Thailand Live Thursday 4 Apr 2013

[webfact]

King grants audiences to new judges, new ministers and water committee

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) - At a conference room on the 14th Floor of the Chalerm Phrakiat Building in Siriraj Hospital yesterday evening (April 3), His Majesty the King granted audiences to the following groups of people respectively.

- Mr. Pairoj Wayuparp (ไพโรจน์ วายุภาพ), President of the Supreme Court led a group of new judges attached to the Office of the Judiciary to receive royal advice before taking up their positions. Also accompanying the group were Mr. Wirach Shinwinijkul (วิรัช ชินวินิจกุล), secretary-general of the Office of the Judiciary and Mr. Pairoj Nawanuch (ไพโรจน์ นวานุช), Chief Judge in the Court of Appeal.

- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra led newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Yukol Limlamthong and newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Sports Somsak Purisrisak who took the oath of allegiance in front of His Majesty prior to their assumption of the new posts.

- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra led the national committee responsible for water management to report to His Majesty the King the progress of the government’s project in laying down the water resource management system. On this occasion, the committee also presented to His Majesty a written report on their work progress and corrective guidelines to solve problems arising from natural disasters, as well as a camera for use at His Majesty's disposal.

The government has set up the Water and Flood Management Committee as the main center to solve flood problems in an integrated manner. Its projects already carried out in the first stage covered conservation and rehabilitation of forests in watershed areas. In this connection, the government undertook a reforestation program involving the planting of 800 million tree saplings on the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th Birthday anniversary.

In a longer term, the government plans to rehabilitate 8.5 million rai of watershed forests, construct more small and medium-sized reservoirs along the Yom and Nan river basins, develop natural water sources into monkey-cheek zones to absorb floodwater and improve clogged waterways to ensure floodflows into monkey cheek zones. More canals will be dug on both sides of the Chao Phraya to allow better flows of floodwater to the open sea. The government has already set up the national weather and water data center which provides information for use in the analysis and warning of flood situation.


-- NNT 2013-04-04

[webfact]

Court will rule on charter bid
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN,
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION



Accepts petition from senator; stops short of issuing injunction

BANGKOK: -- Though the Constitutional Court yesterday agreed to rule on the moves to change the charter's Articles 68 and 237, it decided not to order an injunction against the amendment process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630664-court-will-rule-on-thai-charter-bid/

[webfact]

Doctor fears P4P will affect patients
Kawintra Jaiseu,
Panyaporn Saithong,
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Dr Niparat Sripai has decided to quit her job at the Ban Fang Hospital because she believes the recently introduced Pay for Performance (P4P) scheme in the public healthcare sector will destroy medical workers' caring attitude toward their patients.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630665-thai-doctor-fears-p4p-will-affect-patients/

[webfact]

PM, Cabinet to face probe over Bt2-tn loan bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Cabinet are facing investigation on alleged abuse of power in relation to the Bt2-trillion loan bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630666-prime-minister-yingluck-cabinet-to-face-probe-over-bt2-tn-loan-bill/

[webfact]

Korean tensions, baht rise could impact thai trade
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is preparing for a rise in external and internal influences, including the growing tension on the Korean peninsula and the strengthening baht, which could affect its trading targets this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630667-korean-tensions-baht-rise-could-impact-thai-trade/

[webfact]

Gov's political future in jeopardy
Opas Boonlom,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,
Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation



DSI summons Sukhumbhand and deputies to hear charges

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630668-bangkok-governors-political-future-in-jeopardy/

[webfact]

EGAT urges for long-term measures against possible energy shortage in the future

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) – The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is calling on the whole country to look for long-term measures to cope with possible energy shortage in the future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630669-e-g-a-t-urges-for-long-term-measures-against-possible-energy-shortage-in-the-future/

[webfact]

Plodprasop to follow up on haze crisis in North

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi is slated to follow up on the haze crisis during his visit to the North from April 6-8.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630670-plodprasop-to-follow-up-on-haze-crisis-in-north/

[webfact]

THAI TALK
Without clear payback plan, Bt2-trillion loan will backfire
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Korn Chatikavanija, the former finance minister and the Democrat Party's deputy leader, posted on Facebook after the Bt2.2-trillion infrastructure loan bill passed its first reading in the House on Friday:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630671-without-clear-payback-plan-bt2-trillion-loan-will-backfire-thai-talk/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

It's our duty to get rid of bad politicians

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Just as MPs and senators have a responsibility to those they represent, voters have a reponsibility to reject corrupt and inferior representatives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630672-its-our-duty-to-get-rid-of-bad-politicians-thai-editorial/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Charter change no sure thing for government
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- Although the government has chosen a compromise route by seeking to amend four provisions of the Constitution instead of rewriting the entire charter, the amendment effort will still face many obstacles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630674-charter-change-no-sure-thing-for-thai-government/

[webfact]

Police adopt scientific approach to fighting crime
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) plans to apply research findings to its crime-prevention plans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630675-thai-police-adopt-scientific-approach-to-fighting-crime/

[webfact]

DSI finds Obec official's identity falsely used to access test papers for recruitment exam for teachers
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A senior education official's authority was falsely used to access a safety deposit box containing keys to the storage room for test papers used in a recent recruitment exam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630676-d-s-i-finds-obec-officials-identity-falsely-used-to-access-test-papers/

[webfact]

Australian Charged For Son's Alleged Holiday Sex With Prostitute On Koh Samui

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630677-australian-charged-for-sons-alleged-holiday-sex-with-prostitute-on-koh-samui/

[webfact]

Three charter amendment bills clear first reading
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The three bills seeking to amend four provisions of the Constitution were approved in the first reading early Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630687-thai-lawmakers-move-to-change-constitution-amid-court-challenge/

[webfact]

RT @mpoppel: REU: S.KOREA GOVERNMENT DENIES REPORT NORTH ORDERED FIRMS TO PULL OUT

OF KAESONG BY APRIL 10 - YONHAP

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: A bus has crashed into a pick-up truck in Udon killing 3 & injuring 30 - TR @js100radio

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,482.29, down 38.23 points /MCOT

[webfact]

RT @mpoppel: REU: N.KOREA THREATENS TO SHUT DOWN KAESONG INDUSTRIAL ZONE IF SOUTH

CONTINUES TO INSULT IT

[webfact]

North Korea repositions missile as world watches

SEOUL: -- North Korea appears to have moved a medium range missile capable of hitting targets in South Korea and Japan to its east coast, the South's Yonhap news agency reports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630691-north-korea-moves-missile-as-world-watches/

[webfact]

South Korea says report of North ordering Kaesong pullout false /The Voice of Russia

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: Teachers at a kindergarten school in Samut Prakan forgot about a 3 year old girl left in the school bus for 7 hours. She’s now in a coma.

[webfact]

Chakri Day commemorations in Phuket

PHUKET: -- Saturday (April 6) is Chakri Day, commemorating the foundation of the royal Chakri Dynasty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630692-chakri-day-commemorations-in-phuket/

[webfact]

Jay Leno To Leave NBC's 'Tonight Show' After 22 Years

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630693-jay-leno-to-leave-nbcs-tonight-show-after-22-years/

[webfact]

6 arrested for using forged ATM cards to withdraw cash from Bangkok ATMs

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) – 6 men from Malaysia and Sri Lanka have been arrested for using forged ATM cards to withdraw cash from ATM machines in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630696-6-foreigners-arrested-for-using-forged-a-t-m-cards-in-bangkok-a-t-ms/

[webfact]

Fake call centre stormed, foreigners arrested
By English News

BANGKOK, April 4 – Thai authorities arrested operators of a shady call centre when police raided an office in Thonglor on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630703-fake-call-centre-in-bangkok-stormed-foreigners-arrested/

[webfact]

OPTIMISM
Consumer confidence highest in 7 years
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai consumer confidence hits a 7-year high in March, buoyed largely by the passage of the Bt2 trillion borrowing bill.

According to University of Thai Chamber of Commerce, the CCI index in the month was at 84.8 points, up from 84 in the previous month.

Thanavath Phonvichai, director to the UTCC’s Economic and Forecasting Centre, pointed out that aside from the borrowing bill to finance infrastructure projects, consumer confidence was also boosted by a recent spike in the SET index, stronger baht value, and decreasing domestic oil prices.

-- The Nation 2013-04-04

[webfact]

RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- Xinhua: Health authorities investigating suspected 4th bird flu death in China; awaiting test results

[webfact]

Prem says corruption is the "worst" crime of the nation

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) – President of the Privy Council of Thailand General Prem Tinsulanonda says corruption is the worst crime, urging Thais to fight against the wrongdoing for the sake of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630714-prem-says-corruption-is-the-worst-crime-of-the-nation/

[webfact]

Suspension of gas supply from Myanmar could affect tourism sector

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT)-The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has set up a war room to handle possible power drops in economic zones and major tourist spots as the 10-day suspension of natural gas supply from Myanmar begins tomorrow.

According to the PEA, 120 mobile power generators with the capacity of producing 30-40 megawatts have been sought to provide power to places important to the economy. Pattaya City as well as Phuket are said to be at risk of experiencing low voltage during the period of no gas supply.

Phuket Governor Maitri Intusut expressed his confidence that there would be no blackout on the island as the PEA has been told to assure the constant distribution of power in every venue. However, he is encouraging hotels and other establishments to be wise about spending energy.

Meanwhile, power supply will be cut in non industrial zones of Chonburi in case of emergency to sustain power usage in the tourist and industrial enclaves of the province.


-- NNT 2013-04-04