Thailand Live Tuesday 19 Nov 2013

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Foreign Banks Brand Rice Program As 'Risky'

By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Many foreign banks and other financial institutions have expressed their concern over the possible collapse of Thailand′s rice-pledging scheme, according to a senior economist at the Knowledge Institute of Thailand (KNIT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682634-foreign-banks-brand-thailands-rice-pledging-scheme-as-risky/

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POLITICS
Plodprasop run out of hearing
Sayan Choocham
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- HUNDREDS of local residents in Phichit yesterday blew whistles to expel Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi from a public hearing in a symbolic gesture opposing the government's mega water and flood schemes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682636-plodprasop-run-out-of-hearing/

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Health concerns boil over French passenger at Phuket airport
Phuket Gazette


Frenchman Michel Godfroy was removed from the international departure lounge after passengers noticed yellow pus seeping from the his neck. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A French tourist leaching yellow pus from the back of his neck prompted fears that he might infect other passengers at Phuket International Airport on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682560-health-concerns-boil-over-french-passenger-at-phuket-airport/

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POLITICS
Petitions lodged in bid to impeach government lawmakers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The embattled Yingluck Shinawatra government suffered another blow yesterday when an impeachment process was launched against its MPs and coalition lawmakers who jointly passed the final reading of the controversial amnesty bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682637-petitions-lodged-in-bid-to-impeach-thai-government-lawmakers/

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CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT
Interest in Dawei will continue
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation


The model of Dawei

Kingdom to maintain role despite reports of ITalian-Thai pulling out, source says

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will maintain its role in the development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone despite substantiated reports that Italian-Thai Development will pull out of the mega-project.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682638-interest-in-dawei-will-continue/

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Stressful week ahead for government, opposition
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH,
BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAWAN,
NIPHAWAN KAEWRAKMUK
THE NATION

But court ruling tomorrow unlike to have big impact on ruling coalition

BANGKOK: -- THAI POLITICS has entered a dangerous phase again, with both the Pheu Thai-led government and the opposition Democrat Party walking on a tightrope.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682639-stressful-week-ahead-for-thai-government-opposition/

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UPDATE:
Red shirts being mobilised for long rally
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PRO-GOVERNMENT red-shirt leaders are mobilising supporters for a prolonged protest in case the Constitutional Court hands down a ruling tomorrow that is very bad for the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682481-30000-red-shirts-coming-to-bangkok/page-7?p=7054210#entry7054210

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EDITORIAL
Angry 'patriots' should study temple ruling more carefully
The Nation

The international court has opened the way for a peaceful end to the Preah Vihear dispute

BANGKOK: -- It makes no sense for Thais to scream and shout about territory lost at the Preah Vihear Temple. Last week's International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgement merely confirmed its ruling of half a century earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682641-angry-patriots-should-study-preah-vihear-temple-ruling-more-carefully/

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Abhisit says Tarit framed him, Suthep over 2010 riots
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation director-general Tarit Pengdith skewed the facts in order to frame suspects who are the subject of criminal indictments relating to the 2010 riots, the Democrat Party leader told a court Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682642-abhisit-says-tarit-framed-him-suthep-over-2010-riots/

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THAI-KHMER RELATIONS
Call to make Preah Vihear an Asean heritage site
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ACADEMICS yesterday proposed that the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear be an Asean Eco-Cultural heritage site, in order to reconcile with Cambodia after the prolonged conflict over the temple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682644-call-to-make-preah-vihear-an-asean-heritage-site/

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City police want bus lanes
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan traffic police want to enforce use of bus lanes, so that city buses and public transport vehicles get priority on Bangkok streets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682645-bangkok-police-want-bus-lanes/

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BURNING ISSUE
Would a Bt500 emergency-coverage fee scare off tourists?
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government's attempt to launch a new regulation to collect an entry fee from foreign tourists to cover their emergency medical services could prompt tourists to choose destinations in other countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682646-would-a-500-baht-emergency-coverage-fee-scare-off-foreign-tourists/

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Less krathongs this year, but fires started by lanterns
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- More than 800,000 krathongs were floated in Bangkok during the Loy Krathong festival on Sunday night, according to an official from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration who said BMA staff collected the krathongs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682647-less-krathongs-this-year-but-fires-started-by-lanterns/

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UPDATE:
Cop, Russians held in ATM scam
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A THAI POLICEMAN and two Russians have been arrested for their alleged role in a big ATM-skimming gang, said to have obtained over Bt1 billion over the past year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682466-two-russian-atm-skimming-suspects-arrested-in-thailand/page-2?p=7054290#entry7054290

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Oman Tourist caught with fake Dollar Bill at South Pattaya Bank



PATTAYA: -- A 39 year old tourist from the Sultanate of Oman was lucky to avoid prosecution on Monday Night after he presented a fake 100 US Dollar Bill at a South Pattaya Bank which he attempted to exchange for Thai Baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682648-oman-tourist-caught-with-fake-dollar-bill-at-south-pattaya-bank/

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Grieving wife of foreigner 'drowns' off Pattaya Beach



PATTAYA: -- A 44 year old Thai Woman who had gone on a drinking binge since the death of a her foreign husband last week, drowned on Monday Morning off Pattaya Beach opposite Soi 12.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682649-grieving-wife-of-foreigner-drowns-off-pattaya-beach/

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Two racers die after high speed crash in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Two men aged 20 and 23 were killed after they came off their bikes during a road race which ended in tragedy in the early hours of Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682579-two-killed-in-pattaya-highway-motorbike-race/

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Ghostly Encounter at East Pattaya Restaurant for Pattaya Civil Defense Volunteer



PATTAYA: -- The Deputy Chairman of the Banglamung District Civil Defense Volunteer Unit claims to have captured a ghost on his mobile phone and the pictures he took have now gone viral on Facebook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682652-ghostly-encounter-at-east-pattaya-restaurant/

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Two trillion baht infrastructure programme to spur Thai economy next year
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 19 – The Thai government’s two trillion baht infrastructure development programme will help contribute to GDP growth next year, Minister of Finance Kittiratt Na-Ranong said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682654-two-trillion-baht-infrastructure-programme-to-spur-thai-economy-next-year/

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Crown Prince donates 10 million baht worth of relief packages to typhoon victims in the Philippines

BANGKOK, 19 November 2013 (NNT) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and the royal consort, Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasmi have graciously ordered the delivery of 7,000 packages of consumer goods and other necessities worth over 10 million baht to the Philippines to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The royal couple on Monday (Nov 18) assigned Air Vice Marshal Sorachai Chivaklinsak, director of the Main Engine International Fan Unit Master House, to present the relief packages to the Philippine Ambassador to Thailand at a ceremony held at the Royal Thai Air Force 6th Wing in Don Muang area.

The Royal Thai Air Force has already prepared a C-130 transport plane to deliver 1,000 sets of the royal packages to the Philippines today (Nov 19). The rest of the donated items will be transported to the Philippines by ship to be arranged by the Royal Thai Navy.


-- NNT 2013-11-19

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,421.74, falls 2.22 points /MCOT

NBTC to implement regulation for digital TV bidders to reinforce auction transparency, fairness for entire bidding process /The Nation

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Transport Min puts the brakes on commuter boat fares hike

BANGKOK, 19 Nov 2013, (NNT) - The Transport Ministry has refused a petition for a boat fare hike by the Chao Phraya Express Boat Company Limited.

Earlier the company sent the request to Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, asking for a permission to increase the fare by 2 baht per trip. The company claimed that the fare was last adjusted in 2008, and the company’s situation became worse following the Government's minimum wage increase policy which has been in effects since last year.

The company however offers an alternative solution should the ministry decides to freeze the fares, saying that it can charge commuters 10 baht flat rate for an entire trip but the Government must compensate for any loss the company has to suffer.

Minister Chadchart replied that the ministry would not approve the fare hike at this time, as more than 30,000 commuters would be affected from the hike daily. He added however that the ministry would find a better solution for the company, like introducing incentive measures to attract more passengers.


-- NNT 2013-11-19

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UPDATE:
Red Shirts holding mass rally today
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 19 -- The leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) have called a mass rally at at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok today and tomorrow to show the force of the people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682481-30000-red-shirts-coming-to-bangkok/page-8?p=7054987#entry7054987

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Former Army Ranger killed, two villagers wounded in gun assault at Pattani's Ban Tanyong Limo /MCOT

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UPDATE:
Furious DSI chief warns whistle blowers
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 19 – The top Department of Special Investigation (DSI) official has threatened to take legal action against people blowing whistles to protest or chasing senior government officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682559-whistle-blowers-warned-by-dsi/page-3?p=7055105#entry7055105

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UPDATE:

Transport Ministry: 2 trillion baht mega project to go ahead

Bangkok, 19 November 2013 (NNT) – Despite the opposition party’s petition against the loan bill, the Transport Ministry has affirmed that the 2 trillion baht infrastructure mega project will proceed as planned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682654-two-trillion-baht-infrastructure-programme-to-spur-thai-economy-next-year/page-2#entry7055197

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Red-shirt supporters arriving at stadium



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt supporters of the government began to arrive at the Rajmangala stadium at Hua Mark this morning in preparation for tomorrow’s meeting of the Constitutional Court to deliver a verdict on the constituency of the amendment of the Constitution regarding the composition of the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682481-30000-red-shirts-coming-to-bangkok/page-8?p=7055225#entry7055225

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Six arrested for stealing precious Phuket wood
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan


One of the arrested men holds up a piece of agarwood. The black streaks are the sweet-smelling fungus in the heartwood.

PHUKET: Six men were arrested yesterday (November 18) on a charge of illegal possession of precious agarwood without any permit. One of them was also charged with unlicensed possession of a handgun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682680-six-arrested-for-stealing-precious-phuket-wood/

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Sweden's ice hotel to install fire alarms



STOCKHOLM: -- A famous hotel rebuilt every winter in northern Sweden using only ice said Thursday it would install fire alarms this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682685-swedens-ice-hotel-to-install-fire-alarms/

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BMA sets strict rules for street food carts in 2 areas
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Ever try walking north past Central World from Ratchaprasong intersection? During the evening rush? No, of course you would never even attempt such a silly thing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682691-bangkok-administration-sets-strict-rules-for-street-food-carts-in-2-areas/