Thailand Live Wednesday 1 Sep 2010

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Thai inflation hits 3.3 percent in August

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Appeals Court Upholds Acquittal in Thammawattana Murder

The Appeals Court has upheld the lower court's acquittal of Noppadon Thammawattana on the charge of premeditated murder of his brother Hangthong. The court reasoned there is not enough evidence to prove his guilt.

The case is famous because of the family's vast wealth and forensic experts' differing opinions on whether the death was a suicide or murder.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-01

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PM to Visit World Expo

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be traveling to Shanghai, China to view the World Expo from September 4-5.

He will also be hosting his weekly television show live from Shanghai on Sunday.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-01

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Buddhist couples shot dead in Pattani

Pattani - A Buddhist couple were killed in a drive-by shooting in this southern border province early Wednesday.

Police said the couple were shot by a pillion rider while riding their motorcycle to a rubber plantation in Ban Thungpla village in Khokpho district at 3:30 am.

The two were identified as Surasit Iadkaew, 50 and Khanueng Iadkaew, 52.

-- The Nation 2010-09-01

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Thai Govt Warns Public Of Possible Attacks In September

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PM hesitates to blame red-shirt for NBT bombing and says an election will be difficult if the situation remains precarious /via @TAN-Network

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50 largest landholders control 14.3% of Phuket

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Bangkok Poll: Politics obstructs Bangkok tourism

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Majority of Bangkok residents deem the domestic political unrest the most serious problem to spoil tourism climate in the capital city, according to the recent survey by the Bangkok University Research Institute (Bangkok Poll).

The survey entitled “Is Bangkok ready for high season?” of the Bangkok Poll was recently conducted among 1,237 city dwellers aged over 18 years old.

According to the survey, 57.5% believed the persisting political issue in the country would be the main factor to block the bright tourism climate in Bangkok during this high season period. Meanwhile, 22.9% of the respondents pointed to a series of bomb blasts in many spots of the city and 11.1% said the current economic condition as the negative factors for tourism.

Asked of the top priority issue to tackle to boost tourists’ confidence, 43.9% of the respondents suggested the political unrest and violence instigation while 20.5% of them proposed maximum safety of tourists. About 10.9% of the group supported creation of reconciliation and unity among Thai people.

Regarding the state of emergency in the capital city, 64.9% of the respondents agreed with the revocation of such a special law in a bid to boost the domestic tourism as well as enhance confidence of foreign tourists. However, the remaining 35.1% of them said the Emergency Decree should remain effective. Comparing with the survey done in July, proponents of the decree lifting increased by 2.4%.

-- NNT 2010-09-01

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Suthep: CRES bids to close anti-govt newspaper

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has admitted that the authorities will try to close the anti-government newspaper, Thai Red Power, for information distortion.

Mr Suthep stated that the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) would take action against Thai Red Power newspaper for disguising itself as the press to disseminate false information, harm the country, and trigger disunity in the society.

The Deputy Prime Minister then dismissed rumors that the authorities were also trying to close down Thairath, the daily paper with the highest circulation in the country, saying it was misreported.

Former Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama recently showed a photograph of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, taken with former South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife on 27 August 2010, as proof that Mr Thaksin remained in good health.

Mr Suthep responded that he did not care about the health condition of Mr Thaksin. He then said the former Prime Minister had been involved in the political movements.

-- NNT 2010-09-01

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TAT heads for green tourism strategy

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is boosting green tourism market with a plan to pilot green tourism in 5 strategic tourist cities around Thailand.

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said the eco-tourism or green tourism had become an alternative for environmentally-conscious travelers in the midst of global warming awareness. The TAT thus aims to expand this particular segment and encourage all concerned sectors to participate in environmental rehabilitation as these activities would be part of the future of the tourism industry.

The TAT has recently organized a seminar “7Green” to create awareness and understanding about the importance of the environment among tourism-related businesses. Over 300 business operators have taken part in the event.

Mr Suraphon stated that the TAT would pilot the green tourism development project in 5 cities which are Bangkok, Pattaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

-- NNT 2010-09-01

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Thai PM Calls Economic Meet Over Currency High

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Hun Sen slams Thailand for being insincere and says his relationship with Thaksin is still good /via @TAN_Network

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Warrant Out for Shooter of Local Politicians

The Si Sa Ket provincial court has issued an arrest warrant for the suspect believed to have been involved in the gun attack that seriously injured two Bhum Jai Thai politicians in the province.

Last night, a Si Sa Ket provincial council member from the Bhum Jai Thai Party, Suriyaporn Phienkasikam, was shot in her own convenience store by a gunman pretending to be a customer.

At the store, the culprit also shot Worasak Tangpoolpolsawas, a prospective Bhum Jai Thai candidate in the next general election in the province, before fleeing the scene.

In the latest development, Si Sa Ket provincial police chief Police Major General Korakot Sariya said an investigation team has enough evidence to identify a suspect in the case.

He went on to say police are looking for the suspect, who is believed to be hiding somewhere near the crime scene, after cordoning off the area since last night.

As for the motive for the shooting, the police chief speculated that the incident was politically motivated as both victims are politicians.

He added investigators assumed that the primary target was Worasak, who plans to apply for candidacy in the next general election, and speculated that the shooting was unlikely meant to be a threat.

Korakot said he has instructed all police stations to set up security checkpoints in an effort to intercept the suspect and find the Isuzu pick-up truck that he used.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 37-year-old Thanawat Thavorn, who is suspected of involvement in the attempted murder of the two politicians.

Meanwhile, both of the injured men are in stable condition but still under medical observation at Sappasitprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-01

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A Swedish prosecutor says she will reopen the rape investigation into WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange /via @SkyNewsBreak

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MPs fail decide on auditor-general bill

The lawmakers Wednesday failed to draw a conclusion on the draft organic law for state audit agency even after a consultation between House Speaker Chai Chidchob and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"May be the House would know what to do after a full debate on the matter," Chai said.

In between the legislative deliberation, Chai took time off to consult MPs and the Cabinet members on how to proceed with the stalled draft bill. Although the bill was passed last year, it could not be enacted due to the senatorial passage falling short of a simple majority.

The House has been left to decide either to re-vote and back the bill or veto it. The issue becomes critical because of the row over the position of the auditor general.

-- The Nation 2010-09-01

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SET index closed at 919.34, up 6.15; Bt/USD30.78; GBP47.17; AUD27.51; EUR39.15; CAD28.67; HKD3.91; SGD22.64; JPY36.36

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Pattaya Traffic Police Officer arrested in Navy drugs sting in North Pattaya

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Hun Sen: Improved diplomatic relations with Thailand are not helping solve border conflicts. /via @tulsathit

Hun Sen: Thaksin, who remains Cambodia's great friend, is not cause of those conflicts. /via @tulsathit

Hun Sen: Situation will improve only when Thai soldiers leave Preah Vihear areas. /via @tulsathit

Hun Sen, though, says he's still willing to hold talks with Abhisit. /via @tulsathit

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Basic Education Commission okays early retirements of over 12,000 officials

The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has given a nod for all 12,865 civil servants to join the early retirement scheme.

After a meeting of Obec executives Wednesday, Obec secretary-general Chinapat Phumirat said a total of Bt5.487 billion was also prepared to pay these early retirees as the seed money.

As the educational zone offices had sufficient human resource budget to pay for the retirees' welfare allowances at 85 times and to cover the payments for replacement officials in the five-month period, He said the Obec thus didn't need to ask for the Cabinet approval.

-- The Nation 2010-09-01

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Lone armed robber made off with Bt700,000 from Siam Commercial Bank branch at PTT petrol station on Kanchanapisek Rd /via @TAN_Network

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Thai hospital seeks donations to send comatose German tourist home

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Bangkok: BMA to reopen traffic on 2 flyovers this month

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AFP: Boy, aged 9, killed in Thai school gang shooting: police

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to be continued

Thailand Live Thursday 2 September 2010

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