Thailand Live Thursday 13 Jan 2011

[webfact]

Temporary ban on 16 kinds of greens

BANGKOK, 13 January 2011 (NNT) –The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is prepared to inform the European Union of the temporary ban on 16 difference kinds of vegetable, hoping to complete a major revamp of the industry’s production and quality control processes within 6 months.

According to Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Supachai Phosu, the ministry is submitting a report to the European Union informing it of the temporary ban on 16 types of vegetables, beginning on February 1. The ministry has been in the process of restructuring and improving the production and quality control processes at the farm and official levels.

Once the restructuring is completed, the ministry will request that the EU inspect and assess the industry’s production, quality control, and export processes to ensure that products exported to the EU are insect-free. The ban will be lifted and export resumed after the inspection has been done and all the processes approved, which should take no longer than 5 or 6 months, said Supachai. Exporters found to have violated the ban will be subjected to a stiff fine or a prison term of up to 5 years.

-- NNT 2011-01-13

[webfact]

CCI grew first time after flooding

By Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Thai consumer confidence grew for the first time in three months from 79 points in November to 80.8 points in December, due to relief flooding problem, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Director of the UTCC's Economic and Forecasting Centre Thanavath Phonvichai said consumer confidence is likely to grow gradually this year if no serious negative factors to affect following increasing minimum wages, higher commodities prices, and Pracha Wiwat package

-- The Nation 2011-01-13

[webfact]

Injured Thai Workers in Gaza Violence Remain in Critical Condition

Three Thai workers who were injured in Israel's offensive on Gaza last Sunday remain in critical condition.

The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv is working to ensure that the three will get compensation from their employers.

The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has reported that the condition of each the three Thai workers wounded in the Israeli blitz on a Nakhal Oz refugee camp near the Gaza Strip on Sunday remains critical.

The three were among the first victims of the latest attack on the disputed border.

They were injured by stray mortars.

Thai embassy officials are seeking service from Israeli lawyers to negotiate compensation and other kinds of assistance from the workers' employers.

They also have visited the Thai patients to offer moral support.

The Gaza border has been hit by a spade of artillery attacks since December of last year.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for the incidents.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-13

[webfact]

Mount Etna briefly erupts on Italy's Sicily island

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Celebrity Rehab wars? Heiress flees Thai clinic

Follow this link:

[webfact]

AFP: Cambodia grants bail to Thai lawmaker

Follow this link:

[webfact]

PTT, Bangchak raise gasoline, gasohol prices by 50 satang/litre, effective Friday; diesel price unchanged /MCOT

[webfact]

Sa Kaew villagers in protest against yellow shirts

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket Punchline Comedy returns next month

Michael Legge

Nick Doody

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket 'lucky license plates' to go under the hammer

Provincial Land Transport Office chief Kanok Siripanichkorn (2nd from left)

holds lucky plate 'Kor Nor 1'.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Uttaradit province declared disaster zone

UTTARADIT, Jan 13 - This northern province of Thailand has been declared a disaster zone as the current cold wave continues bringing frigid temperatures to residents in all nine districts.

Uttaradit Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief Surachai Tatkawin said the temperatures in the province have continually dropped, causing more victims to be affected by the cold.

There are over 60,000 people lacking adequate bedclothing in the nine districts covering 613 villages. Initially, about 12,000 blankets have been distributed to help the victims.

Mr Surachai said another 50,000 blankets are being asked for more assistance through the public sector and related agencies.

Meanwhile, the districts will verify the number of people still needing more clothing and other warm items, while a centre to help aid cold victims at a sub-district level should be set up in the province. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-13

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1035.08, up 15.57; Bt/USD30.31; GBP47.62; AUD30.02; EUR39.58; CAD30.62; HKD3.89; SGD23.39; JPY36.30

[webfact]

Children under 18 to face curfew in Bangkok

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket revelers gatecrash curry shop

Driver Boonyaan Boonthip at the scene of the accident.

Photo: Wichai Witthawat

Currying favor? The owners of the shop were irate at the damage

caused by the vehicle. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai economy in 2011 projected to grow at lowest level in Asia: World Bank

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Ayutthaya Fireworks Factory Blast Kills 3

The Ayutthaya governor has ordered an investigation into the cause of the explosion at a house used to produce fireworks that killed three people.

He has also ordered officials to carefully consider handing out licenses for fireworks manufacturing.

Earlier today at the home of 50 year old Prairat Samorn in Baan Kor Village in Ayutthaya’s Pranakhon Sri Ayutthaya district, an explosion caused his home to collapse and catch fire which also damaged the homes of his neighbors, Yupin Kanthapong and Waraporn Srinongnutch.

Human remains were also found at the scene of the blast. The charred corpses of a couple, Chaliew and Ubon Homthet, were removed from the debris while Prairat’s body was found near a pick up truck containing fireworks.

Two other victims were injured in the incident and rushed to hospital.

Baan Kor Village chief Kitti Imsuwan said Prairat’s house had been illegally producing gun powder and fireworks for quite some time and ignored warnings several times since producing fireworks is the village’s main source of income.

Kitti said that right before the explosion, three workers were mixing gun powder to make firecrackers.

Chaliew and Ubon parked their truck to load the products when the blast took place.

Ayutthaya Governor Wittaya Piewpong has assessed the damage at the village and ordered officials to investigate whether the house was permitted to produce fireworks.

The affected village also saw a similar tragedy six years ago with the explosion occurring near the recent blast scene and killing more than 10 people.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-13

[webfact]

MFA Currently Surrounded by Protesters

Reports from inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that at least 500 protesters fromt he Thai Patriots Network have surrounded the ministry, not allowing the civil servants to leave.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-13

[webfact]

Thai Patriots vow to rally until PM resigns

The Thai Patriots Network Thursday held a rally outside the Foreign Ministry to demand Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign.

The group alleged that the foreign minister and prime minister had failed to retaliated against Cambodia after it violated Thailand's sovereignty.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leader of the group, said the Thai Patriots would protest outside the Foreign Ministry until Kasit and Abhisit resign.

-- The Nation 2011-01-13

[webfact]

US dollar 'expected to recover' this year

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket Blood Center calls for donations

Foreigners are urged to donate blood to help accident victims in Phuket.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket Governor launches night venue crackdown

Follow this link:

[webfact]

One foreigner caught up in gambling and drugs raid in south Pattaya

Follow this link:

[webfact]

World Expo Head Visits Ayutthaya

The secretary general of the Bureau of International Expositions says Thailand has potential to host the 2020 World Expo after visiting Ayutthaya province and witnessing its unique culture.

President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB, Akapol Sorasuchart, said the Secretary General of the Bureau of International Exposition or BIE, Vincent Gonzales Loscertales, who is in charge of the selection of organizers of the World Expo 2020, has visited Thailand to inspect locations and the readiness of the government, after the Thailand expressed interest in hosting the World Expo in 2020.

Akapol said Thailand is fully ready to host the expo.

Chiang Mai, Chonburi, and Ayutthaya provinces have been proposed as possible venues.

The Cabinet is expected to decide on the venue and investment plans by February, after which the date will be determined.

The TCEB president added that Thailand will submit a bid application and related documents to the BIE board in June.

A total of 157 countries will be participating in a vote.

Akapol noted that being the first nation to express an interest in hosting the 2020 expo has given Thailand a big advantage.

He added that should Thailand win the hosting rights to the 2020 World Expo, it will help boost the Thai economy tremendously, through promoting domestic consumption and creating new jobs.

It is estimated that the expo could attract at least 30 million visitors.

Meanwhile, Loscertales said, after his visit to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, that the province is suitable for organizing the expo due to its cultural heritage and unique traditions which were passed down for generations.

Loscertales, however, said it was too early for him to talk about the possibility of Thailand being selected as the 2020 World Expo organizer since the BIE organizing committee has to consider other factors, such as organization plans, public utility projects, political and the government's financial stability.

He went on to say that apart from Thailand, various countries have also expressed willingness to host the grand event.

These countries include Brazil, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Visits to those countries will be conducted to assess their qualifications.

He added that the BIE will receive formal proposals from candidate countries until the end of November.

Loscertales will carry out his inspection tours in Chonburi and Chiang Mai tomorrow.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-13

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 14 January 2011