Thailand Live Tuesday 11 Mar 2014

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EC: House may convene by May if court rules quickly, elections without incidents

BANGKOK, 11 March 2014 (NNT) – The Election Commission indicated on Monday a new government could be formed by May if the court ruled favorably in the case involving election-holding authority, and if there were no further obstructions to the election process.

Election Commissioner Somchai Sisutthiyakon told the press on Monday that the Constitution Court's verdict on the EC's question over re-elections would not affect the March 30 senatorial election. However, it would have a bearing on the re-election of MPs in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat on April 5.

As for the 28 constituencies in the South that were without candidates, Mr. Somchai said elections for these areas could be held as early as in April if the Constitution Court was able to deliver its ruling on the issue swiftly. In that case, the election day might be set for April 27, the same day as re-elections in 6 southern provinces.

If all goes smoothly, the House of Representatives may be able to convene by the end of May, although it would still be missing the full roster of MPs, according to the election commissioner.


-- NNT 2014-03-11

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Thailand exposed as crime hub over MH370 stolen passports
by Amelie Bottollier-Depois

BANGKOK, March 11, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's role as a hub for criminal networks using false documents is in the spotlight after two unknown passengers on vanished flight MH370 used passports stolen in the kingdom, sparking fears of a terror attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710015-thailand-exposed-as-crime-hub-over-mh370-stolen-passports/

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In Thailand, watch your passport
BY TERRENCE MCCOY

WASHINGTON: -- While nearly every aspect of this weekend’s disappearance of a Malaysian jetliner is surprising, one element is not. At least two of its 239 passengers had been traveling with stolen passports — and those documents had been lost in Thailand, home to what’s become one of the most robust stolen passport trades in the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710015-thailand-exposed-as-crime-hub-over-mh370-stolen-passports/#entry7546740

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MISSING MH
Spotlight on Thailand's trade in forged passports
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The mysterious disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines plane and reports that two passengers used passports that tourists had lost while in Thailand - an Italian and an Austrian - has put a spotlight on the country's status as a haven of near-authentic passport forgery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710015-thailand-exposed-as-crime-hub-over-mh370-stolen-passports/#entry7546741

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FORGERY
Probe into stolen passports used by pair on missing jet
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710015-thailand-exposed-as-crime-hub-over-mh370-stolen-passports/#entry7546742

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MYSTERIOUS MISSING
One suspect who used stolen passport identified
The Nation/The Star
Asia News Network



BANGKOK: -- One of the two suspects who used stolen passports to board the missing Malaysian Airlines flight has been identified.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710015-thailand-exposed-as-crime-hub-over-mh370-stolen-passports/#entry7546744

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Man Assaulted By PCAD Guards 'Was Not Armed Agent'
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The brother of a man who has been allegedly beaten by a group of anti-government protest guards has disputed the claims that he tried to attack the guards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710016-man-assaulted-by-pcad-guards-was-not-armed-agent/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
PDRC holds first forum on reform
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation



Discussion focuses on six issues, with poverty, social disparity the top two

BANGKOK: -- The anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) launched its first forum on national reform yesterday, relying on input from key public figures and a reform panel set up under the previous government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709893-protest-leader-suthep-expects-key-reform-issues-taking-a-year-and-a-half/page-2?p=7546774#entry7546774

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WATER MANAGEMENT
Water scheme 'may not work'
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Jutarat Tipnumpa
The Nation

Senate panel calls for review of Bt350billion project

BANGKOK: -- A SENATE subcommittee has called for a review of the government's Bt350-billion water-management project out of concern that it "may not be a worthwhile investment".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710017-thai-govts-water-scheme-may-not-work/

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RATING
No sign yet of credit rating downgrade
Suphannee Pootpisut
The Nation

Agencies concerned about long-term effects of populist policies

BANGKOK: -- Global credit-rating agencies are maintaining their outlook on Thailand despite the political unrest, but are keeping a close watch on populist projects that could continue to drive government expenditure for the long term, according to the Finance Ministry's Public Debt Management Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710018-no-sign-yet-of-credit-rating-downgrade-thailand/

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UPDATE:

CORRUPTION POLL
Public sector graft worse, poll finds
Erich Parpart,
Pichaya Changsorn
The Nation


Deunden Nikomborirak

Lack of trust, poor enforcement highlighted

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709899-thailands-corruption-perception-index-cpi-worsens/#entry7546791

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STREETWISE
Remind me: Where exactly on Earth are we now?
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- A drive into the heart of Bangkok last weekend proved a real adventure, a reminder that when law and order is missing, life anywhere in the world can be miserable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710020-remind-me-where-exactly-on-earth-are-we-now-thai-opinion/

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EDITORIAL
Asean displays solidarity as region suffers
The Nation

But Chinese media's response to the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft shows cooperation between neighbours is still lacking

BANGKOK: -- A friend in need is a friend indeed, so the saying goes. The Malaysia Airlines plane that has gone missing with 239 passengers is testing relations and cooperation among Asean friends and partners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710021-asean-displays-solidarity-as-region-suffers-thai-opinion/

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Ex-husband surrenders to police after shooting his wife dead
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The ex-husband of a woman found dead with a gunshot wound to the back of the head in a Ramkhamhaeng University parking lot yesterday morning has been charged with murder after surrendering to police and confessing to the killing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710022-ex-husband-surrenders-to-bangkok-police-after-shooting-his-wife-dead/

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Army urges calm over murders
The Nation



PATTANI: -- The Army Region 4 Command has urged the authorities to investigate and make arrests over a drive-by shooting in Pattani that killed four Muslim villagers and seriously wounded three others on Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710023-thai-army-urges-calm-over-murders/

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Teen survivor of murdered family to be questioned
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police have summoned the 19-year-old sole survivor of a family of four after the other three members were murdered in their home in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710024-teen-survivor-of-murdered-thai-family-to-be-questioned/

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Children in deep South 'scarred by violence'
The Nation,
Pattani

BANGKOK: -- CHILD EXPERTS have voiced concern at the well-being of children living in the restive South, saying many who have experienced violence lack appropriate physical and psycho-social care.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710025-children-in-thailands-deep-south-scarred-by-violence/

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Alleged Shan drug suspect killed in gunfight with police

The Nation



CHIANG RAI: -- A Shan man was killed in a gunfight with police and 190,000 yaba pills seized in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district on Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710030-alleged-shan-drug-suspect-killed-in-gunfight-with-thai-police/

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Protesters refuse to move from Chaeng Wattana
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The second round of negotiation to talk People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) into moving from Chaeng Wattana to Muang Thong Thani has failed, Maj-General Surachart Jitjaeng, chief of the Defence Ministry's public relations department said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710026-protesters-refuse-to-move-from-chaeng-wattana/

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Army orders probe into soldiers' arrests
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered a probe over the arrest of two armed soldiers near the anti-government Lumpini Park protest site.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710027-general-prayuth-orders-probe-into-thai-soldiers-arrests-near-lumpini-park/

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Pattaya Police charge three Chinese Nationals with Credit Card Fraud



PATTAYA: -- Late on Monday Night, the Provincial Transnational Crime Suppression Unit based at Pattaya Police Station were called to a South Pattaya Shopping Mall to arrest two Chinese Nationals who attempted to use a fake credit card to purchase two mobile phones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710028-pattaya-police-charge-three-chinese-nationals-with-credit-card-fraud/

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Isaan people warned to brace for a prolonged dry season



BANGKOK: -- Northeasterners are advised to store up water for their own consumption as well as for their cattle because of the dry season this year will be longer with delayed rainy season, said Mr Smith Thammasaroj, former director-general of Irrigation Department and a top water expert yesterday (Monday).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710032-isaan-people-warned-to-brace-for-a-prolonged-dry-season/

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Man injured in explosion near Lumpini Park

BANGKOK: -- A 34-year-old man was injured in an explosion near the Lumpini Park early Tuesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Emergency Medical Service announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710037-man-injured-in-explosion-near-lumpini-park/

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Ex-Transport Ministry permanent secretary Srisuk Chandrangsu dies at 70 due to cancer /MCOT

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Phuket officials combat Karon wastewater, put heat on hotels
Phuket Gazette


Dr Pornsri suggested using money from the WMA to combat the wastewater problem in Karon. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Phuket officials yesterday suggested threatening hotels in Karon with having their licenses revoked if they failed to adequately treat wastewater before releasing it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710055-phuket-officials-combat-karon-wastewater-put-heat-on-hotels/

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UPDATE:

China 'deploys satellites' in search for Malaysia plane

BEIJING - Beijing is deploying as many as 10 satellites in hopes of tracking down Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, state media reported Tuesday, as the search for the vanished aircraft entered its fourth day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-42?p=7547282#entry7547282

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Jean Claude Van Damme and Kellan Lutz make appearance at Nikki Beach Phuket opening
Claire Connell


Jean Claude Van Damme and Kellan Lutz. Photo: Hareth Tayem

PHUKET: -- Hollywood stars Jean Claude Van Damme and Kellan Lutz were spotted in Phuket on Friday night, partying together at the grand opening of Nikki Beach Phuket on Layan Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710059-jean-claude-van-damme-and-kellan-lutz-make-appearance-at-nikki-beach-phuket-opening/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,353.05, gains 4.00 points /MCOT

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Shrimp prices plunge as international orders drop

BANGKOK, 11 Mar 2014 -- According to the Department of Fisheries, the prices of shrimps have plunged as a result of a drop in export orders.

The Director General of the Department, Niwat Suthemeechaikul, revealed that on Monday the price of shrimp was at 175 baht per kilogram, a significant fall from the average price during January - February, which was in the range of 220-235 baht a kilogram. Mr. Niwat suggests the decrease in global demand will prompt local suppliers to reduce their stocks. However he pointed out that the development singles out bigger wholesalers, making way for small retailers to restock their supplies with a higher quantity shrimp.

Nonetheless shrimp prices are expected to return to normal from May or June onward, the Director General added. The sector should be able to produce an ample supply of shrimp during the period. Mr. Niwat also said farmers would have enough time to eliminate traces of EMS before their next cultivation, supplying the market with healthy, properly raised shrimps.


-- NNT 2014-03-11

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UPDATE:

Three protesters injured in grenade attacks at Lumphini, Chaengwattana



BANGKOK: -- Three anti-government protesters rallying at Lumphini park were injured when a M 79 grenade landed near a tent where protesters were staying overnight and exploded before dawn today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710037-man-injured-in-explosion-near-lumpini-park/#entry7547426