10 million baht worth of Siamese rosewood seized in Nong Khai

BANGKOK, 14 May 2013 (NNT) – Over 10 million baht worth of Siamese rosewood has been seized in Nong Khai Province while being smuggled out to a neighboring country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639350-10-million-baht-worth-of-siamese-rosewood-seized-in-nong-khai/

Thai-Cambodian border talks kick off Thursday
By English News

BANGKOK, May 14 – The Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) will meet in Thailand’s eastern seaboard province of Rayong on Thursday and Friday.

Thai defence minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said the issue of the sensitive Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) temple dispute, now pending the International Court of Justice’s verdict, will not be raised in the meeting.

The session, the ninth of its kind since the JBC was set up, is aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in maintaining peace and public order along the border, and following up on issues in the previous meeting including illegal logging of phayung or Siamese rosewood and demarcation at several border areas, he said.

“We will adhere to the memorandum of understanding of 2000,” he said. “Both parties will find measures to avoid border clashes and elimination of booby traps near the Phra Viharn temple site.” (MCOT online news)


-- NNT 2013-05-14

Security tightened in Deep South as new school term approaches

BANGKOK, 14 May 2013 (NNT) – Officers in the Deep South are stepping security measures and setting up check points as the new school term is approaching.

Several check points have been set up in the 3 southernmost provinces of Thailand. Security has also been tightened especially in the risk-prone areas, given the new school term will commence on May 16,

According to Army Spokesman Colonel Pramote Prom-in, Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered all related agencies to step up security measures for teachers and students. He has also urged all teachers to be vigilant as they are representative symbols for the insurgents to attack.

However, the colonel has assured all teachers that the security programs have been designed to protect the teachers, school staff, and students, and that they have nothing to worry about.

The new school term in the Deep South will start on May 16, while police and military personnel in the region are now fully prepared to provide safety for everyone.


-- NNT 2013-05-14

Abhisit, Suthep face more charges from DSI
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation Tuesday slapped two more counts of charges against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban related to the 2010 red-shirt crackdowns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639349-more-murder-charges-against-former-thai-premier-abhisit-deputy-suthep/#entry6399527

Norwegian national killed in motorbike accident in Thailand
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

BANGKOK: -- A Norwegian man in his late 40’s was killed in a traffic accident in Thailand on Sunday, according to the post Hadeland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639372-norwegian-national-killed-in-motorbike-accident-in-thailand/

UPDATE:
DSI filed two additional charges against Abhisit and Suthep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Tuesday filed two more charges relating to the 2010 redshirt crackdowns against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639349-more-murder-charges-against-former-thai-premier-abhisit-deputy-suthep/#entry6399823

Chinese hack new Danish super fighter project
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN




COPENHAGEN: -- As a replacement for the current F16 fighter jet long found in the Danish air force, talks have been to buy the new Joint Strike Fighter Jets, but according to NATO and the American Congress, confidential information about the jets have been systematically hacked by China from the spring of 2009 to the fall of 2012, reports the Danish post Jyllands-Posten.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639375-chinese-hack-new-danish-super-fighter-project/

Transport Min distributes water to residents in Nakhon Ratchasima

BANGKOK, 14 May 2013 (NNT) – The Transport Ministry has distributed 50,000 liters of water to residents in Nakhon Ratchasima as drought continues in the province.

Deputy Transport Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong led a team of Transport officials and a convoy of water trucks on a field visit to Sung Noen District, which has been hard hit by drought. The team has provided drought-affected residents with around 50,000 liters of water for household use and consumption.

After his survey of the district, the deputy minister ordered widening and clearing of the existing reservoir in the area which had become shallow, leaving less space for storing water for long-term use. Mr Prasert also said he would ask the government for a budget to build more reservoirs in drought-hit areas.

As of now, 29 districts of Nakhon Ratchasima Province have been declared drought-stricken zones, while around 100,000 families are in need of water. The deputy minister added that over 900,000 rai of farmland has been damaged by the drought.


-- NNT 2013-05-14

Chalerm wants larger role in southern peace talks
By English News



BANGKOK, May 14 – Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung today deplored what he termed as ignorance regarding his role in Thailand’s ongoing peace talks with southern militant groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639387-chalerm-wants-larger-role-in-southern-peace-talks/

54 provinces still need drought-relief assistance

BANGKOK, 14 May 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported that there are still 54 provinces in need of emergency drought-relief assistance.

The DDPM Director General says that approximately 556 districts, 3,740 sub-districts and 36,580 villages in 54 provinces are still under risk of drought disasters. However, the southern province of Satun has been taken out of the list of disaster-hit provinces.

Apart from the drought-relief assistance, DDPM officials have been put on alert around the clock against floods, storms and mudslides due to expected heavy rainfall and gusty wind during the week ending 15 May. The Director General said the preparedness helps ensure that both equipment and manpower will be ready for immediate relief operations.


-- NNT 2013-05-14

Major u-turn for Phuket's roads; life delivered, not taken
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket rescue workers, regular crusaders rendering assistance to all those involved in accidents on the island’s notorious roads, were called to a very different emergency before dawn this morning: the delivery of a baby girl.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639389-major-u-turn-for-phukets-roads;-life-delivered-not-taken/

Five con artists arrested in Phuket
Kanana Kaewsomboon



PHUKET: -- Police yesterday (May 13) arrested another five members of the Gang Kwai, notorious for swindling people out of millions of baht by coercing them into gambling for cash, land deeds and other possessions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639390-five-con-artists-arrested-in-phuket/

Chiang Mai woman claims American man sexually exploited her, seeks justice from U.S. Embassy
By Coconuts Bangkok



CHIANG MAI: -- This morning Thidarat Chaisiri submitted a letter to Chiang Mai Araya Group secretary Nathee Teerarojjanapongs, aka Gay Nathee, requesting that the group help her press charges against an American man who she claimed had taken advantage of her sexually.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639392-thai-woman-claims-american-man-sexually-exploited-her-seeks-justice-from-u-s-embassy/

Photographer And Model Busted After Doing Nude Photo-Shoots


Bangkok Police announced in a press conference that a photographer and model were arrested after opening a website for amateur photographers to take photos of nude models.

BANGKOK – May 14, 2013 [PDN]; At the police headquarters Police Maj. Gen. Kumronwit Toopgrajang announced that a 30 year-old photographer was arrested along with a 19 year-old freelance nude model. There were also 2 other amateur photographers arrested as well. A lot of other photography equipment was seized too. The raid took place in the Din daeng area in Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639396-photographer-and-model-busted-after-doing-nude-photo-shoots-in-bangkok/

SET index closed at 1623.48, up 5.75; Bt/USD29.45; GBP45.02; AUD29.30; EUR38.23; CAD29.01; HKD3.79; SGD23.63; JPY28.89

Suranand denying he's tried to stop US media from seeing Abhisit

BANGKOK, 14 May 2013 (NNT)-The Prime Minister’s Secretary General Suranand Vejjajiva said he has never tried to stop an American journalist from interviewing the Democrat leader as claimed by the Opposition Spokesman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639402-suranand-denying-hes-tried-to-stop-u-s-media-from-seeing-abhisit/

Thai PM proposes measures to fight surging baht
By English News



BANGKOK, May 14 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today outlined an urgent seven-point measure to rein in the surging baht and tackle Thailand’s labour shortage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639404-yingluck-orders-7-point-assignment-for-finance-minister-to-tackle-baht-surge/

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 15 May 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/639465-thailand-live-wednesday-15-may-2013/