Thailand Live Friday 14 Mar 2014

[webfact]

Merkel warns of massive damage as Russia masses forces
Stephen Brown

BERLIN: -- Showing no signs of backing down in its confrontation with the West, Russia has launched new military exercises near its border with Ukraine as the interim government in Kiev announced plans to raise 60,000 volunteers for a new National Guard force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710815-german-chancellor-merkel-warns-of-massive-damage-as-russia-masses-forces/

[webfact]

Woman teacher shot dead en route to school in Pattani's Mayo district; body burned /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai troops accused of killing 15 Cambodian loggers

PHNOM PENH, March 14, 2014 (AFP) - Cambodia's military on Friday accused Thai troops of killing 15 villagers who illegally crossed the border to log for valuable timber.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710820-thai-troops-accused-of-killing-15-cambodian-loggers/

[webfact]

Woman teacher shot dead in Pattani; body burned
By Digital Content

PATTANI, March 14 - A 42-year-old female school teacher was shot to death and her body was then burnt in Mayo district of this violence-plagued southern border province.

Full story:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710825-woman-teacher-shot-dead-in-pattani;-body-burned/

[webfact]

Jet fighter makes emergency landing at Korat base



KORAT: -- An Air Force two-seat jet fighter made an emergency landing at Korat military airport during a ground attack exercise late this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710826-jet-fighter-makes-emergency-landing-at-korat-base/

[webfact]

30 cops for 30 gamblers in Phuket Town raid
Phuket Gazette


The gambling den raided last night was located near Nimit Circle (also called the Seahorse Circle) in Phuket Town. Photo: Google Maps

PHUKET: -- Phuket and Bangkok police arrested more than 30 people for gambling on football in Phuket Town last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710831-30-cops-for-30-gamblers-in-phuket-town-raid/

[webfact]

Former Silvio Berlusconi secretary arrested with 24 kg of cocaine

ROME: -- Italian police on Thursday arrested Federica Gagliardi, a woman who acted as Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's secretary at two international summits in Canada in 2010, on suspicion of smuggling 24 kg of cocaine on a flight from Venezuela.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710832-former-silvio-berlusconi-secretary-arrested-with-24-kg-of-cocaine/

[webfact]

Weather Advisory No. 5 (5/2014) Subject: Summer Thunderstorm and Strong Wind-Wave
Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 14 February 2014

The moderate high pressure is going to reach the South China Sea and northeastern Thailand today (14 March) while hot weather occurs in the upper country. Summer thunderstorm, as well as thundershowers and gust, will affect following regions:

-During 14-15 March, upper northeastern provinces will receive first the influence. They include Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Roi Et.

-During 15-16 March, it will affect the lower North, the eastern Central and the East. They include Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Lop Buri, Sara Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri,Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

All above residents should beware of severe weather during these periods.
Besides, the easterly winds across the Gulf of Thailand and the South will grow stronger during 15-17 March. More rain is expected with strong wind-waves 2-3 meters high in the lower portion. All ship in the lower gulf should proceed with caution and small ship keep ashore in this period.

The advisory will be effect on 14 March 2014 Issued at 11.00 a.m.

Weather forecast for Thailand from Friday noon to Saturday noon
Northern Thailand -Cool in the morning. Hot with haze during the day Minimum temperature 16-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 37-39 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand -Partly cloudy. Hot with haze during the day. Widely scattered thunderstorm with gust mostly in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 37-38 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand -Partly cloudy. Hot with haze during the day. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-38 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand -Hot with haze during the day in the upper part. Isolated thundershowers with gust mostly in the eastern part. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-37 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast -Partly cloudy and haze during the day. Minimum temperature 21-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-35 degree Celsius. From Chumphon northward: Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter. From Surat Thani southward: Easterly winds 20-35 km/hr. wave height about 2 meters

Southern Thailand West Coast - Partly cloudy. Hot with haze during the day. Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-36 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity -Partly cloudy. Hotter with haze during the day. Minimum temperature 24-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 15-30 km/hr.

-- NNT 2014-03-14

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

[Lite Beer]

'Sea-floor event' reported with possible plane link

Beijing - Chinese scientists have detected a "sea-floor event" that could be linked to missing flight MH370 hitting the sea bed, state media said on Friday.

The event was recorded at 2:55 am Saturday (1855 GMT Friday) in waters between Malaysia and Vietnam, the Xinhua news agency quoted seismologists and physicists at University of Science and Technology of China as saying.

This would be nearly one and a half hours after the plane disappeared from radar.

The "non-seismic" area is 116 kilometres northeast of the plane’s last confirmed position, the scientists said.

-- The Nation 2014-03-14

[Lite Beer]

RT@FoxyYechiela Chinese cartoonist opinion about Thailand..... pic.twitter.com/UuC7LKyCnm

[Lite Beer]

The Election Commission confirms no CMPO budget holdup

BANGKOK: -- Mr. Supachai Somcharoen the Election Commission Chairman has noted that the house hasn’t yet approved the central budget of 23.9 billion baht for the CMPO, stating that some expenses documents needed to be reviewed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710811-ec-to-summon-chalerm-to-explain-cmpos-2-billion-baht-budget-request/page-2#entry7560940

[Lite Beer]

BAAC to pay 500 million baht to 3,000 rice farmers

BANGKOK, 14 Mar 2014 -- The Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) reported today it would make a payment of 500 million baht to 3,000 rice farmers who have yet to receive the payment from the rice suppport program.

Mr. Luck Watjananawat, President of the BAAC, stated that the bank was able to obtain the amount from its recently established Rice Farmers’ Fund, which has so far accumulated 846.2 Million baht. He said this first installment of 500 million baht would be transferred to BAAC branches for distribution to the registered rice farmers.

He underlines that the distribution order is determined by the queue assigned when the go-down receipt was issued, reassuring that the bank would maintain transparency when handing out the fund.

Regarding the 20 billion baht of central budget being borrowed from the Finance Ministry to speed up the payment of the the rice pledging scheme, Mr. Luck said that the matter is being finalized, reiterating that the payment would be resumed when the fund becomes available to the bank.

-- NNT 2014-03-14

[Lite Beer]

RT@SkyNewsBreak: - Breaking Family of veteran Labour politician Tony Benn say he has died at the age of 88

[Lite Beer]

Over 200 suspected Rohingya immigrants land in Songkhla

Songkhla provincial and immigration authorities have detained a large group of 220 migrants, believed to be Rohingyas, at a rubber plantation for illegal entry. They were suspected of arriving at the southern coast by boats from Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710636-thailand-finds-200-turkish-refugees-at-secret-camp/page-3?p=7560929#entry7560929

[webfact]

UPDATE:

CMPO May Revoke Emergency Decree By 18 March
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order is aiming to end the State of Emergency over Bangkok by 18 March, a top official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710801-cmpo-to-let-emergency-executive-decree-expire-and-reinstate-internal-security-act/#entry7560950

[webfact]

MISSING MAS FLIGHT
Jet Li's stunt double a passenger on MH370
Sharmila Nair
The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Best known for his work on staple kung <deleted> flicks like The Forbidden Kingdom and Fearless, Chinese stuntman Ju Kun, had been in Malaysia since February.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710866-jet-lis-stunt-double-a-passenger-on-missing-mh370/

[webfact]

BMA governor contest not on my mind: Chadchart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt announced Friday that the idea of running for the position of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration governor had never crossed his mind, Chadchart posted a message on his LINE group to inform reporters that no one had approached him to contest the position either.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710755-transport-minister-tipped-as-a-favourite-candidate-for-bangkok-governors-election/#entry7561034

[webfact]

Shark killed off Phuket Beach raises online ire
Phuket Gazette


A foreign man killed a small shark at Kata Noi beach yesterday. Photo: Go Eco Phuket / Facebook

PHUKET: -- Photos posted online of a foreigner killing a small shark at Kata Noi Beach prompted outrage, but the act was legal, a marine official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710870-shark-killed-off-phuket-beach-raises-online-ire/

[webfact]

RT @ReutersIndia: FLASH: Kremlin website was brought down by hackers, Kremlin press service says, adding it is operating again now

[webfact]

Suranand, secretary general to caretaker PM, will ask cabinet on Tuesday to reinstate Tawin as NSC chief, Paradorn will become advisor to caretaker PM /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai Consular Affairs addresses issue of forged passports

BANGKOK, 14 March 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Consular Affairs has issued a press release about forged passports which may relate to the missing aircraft, Malaysia Airline MH 370

The clarifications included the following:
1. This incident is related to foreigners forging passports in Thailand, not a forgery of a Thai pasport.
2. The Department of Consular Affairs gives an assurance that a Thai passport is an e-passport , which is extremely resistant to forgery. The e-passport includes the passport owner’s biological data such as finger prints.
3. Since the launching of the e-passport project in 2005 up to the present, there have been in excess of 10 million passports issued and no Thai passport has been found to have been forged.


-- NNT 2014-03-14

[webfact]

Abhisit, Suthep Sued Over Crackdown Temple Deaths
By Khaosod English

A member of the security force walk past dead bodies of 6 civilians killed in Wat Pathumwanararm Temple, 20 May 2010

BANGKOK: -- Families of two civilians who were shot dead by the military during 2010 unrest have filed murder lawsuits against the former government leaders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710881-abhisit-suthep-sued-over-crackdown-temple-deaths/

[webfact]

Malaysia denies link to plane-search hocus pocus

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14, 2014 (AFP) - Malaysia, under fire over its fruitless search for a missing airliner, on Friday denied it had hired a prominent Muslim shaman to stage bizarre rituals seeking divine guidance in the hunt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710102-missing-mh-370-help-from-shaman-must-be-in-line-with-islam/?p=7561380#entry7561380

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,372.18, up 1.68; Bt/USD32.21; GBP53.40; AUD28.84; EUR44.51; CAD28.89; HKD4.14; SGD25.30; JPY31.54

[webfact]

Poll says no near end in sight to current political turmoil



BANGKOK: -- Ending of the current political turmoil in Thailand is not expected in near sight as rival groups could not resolve their differences, and no neutral person could offer to mediate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710917-poll-says-no-near-end-in-sight-to-current-political-turmoil-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Chiang Mai covered in smoke for the 4th day



CHIANG MAI: -- Most parts of Chiang Mai have been covered by smoke haze for the fourth consecutive day today (Friday) and the problem is affecting both locals and tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710922-chiang-mai-covered-in-smoke-for-the-4th-day/

[webfact]

Civil Court issues injunction to suspend Satish's deportation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710924-bangkok-civil-court-issues-injunction-to-suspend-satishs-deportation/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Cabinet to consider lifting emergency decree next week
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 14 - National Security Council (NSC) chief Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabut said today that the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) will ask the cabinet next week to lift a two-month state of emergency imposed in the Thai capital and its adjacent provinces to handle the anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710801-cmpo-to-let-emergency-executive-decree-expire-and-reinstate-internal-security-act/#entry7561734

[webfact]

Russian couple missing, feared kidnapped on Phuket
Anton Makhrov



Russian couple missing, feared kidnapped on Phuket

PHUKET: After a series of dramatic phone calls with relatives at home, it’s feared that a Russian couple in Phuket may have been kidnapped.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/710925-russian-couple-missing-feared-kidnapped-on-phuket/

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: [The Nation] Civil Court issued an injunction to suspend the order to deport Indian businessman Satish Sehgal pending a ruling in the case