UPDATE:

Thailand admits 'urgent' need to improve aviation safety

BANGKOK: -- Thailand admitted Monday it "urgently" needs to improve airline safety procedures as several carriers face bans on new international flights after a UN aviation agency raised concerns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813195-japans-chartered-flight-ban-from-thailand-is-hurting-tourism-business/?p=9248639#entry9248639

24-hour drought fighting center set up in Surat Thani

SURAT THANI, 30 March 2015 (NNT) – A 24-hour drought prevention and mitigation command center has been established in Surat Thani to deal with the increasing severity of droughts in the area.

According to the Director of the 11th Region Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center in Surat Thani Chotnarin Kerdsom, a special command center for the prevention and mitigation of drought disasters has been established in the area, in accordance to the Prime Minister’s order.

He has said that 2015's droughts are expected to be more severe than the previous year, according to below average precipitation figures from the 2014 report compiled by the Thai Meteorological Department, and the water reservoir level report from the Royal Irrigation Department, showing that water levels in 2014 were 53.1 billion cubic meters less than the previous year.

The newly established drought prevention and mitigation command center in Surat Thani provides a 24-hour monitoring service, drought fighting equipments, including water tanker trunks and water pumps, and staff to conduct public relief operations.

The affected public can call for assistance on 1784 hotline, or call the 11th Region Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center tel. 0-7725-3559 for 24 hours.


-- NNT 2015-03-30

SET index closed 1,496.51 up 1.29; Bt/USD32.47; GBP47.93; AUD24.57; EUR34.95; CAD25.46; HKD4.16; SGD23.40; JPY26.98

Department of Fisheries to pilot Port in - Port out system from April



BANGKOK, 30 March 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Fisheries (DOF) will be implementing the Port in - Port out system in the 4 piloted provinces in April 2015 to suppress illegal fishing, says DOF Director-General.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813299-thai-dept-of-fisheries-to-pilot-port-in-port-out-system-from-april/

Islamic State group beheads 8 Shiites in Syria's Hama

BEIRUT (AP) — A new video released by the Islamic State group on Sunday shows its fighters cutting off the heads of eight men said to be Shiite Muslims. The video posted on social media said the men were beheaded in the central Syrian province of Hama.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813300-islamic-state-group-beheads-8-shiites-in-syrias-hama/

NLA Vice-President proposes amendment to allow unelected PM during crisis

UTTARADIT, 30 March 2015 (NNT) - The Second Vice-President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) revealed that he will propose a constitutional amendment to allow for an outside prime minister in times of crisis to hold office for up to a year, provided that the measure receives a two-thirds vote in Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813303-nla-vice-president-proposes-amendment-to-allow-unelected-thai-pm-during-crisis/

Industrial production, car exports see growth in Feb

BANGKOK, 30 March 2015 (NNT) – The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) has reported 3.6 percent growth in the Thai manufacturing production index (MPI) of February, along with an 11.32 percent jump in the export of automobiles.

According to OIE Deputy Director Somsak Jantararoungtong, the February MPI edged up for the first time in 23 months by 3.6 percent. The positive growth figure is attributable to the expansion of many important industries, such as automobile, electronic component, sugar and textile. For the entire year, the MPI is expected to increase by an average of 3-4 percent.

Nonetheless, Mr Somsak noted that negative factors at the moment include lingering worries over the continuous decline in oil prices and the contraction of Thai export values in nearly all markets. The United States was the only market with an increasing value, whereas the Japanese market posted the largest shrinkage of 9 percent.

Meanwhile, more than 108,000 cars were exported in February, a rise of 11.32 percent, with major markets being countries in Asia, the Middle East and Oceania. The annual production for export is projected to increase 6.37 percent compared to last year.

-- NNT 2015-03-30

MSDHS Min: Special team deployed to rescue Thai fishery workers in Indonesia

BANGKOK, 30 March 2015 (NNT) – A special team has been deployed to rescue the stranded Thai fishery workers on Ambon Island in Indonesia, says the MSDHS Minister, adding that 43 workers have been found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813309-msdhs-min-special-team-deployed-to-rescue-thai-fishery-workers-in-indonesia/

Highway Patrol: 8 dead, 10 injured when Florida van crashes

MOORE HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Highway Patrol says eight people died and 10 others were injured when a church van from Fort Pierce ran through a stop sign, crossed all lanes of U.S. 27 and landed in a canal in rural southwest Florida.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813311-8-dead-10-injured-in-florida-van-crash/

NBTC suspends two satellite TV stations

BANGKOK: -- TWO POLITICS-ORIENTED satellite TV stations - 24TV and Peace TV - were suspended by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for allegedly breaching an agreement with the regulator as well as orders issued by the junta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813345-nbtc-suspends-two-satellite-tv-stations/

to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 31 Mar 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813418-thailand-live-tuesday-31-mar-2015/