Thailand Live Saturday 23 Mar 2013

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ACCIDENTS
Roads in Thailand the sixth most dangerous
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH
THE NATION



Songkran alcohol ban mulled in a move to reduce deaths during holiday

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627889-songkran-alcohol-ban-mulled-in-a-move-to-reduce-deaths-during-holiday/

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'Bangkok Rules' for women convicts
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Judges nationwide have decided to use the United Nations' Bangkok Rules in court trials and be more lenient with pregnant convicts or new mothers. Thailand's recent world ranking as the second highest in the number of female inmates suggests that Thai judges focus more on jail sentences rather than other alternatives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627891-bangkok-rules-for-women-convicts/

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UPDATE:
Yingluck says not easy to replace the PM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In response to speculation that her older sister might possibly replace her, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday only frowned saying she was far too busy to pay attention to rumours like this.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627791-position-of-prime-minister-is-not-easily-replaceable-yingluck/page-3?p=6231041#entry6231041

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MEDICAL ALLOWANCE
Ministry to set new rate for state doctors
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

Stipend to be based on number of patients, instead of remoteness of area

BANGKOK: -- Medical workers under the Public Health Ministry were up in arms after the state decided to reset their allowance rate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627893-thai-health-ministry-to-set-new-rate-for-state-doctors/

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Govt's first-car scheme slammed on social media
ASINA PORNWASIN



BANGKOK: -- The government's first-car tax-rebate scheme appears to be a boon for the auto industry and oil and gas companies. So far, the project has drawn some 800,000 applicants, which will translate to another 800,000 cars on Bangkok's already busy streets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627894-thai-govts-first-car-scheme-slammed-on-social-media/

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Drug trader gets life for running over two police officers
ANUPHAN CHANTANA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday sentenced a drug trafficker to life in prison for crashing his car into two policemen - killing one and seriously injuring the other - during a sting operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627895-drug-trafficker-gets-life-for-running-over-two-thai-police-officers/

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Pattani blast during Sukampol visit to South
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat faced an awkward moment yesterday, when his visit to Thailand's southern Yala province to attend a briefing on the setting up of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Coordinate (BRN-C), was marred by a bomb blast in the nearby province of Pattani.

The blast killed a boy and injured several others ahead of the government's plans to hold peace talks with the BRN-C, an umbrella organisation of insurgency groups in the deep South.

The blast highlighted the ongoing obstacles faced by the government and the BRN-C in reining in the violence and securing a lasting peace.

According to a security source, the BRN-C has been recruiting youngsters to train them as insurgents. The source, which has been operating in the three southern border provinces, said the BRN-C was divided into three layers of command - the ruling council, management and fighters.

According to the source, the ruling council was known as the Dewan Penilian Party, or DPP. It's secretary-general was Sapae-ing Baso and its deputy secretary-general, Asae Jehlong.

"Sapae-ing controls military affairs and fighters while Asae is in charge of political and foreign affairs," the source said.

The source added that BRN-C's management, known as DKP, was divided into seven areas - youths, fighters, Islamic affairs, economic affairs, revolutionary affairs, foreign affairs and governance.

According to the source, the third layer of the BRN-C was made up of members who planned insurgency attacks. Most of them were temporary members caught up in distorted Islamic teachings and trained to carry out jihad or "holy war". Members of the third layer of the BRN-C were divided into groups of youths and armed fighters.

The source claimed that the BRN-C had played an integral part in dispatching armed fighters to the three southern border provinces.

In Yala, six companies, or 648-armed fighters were operating there under the leadership of Usman Jeh-ubong.

In Narathiwat, there were 1,728 armed fighters operating under the leadership of Muhamadbaiyadi Waseng and in Pattani, 864-armed fighters staged attacks under the leadership of Haraning Taemamu, the source said.

Security agencies have also learned that insurgents are trained in two stages. In the first stage, they are trained to gather intelligence, and in the second stage they are taught to make bombs, guerrilla tactics and to carry out attacks.

Another security source said that a rift had developed among BRN factions in 1977, which led to the forming of the BRN-Ulama - an offshoot of the organisation. This in turn led to the forming of the BRN Congress, or BRN-C, in 1984.

The source said all BRN factions shared the same goal: to frighten Buddhists into fleeing the region.


-- The Nation 2013-03-23

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Thai woman jailed for Swiss prostitution ring

GENEVA, March 23, 2013 (AFP) - A Swiss court Friday sentenced a Thai woman to six and a half years behind bars for her role in a forced prostitution ring, in one of Switzerland's biggest ever human trafficking cases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627896-thai-woman-jailed-for-swiss-prostitution-ring/

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People wary as tyres set on fire in many areas
PAREZ LOHASAN
THE NATION

PATTANI: -- The situation in Pattani's Panare district was tense early yesterday after tyres were found burning simultaneously at several spots on Thursday night.

Pattani police chief Maj-General Ekapop Prasiwattanachai received reports that tyres had been set fire to at nine spots, including the Panare-Sai Buri Road. Reports of the fires came after Ekapob led a joint team to search a house in Yarang district.

An 18-year-old man was found inside the house armed with a gun and in possession of ammunition and about 7 kilograms of urea, which can be used as a fertiliser and a precursor for explosives. The man was detained for questioning.

In a separate incident, Nipahari Laehae, 32, was shot dead in Pattani's Kapho district while he was travelling along the Ban Beu Lor Rd. Also found at the scene was an abandoned motorcycle, four methamphetamine tablets and a bottle of cough syrup.

Initial investigation showed that Nipahari was riding his motorbike home, when another bike caught up with him and a man who was riding pillion shot him. After the victim fell off his motorcycle, the gunman walked up and shot him in the head.

Police are trying to determine the cause of the shooting.

-- The Nation 2013-03-23

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BT290m compensation for protesters
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The government has earmarked Bt290 million as compensation for some 363 protesters held in remand against whom charges were dropped or led to acquittals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627897-political-turmoil-from-2005-to-2011-bt290m-compensation-for-thai-protesters/

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Update: Fire kills 30 at Mae Hong Son refugee camp

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627865-fire-kills-27-at-mae-hong-son-refugee-camp/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Disney on Ice at Impact Arena, today & tomorrow at 11am, 3pm & 7pm, and Monday at 3pm & 7pm. Tickets 600-2,000B from Thai Ticket Major.

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RT @RichardBarrow: Commart Thailand 2013 this weekend at QSNCC, from 10am-8pm, featuring latest IT gadgets, accessories & tablets.

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UPDATE:

42 die in fire at Myanmar refugee camp in Thailand: official

BANGKOK, March 23, 2013 (AFP) - At least 42 people died and dozens were injured in a fire at a camp for Myanmar refugees in northern Thailand, the provincial governor said Saturday giving an updated toll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627865-fire-kills-27-at-mae-hong-son-refugee-camp/page-2?p=6231564#entry6231564

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Dust alert in all eight of Thailand's northern provinces
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Mar 23 – The haze and dust situation in Thailand’s eight northern provinces may worsen, while Mae Hong Son residents were instructed to stay indoor and wear protective masks when going outdoor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627929-dust-alert-in-all-eight-of-thailands-northern-provinces/

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International Music Festival this weekend

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627937-international-music-festival-this-weekend/

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33 Myanmar refugees die in fire at camp in Thailand
By Digital Media



MAE HONG SON, March 23 -- At least 33 displaced Myanmar living at a temporary camp in the northern province of Mae Hong Son died Friday in a raging fire, while over hundred others were injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627865-fire-kills-27-at-mae-hong-son-refugee-camp/?p=6231806#entry6231806

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RT @veen_NT: Call Karenni National Women Organization (KNWO) at 085 721 3860 if you want to send help to refugees. (Eng speaking only). #MaeSurinFire

RT @veen_NT: You can donate at Kasikorn account 285-2-20743-7 , Acct name KNWO Beh Beh Nosurname and MS Lim Elizabeth. #MaeSurinFire

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RT@191Thailand: A local official was killed & villager seriously wounded in separate drive-by shootings in Pattani (Bangkok Post)

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Family Of Four Flees From Burning Car Wreck

A Toyota Camry sedan with an LPG gas tank swerved to avoid hitting a motorcycle, but overturned into a drainage channel and burst into flames. A family of four was inside the vehicle, but escaped safely from the overturned car through a window. The accident occurred on Sukhumvit Road near Jomtien.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627974-family-of-four-flees-from-burning-car-wreck/

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Market sheds 50 points on record volume of Bt101billion; Kittiratt says drop nothing to panic about

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627991-market-sheds-50-points-on-record-volume-of-bt101billion;-kittiratt-says-drop-nothing-to-panic-about/

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UPDATE

45 dead in refugee camp fire: Thai official

MAE SURIN, Thailand, March 23, 2013 (AFP) - The toll from a blaze that swept through a camp in northern Thailand has risen to 45, authorities said Saturday, after hundreds of shelters for refugees from Myanmar were reduced to ashes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627865-fire-kills-27-at-mae-hong-son-refugee-camp/?p=6232637#entry6232637

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Over 100 Rohingya people arrested in Phuket, ashore at Loan Island
By Digital Media

PHUKET, March 23 - One hundred and six Rohingya migrants were arrested in this southern province after they washed ashore and were staying at Loan Island.

Local authorities, including Phuket mayor Arun Solot, investigated the apprehended Rohinya on Saturday.

Inititally, they said the boat people travelled from Myanmar's Rakhine on Jan 22 in order to settle in Malaysia. However, the boat was lost and headed into India's territorial waters, where this group of Rohingya were apprehended on Jan 26 and freed on March 19.

After India, the Rohinya again tried to reach Malaysia, but their boat engine was out of order; therefore they were forced to land at Loan Island and finally were arrested by Thai authorities to face further legal actions. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-23

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 24 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628121-thailand-live-sunday-24-mar-2013/