Thailand Live Friday 17 Apr 2015

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Record Khon mask dance to be part of cultural event
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE BIGGEST ever Khon mask dance will be staged on Tuesday at Bangkok's Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in what will be a Guinness world record as part of the 233rd anniversary of the Rattanakosin era, Culture Minister Weera Rojpotchanarat said yesterday.

Weera led officials to perform a ritual worship of the Chakri Dynasty founder, previous kings and holy spirits at Sanam Luang yesterday morning. The ceremony ushered in the Rattanakosin grand celebrations to be held from today to Tuesday at Sanam Luang and other sites around Rattanakosin Island, a historic area in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.

The ministry has been joined by state agencies, the private sector and cultural networks in hosting the event, which will feature various activities including a parade highlighting key events, the lifestyle and the culture during the reign of King Rama I to King Rama IX.

There will also include shows originally performed in royal courts. Culture Ministry permanent secretary Apinand Poshaya-nond said the ministry had teamed up with the Bangkok Metropolitan Cultural Council and 76 provincial councils to present more than 200 cultural product items during this event. The ministry will also host a history-oriented tour around Rattanakosin Island twice a day.

Call 1765 or visit www.m-culture.go.th for details.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Record-Khon-mask-dance-to-be-part-of-cultural-even-30258124.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-17

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NEW WORKING GROUP FORMED
Junta aims to win over the public on charter
THE NATION

New working group to also include inputs from other countries to help the transition

The junta has set up a new working group to help boost the public's understanding about the new constitution and to incorporate the experiences of foreign countries in the new Thai charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817888-thai-govt-aims-to-win-over-the-public-on-charter/

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Police probing the route of the vehicle used for Koh Samui bombing
SUWANNEE BANDISAK,
NAKARIN CHINWORAKOMON,
PIMNARA PRADUBWIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CCTV RECORDINGS show the pickup truck used in the car-bomb attack at Central Festival Samui shopping mall on April 10 had left Yala just a day earlier and it also stopped for a long period along the Songkhla-Nakhon Si Thammarat border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817889-police-probing-the-route-of-the-vehicle-used-for-koh-samui-bombing/

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CALL FOR MONETARY EASING
Govt tells BOT to 'manage' baht
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Economic ministers call for monetary easing; Premier to announce govt's achievements over past six months

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817890-thai-govt-tells-bot-to-manage-baht/

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Road toll exceeds last year's figures
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE SONGKRAN holiday period saw 364 deaths and 3,559 injuries from 3,373 accidents - higher than last year's figures, the Road Safety Centre said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817891-songkran-2015-road-toll-exceeds-last-years-figures/

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NATION ANALYSIS
Arms deals with Russia in pipeline as West shuns junta
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Despite Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha's insistence that the government's renewed relationship with Russia is not meant to counterbalance deteriorating relations with the United States, a top Russian minister said Moscow had high hopes for future arms deals with the junta now that Thailand's relations with the West had cooled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817892-arms-deals-with-russia-in-pipeline-as-west-shuns-thai-govt/

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SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Tourist arrivals fall short of expectations
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

The turnout of inbound tourists for the Thai New Year was somewhat disappointing due to limited airline capacity and the bombing in Koh Samui days before the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817893-songkran-tourist-arrivals-fall-short-of-expectations/

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AIS
Telecom tower dispute likely to be settled soon: AIS chief
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Advanced Info Service is confident that it can settle a dispute over ownership of telecommunications towers with its concession owner TOT before the contract expires in September, according to the company's chief executive officer, Somchai Lertsuttiwong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817894-telecom-tower-dispute-likely-to-be-settled-soon-ais-chief/

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POLICY RATE
MPC could trim policy rate again: Sommai
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Sommai Phasee

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's economy has been suffering from the softness in global demand, so the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) could "in theory" continue its accommodative trend and lower the policy interest rate by another 25 basis points at its next meeting on April 29, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817895-mpc-could-trim-policy-rate-again-sommai/

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EDITORIAL
We need the facts, not spin, about car-bomb attack
The Nation

Government spokesmen have been pre-empting the investigation by making political insinuations

Thailand does not seem to be ready for the truth given the way the government and military spokesmen have been putting a spin on the recent car-bomb attacks at a major shopping mall in Koh Samui, one of the most important tourist destinations in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817896-thai-editorial-we-need-the-facts-not-spin-about-car-bomb-attack/

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Pattaya Police Ban Pipes from Songkran Waterfights
By Khaosod English


Police officers exchange water pipe-guns from tourists with plastic bowls in Pattaya, 16 April 2015

CHONBURI - Police in the resort town of Pattaya are cracking down on uses of high-powered plastic pipes to shoot water in the festival to marks Thai New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817898-pattaya-police-ban-pipes-from-songkran-waterfights/

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Suicidal Filipino Boxer in knife incident at East Pattaya Gym



PATTAYA: -- Police were called to a popular Gymnasium located in East Pattaya in the early hours of Thursday to assist in dealing with a Filipino resident of the Gym who was armed with two knives and was threatening to kill himself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817900-suicidal-filipino-boxer-in-knife-incident-at-east-pattaya-gym/

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Thai-Norwegian Child Drowns at Swimming Pool in Jomtien



PATTAYA: -- Tragedy struck a family living at the Viewpoint Village in Jomtien on Thursday afternoon following the drowning of a 2 year old Thai-Norwegian boy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817901-thai-norwegian-child-drowns-at-swimming-pool-in-jomtien/

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Attempted Suicide by drinking toilet cleaner in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday Police and medics were called to a Condominium to deal with a suspected attempted suicide by a 21 year old woman who decided to drink toilet cleaning liquid after her foreign boyfriend refused to return home when asked to do so.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817902-attempted-suicide-by-drinking-toilet-cleaner-in-south-pattaya/

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Three IPhone thieves caught after dramatic chase and crash in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 34 year old Chinese Tourist was re-united with her IPhone 5S on Thursday Night after it was snatched from her by three men in front of Mike Shopping Mall in South Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817903-three-iphone-thieves-caught-after-dramatic-chase-and-crash-in-east-pattaya/

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Elections may be held by end of April next year, EC reckons
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's next general election could be held at the end of April next year, Election Commission member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817904-thai-elections-may-be-held-by-end-of-april-next-year-ec-reckons/

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BURNING ISSUE
Charter draft may not get hoped-for NRC rubber stamp
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH

BANGKOK: -- NEXT WEEK is likely to see a lot of heated words between the Constitution Drafting Committee and the National Reform Council as the draft of the new charter is put on the table for deliberation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817906-thai-charter-draft-may-not-get-hoped-for-nrc-rubber-stamp/

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Another suspect arrested in U-Fun scam probe
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AS ONE more executive involved in U-Fun Store's alleged pyramid scheme was arrested in Nong Khai yesterday, 50 U-Fun members urged the Chiang Mai Administrative Court to hold the Consumer Protection Board responsible for the damages they sustained because of the public fraud allegations. The board, which authorised the company's operations, must compensate its affected members, they said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817908-another-suspect-arrested-in-u-fun-scam-probe/

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Man Arrested in Connection With Chiang Mai Murder

Thai authorities have arrested Para Chusri in connection with the murder of a 33-year old woman in Chiang Mai. The 52-year old lives in the Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district and is said to have been in a drug-fueled rage when the murder took place.

Police arrested the man on Thursday during a raid in Chang Mai. According to initial reports, police found a mobile phone that belonged to the victim during the raid as well as the clothes that Mr. Para wore. Police were tipped off by the CCTV images that were uncovered during the murder investigation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817897-man-arrested-in-connection-with-chiang-mai-murder/

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Kirimaya resort in Pak Chong under probe
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ANTI-GRAFT authorities are now investigating Kirimaya Resort, a five-star hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district, over suspicions of land encroachment. This investigation is part of the authorities' crusade against encroachment into forest reserves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817910-kirimaya-resort-in-pak-chong-under-probe/

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Thailand’s economic outlook worst in 40 years



BANGKOK: -- All the economic engines appear to have stopped functioning rendering Thailand’s economic outlook the worst in 40 years, said Mr Thanawat Polvichai, director of the Economic and Business Forecast Centre of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817911-thailands-economic-outlook-worst-in-40-years/

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Phuket sees over seven per cent increase in tourist arrivals on 2014
Nattha Thepbamrung


Governor Nisit today revealed that tourist figures have grown on the same time last year.

PHUKET: From the beginning of the year until now, Phuket has seen an increase of 7.69 per cent in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year. The figures were revealed today (April 16) by Governor Nisit Jansomwong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817912-phuket-sees-over-seven-per-cent-increase-in-tourist-arrivals-on-2014/

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Top 7 Cities For Retiring In Thailand
By Jean Folger

Known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear water and beautiful climate, plus its ruins of ancient kingdoms, many present-day temples and, of course, Thai cuisine, Thailand offers a mix of everything from vibrant cosmopolitan cities to quiet waterside towns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817913-top-7-cities-for-retiring-in-thailand/

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Eviction Appeal Deadline is Quickly Approaching for Surin Beach Businesses

The eviction appeal deadline for 39 beach businesses in Surin is quickly approaching. The eviction notices were handed down to business owners by the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor). Among the 39 businesses facing eviction are several iconic beach clubs, including Bimi Beach Club and Catch Beach Club.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817885-eviction-appeal-deadline-is-quickly-approaching-for-surin-beach-businesses/

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Bug Snacks are Coming to Thailand Stores

Panitan Tongsiri, a 29-year-old Thai entrepreneur, is hoping to change the way Thais eat insects. On the streets of Bangkok, you can buy just about any food you can imagine – including grasshoppers and stir-fried bees. But Mr. Panitan is looking to take advantage of the bug-craze by selling snack-sized bags of the fried critters in stores.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817884-bug-snacks-are-coming-to-thailand-stores/

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Hat Yai airport taxis protest

Hat Yai, Songkhla:- Some 30 drivers of taxis at the Hat Yai International Airport protested Thursday against what they called unfair collection of concession fee from them.

The group of taxis gathered at the airport in the morning. The drivers said the firm in charge of operating taxi services at the airport demanded them to pay very high amount of concession fee in exchange for the right to take up passengers from the airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817862-hat-yai-airport-taxis-protest/

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Flight Safety Concerns May Skew Tourist Arrival Forecast

This year’s tourist arrival forecast may be skewed if Thailand fails to clear up its current flight safety issues. Initially, the private sector expected to see an influx of tourists after the lifting of martial law. But flight safety concerns are now creating problems for the tourism industry. If the issues are not resolved in a timely manner, the tourism target will need to be “revised down,” Ittirit Kinglake, the Tourism Council of Thailand president, warns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817887-flight-safety-concerns-may-skew-tourist-arrival-forecast/

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Jeb Bush: Campaign decision 'in relatively short order'
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Jeb Bush said Thursday he will make up his mind "in relatively short order" whether to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817921-jeb-bush-campaign-decision-in-relatively-short-order/

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Secrecy shrouds decade-old oil spill in Gulf of Mexico
By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN and JEFF DONN

OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO (AP) — Down to just one full-time employee, Taylor Energy Company exists for only one reason: to fight an oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico that has gone largely unnoticed, despite creating miles-long slicks for more than a decade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817922-secrecy-shrouds-decade-old-oil-spill-in-gulf-of-mexico/

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'Suge' Knight is ordered to stand trial, taken to hospital
BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press
RAQUEL MARIA DILLON, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former rap music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight was hospitalized again on Thursday after a judge ordered him to stand trial on murder and attempted murder charges filed after he ran over two men in a parking lot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817924-suge-knight-is-ordered-to-stand-trial-taken-to-hospital/