Thailand Live Wednesday 4 Aug 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 4 August 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 3 August 2010

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Thailand Fashion Expo 2010 set in October

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Commerce and the private sector are to host Thailand Fashion Expo 2010 from October 20-26 at Bangkok department stores around Ratchaprasong intersection area.

Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasa said the expo will be under the theme of "Gateway To World Fashion In Asia" in order to promote Bangkok as Asia's fashion hub.

The event will be held at CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, and Gaysorn Plaza, showcasing more than 40 fashion shows to demonstrate the potential of the Thai fashion industry.

Trade negotiations will be promoted throughout the seven-day fair among participants and buyers from leading malls worldwide and overseas importers.

Designers joining the event include world-class British designer Vivienne Westwood and Thai designer Koi Suwannagate whose collections impress the United States' first lady Michelle Obama, as well as worldwide fashion experts and academics.

As there will be over 300 foreign brands and more than 100 buyers joining the expo, Ms Pornthiva said she believed the Thai fashion industry will partly help push up Thai exports to grow 19 per cent annually as targeted and enhance Thailand's fashion to

penetrate the markets of ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations and six other countries, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand (ASEAN + 6).

Meanwhile, MCOT president Tanawat Wansom promised there will be a reality show, "The Designer", to be aired nationwide on Modernine TV so as to promote the public updates of such event. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-08-04

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German firms keen on investing in Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A number of giant enterprises from Germany such as auto makers BMW and Audi, are preparing to invest in Thailand, according to the Minister of Industry.

Mr Chaiwuti Bannawat revealed after returning from a trip to Germany that most of the investors he met, especially those in the auto industry, were interested in setting up and expanding their production base in Thailand. The companies, including BMW, AG, Volkswagen, and Audi plan to finalize their investment projects by November this year.

Meanwhile, Audi manufacturer is now in the process of negotiating with technical experts and automobile institutions in preparation for a plant setup in Thailand.

Mr Chaiwuti added that the German aircraft parts manufacturer Leistritz Turbinenkomponenten Gmbh and the world’s largest tyre manufacturer Continental were also keen to start their production in Thailand. The investment capital of Leistritz alone is expected to be worth around 500 million THB.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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Cabinet appoints Minister Suwit to chair Preah Vihear dispute committee

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti to chair a committee to oversee the Preah Vihear temple dispute and to examine Cambodia's development-management plan for the ancient temple, according to a government spokesman.

Mr Suwit led the Thai delegation to the just ending UNESCO World Heritage Commission (WHC) meeting in Brazil, said acting spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn. The minister is charged with responsibility to gather information on Cambodia's development management plan for the temple, which was granted world heritage status in 2008.

The committee will also seek evidence to support Thailand's claim to the contested 4.6 sq km area around Preah Vihear temple, he said.

The committee will comprise representatives from concerned agencies including the ministries of foreign affairs and defence.

Dr Panithan said the Cabinet also acknowledged a report on the WHC meeting given by Mr Suwit and agreed that Thailand would propose to host the WHC annual meeting in 2012.

He also said Mr Suwit assured the cabinet that he had not signed any document at the WHC meeting that could bind the government, but only signed his name to acknowledge the document proposed by Cambodia.

The heritage agency on Thursday postponed reviewing the Cambodian plan until next year when it meets in Bahrain.

Mr Suwit said earlier that the officials are now preparing to look through documents of the Cambodian management plan which is expected to be sent to them in September, to see whether it includes the disputed 4.6 sq km disputed zone.

In a related development, Second Army Area commander Lt-Gen Veevalit Chornsamrit on Tuesday conceded that some Cambodians have set up stalls in the contested area near the temple, but the army has no authority to push them back to Cambodian territory.

The general commented following reports on the presence of Cambodian vendors at the Thai-Cambodian border market in Kantararak district of Thailand's Si Sa Ket province.

Gen Veevalit said that the Thai government is duty-bound to hold talks under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both countries in 2000 and the army's duty is to maintain order along the borders.

He said under the 2000 MoU with Cambodia on land boundary demarcation, 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.

As for the road to Preah Vihear built by Cambodia, Gen Veevalit said that it was an old road and Cambodia had improved and vehicles could take the route to reach the temple.

He added the Thai army has already submitted complaint letters to the neighbouring country several times.

Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. UNESCO named the temple a World Heritage site in 2008, after Cambodia applied for the status while the dispute over the 4.6 sq km contested zone between the two countries remains unsolved.

Under the terms of the listing, Cambodia is required to submit a management plan for WHC approval, but Thailand insisted that the matter should not be discussed unless the two neighbours first resolve their dispute over the zone adjacent to the temple. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-08-04

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Buriram Residents Warned of Money Transfer Cheating

Buriram province residents are being warned about scam artists who are cheating people in a money transfer scheme using ATM machines, as many victims have been reported in the province.

The President of Buriram province Bank Association, Pairot Petrung has warned Buriram residents about a gang of criminals who are working to scam people by asking them to transfer money into their bank accounts.

He explained that the culprits are claiming that they are officials of the Department of Special Investigation and that the victims' bank accounts have been found to have been used in a drug ring or other illegal activities.

They seem to be targeting people with credit card debt or those who are expecting a tax refund.

Then, the gang suggests that victims transfer money by using ATM machines, using only the English language keys.

The president added that most victims never get their money back as the scam artists are always changing their addresses and mobile numbers.

Statistics indicate that there have been around 100 victims per month in Buriram province and most have telephone numbers that begin with 081.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Ratchaprasong sellers ask Govt for further aid after Big C blast

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Entrepreneurs affected by the political unrest and the recent bomb explosion in front of Big C Supercenter at Ratchaprasong Intersection have requested for more assistance from the Government.

Today, a group of around 40 sellers from the Ratchaprasong area flocked to the assistance center at Government House in order to file a letter to the officials for help after being impacted by the recent bomb blast at Big C Rajdamri and the prolonged rally of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). The authorities acknowledged the matter and pledged to forward it to the Government and concerned agencies as soon as possible.

A bomb went off in the evening of 25 July at a bus stop in front of the Rajdamri branch of Big C. The incident incurred one fatality and eight injuries as well as caused damages on the businesses of vendors in the area.

Meanwhile, a lasting emotional scar was left on the nation by the political rally of the UDD at Ratchaprasong Intersection during April-May, which ended with the killing of innocent people and the burning of buildings by ill-intentioned groups.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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Sex ring broken up

By The Nation

Lop Buri

The Department of Special Investigation and other officials rescued 10 Laotian women from prostitution late Monday night.

Authorities are now pressuring the ring's leader Wiroj Sukpitak to surrender and trying to find where other victims have been hidden.

Two Laotians had managed to escape from Wiroj and alerted the Social Development and Human Security Ministry about their ordeal.

They said Wiroj had forced many Lao women into the sex trade.

A source said Wiroj had close ties with a police senior sergeant-major. He has openly run a karaoke parlour but has also operated brothels behind the scenes.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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Border mountain seeks visitors

By The Nation

Mae Hong Son

Doi Tai Laeng has been opened for tourists to experience the self-sufficient Thai way of life. Governor Kamthorn Thawornsathit said yesterday that the climate was cool the whole year around and the mountain boasted beautiful and pristine natural scenery.

Besides enjoying a taste of the local way of life there, visitors could catch a glimpse of the Shan State Army across the border with Burma.

Doi Tai Laeng is over 1,000 metres above sea level. It is located in Pang Ma Pha district's Tambon Pang Ma Pha, 56 kilometres from downtown.

Tourists could travel there any time of the year, as the weather was mild. Only in the rainy season did they have to use four-wheel-drive vehicles to go up the mountain, he added.

Colonel Uthai Chaichana, commander of the Seventh Infantry Regiment Task Force in the province, said tourists need not worry about their safety even though the mountain was near the border, as soldiers would closely guard them.

Soldiers would also provide areas for tourists to camp out, with 300 tents available.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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Southern violence down, but tension remains

By The Nation

Violent crimes in the restive South have been slashed 70 per cent over the past 10 months, a National Police adviser claimed yesterday- but threats remain over the coming religious period.

Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew held a meeting at the Southern Border Provinces Bureau in Yala's Muang district to follow up on how authorities were dealing with violent incidents and the progress on serious cases.

Adul said he advised them to work carefully and cooperate with other agencies to ensure a peaceful Ramadan, as there were many insurgent attacks during the sacred fasting period last year.

Police, especially those who are Muslims, should join in local Islamic activities during the month.

"Authorities are bracing for possible retribution by militants after two rebels were killed extra-judicially in Yala's Bannangsata district," he said.

The fasting this year runs from August 11-September 9.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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Foreign drug dealers are targeting Thailand

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RAINY SEASON

Flashfloods,downpours, landslides a nationwide threat

By The Nation

Run-off water from hillside forests sent flash floodwaters pouring down on more than 70 houses in Mae Hong Son's Pai district yesterday morning.

There were no reports of casualties as the affected families received quick emergency response. Pai district chief Niwes Poonsawat led volunteers, police, and soldiers in clearing broken tree branches and other debris from houses and formed sandbag embankments along creek banks to hold back the water.

Local authorities are now closely monitoring the water levels.

Apart from Mae Hong Son, the Meteorological Department warned flash floods may hit Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Phetchabun, Chanthaburi and Trat. Currently, heavy downpours are drenching many parts of the country, especially in these provinces.

Mineral Resources Department director-general Porntip Pancharoen added that run-off water from the mountains could cause landslides in risky areas.

"Please closely monitor the situation," she said. "If you see water level in creeks rising quickly or water colour turning red, you should suspect landslides may be coming".

She added that locals in Rayong, Kanchanaburi, and Trat- especially in its Koh Chang district - would need to be extra careful. "The rainfall in Koh Chang is now well over 150 millilitres," she said.

In Uttaradit, people in Tambon Mae Poon in Laplae district were evacuated in the wake of a landslide risk.

"A landslide hit here four years ago," provincial disaster-prevention-and-mitigation chief Surachai Thatkawin said, "The threat is clear".

In Phrae, flooding ravaged 10 provinces in Denchai district and damaged a local road.It remains partially open, but traffic is congested.

In Chiang Mai, families rushed out of their houses at dawn after hearing a warning from an alarm system.

"The floodwater was about 30-cm-high in the morning," Siripong Nampa said in his capacity as a senior official at the Chiang Dao District Office. However, the level was subsiding as of press time.

In Nan, heavy downpours caused flooding in three tambons of Mueang Nan district.

"We have already instructed people and local authorities to be on alert,' Nan Governor Weerawit Wiwattanawanich said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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MEDICAL MALPRACTICE BILL

Doctors' federation refuses to join special panel

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Grouping claims Public Health Ministry only buying time; calls on govt to set up impartial board

The Federation of Doctors at State, General and Provincial Hospitals yesterday refused to send any representatives to the special panel tasked with resolving conflicts over the controversial draft bill on medical malpractice.

Chulalongkorn Hospital, meanwhile, is up in arms because once the bill is legislated, the hospital would have to contribute about Bt10 million per year to the no-fault compensation fund.

The federation's adviser Dr Sirichai Silpa-archa said it would not send the eight representatives expected to join the special panel, because it believes the committee is only being set up to buy time. Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit is expected to appoint the panel.

Moreover, he said, some doctors who supported the draft bill were not sincere about finding a resolution and were instead providing false information to attack doctors who oppose the draft bill.

He said the federation was now calling on the government to set up an impartial panel because the bill would also affect state medical service providers, such as General Police Hospital, Military Hospital and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Hospitals.

"The Public Health Ministry's special panel shows that the authorities plan to force the federation to agree," Sirichai said.

Meanwhile, Saree Ongsomwang, secretary-general of the Foundation for Consumers, said the network of patients affected by medical errors has already sent its eight representatives to the panel.

Chulalongkorn Hospital's director, Dr Adisorn Patradul, expressed concerns over the contributions to the no-fault compensation fund if the bill did come into effect. The hospital would have to contribute about Bt10 million a year to the fund.

Adisorn said Chulalongkorn Hospital had received no complaints, and no lawsuits had been filed against its doctors over the past three years.

He added that even if the bill were to cut down on lawsuits against doctors, it certainly would not cut down on complaints filed against doctors. He said doctors at state hospitals needed to fight this bill because they treat up to 300 patients a day, which means they should be given some leeway for medical errors.

"We don't have enough doctors to treat all patients. If doctors stop working for fear of lawsuits, who will treat the patients?" he asked. "Medical and public health providers were not given a chance to draft this bill, which only protects people affected by medical error but does not protect medical workers."

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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State healthcare schemes need bigger budgets

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The nation

The country's three main healthcare schemes will eat up to Bt400 billion annually for the next five years if no efforts are made to put a brake on the expenditure, Comptroller-General's Department said yesterday.

The budget for medical services provided by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), the Social Security Office (SSO) and Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme was set at around Bt190 billion.

The department's director general Pongpanu Svetarundra said yesterday that a budget increase was imminent given that the ageing population would grow in size and more advanced medical technology would come into service.

He said the agency was planning to closely supervise the budget earmarked for these three healthcare schemes especially the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme, which would likely need up to Bt70.57 billion next year.

Senior adviser of the Comptroller-General's Department, Manus Jamveha, said the department had investigated suspiciously high medical claims filed by more than 30 officials. Apparently, the claims were for between Bt200,000 and Bt400,000 each, but after close investigation it was revealed that the medical claims were only meant to be between Bt1,000 and Bt10,000.

Pongpanu yesterday said about 10 civil servants had already been sued for illegally claiming for medicines.

To limit the increase in budget for the healthcare schemes, Pongpanu said his department had also asked doctors at state hospitals to only prescribe drugs that are necessary for patients.

The agency has checked medical records and hospital's financial management to monitor irregular reimbursement claims filed by civil servants.

Pongpanu signed an agreement to develop a database of information about patients with Public Health Ministry permanent-secretary Paijit Warachit, SSO secretary-general Pan Wannipinij, NHSO secretary-general Winai Sawasdiworn and Health Systems Research Institute director Dr Pongpisut Chong-udomsuk. The agreement aims to improve the management of healthcare services in the country.

Annual medical expenses

the National Health Security Office spent Bt100 billion on medical care for 47 million people;

the Social Security Office spent Bt30 billion on medical care for 9 million people;

the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme spent Bt61 billion on medical care for 4.3 million civil servants and their family members.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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FUGITIVE EX-PM

Treat me fairly: Thaksin

By The Nation

Thaksin (File Photo)

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SUSPICIUS FINANCIAL TRANSACTION

CRES lifts ban on financial deals by 83 people, firms

By The Nation

The Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) yesterday lifted its ban on 83 individuals and businesses suspected of providing funds to the red shirts during the recent political unrest.

Army commander-in-chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, in his capacity as the CRES' head of operations, was instructed to sign an order to lift the ban.

The CRES decided to lift the ban in order to avoid giving an impression it was abusing its power, according to a source familiar with the matter. Financial transactions by the 83 people or firms would remain under scrutiny by relevant financial bodies.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) suggested earlier that the ban be lifted as the crisis has passed and things have returned to normal.

DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit made the recommendation at yesterday's meeting of CRES, which imposed the ban after weeks of turmoil by the red-shirts.

Tharit said the DSI had completed its probe into transactions by people and firms on the blacklist, but further in-depth inquiries into suspicious cases would be conducted on a case-by-case basis.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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ANALYSIS

Prayuth in line to be next Army chief

Prayuth

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TAXES

No change in VAT not to affect fiscal budget

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EDITORIAL

The Thai public must play its part in energy conservation

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SIDELINES

For Thai Democrats, it's time to remember friends, allies

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Myanmar Reopens Border for Construction Materials

The Mae Sot customs office estimates that Myanmar's border closure has cost Thailand about a billion baht in border trade.

Now, Myanmar has agreed to reopen its border to allow materials for the construction of an erosion wall through.

More than 20 trucks carrying construction materials, such as steel rods and cement, have been allowed to enter Myawaddy via the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge in Tak's Mae Sot district.

The construction materials will be used to build an erosion wall on Myanmar's Moei River bank.

Thailand's construction aid is intended to help Myanmar complete its erosion wall at the same time as Thailand and to strengthen ties between the two nations.

After the dispute that led to the three-week border closure by Burmese authorities, many are confident Myanmar will reopen its border for trade within the next two to three days.

Traders have begun preparing goods to be transported across the border.

Meanwhile, Mae Sot customs officer Pimkarn Lorsiripaibul said since the border closure on July 18, Thailand has lost approximately one billion baht in border trade and Burmese workers traveling to Thailand were forced to illegally cross the border.

The border closure also affected the prices of goods in Myanmar, particularly in Myawaddy, where prices of consumer goods have shot up considerably.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Military Officer to Be Questioned in Blast Probe

A military officer, also a former suspect in a car bomb attack, has been summoned by the police to provide information on bombing cases in an effort to determine their possible links to the recent blasts.

Former car bomb suspect Colonel Surapol Supradit and Legal Professional company employee Rangsarit Chayano were summoned by the Metropolitan Police Bureau to provide information regarding recent bomb attacks.

Forty-eight other individuals linked to previous bombing incidents have also been summoned to provide the police with further information.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanont asserted that the individuals are not suspects and the police are treating them as witnesses in the recent bomb attacks.

However, he said that certain individuals are under police watch while details about the speculation of bringing in a high-ranking military officer for questioning cannot be disclosed.

Two individuals were questioned yesterday and have provided the police with useful information on the case. Ten more individuals were summoned and questioned today.

If the individuals are somehow linked to the blasts in the capital, the case may be forwarded to the Department of Special Investigation for further investigation.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Thaksin Names More Witnesses in Terrorism Case

An attorney for deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra has requested public prosecutors question six more people before finalizing their terrorism charges against his client.

Attorney for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thanadech Puangpun, submitted a request to Deputy Attorney General for Special Cases, Panupong Chotisin, calling for justice for his client.

Thanadech has argued that agents of the Department of Special Investigation and public prosecutors prematurely indicted Thaksin for terrorism before questioning all key witnesses.

The lawyer submitted a list of six more individuals, including academics and members of the Pheu Thai Party, for Panupong's team to interrogate.

Thanadech hit back at comments made by investigators that Thaksin's phoned-in speeches to the red-shirt group were meant to provoke terrorist activities, saying that his client was only seeking to support the group's cause.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Govt to Launch New Debt Relief Package

The government plans to announce the second phase of the informal debt relief program on August 16.

The program is aimed at addressing chronic debt problems for farmers, credit card holders and teachers with the help of state-run financial institutes.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said on August 16, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will announce measures to help farmers, credit card holders and teachers deal with informal debts.

The plan was thoroughly vetted out at the latest seminar of the Democrat Party as it has made solving debt problems as a priority while it remains in office.

The new relief package will be a follow-up to the government's earlier project which has restructured informal debts and turned them into formal ones to be regulated by the banking system.

Korn added that both the Government Savings Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives have been ordered to restructure their services in order to cater to the needs of the grassroots public.

He said that there is also a plan to set up a bank subsidiary to provide financial services to people with no prior financial records.

In addition, the finance minister stated that he has signed off on a bill on debt collection scheduled to soon be reviewed by the Cabinet.

A draft bill on national savings fund is currently being examined by the Council of State.

The draft law is expected to be presented to the Lower House in the near future.

Regarding a proposal by the State Railway of Thailand to raise ticket prices for its first- and second-class trains by 10 percent, Korn said the price hike will help reduce debts the SRT has incurred.

He gave an assurance that the price increase will not affect the government policy to cut the cost of living for the public.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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All dams gear up to reserve water during rainy season

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Royal Irrigation Department has confirmed that all dams nationwide are fully ready and strong enough to hold large amounts of water during the rainy season.

Mr Chalit Damrongsak, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, stated that he had ordered concerned agencies to inspect the conditions of dams and reservoirs across the country in preparation for the abundance of water as well as possible flashfloods in some areas during the rainy season. As a result, he stated that all of them had been checked and were fully ready for the upcoming rainfalls.

Meanwhile, Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams have reduced their water releases to 15 million cubic meters per day due to the improving water situation of the Chao Phraya River.

Speaking of the flood problem, Mr Chalit said that the Royal Irrigation Department would coordinate with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) on sending water pumps to inundated areas to assist the local residents.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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PM: The labor standard needs to be promoted along with prevention of human trafficking

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva recognizes the importance of Thai labors as the major factor for national development and vows to watch closely to prevent human trafficking problem, also to enhance Thai labor standard in line with the international standard.

Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva presided over the opening of the training program for Thai workforces seeking jobs abroad and ratification ceremony among approved recruitment agencies under the project to reduce expense on recruiting process including the campaign against all kinds of human trafficking.

The Prime Minister stated that labors were key in driving the country forward and that the Government would support the career development project in order to gain more income for the country. Working abroad is another option of capable persons and this program is a beneficial activity to promote Thai labors as the country’s representatives to show their abilities abroad.

Prime Minister Abhisit reiterated that another important task in the Government's labor management was to prevent human trafficking and to set Thai labor standard to be acceptable in international stage.

In this event, more than 80 recruitment agencies joined in the ratification in reducing expense in the recruitment process of those labors going abroad.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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DPM Suthep Ready to Talk to Hun Sen

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban says he is ready to speak to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen about the border disputes if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva instructs him to do so. The ongoing controversy involving the Phrea Vihear Temple has caused members of the People's Alliance for Democracy to question if the government is doing enough to protect Thailand's sovereignty.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Minister Suwit asserts 5-point document on Preah Vihear he signed at World Heritage Committee meeting was non-binding draft; Thailand has no disadvantage

-- TNA 2010-08-04

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Hospital Bustling with King's Well-wishing

Large crowds of people continue to stream into Siriraj Hospital to sign well-wishing messages in order to express their love and loyalty to His Majesty the King.

As of yesterday, Siriraj Hospital's records showed over 385,700 people having signed visit books for the King at the Centennial Pavilion.

Joining the well-wishers today are officers from the 21st Signal Battalion in Bangkok, the Army Reserve Club in Lampang's Wang Nua district, and the Khon Kaen Education Office's Service Area 1.

Other visitors include representatives of the agricultural group in Buri Ram's Pakham district, the Council of Northeastern People's Networks in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sung Noen district, the southern border provinces' youth organization of the Suk-Kaew Kaewdang Foundation in Narathiwat's Waeng district, and teachers as well as students from Ban Bang Namjued School in Samut Sakhon's Muang district.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Thailand proposes to host WHC meeting in 2012

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Cabinet agrees to propose Thailand as the host for the annual meeting of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in 2012, vying with Cambodia as another nominated country.

Mr Panitan Wattanayagorn, Acting Government Spokesperson stated that the Cabinet acknowledged the result of the WHC session, held in Brazil that Thai representatives had attended recently. The Cabinet has approved to propose Thailand to be the host of the 36th session of the WHC meeting in 2012 . Cambodia is another country that is proposing itself as the host in that year as well.

The Cabinet has also made a resolution to set up a committee for gathering information and to arrange the proposition in order to express the country’s stance against the Cambodia’s Preah Vihear Temple administrative plan, to be presented in the next 35th WHC meeting held in Bahrain in 2011. The committee members comprise representatives from related agencies, the Ministries of Foreign Affair and Defense, chaired by Mr Suwit Khunkitti , the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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Govt urges people to use Thai silk in daily life

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture (QThaiSilk) under Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is intensifying the promotion of Thai silk use within the country, focusing on value adding for the products by emphasizing its identity and local wisdom.

QThaiSilk Director-General Pairoj Limjamroon stated that Thai silk had been recognized and famed as a Thai identity. The use of Thai silk among the people however is still limited due to the social values which mark the groups of users as middle-aged and affluent persons including the belief that the material is difficult to care for.

Social values need to be changed to promote Thai silk among citizens. The wisdom in sericulture, mulberry planting and silk weaving in each locality also need to be conserved and passed on to the next generation, through design development so as to respond to the demands of teenagers and those in the working age.

The Department has a policy to urge Thai consumers to use silk products by conveying identity, local wisdom and culture of the country through silk textile. Promotion plans are directed to satisfy high- end market with high quality products, while the products with medium standardized quality will be produced in response to the general market.

The campaign on correct knowledge of silk products and their care will be launched to promote daily use of silk and silk products.

-- NNT 2010-08-04