Thailand Live Thursday 1 May 2014

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Phatthalung governor opens farming school to promote sustainability

PHATTHALUNG 1 May 2014 (NNT) — The Governor of Phatthalung has opened a new farming school in the province in order to promote sustainability among local residents.

The Governor of Phatthalung Seri Srihatri presided over the opening ceremony of the new farming school located in the Krongra municipality of the province. The institute aims to imbue the region’s youth with the importance of farming and sustainability, according to His Majesty the King’s teachings.

Somkit Songniam, Chairman of the Phatthalung Agriculturists group, stated that the province is considered to be one of the most lush and fertile regions among all southern provinces — stressing the vast opportunities to make full use of the land.

Currently Phatthalung only farms 150,000 rai of land, compared with 600,000 rai in the past— the reason being that vast tracts have been turned into residential areas; have been converted into para rubber plantations; or have simply been left uncultivated.

The new farming school therefore hopes to build awareness and pride in the local community, especially among the younger generation, that Phatthalung is indeed an area to be treasured for its richness and fertility.


-- NNT 2014-05-01

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Unesco warns Australia over Great Barrier Reef

(BBC) Unesco has threatened to list the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage in Danger site, amid controversy over a plan to dump dredged sediment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722803-unesco-warns-australia-over-great-barrier-reef/

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French Embassy pushes Phuket Police to find Frenchman's killer
Phuket Gazette


French Embassy Police Liaison Eric Francelet (center) met with Phuket police chief Ong-art Phiewruangnont to discuss the murder of a Frenchman. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Officers from the French Embassy are pushing for justice for Frenchman Fabrice Boigel, who was murdered in his sleep on April 18. Embassy officials met with Phuket’s top police officers yesterday to urge them to apprehend the prime suspect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722807-french-embassy-pushes-phuket-police-to-find-frenchmans-killer/

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Health offices on MERS alert



BANGKOK: -- All the country's 53 health offices are advised to be on alert and to watch out possible emergence of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus that might be carried by travelers from the Middle East and from Thai Hajj pilgrims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722816-thailands-health-offices-on-mers-alert/

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Airport suffers lower revenue growth



BANGKOK: -- The Airports of Thailand (AOT) yesterday reported a drop in revenue to 5% growth from the projected 10%, saying political conflict is main reason that scares away travelers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722823-airports-of-thailand-aot-suffers-lower-revenue-growth/

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Democrat leader Abhisit vows not to contest election, nor accept political role if his proposal to end country's crisis accepted /MCOT

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Abhisit to skip next poll if proposal accepted

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722825-abhisit-to-skip-next-poll-if-proposal-accepted/

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Research: Thais have very poor financial management skills

BANGKOK, 1 May 2014 (NNT) - Thais have scored very low in regard to their financial management skills, according to Piyabutr Chonvicharn, Vice-Chairman of the Kenan Institute Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722826-thais-have-very-poor-financial-management-skills/

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His Majesty signs royal decree to convene special Senate session

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King Thursday issued a royal command to approve a royal decree to convene an extraordinary session of the Senate, the Senate Secretariat announced.

The session from Friday to May 10 is needed to endorse a new member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission to replace Jaided Pornchaiya, who has retired, and new specialist members for the Administrative Court Commission.


-- The Nation 2014-05-01

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With no real government, can Thailand escape recession?
BY ALAN RAYBOULD
BANGKOK

(Reuters) - Some bold assumptions about a rapid end to a six-month political crisis are all that stand between Thailand and its first real recession since the global financial crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722828-with-no-real-government-can-thailand-escape-recession/

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CAPO prepares for possible PDRC relocation to Democracy Monument



BANGKOK, 1 May 2014 (NNT) – The Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) indicated on Wednesday it was making preparations to adjust the deployment of security officials, after news on relocation of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) main rally venue circulated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722830-capo-prepares-for-possible-pdrc-relocation-to-democracy-monument/

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Nipit: Abhisit makes sacrifice to try to get the country move on

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722825-abhisit-to-skip-next-poll-if-proposal-accepted/#entry7761221

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Forty-nine mil baht loaned to unpaid rice growers in Buriram

BURIRAM, 1 May 2014 (NNT) – The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC)’s Buriram Office has approved a new round of loans worth 49 million baht to rice farmers in the province who have not yet received money for their rice pledged with the government.

The loans have been extended to 786 unpaid rice farmers in Buriram for use in the purchase of equipment and other production factors to start the new rice season. These farmers are still waiting for government payment for their rice sold under the government’s rice pledging program that has unfortunately run out of fund. According to the BAAC, the government still owes 3 billion baht to 38,000 farmers.

According to the bank, it has paid 2.6 billion baht in loan to more than 26,000 affected farmers in Buriram, and another batch of 56 million baht is pending approval.

A provincial BAAC executive expressed his belief that the government would be able to find enough money to pay all the farmers.


-- NNT 2014-05-01

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Appeals Court upholds 2-year prison term for redshirt activist Jeng Dokjik

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court on Thursday upheld the lower court's decision in January last year to sentence Yosawarit Chooklom, alias Jeng Dokjik, to serve two years in jail for lese majeste charge.

Jeng Dokjik, a hard-core redshirt leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) appeared at the court today to hear the verdict of the Appeals Court in the case which he was sentenced by the Criminal Court (the court of first instance) to serve two years in jail for less majeste charge indicted on him in September in 2010. He appealed the lower court’s ruling.

At today’s hearing, the Appeals Court said the prison term handed down by the first court was appropriate for the crime he committed. It then upheld the two-year jail term with no suspension of imprisonment.

Jeng’s lawyer is under the process to place 500,000 baht cash bail with the court and will also appeal the sentence to the Supreme Court.

Earlier on January 27, 2013, the Criminal Court sentenced Jeng to three years in jail but commuted the term to two years with no suspension of prison term after his testimony was useful in the trial.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/appeals-court-upholds-2-year-prison-term-redshirt-activist-jeng-dokjik/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=appeals-court-upholds-2-year-prison-term-redshirt-activist-jeng-dokjik

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-01

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Monks defrocked, get rehab for Phuket garden drug parties
Eakkapop Thongtub

Some of the monks hear the results of their 'purple pee' tests

PHUKET: Five monks were defrocked yesterday (April 30) and sent for drug rehabilitation after they were found to under the influence of drugs. Another 11 were disciplined by their abbot for inappropriate behaviour.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722851-monks-defrocked-get-rehab-for-phuket-garden-drug-parties/

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Fire at a textile factory warehouse

A fire broke out early Thursday at a warehouse of the Theparak Textile Co in Bang Plee district of Damut Prakarn province causing damage estimated at about 10 million baht.

There was no people working at the warehouse at the time of the fire. The warehouse stored a large quantity of textiles and fabrics which were to be shipped to customers.

A warehouse guard said he heard two explosions at an electric transformer in front of the warehouse and then rushed to see. He saw fire coning out of the pile of textiles and machinery inside the warehouse. He then alerted fire police.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fire-textile-factory-warehouse/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fire-textile-factory-warehouse

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-01

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CAPO believes peace will be restored soon

BANGKOK, 1 May 2014 (NNT) – The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)’s chief advisor said that he believes political stability would be restored soon, as the date of the general election has been scheduled. He has also vowed to take serious action against protestors who obstruct the election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722871-capo-believes-peace-will-be-restored-soon/

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UPDATE:

Meth-head monks defrocked after Phuket raid
Phuket Gazette


Five monks tested positive for the drug ya bah. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- Five monks from Northern Thailand were defrocked in Phuket and volunteered to go to a drug-rehabilitation camp after testing positive for ya bah (methamphetamine) during a Thalang Police raid yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722851-monks-defrocked-get-rehab-for-phuket-garden-drug-parties/#entry7761906

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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford 'to get help for substance abuse'

TORONTO: -- Controversial Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is to take a leave of absence to seek help for substance abuse, his lawyer says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722881-canada-toronto-mayor-rob-ford-to-get-help-for-substance-abuse/

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Bob Dylan Like a Rolling Stone lyrics to go on sale

(BBC) Bob Dylan's original hand-written lyrics for his ground-breaking song Like a Rolling Stone are to be sold at auction in New York in June.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722883-bob-dylan-like-a-rolling-stone-lyrics-to-go-on-sale/

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Superyacht hits bottom off Phuket
Phuket Gazette


The warnings follow a 55m superyacht reportedly striking a submerged object between Rawai Beach and Koh Bon on April 1. Map: Google Maps

PHUKET: -- Sailors navigating around the south of Phuket are urged to exercise caution after reports surfaced of a 55-meter superyacht hitting an uncharted submerged object in the waters between Rawai Beach and Koh Bon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722890-superyacht-hits-bottom-off-phuket/

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Group of senators push for election of new speaker, deputies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of appointed senators will push for the election of a new Senate speaker and two deputies when the upper chamber convenes its extraordinary session Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722893-group-of-thai-senators-push-for-election-of-new-speaker-deputies/

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Sweating temperature expected till mid this month



BANGKOK: -- Thailand will continue to experience rising summer heat until mid this month before the rain will come in June, the Meteorological Department said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722898-thailand-sweating-temperature-expected-till-mid-may/

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Royal Phuket Yacht Club to close in wake of takeover
Phuket Gazette


The Royal Phuket Yachet Club will close its doors on May 31. Photo: RPYC / Facebook

PHUKET: -- The Royal Phuket Yacht Club, the iconic resort that has drawn tourists to Nai Harn Beach for 28 years, will close its doors on May 31 for a major refit following a takeover by foreign investors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722902-royal-phuket-yacht-club-to-close-in-wake-of-takeover/

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Banks become more vigilant to give out loans to customers

BANGKOK, 1 May 2014 (NNT) - According to the National Credit Bureau (NCB), banks have become three times more prudent in conducting background checks on loan borrowers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722906-thai-banks-become-more-vigilant-to-give-out-loans-to-customers/

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CAPO files rebellion charges against 58 PDRC leaders

BANGKOK, 1 May 2014 (NNT) - The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has pressed charges against 58 core leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) for insurrection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722909-capo-files-rebellion-charges-against-58-pdrc-leaders/

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Former Phuket police volunteer jailed for dealing meth
Phuket Gazette - 2014-05-01 05:20 PM


Former Tourist Police Volunteer Gary Halpin was convicted of dealing a Category 1 Drug. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Long-term expat and former Tourist Police Volunteer Garry Halpin was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for overstaying his visa and dealing a Category 1 Drug to teenagers in southern Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722913-former-phuket-police-volunteer-garry-halpin-jailed-for-dealing-meth/

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Holden reverses Australia engineering closure
Reported by By Jamie Duncan

MELBOURNE: -- Holden will maintain an engineering centre in Australia after local car production ends in 2017 but says it will mainly only re-tune imported models for local conditions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722915-holden-reverses-australia-engineering-closure/

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RT@SkyNewsBreak: Kent Police says toxicology tests confirm use of heroin was "likely" to have contributed to the death of 25-year-old Peaches Geldof

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 2 May 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722996-thailand-live-friday-2-may-2014/