Thailand Live Thursday 18 Apr 2013

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Booze ban urged to cut holiday toll
WANNAPA KHAOPA,
TANATPONG KONGSAI,
THE NATION


PEOPLE continue to arrive at Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok yesterday, which for most people was the first day back at work after Songkran.

BANGKOK: -- Authorities must ban sales of alcohol during long holidays to reduce fatalities and accidents, the head of an anti-alcohol network said yesterday as 285 deaths were reported over six of the seven dangerous days of the Songkran holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633573-booze-ban-urged-to-cut-holiday-toll/

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Bardot appeals to Thailand over dog trade

file photo

PARIS, April 18, 2013 (AFP) - Brigitte Bardot has issued an appeal to Thai Premier Yingluck Shinawatra to clamp down on the slaughtering of dogs in illegal abattoirs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633571-brigitte-bardot-appeals-to-thailand-over-dog-trade/

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Cambodia 'altering maps'
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
The Hague


A group of Thai nationalists, aiming to hoist Thai flags in areas around Preah Vihear Temple in Si Sa Ket, confront security officials blocking their path.

Thai team: P Penh selective in its use of documents

THE HAGUE: -- Testifying at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday, Thailand's legal team rejected Cambodia's allegation that Bangkok had made a "unilateral delimitation" of the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple, and accused Cambodia of doctoring maps submitted to the court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633578-thailands-legal-team-accuses-cambodia-of-doctoring-preah-vihear-maps/

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Thai residents in shock after Boston blasts
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION


A PHOTOGRAPH taken by Thai citizen Poranee Saipinthong, inset, at the Boston Marathon about an hour before bomb blasts ripped into the crowd nearby on Monday. The photo is one of many Poranee has handed over to FBI investigators.

BOSTON: -- A Thai former student residing in Boston, Poranee Saipinthong, said the Massachusetts state capital was normally a very peaceful place to live, and she could not recall any incident as catastrophic as the bombings during the Boston Marathon last Monday.

"As far as I can remember, it's the first time that Boston has experienced anything as terrible as this. Nobody ever dreamed that Boston would be targeted for this kind of attack," Poranee said.

Many in the large community of Thais working and studying in the city were in close touch with relatives back home, and a Facebook page had also been set up to keep Thai residents and relatives updated on the situation, Poranee said.

"We were shocked by the bombings. Now, we are constantly watching the news for updates on the investigation. We still don't know yet who is responsible for the bombings and why they were carried out. Will this lead to even higher levels of security throughout the city? We still don't know," said Poranee.

During the one-and-a-half-years that she has lived in Boston, Poranee said she had always felt safe.

"I always thought of Boston as one of the safest cities in the world - one where you can walk alone at any time, day or night," Poranee said.

However, she now admits the bombings have shaken her trust in Boston as a safe haven, and feels vulnerable to further attacks - especially as police investigations have still not identified the perpetrators.

"Now we have to be more careful when we leave our homes," Poranee said. She added that residents of Boston were sickened that the attacks targeted the marathon - a traditional event attended by a large number of children.

"It's spring time in Boston and on the day of the marathon it was especially sunny, so a lot of people were out relaxing and enjoying the warmer weather. This makes it doubly tragic as something like this happening was the last thing on people's minds," said Poranee.

The Boston Marathon takes place annually on Patriots' Day - a special Massachusetts state holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775, according to www.nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm. The holiday, which is officially observed on the third Monday of April, is celebrated with parades, re-enactments and commemorative ceremonies.

Poranee had a lucky escape. She and her three friends stood for two hours in the area where the bombings later occurred - cheering the runners as they neared the finish line. They left the area only an hour before the explosions to do some shopping at a nearby supermarket.

It was only after she opened her Twitter account on her smart phone that she discovered the blasts took place at the same spot she and her friends had been, only an hour earlier.

"Shocked, we had to walk home, as the subway was closed. It was scary seeing the scenes later on CNN - the same place where we had stood only a short while earlier. We were incredibly lucky and that made it all the more poignant for us - thinking about those who had lost their lives," Poranee said.

Poranee graduated with an MBA in August last year and is now working for a Japanese firm in Boston. Before moving to Boston to study, she worked in marketing for several IT companies, including Microsoft (Thailand), Synnex and Dtac.


-- The Nation 2013-04-18

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BUBBLES

Banks slow lending to small developers

SUCHEERA PINIJPARAKARN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Banks have slowed down the provision of loans to small provincial property developers that lack both their own plots of land and sufficient capital, out of concern over a bubble possibly developing in the provincial market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633580-thai-banks-slow-lending-to-small-developers/

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THAI TALK
PM must get a grip on the southern 'peace process'
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



Who's in charge of the "peace process" in the deep South?

BANGKOK: -- Nobody is quite sure who calls the shots on both sides of the talks, which ended after a second round of discussion without any concrete results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633582-thai-talk-yingluck-must-get-a-grip-on-the-southern-peace-process/

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Tourism Council of Thailand calls for government help in tourism management

BANGKOK, 18 April 2013 (NNT) – The Tourism Council of Thailand is calling on the government to help improve the country’s tourism management while the industry continues to grow fast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633583-tourism-council-of-thailand-calls-for-government-help-in-tourism-management/

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HM the King sends condolences to President Obama over Boston bombings

BANGKOK, 18 April 2013 (NNT) - His Majesty the King has sent condolences to the United States President over the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.

The royal message read His Majesty the King had learnt with deep distress and profound sorrow of the terror bombings at the Boston Marathon which caused loss of lives and considerable injuries.

On this occasion, the message continued, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, wished to extend to the US President and the American people, particularly the members of the bereaved families, their deepest sympathies and sincere condolences for the irreparable loss and immeasurable suffering caused by these outrageous incidents.


-- NNT 2013-04-18

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EDITORIAL
An example of calm amid grief and pressure
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thais, in contemplating solutions to the insurgency in the deep South, can learn valuable lessons from the reaction in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bomb attacks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633585-an-example-of-calm-amid-grief-and-pressure-thai-editorial/

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BURNING ISSUE
Pheu Thai feels sting of Thaksin impatience
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- Politics has heated up after ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra held a Skype meeting with the Pheu Thai Party, sending a message for the third anniversary of the April 10, 2010 unrest with a harsh and uncompromising stance against judicial activism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633586-pheu-thai-feels-sting-of-thaksin-impatience/

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Pheu thai in bid to push up amnesty bill
The Nation


Crowd control police on standby inside Dusit Zoo.

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party strategic committee meeting yesterday resolved to move up an amnesty bill proposed by Pheu Thai MPs as one of the most urgent bills for deliberation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633587-pheu-thai-in-bid-to-push-up-amnesty-bill/

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Teachers face jail term for toddler's death
DIAW KONGSING
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Police are preparing to press harsher charges against a teacher and an assistant teacher over the death of a young girl who was accidentally locked inside a school van early this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633588-teachers-face-jail-term-for-thai-toddlers-death/

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Cost of student uniforms likely to rise
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

file photo

BANGKOK: -- Parents can expect to face higher costs as the new school term approaches as producers of student uniforms raise their retail prices to compensate for higher labour and production expenses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633590-thai-parents-brace-for-higher-student-uniform-costs/

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Protesters seek to raise flag near Preah Vihear
THE NATION
Si Sa Ket



SI SA KET: -- A confrontation between demonstrators and soldiers ended peacefully yesterday with an agreement to raise a giant Thai flag inside a disputed section of land along the border with Cambodia near Preah Vihear Temple, although a senior officer later said the banner would have to be raised outside the contested zone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633589-protesters-seek-to-raise-huge-thai-flag-near-preah-vihear/

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Novelist Srifa Ladavalaya dies at age 83
Pakamard Jaichalard
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Novelist and National Artist Mom Luang Srifa Mahawan, better known to her readers as Srifa Ladavalaya, died on Tuesday evening at the age of 83 after succumbing to reduced blood flow in the brain.

Her royally-sponsored bathing rite will be held at Wat Debsirindrawas Ratchaworawiharn today, April 18, at 6.30pm.

Department of Cultural Promotion chief Chai Nakhonchai said yesterday that Srifa succumbed to the illness at 5.45pm on Tuesday at Phra Mongkutklao Hospital. After the bathing ceremony, her family and students will lead funerary recitals of the Abhidhamma at Wat Debsirindrawas Ratchaworawiharn's Panurangsi Pavilion in Bangkok every evening from until April 24. During 100 days of merit-making, Srifa's family will apply for a royally-sponsored cremation.

Chai said that the ministry would provide Bt20,000 towards the funeral costs and up to Bt150,000 for funerary publications.

Srifa was born on January 26, 1930 at Mahasawt Palace to Mon Rajawongse Sanan Ladavalaya and wife Buachab Ladavalaya na Ayutthaya. Her mother passed away when Srifa was five. After graduating from Saint Joseph Convent School, she studied at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy. She taught at Saint Joseph Convent Sri Racha School, Phranakorn Commercial Technological College and Bopitpimuk Commercial College until 1973 before quitting to become a professional novelist. She was married to businessman Boonthat Mahawan.

Under three pen names - Srifa Ladavalaya, Sifa and Jullada Pakdeephumin - Srifa produced some 100 short stories and novels, including "Prasat Meud" (Dark Castle), "Khao Nok Na" (Wild Rice Paddy), "Khamin Kab Poon" (Cumin and Lime), Boung (Chain) and "Kanok Lai Botan" (Kanok Motif).

Srifa's younger sister, ML Srithong Ladavalaya (Khor Khakkharapan), was also a novelist, producing "Pharp Athan" (A Cursed Painting), "Dao Phra Suk" (Venus) and "Dok Sok" (Sad Flower).


-- The Nation 2013-04-18

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Fare cut to boost BRT passengers
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The recent reduction of fares on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system's Sathon-Ratchapruek route is expected to lead to a significant rise in passenger numbers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633592-bangkok-fare-cut-to-boost-b-r-t-passengers/

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Police cancel contract with PCC
WISIT CHUANPIPATPONG
THE NATION



Only 12 per cent of project completed; police spokesman says firm within its legal rights to sue

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police announced yesterday that it was cancelling the Bt5.848-billion contract it had signed with PCC Development and Construction Co to build 396 police stations nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633593-thai-police-cancel-contract-with-p-c-c/

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Tourists offer high praise for rescue efforts after storm sinks dive boat north of Phuket

Phuket Gazette

A total of 455 people, including 30 from the sunken dive boat, were brought from Koh Ta Chai back to the mainland. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Tourists have heaped high praise on all those involved in the rescue of 30 people from a sinking dive boat and the safe recovery of 425 others after a severe storm left a flotilla of tour boats returning from the Similan Islands stranded at Koh Ta Chai, north of Phuket.

Full story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633597-tourists-offer-high-praise-for-rescue-efforts-after-storm-sinks-dive-boat-north-of-phuket/

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North Korea demands the removal of U.N. sanctions if U.S. wants dialogue

North Korea demanded on Thursday the removal of U.N. sanctions imposed for its nuclear and missile tests and a U.S. pledge not to engage in "nuclear war practice" with South Korea if Washington truly sought dialogue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633600-north-korea-demands-the-removal-of-u-n-sanctions-if-u-s-wants-dialogue/

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Gun vote "shameful day," Obama says

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama said Wednesday "was a pretty shameful day for Washington" as an effort to expand background checks on gun purchases was rejected by the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633601-gun-vote-shameful-day-obama-says/

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Chinese tourists top Songkran celebrants in Thailand
By English News



BANGKOK, April 18 – About 60,000 foreign tourists, almost half Chinese, entered Thailand through major airports nationwide during the Thai New Year Songkran festival April 12-16, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633602-chinese-tourists-top-songkran-celebrants-in-thailand/

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Thailand asked World Court to ignore Preah Vihear land dispute w/ Cambodia,or rule case does not warrant new interpretation /The Nation

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Gold prices to revive; bear market remains
By English News



BANGKOK, April 18 – The plunging gold prices which caused panic selling in the Thai bullion market after the long Songkran holiday will gradually inch up at a minimal level, according to analysts at the Gold Research Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633604-gold-prices-to-revive;-bear-market-remains/

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Apple shares fell over 6% to below U$400 amid iPhone fears; iPad, iPhone sales could weaken amid stiff competition /The Nation

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,521.93, up 0.40 points /MCOT

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Thailand satisfied with legal team statement on Preah Vihear case

By English News

The HAGUE, April 18 -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul expressed satisfaction with the Thai legal team's statement delivery to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) during a hearing on the Preah Vihear temple dispute at The Hague, the Netherlands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633578-thailands-legal-team-accuses-cambodia-of-doctoring-preah-vihear-maps/#entry6313745

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Cambodia's PM Hun Sen urges Thailand to keep peace

The Cambodia Herald/Asia News Network

File photo: Hun Sen//EPA

KAMPOT: -- Prime Minister Hun Sen urges Thailand to maintain peace with Cambodia as both nations are currently facing International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in Hague over the interpretation of the 1962 ruling on the Preah Vihear temple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633608-cambodias-hun-sen-urges-thailand-to-keep-peace/

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Seven-day Songkran death toll tops 300

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, April 18 - The nationwide death toll during Songkran's seven days has risen to more than 300, according to Thailand's Road Safety Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633613-seven-day-songkran-death-toll-tops-300/

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Forum downtime April 18, 2013

We experienced trouble with our hosting today. Due to a hardware issue in Singapore, outside of our control, most of our services was down or partly unavailable from 10.15am (Bangkok time, GMT +7) and onwards

The issue has now been resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience.

-- Thaivisa Support 2013-04-18

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Up to 70 feared dead in Texas fertilizer plant explosion /Sydney Morning Herald

RT @BBCBreaking: "I've never seen anything like this; it looks like a war zone" - sheriff after blast devastates Texas town of West