Thailand Live Thursday 13 Mar 2014

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His Majesty receives new judges

BANGKOK, 13 March 2014 (NNT) - At Klai Kangwon Palace, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, on Wednesday (Mar 12) His Majesty the King granted an audience to the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, Mr.Hassavut Vititviriyakul, who led Miss Sirirat Rattanabhandhu, a new judge of the Administrative Court of First Instance, to take an oath of allegiance before her assumption of the post.

The audience was granted in line with the Act on Establishment of the Administrative Court and Administrative Court Procedure B.E. 2542 (1999), Article 20, which stipulates that before taking an office as a judge of the Administrative Court for the first time, an administrative judge shall take an oath before His Majesty the King to faithfully perform duties without any partiality in the interest of justice to the people and the public order of the Kingdom.

Later on, His Majesty the King granted an audience to Attorney General Athapol Yaisawang who led a new group of public attorneys to be sworn in before taking up their duties, as required by the Act on Regulations for Public Attorneys B.E. 2553 (2010). Executive members of the Office of the Attorney General also attended the event.


-- NNT 2014-03-13

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Pheu Thai 'Not Surprised' By Loan Bill Verdict
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party accepts the court verdict which invalidates the bill seeking loans for the 2.2 trillion baht infrastructure project, says its spokesman, Mr. Prompong Nopparit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710516-pheu-thai-not-surprised-by-loan-bill-verdict/

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Alleged Store Robber Caught By Passing Policeman
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- A teenage boy who allegedly robbed a convenience store has been apprehended by a policeman who happened to drive past the suspect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710517-alleged-store-robber-caught-by-passing-thai-policeman/

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Footage Of Govt Spokeswoman's Capture Released
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The authorities have released CCTV footage showing the moment anti-government protesters captured a governmental spokeswoman who was passing through their rally last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710518-footage-of-thai-govt-spokeswoman-sunidas-capture-released/

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UPDATE:

RAYONG
Six people and an elephant killed in accidents
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

RAYONG: -- A total of six people and an elephant were killed yesterday when a Pajero crashed into three wild elephants crossing Ban Beung-Klaeng Road at 4am yesterday in Rayong's Wang Chan district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710354-five-killed-in-two-car-crash-with-elephant-in-thailand/page-3?p=7555151#entry7555151

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UPDATE:

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
Bt2-tn loan bill rejected
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN,
NAKARIN SRILERT,
WATCHARA PUSSAYANAWIN
THE NATION

PM faces second impeachment risk after unanimous charter court verdict; property sector sees move as a setback

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT'S Bt2-trillion borrowing bill for infrastructure projects, including high-speed railway, was yesterday unanimously ruled unconstitutional by the charter court in a much-awaited verdict, making the entire caretaker Cabinet and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra liable to impeachment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710361-bt2tn-bill-ruled-unconstitutional/page-7?p=7555159#entry7555159

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ELECTION
Charter court accepts EC, ombudsman petitions
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE CONSTITUTIONAL Court yesterday decided to accept for review the petitions submitted separately by the Election Commission and the Ombudsman that might lead to annulment of the February 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710520-charter-court-accepts-ec-ombudsman-petitions-february-2-election/

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BANGKOK GOVERNOR
Democrats say they are ready to defend Sukhumbhand
TANATPONG KONGSAI,
PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE,
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO
THE NATION

Pheu Thai pours scorn on opposition party's stance, saying it is irresponsible

BANGKOK: -- THE DEMOCRAT PARTY'S legal team is ready to come to the defence of Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra after the Election Commission decided to ask the Court of Appeals to order a re-election for the governor's post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710521-democrats-say-they-are-ready-to-defend-bangkok-governor-sukhumbhand/

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AIR POLLUTION
Uttaradit the greatest risk of lung cancer in the north
The Nation

Uttaradit is the northern province with the greatest risk of lung cancer due to its bad air pollution.

BANGKOK: -- PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene, were being emitted in the air through incomplete combustion by auto engines rather than smoke from forest fires or outdoor burning, Assoc Prof Siwat Pongpiajun, NIDA’s head of the Centre for Research and Development of Disaster Prevention and Management said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710523-air-pollution-uttaradit-the-greatest-risk-of-lung-cancer-in-the-north/

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POLITICAL DEMONSTRATION
Rallies lead to more homeless people
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



Foundation notes rise in poor left behind after protests

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL RALLIES have been pushing up the number of people living on Bangkok's streets, according to the Issarachon Foundation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710524-political-rallies-lead-to-more-homeless-people-living-on-bangkoks-streets/

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S&P RATING
Thailand's rating will withstand ill effects of rice scheme: S&P
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Although Standard & Poor's Ratings Service sees no reason to downgrade Thailand because of the problems from the rice-pledging project, it cautions that the sovereign ratings could be pressured if the country's institutional and governance effectiveness weakens further.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710525-thailands-rating-will-withstand-ill-effects-of-rice-scheme-s-p/

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EDITORIAL
Keep the corpse-preserver out of our food
The Nation

Consumers need to learn some basic facts to guard against formalin, and authorities need to crack down on this longstanding practice

BANGKOK: -- Most consumers will have been shocked by the news that fresh food and meat sold at markets and at several northeastern-style hot-pot shops was laced with formalin. The chemical poses a risk to health and its use in food has been prohibited.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710526-keep-the-corpse-preserver-out-of-our-food-thai-editorial/

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THAI TALK
Elections without checks and balances aren't democracy
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Economist magazine's cover story this week has drawn considerable interest here in Thailand. Both the caretaker government and protesting People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) could cite the story to fit their respective agendas. But the real issue remains critical: What is wrong with democracy here? How can it be revived?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710527-elections-without-checks-and-balances-arent-democracy-thai-talk/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
To Christiane Amanpour, welcome to Yingluck's Potemkin Village
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Maybe it was prolific American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's curse - "there's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women" - that made CNN's Christiane Amanpour decide to interview caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck two days ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710528-to-christiane-amanpour-welcome-to-yinglucks-potemkin-village/

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Yingluck's lawyer seeks to delay presentation of defence by 45 days
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's lawyer Wednesday filed a request with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to defer the submission of her defence statement, which is due Friday, by 45 days. Yingluck faces charges of dereliction of duty over the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710529-yinglucks-lawyer-seeks-to-delay-presentation-of-defence-by-45-days/

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Warrants for 9 guards
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police will seek arrest warrants for nine People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) guards on charges of illegal detention and assault after obtaining security camera footage as additional evidence from deputy government spokesperson Sunisa Lertpakawat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710518-footage-of-thai-govt-spokeswoman-sunisas-capture-released/#entry7555229

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BURNING ISSUE
PDRC deluded in thinking it has the upper hand
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders and their supporters seem to be under the illusion that they have gained the upper hand and are on the way to victory in the lengthy struggle to oust the caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710532-pdrc-deluded-in-thinking-it-has-the-upper-hand/

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POLITICS
Drastic steps offered to fight graft
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEATH sentence for the crime of corruption, speedy handling of graft cases and removal of all senior officials after the caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra administration is ousted - these are the proposals made at the second of a scheduled six rounds of the national reform forum organised by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710533-drastic-steps-offered-to-fight-graft-thai-politics/

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UPDATE:

China satellite finds 'suspected crash site' in Malaysia jet hunt

by Tom HANCOCK

BEIJING, March 13, 2014 (AFP) - China said its satellites have detected three large floating objects in a suspected crash site near where a missing Malaysian jet lost contact, the latest twist in a hunt which entered its sixth day Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-62?p=7555258#entry7555258

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2 Million Baht’s worth of counterfeit branded items seized at South Pattaya Mall



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday evening, Region 2 Police and Pattaya Police took part in a raid of a South Pattaya Shopping Mall which resulted in the arrest of 14 vendors and the seizure of over 5,000 fake branded clothing items worth over 2 Million Baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710534-2-million-bahts-worth-of-counterfeit-branded-items-seized-at-south-pattaya-mall/

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RT @191Thailand: MTV Exit concert stage in Udon Thani has collapsed. Unconfirmed reports of deaths & injuries (Pic @be_engin36) http://t.co/8Oyx98M5Tl

RT @191Thailand: This is a picture of the stage being set up before the collapse. Concert is this weekend (Pic @mtvexit) http://t.co/A6ZeIC5MdI

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DNA test confirms body parts are of missing Phuket girl Nong Dear, 7
Phuket Gazette

When Nong Dear didn’t return home after a visit to her aunt, her mother called the police. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The human remains found in a Chalong pine forest last December are those of missing 7-year-old Nong Dear, police confirmed today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710545-dna-test-confirms-body-parts-are-of-missing-phuket-girl-nong-dear-7/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,361.69, gains 5.27 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Missing Flight MH370 strayed to south of Phuket, Malaysia military says
Phuket Gazette


Vietnamese military personnel look out of a helicopter during a search and rescue mission off Vietnam's Tho Chu island. Photo: Reuters

PHUKET: -- Malaysia's military has traced what could have been the jetliner missing for almost five days to an area south of Phuket, hundreds of miles to the west of its last known position, the country's air force chief said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-63?p=7555804#entry7555804

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Transport minister says infrastructure projects could be delayed with dropping of 2 trillion baht loan bill

BANGKOK, 13 March 2014 (NNT) – Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthiphan indicated on Wednesday the government would comply with the ruling by the Constitution Court, which determined the 2 trillion baht infrastructure loan bill to be unconstitutional.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710570-chadchart-infrastructure-projects-could-be-delayed-with-dropping-of-2-trillion-baht-loan-bill/

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Yingluck means more than peace in wearing peace pendant



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several cabinet ministers were seen wearing peace pendants while performing her official duties to inspect drought situation in Khon Kaen and Chaiyahum provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710573-yingluck-means-more-than-peace-in-wearing-peace-pendant/

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Thai Elephant Day Celebration today



Today is the country’s national Thai Elephant Day.

BANGKOK: -- Every year government and private organisations will underline the importance of elephants and heighten public awareness of the need for preservation of elephants.

In celebration of Thai Elephant Day 2014, Surin province, which is regarded as the land of elephants, will organize a big gathering of elephants to show the strong intention of local people to take good care of elephants.

The province will announce that the solving of elephant-related problems will be included in its agenda. Elephants hold a significant place in Thailand. They also form an important part of Thai culture and national symbols. Because of the significance of this animal in Thai life, the plight of elephants is always the pain of Thai people.

Several elephants have been brought to the city to find food and make a living for mahouts. There were news reports about elephants facing accidents and falling sick.

Many agencies involved have joined forces in keeping domesticated elephants out of the city streets.

A project has been launched to recruit mahouts to be trained as forest rangers, with the help of their elephants.

This will bring elephants back to their natural habitat, so that they can have a natural way of living.

Another project seeks to promote eco-tourism with elephants as a magnet for tourists.

The Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang province is a place where elephants are featured prominently in eco-tourism. Several national parks have also been developed into eco-tourist sites where visitors will be able to see elephants in their natural habitat.

In order to promote elephant conservation, the Surin Provincial Administrative Organization is pushing for a project known as “Elephant World” to care for elephants. It expects that the Elephant World will become a major tourism attraction in Thailand. The Elephant World will be established on an area of about 3,000 rai or 1,200 acres.

It will be developed as a study center for learning about elephants and the way of life of elephant raisers. The project requires a budget of more than 400 million baht.

Surin province will organize a merit-making ceremony and a grand elephant procession to celebrate Thai Elephant Day 2014. More than 300 elephants have been registered in this province.

Aware of the importance of elephant conservation, the Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand and related non-governmental organizations in 1998 proposed that there should be a special day for elephants in Thailand. The proposal was submitted to the Coordinating Subcommittee for the Conservation of Thai Elephants under the National Identity Board. The Coordination Committee decided to pick 13 March each year as Thai Elephant Day, based on the fact that the Royal Forest Department designated the white elephant as the national animal of Thailand on 13 March 1963.

In May 1998, the Cabinet approved the designation of 13 March as Thai Elephant Day every year, starting in 1999. The decision was aimed at raising and sustaining public awareness of the importance of elephants. It is also designed to promote public participation in elephant preservation.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-elephant-day-celebration-today/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-13

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NBTC is likely to approve Thaicomθs proposal to operate its new broadcasting satellite w/out having to apply for new operating licence /The Nation

Private sector moans end of Bt2-tn infrastructure plan, sees it as a huge loss of economic development for Thailand /The Nation

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Chiang Mai as Thailand's heaven for backpackers

By English News

CHIANG MAI: -- In the northern province of Chiang Mai's provincial seat, backpackers from around the world compete to stay at guesthouses in the Chiang Mai Gate area due to modest room prices ranging from Bt80-300/night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710578-chiang-mai-as-thailands-heaven-for-backpackers/

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Phuket Red Cross launches March mobile donation mission
Phuket Gazette


The Red Cross will collect donations of all blood types. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The Red Cross Society in Phuket has announced its upcoming mobile donation clinic schedule for the month of March in hopes of restoring essential blood stocks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710579-phuket-red-cross-launches-march-mobile-donation-mission/