Thailand Live Wednesday 7 May 2014

[webfact]

DDPM: 8 provinces in North at risk of quake-induced landslides

BANGKOK, 7 May 2014 (NNT) – As the North is predicted to experience more aftershocks, coupled with heavy rains, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has urged eight provinces in the region to watch out for possible landslides.

DDPM Director-General Chatchai Promlert reported that thunderstorms and heavy downpours were in the forecast for many areas of the northern region during this period. He said the wet condition would soften the soil and bring about risks of landslides, especially when the region was undergoing a series of aftershocks following the 6.3-magnitude earthquake on Monday.

Based on the assessment, Mr Chatchai indicated that landslides were likely to occur in eight provinces, namely Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae and Nan. Therefore, the DDPM has instructed its office in each province to be on a lookout for such disasters.

In addition, the department is coordinating with relevant agencies to inspect the conditions of roads, reservoirs, historical sites and natural tourist attractions throughout the quake-prone region in a bid to ensure their integrity in case of more tremors. If their conditions are found to be unsafe, people will be informed to avoid being in their vicinity while repair efforts will be launched promptly.


-- NNT 2014-05-07

[webfact]

UNLAWFUL TRANSFER
PM's fate to be decided today
The Nation



Judges should order appointment of new PM: Paiboon; Pheu Thai warns of chaos

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court will today hand down a historic verdict that will have a major influence on the prolonged political impasse, as it rules on whether to dismiss caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office in an abuse-of-power case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724194-pm-yinglucks-fate-to-be-decided-today/

[webfact]

Thai Celeb To File Charges Over 'Hooker' Book
By Khaosod English



A Thai actress has pledged to file criminal charges against an American author who put her face on a book about Thailand's sex industry, allegedly without her consent.

BANGKOK — A Thai actress has pledged to file criminal charges against an American author who put her face on a book about Thailand's sex industry, allegedly without her consent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724195-thai-actress-to-file-charges-against-an-american-author-over-hooker-book/

[webfact]

Hotel cancellations reported in Chiang Rai after tremor

CHIANG RAI, 7 May 2014 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed that the recent earthquake in Chiang Rai is causing safety concerns among tourists as several hotels have been faced with room cancellations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724196-tat-hotel-cancellations-reported-in-chiang-rai-after-earthquake/

[webfact]

POLITICS
'Nothing unfair about Kittipong's transfer'
The Nation


Kittipong: Moved from Justice Ministry to advisory post.

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved the transfer of permanent secretary at the Justice Ministry, Kittipong Kittayarak, as adviser to the prime minister, citing he had completed his six-year term.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724197-nothing-unfair-about-kittipongs-transfer-thai-justice-minister/

[webfact]

EARTHQUAKE
Aftershocks continue, warning of landslides
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A 72-HOUR monitoring operation should be conducted following the tremors that rocked Chiang Rai and neighbouring provinces on Monday, and a warning has been issued of possible landslides, the Engineering Institute of Thailand under HM The King's Patronage (EIT) said at a seminar yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724198-chiang-rai-earthquake-aftershocks-continue-warning-of-landslides/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

SOUTH CRISIS
Two blasts rock Hat Yai, wounding 10 people
The Nation



HAT YAI: -- Two large bomb attacks were carried out yesterday in Hat Yai business district of Songkhla province, wounding 10 people and causing large fires and heavy property damage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724076-bomb-blasts-rock-hat-yai/page-4?p=7784494#entry7784494

[webfact]

ENVIRONMENT
Locals sue to revoke licence
The Nation

Kabin Buri residents claim officials abused authority in approving biomass power plant at conservation site

BANGKOK: -- VILLAGERS FROM Prachin Buri's Kabin Buri district yesterday filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court to revoke the licence of a biomass power plant planned by KS Marketing International in tambon Khao Mai Kaew.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724199-biomass-power-plant-kabin-buri-residents-sue-to-revoke-licence/

[webfact]

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING OFFICE
AMLO reveals huge seizures
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has seized assets worth over Bt1 billion from a group that allegedly ran a cross-border trade in illegal Siamese rosewood and pangolins.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724200-thailands-amlo-reveals-huge-seizures/

[webfact]

US officials to help Thailand improve copyright protection
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- After keeping Thailand on its Priority Watch List for intellectual-property violations for six consecutive years, the United States will soon send a team to help this country improve protection of intellectual-property rights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724201-us-officials-to-help-thailand-improve-copyright-protection/

[webfact]

INVESTMENT
Mall Group pumping Bt50 bn into six world-class shopping centres
The Nation


Supaluck

BANGKOK: -- The Mall Group is set to make Thai retail history with more than Bt50 billion worth of investment being allocated to six world-class shopping centres - The Emporium, The EmQuartier, The Emsphere, BluPort, BluPearl and Bangkok Mall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724212-mall-group-pumping-bt50-bn-into-six-world-class-shopping-centres/

[webfact]

STOPPAGE TIME
Abhisit, you can be bolder than this
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- "Reform" is the same as trying to straighten out the tangled-up wires of your earphones. In other words, relax and then see how one simple move can do the trick.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724213-abhisit-you-can-be-bolder-than-this-thai-opinion/

[webfact]

Capo warns charter court not to overstep its authority



BANGKOK: -- The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) on Tuesday warned the Constitutional Court not to overstep its authority in its delivering of a ruling against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet otherwise there may be chaos.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724214-capo-warns-charter-court-not-to-overstep-its-authority/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Short-term gains not worth the long-term losses
Pravit Rojanaphruk

It is understandable that many people are literally obsessed about what will be the next political twist and turn.

BANGKOK: -- They are concerned about whether caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the Cabinet will today be removed by the Constitutional Court, whether there will an election, and what will happen to Thailand if there is yet another military coup following any further bloody confrontation between political supporters from both sides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724215-thai-politics-short-term-gains-not-worth-the-long-term-losses/

[webfact]

Thai authorities arrest five Chinese over fraud charges
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Five Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly defrauding people in China of some Bt410 million in three separate cases, before fleeing to lie low in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724216-thai-authorities-arrest-five-chinese-over-fraud-charges/

[webfact]

Customs' rich haul of cars, gold, drugs
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Customs Department has seized luxury cars, gold bars worth Bt6.5 million and date-rape drugs worth Bt42 million in separate raids.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724218-thai-customs-rich-haul-of-cars-gold-drugs/

[webfact]

Lightning in Rayong kills three, injures one
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three men were killed and one seriously injured after they were allegedly hit by lightening while sheltering from rain in a rice field shack in Rayong's Ban Khai district yesterday afternoon. They were reportedly using cellphones at the time of the incident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724219-lightening-in-rayong-kills-three-injures-one/

[webfact]

7 Chiang Rai districts named disaster zones
The Nation



Earthquake kills an 83yearold, injures 23 residents; three provinces hit hard

BANGKOK: -- THREE PROVINCES in the North are still struggling with the impact of Thailand's strongest earthquake in decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724220-7-chiang-rai-districts-named-disaster-zones/

[webfact]

Monica Lewinsky opens up on Bill Clinton affair

NEW YORK: -- MONICA Lewinsky has penned a new tell-all about her affair with President Bill Clinton in which she describes how his powerful political machine ruthlessly made her a “scapegoat” to save his presidency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724223-monica-lewinsky-opens-up-on-bill-clinton-affair/

[webfact]

US experts join hunt for abducted Nigerian schoolgirls

(BBC) A team of US experts has been sent to Nigeria to help find more than 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724225-us-experts-join-hunt-for-abducted-nigerian-schoolgirls/

[webfact]

Strong aftershocks still rattle Chiang Rai after Monday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake /MCOT

Suthep leading PDRC procession at 10am from Sathupradit intersection, to Chan Road, Narathiwat, and Silom before returning to Lumpini Park /MCOT

[webfact]

NACC may make decision on Yingluck's indictment Wednesday

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724252-nacc-may-make-decision-on-yinglucks-indictment-wednesday/

[webfact]

Supreme commander denies rumor of him backing Abhisit

BANGKOK, 7 May 2014 (NNT) – Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Forces General Thanasak Patimaprakorn has denied rumors that he is supporting the political reform road map proposed by the Democrat Party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724254-supreme-commander-general-thanasak-denies-rumor-of-him-backing-abhisit/

[webfact]

Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 7 May 2014

The high pressure over upper Thailand and the South China Sea leads to summer thunderstorm, as well as gust and isolated hail, likely especially in the North. People should beware of the severe weather.

This high pressure over upper Thailand and the South China will weaken by tomorrow. During 8-10 May, decreasing rain and rising in temperature is expected over the country.

Weather forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Wednesday to 6.00 a.m. Thursday.

Northern Thailand -Hot during the day. Scattered thundershowers with gust and isolated hail mostly in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun. Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-37 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand -Scattered thundershowers with isolated gust mostly in Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani. Minimum temperature 22-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand -Hot during the day. Scattered thundershowers with isolated gust mostly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri and Phra Nakhon Si Ayuttaya. Minimum temperature 23-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 36-37 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand -Very cloudy. Scattered thundershowers with isolated gust mostly in Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 24-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-36 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand East Coast -Cloudy and scattered thundershowers mostly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung. Minimum temperature 25-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand West Coast -Very cloudy and scattered thundershowers mostly in Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket and Krabi. Minimum temperature 24-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Variable winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity -Very cloudy and 60% chance of thundershowers. Minimum temperature 26-27 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-05-07

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,391.51, falls 12.50 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Bus passengers told to wear seat belts



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Land Transport warns bus passengers to wear seat belts beginning May 11 or else they could face a fine of 5,000 baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724262-thailand-bus-passengers-told-to-wear-seat-belts-or-face-a-fine-of-5000-baht/

[webfact]

High-rise buildings in Bangkok advised to check structures



BANGKOK: -- High-rise buildings in Bangkok constructed before 2007 are advised to have their structures inspected after Monday's 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Chiang Rai were also felt in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724263-high-rise-buildings-in-bangkok-advised-to-check-structures-chiang-rai-earthquake/

[webfact]

Jatuporn told red shirts not to rally today at Constitutional Court



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt followers were told not to rally in front of the Constitutional Court today but to join a mass rally planned for this coming Saturday at Aksa or Utthayarn road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724264-jatuporn-tells-red-shirts-not-to-rally-may-7-at-constitutional-court/

[webfact]

Students thank all for stopping U-Net tests

BANGKOK, 7 May 2014, (NNT) - A representatives of the university student against the U-Net examination group has expressed his gratitude to all who support the group’s course by voting on its online petition site.

According to Mr. Suvijak Techatatsakul, the representative, the group’s movement has attracted more than 60,000 of supporters; he thanked the supporters for their votes, which have convinced the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NEITS) to drop the test.

He urged the NEITS to take the event as a lesson, advising the institute to conduct thorough researches and surveys to avoid imposing such an unnecessary examination on students in the future.

Mr. Suvijak, a Thammasat University Art Student, said that the proposed tests have already put on a certain degree of stress on students, adding that tying test results to employment prospect would further place them in an even more stressful situation. Thousands of people have shared the views that NEITS’s other tests such as O-Net, A-Net,GAT/PAT do not offer any constructive results, given the tests’ designs limit the thoughts and imagination of exam sitters.


-- NNT 2014-05-07

[webfact]

Narathiwat authorities beef up security measures ahead of new school term

BANGKOK, 7 May 2014 (NNT) – Security agencies have gathered in Narathiwat Province to draw up security plans for the students and the teachers ahead of the new school term.

As the new school term is approaching, Mr. Supanat Sirathawenethi, the deputy governor of Narathiwat Province, has convened a meeting with 3 national security-related agencies to draw up safety measures for schools in 13 districts of the province.

Authorities have been asked to re-evaluate their past work in order for them to be more cautious and avoid repeating the same mistakes. The deputy governor has firmly assured that every school in Narathiwat will be guarded by officers who serve to protect lives as well as the nation.

Most of the schools in Narathiwat will be opened on May 18th.


-- NNT 2014-05-07