Thailand Live Wednesday 16 Apr 2014

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44 people were killed, 501 injured in 454 accidents on Apr 15, adding up road toll for April 11-15 to 248 killed and 2,643 injured /Bangkok Post

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NSC: CAPO's meeting tomorrow is to ensure civil service sector's compliance

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) - Secretary General of the National Security Council Paradon Patttanathabutr stated that the planned meeting of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order, or CAPO, tomorrow is set to streamline roles of government units to suit the current situation.

CAPO has invited Permanent Secretaries of all ministries to a meeting on 17 April, for an exchange of views that will help ensure the latter’s compliance with CAPO’s stance in the ongoing political tension. The NSC Sec-Gen said the meeting would keep those heads of government units updated with the situation in order for them to act in accordance with CAPO guidelines.

As for any permanent secretaries who could not attend the meeting, Lt-Gen Paradorn said their absence would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, saying however that resolutions of the meeting would be forwarded to them. Paradon stressed those who act in opposition to the new resolutions must hold responsibility for their actions.

Lt-Gen Paradon also mentioned CAPO has not so far bound any high-ranking officials who did not comply with CAPO to legal actions although it has the right to do so under the Internal Security Act.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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Three Phuket deaths attributed to heatstroke

PHUKET – Three foreigners died in Patong Hospital yesterday (April 15) after being found unconscious. Doctors say they suffered from heatstroke.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719232-deaths-of-3-foreigners-in-phuket-attributed-to-heatstroke/

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JETRO urges Thai businessmen to invest in Japan
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 16 – Japan is courting the private sector in Thailand to invest in the island country, according to the Thai Board of Investment (BoI).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719233-jetro-urges-thai-businessmen-to-invest-in-japan/

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Phuket, Pearl of the Andaman, remains star attraction in southern Thailand
By Digital Content



PHUKET, April 16 – Tourism in Thailand’s southern region, particularly in the resort town of Phuket, widely known as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea, remains bright and positive, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719234-phuket-pearl-of-the-andaman-remains-star-attraction-in-southern-thailand/

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Senator Pichit: Eased political tension attributes to lively Songkran atmosphere

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014, (NNT) - An appointed senator has attributed the lively Songkran atmosphere nationwide to the easing of political tensions.

According to Police General and President of the Senate Standing Committee On Tourism Pichit Kuandechakhup, both the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)'s and the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD)'s announcement that they would temporarily cease their activities during the Songkran celebration created a more relaxed sentiment among holidaymakers and tourists. He backed up his claim by pointing out that a large number of Chinese travelers visited the northern region of kingdom during the period.

He praised the various government authorities for doing an excellent job at providing security for the lives and properties of the visitors, expecting this year's number of accidents to drop by 10% compared to last year's.

Officials are prepared for the final period of the 7 deadly days of Songkran, as holidaymakers return in droves to Bangkok, increasing the risk of road accidents, said the senator. He is also positive that the measures taken up by authorities would boost tourist confidence significantly, enabling the nation to attract 28 million tourists next year as planned.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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Chainat’s Bird Park still draws plenty of Songkran revelers on the festival’s last day

CHAINAT, 16 April 2014 (NNT) — Tourists and locals are splashing water on the last day of the Songkran Festival at Chainat’s Bird Park, while routes heading back to Bangkok are seeing a significant increase in motorists.

The Chainat Bird Park has been filled with tourists having fun of splashing water on the last day of Songkran, while also enjoying a plethora of beautiful birds in the park. Moreover, participants took opportunities to visit the planetarium and the Birds’ Eggs Museum in the Park.

A new attraction that has drawn in more tourists is the Astro Water Park which has just opened since the beginning of this past March. The water park offers a fun-filled day for visitors to escape from the scorching heat.

In regard to the traffic situation on the way back to Bangkok, the Phaholyothin route has seen an increase in vehicles heading back to the capital. However, the rate of traffic is still flowing quite smoothly.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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Khao Niew Road unfazed by afternoon rain

KHON KAEN 16 April 2014 (NNT) — Khon Kaen’s famous Khao Niew Road saw strong winds and a thunderstorm showering over the crowd for a good one hour. However, the festival goers were unfazed and continued their water splashing activities right after the storm blew over.

Although a heavy thunderstorm belted down on the crowd at Khao Niew Road in the afternoon on Tuesday, April 15, the energetic water splashers were unfazed and they continued their Songkran fun immediately right after the rain subsided.

At 7 am.,Khon Kaen’s Mayor Theerasak Thethayupan announced the commencement of the “human wave” that is well-known in the province, in which a kilometer long of participants were reported to have joined in and the entire alcohol-free “wave” lasted 10 minutes.

According to the Governor, the province will next year hold a one-of-a kind-event that will certainly book its way into the Guinness Book of World Records, in order to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 88 birthday anniversary.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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Nong Khai road checkpoints hold small concerts

NONG KHAI 16 April 2014 (NNT) — Checkpoints at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge have held mini concerts playing festive songs as security guards inspected travelers entering and leaving the province.

Checkpoints at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge during Songkran held mini concerts to entertain motorists that entering and leaving the province. Activities included singing, dancing, and playing festive music to lighten up the mood along the checkpoints.

Moreover, grilled chicken, som tom, sticky rice, and other various kinds of food were provided to travelers participating in the small entertainment venues.

The objective of the mini concerts were to provide motorists and travelers with light entertainment and alleviate the boredom that comes with waiting in the congested traffic before being checked at the road blocks.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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BMA launches cleanup of Silom Rd after Songkran festivities

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has deployed 250 officials to clean up Silom Road which was used as one of Bangkok’s venues for the Songkran water play.

In the wake of this year’s Songkran water festivities on Silom Road, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pusadee Tamthai has led BMA executives and related officials from the Bang Rak, Yannawa, Sathon and Pathumwan District Offices as well as the Department of Environment, numbering 250 individuals in total, to clean up the area and return the road surface to its normal condition.

The cleanup operation was conducted from Sala Daeng intersection to Naralom intersection, equivalent to a distance of about 500 meters. Water trucks and garbage trucks were employed to clean out litter and debris. According to the BMA, the three-day Thai New Year celebrations on Silom this year left behind a total of 355 tons of garbage, increasing 70 tons from last year.

Ms Pusadee stated that operators of entertainment venues had been cooperative with the BMA this year in not selling alcoholic beverages to party-goers during the Songkran period, helping reduce the emergence of crime and violence. However, she admitted that the ban against street vendors on footpaths was not as effective as it should have been due to shoppers’ high demand.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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Hezbollah terrorists sneaking into Thailand



BANGKOK: -- Three members of a Hezbollah terror cell have been exposed in Thailand, where they reportedly were scouting out Israeli and western sites in preparation for an attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719235-hezbollah-terrorists-sneaking-into-thailand/

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UN Secretary General not to send peacekeepers to Ukraine

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719243-un-secretary-general-not-to-send-peacekeepers-to-ukraine/

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248 killed, 2,643 injured in road accidents on first 5 days of Songkran holiday: Dept of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Two dead, 107 missing as passenger ship sinks off S. Korean coast
English.news.cn

SEOUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A passenger ship with 477 people aboard, mostly high school students, sank in waters off South Korea's southwest coast Wednesday morning, leaving at least two dead and 107 others missing, local media reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719186-ferry-carrying-470-passengers-sinking-off-south-korea/#entry7696270

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ANALYSIS
Yingluck heads for judicial showdown

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra faces acourt hearing this week that could bar her from office, a move that would be in line with the aims of recent anti-government protests, but that would plunge the country into uncharted waters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719246-pm-yingluck-heads-for-judicial-showdown/

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Returning holidaymakers pack New Southern Bus Terminal

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) – Bangkok’s New Southern Bus Terminal has been crowded with returning vacationers, mostly from the South, following the Songkran holiday, prompting officials to beef up security around the premises.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719250-248-killed-2643-injured-in-road-accidents-on-first-5-days-of-songkran-holiday/#entry7696349

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UPDATE:

290 reported missing in South Korean ferry sinking

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719186-ferry-carrying-470-passengers-sinking-off-south-korea/#entry7696671

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Gun Crimes Plague Last Day of Songkran
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The last night of Songkran celebration was marked by at least 3 cases of alcohol-fueled gun crime in 3 provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719285-gun-crimes-plague-last-day-of-songkran/

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Democrat calls on Yingluck to prevent violence, confrontation between red shirts, PDRC

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party deputy leader Ong-arj Klampaibul Wednesday called on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to have government agencies prevent possible clashes between red shirts and demonstrators led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee.

Ong-arj said although red-shirt leaders vowed that their rally in Bangkok after the Songkran holidays would be peaceful, their rallies in 2009 and 2010 showed that violence could happen.

Ong-arj said the red shirts always intimidated the Democrat and other groups of opponents.


-- The Nation 2014-04-16

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MISSING JET
Anwar hits out at Singapore for supporting Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim lambasted Singapore for voicing support on Malaysia's initiative in handling the MH370 tragedy, New Straits Times online reported Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719289-anwar-hits-out-at-singapore-for-supporting-malaysia-missing-mh370/

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Transport company adds 2000 more buses to Bangkok



BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) -- The Transport Company Limited is adding 2,000 more buses and vans a day, to transport those who are traveling back to Bangkok after celebrating the Thai New Year with their friends and families in home towns everywhere.

According to the company, there are 7,000 transport vehicles available to provide services for 200,000 passengers daily.

A large number of travelers arrived at Mor Chit terminal in Bangkok on the last day of the five day holiday. The normal traffic flow around Mor Chit was jammed by the many inbound buses and vans.

The company believes that on Wednesday night, many more passengers will arrive and have warned travelers that they should be prepared for heavy traffic in Bangkok early on Thursday morning.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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Department of Land Transport tells operators not to overcharge



BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) —The Department of Land Transport has warned bus operators against selling overpriced tickets.

Asdsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket, Director-General of the DLT, revealed that there are so many vans and buses packed with passengers travelling back and forth during the public holidays, that the DLT has coordinated plans with bus operators, to ensure enough buses are available, to prevent any risk of passengers being stranded at bus terminals.

According to industry data, there are 12,000 trips by buses and 260,000 buses in use during New Year celebrations; travel during the Songkran Festival is a similar situation, he added

Bus operators are strongly advised not to sell overpriced tickets and not to carry passengers over the legal limit. Any operator failing to observe the restrictions will be fined under the relevant laws.


-- NNT 2014-04-16

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Thailand to face more thunderstorms during the next 2 days

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) - Thailand is set to be hit by more summer storms during the next two days as many provinces have already been lashed by heavy rains.

The Meteorological Department has reported that a low pressure cell covering the upper parts of the country coupled with southeasterly winds will generate thunderstorms and strong winds in the region. Building structures and advertising boards are advised to be fortified ahead of the approaching storms.

A tropical storm caused extensive damage on Tuesday as hailstorms and heavy rains destroyed homes and uprooted power lines in Udon Thani. The damage is set to cost around 1.5 million baht.

Another low pressure cell prevailing over the Strait of Malacca will bring more rains to the westerns parts of the South.

Parts of Bangkok and its vicinity will experience heavy precipitation and will be cloudy most of the day.

-- NNT 2014-04-16

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CAPO calls meeting of heads of ministries tomorrow



BANGKOK: -- The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CAPO) will hold a meeting of permanent secretaries of all ministries tomorrow to keep them informed of the latest political development so they could perform their duties in the same direction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719309-capo-calls-meeting-of-heads-of-ministries/

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PDRC to stage new rally on Thursday

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is set to re-mobilize on Thursday after taking a long break during the Songkran Festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719317-pdrc-to-stage-new-rally-on-thursday/

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Londoners say Western media unfairly demonizes Russia over Ukraine - poll

LONDON: -- A recent independent opinion poll in the streets of London found no shortage of people who said they are not buying the West’s characterization of Russia's alleged interventions in Ukraine under the helm of President Vladimir Putin, RIA reports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719318-londoners-say-western-media-unfairly-demonizes-russia-over-ukraine-poll/

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SET index closed 1,400.53, up 11.37; Bt/USD32.14; GBP53.64; AUD29.94; EUR44.28; CAD29.14; HKD4.13; SGD25.55; JPY31.32

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Thailand's general election set for July 20 or 27
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 16 – Thailand's Election Commission (EC) has set either July 20 or 27 as the tentative date for the general election, commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719323-thailands-general-election-set-for-july-20-or-27/

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Army dismisses coup speculation

BANGKOK: -- Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree Wednesday dismissed widespread speculation that a coup would happen on Saturday.

Winthai said the speculation was just a rumor spread via social media networks.

He said the Army would still focus on helping the people.


-- The Nation 2014-04-16

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Military asked to join effort to protect the Monarchy against abuses

BANGKOK: -- An anti-government hospital director has urged the military top brass to send some of its men to join a people’s network in the fight against a certain group of pro-government people who have repeatedly defamed or insulted the Monarchy.

Writing in his Facebook page, Maj-Gen Rienthong Naenna, director of Mongkut Wattana hospital, said that these alleged lese majeste offenders openly and repeatedly defied the law with seemingly impunity because they have the support of the government or pro-government politicians with some of whom “have close connections with the alleged offenders”.

He pointed out that the alleged offences were repeated by the same group of people and the police were reluctant to take any actions against them in earnest.

The retired general said that although the armed forces were answerable to the government “they should also be aware of their responsibility for and obligation toward His Majesty the King who is also the “the supreme leader of the armed forces”.

The armed forces, said Dr Rienthong, cannot let HM the King to fend for himself alone although the King has never taken any legal actions against the alleged offenders but has always been kind and ready to forgive them.

The hospital director maintained that he had no intention whatsoever to insult the commanders of the three armed forces but merely wanted to beg them to support the people’s network’s effort to fend for the Monarchy.

It was reported that Dr Rienthong had set up a group called “national trash collection organization” to deal with the anti-royalist elements. The organization is currently recruiting hundreds of volunteers for website monitoring, accounting and legal affairs.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/military-asked-join-effort-protect-monarchy-abuses/


-- Thai PBS 2014-04-16