Thailand Live Wednesday 29 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 29 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...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 28 September 2010

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2 more UDD members charged with terrorism

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Special Investigation presses charges against two members of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on grounds of terrorism and possession of explosives.

The accused are Sornthien Singkanya, 23, and Waiyawat Phatkung, 38. Prosecutors of the special case department will decide whether to indict them. Sornthien is detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison and his 5th detainment term will expire on 1 October. The other accused, Waiyawat, is still at large.

The prosecutors have 24 days to decide whether to indict the two suspects. They are expected to reach a decision before the detainment term expires.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

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Nation's rice cultivation system to be revamped

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives requests a budget of 2.2 billion THB from the government to develop guidelines and redesign the nation’s rice cultivation system.

According to Deputy Government Spokesman Watchara Kannikar, the project has an implementation period of three years, from 2011 to 2013, targeting nine million rai of paddy fields in 22 provinces during its first phase. The provinces qualified to participate in the project must have a total rice plantation areas of no less than 100,000 rai and are affected by brown plant-hoppers. Those in irrigated areas of more than 150,000 rai and a capacity to grow rice all year round are also qualified.

All participating paddy fields are required to grow rice only two times a year.

The ministry said the project could save as much as 1,200 – 2,000 million cubic meters of water, increase some crop productions, and reduce imports of chemical substances and fertilizers.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

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Industry Ministry campaigns for environmental good governance

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Industry has launched a project to promote environmental good governance in industrial companies while urging industrial plants nationwide to participate in the project.

Permanent Secretary for Industry Withoon Simachokdee said during the ministry’s seminar on environmental good governance that there are 226 industrial companies from 39 provinces that pass the project’s criteria this year. As for next year, the ministry hopes to draw more companies to join the project and help the old ones maintain their environmental good governance standards.

The project targets companies in 18 provinces in river basins. The ministry will also urge the public to take part in developing environmental good governance activities more.

In addition, the ministry will make sure that the participating industrial companies abide by relevant laws to reduce effects on water resources and the environment.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

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Japan and Thailand to cooperate in construction of 2 major infrastructure projects

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Deputy Finance Minister reveals today that the Japanese government is willing to provide financial support to the MRT Purple line and the Chao Phraya bridge construction projects with a total investment fund of more than 8,600 million baht.

Mr. Pradit Phataraprasit, the Deputy Finance Minister, has disclosed early today that the Japanese and Thai governments have already signed the MOU concerning the financial co-operation between the two governments through the assistance of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JEBIC). An approximate of 8,695 million baht of investment fund is to subsidize two infrastructure projects including the MRT Purple Bang Yai- Bang Na line and the Chao Phraya bridge constructions. The conditions by which Thailand has to abide include 20 and 25 years of loan payments for the subway and bridge construction projects respectively. Moreover, the procurement and bidding processes for both projects are opened to firms of all nationalities.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

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77 more spots throughout BKK and vicinities now on tight security watch

BANGKOK (NNT) -- 77 more locations throughout the capital and vicinities will be on tight security watch from Tuesday night onward, in preparation for any unexpected upheavals or terrorism activities. Members of the public have been pleaded for their cooperation to report any suspicious and unusual events.

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Army and the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), has spoken on behalf of the government that 77 more locations throughout the capital and vicinities will be on tight security watch from Tuesday night onward, to deal with any unexpected upheavals or terrorism activities. Also, assigned patrol officers will be on duty to assure safety in high-risk areas.

Col. Sansern also added that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team would be relocated to the 1st Infantry Division (Royal Guard) instead of the Army Ordnance Department in order to provide prompt responses to any unexpected events.

The CRES has also expressed their concern for the misleading information given out by some political groups regarding the custody of suspects under the Emergency Decree, claiming that such statements are false. Authorities have reassured that all of the suspects have been trailed in accordance with the nation’s legal system.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

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Trat's swallow farming business with false advertisements to be prosecuted

TRAT (NNT) -- Trat Deputy Governor discloses today that false advertising regarding the recently-booming swallow farming business would be prosecuted in accordance to the nation’s laws and regulations.

Mr. Prateep Chongsuebtam, Trat Deputy Governor, has revealed today of the measures planned to deal with the recent growing swallow farming business. He stated that such a business has been quite popular among residents living in the Mueng district area and many buildings and shops have been turned into swallow farms.

Mr. Prateep added that in an attempt to make money, many people have been giving out false advertisements about their swallow farming business, claiming to have swallow experts to design swallows’ condominiums (bird nests) and they are guaranteed to attract swallows.

such an act is considered to breach consumers right and therefore, those who have given out misleading information about their products would be prosecuted under the Consumers Right Acts, said Mr. Prateep.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

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Young Thai robot makers win big in HK

By The Nation

Thai students have won 30 awards in an international robot contest in Hong Kong - ten first prize awards, three in the primary school level and the remainder in secondary level.

In the Inter Robotic City 2010 event, which began on Sunday and ended yesterday, Benjama Rajrangsarit from Chachoengsao won four first prize awards in the secondary school level in the categories for hand-cranked speed-running robot, triathlon robot, a planet-exploratory robot, and an amphibious robot.

Three other first prizes went to Triam Udom Nonthaburi for a hand-cranked tug-of-war robot, to Nong Soong Sammakkhee Witthaya from Mukdahan with a fighter robot, and to Rongkham from Kalasin with a handmade robot.

Montfort College in Chiang Mai won three awards in fourth-prize categories - basketball robots, a maritime exploratory robot, and a water polo robot.

In the primary school level, the In Plang School at Sakon Nakhon won first prizes in two categories - a four-legged hand-cranked robot, and a fighter robot, and Montfort College in Chiang Mai won with a maritime survey robot.

The Office of Basic Education Commission has pledged to support domestic robot projects and competition to further improve Thai students' skills in robot development. Secretary-general Chinnaphat Phoomirat congratulated all students on winning the awards.

The students were scheduled to return to Bangkok late last night.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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Nuclear power the only way to sustain energy, says ministry

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

With supplies of natural gas expected to run out in the near future, Thailand has no choice but to set up nuclear power plants to sustain the country's energy supply for the next 20 years, the Energy Ministry's permanent-secretary Norkhun Sitthipong said yesterday.

Speaking at the "Escape from Nuclear Power Plant?" seminar organised by the House of Representative's Committee on Energy, Norkhun said Thailand would be running out of natural gas, the main fuel to produce electricity, in the next 20 years. If there is no replacement for natural gas, Thailand will face energy insecurity.

Power plants in Thailand use 70 per cent natural gas, 21 per cent coal, 5 per cent hydropower and 4 per cent of other resources. Of the natural gas used, 65 per cent is produced locally and 35 per cent imported from Burma.

The ministry expects to import 500,000 tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas and increase it to 10 million tonnes per year in the next five to six years to replace natural gas.

"In the long term, natural gas will run out and the price of electricity will rise, forcing consumers to shoulder the financial burden in the end," he said.

The plan to build nuclear power plants comes under the Power Development Plan (PDP) 2010-2030 endorsed by the National Energy Policy Committee.

The first five nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts will be located in Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Sawan, Chumphon, Trat and Surat Thani.

According to reports from the House Committee on Energy, distributed during the seminar, nuclear power plants are a good alternative source of energy and have a lot of fuel reserves.

Nuclear power is also safe and eco-friendly because it does not emit greenhouse gases. It is also cheaper to produce.

"If the government goes ahead with the PDP to build nuclear power plants by next year, I am sure the first plant will be in operation in 10 years," he said.

Meanwhile, Winai Krawichai, a Trat native who has been fighting against the plan to set up nuclear power plants, said he was concerned about the operation of the plants and waste management.

He said most villagers were worried about accidents such as the leakage of radioactive waste, which would cause cancer and damage human DNA.

He added that if the government continued with its plan to build nuclear power plants, the villagers in Trat province would file a lawsuit against the state because it says clearly in the Constitution that local communities need to be consulted for the setting up of a state project.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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Kidnapped Thai worker is OK, expected to be freed

By The Nation

Talks are underway between employers of a Thai worker and kidnappers in Nigeria who abducted him last Wednesday, with "good news expected" in the coming days, a Department of Employment official said yesterday.

Yongyuth Meejairak, 58, is unharmed and in good health, said director-general Jeerasak Sukhonthachart. He said there were further 359 Thai workers employed by Western companies in Nigeria.

The family of Yongyuth, an expert in underwater welding, has been told about his abduction and visited by provincial labour officials in Saraburi, where they live.

The West African Venture, which employs Yongyuth, has vowed to cover all payment costs for the abduction, including the ransom demanded by those who took him - a group of local pirates who regularly abduct foreign workers.

Meanwhile, Jeerasak said the department had dealt with complaints from 2,000 Thai who said they were duped by bogus offers of work overseas. Another 100 complaints lodged this year still needed to assessed. Permits granted to eight firms had been revoked and lawsuits launched against them.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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FIRE

Blaze at Jakrapob's parents' home in Bangkok

By The Nation

The home of the parents of fugitive former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair was damaged in a fire yesterday afternoon, but no one was injured.

The fire broke out on the second floor of the two-storey house of Flight Lieutenant Jamnong Penkair, 83, and wife Natthawan Penkair, 80, in Phaholyothin Soi 54/4 in Bangkok's Sai Mai district at 1pm.

Fire fighters from five fire trucks took about half an hour to control the blaze, which engulfed the second floor.

Officials suspect the blaze was caused by a short circuit but were due to get forensic officials to inspect the scene to determine if that was correct.

Jamnong said he and his wife were watching television on the ground floor when they heard a neighbour yelling "Fire! Fire!" He rushed to the second floor and saw thick smoke coming out of the house's shrine room so he called for help. They moved a TV out of the second floor while other belongings were burnt. Damage was about Bt1 million, Jamnong said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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MAP TA PHUT DISPUTE

Big rally in Rayong tomorrow to oppose govt response

By Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

The Network of Eastern People will organise a big rally tomorrow in front of Rayong administrative centre in a bid to pressure the government to declare 18 - not just 11 - industrial activities as having possible serious impacts on people's health and the environment. At least 2,000 protesters are expected to attend the rally, which will last for two days.

The network's coordinator Sutthi Atchasai said yesterday that the rally would be peaceful and demonstrators would not block any roads.

"We have already informed the provincial governor and the provincial police chief of our planned rally," he said.

A four-party panel, set up by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resolve the Map Ta Phut crisis, proposed that 18 industrial activities be declared as having potential serious impacts on people's health and/or the environment.

However, the Cabinet finally agreed to a list of just 11 noxious industrial activities put forward by the National Environment Board (NEB) as likely to have a serious impact on people or the environment.

"We want the government to review the decision," Sutthi said.

He said a decision on whether to prolong the upcoming rally would depend on the response by the government to the group's demand.

The prime minister recently claimed there was hardly any difference between declaring 18 or 11 activities as having serious impacts because Map Ta Phut's problems depended on how to prevent pollution and whether the area could accommodate more industrial projects.

Many members of the Network of Eastern People are residents of the heavily polluted Map Ta Phut area.

But some other residents are reportedly campaigning against the network. Leaflets criticising it were distributed in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate yesterday. A part of one said the network should stop rallying because Map Ta Phut residents wanted peace, and believed problems in their home town could be solved without any rally.

The leaflets, at the same time, urged the government to allocate funds for recommended solutions.

However, the network still has many allies, including the Stop Global Warming Association. The association's chairman Srisuwan Janya vowed yesterday to go to the Supreme Administrative Court on Friday to petition against the Central Administrative Court's recent ruling that allowed more than 70 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut to resume activities.

Earlier, these projects were suspended by a court injunction as the court looked into whether they met an article in the 2007 Constitution about environmental/health protection.

Next Monday, Srisuwan will go to the Supreme Administrative Court to ask that the Cabinet resolution to endorse the NEB list of just 11 "harmful" industrial activities be revoked.

Srisuwan said many Map Ta Phut residents and some members of the four-party panel would join him in asking the higher court to broaden the government list.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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Bombs and a state of emergency in Thailand

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SECURITY

Security stepped up at 467 Bangkok sites

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PM Abhisit to take over Suthep's security affairs post

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TOT handed 3G bonanza

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FILM-ANNIE SAGA

Activists blast RS boss, urge actress to file suit

By The Nation

Annie

Women's and child's rights activists yesterday condemned RS chief executive Surachai Chetchotisak's comment that sexy star Annie Brooke had dated four men at the same time, saying Annie should sue those ruining her reputation.

"No one knows how this is going to end but the most important thing is that all parties should act in the best interest of the baby and respect the child's rights. This is not a marketing stunt," Supensri Pungkoaksoon of the Friends of Women Foundation said.

After news broke that the Thai-Swiss actress had given birth to a baby boy by RS superstar Rattapoom "Film" Tohkongsub, who then called for a DNA test, Surachai told a packed press conference yesterday that he had proof that Annie had been seeing four men from November to December.

He said Annie told the four - including Film and a Channel 3 actor - that she was pregnant and demanded Bt250,000 from each of them.

He also said his company would resume Film's work with some conditions after the heartthrob was suspended for 10 days - which caused a loss of income of about Bt6 million.

However, a source close to the Channel 3 actor denied what was said about the actor and Annie.

Supensri said Surachai could be sued because talking about a woman dating many men only provoked criticism of her. She urged Annie to take legal action against those saying bad things about her and those claiming a faulty fatherhood to the boy.

If Film had doubts, he should have sought a paternity test through the courts, rather than talk to the press to worsen the situation, she said.

Pathumporn Thongphubet, secretary of the One Stop Crisis Centre at Chumphon Khet Udomsak Hospital, said Surachai's comment was a serious insult to a woman's integrity and he could be sued for libel.

Surachai's comment, apparently aimed at protecting his business interests, was inappropriate, she said.

The public should boycott RS products, especially those with Film in them, she said, adding that the centre would find a lawyer for Annie if she needed one.

Annie refused to comment about what was said yesterday, saying she had already told the whole truth and was under immense stress.

But the RS comment hit her mother, who lives in Lampang's Chae Hom district, so hard that she was taken to a public health station for high blood pressure.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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MALPRACTICE BILL

Doctors' walkout infuriates consumers', victims' groups

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

A meeting on the controversial Medical Malpractice Victims Protection Bill held yesterday ended after just 10 minutes when doctors walked out to protest against what they described as distrust directed at them from all parties involved.

Yesterday's walkout was the third one staged by doctors who are opposed to the bill, which they say has a hidden agenda and would be detrimental to patients themselves if promulgated.

Dr Wanchart Supphajaturas, chairman of the Medical Council, said the walkout was in response to the undemocratic character of the panel set up to discuss the bill, which comprises people from the public sector and victims of malpractice.

"The bill originates from personal malice, to exact revenge in the form of law, the ambitions of some people and an annual Bt200 million budget to manage the fund" that will be activated if the bill is passed, he said, without providing further details.

Sari Ongsomwang, secretary-general of the Foundation for Consumers, said yesterday's walkout was the last straw. She and other public representatives would not attend the meeting set for Oct 12.

"We have our way of promulgating the law - a mass rally will be held outside the Parliament on October 5 to call for legislative process," she said. The process had been delayed for another two months as a result of the walkout, she added.

Preeyanant Lorsermwatthana, chairwoman of the network of victims, said her group would also boycott the next meeting. "We have run out of patience, and this is not the first time that the doctors have aborted the meeting."

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Paijit Warachit, who has been mediating the talks, said the October 12 meeting was still on and he would report on the latest events to the ministry leadership, without any comments or suggestions.

Wanchart said the doctors would go ahead with their efforts to conduct public forums to sound out common people about the issue, then would analyse the result and come to a joint conclusion. He called on the government again not to support the bill and instead amend Articles 9 and 41 to enable an existing law to function in place of the bill.

"With the amendment to both articles, the 2002 National Health Insurance Act will cover another 10 million people who have been victims of medical malpractice or those who risk becoming victims in addition to coverage and benefits now enjoyed by 47 million people under the scheme," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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3G Saga taking Thailand back to bad old days of monopoly?

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Journalist shot dead in Nakhon Pathom bar

By Arithat Porn-asavayothin

The Nation

Two unknown men assaulted a Thai Post journalist in a karaoke bar before shooting him dead. He was the second journalist murdered in Nakhon Pathom in the past three months.

After receiving a report at 2.20am yesterday, police rushed to the Nong Pla Karaoke bar on Malaiman Road in Muang district to find the body of journalist and property developer Prachuap Pengreung, 50, with three gunshots to the mouth, the chest and the left thumb. Police collected five spent .45-calibre bullets from the scene.

The victim's valuables, including a gold necklace, a wristwatch and cash, remained on him, while his Mercedes-Benz Musso car was still in front of the bar. His body was taken for autopsy at Nakhon Pathom Hospital.

Waitress Sirikanya Mankhong, 26, said Prachuap was drinking and singing at the bar for an hour before two men arrived and sat near his table. Prachuap, who was drunk, invited one of the men to sing but he refused, she said. Prachuap wouldn't give up and hit his beer glass against the man's glass before bellowing that he was a journalist and scolding the man via the microphone.

The man slapped Prachuap so hard that he fell to the floor, then dragged him out of the bar and hit his head with a beer bottle, Sirikanya told police. The man then shot Prachuap five times before fleeing the scene with his friend, she said.

The police investigation led them to suspect that the shooter was a man known to them named Manit, 40, who allegedly shot a truck driver dead two months ago and was currently fighting a court battle over it.

Provincial Police Region 7 chief Pongsan Jiam-on said yesterday's incident was a daring crime and police would interview witnesses and get an arrest warrant for Manit as soon as possible. As evidence and witnesses indicated the killing stemmed from a brawl, police were convinced there was no hidden agenda, he said.

A source close to the victim said Prachuap not only worked as a national newspaper journalist and a local newspaper owner, but had a property business in Nakhon Pathom. The source said the victim had payment disputes with several contractors, some of whom consequently suffered millions of baht in debts, hence some might have hired a gunman to follow him around, created a scene of a pub brawl and killed him to hide the true motive.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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INTERIOR RESHUFFLE

Royalist to become governor in Chiang Mai

By The Nation

ML Panadda

The Cabinet yesterday approved the annual reshuffle of provincial governors and senior Interior officials, which saw a number of pro-coalition appointments in opposition strongholds and an ardent critic of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra picked to oversee his hometown, Chiang Mai.

The Interior Minister sought and received the green light for job reassignments involving 48 officials in key provinces, citing administrative expediency to fill 23 vacant positions.

The new line-up will take effect from Friday (Oct 1), following a royal command on the appointments.

Many see the line-up as a coalition attempt to expand its power base in the North and the Northeast, particularly in provinces previously dominated by Pheu Thai Party.

Among key changes is the appointment of ML Panadda Diskul as Chiang Mai governor. Presently he is the governor of Nakhon Pathom.

Panadda, known for his royalist stand, is seen as an opponent of ex-PM Thaksin. His move to Thaksin's home-town at the time of polarisation between red and yellow shirts might signal a campaign to subdue red "influence" in the northern province.

Before the eruption of violence linked to the red-shirt protests in April and May, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul vowed to punish provincial governors for lapses of duty if they failed to prevent the torching of provincial halls.

True to his words, Chaovarat reassigned governors of Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani where arson attacks happened. But his punishment turned out to be a slap on the wrist because all four governors were seen as close to the Newin Chidchob faction of his Bhum Jai Thai Party.

Of the four, one from Khon Kaen is slated for retirement and the other two will be reassigned to provinces seen as Pheu Thai strongholds where the Newin faction plans to stake a claim at the next poll.

Amnart Pakarat will move from Udon Thani to Sakon Nakhon, while Somsak Suwansucharit will be transferred from Nong Bua Lamphu to Si Sa Ket, and Sombat Sriwatsuwan will move from Sakon Nakhon to Khon Kaen.

Chuan Sirinanporn will be transferred from Ubon Ratchathani to Phrae, from a Newin stronghold to the Democrat "backyard".

Four provincial governors have been moved to lesser posts of ministerial inspector for allegedly being ineffective to reining in the reds in their respective provinces.

The four are Thawatchai Fak-ungkoon from Roi Et, Preecha Butrsri from Pathum Thani, Wanchai Suthiworachai from Chaiyaphum and Supakit Boonyaritthipong from Lampang.

Among the new appointees is Benjawan Anprueng, a female official promoted to become the governor Trat in the East.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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Kwanchai to be acting chief at Interior Ministry

By The Nation

Deputy permanent secretary for the interior Kwanchai Wongnitikorn will be made acting permanent secretary at the ministry, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul said yesterday.

Kwanchai will also be promoted to director-general of the Local Administration Department.

He will act as permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry until the completion of a graft inquiry involving Mongkol Surasajja, who was initially nominated as the next permanent secretary.

-- The Nation 2010-09-29

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Scuba Cat team rakes in marine debris off Phuket

Clean-up cat: A Scuba Cat volunteer grapples with some netting as part of the two-day clean up activities.

The clean-up crew caught in a moment of exuberance.

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AoT injects 60bn THB into Suvarnabhumi expansion project

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Gun attack kills five in Thai south: police

YALA (AFP) - Suspected Islamic insurgents killed five people and seriously wounded another three, including two young children, in a roadside gun attack in the Thai south, police said Wednesday.

Five militants, dressed like police, stopped their pick-up truck early on Tuesday evening by a fruit stall in Pattani province and opened fire at sellers and customers.

Four men and one 35-year-old woman were shot and later died at a nearby hospital while three people -- a girl aged 10, a seven-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man -- were left in a critical condition, police said.

Afterwards the attackers set fire to an empty car.

Both Buddhists and Muslims were targeted in the attack, the latest in more than six years of violence since a separatist insurgency erupted in the Muslim-majority southern provinces in January 2004.

More than 4,300 people of both religions have since been killed in the region, once an autonomous Malay sultanate until Buddhist Thailand annexed it a century ago, provoking decades of tension.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-09-29

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Phuket blackout: No power in Rawai tomorrow (30 Sep)

The Gazette has received many letters of complaint about the state

of Saiyuan Road in recent weeks. Photo by citizen reporter "RS".

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 966.57, up 7.30 points /MCOT

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Thailand's Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) rises for 10th straight month in August

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GPO ready to produce more tamiflu

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has stocked up on ingredients used for producing anti-flu medicine against the three rampant strains of influenza.

According to GPO Director MD Witit Artavatkun, the ingredients worth 500 million THB have been reserved for Oseltamivir production, to ensure sufficiency for nationwide consumption in curing three strains of influenza, including influenza A (H1N1), influenza B, and influenza A (H3N2).

As for registration of liquid Oseltamivir, the GPO is now testing the stability of the mixture. Commercial production of liquid Oseltamivir is estimated to commence once the test is completed satisfactorily.

As affirmed by MD Witit, the GPO is now producing antiviral gels and facemasks for flu prevention to ensure adequate supplies of the goods in the market, in order not to repeat last year’s situation when there were shortages of those anti-flu goods.

People are encouraged to have portable antiviral gel as a protective measure against infection and use facemask when they are ill to prevent flu spread.

-- NNT 2010-09-29

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Deputy PM Suthep will not give interviews to media until Oct 9 after Democrats nominate him as candidate in Surat Thani by-election to avoid violating election law /MCOT