Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Apr 2012

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Myanmar Resumes Gas Supply to Thailand After Pipeline Checkup

Myanmar has now resumed its gas pipeline operations after maintenance and is ready to supply gas to Thailand today.

Meanwhile, the Sin Phu Hom gas field in Udon Thani is set to resume production today after having been suspended since last Wednesday.

Vice President of PTT Group's Gas Business Unit Peerapong Achariyacheevin said the Myanmar-Thai gas pipeline is now back in operation after it was shut down from April 8 to 17 for routine maintenance.

He added that the Ratchaburi power plant already resumed production using bunker oil while awaiting gas supply from Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Peerapong said the emergency suspension of gas production at the Sin Phu Hom field in Udon Thani province since the evening of June 11 has reduced the supply of natural gas for vehicles by an average of 400 tons a day and caused shortages in the northeastern region.

However, the gas field is set to resume operation today according to a latest report.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-18

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3.2 Magnitude Aftershocks Strike in Phuket Early Morning

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Phuket dam passes post-quake safety inspection

Phuket Gazette – Tuesday, April 17

Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak (in green shirt) led the inspection after villagers expressed their fears that the dam had suffered damage and would gave way, allowing the reservoir waters to flood their homes. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

The inspection team checked the pressure-sensor control box, which indicated that the dam suffered no damage from yesterday’s earthquake. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Phuket officials have declared the dam at Bang Neaw Dum Reservoir in Thalang structurally sound following a safety inspection earlier today.

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RT@SkyNewsBreak: Reuters: Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party confirm she will leave Burma for first time in 24 years to visit UK and Norway in June

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PAD to file suit against 416 MPs and senators for unlawfully amending the charter with Constitution Court and NACC /TAN_Network

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Food production costs increase 5-20% due to minimum wage hike

BANGKOK, 18 April 2012 (NNT) – The National Food Institute (NFI) has indicated that the minimum wage hike to 300 baht per day has affected the production costs in the food industry.

According to the NFI, the minimum wage rise, now in effect in seven pilot provinces, has contributed to an increase of 5-20% in production cost. while the food industry is in short of around 50,000 low-skilled laborers.

Seafood production costs have risen the most by 20 percent; while production costs of meat, fruit, vegetable, bread, and bakery also increased by 5-10%.

The minimum wage has come into effect since April 1 in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi and Phuket.

-- NNT 2012-04-18

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PAD seeks to prosecute MPs, Cabinet for supporting charter amendment

BANGKOK, April 18 -- The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) -- the so-called Yellow Shirt movement -- will petition Thailand’s Constitution Court through the Office of the Attorney-General, to prosecute some members of the House of Representatives and the Cabinet for supporting moves to amend the Constitution, according to a PAD spokesman.

Spokesman Panthep Puapongphan told a news conference after a meeting of PAD leaders that the group will oppose any move to amend the charter at all costs.

The PAD will present its petition to the Office of the Attorney-General on April 26 at 9am to forward to the Constitutional Court for its judgment whether or not the attempted amendment contradicts Section 68 of the Constitution.

If not in accord with Section 68, all 416 MPs and Cabinet members who signed the motion to amend the Constitution would be guilty and their parties could be disbanded. In addition, all party executive board members could be banned from politics, he said.

Mr Panthep said that at 11am on April 26, the PAD will petition the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to consider whether the move by the 416 members of parliament and Cabinet members represents malfeasance in office. The complaint will also be submitted to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Meanwhile, Chamlong Srimuang, a top leader of the Yellow Shirt PAD denied media reports that the PAD will rally later this month at the Army Club to oppose the attempt to amend the Constitution.

He said the PAD will demonstrate only if the constitutional amendment affects the monarchy, and the move paves the way for granting an amnesty to wrongdoers.

A joint parliamentary session was considering the second reading of a draft amendment after a joint House-Senate committee vetting the Constitution amendment bills agreed to adopt the Cabinet-sponsored version seeking to change only Section 291 to set up a Charter Drafting Assembly (CDA). (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-18

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Thanksin will return if justice system is really fair: defence minister

BANGKOK:-- Defence Minister Gen Sukampol Suwannathat said Wednesday that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would wait until he is certain that he will receive fair trials in cases against him before returning to Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....g/#entry5229245

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320 Killed On Highways In Seven Days Of Songkran: Thailand

BANGKOK, April 18--- Thailand’s death toll from road accidents nationwide during Thailand’s traditional week-long Songkran new year reached 320 with the number of injuries at 3,320 persons, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

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TAT on promotional campaign for Phra Pradaeng Songkran on 27-29 April

BANGKOK, 18 April 2012 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting all to join in this year's last Songkran festival in Samut Prakan Province, later this month.

Mr. Somchai Chompoonoi, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Central Region), said that this year's Songkran celebrations in 19 central provinces have been the most exciting and exuberant, when compared with those in the last 6 years.

He attributes such a positive development to a more peaceful state of mind among Thai people, who have gone through a series of political crisis and natural disaster.

Mr. Somchai said that most holiday-makers from the central region have chosen to spend time in nearby tourist destinations, due to higher oil prices.

According to the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Central Region), the most popular destinations were Prachuap Khiri Khan, Petchaburi, and Kanchanaburi.

For Bangkok residents, many have decided not to leave town but spend parts of the day with their families visiting Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and Singburi.

Mr. Somchai also added that the TAT is set to host this year's last Songkran festival celebration in Phra Pradaeng District of Samut Prakan Province during April 27th and 29th.

At the festivity that is an ancient heritage and tradition of the Thai-Raman people, revelers will be invited to free water-splashing fight on a closed section of road and enjoy a number of traditional floats as well as many other interesting activities.

-- NNT 2012-04-18

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PM satisfied with China visit, successfully expands bilateral cooperation; China agrees to extend panda's stay in Thailand for three more years /MCOT

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Defense Minister Expresses Sympathy for Thaksin

The defense minister has expressed sympathy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who wants to return to Thailand.

Defense Minister Sukumpol Suwanathat has expressed sympathy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in exile abroad for six years now.

Sukumpol said that he would like to see Thaskin return to Thailand but exactly when is up to the rule of law.

The minister said that the former premier's return will pose no risk to the national reconciliation process.

Sukumpol also believes that national reconciliation is the country's answer and what most people want must be respected.

He said the government could lose public support if the reconciliation process is poorly executed.

However, he believes that if everyone works together, reconciliation is achievable.

On the occasion of the Thai New Year, the defense minister wants to see peace in the South.

He said that even though the security situation is improving, it still needs to be closely monitored.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-18

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SET index closed at 1168.05, up 7.82; Bt/USD30.67; GBP48.95; AUD31.75; EUR40.09; CAD30.84; HKD3.95; SGD24.38; JPY37.40

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BTS

Fares on On Nuj-Bearing extension route starts on May 1

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- From May 1 onwards, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will start collecting Bt15 for the 5.2-km ride on the On Nuj-Bearing skytrain extension route.

Since the extension route commenced operations in August 2011, commuters had enjoyed a free ride.

The extra fee will add up BTS fares, which are now Bt15-Bt40, depending on distance.

Surapong Laoha-Unya, director and chief operating officer of Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc - the skytrain operator, said that passengers at the five stations on the extension route - Bang Chak, Punnawithi, Udom Suk, Bang Na, and Bearing - will have to pay additional Bt15.

Accordingly, BS will adjust the price of a one-day pass for unlimited travel and trips in Sukhumvit and Silom Lines, from Bt120 to Bt130.

-- The Nation 2012-04-18

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People's Alliance Sets Off Crusade against Charter Rewrite

BANGKOK: -- The People's Alliance for Democracy sets next Thursday to press charges against legislators who approved the revision of the charter's Article 291 to pave the way for a Constitution amendment.

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Phuket to publish quake survival guide

PHUKET, 18 April 2012 (NNT)-Phuket is ready to handle emergency situations and assist residents and tourists in time of natural disasters. Handbooks on earthquakes will be published and distributed to the public, according to a provincial authority.

Phuket Deputy Governor Mr. Somkiat Sangkaosutthirak said the contingency plan has already been in place to quickly response to crises particularly quakes. He added that he would raise the problem of communication disruption during the tremors to a meeting to be hosted by the provincial governor shortly. In the recent quakes, many people had to rely on walkie-talkies to stay in touch or get help.

He cited the need for cooperation from all relevant agencies to draw up a plan that would assure that the communication system would still be able to function during natural disasters.

-- NNT 2012-04-18

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Patong Mayor pushes for new road to Phuket's Freedom Beach

The proposed new road in red.

Mayor Pian vowed that issues affecting Patong’s development will be addressed. Photo: Atachaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- THE Patong Municipal Council has agreed to fund a study to look into building a new road to access Freedom Beach, crossing over public forest land in the area.

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Thai parliament flashed by pornographic picture

BANGKOK, April 18, 2012 (AFP) - The graphic image of a naked woman caused shockwaves in Thailand's parliament on Wednesday when it flashed across big screens during a legislators' debate.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....e/#entry5230340

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 19 Apr 2012