Thailand Live Wednesday 17 Apr 2013

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Teen Girl Sexually Assaulted During Songkran

A 25-year-old-man was arrested by Samutprakarn police for raping a 14-year-old girl. She was introduced to him by her friend, and they celebrated Songkran together. But while taking her home on his motorbike, he raped her in a forest.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633451-teen-girl-sexually-assaulted-during-songkran/

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Tourists stranded on Koh Tachai rescued by navy vessel

The Royal Thai Navy Region 3's "Pattani" offshore patrol vessel safely delivered the 455 tourists to Phang Nga Navy Base in Phang Nga's Thai Muang district at 4am Wednesday.

The Songkran revellers had been stranded on Koh Tachai in Kura Buri district since Tuesday afternoon because of storms and high waves. The vessel was dispatched at 7pm Tuesday to the island 80km off the coast.

-- The Nation 2013-04-17

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Warnings of harsh weather, rain, storms for Thailand's South
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Apr 17 – Thailand’s coastal provinces in the South have been on special alert for tropical storms, torrential rains, flooding and high tides, the weather bureau announced today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633454-warnings-of-harsh-weather-rain-storms-for-thailands-south/

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Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung: Thailand not terrorism target; but all areas, particularly where foreigners live, to be strictly monitored /MCOT

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Expert believes laws in Thailand’s favour on temple dispute

BANGKOK, 17 April 2013 (NNT) - An academic has expressed his belief that Thailand will successfully present its main arguments to the International Court of Justice in order to contest Cambodia’s claims in the Phra Viharn temple dispute.

According to International relations lecturer at Chulalongkorn University Panitan Wattanayakorn, laws are in Thailand's favour, as The ICJ has made clear it will not rule on the territorial dispute. Thailand’s argument questioning the legality of the map drawn by the French government also carried enough weight to disprove Cambodian allegations.

Thailand is due to present arguments countering Cambodian claims that Thailand initiated violent attacks, as both sides exchanged gunfire on the disputed territory near the temple in 2008.

He concluded that Thailand would maintain an advantage whichever way the court decided the issues, as Cambodia would need Thailand's cooperation in developing Phra Viharn as a World Heritage site.

Thailand is scheduled to give its oral statement to the Court on Wednesday at 3-6pm and at 8-9.30pm, local time. The ICJ will take at least six months before announcing its verdict.


-- NNT 2013-04-17

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Songkran Celebrant Killed In Pickup Truck Crash


A speeding pick-up truck containing 4 people returning from the Bangsaen Songkran festival crashed into an electric pole near Sri Racha. One person died and 3 others were injured. The driver faces a drunk driving charge if tests show he was legally drunk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633457-songkran-celebrant-killed-in-pickup-truck-crash

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Kanchanaburi police toughens ban on alcohol

KANCHANABURI, 17 April 2013 (NNT) - Kanchanaburi police has toughened the ban on alcohol today as mass water fights are held in all districts of the province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633459-kanchanaburi-police-toughens-ban-on-alcohol/

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Local gold price has been adjusted 8 times so far today, showing aggregate cut by Bt2,400 per baht weight to Bt18,950 - first time below Bt20,000 since 2011. /The Nation

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Four suspected insurgents arrested in Narathiwat
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- Four suspects were arrested Wednesday related to Tuesday night assault on a checkpoint in Narathiwat's Sri Sakhon district, which left two volunteer rangers injured.

The four men - Abdulrohim Yusoh, Adulrohman Rona, Adema Taya and Saree Saemarae - reportedly confessed to join in the attack.

The initial investigation found that the assailants were divided into two teams: one team threw four and the other team used assault rifles to fire at 14 officials manning the checkpoint. The assault led to a 10minute gunfight, from which police yesterday collected some 100 spent bullets at the scene.


-- The Nation 2013-04-17

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Death toll for Songkran's six dangerous days hits 285



BANGKOK, April, 17- The countrywide death toll during the first six of Songkran’s seven dangerous days is 285, higher than the same period last year, while the number of casualties has reached almost 2,800 persons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633461-death-toll-for-songkrans-six-dangerous-days-hits-285/

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Thailand’s ambassador to the Hague Veerachai Plasai gives first statement to World Court; says Cambodia tries to intrude into territory /MCOT

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Ailing Oil Fund to get financial injection
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Apr 17 – Thailand’s Oil Fund will gain extra revenue of Bt264 million a day, an increase from Bt184 million a day, due to additional contributions from fuel sales, the energy minister said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633464-thailands-ailing-oil-fund-to-get-financial-injection/

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RT @SkyNewsBreak: Home Office asks Court of Appeal for permission to appeal to Supreme Court over decision to allow radical cleric Abu Qatada to stay in UK

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German expat dies in Phuket after night out drinking
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: -- German national Peter Lutz Teubner, a Phuket resident, was found dead in his house in Karon today (April 17).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633473-german-expat-dies-in-phuket-after-night-out-drinking/

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Fare expected to cut to boost BRT passenger numbers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The recently introduced fare reduction on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system's Sathon-Ratchapruek route is expected to lead to a significant increase in the number of passengers.

"We believe the number of [fares] on this route will likely rise to 20,000 a day," Deputy Bangkok Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said.

On Monday, the fare for the 15-kilometre-long route was lowered to just Bt5 per trip - down from Bt10. The fare reduction was one of the policies of MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra announced during his gubernatorial election campaign earlier this year.

-- The Nation 2013-04-17

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SET index closed at 1521.53, down 5.79; Bt/USD28.72; GBP43.88; AUD29.66; EUR37.79; CAD27.88; HKD3.69; SGD23.15; JPY29.10

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RT @AP: BREAKING: New Zealand lawmakers approve gay-marriage bill; country joins 12 other nations.

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Bangkok's Bus Rapid Transit bus fares cut from Bt10 to Bt5 as of today until this yearθs end /The Nation

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Swede on Malaysian death row: I’m prepared to die
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

On Thursday Swedish Ferry Linnbark was sentenced to death by hanging by a court of law in Malaysia. He was found guilty of smuggling 4.3 kilos of amphetamine in 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/632610-swede-gets-death-penalty-in-malaysia-for-drugs/?p=6311959#entry6311959

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Tech: What, exactly, is a Bitcoin? – Live Wire
Phuket Gazette -

In the past couple of week, three of my friends in Phuket – all of whom are reasonably savvy with their investments – have asked me about Bitcoin. There’s a lot of misinformation floating around, so I figured it’d be worthwhile to bring you all up to speed on the topic.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633499-phuket-tech-what-exactly-is-a-bitcoin-live-wire/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 18 Apr 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633572-thailand-live-thursday-18-apr-2013/