Thailand Live Thursday 20 Sep 2012

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RT @tulsathit: Khao Sod: Truth commission blasted for ignoring snipers

RT @tulsathit: Thai Post: UN hails Truth commission

RT @tulsathit: Thai Rath: Red leaders claim truth commission had hidden agenda

RT @tulsathit: ASTV: Red hooligans never let go

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Don Mueang Airport fully operational Oct 1

BANGKOK, Sept 19 – Thai Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan has announced that Don Mueang Airport will officially be fully operational for budget airlines October 1.

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RT @tulsathit: Police have again ruled out murder in the death of ex-actress Paowana Chanajit.

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Thailand sees growing numbers of mental patients

PHITSANULOK, Sept 20 -- Public Health Minister Surawit Khonsomboon said Thailand currently has more than 3 million mental patients, but only one-third of them are receiving treatment, at the country’s 17 mental hospitals nationwide.

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Health Ministry ordered Sukhothai to watch out for possible post-flood illnesses

BANGKOK, 20 September 2012 (NNT) – The Health Ministry has instructed officials in flood-hit Sukhothai to watch out for the outbreak of post-flood illnesses.

Deputy Health Minister Surawit Khonsomboon, on Wednesday, visited Sukhothai Province to offer moral support to health officials and locals, after the flooding situation started to ease.

The overall situation in Sukhothai has improved markedly, with the water level in the Yom River also receding considerably.

Mr. Surawit also handed over 200 sets of first-aid kits, which consist of medicines and mosquito repellent, to locals.

In addition, the Deputy Health Minister has instructed the Sukhothai health office to watch out for the possible outbreak of 7 flood-related illnesses, including influenza, dengue, leptospirosis, pneumonia, foot-and-mouth disease, diarrhea, and pinkeye during the next 14 days.

So far, the health office has dispatched 5 mobile medical teams to offer help to residents of the 5 flood-hit communities, where 83 patients have already been diagnosed with mental problems.

-- NNT 2012-09-20

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Construction of Futsal Arena nearing completion

BANGKOK, 20 September 2012 (NNT) - Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paripatra has disclosed that the construction of Bangkok Futsal Arena in Nongjok, as part of Thailand's preparations for the Futsal World Cup in November, is nearing completion.

MR Sukhumbhand said after a visit to the construction site that the arena is 80 percent complete and will be ready in time for the 2012 Futsal World Cup, scheduled on November 1-18.

He elaborated that the construction engineering team is overseeing the building and renovation of stadiums for the tournament. The team is resolving technical difficulties which will not hinder the overall construction project. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s related agencies have also been assigned to fine-tune details of the futsal arena.

In addition to the 12,000-seat arena in Nongjok, the Hua Mark Indoor stadium, and Nimibutr Gymnasium will also serve as venues for the futsal tournament.

-- NNT 2012-09-20

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Flood centers set up in Bangkok Noi and Dusit

BANGKOK, 20 September 2012 (NNT) - Flood prevention and mitigation centers have been set up in Bangkok Noi and Dusit districts, in preparation for more heavy rains in the capital.

Director of Bangkok Noi district office Aphirat Tradussadee said the office has devised strategic plans in anticipation of this year’s floods which involve the deployment of sandbags and water pumps, the improvement of drainage systems, the stocking of necessary medical supplies and the construction of plank bridges. He added the district office is set to establish an emergency response unit in case of inundation.

Meanwhile, Dusit district chief Aree Wongnopparatlert disclosed that during October to December of each year, overflows from the Chao Phraya have often flooded nearby communities. The office has resolved to set up a 24-hour flood control center in order to cope with the oncoming deluge. Related agencies will monitor the situation and will be prepared to promptly provide assistance to residents.

Residents in Bangkok Noi are advised to contact their district office for further aid at 02-424 0056 ext 5656-9 while Dusit residents can reach the office at 02-669-3487.

-- NNT 2012-09-20

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5 awesome videos about Bangkok and one about Ayutthaya

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INUNDATION

Flooding worsens in east and north

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The flood situation in many provinces continues to be of concern, particularly in the eastern provinces.

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Govt satisfied with forest rehabilitation after flood project

BANGKOK, 20 September 2012 (NNT) – The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has reported its one year performance, saying it is satisfied with the forest rehabilitation project after the flood.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said the ministry has continued with royal initiative projects to rehabilitate and protect the country's natural resources. He stated that ministry's policies on land, resources, and environmental preservation, especially in the upstream area in the North, have been proceding as planned.

According to him, the ministry has built 2,800 weirs and grown vetiver grass in 8 river basins in the North, and will in the next five years continue growing more trees, under the “800 million saplings for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday reforestation" project.

Mr Preecha promised to seriously tackle the chronic problems of forest encroachments and deforestation and would also go all out to preserve coastal resources, improve environment quality, control pollution, and raise awareness on resource and environmental protection.

Additionally, the ministry has effectively carried on with its water management and flood prevention projects, as well as given assistance to flood victims during last year’s flood. Emergency drills and field trainings on disaster situations have also been conducted to ready its officials for any unexpected incidents.

-- NNT 2012-09-20

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Thai sweet longans get sweeter for growers.

BANGKOK, Sept 20 – Thailand is enjoying its largest volume of longan exports in 20 years, with orders expanded from the traditional market of China to Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Historically longans have been grown in Thailand's northern region, but the eastern province of Chanthaburi has recently emerged as a significant cultivation area for the round-shaped brown fruit. There are many longan orchards Chanthaburi’s Cambodian border districts of Soi Dao and Pong Nam Ron.

Chanthaburi longans are appropriate in size while the brown skin is smooth and the transparent white meat crispy and sweet. The fruit has been favourite among Chinese consumers for decades but Thailand’s exports have penetrated into neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia.

“Even Vietnam which grows longans imports the fruit from Chanthaburi,” said an official.

Chanthaburi exports at least 10,000 tonnes of longans each year at a price of Bt40 per kilogramme. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-20

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Phuket powers up to fewer scheduled blackouts

Phuket Gazette –

A Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority worker leans out of a cherrypicker to carry out regular maintenance on overhead power cables. Photo: Gazette file

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/585722-phuket-powers-up-to-fewer-scheduled-blackouts/#entry5683058

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Three Phitsanulok districts heavily submerged

PHITSANULOK, Sept 20 – Three districts in this province, 370km north of Bangkok, remained submerged today by water overflowing from the Yom River, a senior irrigation official reported.

The Yom River, which splits and flows separately through Phrae and Sukhothai provinces, rejoins itself at Phitsanulok’s Bang Rakam district.

Provincial irrigation director Bundith In-ta said the water level in the Yom River measured at Bang Rakam district has risen on average one centimetre per hour, or 20cm per day.

The river in Bang Rakam is seven metres deep but now has risen to 8 metres, and is overflowing into three nearby districts—the provincial seat, Prom Piram and Bang Rakam, he said. Hardest hit is Bang Rakam which is completely under water.

In Phichit, 320 km north of Bangkok, flash floods in the Yom River have damaged a bridge connecting Phichit, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan provinces, compelling highway officials to close one lane in Phichit and prohibit trucks. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-20

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Wife begs gold-thief husband to turn himself over to Phuket Police

Phuket Gazette –

Mrs Musa denied knowing that the two shampoo bottles found in her possession were filled with 69 gold necklaces valued at 1.8 million baht. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/585731-wife-begs-gold-thief-husband-to-turn-himself-over-to-phuket-police/#entry5683112

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MEKONG MASSACRE

Alleged drug lord blames Thai army

Suspect Naw Kham signs on a form in Kunming, China's Yunnan Province. Six suspects of last year's deadly attack on the Mekong River that left 13 Chinese sailors killed stood trial Thursday.

Beijing - Alleged Golden Triangle drug lord Nor Kham told a Chinese court on Thursday that he believed Thai soldiers killed 13 Chinese sailors in the Mekong river in October, reportedly retracting his earlier confession to the crime.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/585738-alleged-drug-lord-blames-thai-army/#entry5683194

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Free Wifi in tourist spots around Thailand launched

BANGKOK, 20 September 2012 (NNT)-Local and foreign tourists will soon be able to stay connected to the internet free of charge wherever they are as more than 1,600 free WiFi routers will be installed around the country under a campaign called ‘ICT Free WiFi For Tourism’

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Man Shot By Roving Gang Of Teen Motorbikers

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Ten Toxic Teens Fail Urine Test

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Thaivisa joins new TV channel "In Channel" on Truevisions Channel 90 starting tomorrow Friday

BANGKOK: -- Thaivisa is joining the new TV channel IN Channel on it's premiere tomorrow Friday September 21, 2012 at 7am.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....omorrow-friday/

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Innocent Ipad Kidnapped In Pattaya

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Hot Rod Drug Dealer Arrested

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Dealer busted after kratom smuggled into Phuket as 'fresh vegetables'

Phuket Gazette

FRESH GREENS: Mr Chainarong ordered the kratom leaves from a dealer at a Nakhon Sri Thammarat market, which were then smuggled to Phuket aboard trucks carrying vegetables. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police acting on a tip-off yesterday arrested a dealer and seized 54kg of kratom leaves from an address in Cherng Talay.

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SET index closed at 1282.25, down 3.21; Bt/USD30.76; GBP49.66; AUD31.83; EUR39.76; CAD31.23; HKD3.96; SGD24.91; JPY39.13

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FUGITIVE EX-PM

Thaksin to visit Singapore

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will travel to Singapore this weekend, his legal adviser, Noppadon Pattama said Thursday.

Thaksin is invited by organisers of the Formula 1's night race to be held in the island state from Friday to Sunday. He is expected to arrive in the country on Saturday and stay until Monday, he said.

The fugitive ex-PM will also take opportunity to seek ways how to boost Thai tourism, Noppadon said.

-- The Nation 2012-09-20

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Bangkok 'pretty' left unconscious after botched bootleg injection

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A 33-year-old "pretty" is lying unconscious in a Bangkok ICU after a botched operation to inject collagen into her thighs left her brain starved of oxygen.

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Thai, Cambodian officials discuss border issues

SI SA KET, Sept 20 – Local Thai and Cambodian officials met today in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province to discuss border issues including illegal entry, deforestation and public health.

Deputy Si Sa Ket Governor Krairat Kaewpakdee and Phu Sing district chief Manop Pongpladisai met Anlong Veng district chief and Oddar Meanchey officials on ways to deal with a variety of bilateral cooperation and border issues.

Anlong Veng district chief said the illegal logging, particularly Siamese rosewood, has become a mutual problem.

He said Cambodian authorities have seriously enforced the law to arrest the smugglers and urged community leaders to help monitor the logging.

Deputy Si Sa Ket Governor Krairat said that the meeting was an effort to jointly tackle mutual problems in the same direction to foster bilateral ties.

He added that the cooperation could lead to the problem solving between Thailand and Cambodia. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-20

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60% of Bangkok youth admit having insufficient information on AEC

BANGKOK, Sept 20 - The latest Bangkok Poll by Bangkok University Research Center indicated more than 60 per cent of youth in the Thai capital admitted they have insufficient information on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) taking effect in 2015.

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Thailand Live Friday 21 Sep 2012