Thailand Live Thursday 28 Feb 2013

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Schools closed, more residents evacuated as South floods
The Nation



NARATHIWAT: -- Floods continued to wreak havoc in the deep South yesterday, with roads submerged, schools closed and at least 130 people evacuated.

In Narathiwat, flood water has covered several areas and disrupted the lives of about 6,500 residents. In the worst-hit spots, water levels soared to 1.5 metres.

Officials yesterday evacuated 28 people in hard-hit areas to the Tessabarn 4 School, which is serving as an evacuation centre, raising the number of evacuees there to 158.

Although days-long downpours eased yesterday, flooding has not subsided. At least four schools in Narathiwat's Muang and Rangae districts have suspended classes indefinitely, after 24 roads were flooded to a depth of 50-80 centimetres.

Officials are using pumps in a bid to clear the roads.

Typical of the many vulnerable residents who are suffering was Juan Jornsuwan, a 36-year-old visually impaired woman lamented that flooding was making her life even harder.

In Songkhla, two districts were yesterday declared flood-hit zones. In Rattaphum district, 4,240 people were struggling with floods and 2,240 rai of farms and 320 rai of paddy fields were inundated.

"The damage has reached well over Bt9 million," said Songkha's disaster prevention and mitigation chief So Hemakul.

He said that while Rattaphum had been declared a flood-hit zone, the Klong Hoi Khong district had been declared a storm-hit zone.

"The storm has damaged many houses in Klong Joi Khong," said So, who pledged to deliver help quickly to those affected.


-- The Nation 2013-02-28

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UPDATE
Thailand to be taken off money-laundering blacklist: Sihanart
Atapoom Ongkulna
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is set to be removed from the blacklist of countries perceived as non-cooperative in the global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) secretary-general Sihanart Prayoonrat said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622271-thailand-to-be-lifted-from-money-laundering-terrorist-financing-blacklist/?p=6156566#entry6156566

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New Bt5bn centre to predict flooding
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Water and Climate Information Centre opened yesterday with the key mission of predicting floods in the Chao Phraya River basin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622386-new-bt5bn-centre-in-bangkok-to-predict-flooding/

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Exit poll to be conducted by BSRU, Nation University
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) will join forces with the Nation University and the Television Pool of Thailand to carry out an exit poll for the March 3 Bangkok governor election.

BSRU lecturer Sing Singkachorn said the exit poll would be carried out on 20,000 respondents across Bangkok districts - 400 respondents per district. Ten people will be stationed in each district to poll people in the age groups 18-35, 36-45 and 45-plus, with respondents also classified according to occupation.

Survey officials will dress

in plain student uniforms free of any signs, and stay 20 metres away from polling stations.

They will collect information only from people they see exercising their voting right and exiting the polling station. They have been told not to coerce voters to answer questions, and are banned from disseminating the survey's results. If pressured by canvassers they will leave the area immediately without divulging any information.

Survey officials will introduce themselves to voters and ask them to fill in questionnaires by themselves, without giving spoken answers.

Answers will be keyed in through the USSD mobile phone system.

Apart from their personal information, voters will be asked the following questions: Whom did they vote for this time? Whom did they vote for in the previous election? Which party did

they vote for this time? Did they vote for an independent candidate? How much time will

they give the winning governor to deliver results - three months, six months or one year.

The survey information will be sent no later than 2pm on election day and analyses will be completed by 2.30pm.

Sing urged surveyed voters to be truthful, as the poll's results could be politically exploited.

He said pollsters had been told to leave their posts if they encountered red shirts or yellow shirts, as other officials would work in their place at other polling booths.


-- The Nation 2013-02-28

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Voter turnout 'will be deciding factor'
Kornchanok Raksaseri,
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation


The Bangkok Election Commission and the Non-Formal and Informal Education kick off a campaign inviting Bangkok residents to go out and vote for a new Bangkok governor this Sunday.

Pheu Thai director confident as Pongsapat enters final strait

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party's election director Phumtham Wechayachai spent most of his interview with The Nation yesterday either grinning or bursting into fits of laughter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622387-bangkok-governor-election-voter-turnout-will-be-deciding-factor/

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Yingluck, Najib to announce joint steps on South
Piyanart Srivalo,
Khanittha Theppajorn,
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

MoU spells out areas of bilateral cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR: -- The Thai and Malaysian prime ministers will today announce joint moves to seek a solution to the unrest in the deep South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622388-thailands-yingluck-malaysias-najib-to-announce-joint-steps-on-thai-south/

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Ministry seeks to trim rice price
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- With rice exports moving sluggishly, the Commerce Ministry will tomorrow propose that the National Rice Policy Committee revise down its pledged price from Bt15,000 a tonne to Bt13,000 or Bt14,000 a tonne for white paddy rice in April's second-crop harvest season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622389-thai-commerce-ministry-seeks-to-trim-rice-price/

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10% cut in plant's power use sought
TINNAKORN CHAOWACHUEN,
WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Industry Ministry will seek cooperation from factories throughout the Kingdom by asking them to reduce their electricity consumption by 10 per cent this year, permanent secretary Witoon Simachoked said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622391-10-cut-in-plants-power-use-sought-thailand-energy-crisis/

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THAI TALK
From 'curfew' to 'peace offensive' in one week
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- It's a bizarre state of affairs. You have a deputy prime minister in charge of national security who has to be scolded by the prime minister for publicly showing his reluctance to visit the deep South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622392-from-curfew-to-peace-offensive-in-one-week-thai-talk/

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POLITICS
Abhisit, Suthep violated resolution on police construction: DSI
The Nation


File photo : Tharit

BANGKOK: -- There is solid evidence that Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thaugsuban violated a Cabinet resolution on the project to construct new police station buildings, said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622393-abhisit-suthep-violated-resolution-on-police-construction-d-s-i/

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Thais score lowest in TOEFL
Wannapa Khaopa
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- With TOEFL scores averaging at 450, Thai students' proficiency in the English language appears to be the lowest in the Asean region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622394-thais-score-lowest-in-t-o-e-f-l/

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UPDATE

Find killers of anti-waste campaigner: rights group

The Nation



CHACHOENGSAO: -- The recent killing of Prajob Nao-opas, a village headman in Chachoengsao who fought against polluting firms in his hometown, marks yet another example of the fundamental failure of Thai authorities to protect activists who risk their lives to defend their communities, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622137-slain-village-leader-fought-firms-dumping-industrial-waste-in-chachoengsao/?p=6156623#entry6156623

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UPDATE

Thesis adviser banked millions 'for student'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- University thesis adviser Sombat Chantarawong yesterday gave his side of the story in regard to Bt27 million of allegedly ill-gotten wealth linked to retired Defence official Gen Satien Permthong-in.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622127-ex-senior-defence-official-accused-of-unusual-wealth-bangkok/?p=6156628#entry6156628

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French family saved from speedboat adrift
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A French man and his family were rescued on Tuesday night after their speedboat broke down about two nautical miles from Koh Sirae.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622398-french-family-saved-from-speedboat-adrift-phuket/

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DSI uncovers skullduggery in Phang Nga, and Phuket
Nattha Thepbamrung


Pol Lt Col Paisit Wongmuang of the DSI engages in polite conversation with one of Blue Sand Co’s directors, Pol Sgt Kanongdech Palasuwan.

PHUKET: -- Officers from the Bangkok-based Department of Special Investigations (DSI) have rolled their sleeves up and launched a wide probe into all kinds of problems over land cheating problems on Phuket and in Phang Nga.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622399-d-s-i-uncovers-skullduggery-in-phang-nga-and-phuket/

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History of the Danish Embassy in Bangkok
BY GREGERS MØLLER



BANGKOK: -- The Danish Embassy in Bangkok is located in the middle of what is today downtown Bangkok. It is hard to believe that just one hundred years ago, this area was just a swamp to the east of the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622400-history-of-the-danish-embassy-in-bangkok/

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Danish craft beer hits Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622267-danish-craft-beer-hits-thailand/

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Bangkok Police Checking YouTube Clips Of Thai Girl Beatings

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622263-bangkok-police-checking-youtube-clips-of-thai-girl-beatings/

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RT @BBCWorld: Anger at China restaurant notice: "This shop does not receive The Japanese, The Philippines, The Vietnamese And dog"

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,530.58, up 12.53 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Thailand, rebel group agree to seek peace talks

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's government on Thursday signed its first-ever agreement with a rebel group in its Muslim-majority south, pledging to work toward peace talks aimed at ending a festering insurgency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622388-thailands-yingluck-malaysias-najib-to-announce-joint-steps-on-thai-south/#entry6157038

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Bill seeking Bt2 trillion loans to be tabled to Lower House next month
By English News



BANGKOK, Feb 28 – An ambitious plan to develop Thailand’s overall infrastructure which will compel the government to seek Bt2 trillion in loans was approved on Tuesday by the cabinet which assigned the Finance Ministry to draft a bill on the mammoth public debt to parliament next month, according to a senior Thai official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622426-bill-seeking-bt2-trillion-loans-to-be-tabled-to-lower-house-next-month-thailand/

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Thai PM visits Malaysia for 5th Annual Consultation
By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 28 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra left Bangkok this morning to visit Malaysia for the 5th Annual Consultation (AC) with her Malaysian counterpart Najib Tun Razak.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622388-thailands-yingluck-malaysias-najib-to-announce-joint-steps-on-thai-south/#entry6157128

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HM the King makes a change of air from hospital ward by taking a river view

BANGKOK, 28 February 2013 (NNT) - His Majesty the King yesterday afternoon (February 27) made a change of air from his hospital ward on the 16th floor of Siriraj Hospital by visiting Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital situated nearby, for a dinner with a view of the Chao Phraya River.

His Majesty the King left Siriraj at 16.20 hr with a happy face, wearing a blue shirt and black trousers, with Khun Thong Daeng, his favorite pet dog, on a leash. He then proceeded by car to Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital and went up to the 7th floor where he had a dinner and watched the scenery of the Chao Phraya. He also visited a physical rehabilitation room of the Institute of Thai Applied Medicine located on the same floor. His Majesty the King returned to Siriraj Hospital at about 19.30 hr.

A large number of well wishers who learned about the news of the royal visit gathered along the way between the two hospitals to greet His Majesty the King. They all expressed the same feeling that they were very happy to see His Majesty in good health.

Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital was opened last year (2012) after two years of construction. It is one of the projects designed to make Siriraj Hospital the Southeast Asian center of excellence in the field of medicine.


-- NNT 2013-02-28

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Thailand determined to push forward with more rigorous anti-human trafficking efforts

BANGKOK, 28 February 2013 (NNT) – Thailand is on course to push forward with more rigorous efforts to clampdown on human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622434-thailand-determined-to-push-forward-with-more-rigorous-anti-human-trafficking-efforts/

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Cabinet okays draft legislation on THB2tril state borrowing plan

BANGKOK, 28 February 2013 (NNT) – The Cabinet has approved the draft law to enable the government to make a large borrowing for the implementation of its infrastructure development initiatives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622426-bill-seeking-bt2-trillion-loans-to-be-tabled-to-lower-house-next-month-thailand/#entry6157164

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FATF removes Thailand from its "black list" of countries at severe risk of hosting money laundering

BANGKOK, 28 February 2013 (NNT) – The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) reveals that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an Inter-governmental body combating money laundering and terrorist financing, has resolved to remove Thailand from its list of countries severely at risk of hosting money laundering or monetary support for terrorism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622271-thailand-to-be-lifted-from-money-laundering-terrorist-financing-blacklist/?p=6157216#entry6157216

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Law lecturer apologizes for hitting women, pays THB1,000 fine
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday, a 48-year-old man made a public apology to a 27-year-old woman and her friend for hitting them during a roadside fight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622438-bangkok-law-lecturer-apologizes-for-hitting-women-pays-bt1000-fine/

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Commerce Min to propose lowering of pledged non-glutinous unmilled rice price to National Rice Policy Committee at meeting Mar.1 /The Nation

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Zoological Park plans to open 2 more zoos

CHIANG MAI, 28 February 2013 (NNT) - The Zoological Park Organization of Thailand has revealed that it will open two more zoos in Thailand as tourist attractions and learning centers on biodiversity and nature.

Zoological Park Organization of Thailand Deputy Director Wisit Wichasil said that two zoos in Ubol Ratchathani and Khon Kaen will be open soon.

The Ubol Ratchathani Zoo has been unofficially opened since December last year. It is located on a 1,200-rai area of Dong Fa Huan Sanctuary in Muang District about 12 kilometers from the provincial center. Dong Fa Huan is the only wildlife sanctuary in Thailand with great biodiversity and unique forest.

Meanwhile, the Khon Kaen-Udon Thani Zoo will be open soon. The zoo is located on a 3,300-rai area in Khao Suan Kwang District, Khon Kaen. Spectacular animals such as camels, jaguars, and orangutan will be shown to the public. In the African Zone, visitors could walk on the sky walk to watch the animals.

The Khon Kaen-Udon Thani Zoo will also be a breeding and research center for wildlife. The old ecosystem is preserved and the zoo will also serve as a natural classroom for students.

-- NNT 2013-02-28