Officials To Intervene In Veggie Price During 'Je Festival'

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6 October 2013, 15:47

(6 October) As many Thai-Chinese start their celebration of the Vegetarian Festival (กินเจ or Je as the Thais call it), the Ministry of Commerce steps in to fight the price hike of vegetables across the country.

The Festival, which has roots in Taoist belief celebrating the "Nine Emperor Gods", spans for 10 days in ninth Lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Adherents to the festival refrain from consuming meat, poultry, and dairy products out of belief that the forbearance would bring blessing.

The absence of such products naturally stimulated increasing demands for vegetables, which reflected into the annual hiking prices of the product.

The Ministry of Commerce had announced a plan to tackled the price increase, arranging for the cheaper vegetable stalls to be available to the public. According to Mr. Yanyong Phuangrat, Commerce Minister , the vegetable in the state-sponsored markets will be “10-15 THB cheaper that the market price" in order to ease the customers′ burdens.

Many vegetables are sold at the same price before the beginning of the festival, which falls on 5 – 13 October this year. A survey indicates that Chinese Broccoli costs 30 THB/Kg, White Cabbage 50 THB/Kg, Cauliflower 70 THB/Kg, Chinese Morning Glory 30 THB/Kg, Bak Choi 25 THB/Kg, and Dry Shiitake Mushroom 380 THB/Kg.

“The office of commercial affairs in each province were informed to check the price of vegetable at the stalls” said Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Yanyong Puangrach.

Mr. Yanyong said the Ministry has received complaints that the vegetable stalls in Ratchaburi and Chainat provinces had sold the products overpriced. He added, “we will provide cheaper-than-market price vegetables to people in those provinces, if the reports were proven to be true.”

Apart from fresh vegetable trades, Ready-to-eat Vegetarian Food stalls also receive overwhelming attention from the festival participants. Our correspondent reported that many vegetarian food stalls have popped up in many markets all around the country.

Yaowarat, Bangkok′s Chinatown, was filled with crowds in the opening day of the festivals. Many street vendors offer cooked meal, fresh materials and dessert to the Chinese-Thais who visited the area.

It is reported that the food stalls offered a food at the reasonable price of approximately 40-50 THB/meal, despite the floods and rising cooking gas price.

One vendor told our correspondent that they intend to keep the price as cheap as the normal periods, and had only increased prices of some menus. However, as more people participated in the festival, they believed the higher revenue should balance the lesser margin from their sales.

It is another story for meat and poultry traders. Our correspondent reported that meat and poultry traders in Nakhon Pathom province are struggling to make good sales during Je Festival, hence reducing the price of meat products.

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Irishman Wishing To Thank His 'Good Samaritans'

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5 October 2013, 21:38

(5 October) An Irishman is seeking help from Pattaya police to search for a group of individuals who rescued him from a road accident in the region 9 years ago.

Mr. Ronan Bradley, 35, said the ?Good Samaritans? pulled his body out of an overturned Jeep which he crashed his motorcycle into. He was later transferred to Pattaya Memorial Hospital before returning to his home country where he received plastic surgery to fix his facial injuries.

“The accident had altered my appearance, it made me ugly” said Mr. Bradley during a press conference at the police station.

Mr. Bradley said that the act of the rescuers made him feel like he was “resurrected from the death”, and wished to meet the Good Samaritans to thank them for their generosity.

“The most important goal of my return to Thailand this time is to search for those kind-hearted people who had rescued me” Mr. Bradley told the press.

“I love Thailand and I love Thai people,” said the Irish tourist, who planned to visit many places in Pattaya during his stay.

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Chatchart Puts An End To 'Haunted Railroad Crossing'

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5 October 2013, 20:55

Mr. Chatchart Sittipan and Mr. Prapat Chongsanguan departing the train at Nong Khai

(5 October) Transport Minister, Mr. Chatchart Sittipan, has toured the site of the malfunctioning level crossing near Ekkachai Soi 23 in Bangkok suburb area.

The crossing had been a source of complaints from local residents, as the crossing often malfunctioned due to the lack of proper maintenance and continuously sent out warning of oncoming trains in high-pitched sounds for hours, leading many locals to sarcastically name it "the haunted crossing" out of frustration.

The crossing is run automatically and not usually occupied by any railway officer.

On Friday, a woman from the area posed a complaint message on the famous webboard ‘pantip.com’ with a video of the defective crossing. The video uploader explained in the clip that the crossing screamed the warning sounds all night long, and only ended when the first train past the area at 05.00 in the morning.

"It has been going on for 5 nights," said the exasperated uploader, adding that she had contacted the rail authority about the matter but the officials never showed up.

Earlier this morning, Mr. Chatchart, who was in Nong Khai province to promote the project to construct high-speed railways, flew from the province to Bangkok and visited the crossing.

In his facebook post, the minister wrote “I just flew back from Nongkhai province, as I need to monitor flood barrier tomorrow (6 October). After I noticed a post on the internet about the annoying level crossing at Ekkhachai Soi 23, I ordered the fixing and came to see it"

“When I arrived, the mechanic team was fixing the crossing” Mr. Chatchart continued, referring to the Wongwienyai – Mahachai rail route, “the route looks really bad.”

Transport Minister also called out to Bangkok Governor, Mr. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, “There are 34 trains running on this route. I suppose I need to invite Mr. Governor to investigate the rail.”

“Many people might say this is a minor issue, but I believe that if I want the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to take priority for the issue, I must lead by example” said Mr. Chatchart, repeating the phrase he used during an interview withKhaosod.

Mr.Chatchart said he also met with the person who posted the complaint to the internet.

The Transport Minister has previously travelled to Nong Khai on a third class train with Mr. Prapat Chongsanguan, director of SRT. He wrote about the experience on his Facebook, saying a passenger had told him that train services are gradually improving.

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317,000 Thais Out Of Job: Statistic Office

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5 October 2013, 19:39

Demonstrators on 2009 Labour Day in Bangkok

(5 October) The National Statistic Office (NSO) announced that over 317,000 people are unemployed in August, amounting to 0.8% of the national labour force.

According to the NSO, most of the unemployed labours had been laid off from their works, particularly in trade and services sectors, which had dismissed more than 104,000 people.

The southern region is said to yield the most unemployment rates, followed by central, northern, Bangkok metropolitan and north-eastern regions.

The report also suggests that university graduates are the majority of people out of work; about 144,000 graduates still seek jobs, as well as other 49,000 high school graduates, 73,000 secondary school graduates, and 39,000 primary school graduates.

There are also another 12,000 illiterate and less-than-primary educated individuals looking for employment.

So far, 16.22 million Thai work in agricultural sector, while 22.73 million labours in other sectors. Many sectors tend to dismiss more workforces in 2013 than in last year, except in health care and financial sectors.

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Thai Economy 'Largely Unaffected' By US Govt Shutdown

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5 October 2013, 17:23

Furloughed federal workers protest outside the U.S. Capitol to demand an end to the lockout of federal workers caused by the government shutdown October 4, 2013 in Washington, DC. (AFP)

(5 October) Minister of Industry assured that the Thai economy will be "largely unaffected" by the ongoing US government shutdown crisis, despite Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra′s concern that the tolls may fall on Thai small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Mr. Prasert Boonchaisuk claimed that "there are no worrisome circumstances at the moment," and that the crisis will not bog down Thai investment sector as some have feared.

Meanwhile, Director of the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE), Mr. Somchai Hanhiran, added that the US shutdown would only restrain short term consumption within the United States, which will not damage Thais industry and export sectors.

The OIE boss also pleaded for "calm" among the investors by noting that the US government shutdown had ‘happened before’, and the discussion about the US public debt ceiling is expected be concluded before 17 October.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) President, Mr. Payungsak Chatsuthiphol, echoed the sentiment, saying that he has not receive any reports about exporters struggling to cope with the situation.

FTI President also expressed his belief that the US Congress should be able to solve the issue within three months.

However, Mr. Payungsak warned that the foundation of the US economy was not as strong as before, and that the warring US Representatives’ attempt to prolong the decision would only worsen the American economic recovery.

Ms. Yingluck has previously urged the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and the Financial Ministry to closely monitor the situation in the US, after it had been reported that the Government Shutdown might stagnate American economy in the third quarter for 0.1 percent.

Prior to the shutdown, it was expected that the US economy would grows 2.5% it the last quarter (Q4). However, if the temporarily closure of one-third of the federal offices lasts longer than one week, the US economy might face at least 0.2-0.3% stagnation.

The Prime Minister said she feared Thai SMEs would be indirect victims of the American financial mayhem.

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No Plan For Cabinet Reshuffle: PM Spokesman

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4 October 2013, 21:46

(4 October) Deputy Spokesman of the Prime Minister Office insisted Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra has no plan for Cabinet shake-up at the moment, contrary to the widespread rumour.

"It′s just a rumour. I haven?t heard the Prime Minister discussing about it, " said Mr. Pakdeeharn Himathongkum, who noted that the latest Cabinet reshuffle took place only 3 months ago.

He added, "We won?t be shifting the Cabinet positions this soon, because the current Cabinet is working on the government policies. If we reshuffle them now, it would cause chaos and delay the works they have been doing".

Mr. Pakdeeharn also denied the allegation that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is pulling the strings behind the ongoing Cabinet reshuffle plan, saying that Ms. Yingluck is the sole person who has the power to enact changes in the Cabinet.

Mr. Thaksin, the brother of Ms. Yingluck, is seen as the influential figure behind the ruling Pheu Thai Party, despite his overthrow in a military coup 7 years ago.

During the last Cabinet shake-up, prominent Pheu Thai figures reportedly flew to meet Mr. Thaksin in Hong Kong, where the former leader is living his exile.

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Thais Hunting For 'Lucky' Mobile Phone Numbers

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4 October 2013, 20:25

(4 October) The price for phone numbers starting with "09" are increasingly expensive, as many Thais believe the number would provide them with divine fortunes in lives.

Vast majority of the mobile phone numbers in Thailand start with 08, but the 09 series are also starting to appear in the market.

The number is associated with good luck by the Thais as 9 (gow) sounds like "step", so any serial number starting with 9 is equivalent to "taking a step forward"(gow nha). Such obsession with number 9 is found in vehicle license plates, banknotes, and other objects.

The numerology also helps reinforce the semi-god status of His Majesty the King – the 9th monarch of Chakri Dynasty – in the perception of many Thais.

Although the 09 mobile phone number series emerged several years ago, it has recently become popular due to many celebrities who express their belief in the "good luck" phone numbers to the press, Prachachart has reported.Customers who already have other numbers are buying new simcards in order to enjoy the benefit of the divine number. The promotion of the superstitious belief via social media by the celebrities also helps raise the price of the good-luck-numbers simcard.

While the general starting price is around 1,000 baht, some specific numbers can raise up to 100,000 baht, depending on the interpretation of the serial numbers.

It should be noted that these 09x-xxx-xxxxx numbers are provided by "Truemove-H" as part of its product campaign To-Yok-Guan ("Chatty Gang"), which allows the users to acquire the number by exchanging discount "stamps" issued by 7-11 convenience stores for a simcard.

The trend had caused many simcard retailers to search for particular numbers. Some had gone as far as phoning the number owners and offering to buy the simcards.

However, in near future Truemove-H will no longer enjoy the monopoly of mystical numbers, as a rival company i-Mobile recently announced plan to sell them under its campaign "Lucky Numbers With Positive Force For Your Life"

i-Mobile, with the collaboration of Mr. Karin ?Man? Satayu, an actor who also offers horoscope services, will provide its users a simcard with numbers "certified" as "lucky" by horoscope experts at the price of 199 THB. But it remains to be seen whether those numbers would be as highly sought-after as the 09 series.

Another source told Prachachart that there are approximately 20 major dealers capable of selling the 09 lucky numbers at expensive rates, due to the fact that the business needs large amount of money to cover its turnover rate. Generally, the dealer must spend at least 100,000 THB to buy a lucky simcard, before reselling it at a higher rate.

"It works like the amulet market", said the source.

Prachachart reports that by now, many numbers starting with 095-4xx-xxxx are already in the hands of these major dealers. Statistically, lucky numbers appear at the ratio of only 20 per 10,000 numbers.

Nevertheless, there is still a chance for other 500 minor dealers to compete with the major ones, as National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is expected to release another set of 099-xxx-xxxx numbers in the near future, which is bound to fuel the dynamics of the market yet again.

Mr. Korkit Danchaiwichit, Deputy Secretary of the NBTC, said that organisation is trying to manage the numbers to be sold in orders to prevent the waste of inactive numbers, namely the numbers considered undesirable by superstitious customers, which could lead to the dramatic change to 11-digits system.

The decision could mean that network providers will no longer be allowed to choose the numbers, and hence took advantage of the perceived lucky charms.

NBTC additionally requires network providers to return 2G numbers to be reused as 3G-capable numbers. Users of 2G simcards are aslo allowed to transfer to 3G network under the protection of Mobile Number Portability Act.

Police 'Returning' 5 Rohingya Refugees To Bangladesh

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4 October 2013, 17:46

(4 October) The Immigration Bureau is sending five Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh after its authorities confirmed their citizenship.

The five, all men, were among a group of Rohingya ethnics who had fled the sectarian violence in Myanmar into the neighbouring Thailand, and were eventually arrested in Songkhla province for illegally crossing the border.

The Rohingyas had been detained in a detention centre in Nong Khai province, but later started a riot in the facility, demanding to be expatriated to a third country rather than being sent back to Myanmar where they might be subject to human rights abuses.

The violence has caused some damages to the facility, and a number of Rohingya detainees were separated to holding cells in different police stations within the province.

The Immigration Bureau said this morning that the five men who had been detained at Mueang Nong Khai Police Station will be deported to Bangladesh, as the Bureau has received notification from the Bangladeshi Consulate recognising the men′s citizenships, and requesting their transfers to their ?homeland?.

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Thai League Football Referee Shot In Nonthaburi

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3 October 2013, 19:35

(3 October) A football referee has been shot and injured in Nonthaburi province.

Mr. Nakhon Sa-ad was sent to Rama III Hospital this morning after he was shot during his morning exercise in the park at his gated community.

Police believe 2 suspects shot Mr. Nakhon for several times before fleeing the scene.

Mr. Nakhon has been involved in a dispute concerning the match between Rayong FC and Singhatarua FC he refereed on 31 August. Rayong won the match by 2-1, but Singhatarua manager had protested the result, claiming that Mr. Nakhon displayed bias as he performed his duty.

The Thai football association eventually suspended Mr. Nakhon from his duty for 1 year and 6 months.

Although the police said the football dispute may be behind the shooting, the officers stressed that they have not ruled out any other potential motive, and that the investigation is ongoing.

Last month, another well-known referee, Mr. Tanorm Borikut, was also shot and injured at the Rajamangala Stadium in eastern Bangkok. The police have not arrested any suspect nor concluded the motive for the shooting.

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Indian Tourist Decapitated By Pattaya Speedboat

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3 October 2013, 19:15

(3 October) Speedboat accidents in Pattaya claimed a new fatality, as an Indian tourist had been decapitated by a boat′s engines after she fell into the sea.

Reports say the tourist had been para-sailing with a speedboat when the wind suddenly changed direction, causing her to fall into the water. The speedboat engine then reportedly dragged both the parachute and the body of the tourist underneath its engine, killing the victim instantly.

The tourist has been identified as Ms. Shilpi Agarwal, a 36-year-old Indian national.

The speedboat driver told police he was in fact trying to help the tourist by pulling back the boat to lift her up from the water. Unfortunately, the motor ended up killing the tourist.

The Marine Department has previously stated that many boat owners in Pattaya fail to appoint skillful drivers to provide the service, despite the fact that the boats have been registered for commercial purpose, serving many tourists.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Somsak Pureesrisak, said that the incident had affected tourists? confidence in Thailand’s tourism safety.

He also vowed to tackle the issues of repeated speedboat accidents in popular tourist attractions.

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