You should be aware that the military may restrict access to some areas to prevent demonstrators from gathering, including around major shopping and hotel districts in central Bangkok. We recommend that you check with your travel insurance provider to ensure that you are covered for any claims arising from the current situation). We advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack, including Bangkok and Phuket.

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Thailand, Cambodia to hold talks on reopening of border pass at Chong Sai Taku
By Digital Content

BURI RAM, June 4 - Thai authorities in this northeast province have discussed preparations for talks with Cambodia to reopen the border pass at Chong Sai Taku.

Buri Ram governor Seri Seehatrai on Wednesday chaired a meeting with the border committee to explore conditions for the reopening of the border pass.

The meeting was aimed at preparing for the negotiations with Cambodian authorities on June 6 on the reopening of the Chong Sai Taku temporary border pass in Ban Kruat district opposite Chup Koki village in Cambodia.

The temporary border pass has been closed for two weeks due to an order by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which staged the May 22 coup, in order to prevent the smuggling of arms or people into Thailand.

Prolonged closure could have had negative effects on the border trade. The value of cross border trade had risen from Bt300,000-400,000 to Bt2 million per week before the closure.

Buri Ram authorities said if the Thai and Cambodian authorities could mutually agree on conditions then the border pass could reopen.

Thailand and Cambodia earlier agreed to extend the open days of the border pass at Chong Sai Taku from two days up to three days each week, from Friday to Sunday, starting June 14. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-04