Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Nov 2011

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Water down 5cms on Serithai Rd in front of Bangchan industrial estate, water level at 10-15cms /via ThaiPBS /TANN

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Justice minister submits draft amnesty decree to PM to sent to King for royal approval; conforms with old draft; multi-colour group submits opposing letter /MCOT

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World Bank Slash Thailand's Econ Growth Forecast to 2.4%

The World Bank has slashed its economic growth forecast for Thailand this year to 2.4 percent and has warned of risks that could potentially affect the growth of the East Asian economy.

The World Bank maintained its growth forecast for the East Asian economy but warned that the region might face growing risks from Europe's sovereign debt crisis and from uncertainty in Thailand's manufacturing sector after the worst flooding in half a century.

In the latest edition of its biannual report on the global economic outlook, the World Bank expects the East Asian economy will expand by 8.2 percent this year and 7.8 percent next year, which does not deviate much from the previous projection made in April.

China's growth will slow to 9.1 percent this year and 8.4 percent next year as opposed to last year's projection of 10.4-percent growth.

The World Bank also slashed its forecast for Thailand's gross domestic product growth for this year to 2.4 percent, due to damage to the country's automotive and electronic industries, as well as damage to suppliers brought on by months-long flooding.

However, the World Bank expects Thailand's growth next year will rebound to 4 percent.

The recent floods in Thailand is regarded as the second-worst natural disaster of this year, after Japan's earthquake and tsunami in March which claimed at least 20,000 lives.

These disasters have tremendously affected supply chains in the Southeast Asian region.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-22

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50 endangered pangolins seized in southern Thailand

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MRT offers free check ups with BNH Hospital Nov 21-23 at Ladprao/Paholyothin station 11pm-6pm /via MRT_BMCL /TANN

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Mobile data traffic soars amid flood crisis

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BMA announces school opening postponements

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announces postponements for Bangkok schools from December 1 to be December 6. As for 7 high-water districts including Don Muang, Saimai, Laksi, Taweewattanna, Nongkaem, Bangkae and Bangbon schools will open December 13

-- Tan Network 2011-11-22

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SET index midday up 7.90 pts, 0.82 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Tuesday stood at 972.97, up 7.90 points, or 0.82 per cent amid light trade of Bt8.34 billion.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 681.07, up 6.20 points, or 0.92 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: PTT, BANPU, PTTGC, JAS, KBANK.

-- The Nation 2011-11-22

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BMA: Many areas see water receding but still on the look out for floodwall-destroyers. High sea level on Nov 27, ppl along rivers beware /TANN

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Bkk gov orders garbage clean up in all areas and hands out EM water especially for 1 month long flooded areas /TANN

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Activist petitions Justice Minister on proposed pardon decree

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/514055-activist-petitions-justice-minister-on-proposed-pardon-decree/page__view__findpost__p__4864144

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Thaksin visits S. Korea to tour river project

SEOUL, November 22, 2011 (AFP) - Former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra is visiting South Korea to tour a $19 billion river upgrade project which he believes could have averted Thailand's flood disaster, officials said Tuesday.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/514063-thaksin-visits-s-korea-to-tour-river-project/page__view__findpost__p__4864252

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PM confirms Thaksin's name is not included in the royal pardon decree list for Dec 5 /via ThaiPBS /TANN

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Baan Hua Mhon in Pattalung severely hit by flash flood, water up to 70cms now /via thaiflood /TANN

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Nonthaburi governor fails to reach agreement with residents demanding to raise all sluice gates to 1m to drain water /MCOT

FROC spokesman negotiates with Nonthaburi locals, accepts demands to open 9 water gates along Mahasawat canal immediately /via js100 /TANN

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Cabinet postpones Bt300 minimum daily wage hike to Apr 1, 2012 /via posttoday /TANN

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BMA Speeds Up Drainage of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reassured residents of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces that drainage efforts are being expedited.

Spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Wasant Meewong reported on the current flood situation, pointing out that many parts of Bangkok returned to normal and that drainage efforts to drain the floodwater into the sea are being expedited.

For the western side of the capital, more water pumps have been installed to speed up the movement of floodwater.

On the eastern side of Bangkok, The BMA is confident that Bang Chan and Lad Krabang industrial estates are now 90 percent safe.

The residents of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces have recently organized protests to demand the BMA help drain floodwater from their homes by opening a sluice gate at the lower Hok Wa Canal and installing additional pumps at Chulalongkorn and Klong 2 sluice gates.

Wasant has pointed out that some water has already been drained out from Pathum Thani province but not all of the locals' demands can be met.

He claims that the situation has already been explained to the protesters from the two provinces and the BMA is doing its best to assist them.

The BMA spokesperson added that Bangkok has no problems coordinating with the Flood Relief Operations Center and the Royal Irrigation Department.

Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department reported that the water has been receding consistantly in the area west of Chao Phraya River.

At the same time, the department will strengthen the flood levees and install more water pumps in many populated areas such as Pathum Thani Muncipality, Rangsit Market, Bang Kruai, Bang Bua Thong, and Sai Noi districts to expedite the drainage as requested by Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-22

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Pardon Decree Sent for King's Endorsement

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Deputy PM Chalerm Vows to Continue Helping Thaksin

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Danielle Mitterand, widow of former French president Francois Mitterand, dies at 87 /MCOT

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PM Yingluck Affirms Thaksin Not Named For Amnesty

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SHINAWATRA GOVERNMENT

Thaksin visiting Seoul to observe anti-flood projects

Photo : EPA

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Pattaya: Belgian Attacked By Shop Owner For Parking Outside His Shop

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Pattaya Locksmith accused of threatening foreigner with gun during road-rage incident

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Russian Patron Accused Of Attempting To Choke Restaurant Waitress

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Pathum Thani district offices open

The Lat Lum Kaeo, Klong Luang, Thanyaburi, Lam Luk Ka and Nong Sua district offices in Pathum Thani are now open and have resumed services including the issuing of national ID cards.

Pathum Thani PR officer Anansak Boonkreuphan said state offices in Muang and Sam Khok districts, where the flood situation is improving, have also opened though they are still unable to issue household registration papers and national ID cards.

-- The Nation 2011-11-22

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SET index closed at 977.36, up 12.29; Bt/USD31.03; GBP48.47; AUD30.52; EUR41.78; CAD29.78; HKD3.98; SGD23.72; JPY40.01

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Swedish ‘fishing tourist’ found dead near Phuket

Phuket Gazette

A Phuket rescue worker prepares to take the body to hospital.

Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

The man's body was found off Racha Yai Island, about 24 kilometers to the south of Phuket.

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Don Mueang Airport to reclaim eastern runway

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[Lite Beer]

Cabinet postpones Bt300 minimum wage rate

The Cabinet Tuesday approved a postponement of the flat Bt300 daily minimum wage to April 1, from original schedule on January 1, following business cost burden on employers due to flooding.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/514162-cabinet-postpones-bt300-minimum-wage-rate/page__view__findpost__p__4864898