Thailand Live Wednesday 13 Mar 2013

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RT@191Thailand: RT @Karla_Cripps: Sad reminder to be careful when exiting taxis. Husband's friend hit & killed by a car in Bangkok late last night.

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PM Yingluck turns down rumors of upcoming Cabinet reshuffle

BANGKOK, 13 March 2013 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has turned down rumors, which suggested another round of Cabinet reshuffle is now on the horizon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625683-yingluck-turns-down-rumors-of-upcoming-cabinet-reshuffle/

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Deputy PM Chalerm opposes Patani City State idea; no such idea agreed as precondition with BRN /MCOT

BTS skytrain Co may invest in construction of rail-based mass rapid transit system for Jakarta if business model is right /The Nation

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DPM Chalerm: No govt involvement in EC's delayed endorsement of new Bkk governor

BANGKOK, 13 March 2013 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung said the government has no influence over the decision by the Central Election Commission to endorse an election result.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625596-central-election-commission-to-decide-fate-of-bangkok-governor-elect/#entry6200433

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Startled Smoker Ignites Plutaluang Village Oil Blaze

A Sattahip house used for storing illegal benzyl oil caught fire, which spread to two other homes. The fire began when two workers dropped an oil tank being unloading from a truck. A lit cigarette fell from the mouth of the surprised worker, which ignited the spilled oil on the ground.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625705-three-houses-burnt-in-village-oil-blaze/

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Don't buy ivory in Thailand, visitors warned
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreigners visiting Thailand have been advised not to buy elephant tusks or any ivory product, even a piece as small as an earring or bracelet.

Full story:

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SET index closed at 1578.70, up 2.02; Bt/USD29.49; GBP43.93; AUD30.13; EUR38.32; CAD28.60; HKD3.79; SGD23.52; JPY30.62

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Thailand's First Case: IPhone5 explodes while user is taking call
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: @MCOTDOTNET

BANGKOK: -- At 3pm yesterday, Suwicha Auesomsaksakul was almost injured when his iPhone5 exploded after he had been holding it to his ear for only 30 seconds.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625732-thailands-first-case-iphone5-explodes-while-user-is-taking-call/

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British agro-technology industry will prosper in Thailand: UK farming minister

BANGKOK, 13 March 2013 (NNT) - The United Kingdom's farming minister is hopeful that the upcoming free-trade agreement between Thailand and the European Union will help boost the British agro-technology industry.

The UK's Farming Minister David Heath said at a trade show in Bangkok, where he was leading a group of over 30 British companies, that the upcoming Thailand-EU trade agreement would "present great opportunities" for British businesses to "offer the latest technology, innovation and know-how to companies in Thailand and other countries in the region".

Companies and organisations present at the trade show include ACMC, a major supplier of genetically advanced pig breeding stock, the veterinary supplier Meriden Animal Health, and the British Pig Association.

The UK currently exports 80 million pounds' worth of food and drink to Thailand. Trade between the two countries is valued at 5 billion pounds per year.


-- NNT 2013-03-13

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RT @CBSNews: BREAKING NEWS: Black smoke emerges from Sistine Chapel chimney, meaning cardinals haven't elected next pope yet

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Thai security chief shoots down 'Pattani City State' initiative
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, March 13 – A senior Thai government security official today ruled out the possibility of establishing a so-called 'Pattani City State' to permanently resolve the long-standing crisis in Thailand’s southern border provinces.

In an abrupt reversal of his statement on Tuesday, National Security Council (NSC) secretary general Paradorn Pattanatabut said the initiative regarding the Pattani City State was merely a prediction of what the leaders of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgent group may propose to the government during the peace dialogue.

It takes time and feedback from different quarters to materialise the idea of a city state and final approval by the House of Representatives is needed, he said.

Lt Gen Paradorn said Tuesday that the 'Pattani City State', if established, would possibly return peace and safety to the Muslim majority provinces in southern Thailand.

Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva charged Lt Gen Paradorn with making a “careless statement” in saying earlier that the peace process for Thailand’s far South will conclude with the formation of the 'Pattani City State.'

He said the NSC secretary general should be more cautious in airing his opinions and that a conclusion in advance is harmful, adding that the government Pheu Thai Party had never raised the initiative of a so-called 'Pattani State' in its election campaign and the idea was opposed by southern people who called on more civic participation in such a move.

Meanwhile, Thaworn Senneam, Democrat deputy leader for southern affairs, called on the government to review its proposed royal decree to set up a public organisation to specially take charge of revitalising local communities and developing southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Satun and some districts of Songkhla.

He said the authority of the organisation duplicates that of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre, an allocation of budget to the organisation will contribute to misuse of the national budget.

There are only eight executives and a director in the proposed organisation and it is impossible for Parliament to check their budget spending, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-13

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Guidelines set for first government-insurgent dialogue
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, March 13 – A delegation comprising 15 members will hold represent the Thai government in the first round of dialogue with Muslim insurgents under the peace process for Thailand’s far South, meeting in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on March 28, a high-level security official said today.

National Security Council (NSC) secretary general Paradorn Pattanatabut said the Thai army will not be represented in the talks
with core members of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) during which Malaysian officials will also attend.

No decision will be made in the meeting and the NSC will transcribe the conclusion of the dialogue in a guideline, or roadmap, not an agreement, he said.

Lt Gen Paradorn attended a meeting of related government agencies today to work out issues to be discussed and preparations for the March 28 dialogue.

He said the authorities joining the dialogue will have to communicate the conclusion with government agencies, civic and political groups, and local and international media.

The prime minister has not given any specific policy for the March 28 talks but stressed that the dialogue must be in accord with the Thai constitution, and that Thailand is a single state, he said.

The March 28 dialogue is a follow-up of an agreement under the peace process, signed by the NSC and BRN representatives in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 28. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-13

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 14 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625838-thailand-live-thursday-14-mar-2013/