Thailand Live Thursday 3 May 2012

[webfact]

Thailand Live Thursday 3 May 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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 Wednesday 2 May 2012

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[webfact]

CABINET RESHUFFLE

Jatuporn poised for promotion to Cabinet?

The Nation

Full story:

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POLITICS

Pracha's accusation is baseless: Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said during a parliamentary meeting that Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasopdee had groundlessly accused him of letting other people vote on his behalf, while Pracha said the House Speaker should set up a panel to investigate.

Full story:

[george]

Due to technical reasons beyond our control the Live newsfeed is delayed this morning, but will resume shortly.

/Admin

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Top economic guru forecasts Thai GDP in 2012 at 6.0-6.5%

Full story:

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Rainmaking Agency to Ease Drought Woes: Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister says the royal rainmaking agency will take part in the government's effort to address the drought situation in provinces.

Full story:

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Thais warned against crossing Myanmar border at Phop Phra

Full story:

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Consumer confidence keeps on rising after floods

BANGKOK, 3 May 2012 (NNT) – Consumer confidence has increased for the fifth consecutive month in April since the flooding last year while the cost of living index in the same month has made a 21-month record high.

Full story:

[george]

Both The Nation and Komchadluek websites are down this morning, including their SMS services. Hope you guys will be back online soon!

[george]

Thaivisa SMS service is down this morning, as The Nation has issues with the SMS gateway.

[webfact]

Minister Downplays Delay in Flood Walls Construction

BANGKOK: -- The industry minister maintains the building of flood walls at industrial estates will complete in late August as planned.

Industry Minister Pongsawat Sawasdiwat said construction of flood levees at many industrial estates has completed more than 25 percent and he believed the project, which is partially funded by the government, should finish before August 25 as scheduled.

However, Pongsawat conceded the construction of the levee at Saharattananakhon สหรัตนนคร Industrial Estate still shows no progress as its new executive board has not taken office yet.

His statement was in response to the rumor that investors are planning to relocate their production base from Thailand due to the lack of confidence in the government's flood prevention plan.

The minister maintained the government's funds of 3.8 billion in total will reach qualified industrial estates prior to the end of this month.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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Thailand, EU affirm fostering strong bilateral ties

BANGKOK, May 3 - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday met the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton and affirmed her intention to foster strong bilateral economic and political relations between Thailand and Europe.

Full story:

[webfact]

US Consular Outreach: Koh Samui

American Citizen Services is pleased announce a newly scheduled consular outreach visit to Koh Samui on May 9th, 2012.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....n-may-9th-2012/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,239.89, up 0.83 points /MCOT

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Thailand's central Wage Committee yet to postpone new minimum wage implementation in 70 provinces

BANGKOK, 3 May 2012 (NNT) – Thailand’s Central Wage Committee is yet to consider postponing the implementation of the new minimum wage policy throughout the country, as called for by the private sector.

Full story:

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Thai-Burmese Border Remains Calm Despite Karen Commander Speak Out against Thailand

KANCHANABURI: -- The situation along the Thai-Burmese border in Kanchanaburi Province remains normal despite the recent Karen rebel commander's repudiation against Thailand's claim of his involvement in drug trade.

Sangklaburi District-Chief Officer Wiboon Pansiri has reported that the situation along theThai-Burmese border near Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi Province remains normal, after Karen rebel commander, Lieutenant General Nakhammuay, denounced Thailand for listing him as the fifth most wanted drug suspect.

In his recent statement, Nakhammuay threatened to retaliate by disrupting trade along the Thai-Burmese border.

However, people from both sides of the borders are still interacting with each other as usual.

According to the joint Thai-Burmese commission, the area across the border in Myanmar is under the Burmese government's jurisdiction, while Nakhammuay only has partial control of the area.

Both Thai and Burmese militaries have reaffirmed that the situation remains normal on their sides of the border.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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Thai PM affirms govt's policy to support tourism industry

BANGKOK, May 3 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday reaffirmed Thailand's policy to support the tourism industry as its development was one of the urgent policy concerns the government announced to implement during its first year in office.

Full story:

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Heavy rain warning for South, North to see temperature spike to 38-42 degrees Celsius; 50 provinces declared drought disaster areas /TANN

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Low Demand for Thai Govt Disaster Cover Suggests Increased Confidence in Anti-flood Plan

BANGKOK: -- The state disaster insurance program has reported a small number of applications a month after it was launched, which implies increased confidence in the government's long-term flood prevention plan.

Full story:

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Pattani Police Seize Major Marijuana Shipment

PATTANI: -- Pattani Police have confiscated more than 90 kilograms of marijuana and two million baht in cash intended to be smuggled abroad.

Pattani Provincial Police have arrested a married couple, 40-year-old Mahama Yuso and 46-year-old Sudsakorn Chaiyawong, along with 90 kilograms of marijuana sticks, a car and more than two million baht in cash.

The couple have confessed that they were hired for 40,000 baht to transport the drug to a customer in Narathiwat Province.

The police have set up a road checkpoint in Nong Chik District after having learned that a major drug shipment was being transported to the area from the central part of the country.

Once arrived at the checkpoint, the suspects' car was stopped and searched.

The marijuana sticks were found in a hidden compartment inside the car.

Both suspects are known to be major drug dealers who had been channeling narcotics from the North to distributors in Narathiwat Province, who would later smuggle the drug to Malaysia.

The police are seeking arrest warrants on other accomplices.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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Jason Mraz to Perform Live Concert in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Grammy-winning pop singer Jason Mraz will be performing live in Bangkok next month as part of his world tour.

Atlantic recording artist Jason Mraz, who won two awards at the 2010 Grammy Award and made his international breakthrough with his hit song “I'm Yours”, is set to embark on a world tour dubbed “Tour Is A Four Letter Word ”, to promote his latest album entitled “Love Is A Four Letter Word” launched last month.

The world tour will kick off in early June with an Asian tour that includes shows in South Korea and Thailand.

Jason Mraz is one of today's most gifted pop troubadours. With two Grammy Awards, Mraz's 2008 studio album, 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Thing.', has proven to be a worldwide sensation.

“Jason Mraz Tour Is A Four Letter Word Live In Bangkok” will be held on June 16 at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets are now available at all Thai Ticket Major branches.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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DTAC Set to Sell 1.2 Million Smart Phones This Year

BANGKOK: -- DTAC has introduced a special campaign that offers discounts on more than 30 models of smart phones, starting from 228 baht per month, while expecting to sell 1.2 million smart phones this year, up from 600,000 sold last year.

Full story:

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12-year-old Dutch boy seized in Kuala Lumpur

'No updates on Nayati’s whereabouts'

KUALA LUMPUR: -- The family of a 12-year-old Dutch boy seized five days ago in Kuala Lumpur appealed Wednesday for any information that could help locate their missing son.

Full story:

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116 Roadworks Planned in Bangkok, Suburbs

The Highways Department has planned roadwork on 116 highways damaged by last year's flooding in Bangkok and its neighboring provinces.

Highways Department Director-General Wanchai Paklak revealed that his department is planning to repair 116 highways in Bangkok and its vicinities, with a budget of 3.38 billion baht.

Many highways have been damaged by last year's massive flooding, disrupting road transport in many areas.

Wanchai noted that the roadwork will definitely cause traffic problems, but his department will do its best to minimize the impact by carrying out construction mostly during the night and arrange special lanes to facilitate traffic through the areas where the work is underway.

For progress update and more information on road repair operations, as well as recommended detour routes, please log on to the Highways Department's website at www.doh.go.th , the Bureau of Highway Safety's website at http://bhs.doh.go.th, and the 24-hour 1586 hotline.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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50 Thai Provinces Declared Drought Disaster Zones

BANGKOK: -- The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has now declared 50 provinces as drought disaster zones.

Full story:

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Pattaya is Thailand's role model

Full story:

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Weapons seized in Narathiwat raid, suspect surrenders

NARATHIWAT, May 3 – Police raided more than 100 houses here Thursday morning searching for the killers of two defence volunteers on Tuesday.

More than 100 paramilitary rangers and police officers descended on many sites in Chanae district at dawn on Thursday to look for suspects in the shooting at a checkpoint here which left two men dead.

The authorities searched 150 houses, seizing two rifles and three boxes of M16 and .22 caliber ammunition.

Meanwhile, a 27-year-old man surrendered to police under a government project allowing suspects to turn themselves in and join the army’s training programme to adjust their attitude.

However, the suspect denied any involvement in insurgent activities but he confessed that he was connected with illegal oil trading. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-03

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Police blame ‘business conflict’ for snake show arson attack

Phuket Gazette –

Police believe the arson attack carried out last week in Phuket, captured here on CCTV security cameras, was motivated by a ‘business conflict’. The attack left a 25-year-old security guard comatose in hospital.

Full Story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/552324-phuket-police-blame-business-conflict-for-snake-show-arson-attack/#entry5270244

[Lite Beer]

DROUGHT

More rainmaking launched as drought bites in North

The Nation

Photo : Mongkonchaowarat Mangmee

While many parts of Thailand suffer from heat and drought, authorities have launched rainmaking operations in the lower northern region to assist farmers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/552255-rainmaking-agency-to-ease-drought-woes-thailand/#entry5270267