Thailand Live Wednesday 3 Apr 2013

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WAR?
Evacuation plan in place for Thais in South Korea
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two C-130 aircraft and an Airbus A310 are on stand by to evacuate Thais living in South Korea within 48 hours should a military conflict erupt, Royal Thai Air Force commander Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong said.

North Korea on Friday issued a new threat to attack the US, reacting to a show of force by two US B-2 stealth bombers that dropped inert munitions on to a South Korean training ground not far from the North's border.

Pyongyang said its targets were the US mainland as well as bases in Hawaii, Guam and other areas of the Pacific as well as South Korea.

There are about 43,000 Thais living in South Korea, according to the Foreign Ministry.


-- The Nation 2013-04-03

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GAMBLING
Isaan teachers warned to keep away from gambling
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tens of thousands of Thais were nabbed for gambling last year - so many that it now rates as the third highest category of criminal cases. It has also affected teachers in provinces in the lower Northeast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630446-isaan-teachers-warned-to-keep-away-from-gambling/

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CHARTER AMENDMENT
Senator asks court to rule on move to change Article 68
Chanikarn Phumhirun
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A senator asked the Constitution Court yesterday to prohibit any change to Article 68 of the charter and suspend the deliberation in Parliament pending a ruling on the move.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630447-thai-senator-asks-court-to-rule-on-move-to-change-article-68/

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CHARTER REVIEW
Compromise over 'biased' Senate speaker
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Chanikarn Phumhirun
The Nation



Nikom agrees to abstain from voting on draft charter-change legislation

BANGKOK: -- Senate Speaker Nikom Wairat-panij yesterday vowed to abstain in the vote for charter change in order to ensure his neutrality.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630448-thai-charter-review-compromise-over-biased-senate-speaker/

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SET Index may hit 1,700 this year: Survey
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The SET Index could hit 1,700 points this year on the back of the government's Bt2-trillion infrastructure investment project and estimates of listed companies' 2013 earnings growth, according to the Securities Analysts Association.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630449-s-e-t-index-may-hit-1700-this-year-survey/

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STOPPAGE TIME
The Bt2 trillion shame: views from the future
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- The following conversation takes place in the year 2063. A five-year-old boy, his 25-year-old father and 50-year-old grandpa are having a virtual get-together one day ahead of the child's neurological implant that will make him 100 times smarter than the ancient Alan Greenspan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630450-the-bt2-trillion-shame-views-from-the-future/

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Amendments serve Pheu Thai: Abhisit
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

Charter changes would deepen rift, opposition says; set for rewrite: Chaturon

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has opposed changes to the Constitution on the grounds they are designed to help the ruling party cling to power rather than improve the political system

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630451-amendments-serve-pheu-thai-abhisit/

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Sukhumbhand appoints 4 deputies
Thanatpong Kongsai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has now appointed his four deputies. Together, they are expected to help run the capital over the next four years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630454-bangkok-governor-sukhumbhand-appoints-4-deputies/

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Seminar spells out education system's inadequacies
Wannapa Khaopa
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The education system is failing in properly equipping juveniles to join the job market, as six out of 10 only complete at most a higher secondary or vocational education, a seminar heard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630453-thai-seminar-spells-out-education-systems-inadequacies/

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Live or dead vaccines? DSI probes GPO's plans
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation will be turning to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international health organisations in resolving the conflicting information on vaccination given by Thailand's Public Health Ministry and the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO).

While the ministry has said that dead vaccine is more effective, the GPO has insisted that live attenuated vaccine is better.

"This issue is the subject of scrutiny because GPO has changed its manufacturing machine into one that produces live attenuated vaccine," Tharit Pengdit said yesterday in his capacity as head of the DSI.

He said the DSI would ask WHO and other international health agencies to assign experts to provide opinions on the issue.

Currently, the DSI is investigating the ongoing construction of the GPO vaccine factory in Saraburi.

The construction project is being investigated because of changes in the machine specifications and the fact that there are four construction contracts, not just one.

"It's quite strange. Normally, there would be just one construction contract," Tharit said.

-- The Nation 2013-04-03

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Coral cultivation hailed as success for Thailand
Saowanee Nimpanpayungwong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science yesterday hailed Thailand's first success in breeding and releasing warm-water corals, bringing fresh hope in the battle against coral bleaching in Thai seas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630456-coral-cultivation-hailed-as-success-for-thailand/

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CTP MPs Yukol and Somsak new ministers, endorsed by King
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King has endorsed appointments of Agriculture Minister Yukol Limlaemthong as a deputy prime minister, and Somsak Purisrisak as the new tourism minister.

Both Chat Thai Pattana Party MPs will fill vacancies left by Sanan Kachornprasart and Chumpol Silapa-archa, respectively, both of whom passed away recently.

-- The Nation 2013-04-03

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Motor Show expected to drive away with record sales
Kingsley Wijayasinha
The Nation



New Toyota Vios likely to be biggest seller

BANGKOK: -- Despite the conclusion of the government's First Car Buyer Programme at the end of last year, the Bangkok International Motor Show is serving as a major auto extravaganza that is dramatically helping to boost auto sales.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630457-bangkok-international-motor-show-expected-to-drive-away-with-record-sales/

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Realty boom seen in Hua Hin next year
The Nation

HUA HIN: -- The real-estate market in the Hua Hin area will see strong growth as developers from Bangkok launch condominium projects there next year, according to Knight Frank Chartered (Thailand) Co.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630458-realty-boom-seen-in-hua-hin-next-year/

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BlackBerry shoots for top spot in Thai market
Jirapan Boonnoon
The Nation


Benoit Nalin, BlackBerry country director for Thailand, shows the new Z10 smart phone.

BANGKOK: -- BlackBerry says it expects to gain the No 1 position in Thai mobile-phone market in three years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630460-blackberry-shoots-for-top-spot-in-thai-market/

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RT @RichardBarrow: The highest recorded temperature in Thailand yesterday was 42.1C in Thoen, Lampang Province. In Bangkok, it was 38.2C

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Amnesty 'outrage' at Saudi paralysis sentence

The reported sentencing of paralysis for a Saudi man as punishment for paralysing another man has been described as "outrageous" by a leading human rights group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630464-amnesty-outrage-at-saudi-paralysis-sentence/

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PM Yingluck 'Woman of the Year 2013'
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, April 3 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday received a "Woman of the Year" award for her role in supporting the empowerment of women in the society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630474-yingluck-woman-of-the-year-2013/

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Alcohol laws to be strictly enforced during Songkran

File photo

BANGKOK, 3 April 2013 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police will be strictly enforcing the alcohol laws to reduce accidents and crimes during the upcoming Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630477-alcohol-laws-to-be-strictly-enforced-during-songkran/

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Zoos are implementing various methods to help animals combat summer heat

BANGKOK, 3 April 2013 (NNT) – Zoos in Thailand are implementing various methods to help the animals combat the summer heat.

At Dusit Zoo in Bangkok, frozen meat, vegetables and fruits were mixed with electrolytes and given to animals to alleviate their stress resulting from the heat. Sprinklers are installed at show venues and are opened during afternoon shows. Shaded areas have been increased by the hanging of sheets. Ice chunks are put into the cages of animals, some of which were also being given frozen soft drinks.

At Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, chicken carcasses are hanged above pools to encourage tigers to jump in. The tigers are also being given frozen meat for snacking on. As for the bears, they are snacking on frozen watermelons, pineapples and apples. Water is also sprayed into the animals’ cages to help them cool down.


-- NNT 2013-04-03

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Phuket: Family call for news of ‘missing’ German man
Claire Connell


Benjamin Jürgs.

PHUKET: -- The family of German man Benjamin Jürgs are calling on members of the public to let them know if they encounter him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630481-phuket-family-call-for-news-of-missing-german-man/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,558.63, up 8.09 points /MCOT

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TOURISM
Thailand sees influx of Eastern European visitors
The Nation



Over 1.6 million Eastern European tourists landed in Thailand in 2012, 82 per cent from Russia, according to a research.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630491-thailand-sees-influx-of-eastern-european-visitors/

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Marine abducted and shot dead in Thai south: army

NARATHIWAT, Thailand, April 3, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai marine has been abducted and executed in Thailand's deep south in a possible revenge attack for losses sustained by militants in a botched raid on a military base, an army spokesman said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630494-marine-abducted-and-shot-dead-in-thai-south-army/

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Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reaffirmed constitution amendment would benefit Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reaffirmed that the constitution amendment will benefit Thailand. The comment came in light of Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn's asking the constitution court to issue an injunction against the charter amendment.

The Premier expressed her confidence that the court would rule in favor of the proposed amendment, which would benefit the country. She also said that the charter amendment would yield a solution to the current political deadlocks, paving the way for ASEAN Economic Community, of which all other member countries already had such a charter.

Ms. Yingluck reiterated that the amendment would only apply to certain sections of the constitution, and the processes involved were transparent.

-- NNT 2013-04-03

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RT @RichardBarrow: The ambulance emergency hotline in Thailand is 1669 http://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/319315724235571202/photo/1

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Tourist security: Safety zones on Phuket
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

PHUKET: -- Thailand’s biggest holiday island is creating safety zones so that the millions of foreign tourists can feel more secure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630500-tourist-security-safety-zones-on-phuket/

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Suvarnabhumi ranks no 6 on world's best airport list


Suvarnabhumi Airport Departures Hall
File phote. Source: Wikipedia.org

BANGKOK, 3 April 2013 (NNT)-Suvarnabhumi reportedly ranked 6th on the Airports Council International (ACI) world's best airport list last year. It is said that the title could not have been without the efforts from all sectors involved on a day to day operation at Suvarnabhumi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630504-suvarnabhumi-ranks-no-6-on-worlds-best-airport-list/

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UPDATE

CHARTER AMENDMENT
PM looks to court to find way out of constitutional impasse
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged the Constitution Court to provide a way out of the constitutional impasse, saying the country cannot move forward if the highest law is not amended to ensure justice, democratic principle and bring about international confidence in the country's legal system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630447-thai-senator-asks-court-to-rule-on-move-to-change-article-68/#entry6266567

[Lite Beer]

Coalition to defy court order on bill deliberation: chief govt whip

BANGKOK: -- The chief government whip Wednesday insisted that the coalition and senators would press ahead with the deliberation of a bill seeks to amend Article 68 even if the Constitution issues an injunction to suspend the deliberation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630447-thai-senator-asks-court-to-rule-on-move-to-change-article-68/#entry6266607