Thailand Live Thursday 27 Jun 2013

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Finance Minister plays down stock market volatility

BANGKOK, 27 June 2013 (NNT) - Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong has assured that he is closely monitoring the Thai stock market while expressing no concerns over the current volatility.

Mr Kittiratt said he had found that most investors in the stock market did not borrow the money for their investments; therefore, they should not be affected much by the volatile market at present. He added that the performances of most listed companies were still strong.

As for the Fed’s plan to taper the quantitative easing program, Mr Kittiratt said it would benefit the global economy in the long run as the prolonged building of liquidity could lead to economic problems. He explained that too much liquidity would encourage heavy speculation in the money and capital markets worldwide.

Regarding China’s economic growth slowdown, the minister pointed out that it might affect the Thai economy since China was Thailand’s major trade partner. At present, economic agencies are monitoring the situations in both the global and domestic economies, with the possibility of decreasing the country’s growth estimate.


-- NNT 2013-06-27

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UPDATE:

DSI seeks indictment against former PM Abhisit
By English News



BANGKOK, June 27 – Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday sought an indictment against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for murder and attempted murder in the 2010 political protest of the anti-government red shirt movement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649407-abhisit-says-hes-not-worried-by-2010-crackdown-criminal-charges/#entry6550200

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CABINET RESHUFFLE
TRT execs tipped to return in reshuffle
THE NATION

Over 20 ministerial slots targetted for the upcoming reshuffle.

BANGKOK: -- A key Pheu Thai strategist, Prommin Lertsuridej, has resigned as an adviser to Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development, amid expectation that he would replace Kittiratt Na-Ranong as the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs.Sources at the party said that the upcoming reshuffle would lead to a change of over 20 ministerial slots.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649500-thai-rak-thai-execs-tipped-to-return-in-cabinet-reshuffle/

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UPDATE:
Govt vows rice crackdown
The Nation


Members of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand gesture during a press conference yesterday, after calling on the government to rid the rice-pledging scheme of graft.

PM says cheats to be punished; mills face raids

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck Shinawatra government is going all out to allay public concerns over the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649244-nationwide-rice-stocks-to-be-inspected-for-missing-25m-tons-from-thai-govt-stockpiles/page-3#entry6550213

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RICE SCHEME
Farmers profits slashed by sudden cut to pledging price
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation

Cash return reduced from over Bt3,300 per tonne to Bt360 a tonne, according to BioThai estimates

BANGKOK: -- The government's cut in the minimum price guaranteed under its rice pledging scheme - to Bt12,000 a tonne - will result in each farmer making a profit of only Bt360 a tonne if it takes effect on Sunday, as scheduled. That is a huge drop from the Bt3,360 profit they gained at the original price rate of Bt15,000 a tonne, according to BioThai Foundation's Withoon Luenjamroon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649501-thai-farmers-profits-slashed-by-sudden-cut-to-pledging-price/

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Govt to respond to BRN's demands soon
The Nation

Group sends ultimatum via Malaysia; Paradorn says they will be considered

BANGKOK: -- Thai authorities are expected to issue an official response to Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN)'s latest demands in the next three or four days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649502-thai-govt-to-respond-to-brns-demands-soon/

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THAI TALK
Cabinet reshuffle won't resolve PM's first real crisis
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- With the obvious decline in the popularity of the government, spurred by the controversial, populist rice price-pledging scheme, an overall sense of anxiety is hovering over the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649503-cabinet-reshuffle-wont-resolve-pms-first-real-crisis-thai-talk/

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EDITORIAL

Recognise the right to protest peacefully

The Nation

Public discontent is growing over the government's performance, but it seems some people in power would prefer to threaten and silence critics

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649504-recognise-the-right-to-protest-peacefully-thai-editorial/

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UPDATE:

Prosecutors to assess DSI cases
Kesinee Taengkhiao,
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation


Supporters give flowers to former deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban after prosecutors received a file from the Department of Special Investigation yesterday on the deaths during the 2010 riots.

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors have set August 26 to announce a decision on whether former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his former deputy Suthep Thaug-suban - in the now opposition-leading Democrat Party - will be indicted for murder over the death of protesters during the 2010 riots.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649407-abhisit-says-hes-not-worried-by-2010-crackdown-criminal-charges/#entry6550246

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'Morning after' pill may be approved

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Reproduction Health Development Committee is considering allowing people to use morning-after pills in a bid to prevent unprepared pregnancy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649505-morning-after-pill-may-be-approved-thailand/

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Louis Vuitton-toting monk thinks he’ll just stay put in France for a while
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo's Facebook public page

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday, Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo, the head abbot of Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma, canceled plans to attend a Buddhist ritual held at his temple from June 27 to 30.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649506-louis-vuitton-toting-thai-monk-thinks-hell-just-stay-put-in-france-for-a-while/

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Driver did it, police insist
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police insisted yesterday that the chauffeur of Akeyuth Anchanbutr masterminded his abduction and murder - to rob him of his cash.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649507-akeyuth-murder-driver-did-it-thai-police-insist/

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DSI uncovers complicated plot behind luxury-car scam
Piyanut Tamnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdit yesterday revealed progress on the DSI probe into a scam to avoid the higher taxation on imports of luxury cars by registering them as reassembled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649508-thailands-dsi-uncovers-complicated-plot-behind-luxury-car-scam/

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Little compensation for torture victims, forum told
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Only five of the 400 people who claimed to have been tortured by security officials in the deep South have been given financial compensation so far, Pornpen Kongkachornkiat, director of Cross Cultural Foundation, said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649509-little-compensation-for-torture-victims-in-thailands-deep-south/

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Haze easing in South
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Environment Office 16 yesterday affirmed that Indonesian forest-fire haze hovering over Thailand's lower South is declining and would not affect people's health.

The NOAA-18 satellite detected few fires on Sumatra Island - down from 437 on Monday to only 174 spots on Tuesday.

Phuket, Songkhla, Narathiwat and Yala saw less amounts of tiny-particle dust from the previous day, they said.


-- The Nation 2013-06-27

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Study on capital's role in AEC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra led a meeting yesterday to gather opinions to fine-tune an Asean Economic Comm-unity (AEC) proposal that could help develop the city further. It is due to be completed by August.

The Strategy and Evaluation Department of Bangkok, along with the University and Consultancy Institute and ASEAN Studies centre at Thammasat, has drafted the proposal after studying likely effects that 2015 regional economic integration may bring in order to ensure its fits with Bangkok's policies.


-- The Nation 2013-06-27

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Roadside bomb kills one, injures six in Pattani
Pares Lohasan
The Nation



PATTANI: -- A roadside bomb exploded yesterday afternoon killing one soldier and injuring three soldiers and three civilians, including two 5-year-old girls, in Tambon Paku of Pattani's Thung Yang Daeng district.

Police investigators found that the 5-kilogram home-made bomb, which went off at 3pm on the span of the Paku Bridge in Paku Ville, created a 40cm-wide, 10cm-deep crater and left shrapnel scattered all over the area. It also riddled an Army mobile-development team's pick-up truck with holes and shattered the windows of the team's backhoe.

Master Sergeant First Class Channarong Phromchai, 23, succumbed to fatal head and torso wounds and was pronounced dead at hospital. The three wounded officials were Second Lieutenant Ratchadabodin Chanwittayanat, 25, Master Sergeant First Class Russanee Kama, 25, and Sergeant Sunny Yusoh, 30. The three slightly injured civilians were Saleuma Yapa, 57, Adina Wanglee, 5, and Nattisa Khananop, 5.

An investigation found that a three-vehicle team led by Lt-Colonel Supachai Jessada was returning to its base in Thung Yang Daeng from working at a demonstration farm in Ban Sarawan in Tambon Sai Thong of Pattani's Mai Kaen district when the bomb went off. Saleuma was driving the two children to visit a doctor when her motorcycle was struck by the blast.


-- The Nation 2013-06-27

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Concern over rise in Rohingyas
The Nation

RANONG: -- Leader of the People's Network of Ranong is demanding action after discovering 20 temples allegedly set up by Rohingyas in the province.

Sucheep Patthong said locals insist on legal inspections of the temples, set up by Rohingya migrants, the number of whom has jumped. Sucheep said some illegal workers were found living in the temples as they prepared to relocate to other parts of the country. Buddhist migrants who use the temples to provide refuge for illegal workers and receive donations from Myanmar residents, he said.

There has been an increase in religious activities by Rohingya migrants. An inspection of their finances should be carried out, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-06-27

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UPDATE:

Reprise for Rudd as Australia's Labour ditches Gillard


Julia Gillard

SYDNEY: -- A three-year power struggle inside Australia's ruling party ended Wednesday with serial challenger Kevin Rudd finally ripping the Labor leadership off Julia Gillard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649341-australia-new-pm/page-3?p=6550316#entry6550316

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UPDATE:

Phuket tuk-tuks under siege from ‘black’ tuk-tuks
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Tutk-tuk drivers carry banners objecting to any possibility of the 30-40 black tuk-tuks being made legitimate.

PHUKET: -- Two hundred tuk-tuk drivers drove their machines to Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (June 26) to protest against a growing problem of “black” tuk-tuks stealing their business.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649435-phuket-tuk-tuk-drivers-protest-illegal-taxis/

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Bangkok to brace for more rain

BANGKOK, 27 June 2013 (NNT) - The weather bureau has warned that Bangkok will be hit by heavy rains for the next two days.

The Meteorological Department reported that due to a strong monsoon currently prevailing over Thailand, 80 percent of Bangkok and its vicinities would see widespread thundershowers in the next few days.

The southwesterly winds covering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are set to bring rains to the upper parts of Thailand. The southern provinces which were previously battered by torrential rain will be drier and less cloudy.

Last week, tropical storm Bebinka made landfall in neighbouring Vietnam and generated heavy rains in most parts of Thailand for over a week.


-- NNT 2013-06-27

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US Supreme Court in historic rulings on gay marriage

WASHINGTON: -- The US Supreme Court has struck down a law denying federal benefits to gay couples and cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649512-us-supreme-court-in-historic-rulings-on-gay-marriage/

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Phuket tuk-tuk drivers protest illegal taxis

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649435-phuket-tuk-tuk-drivers-protest-illegal-taxis/

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State agencies insist packed rice safe for consumption
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, June 27 – Thailand's Commerce Ministry has given assurances that packed rice sold at government-supervised retail stores is safe with no threat of hazard from fumigation or insects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649525-thailands-commerce-ministry-insist-packed-rice-safe-for-consumption/

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PM postpones southern problems meeting; Defence Minister Sukumpol has 'no regrets' if he loses post in next reshuffle /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,451.78 up 27.40 points /MCOT

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Thai gold price drops Bt650 in one day, worst in 3 years

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, June 27 – Local gold prices adjusted 10 times yesterday to close at Bt18,250 per baht weight, the lowest in three years.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649555-thai-gold-price-drops-bt650-in-one-day-worst-in-3-years/

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New Thailand - Vietnam Airlines to be established

Bangkok, 27 June 2013, (NNT) More than 200 million baht will be pouring into the establishment of Thailand - Vietnam airline, in their bid to boost tourism and investment in preparation for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Commnunity (AEC) in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649529-new-thailand-vietnam-airlines-to-be-established/

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Raid on Tao Poon casino fails as search warrant expires
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Yesterday, a team of 200 Tao Poon police officers failed to raid the infamous Tao Poon casino as their search warrant expired minutes before the operation was supposed to go into effect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649531-bangkok-raid-on-infamous-tao-poon-casino-fails-as-search-warrant-expires/

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Phuket Airport Bus can start July 15, says bus owner
Phuket Gazette


The airport buses passed PLTO inspection. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- The soonest the airport bus can start running is July 15, the owner of the bus company, Prakob Panyawai, told the Phuket Gazette on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649552-phuket-airport-bus-can-start-july-15-says-bus-owner/