Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 8 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 Tuesday 7 September 2010

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Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair kicked off

Bangkok (NNT) -- The Department of Export Promotions (DEP) in cooperation with Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association has launched the 46th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, in the hope to attract more than 35,000 visitors from all over the world.

According to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair has been organized for more than two decades. Each year Thailand has gained a reputation for its craftsmanship and ability to apply traditional craftsmanship to modern technology. The event is, therefore, a perfect place to underline Thailand’s status as the World’s Gems & Jewelry Hub.

The bi-annual Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair is a superb location where one can see the latest and unique collections, find couture designers and producers. Included in the event are multimedia presentation, dazzling fashion shows, design awards and many other special events.

The highlight of the 46th Bangkok Gems & jewelry Fair is ‘Jewelry Trends 2011,’ which showcases a series of new designs for the coming year. There are varieties of Jewelry Trends projects, which feature seminars and in-dept analyses of the emerging global jewelry trends.

Moreover, the event is a dynamic place to conduct business network with over 1,200 exhibitors in 16 key product categories, and thousands of international jewelers and traders. The fair is expected to attract over 35,000 international delegates and visitors.

The 46th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair 2010 is held at the Impact Challenger Exhibition Hall, Muang Thong Thani , from now till 11 September.

-- NNT 2010-09-08

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UTCC: Thai exports to grow 22.9% this year

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Thai exports for the whole year of 2010 will likely grow by 22.9%, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

The Center for International Trade Studies of UTCC forecasted that the overall national export growth in 2010 would stand at 22.9%, higher than the previous projection of 10-15%. However, exports in the latter half of the year are expected to expand by 11.8%, a lower rate than that of the first half, which was 36.6%.

Mr Aat Pisanwanich, Director of the Center for International Trade Studies, assured that the adjustment of the export target for the second half would have no impact on the national economic growth targeted at 6.5-7%. He attributed the export slowdown towards year-end to the sluggish global economic recovery, the Vietnamese dong devaluation and the Thai baht rise.

The director also projected that the world economic growth would wind down to below 4% next year, which would impede Thailand’s export growth accordingly.

-- NNT 2010-09-08

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Northern people prone to commit suicide

Bangkok (NNT) -- Suicides are likely to occur in the Northern area of Thailand as a consequence of economic and social problems as well as the intensifying tension in politics.

Mental Health Department Deputy Director-General, MD Wachira Pengjan on Tuesday disclosed at the “Million Care & Million Share” event organized by Srithanya Hospital, that the World Health Organization has designated 10 September as the World Suicide Prevention Day, in the hope to raise awareness on the problem of suicides around the world.

According to MD Wachira, a year-on-year increased rate of suicides was reported for the first half of 2010, at 3.17 per 100,000 populations due to problems with the global economy, social and internal politics. While annually, the rate usually stood at less than 6 per 100,000 populations.

The 2009 report indicated that Northern people were most prone to commit suicide, especially the residents of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son.

The total suicides in 2009 were committed by 3,634 people.

-- NNT 2010-09-08

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Civic Group Petitions against Harmful Industries List

The Eastern People's Network has called on Senate committees to scrutinize the finalized list of industries deemed harmful to the environment and public health.

Suthi Atchasai, coordinator of the Eastern People's Network, filed a complaint with the Senate committee on natural resources and environment, the Senate committee on human rights, liberty and consumer protection, the Senate committee on corruption investigation and good governance promotion, the Senate committee on economy, commerce, and industry and the Senate committee on public health.

The petition asked them to examine the government's announcement of the 11 industries deemed harmful to the environment and public health.

Senator Surachai Liangbunlerdchai, chairman of the Senate's natural resources and environment committee, said his panel will quickly scrutinize the matter.

He further said he is of the view that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the National Environment Board should take into consideration that Rayong has been announced a pollution-controlled zone by the Administrative Court.

Senator Rossana Tositrakul, head of the committee on corruption investigation and good governance promotion, said her panel will investigate if the cut from 18 industries to only 11 industries is aimed at benefiting big projects.

She added that if that is the case, then it is not in line with the government's policy to solve social inequality.

The Eastern People's Network coordinator then submitted a petition with the National Human Rights Commission, calling on the panel to investigate the National

Environment Board's list of 11 harmful industries.

The network states that the board's decision is unconstitutional and is an infringement on human rights.

Doctor Nirun Pitakwatchara, chairman of the commission's subcommittee on community rights, pledged to visit the Map Ta Phut area to follow up progress in solving the pollution problem there.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08

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NTC to test 3G auction system

BANGKOK (NNT) -- SMR auction system for 3G license will be tested for its readiness and accuracy before the actual bidding is implemented on 20-28 September.

Colonel Natee Sukonrat, a National Telecommunications Commissioner stated the Simultaneous Multiple-Round (SMR) Auctions, a system used for 3G license bidding, would be tested by all bidders on 15 – 16 September. Under the SMR system, all licenses are available for bidding throughout the entire auction. The system will be used for the first time in the country.

Actual 3G license auction will be held on 20-28 September in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The NTC has cooperated with the Stock Exchange of Thailand to broadcast live the bidding. Col Natee affirms the transparency in all process of the auction and his willingness to answer the people’s questions in any case.

-- NNT 2010-09-08

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Conjoined Twins' Family Seeks Financial Aid

Parents of one-year-old conjoined twins in Nakhon Sawan province are making a plea for financial assistance from the public.

Since the birth of their conjoined twins, Charoonrote and Charoonpan Rompoyen over a year ago in Nakhon Sawan, the media have been covering their story and the community has continually provided aid and financial assistance to the family.

The twins are currently in good health and the parents have decided not to seek their separation, fearing the operation will likely kill or disable them.

The twins' grandmother Noknoi Pongchamnan said the twins have a doctor's appointment on September 13 to examine their bone structure and potential complications.

In the next four months, Charoonrote and Charoonpan will need to meet doctors again over their inability to discharge excrement.

As for financial assistance for the twins, a good Samaritan from Bangkok will finance the family after their previous donor, Nakhon Sawan Provincial Administrative Office chief Amnat Sirichai, passed away.

Due to Amnat's death, the twins' family is facing financial hardship. They need an average of 15,000 baht a month to support the conjoined children.

They are currently earning 8,000 baht per month and are asking the public to help with the family's finance.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08

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Central Provinces Brace for Floods

Provinces in the central region are bracing for possible flooding as floodwater from the North is heading down to the area.

In Nakhon Sawan province, the Pak Nampo subdistrict is seeing an overflow of river currents from the converging Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan rivers, which are the main tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.

This has resulted in a rapid rise in the Chao Phraya River level, which is being closely monitored. However, officials maintained the rise has not reached a critical level.

Nakhon Sawan Irrigation chief Pichetsak Sakpipat disclosed that the Chao Phraya currents are flowing into the province at the rate of 1,700 cubic meters per second and have flooded farmland in Chumsaeng and Muang districts.

He added that flooding will continue as floodwater from will continue to flow into the area.

The rising level of the Chao Phraya has prompted Ayutthaya Governor Wittaya Piewpong to assign all related agencies to brace for a possible flood crisis.

The province's irrigation bureau reported that currents from the North will accumulate at the Chao Phraya Dam and, when released, will reach Ayutthaya by the end of next week.

Water levels are expected to rise 70 centimeters to one meter. The province confirmed that households along the river will definitely be flooded.

Meanwhile, military personnel are assisting provincial officials by placing sandbags along the river banks to protect Ayutthaya's historical sites.

The flooding situation in Pathum Thani's Lam Lukka district remains worrisome as stagnant floodwater has turned black and smelly. The local administration has provided distressed locals with boats and has begun pumping out floodwater.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08

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Chonburi bids to host World Expo 2020

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Disaster relief requests often fraudulent

By The Nation

Random checks by state officials have found most applications for natural disaster relief appeared to be fraudulent.

Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission (PACC) secretarygeneral Pinyo Thongchai said yesterday his office and the parliamentary committee for government budget spending checked 280 flood victim assistance projects nationwide in the 2009 fiscal year. They found 88 per cent had irregularities, notably in procurement procedures not in line with civil regulations.

The PACC yesterday invited related agencies, including the Comptroller General's Department, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, plus Finance and Interior ministry staff to discuss problems and decide if projects were corrupt or stemmed from a misunderstanding of civil service regulations.

The PACC plans to propose solutions, especially clearer criteria for the declaration of disaster zones. He said disaster damage assessment was also rather sloppy, as some officials did their own calculations, rather than involving other parties, especially local communities. Applications had to be backed by photographic evidence.

Pinyo said procurement procedures were supposed to be done every year but they often raised suspicions of corruption. Officials also found some projects named personal drivers or domestic servants as contractors, he said, meaning oversight was needed for project works.

Pinyo said the PACC would act on projects on a casebycase basis to reveal alleged corruption for action by the National AntiCorruption Commission.

Asked who the suspected corrupt individuals in the projects were, he said they includeed central government officials working at regional level, local officials and some local politicians.

Commenting on the damage caused by corruption, he said a request for Bt100,000 in funds had yielded work results of Bt10,000. And some projects yielded no results at all. In these sort of "projects", more than 50 per cent of funds went to corrupt parties, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Local bandage cheaper, more effective

By The Nation

A Chulalongkorn University researcher has developed a local version of a patch for wounddressing made of silk protein sericin, which also promotes collagen production for the wound healing process.

Researcher Dr Pornanong Aramwit, whose project was funded by the Office of the National Research Council of Thailand, said Thailand had plenty of sericin, currently treated as waste in the silkmaking process.

Following lab rat test results, the researcher developed a more convenient form of sericin cream. Using the strain "Chul 1/1" that produces more collagen, the patch - about the size of an A4 doubledsized bandage - yielded good results on lab animals and will now be tested on wounded humans.

Currently such patches are imported and expensive; some burns patients spending up to Bt1 millionBt2 million in wound dressing materials, she said. If this patch could be commercially made, its cost would be at least 10 times lower and heal wounds faster due to the collagen, whilst most wounddressing patches nowadays only prevent infection, Pornanong said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Another arrest in party HQ bombing

By The Nation

The Department of Special Investment (DSI) yesterday detained 39yearold Suriya Bhumwong as the latest suspect arrested following the bomb attack on Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters on June 22. Suriya is being held under the first 12day detention period provision.

He will be detained until September 18 as police interview four more witnesses and check criminal records. Besides Suriya, police have arrested five people in this case: Anek Singkhunthod, the man injured when the bomb hidden in a fruit cart went off, and Dejphol Phutthajong, Khamphol Khamkhong, Kobchai Boonplod and Warisriya Boonsom. On July 1, the case was moved from the police to DSI and all suspects were transferred to DSI on September 5.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Car kills policeman at checkpoint, student charged

By The Nation

A university student from Thai Chamber of Commerce University allegedly killed a policeman at a checkpoint in Bangkok's Taling Chan district early yesterday and was initially charged with reckless driving causing death and property damage.

The accident happened at 2:30am on the Rajapruek Road while the victim, Pol Cpl Damnoensin Kraichomsom, 27, was stopping a taxi to check a passenger. He was hit by a passing car driven by thirdyear student Natthapol Titithamcharoen, 21. The impact hurled the policeman's body to the opposite side of the road.

Pol Senior SgtMajor Manas Taengkaew said he and five policemen were manning the checkpoint looking for street racers, when Natthapol's car sped towards the checkpoint. The car hit the footpath,lost control and struck a police patrol pickup, Damnoensin and the taxi.

Natthapol was driving with female friend Noppamas Prasong, 27, and both were slightly injured. Police say they found a half bottle of whisky in the car.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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NEW POLICE CHIEF

Wanted: reliable police good at suppressing crime

By The Nation

The new national police chief Pol General Wichean Potephosree issued a four-point policy statement yesterday, that included a promonarchy stance, in his inauguration ceremony at the Royal Thai Police compound.

"The monarchy shall be protected and honoured to the full, and not violated by anyone," he said, adding that this policy took immediate effect.

The second policy, to be set in train over the next six months, was to boost police performances so the force was "fully reliable" to the public.

"Police officers will be friendly and polite to people who seek help," he said. Interpersonal relationships between superiors and subordinates will be enhanced, and social activities held by police stations at least once a month.

The third policy with a oneyear implementation period was suppressing crime to a level at which people's lives would be little affected by crime, with public participation in crimebusting operations encouraged.

The fourth policy, that would take up to three years to achieve, was a major overhaul of the Royal Thai Police to "go forward in the right direction", with police methods and budgeting through new strategies and revised handbooks.

Housing welfare and other benefits would also be improved, he said.

Other key issues to be tackled were nepotism, interference by outside factors, and narcotics a problem he said was rampant.

Corrupt police would be the first to be arrested if found to be involved, he warned.

Wichean also unveiled the new RTP spokesman Pol MajGeneral Prawut Thawornsiri, and three deputies: Pol MajGenerals Worrathep Methawat, Piya Uthayo and Pol Colonel Phinit Maneerat, who all still hold their regular positions.

Asked about him being the seventh RTP commander, officially taking his post on the seventh day of the month, in a new office on the seventh floor of the main RTP building, he said: "It's just a coincidence."

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Map Ta Phut residents call on Senate to intervene

By The Nation

The Network of Eastern Residents yesterday urged the Senate to intervene and get the government to review its declaration that there were just 11 industrial activities that could have serious impacts on public health and environment.

"The Senate should recommend that the government make adjustments," the network's coordinator Sutti Atchasai said. He was accompanied by more than 30 residents of the heavily polluted Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong. This network has been battling against polluting businesses that have an adverse impact on people living in industrial zones.

Sutti also urged the Senate to look into whether the government's decision was in line with the Constitutionprescribed protection of public health and environment, and called on it to help solve pollution problems in the Map Ta Phut.

The network leader also submitted petitions to the Senate committees on natural resources and environment; on human rights, rights, liberties and consumer protection; on corruption and goodgovernance promotion; on commerce and industry; as well as the one on public health.

Senator Rosana Tositrakul, who chairs the Senate committee on corruption and goodgovernance promotion, promised to look into the rationale the government used to name just 11 activities that would have a serious impact on people's lives.

"Does the government just want to remove the deadlock for giant industrial operators?" she questioned.

The government made the list according to the recommendations of the National Environment Board (NEB), which were different from the list put forward by former PM Anand Panyarachun's fourparty panel. Tasked with solving the Map Ta Phut crisis, the committee suggested that 18 industrial activities be declared as posing serious threats to health and environment.

Senator Surachai Liangboonlertchai, who chairs the Senate committee on natural resources and environment, said yesterday that the government and NEB should have taken into consideration the fact that the Map Ta Phut area has already been declared a pollutioncontrol zone.

Sutti and Map Ta Phut residents yesterday also went to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), where they were invited to provide more information on the Map Ta Phut problems in response to complaints filed by them earlier.

NHRC commissioner Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said the commission would hold a meeting on the issue today. "After that, we will inspect the area and look for solutions. Pollution has posed a problem in the area for more than 30 years already," he said.

Niran said the commission would also question the government on why it had only named 11 industrial activities and not 18 as being harmful.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Cabinet nod for anti-brawling measures

By The Nation

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SOUTH CRISIS

All Narathiwat schools close doors after two teachers killed

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Region's Health Ministers plan for challenge of expanding cities

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation.

Eleven Southeast Asian countries yesterday adopted the Bangkok Declaration on Urbanisation and Health to ensure planning that would both improve public health and reduce inequality among city dwellers, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said.

The declaration was adopted at the 28th meeting of health ministers from 11 countries in the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Southeast Asia region. The meeting is being held in Bangkok until September 10.

The eleven countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Burma, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Democratic Republic of TimorLeste.

Jurin said the highlight of this health ministers' meeting is the declaration on urbanisation and health - an issue specifically relevant to countries in this region where public wellbeing is impacted by unplanned and crowded urbanisation and heavy consumption of natural resources.

WHO expects that by 2030, 67 per cent of the world population will live in urban areas. Already in Thailand, urban population has reached 36.1 per cent.

WHO's directorgeneral Dr Margaret Chan said city dwelling is one of the major threats to public health in the 21st century, affecting all residents, irrespective of socioeconomic status, but more so the poor.

"Clearly, urban health matters are an issue worthy of your highlevel attention," she said at the opening session.

For the first time in history, she said, more people now live in urban rather than rural areas. By the year 2030, an estimated six out of every ten people will reside in towns or cities, with the most explosive growth in Asia and Africa.

"Cities concentrate people, opportunities, and services, including those for health and education. But cities also concentrate risks and hazards for health," she said.

Examples are contamination of the food or water supply, high levels of air or noise pollution, chemical spills, disease outbreak, or natural disasters.

Cities also tend to promote unhealthy lifestyles. These are directly linked to obesity and the rise of chronic conditions increasingly concentrated among the urban poor.

Urban poverty and squalor are strong settings for social unrest, mental disorder, crime, violence and outbreaks of disease associated with crowding and filth.

In a related development, Chan said the WHO had announced on August 10 it believed there was no longer need for phase 6 of the influenza pandemic alert. Epidemiological data from around the world indicated the new typeA (H1N1) virus had largely-but not entirely- run its course.

She said the decision to declare the pandemic over was based on a global assessment.

However, in the current postpandemic period, she said WHO expected to see localised outbreaks of a different magnitude, and some continuing "hot spots" would continue to show high levels of H1N1 transmission. This pattern is indeed being seen in a few parts of the world, including here in Southeast Asia.

"Let me remind you, the pandemic virus has not gone away," she said. "Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behaviour of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come."

In the immediate period, the virus is likely to continue to cause serious illness in younger age groups. Protecting highrisk groups and maintaining vigilance were recommend actions.

Some countries are continuing to protect atrisk groups with a pandemic vaccine, and this policy is fully in line with WHO recommendations, Chan said.

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Box

Bangkok Declaration on Urbanisation and Health

This was adopted by health ministers from 11 countries that are members of the World Health Organisation and participated in the 28th Health Ministers' Meeting here.

- Acknowledge unplanned urbanisation as a major public health concern; assess the public health impact of major development projects, particularly in urban and suburban areas;

- Advocate for a holistic and multidisciplinary approach by all sectors of the government, including local government, and industry and community;

- Promote investment in propoor policies and strategies in order to reduce the health equity gap among urban dwellers;

- Extend resources and coverage of services to all urban populations particularly the urban poor to improve health outcomes and reduce the social costs of inequity;

- Promote improved transportation, infrastructure and greener technologies that enhance the urban quality of life, including fewer respiratory ailments and accidents and better health for all;

- Build increased capacity in all systems, infrastructure and service delivery in view of inevitable urban growth, in order to reduce the risk of further damage to health;

- Advocate to governments and municipalities to invest in healthpromoting cities and to take actions that encourage social connections among city dwellers irrespective of their social status;

- Foster among all urban dwellers an understanding of the negative effects of unplanned urbanisation and the shared responsibility for balancing resources and services;

- Work in collaboration with all other sectors and stakeholders to reduce and close the urban equity gap and promote healthy cities;

- While planning for urban health, in addition to physical health, address social, psychological and mental health as well;

- Take appropriate steps to address the causes of ruralurban migration and alleviate causes driving such migration.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Thai Cabinet backs purchase of armoured personnel carriers from Ukraine

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THAI-KHMER TIES

Abhisit will meet Hun Sen in New York

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BURNING ISSUE

Pheu Thai's olive branch in doubt

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Thailand is still a land of bitter division

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STREET WISE

The Northeast has potential, if only it was given a chance

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STOPPAGE TIME

True reconciliation hinges on the real casualties of wars

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Thailand-China high-speed rail talks get cabinet go-ahead

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Airport Link has stopped its service temporary due to the out of order of railway wrench at Lat Krabang station. /via @tukky_nt

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 918.01, down 5.88 points /MCOT

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Fraudulent Contractors Investigated by Pattaya City Hall

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Budget Bill sails through Senate

By The Nation

By a majority vote of 96-to-13 cast Tuesday's night, the Senate approved the 2011 Budget Bill following a 26-hour, fiery debate.

Despite an earlier threat, opposing senators, led by Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, did not seek a judicial review on an alleged conflict of interest in approving the bill with provisions for pay hike for MPs and senators, seen as a delaying tactics to stall the legislative passage.

The debate focused on contentious issues like the lopsided allocations of funds for local governments, budget deficit, public debt, the projection of state revenues, the alleged conflict of interest and the military spending.

After the vote of approval, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva pledged to spend the allocated funds with efficiency and transparency. He also ensured his utmost efforts to safeguard the fiscal discipline, allaying concern for the budget deficit which he said it was deemed necessary for financing investment outlay.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Bhum Jai Thai predicts a new power clique

By The Nation

By the next general election, a new power clique, comprising nine individuals, might emerge to change the political landscapte, Bhum Jai Thai MP Prajak Klawgraharn said on Wednesday.

Of the nine, eight share the same initial S and one is identified as a special S, Prajak said, revealing the clique includes former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

He refused to confirm or deny if Somkid might team up with his party, saying it is a matter to be decided in the future.

He said the nine individuals could become an invincible force in politics if they would unite together, hinting that the nine were still considering their options since many had to await the expiry of the five-year ban for holding office.

In his earlier interview given on Tuesday, he denied rumuour that his party was preparing to pay Bt5 million for each MP seeking reelection bid under its banner.

Commenting on the projection of votes, he said Pheu Thai has enjoyed the highest popularity in the Northeast due to the red-shirt movement. But his party has a strong chance of securing some 40 House seats from the region with a total of 136 House seats, he added.

He conceded, however, that his party might only win about two House seats from Khon Kaen, seen as his stronghold.

He ruled out an early poll, arguing the government would serve out its term. Depending on the election outcome, the composition of the next coalition remains in a state of flux, he said, declining to comment whether his party could or would form an alliance with Pheu Thai.

He also voiced concern that the coalition parties would fight a heated campaign among themselves to vie for seats from the Central Region.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08