Thailand Live Friday 5 Apr 2013

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NACC to investigate police station construction project
The Nation


Klanarong Chanthik

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission has resolved to launch a graft probe into the National Police's project to build 396 police stations, in which then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban alleged interfered.

Klanarong Chanthik, a commissioner, said on Thursday that the NACC agreed to merge the report filed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the complaint filed by Rak Thailand Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit.

It then assigned a committee led by Commissioner Wicha Mahakun to investigate five individuals - Abhisit, Suthep, Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong when he was the police chief, Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew when he was the police chief and Pol Maj Gen Suporn Phanseu when he was the logistics commissioner.

The nationwide project was awarded to only one contractor, PCC Development and Construction Co (PCC), which has led to delays, leaving some buildings unfinished. The contract has been extended many times, with the last one coming on March 14, with April 17 the new deadline.

According to the DSI's investigation report submitted to the NACC, Abhisit and Suthep had breached Article 157 of the Criminal Code by allowing only one bidder to win the contract for the entire project. This was a change from one tender for each of the nine police regions as approved by the Cabinet during the preceding Somchai Wongsawat administration.

Suthep was also found to have violated Articles 11, 12 and 13 of the Bidding Price Collusion Act.


-- The Nation 2013-04-05

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UPDATE

TERRORISM
FBI's ranking for Thailand 'a misunderstanding'
THE NATION


Prayuth Chan-ocha

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".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630816-f-b-i-terrorism-ranking-a-misunderstanding/?p=6271929#entry6271929

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SONGKRAN
No booze for passengers, drivers this Songkran
POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT,
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- This is the first year for booze to be banned for people travelling with a vehicle during Songkran. Offenders would be fined up to Bt10,000 and/or jailed for up to six months, Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630875-no-booze-for-people-travelling-in-or-on-a-vehicle-during-songkran/

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TRAGEDY
Kindergartener still in ICU
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A three-year-old remained in intensive care yesterday after she was left unattended all day in a parked school van on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630876-3-year-old-thai-girl-still-in-i-c-u-after-left-unattended-all-day-in-parked-school-van/

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BURNING ISSUE
Locked in suspicion over charter change
Avudh Panananda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The fight over charter change will be messy unless the rival camps stop resorting to trickery in an effort to outwit one another.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630877-locked-in-suspicion-over-thai-charter-change/

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ANALYSIS
Yingluck clears one hurdle, many ahead
Somroutai Sapsomboon,
Anuphan Chantana
The Nation

Anti-graft body sees no attempt to file false assets statement

BANGKOK: -- A political landmine has been cleared for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra when the National Anti-Corruption Commission decided she had not filed a false asset statement. However, many more landmines lie ahead of her on the political path.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630878-yingluck-clears-one-hurdle-many-ahead/

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TOURISM
TAT counts on happy Songkran
The Nation


Foreigners have fun during the famous water festival.

Songkran this year is looking to be more festive and colourful, with activities scheduled across the nation.

BANGKOK: -- More than 180 charter flights were recorded on Wednesday. Suraphon Svetasreni, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said yesterday that Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai were the destinations of those charters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630879-t-a-t-counts-on-happy-songkran/

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Agencies plan for peak heat
Watcharupong Thongrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The country's three electricity-generating authorities have announced that they have put contingency measures and backup plans in place to cope with possible power shortages prior to and during the Songkran holiday break next week, which marks the height of the hot season and sees power usage peak.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630880-thailands-electricity-generating-authorities-plan-for-peak-heat/

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Rural hospitals at a loss as doctors quit over P4P
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The mass resignation of doctors and specialists in protest over the new pay-for-performance (P4P) scheme is causing chaos in many rural hospitals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630882-rural-thai-hospitals-at-a-loss-as-doctors-quit-over-p4p/

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Water panel plans 1m-rai reforestation project
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation


Plodprasop Suraswadi

BANGKOK: -- The Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) plans to propose a 1-million-rai, Bt10.142-billion reforestation project for Cabinet consideration on April 9.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630883-thailands-water-panel-plans-1m-rai-reforestation-project/

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MEDIA FORUM
Reporters advised to handle South with care
JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRANG
THE NATION

'Journalists must try to uncover the real motive, stop sensationalising'

BANGKOK: -- Several journalists joined "Rajdamnoen Talk 1" yesterday to address the challenge of covering news in the troubled deep South, as panellists urged reporters to be cautious with their words when conducting interviews.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630884-reporters-advised-to-handle-thai-south-with-care-media-forum/

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FBI terrorism ranking 'a misunderstanding'

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

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Bangkok Court to trial son of Red Bull executive

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

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Charter battle moves to Constitutional Court

The Nation

The supporters and opponents of the charter change accused each other of violating the law.

BANGKOK: -- Senator Paiboon Nititawan yesterday warned that coalition MPs and pro-government senators might be removed from office for enacting a bill to amend Article 68 of the Constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630885-thai-charter-battle-moves-to-constitutional-court/

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NAKHON RATCHASIMA
Developers rushing into Khao Yai area
The Nation

Land use restrictions coming soon

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Concern over the new Nakhon Ratchasima land-use plan has developers racing to launch projects in the Khao Yai mountain resort area, with 4,650 units recorded in 2012-13, according to Colliers International Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630886-developers-rushing-into-khao-yai-area/

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Songkran Alert: Government issues 11 ‘Don’ts’ for the water festival
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- In an attempt to ensure safety for Songkran revelers, several government agencies have ordered bans on risky behaviors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630888-officials-issue-11-rules-for-songkran/

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US film critic Roger Ebert dead at 70

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630890-u-s-film-critic-roger-ebert-dead-at-70/

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PM asks public to set temperature at 26 degrees Celsius to help conserve energy

BANGKOK, 5 April 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has hosted an event promoting the reduction of energy usage by people in Thailand, to combat any potential energy deficiency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630891-yingluck-asks-public-to-set-temperature-at-26-c-to-help-conserve-energy/

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Highway Dept to waive tolls during Songkran

BANGKOK, 5 April 2013 (NNT) - The Highway Department is set to waive tolls on major expressways and motorways during the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630892-highway-dept-to-waive-tolls-during-songkran/

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Phuket Immigration task force targetting foreigners nabs Russian
Phuket Gazette


Natalia Nikiforova, 30, from Russia was charged with working illegally and with illegally entering the country. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration officers yesterday arrested a Russian woman caught without a passport and working illegally selling tours at a kiosk in Kata.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630921-phuket-immigration-task-force-targetting-foreigners-nabs-russian/

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Victim of vicious Phuket pit bull attack in fight to save leg
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Phuket resident savaged by a neighbor’s pit bull terriers in February – after he ran out of his house to help a woman who was being attacked by the dogs – is still in hospital fighting to save his right leg, which sustained a deep wound in the attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630923-victim-of-vicious-phuket-pit-bull-attack-in-fight-to-save-leg/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,514.81, down 13.65 points /MCOT

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RT @191Thailand: 1 dead & 40 injured when a tour bus hit a pick-up truck last night in Sisaket province

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Industrial sector boosts power reserves to satisfactory level
By English News



BANGKOK, April 5 – Thailand’s power reserves will rise by 1,660 megawatts (MW) today and 1,400 MW on April 9-10 thanks to reduced consumption in the industrial sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630927-industrial-sector-boosts-thailands-power-reserves-to-satisfactory-level/

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Defence minister, senior military officers to leave for Hague on Thursday
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat said he and some senior military officers will travel to Hague on April 11 to observe the testimonies to the International Court of Justice over the Thai-Cambodian border dispute near Preah Viheah temple.

Sukampol said he would be accompanied by the director of the Royal Thai Survey Department and the chief of the Border Affairs Department as well as officials from military agencies concerned.

He said the Defence Ministry has prepared all the information for the Thai team of lawyers to defend Thai territorial claim near the temple.


-- The Nation 2013-04-05

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Public Health Ministry targets reducing food poisoning and diarrhea at schools by 30%

BANGKOK, 5 April 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is targeting to reduce cases of food poisoning and diarrhea at schools by at least 30% this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630932-thailands-public-health-ministry-targets-reducing-food-poisoning-and-diarrhea-in-schools/

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Subway stations getting improvements to facilities for handicapped

BANGKOK, 5 April 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Transport is piloting a project aimed atimproving convenience for the handicapped, by making adjustments to the facilities at subway stations in Bangkok.

Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthipan said the Blue Line subway route (Hua Lamphong – Bangsue) is starting to undergo improvements, both within the stations and on the trains. Wheelchair lanes will be provided at the service counters. Toilets for the handicapped will be built, and parking spots for wheelchairs will be established. The 9-story car park building at Ladphrao Station will be improved to allow easier access by the physically challenged.

Every handicapped person receives fare exemption when using the subway trains. Around 400 people with disability utilize the subway each day; 70% are those with hearing impairment.

Mr. Chatchart said the Ministry of Transport will also pilot a project to boost convenience for the handicapped at Don Mueang Airport in the future.


-- NNT 2013-04-05

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Tropical storms hit Northeast next week

BANGKOK, 5 April 2013 (NNT) - The weather bureau has warned that tropical storms are set to strike the Northeast during April 7-9.

The Meteorological Bureau said that a hot air mass covering the upper parts of Thailand created a low pressure cell, raising the average temperature in all parts of the country to an all-time high.

Southwesterly winds prevailing over the Northeast and the East will bring isolated thunderstorms and strong winds.

A high pressure cell is set to prevail over the northeastern part of Thailand on April 7, creating a slew of tropical storms next week. Storms have done little to relieve drought conditions in the Northeast so far but instead have damaged homes and schools in many provinces.

Thailand’s North and Northeast continued to be engulfed in a heatwave as both regions recorded the highest average temperature of 41 degrees Celsius.


-- NNT 2013-04-05

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ONLIN SHOPPING
Tesco Lotus launches online grocery
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Tesco Lotus, the UK-based retail giant, yesterday officially launched its grocery home shopping service for online shoppers in Bangkok, aiming to cash in on the tremendous growth in Internet and smart-phone use in the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630941-tesco-lotus-launches-online-grocery/

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'Crony' of African Strongman Among Thai Names in Secret Offshore Files

Nearly 600 Thais have owned offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands and other havens. Politicians and billionaire business magnates are among the prominent Thais listed in secret documents as owners of offshore holdings in tropical tax havens.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630937-crony-of-african-strongman-among-thai-names-in-secret-offshore-files/