Thailand Live Monday 2 Aug 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Monday 2 August 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 Sunday 1 August 2010

[webfact]

Aides of late Maj-Gen Khattiya as suspects in Big C bombing

BANGKOK: -- Police revealed photographs of several men suspected of involvement in the bombing at a bus stop at Big C department store in Ratchadamri Road last Sunday evening saying they are close aides of the late Red Shirt military strategist army Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol.

The suspects are believed to be linked to several bombings in Bangkok including those outside Big C Ratchadamri on July 25 and opposite the King Power duty free shopping complex in Rangnam Road on July 30.

Pol Lt-Gen Santhan Chayanont, metropolitan police commissioner said that the men depicted were a van syndicate figure and close aides of the slain general.

Police are tracing them -- particularly Mr Pad whose last name is unknown. The suspect's telephone number was found in a Honda car parked at an apartment and he is believed to be a key link in the bombing case.

Investigators in the Big C bombing on Sunday gathered testimony from a female witness, Pathipak Ekapiwat. She said that her younger brother, now in Cambodia, knew the suspects.

Pol Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayutthaya, chief advisor of the national police, said that inspection of the bomb remains indicated that the circuitry used in the July 25 bomb which exploded at Big C shopping mall was similar to that used in four earlier incidents.

The explosion left one person dead and 10 wounded.

Regarding a bomb in a garbage bin near a duty-free shopping centre on Bangkok’s Rangnam Road which occurred last Friday, Gen Panupong said closed circuit television in the area recorded a picture of a suspect.

He said the case is linked to a bombing outside the home of the chairman of the Election Commission. About 30 bomb experts and retired officials are being invited to a meeting Monday to help provide details on the bomb.

An M-59 hand grenade was used in last Friday’s incident at the King Power duty-free shopping center, leaving a rubbish scavenger hospitalised in critical condition with shrapnel in his head. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-08-02

[webfact]

PM: Govt not inciting terror

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has denied an allegation made by the Opposition that the Government is inciting terror by publicizing the news about M79 grenades found inside Government House premise on Saturday.

Prime Minister Abhisit downplayed the speculation made by Puea Thai MP, Jatuporn Prompan, also Deputy Chairperson of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), that the Government wanted to create a situation for certain purposes.

The Prime Minister clarified that the grenades discovered were hurled into Government House on 10 April 2010. He narrated that the first one fell on the rooftop while the other fell into the sewer, and they were later found by a Government House caretaker.

Regarding fake bombs found in the eastern province of Chon Buri, Prime Minister Abhisit confirmed that it would not affect the decision of the Government to have the state of emergency scrapped in the remaining provinces.

The Prime Minister noted that related units had already been assigned to evaluate the situation to see if the special law should be revoked or not. He admitted that UDD movements could be found in some provinces, where the security law was already lifted, but they were peaceful.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Govt urged to put Preah Vihear issue as national agenda

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The opposition Pheu Thai Party has suggested that the Government should take the Preah Vihear Temple as a national agenda, allowing all sides to take part in solving the problem for national benefits.

Opposition Pheu Thai Party Spokesperson, Prompong Nopparit, stated that the Government should not ignore or neglect this controversial problem because of its fragility to bilateral ties and border issues between Thailand and Cambodia.

Mr Prompong then encouraged that the Government should solve this problem in an integrated manner by appointing a specific national panel to brainstorm ideas and devise strategies, similar to the national reform panel.

The spokesperson stressed that solutions must be made supremely for the interest of the nation and people without any division.

The World Heritage Committee (WHC) of the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) earlier resolved to postpone the unilateral management plan proposed by Cambodia to its meeting next year in Bahrain.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Poll: Preah Vihear issue affects Thai-Cambodian ties

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Thai people deem the Preah Vihear Temple issue a main cause weakening relations between Thailand and Cambodia, according to a recent survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll of Rajabhat Suan Dusit University.

Suan Dusit Poll on Sunday reported the result of its survey on the topic: “Opinions about the Preah Vihear Temple Issue”, conducted with 1,148 respondents nationwide from 30 July to 1 August 2010.

The majority of the respondents, or 48.51%, said it was the main cause turning the strong ties of both countries sour. They also wanted both sides to hold peaceful negotiations leading to satisfactory agreements in order to end the conflict.

Regarding threats from the issue, 40.18% of the respondents were afraid that the issue would lead to disputes between the two countries. Others were worried that Thailand would lose the overlapping areas around the Preah Vihear Temple and border clashes between troops could follow accordingly.

As for solutions, 32.96% of the respondents urged the Royal Thai Government to urgently publicize correct information among Thai and foreign people.

In addition, people in the survey wanted the Government to prepare all related evidences, including maps and demarcation layouts to protect the Thai sovereignty as well as monitor movements of the Cambodian side closely.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Thai econ may suffer from 2 recent bomb blasts

NAKHON RATCHASIMA (NNT) -- A series of bomb explosions in Bangkok might negatively affect the Thai economy despite the current global economic recovery, said former Deputy Prime Minister and Ruam Chart Pattana Party core leader, Suwat Liptapanlop.

According to Mr Suwat, the Thai economic condition has improved after the prolonged rallies of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) ended a few months ago.

Businesses have resumee while the tourism climate has become more active with more foreign visitors.

Nevertheless, the former Deputy Prime Minister admitted that the two recent bomb blasts in Bangkok might damage the improving confidence since it signals further unrest in the kingdom while Thai people’s feeling could be badly affected.

One deadly bombing incident took place in front of BigC super store at Ratchadamri while the other exploded opposite the King Power Complex in Soi Rang Nam.

Mr Suwat hence suggested that the Government should seek and adopt stricter security measures in a bid to prevent further unrest in the society. Importantly, people should also give good cooperation and help find a way to bring peace back as fast as possible, he said.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Cambodia: We will proceed 'urgently' with Preah Vihear plan

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Cambodia said yesterday that Thailand failed all of its efforts to derail the Preah Vihear's management plan since the World Heritage Committee's decision to delay consideration of the plan's documents would never impede the implementation of temple conservation.

There is no requirement that the Committee approves the plan because the role of the World Heritage Committee is not to approve or disapprove any progress report or Management Plan submitted by a state party, but to review those documents in order to take note, said a statement from Cambodia's Office of the Council of Ministers.

"The conservation work is too important to be delayed," it said.

Cambodia also released yesterday a summary of the result of the 34th World Heritage Committee meeting to show that the committee has recognised its reports on the management plan and its progress.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his weekly television program that the delay was Thailand's success to block Cambodia's move to claim its right over the disputed border areas adjacent to the Preah Vihear.

Thailand and Cambodia were in the loggerhead over the controversial temple again over the past week during the World Heritage meeting in Brazil.

Thai delegation was worried Cambodia might take areas which are the subject of border dispute to be the buffer zone of the listed temple and complained it did not have enough time to study Cambodia's report.

As both sides failed to reach any common ground at the session last week, the committee decided to allow additional time for the distribution and consideration of the documents, which will be discussed at the next session next year.

"This decision in no way impedes our implementation of the management plan," Cambodia's government spokesman Phay Siphan said in a phone interview from Phnom Penh.

"We should not say it is a victory or failure of anybody but it is our obligation to conserve the heritage of human being," he said.

The Thai argument is irrational as the management plan and report on the conservation of the Phrea Vihear were delivered to the World Heritage Centre in January 2010 and after having the reports for 3 days, the Thai delegation had no substantive comment on the report, he said.

Cambodia would continue the implementation of the plan such as the convening of a preliminary meeting for the setting up of an international coordinating committee (ICC), the spokesman said.

"There is no single word in the (world heritage committee) decision to refrain Cambodia from doing the jobs," he said.

In fact, Cambodia obligated to invite Thailand and not more than seven other parties to sit in the ICC but Thailand declined the invitation while China, India, US, Japan, France and Australia have already agreed to join.

Thailand should have nothing to worry about its right over the border dispute since world heritage inscription would never affect the boundary claim, Phay Siphan said. The boundary demarcation would continue. Cambodia appreciated and would respect the work of joint boundary committee, he said.

Asked if Cambodian people disappointed with Thailand's move on the Preah Vihear, Phay Siphan said the people in Cambodia understood the situation that majority of Thai people disagreed with the government. "Prime Minister Abhisit's wish might be against the Thai people's will," he said.

"Among people of two nations, we are neighbours and hope to live in peace together," he said.

Defend Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said Thailand and Cambodia have no military tension as both sides have no plan to boost number of forces in the border areas near the Preah Vihear and they remained good relations.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Blasts linked to Seh Daeng team: police

By The Nation

Suspects behind the fatal Big C Rajdamri bomb attack have been linked to a group with ties to the late rogue Army specialist Khattiya Sawasdiphol, Bangkok police chief Pol Lt General Santhan Chayanont said yesterday.

But a bomb attack near dutyfree giant King Power office could be linked to a bombrelated case in Prachachuen jurisdiction earlier this year, judging from the way the explosives were modified, he said.

Asked at a press conference whether the two groups were operating at the command of the same masterminds, senior investigator Pol General Phanuphong Singhara na Ayutthaya said it was too early to reach such a conclusion.

In the same press conference, Santhan revealed that a woman - Pathiphak Ekaphiwat - was linked to the discovery of a cache of explosives in Khok Kham police area in May. He said police traced her moves after the Big C blast, but did not say how police linked her to the two latest grenade attacks.

Patiphak, 41, was allegedly found to be involved two other incidents after police discovered another three bombrelated dramas before the redshirt protests in May - in areas overseen by Pathum Wan, Bang Chan and Nang Lerng police.

Police said she implicated three other people - her brother Thanadej, Kittisak Sumsri, and another man only known as Sek. Police said the three were employed by a group of owners of commuter vans.

The officers said Patiphak also implicated a man known as Phan, believed to be "a person in uniform". All the tipoffs provided by Patiphak led police to a number of suspects in a bomb attack near a Bangkok Bank branch in Silom, including an unnamed young man and a coordinator known as Kai.

"They are all linked to Major General Khattiya, who was operating under command of 'the old man'," the Bangkok police commander said. "You need to interpret [my hint] about the [identity of the] old man yourself," he said.

Santhan said Thanadej was now in hiding along the ThaiCambodian border, and had expressed "thanks" to Patiphak for her cooperation.

He said he was considering "taking action" against her as a suspect, before she volunteered the information.

The Department of Special Investigation has taken over the case, and Santhan said, it was up to the DSI whether to immediately seek arrest warrants for all the people police had identified, or to continue to gather more evidence against them.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said a dud M79 grenade found at Government House last Saturday was fired into the compound in the runup to the redshirt protests in April.

"There were two duds fired into the compound, possibly on April 10. One was found already on a roof, and the one found last Saturday - found in a gutter. There is nothing new about it," the PM said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Stem-cell patient dies in Bangkok

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Death of woman, 46, followed treatment at private clinic

[webfact]

SWU centre to expand services,train doctors

By The Nation

Panyananthaphikkhu Chonprathan Medical Centre of Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) is to turn itself into a national 'excellence centre' and set up a medical school to produce doctors for nationwide service.

At present, SWU focuses on providing treatment for kidney patients, people with eye disorders and the disabled.

In future, apart from providing treatment, the centre will run programmes to protect people from kidney disease.

The centre will also set up facilities to train doctors and health science graduates, with research implemented on a national basis.

SWU will hold a press conference today to publicly announce the centre's expanded role and plans.

The centre was formerly known as Chonprathan Hospital - named after a highly respected monk, Panyananthaphikkhu, to commemorate his death. It's in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

For readers, now there's Mini TK

By The Nation

Bookworms and people who miss the relaxed atmosphere of a living library - Thailand Knowledge Park, known as TK Park after it was shut for renovation - can now enjoy reading and other activities at Mini TK instead.

Mini TK has been open to visitors free of charge since July 23 on the ground floor of the office building called Offices at CentralWorld, from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 7pm.

TK Park's members can borrow books from the Mini TK as well.

Tatsanai Wongpisethkul, directorgeneral of TK Park said the 250square metres of Mini TK had been decorated similarly to TK Park. There were various types of books and educational media for visitors of different ages.

TK Park, inside CentralWorld shopping complex, was shut for renovation after the shopping complex was burned and TK Park damaged during the military crackdown on redshirt protesters in midMay.

Four zones are provided to serve visitors inside Mini TK- reading park, silent corner, IT corner and child corner. Visitors can enjoy activities, such as art of living, music talk, movie update and IT tips, said Tatsanai.

Online magazine, Read Me Egazine, created by young writers of TK, was launched officially on July 23. Readers can download free of charge from www.tkpark.or.th.

Tatsanai said Mini TK was set up to serve visitors to TK Park while it is under renovation.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

CHALK TALK

Student participation vital part of university learning

By The Nation

There are a great number of new graduates coming out of universities with bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees each year. But do all have the qualities expected of them?

It is known that to study at university is to learn, to perceive and to understand the world in a particular academic field.

However, higher education should bring much more than academic understanding and academic knowledge. University graduates are expected to have acquired analytical skills, selfdiscipline, communication skills, ability to collaborate, questioning attitudes, as well as flexible learning capabilities too.

Students may bring different backgrounds and expectations to university. But upon their graduation, they all must demonstrate a certain level of competence in academic discourse and practical skills.

According to a handbook for teaching and learning in higher education, the learning process at campus level may involve mastering abstract principles, understanding proofs, remembering factual information, acquiring methods, techniques and approaches, recognition, reasoning, debating ideas, or developing behaviour appropriate to specific situations.

The most important outcome in higher education is knowledge.

In my opinion, learning in the highereducational years is also about individual transformation that empowers the learners to actively construct their knowledge and shape how they reflect, think, and transform priori knowledge to their further understanding of subject matters.

Therefore, the highereducational institutes should organise various and proper learning environments for their students. A good setting should improve students' abilities to relate new concepts to their experiences, make them see the differences between new ideas and existing knowledge, and allow them to critically evaluate and determine key themes and concepts.

In preparing a course syllabus, university lecturers should first of all keep in mind that there are various strategies that can be used and opt for the best. Next, the lecturers should understand that their students must be encouraged to engage with and take great responsibility for their learning. This means the course designs and selection of teaching/learning stuff should be prepared in a way that helps the learner actively construct knowledge as well as to think, act, create and innovate at relatively high level.

At universities, students must abandon their old way of rotelearning. It's time for them to learn how to participate, organise, and express their thoughts in class discussions. Lecturers must not control, but guide, their students in learning.

According to available studies, the best teaching method for higher education is to let students learn through active involvement, practical experience and reflection or thinking about the learning.

In short, the aim of teaching and learning in university is to create the students' understanding of knowledge and subject matters via participation, negotiation and dialogue. Such pedagogy is the activities of educating or teaching which impart knowledge or skill. The main pedagogical task at university is not to transmit knowledge but to develop in human beings in three dimensions of being: knowledge, selfidentity and action.

But has Thailand's highereducational sector embraced such philosophy? Or is it just thinking about whether a certain programme is financially viable and which programme sells best?

Please set the money matters aside. Really, educators need to focus on what their students should get by the time of their graduation.

Priyakorn Pusawiro

Learning Scientist

Computer Engineering Department, KMUTT

[email protected]

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Patravadi school helps young flowers bloom

By Achara Deboonme,

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

Hua Hin

Good teachers need basic knowledge and artistic skills, according to artist Patravadi Mejudhon, who spoke about what inspired her to start an alternative school in Hua Hin with the help from other art teachers.

At the private boarding school Patravadi High (Hua Hin), 15 teachers - five of them with artistic skills including Wannasak "Kuck" Sirilar, who is staging his solo act "Chailai Goes to War" - are grooming 30 students on the 30rai school. Wannasak is a science teacher.

Children will learn if they open up their eyes and ears, Patravadi said. But some shut down because of fears about teachers, particularly in English and science classes. Actors, however, learn how to project their voices, and the voices can gain students' attention. Once open up, they begin to learn.

"Artists are trained to do many things. The Education Ministry's curriculum is good. But like the Five Precepts, we need good teachers to instil the kids with this knowledge. We have to take into account the fact that we need different approaches for each student," Patravadi said in an interview.

The school has just started this semester with 30 students - 14 in Grade 10 and 15 in Grades 8 and 11. Among them were five students who got scholarships, worth up to Bt280,000 a year, due to their outstanding artistic skills. These students are from Chiang Rai, Ratchaburi and Bangkok.

Next year, when 30 more students of different grades will be recruited, a Pathum Thani student who excels in singing will join them. A nursery is also envisaged, but the school plans to limit the number of students at 100.

"Kids are individuals. We can just mould them one by one. All of them are learning hard stuff like students at conventional schools, but here we apply artistic skills in developing their individual characters," she said.

Patravadi insisted that though artistic skills are taught, her school does not aim to create artists. It is dedicated instead to promote pleasant learning experiences.

Each morning, the students enrol into academic classes and in the afternoon they enjoy nonacademic classes - like music, painting, sewing, cooking, and farming. One day, after the French class, they learn how to screen Tshirts. On another, after chemistry taught in a room where chemical elements are painted on the floor for easy understanding, they learn how to cook Mediterranean food.

When the theatre nearby needs supporters, they volunteer enthusiastically. Some were seen singing the chorus for "Chailai Goes to War", or helping as musicians or backstage.

Occasionally, they are all transported in a big bus to a site to learn things firsthand.

Kids are encouraged to make mistakes, to allow coaching. Patravadi, who sometimes attends class with students, considers herself the leader of the gang.

Teachers work equally hard to ensure a balance of academic and nonacademic knowledge. On a daily basis, in the evening, teachers discuss their techniques and plan strategies for the next day. Patravadi herself is the teaching captain and acts as one of three English teachers.

At the school, which has certificates of endorsement from the Education Ministry, students are subject to writing tests to assess their understanding in subjects. One byproduct is teachers also learn how good or bad their knowledge of English or Thai language is. To the head teacher, it's like two tests in one.

Patravadi personally coaches teachers and runs daily assessments on students. It was surprising to find that a student who performed well in classes one day, could be slow on others. Teachers aim to find out what influenced him/her on particular days.

She also encourages all students, who are techsavvy with personal notebooks, to write on Facebook every day - something short or long, so she can scrutinise their language and behaviour.

"My motto is nobody's stupid. They just lack opportunities to reach their optimum," the veteran actress said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

'A novelist's fantasy'

Published on August 2, 2010

Robert Amsterdam responds to Somtow's article

[webfact]

What to do with the Baht? Perhaps we should look to lessons from the past

[webfact]

UAE to suspend Blackberry services from October

Dubai/Riyadh - The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said it would suspend messaging and internet browsing services on Blackberry devices from October over security concerns, as an official in Saudi Arabia indicated the country might introduce a similar ban.

The data from the smart phone device "is immediately exported off-

shore, where it is managed by a foreign, commercial organization," which was "causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE," according to a statement from the UAE's tecommunications regulator.

Etisalat, a mobile carrier providing Blackberry services in the UAE, said it was in contact with the regulator about the decision.

"Etisalat will soon be announcing a range of alternative mobility products and services for its existing blackberry customers," the company said in a statement.

Meanwhile an official from Saudi Arabia's Communication and Information Technology Commission meanwhile told the German Press Agency (DPA) Sunday that a ban on Blackberry messaging services could come into effect this month.

India and some other governments have also expressed concern with the data management and said the method of tight encryption used on the Blackberry network could be a security threat.

The Canadian Research in Motion (RIM), which makes the Blackberry, has not yet commented on the UAE announcement. The network has some 46 million users worldwide, according to the company's last quarterly statement.

In the last report, the company said "restrictions on import and use of RIM's products in certain countries due to encryption of the products and services" could affect future financial performance

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Democrat to punish MPs absent from house meetings

BANGKOK (NNT) – The ruling Democrat Party will punish its MPs failing to attend parliamentary sessions, especially the upcoming deliberation of the 2011 budget bill, said Government Chief Whip Witthaya Kaewparadai.

Mr Witthaya said that Democrat MPs should be responsible for their duties and attend meetings. He announced that the party would bring names of absent MPs to the consideration of the party’s meeting. Punishment possibly includes removing their names from the next general election.

The Government Chief Whip admitted that house dissolution could be another method to solve the lack of quorum problem as well.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced his concerns over the frequent lacks of quorum in lower house meetings, leading to several adjournments.

Mr Witthaya however voiced his confidence that the 2011 budget bill would sail through Parliament smoothly with adequate supporting votes from government MPs amid concerns over rumors that the opposition would buy Government MPs.

The Government Chief Whip then demanded that the opposition express their stance on all draft laws under deliberation. He added that he had discussed the matter with House Speaker Chai Chidchob and his deputies about the regulations to count the meeting quorum. According to him, there were several occasions that opposition MPs did not indicate their presence although they were in the House sitting.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Tight security at Government House on first workday after M-79 grenades found in drainage ditch Saturday /via @MCOTEnglishnews

[webfact]

Red lawyer to appeal for terrorist suspects Korkaew Pikultong and Weng Tojirakan's bail tomorrow by adhering to the same method as Veera /via @TAN_Network

Minister Suwit returns from World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil saying Thailand achieves progress in Preah Vihear issue, thanks Thais for support /via @MCOT News

[webfact]

Thai Airways and Singapore's Tiger to form budget carrier

[webfact]

Sex crimes rise in Malaysia

Sexual crimes are on the rise in Malaysia, with almost half the victims being

children and teenage girls below 16 years old. --ST FILE PHOTO

[webfact]

Children-mothers get ½ bus fares in Aug

BANGKOK (NNT) -- To celebrate the National Mother’s Day on 12 August, the Transport Co. Ltd (TCL) has launched a half-the-price promotion for children and mothers traveling together on its buses during the month of August

According to TCL Managing Director, Wuthichart Kalayamitra, both children and mothers are required to show their ID cards and house registration to prove their status before receiving the discount at ticket offices at all bus terminals nationwide.

This promotion will be applicable to all types of buses except for Standard 1A (24- seat VIP buses), Standard 4A (double-decked VIP buses,), suburb buses of which service routes are shorter than 100 kilometers, and buses with tickets sold during the trip.

Mr Wuthichart has expected that the promotion could allow children to take their mothers traveling in many parts of the country, which will eventually help stimulate the economy and tourism, as well as enhance relationship among family members.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Thailand "unlikely" to cut corporate tax for listed firms

[webfact]

Cops in Dispute Duel it Out in Bangbuathong

Two patrol policemen shot each other after a verbal dispute in the Bangbuathong area, leaving one dead.

Bangbuathong police examined the police checkpoint at Bangpoon intersection on Rattanathibet road, after two officers stationed there shot each other, leaving one dead, and the other severely injured.

Inside a makeshift checkpoint made of a modified shipping container, police found bloodstains and four 9-millimeter bullet casings.

Police Sergeant Major Thanom Chumsaeng, aged 36, was shot in the chest while Police Sergeant Major Sawit Iadnakkhan, aged 37, was shot in the stomach, head and arms. Both were brought to Kasemrat Rattnathibet hospital after the gunfight.

Sawit succumbed to injuries while Thanom has been transferred to the Police Hospital.

A source reveled that the two officers are known to have been at odds with each other for quite some time.

Commanders had called the two in to settle the dispute, but the two could not reconcile.

After they were assigned to go on duty together at the checkpoint on Sunday, the source said the two argued and eventually ended in the deadly shoot-out.

Police say they will set up a committee to investigate the shooting thoroughly, starting with interviewing Thanom when his condition improves.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-02

[webfact]

13 killed by dengue fever in 5 southern border provinces this year

SONGKHLA - About 6,500 people in five southern border provinces have got dengue hemorrhagic fever and 13 of them were killed this year, the Songkhla Public Health Office announced Monday.

The office said the dengue virus caused hemorrhagic fever to 6,500 people from January 1 to July 29 and 13 of them were killed.

The office said the number of the cases was expected to further rise.

In Songkhla alone, 2,592 people were reported ill with the fever and six were killed during the same period.

The latest victim was a 11-month old baby was died on July 27 in Hat Yai.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Police teams dispatched to look out for blast attacks in Bkk

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Almost 700 police and volunteers have been dispatched to keep surveillance around the city after the two bombing incidents last week.

The force which consisted of members of the Arintharat special operation unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, community police volunteers and packs of police canines have been sent out to keep an eye on possible bomb attacks and a crime wave in Bangkok area.

The team will be patrolling the city for 10 consecutive days, concentrating their search particularly in politically symbolic places. The operation has started since Sunday.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanon stated that the two downtown blasts last week were more sophisticated than other criminal cases. The police are relying on forensic evidence in pursuit of the perpetrators.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Thailand to remove alcohol, tobacco from Free Trade Agreements (FTA)

[webfact]

Suthep confident budget bill to sail through House

Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban Monday expressed confidence that the 2011 fiscal year budget bill will be approved by the House in the second and third readings.

Suthep said the coalition commands enough votes to approve the bill although Cabinet members will abstain.

Suthep denied that the government had attempted to buy support for the bill by offering each opposition MP eight-digit amount of money.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

[webfact]

Myanmar man nabbed for smuggling 20kg of 'ice' worth Bt60 mln, with 2 bombs in Chiang Mai; Filipino woman nabbed at Suvarnabhumi Airport with 4-kg cocaine /via @MCOTEnglishnews

Admin: /we will post the full story as soon as possible

[webfact]

Flash flood hits Chaiyaphum

CHAIYAPHUM (NNT) -- Activities in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum have been put to halt after the town was hit by a flash flood on Sunday night.

The widespread heavy downpour in Chaiyaphum province on Sunday night has completely submerged the town, causing much trouble to the locals. The flood has made numbers of roads impassable. Schools, especially those located in the city, are forced to close down for a day.

The water level on some roads is as high as 50 centimeters. The municipality has to distribute sandbags to the people and deploy numerous water pumps around the town to drain the water out. The locals have been informed to move their belongings to higher grounds.

-- NNT 2010-08-02