Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Apr 2014

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Passenger number peaks at Suvarnabhumi ahead of Songkran

BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – Suvarnabhumi International Airport is witnessing a gradual rise in passenger influx prior to the Songkran Festival, with many Thai and foreign airlines putting additional flights into operation to meet the demand.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Raweewan Netarakavesana forecast a bright outlook in Thai tourism this Songkran holiday and expressed belief that the number of passengers using Bangkok’s main airport during April 9-18 would be 32,000 persons more than the normal period. She said the recent revocation of the emergency decree in the capital was a positive factor that could drive the passenger number up by 4% as it had encouraged many countries to lift their travel advisories.

Although the political unrest persisted, Ms Raweewan revealed that several airlines had asked for permission to increase their services by a combined 230 flights, both domestic and international, to cater to the Songkran holidaymakers. She said most of the extra flights were added by Chinese and Japanese carriers.

Recently, Suvarnabhumi Airport organized a campaign to ensure cleanliness of toilets within its facilities before the arrival of the Songkran Festival. As a large number of travelers commute through the airport daily, Ms Raweewan stressed that, besides having an adequate number of toilets, sanitation was another important issue to take into account. Therefore, she assured that janitorial staff would be on standby at every toilet 24 hours a day.

-- NNT 2014-04-08

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ACCIDENT
12 killed as 10-wheeler overturns in Loei
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Twelve workers were killed and 19 others injured when a 10-wheel truck carrying them to work in Nakhon Phanom lost control at what is considered "a dangerous curve" in the road in Loei's Phu Ruea district early Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717308-12-killed-as-10-wheeler-overturns-in-loei/

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CITY PLANNING
New city plan 'could ravage' the verdant Bang Krachao
Chularat Saengpassa,
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


This land in Samut Prakan

Developers eagerly eyeing 'Bangkok's green lung'

BANGKOK: -- Samut Prakan's green Bang Krachao area, which serves as a "lung" to produce fresh air for local residents and those in the nearby metropolitan area, is now a new golden treasure for real estate developers given its close proximity to Bangkok and flood-free status.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717309-new-city-plan-could-ravage-the-verdant-bang-krachao/

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MURDER OF HOMGCHONG FAMILY
Man accused of triple murder was offered car, gold: police
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The man who allegedly killed three members of the Homchong family in Bangkok's Bang Khae district last week has confessed he was promised a car and a gold necklace with a Buddha amulet as payment for the killings, according to police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717311-man-accused-of-triple-murder-was-offered-car-gold-bangkok-police/

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SPECIAL REPORT
'4 possible triggers' for Yala bombings
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The bombings in Yala on Sunday and yesterday may stem from four factors, including a challenge by insurgents to the new commander of Army Region 4, Lt Gen Walit Rojanapakdee, a national security agency source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717312-4-possible-triggers-for-yala-bombings/

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POLITICS
PDRC denies trying to illegally overthrow govt
The Nation


Utthayan (Aksa) Road is covered in trash after the three-day rally by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship ended yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- A leader of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) denied yesterday that the PDRC was trying to unconstitutionally overthrow the caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717313-pdrc-denies-trying-to-illegally-overthrow-thai-govt/

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SOUTH CRISIS
South on alert
The Nation


Residents watch as smoke billows from a burning warehouse that was the target of another large bomb in Yala yesterday. Eight attacks have rocked the province in the past two days.

Security tightened after 8 sites hit in 2 days in apparent bid to scare away Songkran tourists

BANGKOK: -- Security has been beefed up in the restive deep South ahead of the long Songkran holiday next week, following destructive bombing attacks in Yala over the past two days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717317-security-beefed-up-in-deep-south-ahead-of-songkran/

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30 years on, KFC Thailand going strong
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation


Thanyachete Ekvetchavit, left, marketing director of KFC, Yum Restaurants International (Thailand), and Chainarong Lerlertvanich, right, general manager of KFC, Central Restaurants Group, together with KFC

Yum Restaurants launches expansion, renovation campaign

BANGKOK: -- Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) is overhauling its KFC businesses in Thailand by expanding stores and refreshing its brand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717318-30-years-on-kfc-thailand-going-strong/

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Despite downgrades and protests, equity guru Mobius believes SET will rise further
WICHIT CHAITRONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S stock index could |rise further even though the country's sovereign credit outlook was downgraded last week by a Japanese agency as the political crisis persists, according to veteran emerging-markets investor Mark Mobius.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717319-despite-downgrades-and-protests-equity-guru-mobius-believes-set-will-rise-further/

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EDITORIAL
Reform, or just same old power play?
The Nation

Suthep Thaugsuban vows to inaugurate a new era for Thailand, but his methods are depressingly familiar

BANGKOK: -- If democratic reform really is the ultimate goal of the anti-government protesters, as they claim, one has to wonder why their leader, Suthep Thaugsuban, last Saturday proposed the equivalent of a coup d'etat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717320-thai-editorial-reform-or-just-same-old-power-play/

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STREETWISE
Digital TV should bring freedom but viewers still boxed in
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Over 30 years ago, I thought my family in Khon Kaen was among the first in Thailand to get a TV set. It was black and white, of course, but we kids had no problem imagining the colours of what we saw on screen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717321-digital-tv-should-bring-freedom-but-viewers-still-boxed-in-thai-opinion/

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Phuket police station blockade yields B900k cash compensation
Phuket Gazette


Buppa Taweesin and family members blocked Chalong Police Station, demanding justice for the death of her husband. Photo: Woranut Pechdee

PHUKET: -- An angry family ransomed the Chalong Police Station for 900,000 baht in compensation for failure to apprehend the suspect of deadly hit-and-run nine months ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717322-phuket-police-station-blockade-yields-bt900k-cash-compensation/

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Still no extradition request for Phuket fugitive arrested a month ago
Phuket Gazette


Jantra Weangta was found stabbed through the heart in Taylor’s Chalong bungalow. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- One month after his arrest in the Philippines, the extradition of British fugitive Michael John Taylor, also known as “Mick the Pom”, wanted in Phuket on murder charges, appears to be at a standstill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717323-still-no-extradition-request-for-phuket-fugitive-arrested-a-month-ago/

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Phuket Airport taxi driver faces inquest for drunk nap behind the wheel
Phuket Gazette


The driver was fast asleep, smelling of alcohol and still clutching an unlit cigarette in his hand. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Airport taxi driver who was found asleep behind the wheel and smelling of alcohol early yesterday morning will be called in for questioning by the Phuket Land Transportation Office (PLTO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717324-phuket-airport-taxi-driver-faces-inquest-for-drunk-nap-behind-the-wheel/

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Missing Phuket Russian's family increase rewards for kidnappers' arrests
The Phuket News


Tatiana Novosyolova (right), sister of the missing man, with her husband and wanted posters for the two suspects.

PHUKET: -- The family of missing Russian Alexei Slabinskiy are to increase the rewards offered for the solution of his disappearance and, possibly, murder, and the capture of the two men believed to be behind it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717325-missing-phuket-russians-family-increase-rewards-for-kidnappers-arrests/

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BURNING ISSUE
Don't use the country as a pawn in political games
Kornchanok Raksaseri

BANGKOK:-- Thailand's colour-coded political rallies can be compared to School Sports Day, when teams of different colours pit themselves against each other. And it appears that the stakeholders leading these games over the past nine years seem to be having a lot of fun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717326-dont-use-thailand-as-a-pawn-in-political-games/

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DROUGHT
Expert warns of severe drought next year
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Water levels in the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao are running very low as the country enters the dry season.

Low dam levels, El Nino phenomenon point to water shortages: scientist

BANGKOK: -- Thailand may face a severe drought next year due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, a leading meteorologist has warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717328-expert-warns-of-severe-drought-in-thailand-next-year/

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Worries despite 40,000 Motor Show orders
Kingsley Wijayasinha
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The 35th Bangkok International Motor Show saw almost 40,000 orders placed before it ended on Sunday, which was a help, but the struggling auto industry is still not hopeful about the near future because of the uncertain political situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717329-worries-despite-40000-bangkok-motor-show-orders/

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Peaches, daughter of musician Bob Geldolf, died at age 25

TV presenter Peaches Geldof, second daughter of musician Bob Geldof and Paula Yates, has died aged 25, leaving a husband and two sons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717331-peaches-daughter-of-musician-bob-geldolf-died-at-age-25/

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UPDATE:

Underwater vessel set to search for missing plane

PERTH, Australia - The hunt for missing Malaysian Flight MH370 could soon head to the ocean floor using an autonomous sonar vessel after possible black box signals were detected, the head of the Australian-led search operation said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-154?p=7663698#entry7663698

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Fire breaks out again at the Phraekasa refill in Samut Prakarn before dawn Tuesday and is still raging, forcing nearby residents to evacuate due to the thick smokes blanketing the vicinity.

Fire at the refill was put out mid last month but it started again from underground burning which was not completely put out.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/35574/


-- Thai PBS 2014-04-08

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Fire rages again at Phraekasa refill



BANGKOK: -- Fire breaks out again at the Phraekasa refill in Samut Prakarn before dawn Tuesday and is still raging, forcing nearby residents to evacuate due to the thick smokes blanketing the vicinity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717359-fire-rages-again-at-phraekasa-refill/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuessday at 1,393.50, gains 1.49 points /MCOT

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Thai anti-government protesters to celebrate Songkran at Lumpini
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 8 – The anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is hosting a three-day Songkran festival at Lumpini Park rally site to celebrate the Thai New Year with demonstrators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717370-thai-anti-government-protesters-to-celebrate-songkran-at-lumpini/

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Chiang Mai:

Request for O Negative blood

Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717358-request-for-o-negative-blood/#entry7663876

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Kittiratt to explain Thai political scene through World Bank-IMF meeting



BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong revealed that he would use this year’s World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings during April 9th - 12th in Washington DC, U.S., to explain the international community about the current political situation in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717372-kittiratt-to-explain-thai-political-scene-through-world-bank-imf-meeting/

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Pheu Thai Party urges Democrat Party to enter the election



BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – The Pheu Thai Party has urged the Democrat Party to enter the new round of the general election should the latter is sincere about solving the ongoing political turmoil as it claims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717373-pheu-thai-party-urges-democrat-party-to-enter-the-election/

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Thais warned of rabies after poodle dies

BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is raising public awareness of rabies, a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded animals especially dogs.

Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Narong Sahametapat says the ministry is determined to eradicate both human and animal cases of rabies as it has already set to give vaccinations to all canines including the stray ones.

According to him, seven people were killed by the disease last year and there has been only one human case of rabies found this year in Prachin Buri Province.

To not take the matter lightly, he says all personnel need to be aware of the threat. His comment comes after a 3-year-old poodle died while a veterinarian was performing a surgical sterilization on her. It was later found that she had been infected with rabies.

Before the dog was sent for sterilization, she had given birth to 5 babies, raising concerns that those babies might be infected as well. Dr. Narong therefore ordered all related agencies to urgently look into the matter as the puppies had been distributed by owners to different markets both in Bangkok and the provinces.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

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Smuggled protected timber seized in Khon Kaen

KHON KAEN, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – One million baht worth of Siamese rosewood has been confiscated in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen while being smuggled out of Thailand.

Khon Kaen police in collaboration with Phu Khao-Phu Phan Kham National Park rangers yesterday seized 114 logs of protected Siamese rosewood hidden in the middle of a meadow in Nonsomboon Sub-district. The police said they had received an intelligence report from a credible source that led to this apprehension.

The timber, according to the police, was waiting to be delivered to a neighboring country where a buyer was scheduled to pick up the batch, adding that the protected wood was worth up to one million baht and would have been worth much more if it had crossed the borderline.

Thailand is believed to be home to the world's only remaining Siamese Rosewood forests.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

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Khao San hotel operators say reservations down 20-30% for Songkran



BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – The Khao San Road Business Association says reservations at hotels at the popular backpacker destination are down 20-30% for this year's Songkran period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717376-bangkoks-khao-san-hotel-operators-say-reservations-down-20-30-for-songkran/