UTCC: Thai economy may have passed its lowest point

BANGKOK, 6 May 2014 (NNT) - The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF) of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) says the Thai economy may have passed its lowest point and will bounce back if no political violence occurs.

According to CEBF Director Thanawat Polvichai, economy-related figures and statistics compiled by the central bank and the Ministry of Finance have shown some positive signs which indicate that the Thai economy is recovering and may have bottomed out from its economic hardship.

He made known that Thailand should see its economy bounce back after the second quarter in a circumstance that the political situation does not exacerbate.

Furthermore, he said the government’s decision to revoke the Emergency Decree had regained confidence from foreign nations as more foreign tourists have been seen since the decree’s withdrawal.


-- NNT 2014-05-06

Cabinet to conclude the first car buyer policy

BANGKOK, 6 May 2014, (NNT) - The Excise Department is proposing the cabinet conclude the Government’s first-car buyer tax rebate policy within the 2015 fiscal year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724005-thai-cabinet-to-conclude-the-first-car-buyer-policy/

UPDATE:

One killed in strong earthquake in Chiang Rai
By Digital Content

CHIANG RAI, May 6 -- An elderly woman elder was killed in her collapsed home in Chiang Rai when a strong earthquake rattled this northern Thailand province Monday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/page-8?p=7780823#entry7780823

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,423.91, gains 2.43 points /MCOT

Hundreds of aftershocks hit the north following Monday major quake


Photo : Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: -- A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the northern region of Thailand on Monday, killing an 83-year-old woman when a wall collapsed on her.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/page-8?p=7780878#entry7780878

Russian escapes serious injury in drunken motorbike crash

Phuket Gazette

Police say Russian tourist Evgeniya Vinnichek, 26, was lucky to escape serious injury. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A Russian woman escaped serious injury yesterday morning when she crashed a motorbike into a power pole while not wearing a helmet and under the influence of alcohol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724009-russian-escapes-serious-injury-in-drunken-motorbike-crash/

UPDATE:

One dead, 23 injured in Thai quake: official

BANGKOK, May 6, 2014 (AFP) - An elderly woman died and 23 other people were injured after a strong earthquake shook northern Thailand, an official said Tuesday, as aftershocks continued to rattle the mountainous region popular with tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/page-8?p=7780959#entry7780959

UPDATE:

Strongest earthquake aftermath in North



BANGKOK: -- As central and local government authorities began to inspect extensive damages caused by the strongest-ever earthquake of 6.3 magnitude today in Chiang Rai and adjacent Phayao and Chiang Mai provinces, authorities at major dams said the tremor did not affect the dams.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/page-8?p=7780998#entry7780998

Phuket to host world computer programming finals next year
Wiparatana Nathalang


Computer programming has come a long way since the times of the DEC VT100 in the 1970s. Photo: Jason Scott

PHUKET: -- Phuket will become the first city in South and Southeast Asia to host the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals, with the 39th edition of the prestigious competition to be held at the Prince of Songkhla University in June, next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724017-phuket-to-host-world-computer-programming-finals-next-year/

Police face corruption probe for letting Aussie gunmen free
Phuket Gazette


Australians John Cohen (left) and Adam Shea were handed down a six-and-a-half-month suspended sentence and a 7,500-baht fine. Photo: Chaichana Keowkaew

PHUKET: -- The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) will investigate two Patong Police officers who failed to provide enough evidence to charge two Australians with attempted murder after the pair opened fire on a busy street in Patong last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724018-phuket-police-face-corruption-probe-for-letting-aussie-gunmen-free/

UPDATE:

Transport Minister assesses quake damage

CHIANG RAI, 6 May 2014 (NNT) — The Transport Minister has traveled to quake-hit Chiang Rai in order to assess the total damage the recent earthquake has caused to the northernmost region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/page-8?p=7781096#entry7781096

Caretaker transport minister Chatchart inspects Chiang Rai Airport, now operating as usual; orders earthquake-damaged Highway 118 closed for repairs /MCOT

UPDATE:

Wat Rong Khun reported to be badly damaged by quake

CHIANG RAI, 6 May 2014 (NNT) — Wat Rong Khun, one of the most beautiful modern temples in Thailand, has reportedly been badly damaged by the recent quake in Chiang Rai province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723853-strong-60-magnitude-quake-rattles-northern-thailand-usgs/page-9?p=7781211#entry7781211

Caretaker PM defends self in Constitutional Court on NSC chief's transfer; caretaker Justice Minister asks cabinet to transfer permanent secretary /MCOT

North Korea: Life in US is a 'living hell'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724026-north-korea-life-in-us-is-a-living-hell/

UPDATE:

Thai PM to face court as legal troubles intensify
by Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

BANGKOK, May 6, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's besieged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived at the nation's Constitutional Court Tuesday to face allegations of abuse of power that could see her sacked from office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723949-thai-pm-yingluck-set-to-face-court-as-legal-troubles-intensify/page-2#entry7781293

Yingluck testifies to Constitutional Court



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra testified to the Constitutional Court Tuesday to defend her transfer of the former national security chief Thawil Pliensri which the Supreme Administrative Court had earlier ruled was an unlawful transfer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723949-thai-pm-yingluck-set-to-face-court-as-legal-troubles-intensify/page-2#entry7781312

Rodman claims North Korean leader didn't execute his uncle

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724031-rodman-claims-north-korean-leader-didnt-execute-his-uncle/

Thai PM denies abuse of power in key legal challenge
by Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

BANGKOK, May 6, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's besieged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra denied an abuse of power allegation at the nation's Constitutional Court on Tuesday in a legal challenge which could see her removed from office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724033-thai-pm-yingluck-denies-abuse-of-power-in-key-legal-challenge/

Thai pavilion for 2015 World's Fair revealed (PHOTOS)
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- When the World's Fair opens in Milan next year, one can find Thailand's pavilion by looking for the giant ngob.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724034-thai-pavilion-for-2015-worlds-fair-in-milan-revealed/

Northern dams unaffected by earthquake



TAK, May 6 - Thailand's biggest concrete arch dam, the Bhumibol Dam, remains strong following Monday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake in the northern region which sparked concern among local residents over its anti-earthquake capacity, while the acting transport minister today ordered closure of a quake-damaged highway for repairs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724036-thailands-northern-dams-unaffected-by-earthquake/

Army chief orders 3rd army region commander to inspect earthquake scenes
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 6 - Thailand's Army Chief Prayut Chan-ocha today ordered the Third Army Region commander to inspect scenes in the northern province of Chiang Rai following earthquake there last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724038-thai-army-chief-orders-3rd-army-region-commander-to-inspect-earthquake-scenes/

Buriram declares 17 districts storm-disaster zones

BURIRAM, 6 May 2014 (NNT) – Seventeen districts of Buriram Province have been declared storm-disaster zones as more than 1,600 houses have so far been savaged by summer storms.

Buriram has been hit by strong winds, causing the province to announce 17 districts disaster areas. According to provincial authorities, 333 villages in 80 sub-districts have been heavily affected by summer storms. The storms have also caused damages to more than 1,620 houses, temples, schools, rubber plantations, and a number of barns.

Since a storm first hit Buriram in March, no financial assistance from the central administration has been submitted to residents. However, the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) has been using its own budget to purchase building materials and handing them out to the residents whose houses have been destroyed.

Furthermore, the Thai Red Cross and the Military District have been giving out relief packages in initial assistance.


-- NNT 2014-05-06

PDRC refrains from protests and awaits verdict for PM’s case

BANGKOK 6 May 2014 (NNT) — The PDRC have refrained from protesting today, as they are eagerly awaiting the constitutional court to rule on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s case in relation to the transferal of NSC Chief Thawil Pliensri.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724044-pdrc-refrains-from-protests-and-awaits-verdict-for-pm-yinglucks-case/

Charupong warns of chaos if cabinet is to leave the office



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said he believed the Constitutional Court would deliver its judgement today on the fate of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724045-charupong-warns-of-chaos-if-thai-cabinet-is-to-leave-the-office/

Wat Rong Khun is beyond repair



BANGKOK: -- National artist and constructor of Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple Chalermchai Kositpipat said Tuesday that the temple is now beyond repair and may be left as a monument for the world to remember its past glory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724062-thailand-eartquake-wat-rong-khun-the-white-temple-is-beyond-repair/

Thai court to rule Wednesday on PM dismissal case

BANGKOK, May 6, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's Constitutional Court said Tuesday it will rule on May 7 on whether to dismiss Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office in an abuse of power case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724033-thai-pm-yingluck-denies-abuse-of-power-in-key-legal-challenge/#entry7782049

Northern Dams Safe Despite Earthquakes: Officials

By Khaosod English

CHIANG RAI - Top officials have insisted that series of earthquake in northern Thailand have not damaged major dams in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724036-thailands-northern-dams-unaffected-by-earthquake/#entry7782075

UPDATE:

Yingluck blames Kowit in transferring Thawil



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today blamed former police chief Kowit Wattana as a person who transferred the former national security chief to inactive post while she was busy with fighting the great flooding in 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724033-thai-pm-yingluck-denies-abuse-of-power-in-key-legal-challenge/#entry7782198

EARTHQUAKE
Bhumibol Dam free from damage as work begins on repairing affected roads

BANGKOK: -- The country's biggest concrete arch dam, the Bhumibol Dam, remains strong following Monday's 6.3magnitude earthquake in the northern region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724036-thailands-northern-dams-unaffected-by-earthquake/#entry7782242