Thailand Live Monday 10 Feb 2014

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TAT introduces praying and meditation tour to commemorate Makha Bucha Day

BANGKOK, 10 February 2014 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives (BIA), is organizing a religious tour for Buddhists to celebrate the Makha Bucha Day, which falls on February 14 this year.

“Praying and Meditation tour on Makha Bucha in Buriram, Surin, and Si Sa Ket” is a 4-day tour which will start on February 13 and take interested devout Buddhists to 3 lower northeastern provinces to visit various tourist attractions. The trip will end in Si Sa Ket where the participants will pray and take meditation sessions at Pa Noan Kudlom Monastery in Si Sa Ket province on the Makha Bucha Day.

The trip starts from Bangkok on Feb 13, and will then move to Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and back to Bangkok on February 16. The TAT and the BIA hope to promote the importance of the Buddhist holiday of Makha Bucha where 4 important events took place back in the days of Lord Buddha.

According to the Buddhist scriptures, 1,250 monks gathered to pay respect to Lord Buddha, each on his own initiative and without notice, on the full-moon day of the third lunar month. All of them were individually ordained by Lord Buddha himself, and attained enlightenment to become Arahantas. On the day, Lord Buddha preached them on the principles of Buddhism.

Those who are interested in the trip may register in person at the third floor of Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives located in Wachira Benchathat Park, Bangkok.


-- NNT 2014-02-10

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Thailand in need of a strong civics education programme, says educator
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation


Murray Print, right

'Lessons in civics needed to help democracy work'

BANGKOK: -- Murray Print PhD is an adviser to Thai Civic Education. Back in Australia, he is a professor and chair of the Faculty of Education & Social Work at the highly ranked University of Sydney, with rock-solid experience in developing the Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum (CCC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703325-thailand-in-need-of-a-strong-civics-education-programme-says-educator/

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SPECIAL REPORT
EC hits on new poll strategy but treads carefully
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) seems to have seen the light at the end of the tunnel in attempting to resolve the country's political standoff which, if prolonged much longer, could send the country reeling under civil strife, economic meltdown and political and social disintegration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703326-ec-hits-on-new-poll-strategy-but-treads-carefully-thai-report/

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Police seek help identifying gunman involved in shooting at Lak Si
Seksanti Kanlayanawisut
The Nation


This is a photo a man suspected of concealing a gun in a plastic popcorn bag during a skirmish between anti-government protesters and pro-election supporters at the Lak Si intersection on February 1, the evening before the election.

BANGKOK: -- Three photos have been uploaded to the National Police spokesman's Facebook page showing the face of a man suspected of using a war weapon concealed by a plastic popcorn bag during the bloody clash involving anti-government protesters at the Lak Si intersection on February 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703327-thai-police-seek-help-identifying-gunman-involved-in-shooting-at-lak-si/

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Alert over rice rally
The Nation


Farmers continue their days-long protest at the Commerce Ministry to demand payment from the government
NSC fears violence as more farmers team up with PDRC protesters

BANGKOK: -- The National Security Council (NSC) yesterday warned of a possible escalation in violence as rice farmers link up with anti-government protesters to mount pressure on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her crew to step down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703328-alert-over-rice-rally-in-bangkok/

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PART 1
Suggestions for reform from Thais living overseas
Special to The Nation


Anti-government protesters march and cheer on Silom Road in Bangkok on Friday. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators marched through the capital

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703329-suggestions-for-reform-from-thais-living-overseas/

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EDITORIAL
Accumulating legal cases compound political impasse
The Nation

Thailand needs the warring sides to come together but every legal case deepens the rift

BANGKOK: -- Everyone knows that Thailand is politically cursed. Just how badly may be unfathomable, though. When personal conflicts create a major impasse, or when personality clashes destroy key foundations, it's extremely hard to move forward. The country's poor political climate has been compounded by legal cases which are accumulating left, right and centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703330-thai-editorial-accumulating-legal-cases-compound-political-impasse/

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Biomass plant in Roi Et creating 'clean power'
Jutarat Tipnampa
The Nation


The Salakphet factory uses agricultural biomass to produce power.

BANGKOK: -- Operators of a biomass plant in Roi Et that generates electricity have eased local villagers' initial concerns by producing hazard-free emissions after its launch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703331-biomass-plant-in-roi-et-creating-clean-power/

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Business people seek Indian Embassy help
The Nation


Satish Sehgal

Want aid to stop deportation of Sehgal, who has lived here 50 years

BANGKOK: -- The Silom business community has urged the Indian Embassy to intervene to stop a prominent Indian businessman who has lived in Thailand for half a century from being deported over his role in anti-government protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703332-business-people-seek-indian-embassy-help-satish-sehgal/

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SHUTDOWN
Blockades of govt offices disrupt business licensing
The Nation

Upcountry passport offices busy as city besieged

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)'s Bangkok shutdown campaign to seize several government offices, including the Industry Ministry, has left many business owners unable to obtain licences to run their operations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703334-blockades-of-thai-govt-offices-disrupt-business-licensing/

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EC seeks talks with PM on new voting
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission plans by tomorrow at the latest to send its letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra inviting her to discuss a new date for voting in the 28 southern constituencies that had no candidates in the February 2 election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703335-ec-seeks-talks-with-pm-yingluck-on-new-voting/

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Two Students arrested following British Necklace snatch in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Two local students aged 15 and 16 were arrested on Saturday Afternoon following a necklace snatch from a British Man on the Sukhumvit Road where it intersects with the South Pattaya Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703336-two-students-arrested-following-british-necklace-snatch-in-south-pattaya/

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3 arrested in East Pattaya Cambodian Construction Worker Murder case

PATTAYA: -- On Saturday the body of a Cambodian Construction Worker was found in the Pong area close to the Maprachan Reservoir in East Pattaya, and less than 24 hours later three suspects were in custody, accused of his murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703350-3-arrested-in-east-pattaya-cambodian-construction-worker-murder-case/

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Karaoke Bar Worker caught with gun at South Pattaya Police Checkpoint

PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday a 19 year old Karaoke Bar Worker was caught with a loaded gun at a South Pattaya Police Checkpoint. In addition, 3 men and 3 women were stopped and tested positive for illegal drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703349-karaoke-bar-worker-caught-with-gun-at-south-pattaya-police-checkpoint/

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Protest leader Suthep marches again today seeking financial aid for farmers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 10 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban will march along Sukhumvit Road, from Ekamai to Asoke, today to seek people’s financial contributions to farmers who are demonstrating in Bangkok to press for overdue payments for their rice from the state's rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703358-protest-leader-suthep-marches-again-today-seeking-financial-aid-for-farmers/

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Five new industrial estates underway for Thailand
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 10 – The state-owned Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) will join hands with the private sector to set up five new industrial estates in the eastern provinces to cope with the country’s industrial expansion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703359-five-new-industrial-estates-underway-for-thailand/

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http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703328-alert-over-rice-rally-in-bangkok/page-2#entry7417645Farmers marching to Justice Ministry, Defence HQ to demand rice payments today
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 10 – Farmers from several provinces who have rallied at the Commerce Ministry over the weekend will petition the Justice Ministry today to charge the government with cheating by failing to pay them for the rice they sold under the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703328-alert-over-rice-rally-in-bangkok/page-2#entry7417645

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,302.29, gains 5.80 points /MCOT

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Southern militants shoot and burn woman alive



PATTANI: -- A 28-year-old wife of a police officer in Yaring district of Pattani province was shot and burned alive by southern militants while she was shopping at a village fresh market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703362-southern-militants-shoot-and-burn-woman-alive-thailand/

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Labour Dept Begins Work on Processing Huge Backlog of Foreigner Work Permits

Work permits are no longer being processed at a Bangkok hotel as Labour

Department regains control of its Din Daeng offices.

BANGKOK:-- Thailand’s Labour Department, which had spent the last two weeks operating from the Princeton Hotel, returns to its offices in Din Daeng with a limited workforce to begin tackling a huge backlog of work permit applications.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703363-labour-dept-begins-work-on-processing-huge-backlog-of-foreigner-work-permits/

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UPDATE:

Court issues arrest warrants for six suspects in Kwanchai murder attempt



BANGKOK: -- The Udonthani provincial court has issued warrants for the arrest of six civilians and army personnel who the police said are responsible for the shooting of hardcore red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana on January 22.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703125-arrest-in-kwanchai-shooting/page-4?p=7417860#entry7417860

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Drugs, phones airdropped by 'drone' into prison
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's drug smugglers, the same inventive people behind amphetamine-filled catfood, meatballs, shoes and tampons have seized on the latest fad for innovation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703369-drugs-phones-airdropped-by-drone-into-thai-prison/

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 10 February 2014

General Situation
The moderate high pressure from China cover Vietnam and Laos, it will extend to the upper country and the South China Sea on 10 February. Isolated rain will be likely with 1-3 degree Celsius drops during 10-13 February.

The southeasterly wind brings the humidity from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to the East and the South is stronger leading to more rain. Cool to cold weather is likely with fog in the morning and isolated thick patches in the North and the upper Northeast. All transports should take caution in areas of fog.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Monday to 6.00 a.m. Tuesday
Northern Thailand Fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. Upper part: Cold, minimum temperature 12-15 degree Celsius. Lower part: Cool, minimum temperature 16-20 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 4-9 degree Celsius. Westerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 18-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 9-14 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Central Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-36 degree Celsius. Cool on mountainous areas. Minimum temperature 16-21 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Partly cloudy with fog in the morning. Isolated light rain mostly on the coastal areas. Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Cool on mountainous areas. Minimum temperature 16-21 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning and isolated light rain. Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-35 degree Celsius. Northwesterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Partly cloudy with isolated light rain. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-10

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

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Russian diver dies of heart failure in Phuket
Alasdair Forbes


Russian expat Vladimir Karmazin died on Feb 6.

PHUKET: -- Well known Russian expat Vladimir Karmazin, principal of the Aqua Center dive company in Rawai, died on Thursday (February 6) of acute heart failure. He was 57.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703375-russian-diver-dies-of-heart-failure-in-phuket/

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Russian tourist, 42, drops dead while chatting with friends
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police have yet to determine why a Russian tourist died suddenly in a Phuket hotel room early yesterday morning.

Full story: RT @tukky_nt: 11am: Explosion sound heard near Phan Fa intersection; six BMA raod sweepers were slightly injured in the incident #NNA

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RT @tukky_nt: 11am: Explosion sound heard near Phan Fa intersection; six BMA raod sweepers were slightly injured in the incident #NNA

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BMTA faces losses as commuters switch to MRT and BTS amid Bangkok protests

BANGKOK, 10 Feb 2014 (NNT) - The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) stated it faces a 2.7 million baht loss daily as commuters have switched to MRT and BTS amid Bangkok protests.

BMTA Deputy Managing Director Naret Boonpiem made the revelation, explaining that since the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) initiated its mass gathering on January 13th, the majority of its passengers have switched to using the MRT subway or BTS sky train as their preferred modes of transportation, in order to avoid traffic congestion caused by the demonstrations.

He said that the move has inevitably damaged the BMTA’s revenue, putting a dent of approximately 2.7 million baht of income a day.

Mr. Naret said that currently there are 2,520 buses running only 22,000 trips daily. He expressed his concerns that the number would further decline should the political gatherings persist and would cause long term damages to its income.

Meanwhile, he said that the company, in its bid to provide better services, has conducted another round of route adjustment, resulting in busses plying 49 roads to change its routes to avoid venturing into protest sites.


-- NNT 2014-02-10

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Phuket blood donation drive starts tomorrow
Anthika Muangrod



PHUKET: -- The Phuket Blood Centre, which recently admitted it had run out of all blood types, will launch a drive for donations tomorrow (February 11).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/703382-phuket-blood-donation-drive-starts-tomorrow/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Scene of explosion this morning at Phan Fah Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Klang (Pic @fm91trafficpro) http://t.co/gKcv7euR9B

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Suphanburi ready to open 32nd Special Games

SUPHANBURI 10 February 2014 (NNT) — Suphanburi is now prepared to host the 32nd “Sri Suphanburi Games” — a sports day for the disabled.

Suphanburi Deputy Governor has stated that the province has had the honor of hosting the 32nd national sports day for the disabled, Sri Suphanburi Games, from February 10 - 14.

The opening ceremony will be held at Suphanburi National Stadium on February 10th. The event, to be presided over by the Minister of Torism and Sports Somsak Pureesrisak,will be broadcast live by Radio Thailand.

Acording to the Deputy Governor, as this year’s event is running till Valentine’s day and Makha Bucha day--a Buddhist holida-- which fall on the same date, it will be grander and more exceptional than those held in the past.

Atheletes will contest in 17 different types of sport in the the five-day game.


-- NNT 2014-02-10