Thailand Live Friday 3 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Friday 3 September 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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

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

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 2 September 2010

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PM: Govt to urgently aid disaster victims

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday ensured government’s utmost effort to assist victims of natural disasters.

Questioned whether the Government has come up with any means to solve flooding problems following the recent hit of Mindulle storm, Mr Abhisit said further assistance had been planned by the Government as it had decided to separate means in two phrases; to allocate money from the central budget and give a thorough study on researches about the effects of flood. The government has also planned the assistance steps such as a guarantee scheme and other means for flood-affected farmers and citizens.

According to Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, the flood situation has recently turned less critical as the ministry is able to send its officials to monitor flood affected area ationwide so further assistance can be provided accordingly.

-- NNT 2010-09-03

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MoC vows to curb food prices

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) warns food operators to reduce price of food, following claims of overpriced food at Chaeng Wattana Government Center’s canteen, earlier reported to the Prime Minister.

Speaking after leading her team to monitor food prices at the Chaeng Wattana Government Center, Minister of Commerce Pornthiva Nakasai admitted that the food price was completely overrated as the price ranged from 35-40 THB were found per dish, while one egg even cost as high as 10 THB.

Food operators at Chaeng Wattana Government Center reasoned that they had to bear the cost burden as food shops are required to use dish-washing machine, while tax invoice must be provided to all customers. Food operators, however, agreed to readjust the cost and were willing to reduce the price up to 5 THB per dish. For instance, the normal dish that cost 35 THB, will be reduced to 30 THB. The process of adjusting price should be completed by 6 September 2010.

According to Ms Pornthiva, the Ministry of Commerce will only request food operators to reduce price as of now, although more serious measures will be imposed against those insisting to sell pricey food. Public members are asked to contact Department of Internal Trade’s Hotline 1569 so fairness can be ensured to all parties.

-- NNT 2010-09-03

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Bangkok Hematology Center launched to cure blood disorder

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bangkok Hematology Center has been launched by Wattanosoth Cancer Hospital for Patients with blood-related disorders.

The Hematology Center aims to provide a quick, one stop service for patients with blood-related disorders. All programs cost less and are time efficiency, with special Hematology Laboratory and blood bank set up to provide the most efficient treatments for patients.

The center will provide medical treatment for patients in five categories, namely Anemia, Aplastic Anemia, Chronic Leukaemia, Bleeding Disorder and Venous Thromboembolism, according to MD Chatree Duangnet, Director of the Bangkok Hematology Center. For more information dial 1719.

-- NNT 2010-09-03

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Nakhon Sawan residents warned of sudden flood

NAKHON SAWAN (NNT) -- Local residents of Nakhon Sawan province have been warned of a possible flood as the water level of Nan River is on the rise due to continuous rainfall.

The provincial public relations office of Nakhon Sawan province issued the flood warning for local residents, citing an increase of the water in Nan River on account of frequent rainfalls in the area. The river is expected to continue rising in the next few days.

People living on rafts or in riverside homes have been asked to stay on high alert of river overflowing and to relocate their belongings to higher grounds to prevent losses.

-- NNT 2010-09-03

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Provincial Flood Crisis Remains Worrisome

Many northern and northeastern provinces continue to be affected by torrential rain and flooding which have adversely affected the region's agriculture.

Torrential rain continues to pour down on Amnat Charoen province.

Farmers are experiencing the worst flood crisis to hit the province in the last ten years. More than 50,000 rai of rice fields in Leu-amnat district are at risk of dying if flooding continues for the next four days.

A rainstorm and floodwater have also cut off certain transportation routes, halting traffic in many areas.

Over 3,000 rai of rice fields in Maha Sarakham's Muang district have been swamped by floods, prompting Governor Thongtawee Pimsen to assign administrative officials to closely monitor the rapid rise in the Chi River.

The province estimates that more than 10,000 rai of rice fields will be damaged if heavy rainfall continues in the area.

The situation in Sukhothai province remains woeful. Floodwater as deep as two meters has swamped many areas in Sri Samrong and Sawankhalok districts, forcing local residents to move their belongings to higher grounds. Also, the flooding is having far-reaching effects on the area's farmland.

As flood effects begin to spread into many areas in Nakhon Sawan province, villagers in Krokphra district are bracing for the effects and have been constructing wooden boats as a means of transport.

In Nan province, Nan Hospital Director Doctor Niwatchai Sujaritjan, along with his medical team, traveled to five districts to treat patients and give medical advices to flood victims. The medical team said residents in the five districts risk catching leptosiprosis.

Meanwhile, stagnant floodwater in various villages has begun to emit foul odors and many children have suffered athlete's foot.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-03

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Six charged in forced labor of 400 Thais on US farms

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Thaksin: Rumours about my sickness are lies

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As flooding continues, govt announces farmers' insurance plan

By The Nation

Published on September 3, 2010

A governmentsubsidised disaster insurance fund will soon be set up to help people affected every year by seasonal flooding, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Such insurance packages will be included in a newlyestablished government scheme to guarantee minimum incomes of farmers using crop prices as collateral, the premier told a House session's impromptu questioning yesterday.

The fund's establishment process is underway and its pilot phase will be soon be in operation, he said, without giving details. Abhisit was responding to a question from a coalition Ruam Chart Pattana Party MP over what the government could do to help floodaffected people, other than giving them survival kits.

Deputy Interior Minister Bunchong Wongtrairat told the House there were now 17 provinces affected by floods, each of which would soon be given Bt50 million in initial relief assistance.

The floods are threatening to damage or destroy historic sites in several central and northern provinces, prompting joint flood prevention projects between the Fine Arts and Department of Public Works, and Town and Country Planning, to be implemented in a race against time.

In Ayutthaya, a fivemetre dyke has been built along both sides of the Chao Phya River to protect around 300 historic sites. Repair works are underway at several sites elsewhere which have been damaged since the last wet season.

In Sakon Nakhon, historic Phra That Dum pagoda is tilting after its foundation partly collapsed due to highlevel inundation after days of heavy rain. The general condition of the 1,000yearold pagoda has deteriorated from weathering, in addition to cracks in its base.

Ten districts out of 18 in Chiang Rai are flooded, with around 20,000 families affected, farmland in 330 villages submerged, and losses estimated at Bt102 million.

In Lampang, 49 tambon in nine districts have been declared disaster zones with more than 21,000 people in some 45,000 households affected.

A warning has been issued in Phitsanulok for possible flash flooding and mudslides in districts of Nakhon Thai, Chart Trakan, Wang Thong, Nern Maprang and Wat Bote.

In Sukhothai, there are more than 96,000 people in some 25,000 homes affected by flooding and around 100,000 rai of farmland inundated. The water level should subside if there is no more heavy rain in the next few days, the provincial authorities said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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Study blames gulls, not storks, for bringing in bird flu

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

A study has found that the bird that carried the influenza virus H5N1 into Thailand was a gull, not the openbill stork.

"We have scientific evidence that a seagull was the carrier of the birdflu virus, not the openbill stork," said Professor Pilaipan Puthavathana of Mahidol University's Department of Microbiology.

Pilaipan led a team of researchers who conducted a study to track migratory routes in Asian countries by using satellite telemetry. The Thai research on humananimal interface of avian influenza was supported by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. It followed the migratory route of birds suspected of spreading the H5N1 virus into Thailand since 2007.

Researchers tracked the migratory route of the brownheaded gull, one of the winter visitors seen along the muddy beach at Bang Pu, Samut Prakan, every year from November to March. They started tracking the first gulls in March 2008 and a second group of seven gulls during February and March 2009. Gulls migrated out of Thailand to China in April and May. In October and November, the gulls moved south to India, Burma, and then Thailand.

Birds may stay over the winter in Thailand but some may fly further to Cambodia. Their migration can be divided into two main phases. In Phase 1, they spent November to April along the coast of the inner Gulf of Thailand; during the second phase from May to October, they wander around their breeding grounds in Qinghai, Tibet and Xinjiang in China.

The team isolated the H5N1 virus in four of 153 birds of this flock in 2005 and 2008. The flock might have played a role in the spread of H5N1 virus along its route.

The study showed that the migratory route of brownheaded gulls covered several countries that had been affected by highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses. Therefore, gulls were at risk of getting infected and spreading the influenza virus along their migratory routes. Nevertheless, it was necessary to explore whether the infected gulls were capable of migrating over long distances.

"This is the first study using satellite telemetry techniques to reveal the complete migratory routes of the brownheaded gull," Pilaipan said.

Researchers also found that the openbill stork did not migrate outside Thailand.

Previously, scientists believed the openbill stork might have migrated from other countries and spread the H5N1 virus in Thailand last year, but the recent study showed that indigenous storks had never migrated outside the country.

Pilaipan said the study would be handed to the Disease Control Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation so that they will collect random specimens of gulls, especially those that inhabit areas near tourist attractions, to monitor the spread of the H5N1 virus among birds and prevent its transmission to humans.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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Pheu Thai throws PM Abhisit new challenge

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Pheu Thai, Thaksin seek reconciliation

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Legal action over misleading ads

By The Nation

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking actions against the Carabao Dang energydrink advertisement for exaggerating the product's benefits.

The advertisement misled people into believing that the product would nourish human brain because it contained Vitamin B12.

FDA deputy secretary general Dr Narangsant Pheerakit yesterday said the advertisement had appeared in media even after the Carabao Tawandang Co Ltd, the manufacturer/distributor of the product, was told that the advertisement was misleading and thus against the law.

"We will sue the company," he said.

He said advertising products without prior approval from authorities concerned was punishable by a maximum fine of Bt5,000.

"As the company has continued to advertise the product in such the misleading way even after it received a warning, we will sue it on charges of violating the advertisement ban too," Narangsant said.

If convicted, the company and its executives will face a maximum fine and/or up to two years in jail.

"A daily fine of between Bt500 and Bt1,000 also applies throughout the period the advertisement is used against the ban," Narangsant added.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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More laws needed to protect children

By The Nation

A nongovernmental organisation has found up to 1,500 young victims of human trafficking at Thailandbased rescue homes during the past five years.

"Of them, five are lured into prostitution," Save the Children UK official Warangkhana Mutumon said at a forum yesterday.

The forum aimed to explore solutions on how to prevent human trafficking.

According to her, human traffickers have relied on money and materialistic attitudes in luring their victims more than before.

"Some children have not even realised that they have become victims," Warangkhana said.

Speaking at the same forum, Paiboon Boonprasert said he volunteered his services to a project against human trafficking because he almost fell a victim once.

"Humantrafficking risks are not restricted to just children in the border areas, but also slum areas or bus terminals in Bangkok," he said.

Surapong Kongjantuek, who sits in a Senate committee, said relevant authorities must strictly enforce laws so as to protect children.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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NHSO to help kidney patients

By The Nation

Starting from October 1, patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) under the universal healthcare scheme will get free medicine for the redcell blood production.

The National Health Security Office made the announcement yesterday.

Currently, there are about 8,500 patients with CAPD across the country. Normally, each of them needs to pay between Bt2,000 and Bt4,000 a month for the medicine, which has helped them a normal life.

"We want to boost patients' access to the medicine. It can improve their quality of life," the office's deputy secretary general Dr Prateep Thanakijcharoen said.

According to him, the medicine distributor has told his office that it will lower the price of each medicine bottle to just between Bt200 and Bt240.

When the medicine was first sold to the office years ago, each bottle cost Bt750.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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Clips suggest lobbying behind Best 59 case

By Piyanuch Tamnukasetchai

The Nation

Two audio clips were revealed yesterday to show there were political interference and lobbying attempt to throw the Best 59 pyramid scheme via Poodang Kitozan products off court.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Special Criminal Case Office chief, Pol Colonel Piyawat Kingket, told media that he would submit the clips along with other evidences to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to factfind.

The first clip, of about five minutes in length, showed a DSI deputy chief ordered Piyawat to release the Poodaeng suspects on bail, citing the DSI chief Tharit Pengdit's policy approved by Justice Minister. The second clip between Piyawat and a Pol Lt Colranking DSI investigator showed the latter inquired about the Poodaeng case and offered bribe to Piyawat, to which Piyawat declined saying the case should go as evidences led. The investigator then said this problem could still be solved if DSI opened a loophole or solution for public prosecutor and then the defendant side would find evidences to fight the court battle. The investigator said he talked to Piyawat over this because of senior officials' instruction.

Piyawat declined to give the investigator's name, pending a report to DSI chief and an establishment of disciplinary committee to probe the investigator. He said his previous report about lobbying attempt to Tharit didn't get any attention.

Meanwhile, Tharit insisted Piyawat never reported about any lobbying attempt and, if there was such thing and Piyawat recorded the conversations, Piyawat should submit them to him instead of showing them to reporters because this case should be proceed legally. Affirming the agency had steps of decision making, he said the Poodaeng case was probed by Piyawat's office before it was submitted to DSI deputy chief Narat Sawetanan. He said that he believed Piyawat had good intention and worked hard, but he must respect the rules.

Different opinions could emerge in the justice system, say case investigators might want to sue, but public prosecutors decide otherwise, Tharit said, this was normal and those who disagreed wasn't always corrupt or wrong. As one of the clips claimed DSI chief wanted the suspects bailed with Bt2 million, he said it was a general working principle that DSI allowed bail release for the suspects who surrendered themselves, thus this wasn't an interference to investigators' work.

Meanwhile, an informed source reported that a Best 59 executive sold a Songkhla's Hat Yai land worth Bt80 million at the mere price of Bt50 million to fund the lobbying expenses.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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Bout charges withdrawn, making way for extradition

By The Nation

Public prosecutors yesterday withdrew six additional offences filed against Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout by the United States, ending a legal dispute over whether he should be further detained - and meaning he is available for immediate courtordered extradition.

Citing the reason for the withdrawal, the prosecutor in charge, Sophon Kasemphiboolchai, said the decision made possible the USbound extradition of the suspect, ruled by the Court of Appeals three weeks ago.

The Criminal Court has approved the withdrawal decision, and set a session on October 4 to hear Bout's response - whether he would agree to the withdrawal of the six offences against him, including money laundering.

Neither the US nor Russia, who are in the process of negotiating the destination of Bout's extradition, have commented in response to the withdrawal of the offences. Russia wants to try its citizen itself, while the US cites indictments against Bout in violation of US laws.

Due to a legal technicality, Bout will be set free if not extradited to the US in 90 days, starting from August 20 when the Court of Appeals ruling was issued. The public prosecutors' decision yesterday means the remainder of the detention period continues to count down.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thailand was following protocols regarding the matter and Thailand's relations with both Russia and the US should not be affected as a result.

"Nobody can be angry with Thailand, because we have dealt with the issue in accordance with international rules and regulations," he added.

Asked about a visit to Bout by opposition members of the House committee on international affairs scheduled for Saturday, Suthep said it was the MPs' right to do so, but it would also depend on Bout's approval of the visit.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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Thai Army - Heading for the hot seat

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INN: Hun Sen praises Abhisit for being a young leader who's very capable; pledges full cooperation with Thailand for the benefit of ASEAN /via @TAN_Network

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Blaze at 250-yr-old Kohlak Temple in Prachuap Khiri Khan province; damages estimated at Bt200,000 /via @TAN_Network

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Rayong police arrest 2 Serbians and are on the hunt for 2 others who have fled to Cambodia for the robbery of an ATM, which had Bt4 mln /via @TAN_Network

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Thai stocks open up 9.97 pt, 1.08 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) opened on Friday at 930.51, up 9.97 points, or 1.08 per cent.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 636.15, up 7.68 points, or 1.22 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: PTT, BANPU, ITD, PTTCH, BTS.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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Thai firm rejects Indonesia's 2.4-billion oil spill claim

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Suspected insurgent, troop killed in clash in Yala

Yala - A suspected insurgent and a troop were killed in a clash in this southern border province Friday morning. Two other troops were also injured.

The troops were surrounding a house in Bado village in Muang district trying to arrest the suspect, Muhamadamine Sarai, 27, when the shootout occurred at 6:40 am.

After the clash, the suspect was found dead on the second floor of the house.

Sgt Sayan Titiprasart, the leader of a unit from Yala Taskforce 11, was fatally shot during the clash. He died at the Yala provincial hospital. His two subordinates, Pvt Suradej Yima and Pvt Russalan The, were injured.

-- The Nation 2010-09-03

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Ancient human footprints uncovered in Amnat Charoen

AMNAT CHAROEN (NNT) -- Locals in the northeastern province of Amnat Charoen have discovered a set of human footprints estimated to be over 100 years old.

A collection of ancient human footprints was uncovered imprinted on sandstone on the outskirts of a forest in Tambon Na Mor Maa of Amnat Charoen Province. Locals stumbled upon 10 sets of human footmarks varying in size after clearing out sand and weeds.

Na Mor Maa Mayor, Mr Chakart Rungrueng, elaborated that the sandstone at the site is approximately the same age as in Phu Vieng where dinosaur fossils were earlier found. However, he noted that he is not yet convinced that the footprints belong to ancient humans. The mayor stated he will wait for expert confirmation before developing the area into a tourist attraction.

An earlier similar discovery of ancient Buddha sculptures and artifacts, aged thousands of years, has become a popular tourist destination for the province.

-- NNT 2010-09-03

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Dengue fever still rampant, according to Public Health Minister

BANGKOK, 3 September 2010 (NNT) — The Ministry of Public Health has urged the public to urgently eradicate mosquito spawning sites, and spray areas with stagnant water with larvacide to prevent further dengue fever outbreak.

After inspecting a local school in Nonthaburi province, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has revealed that the number of people affected by the fever is twice as many this year as that of last year. Nationwide, 70,877 of people have come down with Dengue fever in the past eight months. Of the number, 86 people, 60% of them children under15, have died.

Minister Jurin has urged provincial health authorities nationwide to implement stringent measures, at least until the end of October, to drastically reduce the number of mosquitoes, focusing on mosquito spawning sites.

-- NNT 2010-09-03

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CRES Steps Up Security in 454 Risk Areas

The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations has stepped up security at 454 risk areas in Bangkok around the clock. The existing CCTV camera system will also be improved in hopes to prevent any more chaos/terrorist attacks from happening.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-03

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Laundry larceny: the gig’s up for Phuket garment grabber

Victims point to Ms Ruengrin, caught red-handed with baskets full of evidence on Wednesday.

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Thai baht continues appreciation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Thai baht currency has continued to strengthen on massive foreign capital inflow, standing at 31.13 THB/USD, according to latest reports.

A financial expert of Ayudhya Bank Plc, stated today that the Thai Baht has opened at 31.14/15 THB/USD, appreciating slightly from yesterday's closing of 31.15/16 THB/USD. The currency is likely to grow continuously due to a foreign capital influx left unimpeded by the Government.

A special meeting of economic cabinet members took place yesterday to assess the appreciation and consider if measures should be issued to weaken the currency.

The Thai baht today is projected to move to approximately 31.05-31.15 THB/USD.

The Japanese yen opened at 84.35/37 JPY/USD while the Euro started at 1.2830/2835 USD/EUR.

-- NNT 2010-09-03

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Suthep confirms Bout’s case legally processed

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The extradition process for suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Anatolyevich Bout will be in line with the order of the court although the US has withdrawn the money-laundering suit against him, according to Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban.

Mr Suthep stated that the prosecution would proceed with the process in accordance with the laws although the US had already withdrawn the second lawsuit against Bout in a bid to speed up the extradition process. He said Thailand would keep healthy ties with the two countries, US and Russia, to avoid any conflict pertaining to this issue.

As for a meeting with the Russian arms smuggler requested by the opposition, the Deputy Prime Minister admitted that he did not know if the opposition was going to make a political issue out of the meeting.

Mr Suthep, however, noted that the visit must be approved by the Department of Corrections, and must also be arranged with the consent of the Russian arms dealer. He said the opposition, therefore, could not accuse the Government of being selective if the request was not granted.

As for the earlier controversial visit of Democrat MP for Songkhla Sirichok Sopha, the Prime Minister’s close aid, the Deputy Prime Minister believed that Mr. Bout must have consented to meeting with the MP.

-- NNT 2010-09-03