Thailand Live Monday 12 May 2014

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Holy relics of newly canonized saints sent to give blessing to TM the King and Queen

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 12 May 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on May 11 granted an audience to Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Bangkok Meechai Kitboonchu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, at Klai Kangwon Palace, in Hua Hin District.

The papal representatives were assigned by the Holy See to bring to Their Majesties the King and Queen the sacred relics of Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II, in order to pray for a stronger health of the royal couple.

Both Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II were canonized on April 27, 2014. For Saint John XXIII, the relic of him is a small piece of skin, enclosed under glass at the heart of a silver and gold-plated reliquary. Saint John Paul II’s relic is a vial of his blood, set in a similar reliquary. Pope John XXIII served as pontiff from 1958 to 1963 during which he took a key role in modernizing the Church and creating unity among Catholic people. The Pope received Their Majesties the King and Queen at the Vatican City on October 1, 1960 when Their Majesties were on a European tour.

Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978 and reigned as pontiff for almost 27 years. He visited more than 100 countries during his tenure including Thailand. Their Majesties the King and Queen received the Pope on May 10, 1984 at the Chakri Throne Hall in Bangkok, during which His Majesty discussed centuries-old relationship between the Vatican and Thailand, as well as the expansion of Christianity in this country.


-- NNT 2014-05-12

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UPDATE:

ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN
PDRC shuts Lumpini rally site, heads for final battle
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO,
NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG
THE NATION


PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban makes a speech at the rally site of the Students and People Network for Thailand
Suthep to set up 'office' in Government House compound

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will today end its rally at Lumpini Park and move all rally sites to Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725276-pdrc-to-move-its-protest-venue-to-ratchadamnoen-on-monday/page-4?p=7808693#entry7808693

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TOURISM
Pattaya to extend beach in bid to lure tourists
SUPHAKORN AKKHARANANT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The beach at Pattaya in Chon Buri province is to be widened to about 35 metres to prevent erosion and boost income from tourists visiting the seaside resort town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725408-pattaya-to-extend-beach-in-bid-to-lure-tourists/

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ASEAN SUMMIT
Leaders urge 'peaceful solution' in Thailand
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation, Nay Pyi Taw May



ASEAN CHIEFS back hun sen call for statement despite some hesitation

BANGKOK: -- Asean yesterday adopted a recommendation by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that the grouping - which has had a policy of non-interference in other members' affairs - issue a statement on Thailand's ongoing political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725409-asean-summit-leaders-urge-peaceful-solution-in-thailand/

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POLITICS
We can't pick a new PM, senior judge says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A call by Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban for the Senate Speaker to consult with the Supreme Court, the Supreme Administrative Court, Constitutional Court and Election Commission to nominate a neutral PM received a cool reception yesterday with a senior judge saying no charter provision empowered judges to do that.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725410-we-cant-pick-a-new-pm-senior-thai-judge-says/

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TREMOR
Varsity to build quake centre
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MAE FA LUANG University in Chiang Rai will next year start constructing a Bt41-million earthquake monitoring centre covering the North of Thailand and other countries in the upper Mekong region.

When the complex is completed in four years, it would work with government agencies such as the Meteorological Department and Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, Assoc Prof Charlie Navanugraha, director of the university's Institute for the Study of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, said yesterday.

The centre would share a database and serve as a reference library for quake-related knowledge. It would maintain a training facility for evacuation and safety drills.

There was no such service or facility in the North, even though the region was home to eight of all 14 active fault lines in the country.

The centre would also issue early warnings for other natural disasters such as flash floods, landslides and mudslides while assisting in predicting the direction of frequent smog or helping out firemen with jungle blazes.

The National Disaster Warning Centre yesterday ended its observation of aftershocks but cautioned residents of Chiang Rai, especially those living near the epicentre to stay on guard for seven to 10 more days.


-- The Nation 2014-05-12

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CHAMBERS
Chambers anxious
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Rolf-Dieter Daniel, president of European Asean Business Centre.

BANGKOK: -- Foreign chambers and business associations are afraid that a failure to form a fully-functioning government by the end of the year will lead to missed opportunities and a drought of new investment, but most still believe in the country's potential.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725411-foreign-chambers-anxious-thailand/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand as a regional haven for human trafficking
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Throughout the past five months, a total of 426 asylum-seekers from Central Asia landed in various parts of Thailand. These new arrivals were unusual and different from the Rohingya arriving in boats from the Andaman Sea, a pattern set over the past few years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725412-thailand-as-a-regional-haven-for-human-trafficking/

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UDD threatens court presidents with sedition charges



BANGKOK: -- The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has threatened to file sedition charges against the presidents of the Supreme Court, Supreme Administrative Court, Constitutional Court and the Election Commission if they meet to discuss the nomination of an interim prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725413-udd-threatens-court-presidents-with-sedition-charges/

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Russian denied entry at Phuket International Airport over 'visa' crackdown
Phuket Gazette


Mariia Sgibneva, 26, hoped the sharing her story might raise awareness and prevent others from unexpectedly being denied entry into Thailand. Photo: Mariia Sgibneva / Facbook

PHUKET: -- A Russian national was denied entry into Thailand by Phuket International Airport Immigration officers on April 21 and detained until she could be deported the next morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725414-russian-denied-entry-at-phuket-international-airport-over-visa-crackdown/

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Chinese envoy urges reconciliation to resolve political stalemate
The Nation

Chinese Ambassador Ning Fukui gives an exclusive television interview recently to Nation Multimedia Group executives, including chairman Suthichai Yoon, left, and Group Editor Thepchai Yong, right.

BANGKOK: -- China's ambassador to Thailand has added his voice to the growing calls from the diplomatic community for all sides in the political imbroglio to try to find a peaceful solution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725415-chinese-envoy-urges-reconciliation-to-resolve-political-stalemate-thailand/

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Si Sa Ket issues measures to cut accidents and gambling
PONGPAT TRAIPIPAT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FROM BEING an ancient tradition in the sixth lunar month, in which Northeasterners fire home-made rockets to ask the god of rain to supply water for farming, the Bang Fai rocket festival nowadays is often an excuse for gambling, and often yields news of accidental explosions claiming people's lives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725416-si-sa-ket-issues-measures-to-cut-accidents-and-gambling/

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Two M79 grenades used in attack on PRDC rally site at Chaeng Wattana, wounding one security guard; UDD continues rally at Aksa Road /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: 6:40am No protesters blocking roads in front of CH. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 & ThaiPBS & also CAPO HQ - TR @fm91trafficpro #Bangkok #Thailand

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WHAT OTHERS SAY
Ferry tragedy - S Korean media owes an apology
Lee Sun-young
The Korea Herald
asia news network

SEOUL: - A few weeks ago, before the ferry Sewol sank, I interviewed a theatre director from Germany. He had just finished a show in Gwangju during which staff and audience members asked questions to 100 citizens, all nonactors, on stage, conducting an instant opinion poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725417-ferry-tragedy-s-korean-media-owes-an-apology/

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Army turns down rumors of coup d’etat

BANGKOK, 12 April 2014 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Army has denied rumors of a coup d’etat and urged people to consume information more carefully.

Deputy Army Spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree has played down the rumor that is going viral on social media that one of the military top brass is mobilizing soldiers and armament in order to stage a coup d’etat. He said such rumor was groundless and that people should be more cautious when consuming information, adding that social media is not a reliable source to acquire new pieces of information.

The spokesman gave a firm assurance that no matter what, the army will put the national interest as its first priority, that is to protect lives and ward off national threats at the order of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO).


-- NNT 2014-05-12

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Ousted PM on vacation in Chiang Mai

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725433-ousted-pm-yingluck-on-vacation-in-chiang-mai/

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Fire rages at Sungai Kolok's Centre Department Store in Narathiwat following explosion; no injuries reported /MCOT

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More M79 grenades hit Chaengwattana protest site

BANGKOK: -- Chaengwattana protest site occupied by anti government protesters was struck again by two M 79 grenades Sunday night, injuring one guard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725434-more-m79-grenades-hit-bangkoks-chaeng-wattana-protest-site/

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Lifeguards back on Phuket beaches in a week or so
Wiparatana Nathalang



Lifeguards on Kamala Beach. File photo.

PHUKET: -- Lifeguards will be ready to go back on the beaches in a week or so, once 38 rescue boards have been repaired in order to comply with the terms of the contract, and once a performance guarantee has been organised with the bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725439-lifeguards-back-on-phuket-beaches-in-a-week-or-so/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,375.88, falls 1.49 points /MCOT

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Narathiwat, Yala rocked by bombs



BANGKOK: -- A spate of bomb attacks and ambushes in Narathiwat and Yala provinces killed one woman and wounded a dozen on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725440-narathiwat-yala-rocked-by-bombs/

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Ten countries interested in buying Thai rice

BANGKOK, 12 April 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) says ten foreign countries have shown great interest in Thai rice, expecting to sell up to 4-5 million tons of rice in stock.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725442-ten-countries-interested-in-buying-thai-rice/

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PDRC sets up protest stage in front of UN

BANGKOK 12 May 2014 (NNT) — The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have set up their new protest stage in from of the United Nations (UN) Building.

PDRC core leader Suthep Thaungsuban has announced that the PDRC will be setting up a stage in front of the UN. At the same time, the politician-turned-protest-leader demanded that there be a neutral prime minister.

Moreover, Mr. Suthep the PDRC will be moving their entire group from Lumpini Park to the new location near Government House and use the Santi Maitree Building as the group’s command headquarters.

Mr. Suthep stated further that he plans to campaign for more people to join in on the protesting to pressure the government to resign, so that a neutral prime minister can be selected.


-- NNT 2014-05-12

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M79 grenade fired at Rangsit University

BANGKOK, 12 April 2014 (NNT) – An M79 grenade was fired at a building in Rangsit University. Fortunately, there were no reports of injury.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725444-m79-grenade-fired-at-rangsit-university/

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Storm surge disaster exercise planned as cyclone season approaches Phuket
Suthicha Sirirat

Storm surges caused by cyclones can devastate large areas of countryside. In 2008, after Cyclone Nargis, an estimated 52,000 families in Myanmar lost their crops to flooding. Photo DFAT Australia

PHUKET: -- Rescue workers and disaster teams will join a major Andaman Coast exercise on May 21 to prepare to deal with a type of disaster that could happen during the coming Southwest Monsoon: tropical cyclones causing storm surges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725452-storm-surge-disaster-exercise-planned-as-cyclone-season-approaches-phuket/

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European man jumps off Thonglor condo
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A 22-year-old Estonian man jumped to his death from his condominium on Saturday in Thonglor after having a drug-fueled night with his girlfriend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725453-european-man-jumps-off-thonglor-condo-in-bangkok/

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Shopping mall three times the size of Siam Paragon to launch in Bangna
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Shopping malls in Bangkok tend to fall under two distinct categories: big or fancy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725458-shopping-mall-three-times-the-size-of-siam-paragon-to-launch-in-bangna/

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4 aftershocks shook Phan, Mae Suay districts of Chiang Rai early Mon.;3 tremors (2.6, 2.5,2-Richter) in Mae Suay district,4-Richter in Phan /The Nation

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89 pct of pro-Russian rebels voted in Sun.'s referendum to leave the country in favor of self-rule in E. Ukraine /The Nation