Thailand Live Sunday 14 Apr 2013

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SONGKRAN
Two-day death toll exceeds last year's
Wattana Khamchu
The Nation on Sunday

A motorcycle is one of a few vehicles seen near Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- 101 killed and 838 injured; drunk driving and speeding main cause of accidents

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632784-road-accidents-kill-101-in-first-two-days-of-songkran-festival/?p=6300690#entry6300690

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Team heads to Hague for Preah Vihear case
The Nation on Sunday

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul, left, and Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat speak to reporters before departing for The Hague yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Surapong urges Thais to follow hearing; defence minister 'not worried' about situation on border

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632894-team-heads-to-hague-for-preah-vihear-case/

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Thaksin seeks and offers forgiveness
The Nation on Sunday

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gets a kiss from her son while celebrating the Thai New Year in her hometown of Chiang Mai yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday used the occasion of Songkran, the Thai New Year, to apologise to those seniors whom he had "hurt" and also forgave those who had "hurt" him, while sending his good wishes to Thais on his Facebook page.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632895-thaksin-seeks-and-offers-forgiveness/

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Youngsters learn from Japan how to care for environment
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation on Sunday

Youngsters enjoyed learning about how they can protect the environment on an educational field trip to Japan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632896-youngsters-learn-from-japan-how-to-care-for-environment/

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ARTS
Dynamics of a city
Pattarawadee Saengmanee
The Nation on Sunday

CHIANG MAI: -- The Thailand Creative and Design Centre celebrates its arrival in Chiang Mai with a community-centred exhibition that explores its past and vibrant present

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632897-dynamics-of-a-city/

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Bullets used in South raid match weapon
Narong Nuansakul
The Nation on Sunday

NARATHIWAT: -- Shells from M60 machine-gun rounds found outside a ranger outpost near the home of a leading Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) member in Narathiwat's Ra Ngae district were fired from a rifle stolen during a 2008 attack in Chanae district in which eight soldiers were killed, officials said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632898-bullets-used-in-south-raid-match-weapon/

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Three arrested in the killing of Chachoengsao activist Prajob
Kwanhathai Malakan
The Nation on Sunday

National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew yesterday announced the arrest of two air force personnel and a Department of Industrial Works senior official for the murder of Chachoengsao environmental activist Prajob Naowa-opas on February 25.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632899-three-arrested-in-the-killing-of-chachoengsao-activist-prajob/

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Fishing boats and homes damaged in storm
Apichart Hongsakul
The Nation on Sunday

PRACHUAP KIRI KHAN: -- Father and son on the "Lor Chok-ariya" fishing boat yesterday recalled their narrow escape from death on Friday night when a summer storm damaged some 400 homes and 53 fishing boats in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Seeking refuge at Muang district Wat Ao Noi yesterday, the 47-year-old squid-fisherman Jirayu Sawanchana and his 19-year-old son felt thankful for their decision to grab plasic gallons as buoy and jump out in time when the 2am storm with ravaging five-meter-high waves hit their fishing boat. They managed to swim ashore at Ao Noi Bay but the boat was totally destroyed. "I thought our boat would be just floating somewhere in the sea for us to retrive later, so I suddenlt felt weak in the knees when I saw pieces of broken boards and our boat sign name "Lor Chok-ariya" were swept onto the beach. We used this boat to make a living and now we have nothing. I don’t know what to do next. I just keep telling my son that we are lucky that we survive," he added.

Muang district saw 132 homes affected, while Sam Roi Yod district had 101 home affected, Thab Sakae district had 86 homes affected, Bang Saphan Noi district had 21 homes affected, Bang Saphan district had 21 homes affected and Hua Hin had two homes affected. Fifty-three fishing boats in Muang district were affected. Provincial govonor Weera Sriwattanatrakul said the local administrative organisations would aid the affected homes and boats (each fishing boat woudl get Bt10,000 assistant money) hence urged the affected residents to register the damages with the officials.

-- The Nation 2013-04-14

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Revellers soak in Songkran festivities
The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- People in all provinces across the country began enjoying festivities in the water-splashing festival yesterday, the first day of Songkran.

Even drought and violence in some provinces did not deter people from having fun in the annual water celebrations.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday presided over a ceremony to mark the beginning of Songkran celebrations at Tha Phae Gate in her hometown, Chiang Mai. Ministers also joined the ceremony that offered an opportunity to revellers to celebrate in a traditional way.

Later at a hotel in the province, the ministers as well as her son poured water into the prime minister's palms, a traditional activity done to show respect to respected and senior people during this traditional Thai New Year. Nong Pipe, her son, wished her good health so that she could work and do good deeds for the country.

Yingluck, her relatives and the ministers also ate local northern-style noodles at a restaurant together.

Khon Kaen has become a major celebration venue for local residents and Thais and foreign tourists for years on the Khao Niao (sticky rice) Road. Even though the northeastern province is encountering drought this year, it has not prevented revellers from having fun. Instead of using large volumes of water, revellers are being encouraged to sprinkle water on each other to cut down on the water use.

Relevant agencies there yesterday opened Kai Yang (grilled chinken) Road for children to traditionally enjoy the festival where they can pour scented water on Buddha statues, pour the water into the palms of the elderly, build sand stupas and play traditional children's games.

The violence-prone province of Yala was yesterday crowded with locals and tourists from Malaysia and Singapore in Betong district, under the watchful eyes of security authorities. Traffic jams were reported on many roads in the district. In Muang district, hundreds of Buddhists offered alms to 120 monks and novices to mark the auspicious celebration yesterday morning.

Despite tensions along the border of Thailand and Cambodia, as the International Court of Justice is going to hear statements from both countries from tomorrow to Friday, locals in the border village of Ban Phumsarol in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district still had fun and enjoyed the water festival.

Bangkok's Siam and Silom celebration venues were also filled with Thais and foreign revellers while performances by celebrities made the celebrations more exciting. A part of Silom Road was closed for revellers' water celebrations from 2pm until midnight.

Tens of thousands of people crowded into celebration areas in Buri Ram and Phitsanulok. Revellers enjoyed a foam party and concerts at a stadium in Buri Ram.

Phuket's Patong beach and downtown were filled with tourists. There was also a traditional event held to celebrate the festival on Soi Ta-ied.

-- The Nation 2013-04-14

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-- The Nation 2013-04-14

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RT@RichardBarrow: 14 April: Today in Thailand it's National Family Day (วันครอบครัว)

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RT@RichardBarrow: Phuket Bike Week: 14-21 April 2013 thaifestivalblogs.com/phuket-bike-we…

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RT@RichardBarrow: Three injured, including a foreigner, when Thai teenagers threw a firecracker late last night during #Songkran on Silom.

RT@RichardBarrow: Police say that #Songkran on Silom Road today will only be allowed from 2pm-9pm after an incident late last night.

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RT@191Thailand: During the first 3 days of the #Songkran holidays in Thailand, 173 people were killed & 1,526 injured in road accidents.

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RT@INchannel90: Different kind of water #splashing. 8.52AM underground pipe broke (outbound Vibhavadhi), water flooding the street via @fm91trafficpro

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173 deaths, 1,526 injuries in 1st three of seven dangerous days during Songkran holiday, most deaths (5) recorded in Prachuap Khiri Khan /MCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: Thai police say they will arrest immediately anyone they see dressed like this during #Songkran (Via @ittipat_Rw) moby.to/g1u7a1

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Thailand’s exports reached US$266 million in the first two months of this year, 4 per cent increase year-on-year: Commerce Ministry. /MCOT

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Thai exports up 4 percent in Jan-Feb 2013
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Apr 14 – Thailand’s exports reached US$266 million in the first two months of this year, a four-percent increase year-on-year, according to the Commerce Ministry.

The Foreign Trade Department (FTD) said exports of jewellery and accessories had, however, declined over 8 percent. The export value was US$36 million. Other major export products were air conditioners and parts, rubber and rubber products and frozen squids.

The country’s total exports last year was US$1.42 billion, 24 percent lower from the preceding year.

The kingdom’s imports in the first two months of this year surged by 23 per cent year-on-year at a total value of US$391 million.
Top import items were machinery and parts at US$112 million, a 54 per cent increase, followed by metal products, chemicals, electrical machinery and parts, and health and medical products.

Last year’s total import value was reported at US$2.2 billion or five percent higher.

Thailand’s trade with the eurozone in Jan-Feb this year increased by 10.7 percent, totalling US$3.21 billion.

This year, the FTD has set a 0-5 percent growth target for trading with Europe from last year’s total value of US$19.55 billion.

The FTD has led a Thai delegation, comprising more than 40 food business operators, to join a trade exhibition in Italy’s city of Milan to promote Thai food under the Thai-A-Spice concept. The activity has been organised in the Salone del Mobile trade show and Slow Hand Design Exhibition on April 9-14.

Wansri Jotikapukkana, director of the Thai Trade Promotion Office in Milan, said Thai businessmen visited Dumus Acadermy. Milan’s leading design institute, and other design centres during the trip. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-04-14

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RT@CoconutsBankok: Lady dances in the back of a parked truck in Silom #Songkran goo.gl/MBou6 pic.twitter.com/jJKoenGr98

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Eight-day maintenance of natural gas platform in Myanmar, was accomplished Friday without any hiccups in power supply to Thailand: EGAT /MCOT

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Thailand sails smoothly through power challenge
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Apr 14 – The eight-day maintenance of a natural gas platform in Myanmar, one of the main energy sources for Thailand’s electricity production, was accomplished Friday without any hiccups in the power supply to the kingdom, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) reported today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632952-thailand-sails-smoothly-through-power-challenge/

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30 drink-driving suspects caught at North Pattaya Songkran Police Checkpoint

PATTAYA:--Early on Sunday Morning Pattaya’s Traffic Police organized a Songkran Festival Police Checkpoint in North Pattaya at the Dolphin Roundabout with the aim of detecting and detaining suspected drink-driving suspects.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632953-30-drink-driving-suspects-caught-at-north-pattaya-songkran-police-checkpoint/

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RT@191Thailand: On 13 April there were 655 accidents in Thailand (75 less than last year). There were 72 deaths (16 more) & 688 injuries (90 less).

RT@191Thailand: During the first three days of the #Songkran holiday in #Thailand, 173 people have died in road accidents. That's 29 more than last year.

RT@191Thailand: On 13 April, most accidents were caused by drunk driving (46.72%) & speeding (24.12%). More drunk drivers this year #Songkran

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67 year old man accused of sexually assaulting 6 year old girl in East Pattaya

PATTAYA:--Nongprue Police, who are responsible for the East-side of Pattaya, arrested a 67 year old man on Sunday Morning, accused of sexually assaulting a 6 year old girl, 4 times.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632962-67-year-old-man-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-6-year-old-girl-in-east-pattaya/

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Govt 'fully prepared' as world court opens Preah Vihear case

Chiang Mai -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will stay in Chiang Mai to closely monitor testimonies being presented before the International Court of Justice in Europe over the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. She has also urged Thais to follow the court session with calm.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632894-team-heads-to-hague-for-preah-vihear-case/#entry6302220

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Suicide after domestic dispute at North Pattaya Constructors Campsite
PATTAYA:--A 50 year old female construction worker based at a site in the Naklua area, reportedly hung herself on Sunday afternoon following a bust-up with her Husband.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632966-suicide-after-domestic-dispute-at-north-pattaya-constructors-campsite/

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Poll finds 76% of Thais skeptical of govt's loan plans

BANGKOK: -- Most people doubt transparency in the government's plan to seek Bt2-trillion loans for infrastructure development and do not believe the loan spending would be optimised, an opinion survey has found.

The survey was carried out by Assumption University's Abac Poll among 2,089 residents of 17 provinces, who are at least 18 years old, The provinces included Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Suphan Buri, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Punnatee Isarangkul na Ayutthaya, an assistant of Abac Poll, said Sunday that 76.7 per cent of respondents did not think the government could make the most of the Bt2trillion loans, while 23.3 per cent believed the government would use the loans to fully benefit the country.

She said 81.7 per cent did not believe the loans would be spent with transparency.

-- The Nation 2013-04-14

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Songkran road toll rises to 173

BANGKOK: -- The death toll from road accidents in the first three days of the Songkran holiday break has reached 173, an increase of 29 per cent from last year with 1,526 people injured while drunk driving was a the major cause of accident.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632940-173-deaths-in-first-three-days-of-songkran/?p=6302428#entry6302428

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to continue:

Thailand Live Monday 15 Apr 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633037-thailand-live-monday-15-apr-2013/