Roundup of Thailand news with AJW

BANGKOK BRIEF: Pheu Thai faces possibility party may be dissolved again, Pheu Dhamma offers lifeline. Myanmar stages raids on Naw Kham drug bases.

WORLD SUMMARY: Philippines asks US spy planes to help in Spratlys China dispute. Old Mexico party, PRI, wins presidency. Islamists destroy more Timbuktu Heritage Sites.

RATING: The Thai government receives an average score of 6.17 out of 10 for its performance during April-June, according to the results of Nida Poll revealed on Monday.

THAI POLITICS: Red Shirts won't rally to pressure Constitution Court on July 5-6 but will gather at Imperial Lat Phrao to monitor the court proceedings.

ROYAL MOTORCADES: Restrictions will be eased on traffic flow during royal motorcades in response to His Majesty the King's wish to help alleviate traffic congestion.

His Majesty the King last year instructed the Office of the Principal Private Secretary to work with state agencies on ways to help alleviate traffic problems caused by the royal motorcades.

While security for the royal motorcades will remain strict on official trips, traffic management rules will be eased for private journeys.

For example, on two-way roads, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction to the motorcades will be allowed to proceed.

At the moment, traffic on both sides is stopped well in advance.

CONSTITUTION COURT: Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said yesterday he believed the court would dismiss the petitions against the charter amendment bill.

Many senior judges, legal experts, and academics agreed the proposed amendment of Section 291 did not contravene Section 68 of the constitution, he said.

Mr. Chalerm said even if the court ruled that the bill was unconstitutional, it would not affect the government, since Prime Minister Yingluck is not a member of the Pheu Thai executives.

If the court ruled to dissolve Pheu Thai, she could set up a new party in 60 days and the existing government could continue to administer the country.

However, he said he was unsure what the situation would be like if the ruling went against public sentiment.

TODAY: Weather - 33C, Hot Wet Cloudy, Euro:Dollar 1.2596, Euro:Baht 39.74, SET Index: 1195

IN OTHER NEWS

MARKETS: Asian stocks rose a fifth day, with a regional index heading for its longest winning streak since March, on expectations that central banks in Europe and China will ease monetary policy to spur growth. Corn touched a three-month high and South Korea’s won rose against its major peers.

The US dollar declined against most of its major peers, before a report today forecast to show factory orders stagnating. Labor Department data on July 6 is forecast to show employers added fewer than 100,000 jobs for a third month, a further sign that the world’s largest economy is cooling.

PHUKET: Phuket's provincial police commander has ordered all police stations across Phuket to boost patrols in key tourist areas from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am.

"I have to admit that we do not have enough police officers here to be able to monitor all areas closely," the commander said.

The move comes in the wake of the killing of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith and injuries to one of her colleagues following a bungled bag snatch in Phuket.

The Governor of Phuket conceded last week that several negative incidents in Phuket have directly affected its reputation as a safe tourism destination.

UK TAX BAD NEWS: The tourism industry in Asia-Pacific is expected to be affected by an increase in the UK's air passenger duty, as it will drag down the number of European tourists traveling to the region, said the Pacific Asia Travel Association. Chief Executive Martin Craigs said the increase of the air passenger duty would hurt sentiment and result in higher costs for outbound tourists to Asia-Pacific.

THAI SMILE AIR: Thai Smile, the new light premium regional sub-brand of THAI Airways International, has taken delivery of its first aircraft, an Airbus A320, in Hamburg, Germany.

Thai Smile is intended as a tool to “protect and expand” the THAI network when the Asean Economic Community is fully implemented in 2015. It will promote its provincial base outside Bangkok, such as routes from Chiang Mai to Phuket to connect to other international cities.

HOTEL IN A TAXI: A London cab driver has developed a plan to turn his Hackney carriage into a miniature hotel room during the 2012 London Olympics as a way to make up for lost revenues while trying to navigate the congested London roads.

London cabbie David Weekes has come to the conclusion that rather than let his money-making machine sit idle on his off days that it would be a brilliant idea to rent the space out as a cheap alternative for Olympic goers to rest their head at night.

"I'm really excited that the Olympics are coming to the city, but it's going to be a nightmare for cab drivers," he said.

"When I heard that I could rent out my taxi, I thought it was a no-brainer."

It has been kitted with a "memory foam" mattress, pillow, and duvet - complete with official Olympic pillow case and bed spread - a bedside lamp, "curtains," and a Paddington Bear teddy.

There is also a solar-powered fridge, a radio, and an iPad, while camping chairs and a portable table are available on request.

As far as the location of your hotel, Weekes says that is up to the guests. There is the option to be parked outside of the cab drivers North London home where renters have the ability to use the restroom should they feel the need, or they can choose from any other legal spot in the London area.

Sourced: eturbonews