Thailand Live Wednesday 1 May 2013

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Royal message of congratulations on the coronation of the new King of the Netherlands

BANGKOK, 1 May 2013 (NNT) - Their Majesties the King and Queen have sent a message of congratulations to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on the occasion of his coronation on April 30, 2013.

In the message, Their Majesties sent sincere wishes for the happiness and joy to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and other members of the Royal Family and for the progress and prosperity of the Netherlands and her people.

Their Majesties the King and Queen also expressed confidence that the friendly relationship and good understanding between the two countries and their peoples would be increasingly enhanced in the future for the mutual benefits of both sides.


-- NNT 2013-05-01

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64th Royal Household Bureau announcement on King’s condition

BANGKOK, 1 May 2013 (NNT) - The Bureau of the Royal Household has confirmed that His Majesty the King is recovering from mild lung inflammation found on Sunday.

In its 64th announcement concerning His Majesty’s stay at Siriraj Hospital, the Bureau said His Majesty was no longer coughing on Tuesday (April 30). His breathing rate, temperature and blood pressure were normal, and he was able to sleep. Blood tests showed the inflammation in his lower lungs has reduced. His Majesty the King’s appetite has also returned.

The announcement said the team of royal physicians would continue to give His Majesty medicine intravenously until the full course of the antibiotic is completed.


-- NNT 2013-05-01

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Royal Thai Police to step up gun control from May

file photo

BANGKOK, 1 May 2013 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police is set to step up its control on gun ownership from May onwards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636418-thai-police-to-step-up-gun-control-from-may/

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Khlong Lot vendors warned on new hours
Tanatpong Kongsai,
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials yesterday warned about 1,000 vendors in the Khlong Lot Re-organisation Project area that they will only be allowed to sell goods from 7pm to 3am - from today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636420-bangkoks-khlong-lot-vendors-warned-on-new-hours/

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Continued baht retreat takes pressure off BOT
Nakarin Srilert,
Sarun Kijvasin
The Nation

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Possible bubble in property market remains a worry, Kittiratt says; most funds flowing into bonds

BANGKOK: -- Pressure on the Bank of Thailand has cooled down with the government and private sector apparently pleased by the recent depreciation of the baht and conceding that any move to stem foreign funds flowing into the country may lead to "bubbles" in property prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636421-continued-baht-retreat-takes-pressure-off-b-o-t/

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UPDATE:
PM: Speech not meant to help Thaksin
The Nation


Yingluck makes speech in Mongolia on Monday.

Source claims Yingluck personally supervised writing of the address

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday denied trying to "whitewash" the actions of her brother, the former premier Thaksin, with a speech she gave in Mongolia on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636322-thailands-p-m-yingluck-denies-trying-to-whitewash-brother-thaksin-in-mongolia/?p=6355456#entry6355456

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Group wants court to block bidding
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Environmental association says govt has ignored local people in its plans

BANGKOK: - The Anti Global Warming Association will file a lawsuit today asking the Central Administrative Court to hold an urgent inquiry session and issue an injunction suspending the bidding process for contracts under the government's Bt350-billion water management and flood infrastructure plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636424-water-management-group-wants-thai-court-to-block-bidding/

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CITY PLAN
Cabinet okays new Bangkok City Plan
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved a new Bangkok City Plan to replace the one in use since 2006 and due to expire on May 15. Property-industry observers say the new plan will open up new locations for development near the mass-transit routes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636425-cabinet-okays-new-bangkok-city-plan/

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STOPPAGE TIME

Again, time to reflect, and be afraid of ourselves

Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Like October, May is historically a politically significant month in Thailand. They both demonstrate the great volatility and irony of Thai political life. October brought the country's first popular uprising in 1973, only to send many of the "heroes" into the jungle three years later in one of the darkest days in our history. Likewise, May 1992 and May 2010 exposed the unpredictability of ideological stances and battles. In other words, laid bare was the thin line between heroism or patriotism and subversion or malicious vanity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636426-again-time-to-reflect-and-be-afraid-of-ourselves-thai-opinion/

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EDITORIAL
Commercial reality determines the winner and loser
The Nation

Thailand's reality TV shows haven't produced any genuine new artistic talent because the numbers game is dictated by looks, not ability

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636427-commercial-reality-determines-the-winner-and-loser-thai-editorial/

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Bangkok is Asia's 13th most-polluted city
Saowanee Nimpanpayungwong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok ranks 13th in Asia when it comes to air pollution in the form of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), according to research revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636428-bangkok-is-asias-13th-most-polluted-city/

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City prepares for rainy season

Tanatpong Kongsai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With heavy downpours of up to 220 millimetres expected from May to July, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday called a meeting to hash out a flood prevention and mitigation plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636430-bangkok-prepares-for-rainy-season/

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Human-trafficking cases revealed
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division, Pol Maj-General Chawalit Sawaengphuet, yesterday presented two recent arrests, including a suspect who lured a Thai woman into forced prostitution in South Africa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636433-thai-police-reveal-human-trafficking-cases/

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Urgent repairs for 2 bridges
The Nation



LOP BURI: -- Fearing a repeat of Sunday's deadly bridge collapse in Ayutthaya, Lop Buri Provincial Organisation Administration president Orapin Jirapanwanich yesterday ordered urgent repairs to a bridge across the Wang Kan Leung Waterfall in Chai Badan district after its wooden deck was found to be in a much-deteriorated condition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636435-lop-buri-administration-orders-urgent-repairs-for-2-bridges/

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DSI names two in paracetamol scandal
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) claims that the current chief and a former chairman of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) were involved in the paracetamol scandal, an informed source said yesterday.

"The DSI has already concluded its investigation and forwarded the results to Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong," the source said.

In the report, GPO chief Witit Artavatkun and the agency's former chairman Vichai Chokevivat are accused of violating the law governing the bidding of government projects.

Pradit said he had received the DSI report, but declined to comment further.

"I have not read the details yet," he said.

The DSI launched an investigation into GPO's purchase of precursor chemicals to produce paracetamol in the wake of reports that hundreds of tonnes of the chemical were problematic.

Asked about DSI's accusations, Vichai said he had already explained himself.

"If it has decided to forward the case to the Public Health Ministry, so be it. I don't have any worries because I have not done anything wrong," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-05-01

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Teerapong 'suitable' for new job
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office Minister Sansanee Nakpong said "suitability for the job" was the reason behind the transfer of Department of Public Relations chief Teerapong Sodasri.

Teerapong is now an adviser to the premier under the Office of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister.

Sansanee said she had not yet decided who would replace Teerapong. She also declined to specify how long it would take for her to chose a replacement.


-- The Nation 2013-05-01

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BURNING ISSUE
For one to love Thailand, must we hate our neighbours?
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- Thai readers be warned: You are about to read a commentary penned by an alleged "Thai with a Cambodian heart", a "traitor".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636438-for-one-to-love-thailand-must-we-hate-our-neighbours/

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First web page in internet history to be recreated

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636439-first-web-page-in-internet-history-to-be-recreated/

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Central Pattaya Fairground “headache” for Pattaya Police

PATTAYA:--A Central Pattaya fairground which was visited by Pattaya Police early on Monday Morning following complaints from local residents and allegations that illegal gambling was taking place at the location, is still operating as normal, despite warnings from the Police to comply with the law or be shutdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636466-central-pattaya-fairground-headache-for-pattaya-police/

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3 Year Legal Rights Protection Program begins in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to mark the beginning of a 3 year pilot scheme to protect the rights and offer legal aid to individuals and companies based on Walking Street in South Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636464-3-year-legal-rights-protection-program-begins-in-south-pattaya/

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Officials kill suspected bombmaker in Narathiwat
Santhiti Khorjitmet
The Nation



NARATHIWAT: -- A suspected bomb-maker was shot dead in a gunfight with security officials in Narathiwat yesterday morning, and three other suspects arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636469-officials-kill-suspected-bombmaker-in-thai-south/

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Korean tourist threatens to sue Pattaya city over boat crash

PATTAYA, 30 April 2013 (NNT) - One of the eighteen South Korean tourists injured during a boat collision in Pattaya is threatening to file a lawsuit against the city’s municipality for lack of efficiency in rescue operations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636475-korean-tourist-threatens-to-sue-pattaya-city-over-boat-crash/

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Oil tanker truck carrying 20,000 litres of gasoline overturns in Phitsanulok; no casualties, traffic halted as emergency workers respond to put out fire /MCOT

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Bangkok Workers Polled On New Minimum Wage Law



BANGKOK: -- Most people in the Bangkok area said they are not affected by the minimum wage hike to 300 baht per day, according to a poll by the Bangkok University Research Center. Some said their lives got worse, mostly due to rising prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636477-bangkok-workers-polled-on-new-minimum-wage-law/

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Surging baht wreaks havoc on Thai rice exports
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, May 1 – Thailand’s export target growth of 8-9 per cent may be reduced due to the volatile Thai currency, according to Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636480-surging-baht-wreaks-havoc-on-thai-rice-exports/

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National News Bureau celebrates 80th year anniversary and prepares to become public media service

BANGKOK, 1 May 2013 (NNT) – The National news bureau of Thailand is celebrating its 80th year anniversary and prepared to become a public media service.

Mr.Teerapong Sodasri, director of the National News Bureau Thailand said that the celebrations will be held at the National News Bureau headquarters in Soi Ari during the 2nd-3rd May 2013. The event will include a forum on the topic of “How to publicize ASEAN for the people’s understanding,” and parades. Intra-department sporting games will also be part of the activities organized. A dance ball will also be held on the 2nd May at the new Suan Amporn building from 17.00-22.00.

A committee from The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has categorized The National News bureau as a public media service. Moreover, it will prepare for these adjustments and also shift from an analog system to a digital one, aimed to be accomplished by the year 2015. Furthermore, the national news bureau will serve as a source of knowledge and updated information as well as news to the public in preparing for the advent of ASEAN in 2015.


-- NNT 2013-05-01

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Government to release translated version of PM's Mongolia speech to the public

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister's Office Speaker Dr. Todsaporn Seriluck has announced that the cabinet has decided to publish a translated version of the Prime Minister's speech made during her recent official visit to Mongolia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636509-govt-to-release-translated-version-of-yinglucks-mongolia-speech-to-the-public/

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Deposed Thai PM Thaksin expresses wish to return home without seeking any position
by Ming Dajun

BANGKOK, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Thai deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed a strong wish to return to his home country in a meeting via Skype with the ruling Pheu Thai Party on Tuesday, government sources said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636519-thaksin-expresses-wish-to-return-to-thailand-without-seeking-any-position/

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Prime Ministers Office Minister presides over opening ceremony of Consumer Protection Day

BANGKOK, 1 May 2013 (NNT) - Warathep Rattanakorn, The Minister of the Prime Ministers Office, presided over the opening ceremony of The Consumer Protection Day 2013, at the government complex in Chaengwattana, Bangkok.

Mr. Warathep said that Consumer Protection Day is on the 30th April every year. As this year is also the office of consumer protection board’s 34th year anniversary, they are ready to showcase great working potential in integrating government, private sectors and the public together to raise the standards of consumer protection to an international level in order to prepare for the ASEAN community.

Exhibitions, product displays, and shops selling OTOP products will be set up at the Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building in the government complex. The purposes of the Protection Day activities are to raise public awareness and to educate the public regarding their rights as consumers. At the ceremony, Mr. Warathep presented several awards to media organizations and personnel who contributed to the field of customer protection services.

-- NNT 2013-05-01

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Crane Collision Causes Gas Spill In Rayong



A crane truck colliding with a gasoline truck caused 9,000 liters of gasoline to spill on a road near Mabtaphood industrial estate. No one was injured in the crash. The 75-year-old crane driver was detained by police after officers interviewed witnesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636533-crane-collision-causes-gasoline-spill-in-rayong/