Thailand Live Sunday 25 Jul 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Sunday 25 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 Saturday 24 July 2010

[webfact]

Thai students win five gold medals at International Physics Olympiad

BANGKOK: -- Thai students win five gold medals at 41th International Physics Olympiad in Croatia, returning to Bangkok Monday

-- TNA 2010-07-25

[webfact]

GOODWILL GAME 2010 ready to kick off

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Residents of southern border provinces and the general public are encouraged to join Goodwill Games 2010 hosted by Narathiwat province in Southern Thailand.

Narathiwat Governor, Tanon Vejchakornkanon, confirmed the province’s readiness for the upcoming recreational sports at the Goodwill Games 2010, aiming at promoting relationship between Thailand and Malaysia. According to the Governor, everything had been prepared in terms of sport venues and ability of athletes. The kinds of sport will range from male senior football, tennis, badminton, sepak takraw, petanque, futsal, woodball, golf and other local games.

The Goodwill Games has contributed to the solving of local problems of the two countries since 1983. The game was suspended in some years, but had resumed consecutively since 2004. Athletes in five southern border provinces led by high ranking government officials and leaders in the private and civic sectors will be playing against Malaysian athletes from Kelantan, Trengganu, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Pahang, Pahang and Johore States of Malaysia.

-- NNT 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Thais asked to help maintain country’s peace and stability for a better economy

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asks Thais to strive for the objective of the country’s peace and stability, so as to restore investors' confidence.

Following latest economic growth prediction by the Bank of Thailand (BoT), speculating that the national GDP is likely to grow by 6.5 - 7.5% instead of 4.3 – 5.8% as previously reported, the Prime Minister pointed out that without the recent political unrest, the Thai economy should have been improved more significantly.

All parties are urged to join hands in maintaining national peace and stability in a bid to show the country's clearer potential of growth, gain higher investors' confidence and so that all Thais will be set free from economic hardships.

The Prime Minister believes that the dispute on Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate would not be escalated, while the list of 18 industries that have been deemed harmful to environment and public health will be revealed within two months. Mr Abhisit is certain that foreign investors should have good understanding of the situation.

-- NNT 2010-07-25

[webfact]

At least 10 people dead in Germany music festival crush

Duisburg, Germany - At least 10 people died Saturday at a techno-music festival in the German city of Duisburg when crowds of people were crushed in a tunnel leading to the event grounds, police said.

A statement released by Duisburg police said that 10 people had been resuscitated and at least another 15 had been injured, when panicbroke out as crowds pushed into the confined space.

The Love Parade, one of Europe's largest electronic music events, originated in Berlin and has now been spun off in other cities worldwide.

WDR television said that 1.4 million people were attending the event in Duisburg. Rescue helicopters had landed on an adjacent motorway ,and emergency workers were experiencing difficulty getting to the accident site, the station reported.

Partygoers continued the festivities, unaware of what had happened. Police were attempting to slowly move people away from the site without causing further panic, WDR reported.

The first Love Parade was held in 1989 as the Berlin Wall came down, and ran intermittently in the capital until 2006. Problems accommodating the huge number of ravers wanting to attend the event led to city authorities being no longer willing to host the party.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

UPDATE: At least 19 die in Germany music festival stampede

-- THE NATION

[webfact]

Bangkok all set for by-election today

By The Nation

THE ELECTION COMMISSION was ready for the Bangkok MP by-election for Constituency 6 today, an election commissioner said yesterday.

The voting will take place from 8am to 3pm today in Klong Sam Wa, Khan Na Yao, Nong Chok and Bueng Kum districts.

Election Commissioner Prapun Naigowit said the vote counting would be at election units before the votes were gathered at district offices.

The district office at Klong Sam Wa would be the centre for the online vote-counting report.

Prapun said while security had been tightened in the areas, foreign election observers, including those from the United States and Canada, were welcome to observe the election so they could understand the poll in Thailand held in a State of Emergency.

Above: Prapan Naikowit visits the Kanna Yao district office ahead of today's by-election to fill a House seat left vacant by the recent death of Democrat MP Tiva Ngernyuang.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Warnings over leptospirosis, toxic sea turtle meat

By Prasit Tangprasert,

Salinee Prap

The Nation on Sunday

The Nakhon Ratchasima public health office was on alert for a leptospirosis outbreak yesterday after 68 people fell ill and three died of the disease.

Provincial Public Health chief Dr Wichai Khattiyawittayakul said leptospirosis could be found all year round but would increase from July to September, a rainy period during which farmers grow rice.

From January 1 to July 18, the province reported 65 leptospirosis patients, three of whom had died from the disease, he said. Many patients got the disease from wading barefoot through wet rice-fields when they had leg wounds or cuts.

Wichai urged people with leptospirosis symptoms - such as fever, headache or muscle pain after wading through water - to see doctors rather than buy over-the-counter medicines to treat themselves.

In related news, a fishery academic in Phuket yesterday warned people not to eat sea tortoise meat, after three tambon Rawai villagers out of 80 people who ate hawksbill sea turtle meat at a party in June died from chelonitoxism.

Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, said some partygoers still showed allergic symptoms, including a burning sensation in the mouth, numb lips, difficulty swallowing, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, respiratory difficulty, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and double vision.

Capturing sea tortoises to eat their meat was illegal and dangerous, he said, because the animals can accumulate toxic material in their flesh and inner organs from their diet.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Villagers fight back as salt factories pollute their land

By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

Nakhon Ratchasima

Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima are demanding that the government withdraw the licences of 20 rock-salt factories because their operation is creating sinkholes and contaminating the soil.

Oon Pomsanthia, headman of Ban Khok Mongkol village in Non Thai district, said salt contamination had damaged more than 1,000 rai (160 hectares) of farmland owned by 28 households. In fact, seven families had to abandon 370 rai (59.2 hectares).

"Some could not even sell or mortgage their land for capital, because the soil was destroyed by the salt," he said.

Eight rock-salt factories have been operating in the village since 1993, and the salt has been contaminating not just the soil but the water, because there are no measures in place to control or prevent saline sediments released from the factories.

Though the factories' licences expired this year, three have been given extensions, and the rest are continuing to operate illegally.

Oon said the overuse of underground water was also to blame for a 2.4-hectare sinkhole in a nearby village, where about 20 houses have also suffered bad cracks.

Prapas Kulsamrong, headman of Ban Wang village of Non Thai district, said the first sign of the sinkhole was in 1999, when more than 800 square metres of farming land was affected.

He said he had written to the authorities, including the Industry Ministry, to study the case and stop the salt factories from operating.

Meanwhile, the Industry Ministry asked the Department of Mineral Resources to conduct a study in the area and found that there were about 16 sinkholes, two of them very large.

"The villagers are worried that their houses and land will sink," Prapas said, adding that about 500 rai (80 hectares) of farmland in his village had been destroyed.

A Somsuan Moungsanthia, a 66-year-old farmer who lives in Ban Wang village, said her 14-rai (2.25-hectare) farm could produce 40 to 50 sacks of rice, but now she could barely get five sacks because her farms were close to the factories and affected by salt contamination.

"I have had to abandon 9 rai because the land cannot be used any more," she said, adding that she had received no compensation from the factory. In addition, she had to invest in good soil just so she could grow vegetables for personal consumption.

Oon said the villagers had filed complaints with more than 11 state agencies asking them to end the operation of salt factories.

Recently, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti ordered salt factories in the village to stop vacuuming up water from February to October after he heard about the sinkhole problems.

The National Human Rights Commission has also asked the Department of Primary Industries and Mines to close the salt factories. However, some factories have not stopped despite the order.

Tawee Nakhawiroj, of the Nakhon Ratchasima industrial office, said there was a loophole in the 1992 Factory Bill that allowed salt factories to continue manufacturing while their licences were being renewed.

He said the industrial office could only limit the area covered by salt factories and conduct a study to find the appropriate technology to control salt contamination.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Suwit off to Brazil to explain Thai concerns

By SAMATCHA HOONSARA

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

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

Abhisit said Suwit will not boycott the meeting, as some people have suggested.

The PM said Suwit would spell out Thailand's objection to Cambodia's plan to unilaterally manage the Preah Vihear World Heritage Site.

"Not attending the meeting would be useless as we would lose our voice. But the result from the meeting is another story. We have to consider appropriate ways to object during the discussion. In the meantime, we are trying our best to lobby," Abhisit said.

According to Suwit's report from France on Friday, Abhisit said, Cambodia was set to propose a management and physical plan for Preah Vihear Temple to be a World Heritage Site. However, the plan does not show the Thai-Cambodian border and does not promise to avoid areas to the north and west of the temple which are areas in dispute.

Suwit had made clear to the international body that Thailand objected to the proposal, and the resolution by the Cabinet would make Thailand's objection stronger, he said.

Abhisit said Thailand might propose hosting the World Heritage Committee meeting in the next two years. However, Cambodia might also propose to be the host.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Illegal work agent arrested

By The Nation on Sunday

Pojanee "Jae Maew" Sinchai, wanted for 35 cases of duping Thais wanting to work abroad out of money, was arrested in Bangkok while she celebrating her daughter's university graduation, Lampang police told reporters yesterday.

The 55-year-old Lampang woman was the subject of 35 arrest warrants in Lampang, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Tak. She was reported to have jumped bail for a public fraud case in which she was given a four-year jail term.

Pojanee reportedly confessed to police that she had worked as an employment agent without permission since 1983.

Lampang Governor Supakit Boonyarittipong said many people had been affected, as they allegedly paid the suspect Bt300,000-Bt500,0000 in a bid to get jobs in the US, Canada and Taiwan. They later found out they could not go to these countries, as promised.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Quake no problem for Srinakarin dam

By The Nation on Sunday

The strong earthquake in the Philippines yesterday did not affect the structure of Srinakarin Dam in Kanchanaburi, a senior official said yesterday.

The pre-dawn quake, which measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, near Mindanao Island caused Thailand's National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) to issue a tsunami watch order, but it was cancelled three hours later.

Srinakarin Dam manager Narong Thaiprayoon said the quake occurred so far away that the dam's seismic station barely received the signal, hence it couldn't affect the dam, which was inspected and found to be "100-per-cent strong".

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Cambodian workers register

By The Nation on Sunday

Some 700 workers submitted to a Cambodian identification process at the Songkhla City Hall's Employment Office on the first day of service yesterday.

About 3,000 Cambodians are thought to reside illegally in Songkhla to work on fishing boats or in the fishery industry, plus rubber plantations and building sites. Most are expected to register in the next few days.

The process costs Bt1,500 but workers get a temporary passport, usable for two years, which can be renewed for Bt570.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Big bang in Chiang Mai

By The Nation on Sunday

A giant firecracker was thrown in front of a ASTV satellite mechanic's home, 500 metres from the Kawila Army Camp in Chiang Mai's Muang district at 12.30am yesterday.

No-one was injured, but the firecracker slightly damaged a neighbour's pick-up parked near the site. Mechanic Songkran Boriboon, 59, said he was sleeping inside when he heard a loud 'bang' out the front of his home.

Inquiries by police revealed the cracker was thrown by unknown assailants on motorcycles, possibly reckless teenagers or people with ill-intent wishing to cause chaos.

Chiang Mai is still covered by the emergency law imposed after red-shirt riots in April and May.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Protest over road project delay

By MARUT BOONYANAREUMIT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

About 500 residents from Tambon Nong Daeng and nearby areas held a rally yesterday that blocked the Ratchada Road to Khao Yai National Park, in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district.

The protesters demanded that an extension of the Ratchata Road from kilometres 2-8 be completed, and threatened to use more severe action if the authorities did not give a "positive response" within three days.

The road widening was put on hold by the prime minister over concerns about its impact on trees and animals in the area.

The protesters gathered in front of Wat Pongkrasang at the 7km marker. They said they wanted the road widened as soon as possible to ease traffic and avoid problems such as accidents and rainwater flooding roadside homes and shops.

The group blocked the road for an hour, causing a 5km-long traffic jam, to state their case before disbanding.

Bong Krasang villager Suriwimon Udomdech said most local residents were affected because their homes were alongside the road and dust from the unfinished project blew into their homes. The removal of roadside light-poles also made travelling at night risky, she said, and when it rained some parts of the under-construction road subsided and muddy water poured into people's homes as drainage pipes had been dug up.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

PAD leaders plan defence against Bangkok airport charges

[webfact]

Five Thai students bag gold at Physics Olympiad

[webfact]

Thai economy doing fine in spite of emergency

[webfact]

SOCIAL DIVISION

Parallel reform body to be set up

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Anti-govt groups claim they've been shunned by Anand, Prawase panels

Anti-government groups have formed a parallel National Reform Committee, after claiming they were shunned by government committees led by former premier Anand Panyarachun and Dr Prawese Wasi.

"This will lead to the scrutiny of the government's committees because it's clear that the committees are bereft of red shirts and not inclusive," said Chulalongkorn University political science lecturer Pitch Pongsawat, who is regarded as sympathetic to the red shirts.

"This will also lead to the creation of a network among red shirts."

Asked if the move was merely a tactic to try to undermine the legitimacy of the government committees rather than to pursue reform itself, Pitch said there was absolutely nothing wrong with trying to de-legitimise the government.

"I think it will lead to dialogue. The mainstream media haven't been scrutinising the government's committees. As for the intention to reform, reform is common just as we need a permanent revolution," he said.

The move to set up parallel committees was led by Red Power Magazine editor Somyos Preuksakasemsuk, who convened a meeting yesterday in Nakhon Pathom to sidestep the emergency decree, which outlaws any political gathering of more than five people in Bangkok. It decided to form provincial chapters and have representatives from different sections of society to participate in the parallel process.

Suluck Lam-ubon, who is on the Student Federation of Thailand (SFT)'s executive committee, said the SFT sent observers to participate in the meeting at Nakhon Pathom. He considered the move a good sign although some questions linger.

"I'm not sure if we're buying into the government's discourse [of national reform] that says we need reform. However, we will at least have our proposals for reform too. It is better than to simply criticise Anand and have no suggestions of one's own."

Suluck said the SFT would meet soon to decide if it will take part in the process and send some members to be part of the process in a private capacity or not, as the parallel committee also wanted participants and input from the student sector.

The meeting yesterday concluded that a blueprint for national reform should be presented to the public.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Phuket Town wins international development award

[webfact]

Miss Thailand World 2010 contestants grace Phuket

[webfact]

Eligible voters cast ballots in Sunday by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6, minimum of 60 per cent of voter turnout expected /via @MCOTEnglishnews

[webfact]

Benzene and Diesel prices to be raised by 60 satang from 25 July

BANGKOK (NNT) -- PTT and Bangchak Petroleum announce to raise prices of all types of benzene and diesel by 60 satang, effective from 25 July 2010 at 05.00 hrs onward.

Retail prices of benzene and diesel will be increased at petrol stations in Bangkok and perimeter. Gasohol E85 price will be 19.42 THB/liter, gasohol E20 at 29.54 THB/liter, gasohol95 at 31.84 THB/liter, gasohol91 at 30.34 THB/liter, benzene91 at 35.64 THB/liter, biodiesel 27.39 THB/liter and high speed diesel 28.59 THB/liter.

PTT Executive Vice President Wittaya Wangjitrarak stated that during the past two weeks, oil prices were volatile in accordance with daily factors. Finally, those oil prices are raised in response to the tropical storm Bonnie, expected to hit the US coastal area through the Gulf of Mexico and that will affect oil production at that particular area.

According to the US figures announced recently, however, the economy is an unstable stage which is a factor to pressure oil prices in the global market to be lowered in the next period, while the slowdown of Bonnie tropical storm in the near future will be a positive factor toward oil prices in Thailand.

-- NNT 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Thai by-election Sunday a key test for rival camps

[webfact]

N. Korea warns of nuclear response to military drills

Seoul, S. Korea -- North Korea on Saturday threatened to confront planned U.S. - South Korean military exercises with "nuclear deterrence," according to the National Defence Commission - the highest decision-making body in the country.

Earlier this week, the US State Department said North Korea would be"very unwise" to counter the exercises that are scheduled to begin on Sunday.

The U.S. and South Korea are conducting the exercises following a determination that Pyongyang was responsible for the March sinking of a South Korean warship in which 46 sailors died.

The exercises, formally announced Wednesday while US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates were in Seoul, are designed to enhance capabilities between both sides and send a message that the United States is committed to South Korea's security.

The US Navy is capable of defending itself and "clearly it would be very unwise for North Korea to challenge these forces," a State Department spokesman said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[webfact]

PM pledges to mull over revocation of Emergency Decree in all areas

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva pledges to mull over the revocation of the State of Emergency in the remaining areas as requested by former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, the head of the National Reform Committee.

Speaking over Mr Anand’s call for the lifting of the Emergency Decree in all areas, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the Government stood on the same stance with Mr Anand. He also vowed take the matter into account seriously and discretionally.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Abhisit said that the decree could be lifted immediately without having to pass it to the Cabinet for approval once the Government directly received a positive signal from the national security affairs led by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

However, Prime Minister Abhisit said that the decree could not be revoked in all areas at once.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abhisit invited Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), Tawin Pleansri to discuss about the revocation of the Emergency Decree in the remaining provinces. The matter is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration on 27 July.

-- NNT 2010-07-25

[webfact]

Constituency 6 By-election Kicks off

The Bangkok constituency 6 by-election has kicked off, with 60% expected voter turnout.

Preliminary result is expected at around 8 P.M. today.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-25

[george]

Manhunt for Phuket maid murderer:

Police expect to make an arrest “soon” of the man who stabbed a house maid to death:

[george]

Pattaya, Thailand:

Russian stabbed in attempted Drive-by necklace snatch:

[george]

Elevator plunges 10 floors at Pattaya Hotel; 16 injured.

Full story, pics:

[webfact]

Police seize 100,000 methamphetamine pills in car on Din Daeng expressway,

arrested driver confesses getting paid Bt20,000-50,000 per delivery

--MCOT

2010-07-25