Thailand Live Thursday 22 May 2014

[webfact]

1.24 Million meth pills seized in Chiang Rai Province

CHIANG RAI, 22 May 2014, (NNT) - Police have seized more than one million of meth pills and heroin in Chiang Rai Province.

Anti-Narcotic Division Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Tuanthong made the announcement, saying that local narcotic suppression cops yesterday arrested a drug dealer with more than a million methamphetamine pills and 2 bars of heroin weighing 700 gram in possession.

Acting on a tip-off, narcotic suppression police stopped and searched a ten-wheel furniture delivery truck in Maechan District, Chiangrai. Upon the search they found 124,1000 methamphetamine pill and 700 grams of heroine hidden in a closet. Police then arrested the driver and seized the illicit drugs.

The suspects confessed to the crime, saying he was to deliver the drugs to a dealer in Bangbuathong District in Nonthaburi Province. The police then set up a sting operation and were able to arrest two other drug dealers while they were driving to a place in Nonthaburi where they were supposed to pick up the drugs.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

[webfact]

Fear of lead poisoning spreads in Kalasin

KALASIN, 22 May 2014 (NNT) - Locals in Khok Sa-ard Sub-district, Khongchai District, are facing the spread of lead poisoning.

Majority of the locals in the 12 villages of Khok Sa-ard are working as waste segregators as the Sub-district has designated a large zone as a landfill for electronics equipment. However, the landfill lacks a proper management, and could provide means to prevent the locals from coming into direct contact with electronic trash and inhaling sulphur in the waste.

Random examinations showed 3 out of 89 residents and 21 of 129 small children have lead in their bloodstream.

Khongchai officials revealed the sub-district is loaded with more than 2,000 tons of electronic waste each month, posting serious threats of lead poisoning to the locals. Despite the officials’ efforts to get rid of the waste, the risk remains high with the large amount of electronic trash is being inappropriately disposed, leaving the residents vulnerable to the toxic smoke.

The locals are imploring the administration to install a proper landfill and trash incinerating system to eradicate the problem.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

[webfact]

Flies swarm over Nakhonratchasima locals

NAKHONRATCHASIMA, 22 May 2014, (NNT) - Swarms of flies have been swarming over Khonburi District of Nakhonratchasima Province.

According to locals, the flies are very persistent. They follow them everywhere they go and whatever they do, especially when they are having their meals. Sometimes these flies come in massive swarms, causing concerns that they might spread diseases among residents. People of Khonburi have come up with several methods to deal with the insects; all to no avail.

According to Sawad Thongsri, a local resident, the number of the flies was especially high during last year's cassava harvesting season. As most of the areas in Khonburi District are cassava plantation fields, farmers often dump sugar bagasse, also called megasse, and chicken droppings on their fields to recondition the soil for the next planting season, which likely attracts the flies to breed in the area.

Residents thus urged the officials to lend them a helping hand in finding effective measures to control the pests.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

[webfact]

Martial law has no obvious impact on Chiang Mai tourism

CHIANG MAI, 21 May 2014 (NNT) - Tourism entrepreneurs in Chiang Mai believe martial law has had no impact on tourism in the province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728164-martial-law-has-no-obvious-impact-on-chiang-mai-tourism/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

SEC fines Thaksin’s sister for insider trading



BANGKOK: -- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has fined the younger sister of the fugitive premier Thaksin Shinawatra and her husband Somchai Kivitcharoenkul a combined 9.6 million baht for insider trading of M Link Asia Corp shares in 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728049-former-pm-thaksins-sibling-fined-for-insider-trading/page-4#entry7862322

[webfact]

Jatuporn sentenced to 6 month in prison

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728165-jatuporn-sentenced-to-6-month-in-prison/

[webfact]

Singapore Airlines plane veers off Yangon runway

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728166-singapore-airlines-plane-veers-off-yangon-runway/

[webfact]

BOI says over 3,800 business matches formed in 2014 SUBCON Thailand

BANGKOK, 21 May 2014 (NNT) - The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has claimed success at the 2014 SUBCON Thailand, which generated 3,800 business matches and sales worth as much as 7,046 million baht.

Naruecha Ruechuphan, Director of the BOI Unit for Industrial Linkage Development (BUILD) said that at the 2014 SUBCON Thailand event held over the period 13th – 16th May 2014 at BITEC, Bang Na, sales of industrial equipment exceeded 7,000 million baht, which is the highest value in the eight years since the first SUBCON took place in Thailand. The best selling product groups were transportation, electronics and machinery.

In addition, 105 of the matches, paired businesses for research and development work from 12 institutions.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

[webfact]

UPDATE:

NBTC tells internet providers to block posts stirring conflict

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) –The Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) has issued an 8th announcement requesting cooperation from social media in spreading news of all events straightforwardly and without bias. On Wednesday the National Broadcasting Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) invited internet providers to meet and urged them to verify, and where necessary block, any contents likely to cause conflict and disorder in the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728150-nbtc-cooperates-with-pomc-in-screening-online-contents/#entry7862522

[webfact]

Labour Permanent Sec: employment slowdown in first four months

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) –The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has disclosed that the employment rate in the first four months slipped, while more than 6,000 social security registrations were terminated in April.

The MOL’s Permanent Secretary Jeerasak Sukonthachart cited the Center for Labour Economy Information which reported that 9,794,974 employees had been registered with the Social Security Office (SSO), an expansion of 2.93% from a year earlier. The employment rate in April increased by 3.10 % from March. The employment rate has been enhanced by more than one percent, hence the employment situation is normal.

However, employment in the first four months of this year dropped since last December. In April 2014, 6,504 employees were terminated, a decrease of 3 percent compared to last year, so the termination situation is still at a normal level. The termination rate is relatively low and below the 3-year mean.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

[webfact]

State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation proceeds w/ planned work strike today despite martial law /The Nation

[webfact]

The Criminal Court postponed to July 17 the hearing of a terrorism case filed against 24 UDD members in connection with the violent political rallies in 2010. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan again boycotts crisis talk with Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and other parties this afternoon. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Chiang Rai Earthquake continues to generate aftershocks

CHIANG RAI, 22 May 2014 (NNT) - Chiang Rai provincial authorities are quickly providing assistance to locals who have been affected by the earthquake that struck on May 5th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728186-chiang-rai-earthquake-continues-to-generate-aftershocks/

[webfact]

31 dead in attack in China's Xinjiang: Xinhua

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728187-31-dead-in-attack-in-chinas-xinjiang-xinhua/

[webfact]

NOTE TO READERS: News Coverage Under Martial Law

Under martial law, the military is now authorized to censor the media as it sees fit. So far, the military has used this power to shut down the operation of at least fourteen news outlets. It has also warned all members of the press not to publish any material that could “incite unrest.”

We would like to clarify to our readers that these developments have not affected the impartiality of Khaosod English. We have not been forcibly censored or felt the need to exercise self-censorship at this time.

However, if circumstances arise that do require us to censor our material, we will notify our readers by posting a disclaimer at the beginning of any censored article. This way, our readers will not need to question the impartiality of our reporting.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us via email: [email protected]

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400736946&section=0200


-- Khaosod English 2014-05-22

[webfact]

European Union may boycott Thailand if it delays election: Surapong
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 22 - Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he received a signal from the European Union (EU) that it might boycott Thailand if the next general election is delayed in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728208-european-union-may-boycott-thailand-if-it-delays-election-surapong/

[webfact]

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban reiterated the People’s call for an interim prime minister with full power to resolve the political impasse and to reform the country. He also called for the UDD to participate in the reform, while telling political parties to keep off the reform.
He said that these are what he would propose to the 2 p.m. meeting hosted by POMC at the Army Club today.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/42528/

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-22

[webfact]

Jatuporn to propose referendum as way-out for political impasse

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan said he would propose during a meeting of involved parties Thursday that a national referendum should be held for ending political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728210-jatuporn-to-propose-referendum-as-way-out-for-political-impasse/

[webfact]

Logistic business hit by political turmoil

BANGKOK, 22 May 2014 (NNT) -- Thailand's logistic industry has been severely hit by the current political turmoil and the trend will continue through the first half of 2014.

According to Tanit Sorat, the vice chairman of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council's National economic and financial team, 180,000 trucks or 20% of the total 900,000 nationwide have been sitting idle for quite some time, while 30% of warehouses have been vacant. The two factors have dragged the whole logistical sector down.

The problem is attributed to the economic slowdown, and negative export growth . Tanit said the sluggishness especially for warehouse business would continue through the end of the second quarter of 2014.

According to Yoo Cheeryeunyongpong, the president of the Inland Transport Federation of Thailand, May is the beginning of the low season for transport business due to the arrival of the rainy season and the end of the harvesting season. The 30% unemployment rate among truck drivers is considerably higher than normal.


-- NNT 2014-05-22

[webfact]

Foreign military attaches to be briefed of martial law by POMC



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok-based foreign military attaches have been invited to attend a briefing on the martial law tomorrow at the Peace and Order Maintaining Command.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728215-foreign-military-attaches-to-be-briefed-of-martial-law-by-pomc/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Two-year suspended jail term for Jatuporn on defamation case
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 22-- Thailand's Appeals Court today handed down a six-month prison term with a Bt50,000 fine for United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan,but commuted the sentence to a two-year suspended jail term for the defamation case against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728165-jatuporn-sentenced-to-6-month-in-prison/page-2#entry7862925

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thai 'Red Shirts' want referendum on political impasse

BANGKOK, May 22, 2014 (AFP) - The leader of Thailand's pro-government "Red Shirt" movement called Thursday for a national referendum to resolve a political deadlock that prompted the army chief to declare martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728210-jatuporn-to-propose-referendum-as-way-out-for-political-impasse/#entry7862822

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Abhisit to propose three measures, urge all stakeholders to sacrifice interests

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will raise three proposals during the second round of seven-partite meeting Thursday, Democrat Party spokesman Chavanon Intharakomalsut said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728210-jatuporn-to-propose-referendum-as-way-out-for-political-impasse/#entry7862997

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Suthep to reaffirm call for interim govt, reforms

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he will reaffirm the call for an interim government and political reforms during the second round of seven-partite meeting at 2 pm Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728210-jatuporn-to-propose-referendum-as-way-out-for-political-impasse/#entry7863006

[Lite Beer]

Thailand moves forward with Green LDD policy
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 22 -- Thailand's Land Development Department (LDD) celebrates today celebrated its 51st anniversary since its founding, while moving forward with its policy of "Green LDD", pointing out that land development is at the heart of the country's agricultural progress.

After presiding over the ceremony to celebrate the LDD's anniversary, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Yukol Limlamthong said that land development is one of the most important keys in strong national development, since Thailand remains an agricultural country, relying on agricultural produce for domestic consumption and exports.

He said that his ministry fully supports the Green LDD policy in turning land development into green agricultural areas.

In celebrations of its founding 51 years ago, agency has set up an event showcasing an exhibition in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and His Royally Intiated Projects, an exhibition on the Green LDD policy, an exhibition and flea market for green produce, as well as seminars on the "National Farmers Council and the Directions of Thai Agriculture" and "Green LDD."

The event also showcased organic agricultural produce at cheaper than market prices and demonstrations on how to create bio-extracts.

The main goal of every activity organised by the LDD is to promote green agriculture and the Green LDD policy, which could help lower production costs, create organic produce and most importantly, restore the environment to its fertility. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-05-22

[Lite Beer]

Suthep refuses to compromise, red shirts want referendum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he will reaffirm his call for an interim government and political reforms during the second round of seven partite meeting scheduled for 2pm on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728210-jatuporn-to-propose-referendum-as-way-out-for-political-impasse/#entry7863254

[Lite Beer]

Peace and Order Maintaining Command in Chiang Mai holds talks with Red Shirt leaders

CHIANG MAI 22 May 2014 (NNT) — Chiang Mai officials from the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) are holding talks with leaders of the Red Shirts in an attempt to maintain peace and order within the nation and to provide a better understanding of the recently invoked martial laws.

Maj. Gen. Srayuth Rungsi, commander of the 33rd provincial army of Chiang Mai has started to hold talks with local UDD leaders in the province in order to find a clear resolution to the ongoing political impasse.

The commander stated that, in his acting position, he has tried to meet with all the local UDD leaders in search for a sound solution to move the country forward. Moreover, he stated that he has asked for total cooperation from local UDD groups to help move the country forward.

-- NNT 2014-05-22

[Lite Beer]

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs calls for elections to be held quickly

BANGKOK 22 May 2014 (NNT) — Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul has called for elections to take place in Thailand in order to move the country forward.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728208-european-union-may-boycott-thailand-if-it-delays-election-surapong/page-2#entry7863263

[Jonathan Fairfield]

FLASH: Border run crackdown in full force at Thai-Cambodian checkpoints

ARANYAPRATHET:-- Following the recent news regarding the crackdown on Out-In border runners in Thailand, it is reported that Immigration officials are implementing the tough new rules on the Cambodian border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728226-border-run-crackdown-in-full-force-at-thai-cambodian-checkpoints/