Thailand Live Wednesday 24 Apr 2013

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Energy Min and Defense Min join hands to save environment

BANGKOK, 24 April 2013 (NNT) – The Energy Ministry has joined hands with the Ministry of Defense in promoting energy saving activities in order to help save the environment.

The signing ceremony between the 2 ministries was presided over by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The cooperation will include all activities related to energy saving in the Thai military, such as, promoting renewable energy use like solar power, biomass, and wind power.

The Energy Ministry will help the Defense Ministry in setting up backup power generators as well as developing its fuel storage, refineries, and fuel pipe lines.

Furthermore, there will be training courses on energy saving methods provided to officials of both ministries.

The memorandum of understanding was sign by Defense Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat and Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisan who acted on behalf of the Energy Ministry.


-- NNT 2013-04-24

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Former illegal taxi drivers pressure AOT chief over Phuket Airport counter
Phuket Gazette


Ittipol Mekmanee (right) of Mook Andaman Business & Travel Co-operative explains to AOT Chairman Sita Divari (center) the need for his drivers to serve Phuket Airport. Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham (left) looks on. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- About 50 taxi drivers who previously operated illegal “black plate” taxis arrived at Phuket International Airport on Monday to request permission to open a counter inside the terminal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/634950-former-illegal-taxi-drivers-pressure-a-o-t-chief-over-phuket-airport-counter/

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Boundary earns ban in Thailand
By Patrick Frater
Policy/Legal News

BANGKOK: -- Boundary (ฟ้าต่ำแผ่นดินสูง), the Thai-made documentary that screened in the Berlin festival's Forum section, has been banned in its home country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/634952-thailand-bans-film-about-thai-cambodian-border-row/

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Phuket tourist shooting Aussies get bail

Tanyaluk Sakoot

In handcuffs, John Cohen is questioned after his arrest. Photo Golf Thairath

PHUKET: -- The two Australians arrested on January 24 after one fired a pistol in Soi Sansabai, hitting two tourists, have been released on bail, The Phuket News has learned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/634957-phuket-tourist-shooting-aussies-get-bail/

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Disabled soldiers to be able to re-enlist

BANGKOK, 24 April 2013 (NNT) – Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha is looking for ways to allow disabled soldiers to re-enlist after being honorably discharged from the military service..

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony between the Royal Thai Army and the Thai Life Insurance, the C-in-C said the Thai Army has been providing insurance to its members; it is spending 85 million baht this year on soldiers' coverage, 14 million more than it did last year due to the rising living cost and higher compensation.

However, the amount the Army has been spending is still not sufficient to cover soldiers and their families, particularly those injured and discharged from their duty. In order to help ease the plights of veterans, the general said he would discuss with all related agencies about bringing back soldiers who were discharged by reason of disability resulting from wounds incurred while on duty, so that they could have income to support their families.

General Prayuth said the added incentives given to the soldiers would help boost the Thai army's morale.

-- NNT 2013-04-24

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Software for Thai industrialists to cut logistics costs
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, April 24 – Information technology and software on logistics will be more accessible to Thai industrialists to reduce their costs and prepare them for regional trade when Southeast Asia becomes a single economic community in 2015, it was reported today.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) announced a joint project on development of software for the logistics and supply chain in Thailand’s industrial sector.

Trairat Chatkaew, director of the public organisation SIPA, said more than 50 Thai software manufacturers have created software on the logistics and supply chain.

The cooperation will match software manufacturers with industrialists who are keen on using information technology (IT) to facilitate their businesses and cut capital costs, he said.

The joint project starts this month and is scheduled to end in September.

FTI Chairman Payungsak Chatsuthipol said the country’s infrastructure on IT and software for logistics has not been developed, resulting in high logistics costs.

Thailand’s logistics costs are 15-17 per cent of the gross domestic product, which is high compared to the 8-9 per cent of GDP level in developed countries, he said.

He said the cooperation will reduce the private sector’s logistics cost by an estimated value of Bt100 million.

The FTI will issue 6,000 copies of its handbook on the importance of advanced software to the logistics and supply chain, to be distributed to industrialists.

The software is divided into three major categories: ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) & Warehouse Management, Transport Management, and Retail Management. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-04-24

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PM leaves Bangkok for Brunei to attend 22nd ASEAN Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan April 24-25 /MCOT

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PM orders Finance Ministry, BoT to handle baht appreciation, seek measures to help exporters, seek new markets /MCOT

Deputy PM Chalerm orders higher security on 9th anniversary of Krue Se mosque incident, reinforcement in southernmost provinces /MCOT

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BoT admits baht strengthened Jan-April by 6.28% from Bt30.55/US$ to Bt28.82/US$; measures to handle currency to be taken at appropriate time /MCOT

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Phuket hotels, businesses targeted in dirty beach canal probe
Phuket Gazette


Government Spokesman Prompong (in white shirt) has ordered all bars, restaurants and hotels along the Phuket canal to be inspected to ensure that they comply with environmental laws. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Hotels and businesses located along the canal that empties onto Bang Tao Beach will be inspected and forced to conform to wastewater-treatment standards, Government Spokesman Prompong Nopparit has announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/635005-phuket-hotels-businesses-targeted-in-dirty-beach-canal-probe/

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SET index closed at 1553.85, up 4.50; Bt/USD28.72; GBP43.66; AUD29.33; EUR37.24; CAD27.83; HKD3.69; SGD22.99; JPY28.75

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POLITICS
Democrats seek to impeach House speaker
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation


Photo by Pramote Putthaisong

BANGKOK: -- A group of 128 Democrat MPs on Wednesday filed a petition to seek the impeachment of House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont over allegations he violated the Constitution and House directives by failing to perform his duty without any bias.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/635007-thai-democrats-seek-to-impeach-house-speaker/

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UPDATE
Reds threaten to have charter court judges impeached, seek to block their wages
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Upset that the Constitutional Court judges have been ignoring demands for them to quit, the red shirts Wednesday threatened to launch an impeachment campaign and have the Budget Bureau stop paying their salaries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/634934-red-shirt-activists-vow-to-block-constitution-court-office/page-3#entry6334387

[Lite Beer]

Luis Suarez 10-game ban: FA punishes Liverpool striker for bite

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been banned for 10 games by the Football Association for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
The incident happened during Sunday's 2-2 draw between the sides.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/128467-liverpool-fc/?p=6335087#entry6335087

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 25 Apr 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/635106-thailand-live-thursday-25-apr-2013/