Thailand Live Saturday 22 Mar 2014

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Temporary center for passport issuance opened at The Esplanade shopping center



BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) - The consular section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened a temporary center for those who have reserved their passports online through the website www.consular.go.th.

Passport issuance is located on the 3rd floor of The Esplanade shopping center on Ratchadapisek Road. This temporary center will start its service on March 24 from 8.00 a.m. and can serve 1,000 persons daily.


-- NNT 2014-03-22

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Suthep: Poll disruptions will be repeated

BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) – Secretary-General of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thaugsuban has declared that the group will continue to prevent the general election from happening, reiterating that reform must come first.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712843-suthep-poll-disruptions-will-be-repeated/

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Redshirts Promise Uprising Against Coup, Appointed PM
By Khaosod English


"Respect My Vote" demonstrators at Benchasiri Park, 21 March 2014

BANGKOK: -- Leaders of the Redshirts have threatened to launch widespread protests if Prime Minister Yingluck is ousted by a coup, or replaced with an unelected premier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712844-jatuporn-redshirts-promise-uprising-against-coup-appointed-pm/

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Portuguese Cannon Smashed To Build Buddha Figure

By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Police in Ranong province have saved scraps of 500 years-old Portuguese cannon from the temple furnace where local monks intended to turn the artifacts into a Buddha figure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712845-ranong-portuguese-cannon-smashed-to-build-buddha-figure/

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NATION ANALYSIS
No sign of early ballot
The Nation

Activists from the Student Federation of Thailand cover the Democracy Monument with a large piece of black cloth to protest against the court ruling to nullify the February 2 election.

Court voids Feb 2 poll; concerns if new govt not in place by August

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday's ruling by the Constitutional Court that annulled the February 2 general election has answered questions about the legality of the problem-plagued poll - but it has also raised new questions about when the next election will be held and whether the political stalemate can be resolved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712846-no-sign-of-early-ballot-thai-analysis/

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Court ruling on Feb 2 poll attracts criticism
Pravit Rojanaphruk,
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

Critics say Charter allows voting to be held on different date if House not full

BANGKOK: - The Constitutional Court ruled 6:3 to invalidate the February 2 election yesterday, citing the failure to hold elections at all constituencies on the same day as the reason.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712847-court-ruling-on-feb-2-poll-attracts-criticism/

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Buriram track to host Super GT race in October
Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation


Buriram United president Newin Chidchob,third from left, poses with MCOT president Anek Permvongseni at a conference yesterday. The new Buriram United International Circuit will host the world-famous Grand Touring car race in October

BURIRAM: -- Thailand's first international-standard motor-racing track, Buriram United International Circuit (BRIC), will host the world famous Grand Touring (GT) car race in October as its inaugural event.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712848-buriram-track-to-host-super-gt-race-in-october/

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Smog in North worsens, as flights cancelled due to poor visibility
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The smog in the North had thickened yesterday, prompting the cancellation of many flights and badly disrupting the lives of local residents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712849-smog-in-north-worsens-as-flights-cancelled-due-to-poor-visibility/

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Run-off from dump site dangerous
The Nation


Firefighters try to put out the blaze at the large landfill in Praksa, Samut Prakan.

BANGKOK: -- The run-off from water used to extinguish the fire at Samut Prakan's Praksa garbage dump is contaminated and needs to be treated, while the protective gear worn by firemen is hazardous and needs to undergo special cleaning, a Bangkok seminar was told yesterday.

Also, reporters covering the fire must wear full protective gear and wash the clothes worn on that day separately, Dr Phornchai Sitthisarankul of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine said.

The doctor also advised residents living near the site to leave the area or stay indoors with windows and doors tightly shut and air conditioners turned off. They have also been advised to avoid consuming food and water sold in the area.

Srisuwan Janya, chairman of the Stop Global Warming Association, yesterday filed a complaint with the Central Administrative Court, accusing four senior civil servants of negligence of duty, which resulted in the dumping of untreated toxic waste at the garbage dump.

The complaint also demands that the dump be closed permanently and the four officers work to revoke the licence of the irresponsible operators, restore the condition of the area, sanitise polluted spots and pay compensation to those affected.

The accused are chief of the Praksa Tambon Administrative Organisa-tion (TAO), Praksa Municipality, Samut Prakan governor and director-general of the Department of Industrial Works.

The court has accepted Srisuwan's complaint.

At the seminar, Praphan Chobson, a senior official from the Phraek Sa TAO, said his agency could only provide immediate assistance to those affected and that further assistance and measures would be the responsibility of the provincial authorities and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.

The number of people made ill by the smoke from the garbage fire has reached 940, with the infant suffering from lung inflammation still in hospital though recovering, the Public Health Ministry' permanent secretary Narong Sahametapat reported.


-- The Nation 2014-03-22

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BOT lowers GDP growth forecast yet again to 2.7%
Erich Parpart
The Nation



Decision made before Feb 2 election nullified by charter court

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand yesterday once again cut its growth forecast for gross domestic product to 2.7 per cent, down from the 4.8 per cent it predicted last October and 5 per cent earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712850-bot-lowers-gdp-growth-forecast-yet-again-to-27/

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Phuket kidnappers 'were Russian loan sharks'
Eakkapop Thongtub



The two wanted Russians: Novichkov (left) and Boychuk.


The Blue Garden Resort, where the nightmare took place. Google Street View.

PHUKET: -- Police are still not sure whether missing Russian expat Alexei Slabinskiy is still alive, but more details of the nightmare emerged this morning (March 21) at a meeting at Kamala police station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712853-phuket-kidnappers-were-russian-loan-sharks/

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Thailand back as rice exporter champion



BANGKOK: -- The private sector yesterday stated that Thailand is again the number one exporter of rice in the world for the past two months period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712854-thailand-back-as-rice-exporter-champion/

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PDRC cheers after election nullified
The Nation


PDRC protesters cheer in delight after the Constitutional Court ruling to nullify the February 2 poll.

BANGKOK: -- Protesters with the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) cheered on hearing the Constitutional Court's ruling yesterday to nullify the February 2 election, believing the verdict could lead to national reform before another vote.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712855-pdrc-cheers-after-election-nullified/

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Reform needed to stop nepotism, political meddling in bureaucracy, forum hears
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The bureaucracy needs to be reformed with a system to prevent nepotism and interference by politicians, a seminar held by the People's Democrat Reform Committee (PDRC) was told yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712856-reform-needed-to-stop-nepotism-political-meddling-in-bureaucracy-thai-forum-hears/

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Pheu Thai Party opposes charter court ruling on invalid election
By English News



BANGKOK, March 22 - Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party issued a statement opposing the Constitutional Court ruling's to nullify the Feb 2 election, saying the charter court has no authority to accept the case for consideration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712781-pheu-thai-party-opposes-charter-courts-ruling/page-2?p=7592782#entry7592782

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Bootleg Bruno Mars: Singer checks out his pirated music sold on street of Bangkok
By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712858-bootleg-bruno-mars-singer-checks-out-his-pirated-music-sold-on-street-of-bangkok/

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RT @mpoppel: Yonhap: N. Korea test-fires 30 more rockets into the East Sea

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RT @191Thailand: EOD found two gas canisters in the burnt out car on Chaeng Wattana 13 - TR @Hui_Nation http://t.co/3d44vudgeW #Bangkok

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4500 officers from nine provinces mobilized to extinguish forest fires in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, 22 March 2014 (NNT) -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is mobilizing more than 3,000 officers from 9 provinces for a wildfire suppression operation in Chiang Mai.

According to Deputy Director General Theerapat Prayoonsith, the air pollution in the northern region has aggravated as a result of forest fires that are spread by the help of the southwestern monsoon wind and putting Chiang Mai under a blanket of thick smoke.

Additional forest fires sparked at Chiang Dao National Park in Doi Chiang Dao district and at the mount of Doi Suthep in Mueang district on Friday. Theerapat said more than 3,000 officers from nine provinces have been mobilized to help extinguish the fires.

In Chiang Mai alone, 1,500 officers are preparing to start the operation in the mountainous terrains. Authorities have also launched stringent measures to take legal action against those who deliberately start the fires.


-- NNT 2014-03-22

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Four wounded in three explosions in Chiang Mai; M-79 grenade fired at PDRC stage in Chon Buri, no report of injuries /MCOT

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Husband, wife arrested with 1.7 million meth pills, 12 kg of crystal meth at checkpoint in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen /MCOT

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People urged to wash mushrooms to prevent formaldehyde ingestion

BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is urging people to wash mushrooms thoroughly before cooking them, after finding that the food item is frequently soaked in formaldehyde before reaching the hands of consumers.

Dr. Praphon Angtrakun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), revealed on Friday that 3% of the 15,000 fresh food items the FDA randomly tests are tainted with formaldehyde. The rate of detection is especially high in seafood. As for vegetable produce, straw mushrooms and termite mushrooms are of special concern.

Dr. Praphon said formaldehyde-laced produce can be identified if vegetables and other foodstuff don't dry up or become shriveled after being put on display without the addition of moisture. With meat, identification can be made if the meat does not dry up after being put out in the sun, a food preparation practice in some areas.

Dr. Phaphon added that people should always wash or soak produce before cooking.

Reports of formaldehyde contamination can be made to the FDA on its hotline number 1556, or at public health offices nationwide


-- NNT 2014-03-22

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Election Commission ready for new general election
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Mar 22 – The Election Commission (EC) will either discuss with the caretaker government to hold a general election in 60 days or invite political parties to reach an agreement on the new balloting date after the Constitutional Court decided yesterday to annul the Feb 2 poll, according to an election commissioner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712880-election-commission-ready-for-new-general-election/

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UPDATE:

Thailand back to world’s No 1 rice exporter
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Mar 22 – Thailand has reclaimed its title as the world’s top rice exporter after having shipped out 1.5 million tonnes of grain in the last two months, according to an international trade company.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712854-thailand-back-as-rice-exporter-champion/page-2#entry7593306

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UPDATE:

MH370 search resumes off Perth coast
By Digital Content

MELBOURNE, March 22 (Bernama) -- Fine weather should aid the search off the West Australian coast for missing flight MH370 as it resumes Saturday, the Australian Associated Press reports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-109?p=7593326#entry7593326

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Four wounded in Chiang Mai bombing

CHIANG MAI, 22 Mar 2014, (NNT) - Police officials report that there were multiple bombings in Chiang Mai last night, saying no group or individual has come forward to claim responsibility, while acknowledging the incidents were the work of ill intentioned individuals creating public alarm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712882-four-wounded-in-chiang-mai-bombing/

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UPDATE:

From 'ghostly' to psychic, theories abound on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
By Michael Martinez, CNN

(CNN) -- As the hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 now focuses on suspicious debris in the southern Indian Ocean, theories continue to evolve on what may have happened to the commercial plane carrying 239 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-109?p=7593514#entry7593514

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Phuket student slays ex-girlfriend’s new love in knife attack
Phuket Gazette


Police inspect the room where blood spattered the walls in the frenzied knife attack. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police are on the lookout for a 22-year-old Phuket student wanted for the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend’s new partner in a frenzied knife attack in Rassada early Thursday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712887-phuket-student-slays-ex-girlfriends-new-love-in-knife-attack/

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Suvarnabhumi honors hard-working employees

BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) – Suvarnabhumi International Airport has given awards to a number of its employees in recognition of their hard work. The aim was to encourage all individuals working in hospitality at the airport to keep on making a good impression.

Presiding over the award-presentation ceremony was Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Raweewan Netarakavesana who handed out the awards to the outstanding individual employees.

The awards entitled “Suvarnabhumi Service Excellence 2013” were presented to honor those who have consistently achieved the highest standards of service.

According to the airport director, the awards should set a good example to others, as well as encourage them to keep making a good impression and creating smiles, in accordance with the concept of the “Airport of Smiles”.

The ceremony was held in front of Gate 1, on the fourth floor of the passenger hall.


-- NNT 2014-03-22

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UPDATE:

UDD protesters gather in Pattaya

Chonburi, 22 March 2014 (NNT) – The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is staging a rally in Pattaya in a bid to mobilize supporters from Thailand’s eastern provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712747-udd-to-stage-a-mass-rally-in-south-pattaya/#entry7593590