Thailand Live Saturday 24 Jul 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 24 July 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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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...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 23 July 2010

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Thailand to roll back emergency rule 'gradually': PM

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's prime minister said Friday a state of emergency in force across about one-fifth of the country would be lifted "gradually," following fresh calls for the strict laws to be rolled back.

"The government will proceed with gradually lifting (the decree) but not all at once," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters, a day after a reform committee he himself set up recommended ending emergency rule.

He said his government believed there was still a threat of unrest involving the anti-government Red Shirt movement, which was behind two months of violent protests in Bangkok that ended in a deadly army crackdown in May.

"Under the state of emergency it would be difficult for protesters to move about as the authorities can arrest them easily," he said.

On Tuesday the government revoked the decree in three provinces but maintained the strict laws in 16 others, out of a total of 76, after calls by the United States and rights groups for an end to emergency rule.

The authorities have used the powers -- introduced in Bangkok on April 7 -- to arrest hundreds of Red Shirt suspects and silence anti-government media.

Two months of mass rallies in Bangkok by the Reds, who were seeking immediate elections, sparked outbreaks of violence that left 90 people dead and nearly 1,900 injured, mostly civilians.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-24

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Law Society Defends Actor's Royalist Speech

The Lawyer Council president has asserted that a famous actor's controversial speech at an award ceremony was intended to convey his love for the Monarchy.

He has warned investigators that they could be liable to lese majeste charges themselves for their action against a loyal citizen.

Lawyer Council President Sak Korsaengruang stated that actor Pongpat Wachirabanjong's famous speech at the Nataraj award ceremony was a declaration of his love and loyalty to the Monarchy.

The police found fault with Pongpat's use of the word “father” many times in his speech to talk about His Majesty the King, but the Lawyer Council president said the word was used since the Sukhothai era to symbolize the King.

Despite the fact that Pongpat's speech has come under investigation for lese majeste, many state and private organizations have come out to defend his speech, saying there were no malice or offensive terms against the Monarchy.

Sak asked that investigators for this sensitive case pay attention to the smallest details as they will affect the image of the Monarchy.

He added investigators must carefully analyze the intention of the suspect, and if found guilty, lese majeste offenders must be swiftly dealt with.

However, if trouble was unfairly caused by investigators to citizens loyal to the Monarchy, he cautioned that the investigators themselves may be subject to lese majeste charges themselves.

The Lawyer Council president said Pongpat will have the choice to make his statement in court with or without a lawyer present and if a lawyer is needed, the Lawyer Council will be happy to represent him.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-24

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More buses, trains put in service during Buddhist Lent holiday

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Transport Company Limited and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have increased the number of buses and trains to accommodate passengers returning home for the Buddhist Lent holiday.

The Transport Co, Ltd has added another 3,600 buses into the system to ensure adequate services for passengers heading out of town by bus ahead of Buddhist Lent Day. The company has also launched a promotional campaign to urge road users to drive safely and has coordinated with the Department of Highways and the Highway Police on monitoring road traffic and preventing accidents. Warning signs have been posted at all risk prone spots in five provinces, comprising Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, Chumphon, Chiang Mai and Lampang.

Meanwhile, Hua Lamphong Railway Station has been swarmed by passengers who are commuting home for the holiday. The SRT is providing four extra trains and has prepared additional rides in case any passengers are left stranded.

-- NNT 2010-07-24

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SUNDAY BY-ELECTION

Voter turnout holds key to by-election

By The Nation

Published on July 24, 2010

Tomorrow's by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6 is expected to be so closely contested that voter turnout could decide the result.

Although there are six contestants, the focus is on the two leading contenders, Panich Vikitsreth from the ruling Democrat Party, and Kokaew Pikultong from the opposition Pheu Thai Party. For many observers, this first election after the recent political unrest is a proxy fight between the government and the red-shirt movement, of which Kokaew is a leader.

A victory for Kokaew could be interpreted as an indication that many Bangkok residents, or at least those in the constituency, agree with what the red shirts did, while a victory for Panich could point to support for the Democrat-led government.

The Democrats need to win this election to retain the seat formerly held by its MP Thiwa Ngernyuang, whose death from cancer necessitated the by-election at a time when every MP counts in key House of Representatives votes. But a slim margin of victory for the ruling party may be insufficiently convincing for Bangkok voters in the general election next year.

Election officials have noted concerns that the by-election is taking place at the start of the monsoon season and when there is a long public holiday.

Bangkok voters often opt to stay home rather than brave heavy rains to cast their ballots, and many residents prefer to spend a long holiday upcountry. Next Monday is a holiday for most businesses and Tuesday is a holiday for schools and state agencies.

However, the voter turnout of some 70 per cent in Constituency 6 was among the highest of the capital.

The chief of Bangkok's election office, Suthep Rommayanond, yesterday called on eligible voters to cast their ballots in the first half of the day to avoid possible downpours in the afternoon.

He said his office has prepared for heavy rains that could cause flooding at some polling stations in low-lying areas, although those places made up a small fraction of the more than 500 polling stations in the constituency.

The Bangkok election chief said he expected an unofficial election result by 8pm tomorrow.

The ruling Democrat Party and the opposition Pheu Thai Party yesterday separately held their final main campaign events for their candidates.

The Democrats campaigned for Panich at four locations in the constituency's four districts in the evening - the party's local office in Nong Chok district, a mosque in Klong Sam Wa, another mosque in Kanna Yao, and a school in Bueng Kum district.

Democrat Cabinet members and prominent figures addressed voters. They included Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri, Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot, Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut, and former party leader Banyat Bantadtan.

However, while the Democrat candidate could freely conduct his campaigning, Kokaew has been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison after failing to get court permission for temporary release to campaign outside.

Kokaew has been in remand along with other red-shirt leaders on the charge of terrorism in connection with the recent political unrest. He is Pheu Thai's second choice after another detained red-shirt leader, Natthawut Saikua, was found to have a qualification problem.

Pheu Thai held its final campaign events at Siam Park's parking area and four other locations late in the afternoon. They were attended by senior party figures including Chalerm Yoobamrung, Jatuporn Promphan, Vicharn Meenchainan, and Apiwan Wiriyachai, who is also a deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Many of the people attending the campaign events wore red.

During the Pheu Thai events, a four-minute video recording of Kokaew was played and a letter from him was read to the audience. He called on voters to elect him so that he could get bail and reunite with his family. His voice choked when he talked about his baby daughter.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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BRT service kicks off in September

By The Nation

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has come up with thesolution to charge the service of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) betweenSathorn and Ratchapruek with Bt 10 for the whole route, starting bySeptember 1.

Passenger also could use the refilltype BTS SmartPass card with BRTservice, BMA's deputy governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon said yesterday.

He said there are two types of tickets for BRT that will be availableby September, including one round ticket and refillticket. Onlyrefillticket could be used with BTS service.

However, the Krungthep Thanakom Co Ltd, which will mange BRT, is nowfacing a problem to install the machine that would recall one roundticket from passenger at the gates.

At the preliminary resolution, the company will ask passengers to dropBRT's one round ticket at the box that will be set up at the gate. Butthis resolution will be a financial burden for company if passengersdo not return the ticket.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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Word father 'not offensive to HM'

By The Nation

Referring to His Majesty as "father", as singer Pongpat Wachirabanjong did during his acceptance speech at the Nataraj Awards, is polite and lacks ill or slanderous intent, a noted royalist said yesterday.

Nakhon Pathom Governor ML Panadda Dissakul said that for generations the kings of Thailand had been regarded as fathers of the nation. "'Father' is a beautiful word and carries value, like the word 'mother'. Both words are used to represent 'everything' in everyone's life," he added.

Panadda, as an adviser to the Senate committee on law enforcement for the protection of the monarchy, stood in defence of Pongpat, who was questioned by police on Thursday in response to a lese majeste complaint lodged by a fellow singer. The complainant had deemed the word "father" inappropriate, as it might divide people based on their loyalty to the monarch.

In the face of public criticism, police said they were merely "interviewing" Pongpat and seeking an explanation about his use of the word "father". They were quick to add that Pongpat had not been charged with lese majeste.

Sak Korsaengrueng, chief of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, said the police first needed to interpret speakers' words and find out whether they were said with bad or slanderous intent in all lese majeste issues, which he said was a sensitive matter in Thailand.

"Police actions in such cases should not irritate royalists, or police officers themselves might find themselves violating laws protecting the monarchy," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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Corporal denies ties to terror suspect

By The Nation

An Army corporal identified as an associate of terror suspect Surachai Thewarat has been arrested, the Department of Special Investi-gation (DSI) said yesterday.

Corporal Rachata Wongyod has reportedly been questioned by the DSI, which apprehended him on Thursday at an Army barracks in Prachuap Khiri Khan. He has not been charged with any offence.

Rachata, serving with the 15th Infantry Division, said he was an admirer of late Army specialist Khattiya Sawasdiphol, but denied taking part in M79 grenade attacks during the red-shirt protests.

DSI sources said Rachata admitted to joining the protests and being present during meetings of "men in black" to plan the launch of "retaliatory responses".

The corporal said he had been with his Army unit all during the protests and had a record to prove his claim. He said he had been in sight of his superiors.

Khattiya, of whom Surachai was also a close aide, was in charge of security measures for the red-shirt movement and allegedly behind several grenade and gunfire attacks.

Rachata issued an open letter complaining about an order from his superiors barring him from wearing a military uniform while being flown from Phetchaburi to Bangkok yesterday morning.

In a press interview, he said the DSI-enabled warrant identified a suspect as a civilian and the alias or nickname stated was Kob, while his nickname was Pod. "I thought it was a mistaken identify, but later saw a photo of me attached with the arrest. This scares me," he said.

In his letter complaining about not being allowed to wear his uniform, Rachata said he had "never been down this low before" when ordered to wear civilian clothes.

"I asked my superiors about their order against me wearing uniform, and they said, 'When paraded before the press, the uniform you wear will disgrace the military'," he said. Rachata said he was worried about the welfare of his 80-year-old mother and his ill brother.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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Regional health ministers approve 'Day of Dengue Fever'

By Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

Singapore

Health ministers from Asean+3 countries yesterday resolved to declare June 15 the Asean Day of Dengue Fever in a bid to raise awareness about that communicable disease.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said the move was in response to the increasing incidence of dengue fever in member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The number of dengue patients in Thailand increased by 60 per cent last year. The Philippines and Indonesia also saw an increase in serious outbreaks of the disease in the same period.

"The Asean Day of Dengue Fever will be observed from next year," Jurin said.

Asean has 10 members: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Cambodia. The Asean+3 grouping also includes China, Japan and South Korea. Because dengue fever is not a threat in these three countries, the Day of Dengue Fever will be observed within Asean only.

Jurin made his remarks after attending the 10th Asean Health Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings in Singapore. The twoday event wrapped up yesterday.

He said the health ministers had also discussed other issues such as the influenza - both A(H1N1), known as Swine flu, and avian influenza - cancer, diabetes, obesity, bloodpressure problems, and psychiatric diseases.

"At the meeting, we agreed to work closely in dealing with these health threats," Jurin said.

He said it was also agreed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) should be asked to review pandemic alert levels of influenza A( H1N1).

"At the same time, member countries will continue to monitor these diseases closely and campaign for vaccination against them," Jurin said.

He said Asean would consider developing a framework for Asean+6 cooperation in areas of health. The Asean+6 grouping includes Australia, New Zealand and India.

"We agree with cooperation in the delivery of health services, health promotion, food safety, disease prevention and disease control," Jurin said.

China informed the meeting that a threeyear project had been proposed to initiate the Asean+3 framework for cooperation on integration of traditional medicine/complementary and alternative medicine (TM/CAM) into national healthcare systems. The first year will include a training course and study tour to China.

China plans to undertake five health projects this year and next. These will include workshops on "Traditional Chinese Medicines" and "Advantages and Development of Traditional Medicine in Asean and China". An "Asean Workshop on Natural Disaster Health Emergency Management" has been approved by the Asean Committee of Permanent Representatives. These workshops will be held in August and September.

At this week's meeting in Singapore, Japan said it had contributed 1.1 billion yen (Bt407 million) to the WHO immunisation programme. It also said the WHO Western Pacific Region Office, with voluntary contributions from Japan, would organise seminars on noncommunicable diseases in that country.

Thailand is to host the fifth Asean+3 Health Ministers Meeting in 2012.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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Kanit decries chaining of reds

By THE NATION

Kanit

Red-shirt leaders under detention should not be chained, especially when they appear in public, because this violates their rights and goes against international practices, chairman of the Truth and National Reconciliation Committee Kanit na Nakhon said yesterday. He added that the committee would advise the authorities to stop such practices soon.

"It is a tradition in our country to chain prisoners [when they are brought out of prison], but it is against the UN human-rights principles," Kanit said.

He said he was disturbed by photographs taken of red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikua being brought to court in chains, and realised that this practice was wrong.

"The red-shirt movement will raise this issue to attack the justice system," he said.

Kanit, a former attorney-general, was chosen to lead the committee investigating the military crackdown on the red-shirt protesters, during which at least 90 people were killed and nearly 2,000 injured.

The red shirts are blaming the government for launching a military crackdown against them, while the authorities |are blaming the red shirts for using militants. Kanit said his committee would not just aim at bringing wrongdoers to justice, but would instead campaign for human rights.

"This is not just for the red shirts, but to establish good human-rights practises in the country," he explained.

"If human rights are being violated in the country, how can this committee talk about the principles of human rights?" he asked.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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Internet in Thailand can be beneficial if used correctly

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Thai Govt wants fair play in telecoms concessions

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Thailand's capital Bangkok is sinking

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The secret life of drinking water. Bottled water - is it safe?

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Thailand: 13.70 percent more tourist arrivals

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Pattaya underage boy bar raided in organised sting operation

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Metro Police: Traffic expected to sail smoothly today

BANGKOK, 24 July 2010 (NNT) — As Thais gear up for the Asalha Puja and Buddhist Lent holidays, traffic in Bangkok is expected to be a smooth sail, void of glitches at main transport terminals.

Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Pol Maj Gen Phanu Kerdlarppol described the traffic around Bangkok’s Mo Chit and Southern Bus Terminals this morning as orderly while assuring a steady flow of traffic throughout the day. He advised commuters heading out of Bangkok by personal vehicle to start their journey in the morning due to less traffic. However, in the afternoon, roads are expected to be slightly more congested, especially during rush hours.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner reminded the public of safety measures while driving, warning them to be alert, take enough rest in advance and avoid consumption of alcohol. Towards the end of the holidays, he advised the vacationers to make their way back to the city gradually in order to stave off paralyzed traffic.

-- NNT 2010-07-24

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Greater Phuket: Phang Nga hit by tough new zoning law

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Bangkok: Female Uni Student Stabbed to Death in Drunken Brawl

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Top securities executives support proposed lifting of Thailand's emergency decree

BANGKOK: -- Top executives in Bangkok's capital market have expressed their support for the proposed lifting of the emergency decree to pave the way for the national reconciliation.

Kongkiat Opaswongkarn, chief executive officer of Asia Plus Securities, said should the decree be scrapped, it could give a signal that the situation in Thailand has returned to normal.

Now, he conceded, some countries viewed the situation in Thailand as unusual following the recent political mayhem. But he believed the situation would improve and that Thai people in conflict with each other would turn to talk to each other in a more friendly manner.

Dr Kongkiat said that investment in the Thai stock market had become bullish since listed companies had enjoyed better-than-expected

performance results.

Should the political situation improve, the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate problem be resolved, and operating results of listed companies continue improving in the second and third quarters, he believed, foreign investors would return to invest in Thailand.

Montri Kongpaisal, chief executive officer of Kim Eng Securities, said the decision to lift the emergency decree must be made with caution.

However, if the political situation became stable, he was confident the Thai economy would expand at least 8-9 per cent this year.

Should the economy continue picking up in the second half of the year, it would contribute to the increased investment as foreign investors would

turn to invest in the stock market.

Given these factors, he believed the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s composite index would climb up to 900 points by this year. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07

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Govt may lift State of Emergency in additional areas next week

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The National Security Council (NSC) is preparing to propose to the Cabinet the revocation of the State of Emergency remaining in force in 16 provinces.

Minister of Defense General Prawit Wongsuwan has instructed NSC Secretary-General Tawin Pleansri to collect information and report to the Government about the situation in the 16 provinces under the Emergency Decree for consideration whether there were any political movements in the areas and whether to lift the special law.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday that the Government would use the national reform panel’s suggestion to support its decision on the Emergency Decree deactivation. Although the law could not yet be revoked in all areas, he said he had the authority to immediately do so without having to wait for the Cabinet’s endorsement. He also believed that the Cabinet would agree to revoke the law in some additional areas next week.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party Watchara Kannikar suggested that the Government listen to people’s opinions. He claimed that the situation had eased and agreed with many sides’ proposal for the State of Emergency lifting.

-- NNT 2010-07-24

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Chon Buri rehearses storm surge evacuation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Chon Buri Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has staged an evacuation drill to prepare the locals in case of a storm surge.

Head of the Chon Buri Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office Korbchai Boon-orana, along with relevant authorities, has organized an evacuation rehearsal to minimize fatalities among local residents should a storm surge hit the area in the future.

The drill was held on the coast of the province, where a number of homes are located. A warning signal was activated, prompting the civilians in the beach area to vacate the site amid the supervision of concerned authorities and medical units that were on stand-by.

The Government has placed an importance on natural disaster drills and the preparation of people for the procedure of evacuation following the 2004 tsunami in the South, which incurred massive casualties.

-- NNT 2010-07-24

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DSI: Probe into deaths of foreign journalists a top priority

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has affirmed that the probe into the deaths of two foreign journalists during the anti-government riots remains a top priority.

Though admitting the difficulties of pinpointing specific details and making a prompt conclusion on the killing of the Japanese and Italian reporters during the recent political mayhem, DSI Spokesperson Police Colonel Narat Svestanan insisted that the matter had been placed as a top agenda by the authorities. The progress of the investigation into the death of the Japanese has been clarified to Japanese consular officials on a weekly basis.

Based on preliminary investigations, the Japanese was shot with a high-speed bullet. However, as many others, including the Italian reporter and Thai nationals, were also killed and injured at the scene, Pol Col Narat explained that the DSI was considering all cases collectively without discrimination.

-- NNT 2010-07-24

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Pattaya: 'Jaws of Life' needed after high-speed fatal car accident

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Met Dept warns North, Northeast of flashfloods

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Meteorological Department warns people living in the North and the Northeast of Thailand of flashfloods although Tropical Storm Chantu has weakened to a depression.

The Meteorological Department stated in its 9th announcement that Tropical Storm Chantu would not make a landfall in Thailand and had lost its strength. However, the northern and northeastern plateaus are expected to see more rains in the next few days with high chances of flashfloods in hillside areas.

Many provinces in the northeastern region have been facing a series of heavy rains over the past week. The water level in the Mekong River has risen 10-11 centimeters per day over the past few days. People are advised to keep an eye on the level of water that might rise during high tide and flush into the villages and farmlands near the river.

People in flood-prone areas, such as Amnat Chareon and Nakhon Phanom, have been alerted to prepare for evacuation in case of flashfloods.

-- NNT 2010-07-24

related link: http://www.tmd.go.th/en/list_warning.php

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271 Yabba Tablets seized as the Navy Narcotics Unit comes to Pattaya

NGV Gas Stations face closure in Pattaya and around Thailand

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CONVICTED EX-THAI PM

Thaksin met Japanese MP in Mongolia

By Kyodo News

Runaway ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra met a senior Japanese MP in Mongolia on Wednesday, seeking Japanese government supports and understandings, Kyodo News reported on Thursday.

Thaksin met Muneo Suzuki, a former state minister and present member of House of Representatives from Shinto Daichi Party, for about an hour in a hotel in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia.

Suzuki's representatives confirmed the meeting took place.

The sources told Kydo News that in the meeting Thaksin gave his version of the troubles that transpired in Bangkok between March and May this year.

Thaksin deplored the Thai government's use of force in cracking down on democracy-seeking citizens, while calling for Japan's support and understanding, the sources said.

Pro-Thaksin protesters, known as red shirts, staged protests and occupied Rajprasong areas for weeks. The protests turned into riots after some of their leaders surrendered and ended the protests.

The sources told Kydo News that Suzuki and Thaksin knew each other through the latter's lawyer who visited Japan in June. "Suzuki's meeting with him in Ulan Bator was said to be in a personal capacity," the source said.

Suzuki, however, is chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, giving rise to the possibility that the Thai government will make a show of displeasure with the meeting.

Thaksin is also wanted on terrorism charges for allegedly being the mastermind and financier behind the chaos that for 10 weeks crippled parts of central Bangkok and left 89 dead, mostly protesters, and some 1,400 injured.

The rally was dispersed by an army crackdown on May 19.

The former telecoms tycoon, who was ousted as premier in a bloodless coup in 2006, explained to Suzuki that he has come out with a report of his own to explain the deadly clashes, the sources said.

Suzuki told Thaksin that he wanted the Japanese government to strongly demand that the Thai government shed light on the shooting death of Japan-based Reuters television cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto amid the chaos on Bangkok.

Muramoto was killed on April 10 after being shot while covering the clashes. Japanese police are investigating his slaying as a murder, while the Thai government has said it doubts that soldiers were behind the shooting.

Suzuki, a former member of the Liberal Democratic Party, is a controversial political figure who was previously convicted by Japanese courts of taking bribes from companies in exchange for favors, failing to declare political donations, and perjury at the Diet. He has denied the charges.

He is perhaps best known for his work related to Japan's ties with Russia and issues concerning four Russian-administered islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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Pitsanulok administrative chief sprayed byM16 in critical condition;police suspect motives possible frm local politics/personal/work conflict /vua @TAN_Network

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PM: Thailand will not boycott World Heritage meeting in Brazil

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti will attend the World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil on Wednesday.

Abhisit said Suwit would not boycott the meeting as called on by several sides.

The prime minister said Suwit would be present to raise Thailand's objection to Cambodia's plan to unilaterally manage the Preah Vihear world heritage site.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24

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to be continued

Thailand Live Sunday 25 July 2010

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