Thailand Live Friday 10 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Friday 10 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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a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those

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

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 9 September 2010

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MoE to adopt the security plan for the safety of southern-based teachers

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Education (MoE)and the Royal Thai Army has planned to adopt a security plan for the safety of teachers based in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand, according to Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat.

Following his previous trip to monitor southern insurgency after a teacher and his wife were shot dead by M16 rifle on Wednesday in the southern Narathiwat province, Mr Chinnaworn reported that local residents and school personnel were so much under pressure. The people called on the Prime Minister to pay a visit to the area as the visit could somehow cheer them up.

According to the Mr Chinnaworn, people have now been less pressurized by the incident, while southern schools’ boards of executive have agreed to meet the Prime Minister on Monday 13 September in Bangkok.

Mr Chinnaworn further disclosed that the 4th Army Area and Narathiwat provincial Governor will jointly adopt the security plan for the safety of teachers. Meanwhile, southern schools’ boards of executives will have to propose special security plans to the ministry. Security officers also need to provide further protection outside school hours.

-- NNT 2010-09-10

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Anupong: Safety of teachers in Deep South prioritized

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda assures that the military will put its utmost effort into overseeing the safety of teachers in the Deep South.

General Anupong said that he had ordered relevant military officers to heighten security measures in all southern border provinces in a bid to ensure maximum safety of local teachers.

The order came as a response to the Southern Teachers’ Federation’s call for stricter security operations in the area after two teachers in Narathiwat province were shot dead by insurgents on 8 September.

General Anupong also advised teachers who would like to travel out of the monitoring areas to coordinate with the authorities in advance for a special escort to prevent them from possible danger.

-- NNT 2010-09-10

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Aid dispatched to flood affected victims in Sukhothai

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Flood situation in the central province of Sukhothai eases as officials are able to enter the area and provide aid for flood affected victims.

Sukhothai Deputy Governor Smith Palwatwichai on Thursday organized a provision of 1,000 flood relief packages to the residents of Tambon Pak Khwae, Srisamrong Tambon Municipality, Ban Suan Tambon Municipality and those residing in Bang Khlong Temple in Mueang district of Sukhothai province. Relief packages were provided by Tesco Lotus.

Meanwhile, Sukhothai Deputy Governor Paiboon Panja went separately to Sawankhalok district in order to hand over 590 relief packages contributed by private and public sectors to flood-affected residents.

Water level in Sukhothai province has eased and will soon reach normalcy. However, Sukhothai Governor Office pledged to continually provide aid, reconstruct basic infrastructures and provide mental remedy for people.

-- NNT 2010-09-10

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DSI charges 6 Bhumjaithai bomb suspects

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has sought prosecution against six suspects in connection with the Bhumjaithai Party bombing case.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit revealed that the DSI investigative team today submitted the case reports to the Special Litigation Department of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) for indictment of the six individuals, who were alleged of being involved in the bomb blast at the Bhumjaithai Party Headquarters in Bangkok on 22 June 2010.

The six suspects facing prosecution are Mr Kampol Kamkong, Mr Dejpol Puthajong, Mr Kobchai Boonplod, Ms Varisariya Boonsom, Mr Anek Singkhunthod and Mr Suriya Phumwong. They are charged for producing, possessing and detonating bombs as well as terrorism.

Mr Tharit added that the DSI had issued an arrest warrant for another suspect, identified as Mr Samran, who was still on the run.

-- NNT 2010-09-10

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Pheu Thai Leader Resigns

Yongyuth Wichaidit has resigned as opposition Pheu Thai Party leader, citing the necessity to restructure the party's executive board in preparation for the next general election.

Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit today held a press conference to announce his resignation.

He said he tendered his resignation to allow restructuring of the party's executive board in order to ensure readiness for the next general election.

Yongyuth said after more than a year on the job, he felt that the party has been well consolidated.

He further said it was an appropriate time for him to allow a new person who is more capable in this field to take the helm of the party.

He noted since the next election was expected in about a year, it was necessary for the party to be restructured to be more prepared for the race.

Asked about a report that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wanted Police General Kowit Wattana, former national police chief and ex-interior minister, to take over the

Pheu Thai leadership, Yongyuth stated he had not heard about that.

Yongyuth added the selection of the party's new executive board members will be made at its general assembly next Tuesday.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-10

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Swedish Man Murdered in Bangkok

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Thailand gets ready to welcome young contingent

By The Nation

The Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Employment of Vulnerable Groups (OWPPEVG) is getting ready to welcome the 330 youth onboard the Fujimaru, which will dock in Thailand from November 18 to 21 as part of this year's Ship for the Southeast Asian Youth Programme.

OWPPEVG chief Kitti Samanthai said the ship, carrying representatives from 10 Asean countries and Japan, would be stopping at several countries from October 25 to December 16.

The ship will set sail from Malaysia, and visit Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan. Those onboard will take part in sports and culturalexchange programmes as well as stay with host families and go on field trips.

The department is preparing to throw a welcome party and arrange a meeting with the prime minister for the group on November 18. The following day, the youngsters will be taken to the Emerald Buddha temple and the Vimanmaek Palace, and on November 20 they will participate in activities with students from Khlong Pittayalongkorn School, Saipanya Rangsit School, Phathai Udomsuksa School and Thep Leela School. The youth will be living with host families for two nights.

Kitti is inviting families in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani or Samut Prakan willing to host young people to call (02) 651 6532, (02) 255 5850 extension 191. Applications can be downloaded from www.oppy.opp.go.th and need to be submitted by October 8. He said eligible families should have at least one young family member who can speak English or the visiting youth's mother tongue so they can explain Thai culture and way of life to the young guests.

Thailand has taken part in this programme 37 times before and hosted 1,200 youths, many of whom went on to become successful individuals, he added.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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BMA ready for imminent flooding

By The Nation

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Doctors submit their version of bill

By The Nation

Doctors who are against the draft legislation on compensation for victims of medical malpractice showed up at Parliament with 15,007 signatures and an alternative version of the bill yesterday.

The group, led by Dr Orapan Methadilokkul, handed the draft and signatures over to Deputy House Speaker Samart Kaewmeechai.

However, Samart said he would have to check the new version's accuracy before putting it on the House agenda, which could take four months and may not be ready before the current House session ends on November 28. Instead he suggested that the lobby with the government whip to have their draft be put at the top of the agenda during the next House session.

Besides, he said, the initial draft required a special scrutinising committee, consisting of members of the public, and had to go through House and Senate consideration before it can be implemented, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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Money truck Robbers escape with Bt16m in Bangkok

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Sea nomads' land rights to be documented

By Janjira Pongrai

The Nation

Rawai beach on Phuket - home of the sea nomads - will be promoted as a special cultural zone to help these people to recover their way of life and culture and address their land ownership problems, according to PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtoey.

The proposals were raised yesterday during a round table discussion on solving the community's land ownership rights problem.

Satit, as chair of a committee overseeing human right violations, said he agreed to support the proposals. "To solve the land ownership rights, they will be given community title deeds. The beach will be declared a pilot special culture zone."

The sea nomads' problems arose after the Department of National Park Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNPWPC) earmarked the area for conservation. As a result, the villagers could not make use of resources on their own lands, as they did not have land ownership documents.

Satit said the government was establishing the land ownership rights of people in 88 areas before giving them community title deeds. Around 30 areas would receive their title deeds by the end of this year,he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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Govt urged to add more industries to harmful activities list

By The Nation

Three independent agencies yesterday called on the government to make additions to the list of 11 industries deemed harmful to the environment and health, saying it did not cover businesses that are equally detrimental.

Dr Niran Phithakwatchara, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), will be meeting all government agencies and members of the fourpart committee next Thursday to discuss whether the seven industries left out of the government list should be included.

The NHRC will coordinate with the National Health Commission Office and the Independent Body for Environment and Health Management (Interim) while working on social, environmental and legal issues related to the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong, he said.

Niran also added that the criteria in categorising industries to rule whether they were harmful to the environment and health should have the same standards and be applicable to future largescale projects such as those similar to the Map Ta Phut programme.

A source with one of the three agencies said the conditions that put projects in the harmful list could be avoided by cutting down the size and specifications. For instance, a 300rai or larger landfill might register as harmful, but one smaller than that could avoid undergoing health and environment impact assessments and as required under the Constitution's Article 67.

Sutthi Atchasai, an activist representing villagers living near the estate, said the announcement of the list could be a setback to the overall efforts in solving the problem and might result in another long delay.

He said the shorter list was meant to unlock the restrictions on a number of projects, not serve the public's interests. He said the people's network would meet today to discuss additional solutions to deal with the problem.

A mass rally comprising 5,000 people might be staged outside the estate later this month if the government fails to review the list and include the seven businesses that were taken off, he added.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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SOUTH CRISIS

Hunt on for three in killing of teachers

By The Nation

Narathiwat - Arrest warrants will be issued for three people involved in the killing of teachers Wilas Phetprom and wife Komkham Phetprom, police said yesterday. Their Majesties the King and Queen and all Royal Family members have granted wreaths for the dead teachers.

Ra Ngae superintendent Pol Colonel Suchat Asawajindarat said the investigation into the murders had progressed far and that arrest warrants would soon be issued for three persons. He declined to reveal details.

Meanwhile, Narathiwat Teachers' Federation president Sanguan Intharak said that Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat had promoted the deceased couples' daughter, Pattama Phetprom, as a teacher under the Narathiwat Educational Area 1.

After hearing Chinnaworn's report about the situation, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he might visit the deep South for the teachers' funeral at Narathiwat on Wednesday, before his scheduled trip to the US. The PM is going to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly from September 2325.

Abhisit said he and Chinnaworn would seek more security measures and look into ways to boost teachers' morale.

Chinnaworn also promised that teachers in the restive region would get equal assistance money from the War Allowance Fund, as other civil servants.

Office of the Basic Education Commission deputy secretarygeneral Somkiat Chobphol said each teacher is only paid Bt2,500 a month in risk allowances currently, up from the previous Bt1,000.

In related developments, Doromae Toma, 52, a member of a village protection squad in Yala, was shot dead early yesterday morning.

Insurgents also triggered a bomb hidden under the surface of a road on the way to the scene of the crime as military, police and local administrative officials headed to the site, but it exploded after the vehicles had passed.

Another attack hit an Army base in Pattani. Insurgents hurled explosives at the base and began a firefight with soldiers that lasted five minutes. The attack severely injured Corporal Tanawut Wongtam, 28.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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MAY CRISIS

No soldiers given shoot-to-kill orders : Gen Anupong

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PM Abhisit warns Thai Baht may rise even further

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BURNING ISSUE

Is Thailand becoming a censored society?

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House votes against state audit bill

By Nerisa Nerykhiew

The Nation

The House of Representatives yesterday voted 292 to 10 against the draft bill on state auditing, paving the way for a redrafting of the controversial bill.

Coalition and opposition whips agreed with the rejection on grounds that certain draft provisions might be unconstitutional. The draft authorised the Office of the Auditor-General to prosecute suspected offenders, but this mandate is not specified in the Constitution and appears to duplicate the jurisdiction of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

After a three-hour-long debate, 28 MPs abstained and 17 refused to vote.

Before the voting began, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said the fate of the bill had no bearing on the nomination of a new auditor-general nor the litigation against incumbent Jaruvan Maintaka who continues holding the position despite having turned 65 - the mandatory retirement age.

Chai said the nomination process could be activated before the organic law is enacted without having to wait for a judicial decision on Jaruvan's case.

In the first round of deliberations last year, the House approved the passing of the bill, and though the Senate subsequently sanctioned it, the vote fell short of a simple majority, prompting a second debate.

Acting auditor-general Pisit Leelavachiropas said the Office of the Auditor-General would use the House and the Senate's comments as well as the parliamentary panel's consideration of the Act in revising and drafting the new version, especially in terms of the auditor-general's authorities. He expects the new draft to be completed within the Parliament's legislative session.

"I'm sure that my position as [acting] auditor-general has no effect on the law drafting process. The drafting of laws is part of the Office of the Auditor-General's duties. The selection of the new auditor-general can proceed according to the Council of State. The problem is when can it be started?" he said.

Senate Speaker Prasobsook Boondech said the Office of the Auditor-General needed to submit a new draft, though there is still the problem as to whether it is Pisit or Jaruvan who has the authority to sign the document.

In addition, Prasobsook said, the selection process of Jaruvan's successor is ongoing but little progress had been made because the panel's members were far too busy. Nevertheless, he said, the Administrative Court's verdict on the position would also be considered.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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Pheu Thai Party chief quits in mystery move

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Thai commercial banks agree on single money transfer rate

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Thousands apply for 20-rai plots

By The Nation

Tens of thousands of villagers in Nakhon Si Thammarat province have applied for land acquisition rights on the offer by the local agricultural land reform office, which is merely welcoming applications, but has not been allocated any land to distirbute to successful applicants.

The application, open from August 30 and will end on September 15, says qualified applicants will be entitled to acquisition rights to a 20-rai plot in areas in the province and elsewhere to be later announced.

Office head Worrachart Sripaoriya said the application was in compliance with an ALRO office issued last December to welcome applications from qualified recipients of the land.

The applicants most qualified are those landless farmers or those owning farmland too small to feed themselves and families, or they were registered poor and earned farming-related diploma or were children of farmers, he added.

An official with the land office, who asked not to be identified, said there were no details about which land would or at what amount be made available for acquisition by successful applicants.

"The office is merely opening the application, checking their documents and ruling on their qualifications. The shortlist of successful applicants will be then submitted to the ALRO office, and then to the Cabinet for approval," he added.

Ian Dit-amphai, a villager from Chalerm Phrakiat district, said she learned of the offer through words of mouth and was submitting her applications to acquire the land.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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Bangkok hospital discharged severely ill patients after UAE government refuses to pay the bills

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Family members gather at Sattahip Naval Base to see off Thai Navy anti-piracy unit embarking at 10am for int'l anti-piracy operations off Somalia coast /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 925.46, up 3.97 points /MCOT

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Pheu Thai to pick new leader but who?

The Pheu Thai Party is on track to elect its new leader by Tuesday and if former national police chief General Kowit Wattana is to get the job, he would show up on that day, Pheu Thai MP Anudit Nakonthap said on Friday.

Anudit said he had not finalised his decision on the matter, though praising Kowit for his integrity and loyalty to the monarchy which might help improving on the party's image.

"Following the installation of the new leadership, my party is expected to take a more correct path with a clearer direction but this has nothing to do with the party's reconciliation plan which remains on the table," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

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Raid Finds Meth in Boxing Camp in Surat Thani

Surat Thani Police have seized nearly a million baht worth of assorted methamphetamine pills in a boxing gym raid.

Police raided a boxing gym in Surat Thani province and confiscated a large number of methamphetamine drugs worth nearly a million baht, along with firearms, cash, gold ornaments, and a bank books.

The owner of the gym, Prayoon Mohpramarn, was arrested, along with 12 other suspects. He confessed to all charges against him.

The authorities have been keeping tabs on Prayoon, who they suspect is a major drug lord in the province. He is also on the Office of the Narcotics Control Board's blacklist.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-10

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Thai Govt urges public not to panic over red shirt protests on 19 Sept

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Defence minister sends off Thai warship to join 98-day UN mission to crack down on Somalian pirates at Sattaheep naval base /via @TAN_Network

[george]

Bangkok police: Security planned for Red Shirt rally on 4th anniversary of Sept 19 coup; forces to be deployed in BKK; violence not expected

[george]

Fatal Pattaya baht-bus accident caused by drunk Canadian: