Thailand Live Thursday 16 Feb 2012

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Lampang Monk Disrobed After Being Discovered in Bed with Woman

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....bed-with-woman/

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Thai teens to Be Allowed to Test for HIV/AIDS Without Need for Parents' Consent

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Chalerm Rules Out Hezbollah's Role in Bangkok Blasts

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....bangkok-blasts/

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US Consulate General - Chiang Mai On Security Alert After Bangkok Blasts

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Thai police step up security, Malaysian police arrest 3rd Iranian linked to Bangkok blasts

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5060022

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2 men on motorcycle opened fire at a Honda Jazz in front of Siam Commercial Bank on Sukhumvit Soi 21; 2 people injured /TANN

Foreign minister says 4 additional countries have issued travel advisories on Thailand /TANN

Police to investigate travel company which helped facilitate Thai visas for 4 Iranian suspects /TANN

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Airports-railway stations-bus terminals step up security after Bangkok explosions

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Suphan Buri volunteers as catchment for Central Thailand

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Czech Airlines pilot dies during Prague-bound flight

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RT @mpoppel: The Honduras prison fire which killed at least 357 is the world's deadliest since at least 1930 when 322 died in Ohio

RT @mpoppel: The Honduras fire might even be the world's deadliest ever prison fire. I think Ohio 1930 was deadliest until today.

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Expert Believes Thailand is a Transit Point for Terrorist Groups

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Smog Threats in Chiang Mai Province

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SET closed lower by 2.94 points at 1,123.54 with value of Bt14.49 bn at the midday Thursday break /TANN

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4 more countries: Italy, Norway, Israel,Taiwan issued travel warnings on Thailand; risk of violent incidents /The Nation

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House to debate charter change on Feb 23

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The House will on February 23 debate the government-sponsored bill to amend the Constitution, Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont said on Thursday.

"I believe the charter drafted by the people should be better than that sponsored by a dictatorship," he said inreference to the 2007 Constitution promuul gated in the wake of 2006 coup.

The bill is expected to pave way for the formation of the Constitution Drafting Assembly to take charge of the charter rewrite.

Under draft provisions, the CDA will have 99 seats, 77 of which will be filled by elected members representing each province and 22 are to be appointed from a pool of academics.

The CDA composition and mandate will be similar to the assembly responsible for the writing of the 1997 charter.

The preparations to form the CDA will likely take two months and the writing process should complete within the 180-day deadline. The writing will factor in the opinions solicited via public hearings and the final draft will be put for a referendum vote.

-- The Nation 2012-02-16

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Industrial confidence in January highest in five months

BANGKOK, 16 February 2012 (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has announced that the industrial confidence index in January is at its highest in five months, after the flood crisis is over.

FTI Chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol said the industrial sentiment in January has improved to 99.6 from 93.7 in December. He explains that the index has risen for two consecutive months, as several flood-affected industries have resumed their operations.

Regionally, he said the central region has the lowest industrial confidence, given it has been hit hardest by the flood, while the confidence figures in the Northeast ranked highest because many crops including para rubber have been in high demand since the crisis is over.

According to him, factors influencing the entrepreneurs’ confidence are oil prices and domestic political situation, while their worries over the global economic uncertainties have tapered off.

Mr. Payungsak added that most entrepreneurs wanted the government to delay the 300-baht minimum wage increase, solve labor shortage in some industries, and come up with a clear water management plan.

-- NNT 2012-02-16

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Commerce Ministry opens 500 new Blue Flag food shops across Thailand

BANGKOK, 16 February 2012 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry has reintroduced the state-sponsored economically-priced food products throughout the country.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said on Wednesday that the ministry has just opened 500 new 'Blue Flag' food shops across the country.

The 'Blue Flag' campaign has been introduced to consumers as a state-sponsored destination for cheap but quality products.

Mr. Boonsong said that the Commerce Ministry plans to open a total of 8,000 'Blue Flag' food shops within 1 month.

In order to achieve this goal, the ministry is collaborating with suppliers and the Public Warehouse Organization in procuring specially-priced materials for participating shops, such as rice, palm oil and seasoning products.

At the 'Blue Flag' shops, a plate of meal must cost only THB25 or charge the prices stated in the Commerce Ministry's announcement.

The minister went on to say that the latest inspection has shown no fresh products that have been overpriced yet.

In addition, Mr. Boonsong added that he believes the Tuesday blasts in Bangkok will not have any serious impact on the country's trade. However, he has instructed all overseas trade missions to explain the situation in the country to foreign businesspeople, in order to maintain their confidence in Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-02-16

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Lese majeste bail filed after hunger strike

BANGKOK:-- Panitan Prueksakasemsuk on Thursday petitioned for an appellate review on bail application filed for his father and lese majeste suspect Somyos following the completion of 112-hour hunger strike.

Panitan started his fasting on Saturday near the Bangkok Criminal Court in order to call attention to the legal plight of his father, held in remand last April while working as editor of Voice of Thaksin.

Defence lawyer Karom Polponthaklang said the lower court rejected six bail applications for Somyos, prompting the defence to ask for the appellate review for a first time.

In the appellate writ, the defence cited a comparison to the release granted to red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong who faces terrorism charges punishable by a death penalty, Karom said.

-- The Nation 2012-02-16

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No room cancellations in Sukhumvit, vicinity of Valentine’s Day blasts: Thai Hotels Association/Mcot

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Three blasts a security issue but not terrorism: Yuthasak

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha on Thursday admitted the Tuesday's three explosions off Sukhumvit 71 were a security issue but there was no evidence to classify as a terror attack nor a linkage to Hezbollah.

"The government views the blasts as having impacted on the national security," he said in the question-and-answer session of the House.

The explosive devices undercovered were meant for individual targets and the blasts involving Iranian bomber suspects were individual crimes and not a terroroist attack, Yuthasak said.

The police investigation has yet to determine the motive why the suspects were assembling the devices before the explosions, he said. The authorities had no evidence to link the suspects to the terrorist movement.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said his ministry had explained the situation to the diplomatic corps.

In comparison to the harsh warning in connection with the last month's arrest of a Lebanese man suspected of stockpiling explosives, the foreign embassiens toned down the language to remind their nationals to be cautious in public places, he said. Previous warnings had urged to avoid making an unnessary trip to the country.

The remarks were in response to the question posed by Democrat MP Thana Cheeravinij.

Thana wanted to know whether the blasts were an act of terror since a foreign leader cancelled a private visit to Bangkok.

According to news reports, Israel Defence Minister Ehud Barak would pay a scheduled private visit on Wednesday but abruptly cancelled following the explosions.

-- The Nation 2012-02-16

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House meeting disrupted by protests following query by Democrat Party about PM's personal meeting at Four Seasons Hotel/TAN_Network

2.4 magnitude quake hits Pan, Chiang Mai; no reports of damage or injuries/TAN_Network

Singer Sek Loso meets with narcotics police to give testimony on drug use; says he was introduced to drugs by friends/TAN_Network

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More Rescued Dogs Transferred to Buriram Animal Quarantine

BURIRAM: -- One hundred and eighty dogs have been rescued from a smuggling ring and transferred to the Buriram Animal Quarantine to receive care and treatment. There are now more than 1,900 dogs at the Animal Quarantine.

Yesterday, dog smugglers were arrested at Phu Phan District in Sakon Nakhon Province.

One hundred and eighty dogs have been rescued, two died, and many have been injured from being caged and held in bad conditions. Livestock Department officials were quick to provide vaccinations for rescued dogs and isolate unhealthy and injured dogs from the healthy ones.

More than 1,700 dogs at the Animal Quarantine in Buriram's Pakam District made up the key evidence in a dog-smuggling case from Sakon Nakhon Province, the trial for which has now ended.

With the new rescued dogs, there are now more than 1,900 dogs at the Animal Quarantine. However, more than 200 rescued dogs have been seriously injured or dead.

The Head of the Buriram Animal Quarantine, Paisarn Pattanadechakul, disclosed that many dog owners have visited the animal quarantine seeking their lost dogs, while more than 10 people have asked to adopt dogs.

He further said that dogs are available to be picked up by anyone. However, registration certificates must be shown to officials to prevent dog smugglers from picking up the dogs.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-16

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2.4 Magnitude Quake in Chiang Rai

2.4 magnitude quake reported in Pan, Chiang Rai; no reports of damage or casualties

-- Tan Network 2012-02-16

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14 Countries Have Issued Travel Warning On Thailand: MFA

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....n-thailand-mfa/

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Deputy Police chief Parnsiri says Iranian female suspect Rohani Leila has fled overseas /TANN

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Top 10 Jobs Shunned By Thais

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RT @tulsathit: True slashing iPhone4 & iPhone4s prices has many ppl weep. But I doubt new buyers will b smiling for long.

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AFP: Thailand boosts security after Bangkok blasts

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BOMB SUSPECTS

Arrest warrants issued for four Iranians

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Alleged contract killer surrenders to Phuket police, claims innocence

Phuket businessman Atsadakorn “Pod” Seedokbuab denied any involvement in the murder. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....aims-innocence/