Thailand Live Friday 28 Mar 2014

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UPDATE:

Surapong says Indonesian waters open to Thai fishing boats
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 28 - Indonesia has not banned Thai fishing trawlers from entering its waters after two Indonesian naval personnel were killed, according to a senior Thai official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714475-three-thais-arrested-in-connection-to-killings-of-indonesian-officers/#entry7618917

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UPDATE:

NACC insists on PM Yingluck's explanation on rice charges Monday
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 28 - Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has rejected a request by caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to extend the deadline for her clarification over alleged malfeasance in the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714401-nacc-refuses-to-extend-the-period-for-yingluck-to-defend-herself/page-4#entry7618940

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ERC suggests the government build more garbage- powered electricity generating plants

BANGKOK, 28 Mar 2014, (NNT) - The Energy Regulatory Committee (ERC) has suggested that the government build more garbage-powered electricity generating plants as an alternative approach to trash disposal.

According to Mr. Kawin Tangsupanitch, Secretary General of the ERC, his office has proposed the approach before as part of the government’s policy on alternative energy; however, the idea currently does not attract enough attention from both the public and the private sectors thanks to the misconception about its effects on the environment and the surrounding communities.

The recent landfill fire in Samutprakan might spark public interests in the construction of garbage-powered electricity generating plants. Besides, the plants, which takes up lesser space than landfills, will be able to convert trash into usable energy through advanced trash disposal technology.

At present there are 18 of such power plants in Thailand, contributing a total of 43 megawatts of electricity, said Kawin, adding that contracts to build an addition 16 plants, with the combined capacity of producing 109 megawatts of electricity, have recently been signed between authorities and manufacturers.


-- NNT 2014-03-28

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Election Commission turns down CMPO's budget request

BANGKOK, 28 March 2014 (NNT) - The Election Commission has turned down the Center for Managing Peace and Order (CMPO)'s budget request on the grounds of unclear budget proposal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714525-election-commission-turns-down-cmpos-budget-request/

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Election Commission invites public to exercise voting rights in upcoming senatorial election

BANGKOK 28 March 2014 (NNT) — The Election Commission (EC) Secretary General has invited the general public to cast their votes during the senatorial election on March 30 , assuring there would be no election obstructions.

Election Commission Secretary-General Puchong Nutrawong stated that he anticipated the coming senatorial election on March 30 to run smoothly without obstructions from protesters.

In reference to the Constitutional Court’s ruling nullifying the recent February 2 election, Pucong said he had instructed a legal team to further look into the verdict, as the EC wished not to use the word “void” as declared by the court.

Mr. Puchong added that more details of the upcoming senatorial election would be updated next week.


-- NNT 2014-03-28

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Ratchaburi province kick starts grape festival and Damnoen Saduak flea market

RATCHABURI 28 March 2014 (NNT) — Ratchaburi province has kick started its grape festival and its famous Damnoen Saduak flea market, selling various goods and delicious sweet grapes.

Ratchaburi Governor Nisit Chansomwong presided over the opening ceremony of the province’s “sweet grapes” festival and the Damnoen Saduak flea market, aiming to promote local produce and goods in the province — especially the widely grown grapes.

The name “Damnoen Saduak” was bestowed upon the rich and fertile district by His Majesty King Rama 4, as the region was considered relatively suitable to grow various kinds of produce, such as guava, rose apples, mangoes, and especially grapes — a well known fruit of the province.

The festival will be held until March 29, featuring a number of activities, including fruit and vegetable competitions, Thai fruit hamper decorations, tug of war, among many others. The highlight of the event is, of course, the well-known locally grown sweet grapes, which have also been one of the main and important exports of the province.


-- NNT 2014-03-28

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UPDATE:

Democrat to reconsider running for next election

BANGKOK, 28 March 2014 (NNT) - The Democrat Party is expected to finalize its decision on whether to contest the new election, at its annual general assembly tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714470-thai-democrats-likely-to-take-part-in-next-election-source/page-2#entry7619077

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BANGKOK: -- PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban took off from Lumpini park this morning on his final day of the five-day walk campaign to persuade people of Bangkok and nationwide to come out in full force tomorrow March 29 to oust the caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in what he called a D-Day for the final push.

The walk today covers Yaowaraj, Khao Lam, Pruektaram, Charoen Krung, Silom, Surasak, North Sathorn and Lumpini.

The PDRC demonstrators will be joined by another group of demonstrators led by Luang Poo Buddha-issara from Chaengwattana road at Yaowaraj road.

At the same time, another group of protesters led by the Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand also marched to the National Police Office to demand police quick action on belated violent cases involving anti-government protesters.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/33990/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-28

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Yingluck says Shinawatra politicians will not take a break from politics

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra denied Friday she and other members of her family would take a break from politics as speculated by certain reports.

Yingluck said she had never thought about taking a break from politics and had not yet discussed the issue with other members of her family.


-- The Nation 2014-03-28

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UPDATE:

Yingluck calls on NACC to treat her like other politicians

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Friday called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission to treat her like other politicians, saying she was given too short time to defend herself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714401-nacc-refuses-to-extend-the-period-for-yingluck-to-defend-herself/page-4#entry7619121

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Child serial killer spared from death penalty
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A confessed serial killer who preyed on young children was sentenced to life in prison this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714537-child-serial-killer-nui-spared-from-death-penalty/

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EU calls for clear timetable of new election in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- European Union on Friday called on all sides in Thailand to commit to dialogue to find peaceful and lasting solution to the ongoing political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714538-eu-calls-for-clear-timetable-of-new-election-in-thailand/

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Caretaker PM admits worry about testifying to NACC on rice pledging scheme Monday; demands fair treatment; no plan to take break from politics /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Chalerm says suspects arrested for attacking NACC with M79 grenades

BANGKK: -- Caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Friday that three or four suspects have been arrested related to M79 grenade attack against the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714524-10-suspects-arrested-for-m-79-grenade-attack-on-nacc-in-nonthaburi/#entry7619316

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Army; UDD Community Radio protesters will be held responsible incidents NACC



BANGKOK, 28 Mar 2014, (NNT) - The Army has warned United front for Democracy against Dictatorship Community Radio that it will be held responsible for any incident occurring during their gathering at the office of the National Anti Corruption Commission.

The comment came after the protesters demolished bunkers and chased military officers away from the rally site on Wednesday. Col. Winthai Suwaree, Deputy Spokesman of the Army, condemned the action, calling it inappropriate, while saying the officials on site were instructed to avoid confrontation and refrain from exhibiting any sign of retaliation.

According to Col. Winthai, the bunkers were erected with an aim to provide safety at the premises, as the area was prone to armed attacks. If the UDD protesters insist on leaving the area free of authority, the group will have to take responsibility for possible attacks that may occur in the future.

-- NNT 2014-03-28

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UPDATE:

NACC bombing suspects arrested



BANGKOK: -- A combined force of police and soldiers combed a suspected area close to the head-office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) before dawn Friday and arrested three suspects with a cache of firearms and ammunition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714524-10-suspects-arrested-for-m-79-grenade-attack-on-nacc-in-nonthaburi/#entry7619337

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EC expects to announce unofficial Senatorial Election result on Sunday eve



BANGKOK, 28 March 2014 (NNT) - The Election Commission expects to release the poll results for the senate election that will take place this Sunday by 8PM.

According to Phuchong Nutrawong, Secretary-General of the EC, the senate election will take place from 8AM to 3PM. He urged those who are uncertain which constituencies they belong to to call the 1171 hotline, or numbers 02-141-9981 to 2 to find out. He also said the unconfirmed poll result should be out on the same evening of the election date at around 8PM.

Phuchong said those who oppose the election can express their thoughts symbolically. He, however, made it clear that the EC does not condone the act of destroying ballot papers, stating the act is considered illegal.

In a related matter, the EC has so far received only a few complaints on vote buying, but there are several senator candidates who have violated the election regulations by promising policies that are beyond their limit of power, through their campaign ads.

Initially, the EC has requested those who breached the regulations to remove the advertising materials and inform the closest provincial EC office in order to avoid being filed complaints against. He also warned all candidates not to refer to the monarchy as part of their campaigns.


-- NNT 2014-03-28

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Various provinces launch campaigns on senate election

YALA, 28 March 2014 (NNT) - Many provinces have launched similar campaigns urging voters to exercise their rights in the upcoming senate election.

In the southern province of Yala, the local electoral committee has used a caravan of Vespa scooters and bicycles to attract local residents to its message.

Vichai Ruangrerngkulrit, chief of Provincial Election Commission, said the parade on Friday was aimed at encouraging as many eligible voters as possible to come out to cast their votes.

Meanwhile, more than 500 teachers and local residents peddled their bicycles through the city of Si Sa Ket in the northeastern region to call for local residents to exercise their political rights.

Anukul Tangkaranukulchai, the Governor of Chachoengsao, led a parade, comprising more than 1000 students and local residents, through the city streets in an attempt to remind voters of this Sunday's senate election.

-- NNT 2014-03-28

[Lite Beer]

15,000 new investors join the stock market during the first two months of 2014

BANGKOK, 28 March 2014 (NNT) - Even though the stock market has been increasingly volatile nowadays, around 15,000 new investors have taken up interest to open their portfolios during the first two months of this year.

According to Charumporn Chotikasatien, the President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the stock market plans to attract at least 150,000 to 158,000 new faces to enter the market. However, most of them will primarily be online investors.

By the end of 2013, there have been 600,000 online accounts and around 990,000 accounts total. That number, however, has increased during the first two months of this year, as there are about 15,000 people who have decided to open up a stock portfolio.

Meanwhile, the President of Kasikorn Thai Securities, Mr. Thiti Kantikulanan has warned new investors to exercise caution. He stated that the investment trend for the second quarter of this year will be unpredictable and likely go sideways due to a number of reasons such as the US’s actions in tapering the QE and the sluggish economy in China.

Mr. Thiti also mentioned that Thailand is also in a political deadlock, adding that analysts predict that the nation’s economic growth will stall to a certain level and that the profit margins for publicly traded companies will decline this year.

-- NNT 2014-03-28

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Brazen thief steals Phuket Police officer's motorbike
Phuket Gazette -

Chalong Police auction off bikes seized in drug-related crimes in 2010. No CCTV coverage of the parking area has left Sen Sgt Maj Narong Wilairat clueless. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: A Phuket Police officer has become the latest victim of motorbike theft on the island.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714571-brazen-thief-steals-phuket-police-officers-motorbike/

[Lite Beer]

About 40 red-shirt supporters of the government rallied in front of Nonthaburi police station to demand the police to release on bail four of their colleagues arrested last night for the possession of a cache of firearms and ammunition near the headoffice of the National Anti Corruption Commission.

Their leader Sornlak Malaithong threatened to storm into the station if the police failed to allow temporary release on bail for the four persons.

The four were arrested and suspected to be in connection with the M79 grenade attack on the NACC office last night. Among the seize weapon is a M79 grenade launcher and M40 grenades used for the launcher, and several rounds of ammunition and a AK 47 assault rifle.

Sornlak accused the Army chief of plotting a set-up in the seizure of arms.

He threatened to bring more redshirts to encircle the police station to pressure the release of the four suspects.

One suspect earlier admitted of owning some of the seized weapon.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/34027/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=34027

-- Thai PBS 2014-03-28

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Democrat holds assembly to discuss Thailand reform

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party deputy leader Apirak Kosayothin Friday kicked off the party assembly to discuss the proposal how to reform Thailand.

Apirak represented party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to kick off the assembly at the Miracle Grand Hotel.

He presented the blueprint for Thailand's reform on seven aspects to members of the party to discuss.

Among other things, the Democrat would push for elections of all provincial governors, restructuring of the economic structure the lower economic gap and reform of the police, Apirak told the assembly.

-- The Nation 2014-03-28

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RT@191Thailand: 2:15pm - RT @RPOBB: PDRC coming up Sathorn Road heading to Rama 4 road.

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Confessed Serial Child Rapist-Murderer Jailed For Life
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Phra Khanong Provincial Court has sentenced the man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a number of children to life in prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714537-child-serial-killer-nui-spared-from-death-penalty/#entry7619777

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Yingluck calls on NACC to treat her like other politicians
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Friday called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission to treat her like other politicians, saying she was given too short a time to defend herself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714595-yingluck-calls-on-nacc-to-treat-her-like-other-politicians/

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Thai private sector signals SOS, warning local economy may crash
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 28 – Thailand's private sector today called for the formation of a permanent government as soon as possible, or the country will be overtaken by neighbouring countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714600-thai-private-sector-signals-sos-warning-local-economy-may-crash/

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Activist kicked, hit after trying to disrupt Democrat assembly
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An activist, who earlier attempted to disrupt a Democrat seminar, was hit and kicked after he tried to interrupt the party's assembly at Miracle Grand Hotel on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714616-activist-kicked-hit-after-trying-to-disrupt-democrat-assembly-in-bangkok/

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Red Activists' Weapon Cache Confiscated: Police
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The police say they have arrested a member of local Redshirts group in Nonthaburi province and confiscated a number of military-grade weapons possessed by the group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714617-red-activists-weapon-cache-confiscated-thai-police/

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Democrat Party leader Abhisit discharged from hospital after surgery for fractured collarbone /MCOT

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Sawan Masih: Pakistani Christian gets death penalty for blasphemy

LAHORE: -- A Pakistani Christian man has been sentenced to death for blasphemy, in a case which sparked fierce rioting in the eastern city of Lahore last March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714626-sawan-masih-pakistani-christian-gets-death-penalty-for-blasphemy/