Thailand Live Wednesday 5 Mar 2014

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Drought disaster zones declared in 16 provinces

BANGKOK, 5 March 2014 (NNT) – A total of 16 provinces have been classified as drought disaster areas, most of which are located in the Northeast, while disaster declaration is being considered for two districts of Chiang Mai province.

As reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the department has so far designated 16 provinces as drought-stricken zones in a bid to allow assistance for the local residents. Five of the provinces are in the Northeast, namely Buri Ram, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket and Chaiyaphum, whereas four are in the North, three in the Central Plains, three in the East and one in the South.

The declaration of drought emergency opens the way for the budgets of those provinces to be allocated to local communities for use to alleviate people’s hardship from the shortage of water. The funds can also serve as compensations to agriculturists whose farmland has been devastated by drought.

In addition to the four drought-hit northern provinces, which consist of Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phrae and Tak, authorities in Chiang Mai are considering designating the province as another drought disaster zone. Two of the province’s districts, which are Doi Tao and Chai Prakan, are currently faced with severe drought conditions.


-- NNT 2014-03-05

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Red shirts asked to stop promoting separatism: PM
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, March 5 - Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she has instructed the army to prevent any move toward separatism, and also asked the red shirt group to stop mentioning the issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708656-red-shirts-asked-to-stop-promoting-separatism-pm-yingluck/

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CRIME
Police seize several caches of weapons in raids
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Nakhon Si Thammarat police announced yesterday that they had seized 177 guns, 1,440 bullets and two M26 grenades from 179 suspects in raids and checkpoints from February 17-28.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708657-thai-police-seize-several-caches-of-weapons-in-raids/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Bt20 billion ready for rice farmers next week
Business Desk
The Nation

EC approves govt request; funds to be repaid from proceeds of rice sales by May 31

BANGKOK: -- Farmers who hold pledging receipts issued under the government's rice-pledging scheme last November are expected to be paid next week, in a breakthrough that could ease one of the Yingluck Shinawatra-led government's most serious political problems, at least in the short term.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708658-bt20-billion-ready-for-rice-farmers-next-week-rice-pledging-scheme/

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POLITICS
EC seeks charter court ruling on new poll
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has asked the Constitutional Court to rule on contentious issues related to the holding of elections in 28 constituencies where there were no MP candidates.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708659-election-commission-seeks-thai-charter-court-ruling-on-new-poll/

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POLITICS
Group issues statement saying govt is illegitimate
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The caretaker government has lost the legitimacy to continue holding office after having breached the Constitution by seeking to divide the country, a statement from the Siam Prachapiwat group said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708660-group-issues-statement-saying-thai-govt-is-illegitimate/

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THAI BILLIONAIRES
Eleven Thais make Forbes' billionaires list
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Eleven Thais are on Forbes' 2014 billionaires list, led by Charoen Pokphand Group's Dhanin Chearavanont.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708661-eleven-thais-make-forbes-billionaires-list/

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SET INDEX
SET could pass 1,400 this year amid positive signs: analysts
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Investor walks pass the SET electronic board at the period of SET index rising yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- The SET Index could climb to 1,400-1,450 points by year-end now that the political turmoil shows signs of abating soon, while listed companies could show earnings growth of 12.2 per cent, dividend yield of 3.3 per cent and total return of 14.9 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708662-set-could-pass-1400-this-year-amid-positive-signs-analysts/

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EDITORIAL
Cyberspace the new anti-graft battleground
The Nation

Thailand's official check-and-balance mechanisms must recognise the important role the social media has to play in this fight

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708663-cyberspace-the-new-anti-graft-battleground-thai-editorial/

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STOPPAGE TIME
UN-mediated peace talks? Who are you kidding?

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen," said Winston Churchill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708664-un-mediated-peace-talks-who-are-you-kidding-thai-opinion/

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AOT confident in achieving annual revenue target

BANGKOK, 5 March 2014 (NNT) – Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) is adamant its 2014 revenue target will be met although the ongoing political turmoil has pulled down the number of travelers at the two Bangkok airports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708665-airports-of-thailand-aot-confident-in-achieving-annual-revenue-target/

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Surapong asks businesses to pressure anti-govt protesters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul yesterday urged the private sector to ask the anti-government protesters to end their rally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708666-surapong-asks-businesses-to-pressure-anti-govt-protesters/

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Bomb attack at NACC



BANGKOK: -- A bomb was thrown into the headquarter of the National Anti Corruption Commission in Nonthaburi province on Tuesday night and exploded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708667-bomb-attack-at-nacc-in-nonthaburi/

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BURNING ISSUE
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- The push by the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) for national reform under a non-elected government has given some pro-government red shirts a reason to toy with the idea of dividing the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708668-every-action-has-an-equal-and-opposite-reaction-thai-politics/

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Officer warns against believing rumours on South unrest
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE INTERNAL Security Operations Command (Isoc) yesterday cited the recent arrest of two paramilitary rangers for the fatal shooting of three boys in Narathiwat's Bacho district on February 3 as a lesson for the public not to trust rumours spread via word of mouth or social media without fact-checking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708671-officer-warns-against-believing-rumours-on-south-unrest-thailand/

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Charter court is to rule on PM’s status



BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court will soon be asked to rule on the status of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra now that there has been no House of Representatives for more than 30 days making it impossible for the voting of a new prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708672-charter-court-is-to-rule-on-pms-status-suthep/

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UDD Leader's Wife Runs For Udon Thani Senator
By Khaosod Englosh



BANGKOK: -- The wife of a local Redshirts leader in Udon Thani province is running for a Senator's seat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708673-redshirt-leader-kwanchais-wife-runs-for-udon-thani-senator/

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FUGITIVES
Police arrest two foreigners on the lam

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708508-thai-immigration-arrest-two-foreigners-on-the-lam/

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The Metropolitan Electricity Authority's underground electricity transmission line worth 5.69 billion baht is expected to be delayed another year. /Bangkok Post

Caretaker govt expects to receive funds from sale of rice in stock at average of Bt10 bn a month, commerce minster said /The Nation

Caretaker govt to begin paying remaining overdue rice subsidy payments w/in a week after EC allow govt to w/draw Bt20bn from central fund /The Nation

Ratchaprasong businesses resuming after anti-govt PDRC protesters relocated to Lumpini Park /The Nation

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Fake Immigration Officer arrested by Pattaya Police on Larn Island

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police received complaints on Tuesday of a man, who was impersonating an Immigration Police Officer and was extorting cash from illegal immigrants on Larn Island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708689-fake-immigration-officer-arrested-by-pattaya-police-on-larn-island/

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Abandoned Newborn Child found in South Pattaya campsite Toilet

PATTAYA:--In the early hours of Wednesday a newborn child was found, apparently abandoned by its mother, in a constructors campsite toilet.

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Phuket speed cameras return to bypass road this week
Phuket Gazette


Speed cameras on the bypass road will be up and working again this week after tweaks to improve the quality of the images. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Speed cameras on Phuket’s bypass road will be put back in position this week after officials removed them on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708697-phuket-speed-cameras-return-to-bypass-road-this-week/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:45am Protesters are in front of the Pheu Thai HQ on Phetchaburi Road (Pic @news1005fm) http://t.co/iuRI2L7Hfx

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708708-str-led-protesters-rally-at-pheu-thai-headquarters/

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A hand grenade was thrown into residential compound of anti-govt (PDRC) core leader, Nataphol Teepsuwan in Sukhumwit 18;bomb failed to explode /The Nation

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NSPRT protesters rallying at Pheu Thai Party HQ against seperatism, police arrest two PDRC guards found with handguns, bulletproof vests /MCOT

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CMPO director believes PDRC rally will go on for months

BANGKOK, 5 March 2014 (NNT) – The political rallies by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will drag on for several more months because the anti-government group has not yet achieved its goal of overthrowing the administration, said Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) Director Chalerm Yubamrung.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708699-chalerm-believes-pdrc-rally-will-go-on-for-months/

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Young women at high risk of cyber-stalking - EU study

VIENNA: -- Stalking of young women online and via smartphones has emerged as a significant problem in Europe, according to a broad EU-wide study published Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708702-young-women-at-high-risk-of-cyber-stalking-eu-study/

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Hand grenade thrown at home of PDRC leader
By English News



BANGKOK, March 5 - A hand grenade was thrown but did not explode at the home of a leader of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in Sukhumvit Soi 18.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708703-bangkok-hand-grenade-thrown-at-home-of-pdrc-leader-in-sukhumvit-soi-18/

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Bomb explodes while teacher-protection unit at Pattani's Mayo, 1 soldier injured; Another explodes at Narathiwat's Yi-ngo,1 villager wounded /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,355.57, up 9.75 points /MCOT