BMA implements measures to fix flood problem in Sri Nakarin area

BANGKOK, 31 May 2013 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to install additional water pumps and construct a flood drainage tunnel on Sri Nakarin Road, which is one of the flood-prone areas of the capital.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said that as Sri Nakarin Road has experienced severe flooding during the past few years, more measures are set to be implemented to rectify the situation.

Dredging work will be carried out along the Khlet, Khwang and Kacha canals in Bang Kapi, Bang Na and Prawet districts. Water pumps will be set up at a number of nearby canals to speed up the release of flood water.

To further increase the efficiency of the drainage system, a tunnel will be built to divert water from the canals to the Chao Phraya River. Drainage pipes along Sri Nakarin Road are also set to be expanded. The project is set to be completed by July of 2014.

-- NNT 2013-05-31

Labor shortages in Thailand remain unresolved for over a decade

BANGKOK, 31 May 2013 (NNT) - Permanent Secretary for Labor Somkiat Chayasriwong has urged all concerned agencies to help tackle ongoing labor shortages in Thailand, adding that bringing foreign labors to fill in vacancies cannot be done in a hasty manner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643219-labor-shortages-in-thailand-remain-unresolved-for-over-a-decade/

Norwegian Proved His Love For Thailand With A Tattoo


Image: Khaosod online

BANGKOK: -- Eager to prove that a minor incident involving a rude Thai bus driver during a recent trip to Thailand did not affect his love for the country, a Norwegian man sent a photo of the tattoo on the back of his neck which reads "I Love Thailand".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643220-norwegian-proves-his-love-for-thailand-with-a-tattoo/

ANTI-GOVERNMENT MOVEMENT
'White faces' to join Thai Spring
The Nation

File photo

BANGKOK: -- The anti-Thaksin Shinawatra group that uses the Guy Fawkes mask as a symbol is planning to join up with Thai Spring, another anti-government group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643221-anti-thaksin-group-white-faces-to-join-thai-spring/

Don't Vote For Amnesty Bill, Fabio's Sister Pleads

BANGKOK: -- Sister of the Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi, who was killed during military crackdown in Bangkok on 19 May 2010, expressed her opposition to any bill that will grant amnesty to those responsible of the military operation which resulted in her brother′s death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643222-dont-vote-for-thai-amnesty-bill-fabio-polenghis-sister-pleads/

FIRE
Burned out cars a mystery: police
The Nation



NAKON RATCHASIMA: -- Officers of Provincial Police Region 3 are still looking for the owner of four luxury cars that caught fire on Wednesday in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district during transportation on a semi-trailer truck. No one has claimed ownership of the burned-out vehicles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643223-burned-out-luxury-cars-a-mystery-nakhon-ratchasima-police/

POLITICS
Family of nurse 'Kate' opposes both amnesty bills
Akkarachai Kanyamala,
Nattanut Wongpariyakul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Relatives of victims of the political turmoil in mid-2010 led by Kamolket Akahad's brother Nattapat held a press conference yesterday to oppose the national reconciliation bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643225-family-of-nurse-kate-opposes-both-thai-amnesty-bills/

Chalerm gets PM's nod to lead Thai delegation in BRN-NSC talks
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Following a fresh mandate from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday that he would replace the National Security Council (NSC) chief and lead a Thai delegation in the coming round of a peace talks with insurgent representatives, scheduled for June 13 in Kuala Lumpur.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643227-chalerm-gets-yinglucks-nod-to-lead-thai-delegation-in-b-r-n-n-s-c-talks/

EDUCATION
Pupils at small schools to use facilities at other sites: OBEC
SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI,
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) bowed to public pressure yesterday, with Obec secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat announcing no small schools would be closed this academic year. Instead, pupils will be moved between 1,000 schools to get more efficient use of facilities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643228-pupils-at-small-schools-to-use-facilities-at-other-sites-o-b-e-c/

EDITORIAL
Peace talks were doomed from the very beginning
The Nation

The govt should admit the latest peace initiative with southern separatists was flawed from the outset, and start anew with credible representatives

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643229-peace-talks-were-doomed-from-the-very-beginning-thai-editorial/

German Fugitive Nabbed After Fleeing Thai Airport

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643188-german-fugitive-nabbed-after-fleeing-thai-airport/

BURNING ISSUE
Blackout casts a shadow over government's energy plans
Samudcha Hoonsara
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck Shinawatra government's policy on energy security has been consistently uncertain. Its deficiencies have been exposed widely especially after recent blackouts in the entire southern region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643230-blackout-casts-a-shadow-over-thai-governments-energy-plans/

Verdict on fire-trucks case set for Aug 6
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders will rule on the fire-trucks scandal on August 6.

The hearings for the case wrapped up yesterday and the court has given both sides until July 31 to hand in closing statements. It will issue a verdict on August 6, it said.

The defendants in the malfeasance case related to irregularities in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's procurement of fire trucks and fire boats include former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont, former commerce minister Watana Muangsuk, former director-general of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Pol Maj-General Athilak Tanchookiat and former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin.


-- The Nation 2013-05-31

Democrats reveal discrepancies in education budget
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra takes the stand at Parliament as scrutiny of the budget bill entered a second day yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich yesterday claimed that the Bt2.34 billion sought by the ministry for the procurement of school vans was a mistype, as the actual funds sought were Bt1.23 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643232-thai-democrats-reveal-discrepancies-in-education-budget/

Bomb 'may stem from affair'
PATINYA IAMTAN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Police say they have four to five suspects for the bomb last Sunday in Ramkhamhaeng Soi 43/1 in Bangkok. They are now looking at the possibility it was a crime of passion related to an adulterous affair. Investigators initially believed the bomb was the result of a conflict between gangs involved in extortion from roadside vendors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643234-bomb-in-bangkoks-ramkhamhaeng-rd-may-stem-from-affair/

Rural doctors cancel rally at PM's house
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Rural Doctors' Society has decided against holding a demonstration outside Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's home on June 6, government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said yesterday.

Instead, he said, they join a "workshop" with teams next Wednesday made up of Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong and PM's Office Minister Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal, and possibly PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva, to find a solution to their problems.

He quoted Suranand as saying the meeting would listen to views from all sides, and that public benefit would be evaluated.

The Rural Doctors' Society is campaigning against the health minister's pay-for-performance (P4P) scheme and calling for him to be sacked.

Dr Arak Wongworachat, a leader of the group, said yesterday they had agreed to defer the June 6 protest by two weeks. He said they would hold a rally outside the PM's house if their meeting with relevant officials on June 6 does not lead to a satisfactory result.


-- The Nation 2013-05-31

STATE VISIT
Singh pushes for 'partnership'
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets visiting Indian Premier Manmohan Singh at Government House yesterday. Singh arrived in Bangkok yesterday on an official visit to fulfil India

Indian premier voices interest in Dawei, plans to use Thailand to link sub-continent to rest of Asean

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643236-thailand-visit-indian-premier-singh-pushes-for-partnership/

Alberta tourist diagnosed with rare virus after trip to Thailand
The Canadian Press

ALBERTA, CANADA: -- Public health authorities in Alberta say a woman from the province has been diagnosed with a rare virus after she returned from a trip to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643239-tourist-diagnosed-with-rare-zika-virus-after-returning-to-canada-from-trip-to-thailand/

American Teacher Charged With Bank Robbery in Bangkok Bank



BANGKOK: -- An American Teacher Lloyd Dennis Hall has been arrested and charged with the robbery of a Bangkok Suburban Bank earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643242-american-teacher-charged-with-bank-robbery-in-bangkok-bank/

More than 1,000 dog skulls unearthed in Ayutthaya
By Coconuts Bangkok

AYUTTHAYA: -- While extinguishing a blaze at a garbage dump earlier this week, firefighters in Ayutthaya discovered more than 1,000 dog skulls buried along with the site’s refuse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643258-more-than-1000-dog-skulls-unearthed-in-ayutthaya/

"Operation Hurricane" continues at south Pattaya shopping mall

PATTAYA:--Four vendors and an estimated 1.3 million Baht’s worth of counterfeit branded items were seized as Police involved in a nationwide crackdown on those who are selling and producing counterfeit items, raided a South Pattaya Shopping Mall on Thursday Night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643263-operation-hurricane-continues-at-south-pattaya-shopping-mall/

Pattaya Tourist Police arrest Ladyboy following alleged theft from Italian

PATTAYA:--Pattaya’s Tourist Police based on Walking Street were called into action in the early hours of Friday after an Italian requested assistance to detain a Ladyboy who had allegedly stolen items of value from his Jomtien Condominium on 29th May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643266-pattaya-tourist-police-arrest-ladyboy-following-alleged-theft-from-italian/

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,589.03, up 7.71 points /MCOT

Five-vehicle pile-up in traffic tunnel starts fire
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A pile-up involving three taxis, a pick-up and a four-wheel truck led to a fire that damaged three of the vehicles inside a traffic tunnel at the Huaykwang intersection early Friday.

Police said the accident happened at 4:50 am on the inbound lanes of the tunnel.

Two fire engines took about 15 minutes to put out the fire. Three people were slightly injured in the accident and were sent to the Ratchavithee Hospital.

Police said a taxi crashed into the rear of another taxi in front of it inside the tunnel and another taxi, a pick-up and four wheel truck could not stop in time and crashing into one another following the first crash. The fire started at the truck and swept to two other vehicles.

Traffic police managed to clear the tunnel at 7 am.


-- The Nation 2013-05-31

Scores of dog skulls dumped in Ayutthaya feared to involve meatball factory

AYUTTHAYA, 31 May 2013 (NNT) – Thousands of dog heads have been found dumped in the woods in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province, raising concern among locals who worried that the carcasses may have something to do with a nearby meatball factory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643258-more-than-1000-dog-skulls-unearthed-in-ayutthaya/#entry6457952

DPM Chalerm and National Police Chief on night patrol at Khao San Road

BANGKOK, 31 May 2013 (NNT) – Deputy PM Chalerm Ubumrung has joined the National Police Chief and senior police officers in patrolling Bangkok in a bid to boost public confidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643294-bid-to-boost-public-confidence-chalerm-and-natl-police-chief-on-night-patrol-at-khao-san-rd/

Phuket motorbike taxi driver found dead in canal
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police are investigating the death of man whose body was found in a canal in central Phuket late yesterday afternoon with a deep cut under his chin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643297-phuket-motorbike-taxi-driver-found-dead-in-canal/

Commerce Ministry admits mistake in April's export figure
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, May 31 – The Commerce Ministry has announced an unexpected u-turn on Thailand’s export growth in April from an earlier report at 10.52 per cent to a 2.89 per cent year-on-year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643317-thailands-commerce-ministry-admits-mistake-in-aprils-export-figure/

UPDATE:

Five arrested over attack on Kedah royal family bodyguard
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: Police have arrested five men for the attack on a Kedah royal family bodyguard at a high-end resort in Patong just after midnight on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643105-malaysian-royalty-guard-attacked-in-phuket/?p=6458424#entry6458424

RT @CBSNews: BREAKING: Lawyer for Arizona mother jailed in Mexico on drug smuggling charge to be released soon