Thailand Live Thursday 11 Apr 2013

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Hill tribesman arrested while smuggling 460,000 Meth pills in Nakhon Sawan

NAKHON SAWAN, 11 April 2013 (NNT) – Narcotics suppression police has arrested a Hmong hill tribesman who was smuggling 460,000 Meth pills worth 140 million baht through Nakhon Sawan province.

36-year-old Maitri Chit-arakwong’s pickup truck was searched by police at a checkpoint in Payuhakhiri, Nakhon Sawan. Police found the drugs hidden behind the back of the driver’s seat.

During the search, the passenger inside the pickup truck managed to run away, leaving the driver in police custody. Mr. Maitri, the driver, denied having any knowledge about the drugs, saying that the package belonged to the passenger, who was his relative and who invited him on this trip to deliver vegetables to market.

Police said all the narcotics belonged to the Northern drugs trading ring. An arrest warrant will soon be issued for the passenger who fled the scene.


-- NNT 2013-04-11

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Tourism and Sports Min working to meet revenue target of THB 2 trillion

BANGKOK, 11 April 2013 (NNT) - The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to hold a workshop aimed at helping the Thai tourism sector generate revenue of two trillion baht by 2015 in accordance with the government’s policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632266-thai-tourism-and-sports-min-working-to-meet-revenue-target-of-2-trillion-baht/

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Tensions stirred on anniversary
THE NATION



Three years after crackdown, reds and Army demand clarity, justice

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday marked the third anniversary of the April 10 crackdown on protesters during 2010’s political turmoil. Both the red-shirt movement and the Army renewed their calls for clarity and justice in dealing with the aftermath of the protests, while the blame game intensified again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632267-three-years-after-crackdown-red-shirts-and-army-demand-clarity-justice/

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UPDATE:
Relentless baht raises worries
Business REporters
The Nation

Fears over impact on export, tourism as currency hits post-1997 high for 3rd day in a row

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's export and tourism sectors are bracing for tough times in light of the baht's strong rally against the US dollar, while authorities are brainstorming for the best policy options.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632027-central-bank-chief-cautions-as-baht-gains-extra-strength/?p=6290997#entry6290997

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US marks 180 years of friendship with a splash
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- US Ambassador Kristie Kenney has started the countdown to Songkran - and launched a celebration of 180 years of Thai-US relations - by starring in a YouTube video.

The clip, titled "Counting Down to Songkran with US Embassy Bangkok", shows the ambassador celebrating Songkran in the compound of the US embassy. The clip also shows her displaying a "Happy Songkran" message, along with another proclaiming 180 years of Thai-US relations.

The clip was shot with a special technique in which the ambassador walked backwards while other characters in the video performed normal actions. The video was then played in reverse, showing the ambassador walking forward while others in the video move in reverse. The technique was used to convey the concept of the "countdown" to the traditional Thai New Year, which begins on Saturday.

The clip features the song "Jub Mue Kan Wai" ("Holding Hands") by Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre as its theme, courtesy of GMM Grammy, blends well with the main theme of the embassy's celebration of 180 years of Thai-US bilateral ties.

The clip, posted on YouTube, can be viewed through the Facebook of the US embassy in Bangkok.


-- The Nation 2013-04-11

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Democrats desperately need reforms: Alongkorn
SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON,
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- After having failed to win a general election for the past 20 years, the Democrat Party has become aware of the need for reform, but no concrete moves have been made in that direction so far.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632268-thai-democrats-desperately-need-reforms-alongkorn/

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Computer tablets helping language skills, says Obec
SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- With computer tablets as their learning tools, Pathom 1 students have acquired language skills faster, according to a research by the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632269-computer-tablets-helping-language-skills-says-thailands-obec/

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Tourism sector wary of impact
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The tourism sector is monitoring the strengthening of the baht more closely and has expressed concern that if the current trend continues, the industry may feel a bigger pinch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632270-tourism-sector-wary-of-impact-of-strengthening-of-the-thai-baht/

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HAI TALK
Violence reduction pledge can enable peace talks
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabutr says last Friday's killings of the deputy governor and assistant governor of Yala province in a bomb attack by southern insurgents would not affect the ongoing "peace dialogue" between the government and the separatist Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) delegation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632271-violence-reduction-pledge-can-enable-peace-talks-thai-talk/

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Spousal killings on rise

The Nation

Bangkok. File photo, source: Wikipedia.org

BANGKOK: -- The incidence of people being killed in domestic-violence cases is on the rise, with Bangkok seeing the highest number, followed by Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani and Chon Buri, the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632272-spousal-killings-on-rise-in-thailand-with-bangkok-seeing-the-highest-number/

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Cameraman dies in highway crash
The Nation


Sunet Thawalee

BANGKOK: -- A Channel 5 cameraman was killed in an accident in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district yesterday after covering Transport Minister Chadchart Sitthipunt's opening of a road-safety centre on the Mitraparp Highway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632273-thai-cameraman-dies-in-highway-crash-after-covering-opening-of-a-road-safety-centre/

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3 Thai universities named among 100 best in Asia

Wannapa Khaopa,

Chuleepon Aramned

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three Thai universities have been named among the top 100 research universities in Asia by the Times Higher Education magazine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632275-3-thai-universities-named-among-100-best-in-asia/

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UPDATE:
Another bus overturns, 3 dead
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A Khon Kaen-Nakhon Phanom bus overturned when the driver lost control while handling a downhill curve in Kalasin's Somdet district at 5pm on Tuesday. Three passengers were killed and 35 others injured. Police blame the accident on malfunctioning brakes and the driver's unfamiliarity of the route.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632168-khon-kaen-nakhon-phanom-bus-overturns-3-dead/?p=6291032#entry6291032

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BURNING ISSUE
Chalerm does not deserve role in South
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Violent attacks in the Muslim-majority South have continued unabated despite an ongoing "peace process" between the Thai authorities and the separatist group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (National Revolutionary Front) being brokered by Malaysia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632276-chalerm-does-not-deserve-role-in-thai-south/

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Panel agrees to get rid of party-dissolution penalty
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Members of the ad-hoc parliamentary committee vetting the constitutional amendment bill yesterday agreed to amend Article 237 of the charter to remove the penalty of political party dissolution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632277-panel-agrees-to-get-rid-of-thai-party-dissolution-penalty/

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XP services to end in a year, M'soft warns

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Microsoft has reminded customers that it will retire service and support for Windows XP in one year from last Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632278-windows-x-p-to-be-retired-in-april-2014-microsoft-warns/

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Test-tube baby pioneer Sir Robert Edwards dies

CAMBRIDGE: -- The world's first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, has led the tributes to the pioneer of IVF, who has died aged 87.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632279-test-tube-baby-pioneer-sir-robert-edwards-dies/

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Army chief says PM expresses sorrow at loss of two rangers in Pattani attacks, asks reinforcements to be more careful in providing support /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,498.94, up 8.69 points /MCOT

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TAT launches 'The Little Big Project' to promote tourism and save environment

BANGKOK, 11 April 2013 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching a campaign called “The Little Big Project”, in the hope of promoting the country’s tourism and helping save wildlife animals and the environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632290-t-a-t-launches-the-little-big-project-to-promote-tourism-and-save-environment/

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Zoo officials to press ahead with asking government to request China to extend panda's stay

CHIANG MAI, 11 April 2013 (NNT) – The Zoological Organization of Thailand is pressing ahead with its proposal to the Thai government to ask China to extend the stay of Lin Ping, the young panda that has become a major attraction at Chiang Mai Zoo.

Chiang Mai Governor Thanin Suphasaen has indicated that related agencies have until the May 27 deadline to discuss the extension request for the panda’s stay. He said it is possible for a change to come about, regarding the looming departure date of the panda. However, if such request does not get approval, the panda will be sent to China under the condition stipulated by China regarding panda cubs born in countries to which the pandas are on loan.

According to Mr. Thanin, if the young panda must leave, he wants to hold a farewell event, because the entire panda family of three have contributed significantly to Chiang Mai’s tourism, economy and fame.

In the meantime, visitors to Chiang Mai still frequent the panda family at Chiang Mai Zoo in great numbers.


-- NNT 2013-04-11

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PM orders close watch on fast strengthening baht
By English News

BANGKOK, April 11 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and Finance Ministry to closely monitor the surging baht and find measures to help smaller enterprises.

BoT Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said Wednesday that the premier has asked whether any special measures would be necessary to ease the situation and assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers who have been hardest hit by the strong baht.

The Thai currency appreciated to Bt28.91/95 against the dollar on Tuesday, the strongest since 1997.

He said the central bank has closely monitored the currency movement and asked the Thailand Securities Depository to check the activities and names of foreign investors in the stock market before deciding if additional measures are necessary.

Mr Prasarn said the surging baht has been advantageous to importers but has negatively affected exporters, particularly small- and medium-sized businesses.

Commercial banks have been requested to help smaller businesses, he said.

He insisted that it is unnecessary to reduce the policy interest rate as the monetary situation remains under control. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-11

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Energy Minister thanked all sides for cooperation during energy crisis

BANGKOK, 11 April 2013 (NNT) - A lower than expected demand for electricity during the energy emergency situation contributes to cooperation from all sides to save energy.

Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn said the peak demand for electricity on April 10 stood at 24,588 megawatts, which was lower than forecasted demand of 25,900 megawatts.

The energy minister thanked the private sectors and all Thai people for their cooperation with the government in an effort to save energy and help the nation pass through the energy crisis during a suspension of gas supply from Myanmar.

Mr. Pongsak assured adequate current electricity reserves in the system for the demand of the country and the situation was no longer worrying. He, however, asked for cooperation from all sectors to continue to save energy in the long run.


-- NNT 2013-04-11

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Two military rangers killed in 35 Pattani attacks
By Digital Media



PATTANI, April 11 -- Two military rangers were killed and six wounded in more than 35 locations where violence occurred overnight in the southernmost province of Pattani, included an assault on a military base, bombings, tyre burnings and fishing trawler bombings.

Insurgents attacked at about 8pm, when two trawlers were bombed and damaged.

The first fishing boat, named the Chok Surasak Montri, sank. The ship was berthed at a pier in the provincial seat. Some three minutes later, an explosion occurred at the second boat, Pornsawan 25, berthed at Pornsawan Pier in the provincial seat. No one was injured in either incident.

At about 8.30pm, police said a joint defence volunteer/village protection unit checkpoint on the Sai Buri-Kapho Road in Kapho district was attacked. Reinforcements has rushed to the scene but the situation returned to normal and no casualty was reported.

At almost the same time, police were reported of attacks at many locations in Panare disrict including bombings at public telephone booths. The suspected insurgents also attacked a defence volunteer base. During the gun battle, some 10 military rangers were rushing on amoured vehicle to support but they were hit by a roadside bomb detonated by insurgents. Two of them were killed and six were wounded.

At Sai Buri district, a vocational training centre was torched, two power generation vehicles were burnt in Mayo district, and nine incidents of tyre burning were reported in Yarang.

Presumed insurgents also burnt tyres and CCTV cameras at Khok Pho district. (MCOT online news)

Photo courtesy: Isranews Agency (http://www.isranews.org)


-- TNA 2013-04-11

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Thailand overwhelmed by influx of foreign tourists
By English News



BANGKOK, April 11 – The Thai travel industry has called on the government to urgently increase the number of personnel in the tourism business to cope with surging numbers of foreign visitors to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632317-thailand-overwhelmed-by-influx-of-foreign-tourists/

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Bangkok -- the Lady Gaga of Asia
Robert Oliver
Chef, Author, Bon Vivant

I love Bangkok. I even love arriving here, slipping into the languorous heat of this fabulous city. Food, traffic, sex, pollution: this town has it all.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632328-bangkok-the-lady-gaga-of-asia/

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Fire at Tepprasit Market Office in Jomtien

PATTAYA:--On Wednesday Morning a contingent of Pattaya Fire Fighters were called to the Tepprasit Market Office located at the side of the Tepprasit Road Condominium Complex in Jomtien to deal with a small fire in a store-room situated at the rear of the office block.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632330-fire-at-tepprasit-market-office-in-jomtien/

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MWA increases water production amidst widespread droughts

BANGKOK, 11 April 2013 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) is increasing the production of tap water by 200,000 cubic meters per day to deal with widespread droughts.

The MWA has established a Command Centre to solve the current water crisis as well as the problem of poor quality of water. It has been cooperating with the Royal Irrigation Department in diverting more water from the Tha Chin river to the Chao Phraya river, to raise the supply of raw water to production plants.

The MWA is increasing daily production of tap water from 4.9 million cubic meters to 5.1 million to serve the rising demand.

Water trucks are prepared to deliver water to remote, drought-stricken areas while 28 points of tap water distribution are available to help people in Bangkok and its vicinity and surrounding provinces.


-- NNT 2013-04-11

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German Ambassador to Thailand visits Radio Thailand

Bangkok, April 10th, (NNT): German Ambassador to Thailand, Rolf Peter Gottfried Sculze, has visited Radio Thailand, attending Songkran bathing rite ceremony with the station officials.

The radio staffs, donning traditional Thai attires, were delight by the ambassador's presence, who actively participated in the bathing ceremony, and humbly mingled with the station crew.

Mr. Rolf also gave Radio Thailand a special interview on the Thai-German 150 years relations, focusing on trades and investment.

He also hinted at terrestrial radio cooperation between the two nations. The interview was broadcast on Thursday morning at FM 88, FM 95.5, and AM 918.


-- NNT 2013-04-11

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BMA initiates 'Bangkok World Book Capital 2013' campaign

Bangkok, April 11, (NNT): Bangkok Governor M.R.Sukhumbhand Paribatra has initiated a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's campaign dubbed 'Bangkok World Book Capital 2013 'to promote reading among city dwellers.

The Bangkok Governor last week stated in the campaign opening ceremony that the capital of Thailand would proceed with the campaign as it had earlier been chosen by UNESCO as the World Book Capital for this year. To encourage Bangkokians to read more, the Governor said the city would hold several events including an international seminar on reading promotion and an exhibition on 35 years of S.E.A. Writers Award, which will be organized at Thailand Cultural Center from April 21 until May 19.

In addition, the city would also organize another interesting event, the Singing Playing Preaching and Talking convention, at the Siamparagon shopping center from April 21 to 23, of which the the opening ceremony will be presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, said M.R. Sukhumband The Bangkok Governor later released a book caravan, touring around the capital urging Bangkokians to read more. Famous country rock singer, Yuenyong Opakul or Ad Carabao has composed an exclusive song specifically for the campaign.


-- NNT 2013-04-11