Thailand Live Wednesday 22 May 2013

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Lampang seizes 100 logs of rosewoods

BANGKOK, 22 May 2013 (NNT) -- More than 100 logs of 30 year-old Siamese rosewoods are confiscated at the Doi Jong National Park in Sop Prab District, Lampang Province.

Head of Lampang’s Forest Defense Unit Suthep Putthacha (สุเทพ พุทธชา) and Sop Prab District Chief Somkiat Tantrakul (สมเกียรติ ตันตระกูล) led a team of 50 officials in the suppression drive, after they had received reports from locals on illegal logging activities in the forest conservation area.

Authorities found the logs had already been transported out of the national park, waiting to be shipped out of the province.

Each log is between 40-120 centimeters in diameter and has a length of 1-6 meters. Officials speculated that smugglers intend to process the logs before selling them, with pick-up trucks prepared to transport the goods. All logs will be kept at the 3rd Forest Defense Unit of Lampang.

After removal of the logs, forestry officials combed several areas in the Doi Jong National Park, in hopes to drive off poachers.


-- NNT 2013-05-22

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Thai PM to speak on Asia's future of Asia
By English News



BANGKOK, May 22 – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is attending an international forum on “The Future of Asia” in Japan, starting today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641290-thai-p-m-yingluck-to-speak-on-asias-future-of-asia/

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Siblings Burned To Death After Electricity Was Cut Off



Two siblings from Phisanulok province had to use candles to light up their house as they didn't pay their 441 THB electricity bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641297-siblings-burned-to-death-after-electricity-was-cut-off-phisanulok/

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Gen. Prayuth: Southern blackout not connected with insurgency

BANGKOK, 22 May 2013 (NNT) - Army Commander-in-Chief Gen.Prayuth Chan-ocha has confirmed that last night’s blackout in 14 southern provinces had nothing to do with the southern unrest, saying it was a lesson for all responsible units.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641311-yingluck-concerned-with-misunderstanding-about-southern-blackout/#entry6427531

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Southern blackout causes severe economic impact

BANGKOK, 22 May 2013 (NNT) - Industry experts in the South weighed in on the economic impact of Tuesday Night’s wide-scale blackout, saying that a permanent solution must be put in place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641267-southern-thailand-power-blackout-jeopardises-investor-sentiment/#entry6427379

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Thailand expresses enthusiasm to welcome British PM

BANGKOK, 22 May 2013 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has expressed Thailand’s enthusiasm to welcome the British Prime Minister and hope that the latter would consider a return visit to Thailand at his earliest convenience.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641309-thailand-expresses-enthusiasm-to-welcome-british-p-m-david-cameron/

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UPDATE:

South needs more power plants: Egat
Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- More power plants are needed in the South to prevent blackouts like the one that hit the region on Tuesday night, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641267-southern-thailand-power-blackout-jeopardises-investor-sentiment/#entry6427489

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SET index closed at 1631.27, down 12.16; Bt/USD29.65; GBP44.84; AUD28.89; EUR38.21; CAD28.73; HKD3.81; SGD23.39; JPY28.8

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Yingluck concerned with misunderstanding about southern blackout

BANGKOK, 22 May 2013 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed concerns over the situation in the South after most of the region experienced power outage last night, saying ill-intentioned people were taking advantage of the situation by making rumors of unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641311-yingluck-concerned-with-misunderstanding-about-southern-blackout/

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Vendors at doomed Rod Fai Market demand more time
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Vendors at Bangkok's Rod Fai Market Wednesday held a protest at the site of the demolished market demanding the right to stay and sell goods for another six months, saying they planned to hold more negotiations with the landlord, State Railway of Thailand, soon.

The protest followed Tuesday's demolition of stalls at the market by an SRT-hired contractor to clear the site for construction of the Skytrain's Red Line (Bang Sue-Rangsit). Previously the vendors had asked the SRT for permission to stay on for another six months to give them time to find a new place to peddle their wares, but the SRT told them to take it up with the company that was granted the Red Line concession.

The private company proposed that the vendors pay it Bt500,000 per month, to which the vendors said they verbally agreed. However, the company later brought in heavy machinery to demolish the market anyway, leading to the current tussle.

-- The Nation 2013-05-22

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Senators' powers to be restrained in March transition
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Appointed senators will be prohibited from removing or appointing individuals during the transition period at the end of the elected senators' term next March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641314-thai-senators-powers-to-be-restrained-in-march-transition/

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2013 export target cut as a result of strong baht

BANGKOK, 22 May 2013 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has readjusted this year’s export target down to 7%-7.5% following the baht appreciation and volatility which have decreased export orders.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said the ministry decided to cut the 2013 export growth target from 8%-9% to 7%-7.5% based on the baht value of 29 baht to the US dollar. The ministry would closely monitor the Thai export situation in order to adjust its promotional plans and assistance measures accordingly.

Apart from a drop in export orders, Mr Boonsong said the baht strength and volatility is likely to continue affecting Thai exports in the second half of the year particularly the exports of gems and jewelry, processed agricultural products, chilled and frozen food and some heavy industries.

Despite the lower export target, the minister said, the international trade promotion offices at the Royal Thai embassies worldwide will continue working hard to ensure the original export target is reached, especially in the major markets like the EU, Japan, China and the Middle East.


-- NNT 2013-05-22

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 23 May 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641418-thailand-live-thursday-23-may-2013/