Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Apr 2014

[webfact]

Govt. may not have enough budget to cover the year's first car buyer rebates

BANGKOK, 8 April 2014, (NNT) - According to a source in the Finance Ministry, the government is likely to exhaust the 40 billion baht of its 2014 budget for rebates in the first car buyer scheme, before completing the year's payments this June.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717377-thai-govt-may-not-have-enough-budget-to-cover-the-years-first-car-buyer-rebates/

[webfact]

CCTV camera catches Yala bombing suspects
By Digital Content



YALA, April 8 -- Police revealed CCTV footage holding images that could lead to the capture of the bombing suspects in four locations in Yala on April 6 that killed one victim and wounded 30 others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717392-cctv-camera-catches-yala-bombing-suspects/

[webfact]

Two drug smugglers killed in the latest drug bust at Chiang Rai Province

CHIANG RAI, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – Two drug smugglers were shot dead by army rangers in Chiang Rai Province, where 12 million baht worth of methamphetamine and heroin were seized.

A gun fight broke out between army rangers and drug smugglers at the Thai-Burmese border near Maechan District of Chiang Rai Province. After the two smugglers had been gunned down, the rangers inspected the scene and found 50 packs of methamphetamine containing 100,000 meth pills and 7 kilograms of heroin. The rangers believe the drugs, worth 12 million baht, belonged to a drug network called “Wa”, and were going to be distributed to retailers during the annual Songkran Festival.

Another drug arrest took place at the Phuket International Airport where a 50-year-old woman was apprehended for carrying 2 kilograms of crystal meth, also known as “ya-ice”, which was neatly wrapped in a black plastic bag. The woman said she had no idea there were drugs inside the bag, as it was given to her as a gift by her African friend. At this stage, she will be charged with an unauthorized possession of drugs.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

[webfact]

Farmers turn to growing green beans instead of rice during drought

CHAINAT, 8 April 2014 (NNT) — Chainat farmers are turning to green beans to grow instead of rice, as the Royal Irrigation Department has halted its distribution of water for agricultural purposes.

Since the beginning of March, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) office in Chainat province has stopped its support of water distribution for agricultural use in line with its policy to preserve water for consumption. Farmers have therefore been forced to stop growing rice, while some have turned to other options.

Some farmers in Chainat have turned to growing green beans during this drought season as the plant needs only a little amount of water to grow compared to rice. Moreover, it takes only 60 - 70 days from planting to harvest and the plant leaves Nitrogen to the soil as it decomposes.

A local farmer explained that growing green beans is a good source of income to substitute for rice growing. A 1 rai plot of land requires 1,000 baht of initial investment for growing, but can generate at least 1,700 - 2,000 baht in revenue per rai — making growing green beans a good option for farmers.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

[webfact]

Nong Khai celebrates Thai - Laos friendship bridge with dance carnival

NONG KHAI 8 April 2014 (NNT) — Nong Khai province has celebrated the 20th year anniversary of the Thai - Laos friendship bridge with a carnival extravaganza.

Nong Khai has celebrated the 20th year of the Thai - Laos friendship bridge anniversary with grand carnival dance stretching 1 kilometer long. The parade consisted of 20 parades and dancers from 9 municipalities.

The dance parade started from the Nong Khai city hall and ended at the Naga foundation in front of Prab Ho Monument. Those who joined in on the fun donned intricate costumes, wore flashy make-up, and danced vivaciously to the beat of the music.

The event was held in cooperation with the Lao PDR’s Nakhon Viangchan, from April 4-8.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

[webfact]

Phichit holds blood drive ahead of Songkran Festival

PHICHIT, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – Phichit Province is appealing for blood donations prior to the Songkran Festival, when high demand for blood demand is expected.

A blood drive is being held at Phichit Hospital for everyone to donate blood, which will likely be in high demand during the Songkran holidays, when a number of casualties and injuries are reported each year. According to the hospital, the demand for blood will be 3 times higher than normal during Songkran, and this is why the hospital needs to have more blood reserved.

For those who live in Bangkok and want to make blood donations, they can directly go to the Thai Red Cross Society located on Henri Dunant Road. For further information, please contact the National Blood Center at 0-2256-4300 or visit the center seven days a week.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

[webfact]

PM concerned by bomb attacks in deep South, instructs army chief to oversee situation /MCOT

[webfact]

Hat Yai Airport increases security after mental patient boarded plane without ticket



SONGKHLA, 8 April 2014 (NNT) – Hat Yai Airport has scaled up the security level it employs to near maximum level after a mentally troubled man was able to board a Nok Air flight without carrying any identification or ticket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717384-hat-yai-airport-increases-security-after-mental-patient-boarded-plane-without-ticket/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Kittiratt attending World Bank meetings despite NACC summons on rice case
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 8 – Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong leaves for Washington, DC today to attend the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717372-kittiratt-to-explain-thai-political-scene-through-world-bank-imf-meeting/#entry7664312

[webfact]

Hot weather a blessing for air conditioner sales
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 8 – The high temperature will possibly boost sales of air conditioners by 50 per cent this month, according to Power Buy, one of Thailand’s major electronics retail outlets.

Sa-angthip Amornchat, Power Buy assistant managing director for marketing, said sales of air conditioners increased 20 per cent in March and the sales volume will possibly jump up 50 per cent in April – the hottest month of the year.

She said the political turmoil has affected sales of electronics products and electrical appliances in the first quarter this year but it should pick up when the situation improves.

The change from analog to digital broadcasting and the upcoming 2014 World Cup has also jacked up sales of digital television sets, she said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-04-08

[webfact]

Phuket dive staff learn of ‘fine line’ between instructor and tour guide
Anthika Muangrod


Gov Maitri checks out the work permits at All 4 Diving.

PHUKET: -- As promised by the authorities following the scandal over officers from Chalong Police Station targeting dive companies for extortion, the first two dive companies were visited on Friday to have their work permits checked and to receive advice on what foreign employees may or may not do.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717393-phuket-dive-staff-learn-of-fine-line-between-instructor-and-tour-guide/

[webfact]

PM voices concern over Yala bombings



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra voiced concern over the increase in bomb attacks in the South with instruction for the armed forces to ensure safety for the people, particularly in economic zones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717397-pm-yingluck-voices-concern-over-yala-bombings/

[webfact]

NBTC probes deaths of 3 mobile users killed by lightning strikes

BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) —The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) is coordinating with local police to investigate the deaths of three people using mobile phone when killed by lightning strikes in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717402-nbtc-probes-deaths-of-3-mobile-users-killed-by-lightning-strikes-in-prachuap-khiri-khan/

[webfact]

East Asian tourist numbers plunge 20.43%: TAT

BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) —The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed that the overall number of tourists from East Asia has diminished significantly. However it still expects 5.4-million Chinese tourists to choose Thailand as their travel destination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717404-east-asian-tourist-numbers-plunge-2043-tat/

[webfact]

NRPC to hold talks on low rice prices

BANGKOK, 8 April 2014, (NNT) - The National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC) will on Thursday hold talks on the low rice price issue. Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry is stepping up its inspection of exporters’ rice stockpiles, saying that they must keep on hand at least 500 tons of grain in order to renew the ministry’s trade permits.

The discussion on April 10th, which will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, is to seek approaches to stabilizing local rice prices which will in turn help easing the burden on farmers. The minister revealed that one of such measures is to enforce the minimum rice stock regulation on rice exporters.

Mr. Niwatthamrong is convinced that the move will restore the stability of rice prices. The move will however impose the responsibility of stockpiling rice on exporters, an unfavorable practice they say will drive up their operating costs.

Other approaches would also be taken into consideration, such as selling part of rice directly to foreign buyers without going through exporters, and subsidizing farmers production costs.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

[webfact]

Hunt for MH370 'pings' to go on for days before sub launch

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-154?p=7664730#entry7664730

[webfact]

Marching band members apologise for their 'childish behaviour'
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of students representing the Satriwithaya 2 School marching band yesterday apologised for pushing a businessman to fund an overseas trip, while the angered school alumni launched a web page to oust the school director.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717406-thai-marching-band-members-apologise-for-their-childish-behaviour/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Government to go broke in first-car tax refund



BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry has no money to refund first-car buyers who have now occupied their vehicles for one year and are eligible for the tax refunds.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717377-thai-govt-may-not-have-enough-budget-to-cover-the-years-first-car-buyer-rebates/page-2#entry7664779

[webfact]

Nuttawut calls on Army chief to express stand over Suthep's plan to seize power

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuar Tuesday called on the Army chief to express his stand over the announcement by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban to seize ruling power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717408-nattawut-calls-on-army-chief-to-express-stand-over-sutheps-plan-to-seize-power/

[webfact]

Man Dies After Shooting Himself In Testicles
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- A gambler in Prachinburi province died after accidentally discharging his handgun into his testicles, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717409-gambler-dies-after-shooting-himself-in-testicles-thai-police/

[webfact]

Surapong tells US of Suthep's declaration of himself a sovereign



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Tuesday told the US assistant secretary of state and US ambassador that the declaration of a sovereign by People’s Democratic Reform Committee leader Suthep Thaugsuban is an act of treason.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717416-surapong-tells-us-of-sutheps-declaration-of-himself-a-sovereign/

[webfact]

Prompong files sedition complaint against Suthep with DSI

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit Tuesday filed a complaint with Department of Special Investigation, alleging protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban with having committed sedition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717421-prompong-files-sedition-complaint-against-suthep-with-dsi/

[webfact]

Motorbike rental passport leads to Phuket arrest of Spanish nunchuk mugger
Phuket Gazette


Russian tourist Sergey Agafonov fingers the man who mugged him, Spanish tourist Mario Arturo Tovar Ferras, 23. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A passport left as collateral for a motorbike rental has led to the arrest of a Spaniard for the nunchuk mugging of a Russian in Kata early yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717423-motorbike-rental-passport-leads-to-phuket-arrest-of-spanish-nunchuk-mugger/

[webfact]

Niwatthamrong ready to testify in PM’s defence



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisarn said Tuesday that he was confident he would be able to defend caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra before the National Anti-Corruption Commission against the accusation of negligence of duty concerning the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717452-deputy-prime-minister-niwatthamrong-ready-to-testify-in-pm-yinglucks-defence/

[webfact]

EC approves extension of free bus, train service programme

The Election Commission Tuesday approved the extension of the government's project to provide free bus and train services for another month, EC secretary general Phuchong Nutrawong said.

Phuchong said the EC approved the government's plan to spend Bt355 million to extend the government's project to shoulder the cost of living for the people by providing free bus and train services until the end of April. The project ended on March 31.


-- The Nation 2014-04-08

[webfact]

Surapong: US Will Not Be Happy If Coup Happens

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The US government has expressed concern to the Thai authorities over the deteriorating state political crisis in Thailand, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717416-surapong-tells-us-of-sutheps-declaration-of-himself-a-sovereign/page-2#entry7665570

[webfact]

Phuket Journalists To Face Lawsuits Filed By Navy

By Khaosod English


Mr. Alan Morison and Ms. Chutima Sidasathian during a panel discussion at FCCT in Bangkok, 5 March 2014

BANGKOK: -- Editors of Phuket-based Phuketwan news agency have been scheduled to appear before the court on 17 April, after the prosecutor accepts defamation lawsuits filed by the Royal Thai Navy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717467-phuket-journalists-to-face-lawsuits-filed-by-thai-navy/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,379.34, down 12.67; Bt/USD32.24; GBP53.46; AUD29.83; EUR44.17; CAD29.28; HKD4.15; SGD25.53; JPY31.22

[webfact]

Over 100 houses in Kosamphi Nakhon District, Kamphaeng Phet, damaged by thunderstorm

KAMPHAENG PET, 8 April 2014 (NNT) - Over 100 houses in Kosamphi Nakhon District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, were damaged by a summer thunderstorm on April 5. Initially, administrative officers, Kosamphi Subdistict Administrative Officers, with Subdistrict headmen, and village headman explored the damaged houses to provide help to homeowners.

In all 137 houses were damaged. 101 of them are in Kosamphi Subdistrict. 33 of them are in Phet Chom Phu Subdistrict and 3 of them are in Lan Dok Mai Tok Subdistrict. One house caught fire in Moo 7, Phet Chom Phu Subdistrict, Kosamphi Nakhon District. A number of local stores and timber furniture factories in Moo 19, Wang Mai Village, Kosamphi Subdistrict, Kamphaeng Phet Province, were damaged. Mr. Nopparat Rattanapanich, Kosamphi Nakhon Chief District Officer, inspected the damage in the area and advised the province of the need to provide up to 30,000 baht to each damaged house.


-- NNT 2014-04-08

[webfact]

38 provinces declared drought disaster zones



BANGKOK, 8 April 2014 (NNT) - The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) has reported that 38 provinces nationwide have been declared drought disaster zones.

The DDPM said provinces hit by severe drought included Tak, Chiang Mai, Surin and Krabi. The drought spans nearly 15,000 villages in 38 provinces. The agency is expediting assistance to drought-hit residents by surveying affected areas and effectively managing dwindling water resources.

Members of the public have been urged to conserve water during the dry season as the crisis has already expanded to many regions.

The Meteorological Department's Central Weather Forecast Division has also warned that Thailand will face a continued drought this year and the next, due to the influence of the El Nino weather phenomenon. In addition to the system’s impact on rainfall, the current volume of water held in major dams, may well not be enough to meet demand this year.


-- NNT 2014-04-08