Train Passengers Flee in Panic as Locomotive Catches Fire in Kabin Buri

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Anti-government leaflets scattered in Thailand's far South.

YALA, May 2 – Leaflets allegedly produced by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) militant group were distributed across this southern border province today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636774-anti-government-leaflets-scattered-in-thailands-far-south/

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Thai Consumer Confidence Index lowest in 7 months
By English News

BANGKOK, May 2 – Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in April slipped for the first time in seven months to 83.7, declining from 84.8 in March, an academic survey revealed today.

The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), conducting a survey on the April CCI among 2,240 people, found widespread concern over the appreciating baht which could possibly shock the country’s exports, tourism, economy and people’s earnings.

Prices of agricultural produce, especially rubber and oil palm, have fallen by over 20 per cent from last year.

The strong baht has affected the private sector but consumers will eventually feel the pinch from higher cost of living, according to the survey.

Home and car purchases have slowed, while inflation in April was at 2.42 per cent, the lowest in 41 months.

The university said the declining growth in purchasing power is a signal of economic slowdown wand said the government must inject funds into the economic system and issue measures to tame the currency volatility.

The university warned that Thai economic growth will not reach five per cent unless the government takes action. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-05-02

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Thai MP's second plea for bail rejected.
By English News

BANGKOK, May 2 - Thailand's Court of Appeals today turned down a bail request for a government MP jailed for intimidating the Constitution Court's judges.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636769-appeals-court-rejects-pheu-thai-party-list-m-p-korkaews-bail-request/

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CLIMATE
Thailand needs to act as Bangkok sinks faster

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's capital Bangkok has been sinking for years and time is running out to tackle the problem. As the ground continues to subside by 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) a year, scientists say action is urgent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636780-thailand-needs-to-act-as-bangkok-sinks-faster/

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Central Pattana to build 2 new Central dept stores in Koh Samui and Salaya, Nakhon Pathom; total cost at Bt7bn,to open in 2017 /The Nation

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RT @RichardBarrow: 2nd May: Thai Lottery Full Results - 603458 | 272 830 516 359 | 07 http://thai.vi/14ZxYcU

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Sukhumbhand denies fresh charge in Skytrain case
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra Thursday denied a new charge filed against him and other city officials by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in relation to the expansion of the Skytrain system, saying he would sue the department if it tried to bully him.

Sukhumbhand, his two deputies Jumpol Sampaothong and Amorn Kitchawengkul, and another accused, Prapanpong Vejjajiva, met with DSI special-cases officer Pol LtColonel Thawal Mangkhang to hear the additional charge of conspiring to conduct business relating to rail infrastructure without the authorisation of the Interior Minister.

The charge relates to the expansion of two Skytrain routes: the Silom Line extension from Saphan Taksin Station to Wongwian Yai Station and the Sukhumvit Line extension from Bang Chak Station to Baring Station.

-- The Nation 2013-05-02

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Former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall admits 14 counts of indecent assault against children as young as 9
By ROB COOPER

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls, the youngest aged nine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636796-former-b-b-c-broadcaster-stuart-hall-admits-14-counts-of-indecent-assault-against-children/

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SET index closed at 1589.19, down 8.67; Bt/USD29.25; GBP45.43; AUD29.78; EUR38.40; CAD28.87; HKD3.76; SGD23.59; JPY29.97

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POLITICS
Senators want to grill PM over her Mongolia speech
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul,
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fifty-eight senators on Thursday issued a statement to denounce Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's Mongolia speech and planned to summon the prime minister to be grilled by four Senate panels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636803-thai-senators-want-to-grill-yingluck-over-her-mongolia-speech/

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Chiang Mai sexual assault case: Charges dropped against two 19-year-old Danes
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

CHIANG MAI: -- The two Danish 19-year-old men who were arrested in Chiang Mai, charged of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old Dutch tourist have now been cleared of all charges and the case has been dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636805-chiang-mai-sexual-assault-charges-dropped-against-two-19-year-old-danes/

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RT @BBCBreaking: Millionaire businessman James McCormick, who sold fake bomb detectors to Iraq, is sentenced to 10 years in jail in UK

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New attack on court's power to amend charter
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Government MPs and Senators have staged a political blow at the Constitutional Court in refusing to accept it has the power to decide on whether to halt an amendment to Provision 68 of the charter, reasoning that Parliament has legitimacy to amend the provision.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636808-new-attack-on-constitutional-courts-power-to-amend-thai-charter/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 3 May 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/636904-thailand-live-friday-3-may-2013/