Thailand Live Friday 30 Mar 2012

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Phuket's new incinerator online 'by May'

At 960 million baht Phuket’s second waste incinerator is due to come on line in May to start dealing with the over-flowing landfill site. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET’s second trash incinerator at the Saphan Hin facility is almost fully complete and is expected to be operational by May.

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Economy continued to improve in February; private consumption, investment, overtake pre-flood levels: Bank of Thailand /MCOT

BOT: Feb econ figures on uptrend; consumption and investment recover to higher than pre-flood level while export also recovers /TANN

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Private Sector Urges Thai Govt to Leave Exchange Rate Alone

BANGKOK: -- The private sector is warning the government not to issue any statement which could mislead the money market or draw in foreign speculators.

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SET index closed at 1196.77, down 7.14; Bt/USD30.68; GBP49.03; AUD31.82; EUR40.90; CAD30.63; HKD3.95; SGD24.27; JPY37.12

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ILLEGAL ENTRY

Thai miners given bail and return home

The Nation

SA KAEOW: -- Four Thai miners arrested in Cambodia for alleged illegal entry last week returned to Thailand yesterday after a Khmer court released them on bail.

The four are Saran and Suriya Panphet, both 43, from Sa Kaeo and their assistants, Mai Sodachan, 25, and Wanwisa Primprem, 23.

After returning to Sa Kaeo's Ta Phraya district in a van provided by the Thai -Cambodian Border Coordination Office, the four were taken to an immigration office where they were charged with illegally departing the Kingdom without permission and ordered to pay a fine of Bt1,600 each.

The Cambodian court, which granted them bail on Thursday, is asking for documents and information from their employers concerning previously granted permission to bring in a power generator and mine surveying equipment for work in Cambodia's Oddor Meancheay province.

The four were detained while driving two pickup trucks to survey a mine in Cambodian territory nine kilometres from the Thai - Cambodian border on March 23.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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Earth hour tomorrow night from 8.30-9.30pm; public encouraged to turn off lights and electrical appliances /TANN

Rehearsal for HRH Princess Bejaratana's royal cremation tomorrow; 16 roads around Sanam Luang to be closed off to traffic /TANN

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Muslim MP's house in Narathiwat hit by M79 grenade

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- The Narathiwat home of veteran provincial MP Najmudeen Uma came under an M79 attack Friday early morning, causing no casualties but property damage.

The incident took place in Ra Ngae district together with a bomb attack on a squad of Army paramilitary rangers, and a security blockade which had interrupted a planning of attacks in progress.

The Muslim MP, belonging to Wadah group which had been attached to several political parties and currently to nonpartisan Matuphum Party, was in Bangkok attending a House session, while his wife and two young children were home during the attack, and suffering slightly mentally from panic and mild ear ringing.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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PM Pledges to Address Rising Energy Prices

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister pledges the government will do its utmost to limit the effect of the present surging energy prices to help the public cope with the rise in their cost of living.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her administration and related agencies will work to ease the impact from the increase in the energy prices on consumers as much as possible.

Yingluck remarked the promotion of energy saving and development or search for renewable energy sources must proceed ahead.

The prime minister maintained the policies concerning those issues must move forward on a permanent and sustainable basis, with all ministries working in unison to seek measures on energy saving and development of renewable energy.

However, Yingluck insisted the energy policies must not create any environmental problem that could lead to the deterioration of global warming and climate change.

She suggested the public and businesses adapt themselves to cope with the changing situation.

Yingluck's statement was part of her speech during the Thailand Energy Awards 2011 at which she presented honorary awards to those who have won international prizes for their renewable energy projects.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Transport Company Offers Songkran Booking

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Company has offered more options to accommodate passengers during this year's Songkran Festival.

Passengers can purchase train tickets in advance until April 8.

Chief Executive Officer of the Transport Company Wuthichart Kalayanamitr disclosed that the Transport Company has come up with more options to accommodate passengers during the Songkran Festival this year.

Passengers can depart from Pinklao's inter-provincial bus terminal to travel to northern and northeastern provinces.

Furthermore, passengers can purchase train tickets in advance from today until April 8, from 8.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.

Buses will depart from Pinklao's inter-provincial bus terminal on April 11 and 12, at 8 P.M. For more information, contact the 24-hour call center at 1490.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Pineapple farmers have reopened Petchkasem Rd in Prachuab Khiri; Agriculture Ministry approves Bt800 mn to purchase at Bt4/kg /TANN

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Haze Situation Still Critical in North

CHIANG MAI: -- Four provinces in the North are still affected by thick haze caused by smoke and dust from forest fires.

Meanwhile, authorities in Chiang Mai are trying to alleviate the problem by spraying water into the air to increase humidity.

The Chiang Mai Provincial Authority has deployed a number of trucks to spray water mist into the air to increase the humidity level aimed to alleviate the haze which has been affecting locals and tourism in the province.

Despite the improving situation, all related agencies are implementing measures to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Director General of Pollution Control Department Wijarn Simachaya has reported that each of the dust particles is about ten microns is size and measures between 65.4 and 228.7 micrograms per cubic meter, marking moderate air quality and posing some health risks.

The worst air quality was measured in Mae Sai District of Chiang Rai Province at 228.7 micrograms per cubic meter followed by Muang District of Chiang Rai Province at 186.7 micrograms per cubic meter, Muang District of Phrae Province at 133.7 micrograms per cubic meter, Muang District of Chiang Rai Province at 124.7 micrograms per cubic meter and Muang District of Nan Province at 123 migrograms per cubic meter.

For the North, the Meteorological Department has forecast an increase in precipitation from April 2 with rainfall in 30 to 40 percent of the area and possible strong winds and hailstorms which may reduce the haze problem.

The Pollution Control Department is also asking related authorities to control outdoor burning of garbage to prevent pollution during this drought season.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Thailand Live Saturday 31 Mar 2012