Thailand Live Tuesday 13 Sep 2011

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Tourism Authority Promotes 10 Slow Travel Routes

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is promoting their "My Slow Day" campaign, which targets the younger generation, who prefer a low-key getaway.

The campaign recommends and lays-out ten tourism routes in northern provinces.

Tourism Authority of Thailand, or TAT, Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said the TAT Northern Regional Office has launched a campaign called “My Slow Day” to promote tourism in the North.

The campaign promotes ten tourism routes in nine northern provinces on its website www.slowtravelnorth.com.

The campaign, which runs now until December, is aimed at encouraging local tourists to travel to the North, particularly the younger generation and working people.

The trend of slow travel is becoming increasingly popular, especially among Europeans.

The TAT has set aside a budget of approximately two million baht for media advertising.

The agency expects the campaign awareness in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces to be around 65 percent.

The campaign is expected to attract at least 500,000 Internet users from the Amazing Thailand fan page and 73,000 others from the fan page of the famous travel writer who goes by the pseudonym New Klom.

The TAT governor said the campaign might be expanded to other regions if it proves successful.

He added that his office may also choose a couple of routes to match foreign travelers' tastes to promote in international markets.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-13

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Strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes offshore Papua New Guinea

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Aids groups seek help to counter 'ever-green patents'

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Royal Barge Procession rehearsal to take place today

BANGKOK, 13 September 2011 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Navy will today rehearse the royal barge procession for the royal ceremony to present Kathin robes to Buddhist monks which will take place on 22 October 2011.

Admiral Apiwat Sriwattana, a Royal Thai Navy special expert and chairman of the Royal Barge Procession Directing Sub-committee said all the vessels involved have been restored to their former glory and ready for the function.

The procession involves 52 barges and 2,200 oarsmen. Among the participating barges, four are major royal barges including Subanahongsa or the Golden Swan, the Narai Songsuban King Rama XI, the Anantanagaraj, and the Anekajatibhujonga. Apart from today’s rehearsal, seven more are scheduled including two full-dress rehearsals on 13th and 18th October.

The Royal Barge Procession will start at the Wasukri Landing and will take about 45 minutes to move to Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn, covering a distance of about 4.5 kilometres.

Deputy Director-General of the Public Relations Department (PRD) Ladavan Bua-am said her office has been entrusted by the Government to publicize all events to be held in celebration of the 7th cycle birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King on 5 December 2011. In this connection, the PRD has issued a booklet on royal ceremonies and also open a PR website via www.ในหลวง๕๔.ไทย, where people may find details and progress of celebrative projects.

-- NNT 2011-09-13

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Dolphin Found Dead on Kao Tao Beach

A bottle-nose dolphin was found dead on Kao Tao beach, in Prachuab Khirikhan Province.

Authorities believe it was killed by fishing equipment.

Kao Tao villagers informed officials that they found a huge dolphin dead on Kao Tao beach, in Prachuab Khirikhan Province.

Officials determined that the marine creature was a 2-year-old bottle-nose dolphin.

The poor creature is two meters long and weighs approximately 200 kilograms.

Officials found that it had sustained deadly wounds, which they speculate came from fishing implements.

A 51-year-old witness, Master Sergeant First Class Vivat Panya reported that he saw the dolphin swimming in distress before it was found dead on the beach.

He informed officials who then conducted an investigation.

He went on to say that it is well known by villagers and fishermen that many dolphins come out to look for food in this area, so he thinks it is unlikely that fishermen hurt the animal.

Officials are coordinating with the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center for the Central Gulf of Thailand, in Chumporn Province, to determine the exact cause of death.

At the Convention on International Trade and the Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, dolphins were declared protected animals.

The delegates noted the importance of maintaining healthy population levels in Thailand as something crucial.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-13

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Overflowing Chao Phraya River Floods Pathum Thani Province

Pathum Thani has now joined the long list of flood affected provinces after the water from the Chao Phraya River overflowed to flood many areas in the province.

Officials from Patum Thani Sub-district Administrative Organization of Ban Kra-Chang, Muang District, and a team of Border Patrol Police bureau 1, are cooperating to build barricades at the Ban Kra-Chang to Lumlae Temple to prevent houses and farmland from being flooded by run-off from the Chao Praya River.

Last night, a temporary dam located at the back of Bodhi) Temple collapsed, causing the temple, Bodhi-Learn School, and the Sub-district Administrative Organization of Ban Kra-Chang to flood, as they saw water levels rise higher than 50 centimeters.

School officials are already discussing postponing student examinations.

In addition, there have been reports that the run-off also damaged houses along the river in the Bang Teoy Market in Sam Kok District, including at the immigration point there.

A 75-year-old villager, Kee Sae-Iew said there was torrential run-off from the Chao Praya River last night that caused over 200 houses located near the river to flood.

Even though villagers have been monitoring the situation and were prepared for flooding, water rose quicker than they could react.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-13

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Policy Demanding More Contributions from Wealthy Parents Draw Criticisms

The education minister says further research and discussions have to be carried out before a final decision is made about the policy that would allow schools to collect extra fees from well-to-do parents.

Education Minister Worawat Ueapinyakul defended the policy to have well-to-do parents pay extra fees to schools, saying that it is intended to help schools obtain more funds to make improvements.

He denied reports that these additional fees would be money paid under the table in order to guarantee admission into schools.

Earlier, a school director expressed disagreement with the policy, suggesting there be an appropriate balance of students from well-to-do and low-income families-- with an 80 / 20 ratio.

The director, meanwhile, agreed with the proposal that large schools raise their tuition fees.

In response to the remarks, the education minister said further discussions will be conducted regarding the matter.

Worawat added that his ministry will take more serious action in cracking down on corruption in the school milk and textbook projects.

As for the textbook project, the corruption problem could be minimized as school materials will then be available in an electronic format.

Regarding the scam at teacher cooperatives, he said the ministry has called on those involved to provide clarification about the matter.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-13

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Cabinet approves tax refund for first-time car buyers for purchase of vehicles not exceeding Bt1 mln starting Oct 1 /TAN_Network

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Elephant Steps on Landmine at Thai-Myanmar Border

A 22-year-old elephant named Si-Door, has been receiveing treatment at an elephant hospital in Lampang Province after being severely injured by a landmine along the Thai-Myanmar border, across from the Omphang District in Tak Province.

A veterinarian from the Elephant Foundation Hospital has been treating the injured 22 year-old elephant, Si-Door Pahaepo for injuries sustained when he stepped on a landmine in Myanmar last Sunday.

The elephant lost one nail and part of his left foot.

The veterinarian is providing basic treatment for the elephant by cleaning the infected wound, and injecting pain killers to stop the pain.

The elephant's mahout said on last Sunday, he took four elephants to Bann Toepahpoo Omphang District in Tak Province when Si-Door accidentally slipped off the leash and walked across to Myanmar's border.

Si-Door stepped on a landmine while the mahout was trying to walk him back over Thailand's border.

Due to heavy rain and landslides in the area at the time, it took a long time to get the wounded elephant to the hospital.

Last August, another elephant, 18-year-old Moe-Mah-Aae also stepped on a landmine along the Thai-Myanmar border.

The injured elephant has been receiveing treatment at the same elephant hospital.

His overall condition has been improving.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-13

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SET closed Tuesday midday break up by 2.40 points at 1,043.23 with value of Bt7.42 bln /TAN_Network

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Cabinet approves plan for tax rebate up to Bt100,000 for buyers of first cars

Cabinet approves plan for tax rebate up to Bt100,000 for buyers of first cars, effective Oct 1; diesel tax reduction to run until year end

-- TNA 2011-09-13

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Body of murdered foreign national found in Chao Phraya river

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Dozens of crocodiles escape from Crocodile Farm in Pattaya

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Top crime buster seconded as anti-narcotics chief

By The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday confirmed the reshuffle at the Justice Ministry, including the secondment of a top crime buster to head the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.

The new ONCB line-up was in line the government's policy to crackdown on illicit drugs, she said.

Deputy national police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew said he would be seconded as secretary general of the ONCB for a one-year term, effective as of October 1, to spearhead the war on drugs.

Adul said he was recruited for the job by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok. He is expected to devote full attention to his work at the ONCB although he will remain in the police service.

Under the Cabinet resolution, incumbent ONCB secretary general Sureeprapha Trivej is slated to become deputy permanent secretary for Justice, paving way for Adul to replace her.

-- The Nation 2011-09-13

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Ayutthaya braces for flooding in business area; Nakhon Sawan under water

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Chiang Mai neglecting stray dog problem: centre

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SET index closed at 1031.67, down 9.16; Bt/USD30.04; GBP47.42; AUD30.90; EUR40.79; CAD30.04; HKD3.84; SGD24.17; JPY38.76

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Phuket's Koh Kaew Market to rise from the ashes

The blaze destroyed the market in about two hours.

Photo: Sampawat Wannasangkam

Many market vendors lost all their inventory along with their shops.

Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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AFP: Thai cabinet extends emergency rule on south

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Headless Body Of A Western Woman Washed Ashore On Koh Chang

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Govt to crack down on "party pills"

Deputy Public Health Minister Torpong Chaiyasarn Tuesday warned people found with so-called "party pills" - a popular tranquilliser among Thai teens and the rich and also used in date rape - could face jail or even a death sentence

He said the Medical Science Department and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would categorise the pills as a "Class 1" narcotic (along with heroin and cocaine) in the Royal Decree soon. The Public Health Ministry would conduct strict searches for the drug.

Torpong was asked about control over cold medicines containing precursor chemicals frequently used in the production of illicit drugs that were sold overthecounter. Torpong said the FDA had the power to conduct random checking of pharmacy shops, including unlicensed ones, looking for those selling dangerous medicines without a pharmacist's supervision or doctor's prescription. Such lawbreaking stores should beware of the FDA, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-09-13

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Tax Refund Approved for First-time Car Buyers

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Thai court refutes classification of katoyes (transvestites)

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Thailand Live Wednesday 14 Sep 2011

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