Tourist Dies on Rented Motorbike in Pattaya

PATTAYA:--Just after midnight, Police and emergency services were called to Pattaya’s Beach road and an accident involving a single, 750cc motorcycle being ridden by tourists.

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Foreign Minister: Cambodia pardons Ratree, to be released February 1; cuts Veera's imprisonment to 6 months /MCOT

Police reinforcements to bolster Phuket tourist safety

Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: A 30-day boost in tourist-safety measures on Phuket sees an additional 400 Royal Thai Police, sourced from every division of the force, stepping foot on the island today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/610901-police-reinforcements-to-bolster-phuket-tourist-safety/

Malaysia to help broker ending Thailand's insurgency if needed

By Digital Media

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 10 - Malaysia's prime minister said his country is ready to help broker talks with insurgent groups if needed in an attempt to resolve the long-running insurgency in Thailand's southern border region, according to a senior Thai security official.

Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr disclosed the result of the hour-long talks today between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and a visiting top-level Thai delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.

Lt Gen Paradorn said that it was an amicable meeting and the two sides discussed the insurgency in Thailand’s deep south bordering Malaysia.

The Malaysia premier said his country is ready to support negotiations with the insurgents. He also made it clear that Malaysia disagreed with separatist movements and will never back those insurgents if they cross border into Malaysia, the NSC chief said.

Further talks will be held between the Thai and Malaysian prime ministers when they meet in early February when the Malaysian prime minister will visit Thailand.

Lt Gen Paradorn said security agencies of the two countries have been closely and continually cooperating on the matter. Malaysia stands ready to be a mediator upon Thailand’s request. It will apply the Muslim-predominant Mindanao-based peace solution that helped restore peace in the southern island of the Philippines.

The Malaysia leader also agreed to consider Thailand’s request about the legal employment of Thai workers. Thailand was asked to help facilitate the nationality verification process for persons holding dual nationality to ensure cross-border security, according to the senior Thai official. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-10

Two Russians charged over beach assault; search on for two more suspects

Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Two out of the four Russian men who allegedly led an unprovoked attack on a well-known local couple at Catch Beach Club on Surin Beach have been charged with assault.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/610407-two-phuket-locals-attacked-by-russian-men-in-surin/#entry6006604

THAI-KHMER TIES

Possible jail term reduction, amnesty for Thai activists in Cambodian jail

File photo : Veera

BANGKOK: -- Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul said on Thursday that Cambodia was prepared to grant amnesty and reduce the prison terms for two Thai activists jailed on espionage charges.

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Army chief: Army will follow government's policy on Preah Vihear dispute

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 10 - Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday that the military personnel stationed along the Thai-Cambodian border will follow the instructions of the army and the government following renewed tensions regarding the Preah Vihear temple dispute.

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Stabbed man found floating in Phuket klong

Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- Fishermen heading out to drop their nets off Layan Beach early this morning (January 10) found a dead body in the Lanyan klong.

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Don Mueang to improve facilities for physically-impaired persons

BANGKOK, 10 January 2013 (NNT) – In order to Don Mueang Airport is prepared to revamp its facilities to be able to give more convenience to physically-challenged passengers.

Secretary to the Transport Minister Thitima Chaisang and representatives from the Redemptorist Foundation for the Disabilities on Wednesday visited the airport to see how they could improve the facilities so that people with disabilities could be more comfortable while at the airport.

Facilities such as slopes for wheelchairs, automatic doors, bigger parking slots, and clearer airport maps are part of the plan.

Don Mueang Airport General Manager Paranee Vatanotai said she had received feedback from a number of people with disabilities, which has helped them understand better about what needed to be improved for the benefits of the disabled.

-- NNT 2013-01-10

First high speed railway will be launched in Chiang Mai in 3 years

CHIANG MAI, 10 January 2013 (NNT)-The Governor of Chiang Mai said the first high speed railway service in Thailand will be launched between Bangkok and Chiangmai; the project is expected to be completed in 3 years.

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Two women arrested at Don Mueang for smuggling yaba in genitalia

By Coconuts Bangkok

Don Mueang Airport

BANGKOK: -- Two women were arrested today at Don Mueang Airport with a total of over 3,000 meth pills stuffed in their respective vaginas.

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RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- Two passenger trains collide in Switzerland, local media reports

RT @mpoppel: PHOTO: Passenger trains collide in Switzerland; reports of injuries - http://tinyurl.com/aa9vbue

RT @KristieKenney: Rock n Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor will sing "America the Beautiful" at President Obama's January 21 inaugural.

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Mekong River dry-season sandbars impede cross-river trade with Laos

By Digital Media

NAKHON PHANOM, Jan 10 – The water level of the Mekong River in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom is decreasing steadily, in its normal season fluctuation, impacting goods transportation between Thailand and the Lao PDR, as the dry season approaches.

For the coming three months the waterflow in the river will fall by half, bringing sandbars to the surface where there was navigable water before.

Sand dunes are surfacing in several sections of the river, obstructing ferry transportation particularly at the crossing checkpoint at Thailand’s Tha Uthen district, the major border trade market.

Ferries carrying commodities have been forced to use a detour running through a deepwater channel, taking longer than before. The river passage now takes about an hour instead of the 20 minutes previously needed.

Longer transport times raises the cost of shipping goods, delaying goods transport and reducing the overall volume that can be carried on one day. The border market checkpoint is opens only from 8am until 3pm, said Saman Sahat, a ferry shuttle service manager. He said it feels like the Mekong is drying fast this year, starting in January.

Expressing concern that the situation will worsen in March and April, the usual height of the dry season, he said it is unavoidable.

In nearly 50 years of hydrological information, the rise and fall the river is predictable. In May it will begin to rise again, and in June it will carry twice the volume of last month, and three times to likely waterflow of this month. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-10

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Thailand Live Friday 11 Jan 2013