Thailand Live Wednesday 19 Feb 2014

[webfact]

The first Princess Maha Chakri Award to be bestowed in 2015

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday evening (Feb 18) graced an international reception held in honor of the visiting permanent secretaries of education from 11 Southeast Asian countries, at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel in Bangkok.

The top education officials in the region are gathering in Bangkok for a meeting to lay down criteria for recipients of the Princess Maha Chakri Award to be granted to outstanding teachers in Southeast Asia with commendable achievements.

The Award has been named after Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to honor the Princess for her efforts to upgrade the education and quality of people, especially underprivileged ones. The award is aimed at honoring teachers who have devoted themselves to the development of education and human resources. It will also enhance good relationship among educational personnel in Southeast Asia.

The Princess Maha Chakri Award will be granted to outstanding teachers, one each from the 11 Southeast Asian countries, on an annual basis. The first Princess Maha Chakri Award will be presented in 2015 when Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn celebrates her 60th anniversary.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

[webfact]

Pheu Thai executives open accounts at GSB in show of support to BAAC lending

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – Pheu Thai Party leading figures visited Government Savings Bank (GSB) branches on Tuesday and opened accounts, in a gesture of support to the paying of farmers who were still waiting for their rice mortgage money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705399-pheu-thai-executives-open-accounts-at-gsb-in-show-of-support-to-baac-lending/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

NATIONAL ANTI-GRAFT AGENCY
Yingluck faces graft charges
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

NACC alleges dereliction of duty, negligence in rice scheme; move could lead premier's impeachment, prosecution

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday found grounds to press charges against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty over the controversial rice-pledging scheme, according to commission spokesman Vicha Mahakun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705305-thai-anti-graft-panel-says-it-will-charge-pm-yingluck/page-5?p=7457258#entry7457258

[webfact]

WEATHER
Rough winds hamper rescue efforts in Gulf of Thailand
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705400-rough-winds-hamper-rescue-efforts-in-gulf-of-thailand/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

PHAN FAH CLASH
Police in bloody clash with protesters; 4 dead
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four people including a policeman were killed yesterday in skirmishes between anti-government protesters and anti-riot police at the Phan Fah Lilat Bridge in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705278-thai-policeman-shot-dead-in-protest-clashes-in-bangkok/page-18?p=7457272#entry7457272

[webfact]

GOVERNMENT SAVINGS BANK
GSB president resigns after mass withdrawals
Suphannee Pootpisut
The Nation


Worawit Chailimpamontri

BANGKOK: -- The president of state-run Government Savings Bank (GSB) has tendered his resignation after facing pressure on his decision to lend Bt20 billion to the government's troubled rice-pledging scheme, which led to a rash of withdrawals by customers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705401-gsb-president-resigns-after-mass-withdrawals/

[webfact]

CRACKDOWN
Somkiat mysteriously rescued
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SOMKIAT PONGPAIBOON, a co-leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said a team of unidentified, highly-skilled men dressed in black rescued him yesterday from a police truck in which he was detained.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705402-phan-fah-crackdown-pdrc-leader-somkiat-mysteriously-rescued/

[webfact]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLY
PDRC keep communication low-tech for security
HATAIKARN TREESUWAN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) led by Suthep Thaugsuban has been able to keep its anti-government protests going for more than 100 days in part by preparing a careful communications strategy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705404-pdrc-keep-communication-low-tech-for-security/

[webfact]

NATION ANALYSIS
Rice-pledging scheme: a death trap for govt and farmers
Achara Deboonme
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Since the government of Yingluck Shinawatra took office, questions have been raised about its pricey rice-pledging policy, ranging from its sustainability to whether this government could fully execute the third year of the programme to satisfy millions of farmers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705405-rice-pledging-scheme-a-death-trap-for-govt-and-farmers/

[webfact]

INVESTMENT
Central Group shrugs off political woes, boosts investment budget to Bt44 billion
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Central Group this year will go ahead with an investment plan both internationally and domestically by increasing its annual budget to Bt44 billion - from Bt33 billion in 2013 - despite the ongoing political unrest still casting a cloud over the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705407-central-group-shrugs-off-political-woes-boosts-investment-budget-to-bt44-billion/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Keeping politicians away from the privatisation trough
The Nation

A priority for reforms is preventing political meddling in state enterprises

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705409-thai-editorial-keeping-politicians-away-from-the-privatisation-trough/

[webfact]

STOPPAGE TIME
The curse that keeps on cursing
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Seven and a half years is nothing in cosmic terms, a blink of God's eye, or so they say. Here on earth, millions of meaningful things can occur during such a period. This article, inspired by some frustrated football fans, is intended to highlight how protracted Thailand's political misery has become.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705410-thai-opinion-the-curse-that-keeps-on-cursing/

[webfact]

Revenge killings torpedo chances for peace in South
Don Pathan
Special to The Nation


Rescue team members work next to bodies of villagers shot dead by suspected militants in Pattani province on February 13. Five people, including a nine-year-old boy and a Buddhist monk, died in the attack.

Insurgents say pro-government death squads signal lack of unified position among Thai security agencies and policymakers

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705411-revenge-killings-torpedo-chances-for-peace-in-south/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
How to wean yourself off the drug of partisan politics
Pravit Rojanaphruk

Dear readers, are you suffering from any of the following symptoms?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705412-how-to-wean-yourself-off-the-drug-of-partisan-politics-thai-politics/

[webfact]

Border to stay open late on March 15 for Thai-Myanmar boxing event
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The border checkpoint at Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district will be kept open until after midnight on March 15 to accommodate people travelling to watch the Thai-Myanmar boxing tournament on that day.

The event, which will run from 3pm to midnight, will include six matches featuring famous Thai boxers, eight professional matches and five traditional boxing matches between Thai and Myanmar athletes, Mae Sai district chief Somchai Rungsakhon said at a press conference yesterday. The event will be held at the Yuwan Training Facility in Mae Sai Police Station.

Tickets are priced at Bt500 and some of the proceeds will be used to fund related agencies' activities, said Pakaimas Vierra, president of the Thai-Myanmar Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association.


-- The Nation 2014-02-19

[webfact]

Rice-scheme woes not major factor in suicides, agency says
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


A farmer carries a credit card while braving the hot sun to attend a rally in Bangkok on Monday to support the caretaker government and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in their quest to find funds to pay farmers in its rice-pledging

Mental Health Dept claims investigation shows farmers killed themselves for other reasons

BANGKOK: -- Debts stemming from participation in the government's rice-pledging scheme were not the major reason for the recent suicides of a number of farmers, according to the state mental-health agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705413-rice-scheme-woes-not-major-factor-in-suicides-thai-agency-says/

[webfact]

New e-auction for computer-tablet procurement to reopen tomorrow
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A fresh e-auction process for Zones 1 and 2 of the government's One Tablet Per Child project will tomorrow start to select new suppliers, replacing a Chinese firm that has ended its contract with Thai authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705415-new-e-auction-for-computer-tablet-procurement-to-reopen-tomorrow/

[webfact]

Three shot dead in gun attack in Pattani; reporters hurt in Narathiwat bomb blast
The Nation


Members of a bomb disposal squad detonate a bomb yesterday that was planted to ambush officials checking on a Monday-night blast in Narathiwat

BANGKOK: -- Three men were slain in a gun attack in Pattani's Yarang district just after midnight yesterday, while a bomb in Yi Ngor in Narathiwat injured four journalists, including two Nation reporters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705416-three-shot-dead-in-gun-attack-in-pattani;-reporters-hurt-in-narathiwat-bomb-blast/

[webfact]

Bt1.4-bn student loan fund in limbo
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It remains unclear whether the Cabinet, now in its caretaker status, will be able to approve an additional budget of Bt1.4 billion for the Student Loan Fund.

Caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang yesterday said without the approval, about 112,500 students would be affected.

He said relevant authorities would consult the Budget Bureau and the Secretariat of the Cabinet on the issue.

"If the caretaker Cabinet cannot approve the budget, we will be exploring measures to minimise impacts on students," he said.

-- The Nation 2014-02-19

[webfact]

Military could arrange ballots in areas marred by protests: Sodsri
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former Election Commission (EC) member Sodsri Satayathum has suggested that the military take over the EC's duty in managing the election in areas that were marred by protests and disruptions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705417-thai-military-could-arrange-ballots-in-areas-marred-by-protests-sodsri/

[webfact]

Pheu Thai core members get booed at GSB bank



BANGKOK: -- A group of core members of the ruling Pheu Thai party got booed at the Government Savings Bank inside Bangkok Tower branch after they went to deposit cash amounted to three million baht to shore up the bank’s shaken liquidity from bank rush.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705399-pheu-thai-executives-open-accounts-at-gsb-in-show-of-support-to-baac-lending/#entry7457428

[webfact]

All smiles for Vanessa Mae despite violinist finishing LAST on Olympic skiing debut
By MALCOLM FOLLEY


Brave: The musician has said the chance to participate in the Olympics was worth the risk of injury

SOCHI: -- She arrived at these Olympics as Vanessa Mae, a classical violinist invited to dine with Vladimir Putin at the gala dinner on the eve of these Games.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705419-all-smiles-for-vanessa-mae-despite-violinist-finishing-last-on-olympic-skiing-debut/

[webfact]

Clash casualties rise to five deaths, 70 injuries

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Emergency Medical Centre announced at 8 am Wednesday that five persons were killed and 70 others were injured in the clash between police and protesters on Tuesday.

The five dead were identified as Supoj Boonrung, 52, Pol Sen Sgt Maj Pianchai Parawat, Thanusak Tatanakot, Sattha Saedan and Jirapong Chuichai.


-- The Nation 2014-02-19

[webfact]

THAI launches Wi-Fi service on board

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – Thai Airways International (THAI) has begun providing Wi-Fi service for passengers on 13 of its Airbus carriers at a starting cost of 4.50 US dollars.

According to Mr Chokchai Panyayong, Senior Executive Vice President of the Commercial Department and Acting President of THAI, people traveling on THAI flights can now avail themselves of the new on-board Wi-Fi internet service, called THAI Sky Connect. The service is accessible after take-off and is disconnected before landing.

The service fee starts at 4.50 US dollars for smartphones and 14.50 dollars for tablets and laptops and is payable by credit or debit cards. As a special promotion, the airline is exempting the fee for all passengers in the business class for the first three months of service.

At present, the THAI Sky Connect service is available on seven planes of the A330-300 model and another six of the A380-800 model. The airline has set a target to expand the service to 20 more planes in its fleet within two years’ time.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

[webfact]

Farmer protesters use chains to lock Commerce Ministry gates, preventing civil servants from entering offices; announce no work today /MCOT

[webfact]

People continue to withdraw money from GSB branches

SURAT THANI, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – Customers continued to make withdrawals from the Government Savings Bank (GSB) on Tuesday, following Monday's 30 billion baht withdrawal.

In Surat Thani, the GSB branches in the province experienced an influx of customers who visited to either withdraw most of their savings or to close their savings accounts. GSB lotteries were also returned by some of the customers. GSB officials revealed that around 250 million baht had been withdrawn from GSB branches in Surat Thani on Monday and Tuesday.

The situation was similar in Nakhon Sawan and Yala provinces, where the local GSB branches ran out of cash. As a result, the bank employees had to pay the customers with cashier checks instead of cash.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

[webfact]

The Election Commission is unable to hold poll reruns on March 2 to complete the Feb 2 general election, EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen said Tuesday. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

SET: Massive money withdrawals and account closures at GSB bear no effects to shares of commercial banks

BANGKOK, 19 Feb 2014 (NNT) - Mr. Pakorn Pitathawatchai, Chief Marketing Officer of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has indicated that the recent phenomena of massive cash withdrawals and account closures at the Government Savings Bank (GSB) bear no effects to the shares of commercial banks.

Mr. Pakorn was referring to the GSB’s earlier decision to give inter-bank loan to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) which sparked unsuspected backlash from both GSB employees and customers. The move caused the latter to withdraw their money or simply close their accounts, showing their discontent with the bank’s decision. The GSB customers’ strong reaction ultimately led the bank to recall the loan and forced the bank’s president, Worawit Chailimpamontree, to resign.

Mr. Pakorn said that the group of bank’s share would not be affected by the phenomena, citing the group’s unshakable foundation and low Non-Performing Loans rate.

He also mentioned the SET’s future directions would be determined by the formation of a new government and the nation’s economic recovery rate. The Chief Marketing Officer clarifies that Thailand’s economy could expand 5-6% if the government’s budget disbursement could be undertaken efficiently while consumer confidence, private investment and the export sector recover.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

[webfact]

"Peace for Bangkok" mission claims five deaths, 70 injuries

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705466-peace-for-bangkok-mission-claims-five-deaths-70-injuries/?p=7458015

[webfact]

Police step up security at Office of Permanent Secretary for Defence after protesters announce intention rally there; caretaker PM has not arrived /MCOT