Thailand Live Tuesday 8 May 2012

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Overload Blamed for Skyscraper Accident

BANGKOK: -- Police have blamed excessive load for the collapse of a suspension platform that killed three workers putting up advertisement on Baiyok 2 Tower yesterday afternoon.

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Baiyoke Tower II's parted platform caused by excess weight: Police

BANGKOK, May 8 - The failure of the steel cable or wire rope supporting the platform carrying workers installing advertising banner on the exterior of Thailand's tallest building, Baiyoke Tower II, killing three men, was caused by being overloaded, according to the initial investigation.

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Rainfalls Causes Ground Rupture in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: -- The authority of Chiang Saen District in Chiang Rai Province is inspecting a rupture caused by days of rainfalls, as the locals are concerned that it might widen.

A local of Chiang Saen District in Chaing Rai Province has found a 20 meter long and 30 centimeter wide rupture in the ground, running under her house, from the kitchen's wall to the outside fence.

The crack is between 20 and 30 centimeter deep.

The homeowner said that the crack was caused by days of rainfalls since May 6.

There are also deep holes in some parts of the earth fracture.

The authority has been contacted to inspect the crack, as the locals are concerned that it may widen and become dangerous.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-08

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BMA Gears up Canal Dredging for Upcoming Rainy Seasons

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has affirmed that the dredging of canals and drainage systems will be complete ahead of the upcoming rainy season.

Department of Drainage and Sewerage Director Sanya Sheenimit reported that his office has dredged 40 percent of canals in Bangkok and expects the rest to be done by the end of this month.

The dredging of drainage systems, which is carried out in cooperation with district offices and the Department of Corrections, is now 60 percent complete.

Sanya added that there has been no report of drought in Bangkok so far despite declining water levels of eastern canals, while insisting that there is enough water for farming, though areas outside the irrigation system might be slightly affected.

The water in canals in the metropolitan area such as Prem Prachakorn, Ladprao and Bangsue, has been occasionally drained to prepare for possible heavy rainfalls following summer storms.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-08

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RT @tulsathit: TR @tukky_nt: Group O blood needed for "Chayada Jiemwiset", mother of a Nation photographer. She's on 18/Fl Lertsin Hospital.

RT @tulsathit: To clarify blood donation tweet, prospective donors are advised to go to Red Cross HQ, not the said hospital.

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Shrimp farmers protest seeking higher shrimp prices

SONGKHLA, May 8 - Shrimp farmers from eight southern Thai provinces gathered today at the Tinsulanonda Bridge in this provincial seat awaiting the decision of a committee meeting considering responses to help farmers facing depressed shrimp prices.

Kanchit Hemarak, president of the shrimp farmers network, said the group wants the committee to urgently initiate a shrimp mortgage scheme, and warned that if a satisfactory outcome is not reached, the group would expand its protest.

The producers representative said prices should vary from Bt130-180/kg depending on shrimp and prawn sizes from 80 pieces/kg and 40 pieces/kg respectively.

Mr Kanchit suggested a timeline for the project beginning May 15. With no clear answer to the protestors, he warned the group might close the Tinsulanonda Bridge for an expanded protest and might travel to Bangkok to protest directly to the prime minister.

Meanwhile, prices of other agricultural produce--particularly vegetables and meats -- have increased. For instance, the price of pork and Chinese kale have quickly risen in the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon from Bt105 to Bt130/kilo and from Bt20 to Bt40 per bunch respectively.

Local merchants said consumer prices have doubled, and speculated they would rise even higher when the new school term starts, which is soon. They asked the government to help, as they are in trouble, they said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-08

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Private sector urged to conserve energy

BANGKOK, 8 May 2012 (NNT) – The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) is determined to attract 1,000 businesses to join its energy conservation project, aimed at reducing energy cost and the nation’s budget in the long run.

DEDE Deputy Director-General Twarath Sutabutr has revealed that the department is set to propose the VA Energy Beyond Standards project to the Joint-Standing Committee on Trade, Industries and Banking; with the objective of encouraging the three sectors to join hands in energy conservation. The participation of the private sector will contribute to the country's success in conserving energy, cutting down energy cost, lowering electricity peak demand during Summer, and reducing the nation’s budget in the long run.

Based on a Voluntary Agreement (VA) system, the DEDE is set to invite 1,000 businesses to join the project. Additionally, participating businesses will enjoy tax privileges and a 20% grant from the Energy conservation equipment promotion project to encourage investment.

Mr. Twarath said that energy conservation should begin with the industrial and service sectors as they account for 44% of the country’s overall energy consumption.

For more information on the project, interested parties are welcomed to visit the VA Energy beyond standards facebook fanpage. Applications are accepted until June 1.

-- NNT 2012-05-08

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Earthquake detected in Myanmar

BANGKOK, 8 May 2012 (NNT) - A 4.1-magnitude earthquake has been reported in Myanmar. Initially, there is no report of any damage.

The earthquake with the epicenter in Myanmar occurred at 4.12 a.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter is located at latitude: 20° 46' 48'' north and longitude: 100° 10' 48'' east, which is close to Thailand’s northern region.

Previously, a 2.3 on the richter scale earthquake was detected in Chiang Mai province on Monday at 8.14 p.m. Both small quakes have not triggered any warning or caused any damage.

-- NNT 2012-05-08

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Cabinet halts plan to raise underground train fares, instructs commerce ministry to sell low-cost products /MCOT

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Police track down Bangkok bag-snatcher with Apple Find My iPhone feature

BANGKOK: Police apprehended a Bangkok bag-snatcher recently with the help of the Apple “Find My iPhone” GPS tracking feature.

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HISTORIC VISIT

HM the King to visit Ayutthaya

The Nation

Monument of Queen Srisuriyothai of the Ayutthaya.

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King will leave Siriraj Hospital for the first time since being admitting to the hospital in 2009 on a visit to Ayutthaya province this week, Ayutthaya Governor Witthaya Pewpong said Tuesday.

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Chalerm prepared to visit Myanmar to seek Karen rebel leader’s extradition

BANGKOK, May 8 - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung said today that he is prepared to travel to Myanmar to seek the extradition of an ethnic Karen rebel leader, Na Kham Mwe, listed by Thailand as one of the 25 most-wanted suspected drug dealers, if talks between Thai narcotics officials and Myanmar authorities fail.

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Cop killer caught in Phuket

Confessed killer Samut “Moot” Keukgong, who made a living stealing boats before changing his career to contract killer.

PHUKET: -- Phuket City Police yesterday arrested an alleged hit-man and cop killer wanted in connection with two murders last year, one in Phuket and one in Trang.

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Soi 6 Lock-Down As Government Officers Conduct Checks Of Bars And Workers

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/553473-soi-6-lock-down-as-government-officers-conduct-checks-of-bars-and-workers/

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SET index closed at 1231.04, up 3.63; Bt/USD30.85; GBP49.82; AUD31.33; EUR40.14; CAD30.88; HKD3.97; SGD24.61; JPY38.32

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Two out of three families are in debt, survey finds

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- According to the Thai Family Studies Association, 10.5 million out of 15 million Thai families it surveyed are in debt - and 1.2 million families can't repay their debts.

Association secretary-general Panpimol Wipulakorn said Tuesday parents were busy working to get money for debt repayment and couldn't take proper care of their kids.

-- The Nation 2012-05-08

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 9 May 2012