Thailand Live Wednesday 10 Apr 2013

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PTT: Myanmar’s gas pipeline maintenance has achieved over 50% of completion

BANGKOK, 10 April 2013 (NNT) – Thailand’s oil and gas giant, PTT, has reported that Myanmar’s maintenance of its gas pipelines has achieved marked progress while assuring the public that energy management during the time of the power shortage has been going well as planned.

PTT Senior Executive Vice President Charcrie Buranakanonda stated that, as of Tuesday, there has been more than 50% of progress in Myanmar’s maintenance of its gas pipeline in its Yadana field, scheduled during April 5-14.

The temporary closure of the gas delivery due to the maintenance has led Thailand to worry about possible power outage and a nationwide energy conservation campaign.

Mr. Charcrie added the country’s use of various types of fuel has been going on as planned while around 49 million liters of alternative fuel such as bunker oil, which substitutes natural gas, and about 24 million liters of diesel have been utilized in the electricity generation, so far.

He said the uses of both types of fuel have been below forecast and extensive cooperation in saving energy was credited for such good news.

In any case, PTT will continue to monitor the energy situation in Thailand while encouraging the public and everyone to continue saving power.


-- NNT 2013-04-10

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BURNING ISSUE
International law the only solution to Preah Vihear
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The nationalist fervour being used to whip up rallies in the border province of Si Sa Ket will not help Thailand and Cambodia settle the longstanding conflict over the old Hindu temple of Preah Vihear. Rather than the cool approach needed, the hotheads are only adding more fuel to the dispute between two neighbours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632026-international-law-the-only-solution-to-preah-vihear/

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Central bank chief cautions as baht gains extra strength
By English News



BANGKOK, April 10 – Thai central bank governor admitted that the baht has appreciated too rapidly – its strongest in 16 years to Bt28.95 against the dollar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632027-central-bank-chief-cautions-as-baht-gains-extra-strength/

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CRISIS IN THE SOUTH
Malaysian poll may delay peace dialogue: NSC
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The April 29 peace talks with Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) may have to be rescheduled because Malaysia will be holding snap elections at the time, a top official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632028-crisis-in-thai-south-malaysian-poll-may-delay-peace-dialogue/

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UPDATE:
ENVIRONMENT
Headless body of elephant found in Kaeng Krachan park
The Nation

PHETCHABURI: -- Another wild elephant has been slaughtered in Phetchaburi's Kaeng Krachan National Park, apparently by poachers after its ivory, deputy chief of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Theerapat Prayurasiddhi said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631906-wild-elephant-slaughtered-in-phetchaburis-kaeng-krachan-national-park/#entry6287729

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Thai public closely informed on temple hearing
By English News



BANGKOK, April 10 – The Foreign Ministry will set up a special news centre from April 14-19 to keep the Thai public updated on the status of the world court’s hearing on the Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) temple dispute, a deputy permanent secretary said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632029-thai-public-closely-informed-on-temple-hearing/

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EDITORIAL
Authorities still in denial over the deep South
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government has entered into a 'peace process' with Malay-Muslim representatives, but do negotiators really know who they are talking to?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632030-authorities-still-in-denial-over-the-deep-south-thai-editorial/

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PHATTHALUNG
Police chief injured by accidental gunshot
The Nation



PHATTALUNG: -- The superintendent of Khao Chai Son Police Station in Phatthalung was seriously injured in a shooting that is said to have been an accident.

Pol Colonel Tawatchai Jongwang was found with gunshot wounds at his official residence yesterday morning.

Ongoing investigation suggests he had been overwhelmed with stress after an increasing number of crimes in his area.Tawatchai was rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to Bangkok Hospital Hat Yai for an operation.


-- The Nation 2013-04-10

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SPECIAL REPORT
Graft charges continue to haunt Yingluck
Opas Boonlom
The Nation

EC probes claim that she aided Pongsapat's city election bid

BANGKOK: -- Although the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has dismissed an allegation that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra submitted a false asset declaration over the Bt30-million loan extended to Ad Index Co Ltd, the PM's path is still paved with thorns as several complaints of corruption, abuse of authority and dereliction of duty have been lined up against her.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632033-graft-charges-continue-to-haunt-yingluck/

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Somsak orders '5-minute' House-Senate meeting on April 18
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont said yesterday he had asked the government, opposition and Senate whips to organise a special joint House-Senate meeting to complete the session begun last Wednesday, following a complaint from the opposition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632034-somsak-orders-5-minute-house-senate-meeting-on-april-18/

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Beware of children gambling on Internet, experts warn
Tanpisit Lerdbamrungchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An academic and a doctor warned parents yesterday to beware of online gambling among children during school summer vacation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632035-beware-of-children-gambling-on-internet-thai-experts-warn/

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Appeal court reduces confessed bomber's jail term
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A bomber convicted for a 2010 attack on the Bhum Jai Thai Party yesterday had his jail term slashed from 35 years to five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632037-appeal-court-reduces-confessed-thai-bombers-jail-term/

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DSI says exam papers were secure
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday morning inspected Chan Wanich Security Printing Co, publisher of the assistant teacher exam papers, and initially found the papers had been well guarded.

The company adviser, Chalermpol Pinthongkham, who briefed the investigators during the two-hour inspection at its printing house in Samut Prakan's Phra Samut Chedi district, insisted the firm had a good record for secure printing and was confident of no leakage during its handling of the papers. He said the firm handled the paper printing, not the whole process.

Thanin Prempree, director of the DSI’s corruption prevention and suppression centre, said the printing house's system seemed highly secure and very strict. Next, DSI would summon two exam project managers to give information on April 23.


-- The Nation 2013-04-10

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WELFARE
Health minister must go: 600 rural doctors
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Over 600 rural doctors nationwide are demanding that the government revoke the Cabinet resolution that forces state hospitals to pay allowances based on performance and that the Pheu Thai Party remove Pradit Sinthawanarong as public health minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632038-thai-health-minister-must-go-600-rural-doctors/

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Pongsapat reinstated as deputy police chief
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Police Commission Tuesday resolved to reinstate failed Bangkok governor candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen as a deputy police commissioner-general.

Pongsapat resigned from the police service to contest in the gubernatorial election but was beaten by Democrat candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra.


-- The Nation 2013-04-10

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2010 RED-SHIRT UPRISING
Clarity, justice remain elusive
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

Debate on blame unresolved as all sides disagree on what occurred

BANGKOK: -- As red shirts began marking the third anniversary of the April 10 to May 19, 2010 protest which ended in blood and the loss of more than 90 lives, mostly on the red-shirt side, there exists no consensus on whom to blame and whether reconciliation is still achievable. Those from different sides interviewed concur, however, that finding out the truth is important and paramount in achieving closure and reconciliation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632039-2010-red-shirt-uprising-clarity-justice-remain-elusive/

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Phuket bikes burned again by teen gangsters
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Patong Police are looking for a gang of teenagers who were seen setting alight four motorbikes in the beach resort town early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632042-phuket-bikes-burned-again-by-teen-gangsters/

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Chiang Mai gears up for Chinese invasion

CHIANG MAI: -- Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year celebration from April 13 to 15, promises to be a chiefly Chinese affair in Chiang Mai this year, thanks to the popularity of the Chinese film "Lost in Thailand".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632043-chiang-mai-gears-up-for-chinese-invasion/

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Jackie Chan antiques plan angers Chinese

BEIJING: -- A plan by Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan to move ancient Chinese buildings to Singapore has sparked controversy in a nation already sensitive about losing its artifacts, state media said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632044-jackie-chan-plans-to-move-ancient-chinese-buildings-to-singapore/

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Honest taxi-driver gets his reward
Kwanhathai Malakan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A taxi driver Tuesday returned Bt520,000 in cash to a couple who left it in an envelope on the taxi's back passenger seat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632046-taxi-driver-returns-bt520000-in-lost-cash/

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Hi-pressure over NE, S.China Sea; tropical thunderstorm forecasted for most of Thailand Apr.10-17 /The Nation

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RT @191Thailand: 9:20am A passenger van has crashed on Rama II Rd near Mae Klong. Passengers trapped inside - TR @js100radio

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,476.73, up 6.01 points /MOCT

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Advance notice for power outages 10-16 April 2013 for Greater Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632079-advance-notice-for-power-outages-10-16-april-2013-for-greater-bangkok/

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Myanmar gas platform repairs completed sooner; power production back to normal Sunday
By English News



BANGKOK, April 10 – Maintenance of Myanmar's Yanada platform which supplies natural gas for power production to Thailand will be finished earlier than scheduled, according to a deputy governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632080-myanmar-gas-platform-repairs-completed-sooner;-power-production-back-to-normal-sunday/

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Meatballs return to Ikea Bangna
BY SIPPACHAI KUNNUWONG

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Post has reported that Ikea’s meatballs, which has been under scrutiny after the products reportedly contained horsemeat, will be back on the menu at Ikea, Mega Bangna within three months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632084-meatballs-return-to-ikea-bangna/

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PM orders southern security stepped up
By English News



BANGKOK, April 10 – Security in the violence-aggravated border provinces in Thailand’s far South will be reinforced, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reassured.

The premier, who visited the South on the weekend, said she meant to boost the officials’ morale in light of repeated attacks by insurgents.

The most severe incident was an explosion which killed Yala's deputy governor and a senior official as they were driving to a ceremony last Friday. The driver was seriously wounded.

Ms Yingluck confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung will definitely visit the South soon.

Mr Chalerm has been assigned the task of supervising the southern problem but he admitted that he felt uncomfortable with the responsibility. He has never made a trip to the troubled region.

Ms Yingluck said she has yet to receive a report on the postponement of the next peace dialogue between the Thai authorities and Muslim insurgent leaders, originally set for April 29 in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanathabut said the peace talks will possibly be rescheduled as Malaysia is holding a general election later this month. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-10

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People sign get-well books for Their Majesties at Siriraj Hospital

BANGKOK, 10 April 2013 (NNT) - People from all four corners of the country continue to visit Siriraj Hospital to sign get-well books for a speedy recovery of Their Majesties the King and Queen, as well as for their longevity.

Among the well-wishers yesterday (April 9) were members of the Tambon Sato Administrative Organization and the Elders’ Club of Khao Saming district, Trat province; lecturers and students from the Art, Culture and Language Institute of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in Bangkok; a saving group under the Village Fund of Baan Khoak Jaeng Village in Photharam district, Ratchaburi province; members of the Eua-arthon Community in Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani province; M.L. Sarali Kitiyakara and her production team of a TV program on tourism promotion; members of the Foundation of the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques under Her Majesty the Queen’s patronage, and members of a Buddhist forest hermitage in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son province.

The Royal Household Bureau yesterday also announced that from April 12-16 the signing of get well books at Siriraj Hospital will be suspended due to the Songkran Festival celebrations.


-- NNT 2013-04-10

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RT @ChannelNewsAsia: BREAKING: Polling date for #Malaysia’s General Elections 2013 - 5 May. Nomination day - 20 April.

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Senate panel says "men in black" side with Red Shirt protesters

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632039-2010-red-shirt-uprising-clarity-justice-remain-elusive/#entry6288575