Thailand Live Saturday 14 Aug 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 14 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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 13 August 2010

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Police Arrest Suspects in Two Separate Crimes

Police arrest three criminals in two separate cases. The first case involves two Colombians who allegedly burglarized wealthy people's homes and the second involves a Thai man accused of snatching a gold necklace and stealing a vehicle.

In the first case, police arrested members of a foreign robbery gang who made off with assets worth four million baht that they stole from wealthy people's homes.

Bangkok police said they apprehended two Colombian nationals and seized a number of items used in the robbery in Bangkok's Taligchan area.

The robbers are accused of stealing a number of assets worth at least four million baht total.

Police said the Colombian suspects entered Thailand on tourist visas and used a pick-up truck with a counterfeit number plates in their robbery spree.

They vowed to conduct a further probe into the matter and are looking for the mastermind of the operation, adding they believe another Colombian gang is operating in Chiang Mai province.

Police added that three other accomplices managed to escape arrest.

In a separate case, a 21-year Bangkok man was arrested for allegedly snatching a gold necklace and stealing a motorcycle in July 2010. He has been identified as Thanaphon Prommuyat.

The bandit admitted guilt in the case and explained that he and his friend worked together in committing the crime.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-14

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Situation at Thai-Cambodian border still calm

SI SA KET (NNT) -- The situation at the Thai-Cambodian border remains calm while additional checkpoints have been set up around the disputed area near Preah Vihear Temple for safety reason.

According to Suranaree Task Force Deputy Commander Colonel Krittad Suamsiri, the latest situation at the Thai-Cambodian border was still normal. Both Thai and Cambodian military officers remain stationed near the controversial overlapping territory around Preah Vihear Temple in order to maintain peace and order. No additional troops have been deployed, and the atmosphere has been calm.

However, Thai authorities have set up four additional checkpoints at the nearby Khao Phra Wihan National Park on the Thai side to ensure maximum safety for local residents.

Colonel Krittad added that the governments of both countries were directly responsible for coordinating on border demarcation. Therefore, he encouraged the local residents not to panic and said that he had dispatched military officers to create a good understanding with them.

-- NNT 2010-08-14

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Sukhothai to declare parts of Mueang district flood disaster areas

SUKHOTHAI (NNT) -- The authorities of Sukhothai province prepare to declare three tambons in Mueang district as flood disaster areas due to the incessant rain and the rapidly rising water in the Yom River.

Sukhothai Governor Chakkarin Plianwong stated that the water level in the Yom River had been increasing sharply due to continuous heavy rainfalls in the upper part of the province. The provincial officers are closely monitoring the water situation and seeking water management measures to prevent possible flooding in Mueang district. As for Sawankhalok district, over 2,000 rai of farmland has been ravaged by the heavy downpours.

Mr Chakkarin said that if there were more rains in the next few days, the provincial authorities would be ready to declare three tambons in Mueang district, namely Tan Tia, Yang Chai and Pak Phra, as disaster zones. Meanwhile, people residing along the Yom River have been warned of flashfloods and asked to prepare for immediate evacuation.

-- NNT 2010-08-14

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Bangkok Bombing Suspect Nabbed

Military officers have turned over a suspect in the rash of Bangkok city bombings to police after finding the motorcycle taxi driver who fits the suspect's description.

Police inspected a Kawasaki motorcycle of Kalasin province native Rungpetch Muangsoon today, after finding it parked near Khlong Lod next to the Rattanakosin Hotel.

Authorities were tipped off by military intelligence last night that a suspect in Bangkok’s recent rash of bombings was going to attempt another attack.

Reports stated that two individuals on a motorcycle, one with a beard and another holding the explosive device, would carry out the bombing.

Chana-Songkram police successfully apprehended Rungpetch, who fit the description.

The suspect however has contested his arrest, explaining that he is a motorcycle taxi driver.

Traces of Potassium Nitrate were found on his person and vehicle. Police logged the arrest but have not charged Rungpetch due to a lack of evidence.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-14

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Security in BKK remains tightened

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Tight security is still retained throughout Bangkok following reports of terror incitement, according to Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant-General Santhan Chayanont.

Police Lieutenant-General Santhan indicated that there might be some attempts to incite turmoil by ill-intentioned groups within Bangkok this month, citing continual reports from the intelligence unit.

Therefore, to ensure maximum safety for Bangkokians, police and security-related agencies have been assigned to stay on the watch for irregular activities in a bid to prevent recurrences of terrorist attacks in the capital city.

Meanwhile, regarding Army Region 3 Commander Lieutenant General Thanongsak Apirakyothin's demand for the Government to revoke the State of Emergency in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces, Provincial Police Region 5 Commissioner Police Lieutenant-General Somkid Boontanom voiced strong opposition to the idea. He reasoned that the two northern provinces were still vulnerable to unrest instigation.

-- NNT 2010-08-14

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UPDATE

BRIBES

Juthamas mum on charges

By The Nation

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Officer in South praises locals

By The Nation

Bombdisposal officials yesterday successfully defused a bomb in Yala's Yaha district.

Colonel Woradej Dejraksa, chief of the 14 th Task Force, yesterday said the bomb was hidden very close to the spot another bomb was found on Tuesday.

"The locals have alerted us about the bomb," the highranking military official revealed.

He said locals have given useful tipsoff to authorities. Based on this intelligence gathering, relevant units are now stepping up security measures

"We are told that armed insurgents are going to fan violence during Ramadan," Woradej said.

This year, Ramadan runs from this week to September 9. During the fasting period, Muslims will need to travel around in the evening and at night to perform religious rituals.

-- The Nation 2010-08-14

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Colombian duo caught for heist

By The Nation

Two Colombians have been arrested for allegedly stealing more than Bt4million worth of valuables from a cardiologist's home in Bangkok.

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Nofault malpractice law will avoid UK, US woes, academic says

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

As doctors worry about a new law that will allow patients to file malpractice suits, the experience of countries including the United States and United Kingdom shows that nofault compensation for medical errors is the key mechanism to reduce legal actions against doctors, an academic says.

Under the nofault system proposed for the new law, the victims of medical errors would claim compensation from a fund rather than taking doctors to court.

"The process under the new law is simpler and quicker than the judicial process," Associate Professor Leuchai Sringernyuang of Mahidol University's faculty of social sciences and humanities said.

Leuchai, who has been investigating the draft bill for medical malpractice protection for several years, was speaking at a roundtable seminar titled "Patient Protection Law: Lessons Learned from Different Countries" organised by the Health Systems Research Institute.

He said the key point of medical malpractice protection was compensation for injuries or damages suffered during the treatment rather than the proof of fault.

While human errors are a factor and should be minimised, he said, "most medical errors are caused by the system, not individual negligence".

Leuchai said that in the UK, the tortbased system, which allows patients to file lawsuits against doctors for medical errors, had caused unjustifiable harm to that country's healthcare system, while also damaging the relationship between doctor and patient. Moreover, some medical workers conceal information about their medical errors to avoid being sued.

On top of that, filing a lawsuit to receive compensation is a lengthy process.

"Some patients spend more than five years in the judiciary process after filing a lawsuit against doctors seeking compensation. And then half the compensation is paid to their lawyer," he said.

Meanwhile in the US, litigation against doctors has drastically increased the cost of medical malpractice insurance.

"The price of medical malpractice insurance is unaffordable," Leuchai said.

Additionally, he said, many insurance companies were discontinuing their policies for medical malpractice in light of increasing litigation against doctors.

As a result, many doctors have left the medical professional, he said, while others have reduced their services or conduct defensive medicine as a safeguard against possible malpractice liability.

However, he said, the nofault compensation bill should ease doctors' fear of litigation, as the nofault process would focus on the proof of causation rather than the proof of fault.

He said doctors need not worry about the costs of compensating patients and should focus on improvements in the quality of medical services.

-- The Nation 2010-08-14

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Northern provinces reel under severe floods

By The Nation

Floods ravaged through many provinces in the country yesterday as a tropical storm hovered over the Andaman Sea.

In Chiang Mai, runoff water from mountains sent floodwater to the Chiang MaiHang Dong road making it impassable to vehicles for several hours. Floodwater rose over 50 centimetres in the early morning.

As of press time, seriouslyinundated local roads also made it impossible for cars to reach Sri Ping Mueang and Pratu Korm communities.

In another northern province, Uttaradit, up to four tambons were declared disasterhit zones because of severe flooding. They were tambons Phai Lom, Mae Pool, Fai Luang and Si Phanommas.

Uttaradit Governor Yothin Samutkhiri handed out 500 sets of relief items to flood victims in these tambons.

More than 10,000 sacks were also handed out alongside sand for locals to form sandbags against floodwater.

"This is the 22nd time my house was flooded this year," Pan Innum lamented.

Uttaradit disasterpreventionandmitigation chief Surachai Tatchakawin said heavy downpours still blanketed over most parts of the province.

"In the worsthit spots, floodwater is more than 1.5 metres deep," he said, "My wife and I are about to die of stress".

Phitsanulok disasterpreventionandmitigation chief Boonying Khumsuphan, meanwhile, warned locals in Noen Maprang, Nakhon Thai, Chat Trakan, Wang Thong and Wat Bote districts to beware of possible landslides.

In Sakon Nakhon, floodwater damaged crops in so many paddy fields and farms.

"All 14 rai of my farm are now under water," Chu Nusa complained.

In Sukhothai, it was reported that flooding already ravaged 2,100 rai of farmland because the Yom River overflowed.

In a related development, thousands of Ranong residents complained that the rising seawater level during the past few days had damaged their homes and property.

Zaidol Yapha, a village head, said yesterday that locals were now frightened. Many people have evacuated to higher ground for fear that a storm surge might hit.

-- The Nation 2010-08-14

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RED SHIRTS PROTESTS

Seh daeng's driver offers 'useful info'

By The Nation

Provides details of fund exchanges; names key leaders

A former personal chauffeur of late Army specialist Khattiya Sawasdiphol has been apprehended and is cooperating by providing useful inside information on the red shirts and their protests in May, security sources said yesterday.

Jakchalat Khongsuwan, for whom an arrest warrant had been issued, implicated several key figures involved in the planning of the red-shirt protests and who he said gave Khattiya money to fund the protests, the sources revealed. "He also told of many rendezvous where the money was delivered several times," the sources said.

The man was arrested recently in Bangkok after hiding upcountry since May. He has been in military custody at a barracks outside Bangkok.

Meanwhile, after an intelligence alert over possible bomb attacks in Bangkok, soldiers last night apprehended a taxi motorcyclist suspected of planting a bomb while he was riding around Sanam Luang, but they released him before noon despite an inspection that found explosive residues on his hands and his motorcycle.

Chana Songkhram police said Kalasin native Rungphet Muangsoon, 40, showed no signs of guilt during an eight-hour interview. Police later searched his room and found a pro-red scarf before seizing 17 items to be analysed for explosive substances.

The man said he attended the red-shirt protests at Phan Fa Bridge but took no part in violent protests or acts. There is no evidence that he took part in a violent clash on April 10 at Khok Wua intersection, where a number of soldiers and red shirts were killed.

Elsewhere, the 3rd Army Area, which commands Army units in the North, has recommended to the government that it lift the state of emergency in the entire region, or at least in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces, saying the military and police could jointly handle the situation relying on the power given to them under regular laws.

Commander Lt-General Thanongsak Aphirakyothin said a bomb-related incident in Chiang Mai on Thursday should not result in the state of emergency being continued and soldiers could still legitimately maintain patrols and surveillance jointly with the police without the state of emergency in place.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said a proposal would be submitted to the government to lift the state of emergency if intelligence analysis from military and civilian security agencies merited such a move. The proposal would be ready for submission by Tuesday.

"The lifting of the state in emergency in certain cases could be authorised by the prime minister without Cabinet approval," he said.

Chiang Mai Governor Amornphan Nimanant said the state of emergency in his province should not be lifted unconditionally or entirely, saying there were some indications that the situation was not quite calm as it looked. He did not explain further.

The bomb planted in a bus stop in front of a school in San Pa Thong district contained gravel intended as shrapnel, but was found and defused. "This shows the intent of those who planted it. People would have got hurt if it had gone off," Amornphan said.

He said emergency could be lifted in certain areas and remain in effect in others. He did not explain what reasons would be used for maintaining or lifting it or give details about which areas might be affected.

-- The Nation 2010-08-14

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FUGITIVE EX-PREMIER

Extradition of Thaksin, red leaders sought

Public prosecutors plan to seek the extradition of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as well as other red-shirt leaders now on the run overseas to face terrorism charges at home.

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DEMOCRAT DISSOLUTION TRIAL

DSI looks for 'flaw' in probe

By The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is investigating alleged wrongdoing by some of its investigators working in the probe that led to the dissolution case against the ruling Democrat Party.

Tharit Pengdit, the DSI director-general, said yesterday that a fact-finding team would be set up to investigate the alleged wrongdoing and failure to follow proper procedures.

The move followed reported testimony by DSI investigator Thachapon Phromchan, who is a witness in the dissolution case, that the investigators did not record witness testimony in a question-and-answer format, but rather prepared typed testimony for witnesses to acknowledge by signing.

"If that's the case, it's severe wrongdoing," Tharit said, adding that he would order an investigation into the matter to determine whether the Constitution or any law was violated.

He said the investigation would focus on the DSI officials investigating the allegedly illegal donation of Bt258 million by TPI Polene to the Democrat Party in 2005. "If I don't set up the investigation team, someone may take action against me for negligence," he said.

"This matter is under intense public attention. There are allegations the previous group of investigators committed wrongdoing and false witnesses were concocted. So the DSI needs to set up a committee to investigate this matter for justice," Tharit said.

The DSI's old team of investigators concluded that the donation was concealed in the form of payments made to the advertising company Messiah Business and Creation. However, the DSI's new team of investigators found that TPI Polene actually hired Messiah to produce their advertisements and there was no siphoning of funds.

-- The Nation 2010-08-14

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WATCH DOG

Reason for optimism as funds pour in and growth continues

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Army will always be a part of Thai politics

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Swedes Get Their Own Thai Number

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set up a number of international telephone “hotlines” to help foreign visitors get updated 24-hour tourism information and have their queries answered about any aspect of travel and tourism to and within Thailand.

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Thai baht expected to move between 31.85-32.15 next week

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Experts of the Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch) speculate that the Thai baht currency next week will move in a frame of 31.85-32.15 THB per USD.

Amid the capital influx and the appreciating Thai baht, the KResearch experts forecasted next week’s value of the domestic currency to stand between 31.85-32.15 THB against the greenback. Upon the estimation, they also urged investors to keep an eye on the Bank of Thailand (BoT)’s strategies to stabilize the Baht and the directions of other regional currencies and markets.

Meanwhile, the experts viewed that the direction of the US dollar would depend on many key economic figures of the country, such as the Housing Market Index of the National Association of Home Builders, the production performance from the Fed’s New York branch, the report of business trends from the Fed’s Philadelphia branch in August, the economic factors index, the production price index and the production performance of the industrial sector.

-- NNT 2010-08-14

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DIT to take stern step against overpriced bottled water vendors

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) will take a stern measure against vendors who sell overpriced bottled water, starting 16 August.

The DIT will send out a team of officers to check the selling prices of bottled water in the market, from 16 August onwards, following the Consumer Goods and Service Prices Committee’s recent announcement on the water price control.

The latest announcement specifies that the price of 500-600 milliliter bottled water must not exceed 7 THB while the 1.5-liter size must be 14 THB or less. Vendors who resist to comply will face legal penalty of up to 7-year imprisonment and/or 140,000-THB fine.

Teams of staff have been dispatched to inspect the pricing and alert sellers in various communities, malls, and markets about the requirement before it is put in effect.

-- NNT 2010-08-14

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Three shot dead in Thai south: police

YALA (AFP) -- Suspected Islamic insurgents have shot and killed three people including a Muslim policeman in southern Thailand Saturday in the first fatal attacks since the start of Ramadan, police said.

The police officer was the victim of an early morning drive-by shooting as he rode his motorcycle in the Yaring district of Pattani province.

In a separate attack, a Buddhist couple aged 42 and 41, were gunned down on their way to work at a rubber plantation in Yala.

The bloodshed comes as authorities have warned of the potential for a large scale attack during the Muslim holy month, which began on Thursday in Thailand.

Yala governor Krissada Boonrach has asked all provincial security agencies to prepare for an escalation in violence.

Thailand last month extended emergency rule in three troubled Muslim-majority southern provinces until October as it struggles to quell unrest that has left more than 4,100 people dead in six years.

The shadowy militants, whose exact goals are unclear, have targeted both Buddhists and Muslims, including many civilians.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-14

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Bomb squad defuses hand grenade hidden in market parking lot in heart of Lampang provincial seat /via @MCOT

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Phuket motorists warned over 'red plate' driving

Seeing Red: A 'red plate' ready to be fitted. Photo by Pimwara Choksakulpan.

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Phuket Rotary Club organizes relief for Pakistani flood victims

NASA Earth Observatory image of the affected area, created by Robert Simmon.

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Blazing fire ignites at South Pattaya labour encampment

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Airport link's trial run on weekdays only. It is still a free ride until Aug 23 when it opens 6.00-24.00 /via @veen_NT /via @Kalyakornn /via @Tulip_Oum

Ab 10,000 ppl take Airport Link daily during trail period. SRT expects 50,000 passengers/day when fully operated on Aug 23. /via @veen_NT

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Walkway construction joining Airport Link-BTS-MRT underway

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is expediting the construction plan to connect the Airport Rail Link to the BTS Skytrain and the MRT Subway system.

Director of the SRT’s Operation and Public Relation Center Watcharachan Sirisuwannatat said the construction of the passageway joining the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link to the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai station was currently underway. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of September.

The SRT is now in the process of selecting the constructor to take on another walkway construction project that will connect the Makkasan Airport Link station to the Phetchaburi MRT Subway station. The path is approximately 200 meters long.

At present, 15,000 passengers on average are using the Airport Link service each day. The train, which runs between downtown Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport, has the capacity to transport up to 100,000 passengers per day.

-- NNT 2010-08-14

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1 Million Baht Petrol Station robbery close to Pattaya, caught-on-tape

Lucky escape for bar worker following shooting at South Pattaya bar

Cervical cancer awareness parade held on Pattaya Beach

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/26551/cervical-cancer-awareness-parade-held-on-pattaya-beach/

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No terrorism charges filed against Chakchalat Khongsuwan, Seh Daeng Khattiya's driver, awaiting DSI questioning /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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Cambodian FM sends letter to Vietnamese counterpart, ASEAN, seeking regional help in resolving border dispute with Thailand "to avoid any large scale armed conflict"

-- TNA 2010-08-14

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American murdered in Phuket; Police hunt 'killer Brit'