Thailand Live Monday 21 Oct 2013

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Shoe slapper arrested



BANGKOK, 21 October 2013 (NNT) -Two juvenile delinquents have been arrested after posting a clip on Youtube that showed one slapping a foreigner on the head with a slipper. The clip quickly went viral and caused much resentment from local Thais, claiming that the action had tarnished Chiang Mai’s tourism image.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676091-thai-teens-arrested-for-battery-after-slapping-elderly-foreigner-on-the-head-with-shoe/

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Nakhon Ratchasima's Chokchai district flooded; Mitrapab Road under 40-cm of floodwater /MCOT

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Brit embassy confirms some consul services dropped for Brits in Phuket

PHUKET: -- British Honorary Consuls in Phuket and Koh Samui will no longer offer notarial and documentary services starting from November 1, 2013, the British Embassy has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676094-brit-embassy-confirms-some-consul-services-dropped-for-brits-in-phuket/

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Daily Weather Forecast Distribution On Monday 21 October 2013 Time issued 0500 LST

General Situation
Another ridge of high pressure over upper Thailand and the South China Sea begins weak. Rain likely decreases in the Northeast, the Central and the East, with cool. The Northeasterly winds prevail across the Gulf of Thailand and the South. Torrential rain, as well as isolated heavy rain remains.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Monday to 6.00 a.m. Tuesday
Northern Thailand Cool in the morning with scattered thundershowers mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet and Phichit. Minimum temperature 22-23 ?C. Maximum temperature 29-32 ?C. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool and mist in the morning and slight drop, with isolated thundershowers mostly in the lower part. Minimum temperature 20-23 ?C. Maximum temperature 30-32 ?C. Northeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Suphan Buri. Minimum temperature 23-24 ?C. Maximum temperature 31-32 ?C. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Scattered thundershowers mostly in Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi. Minimum temperature 23-24 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Easterly 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 Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Narathiwat. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 30-32 ?C. Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand West Coast Cloudy with fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Minimum temperature 22-24 ?C. Maximum temperature 30-32 ?C. Variable winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cloudy with 40 % chance of rain. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

-- NNT 2013-10-21

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

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Minister Pradit says dengue situation improves

BANGKOK, 21 October 2013 (NNT) – Dengue situation in the country has improved as the number of new infections decreased in the past week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676099-minister-pradit-says-dengue-situation-in-thailand-improves/

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Bodies of Thai victims in Lao plane crash found

BANGKOK, 21 October 2013 (NNT) - The Thai consulate in the Lao People's Democratic Republic has revealed a recent progress in the search for the bodies in the Lao Airlines crash in the Mekong River.

So far, 41 have been found, including 2 identified as Thai nationals: Mr. Kaneung Chadkasemchai and Mr. Pakawat Athirattanachai.

Laotian officials will first approve and confirm the identification of the victims before handing them over to the Thai officials. The bodies will later be brought to Sappasit Prasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani for further examination.


-- NNT 2013-10-21

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Towing of illegally parked vehicles commences in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 21 October 2013 (NNT) - Thai National Police chief Police General Adul Saengsingkaew has officially announced the implementation of the towing of illegally parked vehicles in 10 area of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676101-towing-of-illegally-parked-vehicles-commences-in-bangkok/

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Govt sends out health units to flood-affected areas

BANGKOK, 21 October 2013 (NNT) – The government has sent out health and medical units to flood-hit areas as around 150,000 people have fallen ill during this recent flooding.

According to Dr. Narong Sahametapat, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, more than 150,000 people have fallen ill or caught a disease during this time of flood crisis. Most of the infections found were skin diseases such as Athlete's foot, while some people have caught cold or suffered from body aches. However, he said no severe cases were found.

As for mental health, Dr. Narong said the ministry has a plan to rehabilitate the flood victims, especially those families who lost their loved ones to the flood. He said the ministry had already checked the mental health conditions of around 17,000 people and found that 1,400 people were suffering from depression, adding that most of the depressed people have insomnia and anxiety disorder.


-- NNT 2013-10-21

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UPDATE:

Yingluck likely to postpone visit to Ethiopia due to ICJ's ruling
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra may postpone her trip to Ethiopia from November 10-12 to wait for a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Preah Vihear Temple on November 11, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676063-pm-yingluck-to-visit-ethiopia-next-month-to-be-back-in-time-for-icjs-ruling/#entry6946291

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Search for air crash victims continues as 42 bodies found
By English

BANGKOK, Oct 21 – Rescuers have retrieved 42 of total 49 bodies from the crashed Lao Airlines plane in the Mekong River as Thai military forces called off their four-day search, a senior official said today.

Wallop Raksanoh, deputy director of Thai Military Operations, said the bodies of two Thais, identified as Pakkawat Apiratanachai and Kanung Chartkasemchai, were found while three others remained missing.

Wallop said Lao authorities has asked Thai forces to end their operations as majority of the victims' bodies were recovered, while the Lao officials pledged that they will continue searching for the missing ones at their full capacity.

The Lao Airlines ATR-72 turboprop plane, carrying 49 people from the capital Viantiane, crashed eight km before arriving its destination at Pakse airport in southern Laos last Wednesday.

Passengers of several other nationalities were on board the ill-fated flight.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethi said the Lao government has expressed appreciation to Thailand for extending assistance and asked the Thai National Police Bureau to allow six officials to help with identity verifications for three more days.

Meanwhile, rescuers have detected signals of the data recording device “black box” in the Mekong River and planned to retrieve it as soon as possible. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-21

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Rain stops, but flooding continues in Nakhon Ratchasima
By English News



NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Oct 21 – Many areas in northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province are still under water despite two days without rain. A large volume of water, however, is expected to hit the provincial seat's downtown commercial area in the next few days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676131-rain-stops-but-flooding-continues-in-nakhon-ratchasima/

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Daily Weather Forecast Distribution On Monday 21 October 2013 Time issued 1100 LST

General Situation
Another ridge of high pressure over upper Thailand and the South China Sea begins weak. Rain likely decreases in the Northeast, the Central and the East, with cool and mist in the morning. The Easterly winds prevail across the Gulf of Thailand and the South. The low pressure cell over the lower South China Sea. Torrential rain, as well as isolated heavy rain remains.

Typhoon Francisco in the Pacific Ocean moves to Japan during 24-26 October. All travelers are advised to prepare for the safety before departure.
Weather Forecast for Thailand from Monday Noon to Tuesday Noon

Northern Thailand Cool in the morning with scattered thundershowers mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet and Phichit. Minimum temperature 22-23 ?C. Maximum temperature 29-33 ?C. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool and mist in the morning and slight drop, with isolated rain mostly in the lower part. Minimum temperature 21-22 ?C. Maximum temperature 29-32 ?C. Northeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Suphan Buri. Minimum temperature 22-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 30-32 ?C. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Scattered thundershowers mostly in Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 23-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-33 ?C. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand East Coast Very cloudy with scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Minimum temperature 23-24 ?C. Maximum temperature 29-32 ?C. Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand West Coast Very cloudy with fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Minimum temperature 21-24 ?C. Maximum temperature 29-32 ?C. Variable winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cloudy with 30 % chance of rain. Minimum temperature 23-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-34 ?C. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

-- NNT 2013-10-21

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Abhisit launches anti-corruption campaign

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday launched his party's People's Agenda 2.0 campaign aimed at rooting out corruption and exposing administrative flaws.

Abhisit said for the next two months, he would hold a press conference each week to call attention to the government incompetence.

For this week's agenda, he said his focus was on corruption plagued the government amounting to Bt235 billion for the past two years.

-- The Nation 2013-10-21

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PM should thwart looming crisis: senator

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should opt either to step down or to dissolve the House in order to dissipate the looming political crisis, senator Jetn Sirathranont said on Monday.

As the draft bill on amnesty, designed to favour fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is expected to come up for legislative debate, this would trigger crisis due to street protests, he said.

-- The Nation 2013-10-21

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Plans underway for mass transit and Phuket-Surat Thani rail link to connect Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea
Naraporn Tuarob

Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut at the transport meeting.

PHUKET: Plans for a new mass transit system connecting Phuket to Surat Thani have been announced, with a study now underway to determine the best way to do it.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676137-plans-underway-for-mass-transit-and-phuket-surat-thani-rail-link-to-connect-gulf-of-thailand-to-the/

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LAO CRASH
Laos to observe minute of silence for plane crash victims

The Lao government on Sunday informed all senior officials to observe a nationwide minute of silence at 2:15pm on October 21 in tribute to those who died in Wednesday's plane crash.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676138-laos-to-observe-minute-of-silence-for-plane-crash-victims/

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UPDATE:

11 missing people accounted for after Phuket SuperCheap fire
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: Eleven people reported missing after the SuperCheap fire last Wednesday night have all been accounted for now, an official told The Phuket News today

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676038-phuket-supercheap-unprepared-for-fires-says-expert/#entry6946789

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11 missing people accounted for after Phuket SuperCheap fire
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: Eleven people reported missing after the SuperCheap fire last Wednesday night have all been accounted for now, an official told The Phuket News today (October 21).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676157-11-missing-people-accounted-for-after-phuket-supercheap-fire/

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UPDATE:

UK embassy shakeup to free Phuket consul for frontline work
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Honorary Consul Martin Carpenter will now be able to focus on assisting more vulnerable British citizens. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Sweeping changes in how standard documents are issued at the British Embassy in Bangkok will free Phuket Honorary Consul Martin Carpenter to focus on providing assistance to British tourists and expats in need.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676094-brit-embassy-confirms-some-consul-services-dropped-for-brits-in-phuket/#entry6946891

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Chalerm collapses in office, rushed to hospital
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung collapsed in his office at the Labour Ministry Monday afternoon and was rushed to a hospital.

He was talking to Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, the secretary-general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board, when he suddenly collapsed.

He was rushed to the Ramathibodi Hospital at 1:45 pm.

Chalerm has received a brain injury and has returned to work for a week.


-- The Nation 2013-10-21

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UPDATE
Teens Arrested For Beating Italian With A Shoe
By Khaosod Online

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676091-thai-teens-arrested-for-battery-after-slapping-elderly-foreigner-on-the-head-with-shoe/page-3#entry6946993

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Plan for 24-hour Malay programs being pushed forward

BANGKOK, 21 October 2013 (NNT) - The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) is slated to begin a full-day broadcast of news programs in the Malay language this year.

Since early this year, the government has launched the first Malay-language television channel geared toward the South's Muslim-majority audience, with the help of the Government Public Relations Department (PRD). The satellite television station has so far offered two hours of news programming a day.

The SBPAC today held a meeting with the Malay-language television supervisory board in a bid to discuss a possibility of expanding the program on the PRD channel in Yala province to cover 24 hours.

The agency and related bodies will meet with PRD Director-General Apinan Chantharangsi on October 25 to propose the change.

If approved, the 24-hour programs will be broadcast using channel 11’s facilities and networks in the South. The cooperation will improve the quality of the Malay-language programs and save the overall budget for the program management.


-- NNT 2013-10-21

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UPDATE:
Temporary shutdown of 17 factories in Amata Nakorn
The Nation


Photo taken on October 21 revealed high water level at Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate's Phase 7, in Chon Buri.

BANGKOK: -- Amata Corporation, the operator of Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chon Buri, is quickly pumping out water from Phase 7, after 17 factories temporarily shut down operations due to the flood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676054-attempts-continue-to-keep-amata-industrial-estate-in-chonburi-dry/#entry6947042

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Thai Airforce expresses a wish to buy more Gripen jets

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676169-thai-airforce-expresses-a-wish-to-buy-more-gripen-jets/

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POLITICS
Former premier's son slams Democrats in Facebook posting
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's son, Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra as spoken out about the Democrat Party's opposition to the amnesty bill, saying that they are afraid that their opponents will win the political game.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676171-thaksins-son-panthongtae-slams-democrats-in-facebook-posting/

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UPDATE:
Democrat MPs to mobilise protesters to rally at Urupong: Interior Minister
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party MPs have played a role in mobilising people to join the anti-government rally at Urupong intersection, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan alleged Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676015-plan-for-huge-rally-against-thai-amnesty-bill/page-2?p=6947178#entry6947178

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UPDATE:
PM cancels trip to Ethiopia
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has cancelled her trop to Ethiopia, Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676063-pm-yingluck-to-visit-ethiopia-next-month-to-be-back-in-time-for-icjs-ruling/#entry6947215

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SET index closed at 1,448.54, down 36.18; Bt/USD30.95; GBP49.89; AUD29.76; EUR42.19; CAD29.93; HKD3.98; SGD24.82; JPY31.96

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UPDATE:

15 vehicles towed on first day of traffic, parking crackdown

BANGKOK: -- As many as 15 vehicles were towed away Monday as part of a crackdown on illegal parking and traffic violations, announced Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676101-towing-of-illegally-parked-vehicles-commences-in-bangkok/page-2#entry6947381

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Apartment/condos rents for expatriates expected to rise sharply, 1st time in over 20 yrs:property consultant CBRE (Thailand) /The Nation