Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Apr 2014

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CAPO director fears bloodshed if court terminates PM

BANGKOK, 22 April 2014 (NNT) – The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is worried that there would be bloodshed if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, along with her cabinet, is forced to step down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720571-chalerm-fears-bloodshed-if-court-terminates-pm-yingluck/

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PWO reaffirms there is no rice missing from public warehouses

BANGKOK, 22 April 2014 (NNT) - The Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) has reaffirmed there was no pledged rice missing from the warehouse as the opposition has claimed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720572-thailands-pwo-reaffirms-there-is-no-rice-missing-from-public-warehouses/

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Pregnant woman kicked off her motorbike, sexually assaulted in northern Phuket
Phuket Gazette


The victim was kicked off her bike on a dark stretch of road in Mai Khao. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720587-pregnant-woman-kicked-off-her-motorbike-sexually-assaulted-in-northern-phuket/

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UPDATE:

Police to tighten grip on opening hours of entertainment venues



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police will impose harsher penalties on entertainment venues that stay open beyond the time limit as they reasoned that extended hours could generate crimes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720511-cops-to-crackdown-on-illegal-bangkok-nightlife/page-4#entry7720174

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Unexpected THAI profit losses of Bt30 mln in March
By English News



BANGKOK, April 22 - Thai Airways International (THAI) in March faced profit losses of another Bt30 million from the original forecast with its passenger load lowered year-on-year by 20.5 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720593-unexpected-thai-profit-losses-of-bt30-mln-in-march/

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Fatal Bangkok crash: Teenager sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for reckless driving

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court today sentenced a female teenager to two years imprisonment and banned her from driving until she turns 25-year-old for reckless driving that caused death to nine passengers in a fatal crash on the expressway in December 27, 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720596-fatal-bangkok-crash-teenager-sentenced-to-2-years-imprisonment-for-reckless-driving/

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UPDATE:

No rice missing from government warehouses

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720572-thailands-pwo-reaffirms-there-is-no-rice-missing-from-public-warehouses/#entry7720331

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UPDATE:

Thailand's fractious parties to discuss new elections

BANGKOK, April 22, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's quarrelling political parties are to meet Tuesday to discuss a roadmap to fresh elections following months of deadly street protests aimed at toppling Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720490-thailands-political-parties-to-discuss-election-date-today-apr-22/#entry7720356

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Laos' coffee giant eyes Thailand for expansion
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation


From left: Dao-Huang Group

BANGKOK: -- Dao-Heuang Group, a leading coffee producer in Laos, is set to enter Thailand next year via a contract to grow coffee on a 1,000-rai plot of land in the North.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720599-laos-coffee-giant-eyes-thailand-for-expansion/

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Mukdahan Governor inspects housing conditions of the poor

MUKDAHAN, 22 April 2014 (NNT) — The Governor of Mukdahan made a visit to local residents living in poverty in Don Tan District, in an effort to gain firsthand information on their current living conditions before proceeding with appropriate assistance measures.

Governor Sakolkrit Boonpradit made his first stop at the family of Mrs. Chamnian Yuensuk who is living in an old rundown hut with 7 other family members including her old husband. The family is surviving solely on food provided by Buddhist monks from a nearby temple.

Another family with 2 daughters is also living in a run-down house that is under reconstruction with the help of locals and officials who wish to build a better home for the family. However, the construction has not yet been completed due to a budget constraint.

Mr. Sakolkrit has also ordered related officials to expedite their assistance to other needy families. The relief efforts for the poor are among the policies the local government has in improving the living standards of their regional residents.


-- NNT 2014-04-22

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The Election Commission has decided not to allow live broadcast of its meeting with political parties this afternoon to discuss a new election, reports said. /Bangkok Post

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DDPM: 42 provinces and 296 districts declared drought-affected areas

BANGKOK, 22 April 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported that 42 provinces and 296 districts have been declared drought-affected areas. It is investigating areas at risk, and affected agricultural areas. The DDPM will focus on an effective water distribution management plan so that it can cover all areas.

Mr. Chatchai Promlert, the Director General of the DDPM, said that the department is committed to helping people affected by drought and will monitor the water supply situation to arrange appropriate zoning of drought-affected areas. The DDPM will determine measures to assist, according to the intensity of the situation and make a comprehensive and effective water management and distribution plan. People should use water sparingly.

People affected by the drought can ask for help on the Hotline 1784, which is available 24 hours a day.


-- NNT 2014-04-22

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Deadly Car Crash Driver Escapes Jail Term
By Khaosod English


Orachorn "Praewa" Thephasadin Na Ayudhya (Photo by Matichon).

BANGKOK —The Appeal Court has handed down a suspended jail sentence and 48-hours of community service to the woman who killed nine people in a car accident in Bangkok three years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720596-fatal-bangkok-crash-teenager-sentenced-to-2-years-imprisonment-for-reckless-driving/page-2?p=7720618#entry7720618

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Philippines has slowest internet in Southeast Asia



BANGKOK: -- Despite being regarded as the social media capital of the world, the Philippines has the slowest internet speed in the entire Southeast Asian region and is ranked 158th out of 190 countries worldwide, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720607-philippines-has-slowest-internet-in-southeast-asia/

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Yingluck denies talking to Thaksin

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720616-yingluck-denies-talking-to-thaksin/

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David Moyes: Manchester United manager sacked by club

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720618-david-moyes-manchester-united-manager-sacked-by-club/

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Minister of Commerce makes request to borrow B40 billion to pay farmers



BANGKOK, 21 April 2014 (NNT) – The Minister of Commerce said that the Ministry is looking to borrow 40 billion baht to pay farmers under the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720630-minister-of-commerce-makes-request-to-borrow-bt40-billion-to-pay-rice-farmers/

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Trade at Surin border bustling after closing time is extended to 10 pm

SURIN, 22 April 2014 (NNT) - Surin Deputy Governor Yuthana Viriyakitti said today that since the Thai-Cambodian border at Chong Jom extended its hours of operation to close at 10 pm, there has been a noticeable increase in trade and exported goods, especially gasoline, beer, and beverages.

On the weekends, there are now thousands of families and tourists coming to the Chong Jom border point in Surin and it has been getting so crowded that there are not enough parking spaces available. Cambodian merchants also come to the market to sell their local products, and at the same time, they buy consumer goods to bring back to their side of the border. It is estimated that the total sum of business being conducted is likely millions of baht per day.

The Chong Jom border market, located in Karbcherng district, is the most important border point in Surin since it is a popular tourist attraction. At present, trading at Chong Jom has been rapidly growing; people have started businesses in the local area, and in the future when the extension of a four-lane road is finished, Chong Jom is expected to be the leading border crossing point in the lower Northeastern area.


-- NNT 2014-04-22

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Abhisit won't attend EC meeting due to security concerns

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday wrote on his Facebook page that he was unable to attend the meeting with the Election Commission (EC) and other political parties to discuss possible election dates due to safety concerns.

He wrote that he had sent a letter reaffirming the Democrats’ intention to cooperate in finding a way forward for the country. "We will keep on trying," he wrote.


-- The Nation 2014-04-22

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PCAD Protesters Crash Election Forum
By Khaosod English


Anti-government leader Buddha Issara as he arrives at the PCAD protest outside the EC's election meeting with political parties on 22 April 2014.

BANGKOK — Hundreds of anti-government protesters are demonstrating outside the hotel where representatives of various political parties are meeting for a talk on Thailand's future election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720632-pcad-protesters-crash-election-forum/

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Caretaker Cabinet extends free 3rd-class train, non-air conditioned bus services through July 31 /MCOT

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Debt-Ridden Thai Airways To 'Cut 5,000 Staff'
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Facing huge financial losses, Thai Airways is slated to "encourage" 5,000 of its employees to resign in order to save operational costs, the director airline said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720639-debt-ridden-thai-airways-to-cut-5000-staff/

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Energy Regulatory Commission preparing for major gas field maintenance in joint development area with Malaysia



BANGKOK, 22 April 2014 (NNT) —The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) are jointly carrying out measures for major maintenance to take place in the natural gas fields in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) between June 13rd and July 10th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720640-thai-erc-preparing-for-major-gas-field-maintenance-in-joint-development-area-with-malaysia/

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Marine Dept: Ferries in Thailand meet safety standards

BANGKOK, 22 April 2014 (NNT) - The Marine Department confirms the safety of Thai ferries meet international standards. The department will take members of the press to inspect ferries in the southern province of Surat Thani this 24 April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720642-ferries-in-thailand-meet-safety-standards-marine-dept/

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CAPO not intending to interfere with function of constitutional court

BANGKOK, 22 April 2014 (NNT) – According to an official statement from the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) concerning the Constitutional Court’s judgement against the Prime Minister for the unfair transfer of the then Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC) Tawin Pleansri, the court has no power to approve the case.

CAPO further expressed concern that if the court makes a decision beyond its limits due to the dissolution of parliament, then the Prime Minster and the cabinet will be disqualified from their positions until His Majesty the King has issued a royal command.


-- NNT 2014-04-22

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Gunshots Fired Near Redshirt Rally

BANGKOK — Several gunshots were heard close to a protest organised by Redshirt activists on Chaeng Wattana Road in Bangkok today.

Approximately 150 members of the pro-government People's Radio for Democracy (PRD) marched from their headquarters in Nonthaburi province to the Constitutional Court office on Chaen Wattana Road to protest the court's alleged bias against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

However, their rally was cut short when gunshots were heard near the office of TOT Public Company. The protesters quickly vacated the area.

Police officers said they found one bullet hole penetrating the window of a coffee shop opposite the TOT office. No injury has been reported, and no arrest has been made.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1398159183&section=11&typecate=06


-- Khaosod English 2014-04-22

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SET index closed 1,415.05, up 1.98; Bt/USD32.19; GBP53.92; AUD29.89; EUR44.27; CAD29.08; HKD4.14; SGD25.53; JPY31.20

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Opposition no-show hinders Thai election talks
by Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

BANGKOK, April 22, 2014 (AFP) - Negotiations on a roadmap to elections in Thailand following months of political turmoil suffered a major setback Tuesday as the opposition pulled out of rare multi-party talks at the last minute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720646-opposition-no-show-hinders-thai-election-talks/

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Phuket residents approve north-south Chalong underpass
Phuket Gazette


Those at the meeting voted to approve a north-south underpass joining Chao Fa West Road and Wiset Road. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Local residents yesterday voted to approve a route for the Chalong underpass: a two-way underpass stretching one kilometer long that joins Chao Fa West Road and Wiset Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720650-phuket-residents-approve-north-south-chalong-underpass/

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UPDATE:

Death toll of the South Korean ferry accident reaches 108 and 194 missing

The death toll from the ferry accident off the country's southern coast soared to over 100 Tuesday as rescue workers capitalized on the slowing currents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719186-ferry-carrying-470-passengers-sinking-off-south-korea/page-3?p=7721898#entry7721898