Thailand Live Thursday 22 May 2014

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Chiang Rai to launch a campaign to boost tourism after major quake

CHIANG RAI, 22 May 2014 (NNT) -- The northern province of Chiang Rai will hold a meeting with local tour operators on the tourism situation after the province was hit by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

The tremor on May 5 was the strongest ever recorded in Thailand. The incident, which was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, has sent repercussion on the province’s tourism industry. According to the provincial governor, Pongsak Wangsamer, 20 per cent of the tourists had canceled their trips and hotel accommodations in the province during the last two weeks.

However, the governor said tourists have started to return to Chiang Rai this week. The province will soon hold a meeting of related officials to find ways to boost tourists' confidence that they will be safe and also to devise plans to deal with a similar situation.

Earlier, the province had invited engineers to examine key infrastructures in the province such as the airport, hotels and temples to assure safety for visitors.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

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Martial Law Scares Off Tourists, Official Warns
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK - A prominent trade organisation has claimed that the military's declaration of martial law has frightened many potential tourists away from Thailand, where the tourism industry was already facing a prolonged slump due to the political turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728097-martial-law-scares-off-tourists-thai-official-warns/

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POLITICS
Senators 'considering appointing new premier'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SENATORS ARE considering the appointment of a new prime minister with full authority to run the country, in a bid to find a way out of the political impasse, sources in the upper House said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728098-thai-senators-considering-appointing-new-premier/

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UPDATE:

Talks yield no breakthrough
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IN HIS FIRST meeting with warring parties yesterday, Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha mapped out resolutions to pull the country out of the ongoing political crisis, though they failed to come to a conclusion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728052-first-crucial-talk-went-on-smoothly-but-without-any-conclusion/#entry7860986

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ARMS SMUGGLING
Large haul of weapons found
THE NATION

Police-military team conduct three raids; one suspect says her cache was meant for self-defence

BANGKOK: -- ACTING UNDER the martial law, joint teams of military and police officers launched raids at three locations to hunt for war weapons thought to have been readied for possible outbreaks of violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728099-thailand-large-haul-of-weapons-found-at-three-locations/

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UPDATE:

MARTIAL LAW
TV channels protest Army shutdown
The Nation

Voice TV filed an appeal yesterday with the Army chief against an order for the TV station to suspend its broadcasts.

BANGKOK: -- The petition was submitted by senior marketing director Phayungsak Charnduayvit to Colonel Anucha Chumkham, the director of the Public Relations Division of the Office of the Army’s Secretary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728017-media-bodies-ask-pomc-to-review-orders-restricting-press-freedom/#entry7861002

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'Interim govt' an acceptable option
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE BOARD of Trade of Thailand believes it would be acceptable to have an interim government with full authority to administrate the Kingdom, as such a development would mean that economic growth could be driven forward again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728100-interim-govt-an-acceptable-option-board-of-trade-of-thailand/

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THAI POLITICS
S Korean pop star postpones visit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- South Korean actor and singer Choi Jin-hyuk, who was expected to meet Thai fans this Saturday on the first stop of his Asian tour, has decided to postpone his visit.

The 2014 Choi Jin-hyuk Asia Tour in Bangkok was previously scheduled to perform in the main auditorium of Thammasat University.

Though the martial law does not affect planned social and entertainment events, many have been cancelled anyway until further notice. Among them is the Now Live Judprakai Concert that is held every Sunday at Siam Discovery's Discovery Plaza and broadcast live on Now 26 channel. The Thai rock band Flure was scheduled to perform.

The National Discovery Museum Institute has also postponed a press conference scheduled for tomorrow to launch its Muse Pass at Siam Centre. The Muse Pass was meant to make exploration of Bangkok's old city easier, with just one ticket offering entry to several museums, including Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, Museum Siam and King Prajadhipok Museum.

The Millennium Hilton Bangkok has also decided to cancel its eighth-anniversary celebrations scheduled for May 28.


-- The Nation 2014-05-22

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IMD drops Thai competitiveness 2 places to 29th
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S WORLD competitiveness ranking slipped to 29th place this year from 27th amid the political uncertainty, while both Malaysia (12) and Indonesia (37) made gains among countries in Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728101-imd-drops-thai-competitiveness-2-places-to-29th/

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Boeing, Nok Airlines seal order for 15 737s

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2014 (AFP) - US aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday finalized an order with Thai budget airline Nok Airlines for 15 737 aircraft, worth $1.45 billion at list prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728102-boeing-nok-airlines-seal-order-for-15-737s/

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EDITORIAL
A tarnished beauty queen
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Why are we lambasting a student for remarks made months before she became Miss Universe Thailand, yet allowing our politicians to spew "hate speech" daily?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728103-a-tarnished-beauty-queen-thai-editorial/

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Poll shows over 75 percent of the people support martial law



More than 75 percent of the people surveyed by Suan Dusit Poll agreed with the martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728104-thai-poll-shows-over-75-percent-of-the-people-support-martial-law/

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Police find four tigers in abandoned car
Seksanti Kanlayanawisut
The Nation
Udon Thani

BANGKOK: -- Police found four tigers inside an abandoned car in Udon Thani's Muang district yesterday morning. The tigers, kept in plastic boxes tied up with wires, were still alive and believed to be around two or three years of age.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728105-police-find-four-tigers-in-abandoned-car-in-udon-thani/

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POMC orders DSI chief to stop issuing warrants for PDRC leaders
THE NATION

NATIONAL POLICE chief Adul Saengsingkaew yesterday denied that Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith to revoke arrest warrants for People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders wanted on sedition charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728106-pomc-orders-dsi-chief-to-stop-issuing-warrants-for-pdrc-leaders/

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Politicians must resolve problems without military help
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM
NATION NEWS AGENCY

FINALLY, the military lost patience and martial law was imposed at 3am on Tuesday. This move was surprising to some, but had been anticipated by some.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728107-politicians-must-resolve-problems-without-military-help-thailand/

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Fight led to fatal school stabbing: police
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation
Phatthalung

PHATTHALUNG: -- Police investigating Tuesday's fatal stabbing of a Prathom 6 student by a schoolmate in Phatthalung say the two boys were fighting at Ban Mae Khari School in Tamot district when one of them pulled out a knife.

The victim was stabbed twice, the attack severing his aortic artery.

Teachers rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, where he quickly succumbed to his injuries.

"In line with Muslim tradition, his burial has already taken place," Phatthalung's Primary Education Service Area 2 Office director Anong Chaowanaki said yesterday.

She said the young attacker appeared shaken at the serious turn events had taken.


-- The Nation 2014-05-22

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Woman escapes after being held captive for 10 years: report

LOS ANGELES: -- A woman who was allegedly kidnapped a decade ago at age 15, sexually abused and held against her will has been found alive in California, and her suspected captor arrested, police said on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728108-us-woman-escapes-after-being-held-captive-for-10-years/

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eBay makes users change their passwords after hack

(BBC) Online marketplace eBay is forcing users to change their passwords after a cyber-attack compromised its systems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728110-ebay-makes-users-change-their-passwords-after-hack/

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PDRC to meet nationwide representatives at 11am before 7 group meeting chaired by army chief at 2pm; plans mass rally on Rajdamnoen Ave /MCOT

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Businesses positive about martial law but say its use should not last long

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) – Representatives from the business sector view that martial law imposition will help to favorably resolve the current conflicts within the country, although the period of imposition should not last more than a few months.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce held a special meeting on Wednesday in order for its members to converge on the situation after the imposition of martial law. Most of the Chamber of Commerce members viewed martial law positively, reasoning that its enforcement would help create a sense of confidence that the political situation would not escalate into violence. However, the members indicated that martial law should not be in effect past September.

Issara Wongkusonchit, chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce, said the business sector wanted a new government that had full authority to come into the scene soon. He said this would allow the economy of the country to be driven once again, and in line with the global economic recovery.

On Wednesday, Thai Frozen Foods Association president Poj Aramwattananont expressed the belief that the imposition of martial law would not affect Thailand's export situation. He expects that exports will grow by 5% this year, meeting the growth target set by the Ministry of Commerce.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

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Lychee fairs planned in several provinces to absorb production surplus



BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) - Mr. Yukol Limlaemthong, acting Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister has laid down plans to deal with the surplus of lychee as about 60,000 tons of the produce is expected to flood the market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728130-lychee-fairs-planned-in-several-provinces-to-absorb-production-surplus/

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Adul: Police stand ready to cooperate with military under martial law

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) – Police are ready to cooperate with the military to maintain order in the nation, in accordance with martial law, said national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728136-adul-thai-police-stand-ready-to-cooperate-with-military-under-martial-law/

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Officials continue to be briefed to ensure compliance with POMC orders

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) – Public sector workers continued to be briefed on the proper conduct of work on Wednesday, in an effort to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Peace and Order Maintaining Command.

In Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, military officials were seen manning a vehicles interception point on Asia Highway. One traffic lane on the Bangkok-inbound direction had been sealed off by the officials, who were monitoring against any large crowd of travelers. According to Colonel Ranawut Ruengsawat, deputy director for the Internal Security Operations Command's affairs in Ayutthaya, the purpose was to prevent crowd sizes at protest areas in Bangkok from swelling.

In Amnat Charoen, provincial governor Wirawat Chuenwarin met with the heads of state offices in the province and briefed them about conducting work under martial law. Those at the meeting were asked to closely follow the announcements of the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC), and to monitor contents aired through cable television channels and community radio stations to ensure compliance with the decrees of the POMC.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

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Southern rail line not to be closed during maintenance

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will start the maintenance and repair of the southern railway tracks as planned but ruled out the closure of the line.

SRT governor, Prapat Chongsa-nguan, said on Wednesday that contractors had started to bring all materials needed for the task. Prapat said after the survey that the SRT had decided not to close the southern railway tracks during the maintenance as large numbers of travelers depended on the southern rail services.

Contractors would work only three to four hours a day during the daytime when trains are not in operation. Prapat said all the works should be completed by the end of 2016. The new tracks will enable the southern train to run at an average speed of 60 km per hour, double the current average speed.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,411.50, gains 8.58 points /MCOT

UDD leader Jatuporn to propose referendum within 90-120 days on election, before or after reform, to today's 7 group meeting /MCOT

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Private sector reacts positively to martial law imposition



BANGKOK: -- The imposition of martial law by the Army will help calm the country’s political tense climate and will be good for the economy in short term.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728146-private-sector-reacts-positively-to-martial-law-imposition-thailand/

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FOOTBALL
Thai women clinch World Cup ticket



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's women's football team scored a historic success by securing their first World Cup appearance with a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Vietnam in the AFC Women's Cup yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728147-thailand-womens-football-secures-first-world-cup-bid-ever/

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Criminal Court released anti-govt (PDRC) core speaker, Seri Wongmontha on Bt600,000 bail after he was nabbed at Suvarnabhumi Airport Wed. /The Nation

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NBTC cooperates with POMC in screening online contents

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has set up a joint committee with the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) and relevant agencies to clamp down on provocative contents on the internet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728150-nbtc-cooperates-with-pomc-in-screening-online-contents/

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Thai unrest shuts unofficial border crossings



CAMBODIA: -- Thai authorities ordered all unofficial border-crossing points in Banteay Meanchey province to be closed on Tuesday after the Thai army imposed nationwide martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728152-thai-unrest-shuts-unofficial-border-crossings-cambodia/