Thailand Live Thursday 15 May 2014

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Northern provinces hit by another storm

PHRAE, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – Another storm has swept through the northern region of Thailand, destroying houses and other public facilities.

Residents in Mueang District of Phrae Province have begun to inspect their homes after a summer storm swept through the province. The storm damaged 72 houses and many agricultural plantations in 7 villages. Provincial authorities are now speeding up help for the victims.

In Nakhon Sawan Province, the storm destroyed more than 100 houses and took down several power poles in the area. The roofs of some houses were completely blown away by the strong winds. The people are hurriedly fixing their homes amid fears that there could be another storm soon.

Meanwhile, a 100-year-old tree in Phitsanulok Province was uprooted by the storm, whereas 19 houses were ravaged. Authorities are assessing the damage and providing assistance for the people.

-- NNT 2014-05-15

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TAT is likely to adjust down this year's number of tourist projection



BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is likely to adjust down the projection for this year’s number of tourists, thanks to the prolonged political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726279-tat-is-likely-to-adjust-down-this-years-number-of-tourist-projection/

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Girl with dragon tattoo busts out of Phuket police paddy wagon
Eakkapop Thongtub


Dada, after her arrest.

PHUKET: -- Police were left scratching their heads on Tuesday (May 13) after they found that a woman they had arrested for dealing drugs the previous day had managed to escape from the paddy wagon in which she had been incarcerated overnight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726281-girl-with-dragon-tattoo-busts-out-of-phuket-police-paddy-wagon/

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4.4-magnitude earthquake reported in Phan



BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) -- The National Disaster Warning Center has reported a seismic activity of magnitude 4.4 at the depth of 9 km in Chiang Rai's Phan district. The earthquake happened at 00.23 a.m. this morning.

According to the center's website, this is the fourth quake in less than 10 days that had its epicenter in Phan district. On May 5, the tremor with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale rocked Phan and nearby districts, with one killed and several others injured while more than 8,000 homes were damaged. It is the strongest earthquake ever happening in Thailand.

Phan and nearby areas have already faced more than 800 aftershocks since May 5.


-- NNT 2014-05-15

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17 Bidders compete for gov't stockpiled rice



BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) - Seventeen bidders participated in the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT)’s rice auction yesterday, competing to buy 450,000 tons of stockpiled rice, according to a Commerce Ministry report. Out of all the bidders, 14 expressed interest in purchasing grain from the 2012 stockpile, while the other three were eyeing lower-quality rice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726284-17-bidders-compete-for-thai-govts-stockpiled-rice/

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The price of bagged rice dips 25 baht



BANGKOK, 15 May 2014, (NNT) - The price of packed rice has dipped 25 baht from a range of 110 - 120 baht per 5kg bag to 90-95 baht a bag, reports Mr. Somkiat Makkhayathorn, President of the Thai Rice Packers Association.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726286-the-price-of-bagged-rice-dips-25-baht/

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UPDATE:

Tourism projection slashed



BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to slash its tourist arrival projection this year from 28.4 million to 26.3 million and tourism revenue from 1.42 trillion baht to 1.24 trillion baht, citing unresolved political turmoil as major cause.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726279-tat-is-likely-to-adjust-down-this-years-number-of-tourist-projection/#entry7825420

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Election Commissioner: Elections likely postponed to August

BANGKOK 15 May 2014 (NNT) — Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn has stated that he expects elections to take place on August 3, 2014 if all goes as planned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726291-election-commissioner-thai-elections-likely-postponed-to-august/

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U.S. confident there will not be coup de'tat in Thailand

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – The United States is confident that the Thai military will not stage another coup de’tat following the ongoing political conflict in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726292-us-confident-that-the-thai-military-will-not-stage-another-coup/

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Red-shirt taxi drivers attack Channel 7 reporter
By Coconuts Bangkok


Tomchan Boonsai showing his bruises to Thammasala police: Photo: @Nakhon224

BANGKOK: -- A channel 7 reporter filed a police complaint yesterday against a group of red-shirt taxi drivers for assaulting him in front of a police station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726295-red-shirt-taxi-drivers-attack-channel-7-reporter/

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PDRC protesters ended election discussion of the caretaker govt and the Election Commission in Don Muang late this morning. /Bangkok Post

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Thai Airways board meeting takes place

BANGKOK 15 May 2014 (NNT) — The Thai Airways board will be holding a meeting today to discuss the airline’s current financial situation.

Thai Airways International Co. Ltd. (THAI) will hold a board meeting today at its head office on Vibhawadee Rangsit Road. Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong will act as the chairman of the meeting.

The meeting agenda will include THAI's and its newly opened sister company, Thai Smile Airways' recent financial reports. However, whether or not the meeting will present a special agenda is still not known.

Reports of the meeting will be made soon after it has been held. A press release will be issued pertaining to the recent updates the airline has made, and an official report will be made to the public.


-- NNT 2014-05-15

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Cambodia’s Tourism Ministry mulling Thailand travel warning



PHNOM PENH: -- The Ministry of Tourism is considering issuing an official travel warning to all citizens thinking of travelling to Thailand as the political crisis there continues, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726301-cambodias-tourism-ministry-mulling-thailand-travel-warning/

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Meeting of EC commissioners, Acting PM Niwatthamrong aborted as Suthep leads PDRC to meeting room; Niwatthamrong, EC commissioners depart /MCOT

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Meeting of EC commissioners, Acting PM Niwatthamrong aborted as Suthep leads PDRC to meeting room

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726303-meeting-of-ec-commissioners-acting-pm-niwatthamrong-aborted-as-suthep-leads-pdrc-to-meeting-room/

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UPDATE:

ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN
Three dead, several injured in attack on antigovernment protesters



BANGKOK: -- At least three people died and many others were injured in the latest attack on an antigovernment rally at the Democracy Monument early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726224-two-killed-21-wounded-in-attack-on-thai-protest-camp-officials/page-6?p=7825661#entry7825661

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Thai poll body urges delay to July election

BANGKOK, May 15, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's Election Commission on Thursday called for the postponement of key parliamentary polls due to be held on July 20 because of political unrest shaking the kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726303-meeting-of-ec-commissioners-acting-pm-niwatthamrong-aborted-as-suthep-leads-pdrc-to-meeting-room/#entry7825728

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Fingerprint scans to debut at Immigration to catch known criminals
Phuket Gazette


Immigration Commissioner Pharnu Kerdlarpphon confirmed that the new finger scanners will be used to catch criminals already known to Thai authorities or Interpol. Photo: Supplied

PHUKET: -- Thai Immigration aims to begin scanning fingerprints of all foreigners arriving in the Kingdom by the end of the year under a project costing 342 million baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726308-fingerprint-scans-to-debut-at-thai-immigration-to-catch-known-criminals/

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PDRC condemns grenade, gun attacks
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader on Thursday condemned the M-79 attack on the Rajadomneon rally site and assured the public that that the attack would not affect the PDRC's objectives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726314-pdrc-condemns-grenade-gun-attacks/

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DIT: prices of student uniforms unchanged

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Internal Trade of Thailand (DIT) has asserted that there will be no rise in the prices of student uniforms for this coming semester, which has been confirmed by major student uniform manufacturers.

The Department of Internal Trade of Thailand has also sent a letter asking for cooperation from the Ministry of Education to lower the prices of dishes sold in schools

In addition, the DIT has asked for cooperation from vendors to provide a couple of inexpensive items on their menus--ones with the so-called Blue Flag prices-- as an option for consumers. A conference between the DIT and food court vendors will be held on May 16th to discuss prices and solutions fair and acceptable to both the vendors and the consumers.


-- NNT 2014-05-15

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UPDATE:

Savage Attack On PCAD Protesters Kills 3, Injures Dozens
By Khaosod English


Police inspect the site of an attack on PCAD demonstrators that killed 3 and injured dozens, 15 May 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726224-two-killed-21-wounded-in-attack-on-thai-protest-camp-officials/page-7?p=7826002#entry7826002

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Suthep wants to meet acting PM, seek way out of crisis, no date proposed; Police chief tightens security after attacks against protesters /MCOT

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Similan and Surin Islands to be closed for 5 months

PHANG NGA, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – The Similan Islands National Park superintendent in Phang Nga province stated that the Similan and Surin islands will be closed from May 15th to October 15th in order to restore plentiful natural resources.

Due to the volatile weather, it is also not safe for travelers to visit the islands during this period since the monsoon season has already begun.

The Similan Islands National Park authorities have also enforced punishments for tourists and tour boat operators who still continue to visit the island. Violators could face a one-month imprisonment or fine up to 1,000 baht at maximum. In addition, tour boat operators may also have their license to enter the national parks withheld by the authorities.

-- NNT 2014-05-15

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Protesting monk campaigns for state power to be returned to the King

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) — A core leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, Phra Buddha Issara, is moving groups of anti-government protesters to Lopburi and Saraburi provinces in order to campaign for the state power to be returned to the King.

Reports have indicated that Buddha Issara has started leading the PDRC protesters from their Chaengwattana site to Lopburi and Saraburi to campaign for their cause.

The protesting monk led PDRC members in a convoy of 20 air-conditioned coaches, heading towards Lopburi and Saraburi where they will campaign for the return of the state power to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The objective of the trip is to gather enough people from Bangkok and other provinces to join the monk in a journey to present their agenda to His Majesty the King at Klai Kangwon Palace, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

-- NNT 2014-05-15

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RT@W7VOA: Suthep meets with Election Commission after forcing interim PM to flee discussion with EC: (Photo: @prapasri_nna): pic.twitter.com/LpAwix2lG5

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Tarit expects several PDRC leaders to be arrested in two days

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith expressed confidence Thursday that police would be able to arrest leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, who are wanted by arrest warrants, in two days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726361-tarit-expects-several-pdrc-leaders-to-be-arrested-in-two-days/

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Thailand Suffers Worst Tourism Growth in Years: TAT

By Khaosod English


Thailand is seeing the smallest growth in tourist numbers in five years as a result of the country’s prolonged political crisis, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

BANGKOK — Thailand is seeing the smallest growth in tourist numbers in five years as a result of the country’s prolonged political crisis, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726279-tat-is-likely-to-adjust-down-this-years-number-of-tourist-projection/#entry7826560

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Armed forces, ministries send representatives to meet acting Senate speaker

BANGKOK: -- The armed forces and key ministries sent their representatives to hold a meeting with acting Senate speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai at Parliament Thursday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726365-armed-forces-ministries-send-representatives-to-meet-acting-senate-speaker/

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Melbourne city centre aims to be smoke-free by 2016

MELBOURNE: -- Melbourne is pushing to become one of the first cities in the world to introduce a total ban on smoking in public spaces, officials said Thursday, with anyone wanting a cigarette required to use a designated shelter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726369-melbourne-city-centre-aims-to-be-smoke-free-by-2016/

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Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha strongly condemned violence and warned that the army will take action if it continues. /Bangkok Post