Thailand Live Thursday 5 Apr 2012

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Mother And 5 Year Old Daughter Electrocuted At Their Family Home In Sattahip

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....me-in-sattahip/

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BMA to collaborate with 10 agencies in tackling building safety issues

BANGKOK, 5 April 2012 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is joining forces with 10 relevant agencies to ensure security and safety in high-rise buildings.

Deputy Bangkok governor Teerachon Manomaipibul said nine types of buildings city-wide are undergoing safety audits. The office is calling on owners of all buildings to comply with updated building regulations. Buildings built before 1992 must now be equipped with sufficient fire prevention and other safety equipment.

In order to successfully implement safety measures, the BMA is scheduled to sign an MOU with 10 local authorities such as the Council of Engineers (COE), the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT), the Thai Real Estate Association, the Building Safety Inspectors and Officers Association, the Association of Siamese Architects Under the Royal Patronage and the General Insurance Association.

In cooperation with the BMA, the General Insurance Association, for example, is set to adopt a policy of charging lower insurance premiums for buildings with no history of fire occurrences. Meanwhile, the Building Safety Inspectors and Officers Association will assist the BMA, which is facing a shortage of inspectors, in conducting safety checks in the city.

The Association of Siamese Architects under the Royal Patronage will be tasked with organizing public forums and seminars on improved building safety codes.

The deputy governor said the aforementioned collaborations would produce more concrete measures to prevent further loss of life and property.

-- NNT 2012-04-05

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Man Arrested after Taking Wife Hostage: Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Earlier today, a drug-rage man held his wife at knifepoint. He was eventually tasered by the police after an unsuccessful four-hour negotiation.

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

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Poll: Most to Stay in Bangkok during Songkran

BANGKOK: -- A recent survey shows that more than half of participants have no plans to travel during the Songkran festival due to rising cost of fuel.

The Bangkok Poll revealed the results of a recent survey asking people about their travel plans during the Songkran holiday.

It was conducted among 1,283 people in Bangkok and its metropolitan areas.

The poll found that more than 50 percent have no plans to travel anywhere during the Songkran holiday, while 23.7 percent will visit their hometowns.

About 13.8 percent plan to travel to other provinces, while another 10.4 percent have not made any decision.

Regarding the issue of financial stability, the survey showed that 51 percent enjoy the same financial status as they did last year.

Around 29.5 percent indicated that their financial status has gotten worse, while another 19.5 percent have better financial status than last year.

At the same time, around 60 percent of respondents say the bus fare and energy price hike affect their decision to travel during the holiday, while 39.5 percent indicate that those factors do not affect their decision.

According to the survey, 21.4 percent and 17.4 percent of participants agree that Kao Sarn Road and Kue Muang in Chiang Mai Province are the most popular places to celebrate Songkran.

Another 15.4 percent saw that Pattaya in Chonburi Province was the destination to enjoy the water-splashing activities.

More than 70 percent say they want to make merit, while 58.5 percent and 54.6 percent want to ask for blessings from the elderly and to enjoy spending time with family and friends respectively.

Around 36 percent of participants want the police to set up traffic checkpoints to arrest drunk drivers.

Another 11 percent want authorities to punish people who take advantage of the Thai New Year tradition.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-05

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City Police Assure Songkran Safety

BANGKOK: -- The city police chief is confident Bangkok will remain safe during the Songkran holiday.

Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Lieutenant General Winai Thongsong said Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung ordered the metropolitan police to step up security in Bangkok, particularly at popular destinations during the Songkran holiday.

Currently, the situation is stable. Police have been assigned to monitor crowded areas such as Sukhumvit, and Ramkamhkaeng.

The commander also asked local residents to rest assured that authorities are doing their best and to enjoy the Songkran holiday.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-05

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RT @AP: BREAKING NEWS: Annan spokesman says Syrian ceasefire expected to begin no later than 48 hours after April 10.

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SET index closed at 1182.41, down 15.68; Bt/USD30.86; GBP48.88; AUD31.61; EUR40.30; CAD30.74; HKD3.97; SGD24.37; JPY37.3

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Chalerm denies Thaksin talking with insurgents

BANGKOK, April 5 - Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung denied on Thursday that fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly had recently talked with Thailand’s exiled insurgents abroad.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5194265

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150,000+ passengers/day expected to transit Suvarnabhumi Airport during Songkran April 9-18; Airports of Thailand (AoT) ready to support passenger volume /MCOT

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Thailand Live Friday 6 Apr 2012