China ready for currency war, central bank official says

BEIJING: -- A top central banking official announced that China is "fully prepared for a looming currency war," state media reported on Saturday.

Full story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622999-china-ready-for-currency-war-central-bank-official-says/

Private rice exporter supports reduced rice subsidy
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Mar 2 – A leading Thai rice dealer has called on the government to reduce subsidy under the rice pledging scheme to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the global market.

Sompong Kittirianglarb, president of Ponglarb Co, said a lower rice price, currently pledged by the government at Bt15,000 per tonne, will help improve Thailand’s rice exports which have been rather poor.

Rice exports by the private sector from early January to Feb 17 were only 500,000-600,000 tonnes – a volume he described as minimal for an early harvest season.

A report that the pledging price of rice will be slashed to Bt13,000 per tonne has irked Thai farmers who threatened to protest the government in Bangkok. The Commerce Ministry has denied that rice subsidy will be cut.

Mr Sompong said a pledging price of Bt12,000 per tonne would be realistic and reasonable.

The prices of rice from neighbouring countries have been rather low with India exporting at US$404 per tonne, Pakistan at US$450 per tonne and Vietnam at US$410 per tonne, he said, adding that Thailand’s export price of US$550-560 per tonne can be adjusted to US$510-520 per tonne if the pledging price is Bt12,000 (US$400) per tonne.

The price at US$510-520 per tonne will enable Thailand to compete with neighbouring countries since the quality of Thai rice is higher, he said.

He warned that damage (to Thailand’s rice export) will worsen if the government fails to lower the rice subsidy. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-02

RT @191Thailand: One dead & 9 injured from a motorcycle bomb in Yala this afternoon (Via @Woraphan_Rw) http://twitter.com/Woraphan_Rw/status/307770105113235456/photo/1

RT@191Thailand: Pick-up crashed into a tree this morning on Highway 344 in Rayong. 1 dead & 1 injured (Via @Chai_DN) pic.twitter.com/wGY4Igs5Pt

RT@RichardBarrow: From now on in Bangkok, sale of alcohol is forbidden as is election campaigning. That includes Twitter/Facebook. Hotline to report is 1599.

RT@RichardBarrow: If you want alcohol with your meal during the ban, hop on a boat up to Nonthaburi or take the Skytrain to BTS Bearing in Samut Prakan.

Two paramilitary rangers killed in Yala motorcycle bombing
By Digital Media

YALA, Mar 2 -- Two Thai government paramilitary rangers on Saturday were killed while another six were injured in motorcycle bomb attack against a military vehicle in the Yala provincial seat, while some six passers by, local residents, were also wounded in the explosion.

The bombing occurred about 2.30pm at an intersection near a river in the provincial seat.

The military pickup was damaged while the motorcycle carrying the bomb was completely destroyed.

Bomb and vehicle fragments were scattered across the area and the remains of an electronic circuit was found at the scene.

Police believe that the estimated 10 kilogrammes of explosive carried by the motorcycle was triggered by a remote radio signal.

Investigators said the soldiers, assigned to the 33rd Special Task Force, were returning to base after completing their task at a checkpoint.

The assailants parked the motorcycle at the roadside and waited until the army pickup truck arrived before triggering the explosion. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-02

to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 3 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623061-thailand-live-sunday-3-mar-2013/