Thailand Live Friday 9 Jul 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Friday 9 July 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on

a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those

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

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 8 July 2010

[webfact]

Tourism Authority Aims to Attract European Arrivals Next Year

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is set to approach the European market as part of the authority's 2011 plan.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT held a meeting at Tara Mantra Cha-am Resort and Spa in Petchaburi’s Cha-am District to introduce its marketing plan for the European market for 2011, with a number of tourism operators in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan attending.

The TAT provides knowledge about its marketing policies, strategies and operations in the European, African, and Middle Eastern markets with the aim of helping local tourism operators develop strategies to attract their target markets as well as to promote tourism in the province.

Thawatchai Aranyik, TAT’s director of the European Region, said foreign tourists continually travel to Thailand, and he expects a greater number of foreign arrivals for the rest of year and through the following year if the country’s situation is stable.

He further said that Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan are the main tourist attractions for the European market as they are rich in historical and cultural significance as well as natural beauty, all of which most Europeans tourists seem to enjoy the most.

He expressed confidence in the provinces' potential to draw more foreign tourists to the country.

-- Tan Network 2010-07--09

[webfact]

Security raised amidst underground activities, assassination plots

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Police has admitted that reports of underground anti-government movements and assassination plots against national leaders are true while security measures have been stepped up to prevent unexpected incidents.

After receiving the intelligence reports from the Royal Thai Police Special Branch and other relevant security agencies, Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Police Major General Sumet Ruangsawat confirmed that the underground movements of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and the assassination attempts against important political figures were substantial. However, he said the authorities had not been able to identify the persons involved in the activities or those being targeted.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanon has instructed all related units to tighten security measures in risky areas, including residences of important figures. The police commander of each division has also been tasked with overseeing the situation in their area to stave off any unforeseen incidents.

-- NNT 2010-08-09

[Maestro]

British red shirt pleads guilty, faces deportation

Briton Jeff Savage Freed By Thai Court

[webfact]

MAP TA PHUT

Abhisit orders a review of NEBs report

By The Nation

'Not enough data' to list 18 projects as dangerous

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday ordered a review in the National Environment Board's conclusion detailing 18 businesses deemed hazard to human health in relation with the Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

Speaking yesterday at an NEB meeting discussing the progress of the entire framwork, Abhisit said the details supplied to the NEB that would be used in categorising whether each of 18 businesses were harmful to human weath were insufficient.

If categorised as hazardous, such businesses needed to undergo environmental impact assessment (EIA) and health impact assessment (HIA) as mandated by the Constitution's Article 67 Paragraph Two.

The premier did not fix a time frame for addition of details, but most members of the NEB said it should take at least another two months.

Mahabir Koder, a member of the Federation of Thai Industries, which was part of the four-party effort to solve the long-standing toxic leak and environmental problems with the Map Ta Phut estate in Rayong province, said the two-month delay would further slow the entire framework for another five to six months.

He said the Supreme Administrative Court was scheduled next month to consider lifting ban on a large number of businesses deemed hazardous to continue their projects. "The delay of the process [caused by Abhisit's order for the review] could be problematic by then," he added.

Dejrat Sukkamnerd, a member of the four-party mechanism, said everyone had no choice but to wait, but said all businesses barred from continue their projects had completed the mandatory EIA and HIA already in the previous months.

Santi Bunprakhab, a senior Natural Resources and Environment Ministry official serving on the government panel in the four-party grand committee, echoed Abhisit over the insufficient information on categorising the 18 types of businesses. He said it would take around two months to compile all details to finalise the 18-business task.

A ministry source said many businesses should be not be deemed hazardous, but it was likely to be opposed to by local residents, not on health hazard-related reasons, but, in some case, the project areas were too large

"The locals who are to join in future public hearing over these projects would vote against them anyway," the source added.

A total of 76 megaprojects relating to the Map Ta Phut estate were ordered by the court to further continue their operations last September after environmental advocacy groups lodged a complaint with the Central Administrative Court on grounds that none of them underwent mandatory EIA and HIA evaluations.

The court in last December delisted 11 businesss after rulling in favour of their appeals that their operations were either not hazardous to human health or later followed health regulations.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Mum claims damages for attack on son

By The Nation

A Ratchaburi mother has filed a complaint with the police, accusing a school director of smacking her sevenyearold son in the ear causing bleeding and injuries.

Sasiwimol Trakoolchokedee said that Chalerm Thepsawas, director of Jom Bueng school in Ratchaburi's Jom Bueng district, hit her son in the ear with his palm, and poked his chest hard with a stick three times before an assembly of 700 students.

The mother, 30, produced a doctor's checkup result saying her son bled in his right ear and could not hear clearly. He also sustained bruises to his chest.

She turned down Bt10,000 offered by Chalerm in compensation, out of a Bt300,000 he claimed she had demanded from him.

Speaking to police, Chalerm said he was investigating a complaint by other teachers that the unnamed boy threw a piece of rubber at a classmate's eye, and that he only pushed the boy's right shoulder.

"Perhaps he was not standing firmly and fell on the floor," he added.

When the boy stood up, Chalerm said he poked a stick lightly on his chest because his clothes were dirty, and gave him a lecture. The mother claimed that her son was poked hard three times, before Chalerm said loudly: "I don't like dirty kids."

She vowed to bring the case to an area education office and the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation, while Chalerm said he had no choice but to let the case proceed as, he said he had done nothing wrong.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

DSI sets up large lese majeste force

By The Nation

Published on July 9, 2010

The Department of Special Investigation has begun its operations dealing with the antimonarchy movement, setting up nine teams comprising nearly 300 agents from various agencies to do the task.

In identifying people whose behaviour is considered "detrimental or illminded" to the monarchy, the DSI will rely on the controversial Mind Map composed by the government's Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), which indicted 27 key figures released during the runup to the redshirt protests in Bangkok.

DSI directorgeneral Tharit Phengdit said he could not tell whether the blacklisted 83 people whose assets had been frozen by the CRES were taking part in the movement. "We will look into their connections with the antimonarchy movement, but we cannot tell now how close they are to each other," he said.

Some members of the movement are related to the Democratic Alliance against Democracy, which is linked to the opposition Pheu Thai Party and took part in arranging the redshirt protests in May, he added.

The DSI yesterday unveiled nine teams of officials comprising 200 DSI agents and 89 others from relevant agencies, including police. Each team is tasked with different roles in various areas, including intelligence and banking crimes.

The following tasks are handled by each team:

Team 1 Intelligence

Team 2 Technology and IT issues

Team 3 Banking, financial, taxes

Team 4 Foreign affairs

Team 5 Cases taken over from the police

Teams 6, 7 Cases requested by the DSI

Team 8 Secretarial

Team 9 Support and supervision

No deadline has been set for the completion of all lesemajeste and antimonarchy cases. "All cases involved a large number of people through complicated networks of operations. The overall DSI investigation will be lengthy, as these cases are different, and we need to exercise extra caution in handling them," Tharit added.

The DSI has identified two types of wrongdoing: online publication of lesemajeste content; and public statements in various forms, including public interviews, speeches during rallies and distribution of hard copies.

The wrongdoers involved are divided into three levels: the leadership and commanders, who allegedly funded the antimonarchy operations, gave directions and tactics and issued ideological themes.

The second level are the "operatives", who delivered lesemajeste content or speeches as directed by the leadership - individually, as groups, or systematically as a whole. The third level are "the masses", who used public activities or gatherings to support the people in the second level.

The DSI took over a total of 256 lesemajeste cases from police since 2006, 194 of which had been completed and later resulted in indictment by public prosecutors. It will ask to take over another 38 cases from police.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Jurin urged to ignore probe report on corruption

By The Nation

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit was urged yesterday to ignore the results of the probe into alleged corruption in the ministry's Thai Khemkhaeng project by the factfinding committee led by Dr Banlu Siripanich due to the alleged use of faulty evidence.

Dr Oraphan Methadilokkul, who led a committee on Saraburi's health problems from toxic contamination, said yesterday that she had asked Jurin to stop using the Banluled committee's report on the Thai Khemkhaeng scandal because Wichai and Banlu had allegedly forged a report about a 24room flat for nurses.

Oraphan also urged Jurin to proceed with criminal actions against Wichai and the committee members over the allegedly forged report and to consider firing Wichai from his executive positions at the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation board, the National Health Security Office board, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and the National Health Commission of Thailand.

Oraphan said that he also told the prime minister and the public health minister that they should not use the factfinding report by the committee led by Banlu, with Wichai as secretary, on four grounds:

The government assigned persons were related to the plaintiffs as committee members

The committee used hearsay evidence as a factfinding method

The committee concluded that a person's behaviour was "within a frame of corruption", when such a vague approach should not be part of factfinding.

The committee also held a press conference tarnishing the image of the ministry and the accused persons and agencies. Some information presented at the press conference was untrue, especially information regarding the Nopparat Rajthani Hospital construction. This untrue information resulted from the committee's mistakes.

Oraphan added that Arunchai Seri, consulting engineer, had confirmed that the construction cost of a 24room flat for nurses submitted to the ministry was Bt8.3 million, not Bt72 million as the committee claimed in its report.

Wichai then explained that the information was obtained via a telephone inquiry. She said the minister must do something about it or he would be neglecting his duty and harming society's morality.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Princess receives leadership award

By The Nation

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been honoured with the PICMET Leadership in Technology Management (LTM) Award for 2010.

The president and CEO of Portland International Centre for Management of Engineering and Technology - PICMET, Dr Dundar F Kocaoglu, presented the award to HRH the Princess on Tuesday at Chitralada Palace's Chaipattana building.

The presentation coincides with the PICMET 10 confer?ence being held in Phuket from July 18 to 22.

The award committee unan?imously agreed that this year's award should go to Her Royal Highness for her work using applied technologies in devel?oping the country's rural areas for the wellbeing of under?privileged and disabled people, especially in education, nutri?tion, and healthcare.

The PICMET LTM Award has been given annually since 1991 to individuals who have provided leadership in manag?ing technology by establishing a vision, providing a strategic direction, and facilitating implementation strategies for that vision.

The award is given in three categories: Leadership in Industry, Leadership in Education and Leadership in Government. To date, 24 peo?ple have been honoured with the award.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Zoo breeds rare gold Thai python

By The Nation

The Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo has become the world's first to succeed in breeding the very rare "gold Thai python" (Molur bivittatus) with 30 healthy baby pythons.

The zoo said, after one year, it would distribute the baby pythons to zoos nationwide so the public could learn about this species which is unique to Thailand.

The "gold Thai python" once lived in dry evergreen forests in Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Prachin Buri and Sa Kaew. But as its habitat was encroached on by humans, the python, now protected by Thai law, was said to have dropped to less than 100 in number. This type of python grows to six metres in length by the age of 5. It reproduces in December to February, its pregnancy lasts two months and it lays 2050 eggs that take 60 days to hatch.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Ayuttaya's open-air toilet dismantled

By The Nation

Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat said yesterday the abbot who had a toilet built in Ayutthaya's Prasat Nakhon Luang had no intention of showing disrespect or destroying the ancient site.

Nipit said the Fine Arts Department had a project to inform Buddhist monks to live appropriately with ancient sites, but admitted there were 8,000 ancient sites nationwide and it was difficult to cover them thoroughly.

He urged monks and public members to help protect ancient sites and alert the Fine Arts Department about anything inappropriate at the sites.

He said he was told that the Wat Nakhon Luang had already dismantled the controversial openair toilet. The abbot Phra Kru Kitti Panyawat, who was old and ailing, and many senior monks continued to perform monastic duties and the toilet was set up to temporarily accommodate them.

Nipit said he believed it was not intended to show disrespect or to destroy the site.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Farm chemicals pollute village tap systems

By The Nation

The Chaiyaphum's Phu Laenkha headwaters have been contaminated with agricultural chemicals, prompting natural tap water systems at two villages to be suspended and a special clinic opened to treat locals suffering from allergic skin problems.

The 1,134strong Ban Chilong and 800strong Ban Mai Pha Aing had been affected by the chemicals, which were used by farmers at some 30,000 rai of rubber, tapioca and orange plantations, contaminating the Pha Aiang Fall and Lam Pa Tao waterways. Provincial governor Wanchai Suthiworachai along with related agencies yesterday inspected the area after a test result confirmed the chemical contamination. Suspending the tap water systems until the water was deemed safe to use, Wanchai said he would send officials to improve the water quality and provide regular waterquality testing. He also instructed the Muang district chief to check the area's registered farmers to see if anyone overused chemicals and to punish the wrongdoers by removing them from the registration list.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Consumer confidence continues to rise

The index of a major survey of consumer confidence was up to 77.1 last month compared to 75.5 points in May, showing optimism about strong economic growth after the end of the political turmoil, according to the latest survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The survey indicated that spending on durable goods, including cars and houses, as well as on travelling, will also enjoy growth in the remaining months of the year, said Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the UTCC's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Thailand among most restrictive for foreign ownership

[webfact]

Thailand reform panels - Now the hard part begins

[webfact]

Special postage stamps and commemoration books for Bangkok 2010 available for reservation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Thailand Post has made available for reservation commemoration books of “Bangkok 2010” fair, for keen philatelists to explore the world fantasy through postage stamps in Asia, 4-12 August 2010, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

For the special postage stamps to be displayed at the Bangkok 2010 fair, Thai silk has been used as the material for the first time in the world. The stamps are created as the symbol of the golden peacock in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, aimed to promote Thai silk and silk products. The commemoration books together with the special postage stamp are available for reservation at 200 THB per set.

Reservation can be made at post offices nationwide and at the Philatelists Association of Thailand within 15 July 2010. Further information can be obtained at 0-2831 3437 0-2831-3433 or call center 1545.

-- NNT 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Security Officers Tighten Security After Recieving Reports of Bomb Plot

Security authorities in Pattani province have stepped up security following a report that a separatist movement leader and bomb expert is the area.

Officials related to security news for the strife-torn southernmost provinces said they have informed police, military, and administrative officers, especially those in Pattani province's municipality, that separatist force leader Sakariya Totayong has prepared an attack.

Authorities said there has been a report that Sakariya, an insurgency-related suspect and a bomb expert, is now in Pattani province and is devising a bomb attack which may target government buildings, crowded venues, or hotels.

They believe Sakariya may enter Pattani via a white pick-up truck filled with explosives, and is likely to pass the bomb to his team in Pattani.

In response to this, authorities said they have ordered security to be stepped up around the clock, and for checkpoints to be set up in crowded areas.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Phuket family seeks help to find runaway boy

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry settles on new policy to control sugar smuggling

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Commerce Ministry and the Commission on Prices of Goods and Services (CPS) have come up with a policy aimed at curbing the smuggling and hoarding of sugar.

According to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, the policy requires sugar mills to report their production, local distribution and export volumes, inventories and warehouse storage within seven days. The ruling takes effect immediately.

The reports must be submitted to the Department of Internal Trade (DIT).

Names of buyers who handle more than 10,000 kilograms of sugar will have to be reported to authorities; buyers will also have to be divided into two categories: wholesalers and end users.

The Minister added that those who handle more than 10,000 of sugar must report their inventory and warehouse stock every month. Traders who move or transport 1,000 kilograms, or more, of sugar to 24 provinces and 107 districts in border areas are also required to seek approval from authorities. The requirement is seen as the Ministry’s effort to rein in smuggling.

The ruling allows retailers to sell sugar at no more than 5% above suggested prices. Violators are subject to five years’ jail term and a maximum fine of 100,000 THB, or both.

-- NNT 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Lively durian sales in Yala province

YALA (NNT) -- Durians in the district of Betong, Yala province are selling like hot cakes thanks to rising demands from Malaysians.

Hordes of Malaysian tourists have traveled to Betong on what is known as the “Durian Tour” to buy durians ,the king of fruits,. Durian in this district is best known for its texture, quality, and taste: best of all , it is very reasonably priced compared to those available in Malaysia. Durian is selling in Yala for 15 THB a kilogram, whereas it costs up to 50 THB per kilogram in Malaysia. The buying frenzy has driven sellers’ income up by 1,000-2,000 THB a day.

Sellers in Malaysia have also jumped on the bandwagon, buying up to 70 truckloads of durians each day for resale in their homeland, catering to the palate of their fellow countrymen who can not come to Betong for the sole purpose of buying durians.

-- NNT 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Thai govt hires US consultant to boost economic confidence

[webfact]

Phuket to host Andaman Motor Expo

[webfact]

New Phuket Gazette launched today

[webfact]

Watchdog slams Thai army, protesters over media casualties

[webfact]

Deputy PM Suthep: CRES ready to investigate human rights violations against detained Red Shirt protesters

Deputy PM Suthep: CRES ready to investigate human rights violations against detained Red Shirt protesters; says CRES actions don't contradict conciliation measures

-- TNA 2010-07-09

[webfact]

Phuket Ironman athlete, currently climbing Mont Blanc: "I am alive!"

[webfact]

Tak-Myawaddy border closed to traffic as Myanmar shuts Myawaddy bridge crossing for security reasons: Mae Sod immigration chief /MCOT

[webfact]

Joint EC, OAG panel resolves to ask Constitution Court to dissolve Democrat

A joint committee of the Election Commission and the Office of the Attorney General resolved Friday to ask the Constitution Court to dissolve the Democrat Party for having allegedly obtained unlawful donations.

The joint panel held a meeting at 10 am and resolved to inform the political party registrar of its opinion that the Democrat should be sued in the Constitution Court.

Earlier, the political party registrar or the EC chairman asked the OAG to sue the Democrat with the Constitution Court for having obtained unlawful donations from TPI Polene but the OAG refused to proceed with the case on ground that there was not enough evidence.

The decision of the OAG led to the formation of the joint panel to iron out the differences.

After being informed of the joint panel's decision, the political party registrar will have to ask the OAG to bring the case against the Democrat to the Constitution Court again.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[webfact]

"I learnt of charges from internet", accused Russian pianist Mikhail Pletnev

[webfact]

Red Shirt lawyer says Bhumjaithai bombing suspect innocent

BANGKOK: -- Lawyer representing the 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said Friday that a detained suspect in the bombing at a main coalition party head office is innocent and is not a government spy as suspected by a key Red Shirt leader, saying he would seek bail for the accused.

Attorney Karom Ponthaklang commented after visiting Varissareeya Boonsom at the Central Women's Correctional Institution. She and her fellow suspect Korbchai Boonplod were arrested by Cambodian authorities and deported to Thailand to face legal action for their alleged involvement with the June 22 bombing incident at Bhumjaithai Party head office.

Mr Karom said Ms Varissareeya reasserted to him that she was not involved in the incident.

Regarding Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan's accusation that the pair were government spies, the UDD lawyer said Ms Varissareeya is a Red Shirt supporter but the leaders may not know her personally.

Regarding a notebook with a handwritten bomb formula found in Ms Varissareeya's baggage, Mr Karom said his client insisted it was the matter of Mr Korbchai and she had no involvement with it.

The UDD lawyer said he will visit Mr Korbchai who is now being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison to query about the case, but he is still uncertain

whether he will take Mr Korbchai as his client.

Mr Karom said he plans to seek bail for Ms Varissareeya when her first detention period is due, citing concern over her health as she has developed severe allergic symptoms.

The Red Shirt lawyer added he will represent six UDD activists to clarify the financial transactions which appeared to be suspicious to the government and to report to Department of Special Investigation (DSI) investigators Friday afternoon.

The six persons scheduled to clarify their presumedly unusual transactions today include Chinawatra Haboonpad and Nisit Sithuprai.

Three others who sent their lawyers to report to the DSI today were Red Shirt leaders Adisorn Piengkase, Suporn Attawong and red guards head Aree Krainara.

Mr Suporn's lawyer Theppakorn Intarapat, however, asked investigators to postpone the questioning of his client until the state of emergency is lifted nationwide.

Mr Theppakorn said Mr Suporn earlier petitioned the Constitution Court to consider whether or not the Emergency Decree forbidding financial institutions conduct business with suspected persons violates the Constitution.

The lawyer said Mr Suporn, who is now still on the run with an outstanding arrest warrant of terrorism, will report to the department after the court rules on his petition.

Mr Theppakorn said Mr Suporn telephoned asking to be represented at DSI, he does not know his client's whereabouts. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-09