Thailand Live Friday 4 Mar 2011

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Phuket gears up for Heroines' Festival 2011

King For A Day: Governor Tri Augkaradacha (yellow shirt) at the

press conference announcing the Heroines’ Festival 2011.

The festival site is just west of the Thalang 4-way intersection.

Map: Image Asia: streetsofphuket.com

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Defense Minister Unworried about Red-Shirt Rally

The defense minister says he is confident about security measures planned for the red-shirt rally next weekend.

Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan stated that security agencies have prepared necessary manpower and measures to monitor the red-shirt rally planned for March 12.

When asked about the upcoming censure debate, the minister said that the Defense Ministry has prepared necessary information and is ready to clarify the facts with the Opposition, adding he has nothing to hide about his work.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-04

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Commerce Ministry Assures No Sugar Shortage

The Commerce Ministry assures no short supply of sugar as the domestic quota for this year has increased while the price is controlled at 22 to 29 baht per kilogram.

After inspecting the sugar stock at the Tesco-Lotus store in Laksi, Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Yanyong Puangrach affirmed there was no shortage of the product but there was a limit on the purchase of sugar at no more than three kilograms per household.

The limit is in place because the international price is higher than the domestic price so there are fears sugar will be bought cheaply in the country and resold at border markets to profit from the price difference.

Moreover, a lot of small-time retailers are purchasing sugar in big lots at supermarkets to resell so these supermarkets must limit sales to ensure fair distribution.

Yanyong assured there will be enough supply of sugar to meet demand as he has been informed by the Industry Ministry that the domestic supply has been increased to 25 million packs from the 22 million allocated last year. If that is not enough, the ministry is ready to coordinate with related agencies to prevent a shortage like that with palm oil.

The permanent secretary said sugar is a price-controlled product so provincial commerce officials will be asked to monitor prices. No irregularities in pricing have been reported so far.

The price of sugar is now controlled at no more than 29 baht per kilogram but prices in each province vary from 22 to 29 baht depending on the transportation cost.

The ministry has also issued a regulation for those holding more than 10,000 kilograms of sugar to have to clarify their purpose to prevent hoarding.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-04

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AFP: Thai lawmakers warned of phone spy threat

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to be continued

Thailand Live Saturday 5 March

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to be continued

Thailand Live Monday 7 March