BAAC fund raises 1.44 billion THB to help pay rice farmers

BANGKOK, 9 April 2014 (NNT) - The funds launched by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to help compensate rice farmers who have yet to be paid for their pledged rice crops has reached 1.44 billion baht today.

The BAAC, which had invited the public and businesses to take part in the fund, has given an update on the latest progress concerning the fund. There are three types of funds on offer: 1) the donation fund, which has gained a total of 22,765,112.87 baht (the savings account number for donations is: 0200-3-3477-582 BAAC, Bang Khen branch), 2) the interest fund, which has gained 791,346,607.92 baht, 3) the interest-free fund, which has gained 626,883,075.01 baht. The last two types of the fund require a minimum principal of 1,000 baht upon subscription. The combined sum of the funds is 1,440,944,795.80 baht in total.


-- NNT 2014-04-09

PT Tells Abhisit To Discipline Party Spokeswoman

By Khaosod English


Ms. Mallika Boonmetrakul (photo from Ms. Mallika's official Facebook account)

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party has lashed out at deputy spokeswoman of the Democrat Party who falsely accused Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of attempting to flee the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717554-pheu-thai-tells-abhisit-to-discipline-party-spokeswoman/

PCAD Activist Accuses Red Lobbyist Of Lese Majeste
By Khaosod English


Redshirts rally at Aksa Avenue, 6 April 2014

BANGKOK: -- A prominent anti-government activist has pressed charge against a representative of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of defaming the monarchy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717555-pcad-activist-accuses-red-lobbyist-of-lese-majeste/

CRIME
38 people's bank accounts hacked
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A total of 38 people have fallen victim to a hacker who stole their ATM information and withdrew Bt500,000 cash from their accounts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717556-38-peoples-scb-bank-accounts-hacked/

RICE SCHEME
Kittiratt delays NACC rice-pledging case testimony
Anuphan Chantana
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday agreed to allow caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong to postpone his testimony to the agency over the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717557-kittiratt-delays-nacc-rice-pledging-case-testimony/

POLITICS
Govt in legal fightback
The Nation


Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach is one of the Cabinet members taking part in a water-pouring rite for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Police Cadet School in Nakhon Pathom yesterday

Pheu Thai says Suthep's threat to name new PM a 'modern-day coup'

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party and politicians in power yesterday pressed for legal action against anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who had threatened last weekend to nominate a new prime minister after gaining what he termed "sovereign" status.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717558-pheu-thai-says-sutheps-threat-to-name-new-pm-a-modern-day-coup/

UPDATE:

SOUTH CRISIS
Police spot Yala attack suspects on CCTV
Nakarin Chinworakomon,
Anapat Deechuay,
Supitcha Rattana
The Nation



One person's face 'clearly visible in cctv image'; same group said to be behind all

BANGKOK: -- POLICE ARE on a hunt for a group suspected in bombing attacks that caused several casualties and massive damage in Yala last weekend. These suspects have been seen in images captured by closed-circuit TV cameras.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717392-cctv-camera-catches-yala-bombing-suspects/#entry7667455

UPDATE:

TOXIC SMOKE
Fire breaks out again at Samut Prakan's Praksa landfill
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- ANOTHER FIRE broke out at Samut Prakan's Praksa landfill early yesterday, forcing residents to brace for further evacuations. As of 6pm, people in Bang Na could see a haze and smell the smoke.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717359-fire-rages-again-at-phraekasa-refill/#entry7667463

EDITORIAL
The ticking time bomb in our midst
The Nation

With dangerous business allowed to flourish in the heart of our communities, the next disaster is just around the corner

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717560-thai-editorial-the-ticking-time-bomb-in-our-midst/

STOPPAGE TIME
Thawil's case and lessons in democracy
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- One problem with calling the case of Thawil Pliensri a "banana skin" for the caretaker Yingluck Cabinet is that one does not usually slip on one's own carelessly dropped object.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717561-thawils-case-and-lessons-in-democracy-thai-opinion/

Yingluck wishes to see country out of political crisis



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has wished that the Thai traditional New Year will see the country out of political crisis and Thai people will see light in resolving the current political problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717562-yingluck-wishes-to-see-country-out-of-political-crisis/

Grenade lobbed at protesters injures two
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two men were injured when a bomb exploded near the Interior Ministry on Assadang Road yesterday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717563-bangkok-grenade-lobbed-at-protesters-injures-two-near-interior-ministry/

Suthep woos Justice officials
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday led his People's Democratic Reform Committee followers to win the support of the Justice Ministry for their national reform campaign in a move apparently calculated to dispel criticism that he has usurped sovereignty of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717564-suthep-woos-justice-officials/

BURNING ISSUE
Suthep displays ideas of supreme sovereignty
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sovereign power, as referred to in the current Constitution, belongs to the Thai people. But only people who lose their senses, like Suthep Thaugsuban, can claim they'll assume this authority for their personal use.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717566-suthep-displays-ideas-of-supreme-sovereignty/

Oil-shipping rules to be reviewed
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Samut Sakhon



Officials concerned for fate of rare irrawaddy dolphins after boat sinks

BANGKOK: -- An accident on Monday involving a 16-metre-long vessel carrying used oil, which sank off Samut Sakhon province, has prompted marine-protection agencies to tighten their measures to control oil transportation by sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717567-oil-shipping-rules-to-be-reviewed-thailand/

Rabies scare sparks search for pups
Sumalee Suwannakorn,
Anek Krajaem
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AUTHORITIES have declared an area around a dog seller's house in tambon Huai Kwang of Maha Sarakham's Kosum Phisai district as a temporary rabies-control zone until April 29.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717568-rabies-scare-sparks-search-for-pups-in-maha-sarakham/

One dead in East Pattaya Railroad crash

PATTAYA: -- Two vehicles were involved in a crash on the Railroad running along the Eastern side of Pattaya on Monday evening which resulted in the death of a 30 year old man.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717569-one-dead-in-east-pattaya-railroad-crash/

Sting operation nets Nigerian for dealing cocaine
Phuket Gazette


Somkid ‘Waew’ Kwanngern and Ibenuba Henry Onyinyechukwu were both arrested and charged with possession of a Category 2 drug. Photo: Patong Police


British national Taylor Curtis Martin was charged with possession of a Category 5 drug. Photo: Patong Police

PHUKET: A series of small drug busts led to a sting operation last night that concluded with the arrest of a Nigerian man for dealing cocaine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717572-phuket-police-sting-operation-nets-brit-and-nigerian-for-drugs/

RT@RichardBarrow: This is how you park in front of a shop with style. Car accident in Nakhon Sawan #Thailand (Via @Nalinee_PLE) pic.twitter.com/ApJrLHAI5P

RT@RichardBarrow: ATM machine on Khao San already protected ahead of the #Songkran waterfights (Pic @Nalinee_PLE) pic.twitter.com/RZiMG7dPSL

RT@W7VOA : #Thailand tourism officials say number of foreign tourists plunged 9.4% in March from year ago due to political turmoil.

Top banker optimistic on Thai economic prospects
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Apr 9– Thailand’s economy is far from nosediving to the bottom and it should surge back in accord with the strengthened global economy, the chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association said Tuesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717592-top-banker-optimistic-on-thai-economic-prospects/

Army chief flies to Yala for inspection after bomb incidents; believes explosions unrelated to changing 4th Army Region Commander /MCOT

A minor 3.3 magnitude earthquake hit Tambon Bantam of Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province at 01.41 a.m. today. There was no report of injury and damage.

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-09

Hi-Low Gamblers caught at South Pattaya Beer Bar Complex

PATTAYA:--In the early hours of Monday a Pattaya Police Team arrested 10 suspected gamblers who were accused of playing “Hi-Low” for money at the rear of a South Pattaya Beer Bar Complex.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717593-hi-low-gamblers-caught-at-south-pattaya-beer-bar-complex/

Irishman caught in Phuket drug dealer busts
Eakkapop Thongtub


The three alleged dealers – seated from left, Dome, Brady and Ann – look glum in custody.

PHUKET: -- Kathu police last night (April 8) caught three low-end drug dealers – two Thais and an Irishman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717598-irishman-caught-in-phuket-drug-dealer-busts/

Thai Red Cross boosts blood stock ahead of Songkran festival
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 9 - The Thai Red Cross Society has urged the public to donate blood in order to store up sufficient blood supplies for the upcoming Songkran holiday.

Red Cross Secretary General Phan Wannamethee said Tuesday that the campaign is specially organised ahead of the Songkran Festival holiday period as demand for blood tends to peak due to a significant increase in the number of road accidents, with deaths and injuries.

Mr Phan called on interested members of the public to donate blood at the National Blood Centre in the capital during April 8-16 in order to reserve an additional 1,600-2,000 units of blood supplies a day to be able to maintain at least 3,000 units/day of blood in stock.

Probation Department Deputy Chief Chalong Atikanit, meanwhile, said there were 4,862 probation infractions reported during Songrkan last year, 4,691 of which were drunk-driving cases.

Victims of road accidents, those under probation and volunteers on Tuesday marched from the National Blood Centre through Rama 4 Road, Silom Road, Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Road and back to the blood centre as part of the road-safety campaign to reduce accidents during the upcoming Songkran.

A similar event will also take place at the Southern Bus Terminal today. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-04-09

This year's Songkran festival 'driest' in four years
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 9 – An estimated Bt116 billion in currency is expected to circulate in Thailand during the annual Songkran festival, according to the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717601-this-years-songkran-festival-driest-in-four-years/

Kittiratt says budget delay manageable
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 9 – Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong expressed optimism that a delay in approving the 2015 budget will be manageable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717602-kittiratt-says-budget-delay-manageable/

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,385.43, gains 6.09 points /MCOT