Thailand Live Friday 2 May 2014

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Upper House reconvenes today

BANGKOK, 2 Friday 2014 (NNT) -- The Upper House has reconvened its extraordinary session on Friday with several major issues on the agenda, including royal approvals to appointments of key members in independent public agencies.

The Senate Secretariat announced Thursday that His Majesty the King had given approval to the Royal Decree convening an extraordinary parliament session.

It is the first parliamentary session for the new senators who were elected on March 30, 2014. The new senators will today be sworn-in before assuming their duties in compliance with Article 123 of the Constitution.

The meeting will acknowledge royal commands appointing replacements to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Ombudsman and the Election Commission.


-- NNT 2014-05-02

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Phuket drug dealer identified by hair loss, arrested
Phuket Gazette


Karim Kongsamut, 50, was arrested Monday evening in Rawai. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- Police arrested a drug dealer in Rawai on Monday with more than 1,500 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 57 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723060-phuket-drug-dealer-identified-by-hair-loss-arrested/

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UPDATE:

Redshirts foil charity concert for children in Sakhon Nakhon

BANGKOK: -- A charity concert organised to raise funds to support education for disadvantaged children was foiled by some 300 angry redshirt supporters of the government just because they claimed the band played at the anti-government rally in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723011-red-shirts-force-cancellation-of-a-charity-concert/page-3?p=7765120#entry7765120

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Former Phuket art teacher, turned alcoholic, found dead at public park
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A former art teacher at Phuket Rajabhat University was found dead near the new indoor sports stadium in Saphan Hin yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723062-former-phuket-art-teacher-turned-alcoholic-found-dead-at-public-park/

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Commerce Min asserts no rice missing from warehouses

BANGKOK, 2 May 2014 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has confirmed that no rice pledged under the subsidy program has gone missing from the warehouses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723064-thai-commerce-min-asserts-no-rice-missing-from-warehouses/

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Air Force chief urges Democrat Party to partake in upcoming election



BANGKOK, 2 May 2014 (NNT) – Air Force Commander-in-Chief Prajin Juntong urged the Democrat Party on Thursday to partake in the upcoming general election, and expressed support for Abhisit Vejjajiva's attempt to find a solution to the current political situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723065-thai-air-force-chief-urges-democrat-party-to-partake-in-upcoming-election/

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Grenade hung on front gate of former Democrat MP’s home compound



BANGKOK: -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) police last night safely detonated a hand grenade hanged at the front gate of a house whose owner is a relative of a former MP of the Democrat party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723092-grenade-hung-on-front-gate-of-former-democrat-mps-home-compound/

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Abhisit insists he has no hidden agenda



BANGKOK: -- Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted today that he had no hidden agenda or wanted to set a pre-condition when he declared his intention to take a break from politics if he proposed political roadmap to break the political impasse is accepted by all political stakeholders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723093-abhisit-insists-he-has-no-hidden-agenda/

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IMMIGRATION
Thais refused entry to Germany because of scam, says Thai embassy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Embassy in Belgium has given a different version of the incident in which 14 Thais were denied entry to Frankfurt after their TG flight bound for Bangkok was delayed due to technical problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723094-thais-refused-entry-to-germany-because-of-scam-says-thai-embassy/

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Phuket expat appeals for return of B1.4m-watch stolen in burglary
Claire Connell


The stolen watch.

PHUKET: -- Phuket resident Johan Hultner is on the hunt for his prized B1.4m Hublot pink gold watch after it was stolen when his rented villa was robbed on April 22 – and he’s offered a B100k reward for its safe return.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723098-phuket-expat-appeals-for-return-of-bt14m-watch-stolen-in-burglary/

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Briton Denies Robbing Koh Samui Store
By Khaosod English



SURAT THANI - The police say they have arrested a Briton who allegedly took off with nearly 179,000 baht from an armed robbery at a convenience store on Koh Samui last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723108-briton-denies-robbing-koh-samui-store/

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Democrats to boycott July 20 poll again if Abhisit's proposal rejected
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party spokesman Chavanon Intharakomalsut said Friday that the Democrats would once again boycott the July 20 general election again if party leader Abisit Vejjajiva's reconciliation proposal is rejected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723115-democrats-to-boycott-july-20-poll-again-if-abhisits-proposal-rejected/

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Two trains derail on May Day

BANGKOK: -- Two trains, one in Chiang Mai and another in Nakhon Ratchasima derailed yesterday but caused no injury.
The first incident happened at Chiang Mai railway station while the Nakornping- Bangkok express train was about to depart for Bangkok at about 10.45 a.m.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723114-two-trains-derail-on-may-day-thailand/?p=7765985

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DOAE to request budget for dealing with unfair vendors selling unripe durians

BANGKOK, 02 May 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) will request a 1.7 million baht budget from the Farmers Assistance and Policy Committee for use in the setting up of checkpoints to intercept delivery of young durians from markets in Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat Provinces.

Mr. Olan Pitak, the DOAE Director-General, said the budget request was planned during Thursday’s meeting of the Fruit Board, adding the move aims at ensuring the public that durians being sold in the market are of decent quality.

He urged fruit traders to refrain from selling unripe durians, citing a recent court case imprisoning a durian vendor for selling unripe fruits. The Fruit Board also agreed to set aside 25 million baht for ads and distribution expenses as part of the measures to address the issue of low lychee prices in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, and Nan. The 4 major lychee producing provinces need to spread nearly 10,000 tons of the fruit throughout the nation by the middle of this month when lychee output reaches its peak.

The Fruit Board expected that 59,000 tons of decent quality lychee would be available in the local market this year.

-- NNT 2014-05-02

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USTR still keeps close watch on movie copyright infringement practices in Thailand

BANGKOK, 02 May 2014, (NNT) - Thailand remains on the Priority Watch List (PWL) category under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act despite the kingdom’s increased effort in eradicating copyright violation, says the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723116-ustr-still-keeps-close-watch-on-movie-copyright-infringement-practices-in-thailand/

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CAPO invites election agency to meet May 8 to prepare for election, warns state enterprises supporting PDRC is illegal /MCOT

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EC prepares for elections

BANGKOK 2 May 2014 (NNT) —The EC is prepared to hold the next general election, with applications for Lower House members being set for 25 May - 4 June.

According to the Election Commission (EC), it is preparing to hold the next general election, slated for July 20, 2014. Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn stated that applications for constituency-based MPs will be accepted from May 25 - 30, and May 31 - June 4 for district MPs.

Eligible voters will be able to exercise their early voting rights on July 6. As for those who are not in the Kingdom, they can do so between June 28 and July 11.

In addition, those who can not cast their votes in their original constituencies may do so outside of their own district provided that they inform the poll body before June 19. Those who wish to participate in the early election within their districts may do so from June 30 to July 4.


-- NNT 2014-05-02

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Fresh produce prices skyrocket, inflation reaches new high

BANGKOK, 2 May 2014 (NNT) – A Commercial Counselor, Ms Amphawan Phichalai revealed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in April peaked at 107.47 points, which was a 2.45 percent increase from the same period last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723124-fresh-produce-prices-skyrocket-inflation-reaches-new-high/

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No more dummy surveillance cameras in capital



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) assured Friday that by end of this year people in the capital will be safeguarded by 47,000 surveillance cameras that are functional and no more dummy cameras will be seen on the streets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723126-bma-no-more-dummy-surveillance-cameras-in-bangkok-100000-baht-reward-if/

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Around 170 people were injured when two subway trains collided in the South Korean capital on Friday according to police and firefighters present at the scene. /Bangkok Post

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July Election Goes Ahead Even If Yingluck Is Ousted: EC
By Khaosod English

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra shops for goods at a stall near the Office of Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, 1 May 2014.

BANGKOK - The general election on 20 July will still go ahead even if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is removed by the court, an Election Commissioner confirms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723128-july-election-goes-ahead-even-if-yingluck-is-ousted-ec/

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POLITICS
CAPO calls meeting with EC to prepare for election

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723128-july-election-goes-ahead-even-if-yingluck-is-ousted-ec/#entry7766315

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Out-of-control Phuket truck in deadly crash
Eakkapop Thongtub


The pickup truck rammed the six-wheeler from behind and went under it. Amazingly, the driver survived.

PHUKET: -- Two people died just before noon today (May 2) when the silver Honda Jazz they were in was hit by a six-wheel truck, coming in the opposite direction, whose driver lost control after heavy rain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723130-out-of-control-phuket-truck-in-deadly-crash/

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DDPM declares 44 provinces as drought disaster zones

BANGKOK, 2 May 2014 (NNT) – The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) declared that 44 provinces across Thailand are now drought disaster zones.

The ongoing drought crisis has hit the North the hardest, with 13 provinces seeking emergency funds from local administration. A total of 312 districts in 44 provinces have been severely affected by water shortages.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the DDPM to coordinate with affected provinces to carry out water management plans and designate water zoning areas.

Locals have been urged to use water supplies wisely and to reserve some for consumption. The department also reiterated that farmers grow crops that are resistance to drought and refrain from double crop farming activities or off-season rice harvesting.

Meanwhile, the DDPM warned the north, northeast, central, and eastern regions of impending summer storms during May 3-7.

Monsoon winds from the South China Sea are set to generate heavy rains, gusty winds, and hailstorms in 53 provinces across Thailand during the period. Residents are advised to closely follow weather updates for more information.


-- NNT 2014-05-02

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SET index closed 1,421.48, up 6.54; Bt/USD32.27; GBP54.36; AUD29.76; EUR44.59; CAD29.30; HKD4.15; SGD25.62; JPY31.39

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Political turmoil erodes SME confidence in Thailand

BANGKOK, 2 May 2014 (NNT) – According to TMB Analytics, Thailand’s SME confidence index in the first quarter of this year has dropped to a new low due to the ongoing political crisis.

TMB Analytics said that the index plummeted to 37.6 points, down from 40.9 points in the previous quarter, which is the lowest figure since 2012.

The confidence index inclusive of trade and service sectors for the next three months is projected to decrease to 51.1 from 58.4, as the outlook for the economy continues to be bleak.

The confidence level of SMEs in Bangkok and its vicinity are the lowest on the list, as most business operators have been directly affected by the ongoing turmoil. Meanwhile, SME operators in the South are also have low confidence levels, as the price of rubber is on the decline.

Two factors that contribute to the low SME confidence is the country’s political unrest, followed by economic growth. Nonetheless, some SME operators have become gradually less concerned over the country’s politics.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) earlier warned that at least 100,000 SMEs will be forced to shut down if the ongoing political turmoil prolongs until the end of this year.


-- NNT 2014-05-02

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Nuttawut challenges Suthep to compare number of demonstrators on May 14

BANGKOK: -- Nuttawut Saikuar, the secretary general of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, Friday challenged Suthep Thaugsuban, the secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, to compare the number of demonstrators of their May 14 mass rallies.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723145-nuttawut-challenges-suthep-to-compare-number-of-demonstrators-on-may-14/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 03 May 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723226-thailand-live-saturday-03-may-2014/