Thailand Live Tuesday 26 Feb 2013

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Princess awards NJ Spelling Bee winners
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn recently granted an audience to Duangkamol Chotana, president of Nation Multimedia Group, and awarded trophies to the two young winners of the two previous Nation Junior Spelling Bees.

The winners were Supawat Kongthong from Triamudom Suksa School and Nuntarruth Chenboon-thai from Satriwittaya II School.

NMG's NJ Magazine is focusing more on the importance of English-language development among young people, especially in the run-up to the Asean Economic Community in 2015. The NJ Spelling Bee - a nationwide competition supported by the Princess, state agencies and corporations - is just one of the publication's many initiatives.

Students had to take an online test to qualify. Of them, the top 1,000 students from each of the country's four regions were given a chance to take part in the qualifiers held this year in two sites per region. The top 1,000 for all regions were then halved to represent the upper and lower half of the country. In order to cut the travelling time for teachers and students, the two locations were linked via high-speed Internet.

The Grand National Final of the 15th NJ Spelling Bee took place on November 24 at the John XXIII Conference Centre of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus, where 50 representatives from each region, 200 competitors in total, competed head-to-head for the top honours.

The 2012 "Champ of the Year", Nuntarruth Chenboonthai from Satriwittaya II School, beat all his rivals to land a month-long English-language summer course at Eltham College in Melbourne, Australia. His adviser, Thanachporn Unnoi, will go on a two-week paid visit to Australia. The four runners-up were awarded a four-day trip to India, along with their advisers.

Details on the next Spelling Bee will be released soon.


-- The Nation 2013-02-26

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Probe into painkiller import from China
Pongphon Sarnsamak,
Suriyan Panyawai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has launched an inquiry with the state drug maker after the Defence Pharmaceutical Factory found that the raw material to be used in producing paracetamol is of poor quality.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621921-probe-into-painkiller-import-from-china-thailand/

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BOT sees no benefit from dropping rates
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation


Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul addresses a group of leading CEOs, disclosing the reasons behind the central bank

Governor sends a strong signal that no change in interest rates is likely soon

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621922-bank-of-thailand-sees-no-benefit-from-dropping-rates/

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ANALYSIS
Sukhumbhand spars, while Pongsapat dances away from policy debates
Kornchanok Raksaseri,
Somroutai Sapsomboon,
Jintana Panyaarvudh
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621923-sukhumbhand-spars-while-pongsapat-dances-away-from-policy-debates-bangkok/

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Rethink needed as elderly-care cost soars
Chularat Saengpassa,
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Public burden of caring for seniors could triple in nine years, study shows

BANGKOK: -- The cost of healthcare for the elderly will more than triple over the next nine years because of ineffective and inappropriate public health services, adding to the country's financial burden, says new research.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621924-rethink-needed-as-elderly-care-cost-soars-thailand/

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Insurgent's life 'a sunny day' after plea-bargain
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A former insurgent has urged the government to extend the plea-bargaining scheme to cover the entire southern border areas in order to attract more militants to surrender.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621925-insurgents-life-a-sunny-day-after-plea-bargain-thailand/

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BATTLING CORRUPTION
Four ministries first to face 'integrity pact'
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



Purchases, activities to be scrutinised

BANGKOK: -- Procurement and other activities by four key ministries - Agriculture and Cooperatives, Public Health, Education, and Transport - will be the first to come under a joint public-private initiative to fight graft if the Cabinet approves what is known as the "Integrity Pact".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621926-battling-corruption-in-thailand-four-ministries-first-to-face-integrity-pact/

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EDITORIAL
Old controversy could spark new round of conflict
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The issue of Thaksin Shinawatra's passport has resurfaced, with the potential to cause even more trouble in our already deeply divided society

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621927-thaksins-passport-old-controversy-could-spark-new-round-of-conflict/

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Bangkok election will also have national repercussions
Titipol Phakdeewanich
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The fight for political supremacy in Bangkok reflects the city's innate sense of superiority. Regardless of the eventual result of the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election, the wider unfolding political scenario we are witnessing across Thailand will inevitably affect the country's fortunes well into the future. Moreover, the interest surrounding the debate over the latest election is not limited to those entitled to vote on election day, because Thais across the nation are sensing that matters concerning Bangkok may likely concern them, also.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621928-bangkok-election-will-also-have-national-repercussions/

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Abhisit and Korn also have much to lose
Tanatpong Kongsai,
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The March 3 Bangkok election could prove to be a tipping point not just for the future of its candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra, but also for the party, its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Korn Chatikavanij.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621929-abhisit-and-korn-also-have-much-to-lose-bangkok-election/

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Thailand, S Korea to boost ties
The Nation


South Korean presidnet Park Geun-Hye ® talks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (L) during their meeting after inauguration ceremony at presidential house in Seoul, South Korea, 25 February 2013. EPA/CHUNG SUNG-JUN

SEOUL: -- Thailand and South Korea yesterday promised to continue developing closer ties "in all aspects" during a meeting of their women leaders in Seoul.

Just hours after Park Geun-Hye's inauguration, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on her at the Blue House, the executive office and official residence of the country's president.

Yingluck congratulated Park on becoming her country's first woman president. She said Thailand would strengthen its strategic partnership with South Korea in the political, economic and social spheres for mutual benefit.

Park thanked Yingluck for taking part in her inauguration ceremony. She also said she was glad both countries would boost their relationship in all aspects and at all levels to become strategic partners.

The leaders agreed that women were now assuming greater roles in many areas and sectors in society.

Late in the morning, Yingluck was among some 60,000 dignitaries witnessing Park's two-and-a-half hour swearing-in ceremony in the plaza in front of the National Assembly in the South Korean capital.


-- The Nation 2013-02-26

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New multi-million baht Chalong dam plagued with problems
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Construction issues plague the Klong Pee dam project in Chalong less than a year after it was completed at a cost of over 10 million baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621935-new-multi-million-baht-chalong-dam-plagued-with-problems/

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IKEA withdraws ‘horsemeat’ meatballs from Thai store
By Coconuts Bangkok


IKEA meatballs: We knew they were too cheap...

BANGKOK: -- Swedish furniture mega-retailer IKEA has pulled a line of meatballs from its Thai stores following accusations that the snacks contained (drum roll)…horsemeat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621943-ikea-withdraws-horse-meatballs-thailand/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,538.87, down 1.26 points /MCOT

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Hour-long rescue of 3 year old stuck in locked car in East Pattaya

PATTAYA:--On Monday rescue services were called to Soi Neun Plub Wan in East Pattaya to assist a Mother and Father who left their 3 year old child in their car for less than a minute. The Child decided to lock the doors from the inside and the car key was left inside the car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621950-hour-long-rescue-of-3-year-old-stuck-in-locked-car-in-east-pattaya/

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Govt on course to turn northern Tak into special economic area

BANGKOK, 26 February 2013 (NNT) – The government is on course to turn one of the country’s Northern provinces bordering Myanmar into a special economic area.

PM’s Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn along with a team of government officials have recently visited Mae Sot District of Tak Province to follow up on this northern city’s request for a budget to build an airport.

Tak also asked for the funding for the border area development, which includes the border checkpoint, the expansion of the Thailand-Myanmar friendship bridge and the improvement of the building where the immigration office locates.

All of these improvement plans are intended to help turn the province into a special economic zone in order to accommodate the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Mr. Varathep said that all the requests will be further reviewed by related state agencies while stating that the government has already set up a committee to take charge of the changing of Tak Province into the country’s new special economic zone.


-- NNT 2013-02-26

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Emergency plan ready for April power crisis
By English News



BANGKOK, Feb 26 – Thailand's Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has mapped out an eight-step contingency plan to cope with possible power outage during routine maintenance of a critical natural gas platform in Myanmar April 5-14, according to a senior official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621973-emergency-plan-ready-for-thailands-april-power-crisis/

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Thai southerners battling rain, flooding
By English News



PATTHALUNG, Feb 26 – Heavy rains and runoff from a local mountain range have inundated more than 1,000 homes and other structures in this southern province beginning yesterday, and the weather bureau is warning residents in six provinces in the region to be on alert for flash floods.

Excessive water from the Bantad mountain range abruptly flooded Kongla and Srinagarind districts in Pattalung, 850km south of Bangkok, at around noon yesterday and the water level rapidly increased from 60cm to 80cm.

Commuters were more cautious as they travelled on flooded roads while residents busily moved their belongings to higher ground.

Amporn Noirit, 40, a resident in Angthong sub-district of Srinagarind district, said several consecutive days of rainfall has contributed to the rapid water runoff from nearby forests. Her paddy field, rubber plantation, orchard and vegetable farm have been damaged by floods.

The Songkhla-based Meteorological Centre for the Southeastern Coast issued its fourth warning yesterday on strong winds in the Gulf of Thailand and the lower South.

Together with lower pressure from the Malaysian coast, the southeastern coast of Thailand below Surat Thani province will be showered with rain, the weather bureau said, urging people in flood-risk provinces including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to be on alert for heavy rains in the next few days.

Waves in the Gulf of Thailand were 2-3 metres high and small fishing trawlers were advised to stay ashore. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-02-26

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PM meets Hong Kong business community, confirms Thailand's stability with 5-6% growth forecast; invites them to invest in Thailand /MCOT

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Public Health Ministry urges all state hospitals to promote meditation as supporting treatment

BANGKOK, 26 February 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry has urged all state hospitals to promote the practice of meditation as the means to treat and prevent illnesses.

Deputy Public Health Minister Cholanan Srikaew, on Monday, called on the people of Thailand to consider making Maka Bucha Day the start of meditation practice, which is considered a possible approach to take care of health.

Mr. Cholanan said meditation costs nothing and is simply a technique to relax mind and ease stress, which is also an effective way to help solve all problems.

The Deputy Public Health Minister stated that when a mind is clear and at peace, such negative energy as anxiety, grief and anger will be better negated while all systems inside the body, such as respiratory system, metabolism and blood pressure, will work normally.

He elaborated that the Public Health Ministry has initiated a policy for all state hospitals to start giving out meditation tips to patients and their relatives through audio speakers inside their premises.

Mr. Cholanan stated that around 65% of hospitals under the supervision of the ministry have commenced the campaign, which is hoped to help calm down patients and relatives while keeping them away from all stress-related health problems, such as migraine, heart disease and high blood pressure.

The Deputy Public Health Minister went on to say that meditation can induce Endorphins, which are endogenous opioid peptides and can help freshen up the body and boost immunity.


-- NNT 2013-02-26

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Heavy rains,hills run-offs flooded 1,000 homes in 5 districts,Patthalung,some 80cm.deep;6 southern provinces brace for flash floods Tue-Wed /The Nation

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Italian election: Bersani centre-left wins lower house with 29.5% vote;Berlusconi may control Senate /The Nation

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Radio Thailand celebrates 83rd year of radio broadcasting

BANGKOK, 26 February 2013 (NNT) - Radio Thailand celebrates its 83rd anniversary of radio broadcasting in Thailand on Tuesday, under the slogan "83rd year of radio broadcasting, stepping towards ASEAN".

Activities were held this morning at the National Broadcasting Station of Thailand on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to celebrate the event. They included a religious merit-making ceremony, and a worshiping ceremony for the "founding father" of radio broadcasting in Thailand -- His Royal Highness Prince Purachatra Jayakara, the Prince of Kamphaengphet, son of King Rama V. Other activities continue in the day including an exhibition on radio broadcasting equipment, and another exhibition on the history of radio broadcasting in Thailand and ASEAN.

Radio broadcasting in Thailand began in 1927 when Prince Purachatra Jayakara ordered the Radio Engineering Division of the Post and Telegraph Department to experiment with radio broadcasts. In that effort, a broadcasting station was later set up on Wireless Road, which has since then earned its name from the activity.

However, radio in its early stage did not air much other than Buddhist sermons and musical performances. It was not until the Second World War that radio broadcasting came to play a prominent role in public life, as a channel for public information, as much as for propaganda.

Today Radio Thailand has channels for news, entertainment, education, foreign language services for people in neighbouring countries and other continents. Radio Thailand World Service now broadcasts in Thai, English, Chinese, Burmese, Lao, Khmer, Malay, German, Japanese and Vietnamese.

According to its director Charoon Chaisorn, Radio Thailand will try to improve itself by widening access to its contents, using satellite carriers and internet, while also improving its contents in foreign languages. All of these, he said, are to prepare Radio Thailand for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.


-- NNT 2013-02-26

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Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair launched at IMPACT

BANGKOK, 26 February 2013 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry and the Thai Gems and Jewelry Traders Association have kicked off the 51st Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair to stimulate jewelry trading and export.

Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikua presided over the opening ceremony of the 51st Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair at IMPACT. Held during February 26th to March 2nd, the fair opens up opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs to show their potentials to the world.

Visitors can find the latest gems and jewelry designs, fashion shows, and high technology in the field at the event.

Exhibitors from 36 countries have set up over 300 booths with an anticipation of over 30,000 visitors from 125 nations. The Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair is among the top five biggest jewelry fairs in the world.

The organizer believed that the government’s ZERO VAT campaign for overseas buyers, who place orders at the fair, will be effective in boosting trade.

Thai Gems and Jewelry Traders Association President Somchai Phornchindarak said that Thailand was ranked as the world’s 11th largest exporter of gold jewelry and number-one silver accessories in 2012.

In terms of precious stones, the country is the world’s third-largest exporter of cut jewelry, with last year’s total export volume registered a 6.84% year-on-year growth to 13.14 billion US dollars.

For 2013, the deputy commerce minister is confident that the Thai jewelry industry will be growing solidly even though major trading partners like the US and Europe may still be struggling with economic problems.


-- NNT 2013-02-26

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Thai PM woos Hong Kong business sector to invest in Thailand
By English News



HONG KONG, Feb 26 – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today urged the business community in Hong Kong to invest in Thailand given the kingdom’s economic stability and a planned Bt2 trillion infrastructure development.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621987-yingluck-woos-hong-kong-business-sector-to-invest-in-thailand/

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THAI-CHINESE RELATIONS
PM meets Hong Kong businessmen

HONG KONG: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met the Hong Kong business community during her official visit to the island on Tuesday and invited businessmen to invest in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621987-yingluck-woos-hong-kong-business-sector-to-invest-in-thailand/#entry6151061

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PM boosts investors’ confidence in Hong Kong

BANGKOK, 26 February 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, during her visit to Hong Kong, assured investors of the stability of the Thai economy, claiming the nation's economic growth this year will be around 5-6 percent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621987-yingluck-woos-hong-kong-business-sector-to-invest-in-thailand/#entry6151068

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Samut Prakan police seize over 100 guns during Feb 14-23

SAMUT PRAKAN, 26 February 2013 (NNT) - Samut Prakan police had made over 100 arrests involved in drug cases and confiscated more than 100 guns within 2 weeks.

According to the Samut Prakan police, during February 14-23, exactly 107 guns had been seized, 62 of which were registered and the rest were not, while nearly 2,000 bullets were found.

Apart from guns, the police made over 730 arrests that were involved in drug selling and drug possession. The confiscated items included 8,000 pills of methamphetamine, 82 grams of “ya ice”, 33 packs of marijuana, 9 grams of heroin, and 2 bottles of ketamine.

The police said they were closely monitoring crimes as crime rate was going up, especially those involved in child and woman abuse, human trafficking, drug abuse, and guns.


-- NNT 2013-02-26

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Object believed to be meteorite found in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, 26 February 2013 (NNT) – A Chiang Mai resident has claimed that he has kept a meteorite which hit the earth eight years ago, in his possession until now. He said he wanted authorities to verify if the object is a meteorite.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621996-object-believed-to-be-meteorite-found-in-chiang-mai/

[Lite Beer]

RT@mpoppel BREAKING -- AP: At least 19 foreign tourists die in Egypt as hot air balloon crashes near Luxor.

RT@mpoppel: 19 deaths makes Egypt's hot air balloon the deadliest in history, surpassing the 13 killed in Australia in 1989