Thailand Live Wednesday 28 Jul 2010

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Buri Ram hosts SME fair to boost local businesses

BURI RAM (NNT) -- Buri Ram’s Chamber of Commerce joins hand with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (OSMEP) to organize the ‘SME Strong Thailand 2010’ fair to boost local businesses.

More than 100 small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs from the northeastern provinces of Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Chaiyaphum have come together to put their goods on sale in the SME trade fair held by the provincial Chamber of Commerce and OSMEP at Buri Ram Ratchabhat University.

The event is organized to help the traders expand their market and initiate connections between businesses. Activities in the SME Strong Thailand 2010 include business workshops and consulting services for SMEs.

The event will be held until 29 July. An estimated 10 million THB is expected to be circulated during the 3-day fair.

-- NNT 2010-07-28

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Special Report: HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was born to Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit at Dusit Palace on 28 July 1952. He had graduated and received a number of training courses in military affairs following his interests in this field.

HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn on 28 December 1972 was proclaimed the Crown Prince and Heir Apparent to the throne. On that day, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn took an oath at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha vowing to perform royal duties for the sake of the nation and the betterment of his Thai citizens.

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn frequently accompanied Their Majesties the King and Queen upon their visits to many parts of Thailand. He has often visited Somdet Phrayuparaj hospitals under his royal patronage in remote areas of the country. He has also been performing many royal duties promoting public health, social welfare, foreign affairs, and education, as well as religious and legal functions. Some of them have been performed as designated by TM the King and Queen.

As for his roles in military affairs, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been in the military service since 9 January 1975, serving in many positions. He used to take part in military battle against terrorism in the northern and northeastern parts of the country. He also helped safeguard the areas around refugee camps for the Cambodians in the eastern province of Trat.

Due to his special interests in aviation, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn had received further trainings in the US, enabling him to fly many models of aircrafts. He won a military flying competition in Lop Buri province on 1 April 1987. In addition, he has been working as an instructor for F-5 E/F fighter aircraft operations in the Royal Thai Air Force since 4 May 1994.

Up to present time, it can be seen how HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been following in royal footsteps of HM the King and Queen in promoting the well-being of Thai people since the day he took an oath to do so.

-- NNT 2010-07-28

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BoT concerned over political unrest

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is worrying the ongoing political unrest like the recent explosion in front of BigC department store at Ratchadamri might have negative effects on the Thai economy.

BoT Governor, Dr Tarisa Wattanagase, has instructed officials to constantly monitor political movements in the wake of mounting concerns over the deadly bombing incident on Sunday, killing one bystander and injuring nine other people.

Dr Tarisa regarded the latest explosion as an emerging negative factor; however, the BoT will have to follow up and evaluate the consequences again to what extent this issue would affect the national economy. She stressed that the assessment was necessary although current investment in the stock market went on normally.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index on Tuesday, the first operating day of the week after long Buddhist holidays, was very lively and had been moving in green zone. It rose by 13.44 points to close at 853.68 points with the trade value of 42.52217 billion THB.

-- NNT 2010-07-28

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Pakistani passenger plane crashes near Islamabad, more than 150 on board - aviation spokesman /via @REUTERSFLASH

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Taxi Operators Pressure Govt to Hasten Taxi Gas Switch

After a year-long delay, the taxi association is pressuring the government to speed up its plans to install 30,000 taxis with compressed natural gas tanks and has requested an investigation into the policy's proceedings.

Siam Taxi Cooperative President Witoon Naewpanich, representing the panel overseeing taxis' switch from liquefied petroleum gas or LPG to Natural gas or NGV, stated that taxi company representatives have submitted an open letter addressed to Prime Minster Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankiri, and Energy Minister Dr. Wannarat Chanukul .

The letters urged them to quickly implement the measures to covert 30,000 taxis running on LPG to use NGV, as there has been very little progress since the new regulation was released almost a year ago.

Witoon added that without conversion, the government is spending 300 million baht per month to sustain the LPG taxi operation, and within ten months, the government would have spent three billion baht.

As for the the bid for the NGV-base operator to install NGV gas tanks in 30,000 taxis, seven bidders have proposed to install NGV gas tanks in 15,000 taxis but were declined due to the quality of the products which is below standards.

The bid has been shut down in order to reassess the pricing and necessary quality of the product.

In the latest developments, four companies have entered the bid. Autopan won the bid having proposed the lowest prices. The authorities are now in the process of negotiating the the final pricing.

However, the Office of the Auditor General has warned against corruption and graft which has prompted the Cabinet to set up an investigation panel led by the deputy Energy Ministry permanent secretary.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-28

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Jatuporn sued for verbal attack on crime buster's wife

By The Nation

Plaintiff Wasamol Pengdit on Wednesday initiated a court battle charging Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan for defamation stemming from his remarks on bribery.

In the plaintiff writ, Wasamol, wife of Department of Special Investigation chief Tharit Pengdit, contends Jatuporn has tarnished her reputation by spreading a false allegation.

On July 23-to-25, Jatuporn made a number of remarks which could be construed as portraying the plaintiff as abusing Tharit's office to seek and receive Bt150,000 in kickbacks from a businessman in exchange for assisting in the Bt1.7 million tax evasion.

Wasamol was a revenue official when the alleged incident happened in 2008.

Jatuporn is seen as harbouring hostility toward Tharit because the DSI is in charge of investigating into terrorism involving him and ther red shirts.

Wasamol's lawyer Thanakorn Waekwari said the truth will emerge in the courtroom.

"A cheque was deposited in Wasamol's bank account but it was not bribery as alleged by Jatuporn," he said.

The Criminal Court has scheduled a hearing on September 6 before ruling whether the case merits the judicial review.

-- The Nation 2010-07-28

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Extra time granted for yellow shirts to surrender on terrorism

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At least 15 dead, dozens reportedly survive Airblue passenger plane crash in Islamabad /via @WireUpdate

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Five shot dead in troubled Thai south: police

NARATHIWAT (AFP) -- Suspected Islamist insurgents have shot dead four Muslim men while one militant was killed by security officials in Thailand's restive southern provinces, police said Wednesday.

A 50-year-old villager was shot dead at his home late Tuesday in Narathiwat province while in neighbouring Yala province a 26-year-old security volunteer was killed in drive-by shooting.

Meanwhile, in Pattani province, two Muslims aged 27 and 34 were gunned down in separate attacks on Tuesday evening, police said.

Earlier the same day in Yala a 39-year-old suspected militant was shot dead in a confrontation with Thai soldiers.

Thailand this month extended emergency rule in three troubled southern provinces until October as it struggles to quell unrest that has left more than 4,100 people dead in six years.

The shadowy militants, whose exact goals are unclear, have targeted both Buddhists and Muslims, including many civilians.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-28

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Finally police learn: After consulting w/legal experts they concluded that Pongpat's speech is not Les Majeste. via @Juarawee /via @Veen_NT

Pakistan update: At least 45 survive Airblue crash; rescue work under way in heavy rain, fog /via @BreakingNews

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Bt1m stolen from Phuket temple on Buddhist holiday

The temple gate at Rasadaram Temple, where thieves last night

made off with a reported 1 million baht in cash and valuables.

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'New York City cop' arrested on drug charges in Phuket

Mr Wesarat in custody at Tah Chat Chai Police Station.

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Police decide to drop complaint against Pongpat

Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Amnuay Nimmano Wednesday dropped lese majesty complaint against actor Pongpat Wachirabanjong.

Amnuay said police decided to drop the complaint after investigators had talked to some linguists and lawyers and they convinced the investigators that Pongpat did not insult His Majesty the King.

A singer, Phumpat Wongyachavalit filed the complaint, alleging that Pongpat had treated His Majesty with an insult by calling the King only as "father".

Amnuay said the linguists and lawyers all agreed that Pongpat instead showed his extreme loyalty to His Majesty with his statement.

-- The Nation 2010-07-28

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Inaccurate evidence inventory list was the reason behind jewelry in red shirt case listed as missing

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Phuket F&B Show starts Friday

An entrant in last year's 'flair' bartending contest.

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Cabinet members to abstain from vote for Budget Bill

Cabinet members will not take part in the next month's vote for the passage of the Budget Bill, chief coalition whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said on Wednesday.

"The abstain from voting is meant to avoid legal wrangling should the opposition decide to contest the constitutionality of the vote," he said.

Even though the Council of State ruled there was no conflict of interest if the Cabinet members were to cast their votes, the case had never reached the Constitution Court, he said, voicing concern about the budgetary delay due to litigation.

-- The Nation 2010-07-28

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Myanmar reviews border closure after negotiations with Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Myanmar will consider reopening the Thai-Myanmar border at the Mae Sot-Myawaddy bridge after negotiations with Thailand, Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said on Wednesday.

The negotiation led to better understanding, Mr Alongkorn said, and the Myanmar officials will report the matter to their leaders for further consideration to reopen the border.

The deputy minister will report the results of the negotiations with Myanmar government on reopening of the Thai-Myanmar border at Mae Sot-Myawaddy Bridge bordering Thailand's Tak province to other Cabinet members on Wednesday.

Mr Alongkorn confirmed that the border closure would not affect the official visit of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in August.

The Cabinet will discuss adjusting working processes of the Thai-Myanmar Township Border Committee (TBC) at local and national level in order respond to border problems more quickly and decisively regarding policies to avoid irritations being blown out of proportion and escalating to conflict in the future.

The ongoing closure of the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and more than 20 ports along the Moei River since July 18 is to protest Thailand’s riverbank protection construction after no response from Thailand to its letter requesting Thai ambassador to Myanmar to hold talks on the issue.

The deputy minister said the problem must be solved, so that the two countries will continue cooperation in mega projects including Dawei deep sea port for goods transportation to Thailand’s Kanchanaburi through Laos and Vietnam.

The Dawei-Kanchanaburi investment is approximately around Bt400 billion (US$12.5 billion). Thailand wants to push the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border zone of some 2,240 acres as a special economic zone, within the near future. The issue will be proposed to the Cabinet for consideration next week.

Mr Alongkorn said the border closure since July 18 caused damage of about Bt88 million ($2.7 million) per day.

Exports in the first nine months of the fiscal year across the Mae Sot- Myawaddi border were valued at Bt25 billion (about $780,000) or 45 per cent growth. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-28

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Govt poised for further lifting of emergency rule: PM

By The Nation

The government is poised to further lift the state of emergency in selected provinces by this evening, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday, ahead of the afternoon's meeting with the National Security Council to assess the situation.

"The cancellation of emergency rule will proceed," he said, reacting to concern that the Sunday's bomb attack might result in the prolonged emergency power.

The prime minister earlier said he had the mandate for the lifting of emergency rule without having to seek the Cabinet approval. Today's Cabinet meeting had no agenda for debating emergency rule.

-- The Nation 2010-07-28

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SET index closed at 853.78, up 0.10; Bt/USD31.86; GBP49.60; AUD28.28; EUR41.39; CAD30.63; HKD4.05; SGD23.26; JPY35.90

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Bangkok voted "world's best" - before the riots

Overjoyed that Bangkok has received the "World's Best City 2010" award and the "Best City of Asia" award from Travel and Leisure Magazine, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra Wednesday said he would proceed with the development of Rajprasong and Yaowarat areas and arrange tourismpromoting activities to boost foreign tourists' confidence.

He told a press conference Wednesday that this was the second time the city had received the "World's Best City" award, the first was in 2008.

The award should remind city residents that Bangkok was a good and liveable city that should be maintained that way, he said. The city administration would proceed with projects such as adding more green areas, preventing floods and installing 30,000 CCTV cameras within three years.

-- The Nation 2010-07-28

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Fake Bomb Found at Soi Sathupradit 34

Police discovered a fake bomb placed inside a telephone booth in front of Soi Sathupradit 34, close to a school.

Officers believe the incident was aimed to create chaos.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-28

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Japan To Accept 32 Myanmar Refugees From Thailand

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Ratchadamri Blast Linked to Previous Incidents

The city police agency says Sunday's bomb attack should be the work of the same people behind bombing incidents during the red-shirt protests in May given the similarities in the patterns of explosive devices used.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Police Major General Amnuay Nim-manoe said current evidence obtained by investigators has suggested the bomb package planted in front of Big C store in Ratchadamri area was similar to those used in the attacks at Khok Khram area and other incidents during the red-shirt protests.

Amnuay believes the perpetrators of the latest blast are the same as those behind earlier chaos in Bangkok and investigators are searching for more evidence for their involvement.

He said the Department of Special Investigation will take over the probe into Sunday's incident from his city police if terrorism charges are involved.

He added the city police bureau will review footage from a surveillance camera at the crime scene to find out whether the suspects were also involved in other terror attacks.

As for the lese majeste charge against veteran actor Pongpat Wachirabanjong, Amnuay said the case has already been dropped as investigators have received an advice from a linguist that his speech during his reception of an acting award aimed to express his loyalty to His Majesty the King.

Amnuay said Pongpat will not be summoned for questioning over the case as the investigation has already been canceled.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-28

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Cambodia Adamant on Preah Vihear Issue

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Literacy of 30,000 Thai third graders substandard

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Real inequality in the Thai society

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to be continued

Thailand Live Thursday 29 July 2010

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