UPDATE:

Dr Narong defies CAPO’s order



BANGKOK: -- Permanent secretary of Public Health Ministry Dr Narong Sahametapat Thursday refused to attend a meeting of permanent secretaries called by the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) despite threat of punitive action.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719309-capo-calls-meeting-of-heads-of-ministries/page-2#entry7700997

Putin Says Crimea Annexation Was Not Planned

MOSCOW, April 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia did not plan the annexation or any military activities in Crimea, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719558-putin-says-crimea-annexation-was-not-planned/

Argentina rescues girl kept for nine years in garage

BUENOS AIRES: -- Police in Argentina say they have rescued a 15-year-old girl who had been starved, beaten and kept in a garage for nine years by her foster parents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719559-argentina-rescues-15-year-old-girl-kept-for-nine-years-in-garage/

Political Turmoil Blamed For Less Lively Songkran
By Khaosod English


Sanga Ruangwattanakul, the president of the Khaosan Road Business Association, said the political situation is 100% to blame.

BANGKOK—The number of foreigners flocking to Bangkok for the Thai New Year is down from last year, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719564-political-turmoil-blamed-for-less-lively-songkran/

Red Shirt group calls off tomorrow’s major rally
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 17 – The pro-government Red Shirt group today cancelled a planned rally on Aksa Road, earlier scheduled for tomorrow, but vowed to hold political a demonstration whenever a crucial situation arises.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719566-red-shirt-group-calls-off-planned-major-rally-on-aksa-road/

SET index closed 1,408.78, up 6.94; Bt/USD32.08; GBP53.88; AUD29.93; EUR44.27; CAD29.03; HKD4.13; SGD25.55; JPY31.28

Thais ranked as fourth heaviest drinkers in the world

BANGKOK, 17 April 2014 (NNT) – According to a new study, Thailand ranks fourth on the list as the world’s heaviest drinkers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719567-thais-ranked-as-fourth-heaviest-drinkers-in-the-world/

Pro-Govt Lecturer Loses Contract With Chulalongkorn
By Khaosod English


Ms. Suda Rungkupan

BANGKOK: -- A pro-government lecturer says Chulalongkorn University has terminated a working contract with her, a decision she attributed to political disagreement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719571-pro-govt-lecturer-loses-contract-with-chulalongkorn-university/

29 year-old man arrested for robbing a cell phone store

YALA, 17 April 2014 (NNT) - The Betong Police at Yala Province have arrested a man who robbed a cell phone store and have confiscated a number of stolen goods.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyawat Kwansri, who is Betong Provincial Police Superintendent, along with other police officers have arrested a 29 year-old man. The man was identified as Prachya Limsakul, who was charged for robbing a cell phone store.

The accused man confessed that he ransacked the store and stolen ten cell phones total, a 9mm caliber pistol, and cash that amounted up to 100,000 baht before fleeing the scene. Altogether, these items were valued up 300,000 baht. Mr. Prachya said that he planned to use this money to travel over the Songkran holidays. Needless to say, he would be persecuted for his crimes and face trial by the rule of law.


-- NNT 2014-04-17

Thaksin wants everyone to forgive and forget



BANGKOK: -- Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has wanted all parties in the political conflict to forgive one another and to forget the past to start anew on the occasion of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, said Thaksin’s private lawyer Mr Noppadon Pattama, today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719577-thaksin-wants-everyone-to-forgive-and-forget/

Thailand charges reporters over Pulitzer-winning article

BANGKOK, April 17, 2014 (AFP) - Two journalists, including an Australian editor, were ordered Thursday to stand trial in Thailand on defamation charges linked to a Pulitzer Prize-winning article alleging Thai military involvement in people smuggling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719593-thailand-charges-reporters-over-pulitzer-winning-article/

UPDATE:

Thais are forth heaviest drinkers in the world

BANGKOK: -- Thailand ranks fourth on the list as the world’s heaviest drinkers, Euromonitor, the privately-owned London-based market intelligence firm, said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719567-thais-ranked-as-fourth-heaviest-drinkers-in-the-world/#entry7702058

SFT protests against Article 112's enforcement

BANGKOK: -- The Student Federation of Thailand (SFT) and other pro-democracy groups Thursday staged a protest outside the Pheu Thai Party headquarters against the Criminal Code's Article 112, which penalises violators of the lese majeste law.

SFT secretary-general Supat Asasri led protesters in what was dubbed a campaign to raise pubic awareness and opposition against enforcers of Article 112. The protesters put on a skit in which the mocked officials and The protesters performed and mocked officials, wearing masks imitating law offenders who allegedly violated the lese majesty law such as United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship member, Daranee "Da Torpedo" Charncherngsilpakul.

Daranee was sentenced to 18 years in prison without suspension in April 2009 for "intending to insult" their Majesties at a political protest.

The protesters wanted to submit their letter to the Pheu Thai Party but no official turned up to accept the document.

Supat said they rallied at the Pheu Thai Party as a symbolic protest because the party comes from election but still enforces this law against the people.

-- The Nation 2014-04-17

Pheu Thai to have party leader attend EC meeting

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party has decided to have party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan attend a meeting on Tuesday with other parties and the Election Commission (EC) to discuss the proposal on a new election.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said Thursday that Charupong and the director on party affairs Bhokin Bhalakula would be present on Pheu Thai's behalf to push its proposal to hold a new election in 60 days instead of 90 days as proposed by EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn.

The party says the 90-day timeframe is too long and its proposal to hold a poll in 60 days is backed by 53 other parties.

-- The Nation 2014-04-17

to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 18 Apr 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719663-thailand-live-friday-18-apr-2014/