Thailand Live Thursday 26 Apr 2012

[Lite Beer]

Govt distributes drinking water to drought victims

BANGKOK, 26 April 2012 (NNT) - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has instructed its agencies to distribute drinking water to drought victims in 46 provinces across the country.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk has disclosed that he has ordered the Department of Water Resources and the Department of Groundwater Resources to dispatch 20 trucks equipped with water-purifying machines to the 46 drought-hit provinces throughout Thailand as an assistance measure for those facing hardships brought on by the drought situation.

The Department of Groundwater Resources has been assigned to transform 1,600 schools nationwide into water production and distribution centers of the community. At the same time, all ten regional Water Resources Offices have been assigned to set up an ad-hoc operation centers to assist provincial governors in providing aid to local residents suffering from shortage of water for consumption.

-- NNT 2012-04-26

[Lite Beer]

Bus fare to increase starting May 15

BANGKOK, 26 April 2012 (NNT) - The Central Land Transport Control Commission has resolved to adjust public transport fares upward to match the rising fuel price, starting May 15.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport Sornsak Saensombat, in his capacity as Chairman of the Central Land Transport Control Commission, has announced that the board has given approval to a fare hike of no more than 4 satang/km. for public bus operators running between Bangkok and other provinces, and inter-provincial buses.

Meanwhile, the fare for two-row passenger vehicles, or commonly known as "song thaew", in Bangkok will also see an increase to 7 baht. However, for services between 22.00-05.00hrs, commuters will face an increase of another 2 baht, totaling 9 baht. Minibus fare will also go up from 6.50 baht to 8.50 baht. The new fares will come into effect on May 15.

However, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) buses running in Bangkok and its vicinity will only see a fare hike once NGV price goes up from 8.50 baht/litre to reach 9.50 baht/litre. Passengers of ordinary buses will have to pay 1 baht more per trip, while those traveling by air-conditioned buses will be obliged to pay an increase of 1 baht per stop.

As for the new taxi fare, the Department of Land Transport is rushing to conclude the new rate to submit to the Ministry of Transport for further approval by the cabinet in May. It is expected that the new rate will come into effect in June.

-- NNT 2012-04-26

[Lite Beer]

Over 275,000 visit royal crematorium before it is disassembled

BANGKOK, 26 April 2012 (NNT) - Thais and foreigners still flocked to Sanam Luang to admire the beauty of the Royal Crematorium, which had been built for the royal funeral of HRH Princess Bejaratana, on the last day of the public viewing.

As the period for the public viewing of the Royal Crematorium came to an end on Wednesday, the total visitor count rose to over 275,000. On the last day, the Department of Fine Art's Thai National Symphony Orchestra entertained the crowd with 15 royally-composed songs by HM King Rama VI as well as 3 other songs, specially composed to mourn the death of HRH the late Princess Bejaratana, which are "Petch" (Diamond), "Bai Mai Ruang" (Falling Leaves) and "Pasutha Kansaeng" (Weeping Ground).

The late princess is the only daughter of His Majesty King Vajiravudh or King Rama the Sixth.

The Royal Crematorium is scheduled to be disassembled on April 27. The dismantling process is expected to be completed within 45 days. Some architectural components of the structure will be kept for the purpose of education at the Fine Arts Department and the National Museum, while others will accordingly be distributed to the Thip Sukhontharam Temple in Kanchanaburi province, the Saket Temple in Bangkok and 10 national historical parks.

-- NNT 2012-04-26

[Lite Beer]

Drought still widespread in North and Northeast

PHICHIT, 26 April 2012 (NNT) – Drought crisis remains widespread in the North and Northeast. Recently, more districts in Nakhon Ratchasima, Kalasin, and Phichit have been declared drought disaster zones.

The drought crisis has affected many people in Phichit. Most of them lack water for consumption. Six districts in the province have been declared drought disaster zones, while two more are expected to join the list soon.

Meanwhile, 12 out of 19 districts in Kalasin have also been declared drought-struck zones. Authorities have been helping affected people as the water sources in the province are holding only 20 percent water of its capacity.

Nakhon Ratchasima has recently announced 28 out of 32 districts in the province drought disaster zones. Over 760,000 people have been suffering from lack of water, while crops in nearly 17,000 rai of farmlands have been damaged and dead from the severe drought. Local officials have so far distributed over 2 million liters of potable water to the residents.

-- NNT 2012-04-26

[Lite Beer]

Workers' income still inadequate: TCCC

Pechanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Thai blue-collar workers have shouldered higher debt burden, as cost of living has risen particularly after last year's floods, according to a survey by University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Since the survey was launched four years ago, it showed that the debt burden this year is the highest.

The survey showed that the debt burden among Thai workers hit Bt91.71 billion this year from Bt87.64 billion in 2011.

Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the UTCC’s Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, said the Thai labours still have inadequate income to cover their daily cost of living.

Even after a hike in minimum wage in 7 provinces on April 1, more than 78 per cent of labour still said that their income is inadequate, while only 21.2 per cent said they have not faced any financial problem.

-- The Nation 2012-04-26

[Lite Beer]

Thailand and Russia to boost agricultural cooperation

BANGKOK, 26 April 2012 (NNT) – Thailand and Russia are set to boost mutual agricultural cooperation under the Thai-Russian Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation framework, especially in the areas of rice and cooked chicken meat.

The 1st meeting of the Sub-commission on Agricultural Cooperation under the Thai-Russian Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation was recently hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Among the participants of the meeting were Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut and his Russian counterpart, along with representatives from relevant agencies, agriculture unions, and business entrepreneurs from Russia.

The main objective of the meeting was to promote agricultural cooperation between Thailand and Russia. The session also saw the drafting of a Term of Reference (TOR) of the Sub-commission on Agricultural Cooperation, the drafting of an agreement on agricultural cooperation between Thailand and Russia, food safety, information exchange on rules and regulations concerning agricultural imports and exports, cooperation on the export of Thai rice to the Russian Federation, as well as the inspection of cooked poultry meat.

Russia has established a condition that Thai factories wishing to export processed poultry meat to the country must be inspected and certified by Russian authorities prior to the export. So far, the Department of Livestock Development has invited Russian officials to inspect all the 31 factories in Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-04-26

[webfact]

Pheu Thai upbeat to win Chiang Mai by-election

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party is confident of achieving a victory for the Chiamg Mai by-election, PM's Office Minister Woravat Au-apinyakul said on Thursday, allaying the concern about a repeat of the Pathum Thani defeat last week.

"I believe the people continue to support and trust in the Pheu Thai Party," he said.

Woravat said the red shirts and local residents would rally behind the Pheu Thai candidate should the ruling party decide to nominate Kasem Nimmolrat for the by-election race.

He dismissed speculation that the red shirts were displeased with the Kasem candidacy even though Yaowapha Wongsawat, sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had given her blessing.

He said the Pheu Thai executive board was still open to accept the nominations from all sides before finalising the decision next week.

He said the by-election defeat in Pathum Thani was attributed to the miscommunication between the ruling party and the red-shirt allies, saying this would not happent again.

-- The Nation 2012-04-26

[webfact]

PM in pink to meet Prem signalling love

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, accompanied by her three deputies, will on Thursday's afternoon dress in pink, the colour of love, when they meet and pour scented water for chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda in a gesture of respect to mark Songkran.

Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said he and two colleagues, Kittiratt Na Ranong and Yuthasak Sasiprapha, will join Yingluck in presenting garland, bouquet and fruit basket when they call on Prem.

"All of us will put on Thai silk dresses in pink to signal our love," he said.

He said the event should not be politicised because it is a tradition for younger people to pay respect to the elders on the Thai New Year.

He said Yingluck chose to be accompanied by a small team instead of all 36 ministers because she did not want to cause any inconveniences at Prem's residence.

He also said the deputy prime ministers might leave the room after the water-pouring ceremony in order to allow the prime minister and Prem to have a private conversation.

-- The Nation 2012-04-26

[webfact]

Poll Shows Better Econ Outlook in 3-6 Months

BANGKOK: -- According to a recent opinion poll conducted among leading economists, the economy is likely to pick up during the next three to six months.

From April 20 to 26, Bangkok University Research Center asked 60 economists from 26 leading organizations for their opinions on the economic outlook during the next three to six months.

According to the poll results, economists rate the current economic confidence index at 47.31, lower than the 50-point mark, meaning the economy is still perceived as weak.

Compared to a survey conducted in the first quarter of the year, the economy has improved by 18.9 points across the board.

The tourism sector and private investment have been boosted by the high travel season and flood reconstruction efforts.

Economists' confidence on the economy for the next three months has been measured at 62.44 and for the next six months at 68.24.

This is a clear indicator that they are more confident in the economy during the next three to six months than the present time.

Government spending, export and tourism have been identified as the main driving force behind the economy.

Private consumption is considered the least significant among all major economic factors.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-26

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1209.27, up 7.91; Bt/USD30.75; GBP49.63; AUD31.76; EUR40.57; CAD31.12; HKD3.96; SGD24.61; JPY37.68

[webfact]

Officials to light up notorious Phuket road

Road studs, also called 'cat's eyes', are among the safety measures to be put in place on what has become one of Phuket's most deadly roads

PHUKET: -- Following the high-speed crash on April 13 that killed two local residents on the main road through Pa Khlok, officials are now looking to add street lights along the notorious stretch of dark road and to add “reflective road studs” to help drivers stay on the road.

Full story:

[webfact]

Phuket residents panic over fish fright

The freshwater fish were found dead in the brackish water canal in Phuket Town. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Many Phuket Town residents came to see the dead fish in the canal, fearing that it was a tsunami omen. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Reports of Phuket Town residents panicking yesterday, fearing that the dead fish found in canal were an omen of an impending tsunami strike, prompted officials to investigate.

Full story:

[webfact]

to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 27 Apr 2012