Thailand Live Monday 14 Apr 2014

[webfact]

DOP directs drivers who are under probation to wear electronic anklets.

BANGKOK, 14 April 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Probation has directed an order to those who are under probation to wear electronic anklets for 7 days for drunk driving. So far there are13 persons being monitored.

The Director-General of the Department of Probation Mrs.Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol reveals that Bangkok North Municipal Court and Samut Prakan Kwaeng Court ordered 13 convicted drunk drivers, to wear electronic anklets.

This method is to increase the effectiveness of the judgment against a defendant. The defendants will also be grounded between 22.00-04.00 hours which are the peak hours for accidents and will not be allowed to drive at more than 100 km/hour for at least 7 days. However, if the driver normally drives public transport, the probation will last longer than 7 days.


-- NNT 2014-04-14

[webfact]

Thais forget their woes
THE NATION



SUTHEP, YINGLUCK TAKE A BREAK TO CELEBRATE WITH THEIR SUPPORTERS

BANGKOK: -- THE SONGKRAN festival appears to have cooled down Thai politics, at least for a short while, given the reduction in political violence, and a break in politicians' activities during the five-day holiday, which began on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718755-songkran-2014-thais-forget-their-woes/

[webfact]

NATION ANALYSIS
'Chaikasem playing with govt rivals'
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

JUSTICE MINISTER'S IDEA TO ASK |FOR A ROYAL JUDGEMENT SEEN AS A SHOT AT PDRC

BANGKOK: -- JUSTICE MINISTER Chaikasem Nitisiri has made a subtle riposte to retaliate against the People's Democratic Reform Committee by floating the idea of seeking a royal judgement in case of a political vacuum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718756-chaikasem-playing-with-thai-govt-rivals-thai-analysis/

[webfact]

Political mess is stressing people out
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An overwhelming majority of respondents of a new poll say the political situation is causing them stress.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718757-thai-poll-political-mess-is-stressing-people-out/

[webfact]

Ko Tee and Tang 'under protection' in Northeast, Dems say
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRO-GOVERNMENT red-shirt leader Wuthipong Kotthammakhun, who faces an arrest warrant for alleged lese majeste, is believed to be hiding under the protection of an influential figure in the Northeast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718758-ko-tee-and-tang-under-protection-in-isaan-thai-democrats-say/

[webfact]

The Senate can meet without House, but best wait: Panas
SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A SENATE meeting in this period when there is no House of Representatives is possible - but it is not necessary, former senator and drafter of the 1997 Constitution, Panas Tassaneeyanont said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718759-the-thai-senate-can-meet-without-house-but-best-wait-panas/

[webfact]

RICE
Thailand to benefit from growing world rice demand, market monitors say
The Nation

Thai farmers. File photo

BANGKOK: -- Despite climatic shifts and natural disasters plaguing some rice producing countries, the 2013 season has produced more rice than expected, adding to the ninth straight year of rice surplus or 'carry over,' the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported recently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718760-thailand-to-benefit-from-growing-world-rice-demand-market-monitors-say/

[webfact]

INVESTMENT PROMOTION
BoI enthusiastic about upcoming Subcon Thailand exhibition
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


Narucha Ruchuphan, director of BOI

BANGKOK: -- The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) is promoting next month's "Subcon Thailand 2014", Asean's biggest subcontracting exhibition, which is expected to generate sales of more than Bt6 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718762-boi-enthusiastic-about-upcoming-subcon-thailand-exhibition/

[webfact]

TOURISM
Tourism ministry urged to help victims of cheating
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Yukhon Limlamthong has ordered the Tourism Ministry to help visitors who get cheated by travel agencies by lodging legal complaints on their behalf.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718763-thai-tourism-ministry-urged-to-help-victims-of-cheating/

[webfact]

BUSINESS EXPANSION
Thai banks set to expand across region
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation


Deja Tulananda

BANGKOK: -- Thai banks plan to open more branches in other countries in the region, including Cambodia and Vietnam, as they prepare to have a role in increasing trade and foreign investment in Asean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718765-thai-banks-set-to-expand-across-region/

[webfact]

Songkran grief as toddler is found drowned in Phuket pond
Alasdair Forbes


Nong Korya.

PHUKET: -- On a day that should have been filled with joy and fun, especially for children, one family in Rawai is in deep shock and grief after their son, a toddler of three, was found drowned in a pond today (April 13) after a frantic search.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718766-songkran-grief-as-toddler-is-found-drowned-in-phuket-pond/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Undefeated Canadian Prospect Jeremy Kennedy Scores Second Round TKO Win at Songkran MMA Festival
By James Goyder

HUA HIN: -- Undefeated Canadian Jeremy Kennedy cemented his status as an up and coming prospect to keep an eye on with a dominant victory over Viktor Larsson in the main event of the Songkran MMA Festival in Thailand on Saturday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718311-all-fighters-make-weight-ahead-of-inaugural-songkran-mma-festival-in-hua-hin-saturday-night/#entry7686836

[webfact]

Swedish passports found traded on black market
English.news.cn

STOCKHOLM, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Swedish passports are becoming "hard currency" on the black market, and over the last two years 177,000 valid Swedish passports in total were reported missing, local media reported on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718767-swedish-passports-found-traded-on-black-market/

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 14 April - Today in #Thailand it's National Family Day (วันครอบครัว)

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Where will you "play" #Songkran today? - RT @travel_snap: Khao San Road was absolutely mental yesterday! #Bangkok http://t.co/qUOPktzVQF

[webfact]

PM Yingluck wishes Thai people all the good things in life on Songkran

CHIANG MAI, 14 April 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave her blessing to civil servants and people in Chiang Mai Province on the occasion of the traditional Thai New Year’s Day.

At a hotel in Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, Chiang Mai Governor Wichian Puttiwinyu led provincial officials in a traditional ceremony called “Rod Nam Dam Hua” during which the governor poured scented water on the hands of the Premier and asked for a blessing. The ceremony is one of the activities held in celebration of the Songkran Festival.

PM Yingluck said in return she wished all the civil servants and Thai people, happiness, prosperity, and all the good things in life. Accompanying the Premier at the ceremony was her 11-year-old son who wished that his mother would have good health and recover from her damaged left ankle.

Earlier in the morning, PM Yingluck presided over an alms-offering ceremony to mark the start of the Songkran Festival. Miss Yingluck and her son offered food and other necessities to 109 monks.


-- NNT 2014-04-14

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: Two males shot at last night near the CAT building on Chaeng Wattana. One shot in the back/leg, the other in his thigh - TR @tanatpong_nna

[webfact]

Three dead in Kansas City shootings

KANSAS CITY: -- At least three people have been shot dead in attacks at a Jewish community site and a retirement home in Kansas City in the US Midwest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718773-three-dead-in-kansas-city-shootings/

[webfact]

Ukraine crisis: Russia urges Kiev to avoid force in east

NEW YORK: -- Russia has urged the authorities in Kiev not to use force against pro-Russian protesters in eastern Ukraine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718774-ukraine-crisis-russia-urges-kiev-to-avoid-force-in-east/

[webfact]

Syria's Assad claims upper hand in war 'turning point'

DAMASCUS: -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has claimed the upper hand in what he called a "turning point" in the three-year long civil war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718775-syrias-assad-claims-upper-hand-in-war-turning-point/

[webfact]

Thais warned to brace for rains during 14-16 April

BANGKOK, 14 April 2014 (NNT) – The northern region of Thailand will experience more rains during April 14-16, while Bangkok has 40 percent chance of precipitation.

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the high air pressure coming from the South China Sea will cause gusty wind in parts of Thailand, especially in the northern region where heavy rains are expected between April 14 and 16.

Buildings, street signs, trees, and public property could be damaged by the strong winds. People are advised to keep their eyes open and brace for impact.

As for Bangkok, the sky will be cloudy with 40 percent chance of rain. Temperatures will be in the range of 23-36 degrees Celsius.


-- NNT 2014-04-14

[webfact]

Police chief: Police must lend hands to those in need

KALASIN, 14 April 2014 (NNT) – The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police says police officers are the ones people rely on when they are in trouble. Therefore, all policemen must always be well-prepared for any circumstances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718783-thai-police-chief-police-must-lend-hands-to-those-in-need/

[webfact]

Thai Airways jet makes emergency landing in Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK, 14 April 2014 (NNT) – A Thai Airways International (THAI) jet was forced to return to Suvarnabhumi Airport shortly after takeoff due to technical glitch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718785-thai-airways-jet-makes-emergency-landing-in-suvarnabhumi-airport/

[webfact]

Abu Hamza terror trial set to start in US

NEW YORK: -- The trial of Abu Hamza al-Masri, the radical cleric extradited from the UK to the US in 2012, is due to start at a federal court in New York later.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718787-abu-hamza-terror-trial-set-to-start-in-us/

[webfact]

Police find remains of seven babies at Utah home
By Janet DiGiacomo, CNN

(CNN) -- Unbelievable. That's how a police captain described the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718788-us-utah-woman-arrested-after-7-dead-babies-found/

[webfact]

'Forking' scam hits ATMs
Steve Butcher

MELBOURNE: -- The "nightmare" scenario ATM customers most fear – having money "skimmed" from their accounts by card-reading devices – has intensified with new "forking" attacks unleashed across Victoria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718789-australia-forking-scam-hits-atms-across-victoria/

[webfact]

PDRC supporters told to prepare for final battle



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told supporters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to brace for the “final battle” and wait for his signal after the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718791-suthep-tells-pdrc-supporters-to-prepare-for-final-battle/

[webfact]

Government warned there may be no election if….



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has warned the government that the next election will be further delayed or may never be staged if the government fails to come up with an agreement with the commission on the election date and the issuance of a Royal decree.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718793-thai-government-warned-there-may-be-no-election-if/

[webfact]

Jakarta tops league table of emerging world cities



JAKARTA: -- The Jakarta Globe reported that New York and London remain the world’s most global cities, while select emerging-market cities led by Jakarta, Manila and Addis Ababa strengthened their ability to challenge global leaders in the next 10 to 20 years, citing this year’s Global Cities Index issued by management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718796-jakarta-tops-league-table-of-emerging-world-cities/

[webfact]

S Korea's state insurer sues Philip Morris for disease caused by smoking

SEOUL: -- South Korea's state health insurer said on Monday it was seeking an initial 53.7 billion won ($51.9 million) from three tobacco companies, including the local units of Philip Morris and British American Tobacco, to compensate treatment costs for diseases linked to smoking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718797-s-koreas-state-insurer-sues-philip-morris-for-disease-caused-by-smoking/