20 logs of restricted rosewood found in warehouse near Mekhong

MUKDAHAN, 21 April 2014 (NNT) -The Deputy Director of Mukdahan Internal Security Operations Command (Military) has disclosed that a pickup carrying logs of rosewood was found concealed near the Mekong river.

Col. Yutthana Muangpoolsawas, reported that the pick-up truck and the twenty logs of the restricted wood species was found hidden in a warehouse on the Mekong river bank. It is believed that it was to be exported to neighboring countries. He commanded relevant officers to investigate the scene at the warehouse located in Muang district, Mukdahan province. It was found later than the driver of the pick-up had managed to hide in the warehouse before running away and avoiding detention.

The confiscated pickup is a white Mazda cab truck with license plate number BP 2004 Chachoengsao, containing 20 logs of rosewood with a volume of 1.53 cubic meters and a value of 1 million baht. It's suspected that the logs were smuggled from Sisaket province, to meet high demand from domestic and international criminal traders. Rosewood has replaced Siamese rosewood, which is now rarely found due to years of heavy illegal trading. However the two timbers are very alike due to their similar wood grains. Officials have sent a full report to authorities at Mukdahan police station to pursue further legal avenues. Meanwhile the truck and the logs are in the possession of the Forest Resource Management Office 4 (Mukdahan) to be retained as evidence.


-- NNT 2014-04-21

US boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter dies

TORONTO: -- US former boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, whose wrongful conviction for murder caused an international outcry, has died at the age of 76.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720224-us-boxer-rubin-hurricane-carter-dies/

Surin governor launches 'vice-free' policy

SURIN, 21 April 2014 (NNT) – The Governor of Surin has revealed that Surin province is operating in compliance with a vice-free policy, to control shops selling alcohol which lead to trouble and are contrary to social tradition and culture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720225-surin-governor-launches-vice-free-policy/

UPDATE:

Ferry was overloaded; crew may have broken safety guidelines
The Korea Herald
Asia News Network


Anxious family members of missing passengers in the sunken Sewol ferry are blocked by policemen as they try to march towards the Presidential house during a rally against the government

SEOUL: -- The ill-fated Korean ferry Sewol was overloaded and its crew appears to have broken several other safety guidelines, possibly resulting in its sinking last Wednesday, sources have said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719186-ferry-carrying-470-passengers-sinking-off-south-korea/page-2#entry7714567

Election possible in late July, EC says
The Nation

Pheu Thai wants poll to be held in June; EC to have talks with govt next week

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) has set a date for a new poll in late July and guaranteed that the ballot would go smoothly, despite doubt on whether another ballot can be staged soon if rival parties fail to reach a compromise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720226-thai-election-possible-in-late-july-ec-says/

'Politicians threatening farmers'
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

Warned they might not receive any rice money if they go ahead with legal action: law society

BANGKOK: -- Some farmers have dropped suits against the government for failing to pay them under the controversial rice-pledging scheme, Law Society of Thailand vice-president Sunthorn Payak has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720227-thai-politicians-threatening-farmers/

Forest complex may be listed as 'in danger'
Janjira Pongrai
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


A crocodile has been found on the nature trail at Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai, nearby parks at risk of logging and dams

BANGKOK: -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is preparing to explain its measures to protect the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex to UNESCO's World Heritage Centre in a bid to prevent the area being listed as a World Heritage site in Danger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720228-khao-yai-forest-complex-may-be-listed-as-in-danger/

FISCAL POLICY
MPC likely to leave rate unchanged, say experts
Sarun Kijvasin
The Nation

'Cutting interest rate now won't solve the many problems faced by the economy'

BANGKOK: -- Economists believe that the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday would leave its benchmark rate at 2 per cent pending more economic data.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720229-mpc-likely-to-leave-rate-unchanged-say-thai-experts/

Police watch over children in a new project
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation


Youngsters are given tips on self-protection by Buppharam police officers.

BANGKOK: -- Even though many people associate police stations with crime and punishment, cops at a station in Bangkok are doing something very different - they are instilling a love for learning among youngsters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720230-thai-police-watch-over-children-in-a-new-project/

Less populist policies would cut household debt: ADB
Erich Parpart
The Nation



Bank says govt could boost purchasing power for people by smarter policies

BANGKOK: -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has suggested that once Thailand has a permanent government in place, it should drop its populist policies as a way to rein in rising household debt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720232-less-populist-policies-would-cut-household-debt-asian-development-bank-adb/

MARKET VIEW
Charter court verdict will set the stage for two scenarios
Tisco Securities

BANGKOK: -- Some time over the next month the Constitutional Court will decide whether Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra acted unconstitutionally when she removed the National Security Council chief from his post several years ago. If the court finds against her, she will not be able to remain as caretaker PM. But whether Yingluck is in or out is less important than what happens to her caretaker Cabinet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720233-thai-market-view-charter-court-verdict-will-set-the-stage-for-two-scenarios/

EDITORIAL
A country full of guardians and rebels but not values
The Nation

In the end politics and idealism will have to be put to one side if Thais are to get over the current divide

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's problem is we have too many "Guardians of democracy" and too few people to really "observe" democracy. The anti-government movement is "guarding democracy" and so is the pro-government network, which is organising "counter-rallies" to protect a "democratically-elected" administration which is facing a possible Constitution Court knock-out.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720235-thai-editorial-a-country-full-of-guardians-and-rebels-but-not-values/

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Obama will encounter a different Asia
Kavi Chongkittavorn

BANGKOK: -- When US President Barack Obama returns to Asia - Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines - this week, he will find a continent different to the one he's left unattended since November 2012.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720236-obama-will-encounter-a-different-asia-thai-opinion/

Norwegian Seriously injured in 2nd floor fall from Jomtien Hotel



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Morning Police and rescue workers were called to a Hotel in Jomtien to investigate reports of a foreign man who had fallen from a low floor at the Hotel, but was seriously injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720237-norwegian-seriously-injured-in-2nd-floor-fall-from-jomtien-hotel/

Thailand: Prominent Activist Feared ‘Disappeared’
Urgently Produce Information on Por Cha Lee Rakcharoen

(New York) – The Thai authorities should urgently provide information about a prominent ethnic Karen activist who is believed to have been forcibly disappeared, Human Rights Watch said today. Por Cha Lee Rakcharoen, known as “Billy,” was reportedly arrested on April 17, 2014, in Kaengkrachan National Park in Petchaburi province and released, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720238-thailand-prominent-activist-feared-disappeared/

Red shirts to gather on eve of court verdict on Yingluck's status
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will hold a mass rally of red shirts one day before the Constitutional Court delivers its verdict on whether Yingluck Shinawatra has lost her status as caretaker PM.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720239-red-shirts-to-gather-on-eve-of-court-verdict-on-yinglucks-status/

Most Thais believe the political situation is critical, Dusit Poll finds
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Most Thais believe the country's political problems have already reached a critical stage, according to the latest Dusit Poll survey.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720240-most-thais-believe-the-political-situation-is-critical-dusit-poll-finds/

'Leave Your House' project to be extended
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police have wound up the so-called "Leave your house with police during the Songkran festival" project - but now plan to extend it.

The project, conducted from April 11-20, aimed at caring for private houses during the water festival when householders had left town to visit relatives upcountry.

Some 4,374 houses nationwide were cared for by police during the festive season, deputy police chief Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said.

Under this project, police take pictures of residents' houses and send them via mobile chat application at least once a day. People can now call police and request they look after their houses not only during the festive season but on other occasions too.


-- The Nation 2014-04-21

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Somkid reflects on long battle to prove his innocence



BANGKOK: -- Retired senior police investigator Pol Lt-General Somkid Bunthanom spoke to Nation TV after being acquitted recently of involvement in the disappearance and presumed death of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili 24 years ago. Here are excerpts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720241-mohammad-al-ruwaili-case-somkid-reflects-on-long-battle-to-prove-his-innocence/

Police raid targets illegal road racers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Ayutthaya police yesterday arrested 19 illegal road racers and confiscated 50 motorcycles allegedly used to race on public streets.

Hundreds of police were deployed after Pol Lt-Colonel Sakdina Sukmak, a deputy chief of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya police station, received complaints of a gang of 200 illegal road racers on the Asia-Suphan Buri bypass.

Police tried to block the gang but they escaped. Nineteen illegal road racers were arrested and 50 motorcycles seized.


-- The Nation 2014-04-21

Unis work to help students over loan cuts
Thammarat Kitchalong,
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- High-level university executives nationwide are seeking ways to help over 6,000 students get loans after the government announced budget amounts lower than last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720242-thai-unis-work-to-help-students-over-loan-cuts/

Malaysia Airlines jet in emergency landing after tyre bursts

A Bangalore-bound Malaysia Airlines plane with 166 people aboard landed safely early on Monday after turning back to Kuala Lumpur due to a landing gear problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720245-malaysia-airlines-jet-in-kl-emergency-landing-after-tyre-bursts/

House of top health official hit by M-79 grenade, no injuries

BANGKOK: -- An assailant fired an M-79 grenade into a residence of top health official in Lak Si district early Monday morning but there were no reports of injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720247-bangkok-house-of-top-health-official-hit-by-m-79-grenade/

UPDATE:

South Korea ferry: Transcript reveals evacuation panic

SEOUL: -- The last communications between the South Korean ferry that sank on Wednesday and traffic services reveal panic and indecision by the crew.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719186-ferry-carrying-470-passengers-sinking-off-south-korea/page-3#entry7714814

Finland air crash kills eight skydivers

HELSINKI: -- Eight skydivers have been killed after their plane crashed near the town of Jamijarvi in Finland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720251-finland-air-crash-kills-eight-skydivers/

Southern rail service to receive major facelift

BANGKOK, 21 April 2014 (NNT) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is to greatly improve its rail routes in southern provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720261-thailands-southern-rail-service-to-receive-major-facelift/

TV sales increasing as digital TV materializes

BANGKOK, 21 April 2014, (NNT) - Manufacturers of electronic appliances are hoping to see a surge in television sales as digital TV wins acceptance among consumers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720305-tv-sales-increasing-as-digital-tv-materializes-thailand/

MRT underground train suspends services due to technical problem at Rama 9 station, many passengers stranded /MCOT

UPDATE:

Kasikorn Bank predicts unchanged 2% interest rate
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 21 – Thailand’s policy interest rate is expected to be maintained at 2 per cent, according to Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720229-mpc-likely-to-leave-rate-unchanged-say-thai-experts/#entry7715204

Thai entrepreneurs encouraged to urgently prepare for global changes
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 21 – The Thai private sector has been urged to improve its competitive edge to cope with global development and impact from advanced technology, a senior Commerce Ministry said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720278-thai-entrepreneurs-encouraged-to-urgently-prepare-for-global-changes/