Thailand Live Monday 3 Sep 2012

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Bomb threat halts southern interprovincial train

NARATHIWAT, Sept 3 – Thai train service between the Thailand’s southernmost province of Yala and Su-ngai Kolok district in the southern border province of Narathiwat was halted Monday morning after a two-pronged bomb alert.

Police were informed of suspected bombs at two locations in Narathiwat: near a bridge at Ban Johwa in Su-ngai Padi subdistrict and at Km 1125, about 300 metres from Toh Deng railway station.

The train, which had left Yala bound for Su-ngai Kolok district, was immediately stopped.

Bomb experts rushed to inspect the scene near Ban Johwa only to find that it was a hoax. At the second location at Km1125, security personnel found a bomb, weighing 1.5kg, in a metal box buried underground. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-03

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HIT AND RUN

Son of Red Bull executive nabbed for alleged fatal hit-and-run accident

Pol Sen Sgt Maj Wichien Klanprasert

BANGKOK: -- A son of Red Bull drinks executive Chalerm Yoovidhya was arrested on Monday for allegedly killing a police patrolman in a hit-and-run accident.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/581573-son-of-red-bull-executive-arrested-for-alleged-fatal-hit-and-run-against-police/page__st__100#entry5630434

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Senate: Govt’s not been following constitution regarding energy policy

BANGKOK, 3 September 2012 (NNT) – According to Senator Rosana Tositrakul, the government has not been following the constitution regarding energy policy, claiming it doesn’t benefit the people.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/581609-senate-govt-has-not-been-following-constitution-regarding-energy-policy/#entry5630448

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10 Miss Hong Kong Pageant finalists compete in Thailand

BANGKOK, 3 September 2012 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hong Kong office has joined hands with Hong Kong’s Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), bringing the 10 finalists of Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2012 to Thailand to mark 40th anniversary of the pageant.

According to TAT’s Hong Kong Office Director, Thitiporn Maneenate, the Chinese-language TVB is Hong Kong’s largest television station, which broadcasts to more than 40 countries, reaching about 300 million households globally. She elaborated that the collaboration with the TVB highlighted the beauty and attractions of Thailand to Chinese-speaking audiences in Hong Kong, Macau, China, as well as overseas Chinese around the world.

The ten finalists in the Miss Hong Kong 2012 Pageant enjoyed a variety of activities in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Koh Samui. During the final round, viewers of the pageant broadcast enjoyed seeing the finalists experience the beauty of Thai culture, art, traditional dress, Thai massage, medical and wellness services, as well as seas and beaches. Miss Cheung Ming Nga Carat, who was crowned Miss Hong Kong 2012 in the pageant finale on August 26th, will have the opportunity to visit the kingdom again to experience more of Amazing Thailand.

The TAT said Thailand welcomed 530,000 visitors from Hong Kong in 2011, a 35% increase over the previous year. Over 80% of Hong Kong arrivals are repeated visitors.

-- NNT 2012-09-03

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RT@191Thailand: This afternoon a passenger van was hit by a train in Khorat. 4 people trapped inside. No report yet of their condition.

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Chiang Mai, Phichit on alert for deluge

CHIANG MAI, Sept 3 – Several districts in this northern province have been on alert since early Monday morning for possible floods due to heavy downpours.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/581611-chiang-mai-phichit-on-alert-for-deluge/#entry5630544

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Danish Man Robbed by Bar Girl in Chiang Mai

news Wachiraporn Janrut

CHIANG MAI: -- Danish man Ken Mortensen, 34, was robbed after taking a bar girl in Chiang Mai back to his room at Kalaethong Tower on 1 September 2012 at 1.30a.m.

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

Thailand and Malaysia would look into hoisting of Malaysian flags

Xinhua and The Nation

File photo : Charoon Thongnual

BANGKOK: -- Malaysian and Thai authorities would investigate into the hoisting of Malaysian national flags in a series of latest disturbances in Southern Thailand, a Malaysian senior minister said Sunday.

Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said his government viewed the incident seriously, and the Home Ministry will launch a probe into the matter with its Thai counterpart.

Insurgents staged a series of symbolic attacks in Thailand’s Muslim dominated South on Friday, burning Thai National Flags while Malaysia’s Jalur Gemilang were raised. The attacks came when the Malaysians celebrating their 55th anniversary of independence from British rule.

Hishammuddin denied to provide any further details relating to the incident, saying what behind the hoisting of Malaysian flags remained unknown.

"This involves cross border criminal activities and we have a special unit to investigate the incident," he was quoted as saying by local Star newspaper.

Insurgents staged 102 violent incidents, including five bomb attacks that wounded six security officials, in the deep South last Friday.

Commander of the Fourth Army Area based in Pattani Lt General Udomchai Thammasarojrat meanwhile said the widely reported recent killing of four soldiers was intended to send a message to the international community that Thai authorities had lost control of the deep South.

The attack also signalled the overall separatist battle was nearly won.

The insurgents intended the incidents to incite hatred between Thai and ethnic Malay people while painting a bad image of Thailand in the eyes of its neighbours and generally promoting their cause, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-09-03

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BMA said 6 communities could be affected by efficiency testing of Bangkok water drainage system on Sept 5 and 7 /The Nation

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Phone call ends suicide drama atop Phuket billboard

Phuket Gazette

CALL FOR HELP: Mr Sathien threatens to end it all by jumping from a mega-billboard at one of the busiest road intersections in Phuket. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Mr Sathien is led from the scene having agreed to climb down from his perch of peril after speaking with his estranged wife. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- A troubled man, who this afternoon climbed atop a billboard opposite the Central Festival Phuket shopping complex, has climbed down to safety and is now in police protective custody.

Full story:

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RATINGS

Fitch report affirms Thailand's corporate strength

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fitch Ratings (Thailand) expects further stabilisation of the ratings of Thai corporate bond issuers, as Thailand is expected to show an economic growth rate of 5.5 per cent this year, driven by reconstruction spending, a rebound in manufacturing production, and government spending.

Full story:

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Booze and ballots don’t mix: Phuket poll

Phuket Gazette

Booze and ballots don’t mix, the government has decreed – and a majority of Phuket Gazette readers agree. Image: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- A majority of Phuket Gazette readers think the election-weekend alcohol bans should remain in place despite their cost to the local economy, the results of our online readers’ poll reveal.

Full story:

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Iranian Arrested Following Fatal Road Crash In South Pattaya

Full story:

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SET index closed at 1235.48, up 8.00; Bt/USD31.11; GBP49.24; AUD31.75; EUR39.00; CAD31.42; HKD4.00; SGD24.80; JPY39.55

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Thailand Live Tuesday 4 Sep 2012