Thailand Live Thursday 10 Apr 2014

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Suthep says sovereign claim just an assumption



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thuagsuban dismissed his controversial “sovereign” claim a desire to make himself a single person to use the sovereign power but it is the people who own such supreme power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717849-suthep-plays-down-sovereignty-claim/#entry7672766

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UPDATE:

Krabi resort fraud case goes nationwide, hundreds file complaints
Phuket Gazette


Fifty tourists were turned away by the resort, even though they had already paid for their rooms. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- At least 231 victims have stepped up to file police complaints against the Phu Pranang Resort in Krabi, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/716346-krabi-resort-closes-doors-police-seeking-arrest-warrant/#entry7672789

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UPDATE:

Experts confirm pulse signals are from a black box



BANGKOK: -- Experts in Australia and the United States have confirmed that the pulse signals picked up by vessels searching for a missing Malaysian airliner in the southern Indian Ocean are from a man-made device and are not natural sounds from the sea, according to the Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre (JACC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-159?p=7672864#entry7672864

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Supa Piyajitti selected as new NACC member



BANGKOK, 10 April 2014 (NNT) – The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary for Commerce Supa Piyajitti as a new commissioner, replacing a retiring member.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717919-supa-piyajitti-selected-as-new-nacc-member/

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A train from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima derailed while it was running between Klang Dong and Muak Lek railway stations today. The derailment of the locomotive, however, did not obstruct rail service on the route.

Railway workers are now trying to lift the derailed locomotive back on track.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/35999/


-- Thai PBS 2014-04-10

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EOD police lifted the shutdown of Lumpini subway station for inspection after a suspicious object placed near the fence of Q-House building and near Gate 2 of the subway station was found to be a used inkjet cartridge.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/36004/


-- Thai PBS 2014-04-10

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Customs Seize Siamese Rosewoods And Alcohol Worth 65 Million THB

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717921-customs-seize-siamese-rosewoods-and-alcohol-worth-65-million-thb/

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Pattaya Street Shower Installed For Song Kran day

PATTAYA – April 9 2014 [PDN]; at 15.00 Pattayadailynews reporters were notified by the parks and environment department of Pattaya that they were testing a shower on the Northern Pattaya Rd at a length of 500. It has been installed to keep expats cool during songkran day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717923-pattaya-street-shower-installed-for-song-kran-day/

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Motorway and expressway tolls to be waived during Songkran festival

BANGKOK: -- The Expressway Authority of Thailand on Thursday announced toll waiver on its Buraphavithi (Bang Na-Chonburi) elevated express way starting April 10 at 00.01 a.m. to midnight of April 16 to facilitate people to celebrate the upcoming Songkran festival this weekend.

Earlier the Highway Department also announced toll waiver on two motorways, Bang Pa-in - Bang Phli (Highway 9 or Eastern Ringroad), and Bangkok-Chonburi (Highway 7) from 4.00 p.m. on April 10 to midnight of April 16.

This year, the Songkran Day falls on April 13 and the three-day official holiday for civil servants and private sector employees is from April 14-16. But financial institutions and banks will open April 16.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/motorway-expressway-tolls-waived-songkran-festival/


-- Thai PBS 2014-04-10

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Extremists may be planning to target westerners in Thailand's southern border provinces

Warning from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717927-extremists-may-be-planning-to-target-westerners-in-thailands-southern-border-provinces/

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Children's hospital sets up 1415 call center

BANGKOK , 9 April 2014 (NNT) The Department of Medical Services and the Thai Children's Foundation, with the support of the National Health Security Office of Thailand, UNICEF and Dtac, have set up a Children's Hospital Call Center on 1415 to expedite the treatment of child patients with emerging infectious diseases.

The call center is designed to facilitate access for patients or other citizens who need to contact the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health or Children's Hospital. The hotline has become a necessity since the number of patients has risen to almost 100,000 a year and the 80 different internal numbers were considered too complicated for easy access.

The Children's Hospital's aim is to reduce number of deaths of patients in a critical condition by providing immediate medical advice via telephone. In non-urgent cases it is believed to provide greater convenience to parents who require only routine health advice for their children without the cost of bringing them to the hospital unnecessarily.


-- NNT 2014-04-10

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Strict security remains at SRT protest site

BANGKOK 10 April 2014 (NNT) — The Student and People Network for Thailand's Reform (STR) protest site has seen no major movement today. Security in the area, however, remains strictly enforced.

The protest area of the The Student and People Network for Thailand's Reform (STR) at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge has seen little movement today. Demonstrators are reportedly resting at the site with no current protest speeches being made by the core leaders.

Nititorn Lamlua and Uthai Yodmanee, core leaders of the STR, declined to give an interview to the press. They also showed no sign of movement to stage another rally in the city.

Security in the area still remains high, as guards are maintaining high vigilance among those who enter and exit the premises in order to prevent any unforeseen events.


-- NNT 2014-04-10

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BAAC to take out another 500 million baht to pay rice farmers today

BANGKOK, 10 April 2014, (NNT) - The Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will today withdraw another 500 million baht from its Rice Farmers Fund to pay farmers under the rice pledging program. It has also said local administrations nationwide will buy 10 billion baht worth of its 0.63% return promissory notes to help funding the payment.

According to Managing Director of the BAAC, Luck Watjananawat, the bank has already paid more than 1 billion baht of the rice pledging money to eligible farmers.

He added that local administrations across the nation would next week purchase 10 billion baht worth of BAAC's promissory notes, in their bid to assist the bank in paying the long-delayed rice mortgage payment. The financial instrument was one of the 3 approaches the BAAC came up with in February, after the 5-billion-baht loan it borrowed from the Government Savings Bank (GSB) was cancelled. The proposed loan drew angry backlash from anti-government protesters, causing its customers to transfer their savings to other banks, leaving the GSB with no choice but cancel the lending.

As for the 20 billion baht fund the bank received from the government’s central budget, the Managing Director said the bank would have to wait for clarification from the government whether to borrow additional funds to pay the farmers when the fund was depleted.


-- NNT 2014-04-10

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Half a million mental patients lack access to treatments

BANGKOK, 10 April 2014 (NNT) – According to the Department of Mental Health, more than half a million people with mental disorders in Thailand do not have access to treatments.

Speaking on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the Mental Health Department, Director-General Dr. Jessada Chokedamrongsuk revealed that mental illness was very common among the people especially those who suffered from major depressive disorders or post-traumatic stresses. According to him, only 260,000 mental patients have access to treatment while up to 500,000 others have neither been treated for their illnesses nor have access to a proper therapy. The latest survey has found that only 10 percent of all hospital beds are provided for mental patients.

He went on to say that the Mental Health Department had been working hard to give treatment to as many people as it could while trying to reach out to those patients in remote communities and rural areas, adding that the agency was keen to add more beds in hospitals and rehabilitation centers nationwide.


-- NNT 2014-04-10

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Army to monitor CAPO’s actions against red-shirt leader's lese-majeste offenses



BANGKOK, 10 April 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Army promised to keep a close watch on the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)’s course of action against red-shirt leader Wuthipong Kachathamkul, or Ko Tee, on lese-majeste offenses.

Earlier, a video clip of Mr. Wuthipong’s personal remarks on the monarchy has been uploaded on Youtube. Needless to say, his comments sparked outrage from the public.

Army Spokesman Colonel Vinthai Suwaree said that the CAPO and the Royal Thai Police are responsible to investigate whether or not Mr. Wuthipong’s move violated Section 112 of the Criminal Code. He also added that the army would keep a close watch on the case’s turnout.

In a related matter, Colonel Vinthai commented on the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban’s proposal to erect an administration using sovereign power, saying that the matter is up to the parties responsible to look into its legality. He believes that the CAPO would treat both PDRC and red-shirt protesters equally if they are found guilty of breaking the laws.


-- NNT 2014-04-10

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Minister of Transport opens road in Saraburi to prepare for Songkran

BANGKOK 10 April 2014 (NNT) —The Minister of Transport Chatchart Sithipan has presided over the opening ceremony of a new northern detour route , also known as Pae Kok detour, to help alleviate traffic jams during the Songkran festival in Saraburi.

Minister Chatchart presided over the opening ceremony of the new roadway in Saraburi province. Construction of the detour route was begun in 2009. However, due to problems regarding the contract, the project was delayed, and has only now been completed.

The Saraburi detour route is considered to be an important means of alleviating heavy traffic during extremely busy holiday periods. It allows travelers to avoid going through the traffic congested city of Saraburi.

Minister Chatchart also pointed out that there are currently two problems affecting travelers: convenience and safety. Therefore, the Minister of Transport plans to increase security in certain risk prone areas and ensure that public transport is readily available in areas where it is most needed.


-- NNT 2014-04-10

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7 crew of Thai trawler confess killing Indonesian navy personnel
By Digital Content



SONGKHLA, April 10 - Seven crew members of a Thai trawler were charged with the coordinated murder of two Indonesian naval personnel on board their boat in the neighbouring country's territorial waters on March 9, Thai police said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717931-7-crew-of-thai-trawler-confess-killing-indonesian-navy-personnel/

[Lite Beer]

Fire at a biscuit factory

ROI-ET: -- A fire broke out late Wednesday night at a small biscuit factory in Muang district of Roi-et province, burning the entire one-storey building to the ground.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717943-fire-at-a-biscuit-factory-in-roi-et/

[Lite Beer]

EOD links bomb attack at Bangkok Bank to recent attack on Suthep’s home

BANGKOK: -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) police said that the firing of four M 79 grenades at the Bangkok Bank branch on Rama 3 road Tuenesday night might have connection with two bomb attacks on the home of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on Buddhamonthon Sai 2 in Thonburi are recently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717939-eod-links-bomb-attack-at-bangkok-bank-to-recent-attack-on-sutheps-home/

[Lite Beer]

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police will today seek warrant for the arrest of hardcore redshirt leader Wuthipong Kochathamakun, alias Kotee, from the Criminal Court today, on lese majeste charge, the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order announced at 1 pm. Today.

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-10

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Prachuap Khiri Khan: Russian tourist and two year old son die in car crash

Prachuap Khiri Khan:-- A Russian father and his two year old son were killed in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Wednesday morning when the vehicle they were travelling in careered off the road before hitting an electricity pylon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717932-prachuap-khiri-khan-russian-tourist-and-two-year-old-son-die-in-car-crash/

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Caught On CCTV: Cab Driver Shot Dead By 'Jealous Man'
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The police have released CCTV footage of the murder of a taxi driver who was shot dead following a fistfight in Bangkok earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717949-caught-on-cctv-bangkok-cab-driver-shot-dead-by-jealous-man/

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Dusit International and its Future Plan
By Wimintra

With more than 60 years experience in the hotel and hospitality industry, Dusit International is now wowing the international market with a flavor of hospitality that is uniquely ‘Thai’. Catherine McNabb, Vice President of Sales and Marketing tells us about Dusit’s big plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717950-dusit-international-and-its-future-plan/

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Prem doubts Suthep, Yingluck would listen to him
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda on Thursday expressed doubt that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban would listen to him if he stepped in to try to mediate between both sides of the political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717953-prem-doubts-suthep-yingluck-would-listen-to-him/

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LESE MAJESTY
Arrest warrant sought for redshirt leader

BANGKOK: -- Police will on Friday seek an arrest warrant from the court for a redshirt leader who is alleged to have insulted the monarchy in a interview with the foreign press, the government's Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717959-arrest-warrant-sought-for-redshirt-leader-ko-tee/

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Commuters Warned Of Accidents As Songkran Exodus Begins
By Khaosod English


Public workers in Nakhon Ratchasima province erect a sign suggesting a shortcut for motorists on Mittaparp Road to help them avoid busy choke points during Songkran holidays, 10 April 2014

BANGKOK: -- Officials have warned motorists to take extra caution on the roads as the Thai traditional New Year festival kicks off tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717961-commuters-warned-of-accidents-as-songkran-exodus-begins/

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Thailand may lag behind neighbous under AEC framework
By English News



BANGKOK, April 10 - The delayed expansion of business among small and medium enterprises may lead to Thailand failing to keep pace with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), due to be launched next year, a senior Commerce Ministry said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717966-thailand-may-lag-behind-neighbous-under-aec-framework/

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State Railway and Underground trains increase security measures



BANGKOK, 10 April 2014 (NNT) -- The State Railway of Thailand and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand will implement increased security measures during the upcoming Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717967-songkran-state-railway-and-underground-trains-increase-security-measures/

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Niwatthamrong testifies in NACC to defend Yingluck



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan on Thursday afternoon testified in the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against accusation that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has neglected duty in stopping corruption in the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/717969-niwatthamrong-testifies-in-nacc-to-defend-yingluck/

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