Thailand Live Saturday 26 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 26 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 25 June 2010

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Thailand to attend World Tiger Summit

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is invited to attend the International Forum on Tiger Conservation (World Tiger Summit) in St Petersburg, Russia.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation Alexander Mariyasov on Friday has invited Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to the World Tiger Summit upon meeting Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu at the Government House. Mr Korbsak has agreed to forward the invitation to the Prime Minister.

The two have discussed trade and investment cooperation between Thailand and Russia. The exchange of trade delegates in recent months and the 5th Joint Economic Committee (JEC) scheduled to take place this year will help stimulate ties in various economic aspects.

In addition, Mr Korbsak has clarified the ambassador's concern on the government's peace plan. He stated that the investigation panel to seek truths about political incidents had been emphasized by the Thai government as well as its mission to narrow income gap.

He stated that a peace committee led by former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun and a committee on media reform had been adopted to eliminate differences, while the general election date would be set when ready.

The World Tiger Summit is scheduled to take place from 15 to 18 September 2010. Representatives from 14 countries have confirmed their presence at the event. Tiger preservation and breeding are aimed as topics to be discussed at the summit.

The meeting of the top-level officials is due on 15 September 2010 as the first day of the summit, while the second-day summit is deemed for ministerial delegates and the third day summit is meant for government leaders.

-- NNT 2010-06-26

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Govt to curb illegal recording in cinemas

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government agreed to issue a bill to address illegal recording of movies in cinemas.

Following the first National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office’s committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Commerce Minister, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, has revealed a report conducted from January- April 2010. There are a total of 2,293 cases with 1,185,872 seized exhibits. However, the crimes and seized exhibits have decreased by 29% and 23% respectively, year-on-year.

The Department of Intellectual Property, the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Special Investigation, the Customs Department, the Office of the National Culture Commission, the Department of Business Development as well as the Revenue Department will join forces to eliminate infringement of cinematographic works, particularly illegal products displayed at Khlong Thom Market, Saphan Lek, Ban Mo, Phat Phong, Silom, MBK Shopping Mall, along Sukhumvit Road Soi 3-19 as well as Phantip Plaza in Bangkok by July 2010. Shop owners will be invited for a briefing on 9 July 2010 to help look out for infringement crimes and report to authorities.

Moreover, the committee has resolved to expedite their tasks on seven aspects including prevention and suppression of intellectual property infringement, improvement of legal system, introduction of the law to tackle illegal recording of films in cinemas and a revision of the Frequency Allocation Bill, restraining of illegal broadcasting, private and public sectors collaboration, introduction of statistical data and public information.

The Attorney General will be appointed as head of the Prevention and Suppression of Intellectual Property Infringement Committee, while owner of the properties will be appointed as subcommittees. There will also be an introduction of a committee on Medical Intellectual Property in the future.

-- NNT 2010-06-26

[Maestro]

BUSINESS

PM urges trade leaders to boost daily minimum wage

By Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

The Nation

Published on June 26, 2010

Premier offers tax incentives, says better pay will close income gap

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday urged business and industry captains to think "out of the box" and help the government, along with other parts of society, achieve the objectives of national reconciliation following the recent political unrest.

"What do you think of a generous tax break in return for a big raise in the minimum wages?" asked the premier during his speech before the gathering of Board of Trade members in Bangkok.

He said if it was possible to raise the minimum wages significantly, then the low-income people would be able to enjoy a better living standard, thus helping narrow the income gap between the rich and poor.

Abhisit said he had discussed the measure with Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, but was not sure how the private sector would react since it would affect their competitiveness considering that wages are a major production cost.

In addition, he said the government was pushing for a land-tax reform to redistribute land ownership and natural resources, with the Cabinet's recent approval to set up a pilot land bank.

This measure will also help narrow the income gap in the long run.

Given that the majority of Thailand's population still worked on agriculture, he urged the private sector to renew their focus on developing businesses and industries in this sector, especially since global demand for food would continue to grow at a high rate due to rising populations.

There are about 10 million workers in the industrial sector, as indicated by the number of social-security members, and that the majority of Thais were still outside this system. In order to boost the purchasing power of these low-income earners, Abhisit suggested that the government could offer income and tax incentives to the private sector if they agreed to back a major restructuring of minimum wages.

High wages would help expand the domestic economy, thanks to better purchasing power of low-income groups, which is needed at a time when the country cannot depend on export demands for long-term growth.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

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JULY BY-ELECTION

New Politics withdraws from by-elections

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The yellow-shirt movement's New Politics Party yesterday announced that it was withdrawing from the July 25 Bangkok by-election.

Its candidate General Kittisak Rathaprasert announced his withdrawal just one day after he was selected by the party's executive board, telling the press that he had made this decision because of widespread concern among party supporters about New Politics contesting alongside a suspected terrorist.

"I would like to apologise to my brothers and sisters in the People's Alliance for Democracy [PAD] who may be shocked [by the decision]. In this by-election, a suspected terrorist is going to mobilise red shirts and deny the terrorism charge. There may be an attempt to cause small riots in the run-up to the election. So the New Politics Party does not want to take part," he said.

Kittisak added that he had consulted with the party's executives before announcing his withdrawal.

New Politics is the political arm of the PAD, which campaigned against fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra and the pro-Thaksin red-shirt movement.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday named Kokaew Pikulthong, a red-shirt leader facing terrorism charges for involvement in the recent political unrest, as candidate for the by-election. Kokaew is currently under remand along with 10 other red-shirt leaders.

With Kittisak's withdrawal, the upcoming Constituency 6 by-election is expected to be a two-man race between Kokaew and the ruling Democrat Party's candidate Panich Vikitsreth. No other political parties have announced plans to contest the election.

Registration of candidacy begins on Monday.

New Politics spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said yesterday that his party was convinced Pheu Thai would turn the election campaign into an anti-government protest similar to the ones organised in Bangkok between March and May.

"New Politics does not want to be recorded in history as contesting against a terrorist in its first election," he said.

Suriyasai insisted that Kittisak's withdrawal was not part of any "secret agreement" with the Democrat Party, though he urged New Politics supporters to "vote freely".

"With no candidate from the New Politics running, PAD supporters can now vote freely for their favourite candidate. They may vote for the Democrat Party in honour of the late MP Thiwa Ngoenyuang. He was a good friend of the PAD," Suriyasai said.

A political observer yesterday said the candidate's withdrawal showed that New Politics was not prepared, in terms of support base and candidate's suitability, which reduced its chances of winning.

"The Democrat Party does not need New Politics to withdraw. They have the potential to win the election. Pheu Thai seems to have no hope of winning; they just want to attack the Democrats about the recent protest dispersal during their election campaign," the source, who requested anonymity, said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

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AFTERMATH

Court refuses red shirts' release

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday rejected a request for the temporary release of 10 red-shirt leaders in remand on terrorism charges connected with the recent political unrest.

It instead granted the authorities' request for the detainees to remain in custody another 12 days, until July 8. This will be their second remand period, with the first one expiring today.

Their lawyer, Karom Ponthaklang, did not seek bail for an 11th detained red-shirt leader, Kokaew Pikulthong, who has been selected by the opposition Pheu Thai Party to contest the July 25 by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6.

Department of Special Investigation officers opposed temporary release, arguing they needed more time to question another 70 witnesses and receive the results of forensic testing.

They also said the accused might jump bail, due to the severity of the penalties their offences carried if convicted.

Terrorism carries a possible death sentence. Other penalties are three years to life imprisonment and/or a fine of between Bt60,000 and Bt1 million.

Karom said the detained red shirts, in a petition opposing a second remand period, pointed to the fact they had voluntarily surrendered to police as proof they had no intention of fleeing.

He said yesterday's appeal was made for only 10 of the detainees because Kokaew was earlier allowed by the court to leave Klong Prem Prison this coming Monday to register his candidacy in the upcoming by-election.

Following the registration, the lawyer will apply for Kokaew's bail.

The court said Kokaew must be returned to prison after registering his candidacy. He has asked to show up and register wearing his prison attire.

In a related development, the Criminal Court yesterday agreed to hear a libel suit filed by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban against Jatuporn Promphan, a Pheu Thai MP and key red-shirt leader.

The lawsuit alleges that last December, Jatuporn told the media Suthep had arranged for a group of foreign immigrants to infiltrate a red-shirt protest and destroy royal portraits in a bid to taint the movement's image.

The court yesterday scheduled July 20 for the start of the trial.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

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BLAST AT BHUM JAI THAI HQ

3 arrested for plotting bomb attack

By The Nation

Discontent with govt in power led to move for disruption, say suspects

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday arrested three men accused of masterminding the bomb attack on Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters in northern Bangkok on Tuesday.

In additiont to Khamphol Khamkhong, Dejphol Phutthajong and another unidentified man, there were four other men including a monk suspected of plotting the attack being tracked down by police, said assistant police chief Pol Lt General Assawin Khwanmueng.

Both Khamphol and Detphol have been implicated by alleged attacker Anek Singkhunthod of preparing the homemade bomb for him and planning the attack. Police apprehended Dejphol in Chon Buri's Si Racha district, and later Khamphol in Chanthaburi.

Boht men joined the red-shirted protests last month and Khamphol served as a volunteer guard, Assawin said, adding that they told him they plotted the attack out of their dissent with the government in power and meant it to be only disruptive, not aimed at taking lives.

Quoting Anek, the officer said both men took Anek to a safehouse in Chokechai 4 area, provided the homemade bomb and drove them to the BJT compound. Both suspects fled after learning from news reports that the bomb went off prematurely, and discarding a second bomb in northern Bangkok discovered on Thursday.

Pol Maj General Amnuay Nimmano said there were likely more than the seven people, including the three men arrested yesterday, plotting the attack. He said one of the four unidentified suspects was capable of assembling bombs.

He said this group of suspects had ties with the local red-shirted movements based in Chon Buri's Pattaya area and were financed by businesspersons who provided supplies and foods to the red-shirted demonstrators protesting in Bangkok last month.

The four unnamed suspects may have assembled the bomb at BJT party in the Choke Chai 4 safehouse, and possibly the other one found discarded off Soi Ram-Intra 88 in Bang Khen distrct.

An investigator probing the BJT bomb, Pol Lt Colonel Piyawat Bunyuen-anont, said both Khamphol and Dejphot followed Anek, who was riding a motorcycle with sidecar selling rambutan in a Toyata sedan. The first detonation did not work before they asked Anek to pushed the car to the back of BJT party for inspection. The second detonation worked, without known reasons.

The government's Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) has not yet decided whether the state of emergency would be extended after a meeting yesterday.

The indecision has resulted from different recommendation from various intellgence agencies. Those intel reports will then be analysed by the National Security Council and further processed for the final decision to be made by the government in the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday.

The NSC and military intellgence agencies have concluded that the state of emergency should be maintained in only seven to ten north and northeastern provinces among others where it was effective, while the Interior Ministry and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) said it should be maintained in all the provinces it was in effect.

In Udon Thani, police were tracing a group of teenaged suspected to plant a pipe bomb in a telephone booth near an Army barracks. They were suspected because of a previous bomb attack using a similar type of pipe bomb that was aimed at hurting a rival group of teenages.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

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Human rights in Thailand under scrutiny

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Govt aims to make old people stronger financially

By The Nation

The government is looking to make the elderly independent by giving them access to jobs and teaching them to rely on their savings.

More than 3,000 communities across the country have been provided with a new saving programme, under which members need to contribute Bt1 every day and the government matches it with a 100 per cent contribution.

The government also plans to have local administrative bodies contribute Bt1 to each account every day in the future.

"This is a sustainable way of supporting the elderly," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday at a seminar.

In the next two decades, people aged over 60 will account for 25 per cent of the overall population.

"If the government uses income tax to cover the welfare of the elderly, the tax rate will soar and the country will lose its competitiveness," Abhisit explained.

Currently, only 11 to 12 per cent of the population is over 60.

Abhisit said the society should look at the elderly with a new perspective. "The elderly don't need to just be receivers, they can be givers as well," he said, pointing out that older people had the experience and knowledge needed by society.

The prime minister said the government needed to provide channels through which the elderly could share their experience and knowledge.

Moreover, the government is already providing Bt500 per month to elderly people across the country. It is also planning to encourage communities and local administrative organisations to help take care of the aged.

Senior Citizens Council of Thailand president Dr Vichai Chotewiwat said the government spent about Bt57 billion a year in financing the monthly allowances for the elderly.

"Since the budget is already so huge, it is not possible for the government to raise the allowance. Therefore, people should start saving for their retirement," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

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Piracy cases in Jan-Apr decreased, according to Commerce Ministry

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Product piracy cases during January to April 2010 decreased in number, compared to the same period in 2009 due to the effect from recent political rally and riot.

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot unveiled the figures from the 1st/2010 meeting of the national committee for intellectual property policy chaired by the Prime Minister,saying that the number of nabbed piracy cases in the first four months of this year decreased y-o-y, as relevant personnel for this task was assigned to take care of political unrest during April – May.

The Minister elaborated that currently Thailand was put by the US into the Priority Watch List (PWL) together with 11 other countries for the piracy rate. However, Thailand still has the privilege to be removed from the list if the progress of intellectual property suppression and protection can be presented.

Mr Alongkorn added that to achieve the target, strict suppression will be made around the red zones from July 2010.

-- NNT 2010-06-26

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Grand cultural fest kicks off in Phuket

PHUKET (NNT) -- A cultural festival has kicked off grandly for the second time in the southern province of Phuket today.

The cultural event is organized for the second time under the theme “Creative Economy, Cultural Road of Kathu” by the Culture Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) with an aim to promote the conservation of the local cultural heritage.

The event features many activities, including cultural procession, performances from Kathu people, and street market. People are welcome to participate until 28 June in Kathu district, Phuket.

-- NNT 2010-06-26

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Police believe more suspects at large in Bhumjaithai Party blast

BANGKOK (TNA) -- The Thai authorities suspect that many more people are connected with this week's bombing at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, the leading partner in Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's coalition government and those who have already been arrest could face a maximum penalty of death sentence, a senior police officer said.

Deputy Bangkok Police Chief Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay Nimmano said the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) on Friday discusssed the Tuesday bombing at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters on Phaholyothin Road. He said that three suspects, notably the bomber himself, who was severely wounded by the premature explosion, have so far been arrested in relation to the attack.

The Criminal Court on Friday issued arrest warrants for four more suspects alleged to be involved and who are now still at large.

The three men now in police custody admitted during questioning that they had participated in the Red Shirt anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protests which were dispersed by the military the capital on May 19, said Gen Amnuay.

He said the trio admitted they were supporters of UDD.

The bombing attack on the Party was not aimed at creating disturbances and the attackers did plant the bomb, said Gen Amnuay, adding that the arrested had “confessed to the crime and the maximum penalty is death.”

“There’re still a group of people trying to stage violence and problem in the country,” he said.

Gen Amnuay said he believed there must be more people who were behind the bombing attack and the suspects were supported by major financiers who had helped distributed food and other necessities to UDD protesters during the protest. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-26

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Bangkok: Police believe more suspects at large in Bhumjaithai Party blast

Thailand needs to shape up to play a role in Asean-plus frameworks:

Washington: Malaysia, Thailand join US-led exercises:

Bangkok: Human Rights In Thailand Under Scrutiny:

Grand cultural fest kicks off in Phuket today

Thailand prepares for earthquakes. Ministry names villages facing quakes and announces relief plan:

Thailand: Product piracy cases in Jan-Apr decreased, according to Commerce Ministry

Thailand: Govt aims to make old people stronger financially

PM urges trade leaders to boost daily minimum wage

Govt to curb illegal recording in cinemas

Thailand to attend World Tiger Summit

Bangkok: 3 arrested for plotting bomb attack

Bangkok: Court refuses red shirts leaders release

Bangkok: New Politics withdraws from by-elections

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URGENT

Urgent need for B negative blood at Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok.

If you are B negative, please urgently call bloodbank at 023789000

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6 red-shirt leaders to be moved from Klong Prem Prison to Bangkok Remand Prison

Six red-shirt leaders, including Kokaew Pikultong, will be transferred from the Klong Prem Central Prison to the Bangkok Remand Prison, the director-general of the Corrections Department said Saturday.

Chatchai Sutthiklom said the six will be moved to the Lard Yao Prison on Monday.

The five other red-shirt leaders are weng Tojirakarn, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Yossawaris Chuklom, Amnart Itthachote, and Kwanchai Sarakham.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

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Kokaew will not be allowed to wear inmate uniform to register candidacy Monday

BANGKOK: -- The Corrections Department chief said Saturday that Kokaew Pikultong will, a detained red-shirt leader, will not be allowed to wear an inmate uniform to apply for the Bangkok by-election Monday.

Chatchai Sutthiklom, the corrections department director-general, said uniform is supposed to be used only inside a prison.

He said applying as a candidate for an election is a honorable activity so it would be inappropriate for Kokaew to get dressed in the inmate uniform.

The Criminal Court allowed Kokaew to walk out of the prison temporally to register his candidacy to contest the by-election.

The Pheu Thai Party has decide to run Kokaew in the contest.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

[george]

Thaivisa Member Poll - please login and vote:

Have you noticed that Thaivisa is now much faster to load?

[webfact]

Special Report: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2010

On 7 December 1987 the United Nations General Assembly delegated 26 June to be International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to pursue its goals of creating and encouraging an international society that is drug-free.

Thailand, as a United Nations (UN) member country has shown support for UN initiatives. As a unit that directly deals with the drug prevention and solution, the Office of the Narcotics Board (ONB) has proposed to the Cabinet a day to honor its intentions, create awareness and knowledge about the harm of drugs while encouraging the public to avoid drugs. In 1988, the cabinet has agreed to delegate 26 June as a day to recognize the issue.

Every year, the Royal Thai government will hold various activities in honor of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This year Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be presenting awards to people and organizations with outstanding contribution on drug prevention and control. The awards ceremony will be held on 25th June 2010 at 10.00 hrs at the Santi Maitri Hall, the Government House, in cooperation with the ONCB and with the Narcotics Control Foundation.

The Ministry of Public Health will also hold the 38th Destruction of Confiscated Narcotics, presided over by Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit 25th June 2010 at 10.30 hrs. The event, held annually at the Utility and Environment Management Center Bangpa-in Industrial Estate, located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province is a witness ceremony attended by the media and international diplomats to watch narcotic substances burn in the thermo-reactor chamber of industrial waste incinerators.

The Interior Ministry had launched a campaign to wipe out drug networks called Clean & Seal, implemented from November 2009 until September 2010. Under the campaign police, security officers and other concerned units will cooperate to arrest drug rings and sellers, requiring every province to report their progress and achievements on 25 June 2010 via press conferences. These include the arrests made from 4-25 June 2010.

Through the Royal Thai Government’s consistent efforts and initiatives to spread awareness and instill a conscience on the problems of drug abuse, its harms and effects on society, this paves the path for a well-informed society, drug-free society.

-- NNT 2010-06-26

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PM orders ICT Ministry to probe smartcard controversy

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday that he had instructed the Information and Communications Technology Ministry to probe why a private firm delivered smartcards in different specs from the contract to the Interior Ministry.

The Interior Ministry had returned 600,000 smartcards for making citizen ID cards back to the ICT Ministry to return to the manufacturers on ground that they failed to meet the specifications stipulated on the contract.

The return of the cards prompted the smartcards for making ID cards become out of stock.

When asked why the Interior Ministry accepted the first shipment of the cards despite the spec discrepancy, Abhisit said he also instructed the ICT Ministry to check the issue.

Abhisit said if the ICT Ministry managed to reach an agreement with the private supplier of the card, the new cards should reach all district offices within a month.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

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Phuket Police squash Ya Bah ring

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Dengue Fever spreading in Phuket

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Bank of Thailand sees signs of tourism rebound

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Dengue Fever spreading in Phuket:

Something's getting fishy in Phuket:

Getting Thai Credit Card. Different standard requirements for foreigners:

Phuket Police squash Ya Bah ring:

PM orders ICT Ministry to probe smartcard controversy

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2010

Bangkok: Kokaew will not be allowed to wear inmate uniform to register candidacy Monday

6 red-shirt leaders to be moved from Klong Prem Prison to Bangkok Remand Prison

Urgent need for B negative blood at Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok. If you are B negative, please urgently call bloodbank at 023789000

Yamaha pushes jet-skis as Phuket water safety solution:

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Nasty pair arrested in Phuket for robbery

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Sunday 27 June 2010

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