Thailand live Sunday 9 Mar 2014

[Lite Beer]

Political slant put on Women's Day activities
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- On International Women's Day on Friday, the Woman's Voice group called for an end to the "violation and insults directed at the country's women leaders, while Chitpas Kridakorn, the anti-government firebrand, led female protesters in a vow to protect the motherland at Wat Phra Kaew.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709582-political-slant-put-on-womens-day-activities/

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Thammasat unveils new rice strain
Thammarat Kijchalong
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat University has unveiled a new strain of jasmine rice that could better withstand drought and pests, yield more produce and be grown in and out of season.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709585-thammasat-unveils-new-rice-strain/

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RED SHIRTS
Bid to sign up 100,000 democracy guards
The Sunday Nation

A man attempts to calm down pro-government red shirts during a confrontation with a group of anti-government protesters in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, where registration of the red shirts

BANGKOK: -- Govt supporters say 10,000 have registered and more sought

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709587-bid-to-sign-up-100000-democracy-guards/

[Lite Beer]

Two hurt in bomb attack in Narathiwat
The Sunday Nation

Two people were injured when a bomb exploded in front of the house of a former Narathiwat provincial councillor yesterday morning.

The bomb, estimated to be 20kg and planted in a ditch near a power pole at the house's entrance, exploded at about 10.40am.

The suspected targets were state officials who patrol the route daily.

The explosion damaged former councillor Sukree Nareuchit's house and his sons Daniel, 21, and Yakes, 18, sustained cuts from shattered glass.

Nine other homes on Jarusathien Road were also damaged.

A suspected insurgent detonated the bomb when a siren-wailing rescue truck passed the spot, as it is believed the insurgent thought it was a police car.

In Sungai Kolok yesterday morning, unknown assailants in a pick-up threw a grenade and fired multiple shots at a home in Ban Beu Ba.

No one was injured in the incident, which occurred about 4.30am.

The homeowner, vegetable merchant Mahamadnase Paju-ade, 27, told police he had no business conflict with anyone.

-- The Nation 2014-03-09

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Six killed in clash with drug suspects in North
The Sunday Nation

CHIANG RAI: -- A clash between border patrol police and a drug-smuggling gang in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district on Friday night resulted the death of six suspects and the seizure of 840,000 yaba pills, an informed source said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709588-six-killed-in-clash-with-drug-suspects-in-north/

[Lite Beer]

I'm innocent, Issara says
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee leader Issara Somchai insisted he was innocent after Chachoengsao Provincial Court approved an arrest warrant against him for alleged attempted murder and detention of a red shirt who was brutally attacked and thrown into Bang Pakong River.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709589-im-innocent-issara-says/

[Lite Beer]

Senators question PM's authority
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Senators will ask the Constitutional Court to rule on the status of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after the unlawful 2011 transfer of former National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709590-senators-question-pms-authority/

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UPDATE:

Shot fired into Chaeng Wattana Hospital
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Violence has continued in protest areas in Bangkok, with a privately run hospital the latest target in a shooting attack.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709382-hospital-in-bangkok-under-gun-attack/page-3?p=7539088#entry7539088

[Lite Beer]

HRDI tackles opium problem

BANGKOK, 8 March 2014 (NNT) – The Director of the Narcotics Control Office Region 5, and the Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization), HRDI have held a seminar on the Royal Project to eradicate opium poppy cultivation.

Siripong Hungspreug, the director of HRDI, presided at the seminar on a practical plan of integration of the Royal Project to eradicate opium poppy cultivation and the Highland Research and Development Institute. The seminar brought together 250 experts from ministerial agencies and other participating authorities.

Historically the cultivation of narcotic plants was reduced. The activities of narcotics traders, poppy growers, and influential persons were suppressed. Furthermore, assistance to the underprivileged field worker was promoted in ten practical centers, including Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Tak.

The introduction of alternative crops was further encouraged to replace opium cultivation for the purposes of developing genuine agriculture and enhancing quality produce, while improving the quality of life of local people as well.

-- NNT 2014-03-08

[Lite Beer]

Commissioner General orders checkpoints to be adjusted

BANGKOK, 8 March 2014 (NNT) – The Commissioner General has held a detailed meeting to look into the political motivation for recent demonstrations after a series of disturbances, said Pol Maj Gen Anucha Rommayanant, the deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police.

In two recent dangerous incidents, an M79 grenade was fired in front of the Shinawatra Tower, and there was a shooting at the Mongkut Wattana hospital.

The Commissioner General ordered the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) police, to collect evidence and conduct investigations. He also urged the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau to adjust checkpoints in accordance with current developments.

Furthermore, the Commissioner General enjoined the responsible command headquarters to set up a special team to investigate the recent appearance of separatism banners in public places. Pol.Gen.Aek Angsananont, the Deputy Commissioner General has been assigned to supervise and implement guidelines for effective investigations.

-- NNT 2014-03-09

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-- The Nation 2014-03-09

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EDITORIAL
Army should stop with its pretentiousness and address real issues
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Secession talk 'reckless' but people are angry

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709594-army-should-stop-with-its-pretentiousness-and-address-real-issues/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Grave fears for missing Malaysian Airlines jet
The Sunday Nation
Hanoi

A crying woman is escorted to a bus for relatives at the Beijing Airport after news of the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane Saturday./AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON

Search launched after contact lost as plane with 239 people neared Ho Chi Minh City; no thais on board

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-7?p=7539126#entry7539126

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Missing MAS flight: Two impostors on board plane

PETALING JAYA: An Italian man, whose name was listed as having boarded the MAS flight MH370 that was reported missing on Saturday, was not on board the plane.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-7?p=7539221#entry7539221

[Lite Beer]

RT@tukky_nt: “@BreakingNews: Malaysian official: After all night search and rescue, no trace of missing plane; search area expanded - @STForeignDesk”

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Pilot: I established contact with plane

'INTERFERENCE': Pilot in another plane was flying 30 minutes ahead of MH370

SEPANG: A BOEING 777 pilot, who was flying 30 minutes ahead of the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft, said he established contact with MH370 minutes after he was asked to do so by Vietnamese air traffic control.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-9?p=7539482#entry7539482

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UPDATE:

Two more Europeans passengers with suspect identities onboard missing MH370

Authorities have yet to confirm the identities of two more European passengers on flight MH370, adding to two others using stolen passports in the Malaysia Airlines plane which vanished over the Malaysia-Vietnam maritime border yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-9?p=7539605#entry7539605

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Six killed in clash with drug suspects in North
The Sunday Nation

CHIANG RAI: -- A clash between border patrol police and a drug-smuggling gang in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district on Friday night resulted the death of six suspects and the seizure of 840,000 yaba pills, an informed source said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709588-six-killed-in-clash-with-drug-suspects-in-north/#entry7539060

[Lite Beer]

UDD questions bunkers and army’s action against Ko Tee

United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chair Mrs Thida Thavornseth Saturday night questioned the army’s legal action against Ko Tee and the erection of bunkers around protest stages of the anti-government protesters in Bangkok. She also categorically denied that the red-shirt followers have separatist aspiration.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709616-udd-questions-bunkers-and-armys-action-against-ko-tee/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

FBI to probe missing Malaysia plane

WASHINGTON: -- The FBI is sending agents and technical experts to assist a team probing the disappearances of a Malaysia Airlines jet that had several Americans aboard, US media reported Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-10?p=7539774#entry7539774

[Lite Beer]

RT@tulsathit: 64% of 1,090 ppl surveyed by Bangkok Poll don't know what the Senate's duty is. via @js100radio

[Lite Beer]

Pickup truck carrying foreign workers crashes into foundation post at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri province; 6 dead, 4 injured /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

RT@tulsathit: Ex-House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont cleared Bt200 million debts btw 2011-2013, his asset reports show. via @Prasong_lert (1)

RT@tulsathit: Somsak's last asset report showed quite modest wealth _ Bt1.4 million in bank, 1 car, 1 tractor. That's it. via @Prasong_lert (2)

RT@tulsathit: In a 2011 report, Somsak had Bt42 million in assets and Bt139 million in liabilities. via @Prasong_lert (3/end)

[Lite Beer]

Over 1 million tonnes of rice to be auctioned off in March

The Commerce Ministry plans to auction off more than one million tonnes of milled rice in Marchy, Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Puangrach announced over the weekend.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709620-over-1-million-tonnes-of-rice-to-be-auctioned-off-in-march/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Road safety: what we’re doing wrong
Phuket Gazette -
If we want safer roads, there are three things we need to change, says Thanapong Jinvong, Director of the Academy of Road Safety. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

Thanapong Jinvong, 50, is Director of the Academy of Road Safety at the National Health Foundation and also works at the Department of Disease Control. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University with a specialization in epidemiology.

Here, he talks about three ways to improve road safety in Thailand, which ranks third in the world for road deaths.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709629-phuket-opinion-road-safety-what-were-doing-wrong/

[Lite Beer]

RT@mpoppel: REU: INVESTIGATORS EXAMINING AIRPORT CCTV FOOTAGE OF TWO PASSENGERS FROM MISSING FLIGHT-MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL

[Lite Beer]

Famous tourist destination Koh Mak developed as low carbon island

BANGKOK, 9 March 2014 (NNT) - Koh Mak island in the eastern province of Trat is developed as a low carbon tourist destination by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA). The environmental initiative is hoped to help stimulate tourism of the island and nearby areas and tap a larger market after the AEC is launched.

DASTA Director Col.Nalikotiphak Saengsanit said DASTA had started branding Koh Chang islands and related areas as environmental-friendly tourist destinations. The Koh Chang cluster’s low carbon practices would set it apart from other islands in Thailand and other ASEAN member countries, Col.Nalikotiphak said.

The DASTA selected Koh Mak, an island in the Koh Chang cluster, to participate in the pilot project since the island’s environmental-friendly image was strongest among other islands in Thailand, the director said.

The Koh Mak low carbon pilot project is collaboration between the DASTA and the German International Cooperation (GIZ).

According to the DASTA director, foreign tourists select their travel destinations for environmental reasons more. In 2013, Koh Chang islands saw 800,000 tourists and eight billion baht in tourism revenue. Tourists from Europe who have high purchasing power visit the islands the most to enjoy the lush nature, hike, ride a bicycle and take part in water activities.

-- NNT 2014-03-09

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UPDATE:

Malaysia says 'possibility' lost airliner turned back

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9, 2014 (AFP) - Malaysian authorities were looking into the "possibility" that an airliner which vanished with 239 people on board had attempted to turn back, the country's air force chief said Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-12?p=7540199#entry7540199

[Lite Beer]

Songkhla to experience serious drought this year
By English News

SONGKHLA, March 9 - This Southern province is expected to suffer a serious drought this year, according to its local Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office.

Amnat Ponmat, chief of Songkhla's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said that drought in the area will be more severe than in past years. All relevant parties are preparing for assistance and relief for the public, particularly on potable water, followed by water supply for agriculture.

Water trucks have been asked to help residents in Jana, Sadao and Hat Yai districts.

Mr Amnat said his organisation had contacted the local Industry Office under the Ministry of Industry to monitor problems of wastewater release from industrial plants to U-Tapao Canal which is the main source of water supply production.

The significant amount of wastewater release would cause loss of usable water in Klong Sadao Reservoir at a time when the amount of water in the reservoir is already low. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-03-09

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UPDATE:

Chinese family makes contact with missing passenger's phone

Beijing - The family of a Chinese passenger missing on flight MH370 have made contact with his mobile phone and Malaysian authorities are trying to use the signal to locate the plane, Chinese state television reported on Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-13?p=7540435#entry7540435