Thailand Live Friday 28 Feb 2014

[webfact]

Agriculture bank approves aid fund for farmers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 28 – The Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will set up an assistance fund to generate financial contributions for farmers, according to caretaker Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lek-uthai.

He said BAAC regulations did not prohibit such a fund which will accept financial assistance for farmers who have been waiting for payment from the rice pledging scheme.

He said people could donate or lend to the fund so that the BAAC could spend the money for overdue payments to farmers.

Farmers who joined the state’s rice subsidies have been awaiting payment for their rice since September.

Mr Tanusak said several state enterprises were keen on yesterday’s bidding for the Finance Ministry’s promissory notes at a total of Bt20 billion at eight-month maturity.

The Finance Ministry planned to spend money from the promissory notes to pay farmers.

An informed source said receipts were issued to farmers for 10.97 million tonnes of rice from the 2013/2014 crop, totaling Bt181 billion, as of Feb 16.

The BAAC has already paid Bt69 billion to farmers while the Commerce Ministry has tendered rice through the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand.

The Commerce Ministry paid Bt10 billion and Bt8 billion to the BAAC in January and February respectively. (MCOT onllne news)


-- TNA 2014-02-28

[webfact]

Police keep strict watch at CMPO

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 (NNT) — The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) is under tight security with vigilant officials checking those who enter the premises.

No reports have indicated anything out of the ordinary at the CMPO this morning. Police are keeping a close watch on those who enter and leave the premises. All cars and people visiting the CMPO are being strictly checked for any suspected behaviors.

At the Royal Thai Police Sports Club, the main entrance can only be used at some occasions depending on evaluation of the situation. Those who wish to enter must use the back door in order to ensure strict security.

In regard to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, which is being used as the CMPO’s headquarters, all people entering and leaving the establishment are strictly required to be checked and searched, as well as exchanging ID cards for entry.

Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung will be chairing the CMPO meeting at 11 am today.


-- NNT 2014-02-28

[webfact]

Red shirt leader rules out separating Thailand
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 28 – A pro-government red shirt leader has rejected the formation of an armed force, nor an idea of separating Thailand to resolve the political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707576-red-shirt-leader-thida-rules-out-separating-thailand/

[webfact]

28 people remain hospitalized from political violence; 20 killed so far

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 (NNT) – 28 people remain hospitalized due to violent incidents occurring at political demonstrations and 20 people have so far lost their lives since violence began in late November, according to Bangkok City Hall's emergency medical service center.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Center revealed on Thursday that the number of injured people who remained at hospital dropped from 32 to 28. Since the violence at Ramkhamhaeng University on 30 November, there had been 722 injuries and 20 fatalities arising from violence at political rally sites.

According to figures posted by the center, nobody was injured from the M79 grenade attacks on the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order and the Thai PBS television station on Vipihawadi-Rangsit Road on Wednesday.


-- NNT 2014-02-28

[webfact]

Trat Provincial Livestock Office initiates program for healthy livestock

TRAT 28 February 2014 (NNT) — The Trat Provincial Livestock Office has giving the green light to moves towards the better production of livestock in the region in order to benefit local farmers who raise animals as a business.

A workshop on developing livestock in the province has been established in order to provide farmers with the know-how to produce livestock that is guaranteed safe for consumption. A total of 100 farmers attended the initial workshop at the Trat Provincial Livestock Office.

The office added that it acknowledges the necessity of ensuring safety of meat for consumption from all the region’s livestock, and it therefore initiated the training program for local farmers to learn how to maintain quality in their animals.

The program is intended to benefit a variety of business owners and farmers, and ranges from the basic raising of animals, to feed production, and on to the slaughterhouses and the production of meat — all of which is intended to ensure safety and prevent any unwanted chemical residue or disease contamination in the products.

By ensuring the quality and safety of livestock within the province, the Trat Provincial Livestock Office hopes to lessen the restrictions that have been placed on Thai livestock and make the country's output in this field internationally acceptable.


-- NNT 2014-02-28

[webfact]

CMPO denies having used up 10 billion baht of budget in 33 days

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 (NNT) – The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) has refuted allegations that it used as much as 10 billion baht in budget over the 33 days since the agency's establishment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707577-cmpo-denies-having-used-up-10-billion-baht-of-budget-in-33-days/

[webfact]

Bomb Found Near Nonthaburi Redshirts Rally
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A homemade explosive device has been planted by unknown individuals near a Redshirts rally site in Nonthaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707587-bomb-found-near-redshirt-rally-site-in-nothaburi/

[webfact]

Anti “secession” banner emerges in Phitsanulok



PHITSANULOK: -- A large banner opposing the secession of the northern and northeast regions was placed at a pedestrian overpass in Phitsanulok province this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707589-anti-secession-banner-emerges-in-phitsanulok/

[webfact]

Cambodia banned shisha and e-cigarette smoking which is popular among youths as they contain high nicotine level, is more harmful than cigarettes /The Nation

[webfact]

Army chief supports talks between caretaker PM, Suthep; denies military link to M79 attacks, no need for martial law /MCOT

[webfact]

EC confident smooth operation in make-up election in five provinces

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn Friday expressed confidence that the make-up elections in five provinces on Sunday would be held smoothly.

The EC is organising make-up elections in Phetchaburi, Rayong, Phetchabun, Samut Songkram, and Samut Sakhon on Sunday.

Somchai said the preparations for the elections had been done smoothly without any oppostion.

He said officials for manning polling stations have been recruited and there have been no problems about tools and places for holding the polls.

-- The Nation 2014-02-28

[webfact]

PM's lawyer confident of her innocence in rice graft charges



BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s lawyer has expressed confidence that the premier will be cleared of corruption charges relating to the government's rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707591-yinglucks-lawyer-confident-of-her-innocence-in-rice-graft-charges/

[webfact]

Army ranger wounded in gun ambush in Pattani; insurgent banners hung in many Southern province locations /MCOT

[webfact]

Buriram province tightens security along border to prevent cross-border smuggling

BURIRAM, 28 February 2014 (NNT) - Police have tightened security and setup check points along the Buriram border to prevent drug trafficking and smuggling of all types of contraband as well as rice from neighboring countries, which could be subrogated in the rice pledging scheme.

Checkpoints along the Lahan Sai road Buriram province – Ta Phraya, Sa Kaeo province, which is the route linking the Thai-Cambodian border, have been setup after tip-offs of possible smuggling of rice and other agricultural produce from neighboring countries. The move also serves as a preventive measure against illegal logging, cross-border drug and alien trafficking, and agricultural goods smuggling. Special attention is needed along the borders at the moment given part of the province's police force has been assigned to control the protest situation in Bangkok.

The provincial governor has ordered all officials to thoroughly inspect all vehicles for types of agricultural goods, particularly rice, which may be illegally transported into or out of the area.

-- NNT 2014-02-28

[webfact]

Another Trat bomb victim dies



TRAT: -- A critically injured woman in the February 22 ferocious bomb and gun attack in Trat died last night from serious wound in the stomach. She was identified as Mrs Pitawn Ounchai, 36.

She died at 9.30 p.m. at Trat hospital from infected wound on her colon.

Her death raised total death toll in the attack on anti-government protesters to three.

The two other victims who died were children.

Her husband Manas came to pick up her body this morning for cremation ceremony in Chanthaburi province.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/another-trat-bomb-victim-dies/

-- Thai PBS 2014-02-28

[webfact]

Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 28 February 2014

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

Weather Forecast for Thailand from Friday noon to Saturday noon.
Northern Thailand Cool in the upper part with fog in the morning.Hot with haze during the day.Minimum temperature 16-24 degree Celsius.Maximum temperature 35-37 degree Celsius.Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Mostly fair. Hot and haze during the day. Minimum temperature 23-24
degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-37 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Mostly fair. 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. 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 haze during the day. Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius.Surat Thani northward: Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy. Hot and haze during the day. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-36 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Partly cloudy. Hotter during the day. Minimum temperature 24-26degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-28

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

[webfact]

Condominiums on Thonburi side to boom
By English News



BANGKOK, Feb 28 - The Real Estate Information Center said that the condominium market on the Thai capital's Thonburi side has high potential for development and is expected to boom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707599-condominiums-on-bangkoks-thonburi-side-to-boom/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

POLITICS
Pipe bomb for couple who blew whistles at Pojaman


Pipe bomb//Photo : Nataphol FB

BANGKOK: -- A pipe bomb was thrown into house of a rally leader who blew at whistle at the formerwife of fugitive expremier Thaksin Shinawatra in Klong Toey district early this morning. The bomb however was a dud and failed to explode.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707565-bomb-thrown-at-pojaman-whistle-blowers-house/page-3?p=7502424#entry7502424

[webfact]

BoT: Thai exports to expand 5-7% from January



BANGKOK, 28 Feb 2014 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand expects the export sector to expand 5-7% this year regardless of the global trend of January slow start.

The comment was made by Dr. Rung Mallikamas, the BoT spokesperson, who said January’ exports showed a poorer-than-expected performance which is a normal global phenomenon during the beginning of the year where influencing factors are fluctuating heavily.

Dr. Rung said Thailand’s export this year would likely grow 5-7% despite the sluggish start in January, explaining that the month usually has a low export output. However, she pointed out that this year’s level of fluctuation is higher than those of the years earlier.

Nonetheless, she expressed optimism that the sector’s performance would improve in the months after January 2014.

The BoT Spokesperson also mentioned about the rising number of bouncing checks which has increased by 0.3% in January, saying the matter is worth taking note but has not yet posted any real threat at the moment.


-- NNT 2014-02-28

[webfact]

Somchai sees PM's willingness to talk to Suthep as a good sign
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn Friday on Friday said he regards caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's expression of willingness to hold talks with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban as a good sign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707602-somchai-sees-yinglucks-willingness-to-talk-to-suthep-as-a-good-sign/

[Lite Beer]

Number of new business registration declines in January

BANGKOK, 28 Feb 2014, (NNT) - The number of new companies registered in January declined 35% on-year, said Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuea, adding that value of investment also dropped to 29.6 billion baht, an on-year decrease of 27%.

According to Nuttawut, the top 5 businesses registered in January were in commercial and residential construction, residential real estate, machinery, consultancy, and construction materials.

Meanwhile, the number of companies that went out of business was 1,420, an increase of 18% year-on-year.

According to the Deputy Commerce Minister, the drop in the number of new businesses is attributed to the country's political instability, which began in November of last year, adding that the stalemate has scared operators away from registering their businesses in the country. Other factors included the tightened regulations on new business registration issued by the Department of Business Development and the National Broadcasting & Telecommunication Commission.

-- NNT 2014-02-28

[Lite Beer]

Caretaker PM expresses sorrow at death of 15 students, teachers in Prachin Buri bus accident, orders aid for injured and grieving families /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

RT@Juarawee: OAG ordered a seizure to rice they inspected in Wat Bot warehouse today; rice sacks had fungus, lots of dead birds&rats found.

[Lite Beer]

CIMB Thai Bank expects recession in first half of 2014

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is expected to experience the economic recession in within the first half of this year, due to the lack of growth engine, according to Amonthep Chawla, vice president and head of economic and financial-market research at CIMB Thai Bank.

The bank has forecast that the Thai economy will decline 1.6 per cent in the first quarter and 0.3 per cent in the second quarter. The economy will pick up in the second half, if the successful formation of the new government is made in the third quarter.

The bank has revised down its projection of the country’s economic growth this year to 2.4 per cent from from 3.4 per cent forecast earlier in last September.

-- The Nation 2014-02-28

[Lite Beer]

Phuket anti-government protest leaders deny obstruction charges
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Five Phuket anti-government protest leaders responded to a police summons yesterday morning and denied charges of obstructing the national election earlier this month and obstructing law enforcement officers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707615-phuket-anti-government-protest-leaders-deny-obstruction-charges/

[webfact]

Safer Phuket initiative saves a life at Nai Harn Beach
Phuket Gazette


The AED was put to immediate use. Photo: Safer Phuket

PHUKET: -- Large swells and changing seas at Nai Harn Beach have led to a recent spate of rescues, said Prathaiyut Chuayuan of the Phuket Lifeguards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707619-safer-phuket-initiative-saves-a-life-at-nai-harn-beach/

[webfact]

Knit your brows: We’ve got the thickest collection of the bushiest eyebrows in Thailand for your pleasure
By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707623-weve-got-the-thickest-collection-of-the-bushiest-eyebrows-in-thailand-for-your-pleasure/

[webfact]

Two airports in the Ukrainian region of Crimea have been reportedly taken over by Russian forces /BBC

[webfact]

‘Chadchart’ to ask for urgent allocation from central budget to repair flood damaged roads nationwide

BANGKOK, 28 Feb 2014 (NNT) - Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt will request an urgent allocation from the central budget for use in repairing roads damaged during floods since July last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707624-chadchart-to-ask-for-urgent-budget-to-repair-flood-damaged-roads-nationwide/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

REDSHIRT MOVEMENT
Thida rules out separating Thailand

BANGKOK: -- A pro-government red shirt leader has rejected the formation of an armed force, nor an idea of separating Thailand to resolve the political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707576-red-shirt-leader-thida-rules-out-separating-thailand/page-2?p=7503004#entry7503004