Thailand Live Monday 24 Mar 2014

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 24 March 2014

General Situation
The high pressure over upper Thailand becomes weak with decreasing rain, as well as a rise in temperature and hot weather. Meanwhile, the moderate easterly winds remain across the Gulf and southern Thailand. Thundershowers over the South with the wind wave about 2 meters high in the lower Gulf.

Weather forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Monday to 6.00 a.m. Tuesday.
Northern Thailand Cloudy. Widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak and Kamphaeng Phet.Minimum temperature 18-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-36 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cloudy. Isolated thundershowers mostly in Loei and Nong Khai. Minimum temperature 19-21degree Celsius.Maximum temperature 32-36 degree Celsius.Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Cloudy. Widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi.Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cloudy. Isolated thundershowers mostly in Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 23-25degree Celsius.Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius.Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cloudy. Widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon.Minimum temperature 22-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-35 degree Celsius.Surat Thani northward: Southeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: Easterly winds 20-40 km/hr. Wave height about 2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy. Hot with haze during the day and isolated thundershowers. Minimum temperature 22-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-37 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cloudy. Isolated thundershowers. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-36 degree Celsius.Southerly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Today : Maximum temperature 36 degree Celsius.
: Sun rises at 6.20 a.m. Sun sets at 6.29 p.m.
: High water at 9.17 a.m. and at --.-- p.m.
: Low water at 4.49 a.m. and at 6.03 p.m.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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BMTA to adjust bus routes in preparation for planned rally on March 29

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority is set to readjust its bus services in light of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)’s plan to stage mass rallies in Bangkok on March 29th.

According to BMTA Acting Director Nares Boonpiam, public buses need to be re-routed on March 29th following the PDRC’s planned demonstrations in the capital. The BMTA has been assessing the situation closely and will soon draw up new bus plans, so that commuters will be least affected by the rallies.

The acting director also gave a strong assurance that the BMTA would be able to facilitate the travelling of Bangkokians, adding that when the locations of PDRC demonstrations became clear, the readjustments would be announced to the public.

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban made an official statement on Saturday that the PDRC would take to the streets on March 29th, starting from 9.30 am onward. The aim of the rallies is to call for a national reform in the country prior to the next general election after the Charter Court last week decided to annul the Feb 2 election.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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NSPRT protesters rally at National Police HQ, demand progress on violent attacks; Surapong wears black to protest court ruling on election /MCOT

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Industrial Confidence Index lowest in 56 months

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) – The Thai Industries Sentiment Index dropped from 86.9 in January to 85.7 points in February, the lowest in 56 months, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Chairman of the FTI Payungsak Chartsutipol has disclosed that the Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) last month stood at 85.7, the lowest level in 56 straight months since July 2009.

According to him, the main factor contributing to the drop was the ongoing political chaos in the country that has yet to find its way out, causing domestic consumption slowdown as consumers lack confidence in the country’s economic stability.

The chairman further predicted that the overall confidence index in Thailand would stand at approximately 98.4 points in the next 3 months, dropping from 100 in January 2014. He cited decreases in both the orders of goods and production as the main factors.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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STR-led protesters rally in front of Royal Thai Police

BANGKOK: -- The Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform (STR) led protesters to rally in front of the Royal Thai Police Monday to demand speed up investigations into attacks against anti-government demonstrators.

Nitithorn Lamlua and Uthai Yodmanee, two STR leaders) led the protesters to march from the Chamai Maruchet at 10:20 am.

Police closed the front gate of the Royal Thai Police and guarded it.

STR spokesman Amorn Amornratananon said the rally was held to call on Police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew to speed up the cases of violent attacks against demonstrators.


-- The Nation 2014-03-24

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RT @tulsathit: PDRC marches to campaign for a big march on March 29 (b4 end of March). pun Obviously intended. RT @sataporn_tpbs: http://t.co/tQwkquW2Hd

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RT @tulsathit: Banharn on the (very low) possibility he would be asked to serve as interim PM: Who would want that? No, thanks.

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EC chairman rebuffs Pheu Thai’s call to sue PDRC

BANGKOK: -- The chairman of the Election Commission Mr Supachai Somcharoen today rebuffed call by the ruling Pheu Thai party to take legal action against the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader in derailing the February 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713330-ec-chairman-rebuffs-pheu-thais-call-to-sue-pdrc/

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UPDATE:

ELECTION COMMISSION
EC starts preparing new general election

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) met Monday to prepare for a new general election after the Constitutional Court ruled Friday to annul the February 2 snap poll. The EC hoped to reach a conclusion on how to deal with the new election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713306-thai-election-commission-starts-preparing-new-general-election/#entry7601087

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Banharn: election is solution to country's rift

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - The Chief Advisor to the Chart Thai Pattana Party CTP) has asserted that an election is the only way out of the country’s problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713338-banharn-election-is-solution-to-countrys-rift/

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FTI expects auto production to top 2.4 million units this year

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) – The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has set a target of 2.4 million vehicles to be produced this year, 2.32 percent lower than 2013's.

Spokesman of the Automotive Industry Club Surapong Paisitpatnapong said the FTI had projected that Thailand’s car production would reach 2.4 million units by the end of 2014, accounting for a 2.32 percent decrease compared to the last year’s figure.

According to him, half of the targeted 2.4 million vehicles will be exported to other countries, while the rest will be sold domestically.

In February, Thailand produced a total of 173,500 cars, a marked drop of 24.3 percent when compared to the same period of 2013.

The nation's auto industry produced over 336,000 vehicles in the first 2 months of this year , representing a 27.7 percent drop year-on-year.

Although he expressed grave concerns over prolonged political uncertainties, he said political protests would not affect the automobile segment as much as other industries.

-- NNT 2014-03-24

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UPDATE:

About 1,200 people fall ill because of the Praek-sa Garbage Dump Fire

SAMUT PRAKAN, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has reported about 1,200 people fell ill due to the effects of the garbage dump fire at Tambon Praek-sa during March 16th to March 22nd.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713228-damages-sought-over-samut-prakan-dumpsite/#entry7601217

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Chalerm says election will bring peace to country; Banharn turns down neutral PM offer, asks Constitutional Court to advise solutions /MCOT

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Anti-govt movement marches for campaign 'reform before election' rally
By English News

BANGKOK, March 24 - Thailand's anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) today marched in the capital campaigning for public support for its 'reform-before-election' mass rally this Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713362-anti-govt-movement-marches-for-campaign-reform-before-election-rally/

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COURT
Court seeks opinion of NACC in red-shirt crackdown cases against Abhisit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court on Monday asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission to submit its opinion in its probes against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva related to 2010 crackdowns on red shirts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713349-court-seeks-opinion-of-nacc-in-red-shirt-crackdown-cases-against-abhisit/

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UPDATE:

Thai Red Cross tells Army not to use Red Cross sign on makeshift bunker



BANGKOK: -- The Thai Red Cross Society has asked the Royal Thai Army not to place Red Cross sign on army bunkers and tents where combined medical and armed soldiers are deployed. reasoning that it breaches the internal Red Cross regulations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713218-thai-armys-use-of-red-cross-sign-questioned/page-2#entry7601535

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Chinese Tourist Beaten By Teenage Gangsters
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A Chinese tourist had been accused of molesting a 'Coyote Girl' and subsequently mob-beaten by a group of teenage gangsters in Sa Kaeo province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713354-chinese-tourist-beaten-by-teenage-gangsters-in-thailand/

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Annual rice production expected to reach 26 million tons

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Yukol Limlaemthong has expressed belief that the 2014 rice yields will total 26 million tons and hopes that the rice market will return to its normal state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713356-thailands-annual-rice-production-expected-to-reach-26-million-tons/

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Inequality in justice system is the root cause of all problems



BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - According to leading law experts, loopholes in the justice system, and an ineffective rule of law are the heart of social problems. Therefore, a reform is needed in order to solve the issue in the long run.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713359-inequality-in-thai-justice-system-is-the-root-cause-of-all-problems/

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Egypt court sentences 529 Morsi supporters to death

(BBC) A court in Egypt has sentenced to death 529 supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713383-egypt-court-sentences-529-morsi-supporters-to-death/

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UPDATE:

BLAZE
Investigation into hospital fire opened
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police are investigating the likely causes of a fire at Praram 2 Hospital in Bang Khun Thien district on Sunday night that resulted in the death of a patient. The patient's legs and arm had been tied with rope to the bed, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713308-patient-dies-on-the-bed-in-bangkok-rama-ii-hospital-fire/#entry7601757

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Rohingya Smugglers Arrested In Ranong: Navy
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Navy says they have arrested a group of human traffickers who were en route to smuggle Rohingya refugees into Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713390-rohingya-smugglers-arrested-in-ranong-navy/

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Noppadon denies Thaksin hired 'men in black' to attack protesters

BANGKOK: -- Noppadon Pattama, a legal advisor of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Thaksin did not hire men in black to attack protesters from high-rise buildings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713391-noppadon-denies-thaksin-hired-men-in-black-to-attack-protesters/

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Royal Thai Police's website hacked by "Anonymous" group

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - The website of the Royal Thai Police has been hacked by the infamous Anonymous group on Monday morning.

The website shows a black screen with a man donning a Guy Fawkes mask and staring at the computer. Messages including “Hacked by Anon-0x03” and “Anonymous 2014” were displayed across the screen.

Reports suggest that the hackers infiltrated the national police website since late Sunday night.

The website’s technical team has closed down the site temporarily and has fixed the bug shortly after 8AM Monday morning.

The hacker group has claimed online that they have also infiltrated other websites under the police agency including the Suvarnabhumi airport tourism police.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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Criminal Court postpones hearing against Abhisit to June

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - Democrat Party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva appeared at the Criminal Court on Monday to fight charges in connection with the military intervention against political protesters in 2010.

The case involves Mr Abhisit and his former deputy Suthep Thaugsuban who issued orders via the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, or CRES, to crackdown on anti-government protesters. They have both been charged with murder and attempted murder by the court.

A relative of 43-year-old taxi driver Phan Khamkong, who was killed in 2010 and Samorn Maithong, who was injured by the crackdown operations, also joined the session as co-plaintiffs in the case.

More details on the case are yet to be provided by the National Anti-Corruption Committee or NACC. The court subsequently ordered the postponement of the examination of additional evidence to June 23.

The court had earlier issued an arrest warrant for Mr Suthep, as he had repeatedly failed to acknowledge the charges brought against him by the Department of Special Investigation.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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BMA confirms no illegal landfills in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) – There are no illegal landfills in Bangkok handling the 9,600 tonnes of garbage that is generated and collected daily in Bangkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) confirmed. The deputy permanent secretary of BMA, Banjong Sukdee mentioned this along with a statement that the BMA had dispatched firefighters and devices to put out the fire in Samut Prakarn’s landfills.

Currently, garbage in Bangkok is collected at Onnuch, Saimai and Nongkham dumpsites. Subcontractors also transfer garbage to landfills in Nakorn Prathom and Chachoengsao.

Hazardous garbage, including lamps and batteries, are disposed by subcontractors who are granted approval by the Control Pollution Department (CPD). There are 32 tonnes of medical waste generated daily, for example, disposed of by the Krungthep Thanakom.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Pichai Kriangwattanasiri, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Fire and Rescue Department, said during March 16-22, under command of the Bangkok governor, 150 officers per shift were dispatched, an increase from before, when 50 officers were sent.


-- NNT 2014-03-24

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SET index closed 1,349.90, down 10.60; Bt/USD32.33; GBP53.18; AUD29.12; EUR44.45; CAD28.66; HKD4.15; SGD25.24; JPY31.45

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Ukraine's interim President Olexander Turchynov orders withdrawal of military forces from Crimean peninsula /BBC

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TAT ready to hold Songkran celebrations nationwide
By English News



BANGKOK, March 24 - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said it has poured Bt20 million into organising Songkran Festival celebrations in 13 major cities nationwide to boost the country's tourism industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713406-tat-ready-to-hold-songkran-celebrations-nationwide/

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Foreign Affairs Minister implores Democrats to enter the general election

BANGKOK, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - The Foreign Affairs Minister, Surapong Tovichak-chaikul, is trying to persuade the Democrat Party to enter the general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713411-thai-fm-surapong-implores-democrats-to-enter-the-general-election/