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Thailand Live Saturday 11 Sep 2010


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Thailand Live Saturday 11 September 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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 10 September 2010

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35 provinces warned of heavy rainfalls, sudden floods

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned people in 35 provinces of possible rainfalls and flashfloods during 10-14 September 2010.

The risk-prone provinces are Tak, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Uttaradit, Nong Bua Lamphu, Loei, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Kalasin, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Yasothon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram and Surin.

The DDPM has coordinated with its operation centers in those areas to closely monitor weather conditions and prepare all necessities for distribution to flood victims in case of emergency. Residents hit by disasters can contact the DDPM Hotline 1784 for assistance around the clock.

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-- NNT 2010-09-11 footer_n.gif

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FDA arrests a counterfeit cosmetics producer

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided a company producing counterfeit drugs and cosmetics, seizing those illegal products amounting to 50 million THB.

The FDA made an investigation at Dream Herb Company located on Rama 2 Road of Bangkok. More than 100 pieces of unapproved and illegal drugs and cosmetic products were found at the site, worth up to 50 million THB.

According to the FDA, products such as whitening lotion, sun screen and some pills are due to be distributed to several beauty parlors. The company will be charged for producing counterfeit cosmetics, carrying a jail term of up to six months or a fine up to 30,000 THB or both.

Producing unapproved drugs is another charge to be filed with a jail term of up to three years in jail or a 5,000 THB fine or both.

Consumers are advised to select each product deliberately before buying. A product should show the production source, Thai label defining name, type of product, components, and direction for use.

The people are requested to inform the FDA Hotline 1556 in cases they find suspicious products in the market.

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-- NNT 2010-09-11 footer_n.gif

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CGD urged to get ready for social welfare system

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva calls on Comptroller General's Department (CGD) to modernize their working system, based on social transformation.

Delivering his speech at the 120th anniversary of CGD, policies have been given to top executives to manage their tasks with regards to social changes, from the department to state enterprise or public organization. Moreover, the CGD will have to prepare its operation for the development of the social welfare system and that the organization’s finance has to be well-managed.

The Prime Minister also noted that past developments were usually obstructed by certain problems particularly with government grants for senior citizens as the money could only be disbursed via local administration offices but not passed directly to the citizens.

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-- NNT 2010-09-11 footer_n.gif

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Free flu vaccination to be arranged at JJ Mall on 11 Sep

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Public Health will arrange a free flu vaccination campaign at JJ Mall near Chatuchak Market on 11 September.

Public Health Ministry Spokesman Suphan Srithamma disclosed that the ministry would arrange a campaign to provide the public with flu vaccination on the sixth floor of JJ Mall adjacent to Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok on Saturday.

The spokesperson urged people to receive the free vaccine, which would help safeguard them against three flu strains - influenza A (H1N1), influenza B, and influenza A (H3N2).

Other medical services, such as mental and physical checkups, will also be provided in this activity, which will be commenced by Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit and will be run from 09.00-15.00 hrs.

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-- NNT 2010-09-11 footer_n.gif

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A rehearsal organized in preparation for energy crisis

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Energy Minister, Wannarat Charnnukul on Friday presided over a rehearsal session for the ministry’s staff and representatives of 14 organizations in preparation of a possible energy crisis.

In the Friday's rehearsal, Thailand was presumed unable to produce 300 megawatt of electricity as the country could not transport gas from the Erawan natural gas field in Myanmar due to conflagrations in the field. While another scenario was that the gas pipeline was damaged from the ship and that Nam Nguem and Nam Ploen Dams in Lao PDR were wrecked by a storm, resulting in one-third loss of generated electricity to be sold to Thailand.

Participants had come up with back up plans for electricity deficiency and the need to campaign for a reduction of public demands for electricity.

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-- NNT 2010-09-11 footer_n.gif

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Lawsuit against Auditor-General dropped

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Central Administrative Court has turned down the petition lodged by the Office of the Ombudsman over the legitimacy of the role of Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka.

The court today decided to dismiss the lawsuit, reasoning that Chief Ombudsman Pramote Chotimongkol, the plaintiff, had no connection with the case.

The suit was filed with the Central Administrative Court by Mr Pramote, calling for the nullification of Khunying Jaruvan’s status as the Auditor-General, claiming that she had reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 years.

On the other hand, Khunying Jaruvan, as the defendant, rebutted trying to cling to her position for personal interests. The embattled auditor-general argued that a previous announcement of the coup makers in 2006 authorized her to remain in the post until her replacement was appointed. She has been holding the title despite the Council of State's recommendation that her term of office is over.

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-- NNT 2010-09-11 footer_n.gif

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AHEAD OF SEPTEMBER 19 RALLY

Chiang Mai Army barracks attacked twice

By The Nation

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Regiment commander tones down report, as sources confirm grenade attacks

For the first time since the redshirt protests in April and May, when military installations were regularly attacked, two M79 grenade attacks were launched at a Chiang Maibased Army barracks twice in one week, it was revealed yesterday.

In the first attack on Sunday, two grenade rounds were aimed at the security squad building in the compound of the Army's 5th Special Operations Regiment in Mae Rim district. The rounds, one of which was a dud, did not cause any casualties.

In the second attack on Thursday, defence intelligence sources said five M79 rounds were fired simultaneously from different directions into the compound. Three of the rounds were duds, and nobody was hurt. It is believed the grenades may have been launched from a road 50metres away from the security squad building.

Regiment commander Colonel Sayant Muangsri said earlier that the explosions were part of a routine training exercise, but other sources confirmed that grenades had indeed been lobbed at the compound but did not say if the ongoing internal investigation had fingered anyone.

Mae Rim police said the regiment did not report any attacks. Reporters, who could not get an interview with the colonel, reported seeing security cameras being installed and a sandbag bunker being built in the regiment compound yesterday.

Meanwhile, a 3,000strong police team has been mobilised to provide security at political and symbolic landmarks in Bangkok to cope with the anticipated redshirt rally on September 19, meant to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2006 coup that unseated Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Centre of the Resolution of the Emergency Situation yesterday warned against the use of motorcycles as part of the September 19 march, saying they could be seized because the emergency decree was still in effect in Bangkok and nearby provinces.

CRES spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said soldiers could be deployed to help out if the protesters turn violent or get out of hand. Police will also be stationed on the top of Bangkok high rises as well as at 454 separate locations.

Apart from Bangkok landmarks, security has also been heightened in the homes of key government officials and political figures. The movement of vehicles inside the compound of Government House is more controlled to maximise security for government officials.

Redshirt supporters still active in three provinces in the Northeast are being closely watched by local Army units, Third Army Area commander Weewalit Jornsamrit said yesterday.

National police chief Wichean Potephosree called on the public to maintain caution and report suspicious activities to police. He added that no intelligence reports indicated plans of sabotage or bomb attacks.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban dismissed criticism by Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan over the deployment of armed soldiers at key locations, including bus and underground train terminals in Bangkok, saying that it was normal for authorities to do this in order to cope with special situations.

Thaksinallied Jaturon Chaisang said he believed the bomb attacks were meant to keep the state of emergency in place indefinitely and noted that no arrests had been made related to those attacks.

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-- The Nation 2010-09-11

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Measures to solve Rajprasong jam

By The Nation

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The problem of rushhour traffic at the Rajprasong intersection, one of the most congested areas in Bangkok, should be solved soon, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol MajGeneral Phanu Kerdlarpphol said yesterday.

Phanu, who is responsible for solving traffic problems in the capital, said traffic police would adjust the flow so vehicles can move out of the intersection quickly.

He met representatives of the CentralWorld shopping complex as well as Pathum Wan and Lumphini police stations and traffic police yesterday to seek solutions for the problem.

From September 22, all vehicles on the outbound lanes of Rama I from Pathum Wan intersection to Rajprasong intersection will be allowed to turn right into Rajdamri Road and travel along to Rama IV from Mondays to Friday between 4.30pm and 7.30pm, he said. He added that this would help ease traffic congestion in Pratunam, Chitlom and Phloenchit intersections. At present, only public buses are allowed to take this route. Five more traffic police officers will be stationed in the area to direct the traffic.

Phanu said police would inform people about the adjustment before it goes into effect on September 22.

In addition, if shopping complexes in the area hold special events, they and police at both stations have to tell the traffic police about the number of vehicles expected one week in advance. This way, traffic police can plan how to accommodate the extra traffic, Phanu explained.

"Metropolitan police will closely evaluate the measures to see if they are able to ease traffic congestion. Before travelling, people can call 1197 or visit www.trafficpolice.go.th to check the traffic," he said.

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-- The Nation 2010-09-11

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Arrest warrants out for four suspects in South

By The Nation

Agencies

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Arrest warrants have been issued for four suspects who allegedly gunned down two teachers in the southern province of Narathiwat on Tuesday.

Police found that the bullets used in the attack were similar to those found in previous cases and came from the same gun. The four suspects, believed to also be behind previous attacks, will face charges of terrorism as well as flouting the emergency decree.

Wilas Promphan, 54, and his wife Khomkham, 52, were shot at 6am on Tuesday while they were heading to a fresh market. Wilas was killed instantly and Khomkham died later in hospital. Their death increased the number of teachers killed in the deep South to 135 since violence flared up in the predominantly Muslim region in early 2004.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of national security, is planning to organise a meeting between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and representatives from a teacher's confederation in Bangkok to discuss the security of teachers in the South.

Meanwhile, a senior Thai diplomat told Malaysia's New Straits Times newspaper that some Thai workers in Malaysia were funding insurgents in the deep South.

Thai consul general of Kelantan, Surapon Petchvara, said he believed there was some truth in these allegations.

"Admittedly, a few of our citizens who are earning in Malaysia are sending money to certain perpetrators of violence.

"However, it has to be emphasised that the majority of our citizens working in Malaysia are only using their income to support themselves and their families," he said in an interview on Thursday.

Surapon said it was estimated that about 200,000 Thais from Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Songkhla and Satun provinces had crossed over to Malaysia to work in sectors such as the construction industry.

However, he admitted that this figure was unofficial because many workers did not undergo proper procedures.

"Our labour offices in the southern provinces have regularly made radio announcements to get people to register before they travel across the border to find work.

"With proper documentation, we can assist them when they get into trouble with the authorities and protect them from being exploited by their employers," he said.

Despite reports of violence in the provinces lately, he said Thai Muslims had no worries about returning for Hari Raya EidulFitri because they knew the situation their villages were in.

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-- The Nation 2010-09-11

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Burmese workers continue Khon Kaen protest

By The Nation

Khon Kaen

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Hundreds of Burmese workers yesterday continued protesting against their employer, Decha Fishing Net Factory, over low wages. The protest began on Thursday.

The Burmese workers complained that they were being paid just Bt144 per day, and nothing for overtime, while Thai workers at the same factory were earning a daily wage of Bt157 plus overtime. The factory reportedly has about 4,300 foreign workers, most of them Burmese.

Some of the protesters also complained that their passports appear to have been modified.

"We are worried that this modification may make it impossible for us to return home," a 25yearold worker said.

Khon Kaen immigration officials have, so far, declined to comment.

A source at the Labour Protection and Welfare Department said relevant officials had looked into the Burmese workers' complaints but found nothing wrong.

"The employer pays them Bt30 an hour for overtime, and they all earn about Bt203 per day," the source said.

According to the source, the Burmese staff only had Bt144 in hand everyday because their wages were deducted to pay for accommodation and cleaning services arranged by some of the migrant workers themselves.

The source said the employer held on to passports because of fear that the workers might lose their documents or run away. Normally, foreign workers need to report to immigration officials every three months.

Each Burmese worker's passport carries the name of the employer, and if they change jobs, their old passport gets cancelled and they need to apply for a new one.

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-- The Nation 2010-09-11

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Thailand sends off two warships to tackle Somali pirates

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Two Thai warships with some 380 troops on board left the Sattahip base yesterday to join international maritime taskforces in the Gulf of Aden to help tackle piracy in the lawless waters off the coast of Somalia.

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Kovit favourite to take over as Pheu Thai chief

By The Nation

If ex-police chief Kovit Wattana shows up at the Pheu Thai Party meeting on Tuesday, he will be declared on social media as the party's new leader even before any voting takes place.

"You'll know next Tuesday. Please wait until next Tuesday," Kovit, who is also a former interior minister, told reporters. He would not say whether he would join the party's meeting but his cautious approach spoke volumes.

Thaksin Shinawatra, considered de facto leader of the opposition party, neither denied nor confirmed widespread reports about Kovit's imminent selection during a telephone interview with a local newspaper.

"They haven't selected anyone, have they?" Thaksin said. But when asked what qualities Kovit possessed to merit Pheu Thai leadership, Thaksin said the party needed change and Thailand was awaiting a reconciliation process.

Yongyuth Wichaidit resigned as Pheu Thai leader on Thursday, amid rumours that Thaksin had asked him to quit to facilitate party re-organisation. Apart from Kovit, party chief adviser Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has emerged as a candidate to take the Pheu Thai helm.

Faction-ridden Pheu Thai would be tough for either Kovit or Chavalit. Underlying party conflicts, sources within Pheu Thai said different things about the two men. One side said Kovit was favoured by Thaksin because he could counter-balance Chavalit's growing influence, while the other side said Thaksin needed Chavalit to consolidate the party, which has been rocked by disunity and defections.

Meanwhile, Newin Chidchob, de facto leader of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, yesterday warned Kovit that he would end up like late prime minister Samak Sundaravej if Kovit agreed to lead Pheu Thai.

"If Kovit is to lead Pheu Thai, then it's good for the party because he is a good and loyal man. But I am concerned he would end up like Samak," Newin said.

In 2008, Samak was betrayed by his own MPs, who failed to show up to cast a crucial vote to reinstall him following a court ruling that disqualified him in the wake of a cooking show controversy.

It was believed that Samak was stabbed in the back because he had lost favour with Thaksin, the real man who can call the shots within the party he founded.

A Pheu Thai MP said if former national police chief General Kovit was to get the top party job, he would show up on that day.

Anudit Nakhontap said he had not finalised his own decision on the matter, though he praised Kovit for his integrity and loyalty to the monarchy, which could help improve 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.

In his interview with INN online, Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said that ex-premier Thaksin chose to avoid getting involved with the election of new party leader.

In another development, red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan warned during his meeting with Kanit na Nakhon, chairman of the committee investigating the political violence in April and May, that unfair treatment of members of his movement, both victims of crackdowns and those behind bars, would make any reconciliation plan impossible.

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-- The Nation 2010-09-11

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Students talk tough to PM over deaths

By Piyanart Srivalo

Jeerapong Prasertpholkrang

The Nation

At a special Government House meeting yesterday with university students in which goodwill gestures were expected, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was faced with difficult questions from them over deaths during the red-shirt protests in May in addition to calls for him to resign.

One student asked Abhisit to step down and prove his innocence in the deaths of anti-government demonstrators through the justice system, drawing applause from all students.

Abhisit said the deaths and injuries were being investigated, and he had never ordered an all-out suppression of the protests. He said the loss of lives resulted from clashes between the protesters and soldiers performing their duties.

The prime minister divided the clashes into four events:

- April 10, at Khok Wua intersection, where soldiers were also killed and wounded;

- The period from May 14-18 when demonstrators launched offensives against soldiers' outposts during security blockades;

- May 19, when soldiers took over Lumpini Park after it was seized by armed demonstrators;

- The mysterious murders in Wat Pathum Wanaram.

Another incident with losses reported was the firefight between armed men and soldiers escorting fire trucks that were putting out fires at CentralWorld and other shops. "This firefight occurred along Rama I Road and could have later resulted in the shooting in the temple. Investigations are underway."

Asked to comment on several acts by the authorities considered intimidation against those on the opposite side of the government, Abhisit said it felt strange for him to keep reminding government officials to use only non-violent measures with "the people who threatened to kill me and my family".

Responding to calls for him to step down, Abhisit said it was the government that had made a few offers to the Pheu Thai Party for an early general election, which turned them down.

The meeting comprised students from 14 universities, members of youth groups and those from the Students Federation of Thailand, numbering about 100. It was recorded and will be broadcast in the prime minister's weekly address on Sunday morning. The session was originally scheduled to be held a few months ago in Chulalongkorn University but was later shifted to Government House over security concerns.

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-- The Nation 2010-09-11

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Insurance for state offIcials proposed

By Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

Finance Ministry looks for ways to control costs of healthcare

The Comptroller General's Department is discussing the possibility of purchasing group life insurance policy for state officials for about Bt60 billion a year in order to cap the ballooning expenditure on healthcare.

Public healthcare systems run by governments has been proven a failure worldwide due to inefficient management and everrising costs, Pongpanu Svetarundra, director general of the Comptroller General's Department said yesterday.

He said the department has discussed the possibility of private firms participating in the government's healthcare system with the Thai Life Assurance Association.

The idea is that the government might buy group insurance for state officials and in this way be better able to control costs, he said.

Healthcare costs are projected to be Bt61 billion by the end of the fiscal year on September 30, while the government has earmarked expenditure of only Bt48 billion to pay for them, he said.

For fiscal 2011, the government plans to spend Bt62.5 billion on state official healthcare bills alone.

Pongpanu said that if the govern¬ment paid insurance premiums of Bt60 billion, it might be able to cap expenditure on this item. Otherwise, expenditures will keep on rising beyond control.

"It may be cost efficient if we do it this way by paying the outright insur¬ance premium," he added.

Many developed countries are fac¬ing unsustainable costs of healthcare and social security. In the United States, the liabilities of healthcare and social security exceed US$100 trillion, although the US government can col¬lect tax of only US$2 trillion a year. Going forward, expenditures on healthcare and social security can potentially bankrupt many developed countries.

Sara Lamsam, president of the Thai Life Assurance Association will later propose to the government more details of a health insurance policy for state officials.

Pongpanu said that it would be a challenge, since the current system provides benefits for the parents, spouses and children of state officials. "If private firms have to step in, the existing welfare coverage must be maintained," Pongpanu said.

He is optimistic that the new idea is not too farfetched. " Look, US pres¬ident Barack Obama has just reformed the healthcare system by forcing every¬one to buy insurance policies from private firms and the gov¬ernment offers direct cost sub¬sidies to the poor," said Pongpanu.

He said that the existing system, including the Bt30pertreatment plan, the Social Security Fund and the health¬care programme for state offi¬cials, costs about Bt200 billion annually.

Meanwhile, in his keynote speech on the 120th anniversary of the Comptroller General's Department, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also expressed concern about the runaway cost of healthcare for state officials. Abhisit has asked the department and the Finance Ministry to try to control public expenditures as the government plans to balance the budget in the next five years.

Pongpanu said that the department has already consulted with many hos¬pitals in order to prevent state officials from abusing their health expendi¬tures.

Deputy Finance Minister Man Pattanothai said that the Comptroller General's Department was studying Singapore's health system and the study was expected to be completed soon.

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-- The Nation 2010-09-11

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PM: No Emergency Decree for Chiang Mai

Following an M79 attack on an army barrack in Chiang Mai province, both Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban denied the government is considering enforcing the emergency decree in the province again.

The province, which is a red-shirt stronghold and hometown of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has just had the emergency decree revoked recently.

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-- Tan Network 2010-09-11

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Commerce Min to hold meeting to handle THB appreciation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Commerce Ministry is prepared to hold a meeting with commerce representatives worldwide to discuss effects from the continuous appreciation of the Thai baht currency.

Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai said the ministry would invite commerce envoys in 76 countries worldwide to the meeting in an effort to formulate measures to prevent impacts from the baht appreciation on the export and business sectors, which were likely to be seen from late this year until the beginning of next year.

The meeting will be part of a seminar, which will be organized by the Department of Export Promotion (DEP) at the end of this month to discuss concerns of exporters and importers over negative effects from the strong baht.

Speakers at the seminar will include Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, who will present the Government’s measures to handle the strengthening of the Thai currency. Export figures will be reviewed while potential solutions to currency-related problems will be mulled over.

The Thai baht yesterday was shifting within the range of 30.83-30.85 THB against the greenback and is speculated to continue appreciating next week.

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-- NNT 2010-09-11 footer_n.gif

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Democrat Spokesman: Intensifying Violence in Next 2 Weeks

Democrat Spokesman Dr. Buranat Samutrak warns of intensifying violence in the next 2 weeks. He says there may be attacks at public places and assassination attemps on important figures.

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-- Tan Network 2010-09-11

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Rights group calls for school security in restive Thai south

BANGKOK, September 11, 2010 (AFP) - A leading rights group on Saturday denounced suspected insurgent attacks that have disrupted education in Thailand's violent south and warned against unlawful revenge by security forces.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the government to ensure the safety of schools after two teachers were killed in Narathiwat province on Tuesday, which sparked the suspension of classes in state-run schools for three days.

"Insurgent attacks on teachers have created the most serious disruption to education in the south," said Sophie Richardson, acting Asia director at HRW. "These grave crimes cannot be justified in any circumstances."

Teachers working in state schools are frequently targeted because they are seen as a symbol of government authority in the south, where Islamic militants view the education system as an effort by Bangkok to impose Buddhist culture.

Since the ethnic Malay rebels began an insurgency in January 2004, more than 4,300 people have been killed in the southern Muslim-majority region -- both Buddhists and Muslims.

HRW also warned against the mistreatment of people in custody and the unlawful use of force by Thai security forces, who have allegedly attacked Muslims in revenge for insurgent attacks on government officials and ethnic Thai Buddhists.

The group said that in the past six years, there have been no successful criminal prosecutions in cases of attacks on Muslims, including killings of religious teachers and students of Islamic schools.

"Insurgents might claim that abuses by the security forces justify their attacks, but the Thai government should not allow its troops to adopt the same logic," Richardson said.

"Any attempt by the government to shield soldiers from criminal responsibility will further intensify a cycle of reprisal violence."

Two militants were killed in a gun fight on Friday afternoon as Ramadan ended in the troubled region, which has seen a wave of attacks during the holy Muslim month.

The pair, aged 24 and 27, were shot after they resisted arrest when security forces sealed off a house in Pattani province, police said.

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-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-09-11

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