Thailand Live Friday 22 Feb 2013

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SOUTH CRISIS
Possible car bombs identified
The Nation


A firefighter tries to control the blaze at a warehouse owned by Southland Rubber

Three insurgents surrender, 27 more may come in

BANGKOK: -- Security officials yesterday advised residents in the South to be on the lookout for five vehicles that may be used in car-bomb attacks.
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The vehicles are a silver Isuzu D-Max pickup, a black Mitsubishi Triton pickup, a green Isuzu Dragon Eye pickup, a dark purple Toyota Yaris and an older model burgundy Toyota Corolla. The five vehicles have already been fitted with explosives and are ready for use after assembly work was completed on Monday at various locations in Pattani's Yarang district, security sources said.

A previous warning suggested that a Proton sedan was also on the watchlist, as well as perhaps another Isuzu pickup, which would make for a total of seven possible car bombs.

An intelligence source said five insurgent leaders who survived last week's raid of a marine base in Narathiwat, in which 16 insurgents were killed, were now hiding in neighbouring provinces and preparing for retaliatory large-scale attacks in the near future.

Also yesterday in Narathiwat, three insurgents turned themselves and said that another 27 men currently based in Malaysia might surrender soon. The three men appeared at a press conference in Tak Bai district. There are no details whether their surrender had something to do with, or will directly benefit from, a new government policy granting leniency under a plea-bargaining scheme and the Internal Security Act's Article 21.

Speaking with the media, Tak Bai native Rosali Masa, 31, said his surrender was voluntary and long thought. He said he was tired of hiding and running. For the past five years he had been based mostly in Malaysia.

"I am happy to be home again. Living in hiding is living in hell. There is no place like home, where there is freedom and liberty," he said.

Rosali said he regretted what he had done, but when he saw his chance to surrender and come home, he took it. "I believe in justice and am very happy to be with my family again."

The 27 other insurgents in Malaysia did not yet fully trust the authorities, Rosali said. "Through my coordination and convincing, I believe they will surrender."

Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat yesterday visited a security outpost in Bacho district where the 16 insurgents were killed in the attack on the marine base last week. He praised the success of the intelligence that led to the marines repelling the attack by more than 50 insurgents. He later visited the barracks of Army paramilitary rangers in Pattani.

Speaking in Bangkok before his flight to the South, Sukampol repeated that he he had no problem with Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung appointing nine former MPs belonging to the Wadah faction as his advisers on the situation in the South. Asked about some of them "having questionable history with the insurgency", Sukampol said Chalerm should have been aware of that.

"A media trip to the South is possible next month, and so is a mobile Cabinet meeting in November," he added.


-- The Nation 2013-02-22

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SPECIAL REPORT
Bookship drops anchor in Bangkok
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The world's largest floating library, the Logos Hope, has moored in Bangkok, welcoming visitors and selling books until March 11.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621011-bookship-drops-anchor-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE
2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Court unable to conclude who killed zoo official in 2010

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/620820-inquest-inclusive-on-who-fired-fatal-shot-in-dusit-zoo-workers-death-2010-political-violence/#entry6138165

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DANCE CRAZE
Thailand does the 'Harlem Shake'
The Nation

Can "Harlem Shake" beat "Gangnam Style"?

BANGKOK: -- In just under one month, the latest viral dance craze sweeping the Internet has become a global phenomenon. Even in Thailand, there are more than 1,000 versions on YouTube, where a search for "Harlem Shake" turned up more than 100,000 videos - 1,100 of them from Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621012-thailand-does-the-harlem-shake/

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BANGKOK POLL TRACKER
Tight race between Pongsapat, Sukhumbhand
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A red Furby, an electronic robotic toy, sits at the table in place of Pheu Thai candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, Bangkok governor election candidate No 9, after he failed to show up at a debate organised by Sri Patum University yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621015-tight-race-between-pongsapat-sukhumbhand-bangkok-poll/

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EDITORIAL
Fairer ways to bring learning to the people
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thais should be utilising digital technology to 'democratise' English instruction and other study areas, in order to reduce disparity in society

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621016-fairer-ways-to-bring-learning-to-the-people-thai-editorial/

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DiCaprio-backed campaign pressures Yingluck on ivory trade
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Acting on reports that Thailand is second only to China as a hub for unregulated ivory trading, wildlife conservationists are aiming to collect one million signatures calling on prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to suspend the trade in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621017-dicaprio-backed-campaign-pressures-yingluck-on-ivory-trade/

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Cosmetic surgery/tourism package proposed
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Medical Council and plastic surgeons yesterday urged the government to support their efforts to promote Thailand as a surgical hub of Asia, a move they believe could earn the Kingdom as much as Bt200 billion a year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621019-cosmetic-surgerytourism-package-proposed-to-promote-thailand-as-surgical-hub/

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IRRIGATION
Plodprasop plan could render Yom Basin study redundant

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621018-plodprasop-plan-could-render-yom-basin-study-redundant-irrigation/

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Ministry issues 'Furby' warning to parents
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Science Ministry yesterday warned parents of seven negative impacts of the Furby doll fad among Thai youths.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621021-ministry-issues-furby-warning-to-parents/

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Technology theme park planned
JUTHARAT TIPNAMPA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A "technology theme park" - touted as the first in Southeast Asia - is being planned by Science and Technology Minister Woravat Auapinyakul, who will ask the House for Bt44.162 billion for his ministry's 2014 fiscal year budget.

Under orders from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra to stimulate the industrial sector, Woravat says his ministry's budget has been tripled from the previous year.

Among several projects, the "technology theme park" would be built on 500 rai in Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang district, re-landscaping the Techno Thani complex around Rama IX reservoir.

With the Universal Studios theme park in mind, the fun-filled attraction would educate visitors about new technologies and boost Thailand's ability to compete with its Asean neighbours, Woravat said.

But since building something like a Universal theme park would be costly, the government would provide the basic infrastructure, such as roads, buildings and some technologies, and woo such companies as PTT, SCG, CP and Toyota to present technologies there, the minister said. Plans for the park are already being prepared and Woravat said it would be completed in two to three years.

Other "proactive" projects include an anti-ageing institute, a robotics institute and the Most Channel on PS TV channel 97 to promote science knowledge to the public, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-02-22

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Police to blame for construction delay: PCC
EKKAPHONG PRADITPHONG,
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Speaking publicly for the first time since being engulfed in a corruption scandal over a nationwide police station and housing project, chief contractor PCC Development and Construction Co Ltd yesterday blamed construction delays on the Royal Thai Police (RTP) for their tardiness in handing over the sites.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621022-thai-police-to-blame-for-construction-delay-police-station-and-housing-project/

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BURNING ISSUE
Peace may be achieved if South handed to southerners
Avudh Panananda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Speculation about the South insurgency is neither here nor there, says Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621023-peace-may-be-achieved-if-south-handed-to-southerners-thailand/

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Plants may shut on April 5 to ease power woes
Somchai Samart,
Suwanee Bantitsak,
Watchara Pussayanawin
The Nation
Songkhla

BANGKOK: -- More than 8,000 factories plan to cut operating hours or shut down altogether on April 5, when power reserves fall to a critically low level of 750 megawatts, or only 2.63 per cent of the country's 28,479MW generating capacity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621025-plants-may-shut-on-april-5-to-ease-power-woes-thailand/

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EDUCATION
Australia-Thailand school partnerships launched
The Nation


Foreign Minister Bob Carr

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced eight Australian high schools will participate in the Australia-Thailand school partnerships BRIDGE project.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621026-australia-thailand-school-partnerships-launched/

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Two soldiers killed in bomb blasts at two locations in Pattani, at Kapho health office and near Khok Pho school /MCOT

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Midnight fire at Chiang Mai hospital forces patient evacuation
By Digital Media



CHIANG MAI, Feb 22 - Fire in the emergency ward building at Nakhon Ping Hospital in this northern city prompted an emergency patient evacuation and confusion for a time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621037-midnight-fire-at-chiang-mai-hospital-forces-patient-evacuation/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,529.30, up 0.56 points /MCOT

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70% of young voters expected to vote in March 3 Bangkok governorship election: EC
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Feb 22 - Thailand's Election Commission (EC) on Thursday said about 70 per cent of young voters are expected to cast ballots in the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election.

EC Secretary-General Puchong Nutrawong said there are about 4.3 million eligible voters for the March 3 election and one million of them are young voters.

He said 79,005 persons are new voters this time.

Mr Puchong said he believes 70 per cent of youth who are eligible to vote will go to the polls next week.

The Suan Sunandha Poll, conducted by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University among 1,238 young eligible voters earlier this week, from Monday through Wednesday, found 72.13 per cent saying they will vote for a new Bangkok governor next Sunday.

Thirteen per cent said they won't vote, while nearly 15 per cent have not yet decided.

Regarding the problems which they said should be ranked according to importance. 25 per cent said the new governor should solve traffic congestion, followed 16 per cent who said that a clean city was most important.

Fourteen per cent want free air-conditioned public buses, while 11 per cent prefer free WiFi service across the capital.

Meanwhile, Huay Kwang District Chief Chumphon Chaokoh launched a campaign urging Bangkokians to vote by shooting a video clip of him and his civil service staff dancing the Harlem Shake at a market in front of the Bangkok’s MCOT Modernine TV, Thai News Agency and MCOT Online News headquarters.

The Harlem Shake, featuring a part where a number of costumed persons danced to the song "Harlem Shake" by Baauer, is an Internet meme that went viral on YouTube this month.

The meme is in the form of a video that began being replicated according to a similar concept by many people across the world.

Mr Chumphon said there are about 59,000 eligible voters in his district and the voter turnout in last gubernatorial election was 51 per cent.

He said he hoped the campaign will encourage more people to come out to the polls this time. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-02-22

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Tourists deny Phuket tsunami drill ‘panic’
Naraporn Tuarob


Chamaiporn Boongrajang: “There were announcements yesterday. I saw only two Thai people running away today.

The “panic” was reported at 2:54 pm by a member of the ThaiVisa.com community who reported, “Another day of mayhem down at the beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/620823-tsunami-warning-kata-beach-tower/#entry6138726

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YouTube viewership catapults Harlem Shake to top of Billboard chart

NEW YORK: -- Harlem Shake, a song that led thousands of fans to upload themselves dancing to the catchy beat, has landed on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart after Billboard said it would include YouTube statistics in the metrics used to compile the list.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621012-thailand-does-the-harlem-shake/#entry6138991

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Drug dealers arrested in Lampang; 200,000 amphetamine tablets seized

LAMPANG, 22 February 2013 (NNT) – Police in Lampang arrested two drug dealers travelling on a bus heading to Bangkok at a checkpoint in Sob Prab District, seizing over 200,000 methamphetamine tablets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621092-drug-dealers-arrested-in-lampang;-200000-amphetamine-tablets-seized/

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Myanmar expands visa on arrival list
TTR Weekly

MANDALAY: -- Citizens of another 22 countries are now eligible for a visa on arrival at Mandalay International Airport, the Myanmar Times has reported. The list of eligible countries now totals 48.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621095-myanmar-expands-visa-on-arrival-list/

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Industry Minister confident possible April power crisis when Myanmar temporarily halts gas supply to Thailand won't affect investor confidence /MCOT

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Five Russians Flee From Flaming Car After Crash

PATTAYA: -- A 32-year-old female Russian driver lost control of her Toyota Vios on a curve on Rachwaroon Club road and collided with an oncoming tour bus. The car spun 300 meters down the road and then caught fire. The five Russians inside quickly exited the vehicle and were not injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621109-five-russians-flee-from-flaming-car-after-crash/

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Stressed Man attempts to sexually assault pregnant teen
By Coconuts Bangkok


B&B Coffee Shop

SAMUT SAKORN: -- Yesterday, an 18-year-old girl filed a police report against a 30-year-old man for attempting to rape her at a coffee shop in Samut Sakorn, southwest of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621123-stressed-man-attempts-to-sexually-assault-pregnant-teen-samut-sakorn/

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89% of Thais own smartphones, while 62% own laptops. 70% say they carry more than 1 device: VM Ware's survey /The Nation

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Energy-related state agencies to jointly prepare measures to deal with possible power shortage Apr 5-14;gas supply disruption from Myanmar /The Nation

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Drug dealer attempts to kill Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Two Phuket Police officers were injured during a sting operation of two Cherng Talay drug dealers after one of the dealers took an officer’s gun and attempted to shoot Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Parinya Tanthasuwan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621150-drug-dealer-attempts-to-kill-phuket-city-police-deputy-superintendent/

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19 year old car driver killed in early morning road crash in Sattahip

SATTAHIP:--Early on Friday Morning Plu Ta Luang Police and rescue services made their way to the Sukhumvit Road to deal with a fatal road crash which led to death of a 19 year old man.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621128-19-year-old-car-driver-killed-in-early-morning-road-crash-in-sattahip/