Thailand Live Thursday 2 Apr 2015

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US House members honour HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

WASHINGTON DC, 2 April 2015 (NNT) – The house members of the United States have delivered a remark honouring HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the auspicious occasion of her fifth cycle birthday today, according to the report from Thai Embassy in Washington DC.

The US Senator from Utah and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance Orrin Hatch, along with the Member of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Edward R. Royce delivered their remarks last week, honouring HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the auspicious occasion of her 60th birthday today.

Both delegates extended their best wishes to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and honoured her remarkable contributions to the Thai people and the underprivileged to improve their livelihood in education and public health, through the support from the royal initiated projects to improve their quality of life, and the promotion of arts and culture.

These achievements reflect the prestige and the intelligence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, which evidently demonstrates her excellence to the international community.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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Google Street View to add 12 essential tourist destinations around Thailand



Google Street View of various unmissable destinations in 12 provinces of Thailand, as well as online information about hotels, will be used as a helper to tourists travelling to Thailand.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/google-street-view-to-add-12-essential-tourist-destinations-around-thailand/8163/

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WhatsApp voice calls now available to all Android users



WhatsApp users with an Android smartphone can now take advantage of the app’s new voice calling feature.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/whatsapp-voice-calls-now-available-to-all-android-users/8169/

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Article 44 'Not a Problem,' Says Prayuth
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Thailand's junta chairman has brushed off concerns about Article 44, a constitutional clause invoked last night that grants him near-absolute power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814211-article-44-not-a-problem-says-prayut/

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Princess Sirindhorn receives Cabinet members, parliamentarians and judges



BANGKOK, 2 April 2015 (NNT) - At 9.00 am, yesterday, at Chaipattana Building, Chitralada Villa, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn granted an audience to the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet and their spouses, the President of the National Legislative Assembly and NLA members, high-ranking Parliament officials, the president of the National Reform Council and members, leaders of various courts of justice, and executive members of the Thai Red Cross Society, who offered their best wishes to the Princess on the occasion of her 5th cycle birthday on April 2, 2015.

Later in the afternoon, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn granted an audience to groups of people who gathered to offer their best wishes to the Princess on the occasion of her birthday on April 2. They included:

- Executive board members of Charoen Pokphand Group,
- General Worapong Sa-nganetr, chairman of the Alumni Foundation of the Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School and other members of the foundation,
- And General Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council and other members of the council and their spouses.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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99-yr land lease term approved
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A government committee today approved the 99-year lease term for state land.

Yongyuth Mayalarp, government spokesperson, said that the decision of the committee - tasked to speed up the development of six special economic zones (SEZs) - would cover a total of 24,871 rai of land in five provinces. They are Tak, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Mukdahan, and Nong Khai.

The decision is based on the law on land leases for commercial and industrial purposes enacted in 2009, which allows the 50-year lease. Plus a 49-year renewal term, the lease period will be 99 years.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/99-yr-land-lease-term-approved-30257262.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-02

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DSI seeks 12-day detention for Supachai



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) today sought permission from the Criminal Court to detain former chairman of Credit Union Klongchan Cooperative for questioning in a case which he paid cheques valued 27 million baht to himself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814217-dsi-seeks-12-day-detention-for-supachai/

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S'pore student charged with poisoning classmates
Joyce Lim
The Straits Times


Ouyang Xiangyu

SINGAPORE: -- An A*Star scholarship holder who was doing cancer research at one of America's top universities has been accused of trying to poison her laboratory mates using a toxic chemical.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814220-singaporean-student-accused-of-poisoning-stanford-university-classmates/

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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan official: Suicide bombing in eastern city kills 16, wounds 40.

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Injured foot con man loves extorting money from the ladies
By Coconuts Bangkok


ABOVE: A series of images purporting to show the same hurt-foot con man which has been widely shared on social media.

BANGKOK: -- It started with a knock on the window of her car. “You ran it over!” howled the motorcycle man in pain, pointing to his blood-soaked foot. The only thing that would make it feel better? The THB3,000 in cash he demanded she pay for his troubles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814224-injured-foot-con-man-loves-extorting-money-from-the-ladies/

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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Mortuary attendant says at least 15 dead in Kenya college attack.

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NBTC says top box set to receive digital and satellite content

BANGKOK, 2 April 2015 (NNT) - Digital TV viewers will able to receive both digital and satellite content.

According to the National Broadcasting Telecommunication and Communication (NBTC), Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted homeowners to be able to use the same coupon for both digital and satellite television.

The top box set is expected to be upgraded accordingly with hybrid technology that will enable televisions to receive both forms of television programming.

NBTC Secretary General Takorn Tantasit said it will be a couple of months before the coupons can be exchanged for a new signal receiver.

The expiry date on the coupons will also be extended by two more months. The NBTC Commissioner explained that the move was to allow more people to take advantage of this opportunity, as well as more time to improve signal coverage in remote areas.

Around four million coupons, or nearly half, have been distributed to Thai people via post offices around the country.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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UN rights chief alarmed over 'draconian' Thai junta powers
AFP

GENEVA: -- The United Nation's human rights chief said Thursday he was alarmed by the Thai junta's decision to lift martial law and replace it with 'even more draconian' emergency measures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814185-us-gives-cautious-welcome-to-thailand-lifting-martial-law/#entry9261581

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Six more Thais return home from Ambon Island

BANGKOK, 2 April 2015 (NNT) – Six more Thai fishermen lured into toiling on Ambon Island have returned to their home country, as related agencies attempt to bring back scores of Thai nationals still on the island.

The men were greeted by security officials and others from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security when they arrived at Don Mueang International Airport. They are temporarily housed under the care of Pathumthani Provincial Protection and Occupational Development Center for Men in order for police to collect information aimed at tracking the culprits involved in their detention.

The government is making all-out efforts to bring Thai nationals forced to labor as fishermen on Ambon Island and Benjina Island in Indonesia back to their homeland. An ad hoc operation unit has been appointed to facilitate the return of Thai workers still trapped on the islands and to examine the background of Thai crew members on board boats in Indonesian waters.

The ad hoc unit, stationed on Ambon Island, has accepted requests for help from more than 100 fishermen from Thailand and neighboring countries. Officials believe that more people will seek to return home before the unit closes on April 3.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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SET index closed 1,532.23 up 6.65; Bt/USD32.33; GBP47.81; AUD24.18; EUR34.76; CAD25.45; HKD4.14; SGD23.57; JPY26.88

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Pichit holds funeral for dead lights
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Valissa Valissa

PICHIT: -- Pichit locals held a solemn funeral for their dead street lamps Tuesday, 100 days after they died during which officials have done nothing to fix.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814251-pichit-holds-funeral-for-dead-street-lamps/

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OTOP Fair kicks off in Yala

YALA, 2 April 2015 (NNT) – Yala province is hosting an OTOP Fair to celebrate the auspicious occasion of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s fifth cycle birthday, with many visitors from Thailand and Malaysia attending the event.

The 3rd Yala OTOP Fair kicked off yesterday at Betong District Cultural Plaza. The event was officiated by the Deputy Governor of Yala Udon Noitabtim, along with heads of official agencies from Thailand and Malaysia. The event takes place from 2 April until 7 April 2015.

The Deputy Governor of Yala says the event is being held to celebrate the auspicious occasion of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s fifth cycle birthday on 2 April 2015, to promote tourism and the economy in Betong. The fair will also be a stage for manufacturers and entrepreneurs from Thailand and Malaysia to set up merchandising networks and to exchange knowledge.

The Yala Provincial Community Development Office official Sumet Thongdee said that this year’s event features up to 165 OTOP booths, 47 of which are from entrepreneurs in Yala, 12 of which are from entrepreneurs in Malaysia, 76 of which are from entrepreneurs from other provinces in Thailand, and the remaining 30 booths are general OTOP booths.

Products featured at this event includes foods and drinks, apparels, consumable products, decors, souvenirs, and items in other categories. Handicrafts and accessories are products deemed with high potential to penetrate Malaysian and other ASEAN country markets in the future.

For the security protection, the Superintendent of the Betong District Provincial Police Station Pol Col Suchat Sa-id has instructed police officers, soldiers, volunteers, and public personnel to help maintain order in the area through checkpoints placed at the entrance and exit of the event, and through patrol operations at the event to increase security confidence to visitors.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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PMO Min: Thai textiles fair will further promote Thai silk and textiles

BANGKOK, 2 April 2015 (NNT) – The Thai textiles and fashion fair will help further promote Thai silk and textiles, says the Prime Minister’s Office Minister.

The Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Panadda Diskul presided over the opening ceremony of the Thai textiles and fashion fair of celebration in honour of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sinrindhorn’s fifth cycle birthday. He said that Thai textiles and silk are the important identity of Thailand which should be passed on. This event will further promote Thai textiles and silk to be even more well known.

The Thai textiles and fashion fair is being held by the Foundation of King Rama Nine The Great. The event takes place from today until 3 April 2015 at Sanam Luang, Bangkok.

The Thai textiles and fashion fair features exhibitions of the many variations of Thai textiles and silk, along with a fashion show that presents the textiles's beauty and adaptable qualities of the nation's textiles on modern apparels.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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Al-Qaida frees 300 inmates from Yemeni jail
AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Security officials say al-Qaida militants in Yemen have stormed the center of the coastal city of al-Mukalla and freed about 300 inmates, including scores of militants, and that Shiite rebels have fought their way into the heart of Aden to the west.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814265-al-qaida-frees-300-inmates-from-yemeni-jail/

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Department of Fisheries hosts SEAFDEC Council Meeting

CHIANG RAI, 2 April 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Fisheries (DOF) will be hosting the 47th Meeting of the SEAFDEC Council in Chiang Rai province during 31 March - 3 April 2015.

The DOF Director-General Joompol Sanguansin has revealed that the DOF will be the host of the 47th Meeting of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Council, from 31 March to 3 April 2015 at Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort.

The meeting's objectives are to disclose the SEAFDEC’s achievements, follow up on the progress of the development plan, and to mutually consider SEAFDEC’s policies, action plans, annual projects, and budget for sustainable fisheries operations.

Participants in this meeting includes delegates from 11 SEAFDEC member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand. Approximately 80 members of the SEAFDEC's related agencies will also be participating.

The meeting is expected to generate further cooperation and guidelines for efficient consumption of natural resources, and to ensure the region's food security in the future.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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Prachuap Khiri Khan to sell OTOP products in Myanmar on 3-7 April

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 2 April 2015 (NNT) – Prachuap Khiri Khan province is planning to sell its OTOP products in the Thailand - Myanmar OTOP Fair in Myeik, Myanmar during 3-7 April 2015.

According to Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Community Development Office Official Precha Kittisatayakul, Prachuap Khiri Khan province and Myeik city in Myanmar will host an international OTOP fair during 3-7 April 2015.

Famous local products from Prachuap Khiri Khan, such as Khomapastr fabrics, Khao Tao hand-woven fabrics, cold pressed coconut oil, coconut jelly in longan juice, and seafood will be featured at this event in Myeik, Myanmar.

The Prachuap Khiri Khan Community Development Official has said that the province and Myeik are sister cities that have been developing good relations for many years, while this event will be an opportunity for Prachuap Khiri Khan's and nearby provinces' entrepreneurs to find new distribution channels in the Myanmar market and to negotiate on business proceedings.

He revealed that coconut jelly made from longan juice is the most popular Thai product to Myanmar.


-- NNT 2015-04-02

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Four media organisations voice concern over press curb order

BANGKOK: -- Four media organisations have jointly voiced their serious concern with a provision of Section 44 which empowers security authorities to use their full discretion to deal with any media which presents a report which is deemed a security threat, a distortion of fact which may cause public misunderstanding or which may cause public panic.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814301-four-media-organisations-voice-concern-over-press-curb-order/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 3 Apr 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/814349-thailand-live-friday-3-apr-2015/