Thailand Live Friday 2 Aug 2013

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Royals to stay in Hua Hin
THE NATION



Thousands cheer as Their Majesties move into Klai Kangwon Palace

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and the Queen have moved into their seaside Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin to the delight of people across the country.

The royal couple left Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital for the palace yesterday amid loud chants of "Long Live Their Majesties". His Majesty wore pink while Her Majesty wore blue.

Tens of thousands of people gathered at Siriraj Hospital and along the route to Klai Kangwon Palace to express their loyalty to the beloved royal couple. Many of them waved the pictures of Their Majesties, flags featuring their emblems, and national flags.

The royal couple waved to their loyal subjects. "I heard the news about Their Majesties' plan to leave the hospital for the palace around dawn. By 6am, I, along with my mum, left our home to come to Siriraj Hospital," said Siriwan Jaemsri, 42.

To her, the news brought intense delight.

"I am so glad that Their Majesties' health has improved," she said. "The weather must be nicer in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and Their Majesties may enjoy faster recovery."

His Majesty has been receiving treatment at Siriraj Hospital for nearly four years. Her Majesty had also been an inpatient there during the past year. Both are in their 80s.

Dr Udom Kachintorn, dean of Mahidol University's faculty of medicine at Siriraj Hospital, still describes Their Majesties as patients, but added that their condition was now good. He said the medical team had informed Their Majesties that they would have two homes.

"They may stay at either Klai Kangwon Palace or Siriraj Hospital," the doctor said. Doctors and nurses treating the royal couple at Siriraj Hospital will also be taking care of Their Majesties' health during their stay at the seaside palace.

Many people were seen in tears of delight yesterday as they saw the royal couple in a better health.

"I am extremely happy that Their Majesties have enjoyed the recovery," said Sakhon Kaeokeng, 60.

She added that when His Majesty was happy, people were happy too.

Ratchaburi Governor Choncheun Boonyanusart encouraged people to wear pink - the colour of love - when they gathered to welcome Their Majesties along their route to Klai Kangwon Palace.

"A number of well-wishers have turned up," Muang Samut Sakhon Police Station superintendent Colonel Jamraeng Sudjai said.

The well-wishers of Their Majesties sat on footpath along a long stretch of road leading to Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The route from Bangkok to the palace was also adorned with pictures of the royal couple and flags featuring their emblems.

Muang Hua Hin Municipality arranged a candlelight ceremony in honour of Their Majesties.


-- The Nation 2013-08-02

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KLAI KANGWON PALACE
Medical team fully prepared
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and Queen will receive full medical care during their stay at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin.

Located in the seaside province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, the palace is a few hours' drive from Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, where His Majesty has lived for more than three years, receiving treatment.

"His Majesty has been at Siriraj Hospital for three years and 10 months now," Dr Udom Kachintorn said as Their Majesties were preparing for their temporary stay at the seaside palace.

Udom, the dean of Mahidol University's faculty of medicine at Siriraj Hospital, said Their Majesties' conditions were now good.

"So they wish to go to Klai Kangwon Palace for relaxation," the doctor said.

Udom did not say for how long Their Majesties would stay at the palace, but suggested it was likely that they would be spending time at both the palace and Siriraj Hospital from now on.

According to Udom, Their Majesties the King and Queen are still considered "patients".

Doctors and nurses treating them will accompany them to the palace during their stays there.

His Majesty will turn 86 on December 5, while Her Majesty will turn 81 on August 12.

Udom said Their Majesties' conditions were good, but sometimes certain symptoms such as infections arose.

"Even after we treat those symptoms, it takes time for Their Majesties to recuperate. This is common among patients of Their Majesties' ages," the doctor explained.

He said medical equipment for Their Majesties had been prepared at both Klai Kangwon Palace and Hua Hin Hospital.

He said that in the event of emergencies, Their Majesties might need to receive treatment at Hua Hin Hospital before being transferred to Siriraj.

"We have prepared a helicopter too," Udom said. He added that all necessary medical preparations for Their Majesties' welfare had been made.

The team involved has informed Their Majesties that they will have two homes, he said.

"They may stay at either Klai Kangwon Palace or Siriraj Hospital," the doctor said.


-- The Nation 2013-08-02

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POLITICS
'People's Army' to go ahead with rally
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- One anti-government group yesterday decided it would go ahead with its street rally next week against an amnesty bill, despite the imposition of the Internal Security Act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657938-peoples-army-to-go-ahead-with-bangkok-rally/

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Temple abbot busted for impersonating Thai Police Colonel

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657878-temple-abbot-busted-for-impersonating-thai-police-colonel/

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OIL SLICK

Recipients to return 'Green' award back to PTT

BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAVAN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SOME OF THE country's leading environmentalists plan to return their Green Globe Awards to state energy firm PTT today to protest against the company's handling of an oil leak from a PTT Global Chemical offshore platform near Rayong on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657939-rayong-oil-spill-recipients-to-return-green-award-back-to-ptt/

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PTT vows Samet clean-up
Watcharapong Thongrung,
Watchara Pussayanawin,
Tinnakorn Chaowachuen
The Nation

A vessel is anchored at Ao Phrao, prepared to ship oil spill-related waste from the bay.

Hit by criticism after oil spill, CEO says firm will take responsibility, operation to end in 2 weeks

BANGKOK: -- In its first press conference since the oil spill on Saturday, PTT Group of Companies officially apologised and promised to complete the clean-up within two weeks in light of growing public opinion against the national oil and gas empire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657941-oil-spill-ptt-vows-samet-clean-up/

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ANALYSIS
The price PTTGC will have to pay
Achara Deboonme,
Sanicha Lakhonphol
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- While PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC)'s share price does not yet fully reflect the cost of compensation and clean-up operations, there is little doubt the company will have to shoulder huge financial losses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657942-the-price-pttgc-will-have-to-pay-thai-analysis/

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EDITORIAL
Video threat should not be dismissed so easily
The Nation

The country's security apparatus needs to be free of political interference if it is to work effectively

BANGKOK: -- Security authorities were quick to conclude that a video recently posted online by a group of men who claimed to be members of al-Qaeda, in which they vowed to kill fugitive former prime minster Thaksin Shinawatra, was a hoax.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657943-video-threat-against-thaksin-should-not-be-dismissed-so-easily-editorial/

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"No Russian Mafia in Pattaya" – Chief of Banglamung District



CHONBURI: -- A meeting was held at the Chonburi Immigration Office in Soi 5 off Jomtien Beach Road on Thursday to discuss how Pattaya should react to claims that Russian “Mafia” activities in Phuket, which have been much publicized in the press, are also present in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657944-no-russian-mafia-in-pattaya-chief-of-banglamung-district/

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Belgian accused of phone theft at Soi 6 Bar in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A Belgium National was accused of stealing a mobile phone belonging to a Bar Worker from a Soi 6 Bar in the early hours of Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657945-belgian-accused-of-phone-theft-at-soi-6-bar-in-central-pattaya/

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Peacekeeping Centre to issue first order today
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Peacekeeping Centre will today issue its first order, which will be broadcast at 10am through the television pool, the centre's spokesman Pol Maj-General Piya Uthayo said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657946-isa-bangkok-peacekeeping-centre-to-issue-first-order-today/

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iPads for MPs
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The secretariat of the House of Representatives is giving 64GB iPads with retina display, Wi-Fi plus cellular access to 500 MPs costing a total of Bt19 million. The MPs are required to return the units in three years.


-- The Nation 2013-08-02

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TAK BAI MASSACRE
Supreme Court upholds Tak Bai ruling
THE NATION



Relatives of 78 victims claim lower court's finding was incomplete

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a previous ruling in which the appeal by relatives of the 78 victims who died in a 2004 crackdown in Narathiwat's Tak Bai district was dismissed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657948-tak-bai-massacre-thai-supreme-court-upholds-ruling/

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Drug suspect's wife flees with cash: police
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Slain drug suspect Warissanon Reungkamon's wife is believed to have fled with Bt100 million in cash after her husband was killed in a Monday evening gunfight in Bangkok, police told the press yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657950-drug-suspects-wife-flees-with-cash-bangkok-police/

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Thailand and Myanmar
A planned Thai mega-project in Myanmar runs into difficulty

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657951-myanmar-a-planned-thai-mega-project-in-myanmar-runs-into-difficulty/

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UPDATE:
Police speculate 'internal conflict' in homemade bomb blast
Salinee Prab
The Nation



PHUKET: -- A small homemade time bomb planted in a garbage can went off yesterday afternoon near the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation office, but no injuries were reported. Only five official vehicles nearby were slightly damaged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657800-explosion-at-phuket-provincial-hall-bomb-suspected/page-3#entry6674904

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Inundation costs Mae Sot close to Bt2 billion in losses
THE NATION



TAK: -- Other than suffering damages estimated at Bt1 billion in border trade, Tak's Mae Sot district lost another Bt800 million as 20 factories along the Mei River were forced to close temporarily due to floods, provincial industrial council adviser Chaiyuth Senitantikul said yesterday. The factories will reopen in two weeks, he added.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657952-inundation-costs-mae-sot-close-to-bt2-billion-in-losses/

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Authorities move oil slick, toxic garbage from oil spill clean up operation for burning; Phrao Bay recovering, but under close monitoring /MCOT

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Possible terror threat closes U.S. embassies on Sunday

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657963-possible-terror-threat-closes-us-embassies-on-sunday/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,435.13, down 2.38 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

PTT to restore Rayong beaches, environment damaged by oil slick
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 2 – Executives of embattled PTT Plc and its subsidiary, PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC), have reassured the public that the oil slick in the sea off Rayong has been eradicated and the beaches are now almost oil free.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657941-oil-spill-ptt-vows-samet-clean-up/#entry6675309

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American spy program uses Thai servers
By Coconuts Bangkok



MOSCOW: -- The American National Security Agency uses computer servers in Thailand to help run a massive collection of information about internet users, and to store and analyze the data.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657976-american-spy-program-uses-thai-servers/

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Factories, shops in Yala, Pattani, Songkhla torched
By English News



YALA, Aug 2 - Factories and shops at more than 10 locations in Yala, Pattani and Songkhla were set afire, while one Thai army ranger was killed and one wounded in two bomb ambushes in Yala and Narathiwat.

A series of arsons occurred almost simultaneously at six locations in Yala, four locations in Pattani's Khok Pho and Nong Chik districts, and three locations at Thepa and Saba Yoi in Songkhla.

The targets of the attacks were rubber and plastics factories, a cement drainage pipe factory, mobile phone signal posts, a minimart, a motorcycle shop, furniture shops, grocery and homes of local residents.

Meanwhile, at 7.25am a teacher protection unit was caught in a bomb ambush while they were on foot patrol in Yala's Yaha district. The explosion seriouslly wounded Cpl Nattapong Longkaew, who was evacuated to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

In Narathiwat's Ra-ngae district, a teacher protection unit was hit by a bomb ambush. One volunteer was slightly injured in the attack. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-02

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Thailand's July inflation rate 2% higher
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 2 – Thailand’s inflation in July was 105.42, a 2 per cent increase year-on-year, according to permanent secretary for commerce Vatchari Vimooktayon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657983-thailands-july-inflation-rate-2-higher/

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PTTGC uses more chemicals than permitted to remove oil slick
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 2 - Thailand's Pollution Control Department head says that PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) has used an amount of chemical dispersants to decompose the oil slick in the sea greater than the amount permitted by the agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657985-pttgc-uses-more-chemicals-than-permitted-to-remove-oil-slick/

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12 tons of Ecstasy precursor meant for export to Netherlands seized

BANGKOK, 2 August 2013 (NNT) – Officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board on Thursday seized 12 tons of precursor material for Ecstasy pills meant for exportation to the Netherlands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657990-12-tons-of-ecstasy-precursor-meant-for-export-to-netherlands-seized-thailand/

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TAT is holding the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair 2013

BANGKOK, 2 Aug 2013, (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer Company Limited (NEO) is organizing the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair 2013, offering the public 10-80% discounted tour packages across the land of smile.

The fair is part of the TAT's Amazing Thailand Grand Sale scheme aimed at promoting domestic tourism, generating spending and simulating local economy.

The theme of this year’s fair is "Magical Local Snacks", highlighting traditional desserts in each region of Thailand.

During the opening ceremony of the fair on August 1, the TAT also provided interested entrepreneurs with information on marketing strategies and the TAT’s business promotion policy.

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair 2013 is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center until this Sunday.


-- NNT 2013-08-02

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Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service.

The following Travel Advice has changed or been added since our last update (23 May 2013 10:04:45 EST):

Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"

Change Summary:

It contains updated information under Safety and security: Civil unrest/political tension (the Thai Government has announced the activation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three of Bangkoks fifty districts until 10 August 2013). We continue to advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall due to the threat of terrorist attack, and not to travel in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

* Thailand

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

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The 9 biggest oil spills in Thai history
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The Koh Samet oil spill disaster may seem huge today, but it is only the third biggest oil spill ever recorded in Thai waters, according to the Thai Marine Knowledge Hub (MKH).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657996-the-9-biggest-oil-spills-in-thai-history/

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World's largest floating library booked for Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Hope Logos was scheduled to come to Phuket in 2011, but was unable to due to technical problems. Photo: Hope Logos

PHUKET: -- Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating library, is Phuket bound for the first time, Project Coordinator Eunji Lee told the Phuket Gazette.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657999-worlds-largest-floating-library-booked-for-phuket/