Smoke from Indonesia still covering Songkhla

SONGKHLA, 12 August 2012 (INN) - The air over Songkhla province is still heavily smoke-filled. The thick smoke, which has increased from previous days, is a result of forest fires on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The island today sees 239 more fires, compared to 88 spots yesterday.

Additionally, there is smoke from forest fires in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phattalung provinces. This had led to particularly thick smoke.

Mr. Wanchai Sak-udomcahi, director of the southeastern center of the Thai Meteorological Department, stated that the weather at present is not fluctuating. The air is still and dry, and there are no winds, which traps the smoke in the lower southern region. Winds are needed to blow the smoke out to sea; rainfall would also be beneficial. Citizens are asked to refrain from burning things in the open, to reduce the amount of dust and particles in the air. Reports state that the weather conditions in the lower southern region are not hazardous to health.

-- NNT 2012-08-12

Dust particles in Songkhla at 135 (exceeding safety standard of 120) microgrammes/cubic metre due to forest fires in Thai South & Indonesia /MCOT

RT@RichardBarrow: 3:45pm Heavy rain coming in from the West of Bangkok pic.twitter.com/JlVFZwGs

Flood in Mae Sot recedes, market by Moei River to open for celebration of 15 year anniversary of Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge on Aug 13-15 /MCOT

RT@AsifAAhmad New occupants at British Ambassador's Bangkok Residence. pic.twitter.com/79H54ZpQ

PM thanks all Thai Olympians, congratulates boxer Kaeo Pongprayoon on silver medal; PM to chair reception welcoming national athletes Aug 14 /MCOT

Police find ‘nothing suspicious’ in Chinese drownings

Phuket Gazette –

The beautiful waters surrounding Koh Racha Yai island have made it a popular destination for snorkeling day-trippers from Phuket. Photo: Gazette file

Koh Racha Yai is located about 25 kilometers south of Phuket. Map: Gazette file

PHUKET: Chalong Police will not be conducting further investigations into two separate drowning deaths of Chinese tourists off Phuket this week, the Phuket Gazette has learned.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/576722-police-find-nothing-suspicious-in-chinese-drownings/#entry5565533

SUAN DUSIT POLL

Elected speaker best for Senate : Survey

BANGKOK: -- The Senate should choose its speaker from senators elected rather than those appointed to their seats, the Suan Dusit Poll said in an opinion survey conducted in Bangkok and released Sunday.

The survey, based on 1,103 respondents, said the desired qualifications for the speaker were impartiality, clean background and decisiveness.

The Senate is expected this week to elect the successor to Teeradej Meepien who was disqualified last month after his conviction for granting a pay raise to himself while he was the ombudsman in 2004.

-- The Nation 2012-08-12

RT@tulsathit: A Wongwien Yai-Maha Chai train driver was gravely injured when rainstorm sent a tree branch crashing through his windshield: matichon

Reuters: Egypt's president retires Head of armed forces, Defence Minister and Chief of staff /VIA @mpoppel

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Thailand Live Monday 13 Aug 2012