Thailand Live Thursday 2 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 2 September 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on

a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those

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

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 1 September 2010

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SRT to heighten safety measures for Airport Link

BANGKOK, 1 September 2010 (NNT) – Following safety concerns expressed by users of Airport Link train, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Yuttana Tapcharoen has instructed relevant units to heighten security measures and prevent any possible accident.

Airport Link train’s express line system is a hi-speed train of 160 km/hr. With this velocity, many people are concerned about an accident when passengers wait on the platform.

SRT Governor stated that he had ordered related personnel to provide safety for passengers using Airport Link Train and conduct the security measures to prevent unexpected incident.

Mr Yuttana added that he had tasked the engineering division to fix the train’s doors following users' complaints over loud clattering when closing. Fake ticket is another issue to be monitored.

From 23 August, about 30,000 people used Airport Link train at all stations daily, according to the SRT Governor.

-- NNT 2010-09-02

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Chavarat: Flood situation nationwide under close watch

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul confirms that the flood situation nationwide has been closely monitored while the authorities are speedily providing help for the victims.

Mr Chavarat stated that the flood situation throughout the Kingdom had started to return to normalcy although some areas continued to be faced with forest floods. Regarding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s order for the Interior Ministry to solve the flood problem in the country, the Minister disclosed that coordination would be sought with other related ministries to carry out the effort.

Mr Chavarat elaborated that officials from his ministry would be dispatched to examine the hardship of residents in all flood-stricken areas and to collect first-hand information. He said the move, coupled with periodic reports on the flood situation by provincial governors, would help all concerned agencies formulate appropriate measures.

According to the Minister, all provincial disaster prevention and mitigation offices have been instructed to gear up for providing immediate assistance for people affected by flood.

-- NNT 2010-09-02

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New OCS Secretary-General named

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The House of Representatives has endorsed the promotion of Mr Atchaporn Charuchinda, as the new Secretary-General of the Office of the Council of State (OCS).

As the incumbent Secretary-General of the OCS, Ms Pornthip Jala, will reach her retirement at the end of this month, the House has selected Mr Atchaporn, her deputy, as her successor as proposed by the Cabinet. The appointment received unanimous support from 361 MPs.

-- NNT 2010-09-02

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GM to expand its investment in Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) -- General Motor International Operations (GM) unveils its plan to expand its investment in Thailand, with the aim to increase production capacity and market share.

GM President Tim Lee met the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on his visit to Thailand. He stated that GM would expand its investment, targeted to increase production capacity and market share. He said this strategy would result in more employment, from 2,000 at present to 4,000 people. More numbers of qualified Thai employees will be promoted to management positions as well.

Mr Tim Lee was thankful for the Government’s advice on GM business operation and agreed with the Government to focus on using alternative energy. The company has responded to the policy by creating several series of automobile which can use ethanol E20 and E85.

-- NNT 2010-09-02

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BMTA to adjust bus routes to connect with Airport Link

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) prepares to adjust bus routes to connect with the Airport Rail Link to ensure utmost convenience for commuters.

In compliance with the Ministry of Transport’s policy, BMTA Director Opart Petchmunee stated that the authority was planning to adjust several public bus routes to facilitate transfers of passengers to and from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link, of which the commercial service began last month.

The director added that the plan had already been forwarded to the Board of the Department of Land Transport for approval prior to its implementation.

-- NNT 2010-09-02

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2nd Asean-US summit to be held on 24 Sept in New York

By The Nation

The second Asean-US leaders' meeting will take place in New York on the sideline of UN General Assembly on 24 September, The Nation has learned.

After weeks of delays, the White House has finally informed the Asean leaders yesterday that President Barack Obama is planning a summit meeting with them in New York, fullilling his pledge he made last November in Singapore.

During the first meeting, Obama supported the Asean's centrality in the regional schemes of things. He also invited all Asean leaders to the US for a summit meeting with him. Earlier, he planned to invite all the Asean leaders to the White House in Washington

DC but his tight schedule does not permit him to do so.

Obama has postponed his visit to Indonesia twice in the past several months due to domestic reasons.

Repeated delays have raised questions regarding the sincerity of US foreign policy towards the region.

In July, the US decided to join the leader's forum, East Asia Summit after years of reluctance. Obama plans to attend the EAS next year when Indonesia hosts the event.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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Bangkok police chief transferred

By The Nation

Pol Lt-General Santhan Chayanont has been transferred from the prestigious post of Bangkok police chief to inspector-general in the Royal Thai Police (RTP).

In a short-listed annual reshuffle approved yesterday, he was replaced by an officer with ties to key government ally Newin Chidchob.

Pol Lt-General Jakthip Chaijinda, who is reportedly close to Newin, takes over at the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Pol Lt-General Tha-ngai Prassajaksattroo, husband of Democrat MP Siriwan and incumbent commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, will be the new commander of Provincial Police Bureau 2.

The Police Commission came up with the shortlist yesterday, which saw changes in the leadership level of the RTP. They include Pol Maj-General Sriwara Rangsiphrammanakul, who takes over the new Provincial Police Bureau 1 from Pol Lt-General Krissada Phankhongchuen, promoted to assistant police chief.

The commission agreed that it would not appeal against a Central Administrative Court order that revoked an order appointing Pol General Watcharaphol Prasarnraj-chakit as a deputy police chief, and placed him in a special position attached to the RTP. The commission also agreed to reinstate Pol General Chalor Choowong to his position as deputy police chief with retroactive effect dating back to April 3 last year.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, chairman of the Police Commission, said experts would discuss possible legal technicalities on re-instating Chalor to his police position over his seniority in the RTP's pecking order - after serving under a civilian quota under the PM's Office Ministry.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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Forbes list of Thailand's 40 richest people

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FORBES

2010-09-02

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Pattani welcomes peace campaigners at end of 1,100km trek

By The Nation

A group of Buddhist peace campaigners completed their 1,100-kilometre walk in Pattani yesterday to a warm welcome by local officials and residents.

They began their final 8km walk early in the morning from the southern border province's Nong Chik district to their destination at Pattani's Central Mosque in Muang district.

Pattani Governor Thirathep Sriyaphan and more than 1,000 others including local officials, students and adult residents gathered in front of the CS Pattani Hotel welcomed the group. A troupe performed a Chinese-style lion dance as part of the welcoming ceremony.

Some of the locals walked together with the peace campaigners on their way to the mosque while others lined up along the route offering them flowers and drinking water.

The group, who originally numbered 11 but had been joined by others during their journey, arrived at the Central Mosque at about 9.45am and were greeted by its imam, Yacob Raimanee, and other local Muslims who applauded energetically.

The peace campaigners began their walk on July 11 at Mahidol University's Salaya campus in Nakhon Pathom.

Gothom Arya, director of the university's Research Centre for Peace Building, said the walk by itself would not help solve the problem of violent insurgency in the deep South without action from local residents and the government.

"Many people talk about the problem but they don't help. It's difficult to solve the problem because of lack of confidence from the public and distrust. There must be sincerity. If the government is not sincere, it will not be able to solve the problem. The government and the local residents must prove their sincerity," Gothom said.

"By showing sincerity, the problem on the southern border will be solved and there will be sustainable peace."

On the same day the peace campaigners arrived in Pattani, violent attacks continued unabated there and in other provinces in the restive region.

In the afternoon, an explosion occurred at the outdoor car park of a school in Pattani's Muang district. There were no reports of injuries after an explosive device in a metal box was detonated by a mobile phone. Police said they believed the attack was aimed at causing terror rather than taking any life.

In the southern province of Yala, Sergeant Metha Peng-o, from the local 5th Infantry Company, was shot dead while riding his motorcycle from his military camp into the downtown area. Witnesses said the soldier was shot by a passenger of another motorcycle.

In neighbouring Narathiwat province, six soldiers assigned to provide protection to teachers going to work were slightly injured yesterday morning when a bomb hidden on the roadside in Tak Bai district exploded while the soldiers on three motorcycles were riding past. The bomb in a metal box was believed to have been detonated with a mobile phone.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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Hun Sen wary but still ready for Thai talks

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Thai High-speed train haunts Korbsak

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DSI sets time limit for rally death findings

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is now planning to conclude within 45 days its enquiries into the deaths of 89 people and officials during the red-shirt rallies.

DSI director general Tharit Pengdit said yesterday after the conclusion was made, he would hold a press conference and submit the probe results to the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES).

"I have already set up 12 investigation teams to handle these cases," he said.

He said there will be policemen, public prosecutors and DSI officials on all teams, tasked with looking into each of the 12 bloody incidents.

These incidents caused the deaths of 89 people including Hiroyuki Muramoto, a Japanese cameraman, Polenchi Fadio, an Italian photographer, and high-profile red shirt Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdiphol.

Tharit has assigned DSI deputy director-general Pol Colonel Narat Sawettanan to oversee the probes by the 12 teams.

"We will pay extra attention to the deaths of Muramoto, Fadio, Khattiya, and the six people whose bodies were found inside the Pathumwanaram Temple," Tharit added.

He said the DSI would focus on finding out what caused the deaths, the types of weapons used, and who were behind the killings.

Asked whether DSI would be able to come up with clear answers, Tharit said, "We will work to the extent of our abilities".

Tharit urged people with information to contact DSI directly.

"We plan to use reports submitted by 11 police stations alongside circumstantial evidence and witnesses we can gather," he said.

He added that DSI would also summon military and police officers in charge of operations during the red-shirt rallies to provide information.

"We will summon the officers both at supervisory and operations level," Tharit said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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House panel to meet Bout Saturday

The House committee on foreign affairs, which comprises mainly opposition Pheu Party MPs, will meet suspected arms dealer Viktor Bout on Saturday in prison to find out what was discussed between the Russian and Democrat MP Sirichoke Sopha.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the committee would find out whether Sirichoke persuaded Bout to say war weapons seized in an cargo plane at Don Muang airport in March were bought by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for use by red-shirt protestors, as said in many news reports.

The committee also wanted to know about KGB agents' active roles in Bangkok, a question reportedly raised by Sirichoke with Bout during the former's visit in April, Jatuporn said, adding that the Corrections Department had agreed to allow the committee's visit to be made on Saturday.

"The committee has chosen September 4 for a visit, to see if it is allowed on a Saturday, like Sirichoke did in April when he visited Bout," he added.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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NBT bombers, attacks on PAD may be linked: Suthep

By The Nation

People responsible for the latest grenade attack on NBT on Tuesday may have links to those behind similar attacks on the People's Alliance for Democracy during their protests, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

"I theorise that they are the same group of people, based on their similar behaviour," he said, without explaining or providing any evidence for the claim.

Asked by reporters if his theory could be wrong, he said: "That's fine. You, the press, ask and I answer. If my theory is wrong we'll come back to this matter again. Let's catch the suspects first, and the facts will be known."

Suthep dubbed the attackers of the NBT as maniacs and called on the public to condemn them and the attack. "The country is going forward along a reconciliatory path but these maniacs are venting their personal anger toward the country and spoiling the good atmosphere," he added.

He said security had been ordered around offices of independent and government media members, and police could now cope with current situations without reinforcement from soldiers.

Suthep said he had not heard about US trajectory experts helping with the investigation into the M79 attack on the NBT, as cited by Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Santha Chayanont in news reports.

Pol Lt-General Santhan said political landmarks and locations at risk of attack in Bangkok were now under protection by local police and more checkpoints were operational around the clock.

Police said security camera footage covering the NBT and attack site showed no sign of attackers or any clue leading to their identities and operation. Since footage from cameras installed on the tollway did not show the attackers, they could have fired the lone grenade at the NBT compound from across the Vibhavadi-Rangsit highway.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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Appeal Court upholds acquittal of Noppadol in brother's death

By The Nation

The Appeal Court yesterday upheld a lower court's acquittal of famous businessman Noppadol Thammawattana on the charge that he took part in the murder of his elder brother, former Bangkok MP Hangthong Thammawattana.

The Appeal Court acquitted Noppadol after studying the case and finding that while the prosecution could not convince the court that the defendant was guilty, the results of three autopsies on Hangthong were different from one another.

The first report, by the police Institute of Forensic Medicine in September 1999, said the death was a suicide, while the second report, by the director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science and Ramathibodi Hospital in September 2003, said it was a murder.

The third report, by the Forensic Science Association of Thailand upon Noppadol's request in January 2006, said it was a close-range shooting, with no trace of arsenic or a tranquilliser in Hangthong's body, and the wound showed signs of being self-inflicted.

After the verdict was read, a smiling Noppadol said he was thankful that the justice system had based its ruling in the case on true evidence. He said September 6 would be the anniversary of his brother's death and so the Thammawattana family would host a merit-making ceremony at home.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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Obec approves early retirement for thousands

By The Nation

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

After a meeting of Obec executives yesterday, secretary-general Chinapat Phumirat said 13,025 officials had initially applied for the scheme but some withdrew their applications, hence only 12,865 remained up for early retirement, which filled the quota given to the agency this year.

The agency also had Bt5.487 billion ready to pay the retirees, Chinapat said. As the educational zone offices had a sufficient human-resource budget to pay for the retirees' welfare allowances and to cover the cost of replacement officials over a five-month period, Obec thus did not need to ask for Cabinet approval.

The director of Obec's human resource management system development office said some of those who had withdrawn retirement applications had told him that the government was about to give a pay increase to all civil servants, including public-school teachers, so they stayed on to get a bigger salary and an increased pension.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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Abhisit's welfare promise will be hard to implement

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OPINION

Education key to reducing income disparity: SCB research

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Thailand 3G bidders face hours of secrecy and seclusion

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Police drop charges against Ai Bayae mosque massacre suspect

Police Wednesday drop charges against a suspected gunman they initially accused of being behind a massacre at a Narathiwat village mosque, killing ten instantly and injuring 12 others.

According to Issara News, police cleared Suthirak Kongsuwan on the ground that there wasn't enough evidence to make the charge stick. The agency quoted an unnamed police source saying the statement from eyewitnesses contradicted evidences, leaving investigators with no reliable information to follow up on the case.

A group of about six gunmen walked up to a village mosque in Ai Bayae village in Joh Ai Rong district on June 8, 2009 and commenced fire with automatic rifles and shotguns from various directions while Muslim villagers were conducting their evening prayer at the village mosque.

Several months later an arrest warrant was issued to Suthirak, a Narathiwat resident and a former paramilitary ranger who was dismissed from his job due to misconduct.

On Jan 14, 2010, Suthirak turned himself in to the police at the Crime Suppression Unit in Bangkok but maintained his innocent.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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Troubled Bangkok rapid bus route gets early deadline

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 927.93, up 8.59 points /MCOT

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No attacks seen on Baht value, says Bank of Thailand

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Mae Sot – Myawaddy Border Closure Could Extend to After Election

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Criminal Court sentences Sondhi, Sarocha to 6 months imprisonment, Bt20,000 fine in defamation case against ex-PM Thaksin, sentence suspended for 2 years /MCOT

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"Health Station" TV show to have its debut

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Public Health has launched its “Health Station” TV program via the state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) to publicize its policies and promote good health for the public.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on Wednesday chaired a press conference to launch the “Health Station” TV program. Mr Jurin said the show would serve as the medium to communicate policies of the Ministry to people nationwide on disease prevention and health promotion.

The Minister added that this would be an effective way to solve problems from the root cause as people should be informed on how to take care of their health instead of spending time and money to cure diseases later.

Mr Jurin hoped that the TV show would be an effective investment as it would cost about 10 million THB to run the program in exchange for about 100 billion THB budget spent annually to treat five main diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and paralysis.

The “Health Station” TV program will be broadcast every Saturday from 14.00 to 14.50 via the NBT, and will have its premiere on 4 September 2010.

-- NNT 2010-09-02

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Fraud in city-district council polls exposed

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The opposition Pheu Thai Party and the New Politics Party of the People’s Alliance for Democracy have voiced suspicion over irregularities during the vote counting process of the recent Bangkok city and district council elections.

Bangkok Pheu Thai MPs Chairperson Vicharn Minchainant and New Politics Executive General Kittisak Rathprasert on Wednesday showed media members a video clip exposing possible electoral fraud at Bang Bon district office.

The clip clearly showed a group of men and women carrying plastic bags, each containing 500 ballots, walking into the district office. All the ballots in the bags were then given to officials to be counted although they were neither stamped nor signed as required by law, and were not even inside the ballot boxes.

The suspicious-looking culprits fled the scene when representatives of political parties tried to film what they were doing. Mr Vicharn said that such an action was clearly in violation of the election law, and the Election Commission (EC) must investigate this issue.

Pheu Thai legal team member Wattana Sengpairoh suspected that such a practice could have been carried out in many other districts; therefore, he suggested that a re-election be held.

-- NNT 2010-09-02

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16-year-old student arrest over bus shooting

Police have arrested a student of the Bang Kapi Technology College for having fired at a bus, killing a nine-year-old student.

Min Buri police chief Pol Col Rattasak Raksalam said the 16-year-old second-year student of the college admitted that he fired at a group of students from Min Buri Technical College on a No-113 bus Wednesday morning.

Wat Bumpenneu School third-grader Jatuporn Pholphaka sustained gunshot wounds to his face and neck from the shotgun allegedly fired by the arrested student, Rattasak said. Jatuporn was pronounced dead at Kasemrat Hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-09-02

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"Thailand Fashion Expo 2010" kicking off in Oct

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) is gearing up to organize “Thailand Fashion Expo 2010” to promote Bangkok toward becoming Asia’s fashion capital.

“Thailand Fashion Expo 2010” will be held from 20-26 October under the concept “Gate Way to World Fashion in Asia”. The DEP, the Ministry of Commerce, the business operators in Ratchprasong area, and internationally-recognized Thai fashionists are pulling together more than 40 shows of fashion spectaculars on the 2 grand runways.

Another spotlight of the expo is “High Creative Fashion Fair” in which over 300 stores from Ratchprasong area and retailers will be putting their best collections on sales.

The event not only will showcase Thai fashion potential but also will provide opportunity for engaging business between the participants and big buyers from department stores from all over the world. Many leading brands and stores have already accepted to attend the event.

-- NNT 2010-09-02