Thailand Live Sunday 3 Mar 2013

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Turnout expected to exceed 60%
The Nation on Sunday

Election officials prepare ballot papers and voting equipment at Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- EC chief says election officials on full alert to guard against vote-buying or other frauds

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623059-turnout-expected-to-exceed-60/

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Islamic committees in the South back govt's plan for talks with separatists

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The Islamic committees of five southern border provinces yesterday voiced their support for the government's plan for peace talks with separatists in the restive region.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623062-islamic-committees-in-the-south-back-govts-plan-for-talks-with-separatists/

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Special
Vendors seek CPB nod for redevelopment
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Proposal for new Bt500m market in Pratunam

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623063-vendors-seek-cpb-nod-for-redevelopment/

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About 500 involved in cheating at test for job of assistant teachers

Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation on Sunday

As many as 500 people who sat for an exam for assistant teachers were involved in large-scale, systematic fraud, according to a source familiar with the investigation into the scandal.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623064-about-500-involved-in-cheating-at-test-for-job-of-assistant-teachers/

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Newin and Tilke to build racing circuit in Buri Ram

Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation

Buriram United president Newin Chidchob, second from the right, poses for a photo at the press conference yesterday

BURIRAM: -- A consortium led by Buriram United president Newin Chidchob has rolled out an ambitious plan to build the country's first ever circuit of international standard within a year in the northeastern province of Buri Ram, with a staggering budget of Bt2 billion.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623065-newin-and-tilke-to-build-racing-circuit-in-buri-ram/

[Lite Beer]

Seven killed in van crash in Chon Buri

The Nation on Sunday

RAYONG: -- A Bangkok-Map Ta Phut passenger van yesterday crashed into a roadside signpost on Pattaya-Rayong Road in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district and burst into flames, killing seven people on board, Nong Pleu police superintendent Pol Col Somneuk Janket said.

Police suspected the driver had dozed off behind the wheel leading to the crash, and subsequently the compressed natural gas-powered van caught fire.

The van, carrying a driver and nine passengers, was reportedly driven at high speed, lost control and crashed into a signpost before plunging into a ditch near Bira Circuit racetrack at around 9am. It quickly caught fire, killing six females and one male onboard, while two other female passengers and the van driver Chuchart Phothichai, 50, were injured and rushed to Sirikit Hospital in Sattahip. Police also kept Chuchart, who was in the ICU, in police custody to face the charge of reckless driving causing deaths and injuries to others.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

[Lite Beer]

4 arrested with drugs in Phra Pradaeng

Khanathit Srihirundaj,
Jitima Janphrom
The Nation on Sunday

SAMUT PRAKAN: Police have arrested four suspects with around 800,000 'ya ba' (methamphetamine) tablets and 16 kilograms of ice (crystal meth).

Narcotics Suppression Bureau deputy chief Surapol Thuanthong told a press conference yesterday that police arrested Nun Moon San, 32, and three other men guarding the drug at two residences in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district. They are ethnic Tai Yai.

He said police seized the 790,000 'ya ba' pills and 11 kg of ice hidden at the buildings.

The arrest came after two Thai suspects were arrested late last month. Duanghathai Kaeophet, 33 was caught with 10,000 'ya ba' pills in Nonthaburi and Sarawut Mankhong, 28, was arrested with five kg of ice in Samut Prakan. Both told police that they ordered the drug from Nun Moon San.

Nun Moon San confessed that she took the drug from the North and stored it in Phra Pradaeng before sending it to other dealers in Bangkok and its vicinity. She was paid Bt300,000 to do this.

Police accused the suspects of possessing 'ya ba' and ice for sale illegally.

In related news, police in Khon Kaen province have arrested six suspects with about 5,400 'ya ba' tablets and 31 grams of ice.

Police said they were part of a network linked to an inmate held at Khon Kaen Central Prison, named Jos. Jos reportedly ordered dealers in his network outside the prison to sell 'ya ba' and ice in the province.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

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2 rangers killed in Yala bomb attack

Nakarin Chinworakomon,
Narong Nuansakul
The Nation on Sunday

YALA: -- A motorcycle bomb went off yesterday afternoon in Yala's Muang district, killing two rangers and injuring seven others.

Four female bystanders were also wounded in the latest attack in the restive border region.

The attack was suspected to have been carried out by leading insurgent Roki Doloh. A previous tip-off had revealed his plan to launch a bomb attack in the area.

The bombing took place on Lekhakul Road along Pattani River at 2.45pm. A team of rangers from the paramilitary ranger regiment 33rd was returning to base in a pickup truck after manning a checkpoint, when their truck passed the parked Honda motorcycle loaded with a 10kg home-made bomb, which exploded.

The deceased rangers were identified as Thanongsak Leucha, 30, and Suchart Jantip, 35.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Friday's motorcycle bomb at the entrance to a market in Narathiwat's Muang district that injured six people found evidence suggesting it was carried out by insurgent sympathisers hiding in Tambon Bang Nak. Officials have been dispatched to follow their movements and bring them to justice.

The probe into another car-bomb incident in the same district later in the day found that the owner of the Isuzu pickup truck, which was used in the attack and carried a fake licence plate, had filed a missing vehicle complaint with Pattani police on January 10.

Police was also looking at security-camera footage for clues on the suspects but declined to give details. Police believe that the two bomb attacks were linked hence arresting a suspect in one case would lead to progress in the other case as well.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

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Eight Trang Prison inmates transferred

The Nation on Sunday

Trang Prison director Prawat Yaemmanee has transferred to Songkhla Prison eight inmates reportedly involved in the February 9 assault and stabbing-to-death of inmate Thaweep Eiadtun, 40, in order to pave the way for the murder investigation, a source reported yesterday.

The eight inmates, identified as suspects by security camera footage, were moved to Songkhla because those witnessing the murder were too afraid to testify to the prison's panel probing this case, the source said. Trang police would interview the witnesses in detail next week.

The motive of the killing was reportedly Thaweep's cooperation with Corrections Department officials, leading to the interception of 11 cellphones that were smuggled into Trang Prison. Thaweep had been sentenced to 25 years in 2007 for drug offences.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

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Pheu Thai finalising amnesty law draft

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- A group of MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party will later this week submit their draft amnesty law to Parliament for deliberations, according to Worachai Hema, a Pheu Thai MP who is also a red-shirt leader.

He said yesterday that the legal team of the red-shirt movement was expected to complete drafting the bill by mid-week and that the draft would be submitted for deliberations immediately. Worachai added that he and other proponents of the bill would also call a press conference to explain the proposals.

According to the MP, there would be two separate bills - one offering amnesty to red-shirt and yellow-shirt protesters violating the law for joining street protests, and the other one aimed at "solving the political problems". He did not elaborate.

He said the MPs would propose the bills without first seeking approval from their political party.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

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-- The Nation 2013-03-03

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EDITORIAL
Violent response suggests peace deal was too hasty
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Senior govt officials should have known the insurgents are split into many groups

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623066-violent-response-suggests-peace-deal-was-too-hasty/

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RT@Aim_NT: Bangkok governor election 2013 has started! Ballot box will be closed at 3pm.

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Bangkokians go to polling stations to elect new governor

BANGKOK: -- Bangkokians came out in high number Sunday morning to elect their new governor.

Several TV stations showed Bangkok voters made long queues at several polling stations around the capital even before the voting started at 8 am.

The balloting will continue until 3 pm.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

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RT@RichardBarrow: One of the first to vote this morning was ex-Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand at Si Ayutthaya School (Pic @tanatpong_nna) pic.twitter.com/UBP4zG56CG

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RT@191Thailand: Phuket Expat Dies in Motorcycle Crash on Patong Hill

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RT@RichardBarrow: It's National Thai Elephant Day on 13th March. Let's hope that the Thai PM helps all elephants in the world by banning the ivory trade.

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Phuket Opinion: Praise for the little 'Heroes' of Phuket
Phuket Gazette -

The To Be Number One program offers Thai youngsters a chance to develop important life skills away from their mobile devices. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: Although accorded little, if any, attention in the local media, the recent winning of a national championship in the “To Be Number One Teen Dancercise 2013” competition by a team of young dancers from the Baan Bangneaw Municipal School in Phuket Town deserves a great deal of recognition and praise. It was a considerable achievement, the first ever by a team representing Phuket.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623080-phuket-opinion-praise-for-the-little-heroes-of-phuket/

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RT@INchannel90: Former Prime Minister Abhisit stands in line to cast his vote. fb.me/2cZnXk8xH

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Suspected insurgent leader killed in Narathiwat clash between soldiers, assailants last night; two men still at large /MCOT

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RT@INchannel: Bkk EC reveals that if voting goes smoothly throughout the day, unofficial results should be available by 7PM this evening. #BKKElection

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RT@INchannel: Pheu Thai candidate casts his vote at 9:39 AM. #BKKElection #ThainewsinEng pic.twitter.com/bjiyUXHXFz

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Sukhumbhand votes at 8:16 am

BANGKOK: -- Democrat gubernatorial candidate cast his vote at the Sri Ayutthaya School in Ratchathevi district at 8:16 am.

He came to the polling station with his wife, Sawitri Paribatra na Ayutthaya, and their son, Warapinan Paribatra.

After casting the vote, Sukhumbhand and his team went to the Suan Pakkard Palace at 9 am to monitor the election until 5 pm.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

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RT@INchannel: PM Yingluck arrives at polling station in Buerngkum to vote. #BKKElection #ThainewsinEng pic.twitter.com/GC3KAU8mV7

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Summer thunderstorms forecast in upper Thailand /MCOT

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RT@INchannel: Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has the right to vote after completing his 5-yr political ban in May last year. pic.twitter.com/GYkNLL2Dpl

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RT@SchulzeRolf: Important meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) opens today in Bangkok!

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RT@BPbreakingnews: Exit poll will come out shortly after 3pm. The Election Commission expects unofficial results by 7pm.

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Under Investigation: Phuket villagers foraging for turtle eggs
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: The safety of turtle eggs in a protected nesting ground at the northern tip of Phuket is under investigation by the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623103-under-investigation-phuket-villagers-foraging-for-turtle-eggs/

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RT@KentBKK: Video message to CITES delegates from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge pic.twitter.com/693QFJLZBw