Thailand Live Saturday 19 Oct 2013

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Red Cross Society appeals for blood donations in wake of worsening floods

BANGKOK, 19 October 2013 (NNT) - Thailand is hit by a shortage of blood supply as widespread flooding in many provinces caused the cancellation of blood drives nationwide.

According to the Thai Red Cross Society, more cancellations are expected, particularly in the East, as flooding has yet to ease in many affected parts. 22 provinces across the country continued to be hit by floods.

Since the beginning of October, the National Blood Centre has failed to secure up to 2,000 units of blood needed each day for patients nationwide. The center also needs a reserve supply of 3,000 units so that the blood needs of people in flood-hit communities can be met.

To ensure that sufficient national blood supply is available for those in need, the society has urged the public to make an appointment to donate blood as soon as possible. Those interested can contact the National Blood Centre at 0-2256-4300 or visit the center seven days a week.


-- NNT 2013-10-19

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Fresh Derailment Stalks Govt Railway Exhibit
By Khaosod Online


Image source: Khaosod

BANGKOK: -- Another train derailment in Nakhon Ratchasima province has disrupted the Northeastern rail service just as a number of Cabinet members are converging in a nearby province to promote the plan to construct the high-speed railway across the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675621-fresh-derailment-stalks-thai-govt-railway-exhibit/

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POLITICS
Amnesty bill change by panel 'to benefit' Thaksin
Somroutai Sapsomboon,
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation



House panel proposes everyone facing legal action after 2006 coup should be absolved

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT is risking a new round of political conflict after the House panel vetting a government-proposed amnesty bill yesterday voted to rewrite a clause to include as beneficiaries people facing legal action in cases stemming from post-coup investigations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675622-amnesty-bill-change-by-panel-to-benefit-thaksin/

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FIRE
Probe narrows down source of Phuket blaze
The Nation


Officials check the wreckage of the SuperCheap outlet that was burned to the ground on Wednesday.

PHUKET: -- Officials investigating the cause of the massive fire at SuperCheap's main convenience store in Phuket on Wednesday say they have located a possible source of the blaze, but a thorough scientific probe of the site will not begin until authorities are sure the fire is completely out.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675623-probe-narrows-down-source-of-phuket-blaze/

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Dozens Injured As Coach Overturns In Pathum Thani

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675601-dozens-injured-as-coach-overturns-in-pathum-thani/

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LAO CRASH
Pilot of Lao plane was 'told to change course'
The Nation, Agencies

BANGKOK: -- A Lao Airlines pilot was told to change course shortly before his turboprop plane slammed into the murky Mekong River in southern Laos, killing all 49 people on board, including five Thai nationals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675624-pilot-of-lao-plane-was-told-to-change-course/

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Top Phuket official issued urgent order to relinquish post
Phuket Gazette


Kathu District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol has been given 10 days to leave the province. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Kathu District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol has been ordered out of Phuket, effective October 28.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675625-top-phuket-official-issued-urgent-order-to-relinquish-post/

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Phuket 'volcano' hoax causes panic among Russians



PHUKET: -- A picture of Wednesday night’s SuperCheap fire posted on Facebook prompted Russians on the island and in Russia to fear a volcano had erupted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675626-phuket-volcano-hoax-causes-panic-among-russians/

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Phuket SuperCheap 'market' opens next to razed store
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan



PHUKET: -- SuperCheap staff now have something to keep them busy after the store they worked in burned to the ground – a mini outdoor SuperCheap Market, or “Talad SuperCheap”, has been set up inside tents next to the destroyed building.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675627-phuket-supercheap-market-opens-next-to-razed-store/

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Bangladeshi attempts to pawn fake gold, twice, at Central Pattaya Gold Shop



PATTAYA: -- Police arrested a 32 year old Bangladesh National on Friday afternoon accused of attempting to Pawn 2 fake gold bracelets and this follows an earlier exchange of cash for fake gold at the same shop by the suspect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675629-bangladeshi-attempts-to-pawn-fake-gold-twice-at-central-pattaya-gold-shop/

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Motorcyclist and passenger killed in East Pattaya road crash



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Friday a motorcyclist and his passenger were killed after their bike collided with the rear of a stationary Petrol Tanker.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675630-motorcyclist-and-passenger-killed-in-east-pattaya-road-crash/

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INTERVIEW
Thaksin's niece happy to remain out of political limelight
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation


Chayika

BANGKOK: -- Young members of the Shinawatra family have shown little interest in entering politics, preferring to play roles behind the scenes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675632-thaksins-niece-happy-to-remain-out-of-political-limelight/

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Rain softening up land, leading to some roads caving in
The Nation


Workers close an underground wiring shaft on Ram-Indra Road with slabs of concrete. The rear part of a trailer truck fell into the 7-metre deep hole yesterday morning, causing severe congestion. The truck driver escaped without injuries.

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Bangkok Governor Jumpol Sampaophol partly blames the prolonged rain for several recent road accidents in the city, suggesting that rainwater can significantly soften land layers. The capital has lately seen a number of road portions succumbing and pipes bursting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675633-rain-softening-up-land-leading-to-some-bangkok-roads-caving-in/

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Man admits to doping monks and patients
Khwanhathai Malakan,
Anan Wijitpracha
The Nation

Suspect stole valuables after drugging victims; duo caught for robbing tourist

TRAT: -- A man has confessed to drugging several monks and patients in order to steal their valuables, a police source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675634-man-admits-to-doping-monks-and-patients-trat/

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Keeping up with breaking news on social media
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SOCIAL MEDIA has played a huge part in providing the latest updates and minute-by-minute accounts on several incidents that have taken place over the past week. In fact, real-time coverage on social media was so good that even mainstream journalists found themselves relying on their Facebook timelines, Twitter and Instagram.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675635-keeping-up-with-breaking-news-on-social-media/

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Thai-Cambodian border situation normal as ICJ’s ruling looms

BANGKOK, 19 October 2013 (NN) - National security agencies announce that the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border is normal while the two countries are waiting for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on the Phra Viharn case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675646-thai-cambodian-border-situation-normal-as-icjs-ruling-looms/

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Private sector believes THB 2-trillion investment good for country’s competitiveness

BANGKOK, 19 October 2013 (NNT) - The private sector voices agreement with the government’s 2-trillion-baht investment on infrastructure mega projects as it will help reduce transportation costs and increase Thailand’s competitiveness in the long run.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675647-private-sector-believes-thb-2-trillion-investment-good-for-thailands-competitiveness/

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UPDATE:

Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai rail service resumes

BANGKOK, 19 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai rail service has resumed after a train derailed on route to Non Sung district of Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675621-fresh-derailment-stalks-thai-govt-railway-exhibit/#entry6939339

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Daily Weather Forecast Distribution On Saturday 19 October 2013 Time issued 0500 LST

General Situation
The high pressure area from China extends to upper Thailand and the South China Sea. Decreasing rain is likely in the North, the Northeast and the upper Central. The southeasterly winds bring the humid from the Gulf of Thailand to the lower Central, the East and the South. More rain and isolated heavy rain is likely in the areas during 1-2 days.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Saturday to 6.00 a.m. Sunday
Northern Thailand Cool in the morning. Scattered thundershowers mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet and Phichit. Minimum temperature 21-23 ?C. Maximum temperature 28-32 ?C. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool in the morning. Scattered thundershowers mostly in Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Saket and Ubon Ratchathani. Minimum temperature 21-23 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Scattered thundershowers mostly in Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand East Coast Very cloudy with fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Southeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand West Coast Cloudy with scattered thundershowers mostly in Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Minimum temperature 23-24 ?C. Maximum temperature 31-32 ?C. Variable winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Very cloudy and 70 % chance of rain. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2013-10-19

Weather forecasts for all provinces: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Commerce Minister firm on rice deal with China
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 19 – Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan insisted yesterday that China has promised to buy one million tonnes of rice from Thailand annually.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675652-commerce-minister-firm-on-rice-deal-with-china/

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August public debts at 44.63% of GDP
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 19 – Thailand’s public debt in August was Bt5.3 trillion, or 44.63 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to a senior Finance Ministry official report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675653-thailand-august-public-debts-at-4463-of-gdp/

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Thailand hopeful of better ranking on human trafficking suppression
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 19 – Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana was assigned to lead an ad-hoc committee to prepare a report on Thailand’s human trafficking suppression and attempt to tackle the problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675657-thailand-hopeful-of-better-ranking-on-human-trafficking-suppression/

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Sex Bombs: Thai beauties from the 60s, 70s
By Prae Sakaowan



BANGKOK: -- From 1960 to 1975, when the big screen was king and women’s roles were in flux, Thailand’s Dao Yua vixens sizzled. Loosely translated as “sexy stars,” Dao Yua reflected society’s dueling impulses to both exploit and shame more assertive expressions of female sexuality.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675658-sex-bombs-thai-beauties-from-the-60s-70s/

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In Nong Khai province, PM, on her weekly TV programme, plans development of province on tourism, border trade in preparation for AEC /MCOT

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Thirty bodies have been recovered from Lao plane crash in Mekong River, 20 remains can be identified /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Deputy Bangkok Governor: Continuous rainfall to blame for recent road mishaps

BANGKOK: -- After a number of roads seen caving in and pipes bursting recently, Deputy Bangkok Governor Jumpol Sampaophol has come out to blame the continuous rainfall, saying that the rain has soften the land layers leading to the accidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675633-rain-softening-up-land-leading-to-some-bangkok-roads-caving-in/#entry6939807

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Security tightened in Deep South during Tak Bai anniversary

BANGKOK, 19 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Tight security has been deployed in the violence-torn south as Tak Bai anniversary is approaching in less than a week.

Col Pramote Prom-in, Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Spokesman, said security has been beefed up in all risk-prone areas to prevent any attacks prior to and during the Tak Bai anniversary which falls on October 25.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) revealed that Thailand is ready and well-prepared for the forthcoming peace dialogue with the BRN militant group.

The Tak Bai incident took place on 25 October 2004 during which 85 people died. Seven of the dead were killed in a clash between policemen and a number of demonstrators who protested against the detention of six men.

The rest of the fatalities came after arrests of the demonstrators as they were being sent to a military camp in Pattani Province in over-crowded army vans.

The ride took 5 hours before reaching the destination, causing 78 detainees to die from suffocation or organ collapse.


-- NNT 2013-10-19

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UPDATE:

PM attends Naga Fireball Festival in Nong Khai

BANGKOK, 19 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has traveled to Nong Khai Province to attend the annual Naga Fireball Festival.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675549-tourists-begin-migration-to-nong-khai-for-naga-fireballs-festival/

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PM: Thailand will provide assistance to Laos to recover plane wreck in Mekong River
By English News

NONG KHAI, Oct 19 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday told her Laotian counterpart Thongsing Thammavong that Thailand will provide full assistance to help Laos recover plane crash victims and salvage the aircraft.

The Thai and Lao leaders were in the northeastern province of Nong Khai to jointly make merit at Wat Pho Chai to mark the last day of the rain retreat known as “Awk Phansa” or the end of the Buddhist Lent.

Ms Yingluck said that she has expressed regret over the incident and Thailand has helped the Laotian authorities since the Lao Airlines plane crash on Wednesday.

The ATR-72 turboprop plane flying from the capital Vientiane crashed in the Mekhong River on Wednesday just eight km short of its destination of Pakse, killing all 49 people on board, including 17 Laotians, five Australians, seven French, five Thais, three Korean, two Vietnamese and one person each from the United States, Canada, China Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Ms Yinluck said Mr Thongsing has thanked Thailand for the assistance.

The Thai premier said she has assigned Supreme Commander Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn to coordinate with Laos Foreign Ministry in sending divers to help in the search for bodies of victims.

She stated the latest report said that 30 bodies have been found while the Thai officials would help Lao in identifying the remains.

Thai agencies were closely coordinating with Lao authorities to recover debris from the airplane in the Mekong River, said Ms Yingluck. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-10-19

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Bomb ambush followed by gun attack against Thai Army rangers in Narathiwat's Ra-ngae, four injured. /MCOT

Bomb ambush against EOD team who rushed to inspect earlier bomb attack in Narathisat's Ra-ngae district, seven reporters wounded /MCOT