Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Aug 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Tuesday 3 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 Monday 2 August 2010

[webfact]

PM Ready to Clarify Preah Vihear Policy

The prime minister pledges to clarify his policy on the Preah Vihear dispute and asks those who have opposed his move to engage in dialogues with him rather than conduct street protests.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he is ready to clarify the government's policy on the Preah Vihear dispute and asked those who plan to stage a protest against him to take a dialogue approach.

Abhisit said there is one year left before the World Heritage Committee will reconsider Cambodia's proposed management plan of the area surrounding Preah Vihear Temple, so his government must be prepared for that.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, meanwhile, insisted the memorandum of understanding, or MOU, from the year 2000 on the land border exploration and demarcation will not result in the country's loss of rights over the disputed territory.

Kasit said the MOU is merely an agreement on the negotiation framework and gives no endorsement on the 1 to 200,000 scale map, so it needs not pass Parliament's consideration as stipulated by the 1997 Constitution.

He also said there are 11 other versions of border maps used for the territory demarcation and affirmed Thailand has always protested against Cambodians' encroachment on the disputed area.

Kasit said his government's campaign on the Preah Vihear dispute will rely on negotiations and the matter must not be included in the current political dispute.

He remarked the Thai-Cambodian border trade and humanitarian cooperation still continue as usual.

Meanwhile, former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama said the Thai-Cambodian joint communique he countersigned did not put the country at a disadvantage as alleged by the government.

Noppadon insisted the document helped preserve national sovereignty and urged the government to stop making accusations against him.

The former minister advised the government to seek cooperation from all parties to find a solution together.

He also asked the prime minister to clarify the MOU signed in the year 2000.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

DEP to hold ‘Thailand International Education Expo 2010’

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) aims to show Thailand’s potential as the

International Education Center in the region, with the ‘Thailand International Education Expo 2010’ to be organized in November this year.

According to the DEP, the ‘Thailand International Education Expo 2010’ has been organized under the idea of ASEAN’s Hub of Education, The Heart of Network to mark the strength and readiness of Thailand on international education service.

This event will cover all relevant aspects to serve the needs of students, guardians, and business operators with the offers put up in 230 booths of educational institutions and services including 900 curricula from 400 leading institutes in the countries from primary to higher education levels. Other activities feature in-dept seminar, workshop and relevant exhibitions.

The Thailand International Education Expo 2010 is scheduled at the Queen Sirikit Convention Center during 19-21 November 2010, expecting around 10,000 visitors.

-- NNT 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Surging Egg, Fresh Food Prices Buoy July Inflation

The Commerce Ministry reports an increase in inflation by 3 percent in July, driven by surging prices of fresh food, eggs and fuel. It is expected that the inflation rate for the whole year will average at 3 to 3.5 percent.

Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Yanyong Puangrat disloses that the Consumer Purchasing Index, or CPI, which measures inflation, for July was at 108.32, up 3.4 percent compared to the same period last year. It is up 0.16 percent compared to last month.

For the first seven months of the year, inflation averaged 3.5 percent.

Yanyong said a jump in the figure was mainly due to an improved economy and rising retail prices of eggs, fresh food as well as fuel.

He noted that despite the CPI figure being on the rise for ten consecutive months, his ministry expects inflation to stand at around 3 to 3.5 by the end of this year. It is expected to fall from the third quarter onwards.

The food and beverage index for July was at 123.97, an increase of 6.9 percent year-on-year. It went up 0.36 percent from last month.

The core CPI, which excludes food and beverage, was at 98.74, up by 1.4 percent from last year, an increase of 0.03 percent from June.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

DSI to seek arrest warrants for 3 bomb suspects

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will seek the court's issuance of arrest warrants for three suspects allegedly in connection with the two recent bomb blasts in Bangkok.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit revealed that evidence and witness testimonies in the bombing cases had been transferred from the Metropolitan Police Bureau to the department this afternoon. He said the DSI would collaborate with the prosecutors on examining the received documents and seeking the court's endorsement of arrest warrants for the three suspects after the completion of the probing process.

Last Friday, a grenade attack took place in Soi Rangnam opposite King Power Complex, critically injuring an unidentified man.

Another bomb went off earlier on 25 July in front of Big C Supercenter on Ratchadamri Road, leaving one dead and several wounded.

-- NNT 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Heavy rain, floods across the country - and more to come

By Sutthipong Settharangsi,

Ekkapong Praditpong,

Pulsak Boonloy

The Nation

Floods hit several provinces after heavy downpours yesterday - and the Meteorological Department warned on its website of more heavy rain, strong wind and large waves.

Abundant rain and isolated heavy to very heavy falls were likely over all parts of Thailand, the weather bureau said.

Five schools were forced to close for the day in Chaiyaphum in the Northeast after floods inundated roads, leaving vehicles unable to move. The roads were 50 centimetres under water after heavy rainfall deluged the area throughout Sunday night. Large water pumps were used to drain water from the town.

Bungalows on Samet Island off Rayong province were damaged by flash floods. Nonthacha Phlaiwan, the owner of Tarn Tawan Resort on the island, said six of her bungalows were damaged and heavy streams of water had prevented staff from clearing objects out of buildings. Flash floods also ruined the landscape of the nearby beach, she said.

Suthep Ruenthawin, from Rayong's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said officials were preparing equipment necessary to help and evacuate people affected by mudflows.

Traffic on Chang Island in Trat province was congested as floods inundated many parts of the island. Water levels were between 20 centimetres and one metre.

The road in front of the Dusit Princess Hotel on the island was one metre under water and authorities had used trucks to pull vehicles unable to move from flooded areas and evacuate people.

Landslides had reportedly blocked roads in Bang Bao on Koh Chang. Village heads near those roads and rescue workers were keeping an eye for possible damage to local homes also.

Meanwhile, Mae Hong Son Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office warned residents in every district to monitor and brace for possible flash floods and mud flows until tomorrow. Some 89 "red zones" were at high risk from flash floods and mud-flows, including Pai district - the popular holiday destination, the office head Theerayut Chandisthawong said.

Flash floods hit tambon Pang Moo in Mae Hong Son town on Saturday, but the situation was back to normal, he said.

In Chiang Mai, 900 villages in 25 districts were at risk of flash floods and landslides. Authorities said residents in the "high-risk" village of Yang in tambon Mae Ngon in Fang district would stage a practice drill on August 11 to prepare for such crises. Flash floods and landslides hit the area badly in 2006.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Panel tasked with resolving differences

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Given two weeks to find solution that satisfies all parties

A special panel will be tasked with resolving the conflict between the medical profession and a patients' network over the controversial draft bill for medical malpractice victim protection.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit made the announcement yesterday after chairing a three-and-a-half-hour meeting at the ministry between medical workers - including representatives from the Medical Council and the Thai Federation of General and Central Hospital Doctors - and the patients' network representing victims of malpractice.

Paijit said he would today ask Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit to set up the panel, which would comprise eight representatives from the medical workers' community, eight from the network of patients affected by malpractice and four from government agencies, including the Public Health Ministry.

The panel will have two weeks to study and reach conclusions on the controversial bill.

Paijit said he might ask Jurin to submit the committee's conclusions for consideration by the House of Representatives.

He added that the panel also would invite the House medical committee to join the meeting between medical workers and the network of patients.

He said yesterday's meeting also agreed with the conclusion that patients affected by medical errors must receive assistance, while doctors must at the same time have an appropriately secure environment in which to carry out their work.

They also agreed the medical system should be developed to provide greater patient safety.

"Both sides agree patients do not want to file lawsuits against doctors, and they also want to see doctors happy in their work," the permanent secretary said.

Meanwhile, the Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council yesterday expressed concern over an increase in the government's financial burden should the draft bill be enacted.

Council president Wichit Srisuphan said the draft did not designate the ceiling on compensation that would be paid to patients affected by medical malpractice.

Moreover, she said, the draft bill did not clearly designate the number of representatives from the medical profession who would sit on a committee to study and pay compensation to patients.

The panel would have to prove whether a patient's woes were caused by medical malpractice or were the result of natural events, she added.

Instead of pushing through a new law to pay compensation to patients, she said the government should extend Article 41 of the National Health Security Act to include members of all three public healthcare schemes.

She was speaking after a meeting of six medical profession councils, chaired by Jurin. The meeting comprised representatives from the Medical Council, the Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Dental Council, the Medical Technology Council, the Pharmacy Council and the Physical Therapy Council.

Jurin said that only the representatives from Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council and Medical Council had expressed their concerns at the meeting.

However, he said there was enough time to resolve the conflict between doctors and the patients' network as the controversial draft was down in 10th place in the order of bills for House consideration. The minister added that the draft bill would not be withdrawn from the list.

Medical Council president Dr Somsak Lohlekha strongly opposed the bill, saying Thailand was not ready to become a welfare state.

He said there was no need for such a specific piece of legislation, as the country now had other laws, either on the statute books or subject to the parliamentary process, allowing patients who were the victims of medical error to seek compensation from medical workers.

He cited the Consumer Case Procedure Act and the dangerous product bill, the second of which covers healthcare services and medical workers.

"This draft bill will totally destroy the relationship between doctor and patient. Most doctors are now under stress as they are afraid of being sued by patients," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Parents of flu victim sue hospitals, doctors

By Kesinee Teangkiew

The Nation

The parents of a patient, who died of the type-A (H1N1) virus while being treated in two private hospitals in Bangkok, yesterday filed a civil lawsuit demanding a compensation of Bt31 million.

A lawsuit was also filed against three doctors who worked for Thai Nakarin and Sikarin hospitals, and treated Pheerawee Tuangsinkulbordee who died last June.

In the lawsuit, the parents said that Pheerawee had contracted the flu after visiting a cousin on June 21. He was admitted to Sikarin Hospital on June 24 and discharged on June 27. Pheerawee returned to the hospital the next day with a severe lung infection and later transferred to Thai Nakarin Hospital, where he died.

The lawsuit said Thai Nakarin Hospital refused to release the patient to be treated at a different hospital as requested by his relatives. The suit also accuses the doctors and the hospitals of being careless and demands 7.5 per cent annual interest on the Bt31 million demanded by his parents.

The lawsuit was accepted by Phra Khanong court and preliminary hearing has been set for September 6.

Preeyanant Lorsermwatthana, head of the Network of Victims of Medical Malpractice, said the parents filed the lawsuit one day before the case ran out of the statute of limitations. The parents had initially filed complaints with the Public Health Ministry and the Medical Council, which had made little progress in dealing with the family's grievances.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Irregularities seen in police force's construction project

By The Nation

Several National Police Office (NPO) construction projects are mired in irregularities, an informed source revealed yesterday.

The source provided this information after the House ad-hoc committee on the 2011 budget vowed to forward the NPO's suspicious decision to select just one bidder for constructing police stations across the country under the Bt6.3-billion budget.

"In January, NPO called the bidding for the construction of 163 police flats in a suspicious manner too," the source said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said the sale of bidding documents was made between December 28, 2009 and January 5 this year, a period when most companies are either closed down for New Year holidays or busy with celebrations.

He added that the Bt3.71 billion earmarked for the construction of the 163 police flats was high, as was the Bt22.76 million spent on each building, which was even higher than the initial bidding price of Bt21.6million.

"This project only had one bidder too, which is strange. How can it arrange construction in so many provinces?" he said.

He also pointed out that this practice went against the government's policy to boost job opportunities for local constructors in the three southernmost provinces.

"The project was prepared when General Patcharawat Wongsuwan was the police chief," the same source added.

According to the source, the project has not taken into account the fact that each area has a different landscape. In rural areas, there are vast plots of land and, therefore, one-storey accommodation units are a better choice and cheaper. However, the project required that all flats be constructed as high-rises of the same design.

The source said it seemed the conditions were pre-set to favour just one or two big constructors.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

La Nina expected to ease haze problems

By The Nation

The Pollution Control Department foresees the haze problem in the North to be not quite so severe next year, thanks mainly to weather phenomenon La Nina, which will maintain its influence until next March.

This March, the dust level in Mae Hong Son province hit a record high.

Supat Wangwongwatana, chief of the department, said the province had been hit with the highest dust level of 518.5-micrograms per cubic metre, which is four times higher than the safety standard of 120-micrograms per cubic metre. Fortunately, it lasted for a short time so the effect on public health was limited.

According to the department's survey, 55 per cent of the haze comes from reserved forest areas, 33 per cent from conserved forests and 12 per cent from farming areas.

He said La Nina's influence would help produce more rain, which will be able to limit haze in the North and the South.

The Department also plans to set up air-monitoring stations in Sa Kaew and Loei provinces next year to monitor haze from Laos.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Number of unemployed on the rise

By The Nation

The Labour Ministry estimates that there were up to 350,000 people, or 1 per cent of the labour market, unemployed last month.

In comparison, the number of job vacancies registered with the Employment Department rose to 143,872 last month, up by 28,172 compared to June.

In June, 51,135 people sought unemployment benefits and only 32,021 could get new jobs.

According to a survey conducted by the National Statistical Office in April, the number of unemployed people stood at around 450,000. Of these, 170,000 had never had a job before.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Police net drugs worth Bt82m this year

By The Nation

Police and anti-narcotics agents have seized illegal drugs worth more than Bt82 million on the street and made a large number of arrests.

The largest amount, 20 kilograms of "ice" tablets worth about Bt60 million, was seized from Lao Ta, a Haw man with Burmese nationality, who was arrested last week in a sting in Chiang Mai.

The 36-year-old was also charged with possessing war weapons, after two hand grenades with a "Made in Wa State" stamp on them, were found in his possession.

Another large-scale bust was a 4kg cache of heroin seized at Suvarnabhumi airport from Filipina Icoy Betlehem Mamontong. The drug was found sealed in five bags of powdered coffee.

Police quoted the 32-year-old as saying she was paid Bt140,000 to take the drug from Peru to Vietnam, and that this was her first drug run.

In Udon Thani, narcotics police and US Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized a wide variety of illegal narcotics worth around Bt2 million in a sweep in the province, netting 28 drug dealers and users in the process.

The catch included the seizure of 100kg of dried marijuana in one bust and 2,214 amphetamine tablets in another. Police also seized Bt201,000 in cash and a number of gold ornaments worth Bt641,707 from suspects in other raids.

The arrests and seizures were made via busts through various modes of transport, including rail service and airfreight at provincial airports. Police also conducted raids in five communities

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Universities can help develop provinces, says Prawase

By The Nation

Reform Assembly chairman Prawase Wasi yesterday proposed the idea of giving each university the job of helping develop each province. There are 76 provinces in Thailand and more than 100 universities.

Though Prawase did not go into details about how a university would be chosen for each province, he said the institutions could significantly change the country for the better if they agreed to work closely with local communities and people.

"Universities should stop looking at things from an academic perspective alone. They should look at what has happened in society and find out where they can help," Prawase said at a public forum.

More than 150 representatives from state and private universities attended the event yesterday.

Prawase said universities had the power to help the country given that they had hundreds of thousands of students, lecturers and staff members, not to mention knowledge and resources.

"With their knowledge and neutrality, they can recommend useful public policies that will benefit the people across the country," he said.

Prawase said that if universities worked closely with local communities, good results could be seen in five years.

Uttaradit Rajabhat University vice-president Dr Supawinee Sattrayaporn said her institute had given its 10 faculties the job of taking care of three tambons in Uttaradit province.

"We have dispatched research teams to local communities. The findings will address problems in each community and lead to solutions," she said.

According to Supawinee, her university will alert relevant authorities about problems that cannot be solved by residents.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced his agreement with Prawase's idea.

"The One Province, One University idea can be implemented, because our country has many universities," he said.

He also advised larger universities in the capital to provide full support to institutions working closely with local communities in the provinces.

"The universities can also encourage business groups and local administrative bodies to help," Abhisit said, adding that the ideas raised at yesterday's forum would be compiled into a report to be submitted to the Education Ministry and then to the Cabinet.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

UPDATE

SOMTWO-AMSTERDAM SHOWDOWN

Somtow gets police protection after hate mails

By The Nation

Somtow

[webfact]

Thaksin distancing himself from reds and recent violence?

[webfact]

AUDITOR GENERAL

Row over note on Jaruvan staying on as Auditor General

By Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation

Jaruwan

The first Senate meeting of the new parliamentary session yesterday saw a heated debate over the reported recommendation by advisers of the Upper House Speaker that Auditor General Jaruvan Maintaka be rehired after her term ends at the age of 65 later this year.

Uttaradit Senator Narumon Siriwat raised the matter at yesterday's meeting. She asked Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej to clarify if the report was true, and if so, whether his advisers had the authority to make such a recommendation.

The Speaker said the advisers had just made a recommend-ation for him to acknowledge and their advice was not legally binding. He said the matter was now being considered by the Council of State, which is the government's legal advisory body.

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, an appointed senator, noted during the meeting that the report in question cited a memo mentioning the recommendation by the Speaker's advisers.

"I am surprised how the memo could be leaked even though the advisory committee works for the Senate," he said, adding that the leak could cause damage to the Upper House.

The Senate Secretariat turned down his request to see the memo in question, he said.

Ruangkrai said he suspected the recommendation by the Senate Speaker's advisers may be deemed unconstitutional for "inferring" with the Auditor General's Office's internal affairs.

Senator Paiboon Nititawan, in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Speaker's advisory committee, said the memo was intended to help the Auditor General decide on whether to seek an extension of her term.

Paiboon said he didn't think the memo should be treated as a secret.

"I would like to state that the advisory committee strictly followed Senate regulations in performing its duty. The problem wasn't caused by the Auditor General, but it could be due to some people who may be upset or stand to lose 'benefit' or position [if Jaruvan retains the post].

"There could be some people pulling the strings behind the scenes. The document sent by the advisers is just legal advice and it depends on the recipient whether to believe it," Paiboon said, with an emotional voice.

Tuang Anthachai, another appointed senator, asked Ruangkrai to read the laws carefully as a lawmaker. He said the advisers' recommendation was just a "comment by lawyers" and he did not think it was legally binding.

Senator Surachai Liang-boonlertchai, a member of the advisory committee, insisted it had worked in a transparent and lawful manner in dealing with the matter, without any hidden agenda.

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

Endless disputes over Preah Vihear

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

The boundary dispute with Cambodia and controversy over Preah Vihear Temple have become mixed up and widely politicised as political groups inflame the issues and accuse each other of losing Thai territory.

Some of the most vociferous of those charges and issues are:

- Nationalist groups under the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) umbrella have accused the government of possibly losing territory to Cambodia due to a document signed in 2000 by the Democrat-led administration headed by Chuan Leekpai.

- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has shifted the blame to former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama for giving Cambodia the chance to list the Preah Vihear as a world heritage site.

- Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti called a press briefing on his return from the World Heritage meeting in Brazil to claim credit for convincing the committee to delay consideration of Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear.

- Unlike Abhisit, Suwit thanked PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang for a protest staged in front of Unesco's regional office in Bangkok last week, in support of his efforts to block the Cambodian temple plan. Suwit implied that his mission was defending Thai sovereignty over the Preah Vihear.

- Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya called another press conference yesterday to defend the 2000 Memorandum of Understand-ing on boundary demarcation, while his yellow-shirt alliance group turned their guns on the government for demanding its abolition.

The issues of borders and World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear were linked as the PAD tried to say that listing was equivalent to the loss of Thai sovereignty over areas where the temple was situated.

Based on the Siam-Franco treaties signed in 1904 and 1907, as well as an annex map made by the Siam-French joint boundary commission, the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear Temple was situated on land under Cambodian sovereignty.

The Thai government has basically argued that the court ruled only on the temple complex, and left questions about the boundary between the two countries unclear.

The PAD is concerned that the 2000 MOU recognised the Siam-Franco treaties and the French map as basic documents for boundary demarcation. And, as a result, Thailand may lose many parts of its claim to land by the temple, in accordance with the map, it said.

PAD member Veera Somkwamkid submitted a demand to the government yesterday to revoke the 2000 MOU.

Foreign Minister Kasit said the MOU could not be terminated, as it was the sole legal instrument and framework for boundary negotiation with Cambodia.

"The MOU is not a matter of territory loss. It could not change the boundary line which was already demarcated more than a century ago," Kasit said.

In fact the border between Thailand and Cambodia was demarcated during French colonial time. The MOU merely provided facilities for the two countries' boundary committee to jointly survey the border and find boundary pillars which were partly damaged, he said.

With the MOU, negotiation on boundary demarcation would be conducted in accordance with customary international law, Kasit said.

The MOU also prohibited the two countries from making any changes before the joint boundary committee completed its work, he said.

Former foreign minister Noppadon called yet another press conference to challenge Prime Minister Abhisit's claim that territory was lost when Noppadon supported Phnom Penh over World Heritage listing for the historic temple.

A joint communique he signed with Cambodia's deputy Prime Minister Sok An in 2008 to support the Preah Vihear proposal sought to protect Thai sovereignty. It made clear Cambodia would not take the disputed area of 4.6 square kilometres as a buffer zone for the temple, he said.

"Let's see the truth. Prime Minister Abhisit always uses doublespeak. The Thai government since the Chuan administration has recognised Cambodia's right over Preah Vihear and areas relinquished by Thailand to the temple when it declared the area of Phra Viharn national park in 1998," he said. "The 2008 joint communique, which was later revoked, changed nothing."

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[webfact]

UPDATE

SamuI Residents up in arms

[webfact]

Thailand: Interest rate heading back to reality

[webfact]

Army commander sees hope for reconciliation in the South

[webfact]

Army Proposes to Lift Emergency Decree in Chiang Mai

The Region 3 Army will propose that emergency decree be lifted from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces.

However, the Region 1 Army commander says Bangkok should remain under the State of Emergency.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Flash Flood Warnings for North, Northeast, East

The Weather Department has issued warnings for the North, Northeast, and East regions of Thailand.

Heavy rains are expected throughout the day.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

PM Makes Merit for His Birthday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gives alms to a monk at his house at Sukumvit Soi 31.

He does not have any special plans for the day. After finishing his duties at Government House, he will head off to the Democrat Party headquarters.

Abhisit turns 46 today.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Udon Thani Public against Provincial Hall Demolition

Representatives from Udon Than's public sector have submitted an open letter urging the local administration to repair and restore the torched historic provincial hall building instead of demolishing and constructing a new building.

Members of Udon Thani's public sector, led by former city planning officer Weerawat Waitayanuwat and Udon Thani City Pillar Shrine Foundation president Korn Polnamtiang, submitted an open letter to Udon Thani Deputy Governor Wirat Limsuwat, urging the local administration to restore the provincial hall building that was torched in the May 19 riot rather than demolishing the remains and constructing a new complex.

Because of its historic significance, the public sector feels the building should be restored and preserved. It is one of the three remaining old buildings which symbolize Udon Thani's unique local culture.

However, the deputy governor said he has not received any instruction from the Interior Ministry as to whether the historic building will be demolished or restored.

Nonetheless, he will discuss the public request with the local administration before forwarding the matter to the Interior Ministry.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Red-shirt Concert in Full Swing

A red-shirt concert and rally stage in Samut Sakhon province was lively last night with members of the anti-government group focusing on a phoned-in speech from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Red-shirt supporters and members of the Pheu Thai Party gathered at Om Noi Temple in Samut Sakhon province last night to take part in the group's “From Friend to Friend, No One Left Behind” concert.

A large number of people were observed taking part in the event with entry at 100 baht per person. Proceeds will be donated to the families of those killed and injured during the May unrest.

Notable attendants of the concert included Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt core-leader Jatuporn Prompan, Karun Hosakul, Worachai Hema and Prasaeng Mongkolsiri. The key figures took turn speaking after musical performances, alongside a show of images of the government's crackdown on protesters.

At approximately 9.30 P.M., deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra telephoned to the gathering. Thaksin thanked his supporters and urged them to remain persistent.

The former PM warned that the government has only built an impression of a strong economy, elaborating that wealth has continued to be centered among only a handful of the public. He bid the red-shirt group to continue to fight for democracy.

Yesterday's concert was the first formal event of the red-shirt group following the end of their rally from April to May. The Pheu Thai Party, sharing the red-shirt group's interest, plans to hold activities in Si Sa Ket and Surin today.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

DPM Suthep: No information received on planned attack at important areas but security on high alert, urges public not to panic /via @MCOTEnglishnews

[webfact]

Red-Shirt Students Surrenders to Chiang Rai Police

A number of students who broke emergency rule after gathering in a group of more than five have turned themselves in to authorities in Chiang Rai province.

A number of college and high school students from the northern part of the country have reported to the authorities after having been criminally charged by police for violating the emergency decree after organizing an illegal protest on July 16.

The students said that they turned themselves in because of fear for their own security and because they had arrest warrants issued against them.

On the same day, the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection in Chiang Rai ordered a 16-year-old juvenile who was criminally charged for taking part in the illegal demonstration to undergo psychological evaluation.

His mother was also summoned for questioning. He must also participate in a rehabilitation activity on August 16 and 17.

The director of the department pointed out that all juveniles going through the system will be treated equally.

The department expects to complete their evaluation within 30 to 90 days at which time they will submit the information gathered to law enforcement authorities.

The prosecutor will then interview officials and child psychiatrists involved with the case before deciding whether or not they should be indicted and tried.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

Related topic:

[webfact]

Govt to announce resolution to debt problem on 16 Aug

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Government prepares to announce the policy on solving debt problems facing different groups of people on 16 August.

In the latest Democrat Party’s meeting, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has emphasized to the party members the importance of solving the citizen’s debt problem, saying that the issue is the Party’s first priority while steering the country.

Minister of Finance Korn Chatikavanij said the prime minister would announce on 16 August the government’s strategy in dealing with the issue covering unconventional loans, assistance for debtors who could not sign up for refinancing program, and other types of liabilities. The minister has signed a debt payment pressing bill which is now waiting to be endorsed by the Cabinet before entering the parliamentary process.

Mr Korn said he had also been liasing with Minister of Education Chinnaworn Boonyakiat over the teacher’s debt issue as it was deemed a threat to the children’s education.

-- NNT 2010-08-03

[webfact]

PM Denies Bribing Opposition MPs

The prime minister denies paying opposition MPs to vote in favor of the 2011 Budget Bill. Meanwhile, the Democrat Party's secretary-general expresses his wish to see a single-party government in Thailand.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva denied an allegation that the Democrat Party paid opposition MPs to vote for the 2011 Budget Bill. He said his government already has enough votes to pass the bill without having to bribe opposition MPs.

He said the government whip has liaised with government coalition partners and the voting should not encounter any problems.

Meanwhile, following the weekend's Democrat Party seminar, Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said in an interview that he has urged all Democrat MPs to reassess their performance before national reforms can take place.

A Democrat MPs reform was also initiated in an effort to strengthen ties with the public so that the prime minster's road reconciliation map can be achieved as soon as possible.

Suthep added that the party's chief must act as a role model and must be embraced by the government coalition in order to establish a single-party government.

Suthep also denied that the Democrats' efforts to strengthen ties with other political parties stem from deteriorating relations with coalition partners.

He asserted that ties with coalition members remain strong despite certain disputes because some Democrat MPs have short temper. He urged all MPs to be more patient.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-03

[webfact]

Analysis: The Thai Prime Minister's Priorities