Thailand Live Tuesday 9 Apr 2013

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Commander's plan for the restive South

Arkom Chaiyasorn
The Nation

Sakol

BANGKOK: -- Lt Gen Sakol Cheuntrakul, the new 4th Area Commander who took up the post on April 1, talks to The Nation's Arkom Chaiyasorn about his work and plans to bring peace to the restive South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631768-commanders-plan-for-the-restive-thai-south/

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OBITUARY
'Iron Lady' Thatcher changed Britain, made enemies on way


File photo : Thatcher//EPA

LONDON: - Margaret Thatcher, who died Monday at 87, brought fundamental economic, social and political change to Britain -earning her admiration and contempt in equal measure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631715-maggie-thatcher-is-dead/?p=6284290#entry6284290

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Margaret Thatcher is dead

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631715-maggie-thatcher-is-dead/

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UPDATE:
SOUTH CRISIS
Grenades rock home of adviser
THE NATION



Wadah faction member says insurgents opposed to peace dialogue likely to be behind attack in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT: -- Two grenades were launched in the early hours of yesterday morning into the compound of the Narathiwat home of former local MP Nujmudeen Uma, who serves as a key government adviser on security measures in the deep South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631564-house-of-chalerms-advisor-attacked-with-m79-in-narathiwat/?p=6284300#entry6284300

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BIG HIT
'Pee Mak' scares up some big Baht
The Nation


Mario Maurer and Davika Horne in a scene

BANGKOK: -- The Thai film industry is riding high on the success of the hit movie "Pee Mak Phra Khanong", which is expected to surpass Bt300 million after just two weeks in cinemas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631770-thai-film-industry-is-riding-high-on-the-success-of-the-hit-movie-pee-mak/

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EDITORIAL
Hello and thank you to pioneer of the mobile phone
The Nation

A tip of the hat to the man who, 40 years ago, made a telephone call that would change our lives

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631771-hello-and-thank-you-to-pioneer-of-the-mobile-phone-thai-editorial/

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STREETWISE
Falling deep into the well of distrust
Achara Deboonme



BANGKOK: -- A conversation last week shed some light on why many attack the Pheu Thai government over the Bt2 trillion borrowing bill. The point here is distrust, which culminates into several fallacies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631772-falling-deep-into-the-well-of-distrust-thai-opinion/

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Same-sex union bill could see vote in House

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The House of Representatives is expected to consider a same-sex civil union bill later this year. Gender rights activist Chumaporn Taengkliang of the Anjaree group tells The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk about its prospects and what it would mean for Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631773-same-sex-union-bill-could-see-vote-in-house-thai-interview/

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POLITICS
Chiang Mai candidates woo voters
The Nation


Pheu Thai candidate Yaowapa Wongsawat took advantage of the long weekend before Songkran to woo voters in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- Pheu Thai candidate Yaowapa Wongsawat used the long weekend to canvas for votes for the by-election in Chiang Mai's Constituency 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631776-chiang-mai-candidates-woo-voters/

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First reading null and void: MP
The Nation



Democrats seek to impeach speaker; Nikom's claims unjustified

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon insisted yesterday that the legislative vote on charter change might be null and void because of a technicality, as the first reading of the bill took place despite a lack of quorum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631777-thai-democrats-seek-to-impeach-house-speaker/

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Ministry, doctors 'must fix P4P row'
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION


Viroj na Ranong

Dispute over pay scheme is hurting the health system, experts say

BANGKOK: -- Academics have called for the Public Health Ministry and Rural Doctor Society to find solutions for the medical allowance dispute, warning that political games must end as the row is hurting the country's health system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631778-thai-health-ministry-doctors-must-fix-p4p-row/

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UPDATE:
Teachers accused of leaving child locked in school van
SUTHINAN KHONGSIN
THE NATION



SAMUT PRAKAN: -- A school owner and local residents claimed yesterday that teachers at a school in Samut Prakan had left a three-year-old pupil in the school's van, causing her brain to swell.

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/page-7?p=6284367#entry6284367

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Phuket gold shop robber shoots and kills customer

PHUKET: -- A gold robber ransacking the CP Goldmaster gold shop next to Tesco Lotus on the bypass road tonight (April 8) at about 7 pm, callously and coolly shot a customer who tried to remonstrate with him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631780-phuket-gold-shop-robber-shoots-and-kills-customer/

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Army chief: Deputy PM Chalerm to visit southernmost provinces after Songkran /MCOT

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More Thais visit Myanmar casinos ahead of Songkran holidays

RANONG, 8 April 2013 (NNT) – More and more Thai holidaymakers have been making their way to visit casinos in Myanmar before the start of the Songkran holidays.

The Ranong Tourist Business Association President Sonchai Uitekkeng revealed on Monday that local tourists have increasingly been visited Ranong Province, with a plan to cross the border to Myanmar to try their luck in gambling.

Mr. Sonchai stated that popular casinos along the Thailand-Myanmar border are at Victoria Point (Koh Son), which is near Ranong.

He expects a surge in the number of tourists going to casinos during April 13 and 17, when the Songkran holidays are on, especially when wind and waves are safe for traveling.


-- NNT 2013-04-09

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Phangan Island tourism not affected by current power outage

SURAT THANI, 8 April 2013 (NNT) – Tourism operators on Thailand’s famous Phangan Island have assured that business is still going well despite the shortage of rain and the current power outage.

President of the Phangan Tourist Promotion Association Wannee Thaipanich said on Monday that the ongoing shortage of rainfall has somewhat affected water supply on the island.

Mrs. Wannee stated the Provincial Waterworks Authority – Phangan office has been forced to limit the discharge of water into 2 separate lots; during 5 and 10 am and 5 and 9 pm.

She added hotel operators on Phangan have been stocking up water supply in order to deal with possible shortages and assure travelers that there will be sufficient water for use and for the Songkran celebrations.

Regarding the impact of Myanmar’s gas delivery suspension on Thailand’s electricity generation, Mrs. Wanee believes that such a scenario will not hit Phangan and other popular islands due to power security derived from the completion of the submarine power cable installation since March 15.

The President of the Phangan Tourist Promotion Association also extended an invitation to holidaymakers to travel to this famous island either during the upcoming Songkran holidays or anytime of the year.


-- NNT 2013-04-09

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,494.11, up 4.58 points /MCOT

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B200k reward offered for info on Phuket robbery-murder
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- Police have offered a reward of B200,000 for information leading to the arrest of the gold shop robber who shot dead a customer yesterday evening (April 8) in the CP Goldmaster shop next to Tesco Lotus on the bypass road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631780-phuket-gold-shop-robber-shoots-and-kills-customer/#entry6284772

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Russian tour company worker freed after proved legal
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Russian woman arrested for working illegally at a tour counter in Kata last week has been released after her company proved to Phuket police that she was legal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631816-russian-tour-company-worker-freed-after-proved-legal/

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Transport Ministry mulls relocating Mor Chit N and NE bus terminal despite fears it could end some state-run inter-provincial bus services /The Nation

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Baht traded below 29 per dollar
The Nation

Thai baht is traded below 29 per US dollar thanks to continued capital inflows

At 8.14am, Thai baht gained 0.58 per cent to 29.14 per dollar. At 11am, it rose to 28.90 - the highest level since 1997.

Treasurers attributed the appreciation to huge capital inflows, chiefly BTS Group Holdings’ success in mobilising US$2.1 billion for its infrastructure fund.


-- The Nation 2013-04-09

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SOUTH CRISIS
Chalerm to visit south but dates remain vague


File photo : Chalerm

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, criticised for not visiting the southernmost provinces despite being in charge of southern security, will head south after the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631860-chalerm-to-visit-south-but-dates-remain-vague/

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General Prayuth: solving southern violence is not just about dealing with separatists.

Bangkok, 8 April 2013 (NNT), Army Chief General Prayuth Jan-Ocha has indicated that solving the southern violence needs co-operation from all sectors, not just dealing with separatists. The comment came before his presiding over the annual combat drill and inspection of the Region 2 Army.

He said that the root cause of the southern violence is misunderstanding that stems from many factors, not just about secession; therefore, there is no need to pay special attention to any separatist groups.

According to General Prayuth, the recent spate of attacks is simply an attempt to intimidate authorities and locals, adding that cooperation from all sectors is vital to effecting the solution. The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 has been working around the clock to bring assailants to justice.

The army would not resort to violence in finding a peaceful solution; however, the law must be upheld in order for justice to prevail, said the C-in-C.

-- NNT 2013-04-09

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Commerce Ministry to strictly watch over Liquefied Petroleum Gas prices

The Commerce Ministry is to strictly watch over Liquefied Petroleum Gas prices Deputy Director General of Internal Trade Department Santichai Santawanpat (สันติชัย สารถวัลย์แพศย์) brushed aside rumors of retailers' starting to stockpile Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), saying that the LPG prices remain the same despite the temporary halt in delivery from Myanmar.

Accordingto him, the Myanmar supply suspension would directly affect the electricity generating capacity, if there is any effect at all, not the household's supply of cooking gas.

He,therefore, reaffirmed that there is no need for residents or retailers to stock up on LPG, which may cause shortages. Nonetheless, Mr. Santichai has instructed provincial office of commerce to follow up on the rumors and to clear up any misunderstanding among locals and retailers.

The current price of LPG is 285 baht for a 15 kg cylinder, and 890 baht for a 48 kg one: exclusive of transporting cost of 20 baht each at most.

Retailers charging more than the above prices without a good reason will be subject to a prison term of 7 years, or a fine of 140,000 baht fine, or both.

-- NNT 2013-04-09

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AIS softlaunches 2.1 GHz 3G sevice

BANGKOK: -- Advanced Info Service (AIS) has softlaunched the 3G-2.1GHz service.

It has already made the 2.1GHz network of its wholly owned subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) up and running in main cities of 18 provinces and inner Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2013-04-09

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British Man seen to jump from Bali Hai Overpass in South Pattaya

PATTAYA:--A British national thought to originate from Scotland was seen to jump off the Bali Hai Overpass in South Pattaya early on Tuesday Morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631890-british-man-seen-to-jump-from-bali-hai-overpass-in-south-pattaya/

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Pork Vendor Returns Lost Wallet With 200,000 THB

Source: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631892-pork-vendor-returns-lost-wallet-with-200000-thb/

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PM to publish 1 million pamphlets on infrastructure loan bill

BANGKOK, 9 April 2013 (NNT) - According to Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Suranand Vejjajiva, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered the publication of 1 million pamphlets in a bid to raise awareness of the government’s 2-trillion baht infrastructure loan bill among the general public.

Mr Suranand said the pamphlets will contain information on the bill which is summarized into two categories including the cabinet’s deliberation process of the planned investment and details on each of the mega projects.

The secretary-general said the pamphlet will be part of an effort to give better understanding of the mega-projects and to restore trust among members of the public. The government is set to affirm that the loan procedure will be conducted with transparency and good governance.

He added that additional meetings will be held between government officials and Pheu Thai MPs to finalize their plans before the pamphlets are handed out to the general public sometime after Songkran holiday period.


-- NNT 2013-04-09

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RT @RichardBarrow: Immigration closes on Friday for the long holiday. Don't leave it to the last minute to get re-entry permits & do 90 day

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North Korea: Foreigners should evacuate South Korea

SEOUL: -- North Korea has warned foreigners in South Korea to take evacuation measures in case of war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631897-north-korea-urges-foreigners-in-south-to-evacuate/

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Phuket Songkran events round-up

PHUKET: -- With Songkran coming up this weekend, here's a list of events happening around Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631898-phuket-songkran-events-round-up/