Thailand Live Sunday 4 Aug 2013

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RT@RichardBarrow: 1:20pm Thai police estimate 700 protester now at Lumpini Park - RT @noppatjak: ตัวเลขผู้ชุมนุมที่สวนลุม ที่ตำรวจรายงานอยู่ที่ 700 คน

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New Zealand dairy giant issues global botulism alert

Authorities in New Zealand have recalled up to 1,000 tonnes of dairy products across seven countries, including Australia, because of a contamination scare.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658390-new-zealand-dairy-giant-issues-global-botulism-alert/

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OIL SPILL

Koh Samet recovery process kicked off
The Nation

KOH SAMET:-- As the cleanup is nearly completed, PTT Group has focused on the recovery process - starting with the classification of the affected into four groups.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658320-cleanup-on-samet-gets-poor-rating-from-judge/page-2#entry6683176

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Big cleaning day on Ko Samet Island to be held Aug 10 to help regain tourists’ confidence /MCOT

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RT@photo_journ: twitpic.com/d6f211 enthusiastic farang @ lumphini park.

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RT@RichardBarrow: 3:30pm Latest estimate of protesters at Lumpini Park is about 3,000 according to @anuthee: pic.twitter.com/zMl1UC1ZEi

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RT@RichardBarrow:
Thai Tims welcome FC Barcelona to Thailand in their own unique way youtu.be/1ktOk1fb1Ls

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Suthee Singsaneh passes away

BANGKOK: -- Former finance minister Suthee Singsaneh died on August 3 of natural cause at the age of 85.

He served three governments, named the finance minister three times in 1986, 1991, and 1992.

The messiah took place at Wat Phra Mahathai in Soi Ruamrudee 2.

-- The Nation 2013-08-04

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PUBLIC OPINION
Govt's approval rating lowest in 2 years
The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck government's approval rating fell to the lowest level in two years, pulled down the most by corruption issues and the rice-pledging scheme, according to a poll by Bangkok University.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658430-govts-approval-rating-lowest-in-2-years/

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Public has enough of political rallies

BANGKOK: -- One third of Thais are wary of political rallies, saying the rallies would only widen social division and hurt the country's image, according to Suan Dusit Poll.

In the poll, respondents were asked if they support the political rally against the government’s amnesty bill. 33.67 per cent voted against the rally, while 37.24 per cent viewed this as a normal political activity. Only 29.09 per cent supported the rally, to voice public dissent to the government’s policy.

Most of the respondents were worried that this rally could turn violent, to claim lives and loss of property. They also feared that this could hurt the country’s image and economic activities.

-- The Nation 2013-08-04

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UPDATE

Army denies coup rumours

BANGKOK: -- August 4, 2013 5:08 pmCol Vinthai Suvaree, army deputy spokesman, on Sunday quashed the rumours that the military planned to stage a coup d'etat.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658323-coup-rumours-baseless/page-2#entry6683391

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DISEASE
Dengue fever claims 83 fatalities
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A number of 87,533 Thais were infected by dengue fever during January-July, according to the Public Health Ministry.

The fever has claimed 83 fatalities so far or 0.09 per cent of patients, mostly those who suffer from chronic diseases.

The number of cases in July alone hit 5,770.

In a press conference on Sunday, Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong warned that people of all ages are at risk, but symptoms for children, chubby kids, pregnant women and the elderly could be more severe.

Ten provinces are under close watch, with the increasing rate of infection: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Si Saket, Bangkok, Surin, Tak, Buri Ram, Roi Et, Chon Buri and Khon Kaen.

-- The Nation 2013-08-04

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Deputy PM Pracha visits Songkhla, gives compensation to arson victims
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Aug 4 - Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok on Sunday visited the southern province of Songkhla to give compensation money to owners of three local shops set ablaze last Friday.

Factories and shops at more than 10 locations in Yala, Pattani and Songkhla were set afire in almost simultaneously. 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, a grocery store and homes of local residents.

The deputy premier together with Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Prasopdee, Fourth Army Region commander Sakon Chuentrakool, Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), and other representatives visited two furniture shops in Thepha district and another shop at Saba Yoi district where the arsons took place.

The deputy premier presented financial assistance of 25 per cent of initial damages to the business owners. He told them that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had expressed her concern for them and thus assigned him and other officials to pay a visit and instructed authorities to speed up investigation of the cases.

In a related matter, National Security Council (NSC)'s Secretary-General Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut spoke about the country's southern insurgency that NSC needs to find truth behind the still ongoing violence despite a truce agreed between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (NSC) during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The secretary-general admitted the continuing attacks have impacted the confidence of local people, but he said the Thai government has proceeded the right way and asked related party for more patience and cooperation.

Meanwhile, presumed insurgents ambushed a security unit by a bombing at a village in Yala province, wounding six soldiers while on patrol in Raman district today.

A 5 to 7 kg remote-controlled bomb was hidden on the roadside before being detonated. Two soldiers were seriously injured.

Initially, authorities believe the act was perpetrated by followers of Usaman Dengsamae, a leader at the operational level in Raman district. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-08-04

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GMM wins UEFA 2016 broadcasting rights
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- GMM Grammy on Friday signed a contract to broadcast the UEFA Euro 2016 event from Paris, France.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658477-gmm-wins-uefa-2016-broadcasting-rights/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Monday 5 Aug 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658543-thailand-live-monday-5-aug-2013/