Thailand Live Tuesday 13 May 2014

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Promotions for monks in observance of Visakha Puja Day

BANGKOK, 13 May 2014 (NNT) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 12 deputized for His Majesty the King at the ceremony of presenting prayer fans to promoted monks in observance of the World Day of Vesak or Visakha Puja Day, at the Chapel Royal in the Grand Palace.

After paying homage to the Emerald Buddha, His Royal Highness presented the Prayer Fans to 305 monks and novices who have finished levels 9 and 6 of the Buddhist Theological studies in the current academic year.

By royal command, the royal ceremony to commemorate the Visakha Puja Day this year is to be conducted on two consecutive days. The day before the Visakha Puja Day is dedicated to the appointments of newly promoted monks while the Visakha Puja Day, 13 May, is dedicated to royal merit making ceremony.

The Day of Vesak commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing away. An extraordinary aspect of the occasion is that the three incidents took place on the same day but in different years. The day is considered the most important religious day for Buddhists. The United Nations has designated Visakha Puja Day as an important international event to be celebrated around the world.


-- NNT 2014-05-13

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VESAK DAY
Various activities mark Buddhism Promotion Week
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and various agencies have lined up many activities for Buddhism Promotion Week at Sanam Luang to mark World Vesak Day today.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony on Sunday for the event, whose theme is "Know dharma, know what to do".

There will also be displays to celebrate His Majesty the King's 87th birthday and Her Majesty the Queen's 82nd birthday as well as to propagate Lord Buddha's teachings and preserve this tradition of world Buddhists, deputy Bangkok Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said yesterday.

Today starts with morning alms for 232 monks and ends with an evening candlelit procession, while the last day on Saturday will feature a grand ceremony offering robes and other necessities to monks.

-- The Nation 2014-05-13

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Crackdown banning 'walk-in visa runs' to begin August 13

Foreigners who have completed even one 'visa run' in order to re-enter the country on visa-exemption status will see their passports stamped 'O-I. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Foreigners will be allowed to continue to re-enter Thailand on three consecutive “walk-in” visas until August 12, Ranong Immigration Superintendent Ekkorn Bussababordin assured the Phuket Gazette.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725610-thailand-visa-crackdown-banning-walk-in-visa-runs-to-begin-august-13/

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NACC kicks rice fraud cases into high gear

BANGKOK, 13 May 2014 (NNT) – The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is expediting the corruption case against government officials in charge of the rice pledging scheme while contemplating whether more witnesses will be necessary in the case against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725672-nacc-kicks-rice-fraud-cases-into-high-gear/

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MISSING BILLY
Park chief seeks transfer over Billy case
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



Chaiwat says he has no influence on probe; seeks move for transparency

BANGKOK: -- THE HEAD of Kaeng Krachan National Park, Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, has reportedly sought a transfer - for at least a month - amid pressure over the disappearance of prominent Karen activist Pholachi "Billy" Rakchongcharoen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725674-kaeng-krachan-park-chief-seeks-transfer-over-billy-case/

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POLITICS
'No road map to end crisis'
The Nation

Surachai

Acting speaker warns of conflict worsening as Senate discusses solutions

BANGKOK: -- Efforts to find a way out of the political stalemate were under way yesterday, with senators convening an informal meeting to discuss possible solutions to the crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725675-no-road-map-to-end-crisis-thai-politics/

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SOUTH CRISIS
Attacks in South 'not linked' to return of NSC chief Thawil
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fresh violence, which flared up in nine deep South districts on Sunday night, was not a direct response to the return of National Security Council (NSC) chief Thawil Pliensri or the work of criminal groups, as many people suspected, but was the result of insurgents wanting to maintain the violence, analysts said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725676-attacks-in-south-not-linked-to-return-of-nsc-chief-thawil/

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BURNING ISSUE
Flaws in Suthep's plan to install a new government
Somroutai Sapsomboon

BANGKOK: -- It will be interesting to see this week whether the six-month attempt of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by Suthep Thaugsuban, will come to an end and what the result will be.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725677-flaws-in-sutheps-plan-to-install-a-new-government/

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EDITORIAL
Worried neighbours come knocking
The Nation

Asean has delivered a statement of concern over our domestic crisis; those engaged in this fierce battle must listen

BANGKOK: -- Less is better than nothing. The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) made the right decision in issuing a statement of concern over the political crisis in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725679-worried-neighbours-come-knocking-thai-editorial/

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STREETWISE
Hard-earned press freedom needs serious safeguarding
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Last year, 70 journalists were killed, many caught in the crossfire of armed hostilities. Fourteen more have suffered the same fate this year. Also last year, 211 journalists were imprisoned for their work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725680-hard-earned-press-freedom-needs-serious-safeguarding-thai-opinion/

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WHAT OTHERS SAY
Is this a judicial coup?
Nirmal Ghosh
The Straits Times
Asia News Network

BANGKOK: -- Enraged pro-government red shirts, in their strongholds in North and Northeast, burned coffins symbolising Constitutional Court judges on Friday, two days after the court disqualified Yingluck Shinawatra as prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725681-is-this-a-judicial-coup/

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Pawnshops crowded as school semester opens on Monday
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Parents have been crowding into pawnshops to get money to help pay their children's educational expenses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725682-pawnshops-crowded-as-thai-school-semester-opens-on-monday/

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Residents pack bags as Samut Prakan dump burns again
Sutinan Kongsin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fire raged through the Praeksa dumpsite in Samut Prakan again yesterday, spreading smoke over nearby areas and sparking concern among residents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725683-residents-pack-bags-as-samut-prakan-dump-burns-again/

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Unemployment rate 0.9% in March, govt says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The unemployment rate was 0.9 per cent in March, as there were about 38.62 million working-age persons and 340,000 of them were jobless.

Prawit Khiengpol, director-general of the Employment Department, said yesterday, citing a National Statistical Office report, that an additional 374,000 personswere waiting for seasonal jobs. Of the jobless, 161,000 had never worked before and 179,000 had.

Among those with work experience, 92,000 gained it from the service business and commerce and 36,000 from agriculture.

There were 47,213 social-security members who had applied for unemployment benefits in March.

Compared with the same month last year, the number of unemployed who had worked before went up by 6.31 per cent while the number of laid-off workers dropped by 1,046 persons or 16.9 per cent.

The number of people quitting their jobs rose by 3,849 persons or 10.1 per cent, Prawit said.


-- The Nation 2014-05-13

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CAPO will protect red shirts from attacks: Chalerm
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pro-government red-shirt protesters gathering at Aksa Road west of Bangkok are to be protected until 10pm every night, Centre of Administration for Peace and Order (CAPO) director Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725685-chalerm-capo-will-protect-red-shirts-from-attacks/

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Health secretary 'ready to fight probe into alleged offences'
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Dr Narong Sahametapat, the permanent secretary at the Public Health Ministry, is preparing to fight an order that he undergo a probe for alleged grave disciplinary offences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725686-health-secretary-dr-narong-ready-to-fight-probe-into-alleged-offences/

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PDRC leaves Lumpini for new rally site
Olan lertrudtanadumrongkul
The Nation


Members of the anti-government People

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters yesterday cleaned up Lumpini Park as their main body moved to a new rally site at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Rajdamnoen Road.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters - who were seen packing their belongings and tents - had occupied the park for two months.

They were scheduled to leave the park at 2.14pm. The march to Makkhawan Rangsan was led by Suthep and core leaders.

It passed Rajdamri Road, Rajprasong and Pathumwan intersections, Phaya Thai Road, Rajthevi intersection, Urupong, Yommarat and Nang Leung intersections before reaching Makkhawan Rangsan, opposite the United Nations headquarters.

Upon arrival at the site, some protesters went to Parliament House to monitor the Senate's special session on the political situation.

Bomb squads were scheduled to check Lumpini Park for possible abandoned explosives after the protesters left.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will close the park for two days after the PDRC finish cleaning.

At the pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) rally at Aksa Road, UDD province leaders addressed their supporters under the hot sun.

Most speakers voiced moral support to the government while criticising the PDRC and Democrat Party.


-- The Nation 2014-05-13

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UPDATE:

Inquiry initiated into death of Phuket mother and newborn
Phuket Gazette


Numporn Intawong led a brigade of friends and family to Vachira Phuket Hospital to demand answers for the deaths of his wife and son. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Doctors at Vachira Phuket Hospital began an inquiry today into the death of a woman during childbirth on May 2 and that of her newborn son just two days later.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725251-distraught-husband-petitions-hospital-for-explanation-after-wife-and-son-die-after-childbirth/page-2?p=7814150#entry7814150

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Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin Presented With Honorary Doctoral Degree
Added by Douglas Cobb.

BOSTON: -- On Saturday in Boston, Jimmy Page, former guitarist of the legendary rock group Led Zeppelin, was presented an honorary doctoral degree from the Berklee College of Music. He also spoke, giving the commencement address at the private college to the practically 900 graduates there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725688-jimmy-page-of-led-zeppelin-presented-with-honorary-doctoral-degree/

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Nigeria scorns Boko Haram's captive girls swap offer

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725690-nigeria-scorns-boko-harams-captive-girls-swap-offer/

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Ukraine rebels seek to join Russia

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725691-ukraine-rebels-seek-to-join-russia/

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Erawan Center prepares 40 medical teams amid political rallies

BANGKOK, 13 May 2014 (NNT) – The Erawan Medical Center of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has prepared 40 mobile teams to handle medical needs in the event of mass rallies by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

The center revealed that since politically-motivated violence first broke out in front of Ramkhamhaeng University on November 30th last year, a total of 760 people have been injured and 22 others killed so far. As of today, seven victims are still in the hospital.

As the political uncertainty in the country drags on, the center has prepared 40 emergency and medical teams which will be on 24-hour alert in order to be able to immediately respond to unprecedented circumstances.

The Erawan Center also affirmed that it would be impartial and provide medical assistance to all people regardless of their political sides.


-- NNT 2014-05-13

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Senate deputy speaker vows to produce nation's exit strategy within a week

BANGKOK, 13 May 2014 (NNT) - First deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai revealed that the Senate would today invite government representatives for talks on the national exit strategies and would hold a similar discussion with heads of judges and independent agencies tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725715-thai-senate-deputy-speaker-vows-to-produce-nations-exit-strategy-within-a-week/

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UDD threatens to escalate protest if Senate nominates a prime minister



BANGKOK: -- The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has threatened to step up its mass rally if the Senate nominates an interim prime minister for Royal approval.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725717-udd-threatens-to-escalate-protest-if-senate-nominates-a-prime-minister/

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Can Thailand keep from falling apart?

What the upheaval in Bangkok last week really means for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy -- and the global companies operating there

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725721-can-thailand-keep-from-falling-apart/

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Board of Investment to work w/ Tourism,Sports Ministry to develop tourism clusters to attract investments, add value to the sector /The Nation

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BOI encourages more tourism investments



BANGKOK, 13 May 2014, (NNT) - MR. Udom Wongwiwatchai, Secretary General of the Board of Investment (BOI), revealed that the agency is currently talking with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports on ways to improve investment strategy to benefit the tourism industry. He said an emphasis will be given to tourism clusters to make sure the overall development will cater to the right tourist segments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725725-boi-encourages-more-tourism-investments/

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BMTA aims to reduce bus accidents and complaints by 50% in 5 months

BANGKOK, 13 May 2014 (NNT) – The number of accidents involving buses in Bangkok and the number of passenger complaints lodged against the bus operators will be reduced by 50% within 5 months, according to a new initiative by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725726-bmta-aims-to-reduce-bus-accidents-in-bkk-and-complaints-by-50-in-5-months/

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Chadchart: Quake-damaged stretch of highway 118 needs to be shifted

CHIANG RAI, 13 May 2014 (NNT) – Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt revealed on Monday that construction of a new stretch of highway number 118 that links Chiang Mai with Chiang Rai is expected to be completed in 2 months.

Mr. Chadchart was in Mae Lao district of Chiang Rai on Monday to inspect the progress of repairs to roads damaged by last week's magnitude 6.3 earthquake. According to him, a stretch of route 118 needed to be shifted away from its current subsidence-prone spot, and construction of the new stretch would entail a budget of 25 million baht. He added the old stretch was situated near the recent quake's epicenter.

Mr. Chadchart said he has urged the Highways Department to quickly survey and repair damages that occurred on other roads, as well as at bridges.

The Transport Minister also said all repairs have been finished at the passenger terminal and the air traffic control tower at Chiang Rai airport and normal function has resumed at the two structures.


-- NNT 2014-05-13

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Govt to Put Cheap Food Stalls Inside Supermarkets
By Khaosod English


The Government will be installing "Blue Flag" food stalls selling cheap goods inside major supermarkets starting this June (Department of Internal Trade).

BANGKOK — The Department of Internal Trade has announced a plan to install food stalls selling inexpensive items inside major supermarkets across the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725727-thai-govt-to-put-cheap-food-stalls-inside-supermarkets/