Thailand Live Wednesday 9 Apr 2014

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The number of international tourist arrivals in March fell by 9.39%25 year-on-year to 2.1 million due mainly to the political unrest, says the Tourism Department. /Bangkok Post

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King donates 10 million baht to Hua Hin Dog Shelter

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 9 April 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King yesterday (April 8) donated 10 million baht to the Municipality of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, to support its full-cycle management of the stray dog problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717604-his-majesty-the-king-donates-10-million-baht-to-hua-hin-dog-shelter/

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CAPO’s Chalerm to seek legal action against PDRC’s Suthep for sedition

BANGKOK, 9 April 2014, (NNT) - The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is currently collecting evidence against the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)’s core members for supporting their leader’s plan to claim sovereign power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717471-capo-seeks-legal-action-against-suthep-for-attempting-to-overthrow-government/page-2#entry7668135

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US expresses concern over Thai political situation and power seizure

BANGKOK, 9 April 2014 (NNT) – The United States has handed a letter to the Thai government expressing grave concern over the political situation and the possibility of a power grab.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717605-us-expresses-concern-over-thai-political-situation-and-power-seizure/

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Political impasse hurts international tourism



BANGKOK: -- International tourist arrivals declined by 9.39% in March year-on-year to 2.1 million due mainly to the political unrest, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717607-tat-thailands-political-impasse-hurts-international-tourism/

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BBC: Australia officials say more signals from what is thought to be flight recorder of missing Malaysian airliner found

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Language schools in border provinces see spike in number of students

BANGKOK, 9 April 2014 (NNT) - Several language schools in Thailand’s border provinces are seeing a spike in the number of both Thai and foreign students, as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is fast approaching.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717615-language-schools-in-thailands-border-provinces-see-spike-in-number-of-students/

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UPDATE:

Suthep makes clear of his declaration of sovereign



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban said the people will “drag and pull” caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra down from the prime minister seat if she again rejects ruling by either the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and continues to stay in office citing her own “democratic system”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717566-suthep-displays-ideas-of-supreme-sovereignty/page-2#entry7668430

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UPDATE:

Thaksin's Lawyer Denounces Lese Majeste Allegation
By Khaosod English


Mr. Robert Amsterdam (File photo)

BANGKOK: -- Lobbyist and legal representative of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has condemned the allegation put forth by the Lawyers Council of Thailand that he has insulted the Thai monarchy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717555-pcad-activist-accuses-red-lobbyist-of-lese-majeste/?p=7668469#entry7668469

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Bangkok police stop 100 million Baht fake ATM card fraud

file photo

Bangkok: -- Police in the Lumpini district of the city have arrested two Romanian nationals caught in possession of 795 counterfeit ATM cards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717617-bangkok-police-stop-100-million-baht-fake-atm-card-fraud/

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Army chief: Militants focus on rocking South’s economy, tourism
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Apr 9 – A series of bombings in Thailand’s southern province of Yala was meant to shake the region’s economy and tourism, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717622-thai-army-chief-militants-focus-on-rocking-souths-economy-tourism/

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'Heartbleed' bug puts encrypted data in danger

SAN FRANCISCO - Trust in the Internet took a major blow on Tuesday as alarm spread that software commonly used to encrypt and secure online transactions could wind up giving away the store.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717417-heartbleed-openssl-security-advisory-07-apr-2014-cve-2014-0160/?p=7668643#entry7668643

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UPDATE:

MH370 search chief hopeful of finding wreckage within 'days'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-156?p=7668679#entry7668679

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Kim re-elected as North Korean leader

SEOUL: -- Kim Jong-Un was Wednesday "re-elected" as North Korea's leader, state media said, as parliament opened a session expected to endorse personnel changes after the shock execution of his once-powerful uncle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717624-kim-jong-un-re-elected-as-north-korean-leader/

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Toyota to recall 6.39 million vehicles worldwide

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese auto giant Toyota on Wednesday said it was recalling 6.39 million vehicles worldwide for five different problems, none of which had caused any accidents to its knowledge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717647-toyota-to-recall-639-million-vehicles-worldwide/

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Twitter users can now tag friends in photos

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717648-twitter-users-can-now-tag-friends-in-photos/

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Surapong warns government officials not to support PDRC



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Wednesday warned government officials not to support the anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban with threat of facing heavy disciplinary penalties for violation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717650-surapong-warns-government-officials-not-to-support-pdrc/

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UTCC reveals Songkran will generate more than 100 billion baht in cash flow

BANGKOK, 9 April 2014 (NNT) — The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has revealed that cash flow during the 2014 Songkran period is expected to be more than 100 billion baht, a 2.36% growth, though the lowest rate in 4 years.

Director of the UTCC's Economic and Business Forecasting Center Tanawat Polwichai disclosed that the survey conducted on 1,233 participants nationwide revealed that 69.5% of Thai people have planned to travel during the holiday.

However, due to a recessive economy, there have been more travel bookings within the country than abroad. Moreover, estimated spending on consumption, merit making, and festive expenses has shown a 2.36% growth in cash flow, or around 116 billion baht.

Despite what seems to be a relatively good figure, the growth in the cash flow during the holiday has been the lowest in 4 years — mainly due to the political stalemate plaguing the country.


-- NNT 2014-04-09

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Naked Canadian tourist causes Phuket pandemonium
Eakkapop Thongtub

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717652-naked-canadian-tourist-causes-phuket-pandemonium/

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EC: New election within 60 days unlikely

BANGKOK, 9 April 2014 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) says it is very unlikely that a general election will be held within 60 days, given the current political turmoil in the country, but admits that an election is the ultimate solution to the ongoing conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717655-ec-new-election-within-60-days-unlikely/

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Suthep will not hold marches during Songkran holidays

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, said Wednesday that the PDRC will not stage marches from April 12 to 15.

He made the announcement following a talk with Defence Ministry's Permanent Secretary Gen Niphat Thonglek at the Defence Ministry.

Suthep said Nipat was worried that there were not be enough troops to keep security during the Songkran holidays.

As a result, Suthep said, he agreed to make no marches during the Songkran holidays so that troops and police could take a break and stay with their families during the holidays.


-- The Nation 2014-04-09

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Asia's best to compete at 13th Samui Regatta
Final event in the 2013/14 AsianYachting Grand Prix championship with Samui Regatta results to determine the season's winner


Tough competition is the hallmark of Samui Regatta and the 2014 entry list includes many of the top names from Asia and beyond. Photo by Samuipics.com/ Samui Regatta.

SAMUI: -- Thailand's Samui Island is ready to host the 13th sailing of the iconic Samui Regatta, held 24th - 31st May at Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui on Chaweng Beach and organised by Regattas Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717691-asias-best-to-compete-at-13th-samui-regatta/

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Suthep meets permanent secretary for Defence

Suthep Thaugsuban and core leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee met with the permanent secretary for Ministry of Defence and senior officials at the ministry Wednesday afternoon.

Gen Niphat Thonglek, the Defence permanent secretary, noted that while officials are ready to listen to Suthep’s proposals, they can act only within the legal constraints.


-- The Nation 2014-04-09

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High growth potential for Thailand's marine logistics
By English News

BANGKOK, Apr 9 - Thailand's gross domestic product in marine transport and logistics this year will increase 6.8-8.1 per cent from last year thanks to export growth, Kasikorn Research Centre reported today.

It said the country's marine transport value will jump from Bt133.4 billion last year to Bt142.5-144.2 billion this year. Contributing factors include export revival, freight increase and expaned border trade in light of the approaching launch of the ASEAN Economic Community next year.

The research centre foresees high growth potential for the country's marine transport both domestically and internationally if infrastructure and transport networks are fully developed.

Improved marine transport will help reduce enterpreneurs' logistics cost, it said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-04-09

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Suthep will not hold marches during Songkran holidays
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, said Wednesday that the PDRC will not stage marches from April 12 to 15.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717696-suthep-will-not-hold-marches-during-songkran-holidays/

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Looming economic problems may cause political conflicts to end

BANGKOK, 9 April 2014 (NNT) - The Former Finance Minister says that as Thailand’s economy might be heading to a downwards spiral, it may be a powerful reason to convince people from all sides to end their political disputes in order to put the country back together.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717713-thailand-looming-economic-problems-may-cause-political-conflicts-to-end/

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RETAIL BUSINESS
Thailand ranked 6th in top 10 target markets
The Nation


Thailand is ranked 6th in terms of retail industry potential

BANGKOK: -- Asia Pacific-based retailers see significant potential in Asia Pacific and Thailand is ranked in the 6th position as a target for 29 per cent of Asia Pacific-based retailers, according to a recent global report by CBRE Research.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717716-retail-business-thailand-ranked-6th-in-top-10-target-markets/

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Chiang Mai moat water 'safe' for Songkran
By Digital Content



CHIANG MAI, April 9 – Water in the moat that surrounds ancient areas of this northern provincial capital is safe for local residents and tourists who wish to take part in water splashing activities in the upcoming Songkran holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717719-chiang-mai-moat-water-safe-for-songkran/

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Yingluck questions Constitutional Court for accepting case against her

BANGKOK: -- April 9, 2014 3:29 pmCaretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Wednesday questioned the decision of the Constitutional Court to proceed with a petition against her related to the transfer of the National Security Council Chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717722-yingluck-questions-constitutional-court-for-accepting-case-against-her/

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Kalasin finds ways to ensure Songkran safety

KALASIN, 9 April 2014 (NNT) - The Deputy Governor of Kalasin Province has introduced several measures to help ensure that the Songkran Festival this year proceeds smoothly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717724-kalasin-finds-ways-to-ensure-songkran-safety/