Thailand Live Tuesday 5 Mar 2013

[webfact]

Nation Group poised to issue Bt2-billion debentures
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Nation group will issue debentures worth Bt2 billion to provide funds for working capital and further business expansion, as well as to reduce debt.

Nation Multimedia Group (NMG), which is the group's parent company, will issue a debenture not exceeding Bt1.5 billion for working capital and to reduce its debt, while Nation Broadcasting Corp (NBC) will issue a debenture with a maximum value of Bt500 million to fund working capital and further expand its business.

NMG president Duangkamol Chotana said that last year the company had continued to restructure its financial performance and it was now sufficiently healthy to raise funds to cater to business expansion.

She expects the planned NMG debenture will earn a good rating from Tris Rating Agency at a level higher than "BBB", given the company's healthy financial performance last year.

The debenture issuance will enable NMG to cut its financial costs, which currently stand at 7 per cent.

If the debenture carries a rate of 5 per cent, this will help NMG save interest expenses of Bt20 million per year, or Bt100 million over five years.

NMG also announced an 87-per-cent jump in 2012 net profit to Bt191.3 million, while revenue rose 11 per cent to Bt3.1 billion.

The ratio of debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) dipped to 9.21 in the fourth quarter of last year, while the debt-to-equity ratio was 0.99.

Three group companies will mobilise more than Bt2 billion by June to participate in the country's first digital-TV auction and launch expansion projects that will position the group as a "game changer" in the fast-developing media landscape.

NMG, NBC and Nation International Edutainment (NINE) recently filed their recapitalisation plans with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, which will see new shares and warrants issued.

NMG will bid for a variety channel, NBC for a news channel and NINE for a children's channel in the digital-TV auction.

Duangkamol added that while proceeds from the NMG debenture would be used for reducing debt, the remaining proceeds from the two issues, when combined with the plan to mobilise Bt2 billion in new capital, would give the Nation group strong funding to further expand business and foray into the digital-TV arena.

NMG and NBC will seek approval at their ordinary shareholder meetings in April to issue the debentures and increase registered capital.


-- The Nation 2013-03-05

[webfact]

POLITICS
Slender victory 'holds lessons for Democrats'
Niphawan Kaewrakmook,
Supon Thanukid
The Nation


Bangkok Governor-elect Sukhumbhand Paribatra and other key Democrat Party figures, on a loudspeaker truck, thank Bangkok residents for their support in Sunday

Academics, opposition MPs say party needs reforms and a better performance to retain its loyal support base in Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623488-bangkok-election-slender-victory-holds-lessons-for-democrats/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
What strategy will Thaksin employ now?
Avudh Panananda
The Nation

The onus is on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to chart the next move following Sunday's Bangkok gubernatorial vote.

BANGKOK: -- At issue is not the victory of Democrat MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra but the fact that he beat Pheu Thai's candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen by almost 7 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623489-what-strategy-will-thaksin-shinawatra-employ-now/

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS
ISA to be lifted in five south districts
The Nation



Move based on a SBPAC recommendation to facilitate dealings with insurgent groups

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623490-internal-security-act-to-be-lifted-in-five-south-districts-thailand/

[webfact]

POLL
Pollsters puzzle over how they got predictions wrong
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pollsters yesterday defended themselves against critics attacking their credibility, academic merit and neutrality after most came up with inaccurate poll results that projected Pheu Thai Party candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen beating Democrat Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623491-pollsters-puzzle-over-how-they-got-predictions-wrong-bangkok-governor-race/

[webfact]

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Coke bottlers ramp up output capacity in BT4-bn investment
The Nation

Haad Thip to start up new facility as ThaiNamthip adds to production lines

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623492-coke-bottlers-ramp-up-output-capacity-in-bt4-bn-investment-thailand/

[webfact]

Ministry to hear shortage moves
Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Energy Ministry has called an urgent meeting on the preparations of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Provincial Electricity Authority for the expected shortage of power next month when Myanmar temporarily suspends its gas supply to Thailand.

Industry Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal will chair the meeting scheduled for Thursday.

A ministry source revealed that Egat might not purchase electricity, expected at 200 MW, from Malaysia during the gas shutdown because of the very high price of Bt15 per unit charged by the country.

Myanmar plans to suspend the gas supply from April 5-14 for a maintenance procedure. Thailand's power reserve will be only 767 megawatts on April 5, a bit below the normal level.

The Federation of Thai Industries has advised Egat that about 45 factories, including those of Siam Cement Group, will cooperate by adjusting their production process to deal with the power shortage on April 5.

Meanwhile, Energy Ministry permanent secretary Norkun Sitthiphong said the recent reduction in the oil price in Dubai by more than US$3 per barrel had resulted in local traders earning a profit from marketing fees of up to Bt2.40 per litre, compared with the normal level of Bt1.50. The Energy Policy and Planning Office therefore has increased the contribution from traders to the Oil Fund by about 50 satang per litre for petrol (to Bt9.70 for 95-octane) and gasohol (except gasohol E85, for which the increase is 20 satang per litre, and diesel, at 80 satang).


-- The Nation 2013-03-05

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
To breathe in a park or yet another mall?
The Nation

The park campaign for the Makkasan area has profound implications for what we as a society want for our future

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623493-to-breathe-in-a-park-or-yet-another-mall-thai-editorial/

[webfact]

Pongsapat 'not neutral enough' to rejoin police force
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Failed Pheu Thai Party governor candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen should not return to the police force because he is no longer politically neutral, a former police chief and academic said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623494-pongsapat-not-neutral-enough-to-rejoin-thai-police-force/

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Will Sukhumbhand face Apirak's fate?
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

Probe into extension of Skytrain contracts and a couple of other complaints could cast a shadow over his second term

BANGKOK: -- Just like his popular predecessor Apirak Kosayodhin, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has twice been elected as Bangkok governor. But will his second term end abruptly in the same way as Apirak's?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623495-will-sukhumbhand-face-apiraks-fate/

[webfact]

Thai, Viet gangs 'involved in elephant, rhino poaching'
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai and Vietnamese criminal gangs are involved in the illegal poaching of elephants and rhinos in Africa, according to the state wildlife and plant protection agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623496-thai-viet-gangs-involved-in-elephant-rhino-poaching/

[webfact]

PCC bosses to hear charges on Thursday
Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Three executives of PCC Development and Construction are due to acknowledge fraud charges on Thursday for allegedly failing to pay subcontractors for building work on several hundred police stations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623497-p-c-c-bosses-to-hear-charges-on-thursday-new-thai-police-stations/

[webfact]

Ministers urged to wear only Thai fabric
Pakamard Jaichalard,
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Culture Ministry will file a proposal with the Cabinet today suggesting that Cabinet ministers wear only clothes made from Thai fabric.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623498-ministers-urged-to-wear-only-thai-fabric/

[webfact]

'Heirs' of Bai Khan fortune arrested
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three people claiming to be heirs of an influential Pashtun family based in Saraburi have been arrested for allegedly providing false documents to prove their ties, the Department of Special Investigation said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623499-heirs-of-bai-khan-fortune-arrested-saraburi/

[webfact]

93-year old Australian accused of sexually assaulting 4 young Thai children
Lindsay Murdoch and Am Sandford

THAILAND: -- A 93-year-old Australian man accused of raping four young Thai sisters in one of the worst child sex abuse cases investigated in Thailand is likely never to face justice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623501-93-year-old-australian-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-4-young-thai-children/

[webfact]

Two Krabi beaches rank in 'top 5'
Sitthichai Sikhawat
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The tourism website TripAdvisor has ranked Krabi's Railay and Phra Nang beaches among the top five in Asia with its "Travellers' Choice Beach Awards", Wiyada Srirangkul, director of the province's tourism office, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623503-two-krabi-beaches-rank-in-top-5/

[webfact]

Phuket residents protest new B465mn provincial hall
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- More than 200 Phuket residents protested today against the construction of the new provincial hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623504-phuket-residents-protest-new-b465mn-provincial-hall/

[webfact]

Mahidol, Chula score well in top varsities' list
Wannapa Khaopa
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Mahidol University (MU) and Chulalongkorn University (CU) are among 250 most reputable universities in the world this year, according to Times Higher Education Rankings Editor Phil Baty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623512-mahidol-chula-score-well-in-top-varsities-list/

[webfact]

RT @mpoppel: REU: VENEZUELAN CHAVEZ'S BREATHING PROBLEMS HAVE WORSENED, NEW

'SEVERE' INFECTION -OFFICIAL STATEMENT

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,551.92, up 11.20 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Birds and eggs banned from entering Thailand from Cambodia; vehicles sprayed at border points

SA KAEW, 5 March 2013 (NNT) – Top officials from the Livestock Development Department inspected the work of the animal quarantine center in Sa Kaew province, located on the shared border with Cambodia.

Officials at the quarantine center, situated at Ban Khlong Luek permanent border point, now implements such measures as spraying antiseptics on every vehicle passing through the border point and banning the bringing in of all birds. All eggs are also being banned from entering.

The tightening of animal quarantine and inspection came in the wake of the 9 fatalities in Cambodia that reportedly resulted from H5N1 avian influenza.

Officials at every animal quarantine center at every border point along the Thai-Cambodian border have also been ordered to implement similar measures.


-- NNT 2013-03-05

[webfact]

50 dead monitor lizards allegedly poisoned by Samut Prakan locals who sell their skin for big money

SAMUT PRAKAN, 5 March 2013 (NNT) – Dozens of carcasses of water monitor have been found along the banks of a canal in Ban Khlong Suan sub-district, Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province.

Manop Teombun, the local village headman, said there were about 50 dead water monitor. The adjacent areas have become tainted with the smell of the rotting carcasses.

Mr. Manop believed the monitor lizards were poisoned by locals, who sold their skins to traders, fetching as much as 10,000 baht for a good skin. Mr. Manop said the number of water monitor in the area has dwindled, and he was worried that ecological impacts may follow suit.

In November 2012, United States agents dispatched to the Thai Government House compound ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit were startled when they discovered many large, seemingly threatening, water monitors wandering the grounds of the Bangkok venue. Thai officials allayed their concerns, explaining that the creatures were generally harmless.


-- NNT 2013-03-05

[webfact]

58 dogs brought under care of quarantine center, after their traffickers were intercepted in Sakon Nakhon

NAKHON PANOM, 5 March 2013 (NNT) – Livestock Development Department officials in Nakhon Panom province brought 58 dogs into the care of the Nakhon Panom animal quarantine center, after the dogs were seized from dog traffickers in Sakon Nakhon province.

The canines were on board a truck intercepted in Phonnakaew district of Sakon Nakhon, which was bound for a neighboring country.

Veterinarians at the quarantine center checked on the health of the dogs and also vaccinated them.

With the latest increase in the number of dogs intercepted from traffickers and put under the care of the center, the cost of the 686 canines’ food now exceeds 10,000 baht per day.


-- NNT 2013-03-05

[webfact]

Insurgents burn tires in seven districts in Yala
By English News



YALA, March 5 -- Insurgents burned tires at some 40 locations in seven districts of Thailand's southernmost province of Yala but no casualties were reported.

An unknown number of persons were involved in the coordinated demonstrations of presence in the province, setting automobile tires afire at some 40 locations in seven districts of Yala, except for Betong.

Police said burning tires were found on roads in eight locations in the provincial seat, eight locations in Raman, for in Kabang, two in Krong Pinang, five in Yaha, nine in Bannang Sata and five in Than To.

The insurgents are believed to have divided into groups of seven or eight armed men who operated at seven districts almost simultaneously during the night.

At some locations trees were felled to block roads. Electric cables and motorcycle tires were put together and burnt.

The authorities were inspecting the scenes and interviewing witnesses as well as viewing CCTV footage to gather information of the suspects. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-05

[webfact]

Way paved for losing candidate Pongsapat to return to police service
By English News



BANGKOK, Mar 5 – Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a former deputy police chief defeated in Sunday’s Bangkok election, can be reinstated to the National Police Bureau if he applies, according to the justice minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623494-pongsapat-not-neutral-enough-to-rejoin-thai-police-force/#entry6173057

[webfact]

RT @KristieKenney: Want to study in the USA? Free education USA advice Tue & Thursdays @USEmbassyBKK. Email [email protected] for appointment.

[webfact]

Rice harvests to rise 1.2% to 472 mn MT as 5 largest rice exporters hoard 38mn tonnes,or a yr of global imports:Int'l Grains Council /The Nation

[webfact]

Some good news for all taxpayers in Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623584-some-good-news-for-all-taxpayers-in-thailand/

[webfact]

President of Equatorial Guinea scheduled to visit Thailand March 7-10

BANGKOK, 5 March 2013 (NNT) - The president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is scheduled to visit Thailand from March 7-10.

Equatorial Guinea's president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, will meet with Thai premier Yingluck Shinawatra on March 8, at the Government House. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral issues, focusing on trade, investment and technical cooperation.

The president will lead a group of Equatorial Guinean businessmen to meet with their Thai counterparts to discuss investment opportunities in Equatorial Guinea, especially in the energy and construction industries.

The president's visit will be the first official visit to Thailand by an Equatorial Guinean leader, since the start of the two country's diplomatic relations in 1991.

Equatorial Guinea is located just south of the equator in Middle Africa, between Cameroon and Gabon. It is one of the smallest countries in the continent, but one of sub-Sahara's largest oil producers. The wealth from oil has made it the country with the highest per capita income in Africa. The country's economy is also growing fast.

However, the country's wealth is distributed unevenly, and the country holds one of the worst human rights records in the world. The human rights organisation, Freedom House, has categorized the country as "worst of the worst" in terms of political and civil rights.


-- NNT 2013-03-05

[webfact]

Installing more CCTVs is BKK governor-elect’s top priority

BANGKOK, 4 March 2013 (NNT) - Bangkok governor-elect MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has announced that his first work after winning the Sunday poll is to install 27,000 CCTVs and improve public relations in order to make people learn more about his projects.

MR Sukhumbhand said he would request for budget from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Council for the CCTV installation and construction of more parks in Bang Bon and Bang Khae districts. The governor-elect confirmed the public would see the results of his work within one year.

Apart from launching new projects for Bangkok, MR Sukhumbhand said he would urgently follow up the progress of projects already begun during his previous term as Bangkok governor, such as the Giant Flood Tunnel, improvements to the city’s drainage and sewerage system and promotion of canals as alternative means of transport for Bangkok commuters. The governor-elect stressed that he would pay more attention to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s public relations work, which, he claimed, was a weakness in his last term.


-- NNT 2013-03-05