Thailand Live Friday 8 Mar 2013

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Transport Min: Air traffic to be under control in case of April blackout

BANGKOK, 7 March 2013 (NNT) - Deputy Minister of Transport Gen. Prin Suwannathat has assured that air traffic control towers across the country will be able to operate continuously 24 hours a day without effects from a possible power outage on 5 April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624412-thai-transport-min-air-traffic-to-be-under-control-in-case-of-april-blackout/

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RT@Bangkok: There will be traffic: Friday afternoon - flyover at Rama 4 and Sathorn closed http://t.co/eEmUxT9JEe

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Thai central bank to soon allow retail stock investors to make own foreign investment

BANGKOK, 8 March 2013 (NNT) – The central bank will soon give a green light to retail investors to make their own investment in foreign stocks while warning all to watch out for an influx of overseas funds.

The Bank of Thailand (BoT)’s Deputy Governor Pongpen Ruengvirayudh said that, under the central bank’s Capital Account Master Plan – Phase 2 that will be put into use in 2014, Thai retail investors will be allowed to make their own investment of no more than 20 million US dollars in foreign stock markets without having to go through the broker.

Mrs. Pongpen stated that such a relaxation means a number of BoT regulations will be legitimately bypassed and more local funds will likely be invested overseas.

However, she noted that investors must possess clear knowledge and understanding while securities and asset management companies must work harder to cope with more fierce competition.

Meanwhile, the BoT’s Deputy Governor added that the central bank will likely adjust upward this year’s economic growth target from its initial projection of 4.9% in 2013, due to a significant increase in domestic demand.

-- NNT 2013-03-08

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Women’s group demand better welfare for female labour force
By English News

BANGKOK, March 8 – About 500 women demonstrated at Thailand’s Government House today, calling for improved state welfare for the country’s female labour force.

Marking United Nations-designated World Women’s Day today, the women’s labour network urged the Yingluck Shinawatra government to set up more child care centres in industrial zones and communities, called on it to endorse the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No. 183 on maternity protection, and asked for expanded social security coverage, including maternity welfare, for every labour group.

The demonstrators also demanded equal representation for male and female members on the Social Security Board to better protect the rights of woman workers. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-08

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Yingluck promises gender equality in employment opportunities
The Nation

The government of Thailand's first female prime minister has vowed to do away with sexual inequality in employment, announcing the move as a key strategy to develop the country.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra promised to promote better employment opportunities for women in her speech to mark International Women's Day. The transcript of the speech was published on www.thaigov.go.th.

In her speech, the prime minister congratulated all women and noted that women have not until now played prominent roles as leaders of governments and business organisations. She cited South Korea President Park Geun-hye as an example of a successful national leader.

Yingluck said that women constituted more than half of the Thai population but still faced inequality when it comes to employment opportunities. Worse still, a lot of women have become victims of violence in several forms, including human trafficking, she said.

"The chance for women to rise to high positions is still restricted. Thus, the government has set the creation of sexual equality as a strategy for the country's development," Yingluck said.

"Sexual equality will not only be a development goal but will reduce poverty and lead to sustainable development. And development of the female population is an important step towards creating a development base for the country."

-- The Nation 2013-03-08

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Asia has highest proportion of women in top jobs, survey shows

About 400 female workers rally in front of Government House to call for better welfare on International Women's Day.

BANGKOK: -- Asia leads the world in the number of women in senior management, with China claiming top slot and Thailand boasting the highest percentage of female chief executives, a survey revealed Friday.

"Asia Pacific leads with 29 per cent of senior leadership positions held by women, compared to 25 per cent in the European Union, 23 per cent in Latin America and 21 per cent in North America," said the Grant Thornton International Business Report, released Friday to mark International Women’s Day.

"The country ahead of the pack in Asia is China, with 51 per cent of senior management positions held by women, compared to 25 per cent last year," the report said.

The report, based on 6,500 interviews with business leaders around the world, found that 24 per cent of senior management positions worldwide are held by women, compared with 21 per cent in 2012 and 20per cent in 2011.

At the very top of corporate management, women now make up 14 percent of chief executives, compared with 9 per cent last year.

The countries with the highest percentages of women chief execs were Thailand on 49 per cent, Denmark with 45 per cent, Germany at 40per cent, Latvia with 38 per cent and Japan, on 29 per cent.

Japan, however, was near the bottom in terms of the overall number of women senior managers, at only 7 per cent, followed by United Arab Emirates, 11 per cent and Argentina, 18 per cent.

Emerging economies generally came out ahead of the developed economies.

"Women are playing a major role in driving the world’s growth economies, bringing balance to the decision-making process and the smooth running of their companies," said Francesca Lagerberg, head of tax at Grant Thornton UK.

-- The Nation 2013-03-08

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Border patrol police clash with drug smugglers at check point in Chiang Mai's Chiang Dao district; three dealers killed, large amount of drugs seized /MCOT

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Phuket tourists warned about illegal slow loris touts
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A seven-day educational campaign against profiteering from slow lorises and other wildlife is now underway on the streets of Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624459-phuket-tourists-warned-about-illegal-slow-loris-touts/

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Rare comet will be visible from Bangkok this weekend
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Between this Friday and March 17, Bangkokians will have a rare chance to observe a non-periodic comet as it passes through the Western portion of the sky visible from the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624462-rare-comet-will-be-visible-from-bangkok-this-weekend/

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Closing of Bang Sue parking lot
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- From March 9 or tomorrow, Bang Sue parking lot will be closed for #MRT commuters, as Red Line (Bang Sue-Rangsit) construction starts.

MRT operator, Bangkok Metro, advised commuters to park their vehicles at nearby park and ride lots - Chatuchak and Lat Phrao building.


-- The Nation 2013-03-08

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PM presides over opening ceremony of International Women Day event at Impact Arena Maung Thong Thani; calls for equality /MCOT

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BTS: gas cutback will not disrupt services in April

BANGKOK, 8 March 2013 (NNT) - Skytrain operator BTS has assured commuters that the train services will not face disruption during the planned power cutback in April.

The government has warned of possible blackouts next month, particularly on Friday April 5, the day state agencies project electricity use will peak ahead of a long holiday.

Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS) executives stated that the trains’ electric motors were powered directly from two electricity sub-stations in Mo Chit and Phai Singto. According to the company, its train operations have never been interrupted due to electricity supply issues during its 13 years in service,

They added that the company has prepared measures in case of power disruptions to ensure smooth and safe travel for the 400,000 passengers commuting by the BTS on a daily basis. In addition, BTS Group is set to coordinate with Metropolitan Electricity Authority on coping with possible power cutbacks during the day.

Amid mounting concerns over power outage paralyzing transport links, other transport agencies such as the Transport Ministry has confirmed that Suvarnabhumi Airport will not be crippled even if a brownout strikes as feared next month, thanks to the airport's efficient back-up power system.


-- NNT 2013-03-08

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Dutch tourist retracts Phi Phi sexual assault report
Phuket Gazette


Tourists arrive at Phi Phi Island, about 40km from Phuket. A Dutch woman on Tuesday reported to police she was raped on her first night on the island, but later recanted her story. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- A Dutch woman who reported to police that she was raped on Monday while on holiday on Phi Phi Island, near Phuket, recanted her story yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624500-dutch-tourist-retracts-phi-phi-sexual-assault-report/

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SET index closed at 1566.92, up 5.94; Bt/USD29.62; GBP44.29; AUD30.18; EUR38.66; CAD28.59; HKD3.81; SGD23.64; JPY30.91

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Army chief rules out troop withdrawal from South
By English News



PATTANI, March 8 – Thai troops will continue their peace-keeping missions in the country’s southern border provinces despite an initial agreement to hold talks between the authorities and a Muslim insurgent group, the army chief said today.

Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha is visiting Pattani today to get the latest update on peace-keeping operations in the region from army personnel based in the Muslim-majority southern border provinces.

He insisted that military units will not be withdrawn from the South unless the trouble-plagued region is free from violence, adding that the government’s agreement for talks with a Muslim militant group is in the infancy stage of the peace process.

“We are just taking the first step and talks have yet to start. The National Security Council will take the lead in collaborating with seven other agencies in the peace process,” he said.

The Fourth Army Region Command has been instructed to beef up their security missions to avoid incidents, he said.

Admitting that no measures could completely prevent violence, Gen Prayuth called on southern residents to keep an eye on insurgency activities and strictly follow the authorities’ advice on safety.

“The safety measures may be 90 per cent efficient if we set up checkpoints throughout the region but southern residents will definitely disagree with it. The best way is for them to cooperate with the authorities,” he said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-08

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PM vows to wipe out discrimination against women
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, March 8 – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra admitted today that a large number of Thai women continue to be victims of violence, but she promised to eliminate discrimination against women in Thai society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624504-yingluck-vows-to-wipe-out-discrimination-against-women-in-thai-society/

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Thailand fails to get crocodile species downgraded
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has failed to get major support from members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to downgrade the protection for Siamese and saltwater crocodiles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624507-thailand-fails-to-get-crocodile-species-downgraded/

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Norwegian accused of murder refuses to give testimony
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN


Photo: Orawin Narabal

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624508-norwegian-stein-dokset-accused-of-murder-refuses-to-give-testimony-phuket/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 9 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624613-thailand-live-saturday-9-mar-2013/