Thailand Live Wednesday 23 May 2012

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Fake Cash Widespread in Nan Province

NAN: -- Counterfeit 100-baht notes are spreading around Nan Province, triggering worries among local vendors.

Commander of Nan Provincial Police, Police Major General Chalongchai Burirat, has warned the public of the spread of fake 100-baht notes in the province and urged vendors to carefully examine the money they receive.

Major General Chalongchai said that the fake banknote is slightly smaller than the real one and the color will come off when exposed to water.

The embossed printing of the note's denomination and the one saying 'Thai Government', as well as a hologram foil patch are only visible on the real one.

Police are investigating the matter and the public have been advised against using fake banknotes. Any suspicious activities must be reported to the police.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-23

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Air Force spokesman says Surat Thani air base will be practicing with the Grippen fighter jets so locals need not panic /TANN

Fake banknotes are circulating in Hat Yai and the South;use of banknotes detecting device recommended as differences hard to detect /The Nation

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Transport Min Charupong expresses concern about THAI's protest over its president's dismissal; assures no political interference /TANN

First lot of 2,000 'One Tablet PC per Child' computers purchased from China received, 4-5 days needed to certify specifications: ICT Minister /MCOT

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Expressway Authority Mulls Cancellation of Easy Pass Deposits

BANGKOK: -- The Expressway Authority of Thailand is considering canceling deposits on Easy Pass cards at the end of this month.

The Transport Ministry's Expressway Authority of Thailand or EXAT is considering canceling deposit collection on Easy Pass cards.

The idea has already been submitted to the EXAT board for approval.

The EXAT has already been offering discount from 800 to 1000 baht on Easy Pass deposits and giving out 25 baht credit for every 500 baht refilled into the card to promote its usage.

However, this introductory campaign will expire at the end of this month.

The cancellation of the Easy Pass card deposit collection is now being considered by the EXAT board. If approved, it will come into effect from next month onward.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-23

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National Housing Authority to Demolish Dindaeng Apartments on Earthquake Fear

BANGKOK: -- The National Housing Authority claims that it must demolish aging Dindaeng apartment complex due to an earthquake risk.

The authority has also pointed out that a commercial area will be added to the new design while the current tenants will be given priority to move in.

Assistant to Governor of National Housing Authority Chukiat Nimannit has reported the progress into the renovation of Dindaeng Housing Project, saying that the buildings were built fifty years ago and may not be able to withstand an earthquake.

The Buildings 1 to 32 will be the first structures to undergo renovation.

The authority is currently negotiating with more than 2,000 households living in these buildings.

Most of them are concerned that the land may be reclaimed for other purposes, or once the new apartment buildings are completed, they will not be able to move back in.

However, the National Housing Authority has reaffirmed that the current tenants will be given priority to occupy the newly constructed residential units.

The authority is offering the tenants three choices.

One is that they will be provided a temporary housing units in the area or they will be given 3,000 baht in monthly rent to live elsewhere until the renovation is completed, or they could simply sell their apartments back to the National Housing Authority.

The new building design will have seven to eight floors. There will be a commercial area on the ground floor while other levels will house residential units.

The current tenants will be given priority to occupy both residential and commercial units.

Chukiat is confident that the new buildings will be stronger with improved aesthetics. Furthermore, the residents will be able to generate income from the commercial areas.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-23

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Mental Health Dept: Tablet PCs contribute to development of first graders

BANGKOK, 23 May 2012 (NNT) – With the distribution of tablet PCs to first-grade students scheduled for this school semester, the Mental Health Department has indicated that the proper use of the electronic devices will contribute to the children's development.

Mental Health Department Director-General Dr. Narong Sahamethapat said that a study on the development of early age children has revealed that 30% of first-grade students in Thailand are under-developed. Among this number, 10% suffer from learning disabilities while the remaining 20% suffer from development disorders, both of which can lead to a low IQ in early age children. Thus, he suggested that the development of first-grade students should be well-rounded in all areas, such as linguistics, writing, listening, waiting and sharing, among others.

Meanwhile, Mental Health Department Spokesperson Dr. Panpimol Vipulakorn said that one-third of the children in a classroom are already troubled with development disorders, in such skills as reading and writing. Thus, teachers and parents must closely supervise the appropriate use of table PCs once they are handed out to the students this semester. With appropriate use, the tablet PCs will benefit the children’s development as children tend to remember more from their lessons if they enjoy it. However, teachers and parents should be cautious to prevent the use of tablet PCs from becoming an addiction while allocating time to develop other necessary skills in the children as well.

-- NNT 2012-05-23

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Banded Krait Swallows King Cobra in Kalasin Province

KALASIN: -- Kalasin locals were astonished upon seeing a banded krait swallowing a king cobra, which is an extremely rare occurrence.

Emergency workers in Kalasin Province were contacted by residents in the municipality area to capture snakes, but what they saw was unlike anything they had ever seen.

The officers gasped at the sight of a two-meter-long banded krait swallowing half of a king cobra of a similar size, which was struggling for survival.

The emergency workers had to take great caution in capturing the snakes as both of them are extremely venomous.

It took them more than half an hour to catch the snakes and while they were releasing the reptiles from the bag, the banded krait simply let go of the king cobra, which was still alive, and then slithered away.

It was very rare for snakes to eat their kind, especially in this case of a banded krait preying on a king cobra.

Well-known fortuneteller Montree Phumthip said that such an event is considered ominous and it could be interpreted as the overthrow of a corrupt ruler by the ordinary because a banded krait by its nature is a solitary creature and does like staying out in the open.

So it is extremely unusual for it to swallow the king cobra, which is regarded as the king of all snakes.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-23

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SET ended down by 9.07 points at 1,122.45 with value of Bt12.47 bn /TANN

Suspect in Kasikorn cash truck theft in Singhburi turns himself in; confesses Saingarm police superintendent masterminded heist /TANN

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Leading Thai companies hit Global 2000 list of world biggest public companies

BANGKOK, 23 May 2012 (NNT) – Seventeen Thai companies have been included in Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s biggest public companies, the Global 2000.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....mpanies-forbes/

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Commerce Ministry finds causes of price difference between farms and retail shops

BANGKOK, 23 May 2012 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has ordered the Department of Internal Trade to find out why consumer products' prices vary so much on their way from farms to consumers, after middlemen have reportedly reaped more than 50% profits.

To help curb people's high living cost, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said his ministry and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry have joined hands monitoring prices at factories and farms before the products are sold to consumers in order to find out the true costs of production.

He said the differences in prices between farms and shops are inordinate, indicating that middlemen have taken in excess of over 50% in profits. Mr Boonsong has thus assigned the Internal Trade Department to look into product profit ratio at every step before forwarding the findings to the cabinet.

-- NNT 2012-05-23

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'Strong interest' in Thai AirAsia IPO

Bangkok, May 23, 2012 (AFP) - Thai AirAsia's top shareholder has reported strong demand for its shares in an initial public offering that will raise funds for a fleet expansion at the fast-growing low-cost carrier.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/557294-strong-interest-in-thai-airasia-ipo/#entry5324737

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World Bank projects 2012 Thai GDP to grow 4.5%

BANGKOK, May 23 - The World Bank projects the Thai economy to grow 4.5 per cent this year, recovering from 0.1 per cent growth last year when the country’s economy was impacted by Japan’s tsunami, devastating floods and the eurozone debt crisis, the bank said in its first report on the Thai economy in 2012.

Full story:

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July 19 date circulated for Cabinet reshuffle

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul on Wednesday said he was in no position to comment on the Cabinet line-up in the face of a latest speculation that Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom was on the way out.

"Change might happen to someone else and not Boonsong," he said.

Waravat said he did not have a say on Boonsong's fate after the commerce minister had come under fire for what many saw as his inept handling of rising prices.

He also said he was unaware that the Cabinet reshuffle might happen on an auspicious date of July 19, as speculated.

-- The Nation 2012-05-23

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KING OF FRUITS

Odourless durians to hit the market

Thai News Agency

Uttaradit on Tuesday introduced two new varieties of odourless durians, which are expected to generate wealth for the province.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/557299-odourless-durians-to-hit-the-market/#entry5324800

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Thailand's PTT beats Shell bid for Cove Energy

Bangkok, May 23, 2012 (AFP) - Thai oil giant PTT said Wednesday it had struck a deal to buy East Africa-focused Cove Energy for £1.22 billion ($1.92 billion), trumping a rival offer from Royal Dutch Shell.

Full story:

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Dtac offers reservation of Samsung Galaxy S III on May 24

Full Internet package and a trip to Korea among pleasurable offerings

Full story:

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RT @RichardBarrow: Attention Lady Gaga fans. Her plane is now due to land at Don Muang Airport at 5pm today - MT @ppaew_kcl

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House votes 274:1 with 177 abstentions to pass the 2013 Budget Bill worth Bt2.4 tn; 63-member committee to vet bill /TANN

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AoT promotes educational tours of Suvarnabhumi among school students

BANGKOK, 23 May 2012 (NNT) – Suvarnabhumi Airport (SVB) has recently let children from nearby schools visit its amenities to get a close-up with its giant airplanes. It is part of a campaign by the Airport of Thailand (AoT) to stimulate learning for primary school students.

Students from 27 schools have been given the privilege to see how the airport is operated. A brief presentation is also provided by the AoT team who will make sure that students will enjoy their trip and learn a few things or two about the world’s 7th best airport.

Ms. Busaba Phusakul, Vice President for Special Affairs of the AoT, said in her opening speech at the campaign’s launch today that the event is the first of its kind and aimed at giving students a glimpse at the aviation industry which was a rare opportunity for any school children in the past.

Students will be taken to see airplanes near the runway, which is opposite the cargo warehouse. The participating children were reportedly very excited about their experience as they were able to see airplanes getting ready to take off in close-up.

Nine schools will visit the airport each day during the three-day long campaign. Ms. Busaba reiterated that the AoT will hold the same campaign again next year.

-- NNT 2012-05-23

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Democrats charge top DSI officials for lapse of duty

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MPs, led by Suthep Thaugsuban, on Wednesday called for the National Anti Corruption Commission to look into the dropping of royal insult charges in connection with a probe into the alleged conspiracy to topple the monarchy.

The Democrats petition singled out top two officials of Department of Special Investigation, director general Tarit Pengdith and his deputy Pravesana Mulpramook, for lapse of duty in their enforcement of the lese majeste law.

Suthep said he wanted the NACC to probe the two officials on two separate cases.

-- The Nation 2012-05-23

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The 1st lot of 2,000 tablets arrives

The Nation

The first lot of 2,000 devices arrived Thailand today that delivered by Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development.

-- The Nation 2012-05-23

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Drug Suspect Nabbed

BANGKOK: -- The city police have arrested a suspected speed pill dealer linked to an inmate dealing drugs from behind bars.

Chaiya Saengsripetch was arrested along with some 40,000 methamphetamine pills by the narcotic busting unit of the Metropolitan Police Division 4 after its investigators have been tipped off he used Suksawat area as his base to run his drug trade.

Investigators said Chaiya confessed to working for an inmate of Bang Kwag Prison, who is a major drug dealer.

Police have also arrested three people in different raids on suspicion they could work for Chaiya's trafficking ring.

They are Atthaporn Suwankawee, Thanes Puthngam and Pasinee Rohitsathien.

The officers confiscated crystal methamphetamine, guns, ammunition and a sedan believed to be stolen.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-23

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Victims of 2010 political violence to receive financial compensations tomorrow

BANGKOK, 23 May 2012 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who chairs a government panel to monitor recommendations by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) said representatives of the 500 victims in the political violence in 2010 will be financially compensated tomorrow at the Government House.

The Interior Minister said he was not aware that there had been a problem with the compilation of names of relatives of those killed in the political violence. He added that the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has already finalized the names of those eligible for the financial aid and presented the list to him.

Mr. Yongyuth said later that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will be chairing the ceremony, in which the money will be given to families of the victims, tomorrow. He said, however, that those who have been previously unaccounted for or were late on their compensation application will later be assisted.

-- NNT 2012-05-23

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SET index closed at 1110.7, down 20.82; Bt/USD31.40; GBP49.24; AUD30.45; EUR39.56; CAD30.52; HKD4.04; SGD24.40; JPY39.30

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PM to go on official visit to Australia this Saturday and return on Tuesday /TANN

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 24 May 2012