Thailand Live Tuesday 28 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Tuesday 28 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 Monday 27 September 2010

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Oil traders urged to lower oil price

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Energy encourages oil traders to lower oil price as oil import becomes cheaper.

According to Minister of Energy Wannarat Channukul, oil traders are encouraged to lower retail oil prices if it exceeded 1.50-1.80 THB per liter as the appreciation of Thai baht results in cheaper import of oil.

However, PTT Executive Vice President Wittaya Wangjitrarak remarked on Monday that Thailand’s oil traders could not lower oil price as of now despite continuing appreciation of the baht due to fluctuating price of crude oil.

Mr Wittaya added the current oil price of 1.40 THB per liter was still normal. There will be a price adjustment if the price goes up above two THB per liter, in which price will be lowered to 1.50 THB per liter.

-- NNT 2010-09-28

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Panel Hears Clarification on May Unrest

The fact-finding subcommittee tasked with investigating the recent political violence has expressed satisfaction with the explanations provided by the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation about its role during the unrest.

Subcommittee of the independent panel tasked with investigating the political unrest in April and May, chaired by Kanit Na Nakorn, today heard the clarifications on the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, or CRES's, work during the crisis.

The CRES was represented by Deputy Army Chief-of-Staff Lieutenant General Daopong Rattanasuwan, assistant national police chief Police Lieutenant General Worapong Chiewpreecha, Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Police Major General Amnuay Nimmano, Department of Special Investigation Deputy Director general Police Colonel Narat Savetnant and officials from related agencies.

Lieutenant General Peerapong Manakij , member of the subcommittee, said after the hearing that the CRES provided the subcommittee with details on its work policies and allocation of its security personnel during the political unrest.

He further said the CRES has answered all questions clearly and convinced the panel that its actions had not violated any law. In addition, the subcommittee is confident that actions carried out by the CRES were aimed to neutralize the tension during the political protests.

The CRES took about two and a half hours to explain its actions to the subcommittee. Meanwhile, other related agencies, including the police, have been asked by the fact-finding body to explain their respective roles during the political unrest on October 14 and 15.

Somchai Homlaor, head of the fact-finding subcommittee, said the panel is in the process of gathering information from red-shirt supporters and witnesses before presenting it to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on October 30.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-28

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Medical Expo 2010 to be held in November to raise medical profession standards

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Medical Council of Thailand is preparing to host the Thailand Medical Expo 2010 between 26 and 28 November this year, aiming to raise standards of Thai medical profession and of public health in general.

Doctor Somsak Lohleka, the President of the Medical Council of Thailand, has revealed today that the council is in preparation for Thailand Medical Expo 2010, which will be held between 26 and 28 November. He stated that the expo is aimed to raise awareness of the importance of good health as well as to uplift the standards of medical profession in Thailand. Information and knowledge about diseases and general well-being would be amply provided to the public, he added.

Doctor Somsak also stressed that the expo would be held to raise the standard of general health of the public to meet the international standard. The expo will be held in 2 sections, studies and researches and medical management. Award-winning medical science and innovation and achievements will be presented at the expo as well as secrets on how to get into medical schools for students who are interested in such a career.

The venue of the expo will be later advised.

-- NNT 2010-09-28

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Local residents express opposition against Map Ta Phut rally

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Vice Industry Minister, Putthipong Punnakan, said the four-party committee responsible for resolving the Map Ta Phut dispute disagreed with the plan by Eastern People Network Leader Sutthi Atchasai to rally in front of Rayong's Map Ta Phut industrial estate on Thursday.

The activist group plans to gather in front of the country's largest industrial estate to protest against the ruling by the Central Administrative Court allowing 74 of the 76 suspended industrial projects to resume operations.

Mr Phutthipong claimed that many communities around Map Ta Phut were against the group's protest plan.

They agreed that the government had been trying to improve their living conditions and follow the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations, according to Mr Phutthipong.

He said the government had been trying to create an industrial and environmental balance by building public facilities for communities and conducting health check ups every three month.

He said Mr Sutthi should seek solutions with the government because it is impossible to relocate residents around Map Ta Phut. He said different sides should find ways for villagers and the industry sector to co-exist and they should not think only about winning or losing.

-- NNT 2010-09-28

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HONEST CABBIE

Honest cabbie rewarded

By The Nation

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More medals for Thai students

By The Nation

Thai students have bagged three silver and one bronze medals at the 4th International Earth Science Olympiad (4th IESO) in Indonesia.

Patthaya Permnamthip from Mahidol Wittayanusorn School (Mwits), Rawi Jongphiphatchai from Mwits and Natthanan Tantiwassadakan from Suan Kularb Wittayalai School won the silver medals, while the bronze was won by Natthachai Prachaphiphat from Triam Udom Suksa School.

The 4th IESO has been held in Yogyakarta from September 19 but ends today. It has drawn competitors from 18 countries.

The Thai representatives and others accompanying them will return via Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1.10pm today on Flight GA866.

Assoc Prof Yenjai Som-wichian, a committee member from the Promotion of Academic Olympiads and Development of Science Education Foundation, said it was the second time Thailand had entered the Earth Science competition. Students needed to do tests about geology, meteorology and astronomy. In the first competition in Taiwan, Thai students won a silver and two bronze medals.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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Thai Consumer Protection Board (CPB) cannot control ATM transfer fees

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NHSO to order more flu vaccine from France

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) will order 200,000 more doses of a vaccine cocktail against three flu viruses - type-A (H3N2), type-B and 2009 type-A (H1N1) - from French manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur to people in high-risk groups, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said.

Jurin, who chairs the NHSO executive board, said the office would import the vaccine within two weeks.

People considered at high risk of complications from influenza include front-line healthcare workers, women three months into pregnancy, people who weigh more than 100 kilograms, the disabled, and people aged between six months and 62 years who have chronic conditions such as obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, renal failure, cancer, thalassaemia, HIV or diabetes.

NHSO previously ordered 2.1 million doses of influenza vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur and the Department of Disease Control has provided 1,534,000 doses to people in the high-risk category. Jurin said he expected the vaccine would run out by the end of October, as the ministry has made vaccination available for free at hospitals nationwide.

Meanwhile, Sakon Nakhon Hospital director Dr Apichart Apiwattanaporn said the hospital still had a lot of flu vaccine in stock, as few people had paid attention to the threat and come in to receive inoculation. So far, about 2,000 people in the province had received vaccinations.

Many people in Sakon Nakhon province were reported with the 2009 flu virus. Most were aged between five and 14 years.

According to the Public Health Ministry, the seasonal flu has infected 66,090 people across the country. Of this number about 12,127 were infected with the 2009 H1N1 viruses.

Seasonal flu has killed 94 people so far this year, while the 2009 H1N1 viruses killed 85. About two people succumbed to the 2009 H1N1 virus last week.

In the third wave of the pandemic, Jurin said the spread had been seen in Roi Et, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Nayok.

However, he said Bangkok had the highest rate of infection, with 103.55 cases per 100,000 population, while the Southern provinces had the lowest rate at 3.90 per 100,000.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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Court to hear two medical malpractice cases

By Supachai Sinprasert

Surasit Sinprasert

The Nation

The Nonthaburi Court yesterday agreed to rule on two medical-malpractice lawsuits, one regarding the total loss of hearing in a former disc jockey and the other about a baby's chronic illness.

Trials will begin on October 25.

The Network of Medical Malpractice Victims helped the plaintiffs bring their cases to court.

Sangkhom Sawangkaew, 31, is seeking Bt4.13 million compensation for his loss of hearing.

Sriwan Phonsuk, 35, represented her one-year-old son Suttipong Makong in demanding Bt1.61 million compensation. The baby, allegedly because of malpractice at a state hospital, suffered broken collarbones and meconium aspiration syndrome during the delivery process. Suttipong has since had chronic lung inflammation and needed regular treatment.

Communicating with reporters via writing, Sangkhom said he sought treatment at Pathum Ratchawongsa Hospital in Amnat Charoen province on September 11, 2008, but it failed to detect that he had caught meningitis.

He claims he underwent a blood test and was told to return home with some medication. After his condition worsened that night, his relatives brought him back to the hospital the next morning. After waiting there for half a day there without any treatment, his relatives took him to Amnat Charoen Hospital, where he was diagnosed with meningitis.

He was then quickly sent to a better-equipped hospital for treatment. However, by that evening, an X-ray showed the disease had already affected his central nervous system.

Sangkhom has never heard anything again.

The loss of hearing has not only cost him his job, his wife left him after he became totally deaf, taking away their only daughter.

"I tried to pick up other jobs, like being farmhand. But dizziness has often overwhelmed me," Sangkhom said in a written message.

Sriwan, meanwhile, blamed nurses at Takhli Hospital in Nakhon Sawan province for not giving her a Caesarean section even though her baby was huge and she clearly had great difficulty trying to give birth to him.

"Many nurses just tried to massage my belly and pull out the baby," she said.

When her son Suttipong came out, he suffered broken collarbones and meconium aspiration syndrome, the presence of bodily waste in the lungs.

"Since his birth, he has had chronic lung inflammation," Sriwan said.

She said the hospital's team offered her Bt60,000 compensation and asked her not to lodge a complaint.

"But this amount of money is not enough to compensate for what has happened to me and my son," she said.

She says her son's chronic illness has cost a lot of money. Sriwan herself has had aching legs since the birth, making it impossible for her to continue selling second-hand clothes.

Preeyanan Lopsermwattana, who chairs the Network of Medical Malpractice Victims, said many alleged victims turned to her each year, and the government should expedite legislation of the pending Medical Malpractice Victim Protection Bill.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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THAILAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Royals to attend concert honouring His Majesty

By The Nation

Their Majesties the King and the Queen and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be the guests of honour at a royal concert tomorrow night at Siriraj Hospital in a tribute to the Monarch's considerable musical talent.

In his younger years, His Majesty composed many memorable tunes, including "Blue Day", "No Moon", "I Never Dream", "Dream Island", "Near Dawn", "Love at Sundown", "Falling Rain" and "HM Blues".

The Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra will perform his works in the first concert for him since he entered Siriraj Hospital a year ago.

Teerawat Kulthanan, dean of Mahidol University's Medical School, said yesterday that the "Siriraj Concert in honour of the Great Blue-Blood Artist" was scheduled for September 29 to commemorate the last musical performance His Majesty played for a student audi-ence.

"It took place on September 29, 1976," he said.

The King liked playing in front of his students, but that was more than three decades ago, he said.

The last perform-ance was held at the Royal Medical College's auditorium, the same venue for tomorrow night.

Most of the 200 seats are reserved for the university's staff, students and sponsors.

The programme will start at 7pm with a cocktail reception, and the concert will begin at 8pm with the "Overture for His Majesty the King".

Montri Tramod, a late national artist, composed the overture in 1987 in honour of the fifth birthday cycle of His Majesty.

Kamolporn Hooncharoen, a senior at the College of Music, said she would join the stage as the singer for the royal arrangements of "Love at Sundown" and "Rao Soo".

"I am so hon-oured and so proud to get the opportunity to perform in front of His Majesty the King," she said.

Gudni A Emillson and Major Prateep Suwannaroj will be the con-ductors, while Sukree Charoensuk is the music director.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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DSI warns of ongoing bomb attack in Bangkok

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Thai Democrats did not act with corrupt intent : EC adviser

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Fresh dilemma as Thai govt struggles to fix 3G auction setback

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Is greed killing Thai-Saudi ties?

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Kasit outlines plan to boost relations with Cambodia

By The Nation

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday he was mapping out a new plan to restore diplomatic relations with Cambodia, by encouraging local authorities on the border to have more engagement with their counterparts.

The plan would set guidelines for local agencies and national administrators to try to boost relations with Cambodia after ties soured due to a diplomatic row between the two governments mostly over the appointment of ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser to Phnom Penh and disagreement over World Heritage listing of the Hindu temple at Preah Vihear.

The plan would encourage local agencies, both military and civilian, to have direct contact with Cambodian counterparts, he said.

Provinces bordering with Cambodia should create more activities to strengthen ties with their neighbours via cultural events, sports competition, academic exchanges as well as humanitarian cooperation, the minister said.

Local residents along the border should be registered in both countries to prevent them from being punished if they accidentally crossed the boundary line to collect forestry resources, he said.

"The authorities of the two countries should be flexible for local residents who accidentally cross the boundary merely to collect forestry items," he said.

And the military should conduct a joint operation to clear the border of landmines, he added.

The central government's plan to improve relations was that Thailand would continue giving economic assistance to Cambodia as well as increasing cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, he said.

The Foreign Ministry would invite Cambodia's Information minister, rather than Foreign minister, as well as Cambodian media reps to visit Thailand to exchange information, he said.

"Now the situation is improving, we hope they will accept our invitation," he said.

Kasit's new plan was initiated after a meeting between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in New York last week.

The governments were at loggerheads over Thaksin's position as an economic adviser to Hun Sen and the Preah Vihear temple since last year. The two countries normalised diplomatic relations last month after Thaksin stepped down from that role. But the row over Preah Vihear is unresolved, as the joint boundary committee has been unable to resume meetings to settle the boundary dispute (until minutes of previous meetings are approved by the Thai Parliament).

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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POLITICS

By-election not a run for PM's office: Suthep

By THE NATION

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday denied he had decided to contest the upcoming by-election in Surat Thani to become a prime-ministerial candidate in case a "political accident" should involve the ruling party.

There has been speculation the ruling Democrat Party may be disbanded for financial irregularities in connection with alleged fund misuse or concealed political donations. Party executives serving at the time of the alleged offences, including current leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, are likely to lose their Cabinet and parliamentary seats if a court confirms this.

"I have no desire to become prime minister. And it's not the intention of the Democrat Party, or mine," Suthep said. "The duty of Democrat members - and me - is to support Abhisit Vejjajiva to serve as prime minister for the benefit of the country. We have no other thoughts. There will be no political accident unless we are careless; it's just like driving."

The Democrat secretary-general also insisted he would not leave his Cabinet post before contesting the by-election, scheduled for October 30.

The by-election was called to fill the seat left vacant after Democrat MP Chumpol Kanchana was removed from office by court order for failing to report a debt to the national anti-graft agency.

"I will not resign. I have the duty of deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs," Suthep said, adding that he would campaign in Surat Thani a few weekends before the election.

He also challenged the news media to monitor his activities by following him during his campaign trip in the constituency.

Suthep, a former MP for Surat Thani, resigned his seat in July last year while being tried by the Constitution Court for unconstitutional shareholding. His resignation prompted the court to drop the case against him.

Jatuporn Promphan, an MP from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, heavily criticised Suthep for retaining his Cabinet seat while contesting the by-election. He said that although there was no law for holders of public office to resign before contesting an election, he would consider Suthep "brazen-faced and black-hearted" for holding on to his office.

He said Pheu Thai would field a candidate in the Surat Thani by-election, although there was only a slim chance of winning.

Meanwhile, Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit said the law did not prevent holders of political office from contesting an election. However, he warned Suthep against acting in a way that could be deemed an abuse of his authority while campaigning.

"I think Suthep is aware he could become a target for complaints, so he will be careful," Prapun said, adding that it was the first known case of a deputy prime minister contesting an election.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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Queen honoured for bio-diversity projects

By The Nation

Her Majesty the Queen has been honoured as "Mother of Biological Diversity Protection".

"Her Majesty has supported more than 60 biological-diversity projects, including one to conserve the [orchid species] Paphiopedilum villosum," Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said yester-day.

The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning will |today inform the Cabinet about the resolution of |the National Committee on |the Conservation and Use |of Biological Diversity recognising her achievements in sustaining biological diversity, he said.

Thailand will also raise |the issue at the 10th Confer-ence of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in Nagoya, Japan, from October 18-29, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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FLOOD

Hat Yai under water

By The Nation

Songkhla - Suburban areas in Songkhla's Hat Yai district have been inundated by flash flood travelling from mountaineous areas due to three hours of heavy rain yesterday.

The strong currents begin flooding Khor Hong municipality areas at around 7 pm and the lowestlying areas are under 50cm flood water at press time, especially a halfkm stretch passing Hat Yai Technology School.

Fire engines are being utlised as makeshit water pumps to drain flood water out of homes while flood embankment wals made of sandbags are being built as dams.

The situation should improve if there is no more heavy rain, flood relief authorities said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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Govt requested to slow down baht appreciation by adjusting interest rate

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The private sector advises the Government to adjust interest rate so as to prevent over capital inflow, a cause of baht appreciation.

CP Group’s Deputy Chairman Archva Taolanon viewed that intensive capital inflow was a cause of baht appreciation. He said the baht currency at the moment was at 30.60 THB/ USD and likely to be stronger. By this year-end the baht value may be as strong as 29 THB/USD, if the Government does not adjust the policy interest rate.

However, Mr Archva stated that the operators should grab the chance for their business such as investing on machinery and expanding investment abroad.

According to the Small Business Credit Guarantee Corporation, the capital flows into Asian region so far is around 160 billion THB. The Bank of Thailand thus is required to manage interest rate and exchange rate, so as to slow down baht appreciation.

-- NNT 2010-09-28

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EDITORIAL

Weapons theft in Thailand should be no surprise

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Cancellation of 3G auction shakes investor confidence, says FTI

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Airline passengers may once again be allowed to board flights with creams, gels and liquids that are banned over security concerns in next two years: ICAO /MCOT

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Central World will re-open today after being burnt in May this year. / #BKKmall /via @tukky_nt

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DPM Suthep Prepared to Step Down if Nominated for By-Election

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban says he is prepared to step down from his post as deputy prime minister if the executive board of the Democrat Party nominates him for the by-election. The Democrat Party is to meet on the issue today at 4 P.M.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-28

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 964.00, up 1.53 points /MCOT

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Bomb blast at Office of Attorney General on Ratchadapisek Road Monday night, no injuries reported; police believe it was a hand grenade /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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INN: M26 bomb attack on Attorney General's Office; 30 cm crater as a result; no injuries reported /via @TAN_network

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Office of attorney general attacked with grenade

A grenade was lobbed at the Office of the Attorney General headquarters late Monday night.

No one was injured in the explosion that caused a hole and shattered some windows panes.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28

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State of emergency in Bangkok may be extended to next year: NSC chief

National Security Council Secretary-General Thawil Pliensri said Tuesday that the state of emergency in Bangkok may have to be extended until the yearend or next year to cope with ongoing bomb attacks.

If necessary, the emergency rule may have to be extended to end of next year, he said.

He said the NSC agreed with the assessment of the Department of Special Investigation that bomb attacks would continue to rock Bangkok until the yearend.

-- The Nation 2010-09-28