Thailand Live Thursday 23 May 2013

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King sends message of condolence to US President over tornado in Oklahoma

BANGKOK, 23 May 2013 (NNT) - Their Majesties the King and Queen have extended condolences to the US President for the massive destruction in Oklahoma caused by a powerful tornado on 20 May 2013.

In the royal letter, Their Majesties the King and Queen said they were deeply saddened by the news of a powerful tornado strike in Oklahoma which had wreaked havoc to public infrastructure and was resulted in great life and property losses. Their Majesties on this occasion extended heartfelt sympathy to the US President and people who have suffered from the losses caused by the natural disaster.


-- NNT 2013-05-23

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2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Police say they know identities of Central World arson suspects
Patinya Iamtan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police are gathering evidence in support of arrest warrants for two suspected arsonists and six alleged accomplices in relation to the Central World Mall fire during the 2010 riots.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641419-thai-police-say-they-know-identities-of-central-world-arson-suspects/

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BLACKOUT
Residents feared what lay behind the darkness
Charoon Thongnual
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The hours-long blackout on Tuesday in the strife-torn regions in three southern provinces have had a huge impact on residents who, facing daily insurgent violence, were gripped in the fear of possible terror attacks in the darkness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641421-thailand-residents-feared-what-lay-behind-the-darkness-blackout/

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DARK DAY
Blackout was 'Unavoidable'
The Nation

Minister blames lightning strike on transmission line.

BANGKOK: -- Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal yesterday described Tuesday evening's blackout in all 14 southern provinces as "unavoidable" but did not come up with long-term measures to prevent a repeat in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641422-thai-energy-minister-pongsak-blackout-was-unavoidable/

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PREAH VIHEAR CONTROVERSY
'Tough Stand' urged if Phnom Penh tables plan
Janjira Pongrai,
Tanpisit Lerdbamrungchai
The Nation

Govt prepared to boycott World Heritage meeting: Preecha

BANGKOK: -- Ministry officials are concerned Cambodia might again table a universal management plan for the disputed area around the Preah Vihear Temple at a Unesco World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting in Phnom Penh next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641423-preah-vihear-controversy-tough-stand-urged-if-phnom-penh-tables-plan/

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TAT: Tuesday blackout has posed no impact on Thai tourism

BANGKOK, 23 May 2013 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has come out to assure that the blackout that hit 14 southern Provinces on Tuesday has not had any impact on the tourism sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641424-tuesday-blackout-has-posed-no-impact-on-thai-tourism-t-a-t/

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UPDATE
Cab drivers lodge petition to raise fare

BANGKOK, 23 May 2013 (NNT) – Taxi drivers are looking to lodge a petition to raise the price of their service, both for the long distance rate and traffic jam rate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641054-taxi-fares-to-be-raised-as-living-cost-rises/page-4#entry6428984

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POLITICS
I'm not here to sling mud: new govt spokesman
Anaphat Deechuay
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The new government spokesman said his duty was not to engage in daily political attacks but to better communicate the government's policies to the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641426-im-not-here-to-sling-mud-new-thai-govt-spokesman/

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THAI TALK
Why are they talking about an early election?
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Political pundits seem to have come to the conclusion that the ruling Pheu Thai Party is gunning for an early election, perhaps before the end of the year, or even earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641427-thai-talk-why-are-they-talking-about-an-early-election/

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EDITORIAL
Our only chance of progress lies with our children
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Surveys show that many Thais support graft if it benefits them, so what hope do we have of ending the vicious cycle of corruption and coup?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641428-our-only-chance-of-progress-lies-with-our-children-thai-editorial/

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Thai army chief urges self-imposed curfew for teachers

BANGKOK, May 23, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's army chief on Wednesday urged teachers in the country's insurgency-racked south to stay at home after 6pm to avoid falling victim to militants as the new school year gets under way.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641429-thai-army-chief-urges-self-imposed-curfew-for-teachers/

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BURNING ISSUE

Details Thaksin did not tell the red shirts

Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- The way former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra addressed the red shirts at their gathering on May 19 may have left people wondering if political reconciliation could actually be achieved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641430-details-thaksin-did-not-tell-the-red-shirts/

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UPDATE:

Their Majesties aid mother after children die in fire
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and Queen yesterday graciously granted a relief kit and cooking utensils to a family who lost two children when their house burned down on Tuesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641297-siblings-burned-to-death-after-electricity-was-cut-off-phisanulok/page-2#entry6429035

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Ladyboy funds surgery with stolen money

SONGKHLA: -- Police in a Songkhla Province Hospital came across a 20 year old Ladyboy just a few moments too late to prevent him becoming more of a her, after she spent stolen money on the Ultimate in gender reassignment surgery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641432-thai-ladyboy-funds-surgery-with-stolen-money/

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Ryan Gosling misses premiere of new movie at Cannes

by Helen ROWE

CANNES, France, May 22, 2013 (AFP) - Star Ryan Gosling on Wednesday stayed away from the Cannes premiere of his latest film, the ultra-violent "Only God Forgives", a blood-spattered revenge tale set in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641439-ryan-gosling-misses-premiere-of-new-movie-at-cannes/

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Forbes: Merkel still the most powerful woman in the world

NEW YORK: -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has maintained her position as the most powerful woman in the world, in a ranking published Wednesday by Forbes magazine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641470-forbes-german-chancellor-merkel-still-the-most-powerful-woman-in-the-world/

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UPDATE:

2 suspects in Central World blaze identified
By English News



BANGKOK, May 23 – Thai police have released the photos of two men who allegedly set fire to the Central World shopping complex during the 2010 political protests in the heart of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641419-thai-police-say-they-know-identities-of-central-world-arson-suspects/#entry6429382

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UPDATE:

PM boosts Japan’s confidence in Thai mega projects
By English News



TOKYO, May 23 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday invited Japanese investors to join in the development of mega projects in Thailand for the growth of the Southeast Asian region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641290-thai-p-m-yingluck-to-speak-on-asias-future-of-asia/#entry6429395

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,625.45, down 5.82 points /MCOT

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Greater Bangkok: Power Outage Notification from now until 26 May 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641476-greater-bangkok-power-outage-notification-from-now-until-26-may-2013/

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RT @AP: BREAKING: Gov't probe faults poor quality construction materials for deadly Bangladesh building collapse. http://apne.ws/Z1j6pO

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Court to consider petitions against Constitution rewrite next Wednesday
By English News

BANGKOK, May 22 – Four separate petitions against a parliamentary move to amend several sections of Thailand's Constitution were accepted today by the Constitution Court for consideration as a single case.

The court announced that consideration of the case will start next Wednesday.

The four petitions were submitted by Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, Bavorn Yasinthorn, Varin Thiemcharas and Gen Somjet Boonthanom.

They asked the court to rule if Parliament’s move to review Sections 68 and 237 of the Constitution would infringe the people’s rights. They wanted Parliament to stop debating the charter change.

The rewritten version of Section 68 entitles the Office of the Attorney-General to initially examine complaints against any move deemed detrimental to the constitutional monarchy, and Section 237 relaxes the rules on a party’s dissolution or banning of party executives due to violations of the election law by party candidates.

A group of 312 Pheu Thai Party MPs, including parliament speaker Somsak Kiatsuranond, officially gave their support to the charter amendment. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-05-23

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French Embassy organizing “Water at the heart of Science” exhibition

BANGKOK, 23 May 2013 (NNT) – The French Embassy, in cooperation with the National Science Museum, is organizing an exhibition entitled “Water at the heart of Science”; aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of water.

After co-presiding over the opening ceremony with French Ambassador to Thailand Thierry Viteau, Science and Technology Minister Worawat Auapinyakul said the “Water at the heart of Science” exhibition showcases water-related inventions of scientists from around the world, as the event is aimed at educating people regarding water and its importance in all aspects such as irrigation system and agriculture.

The “Water at the heart of Science” exhibition is also held to promote cultural relations between Thailand and France and also for both countries to exchange ideas and information on water, science, and technology.

The “Water at the heart of Science” is currently being held at the National Science Museum until July 20th, .


-- NNT 2013-05-23

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Houses found built to claim expropriation compensation from state

BANGKOK, 23 May 2013 (NNT) – The governor of Chaiyaphum is ordering the revocation of house registrations of some of the 600 houses built to claim compensation from the state, on land that is to be expropriated to make way for a water reservoir.

Chaiyaphum Governor Phonsak Chiaranai has called a meeting of related agencies to discuss how to tackle the issue of buildings and housing estates that have sprung up due to locals' belief that they can claim as much as a million baht each by owning these cheaply-built houses.

Mr. Phonsak asserts that capitalists were funding the housing estates and were tricking people into buying the houses to claim expropriation compensation. He said there will definitely not be million-baht compensations for these houses. He added he is pulling the registrations for 210 of these houses, after finding that nobody moved into these structures.


-- NNT 2013-05-23

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Woolwich attack: 'Soldier beheaded' by ranting fanatics on busy London street

He was butchered with knives and meat cleavers after a car mounted the pavement and ploughed into him

LONDON: -- A man was today “beheaded” by two suspected Islamic terrorists in a barbaric execution on a busy London street in broad daylight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641495-woolwich-attack-soldier-beheaded-by-ranting-fanatics-on-busy-london-street/

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Pheu Thai MPs submit reconciliation bill to Parliament for consideration; assert the bill will benefit all sides /MCOT

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PM interviewed by NHK, says she will lead Thais to overcome conflict, bringing country to peace, mobilising with democratic principles /MCOT

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Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya took 4th champion title from Chelsea Flower Show 2013

London, 23 May 2013, (NNT) -- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden has won First Place in the Chelsea Flower Show 2013; it is the 4th consecutive year the Garden has won the prestigious award.

According to international media, Thailand's Nong Nooch Tropical Garden has once again been awarded First Place in the Chelsea Flower Show 2013, held in London, England. The renowned Garden from Thailand beat out over 500 other gardens from 36 countries.

The Thai representatives decided to highlight the garden with orchids, which signify faith in Buddhism, showing Buddhism cultural beliefs and traditions through the flower arrangement.

The garden's director, Kampon Tansajja (กัมพล ตันสัจจา), has reportedly felt honored by the royal visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her entourage during the event.

The Royal Horticultural Society is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show this year. The Best in Show award has been around since the 1990s.


-- NNT 2013-05-23

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Britain's Cameron to lead crisis meeting after London attack

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641495-woolwich-attack-soldier-beheaded-by-ranting-fanatics-on-busy-london-street/#entry6429973

[Lite Beer]

Thai police arrest suspected Italian fraudster on Interpol request

CHIANG MAI: -- Thai police have arrested an Italian national on suspicion of defrauding millions of dollars from Italian financial institutions and other crimes, police said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/641523-thai-police-arrest-suspected-italian-fraudster-on-interpol-request/