Thailand Live Saturday 12 April 2014

[Lite Beer]

SONGKRAN
A splashing good time
Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Celebrate the Thai New Year at any of the Songkran parties being held nationwide

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718333-a-splashing-good-time/

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POLITICS
PM misses Prem meeting
Panya Thiosangwan,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Top brass pay their respects to Privy Council chief for Songkran without Yingluck attending this year

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718337-pm-misses-prem-meeting/

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SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Yingluck opts for a quiet holiday break
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will celebrate Songkran in Chiang Mai as usual, but "privately" this year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718338-yingluck-opts-for-a-quiet-holiday-break/

[Lite Beer]

LESE MAJESTY
Army chief asks 'Ko Tee' to surrender
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Criminal Court approves request for arrest warrant of fiery red shirt

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718339-army-chief-asks-ko-tee-to-surrender/

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HEALTH REFORM
Health officials ask Suthep for reform in sector and an embrace
The Nation

Suthep Thaugsuban, head of the People

BANGKOK: -- Top Public Health Ministry officials yesterday submitted a blueprint for reform of the country's public health system during their meeting with leaders of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718341-health-officials-ask-suthep-for-reform-in-sector-and-an-embrace/

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Critics divided on independent bodies and the extent of their powers
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Will there be a "judicial coup" soon? The answer is much more complicated than merely asking if there will be a military coup with tanks rolling down the streets of Bangkok.

Full Story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718342-critics-divided-on-independent-bodies-and-the-extent-of-their-powers/

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Scrap-yard owner could face jail if rules violated
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The owner of a scrap-metal shop which was ripped apart by a huge explosion that killed eight workers earlier this month will be penalised if found to be in violation of occupational safety regulations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718343-scrap-yard-owner-could-face-jail-if-rules-violated/

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Police probe Trang family abduction claims
The Nation

TRANG: -- Police are investigating claims by a business family based in Trang about two of its members having being abducted by a group of men who said they were anti-narcotics police and demanded a large sum of money and gold ornaments from them.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718344-police-probe-trang-family-abduction-claims/

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UPDATE

Nine Cambodians killed in van crash
The Nation

Pol Lt-General Ruangsak Jritake, assistant national police commissioner for traffic, performs a blood-alcohol check on a motorist at a checkpoint in Saraburi.

BANGKOK: -- A dozen others injured in tragic start to Songkran's '7 dangerous days'

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718163-nine-cambodians-killed-in-thai-road-accident/page-4?p=7680083#entry7680083

[Lite Beer]

Guard injured in blast at Chaeng Wattana rally site
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A bomb attack at an anti-government rally injured a security guard at Chaeng Wattana on Thursday night.

The guard, Yuttanon Songthong, 27, was sent to Mongkutwattana Hospital and received treatment for wounds to his right leg and abdomen.

Police said an M79 grenade was fired at the rally site at 10.45pm and the explosion damaged a tent and injured the guard.

A bomb squad collected many pieces of shrapnel at the scene. They suspected that assailants fired the grenade from a CAT Telecom building near the camp.

-- The Nation 2014-04-12

[Lite Beer]

PM urges anti-graft agency to hear two more witnesses
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday to allow two more witnesses to testify in the rice-pledging case.

Norawit Larlaeng, a lawyer authorised by Yingluck, said the two witnesses were Ampon Kittiampon, secretary to the prime minister, and Somchai Sujjapongse, director of the Fiscal Policy Office.

He said the two witnesses would make the investigation "more complete".

-- The Nation 2014-04-12

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MARS
Mars most clearly visible on Monday night
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Mars will be at its most visible to the naked eye in seven years on Monday, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand said yesterday.

The Red Planet's surface, including its iced areas, will be clearly visible by telescope, assuming a clear sky.

The best time for sighting the planet is from 6.02pm on Monday until dawn the next day, deputy director Saran Poshyachinda said.

The last time Mars was at its closest to Earth was on March 5, 2012, while the next time will be on May 31, 2016, he added.

More information is available on the Thai-language webpage at http://www.narit.or.th/index.php/astronomy-news/1228-sun-earth-mars-oppositions.

-- The Nation 2014-04-12

[Lite Beer]

More funding considered for student-loan scheme
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry is considering granting more money to fund the student-loan scheme, having received budgetary approval to do this, caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said yesterday.

Bt2.12 billion had been approved for 112,500 students eligible to obtain loans in the coming semester, while another Bt3.1-billion loan was being sought for a further 234,000 students.

Chaturon said the money could be allocated from the central budget, if not from other sources.

He said the process should be finalised as quickly as possible after the end of the Songkran holiday break.

The Student Loans Commission will in the meantime ask students who took out loans to repay their debts.

-- The Nation 2014-04-12

[Lite Beer]

RICE PAYMENT
Farmers may be paid after Songkran
The Nation

Chularat Suteethorn

BANGKOK: -- Payment is expected to be made after the Songkran Festival to farmers still owed money under the rice-pledging scheme, the head of the Public Debt Management Office said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718347-farmers-may-be-paid-after-songkran/

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SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Major retailers geared up for Songkran
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation

A foreigner purchases a water gun at Sampaeng market in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The Songkran Festival period is not just a long holiday when people spend time with their family, travel and engage in fun activities - it is also an important time of the year for major retailers in terms of boosting sales and bonding with customers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718348-major-retailers-geared-up-for-songkran/

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EDITORIAL
Another populist setback may be looming
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Lagging tax refunds for first-time car buyers puts government policies under the spotlight again

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718349-another-populist-setback-may-be-looming/

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Baby found abandoned in Phuket pickup
Phuket Gazette -

The healthy newborn, with umbilical cord still attached, weighed 3.2kg. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Police are searching for the mother of a newborn baby boy found abandoned in the bed of a pickup truck in front of a luxury Phuket resort last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718350-baby-found-abandoned-in-phuket-pickup/

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-- The Nation 2014-04-12

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Police under fire: Chalong Police face cleanup under new station chief
Phuket Gazette -


Col Sirisak has returned to Chalong to restore discipline. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Officers of the Chalong Police have found themselves under tight scrutiny from their new chief, the recently reinstated superintendent Col Sirisak Wasasiri, following a blockade of the police station on Monday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718352-phuket-police-under-fire-chalong-police-face-cleanup-under-new-station-chief/

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CAPO Director concerned about political tension during Songkran festival

BANGKOK, 11 April 2014 (NNT) - The Director of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), Chalerm Yubamrung, has expressed concerns about possible political tensions that may lead to problems during the Songkran Festival. Separately, he has given assurances that the Red Shirt leader from Pathum Thani will be prosecuted for breaking Thailand's Lese Majeste law.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718362-capo-director-concerned-about-political-tension-during-songkran-festival/

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RT@RichardBarrow: This was last night on Khao San - RT @Nalinee_PLE: เมื่อคืนนี้ที่ข้าวสารเล่นน้ำสงกรานต์กันแล้วจ้า pic.twitter.com/KQ7T0BLxd1 #Songkran

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RT@Juarawee: Anti-govt PDRC protesters plans no move during Thailand’s water festive weekend, to celebrate traditional Songkran on Apr15: Akanut

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Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbles 143.47 or 0.89% to 16,026.75 /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

US refuses visa for Iran's UN envoy choice Hamid Aboutalebi

The White House has refused to issue a US visa to Iran's nomination for UN ambassador, who was involved in seizure of the US embassy in 1979.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718369-us-refuses-visa-for-irans-un-envoy-choice-hamid-aboutalebi/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket rental shops send passport pictures to Bangkok via smartphone application
Phuket Gazette -


Maj Gen Apichat Suriboonya, head of the Interpol Bangkok Liaison Office, is working to prevent the use of stolen and fake passports. Photo: Interpol Bangkok

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718374-phuket-rental-shops-send-passport-pictures-to-bangkok-via-smartphone-application/

[Lite Beer]

NACC assures fair treatment of PM Yingluck
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 12 – The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has asserted fair treatment towards caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who has been charged with dereliction of duty in connection with the rice pledging scheme.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718375-nacc-assures-fair-treatment-of-pm-yingluck/

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Investment privileges projected to reach Bt900 billion this year
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 12 – Foreign applications for investment privileges in Thailand reached Bt234 billion in the first quarter of the year, according to the Board of Investment (BoI).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718376-investment-privileges-projected-to-reach-bt900-billion-this-year/

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Finance Ministry plans measures to stimulate economy
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 12 – The Finance Ministry is issuing measures to stimulate Thailand’s economy, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to the permanent secretary for finance.

Rungson Sriworasat said SMEs, which have been hardest hit by the economic downturn, could be granted debt payment reprieve while the central bank has been asked to seek commercial banks’ cooperation in granting low-interest loans to SME operators.

He said the Commerce Ministry has already paid Bt10 billion from the Bt20 billion borrowing it sought from the Finance Ministry’s reserves.

The remaining amount should be returned without any trouble, he said.

Parichatara L. Sirivong, SME Bank acting president, said delayed debts with the potential of becoming non-performing loans was about Bt2-3 billion, mostly from customers in the South who were badly hit by floods and the political turmoil.

SME Bank has extended their interest payment period by six months, she said.

The SME Bank’s current non-performing loans are at Bt32 billion while the bank is in the process of selling off Bt2 billion in non-performing loans to the government. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-04-12

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MH370 searchers plug away despite no new signals

Sydney - The search for a missing Malaysia Airlines jet in the Indian Ocean kept its intensity Saturday despite no new acoustic signals for three days.

Ten planes and 14 ships were out looking for traces of MH370, which went missing more than a month ago after takeoff from Kuala Lumpur en route Beijing with 239 people on board.

"There have been no confirmed acoustic detections over the last 24 hours," the Joint Agency Coordination Centre said in its latest bulletin.

A signal was picked up Thursday near where a navy ship had monitored a possible signal from the missing Boeing 777, but it was determined to be unrelated to MH370.

The agency said none of the objects recovered in Friday’s search proved to be from the lost jet.

-- The Nation 2014-04-12

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Thai forces shoot dead seven drug suspects

BANGKOK, April 12, 2014 (AFP) - Thai security forces shot dead seven suspected drug smugglers and seized hundreds of thousands of methamphetamine pills after a firefight in the Golden Triangle border region, an official said Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718380-thai-forces-shoot-dead-seven-drug-suspects/