Thailand Live Thursday 17 Apr 2014

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Car wash businesses making extra income in aftermath of Songkran

NONGKHAI, 17 April 2014 (NNT) – Car wash businesses have reportedly been thriving during the final days of the Songkran period as large numbers of car owners opted to have their powder-splattered cars cleaned for them.

In Nongkhai, the car wash businesses were operating at more than full capacity, with some establishments opting to extend business hours past sundown, the usual closing time.

At Sombun Car Care in Mueang Tha Bo municipality, Tha Bo district, service hours have been extended to between 8.30 am and 7.00 pm. Since Songkran died down, the car wash has been servicing 60-70 vehicles per day and generating 10,000 baht of income a day, on average. 26-year-old owner Suchat Sachana told reporters the number of customers has doubled, and all his 4 staff had to work especially hard; on some days he also needed to employ extra help.

Suchat said most of the customers came in with pickup trucks and sedans.

Service fee for a normal wash at Sombun Car Care starts at 140 baht per car.


-- NNT 2014-04-17

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TAT hopes to see THB700 billion from tourism in Q3-4

BANGKOK, 16 April 2014 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) sets a tourism revenue target for the second half of 2014 at 700 billion baht while keeping a lookout for possible deflation which might affect domestic travel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719409-tat-hopes-to-see-thb700-billion-from-tourism-in-q3-4/

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Tax Revenue Falls Short Due To Political Crisis: Official
By Khaosod English


Anti-government protesters celebrating Songkran in their rally site on Chaeng Wattana Road, 12 April 2014

BANGKOK: -- Tax collection throughout the first 6 months of 2014 fiscal has missed the target by six per cent thanks to the ongoing political crisis, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719410-tax-revenue-falls-short-due-to-political-crisis-thai-official/

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MILITANTS
Two Lebanese in Thai custody over possible Hezbollah ties
The Nation

NSC questions presence of watched men; fears attacks during Jewish fest

BANGKOK: -- Two suspected foreign terrorists have been held for questioning regarding possible involvement with the Islamist Hezbollah militant group, the National Security Council confirmed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719411-two-lebanese-in-thai-custody-over-possible-hezbollah-ties/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
All eyes on CAPO meeting with top ministry officials
PANYA THIAOSANGWAN,
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE SPOTLIGHT will be on this afternoon's meeting between the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) and permanent secretaries, as the stance of the top officials might reflect Thai political future in the event that the caretaker cabinet is removed from office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719309-capo-calls-meeting-of-heads-of-ministries/#entry7698846

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OBITUARY
Late teacher, creator of Manee and friends, inspired a generation
The Nation


Ratchanee Sripaiwan and her famous textbook, which taught Thai language to primary students for decades through the characters Manee, Mana, Piti and Chujai.

BANGKOK: -- THE author of Thais' best loved set of schoolbooks, "Manee, Mana, Piti, and Chujai", died peacefully at the age of 82 on Tuesday night.

Ratchanee Sripaiwan is fondly remembered for her Thai-language mastery, precious contributions to Thai-language teaching, and outstanding quality as a teacher.

"She was an exemplary teacher," Panor Thamniam-in said.

"Even after her death, she will continue to teach. She has donated her body to Mahidol University."

Panor produced an educational radio programme alongside Ratchanee, a winner of the Naratip Award from the Writers' Association of Thailand.

Panor said Ratchanee's former students would gather at Vichaiyut Hospital at 9.30am today to bid their last farewell to their beloved teacher. Mahidol University is scheduled to pick up Ratchanee's body at 10am.

Ratchanee leaves behind her husband, Mongkhon Sripaiwan, who is also in his 80s, and the "Manee, Mana, Piti, and Chujai" legacy.

Books that built a foundation

This set of schoolbooks was used to teach Thai language to Pathom 1-6 students between 1978 and 1994.

Manee, Mana, Piti and Chujai are main characters in the textbooks that featured simple illustrations.

While teaching Thai words and grammar, these characters also offered a glimpse into rural life and touched on beautiful friendships.

Many primary students during those decades were inspired to read their Thai-language textbooks well in advance to know more about the stories of Manee, her friends and her neighbours.

In front of the textbooks was a map of Manee's village.

Illustrators were Triam Chachumporn, Ohm Rajjavej, and Pathom Puapimon.

Inspired by the popular textbooks, Chulalongkorn University's faculty of architecture staged a drama under the name of "Manee and Chujai" in 1998.

In 2001, a day magazine launched a series about Mana, Manee, Piti and Chujai.

This set of much-loved textbooks has indeed become a rich source of inspiration for many.

Panor said Australia had also used the "Manee, Mana, Piti, and Chujai" textbooks in teaching Thai language.


-- The Nation 2014-04-17

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MISSING CHILDREN
Timely move that could save lives
VISITH CHUANPIPATPONG
THE NATION


Nui is escorted to a press conference on December 16 last year after he confessed to abducting and killing a six-year-old girl in Bangkok. / File Photo

Foundation welcomes FBI's cooperation with police aimed at improving investigation into missing children case

BANGKOK: -- WITH STUDIES by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation showing that 96 per cent of missing children are dead within 24 hours of abduction, current cooperation between the Royal Thai Police and the FBI with a view to improving Thai investigations into such cases has been hailed as a timely move that could save many young lives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719412-missing-children-thai-foundation-welcomes-fbis-cooperation-with-thai-police/

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HUMAN RIGHTS
Muay Thai justice for brawlers seen as a rights violation
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday said Buriram Football Club president Newin Chidchob's idea to bring on stage the youngsters, who had reportedly been fist fighting during the club's Songkran celebrations, to fight with professional Muay Thai boxers, was a rights violation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719413-muay-thai-justice-for-brawlers-seen-as-a-rights-violation/

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POLITICS
PDRC tightens security after fatal shooting
BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAVAN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is refining its security system again after Jirayuth Senanarong, one of its guards, was shot dead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719414-pdrc-tightens-security-after-fatal-shooting/

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Thai economy 'close to recession': KResearch
THE NATION


Charl

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI economy is close to entering recession mode, given the difficulty of achieving a recovery this quarter when nearly all the normal growth drivers are still heavily weighed down by the political turmoil, according to Kasikorn Research Centre's latest analysis paper.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719415-thai-economy-close-to-recession-kresearch/

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EDITORIAL
Thailand's selfish super-rich
The Nation

Our wealthiest families continue to ignore the philanthropic example set by Western counterparts like Bill Gates

BANGKOK: -- Recent reports of wealthy individuals in the West choosing to bequeath most of their money to charity rather than to their children indicate a growing trend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719416-thailands-selfish-super-rich/

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THAI TALK
Post-Songkran politics: Worst-case scenario isn't an option
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Most analysts say a new round of confrontation between the caretaker government and the protesting PDRC (People's Democratic Reform Council), this time even more explosive than before, awaits the country after the annual Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719417-post-songkran-politics-worst-case-scenario-isnt-an-option/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
Law's sanctity must be respected if we are to avoid Blood Moon prophecy
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The reprieve afforded by Songkran came and went much too fast. Now we return to our evermore-acute anxiety over the country's political and economic state of affairs. Without a fully functioning government for more than four months, Thailand has been shamefully put on an autopilot. Truth be told, we have become a failed state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719418-laws-sanctity-must-be-respected-if-we-are-to-avoid-blood-moon-prophecy-thai-opinion/

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Japanese Businessman robbed of gold necklace in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday a Japanese Businessman from Bangkok reported the theft of a 100,000 Baht Gold Necklace as he walked back to his Hotel in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719419-japanese-businessman-robbed-of-gold-necklace-in-north-pattaya/

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Miss Universe Australia 2010 plays in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Jesinta Campbell, Miss Universe Australia 2010, stayed at the Vijitt Resort in Rawai and promoted luxury resorts, spa treatments and beaches in the area. Photo: TAT

PHUKET: -- Phuket hosted Miss Universe Australia 2010 for the Songkran holiday while she was in town shooting an Australian TV program to showcase tourist destinations in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719420-miss-universe-australia-2010-plays-in-phuket/

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UPDATE:

Army Dismisses April Coup Rumour
By Khaosod English


Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban presents gift to soldiers stationed near Lumpini Park, 16 April 2014

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has dismissed the rumour that a military coup will occur on 19 April, insisting that the armed forces are neutral in politics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719326-thai-army-dismisses-coup-rumor/page-2?p=7698922#entry7698922

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NATION ANALYSIS
Another critical point looms with verdict
SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON
THE NATION

THE OPTIONS: COMPROMISE, FURTHER DEADLOCK OR BREAKING POINT

BANGKOK: -- THE COUNTRY'S prolonged power struggle has reached a critical point, with the Constitutional Court readying to make a landmark ruling that could lead to a political vacuum amid an escalating showdown between the rival camps.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719421-another-critical-point-looms-with-verdict-thai-analysis/

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Mother of missing child urges police to be more attentive
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A mother whose child went missing in Saraburi four years ago is calling on the police to pay more attention to cases related to missing children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719422-mother-of-missing-child-urges-thai-police-to-be-more-attentive/

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Police arrest 56 youths, impound 47 motorcycles
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday morning arrested 56 youths and impounded 47 motorcycles for illegally racing on Kanchanapisek road in Bangkok's Bang Bon district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719423-bangkok-police-arrest-56-youths-impound-47-motorcycles/

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UPDATE:

Three caught over Songkran shooting
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police have apprehended three men of the seven suspects sought on arrest warrants approved by the criminal court for their alleged involvement in Tuesday's shooting in the Soi Intamara 25 area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719285-gun-crimes-plague-last-day-of-songkran/page-2#entry7698952

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BURNING ISSUE
All sides hope to pass burden to the monarch
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THE WORDS "sovereign power", Article 3" and "Article 7 of the Constitution" are now topics of discussion with each political group trying to interpret the words in ways that would benefit them the most.

"Sovereign power" means the supreme power in the country. Article 3 of the charter says the sovereign power belongs to the Thai people. And Article 7 says that in a case where there is no applicable law in this Constitution, the decision should be made according to tradition under the constitutional monarchy.

The issue started when Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee, claimed that if the Constitutional Court ruled that the whole Cabinet must relinquish its caretaker position, there would be a political vacuum. Then he would announce sovereign power, claiming Articles 3 and 7 of the charter, and nominate a prime minister's name for royal endorsement.

The question is, how can Suthep claim the people's authority to hand him sovereign power when the legitimate ways to acquire sovereign power are only through a poll or from a military coup?

Suthep has neither of those channels. He refuses to accept the election and he holds none of the weapons or the force to stage a coup. Meanwhile, the "mass of people" supporting him is only a group of civilians. In the future, what would happen if another group of people stood up and claimed this power?

Although Suthep's preferred conditions are difficult, the government side cannot underestimate them and do everything to grab this "sovereign power" as well. It claims its legitimacy in being a caretaker government. On any day that the Constitutional Court rules it must go, it would insist the court was exceeding its power.

After that, it would put forward Article 7 of the Constitution saying such a vacuum was unprecedented and it would not be able to find a solution - except to ask for the royal judgement from His Majesty the King on whether the caretaker government could continue in its post.

This game, therefore, is nothing but pushing the burden to HM the King, while the monarchy is actually above politics and politically neutral.

The new proposal of asking Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda to mediate and seek royal endorsement is no different, as it is also based on the hope the King would come out and solve the political problems.

While the pressure is mounting, and all sides are trying to push the burden on to the monarch, some people hope there will be a sign to stop such attempts, to prevent a long-term impact, and that might cause all sides to refrain.

This might be what Pheu Thai Party and the government want in the first place. They are not serious about using Article 7 as a way out, but as a way to stop their opponents from using it. In the end, if the opponents do insist on using it they will adopt it as their own tactic, too.

Though the move is an offensive, it also constitutes a defence for the government.


-- The Nation 2014-04-17

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North Korean officials visit salon over Kim Jong-un 'bad hair' advert

LONDON: -- North Korean officials paid a visit to a London hair salon to question why it had used their leader Kim Jong-un's picture in a poster offering haircuts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719429-north-korean-officials-visit-london-salon-over-kim-jong-un-bad-hair-advert/

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UDD leader slams proposal requesting royal intervention in politics

BANGKOK, 17 April 2014, (NNT) - Deputy Commerce Minister and core leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), Nuttawut Saikua, has slammed a proposal by a group of people, led by former military leader General Saiyhud Kerdpol, to ask Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda to request royal advice on an exit to the current conflict in the nation.

According to the UDD leader, the approach is not an option in a democratic nation.

In his online media page, he compared the proposal to ‘Jurassic Park', a Hollywood film, claiming what the group proposed as the only way to obtain peace would move the nation backwards. Mr. Nuttawut said such an appalling idea does not exist in a country embracing the democratic principles, calling the approach selfish for considering opinions of a few over those of the majority.


-- NNT 2014-04-17

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NACC to establish its own security force

BANGKOK, 17 April 2014, (NNT) - National Anti Corruption Commissioner Wicha Mahakhun has revealed that his agency is considering establishing its own security force after several threats and attacks have been made to its members due to their consideration of important cases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719435-nacc-to-establish-its-own-security-force/

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King presented with Buddha statue of his Birth year

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 17 April 2014 (NNT) - At Klai Kangwon Palace on Wednesday (April 16), His Majesty the King granted an audience to the organizing committee on the construction of a Buddha image built to commemorate the 7th cycle birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King, 5 December 2011.

The committee, led by a high-ranking monk -- Somdet Phra Wannarat, and comprising both monks and laypeople as members, presented to His Majesty the King the Buddha image representing the royal birth year in the posture of walking or ‘setting out to preach’.

The image has been named by His Majesty as "Phra Buddha Dhammikarajbopitr Bhumilbol-Narit Chaturasitiwatsamonkhon" (พระพุทธธรรมิกราชบพิตร ภูมิพลนริศรจตุราสีติวรรษมงคล) which in English means, ‘the Buddha image built by Dhammikaraj King to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the 84th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol’. The Buddha image was crafted from 99.99% pure gold, weighing 17.3 kilograms with a height of 38 centimeters. It is mounted on an octagonal base made from white gold weighing 4,398 grammes. The Buddha image was modeled after a royal advice and was casted at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on December 9, 2012. The casting ceremony was presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who also chaired the laypeople’s side at the ceremony of consecrating the Buddha image at the temple of Borvoranives Monastery on March 21, 2013.

His Majesty the King, upon receiving the Buddha image, expressed admiration to the organizing committee, saying the presentation of this beautiful statue was considered an auspicious occasion.


-- NNT 2014-04-17

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UPDATE:

Thai economy on blink of recession



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s leading private "think tank" Kasikorn Research Center or KResearch says the country’s economy is on the verge of recession, blaming the prolonged political turmoil as main reason.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719415-thai-economy-close-to-recession-kresearch/#entry7699426

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Honest Phuket taxi driver returns Australian tourist's iPhone
Claire Connell


Ms White with the taxi driver who returned her iPhone.

PHUKET: -- Australian tourist Lynn White was very thankful to get her iPhone returned to her by an honest taxi driver, after she left it in his car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719441-honest-phuket-taxi-driver-returns-australian-tourists-iphone/

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Karpal Singh, veteran Malaysian lawyer, dies in car accident
Lindsay Murdoch
South-East Asia correspondent for Fairfax Media

PERAK: -- Karpal Singh, a veteran Malaysian opposition leader and lawyer who led campaigns against the death penalty, has been killed in a car accident. He was 73.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719442-karpal-singh-veteran-malaysian-lawyer-dies-in-car-accident/

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Phuket survives Day 6 of Songkran road-safety campaign
Phuket Gazette


A Phuket rescue worker stands ready at the Heroine's Monument. Photo: Michael DesPortes

PHUKET: -- No road deaths were reported in Phuket yesterday, the sixth day of the Songkran Seven Days of Danger national road-safety campaign, but one more injury was added to the official tally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719458-phuket-survives-day-6-of-songkran-road-safety-campaign/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,403.17, gains 1.33 points /MCOT