Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Apr 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 18 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 Tuesday 17 Apr 2012

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EARTHQUAKE

Two new geological faults found in Thailand's North

BANGKOK: -- Two more active geological faultlines have been found - Mae Ing in Chiang Rai and Phayao, and Phetchabun in the province of the same name - bringing the total in Thailand to 14, with another still under study.

Full story:

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POLITICS

Thai Democrat tallies 'disastrous' cost of supporting Thaksin

Chavanont

BANGKOK: -- The government has been trying to do everything to favour fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - and the result has been a range of disasters, Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said yesterday.

Full story:

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Controversial Alpine golf course land deeds critic transferred

Snoh

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

Full story:

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Campaign battles Mae Wong dam project: Thailand

Association seeks 13,280 signatures; cites high costs, threat to forestland

BANGKOK: -- The Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) yesterday called on people to join its campaign against the construction of the Mae Wong Dam.

Full story:

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Chiang Mai hospital worker arrested on cold pill theft charges

CHIANG MAI: -- A drug storage official at Central Memorial Hospital has been arrested on charges of stealing 5,000 pseudoephedrine tablets and forging purchase orders for 370,000 tablets.

Full story:

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Higher govt salaries widen income gap: Thailand Development Research Institute

Higher govt salaries widen income gap: TDRI

BANGKOK: -- There is likely to be a flow of people with a bachelor's-degree education or lower from the private sector to the state sector, as the income gap between the two is expected to widen as the minimum salary level at state agencies increases, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute.

Full story:

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STOPPAGE TIME

Diplomatically confused about Thaksin? Let it be

It has been "From Cambodia with Love" for Thaksin Shinawatra.

Full story:

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PM'S FUGITIVE BROTHER

Thaksin can return once reconciliation law goes into effect : FM

BANGKOK: -- Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should return to Thailand once a new law on national reconciliation goes into effect in three or four months, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday.

Full story:

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Yingluck government abandons duty to help Thaksin : Democrat

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

'Political racism' must be ended before it's too late: Thailand

BANGKOK: -- When it comes to the ongoing political rift, what Thai society is facing is nothing less than mutual political racism.

Full story:

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Man held in poisoning deaths of four

WISIT CHUANPIPATPONG

THE NATION

NAKHON PATHOM: -- A man has been arrested on suspicion of killing at least four people by serving them pesticide-laced beverages, while plotting to steal their valuables and vehicles.

Full story:

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Thai Cabinet approves ban on imports of used vehicles

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved the Transport Ministry's proposal to ban import and registration of second-hand vehicles.

Full story:

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Royal cremation site popular among visitors

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of people have been braving the Bangkok heat to visit the Royal cremation site in Sanam Luang since it was opened to the public a week ago.

So far, 150,000 people have shown up to admire the crematorium and other structures built for the funeral of HRH Princess Bejaratana. Visitors have also taken home a short biography of the late princess as well as a booklet detailing the structures and the mythological Himmavanta beast that plays a key role in the decorations.

A mobile medical care service has been put on standby, while the crowds are provided with free drinking water and mobile toilets. Security has also been provided at the site.

Thongtong Chantharangsu, permanent secretary for the PM's Office, said that at least 300,000 people should show up at the site before it closes on April 25.

-- The Nation 2012-04-18

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Cabinet backs anti-drugs project

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In line with the government's crackdown on narcotics, the Cabinet yesterday gave its support to a project in honour of Her Majesty the Queen's birthday that aims to tackle drug abuse at the community level.

The project dubbed "Villagers under the Mother of Land's Funds", organised to mark Her Majesty's 80th birthday, will provide funds to 20 to 50 communities in each province.

With financial support from the Interior Ministry, provincial authorities, the Office of Narcotics Control Board and the government budget, the project was implemented last month, with a large number of communities having already received funds or awaiting payment at the end of this year.

-- The Nation 2012-04-18

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Suthichai: A new NMG line-up for the next big leap

The Nation

NMG chairman Suthichai Yoon, third left, with four executive members

BANGKOK: -- The Nation Multimedia Group yesterday added new blood to its executive structure with a firm statement of intent to strengthen strategies on all fronts of the fast-changing media industry.

"The new generation is new waves that will help carry us toward all our goals, which include excellence in all kinds of content, expansion of media platforms, and making NMG a leading media institution of Asean," said NMG chairman Suthichai Yoon.

He now chairs NMG’s executive committee, of which young business veteran Sermsin Samalapa is vice chairman. Credited with the great success of Krungthep Turakij, Duangkamol Chotana was elected NMG president yesterday. Also in Suthichai’s new-blood executive committee are Pana Janviroj, The Nation's president, who will be in charge of NMG's foreign business development; and Nation Broadcasting Corporation president Adisak Limprungpatanakij, the man who has made Nation Channel come up in leaps and bounds.

The executive committee will have a strong back-up in a new-look management committee, whose new faces include Sivaporn Chomsuwan, president of Nation International Edutainment Plc (NINE); Nation University rector Pong-in Rakariyatham; and Torboon Puangmaha, the veteran from Sanook Online who will now help spearhead NMG’s continued drive into the digital business.

The executive committee and management committee reflect NMG's media business diversity and ambition to make yet another big leap.

According to Suthichai, NMG is "very serious" about digital and broadcasting media. He is certain Torboon will play a crucial role on this frontline.

"The idea is to send out the best content to the public through all forms of channels, and do that as quickly as we possibly can. We have established firm footholds in almost every kind of media content and platform, but we won't stop where we are now," Suthichai said. "Education and entertainment are among the areas in which we want to strengthen our presence."

He added that Asean's imminent economic and cultural integration could not come at a better time for NMG. "We are confident we have the same qualities and potential as any leading foreign media group. We also have strong allies and networks. After more than 42 years in the media business in Thailand, we are ready to make strides as one of the region's forefront media organisations," Suthichai said.

Suthichai is also highly confident the high-level structural changes and clear-cut vision will be embraced by all NMG stakeholders, NMG employees as well as the public company's business partners.

-- The Nation 2012-04-18

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3.2 magnitude quake hits Phuket at 4am;quake felt in many areas but no damage,injuries; geologists:Phuket will feel quakes for another month /TANN

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Gmail Outage Affects Users Worldwide

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....sers-worldwide/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11-17 April: During 7 Dangerous Days of #Songkran, 320 people died & 3,320 injured in 3,129 accidents /via @191Thailand

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2.6, 3.2-magnitude earthquakes shake Phuket after 5.0 Richter quake strikes Sumatra

2.6, 3.2-magnitude earthquakes shake Phuket after 5.0 Richter quake strikes Sumatra early Wednesday

/MCOT

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Levon Helm Cancer: The Band Singer In 'Final Stages' Of Battle With Illness

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....e-with-illness/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,171.21, up 10.98 points /MCOT

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Tropical Storm Hits Northeastern Provinces

LOEI: -- A tropical storm has damaged homes and property in northeastern provinces.

Hailstorms struck villages in Wang Saphung and Muang districts in Loei Province.

Strong winds ravaged more than 70 homes in Sri Songkram Subdistrict and 30 homes in Muang District as well as two truck assembly plants with over 50 million baht worth of damage.

The manager of the two plants said the heavy rain, accompanied by hailstones, poured down and was followed by a strong gust of wind. He shouted warnings at workers in time to seek shelter so there were no injuries or deaths.

Chicken farms and homes in many areas were also damaged by wind gusts. Strong winds felled over 100 trees and ten electricity posts.

Wang Saphung District Chief Sophon Suwannarat has inspected the damage and coordinated with responsible agencies to assist affected residents.

In Buri Ram Province, administration officers along with village headmen and officials from the local administration organization are rushing to assess damage from the tropical storm that hit the province on April 5 and 15.

The results will be submitted to the governor so that assistance can be provided urgently and thoroughly.

The inspection found that the storm damaged 170 homes in Muang District and 112 homes in Ban Mai Chaiyaphot District.

The total value of damage to homes in the two districts has been estimated at two million baht. However, there were no reports of injuries or deaths.

People whose homes have been completely damaged by the storm will receive a maximum of 30,000 baht in compensation while 20,000 baht will be given to those whose homes have been partially damaged.

The public is advised to keep a close watch on the weather forecast by the Meteorological Department.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-18

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NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery makes final flight to museum

Full story:

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Revelers Headed Back to Work After Songkran Holiday

As a large number of people from various provinces continue returning to work after the Songkran celebration ended, many traffic routes and bus terminals have been busy.

Many cars have been traveling back from the North through the Nakhon Sawan-Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan-Kampaengphet highway routes.

However, traffic continues to flow at Dechatiwong Bridge, despite a bottleneck.

Nevertheless, officials have prepared measures to accommodate a large number of cars during yesterday afternoon by placing rubber traffic cones and fences along junctions and directing the traffic around the clock.

Meanwhile, the bus terminal in Nakhon Sawan has been crowded with passengers. The staff need to apply a first come first serve practice to provide services, and that bus tickets are not allowed to be purchased in advance.

In the meantime, a large number of cars have been causing traffic congestion on the Mitrapap-Nongkhai highway from outer Khon Kaen to Muang Nakhon Ratchasima District, while traffic was most congested at Si Kiew to Muak Lek districts of Saraburi Province.

Elsewhere, the situation at the two bus stations in Nakhon Ratchasima Province are returning to normal, as the number of eastern revelers have decreased this year.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Nongkhai railway station has become bustling, while additional trains have been prepared to serve passengers.

At the same time, a large number of people have been waiting for buses to travel back to work. Officials have coordinated with related agenices to seek for additional buses to ensure no passengers are stranded.

In Ubon Ratchathani Province, many passengers were stranded at the bus terminal on Tuesday have been able to make their trips, and that the bus stations have returned to normal.

Meanwhile, the number of passengers at the train station in Warinchamrap District have decreased. Most of the passengers also brought rice and dried food with them to save their expenses since the cost of living is on the rise.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-18

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Thai Air Force to hold air show in Chiang Mai on April 19

BANGKOK, 17 April 2012 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is gearing up to host an exciting air show, which will be open to the public in Chiang Mai on Thursday without any charges, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Thai aviation.

The show, featuring aerial acrobatic performances by experienced pilots, will be held at Wing 41 Air Force Base in Chiang Mai on the occasion of 100th anniversary of Thai aviation. The pilots will be rehearsing tomorrow prior to the actual show on Thursday.

As part of the celebrative event, other activities as well as an exhibition on Thai aviation are also being organized from today until Friday. As for the aerial show, there will be performances by GRIPEN 39C and F-16A aircrafts, both of which are fighter jets, as well as the first ever air stunt by the Blue Phoenix fleet.

The show will also be held in three other venues, consisting of Wing 23 of the RTAF in Udon Thani province from May 15-18, the RTAF Museum on June 22 and Don Muang Airport from June 29–July 2.

Furthermore, the RTAF will also have an opportunity to welcome an air acrobatic team of the Indonesian Air Force ‘Jupiter KT1’ and a fleet of F-16C of the Singaporean Air Force from June 29-30 at Don Muang Airport.

-- NNT 2012-04-18

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Anti-drug villages in honor of HM Queen to be established

BANGKOK, 17 April 2012 (NNT) - The Cabinet on Tuesday gave a green light to the establishment of the drug free "Mother of the Land" villages in commemoration of Her Majesty the Queen's 80th birthday this year.

Deputy Government Sopkesman Chalitrat Chantharubeksa said the project was initiated by the National Center of Illicit Drugs Prevention and Suppression. The "Mother of the Land" villages will be set up this year to honor the Queen and support the government's anti-drug policy. The deputy spokesman said the move is another way for people from all walks of life to show their loyalty to the Queen-- by fighting against drugs together.

HM the Queen personally funds the activities of the volunteers who help the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) keep villages and communities drug-free. The "Mother of the Land" fund has been established to manage the funds. This year, there are 20-50 villages and communities in each province receiving financial assistance from the fund, with additional support from other sources such as the ONCB, the Ministry of Interior, and local administrative organizations.

-- NNT 2012-04-18

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Geologist warns of more minor quakes

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Cumulative tally: 320 dead, 3,320 injured in 3,129 road accidents in seven days of Songkran April 11-17 /MCOT