Thai Press Reports articles from April 2010

Thai Press Reports archives from April 2010

Thailand: The eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull Volcano.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull Volcano on 14 April 2010 has caused tremendous impacts on many major businesses, airline in particular, and the environmental aspects across Europe and Asia. Associate...

Thailand: Thai culture, arts to be broadcasted via cable programs.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The Ministry of Culture joins hands with the private sector in publicizing national culture and arts via satellite and cable programs in a bid to urge more public awareness towards Thai culture. Mr Vira Rojpojanarat,...

Thailand: Reading Habit Development.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Surveys claim that Thais, both children and adults, each read only about 7-11 lines per year, but, believe it or not, throngs of people are flocking to many book fairs each year. Regardless of the reading habit situation...

Thailand: Mental Health Department releases 5 tips to cure children who refuse schools.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Parents are advised to prevent school refusal in children and adolescents before the new semester starts. Deputy Public Health Minister Pansiri Kulnartsiri accompanied by Mental Health Department Director-General MD...

Thailand: 53 victims from Rangsit clashes sign up for M-Society's assistance.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society) revealed figures of those who signed up for financial assistance from the tense confrontation between the military and police forces and protesters of the...

Thailand: Trairong says prolonged rally will hinder economic pace.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The prolonged rally of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors slowed down the progress of economic development in Thailand, according to Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri. ...

Thailand: AoT injects THB 5 bn to improve customs free zone.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The Airports of Thailand (AoT) will inject five billion THB in hiring executives and managers for Suvarnabhumi Airport's Customs Free Zone to enable more convenience and efficiency of logistics. The agreement is valid...

Thailand: Thai stocks expected to decline, political factors attributed.
April 30, 2010... Section: Stocks - Financial experts forecasts a decline in Thai stock following the movement of regional stocks and the ongoing political conflict. According to the head of investment strategy at Globlex Securities, Chakkrit Charoenmetachai,...

Thailand: THB continues on decline.
April 30, 2010... Section: Currency - The Thai Baht opened at 32.33-32.35 THB against the USD this morning, declining in reverse to other currencies in the region, due to the persisting pressure from political unrest. A financial executive from the Bank of...

Thailand: Govt entreated to aid rally-affected businesses in long run.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Business operators suffering from the Ratchaprasong mob have requested the government to employ aid measures in two phases - during and after the protest. Speaking after conferring with the Commerce Ministry and...

Thailand: Thai food and crop market enjoys growth from AFTA.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - The Thai market for agriculture and food experienced positive growth since the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) has come into effect, according to the National Food Institute (NFI). NFI Executive vice-president,...

Thailand: Finance Ministry says 2010 GDP grows 8-9% in Q1.
April 30, 2010... Section: Economy - The national gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2010 expanded 8-9% due to increasing domestic spending and export boom, according to the Finance Ministry. Permanent Secretary for Finance Sathit...

Thailand: Airport Rail Link service postponed due to ongoing rally.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has indefinitely postponed the opening date of its airport rail link service for safety reasons due to the ongoing protest. Transport Minister Sopon Zarum stated that the...

Thailand: FPO reports 2010 GDP dips 0.2-0.5%.
April 30, 2010... Section: Economy - The national gross domestic product (GDP) for the year 2010 has contracted by 0.2-0.5% due to political uncertainties, according to the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO). FPO Director Satit Rangkasiri said this year's GDP growth...

Thailand: Bank of Thailand expects 2010 GDP to grow 4.3-5.8%.
April 30, 2010... Section: Economy - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has revised its forecast on the country's gross domestic product (GDP) expansion for 2010 to 4.3-5.8%, up from its initial prediction of 3.5-5.3%. Despite a potential 0.9% reduction of the GDP...

Thailand: UDD to elaborate upon 28 Apr crackdown with EU.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will travel to the Office of the Delegation of the European Commission to Thailand to elaborate upon the 28 April clash between UDD supporters and...

Thailand: DSI to probe accumulation of war weapons seized from anti-govt protestors.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The Department of Special Investigation will conduct a probe into how a number of powerful arms had fallen into the possession of a United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) supporter. DSI...

Thailand: PAD to file letter to PM today.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Core leaders and supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have gradually arrived at the 11th Infantry Regiment this morning to file a letter to the Prime Minister and the Army Chief for the...

Thailand: Thai govt will be able to solve political rifts.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The Thai government has confirmed with the global community once again in its confidence to solve the domestic political upheaval by itself after many nations have voiced concerns over the issue. Deputy...

Thailand: Thai pavilion is ready for Shanghai World Expo 2010.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Thailand is ready to showcase its cultural uniqueness and heritage at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. According to Issara Somchai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society), the Thai pavilion is...

Thailand: Gen Prawit says it's time to end political rift.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Minister of Defence, General Prawit Wongsuwan asked all sides to help put an end to the current political situation in Thailand at haste, adding that peaceful dialogue can take place again. General Prawit...

Thailand: PAD demands crackdown on UDD protestors.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has once again encouraged the government to disperse the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and break the ongoing domestic political deadlock. ...

Thailand: Govt says CRES followed correct measures for crowd control yesterday.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The crowd control operations implemented by the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Resolution (CRES) yesterday evening followed legitimate procedures, said Minister to the Prime Minister's Office,...

Thailand: NHRC worried about a repeat of 6 Oct massacre.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has voiced concern that another 6 October 1976 incident will repeat itself after the plan to overthrow the monarchy has been involved with the ongoing political...

Thailand: PM urges officers to prevent weapons smuggling.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has stressed all security officers to take care of the situation around the rally site of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) at Ratchaprasong...

Thailand: Another 2 subcommittees appointed to probe 10 Apr bloodshed.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has appointed two additional subcommittees to investigate the 10 Apr bloodshed between security officers and supporters of the United Front of Democracy Against...

Thailand: UDD to petition court over 28 April violence.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will lodge a complaint with the Civil Court, alleging that the government's operation during the 28 April clashes was against the...

Thailand: 47 nations issue travel warning on Thailand.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - 47 foreign countries have issued a travel warning against Thailand, 5 of which have instructed their citizens to avoid the country due to the ongoing political turmoil. According to the latest report by the Ministry of...

Thailand: EU denies to dispatch specialists to observe the rally sites.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - A Core Figure of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Cherdchai Tantisirin has recently submitted a letter requiring an observatory team of the European Union (EU)...

Thailand: Puea Thai scraps censure motion.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The opposition Puea Thai Party has resolved to cancel the plan to lodge a no-confidence motion against the Democrat-led government. Puea Thai MPs Chairperson Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung stated that...

Thailand: Govt launches Diamond Jubilee celebrative event.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The government will organize a celebrative event to mark the 60th anniversary of the royal coronation of His Majesty the King under the theme 'Happiness of the Father and Happiness of Children' at Rachadamnoen Road from 5...

Thailand: Police arrest the owner of 63 M79 grenades found carried in a motorcycle on Vibhavadi-Rangsit superhighway.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Police Sergent Prinya Maneekhot of Khukhot Provincial Police Station, Pathum Thani province who abandoned his motorcycle with 63 M79 grenades yesterday near the official checkpoint at the entrance to the Vibhavadi-Rangsit...

Thailand: SCB completes the transfer of Thaksin and his family's seized assets.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) affirms the transfer of over 30 billion THB from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's seized assets into the country's treasury. The SCB made a statement that according...

Thailand: SME Bank wins ADFIAP Awards 2010 as SME Development.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - Thai SME Bank wins the ADFIAP Awards 2010 in the field of SME Development, from the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia Pacific (ADFIAP) with the votes from 42 member countries. The award...

Thailand: SRT affirms Airport Link's security system.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor confirms the security system of the Airport Link Rail despite a postponement of test run schedule. The SRT Governer Yuttana Tapchareon said that according to the plan of...

Thailand: Seven prominent red-shirt figures bailed and detained for another six days.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Officers led prominent red-shirt figures Worawut Ubolban and six others to the Ratchada Civil Court upon the accusation of instigating unrest at the clash site between protesters of the anti-government...

Thailand: Security personnel authorized to arrest monks joining rallies.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The state authorities are empowered to arrest Buddhist monks, who join rallies of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), for violating the Emergency Decree. Mr Amnaj Buasiri, Director of...

Thailand: 4 investigative teams formed to probe bomb blasts.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Four investigative teams have been established to probe bombing incidents occurring during mass demonstrations of the anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Royal Thai Police...

Thailand: Reds invade the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - A Core figure of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Payap Pangate led the UDD guards inside the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital following his fear of military force...

Thailand/Kenya: Kenyan President supports peace talks between the Thai government and UDD protesters.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Vice Foreign Minister, Panit Vikitset welcomed President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, where they discussed the current political situation in Thailand. According to Mr Panich, the...

Thailand: A pack of M79 grenades found in Chanthaburi.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - After receiving information, the Chanthaburi police with a bomb disposal team headed to the scene to investigate suspected objects at the roadside of Mueang distict in Chanthaburi province. They found heavy weapons,...

Thailand: EU urges negotiation to resolve Thailand's political crisis.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The European Union office here on Thursday issued a statement expressing concerns over the situation in Thailand, urging conflicting parties to seek negotiations to resolve the problem after the...

Thailand: Yellow shirts urge government to tackle ongoing crisis as soon as possible.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Thailand's yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Thursday marched to the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok suburb and submitted a letter urging the government to solve the country's...

Thailand: CRES to give tough response to Red Shirt protesters if they rally at NBT.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The Thai government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) will apply similar measures to deal with the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)...

Thailand: Soft launch of Airport Rail Link suspended due to political turmoil.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Thailand's Ministry of Transport has postponed its April 30 soft opening of the Airport Rail Link for safety reasons but commercial service will operate in July as scheduled, said Minister Sophon Zarum. The suspension...

Thailand: Finance Ministry to aid Andaman entrepreneurs hit by protest.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - Thailand's Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Wednesday said that the ministry will consider tax measures and low-interest loans to help business operators in the Andaman Sea coastal provinces affected by the ongoing...

Thailand: GDP growth to drop by 1% if political crisis drags on, says banker.
April 30, 2010... Section: Economy - Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP) will shrink by 1 per cent if the current political crisis drags on, according to a top banker. Boontuck Wangcharoen, chief executive officer of TMB Bank (formerly the Thai Military...

Thailand: Purchasing power for homes remains high despite political turmoil.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - The current political crisis has not impacted the public demand for owning homes, according to an industry executive. Bunyong Visatemongkolchai, president of Bangkok Commercial Asset Management Company, said the...

Thailand: Commerce Ministry to help cushion protest impacts for entrepreneurs.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - Commerce Ministry has mapped out measures to assist businesses facing difficulties from the ongoing protests consisting of cost reduction and trade fairs for stock clearance, according to the Permanent Secretary Yanyong...

Pakistan: Blast kills 5 in Pakistan.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - A suicide bomber rammed his car into a police checkpost in Pakistan's volatile northwest on Wednesday, killing five policemen. The attack took place early in the morning on the outskirts of the main northwestern city...

Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan seeks ousted President's extradition.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Kyrgyzstan's interim government charges the ousted president with "mass killing" and prepares formal extradition request. Kyrgyzstan's interim government said on Tuesday it had charged the country's ousted president...

Mexico: 16 hostages rescued by Mexican military.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Mexican soldiers on Tuesday rescued 16 people who were being held captive by a drug gang northern in Mexico. The rescue operation, in the municipality of Sabinas Hidalgo in the state of Nuevo Leon, came early on...

Ukraine: Smoke bombs & eggs fly in Ukraine parliament.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Opposition lawmakers hurled eggs and smoke bombs inside Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday as the chamber approved an agreement allowing the Russian Navy to extend its stay in a Ukrainian port until 2042. Newly elected...

Thailand: CRES says man ran through checkpoint, confiscated war weapons.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The Center for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) revealed that a man, on a motorcycle, ran through a security checkpoint. He threw away several bags containing war weapons; a total of 62 M79 grenades...

United States: Goldman Sachs executives defend actions taken during housing bubble burst.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Goldman Sachs executives say they didn't do anything wrong in investments against the future of the housing market during testimony to a U.S. Senate subcommittee while senators accuse Goldman Sachs of conducting business...

United States: Celebrities attend premiere of 'The Killer Inside Me'.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Actors Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson and Casey Affleck attend the New York premiere of their new film, a dark drama about a sociopath called "The Killer Inside Me". The thriller premiered as part of the ongoing Tribeca...

United States: US Coast guards to set oil Spill ablaze off Louisiana coast.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The U.S Coast Guard says the giant Gulf Coast oil spill has reached within 21 miles of the Louisiana coast, and they are considering a plan to set the oil ablaze in an attempt to arrest the spread. A giant oil slick from...

Afghanistan: Blast in Afghanistan leaves 4 dead, 30 injured.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Suspected Taliban infiltrators carried out an attack inside a security company in Kandahar on Tuesday, near the airfield that serves as the biggest NATO base in the province. A spokesman for Kandahar province Zalmai...

Thailand: A Royal Message for the Masses.
April 30, 2010... Section: Editorial - Kom Chad Luek newspaper His Majesty the King's address to newly appointed judges this past Monday, April 26 contained the message...you have committed to a duty in service to the nation, helping them to live in an orderly...

Thailand: Political Development Council speeds up work.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The Political Development Council vows to speed up the implementation of political development plans to help soften political polarisation in the Kingdom. The Political Development Council or PDC organised...

Thailand: Red shirts clash with security forces in Don Muang, many injured.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Red-shirted protesters clashed with joint police-military security forces in Don Muang District of Bangkok resulting in many injuries. Yesterday, the red-shirt protesters, led by Kwanchai Praipana, clashed...

Thailand: PAD gathers at 11th Infantry.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy have gathered in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment to hand in a petition to the government and the army. The petition will demand that the government find a...

Thailand: Agribank to lend Bt 420 bn to rural sector.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has set a loan target of 420 billion baht for the rural sector and is preparing to launch a community bank in a bid to address informal debt and credit issues for...

Thailand: Retailers urge Govt to take decisive action in Dealing with DAAD.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Retailers urge the government to take decisive action in dealing with the red-shirt protesters, while the Commerce Ministry has implemented short-term relief measures for businesses in the form of sales...

Thailand: PM attends funeral service of woman killed in Silom attack.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - The prime minister and two ministers attended the funeral service of a woman who was killed in the April 22nd attack at Saladaeng intersection. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Social Development and Human Security...

Thailand: Foreign Ministry plays down speculation of US intervention.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The Foreign Minister has played down speculation regarding the United States' intervention on the current political crisis in Thailand. Secretary-General to Foreign Minister Chavanont Intarakomalyasut has...

Thailand: Gov't to give push to senior service business.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - The Business Development Department is poised to promote the senior service business, which is projected to generate annual revenue of more than 10 million baht for the country by the year 2015. Deputy...

Thailand: Businesses suggested to conceive two plans during political deadlock.
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - The Marketing Association of Thailand believes if the red-shirt rally ends soon, the recovery of Thai economy will not be deterred, as export and agriculture sector are showing healthy growth. The association...

Thailand: PAD hands letter to CRES.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The People's Alliance for Democracy hands its petition letter to representatives of the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, Panitan Wattanayagorn and Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd. - Thai-ASEAN...

Thailand: Police arrest 2 suspects in connection with arms seized yesterday.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Metropolitan Region 1 Police have arrested two male suspects who they believe are connected to an abandoned lot of arms yesterday. The suspects were arrested in the Thonburi area. - Thai-ASEAN News Network

Thailand/Myanmar (Burma): Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer defends controversial remark.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer, Nyan Win, says Suu Kyi in fact did not mention Thaksin's name during a controversial conversation said to have angered the upper echelons of the Thai...

Thailand: Police paratrooper dies in training jump.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - A police officer has accidentally died during in a parachute drill in Phetchaburi Province. Police Senior Sergeant Major Wittaya Promjak has been killed in a parachute drill at the Naresuan police camp in the Cha-am...

Thailand: Kantana expects box office failure due to political impasse.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Leading TV and film production house 'Kantana' expects its new feature film to be a commercial failure, as it hit cinemas amid the political impasse between the government and the red-shirt protesters. Jaluek...

Thailand: Red shirts deny emassing weapons; handing letter to EU today.
April 30, 2010... Section: Government & Politics - The red shirt leaders have accused the government of setting up yesterday's weapons seizure, saying the government set up the whole scene of an alleged red shirt leaving behind a bag full of M79 grenades....

Thailand: AOT to privatize management of Suvannabhumi Airport.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Airport of Thailand plans to grant concession to the private sector for managing the duty-free area at Suvannabhumi Airport. Airport of Thailand or AOT President Piyaphan Jampasut revealed after a board meeting...

Thailand: Thaksin's family fly to Hong Kong.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Reports indicate that Thaksin Shinawatra's ex-wife Pojaman Na Pompetch and all three of his children left the country this morning. They left on a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong this morning at 10 A.M. - Thai-ASEAN...

Thailand: Political turmoil threatens mental health.
April 30, 2010... Section: Editorial - Khao Sod newspaper A nationwide survey conducted by the Department of Mental Health between April 20 and 22 showed that most people are fed up with politics and do not want to pay attention to the news any longer. About a...

Thailand/Japan: Thai Envoy on Agriculture in Tokyo warns exporters of high competition in Japanese market.(Industry overview)
April 30, 2010... Section: Business News - The Agriculture envoy in Tokyo has warned Thai exporters of high competition in the Japanese market due to a price-cutting war and suggested that Thai exporters develop diet food, food for elders, and chemical-controlled...

Thailand: Siam Cement Group puts off some Map Ta Phut projects.
April 30, 2010... Section: Corporate News - Siam Cement Group has revealed the postponement of twelve business projects in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate that failed to get the light from the Administrative Court to resume operations. The company suggests...

Thailand: 40th year anniversary of Doraemon.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - An event has been organised to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Doraemon, a Japanese comic and animation series loved by people of all ages. Bamboo Copter, Time Machine, Door Lead to Anywhere, and Resizing...

Thailand: Thai badminton rising star eyes London Olympics.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Rising Thai badminton star and two-time world junior champion, Ratchanok Inthanont, is aiming high for the 2012 London Olympics. Ratchanok Inthanont, who defended her title at the Bimantara Cup 2010 World Junior...

Lebanon: Lebanon's pilots set to strike over pay cuts.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Pilots of Lebanon's flag-carrier Middle East Airlines announced a 24-hour strike to protest pay and benefit cuts. Head of the Lebanese Pilots Association, Mahmoud Houmany, said the strike is due to start on Thursday...

United Kingdom: British PM apologizes for calling voter "bigoted".
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been caught on tape describing a voter as "bigoted" after she confronted him on the economy and immigration during an election campaign walkabout in northern England. British...

Congo: U.N. helicopters fly baby Congo gorillas to safety.
April 30, 2010... Section: General News - Four baby gorillas are flown to safety by UN peacekeepers in Congo after they were rescued in a conflict zone where they faced being captured or eaten. The animals ferried to safety are eastern lowland gorillas, a...