Thailand Live Wednesday 14 Nov 2012

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THAI-UK TIES

Yingluck to discuss trade with British premier on final day of UK visit

The Nation

LONDON: -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is meeting her British counterpart David Cameron today in London for a trade-focused discussion on business opportunities between the two countries.

Full story:

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Hundreds of cobras seized in Thai customs bust

BANGKOK, Nov 14, 2012 (AFP) -

Thai customs officers have seized hundreds of cobras being smuggled through the country for use in traditional medicine as a supposed sexual aid, an official said Wednesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/597914-thai-officials-rescue-600-smuggled-cobras/#entry5843218

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Solutions needed to address frequent gas disruption from Myanmar

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) reiterates the need for public solutions to address electricity demand in the country, following frequent disruption of natural gas supply from Myanmar in the past few years.

The latest supply disruption took place after Myanmar was shaken by a powerful earthquake early morning of Nov 11.

Pongdit Potejana, EGAT spokesman, said that natural gas now accounts for 70 per cent of fuel for electricity generating. Such excessive dependence poses risks to the electricity system.

To address the gas shortage in the short term, bunker oil-powered generators are turned on which could raise the overall generating cost. Within 15 years, gas from the Gulf of Thailand will run out and imported liquefied natural gas is twice more expensive. He noted that Thailand is in need of new fuel, to substitute natural gas. Yet, it must be fuel that keeps power prices low and supports stability.

"All parties should brainstorm and reach a solution now, as it takes 5-6 years to erect a power plant," he said.

To cope with the latest disruption which blocked the supply of 1,100 million cubic feet per day from Myanmar, all gas-fired power plants in the West with combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts are turned off and power was generated by the bunker oil-powered plant in Ratchaburi. The gas-fired power plants were turned on again in the afternoon of Nov 11.

-- The Nation 2012-11-14

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“Blue Flag” markets selling low-cost goods set countryside

BANGKOK, Nov 14 – ‘Blue Flag’ markets selling goods at budget prices will be held in all districts countryside at least once a year following public requests.

Wiboonluk Ruamruk, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said Blue Flag markets help reduce the cost of living for the public. The department was allocated Bt190 million to implement the project in all districts of Bangkok and in major provinces.

The biggest event at the national level will be at Muang Thong Thani and at Sanam Luang 2.

Ms Wiboonluk said the department has been asked by the public, particularly in the provinces, to organise Blue Flag markets to help people buy goods at lower prices than otherwise available on the open market.

The department will seek cooperation from more traders to participate in the reduced-price goods sales promotions to feature goods and to cut consumer spending.

-- TNA 2012-11-14

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HOSPITALITY

First Hyatt Regency planned for Bangkok

The Nation

Photo of Hyatt Regency Hua Hin's King Room

BANGKOK: -- The first Hyatt Recency Hotel will be opened in Bangkok in 2017, marking an integral step towards the brand's distribution in one of Asia's key markets.

The property on Sukhumvit Soi 13, part of a mixed-use development that includes a boutique shopping experience and an upscale residential tower, will join the already open Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.The first hotel in Thailand under the brand - set to serve both business travellers and resort vacationers - was opened recently in Hua Hin.

Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced on Tuesday that its affiliate has entered into an agreement with Grande Asset Hotels and Property Plc, a Bangkok-based real estate development company, for the management of the new hotel.

"Bangkok is a key gateway city in Asia and we are delighted at the opportunity to have a Hyatt Regency in this market. The hotel perfectly complements the currently operating Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok and the under-construction Park Hyatt Bangkok and will offer Hyatt guests a choice of high quality hotels," said Ratnesh Verma, senior vice president, real estate and development, Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. "The addition of the hotel reflects Hyatt's commitment to the region and to expanding its distribution in markets where guests are increasingly traveling," added Verma.

Hyatt Regency Bangkok, Sukhumvit will feature 300 guestrooms. Designed to offer a full range of services and facilities tailored to serve the needs of meeting planners, the hotel will have more than 10,700 sq ft (1,000 sq m) of contemporary meeting space, including a ballroom. Additional hotel amenities will include a six treatment- room spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a club lounge.

-- The Nation 2012-11-14

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Vdo clip posted by Thai police on Youtube (Truth from Krabi) was removed from YouTube after heavy criticisms by locals/foreigners who viewed it as lame excuse for incompetency /The Nation

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RT @tulsathit: Pheu Thai new leader Jarupong asks Democrats to answer questions about Ahbisit's MP status b4 asking Yingluck no-confidence questions.

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Thai police arrest Austrian man for attempted blackmail

PATTAYA: -- Police arrested an Austrian magazine owner in a Thai resort town on charges of attempting to blackmail a German multinational consumer products firm, police said Wednesday.

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SET index closed at 1279.29, down 9.78; Bt/USD30.54; GBP48.36; AUD31.76; EUR38.69; CAD30.33; HKD3.93; SGD24.83; JPY38.20

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Chinese Premier to visit Thailand Nov 20-21

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 14 - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Bangkok as a guest of the Thai government next Tuesday and Wednesday, holding bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart to boost the ties between the two countries.

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Army chief: ending southern crisis ‘an uphill task’

By Digital Media

YALA, Nov 14 – Thailand’s army chief today claimed improvements have been made in the southern security situation, but made no promise for an early solution.

The general situation in insurgency-plagued southern Thailand has improved but a return to normality and total safety for residents is not easy and will take time, Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said today.

In the sensitive province to be updated on the latest assessment of the situation in the Muslim-predominant deep South, Gen Prayuth said some southern residents chose to support the anti-government insurgents either out of ignorance or in fear for their own safety if they don’t.

He was briefed by several security agencies including the Yala special task force, border patrol police unit and Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre.

Gen Prayuth also discussed preparations for a planned visit by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who will inaugurate a bridge connecting Highway No 410 with Banglang Reservoir in Yala’s Than To district next Thursday.

He said a short-term solution to the southern crisis has been carried out and authorities are launching the mid-term plan which should last 1-3 years while the long-term solution will take longer than five years.

It’s a multi-dimensional strategy which integrates over 100 plans from various government agencies and has been approved by the government, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-14

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THAI-UK RELATIONS

HM Queen Elizabeth asks PM about Their Majesties' wellbeing

The Nation

Photo : Yingluck's FB

LONDON: -- Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has inquired about the well-being of Their Majesties the King and Queen, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in London.

She was speaking after being granted an audience with the British monarch during her trip to the country.

"The Queen's words are important for the long-term relations between Thailand and the United Kingdom, as well as for the good relations between the royal families of the two countries," Yingluck told reporters on Wednesday.

-- The Nation 2012-11-14

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Thailand Live Thursday 15 Nov 2012