Thailand Live Friday 25 Apr 2014

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HM King to grant royal audience on Coronation Day

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 25 April 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King will grant an audience to the royal family and civil servants on Coronation Day, May 5, at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district, according to Veera Sriwattanatrakul, the governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The provincial governor said he was informed of the King's schedule by the Royal Household Bureau. The audience has been set for 10 a.m. on May 5 at Rajpracha Samakhom Pavilion inside the palace.

The Hua Hin municipality and the province have been preparing for the event as they expect people to gather to witness the audience.

Mr. Veera said 12 big screens would be installed on Phetkasem Road near the palace for well-wishers to watch the audience live. He urged people to arrive before 7 a.m. on May 5.


-- NNT 2014-04-25

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Thailand 'Secures' Rice Deal With the Philippines
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK — Thailand has reached a trade agreement that will allow the kingdom to sell at least three million tonnes of rice to the Philippines over the next three years, a top official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721256-thailand-secures-rice-deal-with-the-philippines/

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Abhisit to meet varied groups seeking way out of political crisis
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 25 -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would meet representatives from varied groups to find mutually agreeable solution to bringing the country out of its political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721257-abhisit-to-meet-varied-groups-seeking-way-out-of-political-crisis/

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Eye out for possible MERS cases in the Kingdom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The reported threat of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has sparked serious surveillance in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721258-eye-out-for-possible-mers-cases-in-thailand/

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Police expect some progress today
The Nation

Political motive, personal conflict seen as top motives behind Kamol's murder

BANGKOK: -- Police should be able to come to an initial conclusion today into the motive behind the Wednesday murder of red-shirt poet and anti-lese majeste law activist Kamol Duangphasuk, better known by his pen name "Mainueng Kor Kuntee", deputy Bangkok police chief Pol Maj-General Thitirat Nonghanpitak said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721259-red-shirt-poet-kamols-murder-police-expect-some-progress-today/

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Khon Kaen plans power plant to munch trash mountains
Jitima Janphrom
The Nation
Khon Kaen



KHON KAEN: -- IN A BID to prevent a repeat of the damage wrought by the Praek Sa garbage-dump fire in Samut Prakan last month, Khon Kaen City Hall has placed two fire engines on a round-the-clock watch at the city's main dump and banned smoking near its 800,000 tonnes of garbage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721260-khon-kaen-plans-power-plant-to-munch-trash-mountains/

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Nation TV's Downtown Studio set for official launch today


passer-by takes a close look at Nation TV

BANGKOK: -- Nation TV today officially unveils its Downtown Studio, the first of its kind in Thailand, at the Siam Discovery Centre shopping mall.

Its location in the city's business centre and main shopping district puts the studio in close proximity with urbanites, and allows it to serve as a venue for holding activities with Nation TV viewers.

The studio became operational late last month.

The opening ceremony begins at 6pm, with events including a children's fashion show and performances by well-known singers.

Nation TV (Channel 22), which like this newspaper is part of Nation Multimedia Group (NMG), won a licence to operate a news channel.

NMG also operates the Standard Definition (SD) variety channel NOW, a "Biz-Life Variety" station on Channel 26.

Last December, both stations won digital terrestrial TV channel licences in the auction of 24 commercial digital TV licences held by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.


-- The Nation 2014-04-25

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DEBT
Almost all labourers deep in debt
The Nation


Thanavath Phonvichai

BANGKOK: -- Up to 93.7 per cent of Thai labourers have admitted that they are heavily in debt, amid signs of rising unemployment if the country's political stand-off prolonged into the second half of the year, according to the survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721262-almost-all-thai-labourers-deep-in-debt/

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EDITORIAL
Yingluck must call a halt to Phuketwan case
The Nation

The Navy's lawsuit over allegations of trafficking Rohingya is an international embarrassment for Thailand

BANGKOK: -- It's time our caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, also the Defence Minister, stepped in and ordered the Royal Thai Navy to drop its defamation charges against two Phuket journalists. If she acts now she can prevent this case from dragging Thailand down with it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721263-yingluck-must-call-a-halt-to-phuketwan-case-thai-editorial/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
I turned down advice to live in exile: Anwar
Thepchai yong
The Nation
kuala lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday he has resisted advice to go into exile to avoid a jail term stemming from sodomy charges against him. He also accused the Najib Razak government of a "cover-up" in its handling of the missing MH370.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721264-i-turned-down-advice-to-live-in-exile-malaysias-opposition-leader-anwar/

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British Jeep Driver injured in high speed collision in East Pattaya



BANGKOK: -- Traffic was brought to a standstill on Wednesday Night after a high speed collision involving three vehicles occurred on the railroad running along the East side of Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721266-british-jeep-driver-injured-in-high-speed-collision-in-east-pattaya/

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Former THAI president wins legal battle against his former boss



BANGKOK: -- The Central Labour Court today (Thursday) awarded former president of Thai Airways International Piyasvasti Amranand one million baht in compensation plus 7.5 percent interest for unfair termination of his employment by the national flag carrier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721269-former-thai-president-wins-legal-battle-against-his-former-boss/

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Swine flu claims lives of 24 people this year



BANGKOK: -- Swine flu or H1N1 flu has so far claimed the lives of 24 patients in the country since early this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721270-swine-flu-claims-lives-of-24-people-in-thailand-this-year/

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Chuan supports Constitutional Court judges
Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai has extended moral support to the Constitutional Court judges, calling on them to carry out their duty with righteousness and without fear of intimidation or being wavered by bribery at this critical political juncture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721271-former-thai-pm-chuan-supports-constitutional-court-judges/

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Suthep prepares PDRC faithful for 'final battle' against govt
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Anti-Government People's Demo-cratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban vowed yesterday that his group was launching a final battle to topple caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in three to seven days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721272-suthep-prepares-pdrc-faithful-for-final-battle-against-govt/

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BURNING ISSUE
EC's talks with parties fail to raise hopes of solution to crisis
Samudcha Hoonsara
Nation News Agency

BANGKOK: -- Despite the meeting earlier this week between the Election Commission and representatives from over 50 political parties, uncertainties remain about the next election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721273-ecs-talks-with-parties-fail-to-raise-hopes-of-solution-to-crisis/

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Thawil to oversee South talks, Prayuth specifies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thawil Pliensri, who has returned to his post as National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general, would be the chief negotiator in the ongoing dialogue with insurgents in the far South and will act within the framework already set by authorities, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha told caretaker PM Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721274-thawil-to-oversee-south-talks-prayuth-specifies/

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Find Karen activist, dept urges
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- RIGHTS and Liberties Protection Department (RLPD) has been pressing for progress in the investigation into the disappearance of a Karen activist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721276-find-karen-activist-dept-urges/

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Netanyahu says Abbas must abandon unity deal with Hamas

(BBC) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas must abandon Fatah's pact with Hamas if he wants peace, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the BBC.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721281-israel-urges-abbas-to-end-hamas-pact/

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Daily News head office attacked with M79 grenade

BANGKOK: -- An M79 grenade was fired at the head office of Daily News Thursday night. Nobody was injured, police said.

The attack happened at 9 pm and the grenade landed on the ground between two buildings, causing a hole. The bomb fragments also hit the buildings.

Police suspected the grenade was fired from a pedestrian flyover or the Don Muang Tollway about 300 metres from the impact ground.


-- The Nation 2014-04-25

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M79 grenade fired at Central Administrative Court

BANGKOK: -- An M79 grenade was fired at the Central Administrative Court late Thursday night, police said.

The attack happened at 10:05 pm and the grenade fell at a tree outside the court on the Chaeng Wattana side. Nobody was injured.

-- The Nation 2014-04-25

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Daily News, Administrative Court attacked with M 79 grenades



BANGKOK: -- Mass-circulation Daily News newspapers head office on Vibhavadee Rangsit and the Administrative Court on Chaengwattana road were attacked last night with M 79 grenades in two separate incidents last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721297-daily-news-administrative-court-attacked-with-m-79-grenades/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,419.63, falls 3.04 points /MCOT

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BECL to open Asoke-Srinagarind expressway next month

By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 23 -- Bangkok Expressway Plc (BECL) is opening a new expressway route from Asoke to Srinagarind next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721300-bangkok-becl-to-open-asoke-srinagarind-expressway-next-month/

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Pedestrian overpass collapses

NONTHABURI: -- A pedestrian overpass on a bypass road in Nonthaburi collapsed and fell on two passing vehicles after it was hit by a trailer truck Thursday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721302-hit-by-trailer-truck-nonthaburi-pedestrian-overpass-collapses/

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France mulls car-sharing GPS app ban
By Jane Wakefield
Technology reporter

(BBC) Private car hire services in France face a ban on the GPS-enabled apps that allow people to find available drivers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721303-france-mulls-car-sharing-gps-app-ban/

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Summer storm wreaks havoc through Ayutthaya province

AYUTTHAYA, 25 April 2014 (NNT) — Ayutthaya province has suffered from a serious summer storm that thrashed through the province at approximately 6pm on April 24.

The storm lasted almost an hour as it moved through the Kingdom’s old capital, destroying many homes and causing more than 50 electrical poles along the Asia Highway to come crashing down like cascading dominos.

Local authorities were forced to temporarily put the province’s electricity services on hold, as the storm destroyed the electrical poles along the Asia Highway. Workers are currently working hard to get the system back in operation.

Many beautiful trees along the Asia Highway were also uprooted due to the strong winds. Ayutthaya Governor Witthaya Piewpong has ordered all related officials to dispatch immediate relief efforts throughout the area.


-- NNT 2014-04-25

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UPDATE:

Patong alcohol ban as Pian guns for mayor
Phuket Gazette


Former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, declared guilty of vote fraud in March, will run for re-election this Saturday. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The sale of alcohol will be banned throughout Patong tonight and tomorrow (including tomorrow night) as residents go to the polls to elect a Patong Mayor and several new councilors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721149-phuket-alcohol-sales-ban-for-patong-this-weekend/#entry7734165

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German tourists sue over vacation "ruined by Islamic prayer call"

ISTANBUL, Turkey - A German couple have had their legal attempt to get a refund from a travel agent in Hannover after they complained that their €2,258 all-inclusive holiday to Turkey's Aegean resort of Doganbey was ruined by the Islamic call to prayer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721323-german-tourists-sue-over-turkey-vacation-ruined-by-islamic-prayer-call/

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Filipinos second-shortest in Southeast Asia



BANGKOK: -- If Southeast Asians stood in a straight file, Filipinos would be at the second spot, in a line according to height, The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/721332-thai-males-second-tallest-in-southeast-asia/