Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Tuesday 22 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Monday 21 June 2010

Thailand Live Monday 21 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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Provincial Hall Arson Suspect Surrenders

KHON KAEN: -- The Khon Kaen court has approved arrest warrants for 183 suspects wanted for the torching of the provincial hall during the unrest last month.

Thongla Ruanthip, assistant to the Ban Mor village chief in Tambon Koo Kham in Khon Kaen's Sam Soong district, has turned himself in to investigators after was accused of involvement in the arson attack on the Khon Kaen provincial hall on May 19.

Thongla told investigators that on May 19 he was listening to the local red-shirt community radio program which invited the public to gather in front of the provincial hall. He said he traveled to the place alone and argued that he merely looked at other people vandalizing the building without joining them.

In regard to the riots that broke out in Khon Kaen, deputy Khon Kaen provincial police chief Police Colonel Thawatchai Nilanuch disclosed that authorities have issued arrest warrants for 183 people believed to be involved in the torching of the provincial hall and 27 suspects have surrendered so far.

Police Colonel Thawatchai noted that the officials from the Department of Special Investigation will take charge of the interrogation process, with the local police participating.

He added photos of the suspects have been posted so members of the public with information about them could contact the authorities.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-22

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Thailand is selected for presidency of UNHRC, according to Foreign Minister´s Secretary

BANGKOK (NNT) – Forty-one countries count on Thailand as one of the five countries holding the presidency of The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Secretary to Foreign Minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut stated that Thailand was the first country in ASEAN to be selected as the president of UNHRC. It will also be an opportunity of the country to regain reputation and clarify on the human right violating case during political demonstration, saying that the government had followed peaceful measure and gave the right to protesters to demonstrate.

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system, comprising 47 States responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.

-- NNT 2010-6-22

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CHAO PHYA RIVER

River barrier cannot be completed in time

By The Nation

Published on June 22, 2010

The remaining three kilometres of the flood-barrier along Chao Phya River left to be constructed will not be completed by the end of this year as previously slated, a source at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Department of Drainage and Sewerage said yesterday.

This is because city officials do not dare evict people living on encroached land along the river for fear that the action could affect Bangkok and district councillor elections in August, the source said. As of 2009, about 1,500 households in 28 communities were found living on encroached land on either side of the river.

Department chief Sanya Cheenimit said that for this rainy season, fast-acting units had been prepared to respond to floods as well as traffic jams and car problems in risky areas. The river's water levels are normal because the Chai Nat Dam is only releasing 45 cubic metres of water per second.

-- The Nation 2010-06-22

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Drug smuggling into Thailand soars ahead of Burma elections

Rebels manufacturing massive quantities of drugs to sell for missiles and guns as they plan fight against junta

In addition to heroin, Burmese drug barons are making huge amounts of amphetamines and methamphetamines. Photograph: Reuter

Elections promised for Burma this year have sparked an explosion in drug trafficking into Thailand, as rebel armies, fearful of a final, pre-poll crackdown by the ruling junta, trade heroin and amphetamines for guns.

For decades rebel armies, most notably the Wa State Army, have financed their fight against the oppressive Burma junta by running drugs over the border, from where they are trafficked all over the world.

Read more: www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/21/drug-smuggling-thailand-burma-elections

-- Guardian 2010-06-22

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Bank warns of phony credit card calls

By The Nation

The Bank of Thailand yesterday warned of a criminal gang claiming to be bank officials who get people to unknowingly wire money to them.

The gang calls and spooks people with faulty information that they have become victims of credit card theft and owe a lot of money to a credit card company, said Kamthorn Prasertsom, head of the bank's credit problem centre.

The gang then tricks the victims into giving personal information such as ID card number, date of birth, and credit card number - or talks them into a procedure at ATMs where they change a password while unwittingly wiring money to the gang.

The centre received 283 such complaints from June 10-18 alone, he said, urging people not to give personal information or be talked into doing anything at ATMs.

He suggested checking with the banks' call centres about any suspicions, or to call the centre for more information at 02-283-5900 during working hours.

-- The Nation 2010-06-22

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Trang village invaded by centipedes

By The Nation

Though it's not unusual for bugs to invade people's homes during the rainy season, residents of Duhoon Village in Tambon Bo Hin, Trang's Si Kao district, were horrified to find millions of centipedes in their abodes.

Since the tambon administrative body's pesticide spraying was limited due a budget issue, residents gathered these three-inch-long black-and-yellow smelly centipedes and burned or drowned them in boiling water. The village headman's assistant, Adisak Poongern, said the centipedes came from the Jetyod Mountain, 300 metres from the 197-household village.

Though the insects had been spotted in the village for a month, their numbers grew dramatically over the past two weeks possibly due to the use of pesticides in rice fields or the global warming effect, he said. He added that it might also be an omen of an upcoming natural disaster.

The district authorities will have Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya's environmental experts put the bugs through lab tests and find a sustainable solution to the problem.

-- The Nation 2010-06-22

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POLICE

New post created to make way for national police chief

By The Nation

The Police Commission yesterday approved the creation of a new senior position to reportedly serve as a springboard for Pol Lt-General Assawin Khwanmueng to become national police chief in the future.

As secretary to the commission, Pol General Ek Angsananont said at present no particular individual was being considered for the new grade-10 position - adviser to the Royal Thai Police on detective administration.

Assawin, currently assistant national police chief, is known for his integrity and lack of ties with former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. While serving as police chief during Samak Sundaravej's administration, Assawin was transferred to an inactive post when he showed reluctance in dispersing People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators as ordered by the PM.

Ek denied that the position was created to benefit any particular individual, saying the commission deemed it important and appropriate for greater efficiency.

After attending a 30-minute meeting with the Police Commission to approve the new position, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he did not know if a fully active police chief could be appointed by the end of this year.

"The Police Commission did not discuss the issue of a permanent national police chief today," he said, adding that it was not on the agenda for the next meeting either.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul said he was okay with Assawin being finally given the national police chief's post. "The Royal Thai Police is not under the ministry, which only serves as a board member for the Police Commission," he added.

-- The Nation 2010-06-22

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Doctors say will impeach Jurin over malpractice bill

By The Nation

Doctors at state hospitals are threatening to impeach Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit for advocating the Medical Malpractice Victim Bill he presented to Cabinet for approval on April 7.

"If he is going to push ahead with this version, doctors and medical workers will need to launch an impeachment process against him," Dr Prachumporn Boonjaroen said yesterday in her capacity as vice- chairperson of the Federation of Doctors at State General and Provincial-Level Hospitals.

Medical Council chairman Dr Somsak Lohlekha has been officially calling on the Cabinet's secretary-general for a review of the bill since April 12 - but so far the review has not taken place.

Prachumporn yesterday attacked the bill for allowing patients to receive instant compensation of between Bt50,000 and Bt200,000 each when they came forward with complaints of medical malpractice, rather than waiting to prove first whether their symptoms had really arisen from malpractice.

"This will encourage many people to bring their terminally-ill or seriously-ill relatives to hospital in the hope of getting compensation when their relatives die," she said.

According to the bill, the government, the National Health Security Office and medical facilities would be required to submit contributions to the fund. Prachumporn said the general public would have to contribute also.

"When the hospitals face the additional cost, they will of course charge their patients for this," she said.

The bill would benefit only a committee established to hand out the compensation but cause extra financial burden on the public in general. She also complained this bill would allow malpractice victims to file criminal complaints against doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and all medical workers.

"In fact, there are three other versions of the Medical Malpractice Bill for consideration but the public health minister has not paid attention to them," Prachumporn said. These versions are prepared by various different organisations, and at least one is now with the Council of State.

-- The Nation 2010-06-22

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Water in Lam Takhong Dam saved up for consumption

By The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima authorities have stopped releasing water for irrigation purposes from Lam Takhong Dam.

"We have to reserve the water for consumption," Jakkrit Jaengkorn revealed yesterday in his capacity as the director of the Lam Takhong irrigation and maintenance project.

According to him, people need up to 345,000 cubic metres each day for consumption and the dam has 90 million cubic metres or is only 29 per cent full.

Due to the dam's lowering water levels, a portion of the Mitrapab Road that was usually under water is now visible. Though artificial-rainmaking operations have already started, rain has mostly been pouring in areas beyond the dam.

Still, Jakkrit is confident that Lam Takhong will be able to provide adequate water for consumption given that the Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall from the end of July.

Inspired by this forecast, farmers are already sowing rice seedlings even though authorities have been warning them to wait for the rains first.

"It's safer to delay the start of the farming season," Chaiyaphum agriculture chief, Lersit Saikaewma, said.

According to him, more than 305,972 rai of farmland in his province has been hit by drought, though local farmers insist that they cannot wait until the rains come before working on their fields.

"It will be too late if we keep waiting," one farmer said. He hopes to rely on artesian wells, manmade ponds and canals.

Meanwhile, farmers in Phitsanulok are each spending Bt7,000 a week to pump water from artesian wells.

"I need to do this because the canals are running dry," 41-year-old farmer, Sangwan Saengkham, said yesterday.

According to him, since farmers upstream have emptied the canals, those downstream have no option but to pump up water.

In Phichit, many farmers have had to hire workers to dig new wells at the cost of more than Bt30,000 per well because they cannot afford to let their plants wither under the drought.

Farmers in the southern province of Pattani are also getting badly affected by the ongoing drought.

"Rice farmers cannot work on their fields because there's not enough water," village head, Arsae Wang-in, said, adding that rubber plantation owners were also suffering because the sap was drying up due to the heat.

"Since the locals cannot work on their farms, they have to migrate to town or to Malaysia for jobs," Arsae said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-22

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Thai Opinion Poll For Reconciliation Not Votes, PM Abhisit Says

Thai Opinion Poll For Reconciliation Not Votes, PM Abhisit Says - Thailand Forum

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Yuan Move Likely To Boost Thai Exports

Yuan Move Likely To Boost Thai Exports - Thailand Forum

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Thai Ambassador Chosen As New Head Of UN Human Rights Council

Thai Ambassador Chosen As New Head Of UN Human Rights Council - Thailand Forum

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20,000 teachers in the Northeast are in debt crisis

BANGKOK (NNT) – The Committee for Welfare and Security Promotion of Teacher and Educational Personnel unveils that half of teachers’ debts has been repaid and teachers in the Northeastern region are the group with the most serious liability problems.

The Committee for Welfare and Security Promotion of Teacher and Educational Personnel tasked the Teacher Development Center to survey around 700,000 teachers’ obligations around the country, and found about 20,000 of them with serious liabilities requiring urgent assistance, most of them from the Northeast.

During 2000-2010, the figure of formal debts of teachers is around 10 billion THB and some of them can not make settlements, totaling 198 million THB or 0.36%, showing less teachers with debt problems as claimed by several parties.

The Committee therefore views that the committee’s objective should focus on teacher development instead of solving debt problem. Teacher will be educated about accounting to manage their expenditure on the basis of the Sufficiency Economy principle for their better life. However, the group with serious problems must be assisted as well.

-- NNT 2010-06-22

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Asian Highway: Still unsuccessful East-West Economic Corridor

Asian Highway: Still Unsuccessful East-West Economic Corridor - Thailand Forum

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Fire at paper box plant in Bangbon, believed caused by short circuit; damage estimated at Bt5 million /@MCOTEnglishnews

Asian Highway: still unsuccessful East-West economic corridor: Asian Highway: Still Unsuccessful East-West Economic Corridor - Thailand Forum

Is it cheaper to use an electric fan or air condition?: Do You Find It Cheaper To Use An Electric Fan Or Airconditioning? - Thailand Forum

20,000 teachers in the Northeast are in debt crisis

Thai Ambassador chosen as new head of UN Human Rights Council: Thai Ambassador Chosen As New Head Of UN Human Rights Council - Thailand Forum

Thai Opinion poll for reconciliation not votes, PM Abhisit says: Thai Opinion Poll For Reconciliation Not Votes, PM Abhisit Says - Thailand Forum

Water in Lam Takhong Dam saved up for consumption:

Doctors say will impeach Jurin over malpractice bill

Yuan move likely to boost Thai exports: Yuan Move Likely To Boost Thai Exports - Thailand Forum

New post created to make way for national police chief

Trang village invaded by centipedes

Bank of Thailand warns of phony credit card calls

Drug smuggling into Thailand soars ahead of Burma elections

Chao PHaya River barrier cannot be completed in time

Thailand is selected for presidency of UNHRC, according to Foreign Minister´s Secretary

Provincial Hall Arson Suspect Surrenders

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New uniform launched for govt hospitals' public relations officers nationwide

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Public Health Ministry plans to change uniform for public relations officers in all affiliated hospitals nationwide to be recognized among service users.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit presided over the meeting of modern hospital project and the launch of new uniform for officials in public relations division of hospitals around the country. He said that the department had designed the new uniform for officials in 10,679 affiliated hospitals so that they would be noticeable by the people, resulting in better and more convenient services provided to the public.

The Ministry has allocated a budget of 260 million THB for this project of new uniform to be put into use on 12 August 2010 for all hospitals. Better hospital quality in management, service, and atmosphere is another goal for hospitals nationwide to achieve as set by the Ministry.

-- NNT 2010-06-22

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Suthep says election campaigns possible despite state of emergency

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Tuesday that candidates for the Bangkok by-election next month can launch election campaigns although the state of emergency has not been lifted yet.

But the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation will consider whether certain regulations would have to be amended or not, Suthep said.

He said the ban of gathering by more than five people may be lifted so that election candidates can organize campaign rallies.

-- The Nation 2010-06-20

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PM Abhisit criticizes Thaksin for continuing to damage the country

PM Abhisit Criticizes Thaksin For Continuing To Damage The Country - Thailand Forum

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Over 4,000 Ducks Die Mysterious Death in Phitsanulok

Thousands of ducks have died of an unknown cause in Phitsanulok. The provincial public health office has instructed the duck keeper not to dispose of the carcasses in public areas to prevent any possible disease from spreading.

Sombat Khamrun, a duck keeper in Tambon Noen Kum in Phitsanulok's Bang Kratum district disclosed that he raises a total of 5,000 ducks and recently let them roam free to look for food in a paddy field due to the ongoing drought crisis.

The ducks came back with swollen heads and opaque eyes, with some dying immediately and others lingering on but eventually dying. He said less than 300 ducks have survived.

The duck keeper said he has already reported the suspicious deaths of over 4,000 ducks to relevant agencies but a serious examination has yet to be conducted so far. He added he has initially cleaned and disinfected the areas in question.

Sombat noted he buried a number of the dead animals while some carcasses are being kept for livestock officials to collect so they can determine the cause of their deaths.

The provincial public health office has instructed the duck keeper not to dispose of the carcasses in public areas to prevent any possible disease from spreading.

Meanwhile, head of the provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Buying Khumsuphan, revealed the bird flu alert was recently lifted in the province.

However, he said if any bird flu case is found, measures will be mapped out to prevent an outbreak.

Phitsanulok Governor Preecha Ruangchan visited the scene.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-22

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Sniffing dogs deployed to check for bombs inside Government House

Two sniffing dogs were deployed to check for explosives inside the Government House compound Tuesday morning but no bombs were detected.

The dogs were deployed to check the compound before the weekly Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2010-06-22

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Isetan Department Store at CentralWorld willl be reopened on Thurs June 24 from 10am-9pm. #whatsup /via @veen_NT

Over 4,000 Ducks Die Mysterious Death in Phitsanulok

PM Abhisit criticizes Thaksin for continuing to damage the country: PM Abhisit Criticizes Thaksin For Continuing To Damage The Country - Thailand Forum

Election campaigns possible despite state of emergency. DPM Suthep says

New uniform launched for govt hospitals' public relations officers nationwide

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Thousands of Red-Shirts expected to attend Seh Daeng's funeral

Tight Security For Cremation Of 'Red Shirt' Thai General - Thailand Forum

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ASTV: Cooking gas delivery man, Rayong-native, admitted he 's been hired to stage a bomb attack at Bhum Jai Thai party. /via @TAN_Network

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Bomber in Police Custody

A Rayong-native has been taken into the custody of the police. He's confessed to have been hired to stage a bomb attack at Bhum Jai Thai party headquarter on Paholyothin 43 Road.

He had planned to use 15-kg worth of LPG gas to stage a bomb attack at the office of the government coalition partner.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-22

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Public Health Hospitals to Get Bt260 Mil Facelift

The Public Health Ministry has launched a program to give a new look to the 1,000 hospitals under its supervision nationwide.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit yesterday rolled out a program to revamp 1,000 public health hospitals nationwide, at a cost of 260 million baht.

He also gave a program briefing to provincial chief public health officers, hospital directors, and public health staff from across the country.

Deputy Public Health Minister Dr. Pansirikul Nartsiri and the ministry's Permanent-Secretary Paijit Warachit were also present at the briefing session.

Jurin said the ministry aims to make improvements in three areas including atmosphere, service and management. He expects the revamp to be completed by September 12th.

The minister noted that the program will encompass provincial and local public health facilities, as well as specialized centers.

The out-patient department will be given a more modern look and will be better managed. Also, restrooms will be cleaner and more hygienic.

He went on to say that hospital receptionists will all be dressed in the same uniform and will do their best to satisfy clients.

Jurin noted there will be an evaluation three months after the implementation of the program. Hospitals with outstanding improvement will receive awards in recognition of their achievements.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-22

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Thai Tour Operators Complain About Expensive Domestic Airfares

Thai Tour Operators Complain About Expensive Domestic Airfares - Thailand Forum

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International hotelier to support government's plan to revive Thai tourism

BANGKOK (TNA) -- International hotelier Marriott will implement a set of proactive rehabilitation measures to support the revival of tourism in Thailand as the country's domestic political crisis has eased, a company executive said on Tuesday.

Edwin D. Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International, Inc, said that the hotel group will apply varied approaches to access targeted customers and restore foreign tourist confidence in visiting the kingdom.

Marriott International, Inc will meet privately with tour operators and tourism-related entrepreneurs as well as with sales representatives and the media in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to discuss tourism-related problems and suggestions to boost post-crisis tourism.

After compiling and assessing all suggestions, the company will design a campaign to regain international visitors.

Mr Fuller said he is confident that the overall situation in Thailand will return to normal and improve soon. Expressing support of the government’s plan to restore tourist confidence, the Marriott executive said he sees Thailand’s potential to recover from the political disorder which began in mid-March and halted in mid-May.

The hotel executive said he agreed with the Abhisit government’s measures to revive tourism and spending by using tax deduction measures.

To promote tourism among Thais, those buying domestic tour programmes can use their receipts as tax deductions for not more than Bt15,000 (US$460), the measure takes effect from June 9 until the end of this year.

Marriott International, Inc, meanwhile, will coordinate with a number of businesses in the tourism sector including hotels, airlines, tour operation representatives, restaurants and other organisations to explain Thailand’s current situation to cushion the negative impact on tourism.

In addition, the international hotelier still believes that the Thai economy and tourism has the potential to grow and continue with bright prospects, Mr Fuller explained.

Currently there are 17 hotels with 4,422 rooms under the umbrella of Marriott International, Inc in Thailand.

In 2012, the four new hotels are scheduled to open in Rayong, Surat Thani’s Samui island, Bangkok’s Sukhumvit and one other location, which will raise the company's total number of hotels to 21 with about 5,000 rooms. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-22

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Lawyer Plans to Petition for Release of Nuttawut Saigua

A lawyer of the red-shirt group plans to petition the court for the release of key red-shirt leader Nattawut Saigua on June 24 after Pheu Thai party indicated that it may field Natthawut in the by-election for Bangkok Constituency 6, scheduled for July 25.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-22

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Metropolitan Police to to Keep 24-hr Watch on Bhum Jai Thai Party HQ

Following the arrest of a man who had confessed he had been hired to stage a bomb attack at the Pheu Thai party HQ, the Region 2 Metropolitan Police will assign police officers to patrol the area 24-hr a day.

The city police have also revealed that the bomber had planned to use TNT explosives to carry out the attack.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-22