Thailand Live Saturday 14 Apr 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 14 April 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 13 Apr 2012

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Kingdom celebrates Songkran

The Nation

Thousands get together for wet, wild madness

THAILAND: -- The Songkran atmosphere affected the whole Kingdom yesterday, while popular destinations such as Bangkok's Khao San Road - which expected to see 10,000 revellers a day - Khon Kaen's Khao Niew Road and Chiang Mai city were packed with celebrants splashing water.

In the South, especially at the Songkran Festival in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, many Malaysian tourists joined in the fun, while some Thais also crossed the border to visit Malaysia.

Chiang Mai saw residents and tourists, equipped with water guns, soaking one another amid booming music. Many people also loaded water tanks on to pickup trucks circling the city wall, causing several severe traffic jams, including at Tha Pae Gate, Somphetch Market and Chang Pheuk Gate.

In the afternoon, a beautiful procession led by the "Phra Phutthasihing" and various Buddha images from other temples, and also featuring Songkran beauty pageants, started from San Pa Khoi Intersection, passing through Tha Phae Road to Wat Phra Sing.

Many people also made merit and poured scented holy water on to Buddha images for good luck during this Thai traditional New Year.

In Bangkok's Khao San Road and surrounding areas, the atmosphere was robust with friendly water wars between Thais and foreigners amid tight security provided by some 300 policemen and 150 security volunteers.

About 200 city law-enforcers were dispatched from the Phra Nakhon District Office to work with police to provide order and prevent violence or inappropriate behaviour such as men groping female revellers or women wearing clothes that were too revealing. If the offenders ignored a warning, they could face a lewd-act charge and be fined Bt500 immediately.

Another popular water-war zone, Silom Road, was also packed with revellers while Songkran-related shops opened along the footpaths.

In Buri Ram's Muang district, residents and tourists poured into the Buriram United Football Club's I-Mobile Stadium to celebrate Songkran day and enjoy concerts on three stages featuring Thai, Korean and Japanese artists. About 1,000 police and volunteers provided security at the site. It was expected that tens of thousands would attend this event.

In Hat Yai, which suffered from a car-bombing on March 31, many residents and tourists splashed one another, particularly on Sanehanusorn Road in front of the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel and at Natpat Unthit 3 Road where the "Hat Yai Midnight Songkran" event was hosted. Hat Yai fire engines supplied water to large tanks around the city for revellers.

In Phuket, despite the recent tsunami scare, about 2,000 residents offered alms to 326 monks and poured water on to Buddha images for good luck at 7am at the public park at the end of Saphan Hin Peninsula before the fun-filled water war commenced at Patong Beach from the late morning onwards.

In Chon Buri, 11 districts celebrated Songkran under the theme of "Miracle of Songkran: Miracle of Chon Buri", under which the province's cultural uniqueness will be presented until April 21.

-- The Nation 2012-04-14

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PM wishes for a year of love, forgiveness

The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra kicked off Songkran celebrations in her home province of Chiang Mai yesterday by presiding over a special ceremony at Tha Phae Gate at 7am.

In her speech, Yingluck cited Buddha's teachings and the nobility of Their Majesties the King and Queen as she wished everybody a happy Songkran. She also called on Thai people to unite, forgive and love one another.

"May this year be full of love, forgiveness and reconciliation in Thailand," she said.

Later, Yingluck and her older sister, Yaowapa Wongsawat, then headed for their home district of San Kamphaeng to pay respects to their ancestors at the Rong Tham Samakkhit Temple, where they were greeted by many red-shirt supporters.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, meanwhile, wished everybody a very happy Songkran and urged one and all to be mindful and safe.

-- The Nation 2012-04-14

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Road toll hits 58; alcohol single biggest cause

The Nation

Youngsters celebrating Songkran on Khao Suk Road in Ang Thong

BANGKOK: -- Drunk driving has been the cause of most of the road accidents during the Songkran festival so far. Thursday, the second day of the holiday, saw 481 road accidents, which killed 58 people and injured 515 others, bringing the total Songkran road toll so far to 88 deaths and 890 injuries in 824 accidents, Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said yesterday.

Full story:

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Thaksin vows to be back in Thailand for his birthday in July

Pheu Thai Party

CHAMPASAK/LAOS: -- Fugitive former PMThaksin Shinawatra told his red-shirt supporters yesterday that he would return to Thailand in the next three or four months.

Full story:

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Hospitals told to be more senior friendly

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All state hospitals have been instructed to make adjustments or build new facilities that are friendly to old people in a move to mark the National Day for the Elderly, which falls on April 13 every year, Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said yesterday.

All hospitals will provide express services for patients above the age of 70 along with counselling and medical check-ups at a lower price, he said. However, he did not provide a timeframe as to when this would be done.

The adjustments include wheelchair access to the car park and restrooms, as well as sit-down toilets instead of the squatting type. The minister, citing a study, said that there were more than 8 million people above the age of 60 in Thailand and almost all of them had at least one chronic disease.

Witthaya added that there were other projects aimed at older people that will be implemented in the next few years. These include a project promoting health for seniors by the Department of Health and a day-care centre run by the Department of Medical Services under which old people living on their own will be taken care of in government hospitals. Volunteers will also visit old people at home and free ambulances will be provided for those who are sick, he added. In addition, telemedicine will be used for people living in remote areas.

-- The Nation 2012-04-14

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Embassies seek to reassure govts on security in Kingdom

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai embassies and overseas missions have been instructed to provide information readily on safety measures in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand during the Songkran holiday to reassure foreign governments about the welfare of their citizens visiting the Kingdom, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thanee Thongkhakdee said yesterday.

Ten countries continue to advise their citizens against travelling to Thailand in the wake of the car-bomb attacks on March 31 in the South, though no countries have raised their warning levels since then.

A statement on Wednesday's earthquake near Aceh in Sumatra made by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been translated and delivered to all Thai embassies and overseas missions for possible reporting to foreign governments, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-14

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Man caught with cache of yaba

The Nation

SAMUT PRAKAN: -- Police arrested an employee of a Samut Prakan-based shipping company in Pathum Thani's Klong Luang district yesterday, and seized 202,000 yaba pills worth Bt44 million.

Following a tip-off about a drug shipment from the North through Pathum Thani to Samut Prakan, police set up checkpoints and arrested Wutthikrai Wongsang, 26, and allegedly found the drugs in his truck.

Wutthikrai said he had been hired to move boxes of auto parts in his pickup and did not know the boxes contained yaba. The boxes were to be delivered to a recipient at the Tesco Lotus Nava-nakhon mall in Klong Luang, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-14

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Funeral guests injured by gunfire

The Nation

PATTANI: -- Suspected insurgents sprayed gunfire at a bus carrying funeral guests in Pattani's Sai Buri district yesterday morning, leaving eight people injured. Among the victims, a 13-year-old girl and a 70-year-old woman were seriously hurt.

The shooting took place at 10.30am on Phetkasem Road as the bus carrying 42 residents from Panare district was heading to a funeral in Narathiwat.

Bus driver Rohim Sama-ali told police the assailants rode a motorcycle and shot at the bus with an AK rifle before fleeing. Rohim said he drove on to ask for help from a security unit at the Manang Dalam checkpoint.

-- The Nation 2012-04-14

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Security tightened on Bangkok's Khao San Road for Songkran festival

BANGKOK, April 14 – Police stepped up security measures with extra vigilant teams on the capital’s Khao San Road, a popular tourist zone for backpackers and other budget-conscious travellers, and surrounding areas, to assure that the Thai traditional New Year Songkran celebration will run smoothly.

Full story:

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Heavy rain forecast for all regions except North; 2.4 magnitude quake hits Myanmar just 38km from Thailand /TANN

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RT @RichardBarrow: On Songkran Day record numbers flying out at Suvarnabhumi - RT @narongchaiAOT: Arr 73,317 Dep 90,330 (DOM 41,226)

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RT @octavianasr: Cool! -> 2012 has 3 Friday the 13ths and they are 13 weeks apart RT @washingtonpost: http://wapo.st/IBDd7U

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In televised address, PM wishes for everyone to start life anew, free of bad things; urges forgiveness, unity in country for Thai New Year /MCOT

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Bee Gees' Robin Gibb in coma

Robin Gibb 2008. File photo, source: wikimedia

LONDON: -- Bee Gees pop star Robin Gibb is in a coma in a London hospital, amid fears he has only days to live, according to reports on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....n-gibb-in-coma/

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3rd danger day for Songkran road accidents see 144 deaths, 1,668 people injured in 1,554 road accidents /TANN

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Road Safety Center urged 17 provinces to be on high alert against Songkran road accidents and fatalities

BANGKOK, 14 April 2012 (NNT) – Thailand's road safety center has called on dozens of provinces to be extra-alert on the rise in road accidents during the Songkran holidays.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's Director-General ViboonViboon Sanguanpong, also the Deputy Chairman of the Road Safety Directing Center, said that statistics collected during the past 6 years showed 17 provinces have seen more than 40 deaths during a single annual festival period.period.

These provinces are Roi Et, Chanthaburi, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chonburi, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Phetchabun, Lopburi, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phitsanulok.

Mr. Viboon added that the total road fatalities in these provinces are approximately 45.45 percent of the total deaths seen throughout the country during the same period.

He said that the main causes of the deaths included drunk driving, speeding and the absence of head helmets among motorbike riders.

Therefore, officials in all of these provinces have been urged to work integratively with related agencies to cut down road accidents through stricter legal enforcement and social approaches, in order to save as many lives as possible, particularly during the week-long Songkran festival celebrations.

-- NNT 2012-04-14

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Red Shirts travel through Chong Sangam border checkpoint in Si Sa Ket to greet ex-PM Thaksin on Thai New Year in Cambodia’s Siem Reap /MCOT

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Police detain 3 suspects for alleged involvement in March 31 car bombings in Yala, no details can be disclosed yet /MCOT

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PM calls for nationwide unity, reconciliation on Thai New Year

BANGKOK, April 14 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wished everyone a fresh start free of troubles while urging forgiveness and unity in the country for Thai New Year in her televised address on Saturday.

Travelling to her hometown of Chiang Mai for the Songkran holiday, the prime minister remarked that the Thai New Year festival is a jovial time when people travel home to spend time with their families.

The government is promoting traditional local dress to preserve Thai culture. Seeing many tourists joining the Songkran festival, she said it showed they were confident to travel to Thailand.

She urged the public to splash water on others politely and to refrain from drinking alcohol to prevent any alcohol-related accidents for the safety of others.

All ministries are joining forces to facilitate revellers at their utmost, she added.

Regarding prices of goods in the market, the prime minister said she surveyed the market and found that prices of commodities have started to drop. She believed that they would return to normal by June. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-14

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144 dead, 1,668 injured, 1,554 road accidents in 1st three of seven dangerous days of Songkran period: Disaster Prevention & Mitigation Dept /MCOT

Former PM Thaksin leaves Laos for Siemreap, Cambodia on his Songkran tour; Pheu Thai MPs & red-shirt supporters show up to welcome him /TANN

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RT@ThaiPrisonLife: An inmate from Loei Provincial Prison has died from the heat after temperatures hit 38.5 Celsius TR @Rawangpai

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Govt to announce achievements after 7 months in office on May 3; announcement will show it's achieved 50% of its campaign promises /TAN_Network

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Red Shirts flock to greet ex-premier Thaksin in Cambodia

SI SA KET, April 14 – Several thousand Red Shirts on Saturday crossed a border checkpoint in the northern province of Si Sa Ket to greet ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Thai New Year in Cambodia.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/546746-ex-thai-pm-thaksin-to-address-rally-in-cambodia/#entry5217750

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Two dead in Phuket as pickup slams into house

The pickup truck came to rest only after slamming into the side of the house. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

The motorbike driver Pairot Wisetsombat, 55, and his passenger Ms Lamyong Dudpayak, both local residents, died at the scene. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

PHUKET: -- A pickup truck travelling at high speed collided with a motorbike on the main road through Pa Khlok yesterday evening, killing the rider and passenger, and slamming into a house set back from the side of the road at about 7:30pm.

Full story:

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Three suspects in Yala’s car bombings detained

YALA, April 14--- Police detained three suspects for alleged involvement in the March 31 car bomb attacks in the restive southern province of Yala, according to provincial police.

The three bomb suspects have been captured, Pol Maj Gen Pira Boonliang, Yala provincial police chief, announced on Saturday, adding that there was evidence identifying that this trio might be linked to the devastating car bombings in Yala municipality.

As of yet, no details can be disclosed.

Pol Maj Gen Pira said that police officers would compile more evidence for a clear-cut investigation and prosecution. He also asked any of the public who were able to recall the appearances of the suspects as well the three suspicious vehicles used in the attacks to inform the police.

The two deadly car bombs on Ruam Mit Road in Yala’s provincial seat killed at least 10 people and wounded over 100 others. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-14

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Thaksin hails 'signs of reconciliation' at mass rally

Siem Reap, Cambodia, April 14, 2012 (AFP) - Ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Saturday Thailand could begin to heal its deep political rifts in an address to thousands of "Red Shirt" supporters in Cambodia.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548051-thaksin-hails-signs-of-reconciliation-at-mass-rally/#entry5218714Full Story:

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 15 Apr 2012

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/547981-thailand-live-sunday-15-apr-2012/