Thailand Live Tuesday 2 Apr 2013

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Princess Sirindhorn receives well wishers on her birthday

BANGKOK, 2 April 2013 (NNT) - At Chitralada Villa yesterday at 9.08 hr, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn granted an audience to various groups of people who offered their best wishes to Her Royal Highness on the occasion of her birthday anniversary on April 2, 2013. Those people included the Prime Minister and Cabinet members together with their spouses, the Parliament President, Members of Parliaments and their spouses, the Senate Speaker, parliamentary officials, the Supreme Court President, leaders of various other courts of law, officials of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Election Commissioners, members of the State Audit Commission and the executive board of the Thai Red Cross Society.

Later on the day, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn granted an audience to members of the royal court and media members, namely editors, reporters and photographers of royal news from all television channels, who offered their good wishes to HRH on her birthday.

At 10.30 hr, Her Royal Highness granted an audience to village scouts representatives of civil servants, the military and police, various universities, schools, and associations, as well as many other groups of people who all offered their warmest wishes to Her Royal Highness on her birthday anniversary.

Since her childhood, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn had accompanied Their Majesties the King and Queen on their visits to remote and barren areas of the country, enabling her to learn of rural peoples hardship, including poverty, malnutrition, and lack of public health service and educational opportunities. Her Royal Highness embarked on her efforts to upgrade the quality of life of rural people since 1980. Some of her most outstanding projects are the Farming for Lunch scheme implemented at Border Patrol Police schools nationwide, and projects to conserve native culture and traditions. Her Royal Highness has constantly followed up the progress of various projects by herself. At present, many of the royal projects have served as models of development in neighboring and other Asian countries.

In the afternoon, Her Royal Highness granted an audience to members of the Privy Council and their spouses, who congratulated HRH on her birthday and presented a monetary donation. Later on, executive members of the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) also offered their warmest wishes to HRH on the same anniversary and presented a monetary donation for use in royal projects.


-- NNT 2013-04-02

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UPDATE

APRIL FOOL'S DAY
I'm still alive, Thaksin tweets
The Nation


Fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Twitter yesterday, posting his first tweet since November 1, 2011.

BANGKOK: -- After being away from Twitter for over a year, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra chose April Fool's Day yesterday to come back - to rebut rumours he had died in an accident in Dubai and say he will soon post articles on Facebook to share stories he thinks interesting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630065-i-am-still-alive-thaksin-tweets/page-3#entry6262220

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MEDICAL PERSONNEL
Dozens of doctors resigning
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK,
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION


Dr Arak Wongworachart, a former president of the Rural Doctors Society

146 to quit over controversial P4P system, including 11 specialists

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry's new medical salary system has prompted 146 doctors nationwide to resign from rural and urban hospitals, affecting medical services for people in local areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630186-dozens-of-doctors-resigning-over-controversial-p4p-system-including-11-specialists/

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POLITICS
Row over Speaker clouds debate
Kittipong Thavevong
The Nation


Parliament President and House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, left, sits down yesterday and asks his deputy, Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij, to stop chairing the first day of the House-Senate joint meeting at least for the time being

Opposition says Nikom can't be neutral and proponent of changes

BANGKOK: -- Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij came under fire on the first day of the parliamentary debate charter changes yesterday for insisting on his right to chair the meeting, despite being one of the proponents of amendments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630187-row-over-speaker-clouds-debate-thailand/

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CIVIL SERVICE DAY
Remain calm and open-minded, HM advises govt officials
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In an address to honour Civil Service Day, His Majesty the King yesterday encouraged government officials to remain calm and open-minded.

Civil servants are working for the public, so their impact on society is wide-ranging. With the large number of people involved, conflicts can sometimes arise due to different opinions. Bureaucrats should take criticisms seriously and see them as the collection of wisdom and experience from all walks of life.

Working this way, they can really accomplish results to advance the prosperity and development of the country.


-- The Nation 2013-04-02

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ANALYSIS
Tough job ahead for Yaowapa
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Though the ruling-Pheu Thai Party is certain it will win in the upcoming Chiang Mai by-election thanks to support from many strong factions, people in the province may be getting a bit bored of one clan holding all the power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630188-tough-job-ahead-for-yaowapa-thai-analysis/

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DSI to inspect delayed vaccine factory
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation


Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will today inspect a vaccine factory in Saraburi following complaints about its construction being delayed.

Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong will send a letter to the World Health Organisation (WHO) seeking to clarify whether it has advised the factory to upgrade its Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards because that could affect the construction.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) is responsible for the construction of the factory in Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district. The factory would produce vaccines for influeza and avian flu.

The GPO has said the WHO advised it to increase the GMP standard from 2 to 2+.

If the WHO replies that it never gave such advice, the Public Health Ministry would investigate, Pradit said.

Construction is also stalled on another GPO facility, an HIV-drug factory in Pathum Thani. Pradit said he expected to receive a clear explanation on the two-year delay from the GPO's board within the next few weeks. Reportedly, the delay has been caused by problems with the factory's humidity controls, he said.

If he does not get a clear explanation and evidence about the delay, Pradit said he would lodge a complaint with DSI.


-- The Nation 2013-04-02

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Tilting building near Bangkok 'should be demolished'
THE NATION

ONE OF TWO seven-storey dormitories under construction near Zeer Rangsit mall north of Bangkok was declared off limits after it tilted precariously. No injuries were reported.

BANGKOK: -- A seven-storey apartment building under construction at the back of Zeer department store north of Bangkok has been declared off limits, after it tilted and was inspected by local administrators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630190-tilting-building-near-bangkok-should-be-demolished/

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KLITY CREEK
Knowledge is the new weapon for villagers
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION
Kanchanaburi



The young must be educated to continue the battle, residents say

KANCHANABURI: -- More than 10 years has passed in their battle against health and environmental problems, but residents in a Kanchanaburi community nicknamed "the village of lead" will never forget the hardship that has cast a dark shadow over their lives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630191-knowledge-is-the-new-weapon-for-villagers-klity-creek/

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Patrolling rangers get a lucky break
PARES LOHASAN,
THORANIT PIRUNLA-ONG
THE NATION

BOMB EXPERTS successfully defuse a bomb aimed at harming rangers patrolling in Sai Buri in Pattani yesterday.

PATTANI: -- Rangers patrolling a rural road narrowly escaped death yesterday from a roadside bomb in Pattani's Sai Buri district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630194-patrolling-thai-rangers-get-a-lucky-break/

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Lessons From Thailand: Mobilizing Investment In Energy Efficiency
by Louise Brown and Athena Ballesteros

THAILAND: -- Developing countries will need about $531 billion of additional investments in clean energy technologies every year in order to limit global temperature rise to 2° C above pre-industrial levels, thus preventing climate change’s worst impacts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630198-lessons-from-thailand-mobilizing-investment-in-energy-efficiency/

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The situation of haze in the northern provinces has improved, except in Nan

BANGKOK, 2 April 2013 (NNT) – The situation of haze in the northern provinces has improved, except in Nan province where forest fires continue to burn.

Water trucks from Army camps in Nan and from Nan city municipality sprayed water into the air above the city, to help reduce airborne dust and haze. The effort was focused at tourism destinations and at communities.

The haze situation in Nan, however, was found to have deteriorated despite recent rain storms having helped to improve the haze problem in other northern provinces. Authorities attribute the deterioration to the continued burning of forests.

Mae Hong Son province remains the most haze-affected northern province.


-- NNT 2013-04-02

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13 dead in fire at Muslim school in Myanmar: police

YANGON, April 2, 2013 (AFP) - Thirteen people, including children, were killed after a fire broke out on Tuesday in a Muslim school in Yangon due to a suspected electrical fault, police in Myanmar's main city said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630203-13-dead-in-fire-at-muslim-school-in-myanmar-police/

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Trash fires cause evacuations on Koh Lanta
Phuket Gazette


Smoke from the trash fires on Koh Lanta has forced several families with babies to evacuate their homes. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Villagers on Koh Lanta, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, have evacuated their homes because of respiratory problems caused by garbage fires at a landfill. Local authorities say they are unable to control the fires.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630204-trash-fires-cause-evacuations-on-koh-lanta/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 1-12 April: 360,000 Thais aged over 21 are required to show up for the draft; 95,000 to be recruited to the armed forces

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Constitution debate stutters as Democrats protest, walk out

BANGKOK, 2 April 2013 (NNT) - The parliamentary meeting yesterday stuttered the whole day as MPs from Opposition Democrat party spent almost the whole day protesting and ended by walking out of the meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630187-row-over-speaker-clouds-debate-thailand/#entry6262542

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PTT sets up energy war room during Myanmar’s temporary gas delivery suspension

BANGKOK, 2 April 2013 (NNT) – Thailand’s oil and gas giant, PTT, has set up a war room to prepare the country for any outage during Myanmar’s temporary gas delivery suspension in April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630208-p-t-t-sets-up-energy-war-room-during-myanmars-temporary-gas-delivery-suspension/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,554.62, up 5.07 points /MCOT

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Phuket Russian teen students still in ICU after motorcyclist crash
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Two Russian students from Phuket’s British International School are tonight still in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Phuket International Hospital after being involved in a horrific motorbike accident on the bypass road yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630239-phuket-russian-teen-students-still-in-i-c-u-after-motorcyclist-crash/

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Northeast army command ordered to clarify temple dispute trial to local residents
By English News



BANGKOK, April 2 – Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered the regional commander for Thailand’s Northeast to explain to area residents on the Cambodian border about the upcoming hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) temple dispute.

He said Monday that the 2nd Army Region commander was told to reassure northeastern residents that the final decision on territorial conflicts near the temple on the Thai-Cambodian border depends on the ICJ action later this year.

He was referring to an instigation rumoured among people in the Northeast that Thailand will possibly lose a plot of territory adjacent to the temple site following the world court’s ruling.

Thailand and Cambodia are required to give oral statements before the ICJ at The Hague on April 14-18.

“We will abide by the ICJ verdict late this year. We should not talk too much details before the oral statements,” Gen Prayuth said.

Cambodia has asked the ICJ to rule on a piece of 4.6 sq km (1.8 square mile) of land near the temple site to which both countries have claimed ownership. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-02

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Pattani: 14 surveillance cameras burnt at several locations;2 security personnel injured by bomb attack /The Nation

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Strong Thai baht reduces February exports nearly 6%
By English News



BANGKOK, April 2 – Thai baht's appreciation by nearly five per cent -- 4.51 per cent -- since June last year reduced the value of Thailand’s exports in US dollar terms by nearly six per cent -- 5.83 per cent in February, according to a Bangkok business leader.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630252-strong-thai-baht-reduces-february-exports-nearly-6/

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Thai, South Korean tourism unaffected by peninsula dispute
By English News



BANGKOK, April 2 – Tourism between Thailand and South Korea continues as usual despite North Korea’s recent announcement of a state of war with Seoul, according to a senior Thai official.

Watchara Kannikar, spokesman of the Ministry of Tourism, said there was no indication of trip cancellations by South Korean visitors to Thailand and vice versa.

The ministry has not issued any warning but Thai travellers are recommended to check the latest situation before leaving for the peninsula country, he said.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said many Thai tourists plan to visit South Korea, particularly during the long Songkran holiday.

South Korean tourists to Thailand rank third after China and Japan, while the three favourite countries among Thai tourists during Songkran are Japan, China and South Korea.

Last Saturday, North Korea directed a flurry of furious threats at the South and warned that it would retaliate against any provocations by Washington and Seoul without prior notice. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-02

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PAD leaders to meet on Thursday before declare stance
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy aka the yellow shirts will meet at Baan Phra Arthit on Thursday to discuss the group's stance and direction of movements in the future, spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan posted on facebook.

The group has been silent for a while amid the government's push for controversial Bt2 trillion loaning bill and Constitution amendment.


-- The Nation 2013-04-02

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RT @KristieKenney: So proud to see the outpouring of donations @USEmbassyBKK for refugee victims of fire at their camp. #GivingBack

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Thaksin is busy talking, but is anyone listening?


Thaksin Shinawatra

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630254-thaksin-is-busy-talking-but-is-anyone-listening/

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Commerce Ministry: THB500,000 cap held for each farmer joining rice-pledging scheme

BANGKOK, 2 April 2013 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has asserted its determination to carry out the state-sponsored rice-pledging scheme to help small farmers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630258-commerce-ministry-bt500000-cap-held-for-each-farmer-joining-rice-pledging-scheme/

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Fake cosmetic products seized in Samut Prakan in police raid

BANGKOK, 2 April 2013 (NNT) – Fake cosmetic products have been seized by police during a raid in Samut Prakan Province. The combined value of those pirated products was around 5 million baht.

Samut Prakan police raided a townhouse after a report from a pharmacist, to find 5 women filling up bottles and other different containers with fake cosmetic cream and liquid. The containers bear the labels of “KONE”. The police then confiscated all of the pirated items believed to have been worth around 5 million baht. The police also took in custody a 63-year-old woman, who was supervising the place, as well as the workers.

The 63-year-old woman said she had been hired by a man called “Jo”, to supervise the filling and packaging process. She said she neither knew the brand on the bottles, nor the fact that they were pirated products containing danger chemicals forbidden by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She confessed that she had been doing the job for only a few months.


-- NNT 2013-04-02

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RT @AP: BREAKING: North Korea vows to restart all mothballed nuclear facilities at main Yongbyon complex.

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Luckless fisherman lands crocodile in Phuket heartland
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Decades since a freshwater crocodile was last spotted in the wild on Phuket, a local fisherman on Sunday accidentally landed a baby specimen while fishing in Srisoonthorn, in central Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630260-luckless-fisherman-lands-crocodile-in-phuket-heartland/