Thailand Live Tuesday 25 Mar 2014

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At least 27 dead in north Thailand bus accident: police

BANGKOK, March 25, 2014 (AFP) - At least 27 people died and more than 20 others were injured late Monday when a bus careered off a hillside road and into a ravine in northern Thailand, police told AFP.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713517-at-least-27-dead-in-north-thailand-bus-accident-police/

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UPDATE:

MISSING MH 370
Missing jetliner crashed at sea : Malaysian premier
Agence France Presse


Najib at the press conference.//Photo : EPA

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia said Monday the passenger jet which went missing more than two weeks ago crashed in the Indian Ocean, but shed no light on the mystery of why it veered from its intended course.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713485-bulletin-malaysia-airlines-says-flight-370-crashed-in-southern-indian-ocean-no-survivors/page-4?p=7604226#entry7604226

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UPDATE:

ILL-FATED MH370
Malaysia Airlines tells families it will keep searching for jet


Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 console each other after being told of their deaths at a hotel in Beijing on March 24.//AFP

BANGKOK: -- Malaysia Airlines on Monday told relatives of the 239 people on board a missing passenger jet that "we have to assume" the plane went down in the southern Indian Ocean, but vowed the search for the jet would continue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713485-bulletin-malaysia-airlines-says-flight-370-crashed-in-southern-indian-ocean-no-survivors/page-4?p=7604230#entry7604230

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MH 370
Too soon to launch undersea search : French investigators

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713485-bulletin-malaysia-airlines-says-flight-370-crashed-in-southern-indian-ocean-no-survivors/page-4?p=7604234#entry7604234

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RICE SCHEME
Another farmer collapses under burden of debt
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The wife of the farmer who was found dead at home in Ratchaburi's Pak Tho district on Saturday believes her husband died due to stress over debts and overdue payment for his pledged rice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713519-thai-rice-scheme-another-farmer-collapses-under-burden-of-debt/

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THAI-INDONESIAN RELATIONS
Trawler crew eyed for murder
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- POLICE ARE eyeing 12 fishing boat crew members, including the boat captain, for their alleged role in the killing of two Indonesian marines in Indonesian waters last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713520-trawler-crew-eyed-for-murder-thai-indonesian-relations/

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STREETWISE
Office extravagance and the bottom line
Achara Deboonme

Plain or lavishly decorated, an office's decor has nothing to do with the organisations' financial performance.

BANGKOK: -- I have stepped into many corporate headquarters. Reporters are usually taken to executives' offices to conduct their interviews, or sometimes they gather in a meeting room for a group interview or press conference. Some are lavishly decorated, some are minimalist and others reflect the CEO's spartan style.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713521-office-extravagance-and-the-bottom-line-thai-opinion/

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Crackdown On Shopping Mall Street Parking Announced
By Khaosod English


A police officer tows away a taxi in front of Central World shopping mall in downtown Bangkok, 24 March 2014

BANGKOK: -- Parking of vehicles on roads in front of shopping malls in busy financial district of Bangkok would no longer be tolerated, police warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713522-crackdown-on-bangkok-shopping-mall-street-parking-announced/

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Yingluck encounters whistle blowers at landfill fire scene



BANGKOK: -- Three whistle blowers gave acting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra a loud shout and whistle sound when she arrived at Phraekasa landfill site in Samut Prakan to inspect the fire situation Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713523-yingluck-encounters-whistle-blowers-at-landfill-fire-scene/

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Easy Pass to be installed on motorways



BANGKOK: - The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is now negotiating with the Department of Highways to introduce the ‘Easy Pass’ system on its motorway system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713524-easy-pass-to-be-installed-on-thai-motorways/

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Fire at a Tak refugee camp reportedly kills at least 21 last night

BANGKOK: -- A fire broke out at Mae La camp for displaced Myanmar people in Tak province last nigh, killing at least 21 and injured many others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713526-fire-at-a-tak-refugee-camp-reportedly-kills-at-least-21-last-night/

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BURNING ISSUE
If Yingluck is indicted, major players will have to talk
Jintana Panyaarvudh



BANGKOK: -- All stakeholders in Thai politics have challenges awaiting after the Constitutional Court ruled last week by six to three to nullify the February 2 election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713527-if-yingluck-is-indicted-major-players-will-have-to-talk/

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Pheu Thai seeks UN chief's help against 'anti-democratic' forces
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party has written to the United Nations chief, asking him to condemn an "undemocratic conspiracy" by conservative and anti-democratic forces in Thai society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713528-pheu-thai-seeks-un-chiefs-help-against-anti-democratic-forces/

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DSI mulls more action against PDRC
The Nation


Suthep Thaugsuban, PDRC secretary-general, is being guarded by five rows of bodyguards as he marches through Bangkok

Suthep leads march to call on people to join mass rally this Saturday

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will combine its investigation into People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) moves to stop voters from casting their ballot on February 2 with allegations of insurrection, for which PDRC leaders are already facing arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713529-dsi-mulls-more-action-against-pdrc/

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2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Abhisit faces court over people killed during 2010 crackdown
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday warned that Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva could have committed an abuse of authority if he had failed to follow crowd control practices or issue orders without reasonable grounds in connection with the deadly military crackdown on red-shirt protesters in April-May 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713530-abhisit-faces-court-over-people-killed-during-2010-crackdown/

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Microsoft reminder: No support for XP from April 8
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Microsoft has reminded consumers that it will be ending its support for Windows XP operating system and Office 2003 on April 8.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713532-microsoft-reminder-no-support-for-xp-from-april-8/

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1 Million Baht fire at Nongprue Temple in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- For the second time in two months, a fire has occurred at Nongprue Temple in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713533-1-million-baht-fire-at-nongprue-temple-in-east-pattaya/

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Minivan Drivers drug tested by Transport Officials in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- On Monday Morning checks were made on minivan drivers following orders from the Provincial Governor who suspects many drivers work long hours and take illegal drugs to stop them from sleeping.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713535-minivan-drivers-drug-tested-by-transport-officials-in-south-pattaya/

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Schools asks for too big budgets for joining competitions: Obec
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) yesterday affirmed that the agency was willing to support schools in joining marching band competitions and provide some funds - but schools asked for big budgets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713536-schools-asks-for-too-big-budgets-for-joining-competitions-obec/

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NACC, GLO offices hit by M79 grenades

BANGKOK: -- Two M79 grenades fell on the roofs of the head offices of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Government Lottery Office in Nonthaburi late Monday night, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713546-nacc-glo-offices-hit-by-m79-grenades/

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UPDATE:

At least 32 killed in a bus accident in Tak last night

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713517-at-least-27-dead-in-north-thailand-bus-accident-police/page-2#entry7604843

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Suthep leads PDRC supporters on 2nd day of 8km warm up march from Lumpini to Rama 4, Wireless, Phetchaburi, Asoke, Sukhumvit, Ratchadamri, back to Lumpini /MCOT

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Commerce Ministry to rekindle rice deal with Iraq

BANGKOK, 25 Mar 2014, (NNT) - The Department of Foreign Trade has announced that a team of trade representatives is visiting Iraq, in the department’s bid to revive a stalled rice deal with the Middle East nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713555-thai-commerce-ministry-to-rekindle-rice-deal-with-iraq/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:45am Suthep, surrounded by 100's of guards, is on day 2 of his march to rally support (Pic RT @sataporn_tpbs) http://t.co/fdbrwFCtw5

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,351.14, gains 1.24 points /MCOT

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Court asked to terminate Bangkok governor’s duties
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 25 – The Election Commission (EC) has petitioned the Court of Appeals, seeking a ruling to invalidate the governorship of Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713558-court-asked-to-terminate-bangkok-governors-duties/

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BMA: No illegal landfill sites in Bangkok
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 25 – City residents have been reassured that all landfill sites under the supervision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) are safe and legally operated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713559-bma-no-illegal-landfill-sites-in-bangkok/

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Power consumption drops 7% in Q1
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 25 – Thailand's ongoing political turmoil, which resulted in declining tourist arrivals, has also diminished Thailand’s power consumption in the first quarter by 7 per cent, according to the Energy Ministry.

Suthep Liumsirijarern, permanent secretary for energy, said the dropping temperatures early in the year also contributed to reduced power consumption, which will jump higher in April with hot weather.

Power consumption is predicted to peak to about 27,200 megawatts when the summer equinox occurs on April 26, he said, adding that the energy-saving campaign has continued.

The Energy Ministry earlier submitted a plan to the Election Commission (EC) to build more plants at the Mae Moh power site to generate 600 megawatts of additional power.

Mr Suthep said the EC instructed the ministry to urgently work out details of the plan and resubmit it for approval. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-25

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NACC comes under M 79 grenade attack

BANGKOK: -- Armed men fired three M 79 grenades into the compound of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Monday night, one striking at the deck of its building, and the other two missing and landing at the adjacent building of the Government Lottery Office instead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713546-nacc-glo-offices-hit-by-m79-grenades/#entry7605052

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Wanted Phuket kidnapper identified as rogue Russian Navy officer
Anton Makhrov


Andrei Zabelin, photographed by a Thai Immigration camera, left, and in an earlier photograph when he was still a serving Russian Navy officer.

PHUKET: -- Russian media have identified one of the men wanted for the kidnapping of Russians Aleksei Slabinskiy and Yana Strizheus on March 7 as a former officer of the Russian Far East Fleet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713561-wanted-phuket-kidnapper-identified-as-rogue-russian-navy-officer/