Thailand Live Tuesday 11 Jun 2013

[webfact]

BMA eliminates dress code for third-gendered citizens applying for IDs

BANGKOK, 11 June 2013 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced that transgendered citizens are no longer required to dress according to their biological gender when applying for an identification card.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645805-bangkok-eliminates-dress-code-for-ladyboys/

[webfact]

Panthongtae offers 20 million baht for info leading to arrests of Central World arsonists

BANGKOK, 11 June 2013 (NNT) – Mr. Panthongtae Shinawatra, the only son of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has given the Metropolitan Police 20-million-baht cash prize to be awarded to anyone who can provide leads to the arrests of two Central World arsonists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645725-thaksins-son-offers-20m-baht-for-info-leading-to-arrests-of-central-world-arsonists/

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Animals, birds seized in Khlong Sam Wa
Khanathit Srihurundaj
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police yesterday morning cracked down on an alleged wildlife trade source in Bangkok's Khlong Sam Wa district and seized hundreds of wild birds and animals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645585-14-lions-countless-other-animals-seized-during-raid-on-bangkok-house/?p=6494402#entry6494402

[webfact]

WATER MANAGEMENT
Problems lie ahead for water projects
Pongphon Sarnsamak,
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



As bidders queue up, environmental groups threaten to mobilise protesters.

BANGKOK: -- Problems with implementation of the government's water-management and flood-prevention mega-projects became more clear once the list of contenders that passed technical review was unveiled yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645726-problems-lie-ahead-for-thai-govts-water-projects/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Clarity needed in Woravat vs scientists row
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The campaign against Science Minister Woravat Auapinyakul has been rumbling on for a few weeks already under the "Fight for Science" theme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645727-clarity-needed-in-woravat-vs-scientists-row/

[webfact]

TAX
Tax breaks eyed for strife victims
Jeerapong Prasertponkrang
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Companies and people affected by the country's political violence and the unrest in the deep South would be eligible for tax exemptions under a draft law approved by the Cabinet yesterday.

Government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said the Finance Ministry proposed the draft law to cushion the adverse impact of the conflicts on the victims.

"Those who have received remedial actions from the government will be eligible," Teerat said.

He said the draft decree would be forwarded to the Council of State for further review.

If the decree sails through, it will take effect retroactively from January 1 last year.

According to the draft decree, eligible people and companies would fall into two groups. The first would comprise people who suffered from political unrest between January 1, 2005 and May 31, 2010. The second would comprise people affected by the ongoing unrest in the deep South.


-- The Nation 2013-06-11

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Are we so afraid of offending our neighbour?
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The decision to ban Cambodia's opposition-leader-in-exile from entering Thailand is a slap in the face for the principle of freedom of speech

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645728-are-we-so-afraid-of-offending-our-neighbour-thai-editorial/

[webfact]

Abhisit's rice scheme probed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party has petitioned for the Department of Special Investigation to look into the losses incurred by the rice-price guarantee programme under Abhisit Vejjajiva's government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645729-abhisits-rice-scheme-probed/

[webfact]

Thailand leads Asia's medical tourism boom

BANGKOK: -- Fahad Albusaidi had never heard of Bumrungrad Hospital until he arrived in Bangkok from Oman, accompanying his mother who was booked for treatment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645730-thailand-leads-asias-medical-tourism-boom/

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Biomass plant gas leak kills 2, injures 2
Methee Muangkaew
The Nation

TRANG: -- A gas leak at a biomass power plant in Trang's Yan Ta Khao district killed a New Zealand engineer and a Thai staff member yesterday and critically injured two workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645551-gas-leak-kills-new-zealand-engineer-at-trang-power-plant/?p=6494450#entry6494450

[webfact]

Drought or ample rain? Water chiefs disagree on late year forecasts
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) yesterday said this year's drought period would remain for another three months before it could decide whether to allow off-season rice growing next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645732-drought-or-ample-rain-water-chiefs-disagree-on-late-year-forecasts/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

EKKAYUTH DISAPPEARANCE
Van seen on Surat Thani video footage
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,
Patinya Iamtarn
The Nation


Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang shows Bt20 million cash transferred to him by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra to be paid as a reward to anyone who can inform police of the whereabouts of two individuals

Police probing personal or business conflict

BANGKOK: -- Police are focusing their investigation into the disappearance of tycoon and government critic Ekkayuth Anchanbutr on the South after his van appeared on closed-circuit video footage recorded in Surat Thani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645474-thai-govt-critic-ekkayuth-feared-abducted/?p=6494472#entry6494472

[webfact]

Popular monk returns to Japan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Popular Japanese-born Buddhist monk Phra Ajahn Mitsuo Gavesako has left the local clergy after 38 years and returned to his homeland, according to his followers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645734-popular-monk-returns-to-japan/

[webfact]

DSI tells luxury car owners to keep valid documents ready
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- People who own or possess 488 luxury cars, whose domestic prices start at Bt4 million each - mostly senior police and military officers, businesspeople and politicians - are required to produce relevant documents and get their vehicles ready for inspection, as their names are on a list released yesterday by the Department of Special Investigation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645736-thailands-d-s-i-tells-luxury-car-owners-to-keep-valid-documents-ready/

[webfact]

2 children beheaded by militants, Afghan authorities say

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Taliban militants beheaded two children in southern Afghanistan, a provincial governor's office said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645737-2-children-beheaded-by-taliban-militants-afghan-authorities-say/

[webfact]

44 dead from dengue fever; people with high fever urged to see doctor

BANGKOK, 11 June 2013 (NNT) – The Department of Disease Control has reiterated its concern over the dengue fever situation in Thailand, cautioning the public not to simply take pills for fever when high fever is present, and to instead visit the doctor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645754-44-dead-from-dengue-fever-in-thailand;-people-with-high-fever-urged-to-see-doctor/

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,508.87, down 19.68 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Apple unveils new operating systems and Macs

SAN FRANCISCO: -- Apple unveiled new software for its computers, smartphones and tablets Monday as it sought to halt the encroachment of rivals like Google and Samsung on its premium products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645756-apple-unveils-new-operating-systems-and-macs/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Gas leak at Trang biomass plant under probe
By English News



TRANG, June 11 – Thai police continued their investigation into a gas leak at a biomass power plant which killed a New Zealand engineer and a Thai employee in this southern province early yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645551-gas-leak-kills-new-zealand-engineer-at-trang-power-plant/?p=6494989#entry6494989

[webfact]

Wanted Korean-American suspect nabbed at Thai border
By English News

SA KAEO, June 11 – A Korean-American fugitive on the US wanted list was arrested in this Thai-Cambodian border province, police said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645759-korean-american-fugitive-on-the-u-s-wanted-list-arrested-at-thai-border/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

200 luxury cars at Laem Chabang port 'clean'
By English News



CHON BURI, June 11 – More than 200 luxury cars under a thorough inspection procedure have been legally imported, and are not related to those recently seized for tax evasion, according to the director of Laem Chabang port.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645473-crackdown-more-luxury-cars-snared-in-tax-scam-raids-in-and-near-bangkok/?p=6495057#entry6495057

[webfact]

Chalerm assigns anti-drug policy in Roi Et province

ROI ET, 11th May 2013 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has assigned anti-drug policy in Roi Et province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645764-chalerm-assigns-anti-drug-policy-in-roi-et-province/

[webfact]

PM emphasizes improving economy and infrastructure in lower northern provinces

KAMPHAENGPHET, 11 June 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has visited 4 lower northern provinces and assigned Cabinet ministers accompanying her on the trip to focus on developing the economy and infrastructure of these provinces.

According to Prime Minister's Office spokesman Thirat Rattanasewi, the roving Cabinet meeting in Kamphaengphet province resolved to place importance in the local cash crops such as rice, sugar cane and casava. Prime Minister's Office Minister Warathep Rattanakorn was assigned to oversee improvement of the quality of these crops in the locality, so they may be readily sold to processing plants. The Cabinet ministers also expressed interest in developing tourism in the locale.

The Cabinet also resolved to task the provincial governors of the 4 provinces with holding meetings to prepare for drought or flood situations, and developing the provinces into tourism destinations.

During the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Yingluck also ordered the the Ministry of Commerce to quickly mend the problem of low prices of fruit, by means of holding OTOP fairs to help distribute the produce for all 77 provinces. Thailand Post Pcl. will also be used to help distribute fruit throughout the country through its postal system.


-- NNT 2013-06-11

[webfact]

Rain brings more flooding to Phuket


Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd in Patong this morning. Photo: Phuket Hotelier

PHUKET: -- Heavy rain overnight and this morning caused traffic chaos in various parts of the island, with flooding reported in Patong and on Chao Fah East Rd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645768-rain-brings-more-flooding-to-phuket/

[webfact]

Will Smith sends personal card to Woody following interview
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Thai talk show host Vuthithorn “Woody” Milintachinda has earned rare praise from Hollywood icon Will Smith, following an interview that Woody conducted with the elder Smith and his son Jaden.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645790-will-smith-sends-personal-card-to-thai-talk-show-host-woody-following-interview/

[webfact]

RT @ErrolCNN: I'm back at the hospital where Nelson #Mandela is being treated for lung infection, you can almost see the prayers pouring in

[webfact]

Thais warned of possible hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak

BANGKOK, 11 June 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is warning all Thais, especially children, against hand-foot and-mouth disease as Thailand has entered the rainy season, during which the disease can spread widely and quickly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645803-thais-warned-of-possible-hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak/

[webfact]

Long-awaited Patong Phuket Immigration office to re-open Thursday
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Patong Immigration office, scheduled to re-open almost a year and a half ago (story here), will open on Thursday, and provide limited immigration services in addition to general immigration information.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645808-long-awaited-patong-phuket-immigration-office-to-re-open-thursday/

[webfact]

Tourism and Sports Min seeking budget for travel insurance project

BANGKOK, 11 June 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to request a budget of 250 million baht to finance the continuation of its insurance project for tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645813-tourism-and-sports-min-seeking-budget-for-travel-insurance-project/

[Lite Beer]

BoT to adjust this year’s GDP growth

BANGKOK, 11 June 2013 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is preparing to adjust the 2013 GDP growth figure following a drop in domestic consumption and investments, and the Chinese economic slowdown.

According to BoT Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul, the bank will, next month, lower its anticipation on Thailand’s GDP growth due to the decrease in 3 economic factors which include domestic consumption and investments, and the economic downturn of the world’s economic leader China. According to the governor, the figure will be adjusted down from the bank’s earlier anticipation of 5.1 percent growth.

Mr. Prasarn stated that despite the higher-than-expected GDP growth in the last quarter of 2012, Thailand, in the first 3 months of this year saw only a 5.3 percent GDP growth which is lower than the same months in 2012, and 2.2 percent lower quarter-on-quarter.

The governor further disclosed that the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting will be held on July 10th while the result of the GDP adjustment will be announced on July 19th.

-- NNT 2013-06-11