Thailand Live Tuesday 5 Mar 2013

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Meteorological Dept warns of high waves-strong winds in Gulf of Thailand

BANGKOK, 4 March 2013 (NNT) – The weather bureau has issued a warning on high waves and strong winds expected in the Gulf of Thailand during the next few days.

The Southern Meteorological Center – East Coast, on Monday, issued the third warning on high waves and strong winds, forecast in the lower part of the Gulf of Thailand.

The warning suggested that a relatively high pressure area from China continued to spread to Thailand’s North and Northeast. As a result, the east wind active over the Gulf of Thailand, the country’s South and the Andaman Sea became stronger.

It also stated that waves in the lower part of the Gulf of Thailand will rise to 2-3 meters because of such conditions.

The weather bureau has urged fishermen to remain cautious while at sea while small boats should remain ashore at least until March 6.

More information and update on the weather condition can be found at www.songkhla.tmd.go.th

-- NNT 2013-03-05

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Premium Thai rice gets ‘geographical indication’ seal
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, March 5 – Thailand is applying a geographical indication (GI) designation for its premium ‘sung yod’ rice from the southern province of Phatthalung, the director general of the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) said today.

IPD chief Pajchima Tanasanti said ‘sung yod’ rice is very nutritious and suitable for consumers with diabetes, adding that the European Union (EU) yesterday approved GI registration for ‘Hom Mali’ (jasmine, or fragrant) rice from Thung Kula Rong Hai in Thailand’s Northeast.

A product stamped with the EU-endorsed “Protected Geographical Indication’ seal is highly accepted worldwide for its premium quality.

Ms Pajchima said Thailand has been urged to register its Hom Mali rice in China since the high-quality grain is a favourite among Chinese consumers.

Hom Mali rice is grown in Thailand’s vast Thung Kula Rong Hai plateau which covers the five northeastern provinces of Roi Et, Surin, Maha Sarakham, Si Sa Ket and Yasothorn.

Thailand also plans to seek GI registration for its northeastern silk with Vietnam and penetration into the EU market in the future, she said.

Ms Pajchima said the Thai Senate will postpone legislation on odour and sound trademarks until 2015 – a decision which will affect Thai inventors of odour and sound who must wait for two more years. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-05

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Thai airport officials linked to rhino trade: police

BANGKOK, March 5, 2013 (AFP) - Thai authorities said Tuesday they would seek arrest warrants for three police officers allegedly involved in trafficking rhino horn through Bangkok's main airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623600-thai-airport-officials-linked-to-rhino-trade-police/

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Thailand, Sweden enhance bilateral trade, investment
By English News



STOCKHOLM, March 5 – Thailand and Sweden has signed an agreement which will contribute to bilateral law enforcement against organised and severe crimes, drug and human trafficking and terrorism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623602-thailand-sweden-enhance-bilateral-trade-investment/

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Crazed Elephant Kills Thai Wife On Rayong Beach



A 56-year-old Thai wife of a farang was fatally gored by a 2-year-old elephant on Maerampung beach. She was buying sugar cane to feed the elephant when it attacked her. The mahout said the hot weather had crazed the normally docile beast. The mahout and the elephant’s owner will be prosecuted by police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623605-thai-wife-of-german-man-killed-by-crazed-elephant-in-rayong/

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EGAT, MEA, PEA:no blackout during disruption of gas supplies from Myanmar;in worst case,power cut in countryside will spare business, industrial areas /MCOT

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Police to make alleged karaoke killers sing
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police have arrested two men for stabbing a man to death early Saturday morning outside a karaoke bar in the port area of Phuket Town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623635-police-to-make-alleged-karaoke-killers-sing/

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Blackout of 2 hours imminent on April 5 if energy supply is critical

BANGKOK, 5 March 2013 (NNT)-Thailand’s three major electricity providers may resort to power cut in some parts of Bangkok and other provinces on April 5th for a period of less than 2 hours, to save energy for domestic consumption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623637-blackout-of-2-hours-imminent-on-april-5-if-energy-supply-is-critical-thailand/

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Thai footwear industry faces labour shortage
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, March 5 – Thailand’s footwear industry is facing a labour shortage as many workers have returned to work in their hometowns following the nationwide minimum wage rise.

Kanchit Chanthanapornchai, chairman of the Association of Thai Footwear Industrial Promotion said that Thai footwear industry’s production dropped to 13.7 million pairs last year from its normal annual level of 19 million pairs.

Thailand lost market share to Vietnam, whose production capacity and export value tripled, but Thai entrepreneurs are not discouraged.

Mr Kanchit said that Thailand has good potential for higher production capacity and new innovation and Thai footwear industry is adjusting itself.

He said he believed Thailand has an opportunity to penetrate markets in the US, Europe and ASEAN countries with a target growth of five per cent or about US$1.8 billion or about 54 billion baht in value.

Besides the 300 baht minimum wage rise, what is worrying now is labour shortage of more than 10,000 persons as workers move to work at their hometown, the chairman said.

Entrepreneurs asked the government for assistance in coping with the labour shortage and that foreign labour is an option.

Singapore and Malaysia are Thailand’s rivals in terms of price competition, while Vietnam and Indonesia are competitors in production.

However, he believed that Thai footwear industry can compete with other countries if it improves quality and creates its own brands.

It will be able to penetrate markets in ASEAN countries when the bloc forms the ASEAN Economic community (AEC) in the next two years. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-05

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SET index closed at 1549.31, up 8.59; Bt22350(sell). Bt/USD29.67; GBP44.78; AUD30.20; EUR38.56; CAD28.75; HKD3.82; SGD23.69; JPY31.61

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Health lobby group: alcohol consumption threat to women workers' welfare

BANGKOK, 5 March 2013 (NNT) - Thailand's largest health lobby group has cooperated with a women's labour movement to campaign against alcohol and related "vices".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623661-alcohol-consumption-threat-to-women-workers-welfare-thai-health-lobby-group/

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Gold shop at Yala train station fresh market bombed; one wounded, but assailant grabs gold before fleeing by motorcycle /MCOT

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New Bangkok governor’s first task: 27,000 CCTVs for capital
By English News



BANGKOK, March 5 – The citywide installation of 27,000 closed-circuit cameras tops the agenda of newly-reelected Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra when he takes office, tentatively next Monday.

Mr Sukhumbhand said it is essential that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Democrat Party, to which he belongs, work closely to achieve the policies promised to Bangkokians during the election campaign.

“We have to prove to the 1.25 million people who voted for us that we’re working for them. We hope that the more than one million people who did not vote for us will join hands in pushing forward various projects for the interest of Bangkok people,” said the beaming Bangkok governor-elect.

He conceded that the BMA failed to solve the capital’s traffic woes during his previous four-year term, blaming it on a sharp increase of vehicles and heavy construction on the rail system at many locations in Bangkok.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva thanked party executives, MPs and general membership for going out in full force during the election campaign, saying that local election arenas were what former Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai had devoted himself.

Election Commission (EC) secretary general Puchong Nutrawong said the committee will meet tomorrow to decide if an official announcement will be made to endorse Mr Sukhumbhand as the new governor.

He said EC chairman Apichart Sukkhakanond will return from an overseas inspection trip Friday and the remaining four members may decide on an announcement at tomorrow’s meeting. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-05

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Phuket beach chair cut-back makes tourists grumpy
Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: Competition among tourists for beach-chair-and-umbrella sets on Karon and Kata Beaches has become fierce since one third of the chairs were removed on Friday (March 1).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623672-phuket-beach-chair-cut-back-makes-tourists-grumpy/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 6 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623761-thailand-live-wednesday-6-mar-2013/