Thailand Live Monday 14 Apr 2014

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B320mn wastewater plant project at Bang Tao Beach stalls
Phuket Gazette


Longtail boats at Bang Tao resting on wastewater-darkened water. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- As black water continues to spill over Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Talay, local officials report that the 320-million-baht wastewater-treatment project scheduled for completion next year has stalled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718798-bt320mn-wastewater-plant-project-at-phukets-bang-tao-beach-stalls/

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Noppadon defends Thaksin after being alleged as root of problem

BANGKOK, 14 April 2014, (NNT) - Pheu Thai Party’s Committee on the party’s affairs, Noppadon Pattama, is defending the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, after the ex-premier was alleged by members of Democrat Party as the ‘root of national problems’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718799-noppadon-defends-thaksin-after-being-alleged-as-root-of-problem/

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President Obama sends Songkran wishes to Thais

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 14 April 2014 (NNT) – United States President Barrack Obama has sent wishes to the Thai people on the occasion of the traditional Thai New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718802-president-obama-sends-songkran-wishes-to-thais/

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Sa Kaew kicks off its Songkran festival

SA KAEO, 14 April 2014 (NNT) -- The western province of Sa Kaew yesterday kicked off the Thai-Cambodia Songkran festival to boost ties between the two nations.

The three day festival kicked off on Sunday afternoon at the municipal office in Aranyaprathes district, which borders on Cambodia.

Large numbers of tourists and residents both Thai and Cambodian were seen joining the yesterday's event.

Other than water splashing fun, the event also offers visitors various kinds of other activities such as asking for blessing from sacred Buddha images and the elderly, shopping in the local craft and food trade fair, rooting for contestants in the beauty pageant held specifically for Thai and Cambodian beauties, and watching traditional and contemporary stage performance.


-- NNT 2014-04-14

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UPDATE:

MH370 SEARCH: Malaysian official confirms co-pilot did not make call
News Desk
The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek concurs with Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein that the co-pilot of Flight MH370 did not make a phone call from the cockpit of the aircraft on March 8.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-170?p=7687588#entry7687588

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Chile blaze: historic city Valparaiso devastated, declared catastrophe zone

VALPARAISO: -- At least 12 people were killed and 2,000 houses destroyed over the weekend by a fire that devastated parts of the Chilean port city of Valparaiso, as authorities evacuated thousands and sent in aircraft to battle the blaze. "It is a terrible tragedy, without doubt the worst fire in the history of Valparaiso," President Michelle Bachelet declared after arriving in the city to oversee the emergency response to the disaster.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718804-chile-blaze-historic-city-valparaiso-devastated-declared-catastrophe-zone/

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Min of Social Development to establish university for senior citizens

BANGKOK, 14 April 2014, (NNT) - On the occasion of the national senior citizen day on April 13th, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security says it is planning to establish a university for the elderly as well as quality-of-life- and career-development centers for the group nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718817-min-of-social-development-to-establish-thai-university-for-senior-citizens/

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DNA results confirm body of missing Russian kidnap victim
Phuket Gazette


The body found on March 29 has been confirmed as that of Russian Alexey Slabinskiy, who disappeared on March 7. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Unofficial DNA results and dental records confirm that the decapitated body found in Cherng Talay on March 29 is that of missing Russian Alexey Slabinskiy, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Arun Kaewvatee announced on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718820-dna-results-confirm-body-of-missing-russian-kidnap-victim/

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Fast and furious – man nabbed with ya ba after Phuket police chase
Eakkapop Thongtub


Siripong was reluctant to meet the press.

PHUKET: -- Thalang police patrolling the area of Moo 4 village, Baan Don, yesterday (April 13), were overtaken by a man on a black, red and white Honda Sonic motorcycle, who cut in front of them at high speed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718821-fast-and-furious-man-nabbed-with-ya-ba-after-phuket-police-chase/

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Road Safety Center: 161 deaths, 1,640 injuries so far during 3-day Songkran holiday; higher number of accidents in Korat, mainly due to drunk driving /MCOT

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Positive signs for improved Thai exports to Japan, China
By English News



BANGKOK, April 14 – The Commerce Ministry has projected the value of Thai exports to Japan and China at US$50 billion this year, according to the International Trade Promotion Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718824-positive-signs-for-improved-thai-exports-to-japan-china/

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Teen dies in freak foam accident at Songkran swamp party
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A 14-year-old boy died at a Songkran party when a foam machine electrocuted him and another teen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718826-teen-dies-in-freak-foam-accident-at-songkran-swamp-party/

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25 injured, 2 killed, in road accidents at Songkhla Province

SONGKHLA, 14 April 2014 (NNT) - In Songkhla Province, 25 people were injured and 2 people were killed so far during the third day of the Songkran holidays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718836-161-deaths-1640-injuries-during-3-day-songkran-holiday/#entry7688101

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Thailand targets boosting vegetable, fruit exports
By English News

BANGKOK, April 14 – Thailand’s exports of agricultural produce will be promoted vigorously this year to generate more revenue for the country, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718828-thailand-targets-boosting-vegetable-fruit-exports/

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MH370 SEARCH: Oil slick detected in search area

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-170?p=7687875#entry7687875

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Thai investors urged to tap booming ageing population
By English News



BANGKOK, April 14 – The Thai private sector should explore investment potential on products for elderly persons in light of the world turning into an ageing society, according to the Industrial Promotion Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718830-thai-investors-urged-to-tap-booming-ageing-population/

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Songkran celebrations have been calm so far

BANGKOK, 14 April 2014 (NNT) - According to the Royal Thai Police, the Songkran celebrations this year have been safe so far. Nonetheless, the police and the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) have been persistent in working together to crackdown narcotics over the festival.

Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, the deputy Royal Thai Police chief, has revealed that the Songkran celebrations this year have went on well without any major problems. However, the police are still enforcing strict measures in controlling the use of alcohol, and warned that should there be any misconduct then offenders would be arrested by the police.

Meanwhile, the police and the NCB are still monitoring various areas on possible cases of narcotics. Together, they have established checkpoints and investigated the areas where water-splashing activities are held. On the other side, the local communities have also been vigilant about narcotic activities taking place.

For this year’s festival, officers are planning to prevent and intercept narcotics from being smuggled across the country by thoroughly inspecting 34 border areas nationwide.


-- NNT 2014-04-14

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Mae Sai border trade export volume hits 100 million baht over the Songkran holidays

CHIANG RAI, 14 April 2014 (NNT) - The Mae Sai-Tachilek border crossing at Chiang Rai Province was jam-packed with a large number of trucks queuing up near the province’s customs checkpoint to transport a number of products into Myanmar.

Kongrit Busala, the head of the Regional Customs Department at Mae Sai Province, declared that trading and exports have been lively, thanks to this year’s Songkran Festival. The export volume on the border area has reached a total of 100 million baht over the holidays and a total of 1 billion baht over the past two months. He said that most of the goods being exported were primarily consumer products.

Meanwhile, Pakaimat Vierra, the president of Mae Sai Chamber of Commerce, stated that a large number of trucks were seen transporting products outside the Thai border into Myanmar. As it is the Songkran festival, a number of Burmese people have taken several days off to celebrate the occasion. For this reason, many companies across the province have had to quickly release their products from their inventory, causing the traffic at the Mae Sai border area to be quite congested.


-- NNT 2014-04-14

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CIA refuses to comment on Brennan's visit to Ukraine

LOS ANGELES: -- The US Central Intelligence Agency has disproved reports that CIA Director John Brennan had influenced the Ukrainian authorities' decision to launch a special operation in eastern Ukraine, The Los Angeles Times reports with reference to a CIA official, Todd Ebitz. Ebitz chose not to comment on reports that Brennan had visited Kiev.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718834-cia-refuses-to-comment-on-brennans-visit-to-ukraine/

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Two youths shot near Chaengwattana protest site

BANGKOK: -- Two youths riding on a motorcycle were shot near Chaengwattana protest site of the anti-government protesters Sunday night, one of them seriously injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718858-two-youths-shot-near-chaeng-wattana-protest-site/

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Nakhon Sawan updates its latest Songkran festival casualties

NAKHON SAWAN, 14 April 2014 (NNT) - Nakhon Sawan province has updated its reports on the number of accidents and casualties that have occurred over the Songkran Holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718836-161-deaths-1640-injuries-during-3-day-songkran-holiday/#entry7688345

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Revenue Department proposes keeping 7 percent VAT for another year



BANGKOK: -- The Revenue Department has proposed the Finance Ministry to extend the 7 percent value-added tax (VAT) and 20 percent corporate tax for another year in order to ease burden on consumers and corporations due to the current economic slowdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718866-thai-revenue-dept-proposes-keeping-7-percent-vat-for-another-year/

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Ghost rider becomes first Phuket fatality in Songkran Seven Days of Danger
Phuket Gazette


Governor Maitri Inthusut was informed of Phuket’s first fatality for this year’s Songkran Seven Days of Danger road-saf

PHUKET: -- A woman speeding on a motorbike in the wrong lane has become Phuket’s first recorded fatality during this year’s Songkran Seven Days of Danger national road-safety campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718867-ghost-rider-becomes-first-phuket-fatality-in-songkran-seven-days-of-danger/

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UPDATE:

Another 59 people died in Songkran road accidents Sunday



BANGKOK: -- The third day of nationwide road mishaps during the seven dangerous day of the Songkran festival claimed another 59 deaths and 747 injuries, raising total death toll in three days to 161, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718836-161-deaths-1640-injuries-during-3-day-songkran-holiday/#entry7688441

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Major push underway to promote Thailand's OTOP merchandise
By English News



BANGKOK, April 14 – The Commerce Ministry is embarking on an ambitious plan to upgrade Thailand’s native products through franchising and online shopping systems, a senior official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718873-major-push-underway-to-promote-thailands-otop-merchandise/

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PDRC spokesman Akanat, on Facebook, says home was attacked today with M79s 4th time; says bad luck is now removed /MCOT

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Democrats want live broadcast for election preparations dialogue
By English News



BANGKOK, April 14 – The opposition Democrat Party today called on Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party to assign a fully-authorised member to attend a discussion on the upcoming general election, initiated by the Election Commission (EC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718884-democrats-want-live-broadcast-for-election-preparations-dialogue/

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Elephant injures one tourist over the Songkran Festival

CHIANG RAI, 14 April 2014 (NNT) - The Chiang Rai Provincial Police along with the patrol police went down to Chiang Rai Beach to check on a tourist who has been injured as a result of an elephant attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/718885-elephant-injures-one-tourist-over-the-songkran-festival/

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Trang emerges as favorite destination on Songkran holidays

BANGKOK, 14 April 2014 (NNT) – The southern province of Trang has attracted a large number of tourists during the Songkran festival this year. Tourism in the province is expected generate over 400 million baht on the long holidays.

President of the Trang Chamber of Commerce Salil Tothabthiang said scores of tourists were traveling to Trang during Songkran long holidays this year. The tourist sites which attracted both Thai and foreign tourists included Pak Meng beach and Chao Mai beach in Si Kao district, Mr Salil said.

Apart from the beaches, Trang is renowned for islands where tourists snorkel to see beautiful fish and coral. One of the most famous water attractions in the province is the Emerald Cave in Kan Tang district. As for attractions on land, Malaysian and Singaporean tourists usually travel to Le Khao Kob cave in Huay Yod district.


-- NNT 2014-04-14

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Association of Domestic Travel forecasts Songkran festival attracting Bt20 bln in circulation; occupancy in Hua Hin, Cha-Am reaches 85 pct /MCOT