Thailand Live Tuesday 17 Apr 2012

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RT@RichardBarrow: Earth tremors continuing in Phuket. Latest was at 12:18pm in Talang District & was a Magnitude 3.1 - TR @Pat_ThaiPBS

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DPM: Drug situation has improved

BANGKOK, 17 April 2012 (NNT) – The Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed that the country’s drug problem is now less severe while announcing his planned visit to the Northeastern region in an attempt to eradicate drug smuggling.

Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Capt. Chalerm Yubumrung has reported an improvement in Thailand's drug situation. Relevant officials, especially those stationed along the borders, have been instructed to stringently monitor and suppress trafficking of drug precursors. Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) has been called in to discuss the progress of the pseudoephederine scandal.

The Deputy Prime Minister also announced that he will be visiting several provinces in the Northeast of Thailand, including Kalasin, Sakolnakorn, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Surin and Buriram, during April 27-30 in order to deliver and implement policies on drug eradication to local authorities in order to efficiently solve the problem of drug smuggling.

-- NNT 2012-04-17

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House prices to be adjusted in latter half of year

BANGKOK, 17 April 2012 (NNT) – A real estate expert believes that house prices in Thailand will increase in the latter half of the year, while more condominium projects will be launched.

Housing Business Association President Issara Boonyang said that the real estate price adjustment will happen as a result of the minimum wage and construction material price hikes.

In the meantime, he stated that more new projects will be launched this year than usual. He explained that over 20,000 new housing units were on offer in January and February this year alone, whereas, in some previous years, only 50,000 new units were introduced for the whole year.

Mr Issara added that most real estate projects set to be launched this year are condominiums, accounting for 65% of all projects, which is the highest proportion in history. He cited that developers believe that homebuyers are still scared of floods and are showing more interest in vertical living.

Even though the real estate sector severely suffered from the devastating flood last year, Mr Issara said the market has shown some good recovery as the sales figures in the previously-flooded zones are increasing to nearly normal. He expects more housing estates to be developed in the second half of the year.

-- NNT 2012-04-17

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3.1 Richter quake happens in Phuket

The National Disaster Warning Centre reported that a 3.1 Richter quake happened in Phuket at noon on Tuesday.

The centre reported that the quake happened at 12:18 pm with epicenter in Thalang district.

The quake could be felt in several areas in Phuket, the centre said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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Tiger Group considers suing MP Chuwit as police probe fails

Phuket Gazette

Col Sittichai AHTD speaking to the media as Tiger Group’s Sema Sinchai looks on. Photo Atchaa Khamlo

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548546-tiger-group-considers-suing-mp-chuwit-as-police-probe-fails/#entry5225909

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3.1 Richter earthquake felt in Phuket's Thalang district; Rainfall, landslide cause 2 houses to collapse in Yala's Betong district /MCOT

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Cabinet approves importing maximum 40,000 tonnes of palm due to palm oil shortage /MCOT

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Songkran road toll rises to 282

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- A total of 29 people were killed and 291 road accidents occurred on Monday, the sixth of the seven dangerous Songkran holidays, a deputy director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Tuesday.

Chatpong Chatputi, deputy director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said 308 people were injured in the 291 road accidents on Monday, a day which saw millions of people returning to Bangkok after the long Songkran break.

Chatpong said a total of 2,872 road accidents were recorded over the six-day period and the accumulated death toll rose to 282 while 3,059 people were injured.

Chatpong said 27 people were killed in the accidents on Monday and two other victims succumbed to injuries from earlier accidents.

Those killed on Monday included victims in Chiang Rai, Tak, Ratchaburi, Saraburi, and Udon Thani. These provinces saw two deaths each, Chatpong said.

Compared with last year, the number of death victims on the sixth day increased by 53 while the number of injured victims dropped by 113.

Chatpong said drunk driving remained the top cause of road accidents. He said about 36 per cent of the accidents on Monday were caused by drunk driving.

He said it was too soon to conclude that the measures to prevent road accidents on Songkran holidays had failed as the authorities have yet to analyse the data of the accidents

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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SECURITIES

Overseas investment rule relaxed

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Starting from July 1, individual investors will be allowed to freely invest in overseas-listed derivatives.

Securities and Exchange Commission Secretary General Vorapol Socatiyanurak said that the Capital Market Supervisory Board has amended the investment rule, lifting the limitation on investment purposes.

"This is to increase the variety of investment choices and enhance their experiences in overseas investment," he said.

At present, such investment is limited to hedging purposes only.

Some protection will remain, though, as the board required all underwriters (banks and securities firms) to conduct the suitability test, so that they could offer products and investment advice accordingly to the investors’ financial ability.

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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EXECUTIVE TALK

Security challenges emerge with the launch of IPv6

Peerapong Jongviboon

No doubt, the impending global launch of the IPv6 protocol on June 6 ushers in a new era in the evolution and widespread adoption of Internet infrastructure around the globe.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548576-security-challenges-emerge-with-the-launch-of-ipv6/#entry5226139

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Govt fails in 16 policies: Democrat

The government has failed to meet the expectations in all 16 policies due to its misguided focus of rescuing fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said Tuesday.

"For the past eight months, the government has abandoned its duty to address the people's grievances," he said.

Chavanond said the government had no tangible achievements since it came to power.

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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POLITICS

Yingluck government abandons duty to help Thaksin : Democrat

BANGKOK:-- The government has failed to meet the expectations in all 16 policies due to its misguided focus of rescuing fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....t/#entry5226234

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OIL PRICES

Korbsak questions recent hikes in marketing margins

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Former Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu has requested a query into oil retailers' marketing margins, which have been jacked up recently.

Through his Tweets, he directly submitted questions to Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon.

"Oil prices are jacked up, but why marketing margins are increased as well?" he asked. "Despite higher oil prices, does it mean a hike in (oil retailers’) expenses and hence the margin?"

He said that the marketing margin of octane-95 petrol product was raised from Bt4.8399 per litre on January 1 to Bt5.5769 on April 11. That of octane-91 went up from Bt1.1269 to Bt2.3779; gasohol 95 from Bt0.1657 to Bt1.7967; gasohol 91 from Bt0.3513 to Bt2.0285; and gasohol E20 from Bt1.5646 to Bt3.6203.

He asked the minister to clarify why the marketing margin is raised hugely within four months.

"I want all followers to learn that in the past four months, you pay higher not only for the Oil Fund but also to oil retailers," he said.

Marketing margins and other costs which are factored into fuel prices are available at

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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Dane dies of blood loss after Phuket tsunami evacuation

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: A Danish tourist injured during the evacuation of Patong Beach last Wednesday was found dead of apparent blood loss in his Patong hotel room yesterday afternoon

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548580-dane-dies-of-blood-loss-after-phuket-tsunami-evacuation/#entry5226280

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Phuket ‘aftershocks’ likely Sumatra-related: experts

Phuket Gazette

The Thai Meteorological Department reported today's 'aftershock' at 3.1 Richter in magnitude.

The latest 'shocks' affecting Phuket have been along the 130-kilometer Klong Marui Fault, which runs directly underneath Phuket.

FullStory: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548424-phuket-struck-twice-by-earthquakes/page__st__75#entry5226374

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Local dam unaffected by Phuket earthquake

PHUKET, April 17 - Bang Niew Dum Dam in this resort island with the capacity of 5 million cubic metres was unaffected by the recent earthquake, Deputy Governor Somkiat Sangkaosuttirak said today.

FullStory: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548424-phuket-struck-twice-by-earthquakes/#entry5226486

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Property market hot in Hua Hin, Chon Buri

SOMLUCK SRIMALEE

THE NATION

The property markets in Hua Hin and Chon Buri are seeing strong growth as property firms launch new residential projects worth more than Bt10 billion this month.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548614-property-market-hot-in-hua-hin-chon-buri/#entry5226576

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National film board to make final decision on 'Macbeth' next week

BANGKOK:-- The National Board of Film and Video will make a final decision on April 25 on whether it should allow the controversial film "Shakespeare Must Die" to hit the big screen, Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said Tuesday.

The Film and Video Censorship Board, chaired by Pol MajGeneral Anek Samplang, had decided to ban commercial release on grounds that the film, an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" directed by Manit Sriwanichpoom, might cause disunity among Thais.

The ban was based on 2009 Article 7 (3) related to the type of films and the 2008 Thai Film Act.

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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Thai prime minister visits China on trade mission

Beijing - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day visit to China to discuss boosting trade and linking the countries by high-speed train.

China saw Yingluck’s visit as a chance to "further deepen mutual understanding and trust, and drive the China-Thailand relationship to a higher level," Premier Wen Jiabao told Yingluck during a welcome ceremony at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

Yingluck thanked Wen for China’s "high-level and warm welcome" and said her visit would "promote the development of the two countries’relationship," state media reported.

Thailand’s first female prime minister was accompanied by representatives of 100 Thai companies.

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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TMB issues Bt10bn bonds

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- TMB Bank would issue 10-year sub-bordinated debentures worth upto Bt10 billion, which offer advance interest payment starting from May 25.

The bond issue’s interest payment for the next years will be payable on every May 18.

Rated "A" by Fitch Ratings, the bond will carry the coupon rate of 4.5 per cent per annum. Subscription is open on April 17. The issue contains a call option after the fifth year.

TMB Bank, the first to reveal the first-quarter financial results, announced that its net profit showed an improvement from the previous quarter but a decline compared to the same period last year.

At Bt1.032 billion, the net profit was 6.5 per cent higher quarter on quarter and 5.9 per cent lower year on year.

According to CEO Boontuck Wungcharoen, the bank’s core operation continues to be on a positive trend. Net interest margin (NIM) increased to 2.51 percentage points in the first quarter from 2.46 percentage points in the fourth quarter of last year. Total income was on the rise in terms of both interest and non-interest income. Consequently, cost to income ratio dropped to 59 per cent compared to 76.55 per cent in the fourth quarter and 67 per cent in the first quarter of 2011, reflecting continuing improvement in management efficiency.

SME loans boosted the outstanding loans by 0.8 per cent from the end of 2012, while total deposits grew by 0.2 per cent.

The bank has launched products like "TMB No Fixed" deposit and "ME No Fixed". Both are unique that they have a similar feature to that of the term deposit which offers higher interest rate than regular savings product, but provide flexibility for depositors to withdraw money when need be without any interest rate penalty.

At the end of March, its loan to deposit and B/E ratio of 87.0 per cent. Non-performing loan was at Bt30.47 billion, a slight increase by Bt642 million from the end of 2012 due to a default in the corporate segment. The impact from the recent floods on total NPL was marginal. NPL ratio of consolidated accounts stood at 5.8 per cent compared to 5.7 per cent at the end of 2012.

The NPL coverage ratio is raised from 73 per cent at end-2011 to 74 per cent.

Its capital adequacy ratio stood at16.2 per cent of which 11.2 per cent is tier-1.

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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RT@AP: Lawyer says bin Laden's family is to be deported from Pakistan around midnight: http://t.co/5kOTd4vC

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Thaksin expected to return in four months: Surapong

BANGKOK: Fugitive expremier Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to return to Thailand after a new law for national reconciliation becomes effect in three to four months, the Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said Tuesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....g/#entry5226670

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Thailand, China agree to upgrade strategic partnership

BEIJING, April 17 - The governments of Thailand and the People's Republic of China on Tuesday agreed to upgrade their strategic cooperation in all aspects during an official visit to China by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Thai premier arrived in China Tuesday afternoon, as part of her three-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jia Bao. She was greeted by an official welcoming ceremony at People's Pavillion.

The Thai premier then met with her Chinese counterpart, and both leaders witnessed the signing of agreements by officials of their countries.

Thai News Agency reported that they agreed to elevate their countries’ strategic partnership in all areas, particularly sustainable development in four fields including the provision of tablet computers for Thai elementary school students, cooperation in building a high speed railway, water management and clean energy.

Both leaders also agreed to target development of Sino-Thai economic cooperation, including increasing trade by 20 per cent annually, raising investment by 15 per cent in the next five years and tourism by 20 per cent in the next five years.

The Thai premier invited Chinese investors to invest in the kingdom in natural rubber, auto parts, biofuel and wind energy, as well as proposing that both countries develop the ecotourism industry.

Ms Yingluck invited the Chinese premier to attend the World Economic Forum scheduled to be held in Bangkok May 30 through June1.

The Thai prime minister is scheduled to attend a state welcome dinner hosted by the Chinese government tonight. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-17

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Land department chief removed

BANGKOK:-- The Land Department director-general who had suggested that the Interior Ministry revoke the unlawfully-earned land deeds for the Alpine golf course and housing estate in Pathum Thani has been moved to an inactive position.

Anuwat Methiwiboonwut, the department's chief, has been appointed deputy permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry in the midyear (fiscal 2012) reshuffle of the ministry's highranking bureaucrats.

The reshuffle was proposed by Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who is also deputy prime minister, and it was endorsed by the Cabinet at its weekly meeting Tuesday.

-- The Nation 2012-04-17

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Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Apr 2012