Thailand Live Saturday 22 Mar 2014

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RT @191Thailand: 11:49am - RT @Thibaut_Girard: long convoy of "red" vehicles (more than 100) on the highway in Chonburi going towards Pattaya

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UPDATE:

Four wounded in three explosions in Chiang Mai
By Digital Content



CHIANG MAI, March 22 -- Four people were wounded in three separated explosions in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Friday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712882-four-wounded-in-chiang-mai-bombing/#entry7593822

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Four flights unable to land at Chiang Mai airport due to haze from forest fire, forced to return to Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi /MCOT

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Army: soldiers have to maintain checkpoints to prevent incidents in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) – It is necessary for soldiers to continue to be stationed at checkpoints in numerous locations in Greater Bangkok to prevent ill-intentioned parties from striking, the army has informed the public.

Deputy Army spokesperson Winthai Suwari reported that some dissident groups are still using violence against various targets, and thus internal security agencies continue to place importance on preventive measures such as community checkpoints and 'internal security' checkpoints, in areas that contain potential targets. Colonel Winthai said that the checkpoints have proven very beneficial, although some groups have distorted the checkpoints' purpose by calling them 'military bunkers'. Col. Winthai asserted that the presence of the checkpoints and service points for the military has not negatively impacted on the daily lives of people.

The spokesman explained that sandbag barriers had to be erected at some locations because of the lack of permanent shelter that could provide officials with a measure of safety, should ill intentioned individuals decide to strike. However soldiers have been told to modify the sandbag barriers to blend in better with their surroundings, and bring greater peace of mind to the public.


-- NNT 2014-03-22

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Months of Anger results in near-fatal attack at Pattaya Elephant Village

PATTAYA: -- On Friday afternoon medics were called to the Pattaya Elephant Village to assist an Elephant Master who had been attacked by an 18 year old female elephant who appears to have had enough with the man’s drunken antics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712912-months-of-anger-results-in-near-fatal-attack-at-pattaya-elephant-village/

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The EC ready for pre-election tomorrow; targeting 70% voter turnout

BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) - The Election Commission's Secretary-General Puchong Nutrawong, has announced that all preparations for the pre-election tomorrow have been completed. Opening hours are from 08.00-16.00hr. The EC believes that there won't be any political obstruction nor blockage. Moreover, 70% of 2,100,000 people who registered for pre-election are expected to show up for voting. Eligible voters can check their polling station at www.khonthai.com

According to election law, not only is selling alcohol prohibited from 18.00hr on the 22nd of March to 16.00hr on the 23rd of March, but also electoral campaigning near polling stations is not allowed.

After the election finishes, all senatorial candidates are requested to submit to the EC, a financial statement of the electoral campaign within 90 days.

For those who registered for pre-election but are no longer available for the election on March 23, the EC must be informed in order to rearrange the constituency and advise polling stations ahead of the 30th March election.


-- NNT 2014-03-22

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TAT believes tourist number will swell during Songkran

BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 (NNT) – Tourist numbers will swell during the upcoming Songkran Festival, because of the improved political situation, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

Wilaiwan Thawitchasi, the TAT's deputy governor for tourism business and products, said the rate of tourism in the country will return to an enlivened level after the political situation was brought under control and the Emergency Decree was lifted. More tourists are expected to visit the Northern and Southern Regions during the Songkran period.

Mrs. Wilaiwan added that with ASEAN integration looming, Thai tourism businesses must quickly develop their capacity to accommodate more arrivals by tourists, who tend to regard Thailand as the top destination in the ASEAN region. She said they should prioritize improvements to service and language capabilities.

According to the TAT, Thailand generates the 11th highest amount of revenue from tourism in the world. This year, the target is to attract 28 million foreign visitors, which would generate 1.3 trillion baht in income.

-- NNT 2014-03-22

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RT@191Thailand: EOD confirm it was a car bomb on Chaeng Wattana 13. Same type used at Attorney General office (Pic @fm91trafficpro) pic.twitter.com/dA3n5R3lBw

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RT@sumishanaidu: BREAKING: Msia transport min concerned nothing found yet off Oz- esp if it means return to massive scale of search pic.twitter.com/JzzGFSQKFn

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Homemade bombs found in burnt car near PDRC site
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, March 22 -- Three homemade bombs in gas cylinders were found in a burnt car, parked not far from the anti-government protest site at Chaeng Wattana.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712934-homemade-bombs-found-in-burnt-car-near-pdrc-site/

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No tsunami alert issued in Phuket after 6.5 magnitude earthquake off Nicobar Islands
Phuket Gazette

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712935-no-tsunami-alert-issued-in-phuket-after-65-magnitude-earthquake-off-nicobar-islands/

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Karon police car smashes into parked vehicles in Patong
Eakkapop Thongtub


Karon police car smashes into parked vehicles in Patong

PHUKET: -- A Karon police officer was asleep when he smashed his squad car into three other vehicles and two motorbikes in front of a rice shop in the middle of a dead end road in Patong on Friday night (March 21).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712936-karon-police-car-smashes-into-parked-vehicles-in-patong/

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Pheu Thai to wear black at its general assembly on Monday to mourn Constitutional Court ruling, EC urged to resign for lack of will /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Grenade blasts rattle northern Thai city

BANGKOK, March 22, 2014 (AFP) - A string of grenade blasts shook a northern Thai city popular with foreign tourists, leaving several people wounded in attacks that police said Saturday could be linked to the kingdom's deadly political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712882-four-wounded-in-chiang-mai-bombing/#entry7594458

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RT@AP:
BREAKING: Malaysia says Chinese satellite has spotted object in southern corridor; ships to investigate.

RT@W7VOA: The debris object in the water spotted by the satellite is about 22 meters wide and 30 meters long. #MH370

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RT@191Thailand: 5:30pm - RT @EdwinWiek: Serious accident on Rama 2 road km 36 makes traffic in both directions slow down. 3 wounded pic.twitter.com/wukDxSXHiX

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RT@underexpose: REMINDER: Thailand nationwide alcohol ban starts in twenty minutes.

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 23 Mar 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713048-thailand-live-sunday-23-mar-2014/