Thailand Live Friday 6 Apr 2012

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Free bus and train services to be extended

BANGKOK, 6 April 2012 (NNT) - At the next cabinet meeting scheduled on April 24, the Transport Ministry is set to propose an extension of free train and bus services for another 6 months.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport, Sorasak Saensombat said relevant agencies decided to propose extending the free bus and train services, which will expire on April 30. If agreed upon by the Cabinet, the extension will be effective until October 31 this year.

The Ministry’s panel on travel expense reduction agreed that its long-term measures to tackle soaring living costs should include prolonged free transport services. The move follows a recent transport fare hike that will further increase Thai consumers’ financial burden.

In continuation with the service, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand will provide 800 free buses on a daily basis, while increasing the number of bus routes to 85.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand will continue with the present scheme of free third-class travel on 164 daily trains with the government carrying on footing the bill.

-- NNT 2012-04-06

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Secondhand house prices drop 10-30%

BANGKOK, 6 April 2012 (NNT) – The Real Estate Broker Association (REBA) has revealed that prices of pre-owned houses have dropped by 10-30%, as supplies surge after the flood.

REBA President Dr Somsak Muneepeerakul said the Thai secondhand housing prices have reached the lowest point from the effects of the flood devastation last year.

According to Dr Somsak, additional 150,000 secondhand houses were added to the market, which already has around 300,000-400,000 units, as the houses could not be sold during the flood.

He said 1.5-1.6 million housing units, both new and old, have been affected by the flood. Once the flood swept the country, more houses are in the market, while people hesitated to buy one.

The prices have dropped by 10-30%, depending on how much damage the flood had made.

-- NNT 2012-04-06

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Transport Co says people have started journey to provinces; assures drivers must undergo breathalyzer tests,safety boosted at stations /TAN_Network

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Chemical leak at jeans manufacturing plant in Pathum Thani; 20 employees experience nausea and vomiting /TAN_Network

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HM the King bestows royal decoration for PM as special circumstance TAN_Network

ABAC Poll: 55% of respondents leaving for provinces during Songkran; 54% plan to make merit; 32% wishes for good health for Thai New Year TAN_Network

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Narcotics police arrest 6 hilltribe,seize 50,000 speed pills; in another case 2 Laotian women arrested with possession of 10,000 speed pills ​/TAN_Network

Treasury Dept recalls all Bt2 silver coins and leaves only gold ones in circulation to prevent confusion /TAN_Network

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Democrat leader Abhisit proposes that he, Democrat MP Suthep and former PM Thaksin be exempted from amnesty to end conflicts /TANN

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Defense Minister traveled to the South to follow up on the situation

PATTANI, 6 April 2012 (NNT)-Defense Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat traveled to the South today to follow up on military operations in the region and the progress of investigations into the bombing case in Yala province.

The Defense Minister was accompanied on the trip by Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, police officers and other security officials. Upon his arrival at the Internal Security Operation Command Region 4 office, the Defense Minister was briefed on the investigation into the explosion in Yala on 31 March and updates on the general situation.

Giving the briefing were Yala Governor Dejrat Simsiri, Fourth Army Area Commander Udomchai Thammasarorat, Pol Lt-Gen Paitoon Chuchaiya, Chief of the Southern Border Police Operating Centre, and Pol Col Thawi Sodsong, Secretary General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center. The Defense Minister also handed down the government policy and operational guidelines in restoring peace.

Later in the afternoon, the minister also visited Yala where he paid respect to a senior Buddhist monk and called on Islamic leaders.

-- NNT 2012-04-06

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UDD chief: Red Shirt movement to rally at Democracy Monument on April 10; May 19 gathering at Ratchaprasong is scheduled to mark 2nd anniversary of protest /MCOT

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INSURGENCY

Photos of stolen vehicles released

The Nation

HAT YAI: -- The Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Centre has distributed photos and details of five stolen vehicles that may be used in future car bombings.

The agency is urging the public to keep a look out and to alert the authorities if they spot any suspicious cars.

Police said of eight stolen vehicles reported, three had already been fitted with explosive devices and used in last weekend's car bombings - one in Hat Yai and two in Yala on the same day.

The other five suspicious vehicles, all pickups, are a white Toyota Hilux, a green Mitsubishi L200, and three Isuzus, one brown, one bronze and one Isuzu Gold.

The move comes after the double bomb attacks in Songkhla and Yala last weekend, which killed a total of 14 and injured many others.

-- The Nation 2012-04-06

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WEEKEND BLASTS

Hat Yai's tourism sector badly hit by bomb attack

HAT YAI: -- This year's Songkran festival in Hat Yai is likely to be less crowded than usual, as the hoteliers' association is reporting that more than half of the rooms booked for the festival in Hat Yai and Songkhla have been cancelled in the wake of last weekend's deadly bombing.

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SOUTH CRISIS

Thaksin did not meet with PULO leaders : defence minister

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat on Friday travelled to the three southern provinces on a one-day visit to follow up the situation and provide moral support to the military stationed in the violence-plagued area.

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ACCIDENT

Workers collapse after chemical leak at factory

The Nation

PATHUM THANI: -- Dozens of workers at a factory in Pathum Thani province fainted on Friday morning and were rushed to hospital after inhaling a chemical gas that leaked from a machine.

Some of the 22 workers including 14 men, of V R Washing firm were discharged from Pathum Thani Hospital after they recovered.

The workers were on their morning shift when the accident occurred.

Thassawan Wongkamsar, the personnel manager, said that the leakage occurred when a truck carrying the substance was transferring the chemical to a storage tank. The worker in charge of the transfer mistakenly plugged the line into the wrong tank, causing the leak.

Workers near the tank inhaled the chemical and passed out.

The factory, which had about 200 workers on shift at the time of the accident, immediately suspended operations and moved other workers out of the area.

The manager, Thaweechoke Boonsawapark, said the factory would from now insist on stricter measures when transferring the chemical and other substances to ensure safety of the workers and no recurrence of the accident.

-- The Nation 2012-04-06

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4 Bulgarians and 1 German involved in ATM Fraud, arrested by Pattaya Police

PATTAYA:--Four Bulgarians and a German accused of involvement in a multi-million Baht ATM card theft operation have been arrested by Pattaya Police.

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Treasury Dept to withdraw all silver colored 2 baht coins from circulation, leaving only gold colored 2 baht coin in market to avoid confusion; 100 million of 400 million coins already recalled /MCOT

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MWA increases amount of chlorine in tap water

BANGKOK, 6 April 2012 (NNT)-The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) said it would increase the amount chlorine in the water to assure the quality of tap water for Thai people during the summer when digestive related symptoms often occur.

The MWA is encouraging people to consume clean food and water as well as wash their hands before meals. The report said the amount of chlorine added into the water system was only a little and was in compliance with the WHO standards. The MWA claimed the right amount of chlorine in the water could effectively combat bacteria in the digestive system and prevent diarrhea.

The MWA claimed that its tap water has always been free from e-coli bacteria, citing as proof the results of inspections by both MWA officials and the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University. The MWA reiterated that it is safe to drink tap water, however, those living near the production plant may experience a stronger odor of chlorine in their water. They are advised to leave the water in a container for 20 minutes, as the smell will eventually disappear.

-- NNT 2012-04-06

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Thailand Live Saturday 7 Apr 2012