Thailand Live Monday 13 Feb 2012

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Cabinet approves draft charter amendment of article 291, to forward to Council of State before submitting to Parliament/MCOT

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Cabinet resolves to sponsor charter amendment bill

BANGKOK:-- The Cabinet Monday resolved to sponsor its own version of charter amendment bill that seeks to change Article 291 to set up a constitution drafting assembly.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told reporters after the Cabient meeting that the government's bill will amend just one article so that the CDA would be set up to draft a new charter.

She said her government wanted to focus on rehabilitating the country and helping the people but now that civil groups have sponsored their charter drafts, the government wanted to have its bill be deliberated along with the people's drafts.

She said the charter rewriting would have nothing to do with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- The Nation 2012-02-13

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First-ever Global Alcohol Policy Conference kicks off in Thailand

BANGKOK, 13 February 2012 (NNT) – The Global Alcohol Policy Conference hosted in Thailand begins today with delegates in the field of public health from over 50 countries attending to set up a framework aimed at cutting down alcohol-related damage.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/533197-first-ever-global-alcohol-policy-conference-kicks-off-in-thailand/page__view__findpost__p__5051500

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Northeast faces drought

KALASIN, 13 February 2012 (NNT) – Several provinces in the Northeast have been facing severe drought for over two months. Officials have to distribute potable water to residents in many villages with serious water shortages.

In Kalasin province, the locals have used up the underground water. They have to buy water from water trucks at 300 baht each truck.

Although living in the areas under the Royal Irrigation Department’s jurisdiction, residents cannot use the water from Lam Pao Dam. This has prompted them to turn to the government for assistance.

Meanwhile, in Sakon Nakhon, agricultural products, especially cantaloupe, are growing smaller in sizes than usual, due to the drought. With the weather being so hot, melons cannot be kept for long. Merchants have to reduce the prices, down to 100 from the 150 baht they are usually selling for, to get rid of them before they rot.

-- NNT 2012-02-13

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Rose prices up by 20% ahead of Valentine’s Day

BANGKOK, 13 February 2012 (NNT) – Even though Valentine’s Day won't be here til tomorrow, customers have been placing advanced orders for flower bouquets to give to their loved ones on the day of love.

Florists said that customers have been coming into their shops to order flowers since early last week to prepare for Valentine's Day. Most customers are in the working age group given that they have a greater purchasing power. Flower bouquet prices range from 1,000 to 40,000 baht. The most-ordered bouquets contain imported red roses, followed by chocolate and stuffed toy bouquets respectively.

Rose prices this year have seen an in crease of 20%, while other kinds of flowers, such as lilies, still maintain the same price as they are less popular for this festival.

Additionally, a number of flower shops have said that they are considering adding up to four additional employees to their current staffs of six to help fill the orders which will definitely be piling up on Valentine's Day.

Meanwhile, retail shops selling gifts have put up numerous products containing the heart symbol on their shelves to welcome the festival of love, with prices ranging from 40 to 2,000 baht.

-- NNT 2012-02-13

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World Bank advises Thai government on flood prevention

BANGKOK, Feb 13 - The World Bank has suggested flood guidelines for Thailand for flood prevention and management as a method of managing expanding cities and a growing population.

The guidance came in a form of a handbook on a 21st century integrated approach to flood management in urban areas, which applies also on flood risks and the long-term changing global weather.

World Bank Thailand's Environmental Specialist Waraporn Hirunwatsiri said the number of floods in Asia accounted for 40 per cent of the world's flood situations in the past three decades, while over 90 per cent of the world's population has been affected by floods.

She said developing countries in the Asian region are transforming to larger urban societies, where flood management is difficult and more expensive, while the local economy is directly impacted. Opportunities in education are limited as a long-term result, and diseases arriving with the floodwaters could be obstacles to the local development goal.

The World Bank's report suggested that highly effective and integrated measures for risk management of floods include measures on infrastructure such as building flood sluice gates, floodways, and allowing for green areas in the cities. They applied also to having a flood-warning system, planning land usage to avoid flooding, and creating a water retention area.

All public and private sectors and communities at local and national levels are to be involved in the integrated measures, while the government must have a prompt and absolute decision when dealing with floods.

Other problems needing solutions for better sewerage are garbage management in canals and ‘canal invasions’, Ms Waraporn said, adding that online flood-warning systems will be effective in distributing hydrographic and meteorology information to investors and the general public.

She said she believed the Thai capital in the future will be ready to manage flood situations efficiently, as the government is active on the matter. Good flood management will be part of building confidence in Thailand among foreigners, she noted. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-13

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PM heads to Uttaradit to examine flood prevention plans

BANGKOK:--Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra begins a five-day trip today to observe rehabilitation and flood prevention plans in both upstream and downstream provinces hit by last year's flooding.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/533200-pm-heads-to-uttaradit-to-examine-flood-prevention-plans/page__view__findpost__p__5051574

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Smallroom Record Label to Celebrate 12th Anniversry with Big Concert

BANGKOK: -- Indie record label “Smallroom” will hold a free concert featuring more than 50 artists to celebrate its 12th anniversary.

After launching the careers of many artists that have been lighting up the music industry for over a decade, the big boss at the famous indie-music industry label, Smallroom, Rungroj Uppathampothiwat announced plans to hold a grand concert to celebrate its 12th anniversary.

The concert, entitled “Lek Kam Lang Dee 12 Pee Smallroom,” will feature over 50 artists and will be free of charge as a way of thanking fans for their support.

Two popular Smallroom artists, Tattoo Color band and Pae-Arak Amornsupasiri, confirmed that the concert will be very special as fans will be able to get close to all of their favorite artists in the company, and each will have a turn on stage.

He added that there are also some surprises in store for fans. The record label will also announce many projects that it plans to carry out this year, such as a second concert by the famous band Tattoo Color and a big project called the Smallroom Concert Series.

Smallroom was formed in 1999 by a group men who have a passion for music at a time when the country was facing an economic crisis. However, the label has survived the crisis and has been entertaining music lovers for 12 years now.

The concert will be held on February 25 at Garden Zone at The Offices at Central World from noon until 4 P.M.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-13

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Red-Shirts To Elect Official Leader

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....fficial-leader/

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Southern insurgents bomb vehicle carrying paramilitary troopers of 41st division in Bannangstar, Yala; 10 injured /TANN

Thammasat Univ to allow academic events which must abide by the law and not provoke violence /TANN

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Bomb ambush wounds 10 Thai army rangers on patrol duty in Yala's Bannang Sata district /MCOT

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Chuwit submits information of prostitution to US embassy

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Fish truck driver kills five, gets bail

Remains of the Toyota after the crash.

Truck driver Muhummadyukee Jehyus released on bail. Photo: Lars G Dikander

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Thai Cabinet Endorses Charter Amendment

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Tough love for street beggars in Phuket

Police officer looks through the contents of a street beggar’s daily collection. Many beggars collect over 500 baht a day.

SDHS-Phuket Chief Chaunchom Chanthawong.

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Phuket News: Sinkholes threaten Krabi rubber plantation

FIXING A HOLE: Mineral Resources Department officers inspect the sinkhole in Muang District Krabi, east of Phuket across Phang Nga Bay. Photo: Warisa Temram.

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SET index closed at 1,117.40 up 4.49; Bt/USD30.70; GBP48.39; AUD32.84; EUR40.59; CAD30.60; HKD3.95; SGD24.34; JPY40.03

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Tourist Police arrest illegal Russian Tour Company Worker in Central Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/533250-tourist-police-arrest-illegal-russian-tour-company-worker-in-central-pattaya/

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New shine for old Phuket shrine

Phuket Gazette

The new shrine by Tan Yeow Wooi. When completed it will be one of the largest shrines in Phuket.

Members of the shrine committee and other supporters pose for a photo before the old Thni Kong Thua Shrine in Wichit. Photo: Warisa Temram

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Thaksin's spokesman Noppadon says ex-PM is confident his sister PM Yingluck wouldn't have held an inappropriate meeting at Four Seasons /TANN

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Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Feb 2012

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