Thailand Live Tuesday 25 Sep 2012

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French embassy issues flood warnings for its citizens

BANGKOK, 25 September 2012 (NNT) - The French Embassy in Bangkok is issuing travel warnings for its citizens in Thailand, recommending against all but essential travel to flood-hit areas.

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Heavy rains expected in the East and South of Thailand

BANGKOK, 25 September 2012 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has issued another weather warning to residents in the East and the South to brace for more heavy rains.

The Weather Bureau stated that due to a high pressure cell from China covering the upper part of Thailand and a strong southwestern monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, most of Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, those living in the East and the west coast of the South should prepare for extremely heavy rains during the next few days.

Strong winds are expected to generate 2-meter high waves and all shipping should proceed with caution.

In Bangkok and its vicinities, widespread thundershowers are set to dominate 70 percent of the areas, with heavy downpours expected in some parts.

Typhoon Jelawat, moving near the Philippines at 200 kilometers per hour, will make landfall in Taiwan on September 26-27 but has yet to have any impact on Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-09-25

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Radar, GPS tracking to net foreign charter yacht tax dodgers

Phuket Gazette

The crackdown on visiting foreign charter yachts in Thai waters will not affect Thai-flagged vessels. Photo: Gazette file

Phuket Marine office chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut means business. Cabinet has approved 15 million baht for the project, which includes installing radar stations and a GPS tracking system. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- The chief of the Phuket office of the Marine Department says he is drawing up plans to launch a campaign targeting “hundreds” of visiting foreign yachts that avoid paying tax to Thai officials despite conducting “business” in Thai territorial waters.

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RT @tulsathit: Yongyuth did not chair Cabinet meeting today on behalf of YL and in his capacity as deputy PM.

RT @tulsathit: Chalerm, who chaired Cabinet meet on Yongyuth's behalf, left governor appointments submitted by Yongyuth untouched.

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RT @tulsathit: I feel for his grandchildren. RT @FactHive: In 1976 Ronald Wayne sold his 10% stock in Apple for $800 - today it would be worth $60 billion

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RT @RichardBarrow: A vehicle owned by the Red Shirts damaged during this morning's clash in Bangkok (Pic @go6tv) http://thai.vi/OmVUj4

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RT @RichardBarrow: In-bound Paholyothin faces traffic problems due to protesters clashing http://thai.vi/OmVWaO /via @Aim_NT

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12:30pm RT @andreamfitzg: Red shirts one side of the road, yellows/pinks on other, separated by traffic chaos http://bit.ly/UNUVIu

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17 Thai restaurants in New York receive Thai Select seals

NEW YORK, 25 September 2012 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has awarded 17 Thai restaurants in New York with the Thai Select seals in recognition of their superb authentic Thai cuisine.

Attending the Thai Restaurant Week in the US, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presented the awards to 17 distinguished Thai restaurants. She said many Thai eateries are popular among New Yorkers, adding it is an honor for Thai people as the Big Apple is the world's center of quality culinary delight.

Ms Yingluck further elaborated that not only is Thailand among the world’s largest food exporters, its food also reflects Thai’s uniqueness. She is pleased that Americans like Thai food.

Thailand exports around 20 billion US dollars' worth of food each year, and last year the nation was the world’s biggest rice exporter.

-- NNT 2012-09-25

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RT @RichardBarrow: RT @voranai: The clash is over the int school teacher's arrest for harassing lese majeste "da torpedo" last week at Siam Paragon.

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Pollution Control Dept prepares plans to prevent pollution from flood

BANGKOK, 25 September 2012 (NNT) - The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has prepared a pollution prevention and reduction plan in cases of flood in 25 provinces.

Secretary to the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Sakda Noppasit has revealed that the Pollution Control Department has laid down plans to contain garbage and prevent pollution spreading due to flooding in 25 flood-prone provinces. The Department has also set up a '1650' call center to receive emergency reports so it can coordinate with related agencies for assistance.

As for the solution to the industrial pollution problems in Chachoengsao, Mr Sakda said officials from the department have inspected the contamination in the water and found it to be at a dangerous level to the nearby community. Affected residents could experience itchiness, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. He said the PCD has contacted the Industrial Works Department to further solve the problem.

-- NNT 2012-09-25

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Yongyuth skips Cabinet meeting to visit Prachin Buri

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit Tuesday declined to chair the weekly Cabinet meeting but travelled to visit flood victims in Prachin Buri instead.

The weekly meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung and lasted only 45 minutes.

Critics said Yongyuth has become disqualified as an MP and a Cabinet member after the Interior Ministry's Civil Service Committee resolved to fire him retroactively as the permanent secretary for Interior although the committee said Yongyuth has also retroactively received leniency from the 2007 Exoneration Act.

-- The Nation 2012-09-25

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AYUTTHAYA

Water in Chao Phraya recedes, no fear of flooding

AYUTTHAYA: -- The provincial irrigation bureau in Ayutthaya, 70km north of Bangkok, has allayed fears of floods thanks to receding water in the Chao Phraya River.

Maitree Pitinanond, director of the Ayutthaya Irrigation Bureau, said less water has been released from the Chao Phraya Dam in upper northern Chai Nat province and the water level in the Chao Phraya River, measured at Bang Ban and Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya districts, has fallen by 5-10cm per day.

The Chao Phraya River will be stable for a period, he said, adding that the huge volume of water, which wreaked havoc in Sukhothai province had now passed the Chao Phraya Dam and spread out.

In Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in and Bangsai districts, the Chao Phraya River rose by nearly 10cm yesterday after water was discharged from the Rama VI Dam into the Pasak River, which converges with the Chao Phraya River near Ayutthaya's ancient temple of Wat Panancherng.

Several communities in Bang Pa-in and Bangsai districts have been flooded but Maitree has assured the public that the situation will not worsen thanks to the reduced amount of water from upstream.

-- The Nation 2012-09-25

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HM the King treated for fever, infection

The Royal Household Bureau has reported the condition of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in its 57th statement.

It said that His Majesty the King on Saturday had a high temperature and a blood bacterial infection. The King's breathing was a little faster than normal. However, The results of an electrocardiogram and chest x-ray appeared normal. His Majesty's temperature dropped last night. He is now able to eat and rest normally.

-- NNT 2012-09-25

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One woman injured in clashes between Red Shirts, Yellow Shirts

Activists from Thailand’s pro- and anti-government movements clashed today as some Yellow Shirts gathered at the headquarters of Police Crime Suppression Division to give moral support to a teacher accused of defaming prominent Red Shirt supporter Darunee Kritboonyalai.

-- TNA 2012-09-25

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French embassy issues flood warnings for its citizens

BANGKOK, 25 September 2012 (NNT) - The French Embassy in Bangkok is issuing travel warnings for its citizens in Thailand, recommending against all but essential travel to flood-hit areas.

According a statement on the embassy’s website, French citizens are advised to avoid travelling to affected provinces such as Phitsanulok, Phichit, Prachinburi and Sakaeo.

A series of particularly strong seasonal storms with heavy rainfall have produced extensive flooding throughout many provinces in Thailand.

It further stated that the flooding has not hampered transportation, and essential services in the affected regions are open to the public as usual.

The embassy urges its citizens to contact its office in Bangkok for more information or to log onto http://www.ambafranc...-aux-voyageurs.

-- NNT 2012-09-25

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RT@RichardBarrow: Heavy rain in Bangkok has brought a temporary halt to clashes. Riot police use shields as umbrellas (Pic @Reporter_Js1) pic.twitter.com/1Dr1zG6t

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Red Shirts, Yellow Shirts clash on Darunee case

BANGKOK, Sept 24 – Activists from Thailand’s pro- and anti-government movements clashed today as some Yellow Shirts gathered at the headquarters of Police Crime Suppression Division to give moral support to a teacher accused of defaming prominent Red Shirt supporter Darunee Kritboonyalai.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/586856-red-shirts-yellow-shirts-clash-on-darunee-case/#entry5698018

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Special Report: Bangkok Airways hosts marathon, promotes tourism in Koh Samui

“Samui Island Marathon HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Princess Cup 2012” was organized to boost tourism in Koh Samui and attract more tourists in the region to travel to Thailand, choosing Koh Samui as a destination.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/586859-special-report-bangkok-airways-hosts-marathon-promotes-tourism-in-koh-samui/#entry5698037

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Poll: Nationwide 300-baht wage policy to raise unemployment

BANGKOK, 25 September 2012 (NNT) – The Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU) Research Center has revealed that the implementation of the 300-baht minimum wage policy throughout the nation will affect employment and consumer prices.

DPU Research Center Director Kiatanan Luankaew said the survey on the effects of the 300-baht minimum wage policy shows that Tak, Lamphun, Sa Kaeo, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Ratchaburi will be affected by the implementation the most. According to the poll, the wage increase will affect the employment market and the economy of each province.

Mr Kiatanan cited the National Statistical Office’s finding, saying out of 3.9 million Thai eligible workers, 338,400 are unemployed; the July unemployment rate was at 0.6%. He said employers will be able to adjust to the spike in minimum wage but the employees will be affected the most.

He also indicated that the consumer price index has been on the rise as a consequence, which will likely cause the real value of the 300-baht wage per day to shrink to around 285 baht in January next year and continue to decline further afterwards.

As the new minimum wage will become effective nationwide at the beginning of next year, the director suggested entrepreneurs to prepare reserve budgets for the first three months of 2013, while workers are urged to improve their skills and save some money for rising expenses.

-- NNT 2012-09-25

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RT @RichardBarrow: 3:10pm Flooding already over the sidewalk at BTS Phaya Thai in a short time (Pic @airbus717) http://thai.vi/Q4ymL6

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German Escapes With Minor Injuries Following High Speed Road Crash In Jomtien

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Flash Floods And Heavy Rain Set To Continue In Pattaya

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Thaksin visits Singapore, Brunei and Cambodia - all in a day

The Nation

File photo : Thaksin and Hun Sen

BANGKOK: -- Fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra has a busy 24 hours ahead of him as he is scheduled to be in three countries in one day.

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Fake bags, outfits worth Bt2.5 million seized

The Nation

PATHUM THANI: -- Police on Tuesday displayed fake products, mostly clothes and bags, worth about Bt2.5 million, confiscated in separate raids in four central provinces.

A total of 10,419 items were seized from nine separate places in Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom and Saraburi last Friday. The products copied many popular brands such as Adidas, Puma, Nike, Polo and Paul Smith.

Police also arrested Anan Phopibarn for allegedly having and selling fake products.

-- The Nation 2012-09-25

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RT @tulsathit: In latest interview, Thaksin says plan to write brand-new charter will be dropped and reconciliation bills shelved.

RT @tulsathit: Govt will only seek to amend selective charter articles, thaksin says, suggesting Constitution Court opinion will be sought.

RT @tulsathit: Thaksin also reiterated YL govt will never initiate changing Article 112.

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RT @AmmSarosha: Ekamai now http://twitter.com/AmmSarosha/status/250516063324884992/photo/1

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Petrol Tanker Hijacked By Armed Men: Laem Chabang

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Russian Chef Found Dead At His Home In Jomtien

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/586879-russian-chef-found-dead-at-his-home-in-jomtien/

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SET index closed at 1286.32, up 2.02; Bt/USD30.80; GBP49.88; AUD31.99; EUR39.76; CAD31.32; HKD3.97; SGD24.96; JPY39.34

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Phuket endangered species experts launch turtle preservation project

Phuket Gazette

Dr Kongkiat believes that with the right action, local communities on Koh Ra and Koh Pratong have the power to save the sea turtle population. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Islanders living on Koh Ra and Koh Pratong in Phang Nga have been selected by the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) to participate in a pilot scheme for a community network to preserve the sea turtle population.

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