Thailand Live Wednesday 26 Mar 2014

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 26 March 2014

General Situation
The heat low will replace the weak high pressure over upper Thailand. Hot is likely during the day.
During 28-30 March, the easterly wave across the Gulf and the south of the country will bring more rain over the areas

Weather forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Wednesday to 6.00 a.m. Thursday
Northern Thailand -Hot with haze during the day. Isolated thundershowers mostly in the lower portion. Minimum temperature 18-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-38 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand -Hot with haze during the day. Isolated thundershowers mostly in the upper portion. Minimum temperature 21-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-37 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand -Hot with haze during the day. Isolated thundershowers mostly in the eastern portion. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 36-37 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand -Hot with haze during the day. Isolated thundershowers mostly in shore line. Minimum temperature 24-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-37 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast -Cloudy. Isolated thundershowers mostly in the upper portion. Minimum temperature 23-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast -Partly cloudy. Hot with haze during the day. Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-36 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity -Hot with haze during the day and 10% chance of rain. Minimum temperature 25-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-36 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 15-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-03-26

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Mealy Bugs Infest Tapioca Farms in Nakhon Ratchasima

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 26 March 2014 (NNT) - The Nakhon Ratchasima Agricultural Department has warned tapioca growers against Mealy bugs that have been infesting the province’s tapioca farms.

Chalermsak Prasitsuwaron of the Nakhon Ratchasima Agricultural Department has warned tapioca growers that they are at risk of having their farms infested by Mealy bugs this harvesting season. He stated that from February to May, it is a season with dry weather and strong winds, which is makes the area a perfect breeding grounds for the Mealy bugs. Certain areas of the province have reportedly been slightly affected by these bugs already. Fortunately, the infestations have not been severe.

Should the Mealy bugs infest tapioca plants of four to eight months old, the farmers are encouraged to remove the affected parts of the plant, seal them in a plastic bag, then burn it. If the bugs attach themselves to the tapioca fruit, the farmers should pluck the fruits from the plant and harvest the tapioca immediately. However, they must soak the tapioca in water to completely remove the bugs.


-- NNT 2014-03-26

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Satun increases surveillance on labor trafficking

SATUN, 26 March 2014 (NNT) - Satun province has increased its surveillance regarding labor trafficking by focusing its efforts particularly in the fishery industry.

Deputy Governor of Satun province Prayoon Ratanaseni held a meeting with related agencies of the Satun Labor Protection Office regarding the current working conditions of the province and labor trafficking.

Mr. Prayoon stated that the prevention and control of labor trafficking is considered to be an important agenda and deserves much attention from the authorities, especially concerning labor trafficking in the fishery industry.

Satun province is one of the seven provinces which the Cabinet established a Provincial Coordination Center for Sea Fishery Workers in order to tackle the problems of labor trafficking of both local and foreign workers.

It has been agreed that the province will be dispatching a working committee to survey the incoming population to the province and a special unit to keep a close watch on large fishing boats as they set sail for sea. Security checks will also be conducted on every large vessel at least once a month.


-- NNT 2014-03-26

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WORLD TRADE CENTER
Base jump from new WTC condemned as 'lawless, selfish'

New York - New York City authorities on Tuesday condemned a "lawless and selfish" parachute jump from the top of nation's tallest building.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713939-base-jump-from-new-wtc-condemned-as-lawless-selfish/

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Four workers suffocate in Phuket sewer
Eakkapop Thongtub


Rescuers work to retrieve the bodies of the dead workers.

PHUKET: -- Four Thai workmen died this morning (March 26) from suffocation after they went down into a sewer on Srisuthat Rd on the edge of Phuket Town to clean out the pipe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713943-four-workers-suffocate-in-phuket-sewer/

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NIDA Poll says majority wants reform ahead of election



BANGKOK: -- NIDA Poll, the polling research center of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), says the majority of people it asked have suggested that national reform should be implemented first before election is to be held.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713945-nida-poll-says-majority-wants-reform-ahead-of-election/

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Motor Show kicks off at IMPACT, to be held until April 6

BANGKOK, 26 March 2014 (NNT) – The 35th Bangkok International Motor Show 2014 has kicked off at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, with over 1 million visitors expected during the 10-day event.

This year’s Motor Show is being held under the concept of “Beauty in the Drive, Vehicles that Captivate the Heart”, offering both cars and motorcycles from over 30 top brands. There are over 170 booths exhibiting automobiles and auto accessories.

The event organizer said it expected to see approximately 1.7 million visitors this year. They also expected to sell at least 45,000 cars during the 10-day exhibition. Visitors will also get a chance to win 2 brand-new cars and 4 motorcycles.

When asked about the current political conflict in Thailand, the organizer said it had had very little impact on the event.

The 35th Bangkok International Motor Show 2014 will be held at IMPACT until April 6th.


-- NNT 2014-03-26

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UPDATE:

Malaysia stays focused on finding MH370



BANGKOK: -- Malaysia is unmoving from its focus and is consistent with its stand to find the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370, regardless of whatever accusation or speculation that may arise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-122?p=7610301#entry7610301

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Buriram closely monitors landfill to prevent incident of Praeksa nature

BURIRAM, 26 March 2014 (NNT) -- The garbage landfill blaze in the vicinity of Bangkok last week has alarmed many provinces to better manage their landfills to avoid the same type of problems.

On Wednesday, Kamol Ruangsuksriwong, the Mayor of a northeast city of Buriram, visited the city's main landfill, which is on a 100-rai plot of land in the Maung district.

He ordered local officials to set firebreaks around the place to prevent possible bush fires from the nearby woods.

More than 70 tons of garbage from seven areas are dumped at the dump site daily. With the proper landfill management system conducted by the city hall, Kamol said he was confident that chances of fire were slim.


-- NNT 2014-03-26

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RT @tulsathit: Abhisit has been hospitalised after breaking his clavicle in a fall at his home.

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Thailand asks Indonesia to open its waters
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 26 – The Thai Foreign Ministry has requested related government agencies to clarify the incident in which two Indonesian navy personnel were killed by the crew of a Thai fishing boat, a senior official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713953-thailand-asks-indonesia-to-open-its-waters/

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Airlines demand crackdown on unruly passengers

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713954-airlines-demand-crackdown-on-unruly-passengers/

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Court drops lese majeste case against programmer



BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court today upheld the ruling of the Court of First Instance to drop lese majeste charge case against an independent computer programmer after finding evidence to support the charges was weak.

The defender, Surasak or Surapak Phuchaisen, was brought to the Appeals Court by the state prosecutors for lese majeste and for violating the Computer Crime Act when he posted message on his Facebook between May 4-16, 2011 that was considered a contempt to the Institution.

The Court of First Instance earlier dropped the case against him after finding that the evidence supplied by the state prosecutor remained skeptical. The court said from thorough examination on the computer after Mr Surasak was in the prison, his Facebook account was still logged in twice by unknown users.

This merely showed that Mr Surasak might not be the poster of the contemptuous message but posted by someone who logged with no authorization.

The Appeals Court agreed that since the case involves the institution and therefore needed thorough consideration because it might hurt the feeling of the people.

It viewed that the evidence and testimony produced by the prosecutor was unclear and insufficient to accuse the defender that he had done wrong. Besides the evidence produced remains suspicious while petition by the prosecutor has no weight to alter the first court’s ruling.

Therefore, the court said, it agreed to uphold the ruling of the Court of First Instance to drop the case against him.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/court-drops-lese-majeste-case-against-programmer/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-26

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DPM: Thai Premier will not give up

BANGKOK, 26 March 2014 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul believes Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would not give up politics, adding that the Premier has done nothing wrong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713959-dpm-surapong-thai-premier-will-not-give-up/

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Democrat Party leader Abhisit falls, breaks clavicle at home, expects operation this evening; March 28-29 party meeting unchanged /MCOT

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STR submits request to Air Force Chief to take political action

BANGKOK, 26 March 2014 (NNT) - The Students and People Network for Thailand Reform (STR) have gathered at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters to submit a letter to the Air Force Chief.

The Students and People Network for Thailand Reform (STR), led by Nititorn Lamlua and Uthai Yodmanee, have submitted a letter containing details of the corruption of the Yingluck’s government to the Air Force Chief.

In his letter, Mr. Uthai requested that the Air Force stand side-by-side with the people in their move to topple the government; it also requested that the Air Force not allow the government to use its air base.

-- NNT 2014-03-26

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Business tycoon denies wishing to become neutral Prime Minister

BANGKOK, 26 March 2014 (NNT) — Vikrom Kromadit, founder and president of Amata Corporation Pub. Co. Ltd., has posted in his Facebook page that he did not wish to become a neutral Prime Minister, nor have anything to do with politics.

Upon hearing rumors of him being one of the likely candidates to be chosen for the neutral Prime Minister position, Vikrom responded firmly that “politics is not his cup of tea”.

The business tycoon went on to say that none of the work he has accomplished throughout his life, be it his industrial business empire or the Amata foundation, has ever been aimed towards getting him into politics.

He added that he had his own plans for future, and urged others not to try to make him change his intended path. Mr. Vikrom also stated that he intended to continue doing good in order to benefit the society he lived in, without expecting anything in return.

-- NNT 2014-03-26

[Lite Beer]

Candy Crush developer raises almost 500 million dollars in IPO

Los Angeles - King Digital Entertainment, developer of the popular smartphone game Candy Crush, announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 22.50 dollars per share, the company said on its website Tuesday.

King sold more than 22.2 million shares, raising nearly 500 million from the initial offering.

The shares are expected to begin trading Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KING, according to the company’s website.

King reported a profit of about 568 million dollars and revenue of1.9 billion dollars last year.

King is known for the colourful puzzle game Candy Crush, an app that averages 97 million users daily. Other games by King are Farm Heroes Saga, Pet Rescue Saga, Papa Pear Saga and Bubble Witch Saga.

-- The Nation 2014-03-26

[Lite Beer]

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva slipped and fell to the ground at home breaking his rib bones.

He was admitted to Ramathibodi hospital late today and a surgery is expected later this afternoon to cure the broken bone.

The party’s convention on March28-29 will continue with no postponement, party spokesman Chavanont Intrakomalysutra said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/33564/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=33564

-- Thai PBS 2014-03-26

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Police deny forcing 'Popcorn gunman' into making a confession
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police on Wednesday denied that they had beaten up the so-called "Popcorn gunman" suspect to extract a confession that he was involved in the shooting incident at Laksi one day before the February 2 election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713997-thai-police-deny-forcing-popcorn-gunman-into-making-a-confession/

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Democrat leader Abhisit hospitalised for broken bone
By English News

BANGOK, March 26 - Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva suffered broken clavicle after slipping at his Sukhumvit residence this morning, a Democrat Party spokesman said.

Chavanond Indrakomalsut said the Democrat leader will undergo a surgery at Ramathibodi Hospital this evening.

Mr Abhisit is scheduled to chair the Democrat Party's general assembly on March 28-29.

Mr Chavanond said the meeting will not be called off and a deputy party leader will lead the assembly.

Mr Abhisit reportedly expressed appreciation to people's concern and said he would assume his duty after the treatment. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-26

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French resort manager, Ukrainian tour guide nabbed in work permit raids
Phuket Gazette


Resort manager Eric Raymond Seigneurin, 55, was charged with working illegally. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration last night arrested the manager of The Blue Garden Resort & Spa in Cherng Talay, where Russian woman Iana Strizheus was found bruised and battered after her alleged kidnapping ordeal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714006-french-resort-manager-ukrainian-tour-guide-nabbed-in-work-permit-raids/

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Army chief calls rival groups to respect the laws



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha today called on both anti-government protesters and redshirts to avoid confrontation on March 29 so as to prevent clashes and loss.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714013-thai-army-chief-calls-rival-groups-to-respect-the-laws/

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Red shirts demolish Army security checkpoint near NACC

BANGKOK: -- A group of red-shirt people demolished an Army security checkpoint near the National Anti-Corruption Commission head office Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714015-red-shirts-demolish-army-security-checkpoint-near-nacc/

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UPDATE:

Thai police find hundreds of dog skins dumped in forest

BANGKOK, March 26, 2014 (AFP) - Hundreds of dog skins have been found dumped in an area of northeastern Thailand notorious for exporting canine parts as a delicacy or for use as a leather substitute -- including for golf gloves, police said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713849-some-1000-dog-carcasses-found-in-sakhon-nakhon/page-2?p=7611333#entry7611333

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SET index closed 1,360.44, up 6.43;Bt/USD32.46; GBP53.55; AUD29.66; EUR44.71; CAD28.97; HKD4.17; SGD25.48; JPY31.59

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Police bust drug trafficking ring, seizing over 147 kilograms of heroin

RANONG, 26 March 2014 (NNT)-- Thai police have busted a transnational drug ring and confiscated more than 147 kilograms of heroin in the southern province of Ranong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714053-thai-police-bust-drug-trafficking-ring-seizing-over-147-kilograms-of-heroin/

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Monk-Beating Redshirts Under Arrest: Police
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The police have arrested a group of Redshirts activists for assaulting a monk at a rally on Tuesday, a top official announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714057-monk-beating-redshirts-under-arrest-police/

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UPDATE:

DSI chief denies “pop corn” gunman was beaten up by police

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713997-thai-police-deny-forcing-popcorn-gunman-into-making-a-confession/page-2?p=7611788#entry7611788

[Lite Beer]

1 Killed In Fight Between Rival Monk Food Seller

By Khaosod English.

KANCHANABURI: -- Fight between rival vendors who sell food for monks has left one woman dead.

Police responded to emergency calls at around 07.00 today and arrived to investigate the crime scene at Phasuk market in Kanchanaburi province.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714117-1-killed-in-fight-between-rival-monk-food-seller/