Thailand Live Wednesday 20 Feb 2013

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RT @191Thailand: Picture of smoke coming from the AUA building on Ratchadamri - RT @Junjaowjaa: ภาพไฟไหม้ตึกเอยูเอจากตึกออลซีซั่น http://lockerz.com/s/284272382

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Yingluck scores more points than her Govt

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck government has failed the test, as the 18-month performance score is only 4.87 from the 10-point scale, according to Bangkok University Poll.

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RT @191Thailand: AUA Fire - RT @nontgor: This shows the location better http://thai.vi/13dh2cG

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RT @191Thailand: 1:10pm Firefighters fighting the fire in the old building at AUA (Pic @Rawangpai) http://lockerz.com/s/284275270

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Chinook helicopter in joint military exercise codenamed Cobra Gold 2013 crashes near Phetchabun-Phitsanulok border. No immediate word on crew's fate /MCOT

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We are in Bangkok submitting visas however the building next door is on fire. Here are some live pictures.

Currently no applications can be submitted. /ThaiVisaExpress

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Nepalese ex-prince suffers heart attack in Thailand

BANGKOK, Feb 20, 2013 (AFP) - Former Nepalese crown prince Paras Shah is in intensive care in Thailand after suffering a heart attack, the Nepalese embassy in Bangkok said Wednesday.

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Fire breaks out at former AUA building on Ratchadamri Road; firefighters controlling blaze /MCOT

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SET

New high despite rate meeting

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Stock Exchange of Thailand Index hit a new 18-year high, ahead of the Bank of Thailand's policy rate meeting today.

The Thai bourse ended the morning session at 1,540.12 points, gaining 8.05 from the previous closing.

Thanks to robust economic growth in the fourth quarter, most economists believed that the policy rate would be maintained at 2.75 per cent. A cut would further boost investment in the stock market.

Sukit Udomsirikul, managing director of Maybank Kim Eng Securities (Thailand), told TPBS in the morning that the market sentiment is boosted by improvement in global economic indicators rather than the policy rate.

The Bank of Thailand has been urged by the government and exporters to cut the policy rate, primarily to deter capital inflows and hence weaken the baht against US dollar.

"Such inflows are mainly going to the bond market. As we have witnessed, foreigners are net-sellers this month," he said.

According to the SET data, foreigners’ sell has outpaced their purchases by Bt13 billion so far this month.

-- The Nation 2013-02-20

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SOUTH CRISIS

Army chief visits Pattani; intelligence warns of possible car bombs

File photo : Gen Prayuth

PATTANI: -- Army Commander in Chief Prayuth Chanocha on Wednesday travelled to Pattani to to follow up operations against the insurgency in the area while intelligence information warns of possible car bombs in the deep southern border provinces.

Intelligence warns security and other state agencies in Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces to be on alert for possible car bombings as a group of insurgents reportedly have built explosives into two vehiclesan Isuzu pickup truck and a Proton sedan.

The warning came in the light of latest bomb attack which wounded eight soldiers at an army outpost in a temple compound in Yala yesterday. Insurgents' activities were believed to be intensified after marine killed 16 insurgents who raided their unit last Wednesday.

Speaking before leaving Bangkok with prime minister’s adviser Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa, Gen Prayuth said soldiers were caught off guard which resulted in eight soldiers being wounded. A grenade was thrown at the group of soldiers as they played football.

Two attackers on a motorcycle, one dressed like a Muslim woman in hijab traditional dress, stopped outside the temple and then threw the grenade over the temple wall. The incident was recorded by a surveillance camera.

The army chief said the soldiers were careless and easily became the target of an attack. He said he repeatedly told the soldiers to remain vigilant. The army chief said he would again urge them to be more alert for self defence and safety.

-- The Nation 2013-02-20

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Fire breaks out at former AUA office

BANGKOK: -- Fire hit a former office of AUA Language Center on Ratchadamri Road on Wednesday.

The fire reportedly started at 12.41pm on the fourth floor of the building, police said.

Firefighters can partly control the blaze at 1.10pm but they still have to spray the water as the building has cracks.

-- The Nation 2013-02-20

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Abhisit: Appointment of southern MPs as advisors may lead to "politicians tampering with security issues"

BANGKOK, 20 February 2013 (NNT) - Following the appointment of 9 MPs from the southern border provinces as advisors to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung on security issues in the deep South, Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the move might result in "politicians tampering with security issues".

Mr Chalerm recently appointed 9 Pheu Thai MPs, known collectively as the "Wadah group", as advisors on the issue of security in the deep South, following a surge in insurgent attacks in the previous week. Commenting on the appointment, Mr Abhisit said that the Deputy Prime Minister had to be careful not to "let politicians tamper with security issues". Politicians, Abhisit said, might have "political aims", which could be "an obstacle" to solving security problems. He advised that the government should have a clear policy in mind and push it firmly forward.

Mr Abhisit, however, acknowledged that MPs from the restive southern region may have better knowledge about the region, and therefore may "contribute useful information to a certain extent". Nevertheless, the government has to listen to all groups and not only MPs, Mr Abhisit said.

As to the government's recent policy to deactivate the Emergency Decree in the restive region and to use the milder Internal Security Act instead, Mr Abhisit said that the policy would be a good thing, adding that it was the Democrat government which started the policy in four districts of Songkhla and one district in Pattani, but the policy was suspended by the change of government. Mr Abhisit suggested, however, that the policy should not be applied across-the-board but implemented in specific locations, depending on the needs of each area.

-- NNT 2013-02-20

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Air Force chief: US helicopter in Cobra Gold 2013 joint military exercise makes emergency landing at Phitsanulok; all 7 crew safe, one injured /MCOT

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Bank of Thailand maintains key interest rate unchanged at 2.75pct in 6-1 decision to maintain economic stability, prevent bubble /MCOT

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Female Decoy Lures Norwegian Man To Robbers

A 67-year-old Norwegian man was assaulted by three Thai men who accused him of groping their female Thai friend. She had approached and hugged the victim while he was walking home near the Boonkarnjanaram temple. Police believe the woman was a decoy working for the robbers.

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Pork prices adjusted again as pork supply declines

BANGKOK, 20 February 2013 (NNT)-The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has raised the price of deboned pork shoulder and hip by 10 baht per kilogram while the price of live swine decreases by 1-2 baht per kilogram.

The DIT said the deboned pork price will vary in each region but it should not be higher than 133 baht per kilo in the central region, west, south and northeast while butchers in eastern and northern Thailand should sell it at no more than 134 baht.

Meanwhile, the prices of pork shoulder and hip increase 2-3 baht to 123-124 baht per kilogram whilst the price of regular pork increases to 108-109 baht per kilogram, up by 2-3 baht. On the contrary, the price of live pigs has declined to 65-66 baht per kilogram and the whole butchered pig went down to 78-79 baht per kilogram.

According to the Commerce Ministry, pork prices have increased continuously since the Chinese New Year. The situation is attributed to a decreasing pork supply due to an outbreak of some diseases, coupled with the fact that some pork farmers in Thailand have begun to export pigs to neighboring countries.

-- NNT 2013-02-20

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Apple said to be developing iWatch

SAN FRANCISCO: -- - Under pressure to come up with a new device category that will replicate the astonishing success of the iPad and iPhone, Apple is reportedly developing a computer wrist watch that will work in conjunction with its other gadgets.

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COBRA GOLD

Lost US helicopter found

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A US helicopter taking part in the Cobra Gold exercises that lost contact with the tower on Wednesday has been found with its crew safe and sound after making an emergency landing in a forest in Phitsanulok province.

Air Force Commander in Chief ACM Prachin Jantong said the craft is a CH46 Sea Knight.

Prachin said headquarters had already located the chopper. One of the 8member crew was injured.

Initial reports said it had made an emergency landing in a valley in the northeastern part of Phitsanulok. "Such a landing is not dangerous," he said.

Prachin said the US and the Thai air force would send aircraft to the site to help retrieve the chopper.

-- The Nation 2013-02-20

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Thailand to repay JICA debt ahead of maturity

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Feb 20 - The Thai government is to use the opportunity of the Thai baht’s appreciation to repay its debt to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) ahead of the loan coming to maturity, while it will also consider borrowing from local sources for infrastructure projects.

Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-ranong spoke after discussing with JICA representatives in the Thai capital.

He said Thailand's outstanding debt with the Japanese agency stands at Bt34 billion.

The minister said JICA has offered more loans for Thailand's infrastructure investment project, however, the country is now having high liquidity, therefore it will be less expensive to borrow from local sources for further investment, which will help Thailand's macroeconomics.

According to Mr Kittiratt, a meeting on strategies to seek cooperation on infrastructure investment is being held today and tomorrow to compare JICA's past investments in Thailand.

Discussions will also include that Thailand is to invest more in its infrastructure, and adjust and study guidelines to benefit foreign investments in infrastructure in the country. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-20

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Myanmar delays repairs to gas pipelines

BANGKOK, 20 February 2013 (NNT) - According to the Ministry of Energy, Myanmar has agreed to postpone the scheduled maintenance of gas pipelines by 30 hours.

The supply of natural gas from Myanmar is expected to be disrupted from April 4-12 when electricity demand peaks at the height of the hot season.

Officials at the ministry said that despite the postponed date, a number of industrial estates are set to be impacted by the disrupted energy supply. The ministry, which is expected to cut back power supplies in some areas, has urged companies to temporarily suspend operations.

Deputy Energy minister Wichianchot Sukchotrat said energy policymakers are set to hold a meeting to discuss action plans for the expected disruption. He further noted that with the country’s energy security being reviewed, efforts could be made to build more coal power plants to meet energy demand.

As around 25% of Thailand's gas supply comes from Myanmar, the country will be deprived of over 1.1 billion cubic feet of gas per day during the maintenance period.

-- NNT 2013-02-20

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Cabinet meeting calls for 10% energy consumption from all ministries

BANGKOK, 20 February 2013 (NNT) – The weekly Cabinet meeting has resolved to urge all ministries to put more effort into energy consumption or their next year budget may be cut.

Government Spokesman Tossaporn Serirak said on Tuesday that the Cabinet has resolved at its weekly meeting to assign the Energy Ministry and the Interior Ministry to collaborate with the other ministries to launch a more active power conservation campaign.

Mr. Tossaporn stated the Cabinet meeting has set the energy conservation target of 10% for each ministry and failing to meet this demand may lead to lower 2014 fiscal budget for respective ministry.

Suggested measures include the use of air-conditioners strictly only during office hours while setting temperature at 25-26 degree Celsius, the suspension of selected elevators and permission for male civil servants and ministers to attend all meetings without jackets.

The Government Spokesman also called on the public to try to cut down on their fuel consumption and to switch to such alternative energy as gasohol and NGV.

Meanwhile, this week’s Cabinet meeting also agreed to extend the exemption of excise tax on diesel to until the end of March.

-- NNT 2013-02-20

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UPDATE

Thai man arrested for sexually assaulting Scottish woman

BANGKOK, Feb 20, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police said they had Wednesday arrested a man for the rape of a 20-year-old Scottish woman who had hoped to work as an English teacher in the Southeast Asian country.

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Three hurt in US helicopter hard landing in Thailand

BANGKOK, Feb 20, 2013 (AFP) - A US Marine helicopter on Wednesday made a "hard landing" during military exercises in northern Thailand, seriously injuring some of the passengers, the US Embassy in Bangkok said.

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German tourist to be flown home for neurological treatment

Phuket Gazette

Alexander Sven Zott being taken to the hospital on February 16. His family hopes to take him home next week. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- The German tourist who fell from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room on February 16 has received treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital for his broken arms, but his family plans to take him back to Germany for treatment of a blood clot putting direct pressure on his brain.

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SET index closed at 1546.64, up 14.57; Bt/USD29.68; GBP45.72; AUD30.58; EUR39.72; CAD29.20; HKD3.82; SGD23.06; JPY31.67

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Apple confirms cyber attack, releases Java update and malware removal tool

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Thailand holds interest rates on brighter outlook

BANGKOK, Feb 20, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75 percent on Wednesday in the wake of data showing record economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2012.

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UPDATE:

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT

Thai man accused of sexually assaulting a foreigner

The Nation

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Transport Dept to give free car checks for Songkran holiday makers

BANGKOK, 20 February 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport is promising free car inspections in an attempt to curb traffic accidents that pile up during the annual Songkran festival.

Deputy Director-General Wattana Pattarachon said that in collaboration with private dealers and auto shops, more than 2,000 locations will be set up to inspect cars and provide check-ups during March 4-April 10. Motorists can look for the program's sign at participating garages in order to have their vehicles examined free of charge.

He added that vocational and technical students have also volunteered to offer preliminary repair services on over 250 major and secondary roads across the country from April 11-17.

During the New Year period, over 300,000 vehicle owners participated in the free car check-up campaign.

-- NNT 2013-02-20

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'White Police' to change Thai police culture

Phuket Gazette

Commander Amarin Akaravong from the Office of Inspector General (left), followed by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavalviwat reviewed Phuket police yesterday. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Members of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) arrived on Phuket as part of the launch of a nationwide program designed to oust crooked police officers and slowly change police culture in Thailand.

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