Thailand Live Saturday 31 Jul 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 31 July 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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

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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 30 July 2010

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Commemorative coins on WIPO´s Global Leader Award presented to the King to be sold on 2 August

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Treasury Department will on 2 August 2010, distribute commemorative coins, produced on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)'s presentation of the Global Leader Award for HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej for his great contributions to intellectual property.

Duputy Finance Minister Man Patanothai stated that the commemorative coins in honor of HM the King had been made with special innovative technique in order to highlight its outstanding design. The coins have been produced in the same design with three different types of materials; polished gold, polished silver and mixed bronze-nickel.

A polished gold coin is made of 99% pure gold, weighing 15 grams and to be sold at 25,000 THB per piece. A polished silver coin made of 99% pure silver sold at 1,400 THB/pc, while mixed bronze-nickel will be sold at 20 THB. The distribution of those coins will be made on 2 August 2010 onward at the Treasury Offices nationwide.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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Red Cross launches cataract sugery project in Kanchanaburi

KANCHANABURI (NNT) -- Kanchanaburi Red Cross launches a project of cataract surgery in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen to mark their 60th wedding anniversary.

Kanchanaburi Red Cross and other related agencies have join forces to organize the cataract surgery program to mark the 60th Coronation Anniversary and the Diamond Jubilee of their Majesty the King and the Queen's Wedding Anniversary. The surgery has been made at the Ta Muang Hospital in Ta Muang distict of Kanchanaburi province, participated by over 1,000 senior citizens from four districts of the province.

Cataract is the disease that derives from the change of crystalline lens, mostly found in aging people. Reports show that 40,000 new patients infected with cataract are found each year and the treatment is inaccessible due to the insufficiency of specialists and required equipment including the impoverishment of patients.

The Red Cross and related agencies recognize the hardship of the people suffering from cataract. The project has accordingly been launched to ease their sufferings from eye diseases and cataract without charges.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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USABC supports Thai-US business enhancement

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The United States-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) pledges its support in enhancing Thai-US businesses.

Vice President of the US-ASEAN Business Council, Marc Mealy on Thursday led business representatives from 23 leading US companies to meet Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kasit Piromya at the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok.

Mr Kasit extended his appreciation towards the USABC’s interests in enhancing business cooperation with Thailand, despite the ongoing political stalemate. Speaking on behalf of Thailand, Mr Kasit pledged the country's readiness to establish further cooperation with the USABC. The Minister also stresses that the Thai society is administered under the concept of democracy, and welcomes all suggestions from international bodies.

Furthermore, Thailand's rules of law, patent legislation and investment promotion measures were brought up as matters of concern by the US investors during the meeting, in which Mr Kasit's response was that the private sector played important roles in the Thai economy and every business practice adhered to fairness and transparency. The Minister also put emphasizes on the equilibrium of virtue and freedom of expression. All representatives are encouraged to collaborate with the Ministry in order to solve relevant problems.

USABC is the premiere advocacy organization for US corporations operating within the dynamic Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Council’s members include the largest US companies working in ASEAN ranging from Chevron, General Electric, Ford, Google, Time Warner and many others.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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Thais' peaceful nature is viewed as the key factor to national reconciliation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand, Merete Fjeld Brattested is confident that the peaceful and smooth nature of Thai people would contribute to national reconciliation.

Ms Brattested on Friday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Government House on her completion of the term of her diplomatic mission in the Kingdom.

The outgoing Norwegian envoy believes that the situation in Thailand would soon be resolved by the smooth and peaceful nature of the Thai people, while the expertise of the next Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand would help in enhancing outstanding bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Prime Minister extended his appreciation towards Ms Brattested’s good wishes for the country as well as all the hard works she had accomplished during her diplomatic mission here. He bid farewell and wish the Ambassador success in her future tasks.

Ms Brattested had served in her diplomatic missions in Thailand for the second time. In fact, her first daughter was also born in Bangkok, Thailand, ten years ago.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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PM: Thailand must study Cambodian Preah Vihear plan to protect national rights

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the country's agencies concerned must make use of the coming one year to thoroughly assess Cambodia's Preah Vihear management plan in order to protect Thailand's national rights regarding the disputed area near the ancient temple.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee (WHC) on Thursday postponed discussing the plan by one year until its meeting next year in Bahrain.

The issue had been expected to be on the agenda of the 21-member heritage committee meeting Wednesday, but the group dropped the issue Thursday because the UNESCO meeting secretariat had not distributed the document to committee members six weeks ahead of the meeting as required but handed it to members less than 24 hours beforehand.

"During the coming one year period, the relevant agencies must study the Cambodian management plan to give the right recommendation to the WHC, we must study the Cambodian proposals and we must do our best," Mr Abhisit said.

He said Thailand should adhere to the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia on land boundary demarcation under which both sides agree not to carry out any work resulting in changes of environment of the frontier zone, pending the survey and demarcation of the common land boundary.

The premier added that the Thai authorities should strictly observe the MoU by not letting anyone set up communities inside the disputed area.

Mr Abhisit said that he and his Cambodian counterpart, Prime Minister Hun Sen, had agreed that both sides should avoid clashes between their troops and separated bilateral relations from the Preah Vihear conflict.

The prime minister said he may meet Mr Hun Sen next month in Russia but was unsure they could discuss the matter as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing the schedule.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Border Affairs Office of security director Maj-Gen Thiwa Penketgorn said he believed Cambodia might retaliate against Thailand after failing to submit its Preah Vihear management plan to the WHC for approval.

The government must wait to see how retaliation could affect Thailand, he said.

Thai border affairs sources said the Cambodian defence ministry's permanent secretary cancelled plans to meet Thai military officers at the border town of Poi Pet after the heritage committee shifted discussion of the Preah Vihear management plan to next year.

He reportedly said the atmosphere was not appropriate for the meeting.

However, it is believed that fighting would not erupt, in part because it would affect border trade, which is important to both countries.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia.

The site of the historic structure on the disputed Thai-Cambodian border has long been a point of contention between the two neighbours.

On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Under the terms of the listing, Cambodia is required to submit a management plan for WHC approval. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-31

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SLAIN ITALIAN JOURNALIST

Missing devices critial to probe my brother's death

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Published on July 31, 2010

The camera and mobile telephone of slain Italian journalist Fabio Polenghi may provide a clue to how he was killed and who was responsible, his sister Elisabetta Polenghi said yesterday.

She said the missing devices were relevant to the investigation and "the fact that the camera disappeared gave rise to some questions" about who might truly be behind her brother's death.

"I just want to get to the bottom of things," said Polenghi, adding that perhaps it would be years before the truth was uncovered.

Polenghi was speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) yesterday and also submitted a petition letter to the Thai Journalists Association urging assistance in pushing forward the investigation.

Polenghi criticised the Italian government for not having shown persistent interest in pursuing the case. She hoped the case would not turn political.

However, Shawn Crispin, representative for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, warned that there existed a "big political component" in the investigation into the death of Fabio Polenghi, who was shot dead on May 19, and that of Reuters' Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, no matter whether soldiers or non-soldiers killed them.

Crispin said it was crucial that the government "dispense justice", otherwise a culture of impunity would take root and the next time there were clashes, both sides of the conflict might feel tempted to shoot journalists.

He also criticised the government's failure to allow a key witness to talk to an independent investigator on the case of Muramoto and added that the chief of the Department of Special Investigation had refused to answer five questions posted by a representative from Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres.

The fact that the government refused to disclose some information, including forensic facts, raised doubts as to whether some "political cover-up" is taking place, said Crispin, who also spoke at the FCCT yesterday.

A foreign source involved in the Polenghi case told The Nation yesterday that Elisabetta Polenghi felt threatened by some police officers and family members of the source were also worried about his safety.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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MUAY THAI

Local arts and wisdom protected

By The Nation

The Culture Ministry will add 25 traditional arts, wisdom and folklore as well as muay thai to its national intellectual copyright protection list.

It is also creating a database to document another 8,000 traditional arts and knowledge, and will later register them as national treasures to prevent copyright infringement. However, it will continue encouraging further development of the arts and integrating them with modern technology to either preserve them or to profit from them.

Chief of the World Muay Thai Council, Sakchai Thapsuwan, said HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn had paid special interest to preserving muay thai, and has promised to provide support for the development of the martial art.

Next year, traditional wisdom in two fields, namely astrology as well as cultural rites and rituals, will be registered.

Included in the 25 forms to be registered this year are puppetry, likay, weaving, moulding and sculpture-styles for Buddha images, Thai fairytales, farming rituals such as the blessing of rice, as well as ancient references to Siamese cats.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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Heart disease the biggest killer

By The Nation

Heart disease is killing more Thais, and the only way to reduce the risk is to control weight, exercise and develop good eating habits, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit warned yesterday.

He said the mortality rate of heart disease in Thailand was 2.6 per cent, compared to 4.9 per cent in other countries, and the consumption of alcohol, smoking as well as eating excessive fat, sugar and salt were all contributing factors.

Nonthaburi's Chest Disease Institute is the only healthcare provider that offers 24-hour emergency treatment for heart-attack patients. Chiang Mai's Suan Dok, Ubon Ratchathani's Sappha Sitthi Prasong hospital, Phitsanulok's Phuttha Chinnaraj hospital, Songkhla's Hat Yai hospital and Bangkok's Rajvithi Hospital will be upgraded soon to offer round-the-clock service.

The institute will train medical personnel on emergency care as part of a Bt35-billion budget from the Thai Khemkhaeng scheme next year.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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Compensation fund runs dry

By The Nation

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department is running out of money to compensate victims of the red-shirt protest, including the protesters themselves, and is seeking emergency funds from the government.

More than Bt200 million of its regular budget has already been spent and the department is now in a Bt40-million deficit for making advance payments to 150 complainants, including the families of 40 killed during the protests. Another 100 victims on the waiting list are mostly those who sustained injuries.

The department has spent around Bt1.3 billion in compensating up to 18,000 people since it was established in 2002.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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Democrat Party vows to help fix problems with malpractice bill

By The Nation

The Democrat Party yesterday vowed to patch up any differences related to the Medical Malpractice Victim Protection Bill before it is forwarded to Parliament for deliberation.

"We will ensure that the bill not only seeks to protect users of medical services but also reduces medical malpractice lawsuits," Democrat Party's spokesman Dr Buranat Samutrak said yesterday.

He said public forums would be held to gather information from all sides, and only aspects of the bill that are acceptable to all would be forwarded to the Parliament.

This promise came as many doctors stepped up their protest against the bill, which they said would adversely affect relations between patients and medical professionals.

About 200 black-clad doctors and nurses yesterday turned up at the Public Health Ministry's office to express their opposition against the controversial bill.

"We are concerned about a few clauses in the bill, especially those on pursuing criminal complaints against doctors," Dr Pojana Kong-ngern said yesterday in her capacity as chairperson of Federation of Thai Doctors, Main Hospitals and General Hospitals.

She said the bill would sow the seeds of distrust and apprehension medical-service sector.

"We agree that the bill has the good intention of protecting medical malpractice victims, but there are some controversial issues in there too," Pojana said.

According to her, medical workers who disagree with this bill will wear black every Friday in a show of protest. "We will wear black until the bill is amended," she said, adding that she would gather more than 10,000 signatures for seeking amendments, if necessary.

Doctors from various provinces, including Pattani, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi and Buri Ram, joined the protest yesterday.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said the medical personnel were not against patients being protected.

"They just hope they can do their job with peace of mind," he said.

Paijit also expressed confidence that mutual discussions would help the bill move on.

Meanwhile, many non-governmental organisations, including the Lawyers Council of Thailand, have come out to support the bill.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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BOMB BLAST

Bomb injures scavenger at King Power office

By The Nation

A bomb exploded near the Soi Rangnam office of duty-free giant King Power in Bangkok's Phya Thai district early yesterday, seriously injuring a scavenger.

The bomb, which went off at about 1.30am, was planted in a garbage pile - a method similar to a bomb attack near Big C Rajdamri last Sunday. But this time it was a Chinese-made hand grenade that was used, while the Big C bomb attack relied on a US-made M67 grenade.

The unnamed victim, who is about 35-40 years old, was seriously wounded. Rajvithee Hospital, which is treating the victim in an intensive care unit, said the chance of his surviving was about 10 per cent.

A two-hour meeting of police and military officers was held yesterday morning to discuss investigation methods and security measures to prevent future bomb attacks. City administration and military officers are expected to be mobilised to keep a watchful eye on garbage-disposal sites and garbage piles.

After the meeting, Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Santhan Chayanont said collection times and other aspects of garbage collection might need to be changed to minimise the chance of attackers hiding bombs in garbage dumps and piles.

The detonation method of the King Power bomb was different from previous attacks. The safety lever was held with rubber bands soaked with petrol to release the lever slowly. He said this technique was intended by the attackers to confuse the public.

Asked whether he had a word for "an old man" he frequently referred to as a possible mastermind behind various bomb attacks, Santhan said: "I'd rather arrest him this time, I don't want to curse and scold him any more."

Police said there were nine security cameras near the blast site, but they had not found footage showing any suspicious act or anyone planting the grenade in the garbage pile.

Chief investigator Pol General Phanupong Singhara na Ayutthaya said police would in the meantime work on both bomb cases, and it had not been decided whether they would be taken over by the Department of Special Investigation.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the Defence Ministry had been assigned to boost intelligence work to curb bomb attacks.

Just hours before the attack, the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation had designated Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan to take charge of intelligence gathering and security, he said. The CRES also instructed the Royal Thai Police, the lead agency in charge of security in the capital, to increase cooperation with the military for peacekeeping operations.

Prawit was scheduled to hold an intelligence meeting this morning aimed at detecting and foiling any bomb attacks.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva later warned of possible further bomb attacks in Bangkok.

"It's likely that the bomb was aimed at inciting unrest," Abhisit said. "The overall assessment and evaluation of the situation is that more bomb attacks are likely at this time."

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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PHRA VIHARN CONTROVERSY

Suwit manages to buy time

By The Nation

World Heritage Committee delays considering temple plan to next year/Thai delegation produces crucial evidence but worries over country's 'villain' image

Thailand had a "narrow escape" for the second year in a row as Unesco's World Heritage Committee agreed to delay considering Phnom Penh's proposed management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple until next year.

Swayed by strong protests by the Thai delegation, last-minute "evidence" of fresh territorial conflicts, and probably concerned that the Thai-Cambodian diplomatic row could spiral out of control, the committee decided to defer the issue.

A Thai security official familiar with the case revealed yesterday that there were some crucial pieces of evidence behind Thailand's latest success.

"They [the evidence] are our trump card," he said.

He revealed that these pieces include photos showing Cambodia's military and weapons build-up near the Preah Vihear Temple. The ancient Hindu sanctuary has been inscribed a World Heritage Site since 2008.

"There is also a map prepared by the Royal Thai Survey Department. This map clearly shows that the map included in the Cambodian management plan encroached on areas under Thai sovereignty," the same source added.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the security official said the Thai delegation, led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, initially had no intention to rebuff Cambodia by producing these crucial pieces of evidence.

"But we had to do it at the last minute because Cambodia has refused to let us see the map annexed to its management plan," he said.

He said Thai security authorities would continue to stick to their current stance that the management plan of Preah Vihear should be put on hold until Thailand and Cambodia complete demarcation of their shared borders.

Meanwhile, a source at the Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed concern that the tough stance taken by Thailand had made the country look pretty much like a "villain" on the international stage.

"The tough stance has prevented us from winning greater sympathy," the source said.

Cambodia has constantly campaigned about Preah Vihear and showed to the international community how much it was proud of this national treasure.

"During the past year, it has showed to the world what it has done for the conservation and development of the Preah Vihar temple. Its lobbying campaigns have also gone on actively, especially among big countries,' the source said.

The source lamented that Thailand, so far, had done nothing new to increase its persuasiveness.

"If Thailand does not have a new strategy, the Cambodian management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple will finally get the green light from the World Heritage Committee in the future anyway," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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FOOTBALL

All Stars promise entertaining game

By The Nation

Piyapong Piewon has bolstered his options by calling up three more players including national midfielder Suchao Nutnum for the Thailand Premier League All Stars team to face Spanish club Atletico Madrid in tomorrow's PTT Thailand Invitation match.

PEA Buriram player Suchao along with Pattaya United's Ludovic, currently the league's top scorer with 10 goals, and Santi Chaiyaphauk yesterday joined the rest of TPL All Stars squad in training at Rajamangala National stadium, the venue for the fixture against the Europa League champions.

With the addition of the trio, the number of All Stars - who will get the chance to rub shoulders with big names like Portuguese winger Simao and Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi - grew to 31.

Former national striker Piyapong promised the game, which will be screened on Channel7 at 5pm, would be worth watching.

"Entertaining the fans will be our priority," said Piyapong. "Personally I'm not that bothered about the result. I just want the crowd to enjoy the game. I believe we can give Atletico a good test."

The Spanish club's chief executive, Miguel Angel Gil, said the exhibition was part of a strategy to raise Atletico's profile in the Asian market and he confirmed that fans would see new signing Luis Felipe in action.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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WEEKEND BRUNCH

His job is to know what you think

By Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

Dr Noppadol Kannikar, the director of Abac Poll and one of Thailand's leading pollsters, is taking the business of gauging public opinion to the regional cross-border level. The first-ever Asean Poll, covering Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore, is expected to be released early next year.

"We plan to measure Asean's consumer confidence, gauge public opinion on the performance of top government officials such as prime ministers and presidents, as well as cover a diverse range of social, cultural and other issues.

"We've reached a preliminary agreement with partner institutes such as the Philippines' Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Malaysia's University of Utar.

"In addition, Dr Mahar Mangahas of SWS has been helping us to network with other units in the other Asean countries. We also expect Vietnam to join later on.

"Each of the national partner institutes will take about 1,000 samplings to gauge public perceptions on topical economic, political and other issues such as enforcement of laws and justice, cultural diversity in the Asean region or economic integration [under the Asean Economic Community or AEC programme].

"We'll also focus on Asean consumers, their lifestyles, spending patterns, as well as their confidence in the economic outlook or their income stability.

"Or we could gauge Asean population's confidence in the pace of economic recovery or their expectation of the 2015 single market, which will lead to freer flow of trade and investment across national borders.

"The Asean Poll is also aimed at serving international investors targeting the vast Asean population, as well as those planning to create an Asean brand identity.

"The first poll should be done in the first quarter of next year to provide a comprehensive interconnected picture of the first five Asean countries," says Dr Noppadol, who will be coordinating the management of Asean Poll from Cornell University in New York.

A 13-year veteran of Abac Poll, part of Thailand's Assumption University, Noppadol, who already has a PhD, will be doing what he calls a "post-doctoral master's degree" at Cornell, starting later this year.

"It's a scholarship for a public administration programme at Cornell, where I will focus on cross-border policy research to complement the undertaking of the Asean Poll. I'm prepared to work the two time zones, New York and Bangkok, using teleconference and other communication technologies.

"At Abac Poll, we have a staff of 70 plus another 200-300 field workers. They will be working with counterpart institutes in other Asean countries to produce the Asean Poll.

"In the meantime, the Abac Poll will continue to focus on Thai politics and related public opinions. The Asean Poll will initially focus on regional social innovation, consumers and business analysis. In addition, we have been doing the Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) index on a monthly basis since 2006. The latest Jun indicator is over 6 out of the base of 10, so the Thai people in general are still somewhat happy despite the ongoing political challenges.

"For the Thai population, we've found that early adopters of HM the King's sufficiency economic philosophy are 4-5 times happier than those who have not adopted it.

"We also plan to do an Asean happiness index, which could also be based on our GDH index.

"In my opinion, the Asean happiness index should cover quality of life, consumption, the environment, social justice, education, physical and mental health and other issues in the region," he says.

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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Phuket eyes ‘huge’ medical tourism boom

Dr Wirat Seetamanotch said Phuket stands to win big on medical tourism.

PHUKET: -- Medical and healthcare providers on the island can expect to get a large slice of the 402.9 billion baht that the Ministry of Health (MoH) expects Thailand’s medical tourism industry to rake in over the next five years.

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Tea Banh rules out joint development

By Panya Tiewsangwan

The Nation

The World Heritage Committee's decision to delay the Preah Vihear management issue to next year must have hit Cambodia hard, but Phnom Penh's Defence Minister Tea Banh took it on the chin, albeit quite bitterly.

"We know from history what the issue is like," he told The Nation in a phone interview. "What has happened doesn't give any new signal. It's an old issue, nothing new."

While saying that the Unesco setback will not create military tension at the border, Tea Banh, who is also deputy prime minister, couldn't help feeling Thailand could have just stopped being "stubborn" and learned to "let go".

"To us it's deja vu all over again. Thailand has never let go in spite of the World Court verdict and Thais have tried everything" to oppose Cambodian rights over the temple, he said.

Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, who demonstrated at the Bangkok head office of Unesco yesterday against Cambodia's management plan for the temple, cheered the World Heritage Committee's decision. But observers believe the one-year postponement is unlikely to soften the PAD's sometimes vociferous campaign for Thai territorial claims around the temple.

It was the PAD's strong protests that galvanised the government to resort to tough diplomacy that saw Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva threatening this week to sever ties with the Unesco committee.

The World Heritage Committee, part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, had been scheduled to rule on Thursday on the Cambodian management plan for the 11th-century Hindu temple. But at the meeting in Brasilia, the Thai-Cambodian conflict flared up. As a result, the 21-member committee decided to postpone the decision until next year's meeting in Bahrain, after Thai accusations of procedural errors.

"The Thais know best what they want and I can't speak for them," Tea Banh said. "You don't have to ask me what caused the delay after Thailand threatened to end its Unesco membership.

"Should this conflict be mediated by a third party? I really don't want to comment. Let me just say if one side refuses to accept truth, it will be very difficult to move on."

The stone Hindu temple ruins were listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site two years ago and Phnom Penh was required to submit a management plan to the committee. Thai opponents of the management plan feared it "hid" some sensitive territorial information that would bolster Cambodia's territorial claims in the future.

"Cambodia never thinks about violating Thailand's sovereignty," Tea Banh said. When asked if a joint development of the site would be a solution, he replied: "There are principles for everything. You cannot try to be co-owners of properties you don't have rights over them."

-- The Nation 2010-07-31

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Food & Beverage Show 2010 kicks off in Phuket

PHUKET (NNT) -- Phuket Food & Beverage Show 2010 has started off in the southern Phuket Island in a bid to enhance skills of food and hospitality industry's staff as well as to elevate service standard.

Phuket Governor, Wichai Phraisa-ngop on Friday presided over the “Phuket Food & Beverage Show 2010” being held during 30 July – 1 August 2010 by the Food & Beverage Manager Club Andaman, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office as well as the Southern Thai Hotel Association.

The event has been held for 20 consecutive years with various competitions for food and hospitality staff, ranging from bartender competition for both professional and amateur bartenders located in the southern Thailand. As for 2010, contestants are tasked to come up with the new cocktail recipes with a mixture of the cashew fruit juice, which will soon be promoted as the landmark of Phuket.

There will also be several other activities comprising competitions of seafood cooking, fruit and vegetable carving, fancy towel folding, ice sculpturing as well as a trade show of hotel supplies.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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HM the King follows up on water situation this year

BANGKOK (NNT) -- His Majesty the King granted an audience to executives of the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAIL), Ministry of Science and Technology, led by Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Honorary Chairman of the Board, to follow up on water situation in Thailand last year and this year, climate change and weather condition this year.

On this occasion, HAIL also reported to His Majesty the improvement of the Telemetering Stations for automatic monitoring of weather condition, and the telemetry system to support the management of drought problems, and results of the 3rd competition on community water resource management in accordance with His Majesty the King’s royal initiative, and asked for His Majesty’s advice on the operation of the Institute.

HAIL came into being at the initiative of His Majesty the King in 1998, as an information center for the management of water resource in Thailand, with the support from government agencies and related units both in Thailand and abroad. The data had been put to actual use since 2002. The operation has been extended and developed into a modern database on Thailand’s weather condition to help in decision making process in water resource management.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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PM opens Democrat’s seminar on reconciliation in Phuket

BANGKOK, 30 July 2010 (NNT) — Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has presided over a seminar held by the Democrat Party in the southern province of Phuket with an aim to gather public opinions regarding national reconciliation.

Prime Minister Abhisit, in his capacity as the leader of the Democrat Party, was accompanied by party executives, MPs and ministers during the opening of the seminar at the Merlin Beach Resort in Phuket province today at 10.00 hrs. The event is being organized from 30 July–1 August 2010.

The agenda of the seminar includes discussion on the importance of national reconciliation, talks to find solutions to current problems of the nation as well as brainstorming for the establishment of political networks.

Meanwhile, residents of Phuket are welcome to participate and contribute to the national reconciliation plan by giving out opinions and suggestions, which will be compiled by the Democrat MPs for presentation to various relevant panels. The MPs will also be assigned to use the gathered input for conducting further public hearing in their respected provinces.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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Govt intends to lift State of Emergency as soon as possible

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva confirms that the Government will consider lifting the State of Emergency in the remaining areas as soon as possible while the Metropolitan Police wants the law to be retained.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the Government intended to deactivate the Emergency Decree in all areas as quickly as possible but still could not specify the exact time. The Government is trying to ensure the stability of the situation and is not considering extending the special law any further.

After the latest bombing incident in Bangkok on Friday, Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanont viewed that the Government should keep the State of Emergency in effect due to a series of recurring unrest instigations at present.

Acting Police Chief Police General Pateep Tanprasert has instructed all units to tighten the security by adding more checkpoints and patrol officers around the city.

The State of Emergency now remains effective in 10 provinces, comprising Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen and Samut Prakan.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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PM Refutes Cambodia's Claim about Preah Vihear

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who represented Cambodia at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil, claimed the country's management plan of Preah Vihear Temple has received approval by the meeting.

However, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva still uphold earlier news reports that the review of the management plan has been postponed to next year's World Heritage Committee meeting in Bahrain. He told reporters to go back and read the resolution of the World Heritage Committee meeting carefully.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-31

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Thai economy resumes accelerated growth rate in June

Tourism recovers more rapidly than expected

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MRTA follows up BTS extension projects, seeks new governor

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will expedite pending extension projects for the BTS Skytrain and has formed a panel for seeking a new governor.

During its board meeting, the MRTA was instructed to closely follow up the progress of the BTS Purple Line, from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, and the Blue Line, from Bang Sue to Tha Phra. The first project is presently in the expropriation process, in which all compensations have been paid to the residents, and is expected to be completed in 2014. The latter has been proceeded past the concession bidding stage and will likely be finished in 2015.

Meanwhile, the MRTA Board also elected Assistant Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Somyos Poompanmuang as the chair of an ad-hoc committee for finding a new governor to supersede Mr Chukiat Pothayanuwat, who had passed away.

The appointment of the new MRTA governor is expected in mid-November while the application period will start in August. The preliminary qualifications include a background in engineering.

-- NNT 2010-07-31

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Phuket reservoir projects get green light

From left, PPIO Director Weerawat Aungsupanith,a representative

of the Royal Irrigation Department,Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop,

Kathu Mayor Chaianan Suthikul and Phuket Vice Governor Teerayut Eimtrakul

gave the go ahead for two reservoir projects on July 30.

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Fire Torches Getvadi Beauty School in Pratunam

Fire broke out from the sixth floor of the Getvadi School for hair styling, located in the Pratunam area between Soi Petchaburi 31 and 33. The fire has spread through the Beautiful Optical Store next door and to an empty shophouse behind.

Officials are still trying to control the blaze and reports say one elderly person is still trapped inside the building. There is also a visible collapse of parts of the building.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-31

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PM to Decide on House Dissolution in 4 Months

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been quoted by INN News Agency as saying he will give MPs 4 months' time to prepare and by that time, if the situation in the country has returned to normal, he will consider a House dissolution.

He has also asked Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to compile a list of names of MPs who often miss Parliament sessions.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-31

[george]

Bangkok fire update:

Fire at Petchburi31, 2 seniors trapped inside were rescued(caught from Salon school), now contained, Firemen still attending.

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Thai-Cambodia border 'normal' but Thai military on high alert

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Thai lawyer & Russian collude in extortion attempt