Thailand Live Friday 15 Mar 2013

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Most farmers found to be happy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Most farmers are happy with their livelihoods, a survey by the Bangkok for Agriculture and Agricultural Coopera-tives (BAAC) revealed.

As per the study, 75.8 per cent of the respondents have a high level of happiness, while only 24.2 per cent reported low levels. The key factors of this happiness are job security, ability to support oneself and a happy family. The main concerns are a drop in crop prices, rising cost, shortage of water and odd weather conditions.

In another survey, BAAC learned that 33.4 per cent of farmers have suffered from drought this year.


-- The Nation 2013-03-15

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UPDATE

Phi Phi may run out of water

THE NATION



PHUKET: -- Drought is threatening to spread to many parts of the country, with water in the renowned tourist getaway of Phi Phi Island set to run out as early as this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625977-drought-hits-phi-phi-island/#entry6205823

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POPULIST POLICIES
'Need for law' on public debt
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation


Nipon Poapongsakorn, senior lecturer at the Thailand Development Research Institute, left, former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, centre, and former deputy prime minister and finance minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula are among panellists

Experts want Parliament to control govt spending on populist projects

BANGKOK: -- Parliament should enact a law similar to the "fiscal cliff" legislation of the United States to control Thailand's public debts, which may exceed more than 60 per cent of the country's gross domestic product in 2019, economic experts said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626115-experts-want-parliament-to-control-thai-govt-spending-on-populist-projects/

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UPDATE:

31 PAD leaders indicted over 2008 protest
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thirty-one core members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, including co-founders Sonthi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang, were yesterday officially indicted for besieging Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports during the protest against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2008.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626058-thai-yellow-shirt-airport-protesters-to-face-trial/#entry6205846

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SOUTH TALKS
Security will top agenda, says Prayuth
PANYA THIOSANGWAN,
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION



Army chief says negotiators must not compromise national interest

BANGKOK: -- Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday that Thailand had the upper hand in the upcoming peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional group so people should not worry much.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626116-security-will-top-agenda-says-prayuth-south-talks/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Economic, political clout swayed many decisions at CITES meeting
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

Small nations were lobbied to vote in favour of influential countries

BANGKOK: -- The discussions on animal and plant trade protection under the world wildlife and plant convention have come to an end, but nasty tactics by influential powers have been blamed for many of the decisions made.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626117-economic-political-clout-swayed-many-decisions-at-c-i-t-e-s-meeting-report/

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EDITORIAL
A cultural icon that Thailand abandoned
The Nation

Once a sacred national symbol, the elephant is facing possible extinction due to human greed

BANGKOK: -- Thai Elephant Day on Wednesday was celebrated as the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference takes place in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626119-a-cultural-icon-that-thailand-abandoned-editorial/

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OVERDRIVE
Bubble warning as signs of speculation appear
Thanong Khanthong



BANGKOK: -- This week we shall look at the signs of bubbles in the Thai property market, stock market and the baht. Let's start with the stock market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626120-thai-property-market-bubble-warning-as-signs-of-speculation-appear/

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BURNING ISSUE
Yingluck's govt faces three key challenges
Avudh Panananda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is encountering political turbulence which can lead to drastic changes for her as well as her government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626122-yinglucks-govt-faces-three-key-challenges/

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Former ministers report their assets one year on
Anuphan Chantana,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Former defence minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha owns 204 amulets and 455 Buddha statutes worth more than Bt49 million in total.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626123-former-thai-ministers-report-their-assets-one-year-on/

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DSI to pursue probe despite police extending contract with PCC
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will proceed with its investigation into alleged bidding collusion despite the Royal Thai Police Bureau's decision to extend the controversial project of constructing 396 police stations by another 30 days. The original contract ended yesterday.

However, police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew warned that if PCC Development and Construction Co was still unable to complete the job, the agency would terminate the contract on April 18 and ask the Office of the Attorney-General to sue the firm for Bt5.8 million per day in damages.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said it was the police bureau that had extended the contract, and had nothing to do with the DSI investigation, which was focusing on criminal codes and the Bidding Price Collusion Act.

He said the investigation would continue because DSI had found evidence of wrongdoing, and if the case can be concluded soon, his agency would file the report with the public prosecutor without waiting for the extended term to end.

Rak Prathet Thai Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit held a dramatic protest outside Parliament yesterday at 10am by smashing up a police station model. He said the project should be scrapped instead of civil servants using loopholes to help the contractor and wasting people's tax money. He said now that the contract had been extended, the firm has a month's reprieve from the |Bt5.8-million per day fine.


-- The Nation 2013-03-15

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Former Syrian Commando sentenced in 2011 New Zealand Jomtien murder case

PATTAYA: -- A Former Commando in the Syrian Army was sentenced on Thursday in relation to the murder of a New-Zealander on 23rd August 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626124-former-syrian-commando-sentenced-in-2011-new-zealand-jomtien-murder-case/

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Thai railways set eyes on dual track system
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, March 15 – A seven-year scheme for a dual track rail system, to be developed by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), will change the face of the nation, a senior official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626141-thai-railways-set-eyes-on-dual-track-system/

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Phuket: One dead in Patong Hill smash
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- One person is dead and nine injured, some seriously, after a bus with no brakes heading downhill into Patong sideswiped several cars and knocked motorbike riders flying just before 8am today (March 15).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626143-phuket-one-dead-in-patong-hill-smash/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,595.56, up 8.77 points /MCOT

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Local shopping malls to close 1 hr earlier during 5-14 April

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – Local shopping centers and malls have agreed to have shorter business hours to help save energy during the period that power outages are likely in April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626150-local-shopping-malls-to-close-1-hr-earlier-during-5-14-april-thailand/

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Two women arrested for making a business out of mailing methamphetamine pills

CHIANG MAI, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – Police in Chiang Mai apprehended two women who made a business out of mailing methamphetamine pills to dealers in other provinces.

The 334th Border Patrol Police unit discovered that the two women used fake names to mail the postal items to Lobburi and Trang provinces. CCTV images confirmed the two as the senders of the mails, prompting authorities to make the arrest.

The two women, Khwanchit Loetlat and Arirat Saensuk, confessed they have mailed the meth pills 5 times prior to their arrest. They were paid 70,000 baht each time by agents who bring them the drugs to be mailed to dealers in Lopburi and Trang.

Investigation is now underway to track down the rest of the people involved in the scheme.


-- NNT 2013-03-15

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SAS cancels codeshare agreement with Thai Airways
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626153-s-a-s-cancels-codeshare-agreement-with-thai-airways/

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Russian couple caught touting monkeys in Phuket
Naraporn Tuarob


Andrey Olegovich Belov, 31, and Ekaterina Nikolaevna Denisovich, 22 were found in possession of the monkeys.

PHUKET: -- A Russian couple were arrested on Koh Khai Nok yesterday afternoon (March 14), accused of possession of three baby macaques – a protected species.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626154-russian-couple-caught-touting-monkeys-in-phuket/

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UTCC: 2-trillion-baht project pushes Thai tourism industry

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) says the government’s 2-trillion-baht investment project will drive up the nation's tourism industry and expects the project to be the key to economic expansion in 3-5 years’ time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626159-2-trillion-baht-project-pushes-thai-tourism-industry/

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RT @191Thailand: Bombing in Ruesoh, Narathiwat leaves 3 police officers dead, 1 missing /via @Aim_NT

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UPDATE
Phuket: Witness describes Patong bus crash horror
Tanyaluk Sakoot



PHUKET: -- Phuket taxi driver Anan Phemjit, 56, has described scenes following a bus crash on Patong Hill this morning (March 15), saying he looked in his rear view mirror to see ‘injured bike riders lying all over the road’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626143-phuket-one-dead-in-patong-hill-smash/page-2#entry6206898

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Closure of Google Reader prompts web storm

SAN FRANCISCO: -- A decision by Google to close its popular Reader, which allowed users to easily follow updates from around the web, has sparked a storm of criticism by devoted fans of the service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626165-closure-of-google-reader-prompts-web-storm/

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More power for Samui, Pa-ngan islands
By Digital Media

SURAT THANI, Mar 15 – A new power station on Thailand’s southern island of Koh Samui was officially launched today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626174-more-power-for-samui-pa-ngan-islands/

[Lite Beer]

Natural Resources Ministry content with Thailand’s hosting of CITES CoP 16

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – The Natural Resources Ministry is content with the success of Thailand’s hosting of the international event on protection of endangered wild animals and plants.

Natural Resources Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk, on Thursday, chaired the official closing ceremony of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 16) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in Bangkok.

Mr. Preecha said he is content with the overall picture of the event, which Thailand has hosted for the second time.

The Natural Resources Minister added that Thailand is ready to follow all the conclusions reached for every proposal raised throughout the 12-day gathering, while the Thai government is planning to seriously strengthen all laws related to the clampdown on the hunting and the trade of wild animals and plants.

When asked about the meeting’s rejection of the proposed transfer of freshwater crocodiles from Appendix I to Appendix II, Mr. Preecha said he is not disappointed and will still propose the issue to the next meeting.

South Africa is selected to be the host of the 17th meeting of CITES in 2016.

-- NNT 2013-03-15

[Lite Beer]

TM the King and Queen congratulate new Pope

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) - Their Majesties the King and Queen have sent a message of congratulations to Pope Francis upon his election as new head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The message reads: "On the momentous occasion of Your Holiness's election as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the Queen and I take great pleasure in extending to Your Holiness our cordial congratulations and best wishes for your well-being and success."

-- NNT 2013-03-15

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PM Yingluck: BRN meeting merely talks, not negotiations

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has stated that an upcoming meeting between representatives from the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) group will only involve talks, and not negotiations

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday that the upcoming meeting between Thai government representatives the BRN, a Pattani independence movement group, will only focus on discussion of related issues while no negotiations will take place.

The PM’s assertion was heard during her meeting with ministers involved in the southern unrest and security-related agencies, such as the National Security Council, as well as Army Commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Thursday meeting was called for in order to allow all to look at the details of earlier talks between the NSC and the working committee in charge of the framework of planned negotiations with the BRN.

The government representatives are scheduled to meet with the independence movement group on March 28, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Prime Minister stated that the scheduled meeting is the first step towards a successful end of the years-long violence, which has taken thousands of lives and injured many more.

-- NNT 2013-03-15

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Thai authorities urged to find those responsible for brutal elephant killing in Kaeng Krachan

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – The government has urged the police to speedily apprehend those responsible for the brutal killing of an elephant in Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626119-a-cultural-icon-that-thailand-abandoned-editorial/#entry6207161

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German Turns Into Nudist At Chiang Rai



Residents of the Banmai market area in Muang Chiang Rai alerted police that a white man was standing bare bottomed and showing his body at the roadside.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626181-german-turns-into-nudist-at-roadside-in-chiang-rai/

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TAT forecasts 5-6% growth in revenue from European visitors in 2013

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident the country will see a sizable growth in spending by European travelers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626183-t-a-t-forecasts-5-6-growth-in-revenue-from-european-visitors-in-2013/