Thailand Live Saturday 4 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 4 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 Friday 3 September 2010

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Thai-Myanmar border closure cited as consequence of domestic problem ahead of the coming election in Myanmar

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The remark on domestic problem in preparation for the coming general election in Myanmar was cited as the cause of Thai-Myanmar border closure.

Speaking at the Regional Border Committee meeting (RBC) which took place at the Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort located in the Mae Sot district of Tak, 3rd Army Chief Thanongsak Apirakyothin said the meeting aimed to negotiate the reopening of Thai-Myanmar border, as discussion took place with participation of delegates from various agencies especially members of the RBC from across the northern region of Thailand.

According to the 4rd Army Chief Prasan Seangsirirak, the border closure is an offshoot of the Myanmar’s preparation for the upcoming national election in November as well as the country’s objection to the river bank construction on the Thai side, since Myanmar has expressed disapproval for nine times, reasoning the construction will cause an erosion on the Myanmar side.

The Thai-Myanmar Mae Sot-Myawaddy border checkpoint has been closed since 12 July.

-- NNT 2010-09-04

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Thais urged to swiftly build up a good national image and restore foreign confidence

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urges Thais to swiftly build up a good national image and restore foreign confidence.

The Prime Minister on Friday presided over an event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the launch of the “Thailand in Your Mind” campaign. According to his speech, a swift action to build up good national image is urged among Thais as many incidents in recent months had damaged the country’s reputation. The crisis also influenced investors’ confidence, causing opportunity loss in many aspects particularly in tourism sector as well as trade and investment.

However, the national economy had gradually recovered so as the progress of national reconciliation. Mr Abhisit called on the Thai people to help communicate positive images of Thailand to the world community by ensuring the country's readiness to become economic partners with the world community and representing other unique Thai natures.

Public members are urged to voice their opinions regarding the campaign through postcards, SMS 4886999, www.thailandbranding.org as well as on Facebook.com and Twitter.com.

-- NNT 2010-09-04

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Fitch ready to raise Thailand´s credit rate following resumption of political stability

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Fitch Rating, an international rating company, foresees Thai economy in 2010 to grow by 7-7.4%, saying the company will raise Thailand’s credit rate if Map Ta Put problem is solved satisfactorily and the politic becomes more stable.

According to Fitch Rating, Thai GDP in 2010 will grow in a range of 7-7.4% and predicts the 2011 GDP to expand by 4 -5%. Currently, Fitch assigns Thailand’s foreign-currency credit rating at BBB with stable outlook, while domestic currency credit is rated at A- with negative outlook due to political instability.

The company has monitored the country’s economic growth rate continuously, saying that the rating will be considered to be adjusted in the next 12-18 months if more expansion is seen and the internal politics becomes stable.

The company views that positive ruling by the Administrative Court over Map Ta Phut cases will regain investors’ confidence and that will make Thai economy expand consecutively. Fitch points out that political problem is a factor affecting economy. However, politics will not influence much the economic system since the budget management of the Government is well on its normal course.

-- NNT 2010-09-04

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NTC to commence 3G auction in Prachuap Khiri Khan on 20 Sep

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will commence the 3G auction in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on 20 September 2010 with security agencies to help prevent corruption in the process.

NTC Commissioner Col Natee Sukonrat, in his capacity as Chairman of the 3G Committee, indicated that the committee members were currently in the process of examining the basic qualifications of the bidders. He elaborated that the list of those eligible for the auction would be officially announced on 14 September and clarifications and demonstrations on the bidding process would be given to them on 15 and 16 September.

The official 3G license auction will take place on 20 September starting at 9.00 hrs at the Evason Hua Hin Resort and Spa in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Col Natee explained that the auction would be conducted via the intranet system linking only between the NTC committee and the participants. The bidding price for each 3G license will start at 12.8 billion THB and will increase by 640 million THB every hour until the end of the session.

As for the security measure, the NTC has asked for cooperation from security units, such as the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Justice, to dispatch their officers to help monitor irregularities and prevent corruption during the auction.

Speaking of the rules, Col Natee stressed that the bidders would be prohibited from communicating with each other or with outsiders during the session in order to ensure utmost transparency.

-- NNT 2010-09-04

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"Super Star Pattaya Bartender Contest 2010" to be held on 8 Sep

CHON BURI (NNT) -- The Thai Hotels Association (THA) Eastern Chapter will organize the “Super Star Pattaya Bartender Contest 2010” in Pattaya as part of an effort to stimulate the local tourism.

President of the THA Eastern Chapter Buntharik Kusolwit announced that the “Super Star Pattaya Bartender Contest 2010” would be arranged at the Fidella Grand Ballroom of The Zign Hotel in Pattaya, Chon Buri province, on 8 September from 9.00 hrs onwards.

With an aim to stimulate the local tourism, the event will be co-organized with the Food and Beverage Management Association Eastern Region, Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard Chef Association and the Eastern Seaboard Housewife Club with the Pattaya Provincial Administrative Organization and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Pattaya Office as sponsors.

The event will feature a vast array of contests involving cocktail making, flower arrangement, fruit and vegetable carving, wedding cake decoration, table decoration and much more.

-- NNT 2010-09-04

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Saudi Arabia regrets suspect's promotion

By The Nation

The Saudi Arabian Embassy yesterday said it "deeply regrets" the government's decision to promote a suspect indicted in connection with the disappearance of a highprofile Saudi businessman to the rank of assistant national police chief.

In a statement, the embassy said the Thai police act should have prevented the promotion of Pol LtGeneral Somkid Boonthanom, who was indicted while serving as chief of region 5 police.

He was accused of involvement in the disappearance of Mohammad alRuwaili in 1990.

The embassy, while maintaining it had no intention of interfering in Thailand's domestic affairs, said it was astonished by the lack of disciplinary action against Somkid and deeply concerned to learn about the promotion.

It said the Abhisit government's handling of the cases affecting bilateral relations had led to positive development, yet "the timing of the latest development coincides with the first and most critical development between the two Kingdoms in more than 20 years".

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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Gunfight kills two

By The Nation

A fierce gunfight erupted in Yala yesterday morning during a police raid for the arrest of a wanted suspect. Two people were killed in the battle.

Muhammad Ameen Sarai, 27, who was found dead at the scene, was wanted for allegedly staging a bomb attack in the deep South.

While, Sergeant Sayan Thitiprasart sustained gunshot wounds and later died in hospital.

Sayan was at the scene with some 30 officials to arrest Ameen after being tipped off that the suspect was hiding in a house in Ban Bado, Mueang Yala district.

The suspect did not surrender upon seeing the security officials, but opened fire.

The ensuring gunfight claimed his life and Sayan's. Also injured were two privates, Suradej Yeemah and Ruslan Teh.

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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Govt to build 190 'Monkey Cheeks'

By The Nation

A total of 190 water reservoirs based on royally-initiated "Monkeys Cheeks" mechanism will be built across the country to ease flooding problem and help with existing irrigation projects, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said yesterday.

The construction of the reservoirs will begin this year with incomplete land expropriation in certains areas going ahead to make way for them, he said. This reservoir project will be impletmented to commemorate His Majesty the King.

The monarch has invented the Monkeys Cheeks mechanism, in which water is stored in a catchment area to avoid abrupt flooding until it is full, the water will be later utilised while excessive amount is let out flowing. This stimuates nature of monkey's eating habit.

Sanan was speaking after giving relief supplies and mobile water purifiers to 1,500 people in Bang Mool Nak district of Phichit province he is based.

In Chaiyaphum, a 14-year-old boy drowned at TAT Fa waterfall in TAT Tone National Park after flashflood hit at where he was swimming with five friends. Disaster status has been declared in four districts out of all 16. A damage estimate is underway and will be soon announced.

In Kalasin, more than 5,500 rai of farmland had been submerged while 300 homes in Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district were under 50-cm flood water. Urban areas in nearby Pak Thong Chai district are also flooded,, with many schools closed.

In Lop Buri, 800 homes in four tambon in Muang district were flooded overnight with 50-cm inundation. A 1-km section of a key route linking with Phatthana Nikhom district was under 50-metre flood water.

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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6 more suspects in brawl

By The Nation

Arrest warrants are being sought for six other suspects believed to have been involved in a brawl between students in Bangkok's Min Buri district that killed a nineyearold schoolboy, police said.

Min Buri police said that after interviewing more witnesses they were able to identify six more vocational school students, either from Bang Kapi Technology School or Industrial Technology School of Bangkok, who were involved in the brawl on Thursday.

The two initial suspects, Pariwat Lohphoom and a 16yearold unnamed student, have been put under court and juvenile home custody respectively. Their request for temporary release on bail was rejected by court.

Both of them are from the Bang Kapi Technology School, which is known to have a rivalry with the Industrial Technology School of Bangkok for years.

No classes were held at the Bang Kapi Technology School yesterday.

The 16yearold suspect, who is considered a minor, will undergo rehabilitation and mental check during his 30day detention.

The education office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has given Bt100,000 to the parents of Jatuporn Pholphaka, who sustained fatal injuries from stray bullets when one of the suspects was shooting at Bus No 113. His funeral rites are being held at Wat Bamphen Nua.

Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said parents should also be punished for the violent and criminal behaviour of their children "from now on".

He admitted to being criticised for his lax action over the incident. "But from now on there will be no lenient measures. Parents will be held responsible for deaths caused by the brawls that their children are involved in, while teachers will be punished if students under their care get involved in brawls," he said.

Chinnaworn did not say how he would show his responsibility over the incident.

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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RURAL DOCTOR OF THE YEAR

Si Sa Ket's Kitibhum honoured

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

With his strong determination to help poor people in rural area, Dr Kitibhum Juthasmith from Si Sa Ket has been named the outstanding rural doctor of the year.

Kitibhum, the longserving director of Bhumsing Hospital, is a darling among people in his hospital's neighbourhood. They fondly call him Mor Kit (Dr Kit). To people elsewhere, his name may also ring a bell, as he was twice the champion of a popular game show, Fan Pan Tae, in the 2001 and 2003 episodes concerning the Beatles.

However, Siriraj Hospital recognised Kitibhum solely for his lifelong service to rural people when it handed him the prestigious award of Outstanding Rural Doctor.

"He has been devoted to providing healthcare to people in remote areas. Si Sa Ket is a border province," Assoc Professor Dr Anuphan Tantiwong said in his capacity as chair of the Siriraj Hospital's committee to select the outstanding rural doctor.

Kitibhum beat 26 other candidates, all of them doctors in rural areas too, in winning the award. He will receive a grant of Bt 170,000.

"He has spent his whole life in a small hospital for more than 20 years and he keeps going," Anuphan said.

Kitiphum's life and career have been exemplary. Born in Bangkok, he in fact had never experienced rural life until he was assigned to work in Si Sa Ket in 1987.

"At that time, my mother cried a lot because she was worried about me. Back then, I had never even washed my own clothes," the 45yearold doctor now recounted.

However, Kitibhum had no fear because he found an inspiration to work for the public interest. His idols were His Majesty the King and prominent social revolutionary Jitr Bhumisak

"They have taught me about sacrifices," he said.

At Bhumsing Hospital, there are just two permanent doctors and two interns. Together, they have had to treat about 220 patients a day. Kitibhum's work schedule is thus so busy that he didn't have time to compete in another Fan Pan Tae Beatles episode again when an invitation came up a few years ago.

"But I am very happy with my job," Kitibhum said.

He said he felt the award he received should belong to all doctors working at Bhumsing and local public health officials there.

"It's not easy to work with limited budget and manpower," he pointed out, "Still, we have pulled through. The award is the highest honour I've received".

With 15 years remaining in government service, Kitibhum has vowed to do his best at Bhumsing - a medical facility with limited equipment in a remote area. "I have never thought about seeking a transfer. I am happy here," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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DSI to probe graft over Best 59 case

By The Nation

Piyawat Kingket

A Department of Special Investigation official has been subject to a criminal investigation following an allegation that he took bribes from a suspect involved in a pyramid scheme, a senior DSI official said yesterday.

Piyawat Kingket said au audio record showed that the unnamed official, who was charged with probing the Best 59 pyramid scheme through Poodang Kitozan products was sold a land plot in Songkhla's Hat Yai district at Bt50 million for a full price supposed to reach Bt80 million, in exchage to drop indictment against a key suspect.

"The tape reveals the official [in question] telling the suspect that the case 'has been spared through negotiattions with some senior figures 'up above'," Piyawat said.

The Office of Anti-money Laundering Commission will take over the case on Monday. Now the tape is now being transcribed, he added.

The DSI is now working with the public prosecutors to discuss what to do with that official's non-prosecution decision to make it not invalid while more evidence is being gathered to complete the investigation when it will be re-submitted to the prosecutors.

There have been reports about political interference and lobbying attempt being involved to throw the Poodang Kitozan products off court. Piyawat said there was another irregularity with the case - the product had originally been registered as a fertiliser, but later as a direct-sale business.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva later said he had been aware of press reports suggestining that a Cabinet member was involved in the bribery element in the Poodang Kitozan case in exchange for the suspect escaping the justice. "But i have no details about it," he said.

"Evidence is needed [to prove the wrongdoing]. No ministers can do wrong," he added.

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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Pleas to extend Lin Ping's stay

By The Nation

During his visit to Shanghai tomorrow, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be urged to speak to relevant Chinese authorities and negotiate for an extension of Lin Ping's stint in Thailand.

According to the original agreement, the panda cub is allowed to stay in Thailand for two years, and her term will be completed next May.

Assistant to the natural resources minister, Pimuk Simarote, said he would ask Abhisit to seek an opportunity to negotiate Lin Ping's stay while he is in Shanghai.

"Lin Ping has another 10 months with us, and we will try our best to keep her here for longer," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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UPDATE

COUP ANNIVERSARY

Red shirts plan Bangkok-Chiang Mai rally

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UPDATE

Thaksin confident of role under 'restored' democracy

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UPDATE

PM to Pheu Thai: Match words and deeds

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WATCHDOG

Court verdict on Map Ta Phut will make investment climate better

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UPDATE

BIG BROTHER

Security to be stepped up in Bangkok

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Wikileaks founder admits sex with accuser

Julian Assange, founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, has admitted he had sexual relations with one of two Swedish women who have accused him of sex crimes.

Assange said he had consensual sex more than once with a woman who has accused him of molestation, the Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

“I say the same thing I have said the entire time. I have not done anything with these two women that was not completely voluntary from both parts,” he said.

Sweden’s top prosecutor has reopened investigations into allegations of molestation from the woman and of rape by another Swedish female.

WikiLeaks published over 70,000 secret military files on Afghanistan in July in what US officials have called one of the biggest security breaches in US military history.

An official had withdrawn a rape probe against Assange, while allowing an investigation into lesser molestation charges to continue.

Assange said he had been warned by Australian intelligence that he could face a campaign to discredit him after leaking the documents. He said he was facing a smear campaign but could not be sure who was behind it or for what reason.

“Who was behind this, we do not know. Whether that turns out to be a smear campaign done by a couple of people for personal motives or ideological motives, or whether that is larger and involves geopolitical concerns or whether it is a mixture of all those, we do not know,” he said.

The women involved have rejected the suggestion they were acting at the behest of a hidden conspirator.

Source: scandasia.com

SCANDASIA

-- 2010-09-04

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Quakes continue to rock New Zealand city of Christchurch

Wellington - Earthquakes continued to rock Christchurch, the biggest city in New Zealand's South Island, Saturday following a massive 7.1- magnitude shake that flattened buildings, ripped up roads and cut power, water and sewage connections.

Seismologists downgraded the quake, which was centred 40 kilometres west of the city, after initially estimating it to be of 7.4-magnitude but said it remained one of the biggest to hit a population centre in one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries in the last century.

They said it caused extensive damage because it was centred only 10 kilometres underground. They revised an earlier estimate that it was 33 kilometres deep.

Ten sizeable aftershocks ranging from 3.9 to 5.2 on the Richter scale were recorded after the initial shake at 4.35 am

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

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Abhisit leaves for China

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva left for an official visit to China Saturday morning.

He left at 6am and is scheduled to arrive at the Shanghai airport at 11:10 am.

-- The Nation 2010-09-04

[george]

No sex, but lots of vegetables in Phuket next month:

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BREAKING NEWS:

A Thai ship carrying 40,000 litre of oil has capsized off Phuket.

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New Zealander arrested following gun incident in East Pattaya

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Bangkok Police arrest suspected Copyright Licensing Scammer at Pattaya Police Station

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One of two suspects caught following recent brutal murder of two children

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Opposition MPs visit Viktor Bout

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs have visited alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout at Bangkwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi province today.

Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs Torpong Chaiyasarn and his deputy, Ms Thitima Chaisaeng, today paid a visit with Mr Bout in prison. Their discussion reportedly involved controversial issues, especially the previous visit with the detainee by Democrat MP for Songkhla Sirichok Sopha, which is speculated by the opposition Pheu Thai Party to have been arranged without the consent of Mr Bout.

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban expressed strong belief that Mr Sirichok’s prison visit, which was made on 15 April 2010, had been approved by the Department of Corrections under the consent of the 43-year-old suspected arms smuggler.

-- NNT 2010-09-04

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Drug Dealers Apprehended in Successful Pattaya Sting Operation

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Briton dies after fall from hotel

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UPDATE

A 40,000 liter oil tanker sinks off the Chalong Bay of Phuket.

All crew members are safe.

Fear of oil leakage

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