Thailand Live Friday 12 Apr 2013

[webfact]

Princess Chulabhorn visits France and Switzerland

BANGKOK, 12 April 2013 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn will visit the French Republic and the Swiss Confederation during April 13-28, 2013, at the invitations of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) respectively.

While in France, Her Royal Highness, in her capacity as President of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, will discuss with IARC executives in Lyon, on cooperation in cancer research and will sign a cooperation agreement in the field with the IARC.

Later in Geneva, Switzerland, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn will hold a meeting with World Health Organization officials, to discuss cooperation frameworks between WHO and the Chulabhorn Research Institute.

Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn will depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday, April 13, at 00.05 hrs, aboard the Thai Airways International Flight TG 930 and will return by the same airline on the TG 971 flight, on Sunday, April 28, at 05.30 hrs.


-- NNT 2013-04-12

[webfact]

POLITICS
Abhisit rejects Thaksin's attack on judiciary, slams 'greedy politicians'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he agreed with Thaksin Shinawatra that Thailand's democracy is incomplete. However, he cited greedy politicians as the cause, and not a biased justice system, as cited by Thaksin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632485-abhisit-rejects-thaksins-attack-on-judiciary-slams-greedy-politicians/

[webfact]

BLAZE
Fast-moving fire burns 400 rai in Phu Kradueng Park
BOONCHOO SRITRAIPOP
THE NATION
Loei



LOEI: -- A fire that raged through more than 400 rai of the Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei was finally extinguished at about 2.30am yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632486-fast-moving-fire-burns-400-rai-in-loeis-phu-kradueng-park/

[webfact]

Public Health Ministry confirms no avian flu and epidemic in Thailand

BANGKOK, 12 April 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry has come out to assure that the country is free of avian flu and serious contagious disease after the Chinese authorities confirmed a Thai national, who died during his trip to China, was not infected with any deadly virus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632488-no-avian-flu-and-epidemic-in-thailand-public-health-ministry/

[webfact]

SOUTH
AMLO queries unusually high financial transactions in South
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- There have been some suspiciously high monetary transactions in the deep South - averaging at Bt50 billion a year - over the past three years even though the insurgency-related violence has been affecting people's livelihoods and trade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632489-a-m-l-o-queries-unusually-high-financial-transactions-in-thai-south/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Premature deep South talks may soon be on life support
Avudh Panananda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The peace dialogue aimed at quelling violence in the deep South is apparently in danger of an untimely death caused by its premature birth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632490-premature-deep-south-talks-may-soon-be-on-life-support/

[webfact]

Reckless drivers endanger lives as a matter of course
Ridwan Quaium,
Kunnawee Kanitpong
Special to The Nation


Onlookers examine the wreck of a crashed bus on an upcountry highway, an all-too-familiar sight in Thailand, especially during holiday periods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632491-thailand-reckless-drivers-endanger-lives-as-a-matter-of-course/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Songkran: the good, the bad and the ugly
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Can Thais learn to respect the spirit and meaning of the festival, or is it too late to save it from drunkenness, lewd behaviour, violence and road carnage?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632492-songkran-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

[webfact]

CHARTER-AMENDMENT BILL
Court rejects plea to disband Democrats
Chanikarn Phumhirun,
Atapoom Ongkulna
The Nation

Judiciary accepts petition against House speaker on violating rights

BANGKOK: -- The Constitutional Court yesterday unanimously agreed to reject the petition filed by former senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana to disband the Democrat Party for its alleged involvement in vetting charter-amendment bills.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632493-court-rejects-plea-to-disband-thai-democrats/

[webfact]

8 PAD members indicted over airport seizures
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors yesterday indicted eight more members of the People's Alliance for Democracy on conspiracy charges in connection with the seizures of two Bangkok airports in 2008.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632494-8-p-a-d-members-indicted-over-airport-seizures/

[webfact]

Yingluck slammed for changing clothes too many times in one day
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- As the head of Thailand’s government, Yingluck Shinawatra is tasked with representing her nation, cabinet and party at public events. In addition to achieving certain political ends, looking elegant is another requirement of her job.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632497-yingluck-slammed-for-changing-clothes-too-many-times-in-one-day/

[webfact]

Officials work to limit Songkran road toll
The Nation



Authorities are taking steps to achieve a drop in Songkran road casualties this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632496-officials-work-to-limit-songkran-road-toll/

[webfact]

Park probe elephant slaughtering
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION

PHETCHABURI: -- A panel is being set up to investigate the slaughtering of wild elephants over the past two years in Phetchaburi's Kaeng Krachan National Park and the role of officials, including the park's chief.

"Chaiwat [Limlikhit-aksorn] has a history of conflict with locals there," Manopat Huamuangkaew, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said yesterday.

"If he is found working inappropriately, he will be transferred to another area, but if not, he will remain working there," he said.

The committee's findings were expected to be reported within 30 days, including how chief warden Chaiwat handled problems stemming from his reported in ability to collaborate with other agencies, he said.

Many elephant carcasses have been found in the park. The latest were a beheaded pregnant elephant this month and another last month that was believed to have been killed to steal her calf.

Farmers who were angry at the pachyderms for damaging their crops while foraging, poachers or influential people were possible perpetrators.

To prevent wild jumbos from going past farms and trampling their plants, bridges would be built for them to cross over, artificial salt licks provided and plants grown for them to eat.

-- The Nation 2013-04-12

[webfact]

FLU VACCINE PLANT
DSI agrees to look into irregularities
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
The Nation


Minister to be asked for details as agency set to probe delay in construction among other things

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will next week launch an inquiry into the delay and alleged irregular bidding process for the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation's (GPO) influenza vaccine plant being built in Saraburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632500-flu-vaccinate-plant-saraburi-d-s-i-agrees-to-look-into-irregularities/

[webfact]

Norwegian killed in traffic accident in Thailand
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

KHON KAEN: -- A Norwegian man was killed when he was driving his girlfriend to work at the local hospital, said a friend of the husband to Norwegian television.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632529-norwegian-killed-in-traffic-accident-in-thailand/

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: #Songkran Death on the Roads: Day 1/7 - 39 dead (9 more than last year) & 342 injured (33 less)

[webfact]

Evacuation of Thais swift if Korean conflict deteriorates
By Digital Media



BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 12 – Thailand is ready to evacuate its nationals from North and South Korea if tensions in the peninsula worsen, a senior Thai cabinet member said.

Concurrent Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said here Thursday that about 40,000 Thais are residing in South Korea and a small number--only 10 persons--are in North Korea.

The Thai embassy in Seoul earlier reported that the situation in South Korea remained normal but advised Thai people travelling in the East Asian country to carry with them passports, travel documents and communication devices.

Mr Surapong, attending the Annual Ministerial Meeting (AMM) of foreign ministers in Brunei, said member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were concerned with the relations between the two Koreas and tensions in the peninsula following the North-South dispute and hoped that the conflict will not escalate.

ASEAN may consider issuing a statement on the tension, he said but did not elaborate.

Mr Surapong said the AMM agreed to pursue the code of conduct in the South China Sea between ASEAN member countries and China. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-12

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport Expansion

By English News

BANGKOK: -- When Suvarnabhumi Airport opened six years ago, it was heralded as a futuristic model for the region. Today, passenger volume has soared far beyond the airport's capacity of 45 million travellers annually. To ensure that the airport is not extremely congested, the second phase of the airport will be further constructed following delays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632535-suvarnabhumi-airport-expansion/

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,518.45, up 1.64 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Be careful while driving. Just now heavy rainstorm over Bangkok /Thaivisa

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: A tour bus crashed into a tree in the early hours of the morning in Prachuap Khiri Khan killing one and injuring 15

[webfact]

Google unveils service to manage digital afterlife

SAN FRANCISCO: -- Google unveiled a service designed to manage one of the most troublesome problems of digital life - how to deal with the accounts of people who die.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632547-google-unveils-service-to-manage-digital-afterlife/

[webfact]

Hua Lumpong Train Station in Bangkok increases more trips to facilitate commuters during Songkran

Bangkok, April 12, (NNT): Hua Lumpong Train Station in Bangkok has added extra trains to facilitate commuters during the Songkran long holiday.

According to Hualampong Station Master Chaliew Vaiyakanha (เฉลียว ไวยกัญหา), the atmosphere at the station on Friday was lively. Expecting a large number of holidaymakers to avail themselves to train services, Hua Lampong has added five more trips to all routes.

Mr. Chaliew said the added trips would facilitate around 4,500 left-over passengers. Thursday has seen the highest number of passengers so far, servicing over 30,000 with a total of 70 trips.

However, this year's number of passengers is lower than that of last year, given that many revelers have already left the capital since the Chakri long holiday last week, according to the Station Master.


-- NNT 2013-04-12

[webfact]

RT @ukinthailand: The British Embassy in Bangkok will be closed on Monday 15 April & Tuesday 16 April for Songkran holidays. Happy Songkran everyone

[webfact]

Deputy PM Chalerm in Yala to chair Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre meeting on security /MCOT

[webfact]

Heavy rain in BKK at start of Songkran long holiday, many areas flooded, causing sudden traffic jams as travellers leave for provinces /MCOT

[webfact]

Thailand ready to evacuate 40,000 Thais in S.Korea and 10 Thais in N.Korea if war breaks out, foreign minister said /The Nation

[webfact]

Train and bus stations crowded with holidaymakers

BANGKOK, 12 April 2013 (NNT)-More and more people are pouring into Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal to board their buses to visit their hometowns upcountry. 7,000 more bus trips have reportedly been added to the departure timetable to assure no one will be left behind.

As more people are expected to use the bus service this evening, the Transport Company has increased the frequency of buses leaving Bangkok to destinations across the country by 7,000 trips a day to accommodate passengers during the long holiday period.

The Transport Company says a GPS system has been installed in every single bus and 2 drivers are being assigned to each bus that travels more than 400 kilometers in one trip. The company also conducts alcohol testing to assure safety of both passengers and the company's employees.

At Hua Lampong, the station has also been crowded with people awaiting their trains. Information desks have been set up within the waiting area to answer questions regarding the service. 26 more trains have been added to the existing 250 ones already operational.


-- NNT 2013-04-12

[webfact]

Woman employee of Bacho hospital in Narathiwat shot by two assailants on motorcycle while riding motorcycle to work; sent to Mai Kaen Hospital /MCOT

[webfact]

Phuket beefs up bus services, driver drug tests for Songkran
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- More buses and drug and alcohol tests for drivers have been ordered at the Phuket bus terminal in Rassada to ensure that everyone can travel, and travel safely, during the Songkran holidays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632572-phuket-beefs-up-bus-services-driver-drug-tests-for-songkran/