Thailand Live Saturday 29 Mar 2014

[webfact]

Queen undergoes eye cataract surgery

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 29 March 2014 (NNT) - Her Majesty Queen Sirikit yesterday underwent a surgery on her left eye to get rid of a cataract.

The Bureau of the Royal Household said in its 16th announcement concerning Her Majesty the Queen’s conditions while staying at Klai Kangwon Palace that the team of doctors tending HM the Queen had recently conducted an annual eye examination on Her Majesty and found the cataract in her left eye which caused a decrease in her vision.

The doctors therefore requested Her Majesty the Queen to stay up at Hua Hin Hospital on March 10 to prepare for a surgery. During the period of preparations, Her Majesty’s conditions were generally good with normal blood pressure and heartbeats. On March 28, the royal doctors performed a surgery on Her Majesty the Queen, the result of which was satisfactory.

The statement said HM the Queen returned to Klai Kangwon Palace on the same day. The royal medical team however asked Her Majesty to refrain from official functions for a period of time.


-- NNT 2014-03-29

[webfact]

PM: No break from politics any time soon



BANGKOK, 29 March 2014 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted that she has not considered taking a break from politics in the near future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714728-pm-yingluck-no-break-from-politics-any-time-soon/

[webfact]

'Govt should step aside'
The Nation

Chamber warns economy might collapse, reform period needed

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Chamber of Commerce has urged the caretaker government to suspend performing its duty to pave the way for negotiations before national reform and prevent the collapse of the economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714730-govt-should-step-aside-thai-chamber-of-commerce/

[webfact]

Monitoring bands to keep scammers out of airport
The Nation


A foreign technician shows how the electronic monitoring system can be used at a press conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- An electronic monitoring system is being used for the first time at an airport in Thailand in a move to keep unauthorised tour guides and taxi drivers out of Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714732-monitoring-bands-to-keep-scammers-out-of-suvarnabhumi-airport/

[webfact]

Water near dump found contaminated
Janjira Pongrai,
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Levels of arsenic, aluminium discovered not deemed dangerous for residents

BANGKOK: -- The level of arsenic and aluminium in water near the garbage dump in Samut Prakan where a huge fire erupted last week are at high but not dangerous levels, authorities revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714733-water-near-samut-prakan-garbage-dump-found-contaminated/

[webfact]

Top of the Gulf Regatta set for 10 anniversary
The Nation

PATTAYA: -- Asia's largest multi-class regatta celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with boats and sailors from around the world descending on Pattaya from May 1 to 5 at Ocean Marina Yacht Club on Jomtien Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714734-top-of-the-gulf-regatta-set-for-10-anniversary-pattaya/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Possible MH370 debris found 1,100km north of area originally searched in Indian Ocean
Agencies
Perth, Australia

PERTH: -- A New Zealand military aircraft has spotted debris in a new area in the Indian Ocean as the hunt for Malaysia Airlines MH370 continues, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-127?p=7622003#entry7622003

[webfact]

Sukhumbhand to be suspended as court set to review case
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra will soon have to stop working as he faces legal proceedings for allegedly benefiting from a slanderous campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714736-bangkok-governor-sukhumbhand-to-be-suspended-as-court-set-to-review-case/

[webfact]

Too early to say if Democrats will run: party official
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat party secretary-general Chuti Krairiksh said yesterday that it was too early for the party to decide whether to run in a fresh election after the February 2 election was nullified by the charter court last week. "We are ready [to contest an election] if the political turmoil ends. But the impasse is still continuing," he said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714738-too-early-to-say-if-thai-democrats-will-run-in-a-fresh-election-party-official/

[webfact]

No Democrats at multi-party meeting on new election
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation


The Phichit Election Commission prepares equipment that will be sent to ballot stations for the half-Senate election tomorrow.

BANGKOK: -- Some 53 political parties that ran in the February 2 election want a new poll to be held 45-60 days after the election's nullification was announced in the Royal Gazette, Pheu Thai Party legal expert Bhokin Bhalakula said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714739-no-thai-democrats-at-multi-party-meeting-on-new-election/

[webfact]

Obec probing band's tactics in funding trip
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) is looking into reports that members of a school brass band camped out overnight at a private company to pressure its owner to lend Bt3 million for their overseas music trip.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714740-obec-probing-thai-school-bands-tactics-in-funding-overseas-trip/

[webfact]

Out-of-control Jet Skis collide with parked motorbikes in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Early on Friday Morning CCTV captured a bizarre road accident which left 4 motorbikes damaged after they were struck by Jet Skis which had come loose from a trailer behind a pick-up truck.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714741-out-of-control-jet-skis-collide-with-parked-motorbikes-in-central-pattaya/

[webfact]

UK changes passport application rules to boost security

Alasdair Forbes

Wanting to renew or replace your UK passport? You'll now have to go to Bangkok yourself, instead of just mailing documents.

PHUKET: -- With effect from Wednesday (March 26), British nationals in Thailand wanting to renew passports or replace lost or stolen ones must go to the Embassy in Bangkok in person, rather than mailing applications to HM Passport Office (HMPO) in Liverpool.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713867-changes-to-british-passport-services-in-thailand/page-8?p=7622099#entry7622099

[webfact]

Tensions put Thailand on sidelines of ASEAN investment plans
BY KHETTIYA JITTAPONG AND ORATHAI SRIRING
BANGKOK

(Reuters) - Continuing political uncertainty, derailed infrastructure plans and sliding domestic demand are making big Thai companies look more keenly at investing elsewhere in the neighborhood rather than in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714745-tensions-put-thailand-on-sidelines-of-asean-investment-plans/

[webfact]

31 shots fired at East Pattaya House, mother of owner injured



PATTAYA: -- 31 shots were fired at a house owned by a Pub Security Guard in the early hours of Friday which resulted in a hand injury to the owners sick mother, who was asleep at the time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714746-31-shots-fired-at-east-pattaya-house-mother-of-owner-injured/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Gassed Phuket workers ‘failed to use safety gear provided’
Anthika Muangrod


Had the men taken breathing apparatus with them, some might have been saved.

PHUKET: -- The four men who died in the sewer on the edge of Phuket Town on Wednesday (March 26) had access to all the equipment needed to keep them safe, the company said today. But they did not take it with them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713943-four-workers-suffocate-in-phuket-sewer/page-2?p=7622135#entry7622135

[webfact]

CNN apologizes for accidentally announcing Pele's death on Twitter

Los Angeles - The CNN news organization apologized Friday for accidentally announcing the death of 73-year-old Brazilian soccer legend Pele via Twitter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714763-cnn-apologizes-for-accidentally-announcing-peles-death-on-twitter/

[webfact]

Illegal rosewood trade still rampant in Northeast



KHON KAEN: -- Illegal Siamese rosewood logging is still rampant in Thailand’s northeastern province, particularly in the Phu Wieng National Reserve in Khon Kaen province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714769-illegal-rosewood-trade-still-rampant-in-isaan/

[webfact]

Suthep, wife arrive in front of Lumpini Park at 9:40 am to lead march

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban and his wife arrived at the King Rama VI statue in front of the Lumpini Park at 9:40 am.

He will lead a rite to pray and pay respect to the late king and lead the march.


-- The Nation 2014-03-29

[webfact]

Mass from Lumpini Park begins

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, led a march of protesters from the ground in front of the Lumpini Park at about 10 am Saturday.

Suthep walked hand in hand with his wife, Srisakul Promphan, to lead the march.

They began the march after Suthep and his wife paid respect to the statue of the late king.

Blue Sky Channel said it was the first time that Suthep's wife, Srisakul Promphan, joined a march led by Suthep.

The protesters from the Lumpini Park are marching to the Royal Plaza where many demonstrators are waiting.

-- The Nation 2014-03-29

[webfact]

Police chase ends with ditched truck, seriously injured man
Phuket Gazette


Ekkapot Fungwittaya, 27, crashed his truck into a dark roadside ditch in an effort to flee from police officers. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A man who sped through a police checkpoint early yesterday morning was seriously injured after crashing his pickup truck into a roadside ditch while trying to escape Phuket police officers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714775-phuket-police-chase-ends-with-ditched-truck-seriously-injured-man/

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: 10:23am - RT @LudovicThailand: Protesters are on Rachadamri Road now #Bangkok http://t.co/f9ANIVEVEa

[webfact]

PDRC's mass rally as it unfolds
The Nation


Photo from Suthep's Facebook fan page.

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform committee led by Suthep Thaugsuban stages a march from Lumpini Park to the Royal Plaza and Parliament Saturday to affirm its stand that reform must be done before the next election.

Here how the event unfolds:

8:30 am: Leaders on the rally stage of the People's Democratic Reform Committee inside the Lumpini Park start organising protesters in to groups for the march.

9:40 am: Suthep Thaugsuban and his wife, Srisakul Promphan, arrive at the King Rama VI statue in front of the Lumpini Park.

9:47 am: Suthep and his wife pay respect to King Rama VI statue. Leaders urge protesters in front of the park start marching.

10:00 am: Suthep starts leading the main procession of protesters. The procession is divided into six groups.

10:23 am: Suthep's procession reaches the Rajprasong Intersection. Scenes from the Blue Sky channel show people crowd the intersection and the pedestrian flyovers around the area.


-- The Nation 2014-03-29

[webfact]

Suthep expresses belief more than one million demonstrators join rally

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, expressed his belief Saturday that more than one million people have come out or will later join the mass rally.

He was speaking on Blue Sky Channel at 10:30 am while leading the march.


-- The Nation 2014-03-29

[webfact]

RT @panuw: PDRC from Changwattana stage moved in to disband a Red Shirt stage in front of NACC office. Minor clashes, no injuries. via SpringNews.

[webfact]

Thailand's North prepares for joyful water splashing festival
By Digital Content



CHIANG MAI, March 29 – Total spending of up to Bt1 billion will circulate in this northern province during the annual Songkran festival next month, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714782-thailands-north-prepares-for-joyful-songkran-festival/

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: 11am Protesters from Chaeng Wattana heading to Nonthaburi provincial hall - TR @SpringNews_TV: http://t.co/3Q4PreFz3K

[webfact]

Philippines peace deal with rebels a case study for Thailand
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 29 – Thailand will study the recent peace deal between the Philippine government and the largest Muslim rebel group to determine if their methods can be applied to end the decade-old dispute with militants in the southern border provinces, a senior army officer said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714806-philippines-peace-deal-with-rebels-a-case-study-for-thailand/

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: Another day of big protest. RT @cctvnews: Picture: Massive anti-got #protests break out in #Bkk. http://t.co/Vn30DyoeSK

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: RT @issarar: Frm Rama 4 ave side. http://t.co/4cVKOY8FfQ