Vietnam is entering the Thai turf: Cambodia Angkor expands to Bangkok

September 14, 2012
By Rapeepat Mantanarat
TTRweekly

HO CHI MINH CITY, 14 September 2012: Cambodia Angkor Air, the national carrier of Cambodia, will start flights to Bangkok this November from Siem Reap.

The airline’s executive, marketing department told TTR Weekly at the 8th International Travel Expo in Ho Chi Minh City that the Siem Reap to Bangkok service will operate four times weekly using a ATR72 aircraft. If passenger response is good the airline will increase flights to daily.

A service between Phnom Penh and Bangkok is also under consideration. The only airline serving the Bangkok-Siem route is Bangkok Airways.

Bangkok blast hurts Iranian; Israel sees Iran link

Thai Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officials examine the bomb site in Bangkok, Thailand Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. Two explosions boomed through a busy neighborhood in the Thai capital Tuesday, police said, but it was not immediately clear what caused the blasts or whether there were any fatalities. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
By THANYARAT DOKSONE, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — A wounded Iranian fleeing an unintended explosion at a house threw a grenade at Bangkok police that instead blew off one of his legs in a series of blasts Tuesday that Israel's defense minister called an "attempted terrorist attack" by Iran. The violence came a day after Israel blamed Tehran for targeting its diplomats with bombs in India and Georgia.

Four other people were injured in the Bangkok explosions, which tore the roof off a house where the wounded man lived with two other compatriots. A second Iranian was arrested at Bangkok's international airport as he was trying to leave Thailand for Malaysia and a third was being sought, police said.

The explosions in the normally peaceful Thai capital came as tensions are running high between the two Middle Eastern nations because of Israel's threats of military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and the recent killings of Iranian atomic scientists. Iran has blamed Israel for the assassinations, and there have been signs that Tehran might try to retaliate.

Seeing through others’ eyes

One of the photos in the exhibition

Asylum seekers in Bangkok tell their stories with photos

January 27, 2012
Philip Bader and Joe Torres
Bangkok, Thailand
UCAnews.com (Catholic News)

“I am very happy with this project because I think it is the history of my life. I can take a picture and keep it for a long time for my wife, for my children, when I have a family” - Phea, a former freelance journalist from Cambodia and member of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, ran foul of the government after publishing two books about political corruption and human rights abuses in his country.

It was a simple idea, really, but one that would produce unexpected results.

Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific (JRSAP) has for three decades ministered to the needs of a steady stream of refugees from across the region seeking freedom and opportunity denied to them at home.

To cap its commemoration of 30 years of service, JRS enlisted eight asylum seekers from Cambodia, China, Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to participate in a project that would give them an opportunity to tell their stories in their own way and in their own voice.

They were given point-and-shoot cameras, two hours of training and two months to put into pictures a narrative of their lives in the Thai capital.

Molly Mullen, regional communications assistant at JRSAP, spearheaded the project by bringing some cameras donated during a trip home to the United States.

“We want people in Bangkok and in the region to understand that refugees and asylum seekers … are completely capable of telling their own stories,” she said.

Terror plot arrest [in Bangkok]

The terror suspect. Photo: AP

January 15, 2012
The Sydney Morning Herald

BANGKOK. Amid public warnings from the US and Israel of a possible terrorist attack, Thai officials have arrested a Lebanese man in connection with a plot to strike tourists in Bangkok.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said the arrest came after weeks of work with Israel that began with a tip in late December.

He said Israel had informed Thai officials that ''a group of people who appear to be from the Lebanese group Hezbollah'' were planning to strike tourist sites in Bangkok in mid-January.

In Beirut, a Hezbollah official, Ghaleb Abu Zainab, rejected the Thai account, saying the arrested man ''is not one of Hezbollah's members''.

Thai Police Pursue Tip on Terror Plot

JANUARY 13, 2012
By JAMES HOOKWAY
The Wall Street Journal

BANGKOK—Thai police were questioning a Lebanese man with alleged links to the Hezbollah militant group Friday after the U.S. Embassy warned of possible terrorist attacks in Bangkok amid growing tensions in the Middle East over how America and Israel might disrupt Iran's alleged plans to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran has accused Israel and the U.S. of plotting to assassinate nuclear scientists working in the country. On Wednesday, scientist Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, who worked on uranium enrichment, was killed by a bomb attached to his car and the strike bore similarities to series of other attacks on scientists working on Iran's nuclear program.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Thursday vowed to punish the perpetrators. Lebanon-based Hezbollah is stridently anti-Israel and has often served as a proxy for Iranian interests in the past.

US warns of possible terrorist threat in Bangkok

Friday, January 13, 2012
AFP

The US embassy in Bangkok has warned of a possible terrorist threat against tourists in the Thai capital, urging its citizens to exercise caution in areas popular with foreigners.

"Foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future," it said in an emergency message posted on its website on Friday.

"US citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok," it added.

The Thai government said that it had been informed by the United States that a pair of suspected Muslim "terrorists" had entered the kingdom.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Prophecy

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Bangkok braces for more flooding

People walk through the flooded streets in Lat Phrao shopping and business district in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 5, 2011.

Sun November 6, 2011
From Kocha Olarn, CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Authorities order evacuations for 11 of Bangkok's 50 districts
• NEW: Bangkok resident: "I don't see any improvement"
• NEW: Business dips at a massive weekend market amid flood fears
• The flooding has affected 25 of Thailand's 64 provinces

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- The death toll from Thailand's worst flooding in half a century reached 506 Sunday as floodwaters inched toward downtown Bangkok, the interior ministry said.

By Sunday, authorities had ordered evacuations for residents in 11 of Bangkok's 50 districts.

As water crept closer to the city's central business area, Chaiwat Rattanawitthayapol shopped for water pumps and sandbags to protect his home.

សេចក្តីអំពាវនាវរបស់សហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម - KKF call to help Khmer Krom monks in Bangkok

សហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម សូមធ្វើសេចក្តីអំពាវនាវ ដល់សន្តានចិត្តសប្បុរសជន របស់បងប្អូនរួមជាតិខ្មែរ ជាទូទៅ សូមមេត្តាផ្តល់ជាវិភាគទាន ដល់ជនរងគ្រោះ ដោយសារ ទឹកជំនន់នៅប្រទេសថៃ ដែលក្នុងនោះ មានព្រះសង្ឃជាសមណនិស្សិតខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ព្រម ទាំងខ្មែរក្រោមភៀសខ្លួនទៅ នៅប្រទេសថៃ កំពុងជួប ប្រទះ នឹងសេចក្តីទុក្ខលំបាក យ៉ាងខ្លាំង។ សូមមេត្តា ទាក់ទង ឬផ្ញើវិភាគទានជាសែក ឬមូលប្បទានប័ណ្ណ មកទីចាត់ការព័ត៌មាន វិទ្យុសំឡេងកម្ពុជាក្រោម ដែលមានអាសយដ្ឋាន៖

សេចក្តីអំពាវនាវរបស់សហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម

KKF

P.O Box 51201

San Jose. CA 95151 (U.S.A)

Tel.408-550-5060

សូមបញ្ជាក់ថា៖ សហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម មានតំណាងព្រះសង្ឃ នៅទីក្រុងបាងកក ចាំទទួលយកវិភាគទាន ទៅប្រគេន និងចែកចាយដល់ ជនរងគ្រោះទាំងអស់ មិនឱ្យខកបំណងសទ្ធាឡើយ។

សូមអរព្រះគុណ និងអរគុណ

Less rain in Bangkok

Tuesday, Nov 01, 2011
The Nation/Asia News Network

The area of Bangkok that experienced rainfall fell to 10 per cent yesterday, while 70-80 per cent of the Southern region saw rain, and morning temperatures dropped in the North and Northeast in the morning, the Meteorological Department reported yesterday.

A ridge of moderate high pressure covering upper Thailand and the South China Sea has brought cool weather with mist in the morning and isolated thundershowers.

Moderate north-east monsoon conditions prevail over the Gulf of Thailand and southern Thailand, hence fairly widespread thundershowers are expected over the Southeast coast.

Mob Rule’ Threatens Inner Bangkok With Floods, Governor Warns

By Daniel Ten Kate and Suttinee Yuvejwattana

Nov. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra warned against succumbing to “mob rule” in managing floodwaters on the city’s outskirts, saying the entire country will suffer if waters inundate central business areas.

“It’s no good if we decide to do something either by ourselves or in tandem with the government, and then allow people to change our policy on the ground,” Sukhumbhand said in an interview yesterday. “We cannot give in to mob rule.”

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday ordered city officials to allow more water to flow through the Sam Wa canal, appeasing thousands of residents who have held protests in the flooded northeastern part of the capital. Most of Bangkok will be spared from severe flooding as water moves through the city’s canals toward the Gulf of Thailand, 30 kilometers (19 miles) to the south of the city, she said.

Merit-making for some, dinner for others: Case of finder keeper in Bangkok

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Bangkok Anglers Fishing Up a Storm as Floods Bring Huge Catch

October 31, 2011
By James Hookway and Wilawan WatcharasakwetThe Wall Street Journal

Thailand’s rolling flood crisis is bringing misery to millions. But it’s also a bonanza for some of Bangkok’s amateur fishermen, who now have a chance to get their hands on a prized catch: temple fish.

There are dozens of Buddhist temples lining the banks of the Chao Phraya River, which winds its way down the length of Thailand. At many of them, large shoals of fish congregate, fed by local monks and the Buddhist faithful, who give them food as a way of making merit. Because fishing is banned at these holy sites, some of the fish grow to enormous size.

But now massive floods, the likes of which haven’t been seen in over half a century and which have killed nearly 400 people, are sweeping the fish downstream into the arms of waiting fishermen like Sutha Suentai.

Thai ‘Credibility’ at Stake as Factories Soak in Flood Plain

Oct. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Hana Microelectronics Pcl is among the thousands of Thai companies with factories swamped by record floods calling on the government to help ensure it never happens again as waters slowly recede north of Bangkok.

“Thailand’s credibility is on the line here,” said Hana Chief Executive Richard Han, whose Bangkok-based company makes parts used in digital music players and mobile phones. “A complete review of how to protect these industrial estates needs to be conducted and it needs government support.”

More than 9 billion cubic meters of water released this month from dams filled to capacity have swept down a river basin the size of Florida, inundating seven industrial parks that helped transform Thailand from an agriculture-based economy to a manufacturing hub since the first one was built four decades ago. The worst floods since 1942 have shuttered 10,000 factories, put 660,000 jobs at risk and caused damage of 140 billion baht ($4.6 billion), government figures show.

Peak tides test Thai capital's flood defenses

A girl has a drink as she stands near a cyclist in a flooded street outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok October 28, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Damir Sagolj

Men paddle their makeshift raft through a flooded street in central Bangkok October 29, 2011. Credit: REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Sun Oct 30, 2011
By Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat and Robert Birsel

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Peak tides tested Bangkok's flood defenses on Sunday as hope rose the center of the Thai capital might escape the worst floods in decades, but that was little comfort for swamped suburbs and provinces where worry about disease is growing.

The floods have killed at least 381 people since July and affected more than 2 million. Authorities have slashed growth forecasts for Southeast Asia's second biggest economy and disruptions to auto and computer-part producers have been felt worldwide.

Water flowing down the central Chao Phraya river basin from the north is meeting peak tides surging in the Gulf of Thailand, 20 km (12 miles) south of Bangkok, leading to fears the city's makeshift defenses would be swamped.

The tides have pushed water in the river, which snakes its way through the city past gilded temples and wooden shanties, about 2.5 meters (8 feet) above sea level but dikes and sand-bag walls have largely held.

Flood defenses shielding Bangkok hold off critical tides but much of Thailand still submerged

Saturday, October 29, 2011
Associated Press

BANGKOK — Defenses shielding the center of Thailand’s capital from the nation’s worst floods in nearly 60 years mostly held at critical peak tides Saturday, as the waters began to recede after killing almost 400 people. But the threat to central Bangkok was not over, the prime minister said, and the city’s northern districts remained submerged along with much of the countryside.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra urged citizens to let the crisis run its course as the floodwaters slowly drain to the sea, with Bangkok lying in their path. The floods that have besieged central Thailand for weeks submerged entire towns across the country’s heartland and shuttered hundreds of factories over the last two months.

“We have the good news that the situation in the central region has improved as runoff water gradually decreased,” she said. “I thank people and urge them to be more patient in case this weekend is significant because of the high tide.”

Thousands flee Bangkok fearing breach of river banks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWxHfcOPnMs

A Buddhist monk waits for morning alms at the flooded market outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok October 28, 2011.
Credit: REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Fri Oct 28, 2011
By Jason Szep and Martin Petty

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Traffic clogged roads out of the Thai capital Friday as thousands of people fled ahead of a high tide expected to worsen floods that have inundated factories and prompted foreign governments to warn their citizens to stay away.

The main concern is that Bangkok's Chao Phraya River will burst its banks over the weekend during the unusually high tide that begins Friday. Buildings across Bangkok have been sand-bagged for protection, and some vulnerable streets were nearly deserted.

Thailand's worst flooding in half a century, caused in part by unusually heavy monsoon rain, has killed 377 people since mid-July and disrupted the lives of nearly 2.2 million, until now mostly in the north and central provinces.

Thai tourist areas flood as river bank breaks

Parts of Bangkok could be flooded for up to a month. [ABC]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhXwy8w9RjI

Thu, 27 Oct 2011
Zoe Daniel, South-East Asia correspondent
Radio Australia News

Cambodia has experienced its worst flooding in more than a decade.

Floodwaters broke into tourist districts around Bangkok's royal palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple overnight after the city's main river broke its banks.

As predicted, the Chao Phraya River is overflowing as floodwater from the north combines with increasingly high tides.

Riverside areas around Chinatown and the Royal Palace have experienced some minor flooding of a few centimetres.

There is concern though about the level of tides in coming days, which will be over the river's 2.5m flood wall.

Bangkok is flooded, what is on the Thai King's mind? - A Public Relation lesson for the Khmer King?

King worried about people, not palaces, Army chief says

October 27, 2011
The Nation

What Does the Khmer King Do? King Norodom Sihamoni’s Donation to Flood-Affected Victims in Kandal Province

AKP Phnom Penh, October 26, 2011 –

His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, gave donation to flood-affected victims in Kandal province on Oct. 24.

The donation was made through by Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Kong Sam Ol, Minister of the Royal Palace and high representative of King Sihamoni.

As many as 350 families who received the donation are from Dang Kom village, Kampong Os commune, Ponhea Leu district.

The donation included rice, rice seed, noodle, drinking water, can fish, scarves, sarongs, pants, etc. and some money.

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul
Article in English by Théng

His Majesty the King does not want the government to be overly concerned about the Royal Palace because he believes the water should flow "naturally", according to Army chief Prayuth Chanocha.

Prayuth, who has been in liaison with palace authorities on how to defend royal residence which is high on the government's antiflood plan, said the message from His Majesty was that the monarch did not want "anything special" to be done regarding the palace.

"His Majesty is very worried about the Thai people. He always has been and always will be. That's him. He doesn't want anything special, and he said the water must be allowed to flow naturally," the Army chief said.

Mass exodus [in Bangkok] to Hua Hin and Pattaya

Traffic is reduced to a crawl on Highway 314 between Bang Pakong and Chachoengsao as motorists take a long detour to avoid heavy flooding in Bangkok and the Central Plains to travel to the North and Northeast. (Photo by Sontanaporn Inchan)

27/10/2011
Kanana Katharangsiporn
Bangkok Post

Bangkok residents fleeing the floods are fast filling up budget hotels in the resort towns of Hua Hin and Pattaya.

As the flood threat mounts, some families already sent their children and elderly members out of the city, said Risinee Sarikaputra, associate director for research and valuation with the property agency Knight Frank Thailand.

Cha-am and Hua Hin are popular as more city residents have second homes in these resorts than Pattaya.

More districts [in Bangkok] evacuated

Chao Phraya to peak at 6pm on Saturday

27/10/2011
Bangkok Post

Floods have become more widespread in many parts of Bangkok and residents in Don Muang, Bang Phlad and Thawi Wattana districts have been urged to evacuate to safety immediately.

The alert was issued yesterday by Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra after inspecting flood levels in Bangkok areas.

MR Sukhumbhand said 90% of Don Muang district has already been submerged by rising floodwaters.

The governor also urged residents in Bang Phlad district to move their belongings to high ground and evacuate to nearby shelter centres as the flood situation in the district is now critical, with 70% of the district now under high levels of water.