Thailand Live Thursday 27 Feb 2014

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Khon Kaen welcomes Fujian officials in advance of upcoming meetings

KHON KAEN, 27 February 2014 (NNT) – Khon Kaen officials prepare to welcome a delegation from Fujian province in China, who will travel to Thailand's Northeast for talks with officials from some northeastern provinces from 7-10 March.

At Khon Kaen City Hall, Mr. Vinai Sitthimonton, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen, attended a meeting with the heads of the concerned government agencies who will welcome Fujian officials coming to Khon Kaen. The aim of the meeting is to strengthen the relationship between the central northeastern provinces and Fujian province and enhance cooperation. This includes boosting trade and investment, solidifying business talks and holding annual trade fairs.

In terms of art, culture and tourism, tourism in Khon Kaen will be promoted. Education-wise, an agreement between Huaqiao University and Khon Kaen University will be signed, a curriculum for exchange students is being prepared and Chinese language will be taught to students for those interested. Also, an alternative university will be founded. The Fujian group will later visit Maha Sarakham and Kalasin.


-- NNT 2014-02-27

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University To Curb Onslaught Of Chinese Tourists

By Khaosod English


Photo from http://news.cm108.com/

BANGKOK: -- Chiang Mai University says it will impose "visiting fees" and other regulations to curb waves of sightseeing Chinese tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707271-chiang-mai-university-to-curb-onslaught-of-chinese-tourists/

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POLITICS

Danger of civil war: Prayuth

THE NATION

Surapong approaches UN chief to find solution to conflict; PM plays down rhetoric

BANGKOK: -- CARETAKER PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday dismissed red-shirts' rhetoric of a division of the country and asked them to exercise restraint, as Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha warned the country risked sliding into civil war due to the ongoing political rift.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707272-danger-of-civil-war-prayuth/

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POLITICS
Rally guards physically harassed me : Sunisa
THE NATION

Pheu Thai members to file complaint; two Navy Seals nabbed heading to protests

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY GOVERNMENT Spokesperson Sunisa Lertpakawat will today file a police complaint against People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) guards, alleging them of invasion of privacy in an incident on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707273-pdrc-rally-guards-physically-harassed-me-sunisa/

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POLITICS
Suthep sorry for verbal attacks on police
KHWANHATHAI MALAKAN
THE NATION

BANGKOK -- PROTESTERS yesterday mended fences with police and asked that they speedily and seriously investigate a series of recent attacks that led to the deaths of four children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707274-suthep-sorry-for-verbal-attacks-on-police/

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PRO-GOVERNMENT NETWORK
Reds besiege NACC HQ as PM gets hero's welcome in North
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- HUNDREDS OF redshirts surrounded the national anti-graft agency yesterday and camped out in a bid to prevent the agency from pursuing a corruption case against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707275-reds-besiege-nacc-hq-as-pm-yingluck-gets-heros-welcome-in-north/

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POLITICS
EC turns to Constitutional Court on electoral decree
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE ELECTION Commission will seek a new ruling from the Constitutional Court as to whether it is for the EC or the government to issue a new election decree.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707276-ec-turns-to-constitutional-court-on-electoral-decree/

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Promissory notes 'unlikely to raise targeted Bt20 bn for farmers'
SUPHANNEE POOTPISUT,
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE FINANCE MINISTRY expects that the auction of promissory notes to raise funds to pay farmers in the rice-pledging scheme might not meet the target of Bt20 billion, as the state agencies invited to join the bid might feel reluctant to take part, given opposition to the rice scheme within their organisations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707277-promissory-notes-unlikely-to-raise-targeted-bt20-bn-for-farmers/

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EDITORIAL
Silencing the warmongers
The Nation

The citizens of Thailand must stand as one and reject the power-hungry extremists and their thirst for civil war

BANGKOK: -- There is talk of possible civil war as a result of the ongoing stand-off between ruling politicians and the anti-government protesters. Some people believe it is imminent. The government's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order on Tuesday called for restraint on both sides, saying the use of violence would worsen the situation and could lead to war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707278-silencing-the-warmongers-thai-editorial/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
Is escalating violence against protesters a tactical move by govt?
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The caretaker government has been losing ground, not to mention legitimacy. With one miscalculated move after another, it has become failed government dragging Thailand into a failed-state condition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707279-is-escalating-violence-against-protesters-a-tactical-move-by-thai-govt/

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THAI TALK
Negotiations on the cards? Never let a good crisis go to waste
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Quiet diplomacy" is under way to try to reach a compromise to end the ongoing crisis. But real negotiations between the caretaker government and the protesting People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have yet to begin. Both sides claim they have the upper hand. In fact, neither side can hope to win the battle without a negotiated settlement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707280-negotiations-on-the-cards-never-let-a-good-crisis-go-to-waste-thai-talk/

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UPDATE:

Navy Officers 'Admit' Serving As PCAD Armed Guards
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Two arrested Royal Thai Navy officers have confessed to serving as security guards for anti-government protests, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707154-pcad-guard-arrested-identified-as-thai-navy-officer/page-5?p=7495687#entry7495687

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The tragedy grows, but does either side want resolution?
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE POLITICAL situation is worsening and there are no signs of improvement any time soon. Blatant, violent attacks are taking place frequently, with many casualties, and no culprits have been arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707281-the-tragedy-grows-but-does-either-side-want-resolution-thai-politics/

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Grenade aimed at Big C from parking lot across the road
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- It is believed that Sunday's deadly grenade, which killed two children, had been fired from a parking lot diagonally opposite Big C Ratchadamri.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707282-grenade-aimed-at-big-c-from-parking-lot-across-the-road-bangkok/

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Lampang, Phrae hit by heavy smog
Prateep Nantaparp
The Nation

HEAVY SMOG is threatening the health of people living in Lampang and Phrae.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707287-lampang-phrae-hit-by-heavy-smog/

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OFFICE OF THE EDUCATION COUNCIL
Sacked official threatens lawsuits
Supinda na mahachai
The Nation



Sasithara sacked for her role in overpriced purchase

BANGKOK: -- OFFICE OF THE Education Council (OEC) secretary general Sasithara Pichaichannarong yesterday threatened to file criminal and civil lawsuits against six senior officials who voted to have her employment terminated in relation to her role in the purchase of overpriced instruction material for eight vocational colleges. The 2011 purchase allegedly cost the state more than Bt31 million in losses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707285-sacked-oec-official-threatens-lawsuits/

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OUTSTANDING BOOK AWARDS 2014
Winners announced
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Outstanding Book Awards 2014 winners were announced yesterday, with Chamaiporn Saengkrajang's "Jap Ton Ma Chon Plai" honoured as the best novel and Rachasak Jirawat's "Kwam Song Jam Bang Yang Chang Lang Leun" as the best collection of short stories.

Tul Suwannakit’s "Chang Chang Chang" took the award for best book for children aged 3-5.

Award committee chairman Panom Pongpaiboon told a press conference at the National Library yesterday that none of the entries merited the top award in the categories of: documentary for children aged six-11; poetry for children aged 12-18; and general cartoon. There were 473 books submitted.

The winners would receive their awards from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at a ceremony |on March 28 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, as part of |the 42nd National Book Fair and |12th Bangkok International Book Fair 2014.


-- The Nation 2014-02-27

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Family claims body of child rally victim
The Nation



RAYONG: -- RELATIVES YESTERDAY collected from Rayong Hospital the body of Natchaya Rosungnern, who was pronounced dead on Tuesday from injuries inflicted when unknown attackers hurled grenades and fired shots at a rally site in Trat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707286-family-claims-body-of-child-rally-victim-trat/

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Four M79 grenades were fired at Thai Police Sports Club near Thai PBS TV station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd late Wed; no injuries /The Nation

Caretaker PM Yingluck to consult lawyers before deciding if she would acknowledge dereliction of duty charges pertaining to rice subsidy /The Nation

Russian ruble fell to record low against euro and 5-yr low against U$ amid fears of Ukrainian default as hryvnia currency collapsed /The Nation

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Yingluck to assign legal team to acknowledge charges at NACC Thursday

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will assign her legal team to acknowledge charges related to rice-pledging scheme from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) today.

The premier is still working in North.


-- The Nation 2014-02-27

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THAI POLITICAL CHAOS
UN chief ready to assist anyway possible : spokesman

BANGKOK: -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has again offered his help to end political conflicts and violence in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707312-un-chief-ready-to-assist-anyway-possible-thai-political-chaos/

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Phuket boatmen block access to famed beach
Anthika Muangrod

The boatmen and their barbed wire. The wire has since been removed but they continue to mount guard.

PHUKET: -- Long-tailed boat operators have blocked the path down to Freedom Beach, meaning visitors can no longer access the beach on foot, and instead are forced to take a longtail.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707316-phuket-boatmen-block-access-to-famed-beach/

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CMPO office comes under M 79 grenade attack



BANGKOK: -- The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) came under bomb attack Wednesday night when four M 79 grenades were fired into the centre but two missed and landed at the adjacent ThaiPBS television station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707318-bangkok-cmpo-office-comes-under-m-79-grenade-attack/

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CMPO to discuss plan to reopen shutdown offices Thursday



BANGKOK: -- The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) is preparing to invite permanent secretaries from every ministry to find measures to counter the possibility of respective offices being blockaded by protesters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707320-cmpo-to-discuss-plan-to-reopen-shutdown-offices/

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Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton seriously injured while filming US TV series in Thailand
By MARIA LEWIS

BANGKOK: -- Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton has been seriously injured in an accident in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707321-australian-actor-sullivan-stapleton-seriously-injured-while-filming-us-tv-series-in-thailand/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,306.71, gains 2.09 points /MCOT

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 27 February 2014

General Situation
The heat low pressure covers upper Thailand with rising in temperature. Hot with hazes during the day is likely over the country while morning cool remains in the North and the Northeast.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Thursday to 6.00 a.m. Friday
Northern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Hot with haze during the day. Minimum temperature 16-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-37 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with light fog in the morning. Hot and haze during the day. Minimum temperature 19-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-36 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning. Hot and haze during the day. Minimum temperature 23-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-37 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning. Hot during the day in the upper part. Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-36 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Partly cloudy and light fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 21-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Chumphon northward: Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter. Surat Thani southward: Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and light fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-36 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning. Hot during the day. Minimum temperature 24-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-27

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

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Thai PM summoned by anti-graft panel

BANGKOK, February 27, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's prime minister has been summoned to face an anti-corruption panel Thursday to hear negligence charges that could lead to her removal from office, following months of mass opposition protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707323-thai-pm-summoned-by-anti-graft-panel/

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Loss of 1.1 million tourists expected in 1st quarter



BANGKOK, 27 February 2014 (NNT) – The Tourism Council of Thailand deems that the increase in violence associated with political rallies has negatively affected the confidence of foreign tourists from Japan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707326-thailand-loss-of-11-million-foreign-tourists-expected-in-1st-quarter/

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UPDATE:

3 M79 grenades fired into Thai PBS and Police Sports Club compounds



BANGKOK, 27 February 2014 (NNT) – 3 grenades from an M79 launcher were fired into the compounds of the Royal Thai Police Sports Club and Thai PBS television station on Wednesday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707318-bangkok-cmpo-office-comes-under-m-79-grenade-attack/#entry7496718