Thailand Live Monday 10 Jun 2013

[webfact]

More LED light bulbs to be installed across Bangkok

BANGKOK, 10 June 2013 (NNT) – More LED light bulbs are set to be installed throughout Bangkok after they have proven to help save energy by up to 60 percent during a trial period.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), last year, tested its light bulbs on a number of streets, the result of which shows the bulbs save 60 percent of power and last longer.

In addition, LED light bulbs do not contain mercury which has been a threat to both humans and the environment. Furthermore, an LED light bulb can be used for as long as 50,000 hours or around 10 years. It also increases visibility at night.

Therefore, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority will put up more LED light bulbs across the capital, with most of the job to be done this year on Yaowarat Road.


-- NNT 2013-06-10

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Customs arrests 2 Iranians smuggling 1 kg of crystal meth in stomachs

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645472-suvarnabhumi-customs-arrests-2-iranians-smuggling-1-kg-of-crystal-meth-in-stomachs/

[webfact]

DSI CRACKDOWN
More luxury cars snared in tax scam raids in and near Bangkok
The Nation



Claims of major racket; 20 cars impounded

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation yesterday impounded 20 luxury cars on suspicion their owners had not paid proper import taxes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645473-crackdown-more-luxury-cars-snared-in-tax-scam-raids-in-and-near-bangkok/

[webfact]

POLITICS
Tycoon missing
The Nation



Govt critic Ekkayuth feared abducted; last seen late Thursday; hard-disk stolen

BANGKOK: -- Anti-Thaksin businessman Ekkayuth Anchanbutr has been missing since Friday night and his lawyer and relatives suspect he might have been abducted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645474-thai-govt-critic-ekkayuth-feared-abducted/

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Centralised power structure seen as Pheu Thai's achilles' heel
Samudcha Hoonsara,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee,
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

Lack of responsiveness to voters' needs could limit success: critics

BANGKOK: -- While many Pheu Thai members are under the illusion that their party is invincible, its top-down power structure has been blamed for what some consider a failure to sense the true wishes and needs of Thais, and is even seen by some as a threat to the party's future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645475-centralised-power-structure-seen-as-pheu-thais-achilles-heel/

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS

BRN adopts YouTube to get its way at peace talks

Pakorn Puengnetr

The Nation

The Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN)'s extensive use of social media networks appears to have put it one step ahead of the government.

PATTANI: -- The southern separatist movement BRN - or the Patani liberation movement, as the militants want to be known - dropped a bombshell on April 26 by publicly issuing five demands on YouTube two days before peace talks were held with the Thai delegation, led by National Security Council secretary-general Pol Lieutenant Paradorn Pattanathabutr.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645478-b-r-n-adopts-youtube-to-get-its-way-at-peace-talks-thai-south-crisis/

[webfact]

ENVIRONMENT

Court order to replant trees 'practicable'

Opas Boonlom,

Kawintra Jaisue,

Janjira Pongrai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Central Administrative Court verdict ordering the Department of Highways to replant a large number of trees along a Tararath Road section in Nakhon Ratchasima, were felled for an expansion project three years ago, is practicable, not far-fetched or unrealistic as many critics say, the court's spokesman said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645479-environment-thai-court-order-to-replant-trees-practicable/

[webfact]

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand the odd man out in regional big power games
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- One frequently asked question is: Does Thailand have the capacity to be a high-asset game changer in the new Asia? By conventional wisdom, the answer should be a forceful "yes". Unfortunately, this is not the case at this juncture. "Not for the time being," is the preferred answer. Here are two major hindrances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645480-thailand-the-odd-man-out-in-regional-big-power-games-opinion/

[webfact]

Road rage Australian hurls a large stone at Pattaya taxi

PATTAYA: -- An Australian National was arrested early on Sunday Morning following a bizarre incident which occurred at the Central Pattaya Traffic Lights on Pattaya Second Road where it intersects with the Central Pattaya Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645402-road-rage-australian-hurls-a-large-stone-at-pattaya-taxi/

[webfact]

Fire damages Verasu Building; no injuries reported
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A blaze yesterday ravaged the seven-storey Verasu Building, but none of the 50 company staff working in it was reported hurt.

Police said the fire started at about 8am on the fifth floor where the kitchenware and baking equipment company was storing paper and cardboard boxes.

Firemen took about two hours to control the inferno. Huge flames were seen from the outside. Some of the company's staff work on Sunday. The first four floors were kitchenware shops and restaurants while the sixth and seventh floors were offices.

Some of the staff working on the sixth and seventh floors had to run up to the roof as the fire and thick smoke prevented them from going downstairs. Officials had to use a crane to bring them down to the ground. Ploenchai Tanlueng, 28, said he was tending a vegetable garden on the roof when some employees alerted him to the fire.

However, they failed to escape to the sixth floor because of the thick smoke, but were rescued. Police said the cause of the fire may have been an electrical short


-- The Nation 2013-06-10

[webfact]

Isaan school aims to reach kids before they drop out
Tanpisit Lerdbamrungchai
The Nation
Chaiyaphum

Bilingual institute in Chaiyaphum has 131 students

CHAIYAPHUM: -- Lots of youngsters in remote communities of Sap Yai district in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum are at risk of dropping out of school due to abject poverty and a living environment conducive to delinquent behaviour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645481-isaan-school-aims-to-reach-kids-before-they-drop-out/

[webfact]

Tens of thousands evacuated in Germany as floods cause havoc

BERLIN: -- Tens of thousands of people were evacuated Sunday from cities and towns along the Elbe river in Germany amid the worst flooding in the region in years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645483-tens-of-thousands-evacuated-in-germany-as-floods-cause-havoc/

[webfact]

Sweden male train drivers wear skirts after shorts row

STOCKHOLM: -- A dozen male train drivers in Sweden have circumvented a ban on shorts by wearing skirts to work in hot weather.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645485-skirts-for-sweden-male-train-drivers/

[webfact]

Weather agency warns of heavy rain; strong wind, high waves over Andaman Sea, upper Gulf of Thailand /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,533.43, up 17.19 points /MCOT

[webfact]

UPDATE:

120 luxury cars seized for possible tax evasion
By English News



BANGKOK, June 10 – Thai authorities seized 120 luxury cars, suspected to have been illegally imported, in raids at various locations in Bangkok and other provinces yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645473-crackdown-more-luxury-cars-snared-in-tax-scam-raids-in-and-near-bangkok/#entry6491622

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Two thousand luxury cars hidden in Chon Buri port
By Coconuts Bangkok



A luxurious means of conveyance

CHON BURI: -- Around 2,000 luxury cars have been smuggled inside Thailand and stored at Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri's Si Racha district, a source from the port's Customs Office has revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645473-crackdown-more-luxury-cars-snared-in-tax-scam-raids-in-and-near-bangkok/#entry6491638

[webfact]

Cops say Russian loan sharks are preying on Russian tourists in Pattaya
By Coconuts Bangkok



Beautiful, wholesome Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- How’s this for a fascinating/depressing micro-economy? – Apparently an entire sub-industry of Russian loan sharks has sprung up in Pattaya to service the needs of Russian tourists who run out of money while vacationing in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645502-cops-say-russian-loan-sharks-are-preying-on-russian-tourists-in-pattaya/

[webfact]

Bangkok: Police raid compound at Soi Hathairat 39, seize tigers, lions, slow lorises /MCOT

[webfact]

Ayutthaya eradicates motorcycle racing on public roads

Ayutthaya, 10 June 2013 (NNT) -- Ayutthaya authorities arrested more than 100 motorcycle riders over the weekend for involving in unlawful street racing and confiscating several illegally modified bikes.

Ayutthaya Police chief, Police Colonel Chaiya Petchpanya, led an assault team closing Rojana Road, which cuts across the Asian Highway, in order to intercept the racing gang in the vicinity of Klong Suan Phlu Sub-district.

The move followed reports from locals enraged by noisy and dangerous street racing of teenage gangs in the area.

According to the police report, 83 youths aged between 15 and 25 were arrested. Authorities were able to confiscate 80 bikes used in the unauthorized race. Narcotics examination was also conducted on the riders involved. Police disclosed, if found guilty of using addictive substance, the riders will also be charged accordingly.

The police also summoned parents of the young racers to acknowledge the behavior of their children. Police Colonel Chaiya said he has instructed his subordinates not to give leniency to the offenders. In case of an effort to intervene in the case by officials or provincial politicians, he said the police will submit the names of the officials involved to provincial governor, Wittaya Piewpong, for disciplinary investigation.


-- NNT 2013-06-10

[webfact]

Bombing in Yarang district of Pattani kills paramilitary ranger on patrol, wounds two others /MCOT

[webfact]

Weather warning for Phuket, Andaman as Patong's streets flooded
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The flood waters from last night’s deluge have cleared from Patong’s streets, but the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for Phuket and the Andaman region forecasting more heavy rain until at least Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645522-weather-warning-for-phuket-andaman-as-patongs-streets-flooded/

[Lite Beer]

Special report: Bangkok named world's best destination of 2013

Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok has been named the world's most popular tourist destination this year and the most visited among tourist friendly provinces in Thailand, following two surveys by MasterCard and Tripadvisor.com.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645540-special-report-bangkok-named-worlds-best-destination-of-2013/

[Lite Beer]

Chairman of ICANN and creator of internet visits Prime Minister Yingluck

BANGKOK, 10th May 2013 (NNT) - Dr. Steve Crocker, Chairman of the Board of The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and one of the creators of the internet, paid a visit to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Parliament house on the 7th June, 2013.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645542-chairman-of-icann-and-creator-of-internet-visits-prime-minister-yingluck/

[Lite Beer]

Khao Kheow Zoo celebrates its’ 35th year Anniversary

BANGKOK, 10th June 2013 (NNT) - The Khao Kheow Open Zoo is celebrating its’ 35th year Anniversary under the theme Wildlife Wonderland.

Mrs. Pornsiri Manoharn, member of the committee board of The Zoological Park Organization, today presided over the opening ceremony celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Khao Kheow Zoo and the 75th Thai Zoo Anniversary. A new exciting show zone was set up under the name “Wildlife Wonderland” to mark this special occasion.

Tourists will get a chance to be up close with selected animals from different continents; for example, the Australian koala, the American raccoon, the Madagascan ring-tailed lemur, the African Pygmy Hippopotamus, and the South American Giant Ant-Eater. A large over head aquarium showcases the only African seal in Thailand amongst schools of fish.

Mr.Sanchai Jullamon, Chief of the Zoological Park Organisation said that the past 35 years have been considered successful and the zoo has continuously raised its standards with further development, attracting both Thai and foreign tourists.

-- NNT 2013-06-10

[Lite Beer]

RT@ukinthailand: The UK Gov’s SEAsia #ProsperityFund offers a funding to Thailand to run an #energy project. on.fb.me/18ZtTUO pic.twitter.com/b4zqrrsewF

[Lite Beer]

MISSING BUSINESSMAN
Ekkayuth's driver found in south


File photo : Ekkayuth ®

BANGKOK: -- Police have found the driver of businessman and government critic Ekkayuth Anchanbutr who has been missing since last week, national police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew said Monday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645474-thai-govt-critic-ekkayuth-feared-abducted/page-2#entry6492390

[Lite Beer]

Gas leak kills New Zealand engineer at Trang power plant

TRANG: -- A gas leak at a biomass power plant in the southern province of Trang killed a New Zealand engineer and a Thai staff member early Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645551-gas-leak-kills-new-zealand-engineer-at-trang-power-plant/

[webfact]

Faithful Phuket dog stays with dead Swedish mistress
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Aino and her dog in happier times. Photo: Chalong News

PHUKET: A faithful dog stayed with his Swedish mistress despite the fact that she had been dead for seven to 10 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645552-faithful-phuket-dog-stays-with-dead-swedish-mistress/

[webfact]

Thai swine raisers urge PM to ban US pork imports
By English News

BANGKOK, June 10 - Thai swine raisers will meet with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra tomorrow to oppose the government's plan to import pork from the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645582-thai-swine-raisers-urge-yingluck-to-ban-u-s-pork-imports/