Thailand Live Saturday 5 Apr 2014

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"Songkran Festival to Inherit Thai Culture and Wisdom".. 13-15 April at Thai Human Imagery Museum

NAKORN PATHOM, 5 April 2014 (NNT) - The Chairman of the Thai Human Imagery Museum, Suthee Sribenjachote says the Thai Human Imagery Museum, in cooperation with the Samut Songkhram Tourism Authority of Thailand office, and the Tourism and Sports office of Nakhon Pathom province, along with Educational Institutions, and the public and private sector has organized "Songkran Festivals to Inherit Thai Culture and Wisdom" between 13th-15th April 2014 from 10.00-16.00 hours at the compound of the Thai Human Imagery Museum, Nakhon Chai Si district, Nakhon Pathom province.

The purpose of this festival is to inherit Thai culture from the past to the present. The event is being presented as an ancient Thai village. There will be a Thai band playing distinctive music; A Thai pottery demonstration; a display of rare Baan Celadon ceramic household wares; a display of ancient Thai toys; stalls selling Thai food and desserts; Thai flowers such as the Thai orchid; regional Isan music, and a Buddha image to receive water for the best of luck in 2014. In the afternoon, attendees can water a Thai national artist for more good luck.

Those who seek the origins of the ancient Thai New Year Festival can join in on all three days 13th April 2014 A Show by the Local Isan Pong Lang Band, at Wat Lum Hoey school. 14th April 2014 A Show by the Ramawadee Musical Band, at the Contemporary Thai Music Development Center. 15th April 2014 A Show by the Ramawadee Musical Band, at the Contemporary Thai Music Development Center.

Moreover citizens over 60 years of age can enter the Thai Human Imagery Museum free of charge from 13-15 April 2014.

In addition, the third Thai Music Competition for treble fiddle is being held on 14th April in two categories : primary school students and high school students, with scholarships and trophies to be awarded.


-- NNT 2014-04-05

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Gun Attack Targets Woman Who Heckles Yingluck
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Unidentified assailants have shot at the vehicle of an anti-government activist who heckled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on camera last December.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716615-gun-attack-targets-woman-who-blew-whistle-against-yingluck/

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Thailand Credit Downgraded By Japanese Agency
By Khaosod English

Anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban receives donation during a demonstration in front of Ministry of Education, 4 April 2014

BANGKOK: -- The Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has downgraded the credit status of Thailand following months of prolonged political turmoil, an official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716616-thailand-credit-downgraded-by-japanese-agency/

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Dramatic TV Ad 'Supports Human Trafficking'

By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Many Netizens call it heartwarming, but the TV commercial released by a prominent insurance company has been branded as supportive of human trafficking by a children welfare foundation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716617-dramatic-tv-commercial-supports-human-trafficking/

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MASS DEMONSTRATION
Thousands of police and troops for reds rally
The Nation


Pro-government red-shirt supporters practise self-defence as they attend training for Democracy Protection Volunteers in Udon Thani. The red shirts plan a mass rally near Bangkok today

Majority of people fear violence will break out as some protesters likely to carry weapons; no PDRC march plans

BANGKOK: -- More than 3,000 policemen and soldiers will be dispatched to take care of the pro-government red shirts' mass rally near Bangkok today amid increasing concern there could be clashes between pro- and anti-government groups or outbreaks of violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716618-thousands-of-police-and-troops-for-redshirt-rally/

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POLITICS
EC to meet military and security top officials Tuesday
The Nation


Prayuth

"You want the Army to come out and act, right?" OK, if we do, we will not return [to the barracks] : Army chief

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) said yesterday military and security chiefs have accepted an invitation to attend a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the political climate ahead of planning for a new election - provided they do not have a conflicting engagement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716619-ec-to-meet-military-and-security-top-officials-tuesday/

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SONGKRAN
Accident prevention group calls for alcohol-free Songkran
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation

The Accident Prevention Network is campaigning for an alcohol-free and accident-free Songkran.

BANGKOK: -- Alcohol consumption is a common cause of road accidents and fighting over the Thai New Year, when people like to enjoy Songkran festivities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716620-accident-prevention-group-calls-for-alcohol-free-songkran/

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MASS RALLY
Red-shirt rally at Aksa Road just a rehearsal: organisers
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul
The Nation


A rally stage is set up on Aksa Road in Nakhon Pathom

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts' rally will stay onsite, and there will not be marches anywhere, organisers say. Activities will include talks by leaders and "educational" exchanges of information and ideas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716621-red-shirt-rally-at-aksa-road-just-a-rehearsal-organisers/

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EDITORIAL
Should politicians get back in shape first?
The Nation

Key elements of Thai democracy are anything but healthy

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716622-thai-editorial-should-politicians-get-back-in-shape-first/

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UDD plans prolonged rally after Songkran



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt followers will return to Bangkok after the Songkran festival for prolonged demonstration, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship chairman Jatuporn Promphan said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716623-jatuporn-udd-plans-prolonged-rally-after-songkran/

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Unexploded World War Two bombs pose high risk for Bangkok residents



BANGKOK: -- The deadly explosion of an old 70-years-old 500-pound bomb recovered from a construction site and sold as a scrap has now raised safety concern of residents living in five areas of Bangkok which were bombing targets of the Allied Forces during World War II.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716624-unexploded-world-war-two-bombs-pose-high-risk-for-bangkok-residents/

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S African held in coke bust
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A South African woman has been arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly smuggling in 7 kilograms of cocaine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716625-south-african-woman-held-in-7-kg-cocaine-bust-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

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SUICIDE ATTEMPT
Woman tried to jump from Silom skytrain station Friday


Nation Photo

BANGKOK: -- A woman on Friday tried to commit suicide by at BTS Silom Station.

The woman whose name was not revealed tried to jump from BTS Silom station to the ground.

However resuce staffs finally pulled her to safety.


-- The Nation 2014-04-05

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Group asks EC not to endorse Jaruvan
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation


Jaruvan

BANGKOK: -- The June 24 Democracy group has submitted a letter to the Election Commission (EC) calling for it to suspend endorsement of Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka's victory as Bangkok senator.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716627-group-asks-ec-not-to-endorse-jaruvan/

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Court petition over Thawil's transfer 'aims to oust govt'
The Nation


The People

Pheu Thai's Bhokin says anti-Yingluck ruling by court will violate charter

BANGKOK: -- The move to file a case over the ousting of Thawil Pliensri from his post at the National Security Council is just a conspiracy to topple caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Cabinet, Pheu Thai Party legal expert Bhokin Bhalakula said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716628-court-petition-over-thawils-transfer-aims-to-oust-govt/

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Foreigners in Phuket: Dive shop blitz clarifies instructors' work descriptions
Phuket Gazette


Orakarn Tongkaew of the Employment Office said that work permits would only be written in Thai. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Foreign dive instructors’ job descriptions were clarified during an inspection led by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut in Patong today, as the Public-sector Anti Corruption Commission (PACC) investigates allegations that police were extorting money from them due to ambiguities in work permits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716629-foreigners-in-phuket-dive-shop-blitz-clarifies-instructors-work-descriptions/

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UPDATE:

Class Act media gives away 800 helmets to Phuket motorcyclists
Anthika Muangrod


Gov Maitri Inthusut puts his helmet on, with help from Thung Tong Police commander Col Thitirat Asakit.

PHUKET: -- Class Act Media, owners of The Phuket News, in collaboration with Siam Guardian Services today (April 4) held a highly successful road safety campaign event, the highlight of which was the giving away of 800 motorcycle helmets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716177-big-phuket-helmet-giveaway-tomorrow-morning-dont-miss-it/?p=7652292#entry7652292

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Police to equip checkpoints with fingerprint scanners
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police are preparing to equip checkpoints with portable fingerprint scanners as a measure to enhance crime suppression.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716631-thai-police-to-equip-checkpoints-with-fingerprint-scanners/

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Phuket crepe maker meets the stranger who saved him from sharks
Phuket Gazette


Mr Prayoon and his wife thank Ms Gibson for souvenirs. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- It was an emotional meeting last week between the man who lost his only source of livelihood – a sidecar outfitted to make crepes – and the New Zealand woman who gave him the money he needed to avoid borrowing cash from loan sharks to buy a new one.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716640-phuket-crepe-maker-meets-the-stranger-who-saved-him-from-sharks/

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RICE
Rice sector needs long-term development plan, a seminar heard
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


A farmer at Narathiwas who grow premium rice that succeed to sale at price over than Bt15,000 per ton.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand should draw up a long-term policy on rice crops and trading management to avoid huge losses from short-term subsidies, while politicians should no longer be allowed to make rice policy a populist tool, a seminar heard yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716642-rice-sector-needs-long-term-development-plan-a-thai-seminar-heard/

[Rimmer]

A police tow truck was damaged by an explosion early today as it was parked in front of the Parliament on Rastchadamnoen Nok road.

The explosion happened at about 2.00 a.m. Saturday. EOD police arrived and initially suspected the bomb was planted beneath the six wheel truck which was modified to a tow truck.

Two men in a motorcycle were seen near the truck and left in a rush. Seconds later a loud explosion was heard, said a soldier at a security bunker neat the scene.

Source:--http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-truck-rocked-bomb-explosion/

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-05

[Rimmer]

Two killed in Bangkok shop house fire

A 62-year-old woman and her worker perished in a fire that engulfed their auto parts shop house early Saturday morning.

Bangkok:-- Police said the fire broke out at the three-unit shop house on Soi Sukhumvit 71 located between Soi Pridi Panomyong 42 and 44 at 3:30 am.

Ten fire engines took over three hours to control the blaze which consumed five other units next to the shop house.

The charred bodies of Supranee Thanasopit and a worker were found on the second floor of the shop house.

Supranee's husband, Awirut Thanasopit, 64, was injured because he jumped out of the shop from the third floor.

-- The Nation 2014-04-05

[Rimmer]

PDRC leaders join meeting at Lumpini rally site Bangkok

BANGKOK:--Leading members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee attended a meeting inside the Lumpini Park Saturday morning.

The meeting of the low-ranking leaders from around the country was held at tent at the rally site in the park.

PDRC top leaders, including Suthep Thaugsuban, Tavorn Senniem, Satit Wongnontoey, and Somsak Kosaisuk, also joined the meeting.

-- The Nation 214-04-05

[Rimmer]

Berserk elephant shot dead after killing mahout

Songkhla:--A 10-year-old was shot dead after it went berserk killing a mahout and injuring another in Sabayoi District of Songkhla on Friday.

Sabayoi district police officer Pol Lt Somchai Sunsin said the male elephant went on rampage and out of control.

As he mahout ,Torleh Yudo, tried to calm it down, the elephant turned to him and crushed him to death. His assistant tried to help but also was attacked and injured.

Another villager then fetched his shotgun and fired on its forehead, knocking it down to the ground.
He said the rising temperature might be a reason that caused the elephant to go rampage.

Source:--http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/berserk-elephant-shot-dead-killing-mahout/

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-05

[Rimmer]

Surapong expects no violence at UDD rally site

BANGKOK:--Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul Saturday expressed confidence that no violence would happen at the rally site of the red-shirt movement at the Utthayan Road Saturday.

Surapong, chief advisor of the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order, said the prime minister instructed the CAPO to take good care of both rallies by the People's Democratic Reform Committee and the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship.

He said he had instructed Deputy Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha to tighten security to prevent third-party groups from attacking the two rally sites.

-- The Nation 2014-04-05

[Rimmer]

Men fire on Phuket armored van transporting B10mn, then flee as van gives chase

PHUKET: Three suspects who opened fire on an armored van carrying 10 million baht yesterday afternoon were chased down by the van driver, but managed to escape.

The van had left Tesco Lotus in Phuket Town and was northbound on Thepkrasattri Road, headed to refill ATMs in Bang Tao and at the Phuket International Airport when the men fired on it.

Full story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716720-men-fire-on-phuket-armored-van-transporting-b10mn-then-flee-as-van-gives-chase/

[Rimmer]

First Army Division commander visits red-shirt rally site First Army Division Commander Maj Gen Apirat Kongsompong visited the rally site of the red-shirt movement on the Utthayan Road Saturday morning to check security for the demonstrators.

Apirat said he visited the site together with Deputy Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha.

Apirat said he dispatched three companies of troops to help 19 companies of policemen to keep security at the rally site.

-- The Nation 2014-04-05

[Lite Beer]

Suthep says government officials can return to work Tuesday

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced Saturday that all government offices except Government House and the Interior Ministry will be open Tuesday, ending months long seizure.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716812-suthep-says-government-officials-can-return-to-work-tuesday/#entry7655342

[Lite Beer]

to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 6 Apr 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716832-thailand-live-sunday-6-apr-2014/