Thailand Live Monday 4 Mar 2013

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Cathay Pacific seeks aviation enthusiasts
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Cathay Pacific Airways is inviting young students with a passion for aviation who wish to pursue a career in the field to take part in "I Can Fly", an educational programme in which participants learn from the airline's staff from various departments, as well enjoy hands-on experience.

Selected students will get a chance to visit Cathay Pacific's head office in Hong Kong. Interested students can apply from now until March 25.

"I Can Fly" was launched in 2003 in Hong Kong to inspire young local people to maximise their potential and develop new skills. The first programme in Thailand was launched in 2012 and attracted many applicants.

Participants gain valuable insights and an overview of the aviation industry through a series of field trips, lectures and discussions with experts including flight attendants, ground airport staff and engineers.

Interested students can download an application form at www.cathaypacific.com/th. Entrants should submit the application along with a one page (A-4 size paper) essay in Thai or 500-700 words in English under the subject "My career interest and passion in aviation" by e-mail to [email protected] no later than March 25. The word "Application" should be included in the subject line.

Finalists will be notified by e-mail by April 5.


-- The Nation 2013-03-04

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UPDATE

CITES

Thailand promises end to ivory trade
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has promised legal amendments and other measures to stop ivory trade, in response to international calls for Thailand's help.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623165-thai-prime-minister-announces-end-to-ivory-trade/page-2#entry6169335

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ANALYSIS
Sukhumbhand's record victory: Local vote with national message
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation



Fear of 'absolute control' may have led to last-minute change of heart for many voters

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623247-sukhumbhands-record-victory-local-vote-with-national-message/

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Democrats ride to victory on loyal voters
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation March 4, 2013 1:00 am

Party strongholds in inner-city and the west saved it in a tough election

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday's Bangkok governor election confirms that voters in most of the inner and western districts remain loyal to the Democrat Party, which has ruled the capital for eight years and is set to stay in charge for another four years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623248-democrats-ride-to-victory-on-loyal-voters-bangkok-governor-election/

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ANALYSIS
Pongsapat's Loss is a blow for Thaksin
Jintana Panyaarvudh,
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- If any candidate from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's camp could ever win a Bangkok gubernatorial election, the one who had the most chance was probably Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, especially considering poll results over the past month showing his popularity on the rise constantly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623249-pongsapats-loss-is-a-blow-for-thaksin/

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Health authorities on alert for mosquito attack

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A nationwide public health campaign against mosquito-borne dengue fever will be launched to forestall a major epidemic forecast at up to 150,000 cases this year - four times last year's total.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623251-dengue-fever-thai-health-authorities-on-alert-for-mosquito-attack/

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TELECOM
A flurry of activity as 3G launch looms
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
SIRIVISH TOOMGUM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Players in the telecommunication industry are actively pursuing partnerships and pushing for mass mobile-phone-number portability, while the two state telecom agencies are continuing their attempts to keep control of their spectra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623252-a-flurry-of-activity-as-3g-launch-looms-thailand/

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AVIATION
Low-cost carriers' battle heats up before launch of the AEC
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The approach of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in a couple of years is meaningful for the aviation industry in Thailand, especially low-cost carriers, which are flocking here to cash in on the business opportunities from the anticipated tourism boom, resulting in greater competition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623253-low-cost-carriers-battle-heats-up-before-launch-of-the-a-e-c/

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TRADE DEFICIT
New measures needed to curb energy imports
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Thailand needs to devise new measures to curb energy consumption, as rising fuel import to satisfy domestic consumption is widening the country's trade deficit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623254-thailand-needs-new-measures-to-curb-energy-imports/

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EDITORIAL
Winner faces tough tests in coming years
The Nation

Only well-managed cities will prosper in era of globalisation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623255-winner-faces-tough-tests-in-coming-years-thai-editorial/

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CHALK TALK
The have nots are denied quality education when it becomes a business
Chularat Saengpassa

BANGKOK: -- LIKE IT OR NOT, many well-known schools in Thailand have decided to embrace a business-like approach to introducing new courses and recruiting new students.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623257-the-have-nots-are-denied-quality-education-when-it-becomes-a-business-chalk-talk/

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AFTERMATH
Pheu Thai to complain to EC about fraud
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party said yesterday it would file complaints with the Election Commission of fraud in some districts during the election for Bangkok governor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623258-pheu-thai-to-complain-to-e-c-about-fraud-during-bangkok-governor-election/

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Credibility of opinion polls at stake as most tipped Ponsapat
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The results of exit polls conducted by regular pollsters on yesterday's governor election yesterday were proving to be inaccurate in the early stages of vote counting as incumbent Sukhumbhand Paribatra was still ahead of his closest rival, Pheu Thai's Pongsapat Poncharoen, at press time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623259-credibility-of-opinion-polls-at-stake-as-most-tipped-ponsapat-bangkok/

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Thaksin eligible to vote
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is an eligible voter in the Bangkok governor election, Bangkok Election Commission chairman Narong Chalothorn said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623260-thaksin-eligible-to-vote/

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Deep South attacks won't cease: Prayuth
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday he had no doubt that violent attacks by insurgents would continue in the deep South, despite the agreement on peace talks with an insurgent group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623261-deep-south-attacks-wont-cease-thai-army-commander-prayuth/

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Paulus Ambunda Defeats Pungluang Sor Singyu to Win WBO Bantamweight World Title
by James Goyder

Paulus Ambunda won the WBO Bantamweight World Title with a unanimous decision win over Pungluang Sor Singyu in Windhoek. The Namibian was awarded the decision by all three judges with the scorecards reading 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623263-paulus-ambunda-defeats-pungluang-sor-singyu-to-win-wbo-bantamweight-world-title/

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The planned expansion of the 110-kilometre road motorway linking Thailand to the proposed Dawei deep-sea port project in Myanmar has been postponed.

The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP) said expanding the motorway from four lanes to eight on the Thai side of the border is unnecessary for the time being.

Source: http://afg-thailand.blogspot.com/

-- Automotive Focus Group 2013-03-04

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PM leaves Bangkok to visit Sweden, Belgium today through Thursday to hold talks in trade, investment, exchange of energy research /MCOT

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Thailand mulls health insurance for foreigners
By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623279-thailand-mulls-health-insurance-for-foreigners/

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Myanmar citizens illegally open mom-and-pop shops in Ranong
By English News

RANONG, March 4 – Shophouse traders in this southern province have urged the Thai authorities to crack down on over 100 Myanmar vendors who have been unlawfully doing retail business here, according to an advisor to the provincial chamber of commerce.

Nit Uitekkeng said the Ranong Chamber of Commerce has received complaints from owners of traditional mom-and-pop convenience stores about competition from Myanmar migrant workers in this southern border province where a substantial number of Myanmar nationals have been working.

Myanmar migrants have opened grocery stores, barber shops, food shops, karaoke venues and fresh food shops mainly in areas where their fellow countrymen are employed by Thai employers.

Mr Nit said Thai merchants are subject to taxation while Myanmar vendors who operate their businesses without legal permission do not have to pay tax. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-04

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Thailand's northern longan orchards hit by drought
By English News



LAMPHUN, March 4 – Drought has battered longan orchards in this northern province of Thailand, and the authorities warn that the dry season may continue until mid-May.

Farmers complain that insufficient water is slowed the growth of the fruit in their longan plantations forcing, some to pump underground water to quench the thirst of their orchards..

A well-watered stem in bloom is normally 20-35cm long, bearing 50-70 longans, but this seasons blooming stems at most orchards in this northern province are only 15-25cm long, according to an orchard owner who expressed concern that this year’s longan exports will be lower.

Thailand exported 220 tonnes of longans to the international market last year.

The Lamphun provincial administration has announced eight districts as drought-hit zones and said the water shortage has impacted more than 51,000 rai (some 20,000 acres) of orchard. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-04

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Former Finnish president sees Nobel Peace Prize for Myanmar government
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN



HELSINKI: -- Martti Ahtisaari who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 said Friday that he believes Myanmar’s reformist government could win the Nobel Peace Prize

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623285-former-finnish-president-sees-nobel-peace-prize-for-myanmar-government/

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Two earthquakes in Lampang "not worrying": officials

Lampang province's geological office has told residents of the province not to worry about the two earthquakes that occurred on Sunday.

LAMPHANG: -- Director of Lampang province's geological office Somboon Kositanont said that the two quakes were only minor ones, measuring only 1.4 and 3.4 on the Richter magnitude scale. He said the quakes could be felt, but should not be enough to damage properties.

He told residents of Lampang province not to worry and to keep an eye on further information by the geological office.

Meanwhile, some residents in Tung Fai of Lampang province claimed that the earthquake caused cracks on their house walls. Officials, however, said it was inconclusive whether the cracks were caused by the quakes.


-- NNT 2013-03-04

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Royal rainmaking operation commenced to ease drought & haze

BANGKOK, 4 MARCH 2013 (NNT) – The Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation has kicked off this year’s royal rainmaking operation to help alleviate drought and haze crisis in the Northern region.

The royal rainmaking operation has commenced since March 2 in the Northern part of Thailand to at help ease drought, forest fire and haze crisis. The operation will also be carried out in all other regions to increase water level in major dams throughout the country.

The artificial-rainmaking will continue until October with a total of 34 aircraft from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Royal Thai Air force to be used in the operation.

Meanwhile, the drought situation in the North has become more severe, particularly in Lamphun Province where 8 districts have been declared disaster zones.

At the same time, the haze situation in Chiang Rai Province continued to worsen, resulting in poor visibility in the area. The latest level of dust particles in the province was recorded at 126 micrograms per cubic meter, which exceeds the standard level of 120.

In Mae Hong Son province, the crisis is seemingly similar as many parts of the city remain covered by haze. Locals continue to suffer from smoke haze, caused by forest fires from neighboring countries.


-- NNT 2013-03-04

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Police seize 800,000 methamphetamine pills and 16 kilos of “ya ice”

BANGKOK, 4 March 2013 (NNT) –The Thainarcotics suppression police have arrested 4 Burmese drug dealers. 800,000 pills of methamphetamine and 16 kilograms of “ya ice” have been seized.

A 32-year-old Burmese woman, along with 4 other culprits, has been arrested for smuggling drugs worth around 72 million baht.The arrest came after a pursuit of a 28-year-old man who was a dealer in Ram Inthra and Ladplakao areas.

According to the police, the drugs were smuggled in from northern Thailand and stored in Phra Pradaeng District before being distributed to peddlers.

All the 5 smugglers have been charged with drug possession. Further legal actions will be taken against them.


-- NNT 2013-03-04

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Phuket Sea Gypsies under siege from owners
Nattha Thepbamrung


A child at the sea gypsy village.

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Provincial Court is facing a long series of lawsuits aimed at getting members of the Rawai Sea Gypsy village – the largest such village in Phuket – evicted from land claimed by a local businessman who bought the land four years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623292-phuket-sea-gypsies-under-siege-from-owners/

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Economist urging second-term Bkk governor to prepare Bangkok for AEC

BANGKOK, 4 March 2013 (NNT)-An economist is proposing that the second term-Bangkok governor get Bangkok ready for an influx of foreign investments and the impact of the global economy.

According to Director of the Center of Economic and Business Forecasting of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Thanawat Polwichai, there is an urgent need for Bangkok to adapt to ASEAN Economic Community and the global economy, which will move into a different direction. He also said that the Bangkok Governor should put great emphasis on creating green economy and providing various forms of conveniences to foreign investors.

Bangkok should be able to readily host meetings, provide medical care, and accommodate tourists to the point that they would begin to view Bangkok as their second home. The transportation system should also be reliable and accessible to all.


-- NNT 2013-03-04

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Phuket blood bank launches March mobile donation drive
Phuket Gazette


The Phuket Chapter of the Red Cross has organized a mobile blood drive for March. They are particularly low on Type A blood. Photo: ApersOn

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Chapter of the Red Cross Society has announced its schedule of mobile donation clinics for the month of March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623301-phuket-blood-bank-launches-march-mobile-donation-drive/

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Phuket Police raid cockfight
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police broke up a cockfighting match near a rubber plantation in central Phuket yesterday, arresting 16 men and confiscating two roosters and 220 baht found at the scene.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623302-phuket-police-raid-cockfight/

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Phuket mob surrounds British expat who hit motorcyclist
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A well-known British expat involved in a collision with a motorbike on Friday night had to be extricated from the scene by police after local residents reacted angrily over the incident, the Phuket Gazette has been told.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623306-phuket-mob-surrounds-british-expat-who-hit-motorcyclist/