Thailand Live Friday 15 Nov 2013

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Princess Maha Chakri returns to Sa Pathum Palace to recuperate

BANGKOK, 15 November 2013 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was discharged from Chulalongkorn Hospital on Thursday after undergoing a surgery to have stones removed from her right kidney.

The Bureau of the Royal Household said in its third announcement concerning Her Royal Highness’s conditions that the Princess was given treatment using the Ureterorenoscopy with Lithotripsy technology. The statement quoted the royal medical team’s report as saying the operation was satisfactory. Her Royal Highness’s temperature was normal with no complications developed after the surgery. She could eat and walk as usual. The doctors allowed the Princess to return to Sa Pathum Palace to recuperate but advised her to suspend royal duties for a period of time.

The announcement also said Her Royal Highness appreciated the visits made by members of the royal court, foreign ambassadors, civil servants, monks and the general public during her stay at Chulalongkorn Hospital. The Princess conveyed her thanks to all groups of people and individuals for their wishes for her recovery and complete health.

Her Royal Highness left Chulalonkorn Hospital amid cheers from well wishers. She also paid respects to the statue of King Rama VIII before leaving the hospital.


-- NNT 2013-11-15

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Phone Companies 'Will Be Punished' For Disconnections
By Khaosod Online


Mr. Banharn Silpa-archa, a leader of Chart Thai Pattana Party, receiving birthday wishes via phone call from former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, 19 August 2013.

BANGKOK: -- The regulating body of Thai telecommunication business has threatened to penalise mobile phone providers for disconnections that occurred during ′peak time′ of phone usage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681784-thai-phone-companies-will-be-punished-for-disconnections/

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Interior Ministry predicts massive protests to stall Bangkok's traffic
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 15 – Anti-government demonstrators at the Democracy Monument will march on major streets tomorrow to paralyse Bangkok’s traffic system, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan predicted yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681785-interior-ministry-predicts-massive-protests-to-stall-bangkoks-traffic/

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HEALTH
Rural doctors sceptical about medical hub plan
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The Rural Doctor Foundation expressed scepticism yesterday over a Bt100-billion scheme proposed by the Public Health Ministry, questioning its worthiness and why nearly half is earmarked for a hub in Bangkok that would mainly serve foreigners - not Thais.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681786-rural-thai-doctors-sceptical-about-medical-hub-plan/

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Ground-water use behind subsidence rate increase
THE NATION

Parts of Southeast Bangkok sinking by up to 28mm a year, seminar told

BANGKOK: -- Due to extensive use of groundwater, land subsidence in Bangkok has reached a worrying level with instances more than doubling in neighbouring Samut Prakan, a seaside province, which is also losing land at an unusually high rate to coastal erosion, a Chulalongkorn University seminar was told yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681787-parts-of-southeast-bangkok-sinking-by-up-to-28mm-a-year-seminar-told/

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SOUTH CRISIS
Four BRN reps to attend talks: NSC chief
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four representatives of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) will attend the next round of peace talks in Malaysia in early December, while the Pattani United Liberation Organisation and Barisan Islam Pembebasan Pattani will each get two seats at the table.

National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut said yesterday he would relay the authorities' conclusions to a list of demands made by BRN to the Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Committee. He planned to submit the findings to a meeting later yesterday.

Meanwhile, three policemen and six passers-by were slightly injured by an explosion near a convenience store in Waeng sub-district in Waeng in Narathiwat at 8.45pm on Wednesday.

An hour earlier, Waeng superintendent Pol Colonel Awat Mulsiri led a team to inspect motorists' complaints about spikes left on a rural road in Kho Loh sub-district. While inspecting the scene, police heard a loud explosion but no one was injured. They secured an area within a 500-metre radius of the scene, for an inspection by police and bomb-squad officers yesterday.

-- The Nation 2013-11-15

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SUPER TYPHOON
Doctors, medicines heading to Philippines
THE NATION



Thai medics to man field hospital in region devastated by typhoon

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry is expected to send 60 tonnes of medical supplies on an Air Force plane to the Philippines on Monday (Nov 18), with the government announcing yesterday it would initially provide Bt6 million to help people hit by Typhoon Haiyan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681790-thai-doctors-medicines-heading-to-philippines-typhoon-haiyan/

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Pattaya Red Shirt Rally in South Pattaya



On Thursday Night Pro-Thaksin Red Shirt’s from around the Eastern Seaboard gathered at a political rally in South Pattaya.

PATTAYA: -- Due to the bad weather attendance was down from previous rallies held at the site at the corner of Soi Kaotalo on the Sukhumvit Road. Around 3,000 supporters attended and over 200 Police Officers were on-duty to ensure that law and order, along with traffic flow was maintained.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681791-pattaya-red-shirt-rally-in-south-pattaya/

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Chiang Rai police arrest 28-year-old with ingredient for making yaba
The Nation



CHIANG RAI: -- Police yesterday announced the arrest of a 28-year-old drug suspect caught in possession of 80 bottles of hydrochloric acid, which could reportedly be used to make 30 million yaba (methamphetamine) pills.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681792-chiang-rai-police-arrest-28-year-old-with-ingredient-for-making-yaba/

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Bt11 billion to be spent during Loi Krathong festival
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 15 - Nearly 11 billion baht is expected to be circulated during Thailand's Loi Krathong festival, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)'s Economic and Business Forecasting Center.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681793-bt11-billion-to-be-spent-during-loi-krathong-festival/

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Mae Hong Son province studying designs for permanent border crossing

MAE HONG SON, 15 November 2013 (NNT) – The Mae Hong Son provincial administration is to conduct studies on potential future layouts for the Ban Huai Ton Nun border trade area, in order to upgrade it into a permanent border point.

Deputy Mae Hong Son governor, who attended a meeting of the design committee for the future permanent border-crossing point on Thursday, said the provincial administrations of Mae Hong Son and other northern provinces in North's 'region 1' zone were in favor of the permanent border point, which would provide the closest land-based link to Naypyidaw, Myanmar's current capital. The distance to Naypyidaw from the future border point will be about 200 kilometers.

A border crossing in Mae Hong Son would also allow Northern Thailand access to the Bay of Bengal. The distance from the border crossing to the coast in Myanmar will be roughly 400 kilometers.


-- NNT 2013-11-15

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BOT in good shape to keep policy rate low: Kittiratt
THE NATION


Kittiratt Na-Ranong

BANGKOK: -- THE FINANCE MINISTER expects Thailand's policy interest rate to remain at a low level, as excess liquidity remains high.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681794-bot-in-good-shape-to-keep-policy-rate-low-kittiratt/

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Critics urge govt to concede defeat on border dispute
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As a working group strives to find a way to deal with the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) definition of the promontory housing Preah Vihear Temple as Cambodian territory, opposition and conservative figures are pushing the government to confess that Thailand has lost out to its neighbour in the ruling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681795-critics-urge-thai-govt-to-concede-defeat-on-border-dispute/

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Yingluck to be target of censure move
The Nation

Democrats say they will focus on the PM and Thaksin in no-confidence debate late this month

BANGKOK: -- The opposition's censure debate late this month will focus on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, with likely attacks on her leadership skills, according to sources from the Democrat Party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681796-yingluck-to-be-target-of-censure-move/

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Plodprasob retaliates

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Premier Plodprasob Surasawadee has started carrying a whistle to retaliate against anybody who chooses to blow a whistle at him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681799-plodprasob-retaliates/

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Schools join civil disobedience
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In Nakhon Si Thammarat, some 80 private schools will shut down today as part of the civil disobedience measures to oppose the amnesty bill.

Two rallies are set for Pak Panang and Thung Song districts as a gesture of disapproval for a blanket amnesty.

Nine city-run education institutions have been closed since Wednesday in answer to the call for a three-day strike against the government.

Two universities, Rajabhat Nakhon Si Thammarat and Walailak, have given students and staff the discretion to join the civil disobedience movement.

In Surat Thani, three schools closed for three days. A school in Kian Sa district also suspended classes.

Some local administrations have taken the day off. But the Surat Thani Provincial Administration Organisation has remained open.

Dhurakij Pundit University allows students, lecturers and staff to take leave from November 12-16, said Darika Latthaphiphat, the university's vice rector.


-- The Nation 2013-11-15

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BURNING ISSUE

Govt faces uphill battle to win back popularity

Samudcha Hoonsara

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The political atmosphere now is similar to that in early 2006, when there were huge street protests against then-PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Seven years ago there was widespread public outrage after his family sold shares in Shin Corp worth Bt70 billion to Singapore's Temasak Holding, without paying tax.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681800-thai-govt-faces-uphill-battle-to-win-back-popularity/

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Political television stations winning more viewers
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The number of people watching the anti-government Blue Sky TV channel has risen significantly over the past two weeks because mainstream mass media has not been giving much prominence to the anti-amnesty bill demonstrations, the channel's managing director Vittayen Muttamara said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681801-thailands-political-television-stations-winning-more-viewers/

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President Obama announces health law fix

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama has announced a one-year reprieve for millions of Americans facing cancelled insurance plans under his healthcare law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681807-president-obama-announces-health-law-fix/

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TAT: More American visitors in 2014

BANGKOK: American tourist arrivals will rise by 5.5% to 1.13 million next year on the back of the US economic recovery, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681815-tat-more-american-visitors-in-2014/

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Prolonged protest takes toll on real estate sector



BANGKOK: -- The private sector now is raising concern of the prolonged political situation which could affect the domestic real estate market demand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681826-prolonged-protest-takes-toll-on-real-estate-sector-in-thailand/

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Thai women willing to keep family violence to themselves



BANGKOK: -- The Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation (WMPMF) revealed a shocking truth yesterday that Thai women are willing to cover up their family violence and prefer to keep problems to themselves. It says such practice risk them to commit even fiercer retaliation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681827-thai-women-willing-to-keep-family-violence-to-themselves/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,425.11, gains 9.42 points /MCOT

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Double-decker bus crash injures 23 Russian tourists

BANGKOK: -- A double-decker bus with 51 Russian tourists hit a vehicle on the road from Chonburi to Pattaya late last night, injuring 23 of them, four seriously.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681830-double-decker-bus-crash-on-chonburi-pattaya-road-injures-23-russian-tourists/

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48.5% of people polled by NIDA believes govt will bring back amnesty bill after 180-day suspension period following Senate's rejection of bill /The Nation

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Weather Advisory No. 9 (356/2013) Subject: Tropical Storm “PODUL”

At 04.00 a.m. on 15 November, the tropical depression in the lower South China Sea which upgrade to tropical storm and lay centered about 300 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam or at latitude 12.0 degree north and longitude 110.0 degree east with maximum sustained winds about 65 km/hr. The storm was moving west at speed 20 km/hr.

It is forecast to move across southern Vietnam in the morning today and downgrade with move pass Cambodia and cover the East, the Gulf and the upper South of Thailand during 16-17 November. More rain and isolated heavy rain are expected in the lower Northeast, the East, the Central and the upper South, the areas include Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. The stronger wind wave 2-3 meters high is likely in the upper Gulf of Thailand. Small ships keep ashore during the period.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Friday to 6.00 a.m. Saturday.
Northern Thailand Morning cool with light fog. Widely scattered thundershowers with gust in some place mostly in Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit and Phetchabun. Minimum temperature 20-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 10-14 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Morning cool in the upper part and slight drop in temperature. Isolated thundershowers mostly in the lower part. Minimum temperature 20-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 11-15 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Morning light fog. Widely scattered thundershowers and gust in some place mostly in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Suphanburi and Ratchaburi. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius. Cool on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 19-23 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cloudy and scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain mainly in Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 24-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius. Cool on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 19-23 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cloudy with scattered thundershowers mostly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-33 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand West Coast Cloudy with widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Phang-nga, Phuket and Satun. Minimum temperature 23-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 30-33 degree Celsius. Easterly 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 26-27 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2013-11-15

weather forecasts of all Thai province: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Rihanna releases snapshot of new 'demented' Phuket music video
Claire Connell

PHUKET: -- The reason behind popstar Rihanna’s fleeting trip to Phuket in September has been uncovered – she was on the island to film a “demented” music video for her newest single ‘What Now’.

Full story/video: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681833-rihanna-releases-snapshot-of-new-demented-phuket-music-video/

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Thai PM asks for restraint after Preah Vihear temple judgement
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 15 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called on the Thai people to be extra cautious in criticising the World Court verdict on the Preah Vihear temple dispute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681835-thai-pm-asks-for-restraint-after-preah-vihear-temple-judgement/

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More village leaders attacked in Thai South
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 15 – Violence and attacks on community leaders in Thailand’s southern provinces has escalated since last month, the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) has reported.

Banpote Poonpian, ISOC spokesman, said victims of the attacks and assaults were mostly village and sub-district leaders who might be involved in political or personal conflicts.

The countrywide elections of community leaders could be one of the motives behind the violence, he said, adding that the government’s formation of district operation centres to strengthen self-defence among civilians could be another factor behind the attacks on the authorities.

Local political conflicts are usually linked to influential groups, making the southern problems more complicated, he said.

Col Banpote called on rural community leaders to strengthen their respective communities and work to eliminate inappropriate influential groups for peace and stability in Thailand’s South. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-15

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Civil obedience ends but anti-government protest more intense

BANGKOK: -- As anti-government protest leaders have announced an end to the 3-day civil disobedience today, but larger scale of protest will be on their agenda and more intense. They set today’s 6 p.m. as the time to make known the next step which protesters will be told at the Democracy Monument rally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681841-civil-obedience-ends-but-anti-government-protest-more-intense-thailand/