Thailand Live Monday 5 May 2014

webfact · May 5, 2014

Bomb attack near Ratchadamnoen injures one person

BANGKOK, 5 May 2014 (NNT) - A ping pong bomb attack injured a woman near Ratchadamnoen boxing stadium last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723743-bomb-attack-near-bangkoks-ratchadamnoen-boxing-stadium-injures-one-person/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Agriculture Min to release 200,000 tons of stockpiled rubber

SAMUT PRAKAN, 5 May 2004 (NNT) – The Agriculture Ministry is keen on releasing 200,000 tons of rubber in stock in order to prevent an oversupply as the new rubber tapping season is approaching.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Yukol Limlaemthong, the ministry is set to unload huge stocks of rubber products, adding that it is better that the rubber in stock be released now than later this month when farmers start tapping rubber again.

Even though rubber prices in the world market have been declining, the country needs to sell the product now in a bid to prevent rubber oversupply, Yukol admitted.

Another reason that the stockpiled rubber should be distributed now is that its quality, which deteriorates over time, will reduce its value, according to the minister.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Excise Department: World Cup to generate 1 billion baht of revenue

BANGKOK, 5 May 2014, (NNT) - The Excise Department has predicted that the upcoming World Cup, to be held during June 12th - July 13th, would boost public spending on alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as cigarettes, enabling the department to collect at least an additional 1 billion baht in revenues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723746-thai-excise-dept-world-cup-to-generate-1-billion-baht-of-revenue/

webfact · May 5, 2014

NYC police officer arrested for spraying anti-Semitic slogans on cars and buildings

NEW YORK: -- A former New York City police officer was arrested on charges he spray-painted anti-Semitic profanities on cars and buildings in a mostly Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood - including the front doors of a religious elementary school.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723748-former-nypd-cop-arrested-for-anti-semitic-graffiti/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Thawanat: Political outcome difficult to predict

BANGKOK, 5 May 2014 (NNT) - The Director of the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF) of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has shared his outlook regarding the Thai economy and the current political situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723751-thai-chamber-of-commerce-political-outcome-difficult-to-predict/

webfact · May 5, 2014

UPDATE:

WHO high alert for MERS worries Thai health officials

BANGKOK: -- Thai health officials are now concerned about the rising cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) globally as the World Health Organization (WHO) urged all member countries to remain on high alert for the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723731-thailand-deeply-concerned-over-rising-number-of-mers-cases-worldwide/#entry7777034

webfact · May 5, 2014

Phuket:
Another public holiday on May 13
The Phuket News

The birth of the Buddha, depicted on the walls of a wat in Laos.

PHUKET: Tuesday, May 13, is Visakha Bucha Day, a public holiday. Because it is a holy day, shops, bars and restaurants are barred from selling alcohol for 24 hours from midnight on Monday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723754-thailand-public-holiday-on-may-13-shops-bars-restaurants-barred-from-selling-alcohol/

webfact · May 5, 2014

British Lords call for speeding fracking

LONDON: -- Britain’s fracking industry is being held back by environmental regulations drawn up in Brussels, a senior committee of the UK House of Lords plans to say this week, NYT reports. In a major report, the Lords are expected to call for permits to be granted more quickly to drilling companies to allow them to test the potential of newly drilled shale gas wells.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723757-british-lords-call-for-speeding-fracking/

webfact · May 5, 2014

PDRC to head to Sanam Luang

BANGKOK 5 May 2014 (NNT) — The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has made known that the group will be moving to Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace to celebrate Coronation Day.

Donning yellow shirts to honor His Majesty the King on Coronation Day, the PDRC protesters today are moving to Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace in the afternoon in order to honor and commemorate the auspicious occasion of Coronation Day.

Buddha Issara, on the other hand, stated that he would lead a group of monks for a round of alms giving to let local participants take part in making merit in the name of His Majesty the King.

Security in the area remains tight, and officials are staying vigilant in order to prevent any violence erupting during the auspicious occasion.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

OAE says political stalemate is affecting the export sector

BANGKOK 5 May 2014 (NNT) — The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has stated that while the current drought is resulting in less agricultural output, the political situation is in fact more worrisome.

Bhumsak Rasri, the Director General of the OAE, reports that the drought situation is lowering agricultural production in the country — especially that of rice and para rubber.

However, he went on to say that the reason for the decrease in exports is due not so much to the drought in the country, but rather the ongoing political conflict, now seemingly prolonged to an indefinite date.

This, said Mr. Bhumsak, has the adverse effect of lowering consumer confidence in the foreign sector. In other words, foreign companies are decreasing their orders as they are unsure whether or not Thailand will be able to deliver their ordered goods on time, due to the political conflicts within the Kingdom.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Royal lineage families and courtiers pay respects to His Majesty the King

BANGKOK 5 May 2014 (NNT) — Families of royal lineage along with royal courtiers are paying their respects to His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of the Coronation Day celebrations.

Top government officials along with families of royal lineage are honoring His Majesty the King at Klai Kangwon Palace, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

M.L. Walvipha Jaroonrod, stated that despite the hot weather, she was proud to wear her full uniform and to be paying respects to His Majesty the King; and that she was elated to see the King in good health.

M.R. Supinda Chakapan recounted her visits with her father to see the King and stated that there is no other king in the world that has devoted his life to working so hard for his country, as has the King of Thailand — adding that Thailand is indeed fortunate to have such a great king.

A Royal Assistant Secretary, Khun Chantanee Thanarak, told the story of how His Majesty was never a wasteful person in that he would use both sides of a piece of paper and even reuse envelopes. She said that she felt lucky and safe when thinking about His Majesty the King.

May 5th of each year marks the celebration of Coronation Day in Thailand when Thais commemorate the accession of His Majesty the King to the throne.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

King makes public appearance on Coronation Day
By Digital Content

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, May 5--- His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has appeared and presided over a ceremony to mark the 64th anniversary of his coronation at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin.

At about 10.15am, the world-longest reigning monarch along with members of the royal family left Piemsuk Palace for Rajpracha Samakhom Pavilion via Phetchkasem Road to attend the ceremony on this auspicious occasion. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit however did not accompany the King to the royal occasion.

As the royal motorcade were passing by, huge crowds of well-wishers, most donning yellow shirts in honour of the monarch, were delighted to catch a glimpse of the revered King, waving national and royal flags and repeatedly chanting “Love Live the King.”

Upon arrival at Rajpracha Samakhom Pavilion at about 10.25am, the King and royal family members performed religious rites and a merit-making ceremony. The monarch however did not deliver an address to the public.

At the event, a 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the King.

After the ceremony at 11.05am, His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn left the pavilion and returned toPiemsuk Palace.

His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned on May 5, 1950--- four years after he actually assumed the throne in 1946. The coronation ceremony was performed at the Grand Palace in accordance with ancient royal traditions.

At the ceremony, His Majesty uttered the traditional proclamation: “We shall reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.”

His activities and engagements throughout more than 60 years of his reign have abundantly confirmed this historic oath.

To celebrate Coronation Day and express their love and respect for the monarch, Thais from all walks of life across the country are performing religious ceremonies and conducting other relevant activities at designated venues. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Visa crackdown risks stranding Phuket expats in Myanmar
Phuket Gazette

Ranong Immigration warns that any foreigner who exits Thailand after using three consecutive visa exemption entries must get a proper visa. Photo: Chris Husted

PHUKET: -- Officials at Ranong Immigration today confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that they are turning away any foreigners attempting to enter Thailand after using three consecutive “walk-in” visas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723785-visa-crackdown-risks-stranding-phuket-expats-in-myanmar/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Drift Racer Champion Shot Dead in Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723786-drift-racer-champion-shot-dead-in-pattaya/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Wanted Phuket woman arrested for stealing 52 cars
Phuket Gazette

Lt Col Sommai photographs Ms Sukanya after her arrest. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A woman wanted for car theft since 2012, with outstanding arrest warrants in every district of Phuket, was arrested yesterday in Cherng Talay after being recognized by police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723787-wanted-phuket-woman-arrested-for-stealing-52-cars/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Niets cancels U-Net launch

BANGKOK, 5 May 2014 (NNT) - The National Institute of Education Testing Service (Niets) has announced its decision to cancel the launch of the controversial University National Educational Test (U-Net).

The Niets board unanimously agreed to call off the initiative and postponed the organization of the exams this year and next.

The Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) and other agencies had earlier criticized the graduate examination. Student networks from 27 state universities had also declared their opposition to the U-Net exam, saying it places more burden on already-overloaded students.

Niets is now to develop a new assessment system for graduates and says an opinion survey will be conducted prior to its launch.

The agency added that a new system will be designed to evaluate graduates at bachelor, master and doctorate levels, stressing that these exams can be taken on a voluntary basis.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Ayutthaya garbage dump fire completely put out

AYUTTHAYA, 5 May 2014 (NNT) – A massive fire at a 30-rai garbage dump in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, which broke out on Sunday has been completely extinguished.

The fire was reported on Sunday afternoon after it has ravaged a 7-meter high trash pile. Up to 20 fire trucks have been deployed to put out the blaze.

Provincial Governor Witthaya Piewpong confirmed that by noon on Monday (April 5th), the fire has been brought under control. The province is planning to hold a seminar for firefighters on how to effectively extinguish fires at garbage dumps.

Moats will also be constructed around 20 landfills in the province in a bid to prevent more fires from breaking out.

Mr. Wittaya added that any members of the public found to be starting a fire near trash pits will face legal action or immediate arrest.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Drought wreaks havoc at Bang Rakam District, Phitsanulok Province

PHITSANULOK, 5 May 2014 (NNT) - Phitsanulok Province’s Bang Rakam District has been severely hit by drought, causing the water levels at many canals to drop rapidly.

Several canals around the area have become bone dry, as they are quickly running out of water. In a one-week time span, these canals are expected to completely dry up with no water remaining at all.

Nonetheless, the locals have taken advantage of this opportunity by catching a number of freshwater fish that are trapped as the water levels start to deteriorate. Following their efforts, they have managed to catch at least 100 kilograms of fish, with each kilogram selling at 2,000 baht.

Considerations are being made on whether release water from the Sirikit Dam in order to assist locals and villagers who are distressed from the drought.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Radiation Levels in Fukushima Forests Drop 50% – Report

TOKYO, May 5 (RIA Novosti) – Levels of radioactive contamination in forests surrounding Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant have dropped by half over the last two years, the NHK channel reported Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723800-radiation-levels-in-fukushima-forests-drop-50-report/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Celebrities boycott Brunei-owned hotels over sharia law

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Celebrities including Virgin group founder Richard Branson have vowed to boycott a hotel chain linked to Brunei's sultan after he introduced a controversial Islamic penal code in his country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723801-celebrities-boycott-brunei-owned-hotels-over-sharia-law/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Palestine's jailed smuggle sperm out of Israeli prisons to get wives pregnant

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723805-palestines-jailed-smuggle-sperm-out-of-israeli-prisons-to-get-wives-pregnant/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Suthep leads march of tens of thousands supporters to Sanam Luang

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban led a large crowd of yellow-shirted supporters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee in a procession march to Sanam Luang to express their well wishes and to vow loyalty to His Majesty the King on the occasion of Coronation Day today.

The procession which comprises a convoy of cars and trucks and loudspeakers-equipped truck started from the Lumpini park toward Hualampong railway station into Yalwaraj road toward Sam Yod intersection to Saranrom palace, through the Defence Ministry and into Sanam Luang. The entire distance is 6.5 kilometre.

Besides paying respect to HM the King and taking a vow of allegiance to the Monarchy, the rally today is a test of strength of the PDRC in preparation for May 14 D-Day to put pressure for the ouster of the government.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/suthep-leads-march-tens-thousands-supporters-sanam-luang/

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Pheu Thai Party: PM's resignation against Constitution

BANGKOK, 5 May 2014 (NNT) - Executives of the Government-led Pheu Thai Party say Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra cannot resign since her resignation will breach the Constitution and point out that the Democrat Party Leader’s political reform road map is against the charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723811-pheu-thai-party-pms-resignation-against-constitution/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Parents in Buri Ram feel distressed about rising costs of consumer products

BURIRAM, 5 May 2014 (NNT) - Economic woes resulting from the rice-pledging scheme have caused the sales of student uniforms in Buriram Province to decline more than 20 percent.

Meanwhile, many business operators in the province admitted that their sales have been reduced by 20 percent this year compared to last year, while a number of parents have felt distressed about the rising costs of consumer products.

Parents in Buriram Province have taken their children to buy school supplies and uniforms as the new school semester would open in a week or two. However, most of them have chosen to purchase uniforms that are priced no higher than 300 baht since they are trying to save on costs.

Most of them openly admit that they’ve been affected from the soaring prices of consumer goods. A number of these parents are also farmers who haven’t received their payment from the government’s rice-pledging scheme. Therefore, they have requested the government to regulate price controls on consumer products to help alleviate their financial burden so that they could deal with the rapidly increasing cost of living.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

EGAT: Two additional power plants will add 1,550 megawatts of power to the grid

BANGKOK 5 May 2014 (NNT) — Another two power plants will be added to the grid system in order to secure the stability of the country’s electricity demand and to serve the forthcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), according to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

Ayuuthaya’s Wang Noi power plant, which produces 768 megawatts of capacity, and Songkhla’s Chana power plant with 782 megawatts, are scheduled to connect with EGAT’s grid later this year.

EGAT Governor Sunchai Khamnunsaret said Thailand's total power generating capacity is 33,680 megawatts, of which 15,000 megawatts is generated by EGAT. The remaining 18,670 megawatts are derived from private power plants and neighboring countries.

Moreover, EGAT continues to develop the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) which is a major project to jointly serve the energy needs of the AEC, as well as to appropriate energy to maintain the stability of the country’s electricity system.

-- NNT 2014-05-05

webfact · May 5, 2014

Phuket park chief, citing 'constant threats' from encroachers, is granted transfer
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Cheewapap Cheewatam, the chief of Sirinart Marine National Park since August 2012, has been granted a transfer, at his own request, to the Royal Forestry Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723822-phuket-park-chief-citing-constant-threats-from-encroachers-is-granted-transfer/

webfact · May 5, 2014

Strong 6.0-magnitude quake rattles northern Thailand: USGS

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/

Lite Beer · May 5, 2014

Strong earthquake shakes northern Thailand

CHIANG RAI: A strong and shallow earthquake rattled northern Thailand this evening (May 5), shaking tall buildings in Bangkok hundreds of miles to the south, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

A road severely cracked by the quake.

The 6.0-Richter-magnitude quake, at a depth of just 7.4 kilometres struck just after 6 pm (1100 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/page-4?p=7779303#entry7779303

Lite Beer · May 5, 2014

Strongest ever quake strikes Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: -- A 6.1 magnitude quake struck Chiang Rai province at 6.08 p.m. Monday night, causing extensive damage to properties in the northern provinces.