Thailand Live Monday 25 Feb 2013

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South security boosted for Buddhist holiday
The Nation


Devotees run through flames in the annual festival at a Chinese shrine in Pattani yesterday in honour of Goddess Lim Ko Neaw, revered by residents of Chinese descent in the far South. The event, which runs until Wednesday, was held under tight security

Bid to stop attacks on Makha Bucha Day after spate of minor dramas on weekend

PATTANI: -- Officials are beefing up security measures to prevent violent incidents from marring Makha Bucha Day celebrations in the deep South today.

Makha Bucha is an important day for Buddhists, who give alms in the morning, go to temples to make merit and then join candlelit processions at night.

Security measures are also being tightened in Pattani for the Lim Ko Neaw Goddess Celebration 2013, which runs until Wednesday.

Dozens of violent incidents, including explosions and arson attacks, erupted in the southernmost region on Saturday. One of the blasts took place just 20 metres from the site of the celebration of the Lim Ko Neaw Goddess. Three policemen were slightly injured.

In the wake of the attack, many tour groups cancelled bookings to visit Pattani for the celebration. Yesterday, the ritual, in which devotees swim across the Pattani River and walk through flames while carrying a statue of the goddess, did not attract a big crowd.

Police believe the attacks in Pattani were staged on Saturday to hurt tourism during the Lim Ko Neaw Goddess celebration.

"We are gathering evidence," a police officer said as he emerged from a meeting on the issue.

Pattani Governor Pramuk Lamun con?vened a meeting of all relevant units. "We will bring the culprits to justice," he said.

He added that the meeting was also held to boost security measures to provide safety for Buddhists celebrating Makha Bucha Day and joining the Lim Ko Neaw Goddess celebrations.

Security officials in Pattani, Yala, Songkhla and Narathiwat were strictly manning checkpoints and watching out for suspicious activities, persons and vehicles.

Intelligence sources have reported that insurgents are plotting to stage car-bomb attacks. The sources have specified the model and colour of vehicles likely to be used in the plot. They include a purple Toyota Yaris, a black Mitsubishi Triton and a crimson Toyota Corolla.

Narathiwat Governor Apinan Seutanuwong said security officials would intercept vehicles whose licence registration numbers matched those in intelligence reports and check if any vehicles use false licence plates.

He added that officials would also check suspicious people against file photos of suspects wanted in security cases.

"They may try to stage violent attacks," he said.

On Saturday, two bombs exploded in front of a convenience store in Narathiwat's Rangae district located very close to the 45th Ranger Regiment. Six people were injured.

Narathiwat Taskforce chief Maj-General Pisit Sittisarn said security officials would encourage locals to watch out for any suspicious activity.

According to police, recordings from security cameras outside the convenience store show a man driving a motorcycle up to a spot in front of the store at around 4.15pm on Saturday. One minute later, an accomplice arrives on another motorcycle and throws a bag containing the bomb into a garbage bin in front of the store. The man who was first to arrive is seen leaving the scene with the second man on the latter's motorcycle. Throughout the operation, a Toyota pickup parked itself in front of the store as if shielding the bombers from the cameras.

Just seconds after the suspects left the first bomb in the garbage bin exploded. The motorcycle left by the first bomber also contained a bomb, which went off at 4.39pm.

"We will summon street vendors around the area for questioning. Some food stalls were closed that day in a rather suspicious manner," Rangae Police Station superintendent Jiradej Prasawang said yesterday.

The motorcycle that was used as a bomb was reported stolen to the Sai Buri Police Station in Pattani.

"We will interrogate the motorcycle owner too," Jiradej said.

In Yala, soldiers vowed to provide tight security for Buddhists taking part in religious rituals on Makha Bucha Day.

Yesterday, they manned checkpoints on major and secondary roads. Checkpoints have also gone up on roads into Songkhla.

"We have manned checkpoints on key roads into Muang Songkhla," the head of Muang Songkhla Police, Colonel Sumit Srinuan said yesterday.

He said police, including plainclothes officers, plus administrative officials and defence volunteers, would work together to ensure the safety of residents and tourists, especially during Makha Bucha festivities.


-- The Nation 2013-02-25

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Yingluck 'won't be meeting Thaksin' during trip to Korea and Hong Kong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday kick-started her visit to South Korea and Hong Kong and dismissed speculation about a plan to meet her fugitive brother Thaksin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621668-yingluck-wont-be-meeting-thaksin-during-trip-to-korea-and-hong-kong/

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Campaigning fires up as tight election looms
The Nation


Pheu Thai Party

Democrats raised the 'burning of the city' in 2010 because Abhisit fears for his job, Pheu Thai says; fears of dirty tricks

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party and opposition Democrat camp are making an all-out effort, including bids to discredit their opponents, to win votes in the week leading up to the March 3 Bangkok governor election, which has become an increasingly tight race.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621669-campaigning-fires-up-as-tight-bangkok-election-looms/

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Get serious about cycling, candidates told
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Although key Bangkok governor candidates have announced what appear to be good policies for city cyclists, the chairman of the Thai Cycling for Health Association is not impressed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621670-get-serious-about-cycling-bangkok-candidates-told/

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Commission studies 5 water ministry plans
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) is studying five proposals for setting up a water ministry that would be tasked with devising a long-term strategy to the country's chronic water problems, but experts are warning not to expect a miracle cure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621671-commission-studies-5-water-ministry-plans-thailand/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Unintended consequences of Bangkok's election
Kavi Chongkittavorn


MR Sukhumbhand

BANGKOK: -- A total of 25 candidates are running for the gubernatorial election next week. However, the real race is between Number 9, Pol Gen Ponsapat Pongcharoen, the former police turned politician and No 16, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the incumbent. For other new wannabes, they have no chance although a few of them proposed some great ideas appealing mainly to the young first-time voters. But they are hard to materialize.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621673-unintended-consequences-of-bangkoks-election/

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Legal question over PM's remarks

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's election campaign statement in support of Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen could constitute a violation of the Constitution, Green Politics coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621674-legal-question-over-yinglucks-remarks-bangkok-governor-election/

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Yingluck meets Korea's Lee
Piyanart Srivalo,
The Nation

SEOUL: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday paid a courtesy call on South Korea's outgoing President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul on the last day of his office. Both praised the long-standing good ties between Thailand and South Korea.

Yingluck, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, said Lee's visit to Thailand last year was a success, as both countries were taking steps to strengthen mutual ties even further, particularly regarding economic matters. She pointed to a possible free-trade agreement between the two countries and a joint meeting of their economic and trade ministers.

The PM praised the president over his environment-friendly policy of "low carbon, green growth", which was credited for helping create a new growth engine at a time of global economic recession. President Lee said he appreciated the cordial ties between South Korea and Thailand. He thanked Yingluck for bidding him farewell and for her government's warm welcome during his visit to Thailand.

The outgoing Korean leader said that even after he leaves office, he would continue to support bilateral ties between the two countries. He expressed his admiration for the prime minister over the development projects for Thailand, including ones regarding water management.

Lee is being replaced today by Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president.


-- The Nation 2013-02-25

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ALBINO BUFFALOES
Rescued from the slaughterhouse
Boonleun Promprathankul
The Nation
Ranong



RANONG: -- Tending to his buffaloes is Attawat Chainarong, a court official who has embarked on a plan to conserve Thai buffaloes
Court official buys old beasts with 'good traits' to stop them disappearing

Being a lover of the pastoral life, Attawat Chainarong feels sad every time he sees a buffalo slaughtered.

He believes the animal, now that its work is finished, should be allowed to walk free through green fields and enjoy living.

And that's why he has already bought 13 buffaloes from slaughterhouses to raise them in his own field.

Attawat has harboured an ambitious goal. This 50-year-old official at the Provincial Juvenile and Family Court of Ranong is hoping he will be able to set up a Conservation Centre of Albino Buffaloes very soon. Six of his buffaloes are, after all, albino.

"I plan to buy two more albinos," he said, "I have already contacted the slaughterhouses in Maha Sarakham to express my interest to buy".

Attawat said the conservation of Thai buffaloes was needed otherwise they may cease to be seen.

Decades ago, buffaloes were a common sight in paddy fields as they were like farmers' best friends. They ploughed the fields and provided good vehicles in days when Thai life was not so rushed.

Today, the world has changed drastically. An increasing number of rice farmers now rely on farm tractors and drive pickups or motorcycles. They no longer need buffaloes.

Attawat said it was sad to see so many buffaloes end up in at slaughterhouses these days.

His conservation efforts may not reverse the trend - but he hopes his efforts will count.

Attawat has travelled extensively across the country for this mission. He has been to Samui Island in the South, Maha Sarakham in the Northeast, and Chachoengsao in the East to save buffaloes with the best characteristics from being killed.

He has been looking for animals with good traits as he has set his sights on conservation. His first priority is the albino buffalo.

Attawat said slaughterhouses have agreed to sell him albino buffaloes at between Bt40,000 and Bt50,000 each.

After taking the buffaloes home, he gives them names. They are now known as "Ma Ruay" (Getting Rich), "Ngern Larn" (Million Money), "Thong Ma" (Coming Gold), "Boon Mark" (Lots of Merits) and "Plawarn" (Whale).

Attawat said he had also bought some pregnant buffaloes to prevent them from being killed. So he has how a total of 13 buffaloes in his field. He feeds them with both Napier and Pangola grass, ordering the latter from Nakhon Pathom at Bt45,000 per truck.

"I have found that if I let the buffaloes eat Napier grass in the fields alone, they don't look very healthy. So, I have decided to pay for the Pangola grass too. It's their supplementary food," Attawat said.

Perhaps his buffaloes will get a few friends of another species soon - because this animal lover is eyeing two albino horses in Phetchabun.


-- The Nation 2013-02-25

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Deal to build 396 new police stations was collusion, DSI chief says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has collected enough evidence to support a collusion case in regard to the bidding to build 396 new police stations countrywide, director-general Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621675-deal-to-build-396-new-thai-police-stations-was-collusion-d-s-i-chief-says/

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Bangkok hosts its first street art festival
Janak Rogers for Connect Asia

BANGKOK: -- Graffiti artists from across Europe are joining Thai artists in Bangkok for the city's first ever street art festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621676-bangkok-hosts-its-first-street-art-festival/

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VOTED BEST WEDDING DESTINATION

Thai weddings flying high in popularity

BANGKOK, Thailand - Every couple wants their wedding day to not only be memorable but also a reflection of their personalities and interests, making tailor-made destination weddings an increasingly popular choice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621677-thai-weddings-flying-high-in-popularity/

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Former Boxing World Champion Yodsanan Sityodtong Looking to Get Back in The Ring This Year
by James Goyder



BANGKOK: -- Former WBA Super Featherweight Champion Yodsanan Sityodtong (3K Battery) who has an outstanding record of 57-3-1 with 46 KOs is looking to return to the ring this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621678-former-boxing-world-champion-yodsanan-sityodtong-looking-to-get-back-in-the-ring-this-year/

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Four killed, 32 injured in blast in Nakhon Phanom
The Nation

NAKHON PHANOM: -- Four policemen and two bystanders were killed when a grenade exploded during an annual festival of this northeastern province late Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621681-four-killed-32-injured-in-blast-in-nakhon-phanom/

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Park Geun-Hye sworn in as first S Korean woman president:PM Yingluck attends inauguration in Seoul /MCOT

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Mothers, children flee Myanmar on desperate voyage
by Daniel Rook

Khao Lak, Thailand, Feb 25, 2013 (AFP) - Homeless, hungry and nine months pregnant, Nuru boarded a rickety boat filled with Rohingya asylum seekers fleeing a wave of deadly sectarian violence in western Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621694-mothers-children-flee-myanmar-on-desperate-voyage/

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Full Moon party on Koh Phangan island in Surat Thani postponed this Mon., Tue due to Buddhist religious day,Makha Bucha /The Nation

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780 kg of kratom seized in Phuket; three arrested
Tanyaluk Sakoot



PHUKET: -- Three men were arrested when Thalang police seized more than three quarters of a ton of kratom leaves from trees in their gardens in Baan Pa Khlok in a series of raids.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621698-780-kg-of-kratom-seized-in-phuket;-three-arrested/

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Unchained backhoe falls off truck in Pathum Thani
By Coconuts Bangkok


A backhoe

BANGKOK: -- Have you ever felt nervous driving alongside or behind a truck carrying industrial machinery or (even worse) lumber that seems to be hanging on precipitously by little more than hope?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621702-unchained-backhoe-falls-off-truck-in-pathum-thani-thailand/

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UPDATE

Four dead in Thai Buddhist festival blast: police

BANGKOK, Feb 25, 2013 (AFP) - Four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a homemade bomb was detonated during a fight at a Buddhist festival in northeast Thailand early Monday, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621681-four-killed-32-injured-in-blast-in-nakhon-phanom/?p=6147915#entry6147915

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Urgent request for blood in Ubon

Blood group A RH negative

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621691-urgent-request-blood-ubon/

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Phuket officials squelch Dengue fever rumors
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Residents must do their part in controlling dengue fever by not allowing water to stand in containers around their homes, officials have told the Phuket Gazette as rumors started to grow last week of an outbreak in Karon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621712-phuket-officials-squelch-dengue-fever-rumors/

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15 suspects nabbed with 5.2 million methamphetamine pills, 136 kg of "ice", worth Bt2 bln: Deputy PM Chalerm /MCOT

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Buddhists celebrate Makha Bucha ceremony in full force
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Feb 25 – Devout Buddhists throughout Thailand made merit at dawn today and will join traditional candlelight processions at temples this evening to mark Makha Bucha – the full moon day of the third lunar month when 1,250 Sangha followers spontaneously visited the Lord Buddha without a prior schedule.

People nationwide, including Buddhists in Muslim-predominent border provinces in the far South, offered alms to monks early in the morning as part of their religious activities.

Southerners braced heavy rains to join merit-making ceremonies amid tight police and military security.

In Songkhla province, police checkpoints have been specially set up at various spots to inspect vehicles entering and leaving the provincial seat. A lot of Buddhists are expected to participate in candlelight processions at temples in Songkhla town this evening.

Security measures are equally tight at three in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani where Buddhists go to temples for the centuries-old ritual.

In Bangkok, Sanam Luang royal ground saw thousands of people gather to offer alms to Buddhist monks, in an activity hosted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration this morning after which privy councillor Kasem Wattanachai presided over a gold-plating ceremony as part of a project to plate over two tonnes (2,000kg) of gold at the top umbrella of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India.

Bodh Gaya, a religious site and place of pilgrimage, is where the Buddha is said to have obtained enlightenment. For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of the Buddha.

At Buddha Mondhon in Bangkok’s west suburban Nakhon Pathom, a grand ceremony was held this morning when alms were given to 985 Buddhist monks. Privy Councillor Amphon Sena-narong will represent Their Majesties the King and Queen in a candlelight procession this evening.


-- TNA 2013-02-25

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Young Cambodian Hacked To Death In Front Of Crowd

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621716-young-cambodian-hacked-to-death-in-front-of-crowd/

[Lite Beer]

Public Health Min vows to make Thailand rabies-free country

BANGKOK, 25 February 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry has said that it would make Thailand a rabies-free country by the year 2020, while revealing that 4 patients died of rabies in 2012.

According to Adviser to Public Health Minister Pasit Sakdanarong, 370 people in Thailand died of rabies-related infection in 2009, most of whom did not consult their doctors after they had been bitten by canines. However, the number significantly dropped to only 4 last year. He has therefore urged people to see a doctor immediately if they have been bitten or even scratched by an animal. He said the ministry is targeting to rid the country of the fatal disease by 2020.

Reportedly, approximately 500,000 people across Thailand are vaccinated against rabies each year, most of whom are children of under 10 years of age. Up to 82 percent of those vaccinated are bitten by dogs, and 13 percent by cats; all in all, pets account for 77 percent of all the cases.

-- NNT 2013-02-25

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1,500 turn up to Phuket ‘Talent’ auditions
Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: Around 1,500 people from Phuket and all over Thailand mobbed the Millennium Hotel in Patong’s Jungceylon complex on Saturday and Sunday (February 23-24) for the auditions for Season 3 of the Thailand’s Got Talent television talent contest.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621736-1500-turn-up-to-phuket-talent-auditions/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Drivers’ carelessness causes traffic jams
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Phuket City traffic policeman Pol Sen Sgt Maj Boonliang Maneewong, 53, is from Sisaket province in the Northeast. He graduated from the Provincial Police Training Center Region 2 in Chon Buri province in 1984 and has been working with the Thalang Police since 1985.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621739-phuket-opinion-drivers-carelessness-causes-traffic-jams/

[Lite Beer]

Traffic Light Jumper arrested at fatal crash scene in Jomtien

PATTAYA:--A man who drove through a red traffic light is accused of causing a fatal road accident on the Sukhumvit Road in Na-Jomtien on Sunday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621740-traffic-light-jumper-arrested-at-fatal-crash-scene-in-jomtien/

[Lite Beer]

Alcohol banned tonight for Makha Bucha Day
Phuket Gazette -

The sale and purchase of alcohol is forbidden today throughout Thailand in observance of Makha Bucha Day.

PHUKET: A nationwide ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol is in effect today, Makha Bucha Day, one of four annual religious Thai holidays.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621741-alcohol-banned-tonight-for-makha-bucha-day/