Thailand Live Monday 7 Apr 2014

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Royal ceremony commemorating Chakri Memorial Day

BANGKOK, 7 April 2014 (NNT) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on Sunday evening represented His Majesty the King at the royal ceremony held in observance of King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great Day and the Chakri Memorial Day.

HRH the Crown Prince, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm, the princess consort, arrived at the Monument of King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great or King Rama I, at the foot of the Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulalok Bridge at around 5 p.m. He then laid floral offerings and lighted candles and incense sticks to pay homage to the king who established the Chakri Dynasty which reigns to this day.

Later at 5.16 p.m. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, accompanied by the Princess Consort, went to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace to perform a ceremony as a tribute to the late king. The Crown Prince paid homage to the Emerald Buddha, the Phra Sambuddha-phanni Buddha image and the statues of Kings Rama I and II. After that, the royal couple proceeded to Prasat Phra Thepbidorn, or the Royal Pantheon, to pay homage to the statues of the former kings of the Chakri Dynasty.

King Rama I was officially crowned on April 6, 1782 after successfully reuniting the Kingdom of Siam and moving the capital from Thon Buri to the present city of Bangkok. He ordered the construction of the Grand Palace in the style of the previous capital of Ayutthaya on a plot of 32 rai of land. The new capital was finished in 1785.

King Rama VI later designated April 6 as the Chakri memorial day and ordered that a royal ceremony be observed every year in commemoration of the day.


-- NNT 2014-04-07

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UDD plans post-Songkran battle
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 7 -- The pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) movement will stage its political battle after April 18 while the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will not mobilise outside Lumpini Park until Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717016-udd-plans-post-songkran-battle/

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SOUTH
One killed as rash of bombings hits Yala
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A series of explosions rocked Yala yesterday, killing at least one and injuring more than a dozen in the heart of the town, provincial Governor Dejrat Simsiri said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717018-one-killed-as-rash-of-bombings-hits-yala/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Senator-elect focuses on energy, environment
Noppatjak Attanon
The Nation


Boonyeun

BANGKOK: -- Boonyeun Siritham from Samut Songkhram is among a handful of 77 senators-elect who are accepted by local people as a representative who won a seat in the Upper House based on dedication to their province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717019-thai-senator-elect-focuses-on-energy-environment/

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DEMOCRAT PARTY
Dems can play saviour role: Abhisit
The Nation


Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva leads party members and prominent figures, including former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the party

BANGKOK: -- Throughout its 68-year history, the Democrat Party has been counted on to help the country when it was at an impasse. It is willing to lead it out of the current political crisis - but both sides to the conflict must first reach a comprise on the exit strategy, the party's leader said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717020-thai-democrat-party-can-play-saviour-role-abhisit/

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UPDATE:

MURDER
Youngest son 'planned murder of parents'
Jessada Jantarak,
Manit Sanubboon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police say desire for inheritance motivated 22-year-old to put contract out on parents' lives; older brother also shot dead

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716836-couple-and-son-possibly-killed-over-family-assets-police/page-2#entry7659284

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POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
NSC fears civil strife if protesters take to the streets
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation



Paradorn expects tension to rise when court or NACC rules on Yingluck cases

BANGKOK: -- The National Security Council (NSC) is not confident that it will be able to fully control civil unrest when anti-government and pro-government demonstrators take to the streets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717021-thailands-nsc-fears-civil-strife-if-protesters-take-to-the-streets/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Pressured but unmoved
Saran Kijvasin
The Nation


Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn in his Nation TV interview.

BOT chief admits run-ins with govt but has not been tempted to quit

BANGKOK: -- Dr Prasarn Trairat-vorakul has conceded he faced political pressure on the central bank's role in taking care of the country's economic and financial stability three times over the three-and-a-half years he has been the Bank of Thailand governor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717022-bot-chief-admits-run-ins-with-thai-govt-but-has-not-been-tempted-to-quit-interview/

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Stranger on board Nok Air flight without an air ticket or an ID card



BANGKOK: -- A Nok Air flight from Hat Yai to Bangkok was delayed for several hours on Sunday after a passenger on board the flight did not have an air ticket or an ID card.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717024-stranger-on-board-nok-air-flight-without-an-air-ticket-or-an-id-card/

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Dumpsite fire in the North
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A fire was raging yesterday on at a 15-rai dumpsite in Lampang's Koh Kha district, spreading smoke that upset the lives of local people.

Police immediately sent five fire trucks to the spot after receiving a report about the blaze at 10am. However, the fire was so strong that at press time relevant officials were still unable to put it out.

Several local administrative bodies jointly operate the dump. But sources said waste disposal at the site was not in line with proper standards.

Last month, it took officials from several agencies plus many volunteers more than one week to extinguish a fire that erupted at a big dumpsite in Samut Prakan.

That dumpsite fire spread toxic smoke across several districts of Samut Prakan as well as its neighbouring Bangkok for days.


-- The Nation 2014-04-07

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Little change in demand for serviced flats in Bangkok last year
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Demand for serviced apartments last year remained unchanged in most areas of Bangkok despite the political turmoil, according to CBRE Thailand, an international real-estate adviser.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717025-little-change-in-demand-for-serviced-flats-in-bangkok-last-year/

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"Cookie Run" addict re-enacts fall from Central Pattaya Condominium



PATTAYA: -- We looked further into the recent incident which occurred involving a 35 year online gamer who mysteriously fell-off a 4th roof ledge as he played the popular online game “Cookie Run” on his mobile device.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717026-cookie-run-addict-re-enacts-fall-from-central-pattaya-condominium/

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'Significant' reduction in tourist taxi complaints, says Phuket's head of transport
Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Phuket's Transportation Department has noticed a significant reduction in the number of tourists complaining about taxis during their time on the island, the head of the organisation has announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717027-significant-reduction-in-tourist-taxi-complaints-says-phukets-head-of-transport/

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KPMG sending Thai staff to work across Asean
Achara Deboonme
The Nation


Tham Sai Choy

BANGKOK: -- All companies including KPMG - one of the "Big Four" accounting firms - have come under heavy pressure from alterations in the global economic landscape and are forced to adapt to new challenges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717028-kpmg-sending-thai-staff-to-work-across-asean/

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FILM
Tourism Dept expects major income boost from 'Thailand
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Department targets revenue of Bt2.5 billion from foreign movies being shot in the Kingdom this year, boosted by the second "Thailand International Film Destination Festival", which takes place from April 20-29.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717029-tourism-dept-expects-major-income-boost-from-thailand-film-destination-fesival/

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Red shirts disperse from Utthayan Road, to hold another rally after Songkran

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt demonstrators dispersed from their rally site at the Utthayan Road Monday morning, Channel 3 reported.

They dispersed after Jatuporn Promphan, the chairman of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, told them to return home and get ready to come back for a bigger mass demonstration after the Songkran holidays.

The red shirts gathered at the road, which borders Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom, Saturday to show their force to protect the government and warn the military against staging a coup.


-- The Nation 2014-04-07

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Ten workers died and another 18 wounded after a lorry transporting them from Sukhothai to Nong Khai slid off a road in Loei early Monday morning /Bangkok Post

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Phuket to be ‘unaffected’ during 28-day power disruptions
Phuket Gazette


PPEO Acting Chief Rattakorn Klinchan warns Phuket residents of an impending natural gas disruption but assures that the island will be unaffected. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

BANGKOK: -- The Provincial Energy Office has assured that Phuket and other tourism provinces along the Andaman coast will remain unaffected as a major natural gas supply line that feeds the national grid goes offline for 28 days in June and July.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717071-phuket-to-be-unaffected-during-28-day-power-disruptions/

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Civil war possible, says Dusit Poll



BANGKOK: -- Dusit Poll released its latest survey of the people across the country with the majority fearing civil war is possible under the current political impasse plagued with violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717075-civil-war-possible-says-dusit-poll/

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No gas shortage during maintenance of offshore platform
By English News



BANGKOK, April 7 – The scheduled maintenance of a natural gas platform in the Gulf of Thailand this month will not disrupt the power supply to the public and industrial sector, according to PTT Plc.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717078-no-gas-shortage-during-maintenance-of-offshore-platform/

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Domestic auto market expected to decline 20-25 per cent this year
By English News



BANGKOK, April 7 – Thailand’s auto market will shrink 20-25 per cent this year to a total sales volume of only 1-1.06 million units, according to Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717080-thailands-domestic-auto-market-expected-to-decline-20-25-per-cent-this-year/

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Veteran US actor Mickey Rooney dead at 93 - US media

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717081-veteran-us-actor-mickey-rooney-dead-at-93-us-media/

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Anti-govt protesters plan another major rally
By English News



BANGKOK, April 7 – The anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will hold a new round of major rallies if the government refuses to accept rulings of the Constitution Court and the anti-graft agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717083-pdrc-anti-govt-protesters-plan-another-major-rally/

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Australian ship Ocean Shield picks up signals in 'most promising lead so far', plane search officials say /BBC

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Stabbing in Phuket attributed to red-shirt, PDRC divide

Phuket Gazette

Police had Somnuek Thakham, 35, in custody within two hours of the stabbing and are now searching for the four other suspects. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- An argument over the political divisions being played out in Bangkok ended with a red-shirt supporter from Isarn, Northeastern Thailand, stabbing two Southern Thai fruit vendors in Patong on Saturday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717086-stabbing-in-phuket-attributed-to-red-shirt-pdrc-divide/

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UPDATE:

Nok Air apologizes its customers for letting a man board its aircraft without a ticket

SONGKHLA, 7 April 2014 (NNT) - CEO of the local low-cost airline Nok Air, Patee Sarasin, apologized to his customers for letting a man without a ticket to board the plane last night in Hat Yai Airport in Songkhla Province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717024-stranger-on-board-nok-air-flight-without-an-air-ticket-or-an-id-card/page-3?p=7660338#entry7660338

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Officials stunned as B15bn Andaman Bridge rumors resurface
Phuket Gazette


An image presented with one of the news stories online purporting that the 15-billion-baht Andaman Bridge project was going ahead. Photo: Supplied

PHUKET: -- A stunned Governor of Satun Province has denounced reports that plans were afoot to build a four-lane motorway over the Andaman Sea to join Satun Town in Southern Thailand with Perlis in northwestern Malaysia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717089-officials-stunned-as-b15bn-andaman-bridge-rumors-resurface/

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Woman, 50, caught smuggling 2.5kg of 'ice' into Phuket

Eakkapop Thongtub

Buachompoo (seated) contemplates a grim future as Customs officers show off the haul to media this morning.

PHUKET: A 50-year-old Bangkok woman was arrested at Phuket International Airport yesterday afternoon (April 6) after attempting to smuggle a large bag of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) into the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717091-woman-50-caught-smuggling-25kg-of-ice-into-phuket/

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Protesters cost EXAT 490,000 baht for taking free rides on tollways

BANGKOK, 7 April 2014 (NNT) - Mr. Aiyanat Tin-Apai, Governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) indicated that the agency has lost more than 490,000 baht of revenue, thanks to political protesters who have used tollways without paying.

Full story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717094-protesters-cost-exat-490000-baht-for-taking-free-rides-on-tollways/

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Rice Exports increase by 66.2 percent in February

BANGKOK, 7 April 2014 (NNT) - Statistics reveal that rice exports for the month of February has increased by 66.2 percent, and will continuously increase in March.

The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) has revealed that rice exports have increased by 66.2 percent in this February this year compared to the same month of last year, and that the export volume has reached around 700,000 tons.

Meanwhile, rice exports for the first two months of 2014 grew by 39.5 percent, with the export volume reaching at 1.4 million tons total. The majority of the rice exported included white rice and sticky rice, where they were primarily sold to African nations. However, the Thai jasmine rice has seen a drop in exports.

The TREA also predicts that the rice export volume in March would reach around 700,000 tons, as rice prices have decreased to a certain level.


-- NNT 2014-04-07