Pepsi suddenly scarce in Thailand after bottler breakup
By Amy Sawitta Lefevre

BANGKOK Feb 22 (Reuters) - The day after PepsiCo Inc's bottling deal in Thailand expired, its partner of 59 years launched its own soft drink that has knocked Pepsi off store shelves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621152-pepsi-suddenly-scarce-in-thailand-after-bottler-breakup/

Toffee Maker Claims Tablets Will Mask Alcohol Use



The police are investigating a toffee maker’s claims that its “Kiss Lip” toffee tablets can reduce alcohol levels in the body. Police suspect the product might interest drunken drivers before they submit to breathalyzer tests. The product is not sold in Thailand yet.

Full story: : http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621156-thai-police-are-investigating-toffee-makers-claim-their-product-will-mask-alcohol-use/

Fire rages at power plant construction worker camp at Ayutthaya's Rojana Industrial Estate; firefighters rush to stop blaze /MCOT

Manufacturers foresee chaos during April's energy outage
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Feb 22 – Cutting industrial production on April 5 as proposed by the government to minimise power consumption will severely affect the private sector, a leading businessman said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621157-manufacturers-foresee-chaos-during-aprils-energy-outage-thailand/

SET index closed at 1540.13, up 11.39; Bt/USD29.70; GBP45.19; AUD30.42; EUR39.06; CAD29.02; HKD3.82; SGD23.81; JPY31.76

TOT radio relays to beam digital TV to remote spots
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public-television broadcasters Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with TOT to transmit digital signals through the state telecom agency's infrastructure after digital terrestrial TV service is fully launched.

Under this MoU, the Royal Army's TV5, MCOT's Modernine TV and Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) will be allowed to use more than 100,000 of TOT's radio relay sites to fill gaps in areas main transmission towers cannot reach, particularly in remote zones.

MCOT executive vice president Sura Gaintanasilp said the use of TOT's radio relay sites would help infrastructure and network providers cut investment costs while being able to broadcast to most of the country.


-- The Nation 2013-02-22

RT @BreakingNews: Magistrate Nair says he will deliver the Oscar Pistorius bail decision at 1230 GMT; prosecution and defense arguments are over - @BBCAndrewH

Fire at Rojana Industrial Park,Phase II, Ayutthaya 3.30pm;at a power plant under construction;fire under control;100 workers evacuated;no injuries /The Nation

Members of FTI to meet next week to discuss implementing measures to deal with possible power shortage in early Apr. /The Nation

MEDICAL TOURISM
Extended visa to Gulf countries' patients

BANGKOK: -- Medical tourists from six Middle East countries, along with four people accompanying them, will be now granted a 90- day visa on entry, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced today in a move to boost medical tourism in the country. Previously, patients were granted 30-day visa on arrival.


Under this new rule, nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, only need to produce appointment documents from a Thailand-based hospital, bank statements or any other relevant document up arrival.

At a press conference, Yingluck also presented special passports to diplomats representing the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, adding that this privilege will be extended to other Asean countries, Scandinavian countries, Japan, Russia and China.

-- The Nation 2013-02-22

Victim's uncle testifies in Dokset murder trial
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Rungnapa Suktong’s uncle took the stand today in the second day of witness testimony in the Stein Havard Dokset murder case.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/618766-norwegian-faces-death-penalty-in-thailand-wife-found-in-dumpster/page-7?p=6140562#entry6140562

RT@mpoppel: Court adjourned with no bail decision made - cliffhanger #Pistorius

RT@mpoppel: BREAKING -- MAGISTRATE SAYS OSCAR PISTORIUS CAN BE RELEASED ON BAIL

RT@mpoppel: Bail for Pistorius is 1 million Rand

Six policemen injured in Pattani

Pattani - Six policemen at Ka Pho police station in Pattani were wounded after three M79 grenades were launched into the precinct compound Friday evening.

Police believe the attacks were made by insurgents.

-- The Nation 2013-02-22

to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 23 Feb 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621235-thailand-live-saturday-23-feb-2013/