Thailand Live Friday 2 Jul 2010

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Thailand Live Friday 2 July 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 1 July 2010

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68 risky areas monitored, extension of emergency rule pondered

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A total of 68 risk-prone areas have been under close watch around the clock while the Emergency Decree retention is under consideration.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander Police Colonel Songpol Wattanachai together with Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Spokesperson of the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), held a weekly press conference on Thursday to announce the progress made recently. He pointed out that security measures had been beefed up at 68 risky spots, especially oil depots and refineries as well as residences of important figures and government offices.

Police Colonel Wattanachai also stated that Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanont, the Metropolitan Police Chief, had called on all relevant agencies to probe the recent attack involving a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) on an unused oil depot of the army's Quartermasters Department in Nonthaburi province late last month.

Meanwhile, Colonel Sansern revealed that all concerned authorities would convene a meeting to mull over the extension of the Emergency Decree in 24 provinces on 5 July 2010. He said the matter would be presented to the cabinet for consideration on 6 July.

The State of Emergency, to expire on 7 July, has been effective in Bangkok and 23 other provinces to facilitate the authorities’ operation to maintain peace and order in the country in the wake of the anti-government mass demonstration.

-- NNT 2010-07-02

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The age of the elderly is proposed to be redefined

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The age of Thai elderly is likely to be redefined, with the start at 65 rather than 60 years.

Prof Pramote Prasartkul from the Institute for Population and Social Research on Thursday chaired the National Conference on Population and Social Research at the Royal River Hotel.

According to Prof Pramote, the definition of senior citizen's age is now being scrutinized whether to begin at 65 instead of 60 as Thai people tend to live longer compared to the past 50 years.

Presently, average age of the Thai people is 73. Elderly aged above 60 are considered healthy following the medical development in Thailand that has prolonged people's lives for another 20 years. People at the age of 65 still have another 15 years before reaching the average life span.

As of 2010, there are a total of 7.5 million people at the age of 60 in Thailand, while 2.4 million is reported as people aged between 60-64. After definition of elderly is changed to start from the age of 65, the proportion of elder people will reduce by 8% in the future, with more people of working age.

-- NNT 2010-07-02

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SUSPICIOUS FUNDING

Accounts of Thaksin's children to be stayon blacklist for now

By Piyanuch Tamnukasetchai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The blacklisting of bank accounts of a son and a daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not yet be lifted pending further investigations, despite their clarification of money transfers already provided to the Department of Special Investigation, director general Tharit Phengdit said yesterday.

He said the DSI needs to further probe other money transfers possibly not yet reported by lawyers of Panthongtae and Pinthongta earlier this week to the department. The DSI needed to verify their lawyers' accounts and check with records of the Anti-Money Laundering Office about each and every money transfer to see both sides' details were consistent.

Tharit said the agency needed to thoroughly check the details before sending them over to the DSI. "The 83 people on the blacklist are not selected just because they have ties to the former premier or his family members, but because of suspicious money transfers involving their bank accounts," he added.

He said the DSI would not "lose face" if any of the 83 could defend their every money transfers questioned by the AMLO. "There must be at least one of them who can defend their money transfers," he added. Tharit repeated that anyone postponing a scheduled meeting with DSI agents had a 60-day duration to complete the mandatory explanations.

Commenting on news reports that former commerce minister Santi Prompat withdrew millions of baht in cash and kept it at home, Tharit said commonsense was to be practised in such a case, and declined to say how the DSI would deal with him following his explanations given yesterday.

There were many Pheu Thai MPs that met with DSI agents yesterday in various daily sessions, which would end next Monday.

Santi later said in a press interview that he wanted to safeguard his money so he withdrew his cash from bank accounts, in amounts up to Bt2 million three to four times, for fear that the money could be taken by the government.

Former minister Chaiya Sasomsab said he withdrew a total of Bt20 million to hold a birthday party, donate to a hospital and buy computers for a school. He said he needed to look for receipts to show them to the DSI.

MP Pracha Prasobdee said he paid Bt13.6 million through cheques for construction of a house, in addition to another large amount of money through credit cards and cash to buy construction materials in order to get promotional rewards in gold and electric appliances from a vendor.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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DEATH THREAT

Security boosted for Abhisit, other key figures

By The Nation

Personal security has been boosted for the prime minister and key government figures following intelligence reports confirming an assassination plot, acting police chief Pol General Patheep Tanprasert said yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- In addition to politicians, the other people targeted are high-ranking civilians and judicial officials, he added.

New members of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's security detail have been seen. There was a much larger number of both uniformed police officers and those in plain clothes providing security for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at an event at the Thai-Japanese youth centre in Din Daeng yesterday.

Deputy secretary-general to the PM and acting government spokesman Panitarn Watthanayakorn now travels in a government-issued bulletproof SUV and is protected around the clock by a two-man security detail. Only Abhisit and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban, another high-profile target, normally enjoy such security privileges.

In the wake of the rocket-propelled grenade attack on an Army fuel depot last Sunday, police are providing security around the clock at 68 locations, mostly fuel and energy infrastructures, in Bangkok.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Santhan Chayanont said two policemen stationed full-time at each of those locations were armed with assault rifles and given permission to "adopt ultimate measures" to "deter any threat".

The government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has arrested 16 people in the past week, including pro-Thaksin Shinawatra webmaster Sombat Bunngarmwong and Yong-yuth Thuammanee, a close aide to late Army adviser Khattiya Sawas-diphol. The 14 others are accused of torching government buildings in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani during the red-shirt protests in May.

Pol Colonel Songphol Watthanachai dismissed a statement by the Cambodian police that two wanted suspects - Warisriya Bunsom and Kobchai Bunplod, who had been accused of plotting a bomb attack on coalition ally Bhum Jai Thai's compound - were now in that country. "They can say whatever they want, but an investigation by the [Thai] police indicates otherwise," he said.

CRES spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said there were actually seven empty fuel tanks among the 11 located in the Army depot in Nonthaburi, dismissing a statement by the opposition Pheu Thai that Tank 6 was targeted by government-hired attackers because it was the only empty tank.

The National Security Council will reach a conclusion by Monday over whether the state of emergency should be extended beyond Wednesday. It will be submitted to the Cabinet for a final decision on Tuesday, said secretary-general Thawil Pliansri.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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Posthumous award for slain officer

By The Nation

Slain police hero Phian Eksomya has been posthumously awarded a Boy Scout honorary award from His Majesty the King.

His widow Phimchana yesterday received the award, in firstclass order of its kind, from HRH Somsawali in a ceremony held at the National Stadium.

Phimchana will today register a foundation commemorating her late husband, who was promoted to the rank of police general from police colonel after he was killed by a roadside bomb in the deep South in March.

The "Pol General Somphian Eksomya Foundation" will be dedicated to charity and public service while serving as a monument to honour good people, she said.

She pleaded with the National Police to promote both her sons, now serving as NCOs in Songkhla's Hat Yai district, to commissioned ranks after they earn their bachelor degrees in the near future.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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King worried about drought-hit farmers

By The Nation

HM the King has been concerned over his subjects' wellbeing especially the drought and followed the situations at five dams closely, said deputy secretary-general of Bureau of the Royal Household Disathorn Watcharothai yesterday.

Addressing to nationwide provincial permanent secretaries and district chiefs yesterday, Disathorn said the king also urged the Agriculture Ministry to monitor water situation at Bhumipol, Sirikit, Ubolrat, Kwae Noi and Pasak Cholasit dams to ensure they contained as much water as possible.

His Majesty also had the royal rainmaking centers in Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen to assist all farmers.

In related news, the drought has also affected hundreds of Karen farmer families living in four villages amid Inthanon Valley that they had no water to grow rice for two months now.

Usually they would grow rice in May for own consumption, which would yield about 20-60 sacks per household.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chavarat Charnveerakul said that this year drought was severer than the previous years and the ministry was currently working on a long-term solution to excavating irrigation canals nationwide but the project wouldn't be complete by the year 2011.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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Royal assistance for poor families

By The Nation

Their Majesties the King and Queen yesterday graciously granted assistance to two poor families that had appealed for help and provided 500 relief kits to some 500 underprivileged persons in Ang Thong.

Privy Councillor Chumpol Pachusanon yesterday presided over the ceremony attended by the family of Wiset Chaicharn district resident Wichai Pikulkhao and the family of Chai Nai resident Ontheera Roshom, 15, as well as the 500 recipients of the relief bags.

Wichai had suffered from injustice over the payment of expropriation compensation related to Pa Sak Dam, his wife was paralysed, his son was epileptic and he had diabetes.

Ontheera was seriously injured when a 10wheel truck accidentally ran over her but the transport company and insurance firm refused to help her.

For this occasion, Ramathibodi Hospital's mobile unit performed free medical checkups and dispensed dental services and eye treatment to the locals while the Office of the AttorneyGeneral's mobile units offered free legal advice.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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Govt pushing Burma on settling border issues

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation, Kanchanaburi

The Foreign Ministry yesterday launched a public hearing on boundary demarcation in preparation for the resumption of border negotiations with Burma.

The ThailandBurma Joint Boundary Committee (JBC), set up since 1993 to take care of boundary demarcation, has left many unsettled issues on the border since its previous meeting in 2005.

The ministry is consulting with Burma to resume the meeting of the committee to push forward the demarcation, said chief of Thailand 's JBC Vasin Teeravechyan.

Of the 2,401 kilometre boundary with Burma, only 60kms have already been demarcated while the remaining large portions have yet to be cleared.

Basically the ThaiBurma boundary was set by BritishSiam treaties. The JBC only needs to survey and mark the boundary in accordance with the treaties.

However, both sides remain with no common ground on the terms of reference for the survey and demarcation of the boundary, Vasin said.

Burma , which agreed to draft the terms of reference during a previous JBC meeting in 2005, has not yet proposed the draft or called the next meeting which was supposed to have been in 2007.

Vasin met his counterpart- Burma 's deputy foreign minister Maung Myint who chairs Burma 's JBC - recently when Maung stopped over in Bangkok to explore the possibility of resuming border negotiations.

"We are seeking ways to continue communication on the issue at least in an informal form until we can resume the formal meeting of the JBC," Vasin said.

Both countries need to talk urgently on the border problems at the Moei and Chan rivers, where erosion is affecting the boundary line, he said.

There are at least six locations along the border where both countries have difficulties in demarcation due to change in natural geography, construction by local people, and different interpretation of treaties and maps.

The six locations included KutengNayong, Doi LangDoi Huay Ha, Moei River , Mae Konken, Three Pagoda and Ta Yim Island, according to Colonel Chakhon Bounpakdi of the Royal Thai Survey Department.

While engaging with Burma to resume border talks, the JBC has also prepared a negotiation framework for Parliament's reading as required by Article 190 of the Constitution.

The draft of a negotiation framework is now awaiting Cabinet's consideration before submission for the parliamentary reading, Vasin said.

A public hearing yesterday at Mahidol University 's Kanchanaburi campus was part of the constitutional process to take into account local input.

Many local residents in the hearing raised issues such as development plans in the disputed area of Three Pagodas pass. Local people want a permanent checkpoint there but authorities cannot decide where it should go because of the unclear boundary.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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5 troops killed in Narathiwat's ambush

NARATHIWAT: -- Five paramilitary troopers of a development unit were killed Thursday evening when insurgents detonated a roadside bomb to ambush them.

The attack happened at 6:50 pm on a road in Bomi village in Tambon Rusoh of Rusoh district.

Police said the insurgents detonated the bomb when the patrol unit from the 46th Paramilitary Development for Peace Command arrived at the scene on their pick-up truck.

The blast hurled the truck about 10 metres away. After the explosion, the insurgents bombarded the troops with gunfire.

They took 3 rifles and 3 pistols of the troops and fled the scene.

Two troops died at the scene and the three others at the district hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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Young people really do like their elders, say researchers

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

People of both school and working age hold positive attitudes towards the young and the elderly, research has found - and in particular younger generations disagree strongly that the elderly are boring, a burden to their families, and should stay in oldpeoples' homes The elderly, on the other hand, obtain their most happiness from visits by their offspring.

The findings by researcher Kanchana Tangchontip of the Institute for Population and Social Research at Mahidol University, were presented at the annual conference entitled " Value of the Elderly from the Eyes of Thai Society."

Kanchana interviewed 614 respondents of school and working age in Bangkok and nearby provinces

and said the findings demonstrated both generations held positive attitudes towards the young and elderly. It also showed they think the experience of the elderly is valuable, especially towards the value of hardearned money. In return, the elderly get great happiness from the visits of their offspring on special occasions.

The study also found that students in a higher socioeconomic status are more likely to hold positive attitudes toward elderly, but there is no similar relationship among the workingage population.

Another study entitled "The Economic Value of Thai Elderly," presented by Kusol Soonthorndha of the Institute for Population and Social Research, showed that more and more elderly people are working because they need the income to reduce their poverty and not be a burden on their children. At the same time they want to lower the demands on public finances, reducing the age dependency ration and raising their personal dignity.

The study found factors that influence their continued participation in the work force are education, no source of income from pensions, children, debt, demands of daily living and chronic illness.

Kusol said personal and contractual savings from older people are a major contributuion towards the national income and increased economic growth.

In a bid to reduce the elderly dependency ratio and burden on the government from elderly welfare, a study conducted by Pramote Prasartkul has suggested Thailand redefine the minimum age of people called "elderly" from 60 to 65, as Thais today live longer and are much healthier.

At present, Thai law defines an elderly person as aged 60 years and over, based on the number of calendar years a person has been living. But life expectancy has increased from 58 years, a half century ago, to 73 years today.

Thai people aged 65 today have an average life expectancy of 17 more years, which is equal to those of people aged 60 a half century ago.

"If this new definition is used, the ratio of elderly in 2010 will be 8 percent of the total population, increasing to 11 per cent within the next 10 years.

The number of elderly, both at present and in the future, will be much smaller, reducing the elderly dependency ratio and burden the government has to shoulder for elderly welfare.

However, Kritaya Archavanitkul, Deputy Director of Institute for Population and Social Research, said changing the minimum age for people to be called "elderly" from 60 to 65 would affect many elderly who are currently receiving pensions and other social welfare from the government.

Revision of the term elderly must be accomplished under the 2003 Elderly Act by the House of Representatives. The attempt by the government must be made as it would affect voters directly, she said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-03

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Some Thai Media Encourages Young Gamblers, Says Report

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Mekong dam projects will cost more in damages for Thailand

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Lobbying War In Thailand Heats Up

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Watch Satit shoot himself- again

By Samatcha Hoonsara

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey found himself in an embarrassing situation again yesterday morning.

The government was launching “Six Days and 63 Million Ideas: Moving Thailand Forward,” a public-opinion campaign on national reform, and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was waiting to answer some phone calls himself. There were 300 open phone lines, yet the premier was disconnected prematurely when he tried to speak to three callers.

Satit – that little man holding a ministerial position – is supposed to be responsible of promoting the image of Thailand’s 27th prime minister. Yet, he has been nothing but an embarrassment for Abhisit.

Actually, one can’t help but wonder if he makes these mistakes intentionally or if he is just not quite capable. After all, at least six projects he organised have had strange problems.

The first time the PM was left blushing was last July, when he was visiting people in the Northeast. There was tight security during the trip, and the itinerary kept getting changed to purportedly protect the PM from being attacked by the anti-government red-shirt crowd.

Though Satit continued insisting that Abhisit was visiting other provinces, the trips never took place.

Another project that embarrassed the government was when Satit decided to get involved in a television commercial promoting the premier – residents of the sites where Abhisit was filmed complained that the shooting was causing traffic problems.

On August 24 last year, Satit had NBT director Suriyong Hoonthasarn transferred, replacing him with Ratana Charoensak, a public relations director from Surat Thani. The move came after Abhisit’s weekly TV show was interrupted for three consecutive weeks.

The broadcast interruptions were blamed on old equipment, and eventually the show format was changed, with part of it being pre-recorded.

Satit was also behind the national-anthem project, launched at Government House on September 18. He ordered that government officials in all 76 provinces be televised singing the anthem at 6pm daily. However, this was heavily criticised because the national anthem should be sung at 8am when the flag is raised, not at 6pm when the national standard is lowered.

During the red-shirt rally from March to May, Satit ordered that the protesters’ People Channel and their community radio stations be cut off to block their mobilisation to the capital. However, he also managed to get two of the PM’s programmes jammed while broadcasting.

Rumour has it that his constant interference in the state media’s work and harsh comments about media reporting was not appreciated. He also raised a lot of eyebrows when it was found out that he had invited prominent members of the yellow-shirt movement to host programmes on the state TV channel.

These are probably just some of the reason’s why media control was taken off Satit’s hands and he was made responsible of the national reconciliation project.

And yet, in the first campaign for the project, he has shot himself in the foot – again.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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Govt backed cyber scouts to monitor internet

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Mission to relieve citizens’ distress prioritized by HM the King

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The mission to relieve citizens’ distress, especially those in drought-stricken areas, is prioritized by His Majesty the King.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Bureau of the Royal Household, Dissathorn Vajarodaya on Thursday spoke to provincial governors and their deputies about His Majesty the King’s mission to relieve citizens’ distress. Leaders are urged to uphold HM the King's working principle as their task guideline.

According to his speech, HM the King constantly expresses concern over citizens' way of life, particularly the drought problems in the country. The Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives has been instructed by the King to monitor drought problem and store as much water as possible in the five main reservoirs including Bhumibol, Sirikit, Ubolratana, Kwae Noi and Pasak Jolasid.

Moreover, HM the King has dispatched the Royal Rainmaking teams to Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen provinces. Artificial rainmaking operation will be carried out in a bid to relieve drought problems in the area.

-- NNT 2010-07-02

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US House Urges Peaceful End To Thai Crisis

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Couple Get Lucky With Stolen ATM Card, Then Get Arrested

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3 Districts in Nong Khai Designated Pig Virus Epidemic Zones

The Department of Live Stock Development in Nong Khai province has designated three districts in the province as "Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome epidemic zones", after more than 50 pigs in the area have died from the virus.

More than 700 pigs have fallen ill, and 50 pigs have died in three districts of Nong Khai province, including Ta Bor, Sri Chiang Mai and Po Tak districts.

Agricultural officials conducted autopsies on the dead pigs and concluded that the pigs had contracted Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome, or PRRS, a virus commonly found in pigs.

The virus spreads through the reproduction and respiratory systems. However, it cannot be transmitted to humans.

Livestock officials in Nong Khai have designated the three districts where the virus has been found as PRRS epidemic zones, to prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of the province.

Antibiotic drugs will be administered to the ill pigs and the farms will be disinfected. If more pigs are discovered to have the virus, they will be quarantined immediately.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-02

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Kratom Leaves Smuggler Arrested in Narathiwat Province

Customs officials in Narathiwat province arrested a truck driver found to be smuggling kratom leaves into the country.

Customs officials in Narathiwat province conducted a search of a suspicious truck crossing the border into Thailand.

The truck was driven by 44 year-old Useng Awae from Bacho district in Narathiwat province.

Officials discovered 362 bundles of kratom leaves, weighing approximately 69 kilograms, hidden in various parts of the truck. The seized hallucinogenic plants are estimated to have a street value of 80,000 baht.

Useng confessed that he used the truck to transport crackers to Malaysia.

However, after he learned that there is a high demand for kratom leaves in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand, he opted to buy fresh leaves from Malaysia for 500 baht per kilogram and sell them for 1,000 baht per kilogram.

Customs officials have transferred custody of Useng to law enforcement authorities.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-02

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Roi Et still faces drought problem despite rainfall

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Roi Et province continues to face problems of severe drought after water levels in the reservoirs have dried up.

Roi Et governor Thawatchai Fakangoon said that despite some rainfalls, the water levels in the canals, rivers, and reservoirs remain so low that farmers can only use it for their cattle. He also said that farmers would have to end their harvest season sooner than usual, as there might not be sufficient amount of water for them, adding that this year’s farming would have to depend on the vagary of nature.

Having received a number of complaints from farmers that they were unable to grow their crops or raise their cattle, the governor paid a visit to various locations to gather first-hand information which will be taken into consideration when hammering out measures to tackle the drought problems, which seem to be have exacerbated in the past few months. He added that the province is ready to closely cooperate with the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to make artificial rains for the affected areas.

-- NNT 2010-07-02

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Chiang Rai police steps up measures to wipe betting on last match of World Cup 2010

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Following reports of heavy betting on World Cup soccer matches, local police in Chiang Rai are gearing up to enforce strict measures on preventing punters gambling on the remaining matches.

Police Major General Songtham Alpach disclosed that local authorities have dispatched teams of investigators into the areas to monitor underground gambling movements. He speculated that the actions would be much heavier during the final round of the World Cup 2010, especially on the final game, slated for July 11, 2010. So far no arrest has been made in his area of jurisdiction.

As Chiang Rai borders on Shan State of Myanmar and Bokeo of Laos, police will also closely monitor the betting and gambling movements near areas where casinos are located.

-- NNT 2010-07-02

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Phuket police offer 50,000 baht to catch killer

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Deputy PM Plays Down Thaksin's Plea to the US

The deputy prime minister in charge of national security is playing down former prime minister Thaskin Shinawatra's plea to the US government to open an investigation into the recent political unrest.

Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of the National Security, Suthep Thaugsuban, discussed the request made by Robert Amsterdam-- a legal adviser retained by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra--in which he demanded they produce evidence about the government's crackdown on the red-shirt rally.

Suthep said that he has not yet received the demand letter, but pointed out that the Thai government is not obligated to respond to Amsterdam, who is merely one of Thaksin's employees.

Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives have voted 441 to 4 to voice its approval of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's reconciliation plan.

Suthep said this is a positive development for the reconciliation process in the country despite some people's opposition to the plan and their attempts to gain from the political conflict.

As the director of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation, or the CRES, Suthep also remarked on the parliamentary committee on military affairs' claim that an excessive amount of funding has been allocated to the CRES, pointing out that most of the funding was used to pay security forces, which include a large number soldiers and police.

The deputy prime minister will also be looking into the complaints of some police forces that they were paid less than their military counterparts.

When asked about the recent bombing that killed five soldiers in Narathiwat province, Suthep replied that from now on, he will try to travel to the southernmost region more often, as he had not been able to do so recently due to the political situation in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-02

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Phuket police offer 50,000 baht to catch killer:

Tourism-related business pleads for government help:

Chiang Rai police steps up measures to wipe betting on last match of World Cup 2010

Roi Et still faces drought problem despite rainfall

Kratom leaves smuggler arrested in Narathiwat province

3 districts in Nong Khai designated pig virus epidemic zones

US returns GSP rights to 9 Thai goods:

Irish expat robbed of ATM-card - 750,000 Baht stolen:

Property market likely to recover in 2nd half of 2010:

Sweet excess: do i really need a BlackBerry?:

Mission to relieve citizens’ distress prioritized by HM the King

US House urges peaceful end to Thai crisis:

Govt backs cyber scouts to monitor Internet:

Watch Office Minister Satit shoot himself- again

Lobbying war heats up:

Mekong dam projects will cost more in damages, report says:

Young people really do like their elders, say researchers

Some media encourages young gamblers, says report: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/380018-some-thai-media-encourages-young-gamblers-says-report/

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Thai trade representative says Noppadon rejected by Congress

The Thai trade representative, Kiart Sitthi-amorn, said Friday that Noppadon Pattama, a legal advisor of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, could not meet the US congress or any US House committee.

Kiart said Noppadon's visit to the US would have no effect on Thailand because he was not allowed to meet several US agencies.

Kiart said Noppadon was allowed to meet only assistants of some senators or some junior officials of the US Department of State.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

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Unusual rain floods 30 locations in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Overnight rain in the inner capital triggered local flooding in 30 locations paralysing traffic during morning rush hours.

The amount of rain was measured at 120-150 millimetres on average, which is considered unusual, said Sanya Cheenimitr, director of the Department of Drainage and Sewerage. Accumulated rain caused floodwater to accumulate to depths of as much as 20-25cm since 2am.

Public works labourers were draining water from roadways and it receded, but further rain from 5 to 6.30 am increased water levels again at several locations including Kaset-Ngamwongwan, part of Ratchdapisek Road near the Criminal Court, and Sri Ayutthaya and Srinakarin roads.

Department workers have been draining water with pumps and tried to release water from swollen canals as there was neither runoff from the north, nor a high tide.

Weather radar indicates more rain on the way for the capital from the Gulf of Thailand through the day and the authorities are concerned floods will worsen.

Heavy rain was carried in by the southwest monsoon now prevailing over the Andaman Sea off Thailand and over the Gulf of Thailand.

Sixty per cent of Bangkok and its surrounding areas experienced scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain. Ships was advised to proceed with caution due to strong winds and high waves in the Andaman Sea and upper Gulf. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-02

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Most Thais are concerned over social problems rather than politics

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The majority of people expressing their opinions for Thailand reform via the “6 Days, 63 Million Ideas” project have reflected their concerns over social problems rather than political ones, according to Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij.

After answering phone calls in the project at the Government House on Friday morning, Mr Korn stated that most of them expressed their difficulties caused by unconventional debts, less income, expensive goods, and extortion from the police while the political problem was not mentioned much.

The minister also said many people had urged the government to enforce the law strictly as well as to promote Thai citizens to be more disciplined.

As a result, Mr Korn remarked that many people still got the burdens from several social problems, so the government must try its best to put an end to them urgently.

Prime Minister Abhisit will travel to receive calls from the public by himself in order to listen to variety of opinions for the national reform as well as collect first hand information about their difficulties at the Government House at noon today.

People are invited to express opinions via hotline 02-304-9999 from 08.00 to 22.00 hrs. After the end of the six-day project, people can still express their opinions via www.pm.go.th or send letters to PO Box 9999 Government House, Dusit District, Bangkok 10300.

-- NNT 2010-07-02

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Police Busts Meth Ring in Chonburi

Officers of the Region 2 Provincial Police Bureau in Chonburi province have arrested members of a methamphetamine ring and seized approximately 147,000 pills, valued at more than 30 million baht.

Worawut Kessaneebutr, Sudaporn Marknak and three 17 year olds were arrested and found to be in possession of nearly 147,000 methamphetamine pills.

All of the suspects confessed that they had bought the drugs from Charnwit Harnchingchai, also known as “ Jo Nongtamleung”, a notorious fugitive the authorities have been trying to hunt down for narcotics-related charges.

Charnwit is a known leader of a drug ring that has been smuggling methamphetamine from a neighboring country into Thailand. The drugs are known to be sold to both small and major drug dealers.

The suspects told police there were paid 1,000 baht per bundle of the drugs sold. The investigation team is currently tracking down Charnwit and other suspects.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-02