2B's April Fool's Day 2006 page Also: 2Bangkok's April Fools 2005 Also: 2Bangkok's April Fools 2006 Also: 2Bangkok's April Fools 2007 Also: 2Bangkok's April Fools 2008 Other April Fool's Day articles The Nation - Thai Rak Thai vows to cut income tax if it wins ballot The Thai Rak Thai Party has vowed to exempt all Thais from personal income taxes for the income they reap in 2006, ahead of the Sunday election, a promise that should favour the party, according to a high-ranking party source... ThaiVisa.com - Train derails at Phuket - Foreigners rescued - Phuket Train station closed until further notice and Nationwide Ban On Alcohol Now In Effect New visa regulations for foreign website owners - TNA, April 1, 2006 New regulations in effect from March 31 require foreigners applying for B, M, or O-type visas to disclose if they are owners of a website. If the website is commercial, they must possess a Thai business registration in the form of a limited partnership. If the visa-holder intends to post material to a website whether for pay or voluntarily--including Internet "forums"--the material must first be reviewed by the Ministry of Culture. Visitors with tourist visas are exempt from the new regulations. The Ministry denies that the new regulations will be used to censor political speech. Instead, the Ministry is mainly focusing on material that might be of detriment to Thai tourism or the country's image in general. The Ministry rejected plans to require foreigners who use the Internet to install a "Cyber Cop" program to ensure they abide by the new regulations since this would be seen as too restrictive and not in line with requirements for foreign guests in other countries. "It is a privilege to hold a Thai visa," said Khunying Suchada Wattanasiritham, Director of Internet Hygiene at the Ministry of Culture. "We expect our guests to say good things about our country when they are online and I am sure they will want to..." More on website censorship in Thailand Weekend edition, Saturday, April 1, 2006 (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) New Mobile phone "shrine" - translated and summarized from Thai Rath, April 1, 2006 A new mobile phone "shrine" has been designed and awaits approval by the Fine Arts Department before installation on a corner at Rajaprasong intersection. It depicts a giant hand holding a Nokia mobile phone and is designed so the phone can be updated to reflect the latest models. The shrine, sponsored in part by AIS, represents a desire for prosperity and aspirations of every Thai person, according to a press release about the project. Despite objections that neither the style nor the message of the shrine is in keeping with Thai traditions, an AIS statement mentions the new design shows "that there can be divinity in all things including the act of selecting a customized song to greet callers or choosing a calling plan from AIS." Left: The new shrine awaiting final installation at a Rajaprasong construction site. Commission investigates moving northern mega-bridge span to Chan Road - translated and summarized from Krungtep Turakit, April 1, 2006 ...the southern section of the bridge replaces the ferry system from Phra Pradaeng to Poochao Samingphrai. That span accounts for the majority of the traffic that was to be handled by the bridge. ...Since traffic onto the bridge from the Rama III Road area will be minimal, it has been suggested that one half of the mega bridge be relocated to another area. Floating piers could be used to transport the pillars of the northern section of the bridge to Chan Road which has long been slated to have a bridge crossing to the Thonburi side. The roadway surface would be reassembled once the pillars are moved to their new location. Such a system was recently used to move a slightly smaller bridge in Salzberg, Germany... Paragon to get 'hi-tech' revamp - translated and summarized from Krungtep Turakit, April 1, 2006 The Paragon had joined with the management of Pantip Plaza to convert one floor of the upscale shopping mall to a 'hi-tech' zone offering discount software and PC repairs... The Paragon also plans a section of luxury shops sponsored by the Singapore government. These will be themed as Bangkok's "Orchard Road" in an attempt to improve the image of Singapore with the Thai public... Rotiboy pairs with PM's son - Bangkok Post, April 1, 2006 The popular Rotiboy franchise has announced plans for a partnership with Panthongtae Shinawatra, the Prime Minister's son. ... Although Panthongtae Shinawatra has no expertise in the retail food business, Rotiboy MD Achara Pongsai does not intend to object to him taking a stake in the business. "Frankly, we hadn't planned this move and we have been quite successful on our own, but after we were approached, we felt it was wise to form a partnership. ...The new business entity will be rebranded "How Come Rotiboy" combining the Rotiboy name with Shinawatra's company How Come Entertainment. Steep fines for Songkran misdeeds - Bangkok Post, April 1, 2006 ...Water throwing will be prohibited outside 4 designated entertainment zones along with spaghetti-strap blouses. Fines for violators are 2000 baht per offense. Police confirm that this year they will be fining people who violate the new regulations. ..."Water-throwing is not what Songkran is about. It is about honoring one's elders and authority..." Democrats vow to turn back TRT policies - AP, April 1, 2006 A Democrat government would examine TRT polices and reverse those that are detrimental... ..."We definitely will not promote new initiatives and we pledge to turn back all of the policies TRT implemented. This is what the Thai people have been asking for and what the Democrats have always been able to deliver..."