Thailand Live Wednesday 16 Apr 2014

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Complaints about food prices top agenda of callers who dialed DIT's hotline

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) – Complaints about expensive food has topped the agenda of callers who dialed the Department of Internal Trade's (DIT) hotline number since the beginning of the year, according to Department director-general Somchat Soithong.

According to Mr. Somchat, 243 complaints were made to hotline number 1569 since the beginning of the year until April 2. With 74 complaints, the food and beverage group remained the category where the most complaints were filed under. 65 complaints were filed under the agriculture category and 37 complaints under the petroleum products category.

With 52 complaints, the behavior that was most complained against was failure to display item prices. Products involved in the price display complaints include ready-made food, beverages, ice, milk powder, eggs, fruits, pork, snacks, cooking gas and medicine.

50 complaints were made against expensive food. 5 complaints were made against unreasonable adjustments of product prices.

Mr. Somchat also noted that his department would raise the minimum price of ready-made dishes in the Blue Flag program to between 30 and 35 baht to avoid food shops pulling out of the program. Due to escalating costs, only 6,000 food shops remained with the program compared to 7,000 before, he said.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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UPDATE:

Man, transvestites arrested in Phitsanulok for indecent exposure during Songkran

PHITSANULOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) – Two transvestites and a man have been arrested by the police in Phitsanulok for indecent exposure while out celebrating Songkran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719070-ladyboys-arrested-for-songkran-breast-exposes/page-3#entry7694779

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Democrat leader Abhisit looks forward to political vacuum
By English News



BANGKOK, April 16 – Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that proposed resolutions to the months-long political crisis cannot begin unless Thailand is a state of political vacuum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719160-democrat-leader-abhisit-looks-forward-to-political-vacuum/

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Phayathai - Suvarnabhumi Airport Link Express Line closed for maintenance

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) - SRT Electrified Train Co., Ltd., the service provider of the Airport Link skytrain revealed that the company is conducting a major maintenance operation on its trains, prompting it to stop services on the Phayathai - Suvarnabhumi Airport Express Line from now until further notice.

President of the company, Peerakan Kaewwongwattana stated that the maintenance on each train would take at least 1-2 months, and the work on the first train commenced yesterday. He said the service on Makkasan-Suvarnabhumi Airport-Makkasan line and that between Phayathai and Suvarnbhumi Airport are still operational.

Mr. Peerakan said when the maintenance on the City Line takes place, the company would divert some of the traffic to the Express Line to ensure the City Line would still be able to absorb 45,000 passengers daily. Due to the maintenance of the Express Line, the City Line currently transports more than 54,000 passengers a day, exceeding its capacity by 9,000.

He said that his company will in the near future install a rail switcher at Makkasan Station in order to allow Express Line trains to pick up passengers at the Makkasan Station and unload them at the Suvarnabhumi Airport terminal.

The SRT Electrified Co. President expected that once the plan was implemented, it would raise train frequency and reduce time of waiting for passengers.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Toll hits 204 as revellers start returning
The Nation



Road fatalities in first four days down by 15 from last year

BANGKOK: -- As large numbers of people yesterday started to travel back to work from the Songkran holidays - and many others continued to enjoy water splashing in their home towns - the Road Safety Centre said the first four days of Songkran had seen 2,027 road accidents, which claimed 204 lives and injured 2,142 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719161-songkran-toll-hits-204-as-revellers-start-returning/

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Airport On Alert For Lese Majeste Suspects
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Officials at Bangkok's international airport have been told to look out for Redshirts activists accused of insulting the monarchy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719162-suvarnabhumi-airport-on-alert-for-lese-majeste-suspects/

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POLITICS
'Mediator' plan falters
Chanikarn Phumhiran,
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation


Prem

Prem lauds Rattha Bukkon group's intentions but offers no comment; Pheu Thai says plan seeks govt's overthrow

BANGKOK: -- A proposal to have Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda take on a mediator's role in order to resolve the political impasse may not get off the ground due to lukewarm support.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719163-mediator-plan-falters-thai-politics/

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POLITICS
Backing sought for Senate session
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Senate has asked relevant agencies to support calls that a special Senate session be held on April 24, first Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719164-backing-sought-for-thai-senate-session/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Agricultural zoning plan should benefit farmers
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Experts discussed the pros and cons of the plan announced by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry last year to designate zoning areas for the farming of six economic crops, the aim of the plan being to improve the productivity and incomes of farmers nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719166-agricultural-zoning-plan-should-benefit-thai-farmers/

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SOUTH
Leave remedial measures up to one agency in South: study
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A study by five universities in the South showed that it was necessary to make one single agency directly responsible for remedial measures for victims of insurgency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719167-leave-remedial-measures-up-to-one-agency-in-thai-south-study/

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RATCHABURI
A footballer's car shot at
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An unknown gunman allegedly opened fire at a car owned the captain of the Ratchaburi Mitrphol Football Club in Ratchaburi's Muang district yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719168-ratchaburi-a-footballers-car-shot-at/

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EDITORIAL
We must stop using Songkran as an excuse
The Nation

Road carnage year-round shows failure of law enforcement on a daily basis

BANGKOK: -- Think of Songkran and two things immediately come to mind: water-splashing fun and deadly road accidents. Midway through the "Seven Dangerous Days", dozens have been killed in auto accidents, snuffing caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's hopes for "seven days of happiness".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719169-we-must-stop-using-songkran-as-an-excuse/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Ko Tee hunt is what corruption wants
Tulsathit Taptim



BANGKOK: -- The Ko Tee video has spread like wildfire through the cyber-sphere, but it wasn't born of a single, isolated spark or by accident. His outrageous remarks are a "consequence" rather than a "cause".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719170-ko-tee-hunt-is-what-corruption-wants-thai-opinion/

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UDD plans another mass rally in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship or the red-shirt movement will stage another mass rally in Bangkok one day ahead of the Constitutional Court is due to rule whether caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is guilty of abuse of authority or not for the removal of Mr Thawil Pliensri as the secretary-general of the National Security Council two years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719171-udd-plans-another-mass-rally-in-bangkok/

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Alcohol Bans and Road closures planned for Pattaya Songkran Festival



PATTAYA: -- The Deputy Pattaya Police Chief announced on Tuesday, plans to ensure that law & order is maintained during the Pattaya Songkran Festival, which effectively begins on the 18th and finishes on the night of 19th, this coming Friday and Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719172-alcohol-bans-and-road-closures-planned-for-pattaya-songkran-festival/

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Attempted Necklace Theft from Chinese Tourist in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- One of three suspected necklace snatch suspects were overpowered by a group of Chinese Tourists on Tuesday Afternoon who were on their way to enjoy the Songkran Festival Water Fighting in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719173-attempted-necklace-theft-from-chinese-tourist-in-central-pattaya/

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Police 'must be more proactive'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew yesterday called for police operations to become more proactive as well as emphasise human rights, justice and equality.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719174-thai-police-must-be-more-proactive/

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Fire breaks out in Lop Buri
The Nation

LOPBURI: -- A fire broke out early yesterday at a warehouse where scavenged products were kept in Lop Buri's Muang district. The initial damages were said to be about Bt6 million.

Some 10 fire engines rushed to the Chok Mee Suk Co warehouse in tambon Tha Khae after receiving a report at about 3am.

According to neighbours, the warehouse caught fire after being hit by lightning several times in the midst of heavy rain. The warehouse reportedly stored lots of used paper and the blaze was difficult to put out because firemen were afraid of going in for fear the structure would collapse. Instead, the firefighters opted for two backhoes to dig up piles of paper before hosing it all down to put out the flames.


-- The Nation 2014-04-16

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Mini-sub on second mission after first MH370 search aborted

PERTH, Australia - A mini-sub searching for missing Flight MH370 was again sweeping the Indian Ocean seabed Wednesday after aborting its first mission, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-172?p=7694904#entry7694904

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Putin tells Merkel Ukraine now 'on verge of civil war': Kremlin

MOSCOW, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin warned German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Ukraine was now on the verge of civil war after the Kiev government sent in the army against separatists in the east of the country, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719185-putin-tells-merkel-ukraine-now-on-verge-of-civil-war-kremlin/

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Ferry carrying 470 passengers sinking off South Korea
Choi He-suk
The Korea Herald

SEOUL: -- A ferry carrying about 470 passengers was reported as sinking off the coast of Jindo Island in South Jeolla Province on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719186-ferry-carrying-470-passengers-sinking-off-south-korea/

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Abhisit claims Ex-Premier Thaksin still hopes for a royal pardon

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014, (NNT) - The Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva claims that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra still has hopes of gaining a royal pardon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719211-abhisit-claims-ex-premier-thaksin-still-hopes-for-a-royal-pardon/

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Foreigners consider Songkran the most famous festival in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, 15 April 2014 (NNT) - The Economics Research and Agricultural Forecasting Centre (Maejo Poll) took a poll of foreigners’ opinions of the Songkran Festival, in Chiang Mai from 13th-15th April 2014 under the heading: ‘Celebrating Songkran Festival’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719212-foreigners-consider-songkran-the-most-famous-festival-in-chiang-mai/

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Pheu Thai to meet on Chaikasem’s Section 7 proposal tomorrow

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) - Pheu Thai Party Spokesperson Prompong Nopparit announced his party would meet tomorrow on the proposal of Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri to request His Majesty the King to rule on Section 7 of the constitution should the court decide to disqualify Miss Yingluck Shinawatra as caretaker Prime Minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719214-pheu-thai-to-meet-on-chaikasems-section-7-proposal-april-17/

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Energy Min drawing up prevention plan for future power shortages

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) – The Energy Ministry is well aware of the possibility of power shortages in the near future as a gas field will be closed for maintenance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719216-thai-energy-min-drawing-up-prevention-plan-for-future-power-shortages/

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Student stabs 5 to death at Canada party

CALGARY: -- A University of Calgary student has been charged in the fatal stabbing of five people at a house party that the police chief called the worst mass slaying in the western Canadian city's history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719217-student-stabs-5-to-death-at-canada-party/

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10:20 Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,394.42, gains 5.26 points /MCOT

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Gov urges Phuket hotel associations to tighten up on wasterwater
Suthicha Sirirat


Gov Maitri talks with Dr Kritsada Tansakun, President of Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter (orange shirt) and other hotel industry leaders.

PHUKET: -- Governor Maitri Inthusut has called on the island’s hotel industry to make greater efforts to safeguard the environment from their own waste.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719218-gov-urges-phuket-hotel-associations-to-tighten-up-on-wasterwater/

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Thai Diners Emerge as Asia's Top Tippers
By NOPPARAT CHAICHALEARMMONGKOL

BANGKOK: -- Here’s a tip for visitors to Thailand, don’t short change your server.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719221-thai-diners-emerge-as-asias-top-tippers/

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PDRC meets with state enterprise labour union representatives to set up next stage of movement; rallies resume tomorrow /MCOT