Thailand Live Sunday 15 Apr 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 15 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 Saturday 14 Apr 2012

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[Lite Beer]

Hun Sen attacked for 'excess generosity'

The Nation on Sunday

SA KAEW:-- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has been criticised for being overly generous to red-shirt supporters of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is in Cambodia this weekend.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548090-hun-sen-attacked-for-excess-generosity/#entry5219185

[Lite Beer]

Democrats read between lines of Thaksin's 'return' comment

The Nation on Sunday

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548091-democrats-read-between-lines-of-thaksins-return-comment/#entry5219189

[Lite Beer]

Road toll reaches 144 three days into Songkran holidays

The Nation on Sunday

Revellers join a foam party at a stadium in Buri Ram.

Casualties so far go well beyond 116 killed in same period last year

Some 144 people were killed on the first three days of the Songkran holiday with another 1,668 people injured in 1,554 road accidents from Wednesday to Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548092-road-toll-reaches-144-three-days-into-songkran-holidays/#entry5219197

[Lite Beer]

Three car-bomb suspects held, but details still secret

The Nation on Sunday

Officials examine the scene of an explosion in Narathiwat yesterday.

Yala police chief Maj-General Peera Boonliang confirmed yesterday that police had arrested three suspects allegedly involved in a car-bombing in downtown Yala on March 31.

But he warned the public that three stolen cars may also be used for another attack.

Some 11 people were killed and about 100 others injured after two car bombs exploded on Ruam Mit Road on March 31, Peera told a press conference yesterday. Police inquiries had led to the arrest of three suspects, but the details were still confidential pending further investigation and the gathering of more evidence.

He also urged more witnesses who remember the person that parked the car with the bomb before fleeing on a motorcycle to come forward to give information to police.

He also urged people to watch out for a grey Toyota Corona sedan, a black Isuzu D-max pick-up and a six-wheel truck, as they were stolen and may be used in further blasts.

In related news, a five-kilogram home-made bomb was set off yesterday by mobile phone at around 2pm near a road leading to Narathiwat Airport. No one was injured but a nearby billboard and a tree were damaged. The bomb created a hole about 30cm deep and 60cm wide. Police believe the blast was part of insurgent activities in the far South.

-- The Nation 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

3 dead, 1 missing in reservoir accidents

The Nation on Sunday

A team of rescue workers and scuba divers retrieved two more bodies late on Friday night from a boat accident on Si Yad Reservoir in Chachoengsao's Tha Takieab district.

It brought the number of bodies of missing people to three.

The accident occurred on Friday around 5pm after seven Songkran holidaymakers went on the boat to fish. The overloaded vessel sank after hitting an underwater tree trunk.

Rescue workers found the body of Prasit Yaem-ngam an hour after the accident while the bodies of Saichon Thongnak, 46, and Suwan Masameur, 36, were retrieved around midnight. The bodies were taken to Tha Takieab Hospital for autopsies and police investigation.

The rescue team also went to another spot at the reservoir where a swimmer went missing around the same time. Sattaya Saengsaikaew, 19, went for a swim with a tyre rubber ring. However, he disappeared and his body has yet to be retrieved.

-- The Nation 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

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.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548051-thaksin-hails-signs-of-reconciliation-at-mass-rally/#entry5218714

[Lite Beer]

Water festival draws crowds across country

The Nation on Sunday

Tourists enjoy the Songkran fun yesterday on Khao San Road.

BANGKOK:-- People have flocked to celebrate the water-splashing festival at many popular venues across the country.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday presided over the opening of celebrations in her hometown, Chiang Mai. Speaking in northern dialect on her weekly TV show, she wished all Thais happiness, a fresh start free of trouble and a safe journey during the traditional New Year.

In Chiang Mai, she urged people to be polite when splashing water and refrain from drinking alcohol to prevent accidents. She broadcast her TV programme from Bo Sang umbrella village in San Kamphaeng district.

Meanwhile, local residents in the province built a giant sand chedi yesterday using 700 cubic metres of sand, as part of a merit-making ceremony.

Chiang Mai Night Safari's eight-year-old elephant "Nong Nam Wan" also celebrated Songkran on the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Road by holding a rubber tube with its trunk to spray water on people.

Despite the car bomb that rocked Hat Yai late last month, hotel and tourism entrepreneurs in the city have fared better than expected, as all 25,000 rooms in the city were reserved. Malaysian tourists are the biggest group of foreigners travelling there to celebrate the festival, according to Somchart Pimthanapoonporn, chairman of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hoteliers Association.

Previously, after the explosion in Hat Yai, Somchart said businesses had expected only 50 per cent of the rooms to be reserved since a lot of tourists from Singapore and Malaysia had cancelled reservations.

He estimated that the district would be able to generate revenue of around Bt50 million from Wednesday till Friday.

Despite the blazing heat, Khao San Road was crowded with Thai and foreign revellers for the second day of New Year celebrations yesterday. They were entertained by a foam party and music performance.

Supachai Limwuttiwong, a Thai man who joined the Khao San celebrations, said the hot weather did not affect him that much, though he wanted police to strictly implement safety measures as he was worried about pickpockets and women being molested.

With a huge flock of revellers on Silom Road, police from Bang Rak, Yannawa and Thung Mahamek stations combined forces to ensure safety. Selling alcohol and carrying weapons were prohibited, but reports emerged of vendors selling alcohol. To prevent improper or lewd dancing, police prohibited vehicles equipped with amplifiers from entering the road.

People in Kanchanaburi celebrated Songkran in Mon style, by offering alms to 100 monks on Uttamanusorn Bridge, the longest wooden bridge in Thailand.

On Angthong's Khao Suk Road, police yesterday implemented strict measures to prevent crime, molestation and indecency after some youngsters were seen engaging in obscene acts on Friday.

Local residents in Phitsanulok made merit for their ancestors.

On "Khao Niew Road" in Khon Kaen, 51,814 people performed a "human wave" at 7pm on Friday, breaking the Guinness World Record of 50,208 people, set last year.

-- The Nation 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

70 homes hit by storm in Si Sa Ket

The Nation on Sunday

SI SA KET:-- Seventy homes were damaged by a summer storm in Tambon Thum in Si Sa Ket's Muang district on Friday night, district chief Wattana Phutichat said yesterday.

Wattana inspected the damaged houses along with Si Sa Ket Pheu Thai MP Thanes Kreurat. Tin roofs were ripped off and blown away by the storm. Wattana also instructed Tambon Thum Administrative Organisation to survey the damage and file claims for compensation for affected residents.

Ban Noen Bua homeowner Paibul Khota, 41, said the storm on Friday night was so strong he and family members fled before the house collapsed onto his parked motorcycle and belongings.

-- The Nation 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Move to find peace in South needs to be depoliticised

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- All sides must work together to find a way to talk with separatists

The reactions by our military and political leaders from both sides of the divide have been nothing less than appalling when it comes to the violence in the deep South. They appear to be more eager to discredit one another than to genuinely seek ways to end the conflict once and for all. The Democrats, as well as the military, didn't waste time attacking fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra after they discovered that he had met a group of separatist leaders.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548095-move-to-find-peace-in-south-needs-to-be-depoliticised/#entry5219258

[Lite Beer]

Surat Thani residents warned to brace for risks of natural disasters during next 4-5 days

SURAT THANI, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – Residents in southern Surat Thani have been warned to brace themselves against risks of natural disasters during the next 4-5 days.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry5219315

[Lite Beer]

Thai Health Promotion pushing to make Songkran, an alcohol-free festival

KHON KAEN, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – The Thai Health Promotion is pushing ahead with its plan to make the nationwide celebrations of Songkran holidays, an alcohol-free festival.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....l/#entry5219323

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Shooting during Silom Songkran last night resulted in one dead teenager & two injured

RT@RichardBarrow: UPDATE: Shooting last night at 10pm as a group of teenagers were leaving "Silom Songkran". 1 shot dead on Sathon Tai Rd.

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: During the first 4 days of Songkran, 210 died & 2,288 were injured in 2,134 accidents /via @191Thailand

RT@RichardBarrow: Most accidents & deaths during Songkran were caused by drunk driving & speeding. Follow @191Thailand for full stats.

[Lite Beer]

Chon Buri celebrates Songkran from Apr 18-20; Apr 19 sees beach road closed from Dusit Resort to South Pattaya from 9am-8pm /TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

PM and family returns to BKK today after spending Songkran in Chiang Mai and Lamphun /TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin leads supporters to give alms to Buddhist monks in Cambodia's Siem Riep, reiterates he will return to Thailand soon /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

ABAC Poll found 40% of respondents worry about cost of living and econ situation, 20% worry about reconciliation, 14% worry about corruption /TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Kim speaks publicly for first time at North Korea military parade

Seoul - North Korea's young leader spoke publicly for the first time Sunday at a military parade marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the communist state's late founder.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548110-kim-speaks-publicly-for-first-time-at-north-korea-military-parade/#entry5219752

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin leads 20,000 red-shirts to make merit in Siem Reap

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his son, sister and Pheu Thai MPs led about 20,000 red-shirt people to make merit at the Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Siem Reap Sunday.

They gave alms to 265 monks on the occasion of Songkran festival.

Accompanying Thaksin were his son, Pantongtae, his sister, Yaowapha Wongsawat, leading Pheu Thai MPs and red-shirt leaders.

-- The Nation 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

210 deaths, 2,288 injuries in 2,134 road accidents of day four over Songkran period from April 11-17: Disaster Prevention & Mitigation Dept /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

11 Secret Service agents put on leave amid prostitution inquiry

By David Nakamura and Ed O’Keefe,

The U.S. Secret Service on Saturday placed 11 agents on administrative leave as the agency investigates allegations that the men brought prostitutes to their hotel rooms in Cartagena, Colombia, on Wednesday night and that a dispute ensued with one of the women over payment the following morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....y/#entry5220009

[Lite Beer]

Thailand listed among world’s least rude countries for travelers

BANGKOK, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – According to a recent survey by famous Scottish travel website, Skyscanner, Thailand is one of most polite countries for travelers whereas France, Russia, UK, Germany and China tops the list of the World's rudest countries.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry5220037

[Lite Beer]

Poll: government’s acting in public interest is the key to achieve reconciliation

BANGKOK, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – Most Thais believe the country will achieve reconciliation and unity if the government puts public interest as its first priority and the opposition stops opposing every move made by the government.

According to the recent poll by Suan Dusit regarding how to truly bring about national reconciliation, most people surveyed or 36.17 percent said the government must put general welfare of the citizens the most important matter and refrain from using acts of cronyism. 27.65 said the government should be opened for opinions and voices from every sector in the society while 21.29 percent called for honesty and transparency from the government.

At the same time, 35.1 percent asked the opposition to refrain from objecting the government’s every move or using ambiguous information against the government.

As for the role of the media to help pursue reconciliation, 46.8 percent of the respondent viewed that the media should be professionally unbiased, accurate and well-rounded while nearly 30 percent said the media should not circulate news that trigger or aggravate conflict among Thais.

-- NNT 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

BoT predicts full growth for Thai economy in Q3

BANGKOK, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has predicted that Thailand will see a full economic growth during the third quarter of 2012.

According to BOT Assistant Governor for Monetary Policy Paiboon Kittisrikangwan, the Thai economy during the third quarter of 2012 will achieve a maximum growth potentiality. This may lead to less necessity for economic stimulation through monetary and fiscal policy. However, the focus will instead be shifted to the country’s investment.

Regarding the current inflation policy, the BoT is working hard to keep inflation expectation down for entrepreneurs following the entry into force of the 300-baht minimum wage hike. Mr. Paiboon said that the recently-implemented government policy still remains a risk factor and needs to be kept on close watch given the possibility that it might cause a higher than predicted inflation rate as well as producing impact on SME entrepreneurs.

-- NNT 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin reiterates his homecoming will occur this year

SIEM REAP, April 15 -- Thailand's ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Sunday morning led his supporters to give alms to Buddhist monks in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap on the occasion of Songkran Festival while reiterating that he would return to Thailand very soon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548051-thaksin-hails-signs-of-reconciliation-at-mass-rally/#entry5220068

[Lite Beer]

THAI board to consider pilots’ demands on April 20

BANGKOK, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – A board meeting of Thai Airways International Public Company (THAI) will soon consider requests made by its crew, asking for greater benefits.

A number of pilots and co-pilots of the national carrier took leave of absence amidst increased flights during Songkran holidays, consequently causing many flights delays. The move reportedly stems from their discontent with salaries and benefits.

THAI president Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand said that the deliberation on the requests will be made at the board meeting on April 20, which will be chaired by Secretary-General to the cabinet, Mr. Ampon Kittiampon.

The president of the national airliner said the missing number of pilots would be managed by the Flight Operations Department in order to return the situation to normalcy. Some THAI captains and flight attendants will reportedly continue to take leave of absence until their demands are satisfactorily met.

-- NNT 2012-04-15

[Lite Beer]

Abhisit urges PM Yingluck to be more focused

BANGKOK, April 15 - The opposition Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to improve her top job performance with more decisive action.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548173-abhisit-urges-pm-yingluck-to-be-more-focused/#entry5220355

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: PTT and Bang Cahk will tomorrow increase its retailed 91 Benzene oil price by Bt1.07 per litre to Bt43.85 per litre.