Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Aug 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Tuesday 10 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 9 August 2010

[webfact]

CRES to review lifting of Emergency Decree in more provinces

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has ordered the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) to consider the revocation of the Emergency Decree in more provinces tomorrow.

Prime Minister Abhisit stated that he had instructed Secretary General of the National Security Council (NSC) Thawil Pliansri, in his capacity as Secretary General of the CRES, to propose a review of the Emergency Decree revocation in additional provinces during the CRES meeting tomorrow. The premier hinted that the law would likely be lifted in some of the 10 provinces currently under its enforcement.

The 10 provinces comprise Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen and Samut Prakan.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Flood rescue in Nan underway

NAN (NNT) -- The authorities of Nan province are expediting a rescue operation for victims of flashflood, which ravaged many homes and farmlands in Phu Phiang district.

Today, local military officers were dispatched to Phu Phiang district to assist residents plagued by flashflood caused by a heavy downpour overnight. The victims were evacuated from the site while more help is on the way.

A number of residences and schools in the district were devastated by the disaster. The authorities helped the flood-stricken residents move their belongings to higher grounds. However, the level of the flood water in the area is still a cause for concern and needs to be monitored amidst continual rainfalls.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

DEP to organize Special Health & Beauty Showcase 2010 on 20 Aug

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) will organize the Special Health & Beauty Showcase 2010 with an aim to push Thailand to become a hub of health and beauty businesses.

According to DEP Director-General Srirat Rastapana, the Special Health & Beauty Showcase will be arranged under the cooperation between the DEP and seven associations related to health and beauty, such as the Thai Cosmetic Manufacturers Association, the Thai Spa Association, and the Thai Herbal Industry Association.

The exhibition will be held with an aim to encourage Thai people to support and purchase the country’s health and beauty products, which are globally accepted for their quality. The event will also help build a new image of Thailand as a hub of health and beauty businesses of Asia.

Ms Srirat further said that lots of health and beauty products would be sold in the exhibition while visitors would have a chance to consult with experts on health and beauty tips. A space for business negotiations will also be provided.

The Special Health & Beauty Showcase 2010 will be organized from 20 to 29 August at the DEP Exhibition Hall on Ratchadapisek Road.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry warns of strong baht, effects on exports

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The baht appreciation may affect Thailand’s export sector and heat up the price competition with neighboring countries, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce Yanyong Puangrach commented that the Thai baht value that had hit a 26-month high at 31.96 THB per USD might weaken the country’s export potential while intensifying the price competition with other countries in the region whose currencies were more stable.

Mr Yanyong said the inflation rate currently standing at 3-3.5% could also be affected but probably slightly, thanks to the economic stimulus measures launched by the Government. He explained that the rate would depend on several economic factors, including the global oil price and the directions of foreign currencies.

On the other hand, the strengthening of the baht has benefited the imports of some products, such as fertilizers, batteries and soy bean meal. The Permanent Secretary for Commerce noted that the ministry was at the moment closely monitoring the baht situation as Vietnam, one of Thailand’s competitors, is reportedly in a wait-and-see position on the devaluation of its Dong currency.

In the meantime, Finance Minister Korn Chatikananij said the baht appreciation was inevitable because the export sector had expanded, causing the currency to appreciate. He indicated that all businesses were now adjusting themselves to the situation.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Buri Ram officials mobilised on Type A (H1N1) flu

By The Nation

Buri Ram

BURI RAM: -- Two more children were admitted to Buri Ram Central Hospital yesterday with suspected type-A (H1N1) influenza.

Meanwhile, Buri Ram Governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao visited Marie Anusorn School in Muang district, which was closed last Friday after 19 fifth-graders were suspected of having contracted the virus and one was confirmed to have the disease.

Peerasak and senior health officials went to the hospital, where it was reported that 143 people suspected of having the flu were admitted between Friday and Sunday. These comprised 102 outpatients and 43 in-patients (18 children and 25 adults).

Earlier yesterday, Peerasak went to Marie Anusorn School to visit the students and their teachers in the face of the H1N1 threat.

He instructed the provincial health authority to increase measures against the virus outbreak, especially those concerning hygiene. He said the province had warned schools, communities and members of the public to be on the watch for the virus and take care of their health.

He also urged those with suspicious symptoms to see doctors as soon as possible to ensure quick medical treatment.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

FIO plans care centres for sick elephants in South

By Janjira Pongrai

The Nation

The Forest Industry Organisation (FIO) is planning five facilities in the South to shelter and treat domesticated elephants, which have been ill in large numbers due to hard labour and poor care by mahouts and keepers.

Five such facilities, to be operated by the FIO-regulated Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC), will be built in Krabi province where 120 elephants work in the logging and tourism industries, out of a total of around 800 animals based in the entire southern region.

The five centres, each on a 100-rai plot, will be located in FIO-owned properties in Ao Luk, Nua Khlong, Phru Dinna, Tong-Bang Chan and Wang Wiset areas. So far, a Bt8.9 million budget has been approved to build one of them.

The FIO will soon obtain royal patronage from Her Majesty the Queen to support this elephant shelter project, permanent secretary Saksit Treedej said yesterday.

Her Majesty has sponsored care of an elephant named Somwang who had been injured by sunburn and overwork in Trang's Huai Yod district. It has been treated and released in May to its home area. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will also give a pair of mother-and-child elephants, presented to her by businesspeople, to the TECC.

There is now only one treatment centre for sick elephants across the country, located in Lampang province in the North, and the FIO hopes the five new centres to be built in Krabi will make treatment of local elephants cheaper and more convenient.

The FIO is also tasked with custody of elephants seized in illegal logging operations. The state-enterprise agency cared for and treated three young elephants seized in anti-logging raids last year.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, there are around 3,000 domesticated elephants across the country, as well as another 1,990 wild elephants in an official estimate in 1991. The number dropped to 1,700 in a 1997 estimate.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Final Battle

By Photo and Story : Charoon Thongnual

A discarded tank is dumped from a Navy ship into Gulf of Thailand off Narathiwat and Pattani provinces on Monday as part of a campaign to create artificial reefs for coral to help rehabilitate the marine ecology.

The tank was among 25 tanks in desrepair that were donated by the Royal Thai Army.

The Chinese-made 30T692 tanks, used by the Army since 1987, were transported to Bangkok's Klong Toei Port before being shipped off to Narathiwat.

This project is meant to lend a hand to Her Majesty the Queen's moves to help the local fishery industry along the coasts of Narathiwat and Pattani as well as rehabilitate the sea in the area.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Doctors to join meeting on how to fix malpractice bill

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

Doctors will join the August 27 "brainstorming" session hosted by the Public Health Ministry on the controversial Medical Malpractice Victim Protection Bill, despite boycotting the ministry's panel to rewrite the draft law.

Dr Sirichai Silapa-archa, adviser to the Federation of Doctors at State, General and Provincial Hospitals, said yesterday representatives from the federation would attend the meeting, along with agencies and non-government groups not directly involved in proposing the current version of the bill.

The arrangement was in response to a letter submitted to the ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Paijit Warachit, he said.

Sirichai did not mention the federation's refusal a week ago to cooperate with the ministry's reconciliation panel, which the ministry hoped would reach a conclusion on the bill within two weeks.

The federation will hear the opinions of leaders of at least 90 medical-worker groups on August 20 so it knows what issues to raise at the "brainstorming" a week later.

The Network for People's Medical Protection will meet Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at 10am today to present its opinion and proposal in writing for the creation of a national-level committee to resolve conflict over the bill.

The network is made up of nurses, doctors, medics, physical therapists and other medical professionals.

Dr Thapanawong Tang-uraiwan, the network's press chief, said the national committee should gather information from medical practitioners in all fields and all agencies.

The Public Health Ministry would host collection of the information, he said.

Paijit said he would continue to liase with other agencies on resolving the problem.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said his ministry was ready to act on Abhisit's instructions.

If the prime minister wanted a national committee formed, then it would be formed, but his reconciliation panel was still active, he said.

"It will continue to talk with those who have raised concerns about the bill," he said.

And there was no timeframe now on improving the bill.

"I'm not going to set any deadline. But I hope the process will not take too long," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Singer hospitalised after Pattaya attack, robbery

By Thanasap Noisa-ard

The Nation

Chon Buri

Singer Chalathit "Ben" Tontiwut was assaulted and robbed of Bt80,000 in cash and valuables on Pattaya's Beach Road early yesterday.

Pattaya police found the unconscious and bashed "Ben" on Beach Rd at about 3.30am. The 29-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for bruises to his face, head and neck, and a wound on the back of his head.

He was said to be in a stable condition and recovering.

Ben's mother Rossukhon Tontiwut, who visited him at the hospital with his manager Nareerat Khongdee, said the singer went to a party at Central Festival Shopping Centre prior to the attack. She said he had lost Bt20,000 in cash, plus a Bt50,000 wristwatch and an iPhone.

She believed it was a random incident because Ben had no known problems with anyone in Pattaya.

Ben told police he could remember hailing a motorcycle taxi from the mall to return to his Phratamnak Hill residence.

A 49-year-old motorcycle taxi operator Wichai Huaiyai told police he saw Ben, who appeared to be drunk, riding on the back of a foreign man's Yamaha Fino motorcycle. The two had a heated argument on the beach and the taxi man said he tried to stop them fighting.

He insisted he didn't take any of Ben's missing valuables and the singer left the scene. He heard later heard the singer had been assaulted by an unknown group of men.

The police investigation into the assault and robbery is on-going.

The incident prompted Sony Music Thailand boss Birathon Kasemsri na Ayudhaya to cancel Ben's scheduled events and concerts indefinitely until the singer recovers fully.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Chuan's son helps govt honour pregnant heroine

By The Nation

Published on August 10, 2010

Surabot Leekpai, the only child of Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, served yesterday as an assistant spokesman for the Culture Ministry.

Surabot, 23, showed up alongside Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat, who handed out an award to a nine-months-pregnant woman for helping to arrest a car thief.

Thitima Yurawan, 33, is due to deliver her second baby on Thursday.

Surabot said Thitima's deed would inspire many others to do good things.

The young spokesman is a graduate from Ramkhamhaeng University's Faculty of Political Science. His father is a former prime minister and former leader of the Democrat Party.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Sex attackers are often friends or family, Thai group says

[webfact]

German flies message of Thai reconciliation

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

[webfact]

CNG bus plan faces govt decision today

By Watcharaphong Thongrung,

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Contentious Bt64-bn scheme draws stiff opposition from various groups; Project will be scrapped if it does not get Cabinet nod: Minister Sophon

The Transport Ministry's controversial multibillion-baht 4,000-CNG-bus scheme appears to be hanging in the balance as it heads for final Cabinet approval today.

Anti-graft and civil-society bodies yesterday voiced strong opposition to the scheme, which was approved in principle last September.

Tul Sitthi-somwong, a representative of the people's network monitoring the project, said the Bt64-billion scheme was dubious and significantly overpriced, so Cabinet should reject the Transport Ministry's proposal.

Senator Paibul Nithitawana, chairman of an anti-corruption Senate committee, also issued a statement opposing the scheme as proposed by Transport Minister Sophon Sarum, who is a key figure of the Bhum Jai Thai party, a powerful member of the Democrat-led coalition government.

Paibul urged the government to conduct a public hearing on this project before giving the final green light, while Tul threatened legal action against Cabinet members who approved the project.

Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry, National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and Budget Bureau have expressed strong reservations about the scheme.

They said the Transport Ministry had not acted in accordance with the Cabinet resolution in September with regard to the management of 7,000 employees of the Bangkok Metropolitan Transit Authority (BMTA) who would be put out of work by the project.

According to the Transport Ministry proposal for today's Cabinet approval, only 2,706 BMTA workers have voluntarily joined an early-retirement scheme to accommodate the CNG (compressed natural gas) bus project, which would use electronic tickets, making many bus conductors redundant.

The ministry says the rest of the affected BMTA employees will either reach mandatory retirement or will be reassigned, including to work on free public buses and privately operated buses.

On the BMTA's financial position, the Finance Ministry reported the authority was heavily indebted, with accumulated debts totalling Bt74.7 billion as of May 31. It owed financial institutions 64.7 billion plus another Bt6.5 billion in unpaid fuel and vehicle-repair bills.

In addition, the agency owed Bt6.5 billion to the pension fund.

Its accumulated debts will rise to Bt100 billion in fiscal 2014 if the state agency's problem is not tackled properly, the ministry warned.

The NESDB said the Transport Ministry had modified the CNG project by adding another 800 buses to 73 routes for free services and another 1,000 to 1,200 buses to be operated by private firms under BMTA's concessions. As a result, there was no complete evaluation of the overall scheme.

The NESDB also found that the Transport Ministry's leases of the 4,000 CNG buses had risen from the previous Bt4,355 per day per vehicle to Bt4,690-Bt5,170.

Sophon said he was ready to clarify all critical points of the project during today's Cabinet meeting.

If Cabinet did not grant final approval, he said the ministry would scrap this project and the Finance Ministry would have to set aside an annual budget to subsidise the money-losing city service.

Sophon insisted that the cost of leasing each of the 4,000 buses would not exceed Bt4,300 per vehicle per day throughout the two 10-year lease contracts.

Each of the two contracts will cover 2,000 buses.

A ministry source said Cabinet was unlikely to give the green light to this scheme if Sophon could not clarify the points raised by the NESDB and other state agencies satisfactorily.

"We've worked with the NESDB and other units over the past year, but there are always new issues, so I think the project is highly politicised," said the source.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

DEMOCRAT DISSOLUTION TRIAL

Reliability of EC witnesses questioned in Court

[webfact]

THAICOM

Cabinet to mull Thaicom 2 orbital slot move

By Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry has proposed for Cabinet consideration today its plan to move the Thaicom 2 satellite from its present orbital slot of 78.5 degrees east to 50.5 degrees east in order to maintain the country's right to the latter.

A ministry source said the right to the 50.5degreeeast slot would expire at the end of this year. By moving Thaicom 2, the Kingdom would be able to continue the right for an additional 18 months.

The state-private joint panel founded under Article 22 of the Public Private Joint Venture Act to oversee Thaicom satellite concessions has already approved the plan, the source added.

The ministry regards the 50.5degreeeast slot as very important, as a satellite beaming data from that position can cover the Middle East and Africa. The country reserved the orbital slot a long time ago but has never used it.

According to International Telecommunication Union regulations, if a country does not use an orbital slot it has reserved for a certain period, other countries have the right to apply for it.

It was satellite operator Thaicom that recently suggested to the ICT Ministry the idea of maintaining the right by moving the slot.

Thaicom operates the Thaicom 2 and 5 broadcasting satellites and the iPSTAR broadband satellite. Thaicom 2's lifespan expires this year.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

PREAH VIHEAR CONTROVERSY

Khmer PM calls for in't conference to solve dispute with Thailand

By xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday appealed to hold an international conference to help solve the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.

Hun Sen's comment came a day after he wrote to the United Nations complaining about Thailand's threat to use military to solve the claimed areas near the Preah Vihear temple.

"I would like to ask that an international conference be set up to discuss the dispute at the Cambodia and Thailand border," Hun Sen said during a speech to civil servants.

"I appeal to the United Nations, including Asean nations and all the signatories of the Paris peace accord to host the conference because the bilateral discussion is at an impasse now."

Hun Sen made the appeal during his speech at a national working meeting held Monday. He said Cambodia always hopes to resolve the issue through the existing bilateral mechanism, but it was rejected by Thailand, so "only an international talk could solve Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple dispute."

Cambodia and Thailand went through three rounds of talks since the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the border demarcation was inked in 2000, Hun Sen said, but Thailand did not seek parliamentary ratification, leaving the deal in limbo.

"I call on an international conference which will include Asean member countries, UN's Security Council, International Court of Justice and Paris Accord's country members," he said.

Hun Sen on Sunday sent letters to UN's Security Council President Vitaly Churkin, and UN's General Assembly President Ali Abdussalam Treki to inform that Thailand would use arms to resolve the border.

Cambodia and Thailand have the border conflict just one week after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was registered as a World Heritage Site in July 2008.

And over the past days, Cambodia and Thailand have exchanged war of words concerning who won at the recent UNESCO's meeting in Brazil on the conservation and management plan submitted by the Cambodian side over the world cultural heritage site.

Cambodia was due to present its progress report on the conservation and management plan of the Preah Vihear Temple to UNESCO's committee for World Heritage, but that was opposed by the Thai side, who hoped that would be done only after the border issues between the two nations have been finalized.

However, the UNESCO accepted the report but suggested it to be examined next year in Bahrain.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Temple row is hot, Hun Sen complains

[webfact]

Overcrowded Thai jails are part of a vicious circle

[webfact]

SIDELINES

The great debate on Preah Vihear gets nowhere

[webfact]

Govt to appoint 2 panels for temple row

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti will appoint two panels to work on the Preah Vihear dispute and prepare for the meeting of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) next year in Bahrain as empowered by the Cabinet.

According to Mr Suwit, the first committee will comprise various units from several ministries. The Minister himself will be the chairperson while his Permanent Secretary, Dr Saksit Tridech, will help coordinate and compile related information.

In the panel, the Ministry of Defense will take care of security affairs and border map making. The Ministry of Culture will work on preservation issues while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will deal with treaties and legal matters, including the debatable 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Meanwhile, the second panel will involve representatives of the civil sector. The participants will be able to express opinions from different viewpoints, projecting a wider perspective towards the border problem. Academics with historical, legal, or cartographic knowledge will play a vital role in this panel.

The appointment of the two committees is expected to be completed and presented to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva within next week.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Govt to launch 1 Tambon 1 Temple for merit making on Sunday

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Culture has given a policy to each Provincial Office of Culture to organize an activity of Dharma Savanna, a Buddhist holy day every Sunday in each Tambon to urge students and working people to make merit other than on the common Dharma Savanna days indicated in the Thai solar calendar which always fall on working days.

Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat stated that the Ministry initiated a policy to encourage the public to enter the temple for merit-making and performing good deeds. However, the people of working age and teenagers cannot attend the common Dharma Savanna days held in temples which mostly fall on weekdays.

The Ministry thus has assigned the Provincial Offices of Culture nationwide to cooperate with one temple in each sub-district or Tambon to hold such a holy day every Sunday. This activity will be another channel for the people to perform more religious activities. Any temple that has already organized such an activity will be promoted as the model for other temples to follow.

The Minister said that he had also tasked the Culture Offices to hold other activities to encourage people to recognize the importance of merit making and for them to invite the Buddhist monks to teach Dhamma on their special days such as birthday anniversary.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Teaching a deadly business in Thailand's troubled south

[webfact]

MOPH: Dengue fever spread a concern nationwide

BANGKOK, 10 August 2010 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has voiced concern over the spread of dengue fever in all provinces nationwide after the number of infections was found higher than last year by 83%.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit considered the ongoing spread of dengue fever a worrying issue. He said the Ministry had been monitoring the epidemic spread closely from June to August and last week accumulated the number of patients at 41,413, higher than the previous week by 3,000, along with 10 confirmed fatalities. The disease this year has been found most prevalent in the South, followed by the Central and the Northeast.

The Minister hence has assigned related units to exterminate spawning sites and larvae of mosquitoes and suggested people to prevent themselves from mosquito bites.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

H1N1 spread normal

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Influenza (H1N1) spread in Thailand is considered normal and under control, as only few more cases have been reported lately in the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Buri Ram.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit stated that the epidemic spread in the two provinces had eased off, and there was no report of further spread. He, however, said the Ministry would continue to educate people on preventive measures against the new flu.

There have been only 16 confirmed cases of H1N1 virus infection in Ubon Ratchathani province, most of whom were teachers who presumably got infected during a seminar of public school teachers. Two of those infected in Buri Ram province are fifth-grade students.

Regarding the free vaccination service against the new strain of flu, only 201,534, or 9.8% of the 2.1 million doses in stock, have been administered so far. The Ministry will keep campaigning for people in the risk group to avail themselves of the service before the vaccine expires at the end of October.

The seven at-risk groups are medical staffs, pregnant women of seven months and over, people weighing over 100kg, those with brain damage, chronic disease patients, infants aged from six months to two years old, and senior citizens over 65 years of age.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Army Awaits Govt Command on Border Dispute

The defense minister affirmed that the armed forces are ready to act on the government's command if the administration deems it necessary to push out Cambodians from the area surrounding Preah Vihear Temple.

Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan assured that no force would be used against Cambodian citizens inhabiting the area around Preah Vihear Temple and denied any such order has been issued.

He affirmed, however, that the military is ready to act on the administration's command.

Prawit said he has not contacted his Cambodian counterpart on the situation, leaving it in the hand of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Committee.

The minister added that the military wishes to continue negotiations to resolve the dispute while stating that the border remains calm.

Army Spokesman Colonel Sittichai Makkunchorn revealed that the army's most recent meeting dealt with national reform and did not touch on the border conflict, stating only that the military will protect Thailand's interests.

A meeting of the army's top brass is scheduled today to review the border situation but no details have been released.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Flood Victims in Chiang Rai Rescued

Several agencies have extended help to people who were affected by a flood in the Mae Chan district of Chiang Rai province.

At a municipal school in the Mae Chan district of Chiang Rai province, The Princess Pa Foundation's vice president, Damrong Rianprayoon presented 700 bags of necessities to people living in three sub-districts that were hit by the flood.

The three districts are Chan Jawa, Jom Sawan, and Sai Nam Kam.

The bags were provided by Princess Soamsavali and her daughter Princess Bajrakitiyabha who is the president of the Princess Pa ภา Foundation.

A total of 48 more bags of necessities were presented to Buddhist monks at the flood site.

The foundation also sent out mobile cooking cars to travel around Chan Jawa sub-district.

Flood water levels in three villages of the Chan Jawa sub-district are still worrisome after water tables in the Chan and Kam Rivers rose following recent rains.

About 200 households have flooded and water levels are as high as a half meter.

Meanwhile, Prajit Apiwat, Nakhon Phanom deputy governor and chief of the provincial Disaster Mitigation office warned people who live along the Mae Khong River and on the hill about possible flash floods in radio announcements.

People who live along Mae Khong River are at the most risk, as water levels in the river are rising by 20 or 30 centimeters every day.

Additionally, the river's currents are very strong and are destroying many places along the riverbank.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Woman Caught for Child Prostitution in Pattaya

Police have arrested a woman for trafficking underage prostitutes in Pattaya.

Anti-human trafficking police apprehended 38-year-old Somsanit Yoonawabhum at the Little Court Hotel in Banglamung district of Chonburi province, following reports of child prostitution involving minors between the ages of 14 and 16, on Pattaya beach.

Police used a foreigner as a decoy customer who contacted the pimp and agreed to pay 2,000 baht for a child prostitute. Somsanit was caught while taking a 15-year-old girl to the customer in Room 211.

Officers also seized a cellphone, a 1000-baht banknote, a handbag and a hotel receipt for a one-night stay.

The woman said she is not with any human trafficking ring, and claimed the girl came on her own free will.

Police initially charged Somsanit with child prostitution, which carries a sentence of 5 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000-baht, under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Police Prepare for PAD Protesters Next Week

Police are preparing for the simultaneous arrival of 79 People's Alliance for Democracy suspects to acknowledge charges related to the occupation of airports in 2008 next week.

Investigators from the Crime Suppression Division conducted a drill in the event that all 79 People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, suspects come at the same time to hear charges related to their demonstration at Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports.

An assistant national police chief, Police Lieutenant General Somyos Phumphanmuang said the exercise was conducted in preparation for the simultaneous arrival of 79 suspects to the Crime Suppression Division on August 26 and to ensure all procedures run smoothly on that day.

Police Lieutenant General Somyos noted that only suspects, their lawyers and relatives will be allowed to enter the restricted area.

He further said he has prepared 20 teams of investigators to question the suspects and if there are no obstacles, the officials expect to complete the whole operation within three hours.

The assistant national police chief added that he has instructed all investigators to treat the suspects politely.

He revealed that some of the suspects have already reported to investigators but details about their questioning can not be disclosed at this time.

Somyos noted that investigators would ask the court to approve arrest warrants against those who fail to show up after the summonses are issued for them a second time.

He added that the suspects who report to police for summonses and investigators are not considered guilty, and will be automatically released according to the law.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

[webfact]

Thailand may end emergency rule in more areas: official

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai authorities will meet Tuesday to consider lifting a state of emergency in more provinces, but not the capital and surrounding areas, a top security official said.

"Bangkok still needs the state of emergency for a while but in other provinces the security laws will be lifted gradually," Tawin Pleansri, secretary-general of National Security Council, told reporters.

The emergency decree, which bans public gatherings of more than five people and gives security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge, remains in place in 10 out of Thailand's 76 provinces.

At one point about one-third of the country was under emergency rule, but the government has rolled back the laws in some areas.

Authorities have used the powers -- introduced in Bangkok on April 7 -- to arrest hundreds of people linked to the "Red Shirt" opposition protest movement and to silence anti-government media.

A two-month-long rally by the Reds attracted up to 100,000 people in central Bangkok demanding immediate elections, but was crushed by the army in a bloody crackdown in May.

About 90 people died and some 1,900 were injured in a series of street clashes between armed troops and demonstrators.

The government has said the decree is still needed in the capital following two small bomb blasts in central Bangkok last month, including one which killed a man.

A separate state of emergency has been in place since 2005 in three Muslim-majority southern provinces where a separatist insurgency has left more than 4,100 people dead in six years.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-10