Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Oct 2013

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Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand accused of aiding protestors



BANGKOK, 15 October 2013 (NNT) - The Pheu Thai Party has accused the Bangkok Governor, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, of providing up to 4 electric generators to aid the ongoing protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674702-bangkok-governor-sukhumbhand-accused-of-aiding-protestors/

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UPDATE:
Philippine earthquake death toll rises to 20

MANILA: -- A magnitude-7.2 earthquake struck the central Philippines Tuesday, killing 20 people and causing roads to crack and buildings to collapse, the national disaster risk management agency said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674658-magnitude-72-earthquake-hits-philippines;-at-least-four-dead/#entry6925569

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PM's head adviser Pansak to work on 'Service Design' of public transport

BANGKOK, 15 October 2013 (NNT) - Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assigned her Policy Chief Adviser, Pansak Winyarat, to work with the Transport Ministry in developing service designs for the public transportation system.

Mr. Pansak said the Prime Minister wanted to see a more efficient service in the public transportation system in order to create impressive experiences for commuters.

He said in his opinion, train stations in the future should not only serve the travelling need but could provide all kinds of service within the station.

In Mr. Pansak's views, a good customer service expands the customer base, thus Service Design does not just involve the number of tickets sold but must cover other factors as well.

Mr. Pansak believed a good Service Design would fix the ailing image of the current public transport system and at the same time bring in more revenue to the segment.


-- NNT 2013-10-15

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Patong mayor's resort targeted for land encroachment
Phuket Gazette


Officers reviewed the land document for the site of Patong Bay Garden Resort, but were unable to conclude whether or not the hotel encroached onto the beach. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The government’s self-branded “anti-mafia” campaign continued yesterday as Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak led local officers to inspect the Patong Bay Garden Resort on Patong Beach for suspected encroachment onto public land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674706-patong-mayors-resort-targeted-for-land-encroachment/

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Foreign Ambassadors List 7 Changes Needed for Phuket

PHUKET: -- FOREIGN AMBASSADORS LIST 7 CHANGES NEEDED FOR PHUKET – Foreign Ambassadors to Thailand must often think that discussing any of Phuket’s tourists problems with the local Thai authorities or indeed central government figures, is not only pointless it is exasperating and a complete and utter waste of time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674710-foreign-ambassadors-list-7-changes-needed-for-phuket/

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UPDATE:

Speedy Relief: Tweaker arrested for donating meth to temple (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok

VIDEO: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674641-well-meaning-drug-dealer-in-custody-after-attempting-to-donate-11-yaba-pills/#entry6925731

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A total of 61 people were confirmed dead in the floods that have hit many provinces since Sept 17, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reports. /Bangkok Post

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Typhoon Nari kills five, causes major damage in Vietnam

HANOI, October 15, 2013 (AFP) - Typhoon Nari slammed into central Vietnam early Tuesday killing five people, ripping roofs of homes and damaging roads, state media reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674715-typhoon-nari-kills-five-causes-major-damage-in-vietnam/

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Traffic closure lifted: police

BANGKOK: -- All 14 roads near Government House and Parliament have been opened for traffic despite the ongoing protests at Urupong, police said on Tuesday.

The morning's traffic has returned to normalcy although road snarls still persist on Rama VI Road where the rally site is located.


-- The Nation 2013-10-15

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Cabinet approves 5-day New Year holiday Dec 28- Jan 1 to boost tourism /MCOT

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Censure debate planned for current House session

BANGKOK: -- The opposition will file the motion of no confidence within the current House session ending November 28, chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanavisit said on Tuesday.

The censure debate is definitely to happen, Jurin said, though refusing to disclose details.

-- The Nation 2013-10-15

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The Customs Department and Royal Thai Navy capture illegal oil smugglers

BANGKOK, 15 October 2013 (NNT) - The Customs Department has arrested oil smugglers on a white modified fishing boat carrying 10,000 liters of illegal diesel fuel worth approximately 600,000 baht.

Mr. Charoen Chamnikan, Head of the Criminal Investigation Division said the arrest was a cooperation between the Customs Department and the Royal Thai Navy in their bid to step up the fight against smuggling of contraband goods.

The boat, named Sapvichainawee, with 2 crewmembers, was apprehended on October 12 off the Andaman coast in Krabi province. The captain of the boat pleaded guilty of smuggling diesel fuel to avoid taxation, and confessed that he was hired by a Thai businessman.

Officials have charged the criminals of illegally smuggling diesel fuel without proper taxation, and have confiscated the boat along with its cargo while the 2 men have been sent for further legal proceedings at the Phuket Customs office.

-- NNT 2013-10-15

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Cabinet appoints Rangsan as permanent secretary for finance

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet on Tuesday appointed caretaker finance permanent secretary Rangsan Sriworasart as finance permanent secretary.

Rangsan replaced Areepong Bhoocha-oom, who was transferred to a lesser job earlier this month.

Areepong was appointed to the post during Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

-- The Nation 2013-10-15

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Phuket meth mule nabbed at island bridge
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Police last night arrested a drug runner at the Tah Chat Chai Checkpoint who confessed to smuggling drugs from Surat Thani and selling them in Phuket Town.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674729-phuket-meth-mule-nabbed-at-island-bridge/

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Bangkok unaffected by tropical storm Nari
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 15 – Bangkok remains unaffected by tropical storm Nari which landed on the central coastal city of Danang, Vietnam this morning.

Bangkok's municipal drainage department deputy chief Adisak Kantee told reporters today that the capital remains unaffected by the storm though there is a 30 per cent chance of rain today due to the storm.

He said Eastern Bangkok zones including Minburi, Nongchok and Lad Krabang districts will likely receive more runoff from neigbouring provinces. The water level at Minburi's Sanseab sluice gate was measured at 0.80 metres this morning. However, less water is being discharged from the Chao Phraya, Rama VI and Bangsai dams in Ayutthaya province.

Today's high tides will reach 1.08 metres above sea level at around 4 pm. It will reach its peak of 1.12 metres on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Flood Control Center reported a 30 per cent chance of rain in Bangkok and vicinity, with a minimum temperature of 25-27 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 34-35 degree Celsius. There were no reports of downpours and floods on Bangkok’s major roads for the past 24 hours. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-10-15

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UPDATE:

No need to extend security law in Bangkok: Police

By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 15 - The Internal Security Act (ISA) now imposed in some districts of the Thai capital to maintain law and order during political demonstrations need not be extended as the situation will likely improve, said a senior police officer.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674642-bangkok-police-open-4-roads-but-10-still-blocked/#entry6926163

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Rice deal with China exists: PM

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted that China would import 1 million tonnes of Thai rice per annum, quashing the scepticism that there was no such deal.

She said after the Cabinet meeting that China earlier agreed to buy 1 million tonnes in five years. However, China will hold an internal trade to change this deal, she said.

She said that the memorandum of understanding for the rice sale would be signed soon, pending for details to be completed by the Commerce Ministry.

-- The Nation 2013-10-15

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Minister of Tourism and Sports investigates mafia taxis in Phuket

PHUKET, 15th October 2013 (NNT) - The Minister of Tourism and Sports has led a team of officials to Phuket to launch an investigation into complaints of illegal taxis along Pa tong beach, Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674721-minister-of-tourism-and-sports-investigates-mafia-taxis-in-phuket/

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Govt announces 30 December as public holiday

BANGKOK, 15 October 2013 (NNT) – The cabinet has decided to extend the New Year holidays to five days, announcing December 30 as an additional public holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674735-cabinet-approves-5-day-new-year-holiday-dec-28-jan-1-to-boost-tourism/

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OPEN LETTER
Pridiyathorn writes to PM opposing rice pledging
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MR Pridiyathorn Devakula has written an open letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, urging her to stop rice-pledging scheme and turn to use margin paying method.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674737-open-letter-pridiyathorn-writes-to-pm-yingluck-opposing-rice-pledging/

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BMA warns of influenza this coming cool season

BANGKOK, 15 October 2013 (NNT) - Dr. Pusadee Tamthai, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, stated that mid October would be the period when temperatures become cooler. In other words, the rainy season starts to develop into the cool season. This period of 1-2 weeks would also render a sudden drop in the climate.

The Deputy Governor has cautioned citizens to be wary of the increase of influenza infections, as it is during this time that the disease starts to manifest itself. She has also ordered all 68 Health Centers to be on high-alert in order to be well prepared for potential rising in the number of the sick.

In order to prevent the spread of influenza, people are suggested to maintain good personal hygiene, consume cooked food, use a middle spoon when dining, properly wash their hands, and use a mask when falling sick to prevent the spread of infection.

Those who are at higher risks of becoming ill such as, people suffering from asthma, diabetes, senior citizens, infants, etc. should receive a flu shot and avoid being in crowded places.


-- NNT 2013-10-15

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Thai-Mien Drug Lord Sentenced To Death
By Khaosod English


Mr. Jirasak Chattawornniti (File photo)

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence for a former narcotics trafficker who had been eluding arrests for almost a decade before he was apprehended in China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674749-death-sentence-upheld-for-thai-mien-drug-lord/

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Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show team up with TAT to draw high-end tourists to Pattaya
Showcase Pattaya and surrounds as leading marine tourism hub in South East Asia and underscore the region's preparedness for the AEC

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674752-ocean-marina-pattaya-boat-show-team-up-with-tat-to-draw-high-end-tourists-to-pattaya-showcase-pattay/

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SET index closed at 1,472.90, up 13.06; Bt/USD31.14; GBP49.62; AUD29.51; EUR42.08; CAD29.97; HKD4.00; SGD24.94; JPY31.45

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BMA: Bangkok will be flood-free for rest of the year

BANGKOK, 15 October 2013 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Flood Control Center has speculated that the capital will be free from floods this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674757-bma-bangkok-will-be-flood-free-for-rest-of-the-year/

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I'm Too Fat For Legit Jobs: Arrested Mama-San

By Khaosod Online

Image source: Khaosod online

BANGKOK: -- The Thai-Japanese woman arrested on suspicion of running a brothel blamed the crime on her obesity, claiming that she is ‘too fat’ for legal jobs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674760-arrested-bangkok-mama-san-im-too-fat-for-legit-jobs/

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Cabinet approves royal decree to close parliamentary session on Nov 29

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday approved a draft royal decree to close the current parliamentary session on November 29.

Deputy Government Spokeswoman Sunisa Lertpakawat said the royal decree will be sent for a royal command to take effect.

The current 120-day parliamentary session will be complete on November 28.


-- The Nation 2013-10-15

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Calls for rice scheme review get louder
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 15 – Several leading members of Thai society today called on the government to revise its highly-criticised rice pledging scheme which has plunged the country into heavy debt since 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674764-calls-for-thai-rice-scheme-review-get-louder/

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UPDATE:

Cabinet earmarks added Bt6.6 billion for rice pledging programme
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 15 – The Cabinet today approved an additional budget of Bt6.66 billion to purchase paddy from farmers in the 2012/2013 crop, a government spokesman said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674764-calls-for-thai-rice-scheme-review-get-louder/#entry6926840

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Ten Ayutthaya districts declared disaster zones
By English News

AYUTTHAYA, Oct 15 - Ten of a total 16 districts in central Thailand's flood-hit Ayutthaya province have been declared immediate emergency assistance zones.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674807-ten-ayutthaya-districts-declared-disaster-zones/