Snake on side of road On Nut

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NEW CITY PLAN
Framework for Bangkok's development
Chularat Saengpassa,
Thanatpong Kongsai
The Nation



Sub-cities tipped to blossom in many areas

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok has never stayed the same. And if a city plan can be a good indicator, the new face of the Thai capital is already taking shape.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640670-new-city-plan-framework-for-bangkoks-development/

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POLITICS
PM has 'no plan to reshuffle Cabinet'
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrang,
Knittha Thepkajorn
The Nation


Jatuporn

BANGKOK: -- PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva yesterday dismissed media reports that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is planning a Cabinet reshuffle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640672-yingluck-has-no-plan-to-reshuffle-cabinet/

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POLITICS
Pheu Thai demands apologies from Democrat leaders
The Nation


Families of those who were killed in the 2010 red-shirt riots hold photos of their loved ones. More than 10,000 supporters of the movement converged at the Ratchaprasong intersection yesterday to commemorate the third anniversary of crackdown.

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday demanded that opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban apologise to the families of those killed and injured in the 2010 red-shirt riots.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640673-pheu-thai-demands-apologies-from-democrat-leaders/

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WATER MANAGEMENT
'Top-down govt flood solutions' condemned
Warattaya Chailanka,
Janjira Jarusupawat,
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation



Groups opposed to dams in North also upset at ban at summit venue

CHIANG MAI: -- At its public forum in Chiang Mai, the People's Network of North and Northeastern River Basins yesterday condemned the Thai government's "top-down" approach to water management.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640674-thai-govts-top-down-approach-to-water-management-condemned/

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BOT rejects claim that banks have fuelled rise in the baht
Suphannee Pootpisut,
Sarun Kijvasin,
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry is pointing a finger at commercial banks, accusing them of being behind the steady rise of the baht this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640675-bank-of-thailand-rejects-claim-that-banks-have-fuelled-rise-in-the-baht/

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TRUE CORP
4G service 'part of push to be market leader'
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- True Corp's launch of fourth-generation (4G) broad-band cellular service is not a marketing gimmick but a seri-ous bid to become the clear |leader in the mobile broadband services market, said True's chief executive officer, Suphachai Chearavanont.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640676-true-corp-4g-service-part-of-push-to-be-market-leader/

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EDITORIAL
It takes two to 'play by the rules'
The Nation

In his desperate attempt to portray himself as the victim, Thaksin is trying to throw a veil over his own political misdemeanours

BANGKOK: -- Thais are worse than English football fans. That's the conclusion of Thaksin Shinawatra in his latest attack on his political opponents here in Thailand. In a Facebook posting last week following the celebration of Manchester United's 20th Premier League title, he admired the way the blue half of Manchester, in other words supporters of Manchester City, behaved themselves during their own dark hours while the red half was basking in ultimate joy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640677-thaksin-is-trying-to-throw-a-veil-over-his-own-political-misdemeanours-editorial/

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SURVEY
Rising costs greatest threat to govt
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The increasing cost of living was cited as the major factor threatening to weaken public support for the Yingluck government in a poll by Assumption University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640678-survey-rising-costs-greatest-threat-to-thai-govt/

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Students vow not to cheat
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Administrators and students at 27 universities vowed zero tolerance yesterday on "cheating" and declared their readiness to support national anti-graft campaigns.

Together they signed a pledge during the launch of the "Thai students not cheating" campaign at Thammasat University's outdoor stadium.

Thammasat rector Somkid Lertpaitoon likens the campaign to vaccination. Graduates would become quality workers "immune" to all types of fraud.

Fighting temptation would be included in the curriculum and the student network would hold events in various regions every three months.

A poll by Assumption University showed that 92 per cent of students had copied classmates' reports in the past 12 months and 75 per cent had cheated on exams. The survey found seeds of corruption among students, teachers, government officers and company employees.


-- The Nation 2013-05-20

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EDUCATION
Assistant teachers to be fired in cheating scandal
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Six newly appointed assistant teachers in Nakhon Ratchasima accused of being involved in exam cheating will be dismissed - while the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has called for an ultimate total of 344 people allegedly involved in the scandal to lose their jobs as government officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640679-assistant-teachers-to-be-fired-in-cheating-scandal-nakhon-ratchasima/

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Scholarships for study in Italy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Italian Government is offering scholarships for the 2013/2014 academic year to Thai candidates wishing to attend graduate, post-graduate and single courses, as well as conduct research activities, at any legally recognised Italian universities and high education institutions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640680-scholarships-for-study-in-italy/

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GPO chief's axing 'not political'
Suriyan Panyawai
The Nation


Witit

Board's probe was thorough, chairman says

BANGKOK: -- Pipat Yingseree, chairman of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, yesterday denied that politics was behind the sacking of Dr Witit Artavatkun as the GPO's managing director.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640681-g-p-o-chiefs-axing-not-political/

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PM hosts breakfast for some 40 leaders attending 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Chiang Mai /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,637.57, up 9.61 points /MCOT

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Thailand targets reducing dependence on natural gas
By English News

BANGKOK, May 20 – Thailand has targeted lessening its dependence on natural gas for electricity generating to less than 50 per cent and to boost consumptions of coal and rotational energy, according to the energy minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640693-thailand-targets-reducing-dependence-on-natural-gas/

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Sanam Luang protesters face stern legal action
By English News



BANGKOK, May 20 – Civil authorities in the Thai capital--City Hall--have vowed to take tough legal action against demonstrators who refused to move out of Sanam Luang after Saturday’s deadline.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640715-sanam-luang-protesters-face-stern-legal-action/

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Thailand, Georgia to enhance trade, investment cooperation
By English News



CHIANG MAI, May 20 – Thailand and Georgia have agreed to strengthen the relationship between the two countries to contribute to their trade and investment cooperation.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held talks with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in this northern province during which they emphasised closer cooperation for mutual benefits.

Georgia has abundant natural resources including manganese, copper and gold and the country is located on a strategic oil transport route between Asia and Europe, while Thailand is the window and entrance to Southeast Asia.

Ms Yingluck proposed that the commerce ministries of both countries discuss eliminating obstacles to bilateral trade and encourage meetings between Thailand’s and Georgia’s private sectors.

Mr Saakashvili was asked to exempt visas for Thai people entering Georgia and facilitate the establishment of the Thai embassy in his country.

Georgia asked for Thailand’s support in the United Nations regarding its conflict with Russia. Thailand has so far abstained from taking a position in the dispute. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-05-20

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Pathum Thani police raid cock fighting den, finding illegal weapons

PATHUM THANI, 20 May 2013 (NNT) -- More than 10 firearms seized, 8 suspects arrested in an inspection of a cock fighting den in this central province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640743-pathum-thani-police-raid-cock-fighting-den-finding-illegal-weapons/

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UPDATE:

Phuket taxi driver to face abduction, drug charges
Phuket Gazette


Paitoon Kruain (right), 32, who independently operated an illegal taxi at Phuket International Airport, has denied the allegations against him. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The Phuket taxi driver accused of holding a 19-year-old Chinese tourist captive for hours and threatening her with sexually intimidating gestures on Friday will face deprivation of liberty and drug charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640425-phuket-taxi-driver-arrested-over-chinese-tourist-sex-assault-complaint/page-2#entry6419536

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Lottery ticket sold in Florida wins record 590.5 million dollars

Washington - A single US Powerball lottery ticket holder in Florida won 590.5 million dollars, the biggest payout in the history of the game, media reports said.

The ticket was sold at a supermarket in Zephyrhills, in the state of Florida, NBC News said, citing local lottery officials.

Two winners shared the previous Powerball record payout of 587.5 million dollars in November.


-- The Nation 2013-05-20

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Yahoo to pay 1 billion dollars for blog site Tumblr, reports say

New York - Internet veteran Yahoo Inc agreed to buy the blogging site Tumblr Inc in a deal worth over 1 billion dollars, US media reported Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640749-yahoo-to-pay-1-billion-dollars-for-blog-site-tumblr-reports-say/

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Amnesty bill to reignite tensions in Thailand
Lindsay Murdoch
South-East Asia correspondent for Fairfax Media

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s deputy prime minister, Chalerm Yubamrung, plans to introduce a contentious amnesty bill into parliament on Thursday that will stoke new political tensions three years after bloody street protests and a military crackdown exposed Thailand’s deep divisions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640751-amnesty-bill-to-reignite-tensions-in-thailand/

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Soldiers to quickly help repairing storm-damaged homes in Surin

Surin, 20 May 2013, (NNT) -- Military force in Surin Province has urgently given their assistance to the locals hit by last week's twisters and hail storms that wrecked at least 50 homes.

The twisters hit Tangjai (ตั้งใจ) Sub-district in Muang district of Surin, affecting residents of Baan Raka (บ้านระกา), Baan Kwang (บ้านขวาง), Baan Sangkae (บ้านสังแก), and Ban Tamoh (บ้านตาเมาะ). More than 50 households have been damaged from the storms, 10 of them badly. Crop storage areas have also been damaged.

Local authorities have initially called on provincial officials to assess the damage to enable them to request a proper recovery budget from related agencies later on.

One of the witnesses recalled that the storm started belting early on Thursday evening, saying a high black wind swirled upward violently right after a period of heavy hail storm. He said residents were panicked, fleeing with their loved ones to a local storm shelter while the storm ripping through their houses.

There were no reports of the deaths or injuries from the incident.

-- NNT 2013-05-20

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NESDB: Strong baht to cause veggie and fruit export to drop 20%

BANGKOK, 20 May 2013 (NNT) – The appreciation of theThai currency is expected to cause vegetable and fruit export to drop around 20 percent. Exporters, meanwhile, are calling the government to intervene in the baht situation.

The Thai Food Processors' Association has disclosed that its members are having difficulties exporting vegetable and fruit, thanks to the sluggish global economy and the fluctuation of the Thai currency. The association is, therefore, expecting to see a 20 percent drop in fruit and vegetable export. It is also urging all economy-related agencies to step up assistance measures aimed at solving the problems.

The Association further revealed that there has been a lot of capital influx into Thailand lately, which, he claimed, does not bode well for the country as a whole.

The Association has also anticipated a slight drop in vegetable and fruit production this year, reasoning that a number of farmers have switched to growing other crops like sugar cane, cassava, palm, and rubber, given these products generate higher income for the farmers.

-- NNT 2013-05-20

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Govt is hosting Visakha Bucha Day celebrations nationwide

BANGKOK, 20 May 2013 (NNT) - Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, along with venerable monks recently gave a press conference at Government House to announce government activities to celebrate this year’s “Visakha Bucha Day”, which falls on 24 May.

According to Mr. Niwattumrong, this year’s Visakha Bucha Day celebrations will be held as a tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, as well as other members of the Royal Family. The celebrations began on 18 May and will last until this Friday, 24 May. This year’s activities are also dedicated to His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch who will turn 100 on October 3, 2013. The celebrations are held with the concepts to introduce Thailand as a world Buddhist center and to inspire Thai Buddhists to bring religious teachings into practice in their everyday life.

Visakha Bucha Day is being celebrated at temples nationwide with provincial governors and ecclesiastical provincial governors supervising activities in their respective provinces. The activities include propagation of Buddhist teachings and practices. An international academic conference will also be organized by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, a public Buddhist university. The conference will be held on 21-22 May at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.

The event will be broadcast live from 8.00-17.00 hrs on TNN2 Channel (True Visions 08) and on MCU TV, C-Band 3880MHz.

-- NNT 2013-05-20

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PM's speech during Water Summit

CHIANG MAI, 20 May 2013 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra earlier this morning delivered a speech on how Thailand is proceeding with the water management plan, as the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit has officially begun.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640674-thai-govts-top-down-approach-to-water-management-condemned/#entry6419885

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2013 growth forecast revised downward, export growth grim
By English News

BANGKOK, May 20 – Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) forecast is lowered from 4.5-5.5 per cent to 4.2-5.2 per cent due to the disappointing Q1 economic growth of 5.3 per cent, below the previously forecast 6-7 per cent, a senior official said today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640760-2013-growth-forecast-revised-downward-export-growth-grim/

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Thai PM urges sustainable water management cooperation in Asia-Pacific
By Digital Media



CHIANG MAI, May 20 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday called on Asia Pacific nations to cooperate in sustainable water management in order to handle natural disasters more effectively.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640752-thai-p-m-urges-sustainable-water-management-cooperation-in-asia-pacific/

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Cebu Pacific to launch Manila-Phuket direct service
Alasdair Forbes


Taking off in August: Cebu Pacific is the first airline to connect Manila with Phuket direct.

PHUKET: -- Cebu Pacific, a budget airline in the Philippines, will begin direct flights between Manila and Phuket on August 16, the first airline to link the Philippines with the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640768-cebu-pacific-to-launch-manila-phuket-direct-service/

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Phuket tourist hits pedestrian on Thepkrasattri Road
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A tourist arriving on Phuket from Bangkok in his pick-up truck last night struck an unidentified man who allegedly had stepped out into one of Phuket’s busiest roads.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640775-phuket-tourist-hits-pedestrian-on-thepkrasattri-road/