Thailand Live Friday 25 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Friday 25 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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

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

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 24 June 2010

Thailand Live Thursday 24 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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Drug trafficking tends to increase in four northern districts

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Drug trafficking is apt to increase across the border in the northern region of Thailand.

According to Secretary General to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Pol Lt-Gen Kritsana Polanan, the most popular entry point for drugs in Thailand is still in the north. 80% of them have been delivered via Mae Ai and Fang districts in Chiang Mai province as well as Mae Fa Luang and Chiang Saen districts in Chiang Rai province. Recently, millions of amphetamine pills have been seized at the area.

Meanwhile, drug trafficking tends to shift to the northeastern region of Thailand. The shift could indicate officials’ efficiency in dealing with drug issues.

It is possible that the football gamblers tend to become drug traffickers during the FIFA World Cup period, especially in Bangkok, Pol Lt-Gen Kritsana says.

-- NNT 2010-06-25

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Govt might block Robert Amsterdam´s arrival

BANGKOK0 (NNT) -- Robert Amsterdam, the lawyer on behalf of self-exiled ex Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should be prohibited from entering the Kingdom, according to Democrat Party Spokesperson Buranat Samutarak.

Speaking on Thursday at the Democrat Party Headquarter, Mr Amsterdam has always blamed the government as the cause of fatalities in the recent political clashes when the truth is yet to be sought in a probe.

MD Buranat seeks explanation from Mr Thaksin regarding many fault statements made by his lobbyist. Certain parts of his interviews with foreign press even specifically made offensive to the Thai monarchy. It is also proven that Mr Amsterdam has established close relationships with leaders of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship.

The Thai government might consider not to let Mr Amsterdam enter the Kingdom, while explanation upon Mr Amsterdam's movement is needed from Mr Thaksin and his lawyer Noppadol Pattama.

-- NNT 2010-06-25

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BY ELECTION

New Politics to contest by-election

By WATTANA KHAMCHOO

THE NATION

Bangkok: -- The New Politics Party, an offshoot of the People's Alliance for Democracy, yesterday decided to endorse Kittisak Rathaprasert as its electoral candidate for the July 25 by-election in Bangkok Constituency 6.

"The party has fielded Kittisak in the by-election as confirmation of its readiness to contest the democratic race," acting party leader Somsak Kosaisuk said.

Somsak said the by-election would be the first opportunity for his party to present its policies as a new choice for voters.

Kittisak is a retired general who sits on the party executive board and has secured his candidacy uncontested. Other potential candidates, including Suriyasai Katasila, Saranyu Wongkrajang, Samran Rodphet and Prapan Khoonmee withdrew from the race.

Suriyasai said the endorsement of Kittisak came after a lengthy debate on whether the party should field a candidate.

"New Politics has decided to join the race because Kokaew Pikultong, who is a terrorist suspect, will contest the by-election under the Pheu Thai Party's banner," he said.

Suriyasai said he decided to step aside in order to endorse Kittisak because as party secretary-general he was tied up with other responsibilities, including the vote of the new party leader on July 3 and the campaigning for local elections.

He said the fielding of Kittisak would prove the party wanted to push for its policies instead of relying on individual popularity.

Kittisak ran but failed as an electoral candidate for Bangkok's Bang Sue district under the Democrat banner in the 1995 general election, he said.

In the hustling for votes, the PAD is expected to take part in campaigning on Kittisak's behalf, he said.

Commenting on his candidacy, Kittisak said he would campaign on a platform of promoting good people, rooting out corruption and defending the monarchy in order to advance the aspirations of the PAD.

-- The Nation 2010-06-25

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CRES suspects attacks if emergency lifted in Thailand

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/CRES-Suspects-Attacks-If-Emergency-t378029.html

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Diamond ring lost in hospital theft

By The Nation

A Thai bridetobe yesterday said she was stolen of a Bt300,000 diamond engagement ring while visiting her sick boyfriend at Nonthaburi's Kasemrad Hospital Rattanatibeth on Tuesday night.

However the hospital affirmed they had advised patients' relatives not to carry valuables to hospital, installed CCTV at all floors and had lockers at special patient rooms. They now planned to implement three additional measures including the key card system. Although the agreement made with security firm didn't cover a mobile valuable, the hospital would try to help the damaged person the best they could, said InPatient Void head Dr Surapan Thaveevikyakan.

Kannikar Kutamethee, 30, said she put the ring, Bt8,000 cash, a Bt19,000 gold wristlace in her Louis Vuitton handbag in a closet provided by the hospital before sleeping on his bedside at about midnight.

Next morning when doctor let her boyfriend home, she learned that her handbabg was gone along with his wallet he left on the bedside. CCTV footage showed a female suspect in her 30s entering their room at 10am when the boyfriend slept and Kannikar went to toilet. The handbag along with Kannikar's ID card was later found at Carrefour Bang Yai branch's toilet. She then pleased via media to the thief that she wanted the ring back before the couple's wedding on July 30.

-- The Nation 2010-06-25

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Ministry names villages facing quakes and announces relief plan

By The Nation

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry announced yesterday that it was including 1,406 villages in 22 provinces in its national earthquake relief plan.

These villages, located in 308 districts across the country, are situated on Thailand's 13 fault lines. The most worrying faults are in Chiang Rai's Mae Chan district and Kanchanaburi's Si Sawat district, including the one near the Srinakharin Dam.

Minister Suwit Khunkitti called on the public to not panic over the relief plan, saying that the Kingdom was in no way situated on or near the world's major earthquake faults.

The ministry and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) are jointly planning to implement a longterm disaster relief plan to cope with possible quakes in the future.

Detailed risk analysis has been done in 192 villages in Kanchanaburi, 174 in Chiang Mai, 134 in Chaing Rai, 83 in Phrae, 54 in Mae Hong Son, 127 in Tak, 68 in Nan, six in Kamphaeng Phet, 37 in Lampang, 56 in Lamphun, 62 in Uttaradit and 56 in Chumphon. Though the ministry has identified 1,406 villages, it says the complete survey is only 40 per cent complete.

"Early announcement of the plan and locations are needed because earthquakes can be devastating, even though they are not as frequent as flash floods and landslides," Suwit added.

As part of another joint project, other natural disasters and relief plans already in place will be studied further.

The first phase of the plan will be implemented in villages in the North and Northeast next year, and in the West, the Central and the South in 2012.

So far, villages in Chiang Rai situated on a major fault line, which was hit by a 6.5 Richterscale quake 2,000 years ago, have been put in the highrisk category, though not yet earmarked for immediate evacuation.

DMR senior official Suwit Khosuwan classified areas in the North leading to the West that were hit by major quakes hundreds of years ago as the "Red Zone". Another red zone is the 155km stretch from Chiang Mai's Fang district, through Chiang Rai's Mae Khong and Mae Chan districts leading to Laos.

Other highrisk areas are Kanchanaburi's Dan Chedi Sam Ong (Three Pagodas) district, which was hit by a 6.4 Richterscale quake around 1,000 years ago, and the Si Sawat district, which was hit by a 7.0 Richterscale quake 7,000 years ago.

An official said the 3.7 Richterscale quake on June 13 had caused a 3.4metre dent in the Srinakharin Dam, though the main structure was still intact and could withstand a 7.0 Richterscale tremor.

Egat will soon evaluate the strength of the Srinakharin dam, as well as the Ratchaprapha Dam in Surat Thani, Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit and Vajiralongkorn Dam in Kanchanaburi.

-- The Nation 2010-06-25

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Sanam Luang vendors angry for being booted out

By Onravee Tangmeesang

Special to The Nation

BMA empties area for renovation, largescale landscaping

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has pushed more than 500 vendors and homeless people out of Sanam Luang to make way for its renovation and landscaping plans.

The area will be closed down for at least 300 days, and the vendors - who made a living selling mats, pillows and blankets to Sanam Luang's constant residents and the homeless - have no idea if they will be allowed to return.

"We are sitting here, wondering what to do next. We used to make at least Bt2,000 a night, but now we can't earn a single baht. Plus, we don't have the capital to start a new business, and still have to cover our expenses," they say angrily.

Sanam Luang looked very different when we visited. There was nothing but galvanised iron plates left over from torn down stalls - no grass, nobody flying kites, no vendors, no massage services, no pavements and certainly no feeling of a tightknit community. Instead, there were about 100 police officers guarding the place.

Sakon Prasoetsuk, 36, and his wife were seen scouting for a new location nearby for their poster stall now that they have been moved out of Sanam Luang. Sakon said he has already lost more than half of his income, yet his expenses have stayed the same.

"I have to foot bills worth more than Bt10,000 a month with six members in my family. This is the only business we have to feed ourselves with and they've completely shut us down," Sakon lamented.

Though the BMA is offering a new location, the vendors complain the space is not big enough and that customers will not be able to find them.

"We are just given about a metre and a half - just enough space to hang one large poster. Some of the vendors don't even have space for their carts. If I want a bigger space, I have to move somewhere else, but I can't afford to pay the rent. Besides, I don't have the chance to tell my regular customers where I will be going because everything is uncertain," Sakon added.

Though many of the people feel angry, a few are still making an effort to understand the other side's point of view.

"We should accept it if it is better for the next generation. We need to be more diligent and think about others too. We also have to cut down unnecessary expenses in order to survive. Everybody is in the same state. We all suffer, but we need to work hard to get out of crises. Shutting down Sanam Luang does not mean our lives have to be shut down too," said Suwan Aimchang, 45, a street vendor who has been in the areas for years.

BOX

Sanam Luang razed to the ground

Everything, except for the tamarind trees, will be torn down as part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Bt180million renovation plan, said Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul yesterday.

Funded by the government's "Thai Khemkhaeng" stimulus programme, the renovation will see the 120,000square metre area entirely revamped. The area in the middle will be made a little higher, while the surrounding region would be given better drainage system to avoid flooding, he said.

Sanam Luang will be divided into two areas - the southern part close to the Palace will be turned into a ceremonial ground for royal events, while the northern area near Pinklao Bridge will be paved in concrete for public use. The circumference of Sanam Luang will be paved and lined with trees, benches and light posts. In addition, three spots have been designated for underground public toilets. During the 300day renovation period, all access to Sanam Luang will be blocked apart from important royal events, Theerachon said. Once renovated, the city will set strict regulations as to usage.

City officials yesterday set up a tent near the Emerald Buddha Temple to hand the project over to the Army's 1st Development Division on June 30.

Meanwhile, with the footpaths around Sanam Luang being fenced off to deter street vendors, commuters have to wait for buses on the road. Phra Nakhon district chief Suwaporn Jermrangsi said yesterday that he would ask the contractor to set up four Ushaped bus stops around Sanam Luang during the renovation period, so people can hail buses safely.

-- The Nation 2010-06-25

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Alcohol warning labels not a trade barrier for Thailand

Alcohol Warning Labels Not A Trade Barrier For Thailand - Thailand Forum

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Efforts to solve wildfire in Nakhon Si Thammarat accelerated

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT (NNT) -- Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Teera Mintrasak is accelerating efforts to help five affected districts from Khuan Khreng peat forest wildfire.

The Governor headed to five districts in the province to investigate the effect from Khuan Khreng peat forest fire with dispersed smut from on-going fire found at the sites. According to the Pollution Control Department, dust in the air is over the standard and that will affect people’s health in the area.

Water from the reservoir nearby has been released into the forest to quell fire and the province has contacted the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to help generate rain in the forest and those five districts to stop wildfire and reduce smoke.

The probe by related agency found that such a wildfire was caused by some capitalists and local residents with the hope to trespass into the site. A particular committee has been set up to solve the problem.

-- NNT 2010-06-25

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Govt in bid to keep diesel below Bt30 per litre

By WICHIT CHAITRONG,

WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG

THE NATION

The government might cut oil taxes to keep the retail price of diesel at Bt30 per litre or lower, to prevent a negative impact on the cost of living, Deputy Finance Minister Man Pattanothai said yesterday.

He noted that under the policy to hold the Bt30 threshold, the government might cut excise tax or local government tax, or reduce contribution to the Oil Fund, in order to reduce the price by at least Bt2 per litre.

Currently diesel price is Bt28.89 per litre.

"The National Energy Policy Council will convene this month to discuss oil prices and the cost of living," he said.

Meanwhile, the Energy Ministry will propose to the National Energy Policy Council to maintain the Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV gas) prices for six months, until February next year. They expect this will increase the amount of subsidy from the Oil Fund by another Bt6 billion.

Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said at the council's meeting yesterday that the LPG and NGV prices, which are now fixed at Bt18.13 per kilogram and Bt8.5 per kilogram respectively, would continue until February next year. The government measure, aimed at giving relief to the people's cost of living, was due to expire in August.

"Though the economy is recovering, it is not yet back to normal. To help people relieve their cost of living burden, we decided to peg the retail prices of LPG and NGV for six months," he said.

He said that continuing to fix LPG and NGV prices would not have much of an effect on the Oil Fund, which now has a net cash flow of Bt20 billion and has cash inflow every month. The subsidy for fixing the prices is expected to cost around Bt6 billion.

For the fuel tariff (FT) rate that is correlative to electricity prices, which will also stop fixing the price in August, he said the ministry has assigned the Energy Regulatory Commission to gather information for the council to consider whether the practice of fixing the rate should continue.

-- The Nation 2010-06-25

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Isetan reopens

Isetan Department Store Thursday reopened its 27,000squaremetre store at CentralWorld after being closed for 82 days, due to the recent political protests that culminated in the arson attacks of May 19.

Company president Takeshi Ito said the unrest was the worst experience during the store's 18 years in Thailand.

The store was not damaged by the fire, which destroyed much of CentralWorld.

-- The Nation 2010-06-25

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Phuket: Work underway on Patong Hill flooding problem

Work Underway On Patong Hill Flooding Problem - Thailand Forum

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Police Arrest Makers of Bhum Jai Thai Bomb

The Metropolitan Police have arrested two men, identified as Dejpol and Kampol, believed to have made the bomb that targetted the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters. The two men are said to be red-shirt security guards. Police will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. to reveal more details.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-25

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Court Accepts Jatuporn's Defamation Suit against Suthep

The Criminal Court has accepted the defamation suit filed by red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan against Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban for alleging that the red-shirts hired migrant laborers to join their protest. The court has scheduled July 20 for the first hearing.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-25

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The Most Comprehensive Router Default Database

The Most Comprehensive Router Default Database - Thailand Forum

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Court Accepts Jatuporn's Defamation Suit against Suthep

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Isetan department store at CentralWorld reopened after being closed 82 days

Govt in bid to keep diesel below Bt30 per litre

Efforts to solve wildfire in Nakhon Si Thammarat accelerated

Alcohol warning labels not a trade barrier for Thailand: Alcohol Warning Labels Not A Trade Barrier For Thailand - Thailand Forum

Sanam Luang vendors angry for being booted out

Ministry names villages facing quakes and announces relief plan

Diamond ring worth 300.000 Baht lost in hospital theft

CRES suspects attacks if emergency lifted in Thailand: CRES Suspects Attacks If Emergency Lifted In Thailand - Thailand Forum

Drug trafficking tends to increase in four northern districts

Govt might block Robert Amsterdam´s arrival

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World No.1 golfer, Tiger Woods prepares to sign divorce papers for his wife, together with US$750 mil. settlement /The Nation

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2 Red-shirt Security Guards Confess to Bombing Bhum Jai Thai

The Metropolitan Police reveal the 2 arrested red-shirt security guards, Kampol Kamkong and Dejpol, have confessed to being behind the bombing of the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters. The two said the bomb in a gas cylinder, abandoned in Soi Ramintra 81 and found yesterday, also belonged to them.

Police say there are at least 3 other accomplices involved.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-25

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DSI chief: We will show the links to Thaksin

DSI Chief: We Will Show The Links To Thaksin - Thailand Forum

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Jealous husband commits murder-suicide near Pattaya

Jealous Husband Commits Murder-Suicide Near Pattaya - Thailand Forum

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High-ranking Police Officer Severely Wounded in Motorway Crash

A deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau 2 is suffering serious injuries after a crash last night on the Motorway.

Highway police are investigating an accident involving a Mercedes-Benz E230 belonging to Police Lieutenant General Surasak Sanujarn, a deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau 2, after a car crash on the Motorway at the fifth kilometer marker last night.

The senior police officer was sent to Piyavej Hospital and is suffering a broken left leg.

According to police, a taxi was heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport at high speed when it hit a motorcycle that was coming from the opposite direction on the right lane.

The impact sent the motorcycle to the middle lane. Police Lieutenant General Surasak crashed into an 18-wheeler ahead of him when the driver of the truck hit the brakes abruptly so as to avoid the motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, identified as Somjai Namthaisong, was pronounced dead on the spot.

Police suspect that Somjai was riding under the influence and said no one would have expected a motorcycle to be travelling from that direction, especially since small vehicles are prohibited on the Motorway.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-25

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World Bank: Thai economy in 2010 to grow by 6.1%

World Bank: Thai Economy In 2010 To Grow By 6.1% - Thailand Forum

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Army Chief: Govt Not Creating Conditions to Extend State of Emergency

The Army chief has denied that the authorities are trying to create unstable conditions in the hopes of extending the State of Emergency.

Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Anupong Paochinda, said regarding the recent bombing incidents and unrest in Bangkok and other provinces, that the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations or CRES and the police are working hard together on the investigation.

He added that all concerned government units nationwide must help monitor the situation, since further disruptive activities could be plotted and carried out in the province.

The Army chief gave the example of the Bhum Jai Thai bombing, which was orchestrated by a Nakhon Ratchasima native.

General Anupong went on to say that the CRES will convene this evening to re-evaluate the situation. As for the Army's part, he said military presence will continue to be maintained at key public venues.

The chief commander also denied that the government was behind the Bhum Jai Thai bombing so as to create conditions for the extension of the State of Emergency enforcement, saying that such a move would affect the public and businesses and would only backfire on the authorities.

Meanwhile, General Anupong insisted that the military is not organising a special sniper team to assassinate red-shirt leaders as alleged by red-shirt key leader Jatuporn Promphan. He also dismissed other assassination rumours.

The officer concluded by saying the Army is ready to support the government's reconciliation effort, and the defence minister has instructed the armed forces to come up with practical and coordinated steps to promote national harmony.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-25

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Porsches powering to Phuket

Porsches Powering To Phuket - Thailand Forum

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7 Arrested For Allegedly Murdering Alleged Malaysian Drug Ring Leader

Thailand Burns 190 Million Dollars Of Drugs

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Phuket Music Festival starts tonight

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New Politics Candidate Pulls Out of By-Election

The New Politics Party candidate for the Bangkok by-election, General Kittisak Ratprasert, has announced that his will not be contesting on the July by-election. He says he has had a change of heart and does not want to contest in the same field as a terrorist suspect.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-25

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Indian Father Killed In Tragic Pattaya Jetski Accident

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Court extends detention of 11 red-shirt leaders

The Criminal Court Friday approved police's second request to detain 11 red-shirt leaders for 12 more days under the Criminal Procedural Code.

The court allowed police detain the 11 red-shirt leaders from June 27 to July 8 after the first detention period expires on Saturday.

Police requested the detention extension on ground that they have yet to interrogate 70 other witnesses and have to wait for scientific evidence before they could file charges against the suspects in court.

The 11 include Natthawut Saikua, weng Tojirakrn, Kwanchai Phraiphana and Nisit Sinthuprai.

-- The Nation 2010-06-25