Thailand Live Saturday 16 Nov 2013

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Special Report:

Loy Krathong Festival held in seven major provinces this year

BANGKOK: -- Activities for this year’s Loy Krathong Festival will be held at seven major tourist destinations across Thailand, which include Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Tak, and Ayutthaya.

The Loy Krathong festival, which falls on November 17, is expected to be lively this year despite the ongoing political protests in the capital. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce 's Economic and Business Forecasting Center earlier predicted that public spending this year would top10 billion baht, with each person spending around 1,500 baht on average.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is taking the helm in hosting the festivities in major provinces this year. In Bangkok, a light and sound show, a concert, and fireworks will be held at Asiatique the Riverfront from November 15-17. All 28 public parks run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will also be opened for members of the public to go floating their krathong, but there will be no entertainment.

In other popular destinations such as Sukothai, Ayutthaya and Tak, revelers will float their krathong on main rivers, attend beauty pageants and visit markets in nearby areas. In Chiang Mai, since Loy Krathong coincides with the Lanna festival known as Yi Peng, the northern version of Loy Krathong will be held from November 10-18 at Tha Phae Gate and at Lanna Local Museum.

After the passing of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, the TAT had earlier agreed to suspend all activities related to the festival but later decided to organize the festival on a more subdued scale. Certain entertainment may be omitted as deemed appropriate. The suspension of the entire festival will damage the country’s tourism revenue, which is significantly boosted during the period.

Authorities are vowing to toughen safety measures during the Loy Krathong festival this Sunday by reducing accidents caused by fireworks, celebrations and public transport. The new measures include controlling the number of floating lanterns near airports, barring boats from running in the Saen Sap canal after 6pm on Sunday, and restricting the number of people on each pier to 40.

The festival is believed to date back to the Sukhothai period, about 700 years ago. Festival goers seek forgiveness from the water spirits for any wrongdoings against the nature. These days, revelers often float away their misfortune and negative thoughts along with their krathong.


-- NNT 2013-11-16

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UPDATE:

Call to evict 'corrupt regime'
The Nation



Suthep launches campaign for boycott and social sanction of "cronies and govt lackeys"

BANGKOK: -- PROTEST LEADER Suthep Thaugsuban last night called for social sanction and public boycott as part of a campaign to "get rid of the Thaksin regime from Thailand".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681926-suthep-vows-to-eradicate-thaksin-regime/page-2#entry7043824

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ANALYSIS
All eyes on court verdict on Wednesday
The Nation



Protests however noisy, have relied on the military or court rulings to end governments

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE mounting pressure against the government over the now-dormant bill on a blanket amnesty, political changes are unlikely to come from street protests alone. No matter how long they have dragged on, or how large they have got, such demonstrations in Thailand have never led to a change in government - at least not without intervention by an established institution such as the military.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682005-thai-analysis-all-eyes-on-court-verdict-on-wednesday/

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Foreign Ministry readies for talks with Cambodia on ruling
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE FOREIGN MINISTRY is fine-tuning its plans for negotiations with Cambodia over the World Court's judgement on Preah Vihear Temple, while tensions in the border village of Phum Srol have eased.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682006-thai-foreign-ministry-readies-for-talks-with-cambodia-on-preah-vihear-ruling/

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Villagers clash with police at forum
Pongphon Sarnsamak,
Thanitsara Chaowalitroj
The Nation


Hundreds of villagers in Kamphaeng Phet province attempt to pass a line of police to attend a public forum on the government

Flood scheme meeting marred by row over registration of people keen to attend

BANGKOK: -- A scuffle between police and villagers broke out in Kamphaeng Phet province yesterday, with two people held briefly for trying to attend a public forum on the government's Bt350-billion water-management scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682007-kamphaeng-phet-villagers-clash-with-police-at-forum/

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Thailand's coloured conflicts always have the same outline - feudalism
Galumplee Seemuang
Special to The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Talk to most foreigners about Thai politics and you'll quickly notice they understand little about the multicoloured conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682008-thailands-coloured-conflicts-always-have-the-same-outline-feudalism/

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EDITORIAL
Early election is no longer to Pheu Thai's advantage
The Nation

Amnesty uproar has given the ruling camp a dilemma over dissolving the House

BANGKOK: -- The Senate's rejection of the amnesty bill is anything but the end of the matter. It springs the much more complex question of what lies ahead for the ruling party - and Thai politics as a whole.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682009-editorial-early-election-is-no-longer-to-pheu-thais-advantage/

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Oscar-nominated 'The Rocket' opens 11th World Film Festival
The Nation

Kim Mordaunt, left

BANGKOK: -- Award-winning director Kim Mordaunt's Oscar-nominated "Bang Fai" ("The Rocket") was the first film to be showcased as the 11th World Film Festival of Bangkok was officially launched last night at SF CentralWorld.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682010-oscar-nominated-the-rocket-opens-11th-world-film-festival-of-bangkok/

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Schmidt sees merger of YouTube and Google TV
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun


Schmidt: Exec chairman, Google

Assures Internet users of personal data security if instructions are followed

BANGKOK: -- Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, responded to a wide range of questions from the Thai media during a recent visit to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682011-googles-eric-schmidt-sees-merger-of-youtube-and-google-tv/

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Central Bank offers advice on avoiding scams and skims
Zazithorn Ruengchinda


Preuttipong Srimachan - new rules have been introduced to eliminate 'nuisance' selling by bank staff.

PHUKET: -- Ultimately, says Surasak Suwanpong the Protection Specialist for the Financial Service Authority for the Bank Of Thailand, Southern Region, the best way to avoid electronic scammers ripping money out of your bank or credit card account is to have no cards at all.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682014-bank-of-thailand-offers-advice-on-avoiding-scams-and-skims/

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Threat to seize assets of sponsors of anti-govt rallies
The Nation



Laws against 'money laundering' may be brought to bear against business people backing protests

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT will enforce anti-money-laundering laws and seize the assets of capitalists who sponsor anti-government rallies, the prime minister's deputy secretary-general, Suporn Atthawong, warned yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682015-thai-govt-threatens-to-seize-assets-of-sponsors-of-anti-govt-rallies/

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Reds ready for court verdict
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of red-shirt supporters from Pathum Thani are due to hold a rally at Laksi Monument at Chaeng Wattana-Ram Intra intersection in Bangkok from Monday to Wednesday, in conjunction with another red-shirt gathering at Muang Thong Thani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682005-thai-analysis-all-eyes-on-court-verdict-on-wednesday/#entry7043895

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Agencies to launch HIV-testing programme 'at the workplace'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) programme, which aims to help cut HIV infections, was launched in Bangkok yesterday by the International Labour Organisation, UNAids and the Thailand Business Coalition on Aids.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682016-thai-agencies-to-launch-hiv-testing-programme-at-the-workplace/

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Phuket hotel maid dies in service lift accident
Phuket Gazette


Hotel maid Jaruwan Prasit, 21, leaned into the service lift when it accidentally activated. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A hotel maid died at a Phuket resort yesterday afternoon when her neck was broken by a service lift being activated while she was leaning inside, trying to retrieve a clothes iron.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682018-phuket-hotel-maid-dies-in-service-lift-accident/

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Patong hotel ordered to remove water-runoff pipe from beach
Phuket Gazette


The beach chair operators asked the hotel to rectify deluges of rainwater from flooding the beach during heavy downpours. Photo: Supplied

PHUKET: -- A leading Phuket resort has been ordered to remove a pipe that released runoff rainwater directly onto the sand at Patong Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682020-patong-hotel-ordered-to-remove-water-runoff-pipe-from-beach/

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Boat captain abandons novice divers in middle of the ocean in Thailand



MESA, Ariz. --- An East Valley couple vacationing to celebrate their first anniversary found themselves abandoned in the ocean, after a dive trip went wrong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682032-boat-captain-abandons-novice-divers-in-middle-of-the-ocean-in-thailand/

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Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Si Sa Ket reopens after 10 day closure; Thai-Cambodia border situation remains calm /MCOT

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Phuket ready to host Andaman Travel Trade 2013

PHUKET, 16 November 2013 (NNT) - Phuket province is planning to hold the 6th Andaman Travel Trade 2013 event during November 21-23 with an aim to promote tourism in 5 southern provinces on the Andaman coast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682048-phuket-ready-to-host-andaman-travel-trade-2013/

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Interview: Bangkok tourism adversely affected by street protests
English.news.cn
by Surasak Tumcharoen

BANGKOK, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok's tourism has begun to be adversely affected by prolonged street protests in the heart of the Thai capital, said a highly-placed government official on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682051-bangkok-tourism-adversely-affected-by-street-protests-interview/

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Democrat Party moves to remove PM Yingluck, two ministers
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 16 – The Democrat Party has petitioned the Senate, seeking to impeach Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and two Cabinet members for corruption and violations of the law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682053-democrat-party-moves-to-remove-pm-yingluck-two-ministers/

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Arrest warrant soon for Malaysian on ATM theft charge
By English News



SONGKHLA, Nov 16 – Police will issue warrant to arrest a Malaysian on charge of stealing data from ATM machines to withdraw people’s cash.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682054-hat-yai-arrest-warrant-soon-for-malaysian-on-atm-theft-charge/

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Thailand extends medical aid to the Philippines
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 16 – Thailand will dispatch 40 doctors to the Philippines and allocate Bt20 million worth of medicine for the disaster-ravaged country.

Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong said the medicine will be delivered to the island nation on Monday while the doctors will be assigned from several hospitals in Bangkok and other provinces.

Wachira Pengjuntr, deputy permanent secretary for public health, said restoration work in the Philippines should take at least three months.

He said either the air force or navy will transport the Thai medical team to the country, tentatively scheduled for next week. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-16

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Narathiwat security force cordon off, search site in Ra-ngae, clash with suspected insurgents; 1 millitant involved in police bomb attack killed /MCOT

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China to ease one-child policy
By English News

BEIJING, Nov 16 (Xinhua) -- China will loosen its decades-long one-child population policy, allowing couples to have two children if one of them is an only child, according to a key decision issued on Friday by the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682072-china-to-ease-one-child-policy/

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Stall Owner Busted For Selling 'Amphetamine Noodles'
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- A noodle vendor in Sattahip district of Chonburi province has been arrested for selling amphetamines inside her takeaway food package.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682075-sattahip-stall-owner-busted-for-selling-amphetamine-noodles/

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Weather Advisory No. 14 (361/2013) Subject: Tropical Storm “PODUL”

At 10.00 a.m. on 16 November, the active low covers Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon. Rain remains in the East, the Central and the South, as well as isolated heavy rain in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Surat Thani. The strong wind wave is expected 2-3 meters high in the Gulf of Thailand. Small ships keep ashore during 16-17 November. People should follow closely the weather forecast.

The high pressure from China over the North and the Northeast makes cool and cold weather stay in the area.
The advisory will be effect on 16 November 2013 at 11.00 a.m.


-- NNT 2013-11-16

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

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Govt’s revenue in first month of 2014 fiscal year higher than expected

BANGKOK, 16 November 2013 (NNT) – Revenues collected in the first month of the 2014 fiscal year is higher than expected, thanks to the valued-added and excise tax increases on alcohol.

Government revenues from tax collection in October, according to Fiscal Policy Office Director General Somchai Sajjapongse, totaled 178 billion baht; 11.2 billion or 6.7 percent higher than previously expected. The figure also represents a 21.4 percent increase compared to that of the same period last year.

He went on to say that the revenue collected by Customs, Revenue, and Excise Departments was 5.8 billion baht higher than the projected target, thanks to the increase in prices of alcoholic beverages.This reflected the stability of the Thai economy and the expansion in domestic consumption, he added.

Despite signs of economic slowdown, the director was confident that the government would be able to collect 2.2 trillion baht by the end of 2014 fiscal year as targeted.


-- NNT 2013-11-16

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Thailand unemployment rate in October is 0.6 per cent
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 16 - Thailand's unemployment rate in October was at 0.6 per cent of the total workforce or about 230,000 persons.

Viboondhat Sudhantanakit, director-general of the National Statistical Office, said that the work force in the labour market in October stood at 38.39 million persons, of whom 38 million are employed, 237,000 persons unemployed, and 13,000 persons waiting for the next employment season.

Most of the employment was in non-agricultural sectors with 25 million persons while those employed in agriculture sector were 12.8 million persons.

As of October, the unemployment rate is 0.6 per cent of total workforce, or 230,000 persons, an increase of 14,000 persons when compared with the same period last year.

Mr Viboondhat said among the unemployed, 90,000 persons were new graduates or have never entered the workforce, while most of the unemployed were university graduates--some 83,000 persons.

Thailand's southern region, meanwhile, has the highest rate of unemployment at 0.8 per cent . (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-16

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Taxi man ‘Brother Pom’ plays down DSI allegations of queue jumping
Phuket Gazette -

Pom Sukkasem tells DSI Lt Col Somboon not to worry. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Pom Sukkasem, the leader of Phuket's Central Festival taxi group accused by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of queue hoping, told the officers not to worry about how he runs the shopping mall’s taxi network.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682086-taxi-man-brother-pom-plays-down-dsi-allegations-of-queue-jumping/

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Pheu Thai deputy spokesman rules out House dissolution

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ad Saturday ruled out the possibility of House dissolution or Cabinet reshuffle, saying the Pheu Thai-led government will continue to administrate the country.

"Both solutions are not our options now. And it has nothing to do with the ongoing anti-government rally at Rajdamnoen," he said.

Anusorn said the government would dissolve the House only when there is a serious conflict between the executive and legislative branch but so far such problem has not happened. He added that although all Democrat MPs resign, the House of Representatives can go on performing its duty.

-- The Nation 2013-11-16