Thailand Live Saturday 18 May 2013

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US carrier Nimitz due to visit Phuket
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The USS Nimitz at sea. Photo US Navy

PHUKET: -- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is due to visit Phuket on May 28, anchoring in Makham Bay off the deep sea port.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640233-u-s-carrier-nimitz-due-to-visit-phuket/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Thai Spring launches online campaign against Yingluck
Attayuth Bootsripoom,
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation


Thai Spring calls on people who disagree with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

BANGKOK: -- The speech Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra delivered in the Mongolian capital recently has sparked widespread discussions nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640235-thai-spring-launches-online-campaign-against-yingluck/

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CONTROVERSY
Sukhumbhand backs call for new park on SRT land
Wannapa Khaopa,
Sirinart Sirisunthorn
The Nation



State railway plans business venture on Makkasan plot

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok governor has promised his support to a campaign by city residents to turn a large piece of land in the Makkasan area belonging to the State Railway of Thailand into a new public park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640236-bangkok-governor-sukhumbhand-backs-call-for-new-park-on-s-r-t-land/

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ANTI-GOVERNMENT MOVEMENT
Thai Patriotic Front steps up pressure on govt to resign
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Patriotic Front boasted yesterday that up to 50,000 people would join its rally at Sanam Luang today to demand the Pheu Thai-led government resign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640135-thai-patriotic-front-steps-up-pressure-on-govt-to-resign/#entry6412009

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DRUG PLANTS
GPO agrees to fire managing director for negligence
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Irregularities over procurements, delays in plant construction cited

BANGKOK: -- The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation's executive board yesterday agreed to fire managing director Witit Artavatkun for negligence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640237-thai-g-p-o-agrees-to-fire-managing-director-for-negligence/

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Thailand shortlisted for hosting race
The Nation


Chiruit Israngkun Na Ayuthaya of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, left, Pol Maj-General Lattasanya Piansomparn, adviser to the minister of energy, second right, and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings, right

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has been selected as a candidate to host the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile's new Formula E Championship next year, which the country hopes would boost gross domestic product and tourism revenue, especially in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry, if its bid is successful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640239-thailand-shortlisted-for-hosting-formula-e-championship/

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LIKE IT, SHARE IT
New services get mixed reactions
Asina Pornwasin

BANGKOK: -- In the last two weeks since the three key mobile phone operators - Advanced Info Service (AIS), True Corp and Total Access Communication (DTAC) - launched their 3G and 4G services for 2.1GHz, there have been mixed reactions from consumers getting to grips with their new packages.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640240-new-3g-and-4g-services-get-mixed-reactions/

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COMMENT
Sterilise dogs, end the meat trade
John Dalley,
Gill Dalley
Special to The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Many of your readers will not be aware of the despicable trade in dog meat from Thailand to neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Laos that has been going on for a number of years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640241-sterilise-dogs-end-the-meat-trade-from-thailand-soi-dog-foundation/

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Training begins for reconciliation moderators
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Training for moderators who will organise 108 reconciliation hearings nationwide begins today, the PM's Office permanent secretary said yesterday.

Tongthong Chantharangsu said 400 moderators will be divided into two groups, the first undergoing training today and tomorrow and the second on May 25 and 26.

The moderators will organise hearings on reconciliation, based on the findings of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand, Tongthong added.

The hearings will be held nationwide in June and July, and each will last one day.

Tongthong said about 75,700 people would participate, and of them 75 per cent will be selected from various social sectors, including farmers, labourers, industry, state officials, students, academics, religious leaders and the media. The rest will be chosen from applications submitted via www.tangorg-thailand.com.


-- The Nation 2013-05-18

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Rising baht could trigger crisis: Thaksin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra warned yesterday that a lack of cooperation between the central bank and the Finance Ministry in reining in the strengthening baht could lead to a new financial crisis for Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640242-rising-baht-could-trigger-crisis-thaksin/

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UPDATE:
Thailand, Cambodia agree to strengthen bilateral ties
The Nation


Thai Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat, right, and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh, attend a General Border Committee meeting at a golf resort in Rayong.

RAYONG: -- Thailand and Cambodia yesterday agreed to strengthen cooperation and solve any border conflicts with mutual trust.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640144-thailand-cambodia-agree-on-border-cooperation/?p=6412049#entry6412049

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3G discount agreed
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The three main mobile-telephone operators agreed a 15-per-cent discount for all promotional packages of their third-generation cellular service on 2.1 gigahertz.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640243-3g-discount-agreed/

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Thailand's state revenue 10% higher than targeted
By English News



BANGKOK, May 18 – The Thai government realised net revenue of Bt127.581 billion last month, 9 per cent higher than its earlier estimate of Bt10.585 billion, a Finance Ministry spokesman reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640244-thailands-state-revenue-10-higher-than-targeted/

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Jellyfish warning for Phuket waters

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640141-jellyfish-warning-for-phuket-waters/

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Police urge Phuket tourists to use Tourist Buddy app
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Tourist Police are urging visitors to the island to download and register the agency’s Tourist Buddy application, which is now available on Google Play for devices running the Android platform

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640246-police-urge-phuket-tourists-to-use-tourist-buddy-app/

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2013 Cannes Film Festival: $1 Million Worth of Chopard Jewels Stolen

CANNES: -- Big-time jewelry theft isn't just something that happens in the movies.

A reported $1 million worth of Chopard jewels were stolen from the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, local police confirmed Friday to the BBC.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640280-2013-cannes-film-festival-us1-million-worth-of-chopard-jewels-stolen/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Thailand Golf & Dive Expo at QSNCC Bangkok until Sunday. Open 10am-8pm.

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Patriot group vows to intensify rally this afternoon
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, May 18 – The Thai Patriots Network, defying a warning from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), vowed to rally at Sanam Luang this afternoon to expose the government’s mismanagement and its handling of the Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) temple dispute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640135-thai-patriotic-front-steps-up-pressure-on-govt-to-resign/#entry6412674

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Thailand's Industrial Sentiment Index drops 4 months in row
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, May 18 – The Thai Industrial Sentiment Index (TISI) slipped for its fourth consecutive month to 92.9 in April, according to the chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640313-thailands-industrial-sentiment-index-drops-4-months-in-row/

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RT @suthichai: RT @BreakingNews: 55 dead, 14 missing after rainstorms batter southern China, authorities say - @AP http://bit.ly/13C2ner

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Education Ministry launches nationwide drug-free schools campaign in Phuket
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Three schools in Phuket yesterday became the launch focus of a new Ministry of Education campaign to rid schools nationwide of drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640317-education-ministry-launches-nationwide-drug-free-schools-campaign-in-phuket/

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Immigration police arrest ethnic Hmong drug network at Chatuchak market with 1.4m meth pills, 8kg of ice, with street value of Bt450m /MCOT

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RT @BBCBreaking: French President Francois Hollande signs same-sex marriage into law, after Constitutional Council rejects challenge

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Phuket hospital offers free checkups in honor of HM Queen Sirikit
Phuket Gazette


The Phuket Provincial Hospital is offering free medical checkups in honor of HM Queen Sirikit’s 81st birthday later this year. Photo: Gazette file

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640335-phuket-hospital-offers-free-checkups-in-honor-of-h-m-queen-sirikit/

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LPG case to reach court in 3 months: police
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Thai police expect the cases against major LPG retailers, charged of illegally taking profit from gas price differences, will go to court within 3 months.

So far, a number of 76 gas compression plant operators and 47 gas station operators, plus 111 individuals involved have been charged. On May 30, 15 more gas compression plant operators and 20 fuel station operators would be notified of the charges.

The working committee tasked to tackle the illegal action launched a secret mission, to investigate if any individuals or companies take advantage of the differentials in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices for transport and household uses. From early this year, LPG price for transport use has been gradually increased, while household price is maintained. Thailand is now the net importer of LPG, having the Oil Fund subsidising the steep differential in overseas and local prices.

It was estimated this results to the government’s subsidies of about Bt3 billion.

They are charged of violating the anti-money laundering law. If found guilty, these parties will face asset foreclosure.


-- The Nation 2013-05-18

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UPDATE:

Political battle on Facebook
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Countering a Facebook post by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said Thaksin's thinking is "both wrong and dangerous".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640242-rising-baht-could-trigger-crisis-thaksin/page-3#entry6413137

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Three injured in explosion inside Asia Hotel in Narathiwat
The Nation

Narathiwat - Three people were slightly injured when a bomb exploded inside a room of Asia Hotel in Sugnai Kolok district Saturday, police said.

The room was located on the second floor. Police said the bomb was hidden in the garbage bin inside the hotel room.


-- The Nation 2013-05-18

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Police Arrest Iranian Thief Just Escaping To Malaysia



BANGKOK – May 18, 2013 [PDN]; Various police chiefs and commanders held a press conference regarding the arrest of Iranian Mr. Oodi Rishak. A warrant of arrest was issued on May 12, 2012 for stealing from tourists in Bangkok, he then escaped from the Thai police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640365-thai-police-arrest-iranian-serial-thief-stealing-from-tourists-in-different-areas/

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Gold Traders Association: Domestic gold prices will fluctuate but not touch Bt17,000; still on downward trend /MCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: Red Shirt rally at Ratchaprasong #Bangkok on Sunday. Not expected to be violent or affect shoppers.