600 kg of cannabis seized in Chumphon
By English News

CHUMPHON, May 29 -- Highway police intercepted a pickup truck heading South with more than 600 kilogrammes of cannabis with an estimated street value of Bt20 million.

Highway Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Pongsit Saengpetch said the pickup truck, bearing Bangkok registration plates, was detained on the Asia Highway at Ban Khuan subdistrict in Chumphon's Lang Suan district.

He said the pickup truck was heading to the southern region but abruptly u-turned to Bangkok-bound route to avoid a search by highway police before making another u-turn to south-bound direction.

The driver then left the pickup truck in roadside bushes before fleeing the scene.

After searching, the highway police found 608 kg of cannabis believed to be smuggled from the Lao PDR to Thailand's northeastern region.

The illicit drug was thought to be intended for delivery in the southern region before being forwarded to customers abroad. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-05-29

In Thailand's Schools, Vestiges of Military Rule

By THOMAS FULLER

SAMUT PRAKAN, Thailand — Put aside for a moment the image of Thailand that tourists often see, a laid-back, anything-goes country of libidinous night life.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642824-in-thailands-schools-vestiges-of-military-rule/

BTS confirms fare peg all year round

BANGKOK, 29th May 2013 (NNT) - BTS has confirmed that its fares will be pegged all year round, stating that the Rabbit card helps lowering the living costs for the people.

Mr. Surapong Laoha - Unya Director & Chief Operating Officer of the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS) has revealed that the BTS has cancelled its previous plans to raise its fares from the 1st of June 2013. The fares will remain the same for passengers using both the Rabbit and Sky Smart Pass top up cards until December 31st, 2013.

Moreover, the company is giving a discount of up to 50% to passengers 60 years of age and over; the rate is applicable at all times, including during rush hours, when they use a seniors citizen rabbit card. This new policy will be in effect from the 1st June 2013 to the 31st May 2014, when the fares will be adjusted to 7 baht for the first station; in addition, the BTS will run from 06.00 - 24.00 everyday.

However, from the 1st June 2013 the BTS will adjust fares from Mo chit to On Nut station, and from National Stadium to Saphan Taksin station from between 15-40 baht to 15-42baht. The fare for the first station will be 15 baht, and then 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37 baht in order for the next 7 stations, and 42 baht for all stations beyond.


-- NNT 2013-05-29

Industrialist hails govt measures to tackle surging baht
By English News

BANGKOK, May 29 – The government’s newest financial and economic package particularly related to the movement of the Thai baht, will be a blessing to Thailand’s exports, a leading industrialist said today.

Payungsak Chatsuthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), predicted a positive result of Thai exports in three months and said cooperation among state agencies has boosted investor sentiment.

He complimented the Finance Ministry for its decision to control foreign capital outflows – a move which he believed will deter speculation in the money market.

When the baht moves in accord with the currencies of Thailand’s trading partners, exports will surge, he said.

He expressed optimism that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which meets today will come up with a decision in favour of the country’s economic stability. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-05-29

Bank of Thailand cuts policy interest rate by 0.25% to 2.50% to cope with economic slowdown /MCOT

ECONOMY
Policy rate cut by 25bps
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to reduce the policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.5 per cent, on the back of lower-than-expected economic data in the first quarter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642834-bank-of-thailand-cuts-policy-interest-rate-by-025-to-250/

RT @AP: BREAKING: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann says she will not run for re-election in 2014

Beauty Drama: Thais, Filipinos get defensive about their beauty queens
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The cheers of beauty queen fanatics in Thailand and the Philippines have turned to jeers as of late, as a rhetorical war has arisen between the two nationalities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642837-beauty-drama-thais-filipinos-get-defensive-about-their-beauty-queens/

Luxury cars destroyed in semitrailer fire
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A semi-trailer transporting six luxury cars caught fire on the Mitraparp Highway in Nakhon Ratchasima early Wednesday.

The fire destroyed one BMW, two Lamborghinis and a Mercedes Benz, causing damage of about Bt100 million.

Police are probing the cause of fire. They were told the cars' gas tanks were full.

Following a report of the fire at 7.20am, Klang Dong police superintendent Pol Col Manote Kerdkwan and team went to inspect the scene at Mitraparp Highway's 39th kilometre marker and alerted fire engines.

Truck driver Ekkapat Wilamas, 37, told police he was driving the truck uphill with six luxury cars onboard the trailer - two Lamborghinis, one BMW and three Mercedes Benz - when other motorists repeatedly signalled him about a fire on the back of the trailer.

Pulling over, Ekkapat found the BMW, which was loaded last, on fire, and flames quickly spread to the other vehicles, but he couldn't put out the blaze.


-- The Nation 2013-05-29

Snake in bedroom gives Phuket woman a fright
Claire Connell


The snake found in Lies Sol's house.

PHUKET: -- Phuket resident Lies Sol got a surprise when she arrived home yesterday (May 28) to find a long green snake in her bedroom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642846-snake-in-bedroom-gives-phuket-woman-a-fright/

SET index closed at 1601.61, down 17.96; Bt/USD30.03; GBP45.11; AUD28.59; EUR38.53; CAD28.75; HKD3.86; SGD23.53; JPY29.3

Damaged Phuket tourist ferry to be recovered
Phuket Gazette


Tourists disembark at Rassada Pier last night after being rescued from the stricken ferry late yesterday afternoon. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Efforts are underway to recover the ferry Puean Foong II, which started taking on water in heavy seas yesterday afternoon with more than 100 tourists on board.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642871-damaged-phuket-tourist-ferry-to-be-recovered/

BKK residents urged to get rid of old tires to prevent dengue fever outbreak

BANGKOK, 29 May 2013 (NNT)-The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is launching a campaign against the dengue fever outbreak as 3,000 people in Bangkok reportedly contracted the disease during the first 3 months of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642881-bangkok-residents-urged-to-get-rid-of-old-tires-to-prevent-dengue-fever-outbreak/

to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 30 May 2013

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