Thailand Live Saturday 17 Mar 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 17 March 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news, national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 16 Mar 2012

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Austrian tourist arrested at Aranyaprathet border on drug charge

SA KAEO, March 16 - A 51-year-old Austrian tourist was arrested at Thailand’s Aranyaprathet district immigration checkpoint for bringing several types of restricted drugs from Cambodia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....on-drug-charge/

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Thailand As Most Popular Asian Destination

Full story:

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Red Shirts To Mark 2nd Anniversary Of Protests

Full story:

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Democrats consider seeking Pheu Thai dissolution

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party is wondering whether to seek a court order for the dissolution of ruling Pheu Thai Party in connection with the disqualification of a party MP, who was found to have used false documents to contest last year's general elections.

Full story:

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INFLATION

Thai govt acts to soothe price fears

Blames inflation on flood effects

BANGKOK: -- The government yesterday acknowledged growing anxiety over the rising cost of living and the imminent increase in the minimum wage, but expressed confidence that Thailand's economic situation remained under control.

Full story:

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There's 'no climate for reconciliation in Thailand'

BANGKOK: -- Despite so much talk about the need to achieve national reconciliation, Thailand still needs to create a climate for understanding, Wutisarn Tanchai, King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI) deputy secretary-general, said.

Full story:

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Bid to seek extradition of Iranian held in Malaysia

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors and police are set to visit Malaysia to discuss the extradition of an Iranian national suspected of being involved in the Bangkok explosions last month, deputy police chief Pansiri Praphawat said yesterday.

The suspect, who was arrested in Malaysia, is currently being detained there.

Additional evidence implicating Masoud Sedaghatzadeh has been supplied to the Malaysian court and police. A team of Thai police and public prosecutors is planning to travel to Malaysia on March 25-26 to discuss the protocol and preparations.

However, Pansiri said it was up to Malaysian authorities to decide whether the suspect should be handed over to Thailand, though he would not elaborate.

A high-ranking Israeli official, meanwhile, has praised Thai authorities for their handling of the incidents, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said. The official, referred to as chairman of Israel's national security commission, commended Thai authorities and customs officials for their quick and efficient action, he said.

Yuthasak went on to say that the official, who had met him on Wednesday, had also urged Thai authorities to stay on alert in tracking terrorists, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-03-17

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CENTRAL BANK

Rate hike unlikely for six months: Bank of Thailand chief

BANGKOK: -- The governor of the Bank of Thailand has signalled that there will be no increase in the policy rate in the next six months, given stable inflation expectations.

Full story:

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Thai officials take action on missing hospital drugs

BANGKOK: -- Authorities are taking action against those involved in the embezzlement of medicines containing pseudoephedrine from state hospitals amid concerns that the medications might be used to produce methamphetamine.

Full story:

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Insurgents 'aiming at armed guards'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An intelligence report has warned authorities about insurgents in the deep South targeting security officials armed with assault rifles.

The report said armed security forces have been targeted all this week, mostly in Yala, by a team of eight newly-trained militants.

The report said this new policy had been worked out at a recent meeting led by suspected insurgent leader Seng Samoh, who has been active in Krong Pinang district.

Meanwhile, a paramilitary ranger was shot dead yesterday in an ambush in Pattani, while a border patrol policeman yesterday succumbed to the injuries he had sustained in a roadside bomb attack in Yala.

Quoting witnesses, police said ranger Rosalee Rohmasa was gunned down by insurgents while he was travelling on a motorcycle. In Yala, Pol Corporal Worrasant Yaemsamai was pronounced dead after he succumbed to wounds sustained in a bomb attack on Wednesday in which his fellow squad member Pol Corporal Jeerawat Somkham was killed.

-- The Nation 2012-03-17

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Crop policy leads to failure and long-term damage: Thai opinion

BANGKOK: -- Price subsidies on farm produce are reducing Thailand's competitiveness and harming agriculture; it's time to reverse them before it's too late

Full story:

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Thai govt provides Bt5bln to build dykes for industrial estates

BANGKOK, March 17 - The Thai government will partly fund construction of a series of flood-protection dykes around all industrial estates with the budget of five billion baht, Payungsak Chartsutipol, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said today.

Full story:

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Night spots to close nationwide for Thai Princess's funeral April 8-10

BANGKOK: -- Night entertainment venues will be asked to suspend their businesses from April 8-10 during the funeral of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, while other private enterprises will be asked to fly national flags at half-mast on their premises, PM's Office permanent secretary Thongthong Chandrangsu said yesterday.

Full story:

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Bangkok airport problems threaten tourist-friendly image

(Reuters) - When Bangkok's futuristic $4 billion (2.5 billion pound) Suvarnabhumi airport opened six years ago, it was hailed as a model for the region.

Full story:

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TAT expects a not-so-exciting Songkran in 2012

BANGKOK, 17 March 2012 (NNT) - The Thai tourism authority is expecting a not-so-exciting Songkran holiday this year, due to a number of negative factors.

Full story:

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Fine Arts Dept: Preparation nearly complete for royal cremation

BANGKOK, 17 March 2012 (NNT) - The Fine Arts Department has confirmed its readiness in organizing the royal cremation for HRH Princess Bejaratana.

Mr. Anan Chuchote, director of the Office of the National Museum at the Fine Arts Department, revealed that the restoration of royal chariots, royal palanquins, and other ceremonial elements required for the royal cremation of HRH Princess Bejaratana is completed.

He said that the restoration and maintenance work began last December.

All pieces will be used in small rehearsals on March 18th and 25th, before the final run-through is held on March 31st, according to Mr. Anan.

The Office of the National Museum director added that, after all the rehearsals, a major cleaning will be performed on all components ahead of the funeral day on April 9th. The work requires particular scientific techniques to protect the artistic attributes and antiquities of the royal vehicles and utensils which have long been associated with the royal institution.

Mr. Anan said that he believes the final cleaning will be complete in time for the royal cremation on April 9th.

-- NNT 2012-03-17

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Tomorrow morning's alms giving of 22,600 monks will see closure of Ratchadamri Rd from Ratchaprasong-Pratunam-Makkasan intersections /TANN

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Canal Dredging to Be Completed in May

BANGKOK: -- The Region 1 Army chief has confirmed that the dredging of canals around Bangkok will be completed by May. He asks for cooperation from district offices and local residents to keep the canals clean.

Region 1 Army Chief Lieutenant General Udomdej Sitabutr disclosed that operations to dredge the capital's canals will be complete by May this year after observing operations in Bang Na District.

He said that teams are making good progress. Udomdej said he has deployed soldiers to ask for cooperation from district offices and local residents to further look after the canals.

Some adjustments might be applied to speed up operations in order to accommodate the upcoming rainy season.

Nevertheless, the main problems of the canal dredging are buildings which block waterways.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-17

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Rotten school milk found in Lampang

LAMPANG, 17 March 2012 (NNT) – Local authorities in Lampang have withdrew more than 1,000 cartons of milk from local schools following complaints of rotten milk.

According to Tambon Maekua Administrative Organization, 1,600 cartons of milk distributed to four schools under the free milk project were found to become curd and have foul smell although the labels say the milk is due to expire in November.

The milk is produced by a local factory in Mae Tha District.

More than 400 children were said to have received the rotten stuff. However, there has been no report of sickness among those children so far.

-- NNT 2012-03-17

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PM calls meeting of ministers, agencies concerned over 1 child 1 tablet PC policy, expresses worry may not be ready for this academic year /MCOT

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World's 260th, Thailand's richest man by Forbes, Red Bull owner/founder Chaleaw Yoovidhya passes away, age 90; total assets valued US$4 bln /MCOT

1 defense volunteer, 1 villager shot dead separately in Yala's Raman district; insurgents suspected but personal conflict not ruled out /MCOT

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PM clarifies need for wage hike

BANGKOK, 17 March 2012 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has stressed the importance of the minimum wage rise policy in her Saturday talk show which mainly focused on the high cost of living.

Ms. Yingluck explained that the THB300 minimum wage would enable low-income earners to cope with higher living cost by giving them better access to necessary consumer products, which were becoming more expensive.

She insisted that skill development must be promoted after the wage hike. The Labor Ministry has been assigned to work in tandem with operators on this matter.

As part of the plan to help ease people’s financial difficulties, the free bus and train project will continue. The public will also be urged to adjust to an energy-saving lifestyle.

In addtion, the public sector will need to map out energy efficiency strategies and look for new alternative energy sources at the same time.

-- NNT 2012-03-17

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PM says high consumer product prices resulted from last year's flood

BANGKOK, March 17 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday said high consumer product prices were the result of the massive flood last year, and ordered the Commerce Ministry to speed up expansion of the "Blue Flag" programme to sell inexpensive consumer goods to help low-income earners.

Full story:

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One defence volunteer, one villager shot dead in Yala's Raman district

YALA, March 17 - One defence volunteer and one villager were shot dead in Raman district in separate incidents, one on Saturday and the other Friday night.

Defence volunteer Yuso Daraning, 46, was ambushed on Saturday morning by gunmen while he was on a motorcycle on the way to a rubber plantation for rubber scraping. His leg and arm were shot, causing him fall off his vehicle. The gunmen followed up to shoot him further until he was dead.

Local authorities believed the crime was committed by southern insurgents, while not ruling out personal conflicts.

The other victim, Ussaman Srichai, 43, was shot on Friday night. His body was found dead on a local village road. Authorities believed southern insurgency was also involved. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-17

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Redbull founder Chaleo passes away

BANGKOK: -- Redbull founder Chaleo Yuvihya has passed away in Bangkok. He was 90.

Redbull energy drink is one of global marketing and business successes.

-- The Nation 2012-03-17

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Indonesian ship apprehended in Phuket sea for smuggling Bt3mln in diesel oil

PHUKET, March 17 - An Indonesian ship was apprehended for smuggling over 100,000 litres in contraband diesel oil worth over Bt3 million while it was sailing near this resort province.

Customs Department director-general Somchai Poonsawasdi said the ship called 'Singa Msju' was carrying fuel oil for sale to fishing boats, with an Indonesian man named 'Ranlan' as its captain along with a crew of 7 Indonesians.

The arrest was made about 11 nautical miles west of Racha Noi Island.

Mr Somchai noted the 35-metre long, 5-metre wide and 3-metre deep ship can carry around 500,000 litres of oil, but only 100,000 litres was aboard when it was apprehended. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-17

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1 girl killed, 4 wounded in bomb ambush in Yarang district of Pattani by presumed insurgents who intend to attack paramilitary ranger unit /MCOT

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Three arrested with 2.5 million meth pills, 50 kg of ice at Suvarnabhumi airport

BANGKOK, March 17 -- Three suspects were arrested by Thai authorities with 2.5 million methamphetamine pills and 50 kg of crystal meth or 'ice' were seized on the departure level of Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan.

Full story: