Thailand Live Saturday 7 Apr 2012

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Preparations in full swing for royal cremation

BANGKOK, 7 April 2012 (NNT) – With less than two days to the royal cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, preparations are on in full swing at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground where the cremation will take place with the participation of Their Majesties the King and Queen on 9 April.

The Fine Arts Department has already discussed with the Royal Aide-De-Camp Department, the Metropolitan Police Commission and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration details of preparation for the royal cremation to be attended by members of the Royal Family, led by Their Majesties the King and Queen. The preparations are centered not only on the cremation site but also on the route from Siriraj Hospital, where His Majesty the King is staying, to the crematorium at Sanam Luang.

About 4,000 distinguished persons will attend the royal funeral while tens of thousands of people are also expected to gather around Sanam Luang to pay their last respect to the late Princess on the day.

As the construction of the crematorium and related structures have been completed, the Fine Arts Department has handed over its responsibility over the ceremonial ground to the Bureau of the Royal Household, which is now entrusted to take care of the cremation site and thousands of the participants.

About the work on the funeral pyre, Fine Arts Department Director-General Somsuda Leyavanija said a group of artisans from Phetchaburi Province has already prepared 50 fresh banana stalks which will be carved out into 1,000 pieces of different shapes including lotus leave, native magnolia or champa and pollen. The artisans will start carving the banana stalks on the night of April 7 and will take the carved banana pieces for assembling into a funeral pyre at Sanam Luang in the morning of April 8.

The royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana will be held for five days, from April 8 to 12. The royal cremation day will be on April 9, which has been declared a public holiday by the Cabinet. The three-day mourning period is scheduled for April 8-10.

-- NNT 2012-04-07

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Thailand reports anti human trafficking plans in 2012

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the US ambassador to Thailand to forward Thailand’s progress report on its fight against human trafficking to the US State Department.

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow has invited US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Anne Kenney to a meeting during which he informed the latter of the steps Thailand has taken in its fight against human trafficking.

Mr Sihasak also presented the report of progress on the operation to the US envoy so that she would forward it to the US State Department’s Human Trafficking Office. The report also contains an operational plan Thailand is taking to suppress human trafficking during 2012-2013.

The plan encompasses seven points to be promoted, such as effective separation of victims in flesh trade, stepped-up efforts in investigations and legal actions against state officials involved in human trafficking, leniency given to alien victims to stay temporarily in the country and undergo occupational trainings, and sustainable measures to protect alien labor.

-- NNT 2012-04-07

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Hat Yai bomb victims to get same assistance as deep South violence victims

BANGKOK, 7 April 2012 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has promised bomb victims in Hat Yai, Songkhla, equal assistance to that provided to violence victims in the deep South.

In her weekly talk show, PM Yingluck said more bomb victims had recovered and some of them had been discharged from hospital. Ms. Yingluck added all of the victims would receive the same aid as victims of violence in the three southernmost provinces, namely Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. In addition to free medical care, the injured will receive a compensation of THB50,000 and families of the dead will receive a compensation of THB100,000.

To prevent a new round of bombings, more security officials have been dispatched to different areas adjacent to Hat Yai. Some of the existing closed circuit cameras will be re-positioned so they can work more efficiently. The governor of Songkhla has been assigned to hold a meeting with related agencies on security regularly.

Ms. Yingluck confirmed that execution of the new security measures would not affect local people’s life. She also disclosed that leaders of ASEAN countries, including the Malaysian prime minister, had been informed of the situation and were ready to cooperate with the Thai government on the matter.

-- NNT 2012-04-07

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PM: Canal dredging work in Bkk 40% complete

BANGKOK, 7 April 2012 (NNT) – In another move to ease fears of natural disaster, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assured the public of a major progress of flood and drought prevention efforts in her talk show this Saturday.

In her weekly program, Ms. Yingluck disclosed that the canal dredging project in Bangkok was now over 40 percent complete, adding that all flood-affected manufacturers had resumed operation.

Although the construction of flood walls and the repair of sluice gates are taking a slower progress than expected, the premier believes that these two missions should be completed before the rainy season.

While flooding is a prime concern for the government, drought problems are getting equal attention at the same time. Ms. Yingluck revealed that the government was keeping a close watch on this year’s precipitation and the management of dams to ensure enough water for agriculture.

-- NNT 2012-04-07

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Insurgents placed 20kg bomb on Srisakorn Rd in Narathiwat targeting special warfare unit; their pick-up truck was damaged but no one injured /TANN

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RT@RichardBarrow: Lee Gardens Hotel will re-open on 1st May. The shops will open next week. Restaurant another 40 days - TR @Pacharapapon

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 8 Apr 2012

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/546303-thailand-live-sunday-8-apr-2012/