Thailand Live Tuesday 6 Mar 2012

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Man Stabbed to Death by 4 Teenaged Robbers at Sukhumvit 51

BANGKOK: -- At 4 A.M. this morning, Thonglor police investigated a stabbing on Sukhumvit Road, near Sukhumvit Soi 51. They found the body of Booncherd Koryaiklang, 37, a Nakhon Ratchasima native stabbed to the head, chest, and back. He was still holding on to a Family Mart plastic bag containing sausages. Police found his brown bag about 10 meters away from the body with the strap torn lose.

Witnesses said they saw 4 teenaged boys assault the victim. Footage of closed circuit cameras at the scene captured the images of 4 men aged between 20-25-years-old follow the victim out of the convenience store before they surrounded him. Then 1 tried to take his bag but he fought back after which another used a knife and hacked him in the head. The perpetrators then stabbed him several times in the chest and back before he felled and they made off with valuables from his bag.

Police believe the suspects live in the area and may have followed the victim from somewhere else after they saw valuables in his bag.

Translated from Daily News

-- Tan Network 2012-03-06

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One dead, one wounded in Yala teacher protection unit ambush

YALA, March 6 - - A Thai army non-commissioned officer dies of wounds this morning and another soldier, a private, is in stable condition in Yala hospital after a bomb ambush in this southern border province earlier today.

Sergeant-Major 1st Class Preecha Kongpaksi, 52, died after being evacuated for emergency surgery at Yala Hospital and Private Thongchai Boochuay, 23, is in stable condition after physicians and other medical personnel here attempted to save their lives.

Struck down by a remote-controlled bomb while on a 12-man foot patrol mission, a bomb estimated at weighing 3 to 5 kg, hidden in a pile of rubbish was remotely triggered and exploded while the teacher protection squad was on patrol on a Krongpinang district road.

Today’s incident occurred one day after a blast in Narathiwat on Monday killed one and injured seven others including both local residents and military personnel.

The initial investigation found that the explosion took place as a squad of 12 soldiers was patrolling Ban Ta Ba market along the Thai-Malaysian border to provide security for traders and residents.

When the soldiers stopped at a rest pavilion near the market, an explosive device hidden in a ceiling board was set off by remote radio signal.

The explosive device was identified as a homemade bomb in a metal box, weighing an estimated 5 kg.

Police presumed that the ambush was carried out by suspected insurgents.

More than 5,000 local residents, security personnel, monks, teachers and insurgents have been killed since the renewed insurgency in Thailand’s Muslim-predominant far South erupted eight years ago. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-06

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SET closed up 1.72 points at 1,159.67 with value of Bt15.15 bn during midday break /TANN

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PM affirms Cabinet has approved Bt7.75 mn compensation for each political rally victim; visit to Japan is to clarify econ situation /TANN

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Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport finally resumes operation after 4-month closure

BANGKOK, 6 March 2012 (NNT) – Don Mueang Airport finally opened its doors to passengers early this morning after having ceased all operations four months ago due to the flood.

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Public Health Ministry to get tough on alcohol ban on MAKA BUCHA Day tomorrow. Ban comes into effect on midnight tonight til midnight 7/03 /TAN_Network

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Owners of buildings constructed before 1992 told to install water sprinklers

BANGKOK, 6 March 2012 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will draft a rule demanding that all buildings constructed before 1992 have water sprinklers installed. Meanwhile the structure of the Fico Building on Asok Road reportedly remains intact.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5112660

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One troop killed, another injured in Yala bomb attack

Yala - A troop was killed and another was severely injured when insurgents detonated a roadside bomb to ambush a teachers protect unit in Yala Tuesday morning.

Police said the blast occurred on village road of Kuwa village in Tambon Huaykrathing of Yala's Krong Penang district at 6:40 am.

Police said Sgt Preecha Kongphakdee, 52, was pronounced dead at the Yala Hospital at 9:10 am. He was hit by bomb shrapnel on his head and body.

Pvt 1st Class Thongchai Boonchuay, 23, was severely injured with the shranel that hit his left eye and body. Doctors said his condition was stable and he was safe now.

Police said insurgents planted a homemade bomb at a roadside garbage dump site and detonate it a when a unit of nine troops, led by Preecha, arrived at the scene. The troops were patrolling the road on foot to provide protection for teachers when they travelled to school in the morning.

-- The Nation 2012-03-06

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PM leaves for official working visit to Japan during March 6 to 9 to strengthen bilateral ties, revive Japanese investor confidence in Thailand after last year's flood crisis. /MCOT

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THAI's A380 takes maiden flight

The Nation

The first A380 for Thai Airways International (THAI) took off for its maiden flight on March 6 following completion of the airframe assembly and system tests in Toulouse, France.

After a successful flight of more than four hours, the aircraft landed in Hamburg, Germany, for cabin installation and painting.

THAI is scheduled to take delivery of the super jumbo in the third quarter of this year.

It will become the ninth operator of the A380 when it takes delivery of its first aircraft in the third quarter of 2012. The airline has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on its premier routes from Bangkok to Europe.

-- The Nation 2012-03-06

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RT @RichardBarrow: Picture of a large wildfire on On Nut Soi 86 - RT @S_Kluaythai: ไฟไหม้ป่าหญ้า...อ่อนนุช 86 http://bit.ly/y9eQwA

Pic of the Bangkok fire seen from a distance. Large plume of smoke - RT @enzokung: ไฟไหม้อีกแล้วว http://bit.ly/wi6pWb

RT @RichardBarrow: Looks like there are multiple fires at present across Bangkok: 1. Suan Luang; 2. On Nut 86 and 3. Soi Udomdet

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Yutthasak orders study of special administrative zone for deep South

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapha said Tuesday that he has ordered the National Security Council to study a special administrative zone for the deep South.

Yutthasak, who is in charge of security affairs, said the NSC was ordered to study how set up the special zone for Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat in details.

The NSC was told to study which laws would be needed to enforce for the special zone and which steps would needed to be taken.

Yutthasak said it could not be told no how the special administrative zone would be.

He said he also ordered security agencies for the deep South to study whether the state of emergency should be lifted in certain provinces where the situation has improved.

-- The Nation 2012-03-06

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Thais may have been involved in Feb 14 Bangkok bomb blasts: police

BANGKOK: -- It is likely that certain Thais were involved in the triple bomb blasts that rocked Bangkok on Valentine's Day, Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Pansiri Prapawat said Wednesday.

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Ombudsman finds the appointment of Nalinee and Natthawut as ministers not a violation of ethical code /TANN

Boat capsized at Surat Temple pier in Pathum Thani, 2 students from Sam Koke School still missing /TANN

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Thailand to offer compensation for slain Japanese cameraman Muramoto

BANGKOK, March 6, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand will offer $250,000 in compensation to the family of a Japanese cameraman shot dead during a crackdown on protests in Bangkok two years ago, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Tuesday.

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Cabinet Reshuffle Likely after End of Political Ban

BANGKOK: -- The culture minister admitted that a Cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place when the five-year political ban against 111 politicians is lifted.

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunplome, in capacity as a key figure of the coalition Phalang Chon Party, admitted that the end of five-year ban on political activities against 111 executive members of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party in May might lead to a major political change.

Sukumol further said that a Cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place to allow the banned politicians to join the Cabinet.

The culture minister noted that leaders of the coalition parties have yet to discuss the matter while expressing readiness to perform duties as assigned if there is any change.

Commenting on the possibility that her husband Sonthaya Khunplome, one of the banned politicians, would return to politics, she said there have been no discussions yet about the issue. She added Sonthaya has already played a pivotal role in developing local politics in Chonburi Province.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-06

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ECONOMY

Yingluck hopeful for greater Japanese confidence

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is convinced that her visit to Japan would strengthen Japanese investor confidence in the Thai economy.

Speaking to the media before taking her flight to Tokyo, the prime minister said that during her visit she would have a discussion with investors who have already invested in Thailand and others who have not yet made presence felt here.

She is hopeful that Japanese business relocation would not take place, following the great floods. She also expressed readiness to answer all questions.

Regarding the petition of villagers in Ayutthaya against industrial estates’ flood-wall construction plans, she said that the government must do its best while waiting for the Central Administrative Court’s decision on this matter. She added that without the walls or something concrete, it is difficult to restore investor confidence.

Thirty nine villagers on Tuesday filed the petition, citing that the giant floodwalls would lead to a deluge of floodwater, if they cannot sustain the power of floodwater. Such would harm the properties nearby.

-- The Nation 2012-03-06

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RT @js100radio Burst pipe in front of Sukhumvit Soi 24 floods leftmost lane and leaves only 2 lanes to traffic /TANN

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SOUTH CRISIS

Yutthasak orders study of special administrative zone for Thailand's deep South

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapha said Tuesday that he has ordered the National Security Council to look into the setting up of a special administrative zone for the deep South.

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SET index closed at 1153.16, down 4.79; Bt/USD30.56; GBP48.35; AUD32.35; EUR40.23; CAD30.51; HKD3.93; SGD24.10; JPY37.34

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Nationwide Alcohol Ban For Makabucha Day: Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....a-day-thailand/

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Phuket tin smelter Thaisarco under probe

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket's rise as a tourist destination has seen the volume of tin produced by the plant fall dramatically over the past few years. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/538785-phuket-tin-smelter-thaisarco-under-probe/page__view__findpost__p__5113938

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 7 Mar 2012

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