Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Aug 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 18 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

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who wish to follow the news can find it here...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 17 August 2010

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Govt to consider lifting emergency law in the remaining provinces

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban reveals the possibility to deactivate the State of Emergency in the remaining seven provinces.

According to Mr Suthep, the Government intended to call off the emergency decree in more areas in order to bring back normalcy to the society. The 7 remaining provinces included Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima. Mr Suthep also speculated that the Decree would remain in effect in Bangkok for the rest of the year.

Following Pheu Thai Party’s plan to meet and greet anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship activists in the freshly- decree lifted provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani, Mr Suthep said the party could of course progress with the plan but they would have to abide by the law. However, if the Party members intended to incite disorder or violence during their road show, they would be subject to a serious prosecution.

-- NNT 2010-08-18

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Restored Central World to Partially Reopen Next Month

Central World is set to reopen its shopping complex around the end of next month after it was severely damaged by an arson fire during the May red-shirt riots.

Managing director of Central Pattana Public Company Limited, Kobchai Jirathiwat, said the shopping zones within the compound of Central World are scheduled to reopen around the end of September, while full operation has been set for the beginning of November.

Korbchai said his company has instructed all of its branches to keep prices of beverages sold in its commercial space at an appropriate level and arrange zones for discount products to ease consumers' burden.

The company pledged to follow the Commerce Ministry's requirement that the prices of 500- to 600-cc bottled water must not exceed seven baht each while the 1.5-liter bottle must not surpass 14 baht.

Korbchai also remarked his firm has scheduled the opening of its new branch in Surat Thani in April 2012. The newest Central Plaza costs three billion baht in investment and stands on a 62-rai plot of land.

He said Surat Thani's Central Plaza will be the largest shopping complex in the South and projected the new branch will attract 2.8 million people from Surat Thani and nearby provinces. It is also expected to attract 1.5 million Thai and foreign tourists each year.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-18

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Hungarian Ambassador praises Govt´s performance in handling political issues

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Ambassador of Hungary to Thailand Dr Andras Balogh lauds the Government's performance during the time of anti-government rallies.

Hungarian Ambassador to Thailand on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Government House on the completion of his assignments to the Kingdom.

The Prime Minister took this opportunity to thank the Ambassador for playing an important role in expanding cooperation with Thailand especially in trade and investment. The Ambassador also noted that Thailand and Hungary have developed close bilateral ties for more than 100 years.

Another similarity of the two countries was also mentioned at their meeting as both suffered global economic crisis and received support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).The Ambassador lauded the Government’s performance in rapidly resolving economic problems and was surprised that the stock index had risen significantly amidst intense political conflicts.

The Ambassador also praised the Prime Minister for putting great emphasizes on foreign affairs as well as handing out clear and practical policies to solve political issues. He stated that the political facts, which were delivered to the public during the crisis represented the Prime Minister's sincerity in serving the nation.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador for reviewing the situation based on truth. He called for further cooperation in helping to generate positive understandings among international community and the people of Hungary.

-- NNT 2010-08-18

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Multi-Colored Shirt Group Gives Moral Support to Auditor General

Tul Sitthisomwong, along with members of the multi-colored shirt group, presented flowers and offered moral support to acting Auditor-General Khunying Jaruwan Mentaka, after the Council of State ruled on July 5 that she should step down.

Tul said Jaruwan is an example of a good and honest official, and he believes anyone who will succeed her as auditor-general will possess the same qualities.

Meanwhile, Jaruwan deemed the Council of State's recommendation as inappropriate, as the Office of the Auditor-General is an independent body, while the law stipulates that a Council of State ruling is applicable only to government agencies.

She said there was a similar case in 2005, but the Council of State refused to interpret the law governing her agency at the time, on grounds that it was beyond the scope of its power.

Jaruwan assured the transparency of her agency and said all audit tasks are carried out according to the annual plan, without special attention to any matters or persons.

She denied internal conflicts in her organizations while saying that she is open to talks with those who are skeptical of her role.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-18

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MISSING CHOPPER

Search for helicopters with VIPs

By THE NATION

A search and rescue mission |continued last night for a "missing" Mineral Resources Department |helicopter, which lost contact with airport officials early yesterday.

Among people said to be on board were Saksit Tridech, the permanent secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, Inspector-General Kowit Panyatrong, and the senior palace official Sahat Boonyawiwat. The pilot was identified as Major Jenwit Arunsawat and his machinist was Sergeant Withoon Thien-ngern.

Hundreds of officers and volunteers were dispatched to travel on foot, due to rough terrain area amid heavy rain, to search for the craft, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said.

Suwit said he was told the last location came from Sahat's cell-phone at 1pm, which suggested they may be near Ban Huai Eieng, Tambon Na Thanu, in Nan's Na Meun district. However, he had no details on the passengers' condition because of restricted communication at the time.

An informed source said that Suwit had set up a centre at the ministry to closely follow and coordinate the search. They also asked for a Royal Thai Airforce helicopter to help with the search as soon as the weather improved.

Na Meun district official Krittip Chanidthai said a National Parks official told him the pilot made an emergency landing in the district, so a search and rescue centre had been set up in Na Meun.

The helicopter, which left Phitsanulok Airport at 7.30am, was heading to Nan's Phu Payak area for the "Pid Thong Lang Phra" river basin development project. It reportedly lost contact with the control tower half an hour later and the signal faded due to the helicopter's flying low to the ground. It disappeared from radar screens an hour and a half later, while flying over the Phrae-Uttaradit border.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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DMS wants quick legal action against 'party tablets'

By The Nation

A new drug with dual effects is becoming a hit among partygoers through its sale and promotion by foreign tourists, the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) said yesterday.

The "party tablet", which carries stimulant effects like amphetamine and ataractic (tranquillising) effects like Ecstasy, can kill if consumed in an excessive amount, said DMS director-general Dr Jaktham Thammasak.

He said legislation was needed immediately to make the drug illegal, and naming it in Thai should be done promptly to allow law-enforcement agencies and the general public to identify the drug accurately.

Consisting of BZP (benzylpiperazine) and TFMPP (trifuoromethyl phenyl piperazine), the effects brought on by the party tablet are hallucinations, high blood pressure and insomnia.

While insisting that the drug was dangerous, Jaktham did not specify how much was needed to cause death.

The party tablet is also available in capsule form. It is found mostly in Bangkok, neighbouring Nonthaburi and Chon Buri. It originates from the United States, New Zealand and Japan, where it has already been outlawed.

A DMS expert, Jidapha Kanoksunthornrat, said about 8,000 party tablets had been seized in Thailand, some from parties attended by foreign tourists.

A DMS seminar is scheduled from August 24-26 to make Thais aware of the party tablet. Jidapha encouraged the public health minister to name the drug.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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Fearing hackers, banks eye tightening client verification

By The Nation

Bankers are backing an idea of using a secondary customer-verification system to ensure extra online security in wake of a recent hacking of and theft from a Bangkok Bank account.

Art Wichiencharoen, a senior Kasikornbank official, said the bank now used a one-time password (OTP) system to verify customers. The passwords are issued to customers on a case-by-case basis at their request.

A PIN (personal identification number), issued to clients through mobile-phone text messages, is used together with their usernames and passwords and will expire after a while if not used, he said.

The OTP system is similar to the so-called two-factor authentication system being vetted by the Bank of Thailand to use with all commercial banks in the country, with a fee possibly being shouldered by customers.

Thossaphorn Rattanamasthip, a senior Bank of Ayudhya official, said the system had been discussed among members of the Thai Bankers Association and the central bank for use with individual customers.

The system has been used to protect online information on corporate clients of banks, credit-card companies, and the telephone and online banking system, but not yet with individual transactions.

Luecha Sukarasep, a senior TMB official, said the OTM system had been used with clients of his bank for four years. Now TMB is using an outside company to check for Web-based intrusion into customers' accounts.

Salinee Wangtal, a senior Bank of Thailand official, said she believed two recent cases of hacking resulted from intrusion from the clients' side, through computers or telephone banking, not because their banks' online security systems were prone to hacking.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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BURAPHA U ACCIDENT

Building collapse not linked to corruption

By The Nation

Chon Buri

A Burapha University official denied speculation yesterday that corruption was behind the partial collapse of a building on Sunday night, which killed one worker and injured three others.

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Chiang Mai residents to fight tall buildings despite court setback

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Public mostly happy with healthcare systems, poll finds

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Thailand's first survey of public satisfaction with the country's healthcare system and services found people have less confidence in social security than in the National Health Security Office and the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme.

The survey was conducted nationwide between January and June by the Health Systems Research Institute and the National Statistical Office, among 9,000 participants aged over 15 years.

The survey asked participants about the quality of healthcare services and standards of governance in the healthcare system. Full marks for each topic was 200 points. A score higher than 100 points meant people still had confidence in their healthcare services and system.

Results showed that people gave medical services under the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme 139.25 points, the National Health Security Fund 138.81 points, and the Social Security Scheme 126.47 points.

The survey also showed people are satisfied with the country's disease control and prevention with 143.35 points, health promotion 142.77, medical services' quality 130.86, and consumer protection 130.38 points.

The survey found people are confident that the country's healthcare services are governed well - including public participation in the healthcare system, the accessibility of healthcare services and information, and the transparency of officials.

People living in the northern provinces give healthcare services the highest score of 146.7 when compared with other regions - followed by provinces in the Northeast with 144.4, South 133.97, Central 129.15 and Bangkok 126.

"I will propose the results from this survey to Cabinet to develop the quality of future healthcare services and systems," Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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Lawyers Council blasts police over trash man's arrest, fine

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THAI-KHMER BORDER DISPUTE

Parliament delays debate on border talks

By The Nation

Reports from recent Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) meetings were not considered by MPs in Parliament yesterday after pressure from a nationalist group protesting over the border dispute.

Parliamentary Speaker Chai Chidchob said he did not put the JBC reports on the agenda, despite saying the gathering of a nationalist group led by activist Veera Somkwamkid in front of Parliament was nonsense.

Yesterday's session only heard a proposal from a parliamentary committee to keep reports from the session on boundary demarcation secret.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he had submitted agreed minutes from three JBC meetings on boundary talks held over the past two years, but he had no idea when they would be on the agenda for MPs to consider.

Article 190 of the Constitution requires the ministry to submit any negotiation framework, which could lead to changes of borders or territory, so they are approved by Parliament.

The JBC was set up in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Cambodia in 2000 to survey and demarcate the boundary line with officials from the neighbouring country.

Thai nationalists and some senators want the government to revoke the 2000 MoU because they fear losing territory to Cambodia, as the document recognises a French map that suggests areas adjacent to Preah Vihear temple on the border belong to Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the temple and adjacent territory after it was listed as a World Heritage site in 2008. Thailand fears the listing process may undermine its claim to disputed areas adjacent to the temple.

The last JBC meeting was in April last year and talks are only able to continue once the Thai Parliament has endorsed the agreed minutes from the three last meetings.

Veera told his supporters to disperse from their rally outside Parliament after a news report revealed consideration of the JBC documents had been delayed.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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Thai Govt Budget Bogged Down By Bureaucracy

2011 BUDGET BILL

Govt confident but keeping a tight rein

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EDITORIAL

Free Thai Govt handouts will always be open to abuse

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STOPPAGE TIME

Can journalism survive twitter?

By Tulsathit Taptim

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NACC upset over slow prosecutors

By The Nation

Anti-corruption commissioner says slow pace of OAG work is 'hard to take'

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday expressed its concern at the slow progress in its joint work with the Office of Attorney-General, citing as an example the fire-engine procurement case which took the OAG two years before it recently decided to indict the key suspects.

Another high-profile case is the Alpine golf course, which involves veteran politician Snoh Thienthong.

Anti-corruption commissioner Wicha Mahakhun "gave an |assurance" yesterday that the Alpine case would be finished before the statute of limitations on the matter expires on Saturday.

In the fire-engine case, the NACC and the OAG worked jointly on it before the anti-graft body decided to indict former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin in November 2008.

"But it took the OAG two years before it recently decided to indict him, after sorting out issues resulting from different legal opinions between the two agencies," he remarked.

The OAG acts as the state attorney and is tasked with pursuing cases against politicians indicted by the NACC. At times both agencies make public statements with differing opinions about legal aspects.

Wicha said there was nothing personal between him and the OAG, but at times he felt it was "hard to cope" with the task of working jointly with the OAG.

"The fire-engine case should proceed at a faster pace because the country is bleeding daily [through payment for the purchase to the Austrian manufacturer without any of the fire engines ever being used]," he said.

"I personally feel the OAG is not happy with many of the decisions made by the military-installed Assets Examination Committee, which later handed over those cases to be further processed by the NACC," he added.

In the fire-engine case, the Attorney Generals' office said Apirak's act of opening the letter of credit, enabling the payment to Steyr Daimler Puch, lacked a criminal intent.

However, Wicha contended that such an individual act could not be solely used as a factor to rule out criminal intent of the accused in any case.

"The letter of credit led to a legal commitment requiring the city administration to pay the manufacturer millions of baht to this day - a situation that subjects the |violator to criminal prosecution," he explained.

Wicha reiterated that the National Anti-Corruption Commission's decision on the Alpine golf course case was not overdue.

It would be pursued further by the Office of the Attorney-General.

An official at the OAG preferred not to respond yesterday to the public comments by Commissioner Wicha.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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ASEAN to Allow Bilat Discussions to Settle Phrea Vihear Dispute

Vietnam, as the chair of ASEAN, has hinted to member states that Thailand and Cambodia should be allowed the opportunity to settle the dispute bilaterally.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-18

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AVIATION

THAI mulls regional airline

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Missing helicopter found, all 5 on board believed killed

The Nan police chief said Wednesday that the ill-fated helicopter of the Mineral Resources Department was spotted in Nan and the five officials on board including the Natural Resources and Environment permanent secretary, were believed to have been killed in the crash.

The wreckage of the helicopter was spotted in Ban Nam Kaeng village in Namuen district, the Nan commander told FM 105.5.

All five officials on board were believed to be killed, judging from the wreckage.

They were identified as Saksit Tridech, the permanent secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, Inspector-General Kowit Panyatrong, and the senior palace official Sahat Boonyawiwat. The pilot was identified as Major Jenwit Arunsawat and his machinist was Sergeant Withoon Thien-ngern.

Two bodies were found so far, and one of them was the pilot.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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CRES to ponder lifting emergency rule carefully

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) will consider lifting the state of emergency in seven remaining provinces, including Bangkok very thoroughly, according to CRES and Army Spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

As detailed by Colonel Sansern, the CRES has been presenting to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva information leading to orderly cancellation of the special law in response to the proposal of the fact-finding panel chaired by Prof Dr Kanit Na Nakorn, which asked that the security law should remain only in needy provinces.

At present, the emergency rule remains in force in four central provinces of Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan as well as three northeastern provinces of Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Khon Kaen.

Prime Minister Abhisit on Monday revoked the security law in three additional provinces, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Ubon Ratchathani. The CRES has hence started withdrawing military forces from Army Region 3 because there is no province in the North with the emergency rule.

The CRES will ponder lifting the security law only when the situation in target areas provides. The consideration will be made thoroughly for Bangkok in particular due to the complexities of the situation and problems. According to Colonel Sansern, the CRES might be dissolved upon the termination of the special law in all provinces as mentioned by Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda.

-- NNT 2010-08-18

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Pattaya Police target Belgian national in work permit raid

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Phuket Thailand Open volleyball dates confirmed

THREEPEAT April Ross (left) and Jen Kessy of the United States will be trying for their third straight Phuket Thailand Open win in November.

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 868.70, up 2.92 points

-- TNA 2010-08-18

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King's rainmakers take to skies to ease Thai drought

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Goose torched near Phuket pizza joint

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Korean man killed when his car fell from condominium car park

BANGKOK: -- A Korean man was killed when his car plunged from the car park of a condominium in Bangkok's Sathorn area early Wednesday, police said.

Police said the man apparently slammed his car against the rail guard of the seventh floor of the car park of Silom Sweet Condominium on Soi Sathorn 12 at 3:40 am before the car plunged down, killing the man at the scene.

Police quoted a security officer of the condominium as saying that the man, who has yet to be identified, quarreled with his Thai wife before driving his car down from the 11th floor. His car hit the wall of the car park down from the 11th floor before it crashed into the rail guard of the 7th floor and plunged down.

The man has been staying on the 12th floor for about three months.

-- The Nation 2010-08-18

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All 5 Bodies in Helicopter Crash Found

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Buriram governor enforces heighten measures to ensure standard building construction

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Buriram provincial governor has assigned related agencies to enforce stringent construction safety measures to ensure safety of workers and the public.

The move came after the disastrous collapse of an unfinished building at Burapha University, Chonburi province late Sunday night, which killed one person and wounded 10 others ,while 20 others were said to have been trapped inside.

Buriram Governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao said he had instructed the provincial Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, the Department of Public Works, and local governments throughout the province to closely supervise all construction work in the area under their jurisdiction. The move was to assure that the work was carried out in accordance with the plan and in compliance with law, which would prevent danger or accidents

Mr Peerasak also emphasized on how important it was for construction work to be in accordance with the plan, and to prevent any illegal add-on structures or rooms. The Buriram governor has also advised civil servants and anyone supervising construction work to conform to construction standards so as to avoid accidents similar to the one at the university.

-- NNT 2010-08-18

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Lone Gunman Robs Bank in Phayao Province

Yesterday, an armed robber stormed into a bank in Phayao province and made of with more than 200,000 baht.

At around noon yesterday (August 17), a man armed with a pistol robbed the Si Yak Mae Tam branch of Kasikorn Bank located in Muang district of Phayao province. He reportedly made off with more than 200,000 baht in cash.

Security cameras installed inside the bank were able to record the robber, a tall and skinny man wearing a blue raincoat, a motorcycle helmet, and a mouth mask.

The robber took approximately two minutes to steal the cash, before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

The Provincial Police Bureau in the province is still hunting down the robber.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-18