Thailand Live Saturday 19 Apr 2014

[Lite Beer]

CAPO under fire for statement 'pressuring' top court and anti-corruption agency
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order came under fire yesterday for accusing the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission of attempting to exceed their authority in cases against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719869-capo-under-fire-for-statement-pressuring-top-court-and-anti-corruption-agency/

[Lite Beer]

Civil servants slam CAPO for 'intimidating' officials
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Network of Civil Servants calls on its colleagues to protect their dignity

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719871-civil-servants-slam-capo-for-intimidating-officials/

[Lite Beer]

EDUCATION
Fees at private schools set to rise this year
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Ceiling on tuition rates lifted to account for 'soaring inflation'

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719872-fees-at-private-schools-set-to-rise-this-year/

[Lite Beer]

Hezbollah-linked suspects may be deported
Khwanhathai Malakan,
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Information from three foreign suspects held in connection with an Israeli tip-off has led to the discovery of hazardous items, National Police Commissioner General Adul Saengsingkaew said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719873-hezbollah-linked-suspects-may-be-deported/

[Lite Beer]

322 deaths on roads over Songkran week
Wattana Kamchoo
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- There were 322 deaths and 3,225 injuries as a result of 2,992 road accidents across country from last Friday to Thursday - the so-called seven dangerous days of Songkran, said the state road safety agency.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719874-322-deaths-on-roads-over-songkran-week/

[Lite Beer]

The price of fame
Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In a new book, former supermodel Rojjana Phetkanha reflects on her successes and failures

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719875-the-price-of-fame/

[Lite Beer]

Jaruvan seeks time to respond to complaint
Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka has asked the Election Commission (EC) to give her more time before she can respond to a complaint filed against her.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719876-jaruvan-seeks-time-to-respond-to-complaint/

[Lite Beer]

Court allows Nuttawut and Jatuporn to remain free on bail
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court decided yesterday not to revoke the bail of red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Nuttawut Saikuar as petitioned by some Democrats.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719877-court-allows-nuttawut-and-jatuporn-to-remain-free-on-bail/

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai move aimed at a coalition govt, sources say
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The warning issued by the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) on Thursday to the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was an attempt by the ruling Pheu Thai Party to push for the creation of a coalition government in case caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Cabinet are disqualified by either of the two organisations, sources within CAPO and the government said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719879-pheu-thai-move-aimed-at-a-coalition-govt-sources-say/

[Lite Beer]

Small parties name three figures they will back as new PM
The Nation


About 30 small and little-known political parties have formed a group

BANGKOK: -- A group of 30 small and little-known political parties yesterday short-listed three prominent figures they would support as a new leader to try to lead Thailand out of the political crisis.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719880-small-parties-name-three-figures-they-will-back-as-new-pm/

[Lite Beer]

Authorities not involved in insurgent's killing: police
Nakarin Chinworakomon
The Nation

People pray for peace at the Thai Islamic Centre in Bangkok yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Police have denied authorities were involved in the fatal shooting of a key insurgent who was wanted for six security-related crimes in the deep South.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719881-authorities-not-involved-in-insurgents-killing-police/

[Lite Beer]

-- The Nation 2014-04-19

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Divers enter sunken Korean ferry
The Korea Herald,
The Nation April 19, 2014 1:00 am

South Korean Ambassador Jeon Jae-man, third from left, and Nation Multimedia Group executives take part in a ceremony yesterday to express solidarity with South Korea after the sinking of a ferry on Wednesday.

No survivors found; 268 still missing; school official kills self; Bangkokians pray for victims

Full Story:

[Lite Beer]

Finance Ministry still chasing funds in hopes of paying farmers
Suphannee Pootpisut
The Nation April 19, 2014 1:00 am

Tanusak

BANGKOK: -- Ministry hoping to secure some loans to cover Bt90 bn owed

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719884-finance-ministry-still-chasing-funds-in-hopes-of-paying-farmers/

[Lite Beer]

Police suspect French national murdered in Phuket
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: A 37-year-old French national was found dead in his underwear in a rental room in Phuket this afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719885-police-suspect-french-national-murdered-in-phuket/

[Lite Beer]

RT@ChadapornLin: Beach road in Pattaya closed to traffic from 8am-8pm for water splashing aka Wan Lai

[Lite Beer]

Korea Ferry captain says evacuation delayed for safety

JINDO, South Korea - The arrested captain of the South Korean ferry that capsized with 476 people on board said Saturday he had delayed evacuating the ship because of the sea conditions and the absence of rescue ships.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719186-ferry-carrying-470-passengers-sinking-off-south-korea/page-2#entry7707770

[Lite Beer]

Phuket expat describes bungy accident horror
Claire Connell

PHUKET: A Phuket expat watched as two people died last night (April 18) at a new bungy jump company in Chalong.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719896-phuket-expat-describes-bungy-accident-horror/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Murder probe after French tourist found bashed, dead in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Phuket police are investigating a murder after French national Fabrice Boigeol, 37, was found dead inside his bungalow on Soi Saiyuan in Rawai yesterday (April 18) around 2pm.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719885-police-suspect-french-national-murdered-in-phuket/#entry7707942

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Govt to borrow more from central budget to pay farmers

BANGKOK, 19 April 2014 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry will borrow 40 billion baht more from the Central Fund in order to pay rice growers participating in the government’s rice pledging program.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719884-finance-ministry-still-chasing-funds-in-hopes-of-paying-farmers/?p=7708065#entry7708065

[Lite Beer]

Land Transport Dept gearing for AEC

BANGKOK, 19 April 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Land Transport is preparing Thai logistics entrepreneurs for the advent of ASEAN economic community (AEC), which is to be realized in a year to come.

During a seminar hosted by the Land Transport Department, the logistics operators were advised to enhance their capability and efficiency of their transport services, so that when the AEC was finally formed, the Thai entrepreneurs would be on par with their counterparts in the other countries.

The department also urged them to study carefully laws and regulations of each country and partner up with local business operators when trying to get a foothold in new markets.

The Land Transport Department also expressed concerns oner small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) when Thailand actually enters into the ASEAN era, because this segment is still far from being ready.

-- NNT 2014-04-19

[Lite Beer]

Thailand sees 0.3% loan growth in first 2 months

BANGKOK, 19 April 2014 (NNT) – The Thai economy is going downhill as the overall loan segment grew only 0.3 percent in the first two months.

Bank of Thailand (BoT) Spokesperson Roong Mallikamas admitted that the country’s economy has slowed down and coupled with the fact that commercial banks have been very strict on loan issuance, loan growth in January and February was valued at 40 billion baht, which accounted for a 0.3 percent increase. She added that specific financial institutions saw higher loan growth than commercial banks.

Since the Thai Financial Crisis in 1997, commercial banks have been extra careful when making loans. The loan segment has not been the main factor driving the country’s GDP since then.

-- NNT 2014-04-19

[Lite Beer]

Five Thais detained by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for illegal trespassing after straying into Malaysian territory /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Thai fighters expected to grab 6 gold medals in IFMA World Championships 2014

BANGKOK, 18 April 2014 (NNT) - ‘IFMA World Championships 2014’ will be held at Langkawi, Malaysia, during 1-10 May 2014, said Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA).

According to him, 14 Thai fighters, 9 male and 4 female, will join the competition. The Federation expects them to bag at least 6 gold medals, 4 from male and 2 from female.

-- NNT 2014-04-19

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: Injuries reported from a tear gas explosion during a training session in Bang Phlat - TR @weeranan

RT@191Thailand: Among the injured are rescue and medical personnel who were attending a training session about explosives when a tear gas canister exploded.

[Lite Beer]

Election Commission ready for Tuesday’s meeting regarding next general election

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 19 – Sixty-four political parties have accepted an invitation from the Election Commission (EC) to a meeting Tuesday to discuss preparations for the next general election, a senior official said.

EC secretary general Puchong Nutrawong said three parties – Kasikorn Thai, Pheu Fah Din and Thai Maharat Pattana – refused to attend the forum.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will be accompanied by his deputy Chamni Sakdiset while ruling Pheu Thai leader Charupong Ruangsuwan informed the EC that he would join the meeting with Pokin Pollakul, the party’s strategic executive.

Mr Puchong said the EC would discuss timing for the next nationwide polls which could be held in 60 days, 90 days or 120 days after the promulgation of the election decree.

Conclusions from the meeting will be raised with the state security sector and the caretaker government, he said.

Meanwhile, executives of 30 small political parties met at a Bangkok hotel yesterday and agreed that the general election should be held on June 15.

They proposed three possible candidates as Thailand’s next prime minister – Phongthep Thepkanjana, Supachai Panitchpakdi and Dr Boon Vanasin – on the condition that they must be first elected to the House of Representatives.

The group of 30 small political parties will all join the EC-initiated meeting on Tuesday. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-04-19

[Lite Beer]

Thailand upgrades quality of Hom Mali rice
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 19 – The Commerce Ministry has announced a new classification of Thai fragrant rice to tap high-end market abroad.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719910-thailand-upgrades-quality-of-hom-mali-rice/

[Lite Beer]

Almost 200,000 Thais visited Japan in April
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, April 19 – Thai tourists visiting Japan this month skyrocketed to nearly 200,000 travellers, consequently resulting in a sharp drop of visitors to China, Taiwan and Korea, according to the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA).

TTAA president Suthipong Pheunpipop said Japan’s visa exemption for Thai people has contributed to a surge in the number of Thai tourists to the island country, which has become a favourite destination among travellers from the kingdom.

The number of Thai tourists to Japan has continuously increased from 260,000 people in 2012 to 470,000 people in 2013.

The Songkran long holiday in April, visa exemption and cheaper tour package prices, from slightly over Bt30,000 to Bt40,000-60,000, are significant factors that influenced Thai tourists’ decision to visit Japan, he said.

He said 85 per cent of Thai tourists who travelled abroad in April chose Japan while the remaining 15 per cent visited China, Korea, Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries.

With 300,000 Thais visiting Japan in the first three months of this year, the island nation was projected to welcome 700,000 Thai people this year, and this tally may surge to over a million if Thailand’s political situation returns to normal, said Mr Suthipong.

He said domestic tourism in April, which coincided with the annual school holiday, remained active thanks to joint promotions by the public and private sectors and provincial authorities. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-04-19

[Lite Beer]

Almost 60 per cent of Thailand hit by drought

BANGKOK, 19 April 2014 (NNT) - More than half of the kingdom has declared as drought disaster zones, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) on Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719913-almost-60-per-cent-of-thailand-hit-by-drought/#entry7708425

[Lite Beer]

Gas explosion at Bang Phlat district office while training about explosions being held, scores of people injured /MCOT