Thailand Live Wednesday 23 Apr 2014

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Suthep leads PDRC to Metropolitan Electricity Authority at Ploenchit; Caretaker PM awaits NACC decision on additional witnesses request /MCOT

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Thai children read more than previously



BANGKOK: -- The National Statistical Office (TNSO) has revealed that Thais are now spending more time reading, and children have been found to be the group that read the most.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720815-thai-children-read-more-than-previously/

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Thai police apprehend migrants for illegal entry

BANGKOK, 23 April 2014 (NNT) – Thai police have arrested a group of Rohingyas after they illegally entered the Thai territory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720816-thai-police-apprehend-migrants-for-illegal-entry/

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Buriram continues its investigation into local education scandal

BURIRAM 23 April 2014 (NNT) — Buriram officials are continuing their investigation into the local education scandal involving teachers who apparently cheated on their exams to obtain their teaching certificates.

Officials are digging for more evidence in the education scandal in Buriram province to shed more light on the case. So far, they have found that 2 teachers who passed the teacher’s examination are related to Mr. Pitak Supaluek, the Dean of Nongsai School.

The two teachers found to be related to the Dean are identified as Mr. Chumpol Supaluek and Mr. Thanakrit Supaluek, both of whom are teachers in schools located in Buriram province, and whose names were recorded in the teacher’s examination for positions of assistant teachers in Nonthaburi province. Meanwhile, Mr. Pitak’s name was found in the examination records during the April 19 examination held in Samut Sakorn province.

Further investigation is underway to determine whether the 2 teachers related to the dean, Mr.Pitak, and the dean himself have been involved in corruption in the education system. Officials have promised that the trial will be fair and unbiased.

-- NNT 2014-04-23

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Caretaker PM awaits Constitutional Court decision on deadline extension for testimony on NSC chief Thawil transfer case /MCOT

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'No US visa' policy for Pinoys is not true - embassy
ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA – An online report about a 'no visa' policy for Filipinos in the United States is a hoax, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720823-no-us-visa-policy-for-filipinos-is-not-true-philippine-embassy-in-washington-dc/

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Constitutional Court deliberates PM's extension request



BANGKOK: -- The nine-member panel of the Constitutional Court began Wednesday to deliberate a petition by caretaker premier for the extension of 15 more days to appear and defend malfeasance charge involving her unlawful transfer of the former security chief to inactive post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720824-constitutional-court-deliberates-pms-extension-request/

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TAT revises down domestic tourism revenue target

BANGKOK, 23 April 2014, (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revised this year’s revenue projection for the domestic tourism sector down to 640 billion baht from the previous 700 billion baht as a result of the ongoing political turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720826-tat-revises-down-domestic-tourism-revenue-target/

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Constitutional Court approves Yingluck's request for 15-day extension

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720824-constitutional-court-deliberates-pms-extension-request/#entry7725104

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Local boats ignore teens and leave them to drown in Chao Phraya River
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Two boys drowned yesterday in the Chao Phraya River after two local boats refused to assist them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720857-local-boats-ignore-teens-and-leave-them-to-drown-in-chao-phraya-river/

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Phuket filthy water spotlight focuses on Kamala
Suthicha Sirirat


The klong at the south end of Kamala.

PHUKET: -- Following the fuss over foul water flowing down a klong in Bangtao and across the beach, causing skin rashes and infections, experts yesterday (April 23) took a look at another klong, in Kamala, where local people reported similar disgusting smells and health problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720859-phuket-filthy-water-spotlight-focuses-on-kamala/

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Customs Department to enforce tax collection on luxury cars

BANGKOK, 23 April 2014, (NNT) - The Customs Department has instructed its officials to step up the enforcement of policy on the value declarations of imported luxury cars, in order to prevent tax evasion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720860-thai-customs-dept-to-enforce-tax-collection-on-luxury-cars/

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Uni boy slapped, arrested for peeping into women's toilet
By Coconuts Bangkok



CHONBURI: -- A university student was arrested in Chonburi for peeping into the women’s restroom at a local department store but not before getting a good slap.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720864-uni-boy-slapped-arrested-for-peeping-into-womens-toilet-chonburi/

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A crowd control policeman was seriously injured after a fall while descending on a rope from a helicopter during a rescue drill over Vibhavadi police station. /Bangkok Post

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ASEAN
Asean to issue on statement on Thai political crisis

BANGKOK: -- Asean countries will issue a statement soon to express concern at the political crisis in Thailand and their wish to see an election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720874-asean-to-issue-on-statement-on-thai-political-crisis/

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UPDATE:

Thai PM given more time in critical legal case

BANGKOK, April 23, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday gave crisis-mired Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra more time to submit her defence against allegations of abuse of power which could see her removed from office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720824-constitutional-court-deliberates-pms-extension-request/page-2#entry7725967

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Anything to declare? Airport officials asked to target bags of undisclosed cash
Phuket Gazette


Glenn Tankard of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) asked officials to target people carrying large amounts of undisclosed cash. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- Officers at Phuket International Airport have been asked to target people carrying large amounts of undisclosed cash in the ongoing battle to crack down on transnational crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720877-phuket-airport-officials-asked-to-target-bags-of-undisclosed-cash-australian-federal-police/

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DEADLY VIRUS
No Thais in Saudi Arabia infected with MERS : Foreign Ministry

BANGKOK: -- There are no reports of Thais in Saudi Arabia being infected with the deadly MERS virus, which has killed at least 93 since it appeared in Saudi Arabia in September last year, the Thai Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

On April 12, Riyadh's Public Health Ministry reported that 12 more people had tested positive of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), bringing the total number of reported cases in the kingdom to 261.

Thai Foreign Ministry's spokesman Sek Wannamethee said the Thai Consulate in Jeddah had checked with Thais residing in its jurisdiction and found no infection among them.

The consulate visited Thai students and ThaiMuslim pilgrims in Mecca city and provided them with knowledge about the outbreak as well as recommendations on how to protect themselves from the virus.


-- The Nation 2014-04-23

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Pirates raid oil tanker in Malacca Straits

Armed pirates have raided an oil tanker sailing in the Malacca Straits and abducted three crew members, officials in Malaysia say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720880-pirates-raid-oil-tanker-in-malacca-straits/

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Police sting nets near-perfect counterfeit dollars
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Thai team trading in some of the finest counterfeit currency ever found has been arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720881-thai-police-sting-nets-near-perfect-counterfeit-us-dollars/

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UPDATE:

ASEAN to issue statement on Thailand's political crisis: Surapong
By English News



BANGKOK, April 23 - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is issuing a statement expressing the regional bloc's concern over Thailand's political crisis and urging that a general election be held, Thai caretaker foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720874-asean-to-issue-on-statement-on-thai-political-crisis/?p=7726160#entry7726160

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UPDATE:

Customs officials to act tough on luxury car importers



BANGKOK: -- The Customs Department is to strictly enforce collection of import duties on luxury cars after importers tended to declare lower value of the vehicles to avoid higher tax payment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720860-thai-customs-dept-to-enforce-tax-collection-on-luxury-cars/#entry7726207

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Policeman falls to death from helicopter on Vibhavadi Road
By Prae Sakaowan


Photos: Bygon Returns

BANGKOK: -- A police officer rehearsing a rescue today himself fell to his death from a helicopter sling on Vibhavadi Road, the most recent in a series of serious training accidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720883-policeman-falls-to-death-from-helicopter-on-bangkoks-vibhavadi-road/

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SHOOTING
Redshirt poet shot dead in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A man known as the "redshirt poet", was gunned down in broad daylight on Wednesday at a restaurant in Lat Phrao district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720888-redshirt-poet-shot-dead-in-bangkok/

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BOT holds benchmark rate steady at 2%

BANGKOK, 23 April 2014 (NNT) — The Bank of Thailand’s monetary policy committee has decided in a 6:1 vote to maintain the benchmark policy rate at 2%, while Thai economy is expected to grow at a slower rate than earlier anticipated due to the unstable politics.

Paibul Kittisrikangwan, assistant governor of the central bank’s monetary policy affairs committee, said the meeting had contemplated the domestic economy and inflation rates, as well as the global outlook. The US economy has recovered while China is at some risk in its financial sector and from a slowdown in its investment activity.

Meanwhile, the Thai economy’s first quarter is likely to contract more than earlier expected, due to the political malaise.

Private sector investment and tourism have been affected while the export sector is recovering slowly but not uniformly over the whole sector. Pressure from the rate of inflation is close to the estimates.


-- NNT 2014-04-23

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Suthep and members visit MEA to rally for more support



BANGKOK, 23 April 2014 (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thuangsuban and other members have held a meeting with high-level executives of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) in a bid to push for more reforms.

The group held talks with deputy MEA governor Wirat Chansiriwattana and members of the MEA labour union at their office in Chidlom yesterday

Suthep told the press that the meeting was aimed at campaigning for political reforms, which focus on an end to the country’s widespread corruption. The move is part of the PDRC’s daily campaign for national reforms.

He added that another rally is slated to be announced on April 30. The PDRC has launched their campaign earlier this month to urge government officials to defy the government and to join the cause of the anti-government protesters.


-- NNT 2014-04-23

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SET index closed 1,423.39, up 8.34; Bt/USD32.22; GBP54.05; AUD29.73; EUR44.40; CAD29.05; HKD4.14; SGD25.52; JPY31.29

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Fire at Ayutthaya landfill now under control

BANGKOK, 23 April 2014 (NNT) - Local authorities in Ayutthaya province have confirmed that a massive fire that broke out at a garbage dump in Ladbualuang district has been completely put out.

Six fire engines were deployed to extinguish the blaze which spread over the area of 10 rai on Wednesday morning. Back hoes were used to pile more soil onto the burning areas. Local staff were instructed to closely monitor the situation in case the fire re-ignites.

The fire is believed to have started when farmers burn rice stubble in their paddy located next to the landfill. Items in the waste dump caught fire and began to burn up more than 10 percent of the landfill.

The province’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Unit has urged relevant agencies in the area to exercise extra caution in preventing fire hazard. The dry weather and burning activities could further jeopardize the situation.

The incident occurred around the same time as another fire that broke out in Chai Nat on Tuesday, affecting about 10 surrounding villages.


-- NNT 2014-04-23

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EC endorses 4 more senators-elect

BANGKOK, 23 April 2014 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has given endorsement to four additional senators-to-be and is set to consider the legitimacy of 15 others within April 28.

EC Secretary-General Phuchong Nutrawong revealed that the commission today convened to deliberate the complaints filed against winning senatorial candidates from five provinces, namely Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Sing Buri and Phrae. Citing insufficient grounds, the complaints were dismissed for the representatives of the first four provinces and official endorsement was granted. The case of the Phrae representative, however, will need to await further investigation.

As a result, out of the 77 seats available for elected senators, 62 seats have been officially filled. The other 15 seats will remain vacant until the winning candidates are certified by the EC which will need to happen no later than April 28, the 30-day deadline after the senatorial election.

One of the candidates waiting for the EC’s consideration is Bangkok representative Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, former Auditor-General and member of the now-defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee.

-- NNT 2014-04-23

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Thai Red Cross Society celebrates its 121st anniversary



BANGKOK, 23 April 2014 (NNT) - H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside at a ceremony for the 121st Anniversary of Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS) on April 25 while the public is invited to join in and receive special services from the organizations under the TRCS.

On the occasion of the 121st Anniversary of the Thai Red Cross Society on April 26, the public is cordially invited to attend the celebration held on April 25 between 09.00 – 16.00 hours. At this event, H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, TRCS Executive Vice-President, will preside over an alms giving ceremony. 122 monks are invited to be in attendance at 07.00 AM at Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute.

In addition, organ donation and health check services will be provided at the National Blood Center, as well as an eyesight check at the Optometry and Eyeglasses Center, in the Relief and Community Health Bureau. The Thai Red Cross Museum and the Snake Farm at Saovabha Memorial Institute will also be open free of charge. Moreover, the Anonymous Clinic at the AIDS Research Center and its branches will offer an AIDS checkup service free of charge nationwide.

Gifts are offered to those visiting the museum between 21 – 30 April 2014 during normal office hours. For more information, call 1664.


-- NNT 2014-04-23