Thailand Live Tuesday 18 Mar 2014

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Passport applications to be accepted at Govt Complex from today

BANGKOK, 18 MARCH 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Consular Affairs is prepared to relaunch its passport services at the Government Complex today, expecting to be able to accommodate 300-320 applications per day.

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs Prasitthiporn Wetprasit has expressed readiness for the reopening of the temporary passport office on the 7th floor of Building B, Government Complex, from Tuesday onwards. He, however, noted that the office would be able to process only 300-320 applications a day as the internet system could not yet run at the normal speed.

The queue numbers will start to be given out to applicants at 7.30 am while full services will be available from 9 am-3.30 pm.

The reopening of the office is a result of successful negotiations recently between state officials and leaders of the anti-government protest who had been holding the Government Complex under siege.

Meanwhile, Mr Prasitthiporn insisted that the Bangna and Pinklao offices were still operating as usual, with the combined capacity of 3,500 passport applications a day. He added that more details would be made public next week regarding a new online registration system which would be able to help speed up the processing of applications in the future.

-- NNT 2014-03-18

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Senate panel to probe DSI chief’s homestay in Khao Yai

BANGKOK: -- The Senate committee on corruption and good governance will on Tuesday make an inspection trip to Khao Yai national park to investigate if a homestay belonging to Department of Special Investigation chief was legally built or not.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711688-senate-panel-to-probe-dsi-chief-tarits-homestay-in-khao-yai/

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L'Wren Scott, noted fashion designer, Mick Jagger's girlfriend, found dead
By Todd Leopold, CNN

(CNN) -- L'Wren Scott, a noted fashion designer who has been Mick Jagger's companion for more than a decade, was found dead in her New York apartment Monday of an apparent suicide, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. She was 49.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711689-lwren-scott-noted-fashion-designer-mick-jaggers-girlfriend-found-dead/

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TAT unveils new campaign to promote "honeyteering"

BANGKOK, 18 MARCH 2014 (NNT) The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has kicked start a new campaign which will specifically attract honeymooners to come to Thailand for volunteering activities, aiming to raise the tourism income to over 1 trillion baht this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711690-tat-unveils-new-campaign-to-promote-honeyteering/

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POLITICS
Yingluck and Suthep urged to nominate 10 mediators
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Six independent organisations are calling on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban to nominate 10 individuals each, who can mediate between both sides and help end the political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711691-yingluck-and-suthep-urged-to-nominate-10-mediators/

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ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Indonesian marine 'abducted' by Thai fishermen
Jakarta Post / ANN

JAKARTA: -- The Indonesian Navy has disclosed that one of its marines, Sgt Major Alfriansyah, had been apparently abducted by a group of Thai fishermen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711692-indonesian-marine-abducted-by-thai-fishermen/

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FIFA WORLD CUP
Massive fines unless World Cup broadcast free : NBTC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- RS, Thailand's broadcasting right holders for this summer's Fifa World Cup, runs the risk of being fined up to Bt17.3million, should the company fail to allow all 64 matches from Brazil to be shown on free TV, the Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) warned yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711647-rs-warned-to-stop-selling-set-top-boxes-for-world-cup-soccer-matches/#entry7574572

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UPDATE:

TOXIC POLLUTION
Thousands Evacuated
The Nation



Residents told to leave areas around burning Samut Prakan dump after toxic fumes detected

BANGKOK: -- PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS ordered the evacuation of residents from about 1,500 homes in Samut Prakan after a fire at a local garbage dump yesterday was declared a disaster area, and toxic fumes spread to many parts of the province and nearby areas in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711510-samut-prakan-garbage-site-fire-hundreds-of-families-evacuated/#entry7574580

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Thai AirAsia to begin major push to lure back tourists
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation


AirAsia has joined with Counter Service to offer easy access to air tickets across the nation, starting yesterday.

Joint effort with regional network for return of steady flow into Kingdom

BANGKOK: -- Thai AirAsia is preparing to work with the AirAsia network regionally to promote Thailand more aggressively to revive a stable flow of foreign tourists into the Kingdom after it was hit by prolonged political turmoil, while in the process meeting its cabin-factor projection of 84 per cent this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711695-thai-airasia-to-begin-major-push-to-lure-back-tourists/

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EDITORIAL
Asean must stand up to China over Uighurs
The Nation

Our region has a duty to protect the rights of migrants who face persecution by authorities back home

BANGKOK: -- This is not the first such group to have arrived in this region in recent years. But our neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have always dealt with these migrants harshly, deporting them to face prosecution in China. Beijing is no doubt pleased by this policy, but it damages Asean's reputation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711697-asean-must-stand-up-to-china-over-uighurs/

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BURNING ISSUE
Our hospitals are no place for political statements
Pongphon Sarnsamak

BANGKOK: -- In a normal situation, it would be a worthy act for the Public Health Ministry and state hospitals nationwide to erect banners calling for an end to corruption and violence, but in the current political turmoil, such banners are likely to create conflict among medical workers and patients.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711698-our-hospitals-are-no-place-for-political-statements-thai-politics/

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FDA finds nine local cosmetic brands using dangerous chemicals
The Nation

At least nine of the 21 local cosmetic brands tested by the Food and Drug Administration could be harmful to health.

The nine unregistered products were found to have agents and chemicals that are not suitable for humans.

The products were Mellano cream No 1(7 grams), Mellano night cream No 2 (7g) and Mellano facial nourishing cream No 3 (7g) from Ornets (Thailand) Co; Polla Gold super white perfect cream (10g) and Polla anti-melasma cream (5g); Nineteen Nano 19 Whitening Nano night repair cream; and Baschi Day cream (5ml) and Baschi Night cream (5ml), both whitening creams from Jiao Nuo.

Although the FDA has worked on registering and listing cosmetics distributed in Myanmar according to the Asean Cosmetic Directives of 2011, some brands continue to evade the regulations.

Cosmetics distributed in Myanmar by local and foreign companies don't need an import licence and their quality and safety standards cannot be fully confirmed.


-- The Nation 2014-03-18

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'That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it': Jeremy Clarkson accused of 'racism' during Top Gear series finale in Thailand
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



(Thailand) Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has found himself at the centre of an alleged racism row following a comment he made during the final show of the series.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711700-jeremy-clarkson-accused-of-racism-during-top-gear-series-finale-in-thailand/

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Charred carcass of gaur found in Kui Buri National Park
Wimon Tapkhong,
Apichart Hongsakul
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Confirming police officers' belief in the existence of a gaur-hunting gang in the tambon Khao Jao area of Prachuap Khiri Khan's Pran Buri district, provincial police chief Pol Maj-General Thanet Sunthorasuk yesterday ordered a speedy investigation of the case to gather evidence to bring the wrongdoers to justice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711701-charred-carcass-of-gaur-found-in-kui-buri-national-park/

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Phuket national park encroachment investigation in full swing again
Phuket Gazette


Mr Cheewapap displays a map of the park to the inspection officers. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- The plot thickened in the ongoing investigation into encroachment onto Sirinath Marine National Park yesterday as five former park chiefs were accused of signing documents allowing encroachment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711702-phuket-national-park-encroachment-investigation-in-full-swing-again/

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Meet focuses on police decentralisation
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation

Ex-deputy police chief says power should be vested with provincial governors

BANGKOK: -- The focus of the latest People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) national forum at Lumpini Park in Bangkok was whether to decentralise power in the police force to give local stations more control.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711703-meet-focuses-on-thai-police-decentralisation/

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M-79 grenade lands near home of retired army general, not far from NACC office in Nonthaburi; no injuries reported /MCOT

Grenade hurled at Tonson Tower in Chidlom, but fails to explode /MCOT

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First day of special Consular Affairs Department passport application service at Chaeng Wattana Government Complex, huge crowd queues up /MCOT

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Commerce Ministry sold 730,000 tons of rice in March

BANGKOK, 18 Mar 2014 --The Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, has signed a deal selling 730,000 tons of stockpiled rice to the winners of the March 10th rice auctions. The winning bidders are scheduled to finalize the deal next week.

The Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Surasak Riengkrue, has stated meanwhile, that the ministry is preparing to conduct another round of auctions in the provinces of Suphanburi, Chiang Rai and Nakhon Sawan. He said that authorities are inspecting rice in silos in the participating provinces while urging interested bidders to submit auction applications from today onward. The auction is scheduled for next week.

Mr. Surasak said the auctions’ Terms of Reference would be the same as on the previous occasion, and pointed out that the offers would be submitted and opened on the same day. Rice being sold during the auctions is suitable for either domestic and international consumption.


-- NNT 2014-03-18

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CMPO to propose that Cabinet lift Emergency Decree today

BANGKOK, 18 Mar 2014 -- The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) is prepared to propose that the cabinet replace the soon-to-be-expired Emergency Decree with the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok and its vicinity, as violence from the areas’ gathering has subsided.

CMPO committee member Tharit Pengdit made the announcement yesterday, saying that the agency would ask the cabinet to revoke the decree today. He is optimistic that once the decree is replaced with the ISA, the nation’s images will definitely improve. The move will also reinforce Thailand’ business, investment, and tourism sectors as well as the overall well- being of the affected residents.

The CMPO can lift the decree and impose the ISA immediately, once the cabinet gives it a nod.

Mr. Tharit stated the CMPO would basically retain its structure, elaborating that the center would continue to use the Office of the Narcotics Control Board as its command center and would pursue legal action against the 58 core members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee as well as other law violators for whom arrest warrants have been issued. /


-- NNT 2014-03-18

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,380.73, gains 3.63 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Anti-govt group rejects proposed peace dialogue

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Mar 18 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has ruled out the independent agencies’ move to mediate the political conflicts between the caretaker government and anti-government movement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711691-yingluck-and-suthep-urged-to-nominate-10-mediators/#entry7575399

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State rice stocks strictly controlled after smuggling reported
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Mar 18 – The Commerce Ministry has strictly controlled rice in the state stockpiles after 1,000 sacks went missing from a warehouse in the northeastern province of Buri Ram, a senior official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711758-state-rice-stocks-strictly-controlled-after-smuggling-reported/

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Thai tourism authority welcomes Songkran in Singapore
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 18 – The Tourism and Sports Ministry has no objection to a planned Songkran festival in Singapore on April 12-13.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711759-thai-tourism-authority-welcomes-songkran-in-singapore/

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US ship withdraws from search for missing Malaysia jet

WASHINGTON - A US naval ship that has been aiding the international search for a missing Malaysian airliner will be withdrawn from the effort, Pentagon officials said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-91?p=7575501#entry7575501

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Grenade attack on Tonson Tower in Lumphini



BANGKOK: -- A hand grenade was thrown at Tonson Tower building in Lumphini area but did not explode.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711763-grenade-thrown-at-tonson-tower-office-building-in-bangkok/

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Book and buy Air Asia flights at 7-Eleven
By Coconuts Bangkok



Some day we will all be born, live, work, shop and die without ever leaving 7-Eleven.

BANGKOK: -- Although live birth and funeral services aren't available (yet!), the ubiquitous convenience store - which recently became a post office - has now become a travel agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711764-book-and-buy-air-asia-flights-at-7-eleven/

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EOD chief says two fertilizer bombs are live and ready to explode



BANGKOK: -- The chief of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) says the two fertilizer bombs planted separately at the fence wall of the court compound on Ratchadapisek are live and ready to explode.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711767-eod-chief-says-two-fertilizer-bombs-found-in-bangkok-are-live-and-ready-to-explode/

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"Don't waste time," Suthep tells independent organizations



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban called on the six independent organizations not to waste their times to take on the mediation role as he saw the other side would never accept but press on with their demands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711789-dont-waste-time-suthep-tells-independent-organizations/

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RT @tulsathit: RT @PatricLand: 10 AM Yingluck on wheelchair to cabinet meeting saying her leg still hurt RT @jeerapong_nna: #nna http://t.co/TlNyxnHkuI