Thailand Live Monday 7 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Monday 7 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on

a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those

who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Sunday 6 June 2010

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Live-Sun-6-Jun-2010-t372268.html

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Democrat sweeps BKK district seats

By The Nation

Published on June 7, 2010

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party has more than doubled its Bangkok district councillors in yesterday's election, MP Ongart Klampaiboon said yesterday.

The Democrats won 59 seats on eight district councils according to the official results as of press time.

The party had only 27 seats on four district councils over the past four years, he said.

Vote counting was still going on in Bang Khen and Min Buri as of 8pm.

In unofficial results, the ruling party beat the opposition Pheu Thai Party in eight districts - Lat Phrao, Wang Thonlang, Lak Si, Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa, Bueng Kum, Bang Kapi and Saphan Soong.

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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His Majesty endorses 8 new Cabinet members

His Majesty the King Sunday endorsed eight new Cabinet members appointed by the prime minister.

The new ministers will be granted an audience with His Majesty Monday evening to be sworn in.

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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List of the 8 new ministers:

The eight new ministers, whose appointments have been endorsed by His Majesty are:

1 Chaiwut Bannawat, appointed as industry minister

2 Juti Krai-rirk, appointed as information and communications technology minister

3 Chalermchai Sri-on, appointed as labour minister

4 Nipit Intharasombat, appointed as culture minister

5 Ong-arj Klampaibul, appointed as PM's Office minister

6 Virachai Wiramethikul, appointed as science minister

7 Man Pattanothai, appointed as deputy finance minister

8 Chaiyos Jiramethakorn, appointed as deputy education minister

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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Student set fire to Mahidol Witthayanusorn

A 16-year-old student of renowned Mahidol Witthayanusorn School in Nakhon Pathom Sunday burned down a building, with an excuse that he did not want to study further.

The unnamed boy's father, Weeraphol with surname withheld, told police that the arson suspect had been complaining to him about hard works at school and getting "so distressed that he did not want any more schooling."

Police said the boy also told him so, before he bought a litre of petrol and hid in the building, which also housed a library. He started the fire at around 3 am and hid in a toilet in the nearby canteen before he came out in the morning and spotted by police.

This coed boarding school which has 720 students has closed for one week as a result. The seven-storey building was damaged by fire from the ground to fourth floor. No one was killed or injured in the fire.

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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Emergency to remain: PM

By The Nation, Agencies

BANGKOK: -- Situation is back to normal but SOE will be maintained for some time as govt fears there could be fresh unrest, premier says; Cabinet reshuffle draws disappointment, while observers see cracks in ruling Democrat Party

The political situation was back to normal - but it was necessary for the government to maintain the state of emergency for a time yet due to fears of fresh unrest, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

At the same time, observers see cracks in his ruling Democrat Party after the latest cabinet shake-up.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday, Abhisit said Thailand was back to normal, stable and secure.

It was the premier's first foreign trip since the riots and unrest sparked by the red-shirt group over the past two months. Abhisit had skipped all previous foreign trips, including an Asean summit in Hanoi in April, saying he would miss this one if the country had not returned to normalcy.

Road map to go ahead

The Prime Minister said in his weekly television programme before leaving for Vietnam that his government would continue working on a five-point road map for national reconciliation. He vowed to set up an independent body to investigate the violence but was still unable to find a credible person to head it.

Abhisit and many key ministers, including his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security matters, survived a censure debate launched by the opposition Pheu Thai Party to grill them on the handling of the red protest.

The opposition wanted authorities to take responsibility for the loss of lives, while the government accused the opposition of supporting the protests it said were infiltrated by 'terrorists'.

Abhisit later decided to reshuffle his Cabinet, because some members of the coalition in the Puea Pandin Party voted against the government line - Bhum Jai Thai ministers.

All ministers under attack during the debate retained their positions but some Democrat ministers -including Phaitoon Kaeothong and Teera Slukpetch - lost their posts in the Labour and Culture ministries respectively. MPs under Phaitoon and Teera expressed disappointment as both ex-ministers were key personalities for the Democrats in the Central and Eastern provinces.

Phaitoon said he was disappointed with the reshuffle as the prime minister did not consult him before the decision. He received the news from Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, who offered him moral support and suggested he break away from the Democrats to set up a new party for the next election. Phaitoon said he might consider the idea later.

Sorawut Nuangchamnong, a Democrat MP from Chon Buri, said eastern province members respected Abhisit's decision on the reshuffle - but next time the prime minister should elevate members from the eastern provinces to Cabinet positions.

New Politics Party's secretary general Suriyasai Katasila said he was also disappointed with the reshuffle since it would not solve any problems for the country but was merely a political solution for the coalition.

"The reshuffle aims to mobilise resources for the next election which will come late this year or early next year," said Surayai whose party was newly set up and has no stake in the government.

The Cabinet reshuffle did not tackle the fundamental problems of the country, notably the movement to topple the monarchy, he said.

An opinion survey by Abac Poll indicated yesterday about 54 per cent of respondents in 17 provinces said they would not get any benefit from latest cabinet reshuffle, while 33 per cent said the shake-up would benefit the people. The rest made no comment.

Of 1,237 households responding in the poll, 24 per cent supported the government while 15 per cent did not support it and about 61 per cent said they were neutral.

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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Pol Gen Wasit to head panel on reforming the force, PM says

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has assigned a respected former senior police officer to form a panel to study how to reform the Royal Thai Police.

Speaking during his pre-recorded weekly TV programme aired yesterday, Abhisit said he assigned Pol Gen Wasit Dejkunchorn to form a panel to study how to reform the police.

Abhisit said the Royal Thai Police had been criticised by the public over several issues and he had met and discussed the problems with Wasit late last week.

The PM said he earlier assigned Wasit to investigate problems related to the annual reshuffle of senior police. Wasit was due to wrap up the probe and submit him a report in a few days.

Abhisit said although he and five other Cabinet members survived the censure debate, he would not ignore problems aired in the parliamentary debate.

The PM said the government would try to urgently solve the problems raised and try to restore the country after the recent riots, as well as speed up the process of reconciliation.

For example, he has instructed Transport Minister Sophon Saram to investigate alleged corruption in the blue-line subway project.

The prime minister said the government would speed up its five-point road map to reconciliation. He said his two advisers - Apirak Kosayothin and Khunying Supatra Masdit - had made good progress in a study on how to narrow social and economic disparity within the country.

Abhisit said the government would urgently carry out opinion surveys to gauge the needs of the people and prioritise what should be done first.

He said the government would seek cooperation from all polling firms to survey the needs of the people but this might take about one or two months.

The opinion surveys would be carried out in parallel with public hearings, at which representatives of all sectors would be invited to express their opinions.

The prime minister said he had approached the dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts to study how to carry out media reform to ensure press freedom, but he said the media must not be used to instigate violence.

Abhisit said Sombat Thamrongthanwong, dean of the National Institute of Development Administration, had accepted his invitation to head the study how to reform the Constitution and other related laws. Sombat was putting a team together to do the study.

The prime minister said he was still recruiting a person, who is respected and accepted by all sides, to head a panel to investigate the violence and casualties suffered during the dramatic red-shirt protest.

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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New PM Office Minister Ongart Expected to Oversee Media

New Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Ongart Klampaiboon will find out what agencies he will be assigned to oversee as the prime minister meets with both of his Ministers to the Prime Minister's Office at 2 P.M. today. Many reports indicate that Ongart will oversee the Public Relations Department and the media in replacement of Sathit Wongnongthoey.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-07

[Thaivisa News]

Democrat sweeps BKK district seats:http://bit.ly/dgkM8z

Thailand: Interview: Life at the army base during rally:http://bit.ly/9HkqRh

Thailand: Pol Gen Wasit to head panel on reforming the force:http://bit.ly/bPCcdJ

Thailand: Emergency (SOE) to remain:http://bit.ly/cWJ5LY

Nakhon Pathom: Student set fire to Mahidol Witthayanusorn:http://bit.ly/dCqt7V

Thailand: List of the 8 new ministers:http://bit.ly/9MoNHw

THailand: His Majesty endorses 8 new Cabinet members:http://bit.ly/9hNjSz

Finance Ministry initiates sales of Strong Thailand bonds at 12 banks, today - May 11 /via TAN

Bangkok: Video clip of Ch. 3 before the fire .... Exclusive!!! ¤ÅÔ»ÅѺ੾ÒÐ ¹Ò·Õ¡è͹à¼Òªèͧ 3 ËÅѧ᡹¹Ó ¹»ª.ÂصԡÒêØÁ¹ØÁ.... /via @greentea_pantip @veen_NT

iCal feed with all World Cup fixtures: FIFA World Cup South Africa Fixtures 2010 on iCalShare Countdown to kick off: 4 days, 9 hours... /via @newley

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Australian Government

Travel warning issued for Thailand

The Federal Government has issued a new travel advisory for Thailand, warning of possible further violent civil unrest in parts of the country, including Bangkok.

The warning advises against any travel to the affected areas of Thailand.

Australians in Thailand are being warned to avoid prominent buildings associated with the Thai government or military, and are urged to pay attention to local media reports on any trouble in the country.

Source: Travel warning issued for Thailand - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Source: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

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Chavarat expresses support for Khao Yai road expansion

Interior Minister Chavarat Chanweerakul Monday expressed support for the expansion of the road to Khao Yai National Park.

Chavarat said the local people wanted the road to be expanded.

The interior minister said he believed the expansion could reduce the road accidents.

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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Interesting news topics in other Thaivisa forum sections:

Two dead in Phuket mudslide

Two Dead In Phuket Mudslide - Thailand Forum

Foreigners Suspected For Bangkok 12 Million Baht Mega Heist

Foreigners Suspected For Bangkok 12 Million Baht Mega Heist - Thailand Forum

Theft Of Laptop Will Not Affect Thai Democrat Dissolution Case

Theft Of Laptop Will Not Affect Thai Democrat Dissolution Case - Thailand Forum

[Thaivisa News]

The Australian Federal Government has issued a new travel advisory for Thailand

Thing to watch 2day: HMs audience 2 new ministers. Traditional do-yr-job speech will b first public statement since bloodbath /v @tulsathit

Reuters: Thai Airways boss says turmoil has passed: http://bit.ly/d0m4FK /via @Nattha_tvthai

Thailand: Two dead in Phuket mudslide

Court approves arrest warrants for two foreigners who smashed car window in Bt12 million heist at Krung Thai bank carpark /via MCOT

Thailand: Minister Chavarat expresses support for Khao Yai road expansion

[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Boy Tired Of Study Set School Block Alight: Thai Boy Tired Of Study Set School Block Alight - Thailand Forum

Foreigners Suspected For Bangkok 12 Million Baht Mega Heist: Foreigners Suspected For Bangkok 12 Million Baht Mega Heist - Thailand Forum

Thailand: Theft Of Laptop Will Not Affect Democrat Dissolution Case: Theft Of Laptop Will Not Affect Thai Democrat Dissolution Case - Thailand Forum

[blog] What has become of the Black May 1992 protest leaders? What has become of the Black May 1992 protest leaders? | Asian Correspondent /via @bangkokpundit

In Wake of Crackdown, Anger Peaks against Foreign Media in Thailand: THAILAND: In Wake of Crackdown, Anger Peaks against Foreign Media - IPS ipsnews.net /via @RichardBarrow

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Some 100 students in Prachuap Khirikhan attacked by bees

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- About 100 students, most of them kindergarten kids, were attacked by bees while singing the national anthem in the morning.

Teachers and parents of the Ban Nong Tapao School in Tambon Hin Lek Fai of Hua Hin district rushed the students to the Hua Hin Hospital following the attack.

Seven of them, who are kindergarten kids, were in severe condition and had to be admitted and were placed under close watch by doctors.

The rest were discharged after were giving pain killer and anti-inflammatory drug.

Teachers said the bees were building up their nest in the school for months and they did not know why the bee suddenly attacked the kids.

The school teaches kindergarteners up to Grade 9 students.

-- The Nation 2010-06-07

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Chiang Mai police seize radio transmitter of local Red Shirt group's community radio to prevent airing instigation under Emergency Decree /via MCOTEnglishnews

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Jatuporn Will Report to Criminal Court Tomorrow

Red shirt leader Jatuporn Phrompan insists he will report to Criminal Court tomorrow at 9 A.M. with fellow Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul.

He says he's also prepared if the court does not grant him bail.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-07

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Water level in Sirikit Dam at critical level

UTTARADIT (NNT) -- Water reserves in Sirikit Dam in the northern province of Uttaradit is reported to decrease continuously as the water level is found to be at its lowest in the last 18 years due to lack of rainfall and the ongoing drought crisis in the country.

According to Uttaradit Governor, Yothin Samutkhiri, the water level of the dam is dwindling continuously, and there is no rainfall to fill the water reserves. The dam hence is unable to release water to help agricultural crops grown by farmers at the rear of the dam as it did years ago.

The governor therefore warned farmers to plan the use of water and follow suggestions given by agricultural officials to avoid damages to their crops. He admitted that water in the dam might not be adequate for in-season rice farming this year.

Similar to Sirikit Dam, water level in many other reservoirs in Thailand are reported to be critical as they are reducing continuously following one of the most severe droughts, despite rainfall in some areas.

-- NNT 2010-06-07

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Speculation on fatalities caused by H1N1 vaccine dismissed

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has dismissed another speculation about the recent two fatalities in the northern province of Chiang Mai presumably caused by the H1N1 vaccine, reasoning that the two men died from their chronic diseases.

Mr Jurin cited that the patient in the first fatality case on 6 June originally had diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperglycaemia – an increase of lipids in the bloodstream. He added that the patient actually died from pneumonia and renal failure.

The minister however admitted that the patient was injected with the H1N1 vaccine, but the vaccination was made 10 days before the fatality. He said side-effects of the vaccine should be observed in the first one or two days after the vaccination.

As for the second case, Mr Jurin elaborated that the patient originally suffered from diabetes, gout, and hypertension before he passed away on 5 June 2010. He confirmed that no H1N1 vaccination was given to the patient, and the man hence was not killed by the vaccine.

Regarding the H1N1 situation in Thailand in the last two weeks, one additional confirmed infection was reported while the fatalities so far remain at 32 cases. There have been 1,431,689 people or 71.6% from 2 million people in the risk group vaccinated so far.

-- NNT 2010-06-07

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Thailand: Water level in Sirikit Dam at critical level: Thailand Live Monday 7 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

[Thaivisa News]

TPBS vido clip shows how Nation Senior Photographer Chaiwat was shot at Ratprarob (from 0.37min)- Untitled Document /via @veen_NT

Thailand: Cameramen & journalists discuss their firsthand exp during the redshirt rally at FCCT on June 10 from 8pm onward /v @veen_NT

New BP oil plume evidence uncovered New oil plume evidence uncovered - CNN.com /via @cnni

Thailand: Some 100 students in Prachuap Khiri Khan attacked by bees

Thailand: Jatuporn Will Report to Criminal Court Tomorrow

Thailand: Water level in Sirikit Dam at critical level

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FIRE AT MAHIDOL WITTHAYANUSORN SCHOOL

Schoolboy claims he copied red shirts' arsons

Thai Boy Tired Of Study Set School Block Alight - Thailand Forum

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Gas leak at factory in Hemaraj Industrial Estate in Rayong, more than 200 workers hospitalised /via MCOTEnglishnews

[Thaivisa News]

BMA to organise walking street for shopping to help protest-hit vendors, Silom on June 12-13, Rang Nam Road on June 19-20 /via MCOT

Phuket man denies role in BKK heist

PM assigns Ong-art to supervise state-run media, consumer protection board; Satit to work on national reconciliation plan /via MCOT

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SET index closed at 759.85, down 11.63; Bt/USD32.27; GBP46.44; AUD25.97; EUR38.38; CAD29.97; HKD4.09; SGD22.63; JPY35.11

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Rage and hatred emerge among Thais after the rally

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The level of rage and hatred has increased among Thai people after the termination of the anti-government rally.

According to Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, the survey was carried out to study public sentiment both during and post marathon demonstration of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship. Both surveys were conducted on 28 April 2010 and 1 June 2010, respectively.

Base on the research, the number of people who are fed up with politics has decreased from 56.9% to 49.48%, with the number of politically depressed people decreased from 47.4% to 41.94%.

In contrast, the number of furious people has increased from 26.7% to 41.94%, while the number of confused people has increased from 20.1% to 34.32%.

Psychologically speaking, people tend to accuse others for the cause of the problems. If they do not recieve any treatment in time, they would develop self assertion and lose control of their emotion.

In addition, another survey was conducted among Bangkokians who were prone to stress and depression. 33.33% were indicated as relatives of the dead persons, 11.22% were injured people, 16.75% were anti-government protesters and 52.38% were children under 12 following their lack of adaptation capacity.

-- NNT 2010-06-07

[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Rage and hatred emerge among Thais after the rally

Suthep: CRES and state of emergency are still necessary /via @nnanews @tulsathit

Thailand: Green Light For Foreign Companies To Register On Thai Bourse: Green Light For Foreign Companies To Register On Thai Bourse - Thailand Forum

Lawyer: Opposition MPs--Jatuporn, Karun--to appear in court Tuesday to file argument against DSI for issuing summonses against them /v MCOT

News about the new iPhone HD/4G expected to be announced shortly after midnight in Thailand /via @RichardBarrow

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Together We Can Grand Sale to be held on upcoming June weekends in Bangkok

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is preparing to organize “Together We Can Grand Sale” at Silom and Rangnam areas during 12-13 June and 19-20 June 2010.

Speaking after presiding over the Together We Can Grand Sale press conference, Deputy Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Taya Teepsuwan disclosed that the transportation route from Sala Deang Intersection through Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Intersection will be closed between 09.00 - 23.00 hrs on 12-13 June 2010 in a bid to open the area for rally-affected entrepreneurs to sell their products after their marathon business halts due to the recent political rally. The mentioned areas were confirmed to support 2,000 business entrepreneurs per day.

The registration will take place at the Lumphini Park Senior Club from 8 to 9 June 2010 between 09.00- 17.00 hrs. Results can be checked on 10 June 2010 at the same venue.

In addition, 700-metre long Rangnam Road in Ratchathewi District will be closed on 19-20 June 2010. The area is speculated to support 700 rally-affected entrepreneurs especially from Center One Shopping Mall and Pratunam commercial district.

The registration will take place at Ratchathewi District Office, 3rd floor on 14 june 2010 between 09.00 - 16.00 hrs.

The Together We Can Grand Sale will be continuously held if the upcoming ones were deemed successful.

-- NNT 2010-06-07

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Tuesday 8 June 2010

Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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