Controversial Amnesty Bill to bypass current Parliament session
By English News



BANGKOK, April 18 – Thai House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont gave reassurances today that the widely-criticised Amnesty Bill will not be debated in the present parliamentary session due to end Saturday.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633587-pheu-thai-in-bid-to-push-up-amnesty-bill/#entry6313843Full story:

Phuket chef charged with setting alight motorbikes
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A chef at a seafood restaurant in Karon has confessed to setting alight three motorbikes after he was shown CCTV footage of himself throwing a live cigarette butt at one of the vehicles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633624-phuket-chef-charged-with-setting-alight-motorbikes/

Russian teen student still in coma after horrific motorbike crash
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Vlad Abrashko, the Russian student who was driving the motorbike involved in the high-speed accident on the bypass road two weeks ago (story here), has been discharged from hospital with a broken leg.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633628-russian-teen-student-still-in-coma-after-horrific-motorbike-crash/

Three-day event celebrates the founding of the Rattanakosin Kingdom
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Culture is collaborating with the Crown Property Bureau, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Culture Council Association of Thailand in organising "Culture-led Thailand" from April 20 to 22 in celebration of the 231st anniversary of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the City Pillar Shrine.

The celebratory event provides knowledge and relates the history of the Rattanakosin Kingdom since its establishment in 1782. Various activities will be held in the Rattanakosin Island area as well as at important sites in the vicinity.

The event area includes the grounds in front of Thammasat University where 10 crafts from the Fine Arts Department will be demonstrated, as well as outside and inside Phra Nakhon National Museum, which is hosting the exhibitions "Mahanakorn Amorn Rattanakosin 2325 to the Present" and "Rattanakosin Celebration Flag". Other activities include the Thai Fabric Caravan, demonstrations of traditional Thai massage, a traditional market and the preparation and sale of Thai food and desserts. Recipes will also be available.

In front of Phutthaisawan Museum is the Sangkheet Sala stage where Khon, music and Thai entertainment will be performed from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Visitors will be able to enter the Fine Arts Department and admire the Thawon Watthu Building founded in the reign of King Rama V, the Hall of Sculpture, Silpa Bhirasri Hall of Frames and Damrong Rajanuphap. The temples surrounding Rattanakosin Island will also welcome visitors wishing to pay respect during the event. Sightseeing tours will be offered along Sanamchai, Rajini, Phra Athit and Na Phra That roads in Rattanakosin Island along with a magnificent parade of Thai culture.

Outdoor movies will be screened every night at Santi Chaiprakarn Park and the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall as well as the Siam Museum will offer free admission.

The Lak Muang Shrine Religious Ceremony will be held on Sunday 21 April 2013 at 7am. More than 400 people including representatives of five religions, the War Veterans organisation of Thailand, communities from the 50 Bangkok districts as well as various organisations will walk in a procession from Phra Nakhon National Museum, passing Thammasat University, the Fine Arts Department and the Grand Palace before ending at Lak Muang Shrine.

The Culture Ministry invites Thais and foreigners to absorb the cultural traditions of the Rattanakosin Kingdom from April 20-22 between 9am and 9pm and enjoy the sights, taste the cuisine and shop in a relaxing atmosphere. In addition to absorbing knowledge, visitors will gain an understanding of the importance of this 231st anniversary of Rattanakosin Kingdom. The Rattanakosin Island Tour will be available 3 times a day. For more information, call the Culture Ministry's Hot Line 1765 (free) or log on to www.m-culture.go.th.


-- The Nation 2013-04-18

Many casualties in Texas Waco fertiliser plant blast

WACO: -- Scores of people are injured and an unknown number are dead after a huge explosion at a fertiliser plant near Waco in the US state of Texas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633632-several-deaths-in-huge-texas-blast/

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Deadly plant blast in Texas happened just day before Waco massacre anniversary

WEST: -- The blast at a fertilizer plant in West which caused the death of 75 people and injured hundreds Texans, happened one day before heavily armed FBI and ATF agents moved in to end a 50-day siege at the compound of a religious cult 20 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633632-several-deaths-in-huge-texas-blast/#entry6314260

Phuket: Rawai soi turned into garbage dump
Nattha Thepbamrung


Andy Greenlay with the rubbish dump.

PHUKET: -- Canadian expat Andy Greenlay, 71, has been picking up garbage around where he lives in Rawai for 30 years, but the garbage problem has become so bad now that he cannot keep up with it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633647-phuket-rawai-soi-turned-into-garbage-dump/

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf flees court /BBC

Chalerm offers his own version of reconciliation bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Thursday that he would propose his own version of the reconciliation bill, which will be beneficial for all sides and bring about peace.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633651-chalerm-offers-his-own-version-of-reconciliation-bill/

10 more Yellow Shirts indicted in 2008 airport seizure
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, April 18 - Ten more persons including key members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) ‘Yellow Shirts’ were indicted Thursday in connection with the seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633657-10-more-yellow-shirts-indicted-in-2008-airport-seizure/

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Thailand Live Friday 19 Apr 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/633739-thailand-live-friday-19-apr-2013/