Thailand Live Thursday 1 Jul 2010

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BMA gears up to tackle flood

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is giving a head start to flood prevention preparations by installing additional water pumps at various district stations.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra said he had instructed the Department of Drainage and Sewerage to be prepared for floods particularly in risk-prone districts in the eastern part of Bangkok by deploying more water pumps and clearing sewers.

The BMA has made an agreement with the First Army Region 1 to jointly clean up 677 kilometers of waterways in the capital with a budget of 380 million THB. The project, which is expected to be completed within 150 days, would enhance efficiency of the drainage system and alleviate flood situation during the rainy season.

The BMA has been constantly monitoring the water level in Bangkok’s canals and dredging shallow parts in order to keep the water low. Its officials have stayed alert for immediate assistance for the public in case of emergency.

-- NNT 2010-07-01

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PM Takes Calls in Govt Public Opinion Drive

The prime minister personally answered phone calls from citizens contributing their ideas to the “6 Days 63 Million Opinions, Driving Thailand Forward” campaign launched today to hear about problems from the public.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva personally took calls this morning at the opening of the “6 Days 63 Million Opinions, Driving Thailand Forward” project at Government House.

The administration has opened its 02-304-9999 line, expanded to accommodate up to 300 lines, to take calls from citizens and listen to their opinions on remedying problems plaguing their daily life.

Bangkok city volunteers, staff of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation, celebrities and students will all be aiding in the gathering of ideas to be used in the government's national reform efforts.

The prime minister received three calls asking him to increase pensions for government officials and reorganize vendor zoning on Ramkamhaeng Road.

Of the 1 million currently registered callers, project organizers believe the majority of their needs will revolve around debt relief.

The government is confident it will be able to assist up to 600,000 people with debt problems, extending the figure from its previous target of 400,000.

On top of the phone line, citizens may also contribute their ideas by post at PO Box 999 or at www.pm.go.th.

All of the collected ideas will be combined with survey results from the National Statistics Office and analyzed by the National Economic and Social Development Board.

The completed report will be handed to the newly established National Reform Commission, which will transform the report into a blueprint for development as well as a national New Year's resolution.

Prime Minister Abhisit stated that tackling of the Kingdom's problems is a monumental task that will require time, but noted that the essence of today's project was to stir the public to realize the problems of their fellow Thais and need for their participation to drive the nation forward.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-01

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Lottery Ticket Vendor killed in crash, just outside of Pattaya

Korean Tourist caught up in attempted abduction as she leaves North Pattaya Discotheque

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Iranian National Arrested For Allegedly Smuggling 'Ice' Into Thailand

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Korean Tourist caught up in attempted abduction as she leaves North Pattaya Discotheque:

Lottery Ticket Vendor killed in crash, just outside of Pattaya:

PM Abhisit answered phone calls from citizens in Govt public opinion drive

Thai inflation rate slows in June:

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) gears up to tackle flood

PM Abhisit denies fear as assassination plots revealed:

Belgian national arrested in Pattaya on extortion charges:

Thai authorities to launch crackdown on pirated goods:

THAI cooperates with KTB in ticket payment via ATM:

Industrial estate authority assigned to compile plan to counter water shortage at Map Ta Phut site:

Terrorism definition sought to clear insurance snag

Bangkok: 'Six Days, 63 Million Opinions' campaign launched to elicit public ideas for social reform

Parental warmth - key to prevent suicide among teenagers

The phone system at Govt House collapsed during PM's 63 million ideas campaign, and Abhisit had to resort to asnwering twitter questions.

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Gov't Hotline Sees Over 2,000 Calls in First Day

The government's "Moving Thailand Forward" hotline saw over 2,000 calls in its first day of service, despite technical difficulties during the prime minister's debut this morning. Most callers complained about overwhelming debt. However, there were also some crank calls.

Tomorrow, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij will pick up calls between 9 to 10 A.M.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-01

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Fifth Suspect Arrested for Khon Kaen Arson

The Department of Special Investigation and local Khon Kaen officials have disclosed details of further progress made in the investigation into the torching of the provincial hall and a local NBT television station.

Earlier today, during a meeting of provincial officials, Deputy Khon Kaen Governor Payat Chanprasert and officials from the Department of Special Investigation disclosed further information regarding arson attacks on the provincial hall and the NBT television station on May 19.

Authorities have apprehended one more suspect, 52-year-old Jirattrakul Sumaha, a Khon Kaen native believed to be involved in the arson attacks.

Jittrakul is the fifth suspect to be detained by police from the total of the 101 suspects believed to be responsible.

A total of 57 arrest warrants were issued for individuals participatitng in the provincial hall arson and 44 for the NBT station attack.

The deputy governor admitted that tracking down the suspects is a difficult task because despite the security camera footage, names and addresses of the suspects are still unknown.

Nonetheless, all involved parties are trying to speed up the cases and will be posting pictures of the wanted suspects across the province in case the public can identify the perpetrators.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-01

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Thaksin's Aide Blasted for Seeking Foreign Intervention

The secretary to the foreign minister has denounced ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's close aide as trying to seek US intervention in Thai politics and launching campaign to sabotage the credibility of the Thai government.

Chavanont Intarakomalsut, secretary to the foreign minister, said the visit of Noppadon Pattama, legal adviser of fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to the United States is aimed at seeking US interference in Thailand's internal affairs, including the judicial system and the reconciliation plan.

Chavanont further said he believed Noppadon's visit would not receive a good response as no members at the US Congress have answered his request for a meeting.

Chavanont said the government has continuously received reports about the movement of Noppadon and Thaksin's foreign lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who has traveled to various countries to undermine the Thai government's image.

He asserted foreign countries still expressed confidence and support for the Thai government.

He added the most concerning issue is the attempt to distort facts and undermine the country's image. He said it is not necessary to hire a lobbyist firm to respond to the campaign as the Foreign Ministry will take a major role in dealing with the campaign to discredit Thailand.

Meanwhile, opposition Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he deemed it is improper if the government would hire a lobbyist firm to counter Thaksin's moves as no government has ever done that before.

Prompong also spoke of acting national police chief Police General Patheep Tanprasert's statement that the prime minister and other prominent figures are targets of assassination plots.

Prompong commented that Patheep's publicizing of the issue benefits the prime minister and his Democrat Party, but will ruin the country's image.

He said his party plans to submit a petition to the Election Commission and the National Police Office to seek an investigation if Patheep's behavior is proper.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-01

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PM launches “Cyber Scout” to ensure creative use of internet

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has commenced the “Cyber Scout” campaign in hopes of promoting creative use of the internet among Thai people.

On the occasion of the National Scout Day 2010, Prime Minister Abhisit made his speech during the opening ceremony of the “Cyber Scout” project, saying that the internet played a crucial role in the Thai society at present as it was a tool to communicate with other people worldwide. However, he stressed that technology could be a double-edged sword if it was misused.

To enhance Thailand to be a successful learning society, the Prime Minister encouraged the creation of quality communication technologies as well as the promotion of creative and productive use of the tools among the public.

Prime Minister Abhisit announced that the “Cyber Scout” campaign would persuade people to take part in advancing the technology industry and utilizing the internet in an appropriate way.

-- NNT 2010-07-01

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Pheu Thai Retaliates Democrat's "Terrorist" Remark

The Pheu Thai Party is preparing to seek action against the Democrat leader's spokesperson for his remark against its Bangkok by-election candidate.

Pheu Thai spokesperson Prompong Nopparit said he will submit a complaint with the Election Commission on July 5 seeking action against the Democrat Party leader's personal spokesperson Thepthai Senapon for his remark against the Pheu Thai candidate for Bangkok's Constituency 6 by-election, Korkaew Pikulthong.

Prompong quoted Thepthai as calling Korkaew “Terrorist Number Four", the running number of Korkaew in the poll.

Prompong said Thepthai's statement was in violation of Article 53 of the Election Act which bans smear campaigning.

He claimed the comment also violates Article 137 of the MP and senator election law which specifies a jail term as penalty.

He also said it could lead to a complaint against the Democrat candidate, if he wins the upcoming by-election.

Leader of Pheu Thai Party, Yongyuth Wichaidit, director of Pheu Thai Party's campaign, Wicharn Meenachainant, and other politicians from the party visited Kannayao district to campaign for Korkaew.

The opposition party claims its candidate was well-received by supporters in the area.

During the campaign, the Pheu Thai members urged their supporters to vote for Korkaew in the by-election, which will be held on July 25, and criticized the government for its failures.

The opposition party also distributed leaflets claiming that Korkaew is being unfairly held in prison for demanding House dissolution.

At the same time, Wicharn said constituents were very receptive to the party's campaign. The party has scheduled a campaign rally for July 3 and 4.

Wicharn also pointed out that there is no problem pertaining to the state of emergency. However, he expressed concern that the government will be criticized during the planned campaign, which may be in violation of the Emergency Decree.

Meanwhile, the party is also planning to request bail for Korkaew.

However, it has canceled the plan to organize a fund-raising political concert, as it is prohibited by campaign regulations.

In the meantime, the Democrat Party's candidate for the Bangkok Constituency 6 by-election, Panich Wikijset, started his campaign at

Bueng Kum District Office and went on to the Sonta Child Development Center.

Uraiwan Ngoen-yuang, widow of late MP Thiwa Ngoenyuang, also took part in his campaign activities.

Panich said he has received good feedback from locals and exchanged viewpoints with them as well as listened to their grievances.

The Democrat candidate accepted that Constituency 6 is very large so he may not be able to thoroughly visit constituents. He went on to claim that the emergency law has not caused any problems to his campaigning.

He also insisted the detention of his Pheu Thai rival Korkaew does not give him any advantage in the campaign. Panich said he hoped not to see any unsavory events during the campaign from opponents.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-1

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 2 July 2010

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