Thailand Live Thursday 4 Apr 2013

[Lite Beer]

60-year-old and above to have free BTS rides during Songkran

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) – People who are 60 years old and above will ride BTS trains for free during April 13-15.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630726-60-year-old-and-above-to-have-free-bts-rides-during-songkran/

[Lite Beer]

3 Charter amendment bills sail through Thai Parliament
By English News

BANGKOK, April 4 - Thailand's joint parliament session voted early Thursday morning to pass three government-sponsored bills to amend many sections of the country's Constitution.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630687-thai-lawmakers-move-to-change-constitution-amid-court-challenge/#entry6269809

[Lite Beer]

SCB believes key interest rate will go no lower than 2.75%

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT)-Economic Intelligence Center of Siam Commercial Bank (EIC) said the reason for the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to maintain the policy interest rate at 2.75% was due to positive factors such as economic growth and the government investments.

According to the EIC, the Monetary Policy Committee’s vote of 5 to 1 to retain the benchmark interest rate at 2.75% could have been influenced by domestic spending and positive assumptions that the government's water management and infrastructure development projects have the potential to attract investments from the private sector.

However, the EIC has cautioned that it is important to apply a lenient fiscal policy as risks are still imminent in the global economy particularly the continual recession in Europe which could have negative impacts on Thai exports as well as the industrial sector. The EIC has also forecasted that the Monetary Policy Committee will continue to maintain the rate for the rest of the year given how well the economy is doing and the rise in household and business credits. Chances for the Committee to lower the rate are slim, according to the EIC, because of the stronger baht and the influx of foreign capitals.

-- NNT 2013-04-04

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: RT @KhunChangFai: Fire in Pattaya this morning left two beer bars gutted on Soi 16 Walking Street pic.twitter.com/ZZzpyqWSh8

[Lite Beer]

Thailand-Laos to further strengthen relations

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) – Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith has paid a visit to Thai Premie Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss trade cooperation and infrastructure projects.

Ms Yingluck welcomed Deputy PM Thongloun at the Government House and congratulated Laos on the two neighboring countries' meeting on trade cooperation and infrastructure projects, especially ones connecting Thailand and Laos, such as the Thai-Laos Friendship bridges.

The Thai Premier told Mr Thongloun that the Thai government was ready to support investors who were keen on investing in Laos, with the focus on green businesses. She said she hoped Laos would do the same thing.

Prime Minister Yingluck also invited the Lao Deputy PM to join the 2nd Asia-Pacific Joint Conference, which would be held in Chiang Mai, in the month of May.

Meanwhile, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith complimented the Thai government on its effort to connect with Laos; as a result, trade between both countries has risen to 5 billion US dollars a year. He also said that Laos was willing to work with Thailand in every aspects to move both countries forward.

-- NNT 2013-04-04

[Lite Beer]

Monitor Lizard found roaming the streets of South Pattaya

PATTAYA:--On Wednesday afternoon rescue services were called to a small road close to the Highway Police Station on the Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya to remove a Monitor Lizard from the street as parents and other concerned residents feared the animal could harm their children.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630727-monitor-lizard-found-roaming-the-streets-of-south-pattaya/

[Lite Beer]

North Pattaya Fairground attraction shut-down by Police anti-gambling unit

PATTAYA:--Following orders from the Ministry of the Interior Pattaya Police have now set-up a dedicated anti-gambling unit which shut down a fairground attraction at a Flea Market in the car park of Tesco-Lotus in North Pattaya on Wednesday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630728-north-pattaya-fairground-attraction-shut-down-by-police-anti-gambling-unit/

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PM Yingluck survives NACC probing in Bt30 million loan doubt
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630739-yingluck-survives-n-a-c-c-probing-in-bt30-million-loan-doubt/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 10 Apr 4 pm until midnight 16 Apr, the Motorway, and Bang Pa In-Bang Phli & Bangkok-Chonburi tollways will be free

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Chalerm: Immigration Bureau Needs To Implement Tougher Screening On Foreign Arrivals

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630741-chalerm-immigration-bureau-needs-to-implement-tougher-screening-on-foreign-arrivals/

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SET index closed at 1528.46, up 7.94; Bt/USD29.23; GBP44.04; AUD30.38; EUR37.43; CAD28.63; HKD3.76; SGD23.45; JPY30.34

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CRIME
Court to trial son of Red Bull executive
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court has set 10am on May 8 to arraign Vorayuth Yoovidhya, 28, the son of a senior Red Bull executive, on three charges involving the crash of his Ferrari into a motorcycle that killed the policeman driving it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630752-bangkok-court-to-trial-son-of-red-bull-executive/

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Culture Min campaigns on alcohol-free activities during Songkran Festival



BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) – The Culture Ministry is launching alcohol-free campaigns during Songkran Festival, with an aim to reduce accidents and crimes as well as to raise awareness of health problems caused by drinking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630754-culture-min-campaigns-on-alcohol-free-activities-during-songkran-festival/

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Army chief mulls greater security role for police
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, April 4 – Thailand’s police will be asked to share the military burden to protect some sensitive areas in the far South, the Army commander-in-chief said today.

Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said he would ask the national police chief and that he wanted army personnel to concentrate more on strategic operations.

He said the army may have to provide special off-duty accommodation to provide safety to army personnel.

He was referring to the Monday’s abduction of Pvt Ma-ila Tohlu of the 32nd Special Task Force from his house in Bacho district of Narathiwat. The private was later murdered.

“We don’t have adequate manpower to take care of off-duty personnel who are not allowed to carry weapons while insurgents are armed round the clock,” he said.

He would not rule out such an incident being repeated in future. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-04

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PAD threatens to rally against charter amendments
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The People's Alliance for Democracy Thursday threatened to rally against the proposed charter changes, saying they were aimed at protecting the vested interests of politicians.

After a meeting of the first and second generation of PAD leaders, spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan issued a statement opposing the amendment of Articles 68, 111, 190 and 237 of the Constitution.

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang said the yellow shirts would carefully evaluate the country's political situation before calling for a protest.

Parnthep said the movement supports the drafters of the 2007 Constitution in asking the National Anti-Corruption Commission to check the government's Bt2-trillion loan bill.

PAD has assigned its lawyers to consult with academics and legal advisers to seek more legal venues to bring offenders to justice, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-04-04

[Lite Beer]

FBI terrorism ranking 'a misunderstanding'

BANGKOK: -- A ranking by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation that placed Thailand as the No 1 most likely country in Asia and fifth in the world to be hit by terrorist attack was the result of "a misunderstanding". A military attache with the US Embassy has apologised over the issue, Army commander General Prayuth Chanocha said Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630816-f-b-i-terrorism-ranking-a-misunderstanding/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 5 Apr 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630872-thailand-live-friday-5-apr-2013/