Thailand live Saturday 17 May 2014

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POLITICS
Reform Now urges delaying poll, offers 3 possible options
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Civic group, Reform Now Network (RNN), has urged the Senate and the Election Commission to consider a delayed election held in conjunction with a referendum on national reform as a "legal" way out of the political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726766-reform-now-urges-delaying-poll-offers-3-possible-options/

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POLITICS
Step down for sake of the country, senators urge govt
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Senate ready to appoint new premier if necessary, Surachai says; PDRC disappointed

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726768-step-down-for-sake-of-the-country-senators-urge-govt/

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VIOLENCE
Police, troops join hands to set up checkpoints at rally sites
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police, troops and guards for the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will work together to set up checkpoints around the PDRC rally site to provide safety for protesters.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726769-police-troops-join-hands-to-set-up-checkpoints-at-rally-sites/

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POLITICS
Warning to impose "martial law" welcomed by both sides of divide
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Surapong said Army move could help election to go ahead, but interior minister urges kamnans to rally if coup is staged

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726770-warning-to-impose-martial-law-welcomed-by-both-sides-of-divide/

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KLONG DAN
Bt21 billion to be sought for Klong Dan
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation

Vatana

BANGKOK: -- Civil servants, politicians face claims over water treatment plant's huge cost

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726771-bt21-billion-to-be-sought-for-klong-dan/

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Watch what you say, the children are reading too
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation May

BANGKOK: -- With the Internet, especially social media, becoming a part of our lives, we should perhaps spare a thought for our children, who now also have access to the Internet. And the only way we can protect them is by being responsible.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726772-watch-what-you-say-the-children-are-reading-too/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Bombing of railway lines in the South brings lives close to a standstill
The Nation

The bombing of two railway lines in Narathiwat province on Wednesday, which forced 14 trains to suspend their services, has dealt a major blow to locals, because trains are a major means of transport in the South.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726774-bombing-of-railway-lines-in-the-south-brings-lives-close-to-a-standstill/

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Phichit residents accuse gold mine over chemical leaks
The Nation

PHICHIT: -- Residents in Phichit's Tab Khlor district yesterday lodged a complaint with police accusing a goldmine operation of discharging chemical leaks that have sickened them for many years.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726775-phichit-residents-accuse-gold-mine-over-chemical-leaks/

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Factories raided for illegally discharging waste
The Nation May 17, 2014 1:00 am

SAMUT SAKHON: -- Raids were conducted yesterday on two Samut Sakhon factories, which were found to have illegally discharged untreated contaminated industrial waste in the Tha Chin River.

The first factory, which sorts and cleans industrial waste, is located in Muang district. It was found to have dumped liquid detergent into the river, according to Department of Special Investigation agents who conducted the raids jointly with Industry Ministry officials.

The unnamed factory is owned by Malaysian nationals and operates without a licence, senior ministry official Suraphol Chamart said. An check on tax payment by the factory was underway and its closure being processed, he added.

The other raid was conducted on a factory owned by Global Venture Services Co Ltd also located in Muang district. Officials said that this firm, owned by an unidentified Belgian, operates in a manner similar to the first, and also had no licence. The owner also runs an entertainment service, and is being investigated for suspected violation of anti-money laundering laws.

-- The Nation 2014-05-17

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Campaign stresses need for all segments of society to recognise danger of climate change
Chanon Wongsatayanont
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Climate change is becoming an increasingly relevant issue for Thais after the country was hit by a series of droughts and floods. As part of the "Redraw the Line" campaign, non-profit organisation Media Alliance conducted a seminar to stress the importance of the media in raising awareness on climate change.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726778-campaign-stresses-need-for-all-segments-of-society-to-recognise-danger-of-climate-change/

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EDITORIAL
Suthep and Jatuporn nowhere near backing down
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With firebrand politicians now leading the charge on both sides, chances of a compromise look slimmer than ever

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726780-suthep-and-jatuporn-nowhere-near-backing-down/

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Loei villagers claim armed mob attacked them over mine row
Boonchu Sritraipop
The Nation


Mine protest leader Yon Khunna was badly bruised after Thursday

LOEI: -- Police have stepped in to ease tension at a village in Loei, where residents say they were attacked by more than 100 armed, masked men late on Thursday night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726779-loei-villagers-claim-armed-mob-attacked-them-over-mine-row/

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-- The Nation 2014-05-17

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UPDATE:

Satish Sehgal arrest foiled by Silom supporters

BANGKOK: -- Heavily armed special action force police Friday aborted their bid to arrest the Indian businessman Satish Sehgal after a large number of Silom residents came out to protect him by blocking the police vehicles from moving in to make arrest.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726713-police-try-to-arrest-indian-businessman-on-insurrection-charge/page-3?p=7835122#entry7835122

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UPDATE:

Senate calls on Govt to partake in national reformation

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) – The Senate has encouraged the government to cooperate in solving political problems and finding a new Prime Minister who has full authority to administer the country.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726768-step-down-for-sake-of-the-country-senators-urge-govt/#entry7835126

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Food courts agree to freeze prices of 10 menu items
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Leading modern trade operators yesterday agreed with the Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department to freeze the prices of 10 Thai-style fast-food dishes at their food courts, to cooperate in the effort to ease consumers' costs during a difficult period.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726782-food-courts-agree-to-freeze-prices-of-10-menu-items/

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PDRC to meet Sunday afternoon to decide on action plan

BANGKOK: -- The People’s Democratic Reform Committee will press ahead with its action plan to demand a functional interim prime minister to replace acting caretaker prime minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726785-pdrc-to-meet-sunday-afternoon-to-decide-on-action-plan/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand Driving License: Tough new tests from 1st June 2014

BANGKOK:-- The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has announced the start of a strict new testing and examination process for obtaining a driving license in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726788-thailand-driving-license-tough-new-tests-from-1st-june-2014/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Bangkok for Kids: 20 activities to do with your children bkkkids.com/bangkok-kids-2… #Bangkok #Thailand

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Canadian is new Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket
Alasdair Forbes

Michelle Hawryluk. '“I guess I like to complicate my life.'

PHUKET: Legal adviser Michelle Hawryluk, 34, from Canada has been appointed Honorary Consul in Phuket – for Australia.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726842-canadian-is-new-australian-honorary-consul-in-phuket/

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Rescued snorkeler stabilised, returns to Canada by air ambulance
Phuket Gazette -

FACEBOOK POST: 'Mike being loaded on ambulance to be transported to airport, he is on his way! Will have Josh and Blair from Latitude Aeromedical all to himself on board the Lear jet!'

PHUKET: After a tragic snorkelling accident that left him in the ICU for nearly a month, Canadian national Mike Reynolds and his medical team departed from Phuket Thursday afternoon and landed safely in Canada last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726845-rescued-snorkeller-stabilized-returns-to-canada-by-air-ambulance/

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Dow advances 44.50 points or 0.27% to 16,491.31 as investors weigh some solid retail earnings reports with mixed economic data /MCOT

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Court approves bail for former NIDA rector arrested for insurrection

BANGKOK, 17 May 2014 (NNT) – The court has approved bail for Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, one of the 30 leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) wanted for insurrection, under the condition that he remain inside Thailand and refrain from instigating turmoil.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726858-court-approves-bail-for-former-nida-rector-arrested-for-insurrection/

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Bus drivers ignoring new BMTA regulation for better safety and service

BANGKOK, 17 May 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's (BMTA) new regulation calling for all buses to keep to the left lane and for them to stop at all bus stops came into effect on Friday, and many instances of violation were observed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726859-bus-drivers-ignoring-new-bmta-regulation-for-better-safety-and-service/

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Red Cross holds blood drive

BANGKOK, 17 May 2014 (NNT) – The Thai Red Cross Society is appealing for blood donations as Thailand has lately been hit by blood supply shortage.

According to the society, Thailand is facing a major blood shortage given the amount of blood donated daily since the beginning of May has been lower than its target of 1,600 - 2,000 units. To make the matter worse, 170 hospitals nationwide have been requesting for more and more blood and since the beginning of this month, the society has been giving out 5,000 – 6,000 units of blood per day. As a result, the amount of reserved blood, which should have been 3,000 units, has dropped to only 300 units recently.

To ensure that sufficient blood supply is available for those in need, the Red Cross has urged the public to make blood donations whenever they can.

For those who live in Bangkok, they can directly go to the Thai Red Cross Society located on Henri Dunant Road. For further information, please contact the National Blood Center at 0-2256-4300, or visit the center seven days a week.

-- NNT 2014-05-17

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Acting PM visits quake victims in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI, 17 May 2014 (NNT) - The acting Prime Minister has paid an official visit to the northern province of Chiang Rai, which was struck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake over a week ago.

Acting Prime Minister Mr. Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan yesterday led members of his cabinet to Chiang Rai Province to visit the victims of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the northern part of Thailand almost two weeks ago. The cabinet earlier approved a 500 million baht budget to help the victims.

The acting PM, along with Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, also inspected the damage on the road connecting Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. The road has been damaged by the quake and aftershocks, prompting provincial authorities to redirect the route for commuters.

According to the transport minister, a total of 25 million baht is being spent on rebuilding and renovating the damaged road.

The quake that took place on Monday evening of May 5th devastated houses, buildings, and public utilities in 7 districts of Chiang Rai. As of now, the province has already paid 30 million baht to assist over 4,000 affected families.

-- NNT 2014-05-17

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Serial sunscreen shoplifter snagged in sunny Phuket
Phuket Gazette - May 17, 2014 | 10:33 AM

Ms Daoruang was caught with 20 bottles of sunscreen. Photo: Patong Police

PHUKET: A sunscreen shoplifter was arrested with over 20 bottles of the lotion by Phuket Police yesterday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726861-serial-sunscreen-shoplifter-snagged-in-sunny-phuket/

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Special Report: BoT says Thai economic fundamentals are strong

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) says Thailand has a very strong economic foundation despite the heavy costs of political unrest.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726863-special-report-bot-says-thai-economic-fundamentals-are-strong/

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Suthep asks PDRC reps from all provinces to meet at 2pm to plan next move; Red Shirt supporters from provinces join UDD rally at Aksa Road /MCOT

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Plane carrying high-ranking senior Laotian government officials crash in Laos

Laos’ military plane carrying high-ranking government officials on Saturday crashed in Xiang Kuang province of Laos, killing all passengers on board including defence minister.

It was reported that Defence Minister Douangchae Phichit was among the victims of the crash.

-- The Nation 2014-05-17