Thailand Live Monday 8 Apr 2013

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Phra Viharn demonstrators asked to stay calm during ICJ hearings

BANGKOK, 8 April 2013 (NNT) – The government has called on the Thai Patriots Network to rally peacefully during the public hearings in the Phra Viharn temple case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul said the Thai Patriots Network’s demonstration should not trigger violence or fuel further conflicts while holding its rally during April 15-19.

The planned rally was reportedly organized to coincide with the public hearings on the Phra Viharn Temple dispute between Thailand and Cambodia at the ICJ.

Mr. Surapong said the government has been trying to clarify the problem with the public all along and stated that the oral argument by Thai government’s representatives will be broadcast live on the NBT or Channel 11.

He also urged Thai people to closely monitor the proceedings while noting that a state-appointed team of lawyer has been set up to explain any sensitive issues in the case to public.

According to the Deputy PM, the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs will deliver a statement on the Phra Viharn case on Channel 11, On 9 April.

Meanwhile, it is reported that members of the Thai Patriots Network has already traveled to Kantharalak District in Si Sa Ket Province, where the disputed temple is located, to hold a demonstration until the Thai representatives’ oral argument before the ICJ takes place.


-- NNT 2013-04-08

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Public Health Ministry worried about possible dengue epidemic after Songkran

BANGKOK, 8 April 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is worried that the country may be hit by a dengue virus epidemic after the Songkran celebrations are over.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631523-thai-health-ministry-worried-about-possible-dengue-epidemic-after-songkran/

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Energy Minister: "No electricity shortage likely during Songkran"

BANGKOK, 8 April 2013 (NNT) – The Energy Ministry is confident that there will be no power shortage during this year’s Songkran festival while stressing the need for Thailand to seek alternative power sources.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631524-no-electricity-shortage-likely-during-songkran-energy-minister/

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UPDATE:
Two more killed as PM visits far South
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expresses her condolences to Satopa Jeloh, the driver of slain Yala deputy governor Issara Thongthawat, at Yala Hospital yesterday. Satopa was in intensive care for wounds sustained in a roadside bomb attack last Friday

YALA: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra travelled to the deep South yesterday, when another attack targeting state officials took place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631337-p-m-orders-tighter-security-in-deep-south/?p=6281222#entry6281222

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Delays shortchange accident victims
Saowanee Nimpanphayung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- More than 95 per cent of public bus-related accident victims settle for meagre compensation because court proceedings take so long, according to recent research.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631525-over-95-of-public-bus-related-accident-victims-settle-for-meagre-compensation/

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AMENDMENT BID
Many fear charter-related crisis: poll
The Nation


Democrat party-list MP Ongart Klampaiboon

Idea of electing all senators has support, but 67% believe govt's push to change Constitution might end in violence

BANGKOK: -- Fewer than half the respondents to a recent survey by Abac Poll approved a move to amend the Constitution, with many believing the attempt could bring about a political crisis because the change would be geared for politicians' interests and not that of the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631526-many-fear-thai-charter-related-crisis-poll/

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Govt offering cash for photos of forest fires
Supat Saengdok
The Nation
Phrae

BANGKOK: -- Anyone who takes a photo of a forest fire and sends it to the authorities will be rewarded with Bt500 in cash under the pilot phase of the "Hunt the Smog" project.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631527-hunt-the-smog-project-thai-govt-offering-cash-for-photos-of-forest-fires/

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Neutral body to monitor budget

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

Somkiat

Academic body to be modelled on US Congressional unit, TDRI's Somkiat says

BANGKOK: -- The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) and King Prajadhipok's Institute have teamed up to design a new academic body to support the parliamentary budget process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631528-neutral-body-to-monitor-budget-thailand/

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EDITORIAL
Don't bite off more than you can chew
The Nation

Moves to rewrite the constitution could destabilise the government

BANGKOK: -- In politics, it's normal to face battles on many fronts. There's a difference, however, between "having to fight" and "courting a fight". If the Yingluck government, which is stubbornly pursuing its charter amendment and amnesty agendas, crumbles because it tries to bite more than it can chew, it will only have itself to blame. The Bt2-trillion borrowing plan is a tough nut to crack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631529-dont-bite-off-more-than-you-can-chew-thai-editorial/

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Locals stymie police attempt to raid casino
Noppadol Sritaweekas,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- More than 200 commandos yesterday afternoon stormed Bon Taopoon, an especially notorious illegal casino, but were thwarted by a hail of bottles and glasses thrown by residents of Bang Sue district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631531-bang-sue-locals-stymie-police-attempt-to-raid-casino/

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UPDATE:
Seoul believes Kim may test a missile this week

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/630691-north-korea-moves-missile-as-world-watches/?p=6281453#entry6281453

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RT @191Thailand: A man has died after his 17 year old girlfriend set him on fire in Ubon Ratchathani (Bangkok Post)

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The Thai stock market is closed on Monday for a public holiday. Trading will resume on Tuesday /AFP

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Phuket shelter in fight aginst HIV stigma
Phuket Gazette

Daoroong ‘Joojee’ Rodsamnam, 49, from Bangkok, has been project manager for the Life Home Project Foundation, a shelter for HIV-positive mothers and their children, for seven years. Here, she talks about HIV in Phuket, the goals and challenges of the Foundation and what motivated her to work there.

PHUKET: -- Phuket is always in the top-five provinces in Thailand in terms of numbers of people with HIV and AIDS. People come and go on the island, which makes it hard to control the disease.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631545-phuket-shelter-in-fight-aginst-h-i-v-stigma/

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Yala bomb unit defuses 2 bombs believed in series with Sunday night bombings in 4 municipality locations /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: 5 killed, 51 hurt as bus falls off cliff in Phitsanulok district; foreigner among dead (Bangkok Post)

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Motoshow car bookings were 30% lower than target at 40,000 units as most buyers took advantage of 1st car buyer campaign earlier /The Nation

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Swedish beachgoer collapses and dies on Jomtien Beach

PATTAYA:--A 65 year old Swedish man reportedly collapsed and died on Jomtien Beach on Sunday Afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631556-swedish-beachgoer-collapses-and-dies-on-jomtien-beach/

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Burmese laborer falls 22 floors to his death at new Jomtien Beach Condominium

PATTAYA: -- A 25 year old Burmese Construction Worker plunged 22 floors to his death on Sunday afternoon at a soon-to-be-completed condominium on Jomtien Beach. Other workers watched as he fell onto a steel support holding a crane to the building which caused his body to be torn into two pieces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631557-burmese-laborer-falls-22-floors-to-his-death-at-new-jomtien-beach-condominium/

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Five killed, 49 injured when bus falls into ravine in Phitsanulok
The Nation

PHITSANULOK: -- An Udon Thani-Chiang Mai bus fell into a ravine in this northern province early Monday, killing five and injuring 49 other people, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631563-five-killed-49-injured-when-bus-falls-into-ravine-in-phitsanulok/

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House of Chalerm's advisor attacked with M79 in Narathiwat
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- An M79 grenade was early Monday fired at the house of former Narathiwat MP who is an advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung for the on-going efforts to end southern insurgency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631564-house-of-chalerms-advisor-attacked-with-m79-in-narathiwat/

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Road safety fund and Vocational Education office to erect 250 free maintenance spots

BANGKOK: -- Department of Land Transport's Road Safety Fund have joined hands with Vocational Education Office organizing a campaign to provide free vehicle repairing services. The campaign would set up 250 service spots nationwide from April 11-17, offering basic repairing works and check-ups to motorists during the water splashing festival.

According to Director General of the department Somchai Siriwattanachoke (สมชัย ศิริวัฒนโชค), the campaign aims at providing assistance to revelers having troubles with their vehicles while on the road during the period, which is also known as the week with the highest number of road accidents in the nation. The department is hiring students from vocational institutes to man the 250 service on the main roads.

The campaign is funded by its income from the license plate auction. Mr. Somchai has invited motorists to visit the service spots and receive a 20-point free basic check-up to ensure their safety. The campaign has been organized on an annual basis.

Last year more than 32,000 vehicle owners availed themselves to the service. In addition to the campaign, travelers have also been urged to report to authorities any public transportation operators with bad manners on the road; by calling 1584 hotline around the clock.


-- NNT 2013-04-08

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PM attends funerals of late Yala deputy and assistant governors

YALA, 8 April 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday attended the funeral rites of the late Yala deputy governor and the assistant governor in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

The fatal roadside bomb attack on the car in Yala’ in Bannang Sata district on Friday killed Yala deputy governor Issara Thongthawat and assistant governor Chaovalit Chairuek.

Prior to attending the funerals, the Prime Minister traveled to Yala to have a discussion with the governors of 5 southern border provinces regarding plans to tighten security measures for officials and local residents. She also visited and gave moral supports to wounded soldiers and officials in the provincial hospital.

Ms Yingluck said the escalation of violence in the South would not affect the government's peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).


-- NNT 2013-04-08

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RT @RichardBarrow: The so-called "7 Dangerous Days of Songkran" this year are 11-17 April. Be extra careful on the roads during this period

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PM Yingluck: Hospitals must accept all accident victims during Songkran period

BANGKOK, 8 April 2013 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the Public Health Ministry to inform all hospitals in the country to admit accident victims at any time during the Songkran period, whether or not they are entitled to health care benefits with the hospitals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631599-yingluck-hospitals-must-accept-all-accident-victims-during-songkran-period/

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Five dead, 53 hurt in Thai bus cliff plunge

BANGKOK, April 8, 2013 (AFP) - Five people died, including a seven-month-old baby and a Belgian woman, and 53 were injured when a Thai tour bus plummeted off a hillside in northern Thailand after its brakes failed, police said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631563-five-killed-49-injured-when-bus-falls-into-ravine-in-phitsanulok/page-2#entry6282183

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RT@RichardBarrow: If you spot any public transportation driver acting dangerously on the road, please call the hotline 1584

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Fire scare at Phuket student dormitory
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Smoke pouring from a second-floor window at a girls’ student dormitory late yesterday afternoon prompted no fewer than three fire trucks to rush to the scene to extinguish the blaze.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631640-fire-scare-at-phuket-student-dormitory/

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Ex-Politician Engages In Unethical Fund Raising
PATTAYA:--A 44-year-old female and former Chonburi politician was arrested after being caught with 14,000 meth pills. After losing her re-election bid, she became a drug courier to pay her campaign debt and the hospital bills of her ailing mother. Her new boss was a Chonburi prison inmate.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631638-ex-politician-engages-in-unethical-fund-raising/

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Bali court upholds death sentence for British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631664-bali-court-upholds-death-sentence-for-british-grandmother-lindsay-sandiford/