Emergency decree in far south extended for further 3 months
The Nation

The Cabinet Tuesday approved the National Security Council's proposal to extend the emergency decree in the three southern border provinces, due to expire on March 19, for another three months. Security in the restive region was also beefed up ahead of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) Commemoration Day today.

The proposal recommended that should the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) deem the situation in five districts to have improved, and in line with the government's talks with separatists, the emergency decree could be lifted in these districts and replaced with the Internal Security Act, without having to wait for the three-month term to end. The areas in question are Yala's Kabang and Betong districts, Narathiwat's Sukhirin and Waeng districts, and Pattani's Mai Kaen district,

NSC secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut explained that immediate implementation of the Internal Security Act in these five districts was not possible because consideration had to be given to the situation in the area, the atmosphere after talks with BRN and, most importantly, the civilian and police force's preparedness to handle it. In any event, the emergency decree remained necessary for officials' current work.

Paradorn, who signed an agreement for talks with BRN liaison office chief Hassan Taib in Malaysia on February 28, asserted that the March 28 discussions with the BRN would help ease violence. He added that other groups might also attend these talks.

-- The Nation 2013-03-12

Skype address shows Thaksin orders, Pheu Thai follows
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's address to Pheu Thai Party via Skype on Monday once again proved that he is the top boss, something that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been consistently denying, at least in public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625420-skye-address-shows-thaksin-orders-pheu-thai-follows/

PM Yingluck govt's Bt15,000/tonne rice pledging scheme will remain unchanged for next crop: commerce minister /The Nation

Hundreds of workers affected by adverse impacts of Bt300 min.daily wage hike to rally Mar.14 at US,Netherlands,Australian embassies,Govt House /The Nation

Police capture drug trafficking gang; seize 65kg heroine with street value of Bt100 million /MCOT

Fiscal Policy Office: Bt2.2 trillion infrastructural development projects will spur 1-1.5% annual GDP growth, sees 5% growth in 7 years /MCOT

RT @191Thailand: RT @andrewlobb: Fire behind Sathorn 1. Seems to be getting quite a response http://twitter.com/andrewlobb/status/311401283208761344/photo/1

Thaksin loses libel suit appeal
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court Tuesday upheld the Criminal Court's ruling rejecting a defamation lawsuit filed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Thai Rak Thai against Sondhi Limthongkul and 10 others.

Thaksin and the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai alleged that Sondhi, owner of Manager Media Group, had defamed him during a seminar on May 24 and 25 2006. The seminar was titled "The Finland Declaration - Thai Rak Thai's strategy to rule Thailand".

Other defendants included former senator Chirmsak Pinthong and two academics - Chai-anan Samudvanijaya and Pramote Nakhonthap.

The Appeals Court upheld the ruling of the Criminal Court that the seminar did not state at all that Thaksin had really made an agreement, called the Finland Declaration.

The Appeals Court ruled that Sondhi and other panellists of the seminar had their right to question the work of Thaksin because he was then the prime minister and a public figure.

The Appeals Court also ruled that ASTV and the Manager website had done nothing wrong by broadcasting the seminar.


-- The Nation 2013-03-12

SET index closed at 1576.68, down 0.97; Bt/USD29.49; GBP43.84; AUD30.22; EUR38.25; CAD28.55; HKD3.80; SGD23.48; JPY30.51

Three Thai butterflies close to extinction
Tanpisit Lerdbamruchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Three Thai butterfly species are close to extinction but can still be traded under international laws.

Watana Sakchoowong, of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said Tuesday the endangered species are Teinopalpus imperialis, Troides amphysus and T Helena.

They are listed in Cites' Appendix II alongside the Bhutanitis lidderdalii and T aeacus butterflies.

Insects on Appendix II can be traded but with certain control measures. Only the species on Appendix I receive full legal protection and cannot be sold.

"The Bhutanitis lidderdalii butterflies have vanished from Thailand for more than three decades already," he said.

T aeacus butterflies could still be found but only in small numbers, he said.

Thailand is home to about one million butterfly species, 20 of which are protected under Thai laws and five under Cites. The country is a butterfly exporter, sending millions of pupas to Europe each year. "The major buyer is Britain," he said.

The 16th CITES conference - a triennial forum governing the international trade in flora and fauna - is being held in Bangkok and will run until Thursday.


-- The Nation 2013-03-12

Bangkok Election Commission will forward 2 complaints regarding BKK governor's election to Election Commission for consideration Thu /MCOT

'Thaksin Where Are You?' writer appointed deputy govt spokeswoman
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sunisa Lertpakawat, the former Army lieutenant who came to fame in 2007 for her book "Thaksin Where Are You?", has been promoted to deputy government spokeswoman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625444-thaksin-where-are-you-writer-appointed-deputy-govt-spokeswoman/

Baht near 19 months high at Bt29.63/U$ at 3pm today due to inflows to Thai stocks,bonds markets /The Nation

Riders horrified by BTS doors opening before station

By Coconuts Bangkok

Photo: @zungzae

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625503-bangkok-riders-horrified-by-skytrain-doors-opening-before-station/

Government chief, 100-year-old tree deliver crushing blow to driver’s insurance
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: The chief of the Phuket Provincial Social Security Office (PPSSO) has denied any liability for a tree – believed by locals to be about 100 years old – that fell and crushed five cars in the Social Security car park this morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625518-government-chief-100-year-old-tree-deliver-crushing-blow-to-drivers-insurance/

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 13 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625548-thailand-live-wednesday-13-mar-2013/