Anti-Corruption Network follows up on 2 trillion baht project

BANGKOK, 29 January 2013 (NNT) - The Anti-Corruption Network said it would keep a close watch on the government’s spending, especially the 2 trillion baht budget earmarked for infrastructure projects, while revealing that Thailand is ranked 13th among world’s top money-smuggling countries.

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Mahasawat Water Treatment Plant launches new phase of development to cater for 800,000 more people

NONTHABURI, 29 January 2013 (NNT) – The Mahasawat Water Treatment Plant is increasing its capacity by launching Phase 4 of its expansion scheme that will expand service areas by 50 square kilometers.

Deputy Interior Minister Chatt Kuldilok presided over the launch of the fourth phase of the capacity expansion at the Mahasawat Treatment Plant in Nonthaburi Province.

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), provider of potable water to residents in Bangkok and vicinities, has been treating raw water from the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong rivers. The growing population has forced the MWA to seek better technology to produce more and better quality water for consumption.

The Mahasawat Treatment Plant has so far undertaken three stages of expansion, and the fourth phase kick-started on Monday. Once completed, the station’s water production capacity will increase from 1.2 million cubic meters per day to 1.6 million. Its service areas will expand by 50 square kilometers to cater for 800,000 more people in Bang Bua Thong, Bang Sai, Bang Khun Thien, and Phra Pradaeng districts. The move is set to help solve potential shortage of water during the drought period in western Bangkok as well.

-- NNT 2013-01-29

Q&A handbook on Thai-Cambodian dispute to be issued

By English News

BANGKOK, Jan 29 – Thailand's Foreign Ministry will issue a question-and-answer handbook to create public understanding of the Phra Viharn (Prear Vihear) temple dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, a ministry spokesman said.

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Autoparts makers want stable, reasonable Thai currency

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 29 – Thai manufacturers of automotive parts today called on the government to cap Thailand's baht currency at a minimum Bt30 against the US dollar to facilitate private sector imports and exports.

Atchana Limpaitoon, president of the Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association, said the appreciating Thai baht has negatively impacted the automotive parts industry in negotiations with overseas traders, suggesting that the Thai baht be kept in tandem with other regional currencies.

Thailand’s export value for autoparts this year will be equivalent to last year at around Bt15 billion--80 per cent from original equipment manufacturers (OEM) designating replacement parts made by the manufacturer of the original part, and 20 per cent from general and replacement parts.

She said uninterrupted overseas orders has contributed to an expanding local autoparts industry while pickup trucks and eco cars are product champions that will continue to boost the growth of Thailand’s automotive industry.

Thailand exported 2.45 million vehicles last year – the seventh largest in the world – while its previous 13th rank as the world’s biggest automotive manufacturer has moved up to the 10th, she said.

Ms Atchana added that Thailand has emerged as auto manufacturing leader in the Southeast Asian region given its engagement in the industry for the last five decades. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-29

Government to find common ground with UDD over pardon bill amendment

BANGKOK, 29 January 2013 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung expressed his opinion that the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group had the rights to express its political views but urged them not to break the laws.

Following the UDD’s recent visit to the parliament to submit a letter demanding the amendment of the amnesty bill, Police Captain Chalerm said the group had stated in the letter that they wanted freedom of expressions under the democratic system assured in the country.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he did not feel pressured by the request, adding that the government would by no means use force against the UDD under any circumstances. He urged them not to raid the government buildings or cause public disturbances in their effort to have the amnesty bill amended.

Meanwhile, he responded to the Opposition Party's claiming the amendment would be in violation of the Charter law that he would find a common ground over the matter and raise public awareness of the situation.

-- NNT 2013-10-29

Army Chief asks all sides to help solve southern violence

NARATHIWAT, 29 January 2013 (NNT) - Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has visited Narathiwat Province to give moral support to the locals after over 300 shools reopened on Monday amidst tight security.

During his visit, General Prayuth gave moral support to the teachers and students. In the meantime, he urged all security units to tighten up security measures.

Last week, a teacher was shot dead in front of students, causing the Narathiwat teachers' federation to close over 300 schools across the province in fear of teachers' safety. The schools re-opened on Monday.

According to General Prayuth, history is just a story to learn from; not something to bring up to cause chaos. He told all sides to look at the future and how to bring about peace. He also urged the people to monitor and report to authorities any suspected movements to help tackle the violence in the Deep South.

In related news, more than 10 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Mayo, Panare, and Palas Districts of Pattani have been torched by insurgents. Investigation is now underway.

Earlier, on January 14th, nearly 80 CCTVs in Yala were also burned. Officials have been unable to determine the motives of the incidents.

-- NNT 2013-01-29

Elderly Swiss Couple Drowns At Koh Samui Beach

A 70-year-old man from Switzerland drowned while trying to save his 69-year-old wife in rough waves at Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui island. His wife also drowned as they died together. The couple had arrived that morning on the island to stay at the BaanSamui resort hotel.

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Government to find common ground with UDD over pardon bill amendment

BANGKOK, 29 January 2013 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung expressed his opinion that the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group had the rights to express its political views but urged them not to break the laws.

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Excise Dept: NPL on first cars only at 4%

BANGKOK, 29 January 2013 (NNT) - The Excise Department is expecting to see only 4 percent of non-performing loans among first-car buyers, while urging those purchasing cars on a high purchase basis and thinking they cannot afford to fulfill the installment plan, to cancel their vehicle reservations.

According to the Excise Department, since the introduction of the first-car-buyer scheme last year, there has been a massive amount of loans issued to car buyers. However, the department forecast that only 4 percent of the borrowers would be unable to pay back the money.

It has therefore urged those granted with loans who think they are incapable of clearing the debts to withdraw their orders if they have not yet received the cars. In case the cars are already delivered and tax rebates granted, buyers can still return the money to the government and cancel the program. Otherwise, they are obligated to having the cars under their names for at least 5 years and unable to sell them.

-- NNT 2013-01-29

NEW BANGKOK GOVERNOR

Candidates can campaign in BMA offices : Clerk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All candidates for Bangkok governor will be allowed access to campaign in city offices but the campaign should not disturb the officials' work, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's clerk Ninnart Chalitanont said on Tuesday.

The candidates would not have to apply for permission as in the past, she said.

"This upcoming gubernatorial election has many candidates standing and the BMA wants to encourage voters to exercise their votes, so it will allow the candidates to campaign in BMA offices and they will not have to ask for written permission as has been the case before. However their campaigns should not disturb ongoing work," she said.

The decision follows an incident in a public health office at Din Daeng, in which Pol Gen Pongsathat Pongcharoen was refused permission to campaign in the office. The clerk said she had already discussed the matter with the public health director to ensure that officials remain neutral to prevent possible complaints of unfairness from the candidates.

-- The Nation 2013-01-29

Medicare patients unaffected by increased medical charges

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 29 – Higher medical fees to be collected by state-run hospitals under Thailand’s Public Health Ministry will not affect those entitled to government-sponsored medicare, the health minister said today.

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Red Shirt group demands amnesty for political prisoners

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 29 – A group of Red Shirt activists rallied at Government House today, demanding the government’s promulgation of a law to grant amnesty to political prisoners held since the 2006 against the then government of Thaksin Shinawatra.

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UPDATE

Julian Ponder jailed for six years for Bali drug possession

A British man has been jailed for six years in Bali for drug offences.

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Boat operators in Chao Praya demand fare hike

BANGKOK, 29 January 2013 (NNT) - Express boat operators in the Chao Phraya River are calling for a fare hike in the wake of rising fuel costs.

The Chao Phraya express boat service has submitted a proposal to the Marine Department, detailing plans to increase the fare for all ferries by 2 baht. The company cited a recent hike in the diesel price, the minimum wage to 300 baht and the cost of spare parts.

Secretary General of the Marine Department Sorasak Saensombat said studies are being conducted to determine operation costs for express boat operators, after which a formal discussion between the operators and officials involved will be held and a decision made.

The boat company had previously proposed raising the fare with the department but was urged to freeze the fare until further notice.

-- NNT 2013-01-29

Consumer Protection Operations Center Set Up At Pattaya City Hall

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The “U-Turn” Drug Gang From Sattahip Is No More

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Thailand seeks world heritage status for Kaeng Krachan

BANGKOK, 29 January 2013 (NNT) - The Cabinet on Tuesday approved plans to submit Kaeng Krachan national park for nomination as a world heritage site with the UNESCO this year.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will submit the national park for consideration to the World Heritage Center in Paris by February 1.

Kaeng Krachan forest area, considered Thailand’s largest national park, has recently been nominated for World Heritage recognition in 2005 and 2011. It is located in the border area with Myanmar, covering an area of nearly 5,000 square kilometers.

Thailand has five UNESCO world heritage sites and three cultural world heritages.

-- NNT 2013-01-29

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No travel insurance proves costly for Phuket tourist

Claire Connell

PHUKET: -- A British man who travelled to Thailand without travel insurance is paying a hefty price after he suffered a heart attack in Phuket on Saturday. He is now in intensive care at Bangkok Hospital Phuket with mounting hospital bills.

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Song suggesting threesome lands luk tung singer in internet dog house

By Praj Kiatpongsan

BANGKOK: -- Thai country singer Dear Narissara has come under fire on Youtube for a sexy music video that not so subtly alludes to a ménage a trois.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....house-thailand/

Krabi police raid turns up war weapons, meth

Phuket Gazette -

The police raid on Kamnan Anan’s home netted several firearms, including an Uzi, and two grams of crystal meth. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Police raids at a shrimp farm and the nearby home of a subdistrict chief (Kamnan) in Krabi province, across the bay from Phuket, has turned up an Uzi, a Thompson machine gun, six shotguns, several handguns and two grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/615467-krabi-police-raid-turns-up-war-weapons-meth/

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Krabi police raid turns up war weapons, meth