友谊大桥20周年庆 廊开办纪念会

友谊大桥20周年庆 廊开办纪念会

东北部廊开府联手寮国永珍市，将于4月初举办泰国-寮国友谊大桥建成20周年纪念活动。

廊开府副府尹塔纳哇昨天（27日）表示，泰寮首座友谊大桥于1994年4月8日正式投入使用，直到今年即将到来的4月8日，该座大桥为两国边境贸易服务整整20年，也为两国边民的友好往来做出了贡献。为了庆祝这一有意义的时刻，廊开府政府决定与寮国永珍市共同举办一场大规模的庆祝活动。本次纪念庆典将于今年4月5-7日纷呈登场，举办地点位于廊开府直辖县友谊大桥底的宗玛尼沙滩附近。

至于庆祝活动的开幕仪式，届时将有廊开府尹以及永珍市官员、寮国驻泰大使馆代表等相关官员出席。活动形式及内容将包括声色表演、烟火表演、各色产品展销、泰寮文化艺术表演、体育友好竞赛、自行车环赛等。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

迎马年 旅游局12地办活动

迎马年 旅游局12地办活动

泰国国家旅游局长塔哇猜昨天（27日）表示，为庆祝马年的到来，旅游局将在全国12个地区举办春节活动。同时，春节期间，中国文化部将派出10省市180名演员来泰举办迎马年表演，首场表演与本月30日在泰国文化中心举办，而第二场表演则于31日在耀华力路崇圣牌坊进行。

塔哇猜指出，为庆祝泰中建交39年，国家旅游局将在全国12个地区举办庆祝马年春节活动。这12个府治或地区分别是：曼谷耀华力路、素攀武里、大城、春武里、叻丕、清迈、那空沙旺、宋卡、普吉、呵叻府等，举办时间从本月30日起至下月9日，详情请拨打1672咨询或登录网站www.tourismthailand.org进行了解。

塔哇猜说，春节是全世界中国人最重要的一个节日，泰国华裔也十分重视这个节日，因此国家旅游局每年都会举办春节庆祝活动。他还说，春节活动可以促进泰中两国的文化交流和渗透，让泰国当地民众更深刻的了解中国文化，同时也能促进泰国旅游业发展。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

丹诺花灯点亮夜空璀璨

展至2月23日，快去逛逛！丹诺花灯点亮夜空璀璨

丹诺2014年花灯节，由七彩繽纷的灯饰点亮了马泰边境的丹诺(Dannok)夜空，让夜晚更加璀璨迷人。


彩璀璨的丹诺花灯节，在湖水的倒景影中如梦似幻。（图：星洲日报）

由MBI集团、VHM VOUK 酒店、KPK集团联合呈献的亚洲文化村之亮丽人生“2014年花灯节”，在丹诺KPK度假酒店后方展览广场举行。

这次的花灯节，共展出10个主题的数以百计多样化灯饰，包括马年欢迎你、亚洲文化村、动物世界、卡通世界、佛陀莲池边讲经、冰雪世界、许愿园、好缘池、十二生肖等等。

此外，还有户外的充气娱乐场、许愿水灯、灯饰花园等，接下来陆续还有创意花灯、花灯比赛、花灯小姐选美赛等等。

这项花灯节於本月23至2月23日展出，开放时间则是大马时间每天傍晚7点至晚上12点。

主办当局希望借助花灯节，吸引更多游客来到丹诺时停下脚步，借参观灯饰展而在丹诺过夜，带旺酒店业。

（星洲日报‧大北马）

推动春节旅游 芭堤雅办系列活动

推动春节旅游 芭堤雅办系列活动

春武里府芭堤雅市发言人玉哇提达女士昨天（24日）举办新闻发布会，公布芭堤雅市旅游活动项目，她指出为吸引更多游客在春节期间前来芭堤雅观光，该市将推出新一轮旅游活动方针。

玉哇提达女士表示，芭堤雅明天将举办「国际推床竞赛」，用各种材质制作成床或船，然后让人躺在上面，并分队把床推到终点。本次比赛的起点设在芭堤雅central festival商场进行，终点在南芭堤雅的女士步行街。她说，该活动已连续举办6年，活动现场十分气氛活跃，参赛者既能娱乐又能锻炼身体，许多外籍游客也积极参加活动。

她还表示，为保持芭堤雅市的旅游创收一直稳步直升，芭堤雅市不断推出新的旅游活动，同时也不断发展当地基础设施。而为迎接即将到来的春节，芭堤雅将与本月31日中国除夕在兰坡（lan pho）公园举办竞选「春节福娃」活动。

据悉，为推动当地消费，芭堤雅市即日起延长办理多功能卡（Smart card）时间，周一至周六从原来的早上8时半至下午4时，延长至下午6时或7时50分，而周日也不休息，但是服务时间为早上8时半至下午4时，截止时间为2月2日，详情咨询0-3825-3133-35。

玉哇提达女士还说，下月7-9日将在皇家克里夫度假村举办金融盛会，各大金融机构将向民众进行推介，包括汽车贷款、房屋贷款、教育基金贷款等。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

Bangkok state of emergency

Bangkok state of emergency

The Thai government has declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok and surrounding areas to cope with protests aimed at forcing the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, from power. Chalerm Yubumrung, Thailand's labour minister, announced that the restrictions would last 60 days. "We need it because the protesters have closed government buildings, banks and escalated the situation, which has caused injuries and deaths. 

The government sees the need to announce the emergency decree to keep the situation under control," the minister said. The decree will allow security agencies to impose curfews, detain suspects without charge, censor media, ban political gatherings of more than five people and declare areas off-limits. Yingluck said police, not the military, would mainly be used and her government had no intention of confronting the protesters.

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Cold weather and strong wind forecast

Cold weather and strong wind forecast

People in the upper half of the country should brace for another cold snap this week. "There will be strong wind too," the Meteorological Department forecast yesterday.

The North, Northeast, Central region and the East will see the mercury drop by five to seven degrees Celsius from today until Thursday due to the influence of a high-pressure ridge.

The lowest temperatures recorded yesterday in the North, Northeast, Central Region and East was four, 11, 18 and 16.

The ridge has already covered southern China and would likely cross into Thailand's upper part today.

Small craft were warned against going out into the Gulf of Thailand from today till Thursday, because of heavy seas whipped up by the Northeast Monsoon.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Feb 2 elections will go ahead: Yingluck

Feb 2 elections will go ahead: Yingluck

AFTER HOLDING a meeting with representatives from different political parties and officials from agencies related to the election, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra decided yesterday to go ahead with the February 2 poll.

Insisting that her government had no authority to postpone the vote, she said the Election Commission (EC) had the power to get government agencies to cooperate and ensure the election goes smoothly.

Yingluck, who met with representatives from 37 parties, said the majority of the participants insisted that the election go ahead as scheduled.

"Now that the meeting has learned about problems related to the election, we will try to deal with them and send the resolution to the EC," she said.

The caretaker government invited up to 70 individuals from the EC, political parties, government agencies and political groups, including the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee, to the meeting.

However, the EC was only represented by secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong, while the Democrat Party and the PDRC did not send any representatives.

While General Nipat Thonglek, the permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry, attended the meeting, Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimapragorn sent a representative.

This meeting was held one day after Kittipong Kittayarak, permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, issued a statement saying the election should be postponed and the caretaker government should review its role.

Upon hearing of the meeting on Tuesday, the EC said Yingluck's government should have met with the commission alone instead of turning it into such a big affair. The EC has also invited the government to a meeting today, though caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said yesterday that the meeting was not confirmed.

Meanwhile, at the government's event, Ekachai Chainuvati, an academic and representative of the Assembly for the Defence of Democracy (AFDD), voiced support for holding the election as scheduled, adding that under the Constitution, the prime minister had no authority to postpone the poll.

He said he believed the EC would appeal to the Constitutional Court to seek a ruling if it is unable to reach an agreement on the election.

"If the prime minister doesn't want to see Thais kill fellow Thais, then she should not decide to issue a new decree to have the election delayed from February 2," Ekachai warned.

Council of State secretary-general Chukiert Ratanachaichan said the council would not issue an opinion on whether to postpone the election, though he added that the royal decree on House dissolution and the call for a new election was in effect. Hence, he said, there was no choice but to hold the election as scheduled.

Puchong, meanwhile, said that though the EC had suggested that the election should be delayed, it was still going ahead with its duty of organising the poll.

He said the commission would ask government agencies, state enterprises and other agencies to support its job both in terms of providing election venues and personnel. The EC requires 140,000 members of staff to organise an election, but lacked personnel in many provinces.

Meanwhile Nipat said his office was ready to help the EC hold the election and even provide the space, officers and equipment if the commission sent over an official request.

Bhokin Bhalakula, a key figure of the ruling Pheu Thai Party who is believed to have met with the EC for secret talks, said yesterday that the commission had to go ahead with the election if it wanted to avoid an apocalyptic situation.

Many leaders of small parties also said yesterday that the EC had no authority to postpone the election, and should carry out its duties.

They also complimented Yingluck for her patience in the face of all this pressure, adding that she had their backing. The atmosphere of meeting at the Air Force Headquarters was not difference once former premier Thaksin Shinawatra called the meeting with small parties to tried to end problem, after EC faced many difficulties with holding the election because of the Democrats boycott.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

45 countries issue travel warnings

45 countries issue travel warnings

Travellers being urged to avoid rally sites, stock up on cash, food and water Many countries have advised their nationals to stay away from demonstration sites on Monday and ensure that they have enough cash on them, a fully-charged communication device as well as enough food and water to last a while. They have also been advised not to wear red or yellow.

"Participating or showing support in any form to any of the parties is strongly discouraged," the Philippines Embassy in Bangkok said on its website.

"For information, the red and yellow colours are closely identified with some of the parties involved," it said referring to the colours associated with political conflict over recent years.

People who support the Yingluck Shinawatra government have been wearing red, while anti-government groups, who used to wear yellow, have now chosen to wear the national flag along with a whistle.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy has warned its citizens to be careful, because although mass rallies have been generally peaceful over the past few months, there have still been some deaths and injuries.

Risk of violence

"Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational, and escalate into violence without warning," the US Embassy warned.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee plans to set up rally sites at several major intersections in Bangkok and significant areas, namely Asok, Pathum Wan, Lumpini, Victory Monument, Ratchaprasong, Lat Phrao and the Government Complex at Chaeng Wattana.

Protests might erupt in other areas with little prior notice and subsequent events are unpredictable as protest leaders have declared that they plan to continue rallying after Monday, the embassy said.

"We advise you to plan ahead. It is prudent to ensure you have a week's supply of cash, keep your mobile communications devices charged and stock a two-week supply of essential items such as food, water and medicine," the US Embassy said.

The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that as many as 45 countries had issued warnings for their citizens to stay away from large crowds, rally sites and avoid travelling during the shutdown.

Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have even advised their citizens to cancel travel plans for the time being, ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said, adding that this may affect the medical industry as people from the Middle East often come to Thailand for treatment.

This comes after Thailand recently began offering citizens from these two countries visa-free entry for 90 days, he said.

Citizens from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia and Oman, for whom Thailand is a favourite destination, have also been advised to stay away.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Alternative access to and from Don Mueang Airport

Alternative access to and from Don Mueang Airport

Airports of Thailand (AOT) has provided alternative road maps to and from Don Mueang airport to get around traffic problems caused by the demonstration beginning on January 13.

Passengers are also advised to reach the airport three hours in advance for international flight check-in and two hours for domestic to ensure smooth departures.

Don Mueang general manager Chaturongkapon Sodmanee said there are alternative roads to Don Mueang airport which the travelling public are advised to take if the two main roads - Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road and the Don Mueang Tollway - became problematic.

From the inner Bangkok, the public should take Chaeng Watana Expressway, exiting at Sri Saman, then heading towards Song Prabha road till its end, turning left to Cherd Wuthakat road, straight on till a three-way junction, turning right crossing the railway tracks to take the U-turn bridge where the sign of Don Mueang can be seen, onward to get into the in-bound Vibhavadi Rangsit road and to get to the airport through ``Tor Dor Mor 3’’ and ``Tor Do Mor 4’’ channels.

The other access to the airport is through the out-bound Kanchanapisek Road heading towards Bang Pa-In, keeping left to exit at Lamlukka. Then, follow the Phaholyothin sign to get to the Lamlukka Road for about 400 metres, turning left to cross a canel. At the end of the road, turn left and taking a U-turn with the ``Rangsit’’ sign, keeping left to enter Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road before taking "Entrance 3" and "Entrance 4’’ channels.

In addition, Don Mueang Airport has set aside areas within the cargo terminals and the 5-storey car park (situated between cargo terminals #2 and #3 with the capacity of 1,500 cars) where members of the public affected by the demonstration can park their vehicles for free.

AOT has coordinated with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to also provide free regular shuttle bus services between the cargo terminals to Don Mueang train station to offer an alternative transportation mode to get into and out of inner Bangkok.

For information and assistance, call Don Mueang Coordinating Centre at 02 535 3861.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Protesters promise no airport, bourse seizure

Protesters promise no airport, bourse seizure

The anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on Tuesday gave assurances that they would not seize the airport, key transportation systems and the stock market, but would continue demonstrating to pressure caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign.

PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan told a press briefing on Tuesday morning that the "Bangkok Shutdown" had received positive feedback from the public.

He said the protesters had today scattered to rally at some 10 state building compounds, while protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is scheduled to visit his supporters at several rally sites including Lumpini Park, Asoke intersection, Ratchaprasong intersection and Lat Phrao 5way intersection.

Akanat said the PDRC would prolong its "Bangkok Shutdown" indefinitely until the caretaker government meets the group's demands, which include resignation from the caretaker position and carrying out national reforms before holding a general election.

The spokesman said that reports that some antigovernment protesters plan to seize the airport, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, the train stations, public transport system and the Stock Exchange of Thailand were groundless and the PDRC would not do this.

He reasoned that the PDRC wants the public to be least affected by its movement and is giving them other options for commuting.

If the PDRC allies decided to close the key transportation system, Akanat said the group would negotiate with them but it was unlikely that they would make any move that went beyond the PDRC resolution.

Akanat also confirmed that the PDRC will not join Wednesday’s talks as proposed by the caretaker premier regarding the election postponement, saying it is the duty of the Election Commission and the caretaker government to find a solution.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

北大年下月办林姑娘祭典

北大年下月办林姑娘祭典


  北大年府著名旅游景点「林姑娘庙」将于2月举行盛大的祭拜典礼，图为该庙的传统祭祀活动蹈火仪式盛况档案照片。  

北大年府尹逸他亚昨天（6日）表示，2月11-17日将在直辖县的著名圣地「林姑娘庙」举办传统祭拜典礼，并将本次活动发展成为东盟地区一项知名旅游盛会，今年的活动主题为「感谢伟大的灵慈圣母」，以推动地方传统文化体验之旅。  

逸他亚指出，本届活动由观光与体育部北大年办事处、国家旅游局、北大年市政办事处、北大年灵慈圣母基金会等联手举办。本次活动，是为了促进和发展北大年地区文化旅游，让更多的民众了解当地文化风采。  

活动的主要内容包括：下月11-13日用表演的方式展现北大年当地3种文明风采；而13日下午3时举办「林姑娘庙」灵慈圣母盛会开幕式；14日凌晨4时蹈火仪式；15-16日举办第8届泰-马舞狮比赛，由泰国和马来西亚顶级的舞狮队为民演出。  

此外，还有灵慈圣母传奇历史讲解、画展和摄影展，当地一村一特产（OTOP）产品展销等。  

北大年府林姑娘庙建于公元1574年，传说林姑娘是明朝人，他哥哥林道干于15世纪中期，避难来到了北大年，他是个建筑及军火专家，他所铸造的大炮出色。  

因协助当时的苏丹（马来酋长），打败外敌，而受到苏丹的赏识，招他入赘，将公主许配于他。他因此而抛下老母、细妹在番邦大享人生，流连忘返。家乡的老母日盼夜挂，忧郁成疾。孝顺的林姑娘，因而冒险南下北大年，极力的苦劝哥哥，返乡去探母。林道干当时不肯放弃美人与功名。妹妹再三苦苦恳求，都被他断然拒绝。经过数月为兄还是无动于衷。  

一天晚上，她来到哥哥正在建筑中的回教堂附近，在一棵猴枣树上上吊自尽了。过后林道干后悔都不及，为纪念妹妹，他将棵猴枣树干​​雕成了妹妹之像，又在附近安葬了妹妹遗体，建了陵墓。据说，雕像目前还供奉在庙中。北大年地方的各族人士，怀着崇敬的心情，纷纷到陵墓来祀拜，后来还在附近为她建了神庙。数百年来，神灵显赫，人们有求必应，因而香火不断。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

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