Thailand Live Monday 24 Mar 2014

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Thai rice price expected to drop further after rice pledging scheme

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) – The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has warned that price of Thai rice from April to May this year might plummet after the rice pledging scheme ended and rice from Vietnam entered the market.

Secretary-General of the OAE Khanit Likhitwithayawut said Thai rice price had continuously dropped since the beginning of 2014 in part due to the termination of the rice subsidy program. The government’s urgent rice distribution, rice from Vietnam and lower quality February rice were also the causes of the price drop. On the positive side, the price decrease would help boost Thai rice exporters’ competitiveness, the official said.

An average price of husked rice with 15% moisture content in March is 7,644 baht/ton, lower in comparison to 10,158 baht/ton in the same period last year.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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Thai Army's Use Of Red Cross Sign Questioned
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A senior Thai Red Cross official has expressed concern over the display of Red Cross sign on security checkpoints manned by Thai army troops in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713218-thai-armys-use-of-red-cross-sign-questioned/

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Botched Tablet Deal: Govt Seeks B156 Mil Damage Fee
By Khaosod English


A student tests out a tablet computer distributed under the "one child one tablet" program (Photo by Prachachart)

BANGKOK: -- The government will file a lawsuit seeking a compensation fee of 154.6 million baht from the company behind the now-collapsed school tablet computers plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713219-botched-tablet-computer-deal-thai-govt-seeks-bt156-mil-damage-fee/

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Thailand To Protest Fox News Over Flight MH370 Criticism
By Khaosod English


A Vietnamese military officer looks at the map of search operation for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, 12 March 2014 (Reuters)

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has hit back at an American reporter who called Thai authorities "jerks" for their alleged delay in publishing the flight data of the missing Malaysian jet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713220-thailand-to-protest-fox-news-over-flight-mh370-criticism/

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Residents Concerned By Koh Samui 'Oil Slick'
By Khaosod English


Oil-tainted beach in Koh Samui island, 20 March 2014

BANGKOK: -- The authorities have launched inquiry to reports that oil slicks have been spotted near the popular tourist island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713221-residents-concerned-by-koh-samui-oil-slick/

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Academic calls for freer sex rules in Thai jails
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sex among prison inmates is controlled in Thailand under strict regulations, but inevitably there is involvement between individuals and the issue needs to be dealt with more seriously, a recent Bangkok seminar on the subject was told.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713223-academic-calls-for-freer-sex-rules-in-thai-jails/

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Vote 'a chance to restore democracy'
The Nation


Nuttawut, no need to fight Suthep.

Nuttawut urges Democrat Party to take part; denies red-shirt revamp prompted by Suthep

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuar believes the Constitutional Court ruling nullifying the February 2 election can be the starting point to bring the country back on the democratic path.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713224-vote-a-chance-to-restore-democracy/

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Can Thailand learn something from Ukraine's political protests?
Thepchai Yong
Kiev


Five months on, the fight for a better Ukraine at Maidan Independence Square still continues.

KIEV: -- Is there something Thailand can learn from the Euromaidan, the ongoing political demonstration in Ukraine that has ousted President Viktor Yanukovych but is still far from achieving its ideal goal of seeing real democracy?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713225-can-thailand-learn-something-from-ukraines-political-protests/

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Police scale up security for judges, key agencies
The Nation


A voter casts her ballot for the Senate election at a polling station in Bangkok

Courts, independent bodies seen to be at risk after ruling to annul poll; police in Bangkok put on alert

BANGKOK: -- Police Commissioner Adul Saengsingkaew has ordered security to be beefed up to protect personnel at many independent organisations - including judges - following the Constitutional Court's nullification of the February 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713226-thai-police-scale-up-security-for-judges-key-agencies/

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Temples lead fight to save last Siamese rosewood reserve
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Ubon Ratchathani


Lee Noikaew, headman of Nongphue village, examines the remains of the first Siamese Rosewood tree planted at the local temple. After the 70-year-old tree died, villagers cut up the wood to make furniture.

BANGKOK: -- The last reserve of Siamese rosewood forest in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani is under threat from illegal logging gangs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713227-temples-lead-fight-to-save-last-siamese-rosewood-reserve/

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Damages sought over dumpsite
The Nation


Firefighters use a water-spray jet as they attempt to control the fire at the garbage dump in Tambon Praksa, Samut Prakan province.

Council to help villagers get compensation from owners, state agencies

BANGKOK: -- The Lawyers Council will assist villagers affected by the Samut Prakan fire in filing civil and administrative lawsuits to demand compensation from the owner of the dump and five state agencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713228-damages-sought-over-samut-prakan-dumpsite/

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EDITORIAL
General Prayuth keeps walking on the tightrope
The Nation

Army commander has perhaps the toughest job of all and has been attacked by both sides

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713229-general-prayuth-keeps-walking-on-the-tightrope/

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Danish Motorcyclist killed in South Pattaya Road crash



PATTAYA: -- A 67 year old Danish Man, who was driving a motorbike with sidecar, was killed after his vehicle was hit by a Minivan travelling to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713230-danish-motorcyclist-killed-in-south-pattaya-road-crash/

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PDRC to hold mass procession in Bangkok on March 29



BANGKOK: -- The People’s Democratic Reform Committee will stage a mass procession in Bangkok next Saturday March 29 to dramatise its demand for reform to be worked out before the country goes to the polls, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced Saturday night at the Lumpini park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713231-pdrc-to-hold-mass-procession-in-bangkok-on-march-29/

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Advance voting for Senate sees low turnout
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Yesterday's advance voting for the March 30 half-Senate election went smoothly without any protests, but the turnout was exceptionally low in many provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713233-advance-voting-for-senate-sees-low-turnout/

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Jails filled after spike in drug busts
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Five Hmong men were arrested along with 700,000 'yaba' pills and 30 kilograms of crystal meth or 'ice' in Chiang Rai's Muang district, Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) secretarygeneral Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, said yesterday.

The men aged 2134 were apprehended as they drove in a twopickup convoy allegedly to transport drugs at Sri Sai Mul Intersection in tambon Rob Wiang. Pongsapat said the five told police they were hired by Hmong people to deliver the drugs in Ayutthaya in exchange for Bt100,000 per person.

Police believe the yaba pills were from a drug ring led by alleged drug lord Lt Col Yi Sae in Myanmar.

Pongsapat said police drug busts have caught 400 hill tribal people smuggling drugs in the past two years, causing a problem with crowded detention cells. The ONCB would ask the Corrections Department and other agencies to separate Hmong and Lahu suspects in a highsecurity facility to prevent their further involvement in drug dealing activities, he said.


-- The Nation 2014-03-24

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Hail storm wrecks 450 homes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Phayao authorities yesterday sent aid to victims of a Saturday evening hail storm in Phu Kam Yao district, which damaged 450 homes and over 700 rai of farmland.

District chief Suwit Suriyawong inspected the damage yesterday and asked the province for assistance. He said the Army would send troops to help residents fix their battered roofs, while farm produce damage would be tabled at the province's meeting today to consider aid to farmers.

Villager Sukham Riabroi, 45, tearfully said her fiverai melon plantation, to be harvested this week, was ruined and the middle man had cancelled a Bt120,000 payment. "I have nothing left. I don't know what to do now. I borrowed money to grow the melons. I hope the government agencies help me," she said.

Meanwhile, Lampang's Wang Neu district yesterday sent officials and roof tiles to fix 1,000 homes damaged by the summer storm in four tambons.


-- The Nation 2014-03-24

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Abhisit and Suthep face another murder charge from Wat Prathum case

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has closed the case of the shooting of six people at Wat Prathum Wanaram temple. A murder charge has been pressed against former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713234-abhisit-and-suthep-face-another-murder-charge-from-wat-prathum-case/

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5 injured in North Pattaya Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Morning 4 passengers and the driver of a White Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck were seriously injured in a road crash in the North Pattaya section of the Sukhumvit Road. A 4 year old boy was amongst those injured and rushed to Hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713235-5-injured-in-north-pattaya-road-crash/

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Political turmoil to stay even Feb 2 election was voided



BANGKOK: -- Although the Constitutional Court has voided the February 2 general election, political turmoil will continue to hit the country, according to a poll conducted by Suan Dusit Poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713263-political-turmoil-to-stay-even-feb-2-election-was-voided/

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DLT: Over 10,000 complaints against cab drivers received in past 5 months

BANGKOK, 24 Mar 2014, (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has disclosed that the number of complaints over taxi drivers' behavior made via the department’s 1584 hotline has exceeded 10,000 during the period of October 2013 - last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713266-dlt-over-10000-complaints-against-thai-cab-drivers-received-in-past-5-months/

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Suthep leads PDRC supporters for 9.30am warmup march from Lumpini to Surawongse, Mahesak, back to Lumpini; total route 5km /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,359.14, down 1.36 points /MCOT

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Industrial estates on alert for coming drought
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 24 – Industrial estates in Bangkok’s outskirts have been told to reserve water and reduce their consumption in light of an approaching drought, according to the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713269-industrial-estates-in-bangkoks-outskirts-on-alert-for-coming-drought/

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UPDATE:

1,200 ill from toxic landfill fumes
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 24 – More than 1,200 people were sick from toxic fumes at a landfill site in suburban Samut Prakarn province in the past week, the Public Health Ministry reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713228-damages-sought-over-samut-prakan-dumpsite/#entry7600287

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Bike track opens at Suvarnabhumi Airport
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 24 – A bike track, boasted about as the world’s best in an international airport, was officially launched at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday.

The 23.5-metre stretches, at 4.8 metres wide, are surfaced with all-weather, anti-slippery rubber by the Airports of Thailand (AoT).

More than 1,000 people participated in the opening of the track yesterday.

AoT Board of Directors chairman Sita Divari said the track was built in response to the 300-500 cyclists who bike at Suvarnabhum Airport every day, prompting the AoT to create a new outdoor exercise facility for Bangkok people.

He claimed that the bike track was the best in Asia and also the best among bike lanes in airports worldwide.

The track is open daily from 6am to 6pm. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-24

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Public Health Min warns Thais of 6 skin diseases during summer

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is warning all Thais of 6 possible skin diseases that normally develop well in hot weather condition.

Director General of the Department of Medical Services Suphan Srithamma revealed that a lot of people each year suffer from six skin diseases which are heat rash, sunburn, eczema, chloasma, skin allergies, and body odor disease. He also urged everyone not to take skin diseases for granted.

The director further revealed that people who are at risk of catching skin diseases include children, individuals who are exposed to sunlight for a long period of time, and those who wear unwashed clothes.

He also suggested ways to prevent skin diseases including using sunscreen, wearing long sleeve tops, avoiding thick clothing, and washing hair more frequently to prevent fungi.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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UPDATE:

ThaiGov: Fox News 'credibility' risked by Van Susteren comments
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Thai government official has warned Fox News that its reputation could suffer from comments by running a report which labeled the kingdom "lame," "cruel" and "awful."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713220-thailand-to-protest-fox-news-over-flight-mh370-criticism/page-8?p=7600567#entry7600567

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Election Commission starts preparing new general election
By English News



BANGKOK, March 24 - The Thai Election Commission (EC) met today to discuss preparations for a new general election after the charter court ruled Friday to annul the Feb 2 nationwide balloting results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713306-thai-election-commission-starts-preparing-new-general-election/

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Patient dies on the bed in hospital fire



BANGKOK: -- A 42-year-old patient with alcoholism and long lung sickness died on his hospital bed when a mysterious fire broke out in the room shortly before midnight Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713308-patient-dies-on-the-bed-in-bangkok-rama-ii-hospital-fire/