Thailand Live Tuesday 21 May 2013

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Vanuatu's Prime Minister visits Huay Hong Krai development project

BANGKOK, 21 May 2013 (NNT) – Vanuatu's prime minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil has visited the Huay Hong Khrai development study center in Chiang Mai to retrieve know-hows that might be applied in his own country.

Ni-Vanuatu Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil was in Chiang Mai to attend the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit, which drew to a close on Monday (May 20). Mr. Kalosil visited the Doi Suthep temple, a popular tourist destination that provides splendid viewing of Chiang Mai city. Whilst strolling along gifts vendors, he reportedly paid particular attention to wooden hand-crafted Buddha statues.

Mr. Kalosil indicates after his visit to the Huay Hong Khrai project that he would take back several of the things he observed there and apply it in his effort of developing Vanuatu. He added that the memorandums of understanding between Thailand and Vanuatu, regarding knowledge exchange, will foster great benefits.

In the meantime, Mr. Kalosil's wife Marie Louise Milne visited the Mae Sa elephant home and watched a show demonstrating the abilities of elephants, and also toured the elephant nursery and the elephant museum located on the same compound.


-- NNT 2013-05-21

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It's time for Thaksin to respect the rule of law: senior Democrats

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Senior Democrat Party figures called on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday to admit to his alleged wrongdoings and respect the courts - to uphold the rule of law in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640920-its-time-for-thaksin-to-respect-the-rule-of-law-senior-democrats/

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Rival version of Chiang Mai declaration announced
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and other Asia-Pacific leaders attend yesterday

The second Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) ended yesterday with two versions of the Chiang Mai Declaration.

CHIANG MAI: - The official declaration by leaders of 40 countries highlighted the need to encourage the inclusion of disaster risk reduction in the United Nations' development agenda beyond 2015, upgrade regional cooperation, promote the efficient use of water resources, and forge better partnerships between the government and all other stakeholders in water-resource management and development.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640921-rival-version-of-chiang-mai-declaration-announced-asia-pacific-water-summit/

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Obec should be probed over exam cheating: panel

Chuleeporn Aramnet

The Nation

Chinnapat

BANGKOK: -- A fact-finding panel has recommended that a probe be launched against Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) secretary general Chinnapat Bhumirat for dereliction of duty, after cheating plagued a recent recruitment exam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640922-obec-should-be-probed-over-assistant-teachers-exam-cheating-thai-panel/

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UPDATE:

Weak data raises odds of rate cut
Business Desk
The Nation

Louder call for a policy rate cut on May 29, to weaken baht and boost exports

BANGKOK: -- Despite growth of 5.3 per cent in the first quarter, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has revised down its forecast for the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640760-2013-growth-forecast-revised-downward-export-growth-grim/#entry6421965

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British man killed by train in Prachin Buri

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640839-foreigner-killed-by-train-in-prachin-buri/

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Pig farmers up in arms over US pressure
The Nation

BANGKOK: - Members of the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand and other concerned parties are considering marching to Government House in protest against US pressure on Thailand to open up its market to US pork and offal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640923-pig-farmers-in-thailand-up-in-arms-over-u-s-pressure/

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STREETWISE
Facebook isn't the place to let off tension
Achara Deboonme



BANGKOK: -- At 60, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong cannot be considered old-looking. At the official launch ceremony of a new building complex in Marina Bay, dressed in a plain black suit, he could easily convince many that he is much younger than 60.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640924-facebook-isnt-the-place-to-let-off-tension-thai-opinion/

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BURNING ISSUE
Former stars face off in Don Mueang race
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation


Yuranan

Two major parties have fielded former stars as their candidates in the Don Muang by-election.

BANGKOK: -- The vote will be held on June 16, after Karun Hosakul being given a red card by the Supreme Court's Election Division for framing Tankhun Jittitsara during their campaigning in the last election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640927-former-thai-stars-face-off-in-don-mueang-by-election/

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Pull donations case or else, Democrats tell DSI
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat heavyweights have threatened to sue Department of Special Investigation director-general Tarit Pengdith if he refuses to review his agency's decision to press charges against Democrats over donations to the party.

Party adviser Banyat Bantadtan said that he and other members would tell Tarit to defer taking statements regarding the donation case. He said they would also exercise their right to object to DSI's decision to press charges. If the DSI refused to review the case, his party would use the Criminal Code's Article 157 and accuse DSI officials of malfeasance. "We can file both civil and criminal cases against them," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-05-21

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Aunt sold girl, 17, for sex work in Korea: police
Wisit Chuanpipatpong
The Nation

Niece used Facebook to flee parlour in Seoul; seven other Thais rescued

BANGKOK: -- The police's Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD) yesterday applied for an arrest warrant for a Thai woman who allegedly lured her 17-year-old niece into prostitution with a well-paid job in South Korea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640928-aunt-sold-girl-17-for-sex-work-in-south-korea-thai-police/

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BMA prepares for coming wet season
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has put aside 5.8 million sandbags to brace for the upcoming rainy season and is inspecting the strength of billboards across the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640929-bangkok-administration-prepares-for-upcoming-rainy-season/

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UPDATE:
Foreigner found dead on train track
Manit Sanapboon
The Nation

PRACHIN BURI: -- A male foreigner died of a sudden blood-circulation failure just before his body was hit by a train yesterday morning in Prachin Buri's Muang district, an autopsy revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640839-foreigner-killed-by-train-in-prachin-buri/#entry6422015

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SPECIAL
New border post to help trade - or gamblers?
Chinnapat Chaiyamon
The Nation



CHIANG RAI: -- The new Golden Triangle permanent border checkpoint in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district - which has just been opened - is seen as having been established with political connections to benefit a large casino project on the Lao side.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640931-new-golden-triangle-permanent-border-post-to-help-trade-or-gamblers/

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Hat Yai police transfer
The Nation

HAT YAI: -- A Crime Suppression crackdown on a gambling den in Hat Yai on Sunday has led to the immediate transfer of six local police.

Some 44 punters were nabbed along with gambling devices and Bt20,000 in cash. Songkhla police chief Pol Maj-General Suwit Choensiri yesterday moved Hat Yai superintendent Pol Colonel Adirek Beuraheng and five other officers to the Provincial Police Centre in Na Thawi indefinitely.

Suwit's deputy Pol Colonel Kritsakorn Pleethanyawong will act as superintendent while the six are investigated. He said Hat Yai police had cracked down on this den before, but it kept reopening.

-- The Nation 2013-05-21

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Three arrested for Phuket bikes-for-ransom scheme
Kanana Kaewsomboon

PHUKET: -- Three teenagers have been arrested for stealing motorbikes and then holding them for ransom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640933-three-arrested-for-phuket-bikes-for-ransom-scheme/

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Phuket alcohol sales ban for Visakha Bucha Day

The birth of the Buddha, depicted on the walls of a wat in Laos.

Full story: http--,,--//www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640945-alcohol-sales-ban-for-visakha-bucha-day-24-may/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,646.58, up 3.18 points /MCOT

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Thai Woman Scammed out of 200,000 Baht on Internet

SAMUT PRAKAN: -- Reports that Thai women, perhaps new to the internet are being scammed by ruthless conmen have continued this week, as another lady, this time in Samut Prakan, has been duped by the old “Nigerian 419” Approach

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640964-thai-woman-scammed-out-of-200000-baht-by-nigerian-419-approach/

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Foreigner found dead on Phuket beach
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- The body of a foreign man was found washed up on Patong Beach at around 7 this morning (May 21) near Loma (Dolphin) Park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640967-foreigner-found-dead-on-phuket-beach/

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Energy Ministry delays plan to raise household LPG price until July, asserts price rise will not affect public /MCOT

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Two suspected insurgents detained during search operation in Narathiwat's Ra-ngae district; two motorcycles, explosive devices seized /MCOT

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Science and Technology Min focuses on safety for nuclear power use

BANGKOK, 21 May 2013 (NNT) – The Science and Technology Ministry is focusing on safety of nuclear power use while trying to minimize its impact on the environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640978-thai-science-and-technology-min-focuses-on-safety-for-nuclear-power-use/

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Danish company in Thailand accused of threatening employees
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN



HUA HIN: -- Alpine Saleforce Ltd., a Danish telemarketing company in Hua Hin, Thailand, is being accused in Danish media of threatening employees, cheating them of their salary and fiddling with work permits. CEO Ramus Moller is baffled, saying that it is a personal vendetta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640979-danish-company-in-hua-hin-accused-of-threatening-employees/

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UPDATE:

Unidentified male foreigner found dead on Phuket beach

Phuket Gazette


Patong Beach was the site of multiple drownings during the low season last year. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- A bearded male foreigner was found dead on Phuket’s premier party beach of Patong early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640967-foreigner-found-dead-on-phuket-beach/#entry6423218

[Lite Beer]

Thai security chief insists southern situation under control.
By English News

BANGKOK, May 21 - Thailand's Muslim-predominant far South is under control with the government's peace talks with militant groups to continue, a senior Thai security official reasserted today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641044-thai-security-chief-insists-southern-situation-under-control/

[Lite Beer]

Bangkok authorities seize assets of major drug suspect
By English News

BANGKOK, May 21 - The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) today confiscated assets worth 20 million baht from a key detained drug suspect in Bangkok. Meanwhile, six other drug smugglers have been arrested with 30,000 meth pills seized in Chiang Rai.

ONCB secretary-general Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen led his team to raid the home of Thanyaporn Kanankaeng in Bangkok, suspected of involvement with a drug ring which is believed to have Bt100 million in hand.

Ms Thanyaporn is now detained, and the authorities will seize three vehicles and are now seeking to freeze her assets including three houses worth 20 million baht.

Meanwhile, police in the northern province of Chiang Rai arrested an Akha hill tribe man, identified as Apa Yeesoh, 52, as he was smuggling 12,500 methamphetamine pills with two other men who escaped arrest.

Mr Apa confessed to police that he was hired by another ethnic man to deliver the drug to customers in the provincial seat and said he has done so many times.

Elsewhere, in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, police intercepted a pickup truck after intelligence reports said it was involved in cross-border drug smuggling.

The authorities found 22,000 meth pills and detained two men for questioning.

Both detainees confessed that they were delivering drugs to an agent in nearby Amnat Charoen province. The confession has led to the arrest of another three men. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-05-21

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Crackdown nets 800 suspects in Mekong region drugs smuggling

BANGKOK: -- Police from four nations have so far detained more than 800 suspects and shut down several drug rings in a crackdown on gangs operating along the Mekong River, Chinese state media said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641033-crackdown-nets-800-suspects-in-mekong-region-drugs-smuggling/

[Lite Beer]

Phra Nakhon district director files complaints against Chaiwat

Phra Nakhon district director Julanop Nuchanart Tuesday filed a complaint at Chana Songkhram Police Station against anti-government protesters for taking over Sanam Luang.

Despite the complaint, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, leader of the group, vowed to protest at Sanam Luang until Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra steps down.

-- The Nation 2013-05-21

[Lite Beer]

Flickr Gets A Huge Revamp With Hi-Res Image-Filled UI, New Android App, And 1TB Of Free Storage

JORDAN CROOK

Smack-dab in the middle of Yahoo-Tumblr aqcuisition day, Yahoo is holding a major press event here in NYC. But announcements coming out of this event aren’t related to Tumblr as much as Flickr, the photo-sharing database and social network acquired by Yahoo in March of 2005 for $35 million.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641032-flickr-gets-a-huge-revamp-with-hi-res-image-filled-ui-new-android-app-and-1tb-of-free-storage/