Thailand Live Friday 17 Apr 2015

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SET up 4.93 to 1,547.93 at midday /Bangkok Post

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Route taken by car used for the Samui bombing examined

Koh Samui: -- The route taken by the car used in the Samui bombing at Central Festival Plaza Chawneg has been tracked on CCTV cameras. The recordings show that the car had left Yala and moved to Songkhla before stopping on the border zone of Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818032-route-taken-by-car-used-for-the-samui-bombing-examined/

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Over 1,300 rescued dogs in Buri Ram affected by heat wave

BURI RAM: -- Over 1,300 dogs rescued from the illegal meat trade, which are shelters under corrugated iron roofs at Buri Ram animal detention centre are being affected by heat wave, the centre chief, Phaisarn Pattanadejkul said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818033-over-1300-rescued-dogs-in-buri-ram-affected-by-heat-wave/

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Prawit says the military knows who are behind Samui car bombing



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said today that security authorities now know who are behind the car bomb attack at Central Festival Samui shopping plaza.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818036-prawit-says-the-military-knows-who-are-behind-samui-car-bombing/

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Ubon Ratchathani district chiefs ordered to watch out against illegal bungfai firing
The Nation

Ubon Ratchathani: -- Governor Prateep Kiratirekha held a meeting with district chiefs in his province Friday to instruct them to tightly control the firing of bungfai or traditional homemade bamboo rockets of northeastern people.

The district chiefs were told to ensure that each community would not fire the bungfai outside the permitted time from 9 am to 5 pm. Each large community will be allowed to celebrate the bungfai firing tradition no more than two days during April 18 to May 17 and the communities must seek permission 15 days in advance.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Ubon-Ratchathani-district-chiefs-ordered-to-watch--30258157.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-17

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Reserves slightly ease
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's foreign reserves have slightly declined to stand at US$157.8 billion as of April 10, according to the Bank of Thailand.

In the previous week, the reserves stood at $158.2 billion.

Net forward position also eased from $19.5 billion a week earlier to $18.2 billion as of April 10.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Reserves-slightly-ease-30258159.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-17

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VATICAN CITY (AP) - Vatican says pope considering adding Cuba stop to US trip in September but no decision made.

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Second quarter spending to boost employment

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) – The Deputy Prime Minister in charge

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818056-second-quarter-spending-to-boost-employment/

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UPDATE:

New sea routes to boost tourism planned



BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry is now escalating a ferry project to cut short travel time from the east to the west coasts by half with the direct sea link between Pattaya and Hua Hin to boost tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817941-govt-orders-speeding-up-of-pattaya-cha-am-hua-hin-ferry-project/?p=9312994#entry9312994

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IATA: Unfair to penalise Thai airlines
Kang Soon Chen
Asia News Network

MADRID: -- It is unfair to penalise Thai airlines for the government's ''oversight'' in regulatory regime for aviation, said International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general and chief executive officer Tony Tyler.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818058-iata-unfair-to-penalise-thai-airlines/

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MILAN (AP) - Sicilian fishing cooperative says boat with 7 crew taken by armed men off Libya.

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Draft charter copies distributed to members of the NRC

BANGKOK: -- Copies of the long-awaited draft constitution have been distributed to members of the National Reform Council today (Friday).

NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranant received a set of draft charter which also includes a copy of the Constitution Drafting Committee’s report and a copy of the appendix from the CDC at 7.49 am, an auspicious time chosen by the CDC for the submission of the draft charter to the NRC.

Debate on the draft charter is scheduled on April 20-26.

Mr Wanchai Sornsiri, spokesman of the NRC whips, said that the chairman of each of the NRC panels would be allotted 30 minutes to comment on the draft whereas the rests of the NRC would be given 15 minutes but if less than 208 members have expressed their wish to join the debate an addition of five minutes would give for each speaker.

Debaters will have to state clearly which section of the draft charter they would like to comment and lots will be drawn about who will have the first right to speak in the debate.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/draft-charter-copies-distributed-to-members-of-the-nrc


-- Thai PBS 2015-04-17

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Cambodia marks 40 years since evacuation of Phnom Penh
Agence France-Presse
PHNOM PENH

PHNOM PENH: -- Tearful survivors on Friday marked 40 years to the day since the Khmer Rouge marched on Phnom Penh, ending a civil war but heralding a terror that would kill a quarter of Cambodians and leave the capital a ghost town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818067-cambodia-marks-40-years-since-evacuation-of-phnom-penh/

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Rescue teams try to help injured tourist from Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary



KANCHANABURI: -- Rescue workers have been trying to reach a seriously-injured female tourist who has been trapped immovable in the deep jungle of Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in Kanchanaburi province since April 15.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818069-rescue-teams-try-to-help-injured-tourist-from-thungyai-naresuan-wildlife-sanctuary/

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Pridiyathorn confident economy to pick up in second quarter



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula is confident that Thailand’s economy will gradually pick up in the second quarter of the year due to increased household spending and increased government investments as well as slow recovery of exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818070-pridiyathorn-confident-thai-economy-to-pick-up-in-second-quarter/

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Germany funds human rights project in Northern Thailand
The Nation



CHIANG MAI: -- The German government has awarded 70,000 euro (approximately Bt2.4 million) to the Thai non-profit organisation Trafcord to support their fight against human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818073-germany-funds-human-rights-project-in-northern-thailand/

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PM urges all Thais to make Thailand worth visiting

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has called on all Thais to help make their country worth knowing and visiting, during his announcement of the government’s performance over the past six months.

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Private sector collaborate to reduce energy consumption

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has revealed that its energy conservation program has seen great participation from the private sector.

The energy conservation program coincides with the Yadana gas and Zawtika gas fields in Myanmar undergoing routine maintenance from April 10-27. ERC spokesman Weerapol Chirapraditkul revealed that roughly 800 companies have shown interest in registering with the program, pledging to reduce their average energy consumption by 660 MW. This exceeded the initial ERC target of 500 MW.

The energy-saving initiative began in 2011 as a collaboration between the Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, and the Provincial Electricity Authority. The program has consistently managed to exceed its target of reducing consumption by 500 MW.

New companies wishing to register with the program must pledge to a 700 MW reduction in energy consumption, during the hours of 10:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00, and 19:00-22:00 on April 10, 17, 18, and 20.

Private corporations that have shown interest in saving energy include shopping malls, hotels, and those from the industrial sector. All parties have pledged to reduce an average of more than 500 MW during all aforementioned time periods.


-- NNT 2015-04-17

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Commerce Ministry beefs up sales campaigns abroad

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is poised to beef up its sales campaigns in major and prospective overseas markets.

The DITP will focus its campaigns on markets in Japan, China, South Korea, India, South East Asia and neighboring countries. Marketing strategies will vary in line with the target groups of each country.

For the market in Japan, the DITP has planned to boost the sales of food and drinks and textiles. Attention will be given to consumers aged between 20 and 64. The Department will also send trade representatives to discuss future deals with Japanese businessmen in July.

As for China, the target group will be consumers with high purchasing power in secondary cities. Food products will be the major export items. Popular Thai celebrities will be hired as product presenters.

With regard to India, the DITP will encourage Thai operators in Myanmar to penetrate smaller cities where Thai market shares are still limited. Meanwhile, giant producers such as CP, Siam Cement Group and Thai Bev will be urged to expand their businesses across ASEAN.


-- NNT 2015-04-17

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Grenade found in garbage bin in Ratburana
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bomb disposal police officers safely disposed a grenade that was found in a garbage bin on Soi Suksawat 64 in Bangkok's Ratburana district Friday afternoon.

Police are checking footage from security cameras in the area to try to find out who left the bomb there.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Grenade-found-in-garbage-bin-in-Ratburana-30258173.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-17

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Passenger who lost wallet at Phuket Airport given the runaround
Nattapat Tuarob


Tantai Wongsaeree was frustated at the lack of attention he received from offiials at Phuket International Airport.

PHUKET: -- Questions have been raised as to what the correct procedure should be if anyone should lose or have an item stolen whilst at Phuket International Airport, especially when they are on a departing flight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818096-passenger-who-lost-wallet-at-phuket-airport-given-the-runaround/

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SET index closed 1,566.85 down 3.15; Bt/USD32.26; GBP48.06; AUD24.80; EUR34.58; CAD26.27; HKD4.14; SGD23.76; JPY26.97

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UPDATE:

Monk in detention for 'stealing' corpse parts from graves
The Nation

A MONK in Udon Thani has been arrested for allegedly stealing a corpse from a local cemetery and chopping off the head of another corpse for black magic purposes.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817996-two-corpses-stolen-from-graveyard/page-2#entry9314069

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HRW urges Thailand to drop charges against Phuket journalists
The Nation

PHUKET: -- The Thai authorities are urged to drop criminal proceedings against two journalists for reporting on trafficking of ethnic Rohingya "boat people", Human Rights Watch said today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818139-hrw-urges-thailand-to-drop-charges-against-phuket-journalists/

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Education permanent secretary removed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief General Prayut Chanocha has removed Education Ministry permanent secretary Suthasri Wongsamarn and transferred him to the post of secretary general of the Office of the Education Council.

Under the order invoked by Article 44 of the interim charter, Suthasri was replaced by Kamjorn Tatiyakavee, secretary-general of the Office of Higher Education Commission (Ohec).

Piniti Ratananukul, head of the Office of the Education Council, became the new chief of Ohec.

Through the reshuffle, Office of the Private Education Commission secretary general Bundit Sriputtangul wapped posts with Education Ministry inspector general Adinan Pakbara.

In another move, Office of Basic Education Commission deputy secretarygeneral Rattana Sriherun was made secretary-general of the Office of the Teacher Civil Service and Education Personnel Commission.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Education-permanent-secretary-removed-30258221.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-17

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Only solution for Phuket boat collision appears to be court
Tanyaluk Sakoot

The North Star

PHUKET: An incident which saw two boats collide close to Mai Ton Island on Saturday (April 11) seems to have reached a stalemate with the only solution appearing to be the Civil Court.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818141-only-solution-for-phuket-boat-collision-appears-to-be-court/

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NCPO to invite overseas political academics to discuss Thailand’s future

BANGKOK, 16 April 2015 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order will invite political pundits and academics from abroad to share their ideas on Thailand’s political transition.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818143-ncpo-to-invite-overseas-political-academics-to-discuss-thailands-future/

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PM happy that 68 fishermen return in time for Songkran

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Friday that it was heartening that 68 fishermen were rescued and sent back to Thailand in time for Songkran celebration.

"They returned home on April 8th, just in time for Thai Family's Day. Every returnee will be assisted and compensated. The state will provide health checkups and other necessities as well as get them home to their families safely," Prayut said during his weekly TV programme aired Friday night.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/PM-happy-that-68-fishermen-return-in-time-for-Song-30258250.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-17

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Sri Racha, Chon Buri:- Police are searching for a group of Chinese tourists after one of them broke a window of a car that blocked their car Thursday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818106-police-hunt-for-group-of-chinese-tourists/

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Bangkok: A 38-year-old Myanmar woman was found strangled near a shelter of workers of a factory in Bangkok Friday morning, police said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818110-myanmar-woman-strangled-in-bangkok/