Thailand Live Monday 2 Aug 2010

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People Demand Better Service For Train Fare Hike

Members of the public voiced strong opposition to the proposed fare hike for some train routes. If the price adjustment goes through, many Thais are demanding big improvements in train service in return.

In response to the State Railway of Thailand's proposal seeking a fare hike for the first and second class train routes, many people have expressed strong disagreement to the plan.

They elaborated, saying that the proposed plan will seriously affect people's cost of living as the price of many goods are already on the rise.

People added that even so the economy is improving, the situation is still uncertain and not stable. Therefore, they need to think twice before spending.

The State Railway of Thailand last week agreed to forward a proposal to the Finance Ministry demanding a ten-percent fare hike for first and second class train services due to the rising price of oil.

The Finance Ministry will consider the proposal soon.

If the ministry gives the green light, people said they demand better service in return.

They said train carriages are old, dirty and almost all worn-out, adding that it is not very pleasurable to board the Thai trains. Thais only use rail services because it's cheap.

The State Railway of Thailand's board agreed on July 30 to increase the price for the first hundred kilometers of first class service to 1.02 baht per kilometer, up from the current 0.93 baht.

For the 101st through the 200th kilometers, fares will go up to 0.93 baht. And for the 201st through 300th kilometers, price will rise to 0.86 baht.

For second class trains, prices will climb to 0.53 baht per kilometer, up from 0.48 baht for the first hundred kilometers.

For the 101st to 200th kilometers, fare hikes will remain at 0.46 baht per kilometer, with the 201st through 300th kilometer prices going up to 0.40 baht per kilometer.

If the Finance Ministry approves the proposal, the newly-adjusted prices will go into effect on October 1.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-02

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Pheu Thai Party Launches Campaign in the North and Northeast

Outspoken Pheu Thai MP, Chalerm Yubamrung, led his fellow MPs in a campaign in the northern and northeastern provinces.

On Sunday afternoon, MPs from the Pheu Thai Party gave speeches at a cultural center in Kamphaeng Phet province after earlier holding a seminar entitled 'Government Budget and National Development' at an auditorium in Muang district.

Former finance minister, Suchart Thadathamrongvej, former commerce minister Viroon Techapaiboon and former finance minister Warathep Rattanakorn were key-note speakers at the seminar.

MPs from the Pheu Thai Party and provincial leaders of the red-shirt movement attended the afternoon event.

Chalerm said when his party leads the country, Tharit will be removed and Thaksin will return to Thailand immediately.

He criticized the current administration and accused the director-general of Department of Special Investigation, Tharit Pengdit of being a perpetrator of double-standards.

Jatuporn Phromphan, a core red-shirt leader, criticized the government in many regards, especially about how it is handling and prosecuting red-shirt protesters.

He said finding the M79 grenade near the Government House compound is a ploy to paint the red-shirt movement in a negative light.

He also verbally attacked the government for enforcing the emergency decree and stated that red-shirt supporters across the country will continue their fight until they are victorious.

The Pheu Thai Party plans to hold more activities in northern and northeastern provinces.

Today more activities are scheduled to take place in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-02

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'Farang' killed in motorbike crash on Patong Hill, Phuket

The accident occurred up the hill from the 'Patong Hill Sinkhole'

that opened unexpectedly in August last year. File photo.

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Reminder: Friday, August 13, 2010 has been approved as an additional holiday.

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Bangkok: Filipina arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport with 4Kg cocaine

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DSI to Question Ratchadamri Blast Witnesses

The special investigation agency has arranged for questioning of eyewitnesses in the bomb attack in Bangkok's Ratchadamri area once it obtains initial findings from the city police.

Director general of the Department of Special Investigation, or DSI, Tharit Pengdit, said the interrogation can take place after his agency receives the investigation report from the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Tharit said the decision whether to request the court's approval for arrest warrants against suspects depends on existing evidence.

Meanwhile, the DSI's head of special investigators, Payao Thongsen, said the department has taken over 253 cases related to the recent red-shirt unlawful protests from the National Police Office.

Of those, 141 are linked to terror attacks during and after the protests while 21 are charges concerning coercion of the government. Seventy-five concern abuse of people and state officials and 16 are unlawful acquisition and use of firearms. Twenty-seven of the 253 cases have been dismissed while 25 have already been completed.

Of those 25 cases, 23 have been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General, which has resolved to bring them to court. There are a remaining 201 cases being investigated.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-02

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Kanit to visit Chiang Mai Wednesday to listen to red shirts

Kanit na Nakhon, chairman of the truth and reconciliation committee, said Monday that he will travel to Chiang Mai to listen to opinions of the red-shirt people there on Wednesday and Thursday.

Kanit said he and Permanent Secretary for Justice Kitipong Kityarak will jointly hold hearings in the home province of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The committee will later inform the government of the wishes of the red-shirt people in Chiang Mai, Kanit said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

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Security tightened at Govt House

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Security has been beefed up in the Government House compound after the discovery of M79 grenades in the area last Saturday.

Before entering Government House to work as usual today, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban ordered a special security team equipped with bomb detectors to inspect the area around the command office building where he and the Ministers to the Prime Minister’s Office usually worked. The bomb detection effort was to ensure maximum safety after two M79 grenades were found on the rooftop and in the sewer of Government House last Saturday.

At Thai Ku Fah and Santi Maitri Buildings, security has been tightened at all entrances while the officials are strictly searching all vehicles without permission stickers passing through the Government House gates.

-- NNT 2010-08-02

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Over 60 Injured in Student Fight in Concert

More than 60 people have been injured in a series of student fights at a concert in Phetchaburi province during this past weekend.

As many as 61 people were injured in a series of student brawls between rival schools during a rock and reggae concert entitled 'Honda Scoopy i Reggae on the Rock' on this past Saturday July 31 in Phetchaburi province.

Police said the attack was the result of drunken audience members stepping on each other and starting a series of fights throughout the show.

They added that 39 men and 22 women were wounded in the brawl that took place on the Northern Cha-Am beach.

The victims were hospitalized at Cha-Am and Hua Hin hospitals.

Police explained that there were far too little security at the scene, with only 100 police officers to look after a crowd of more than 100,000 fans packed on the beach.

The show started since noon entertaining the audience with countless singers and musical bands such as Modern Dog, T-Bone and Paradox.

After the fights erupted, the show was called off at midnight. No deaths have been reported so far.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-02

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SET index closed at 863.18, up 7.35; Bt/USD31.84; GBP50.09; AUD28.76; EUR41.56; CAD30.79; HKD4.05; SGD23.39; JPY36.44

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Drugs Found after near Fatal Overpass Plunge in Pattaya

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UPDATE

Myanmar man, Filipina arrested in separate drug smuggling cases

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42 arrested at Phuket cockfight

Some of the evidence seized in the case.

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Illegal Dvd Movie Production House Shut Down By Pattaya Police

Gang-related shootout on Jomtien Beach leaves one man badly injured

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Korean fugitive arrested in East Pattaya by Banglamung Police

2,500 Yabba tablets seized and two suspected dealers arrested by Pattaya Police

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Chinese firm interested in light rail project for Phuket

Mr Soo (right) accepts the feasibility study from Gov Wichai (left) as MP Raywat looks on.

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Bangkok

BMA reopening bridges over Prachanukul intersection Aug 8; Tha Phra intersection Aug 12; Klongton intersection Sept 24 after improvements completed

-- TNA 2010-08-02

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Flash-flood warning issued for Mae Hong Son residents

Residents of 89 areas in Mae Hong Son were Monday warned to brace themselves for possible flash floods from now until Wednesday.

Thirayuth Jandithawong, chief of the Mae Hong Son Civil Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said Pai is among the 89 areas that could be hit by flash floods due to torrential rains.

Thirayuth said extensive deforestation had happened in the areas so there were not forests to hold back rain waters.

-- The Nation 2010-08-02

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Government Lottery Office will print 4 million lottery tickets to raise funds for Chulalongkorn & Siriraj hospitals over next five months. /via @Urisara_NT

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to be continued

Thailand Live Tuesday 3 August 2010

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