Thailand Live Sunday 4 Mar 2012

[Lite Beer]

First Car project launch attracted large crowd of consumers

BANGKOK, 4 March 2012 (NNT) - The public have been drawn to the the latest automobile promotion event, during which the government's First Car project has been launched.

The First Auto Show Thailand 2012, which kicked off on February 29 at Bitec Bang-na, has continued to draw a large crowd coming to check out what automakers have to offer them.

At the fair, 18 major automakers, such as Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan and Ford, are present with their latest models and special offers to interested buyers.

This event is also the first of its kind to feature new and used automobiles, which have been thoroughly inspected and guaranteed by the Office of Consumer Protection Board.

Small cars have continued to attract consumers, who wish to enjoy tax privileges offered under the state-sponsored First Car scheme.

It is expected that during the 5-year auto event, between 2,000 and 3,000 new and old automobiles will be sold.

-- NNT 2012-03-04

[Lite Beer]

SRT kicked off Chatuchak vendor registration amidst protest

BANGKOK, 4 March 2012 (NNT) - The State Railway of Thailand has kicked off the registration for existing merchants of Chatuchak weekend market, amidst protest from vendors who oppose the plan to raise rental fees.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/538082-chatuchak-vendors-block-traffic-to-protest-rent-hike/page__view__findpost__p__5107252

[Lite Beer]

Haze in Tak critical, interferes with local flights

BANGKOK, 4 March 2012 (NNT) - The smoke haze covering many parts of the North of Thailand including Ampur Mae Sot of Tak province has forced low-cost airline Nok Air to adjust its local flight schedule as a result of poor visibility.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5107284

[Lite Beer]

PM presides over opening of anti-drug campaign for youths

BANGKOK, 4 March 2012 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has preside over the opening ceremony of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) campaign, where youths assemble to pledge to stay away from drugs. The event also features anti-drug exhibitions, leaflets, as well as a parade by D.A.R.E. participants.

D.A.R.E. which started out as a student drug use and abuse prevention programme in the US currently operates in 40 countries across the world. The operations demand the collaboration of the police, schools and parents.

In Thailand, D.A.R.E. saw its beginning in 1999. There are currently 2,200 D.A.R.E instructors and 730,000 students participating in the programme. In order to make the general public understand the importance of its participation in making the children and youths of Thailand immune to illicit drugs, the event is held to encourage all relevant parties from both the public and the private sectors to collaborate in the fight against drugs.

The D.A.R.E. activity is held today from 9-12 at the National Stadium in Bangkok.

-- NNT 2012-03-04

[Lite Beer]

Govt instructs serious punishment on forest burning

BANGKOK, 4 March 2012 (NNT) - The government has instructed authorities to take harsh legal action against those responsible for the continued forest fire crisis in Thailand's northern region.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/538081-thousands-may-be-evacuated-in-haze-hit-mae-sai/page__view__findpost__p__5107327

[Lite Beer]

ABAC poll: Thai less happy with rising cost of living

BANGKOK, 4 March 2012 (NNT) – ABAC poll indicates that Thais are not as happy as they were before because of the rising cost of living.

According to ABAC Poll director Noppadol Kanikar, the Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) Index in the recent survey is reduced to 6.42, from 6.66 in January; out of the total score of 10.

The main negative factors are an increase of the cost of living while earning remains the same or lower, and financial insecurity at the level of households. The government is urged to tackle the problems of surging grocery and service prices, making them in line with the people’s income level.

Out of the total 10 points, the GDH score in politics is less than half, standing at 4.35 thanks to the conflict among Thai people over an attempt to amend the charter. Additionally, the score is 4.78 points when asked if to what extent repondents were satisfied with their incomes.

The survey was conducted in 17 provinces among 3,247 respondents aged over 18 during February 20- March 3, 2012.

-- NNT 2012-03-04

[Lite Beer]

Pick up truck headed for Cha Am, Petchaburi hits water pipe in Samut Sakhon and overturns killing 3 and injuring 8 /TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Thai women are among powerful businesswomen in Asia

BANGKOK, 4 February 2012 (NNT) – Three Thai businesswomen have been named in Forbe’s inaugural lists of Asia's 50 Power Businesswomen and 15 Women to Watch for 2012.

Forbes magazine has just announced its list of Asia’s 50 Power Businesswomen for 2012, judging from their outstanding achievements in the business world as well as their contribution in transforming Asia into an economic superpower. Standing side by side with 49 other listees on the list is Yuwadee Chirativat, President of Central Department Stores Ltd. The 58 year-old female boss of Thailand's retail conglomerate has not only taken her family-owned business to the unrivaled forefront of shopping centers in Thailand, but she has also expanded the 65 year-old brand across Asia, with the main target being China’s growing market.

Additionally, Forbes also released a list of 15 Women to Watch, which compiles up-and-coming talents in the business world. The names of the twoThai women who appeared in this list are Nishita Shah and Wandee Khunchornyakong. Nishita Shah, 31, is the Director of GP Group and Precious Shipping Co. Ltd., one of Thailand's shipping magnates. She also owns a fashion brand called "-Nsha-"A young-blood executive, the Thai-Indian businesswoman was rated last year as the 27th richest people in Thailand, with a fortune worth USD340. Her family, which moved to Bangkok from India over 90 years ago, has made their fortune from rice trade and export to the Middle East and Africa.

Also on the 15 Women to Watch list is Wandee Khunchornyakong, 53, Chairperson and CEO of SPCG Co., Ltd., founder of the solar farm kingdom which boasts the capability to produce the largest electric power in ASEAN. 34 solar farms with a 6-megawatt capacity are also under development by her company. Her highest ambition in life is to create a clean energy for the Earth as well as provide careers for the rural people of Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-03-04

[Lite Beer]

Four possible tablet PC candidates revealed

BANGKOK, 4 February 2012 (NNT) – Information and Communications Technology Minister Gp. Capt. Anudith Nakornthap revealed that China has proposed four tablet manufacturers who meet the Thai government's tablet PCs specifications, namely Huawei, TCL, Haier and Scope.

The ICT Minister said that the committee overseeing the purchase of tablet computers is currently in China to study the details of the four recommended companies. Only one company will be chosen in the hope that the price per unit could be bargained down from the current 3,100-3,400 baht. The committee will on March 5 decide which company the Thai government should purchase from, and forward the recommendation to the cabinet for approval on March 6.

The ICT Minister added that the Prathom one table giveaway is part of the Smart Thailand policy which focuses on equally spreading equipment and network usage across the country by 2015, while also aiming to cut ICT costs down to 3% of the population's income from the current 6.5%.

The tablet PCs specifications set by the Thai government include a seven-inch touch screen, 16-gigabyte memory, and dual-core CPU. The tablets must also operate under the Android 3.2 Honeycomb system.

-- NNT 2012-03-04

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: 4:15pm Train hit 3 cars & 2 motorcycles in Khon Kaen City. Many injuries reported /via @Rawangpai

[Lite Beer]

HM the King worries about haze in North; chairman of Rajaprajanugroh Foundation to observe, advise on artificial rainmaking operation /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Don Mueang Airport to resume normal service Tuesday after forced to close by last year’s flood, PM to preside over reopening event on Monday /MCOT

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Thailand Live Monday 5 Mar 2012