Thailand Live Friday 12 Apr 2013

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39 persons killed, 342 injured in 326 road accidents nationwide Friday, first of "7 dangerous days" of Songkran holiday: Road Safety Centre /MCOT

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Songkran revelers warned of summer storms

BANGKOK, 12 April 2013 (NNT)-The Meteorological Department has forecasted that 40% of areas in Bangkok and its vicinity will experience thunderstorms during Songkran while the highest temperature will reach around 34-36 degrees Celsius.

According to the weather bureau, a low pressure area in the South China Sea is now moving toward the Gulf of Thailand, bringing heavy rains to most parts of the South from now until April 14. Fishermen have been warned of high waves during the Songkran period.

Meanwhile, a high pressure system is coming from mainland China to cover the northern part of Thailand. This likely brings summer storms to the northeastern region, the Central Plain, the North and the East during April 12-14. Strong winds and thunder storms have been predicted, and people should be cautious when leaving their houses. The weather bureau said, however, more expected rain will help cool down all parts of the country.


-- NNT 2013-04-12

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RT @AP: BREAKING: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in South Korea amid heightened tensions in the region. -SS

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British police getting ready for disruptions at Margaret Thatcher's funeral procession

LONDON: -- British police and politicians will meet today to discuss the details of the forthcoming funeral of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher after reports came in that the procession could be disrupted by those who opposed the Iron Lady.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632576-british-police-getting-ready-for-disruptions-at-margaret-thatchers-funeral-procession/

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Myanmar-Thailand deep seaport project in jeopardy
News Desk
Eleven Media Group

BANGKOK: -- A major infrastructure project involving the development of the Dawei deep seaport and special economic zone may be in jeopardy, said an informed source, citing the lack of financial transaction going into the constructions of the project.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632578-myanmar-thailand-deep-seaport-project-in-jeopardy/

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RT@RichardBarrow: 1:20pm Bangkok #Songkran Parade at Santichaiprakan Park on Phra Athit Rd. will reach corner of Khao San at 2pm pic.twitter.com/wEIam4CixW

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Songkran celebrants head for fun-filled destinations
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, April 12 – Thailand’s railway stations, bus terminals and airports are still crowded with Songkran merry-makers heading to for their respective fun-filled celebrating destinations.

Hua Lamphong, Bangkok’s main railway station, has been extremely busy since yesterday when the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) offered special train services until almost midnight.

Over 100,000 passengers boarded trains yesterday and the SRT predicted a similar number of travellers today.

At the Transport Company’s Mo Chit bus terminal in northern Bangkok, more than 250,000 passengers boarded buses which operated until midnight on Thursday.

Mo Chit terminal provides bus services from Bangkok to the North and Northeast.

The company said the number of outbound travellers today should be slightly lower than yesterday.

Suvarnabhumi, Thailand’s largest airport, saw over 170,000 passengers yesterday as foreign tourists started flowing into the kingdom to join the Thai New Year, or Songkran water-splashing festival, which is celebrated in every corner of the country.

The Airports of Thailand was fully prepared to provide essential facilities and information to tourists. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-04-12

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Health, elderly new targets for promotional investment
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, April 12 – Investment in health and elderly services will be promoted as one of Thailand’s 10 industrial sectors emphasised by the Board of Investment (BoI), the agency’s secretary general said today.

Udom Wongviwatchai said the move is to prepare the country for the next decade when its ageing population will grow swiftly.

New businesses relating to health, the elderly and urban people will emerge accordingly, he said, adding that the industrial sector has increased in Southeast Asia given the availability of innovative technology to take care of the elderly.

He said Thailand will emphasise health business promotion to be ready for the ASEAN Economic Community in the next two years when services, investments and labour forces will move freely in the region.

It will be a good opportunity for Thai investors to expand their services to neighbouring countries, he added. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-04-12

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39 road deaths on first day of Songkran's 'seven dangerous days'
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, April 12 -- A total of 39 deaths and 342 injuries in 326 Thailand road accidents nationwide was reported on Thursday, the first day of the Songkran holiday's "seven dangerous days", Minister of Transport Chadchart Sittipunt said here on Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632585-39-road-deaths-on-first-day-of-songkrans-seven-dangerous-days/

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Phuket officials in tough checks on ferry safety
Tanyaluk Sakoot



PHUKET: -- Marine Police and officials from the Provincial Marine Office today (April 12) began stringent checks on ferry safety which will continue throughout the Songkran period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632589-phuket-officials-in-tough-checks-on-ferry-safety/

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Constitution Court accepts petition against charter rewrite
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, April 12 – The Thai Constitution Court voted 5:3 on Thursday to take under consideration a petition by a civic group which sought an injunction to the parliamentary amendment of a crucial section in the charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632591-thai-constitution-court-accepts-petition-against-charter-rewrite/

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Yingluck tops list of politicians Thais want to "Rod Nam Dam Hua"
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yickluck Shinawatra has ranked No.1 for Thai politicians that Songkran revelers want to Rod Nam Dam Hua (ask for blessings and forgiveness), according to the ABAC Poll Research Center.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632598-yingluck-tops-list-of-politicians-thais-want-to-rod-nam-dam-hua/

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RT @191Thailand: A Bangkok-Happyland bus crashed this afternoon causing many injuries.

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Authorities seize explosives components in fertiliser sack in Narathiwat; police believe they could be used to make bombs for attacks during Songkran /MCOT

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Swede gets death penalty in Malaysia for drugs
New Straits Times

SHAH ALAM - A Swedish bar operator was sentenced to death by the High Court here yesterday for trafficking in drugs two years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632610-swede-gets-death-penalty-in-malaysia-for-drugs/

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RT @191Thailand: A train has hit a pick-up truck in Khon Kaen killing 2 & injuring 20.

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SET index closed at 1527.32, up 10.51; Bt/USD28.92; GBP44.43; AUD30.37; EUR37.82; CAD28.46; HKD3.72; SGD23.19; JPY28.93

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Pheu Thai confident of victory in amendment ruling; second petition filed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party's legal team Friday appeared confident that it could defend a charter-amendment bill, despite the Constitutional Court accepting another petition against the planned amendment to Article 68.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632619-pheu-thai-confident-of-victory-in-amendment-ruling;-second-petition-filed/

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BoT: Active economic growth drives Thai GDP from 4.9% to 5.1% this year, from 4.8% to 5.0% next year /MCOT

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British sex fiend arrested in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Convicted sex offender Hugh Glass (seated), arrested in Phuket, will be deported and handed over to the British authorites. Photo: Phuket Immigration

PHUKET: -- British national Hugh Glass, 57, wanted for multiple sex crimes involving children, was arrested yesterday afternoon while walking along the beach road in Phuket’s key tourism town of Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632659-british-sex-fiend-arrested-in-phuket/

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Phuket Airport sees higher traffic
Salinee Prab
The Nation

PHUKET ; -- A large number of Thai and foreign tourists flock to Phuket International Airport on Friday, ahead of the long holiday period.

Many Thai visitors are seen with their families, to spend their holiday in Phuket and Krabi. Meanwhile, Chinese visitors top the list of foreign visitors, follwed by those from Russia and Australia.

Pratuang Sornkham, director, estimates that the airport will cater services to 35,000 visitors on daily average during April 12-16, who will be flown in and out by 210 daily flights of 56 airlines. In the same period last year, it welcomed 27,000 visitors through 180 flights.

To cope with heavy traffic, the airport stands ready for the 24-hour service, with close cooperation with airlines, customs and immigration. Officers speaking English, Chinese and Russian are positioned to assist check-ins, while the number of points for baggage X-ray is increased.

-- The Nation 2013-04-12

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Funds go to long-term bonds: BOT
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul insisted that most of inflows to the bond market are invested in bonds with maturity of over 1 year.

According to Krungthep Turakij TV, he said that on average, the maturity of bonds held by these investors is 4 years, reflecting that the investors are likely pension funds which bought into Thai bonds on better economic outlook.

Kasikornbank’s research earlier urged the central bank to issue zero-coupon bonds with longer maturity, to drive away speculators who are making quick profits from the "carry trade". Investors in developed economies are expected to borrow more money to invest in emerging markets, to gain from higher interest rates and currency appreciation.

-- The Nation 2013-04-12

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Preah Vihear war room set up
The Nation

BANGKOK --Thailand is turning the Government House into the command centre, ahead of the hearing on the international dispute on Preah Vihear.

The hearing will run from April 15 to 19. The prime minister, ministers and army leaders are expected to observe it at the command centre.

A war room on the second floor will be manned by PM’s secretary Suranand Vejjajiva. From here, the team will monitor the hearing and keep the public updated through a TV programme on Channel 11.

-- The Nation 2013-04-12

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 13 Apr 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632718-thailand-live-saturday-13-apr-2013/