Thailand Live Thursday 21 Mar 2013

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Senate speaker supports Pheu Thai's three new charter amendment bills

BANGKOK: -- Senate Speaker Nikom Waiyaratphanich Thursday expressed support for Pheu Thai's three bills seeking to amend four provisions of the Constitution, expecting the bills would sail through Parliament.

Nikom said the proposed amendments would be useful for the country and would not be done to benefit a particular group of people as alleged by the so-called 40-senators clique.

Nikom said the proposed amendment to Article 190 would make Thailand more competitive in the world market while the proposed amendment to Article 237 to abolish party dissolution penalty would promote developments of political parties.

Proposed amendment to Article 237 seeks to grant exemption to parliamentary vetting on international agreements deemed to impact economic, social and security affairs.

-- The Nation 2013-03-21

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CRIME
Student in security guard beating surrenders to police
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Ramkhamhaeng University student, who allegedly led six friends in a brutal assault on a security guard over a parking dispute on Sunday, surrendered to police Wednesday night.

Saying he would not testify to police but only in court, 23-year-old Panjapol Tuenpakdi was refused bail and remains in police custody.


-- The Nation 2013-03-21

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ROBBERY
Two arrested for allegedly stabbing a journalist
Patinya Iamtan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two men who seriously wounded a Thai Post journalist during a robbery in Soi Suea Yai Utis Yai in Bangkok's Chatuchak district early Tuesday, say they had no intention of hurting the victim but reacted when he put up a fight.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Khamronwit Thoopkrajang presented the two suspects at Thursday's press conference. They are Preecha Wararam, 19, who robbed and stabbed the victim Suwat Panjawong, 29, in the neck and Saran Chunim, 23, who was driving the motorcycle while Preecha scouted for victims. The duo, nabbed at an apartment in Soi Suea Yai Utis on Wednesday along with the getaway motorcycle, face charges of robbery and attempted murder.

Metropolitan Police Division 2 chief Suthee Nanekantee said the duo reportedly confessed to police, admitting they had assaulted the victim but saying they didn't intend to cut or murder him. The duo claimed the victim resisted the robbery and that the stabbing was accidental.

Suthee said Saran had reportedly committed similar crimes and was wanted in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district as well as by Chokchai police. He also faces charges for taking yaba.

After the press conference, police took the pair to reenact the crime at the scene and pointed to the roadside bushes where they dumped the knife.


-- The Nation 2013-03-21

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10 injured in Pattani bomb attack
The Nation

PATTANI: -- A motorcycle bomb exploded in the heart of Pattani town Thursday, injuring 10 victims.

At least seven nearby motorcycles and three cars were also damaged in the incident. The blast erupted in front of a bakery shop after someone parked a motorcycle bomb there.


-- The Nation 2013-03-21

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Phuket Opinion: Housing boom making snail mail slower
Phuket Gazette


The volume of mail being delivered by the Rawai Post Office has increased so much that postal workers having to working on Sundays, too.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627522-phuket-opinion-housing-boom-making-snail-mail-slower/

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Committee formed for 4G auction

BANGKOK, 21 March 2013 (NNT) - The National Telecommunications Commissions of NBTC has set up a sub-committee to prepare and oversee the auction for licences of 1800 MHz frequency bands, to be used for 4G services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627527-thai-committee-formed-for-4g-auction/

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BMA warns dengue fever on the rise

BANGKOK, 21 March 2013 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has warned that the number of dengue fever cases is on the rise in the capital, and the spread of the tropical disease is likely to be more serious this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627528-b-m-a-warns-dengue-fever-on-the-rise/

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Thailand still mute on Rohingya killing

BANGKOK, 21 March 2013 (NNT) - The Thai military, government, and the National Human Rights Commission have yet to respond to calls by international organisations asking Thailand to investigate into the alleged killing of Rohingya asylum seekers by Thai navy personnel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627530-thailand-still-mute-on-rohingya-killing/

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Policy think-tank proposes overhaul of education system

BANGKOK, 21 March 2013 (NNT) - The policy think-tank, Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), has proposed an overhaul of the Thai education system, focusing on inducing incentives for teachers to care for their pupils.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627533-thailands-education-has-been-deemed-by-many-as-a-failure;-think-tank-proposes-overhaul/

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Failed BKK governor candidate Kosit launches "BKK 24". To open centres at 50 districts with initial 70 people, he welcomes all types of complaints. /The Nation

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PM agrees to amending Constitution article by article, believes no social rift will follow; will reshuffle only vacant Cabinet portfolios /MCOT

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Pattani blast kills boy, injures several others
Parez Lohasan,
Nakarin Chinnavornkomol
The Nation

PATTANI: -- A motorcycle bomb exploded in Pattani Thursday, killing a nine-year-old boy and injuring 12 others just days ahead of the official first round of peace talks between the National Security Council and the BRN-Coordinate.

The negotiations will start on Monday.

Police believed the blast in the heart of Pattani town was staged to fan unrest in the deep South.

Nisoplian Nisani, 9, died immediately, while his mother Waeleemag Jehloh, was among the injured. Most victims are now being treated at the Pattani Hospital.

Pattani Governor Pramuk Lamun expressed his condolences to the victims' families and convened an urgent meeting with security officials.

"We will examine recordings from security cameras and will nail down the culprits," he said.

About five kilograms of explosives were stuffed inside the motorcycle, according to police. The vehicle was parked in front of a bakery shop in a flea-market before the explosives were triggered at around 1.40pm Thursday.

Apart from casualties, the blast damaged seven motorcycles and three cars. It also shattered the windows and doors of many buildings nearby, including Pattani Probation Office and a local police cooperative.

-- The Nation 2013-03-21

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PM visiting New Zealand, Papua New Guinea
By English News



BANGKOK, March 21 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday left Bangkok to visit New Zealand and Papua New Guinea during March 21-25 to strengthen bilateral relations and seek investment opportunities in the agricultural sector, according to the Thai government's website.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627551-yingluck-visiting-new-zealand-papua-new-guinea/

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Russian tour agent in Phuket faces deportation
Phuket Gazette


Oleg Tikhomirova (right), from Russia, faces deportation from Thailand after being arrested in Patong for selling tours without a work permit. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration officers arrested a Russian tour saleswoman in Patong yesterday for working illegally and for illegally entering the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627572-russian-tour-agent-in-phuket-faces-deportation/

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Thai students set for mass tablet computer handout

BANGKOK, March 21, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand plans to distribute about 1.7 million handheld computers to students and teachers this year in the world's largest handout of the devices for education, officials said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627576-thai-students-set-for-mass-tablet-computer-handout/

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Police find inappropriate statements on TV talk show.
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, March 21 - A preliminary investigation of the five-part series of a highly-criticised talk show on Thai PBS found statements in breach of Thai law, the national police spokesman said today.

Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo said the investigation of the case will be done on a priority basis in light of some people's allegations that parts of the programme, aired on March 11-14 and March 18, are detrimental to Thailand's national security.

The. Torb Jote. , literally "Questions answered", Programme concentrated on the role of the constitutional Monarchy during its Five Days on the Air.

The controversial episodes which stirred public outcry included participation by Thammasat University history lecturer Somsak Jiamtirasakul and social critic Sulak Sivalaksa. Pinyo Traisuriyathamma was moderator.

Gen Piya said the national police chief has set up a 50-member investigative committee to handle the case based on the Criminal Law.

The committee was instructed to report progress of the investigation every 30 days, he said, adding that the probe will be wrapped up as soon as possible due to public interest in the issue.

He warned against publishing or sharing content of the programme. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2013-03-21

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Thaksin visits Dawei

A group led by the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Dawei this morning by private jet from Yagon.

Sources say he is visiting to discuss the Dawei Deep Seaport Project. He and his crew were welcomed by a project development committee members at Dawei Airport.

-- The Nation 2013-03-21

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 22 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627657-thailand-live-friday-22-mar-2013/