Thailand Live Thursday 30 Sep 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 30 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 Wednesday 29 September 2010

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PM: Emergency Decree to be lifted in some provinces on 1 Oct

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Government will consider the revocation of the Emergency Decree in the remaining provinces on 1 October, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the authorities would make a decision this Friday to lift the State of Emergency in some of the seven provinces if normalcy was found to have returned.

Due to security concerns, the special law is currently retained in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima.

-- NNT 2010-09-30

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Govt to hold grand celebrations for HM King´s 7th cycle birthday

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Government will be organizing grand celebrations on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 7th cycle birthday anniversary this year. The theme of the event is "making good deeds for HM the King and expressing loyalty to the monarchy".

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban presided over a meeting of the organizing committee of the birthday celebrations of HM the King. The celebrations are scheduled for 1 January to 31 December 2011.

The committee also agreed to arrange a royal barge procession during HM the King’s Kathin ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam.

The event is the government’s another effort to revive ancient royal ceremonies and promote Thai cultures. The committee will officially ask for HM the King’s permission to organize the royal barge procession before assigning the Royal Thai Navy to handle the event.

-- NNT 2010-09-30

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Northern and northeastern residents still on flood alert

Bangkok (NNT) -- People living near waterway in the northern and northeastern regions still watch out for continuous flood.

Water level of rivers in Nakhon Ratchasima province have increased rapidly and tend to rise especially on the Mun River in Phimai of Nakhon Ratchasima province. The water level will increase even more in Ubon Ratchathani province. Highest level so far stands at seven meters.

In addition, residents of Tambon Ban Kaeng in Nakhon Sawan province have stayed alert for emergency around the clock despite a report of stable water level. Sandbags have been placed around the area to prevent 1,500 households from flood damage.

Meanwhile, water level of the Ping River in Chiang Mai remained stable and about to decline after it had reached its peak of 3.48 meters on Wednesday night. Authorities asked people not to remove water barriers until the situation returned to normal.

-- NNT 2010-09-30

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BoI appoints new honorary investment advisor to enhance nation´s image

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Board of Investment (BoI) has appointed Mr Douglas J Dehaan, an executive of Seagate Technology as the BoI’s Honorary Investment Advisor (HIA), reasoned that he has experiences and understanding in international business and the investing in Thailand.

BoI Secretary General Atchaka Sibunruang unveiled that the BoI had appointed Mr Douglas J Dehaan, the Senior Vice President, Worldwide Operations & Materials of Seagate Technology, the 11th HIA. Ms Atchaka clarified that Mr Douglas would help enhance the country’s image as an investment destination, and provide suggestion in the strategies to induce foreign investors to Thailand. He is skilled in international business and investment in Thailand.

Seagate Technology Co,.Ltd. is the largest hard disk drive and components manufacturer in the world. It has production bases in six countries; US, Ireland, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand with 53,000 employees around the world.

The company has invested in Thailand continuously since 1983. It has been supported by the BoI for its hard disk drive production at factories located in Samut Prakan and Nakhon Ratchasima by 17 projects so far, with 13,000 persons hired.

-- NNT 2010-09-30

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British ambassador Quinton Quayle to leave Thailand

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FILM-ANNIE SAGA

The saga 'hurting the baby'

By THE NATION

As actor Rattapoom "Film" Tohkongsub's controversial romance with an actress threatens to spiral out of control, human-rights advocates yesterday urged all parties to stop expressing opinions about the case.

The case, dubbed Thailand's "Billie Jean King" scandal, has endangered not only Rattapoom's career but the future of his music company, as well as the integrity of its top boss.

A senior Channel 3 executive also risked getting burned after stepping into the fray between Ratta-poom and actress Annie Brooke.

After claims that the actress' baby had been fathered by RS superstar Rattapoom, whose request for a DNA test was declined by Annie, people are obsessed with the daily ex-changes between the two camps and are drastically divided. TV interviews and comments via social media are only inflaming the situation.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) commissioner Visa Benjamano said the agency had assigned the subcommittee for children's rights to advise Annie about protecting her child and giving him the right to find out who his father is. People criticising the boy's mother for having many lovers was a violation of personal rights, and made people wonder about who the father might be even more, she said.

If Annie felt damaged, she could speak to a lawyer about her chances with filing lawsuits, she said, adding that this issue was sensitive and the society shouldn't discuss it because it could stigmatise the woman. Visa pointed out that modern technology allowed news content to be stored and republished, which could lead to the boy being bullied in the future. Therefore, the media should be careful about publishing the child's photographs.

Urging all sides to end this to protect the boy, she said it was a personal dispute between two people that should be resolved through legal process. She said the NHRC would soon host a seminar on media and children's rights.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general of the Foundation for the Better Life of Children, Wallop Tangkananurak, urged the media to stop sensationalising the Film-Annie saga. He said an innocent child was being affected and his rights severely violated - not only by raising doubts over his fatherhood but by being put on display.

Urging both sides to stop making ripples, he said those making defamatory comments could face libel lawsuits, adding that a mediator who was trusted by both sides should be asked to settle the issue.

Culture Minister Nipit Intarasom-bat said senior people whom Film and Annie respect should sit down and solve the dispute rationally. Also, regarding an actor or actress as a business entity allowed others to take advantage of the situation, he said. Instead of sensationalising and aggravating the situation by quoting other people's opinions, the media should offer solutions.

Meanwhile, in a phone interview with Channel 9's Nine Entertain Show yesterday, Annie said allegations of her having many lovers made her feel bad, and she insisted that she wasn't a con artist as suggested.

In related news, Channel 3 executive Somluck Narongwichai confirmed that RS chief executive officer Surachai Chetchotisak's comment about Annie dating four men at the same time last year and demanding Bt250,000 from each of them was true. Somluck said actor Kittikhun "Jun" Sumritpansuk - claiming to be one of the four men - had consulted him about Annie's demands and put sums of Bt20,000-Bt30,000 into her bank account.

Both Surachai and Somluck have found themselves under a storm of criticism from people sympathetic of the actress.

After Somluck's comment, Kittikhun hosted a press conference to announce his resignation from Channel 3. He also offered to undergo a DNA test to prove whether he was the boy's father because, he said, he had done nothing wrong.

Kittikhun's manager Supachai Sriwichit said he knew Kittikhun had spoken to Somluck but he didn't know what it was about. He said Kittikhun was advised to tell the truth, but the actor became fearful of being surrounded by so many journalists.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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Death penalty for two yaba dealers

By The Nation

The Ratchadapisek Criminal Court yesterday sentenced two Thai men to death and sentenced the younger brother of one to life for dealing 296,000 yaba tablets worth Bt29.6 million.

Defendants Peerapat Kanthana, 30, and Suthep Sawangsri, 28, were caught while delivering the drug to a shopping mall's parking lot in Pathum Thani's Lam Lukka district on April 29 last year. A third defendant Nonthakan Kanthana, 34, escaped and was re-captured later .

Peerapat confessed that Nonthakan hired him to transport the drugs at Bt25,000 per time, but denied any wrongdoing. The court, finding the evidence against them was solid, ruled all three men guilty and initially sentenced them to death. However, because Peerapat's confession was useful to the case, the court reduced his sentence to life.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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Satun national park not cancelled, says department

By The Nation

The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief yesterday insisted its sub-panel's meeting on October 6 will not propose the cancellation 4,734-rai Petra National Park in Satun to make way for the Pak Bara Port construction.

Jatuporn Buruspat said the proposal needed more studying, including its environmental impacts, and urged the construction project owner to advise villagers on its plans before proceeding.

Earlier, People's Network for Satun Development Plan Monitoring official, Somboon Khamhaeng led villagers to the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment call centre to submit a letter of objection, along with the names of 3,000 villagers.

Also discussed was the Comptroller-General's Department's request for state offices to dissolve work positions that became vacant after officials' retirement and transfer the workloads to private companies.

Jatuporn said his office would tell the department today they needed to maintain the work positions and apply the old Terms of Reference (TOR) to hire 20,000 forest-protection volunteers. However, another 10,000 general work positions, such as administrative tasks or cleaning, could use a new proposed TOR.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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BANGKOK BOMB SCARE

Police plan security operation in Bangkok

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Donors unhappy about money not reaching red shirt victims

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Thai Govt Floundering on Cambodian relations

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Sanan welcome to meet Pheu Thai board today

By THE NATION

Pheu Thai party-list MP Jatuporn Promphan said yesterday that Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart was welcome to meet the Pheu Thai executive board today.

Jatuporn said Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit and other party executives were willing to discuss reconciliation with Sanan. However, he said, the 91 deaths caused during the clashes between troops and red-shirt protesters should also be on the agenda.

"Reconciliation needs to be based on justice," Jatuporn said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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EC may sue disqualified MP for by-election costs

By THE NATION

The Election Commission (EC) is planning to sue disqualified Democrat MP Chumpol Kanchana and seek damages for having to hold a by-election because he had to be removed from office for failing to properly disclose his assets and debts.

The costs of the October 30 by-election in Surat Thani's Constituency 1 are estimated to be Bt16 million.

EC member Prapun Naigowit said yesterday that the election agency's legal experts were considering filing a lawsuit against Chumpol.

He said the EC had been awarded tens of millions of baht, from the more than Bt100 million they sought in damages from candidates disqualified for committing electoral fraud. However, there has been no court verdict in which an election winner has been disqualified for filing false financial reports with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Prapun said yesterday that the EC expected "fierce competition" in the upcoming by-election, because the country's two biggest political parties were going to field their candidates. The candidates are Suthep Thaugsuban from the ruling Democrat Party and Worawuth Wichaidit from the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

He warned against acts that could be deemed as violating the electoral law, such as making false allegations against candidates or their parties and making threats or abusing authority for certain candidates' benefits. He also said that the EC has requested local public officials to remain neutral in the upcoming election, citing a Cabinet resolution on the matter. He said that any public official found to be biased would face both disciplinary and criminal punishments.

Constituency 1 covers seven districts of Surat Thani - Muang, Pha-ngan, Koh Samui, Don Sak, Kanchanadit, Ban Na San and Wiang Sa. There are a total of 354,782 eligible voters in the constituency.

Prapun expressed concerns that rains might mar the transport of ballot boxes by boat from the islands of Samui and Pha-ngan, adding that the EC had requested for possible use of police helicopters if necessary.

Meanwhile, Suthep, the deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs, said yesterday that he would not give interviews to the media until after registration of the election candidacy.

In response to when he might speak to the media again, Suthep raised nine fingers, and smiled and nodded when asked if that meant October 9.

In a related development, Democrat MP Wirat Kalayasiri said yesterday that Suthep was chosen as the party's candidate for the by-election because it would prevent any conflicts between aspiring MPs who are struggling to get nominated.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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National IDs to access free medical services under NHSO

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

From next month, 48 million subscribers to the National Health Security Office (NHSO) will be able to use their national ID cards instead of the "gold" membership card to get medical treatment across the country, the Public Health Ministry Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.

This is part of the ministry's recently launched project called "Free Medical Services for 48 million People with one ID Card".

"We want to help patients access healthcare services more easily and not have to carry many cards," Jurin told the press yesterday.

Under this project, NHSO subscribers can present their national ID cards at hospitals, which can be used to access the patient's medical records. The ID card can also be used for emergency treatment anywhere in the Kingdom.

Jurin said NHSO subscribers were covered for HIV/Aids, cancer and diabetes, with the exception of dialysis, for which they had to pay Bt500 per session.

Public Health Ministry's permanent-secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said he had instructed hospitals and healthcare units across the country to test their computer systems and link up patients' medical records so they can access medical services across the country.

People can call the 1330 NHSO hotlines to check their privileges under the universal healthcare scheme.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the NHSO yesterday signed an agreement to link their databases.

Bangkok city clerk Charoenrat Chutikarn said this would be beneficial because people can have easier access to medical treatment.

"Through people's national ID cards, their personal information can be automatically accessed along with their entitlements. This way, patients don't have to fill up a form," he said.

Last year, up to 4.7 million people have sought medical treatment at BMA-run facilities.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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Severe droughts,floods predicted for north

By The Nation

The Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP) yesterday warned of the natural disaster risks that global warming posed for Thailand. Especially threatened are the five North-eastern provinces- from severe drought; and the Central and Eastern regions which face repeated flooding.

DEQP chief Orapin Wongchumpit said that Thailand in the past 30 years suffered over 50 severe droughts or floods, causing damage worth billions of baht. The North-eastern region's Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen and Buri Ram were deemed high-risk for drought. The Central and Eastern regions will experience more flooding, especially in Ayutthaya and Angthong.

DEQP Research Centre's official Atsamon Limsakul said the centre was making plans for community-level natural disaster risk management, with Phang Nga representing the flood-affected regions and Buri Ram representing the drought-affected.

The plan, to be completed next year, would identify "hot spots" with degrees of risk in term of communities, tambons and districts and help provincial authorities to work accordingly, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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Cash-strapped hospitals to seek larger subsidies

Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul, Puangchumpoo Prasert The Nation

Many government hospitals are having serious financial or cash-flow problems and are expected to ask for large extra subsidies at a meeting next month, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) said yesterday.

NHSO secretary-general Dr Winai Sawasdithorn said the talks were likely to see requests for subsidies of Bt200 million increased to Bt1 billion or Bt2 billion in negotiations between the NHSO and the Public Health Ministry, scheduled for October 4-5 Monday and Tuesday.

Of the 832 government hospitals, 737 are community hospitals, with 85 per cent operating with cash deficits. Another 70 hospitals are 10 per cent in debt and 25 are general hospitals running deficits of 5 per cent.

In the fourth quarter last year, the hospitals generated income of Bt4.3 billion - but shouldered Bt5.57 billion in costs, and deficit burdens of Bt1.275. Among all hospitals, 175 faced serious cash-flow problems and another 505 sustained chronic deficits.

In the second quarter of this year, 191 hospitals of all kinds lacked cash or any emergency money - a status considered critical - while another 467 sustained chronic deficit, tending to critical status.

The annual subsidy of about Bt40 billion was not sufficient this year after a large sum, without prior budget planning, was paid to doctors as incentives to work with government hospitals. An additional Bt3 billion approved in a special case this year was ordered withheld by the Bureau of Budget after bureaucracy problems.

Winai said the meeting at the Asia Airport Hotel - of officials from the NHSO, the ministry, and provincial public health offices across the country - anticipated acquiring between Bt1 billion and Bt2 billion through government approval.

As for the annual Bt40-billion subsidy, the NHSO would hand half of it to all hospitals next year, especially those 191 facing the most serious problems, through a special process, instead of only an initial Bt10 billion under the regular budgeting process, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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INTERVIEW

Facing charges two years later in another province

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of prachatai.com, an online newspaper, which is regarded by some as being pro-red and has been blocked since April, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport last Friday on charges of lese majeste and violating the computer crime law over comments posted by other users. Upon returning from a seminar on cyber liberty in Hungary, she was driven straight to Khon Kaen province to face charges filed against her two years ago. She is now out on Bt200,000 bail and tells The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk about her ordeal. Here are some excerpts:

Were you surprised by the sudden arrest?

Very! I didn't know how it came about. I mean the arrest warrant is supposed to be have been out for more than a year now, but I had no knowledge of it. In fact, I travelled overseas a few times [after the warrant was supposedly issued]. I was stopped for five minutes on my way out [to Hungary] and told [by immigration police] that my name happened to be identical to someone on a wanted list. I travelled for five hours [to Khon Kaen] and by the time I got to Bangkok it was 10am the following day. I was worried I wouldn't get bail.

What do you make of the timing of your arrest and the fact that the charge was filed in Khon Kaen?

I cannot comprehend it or find an answer. I was never summoned despite the fact I am a registered citizen. Khon Kaen police told me they were not preparing to arrest me but had been contacted by immigration police about it.

What will you do next?

We'll have to see if the Office of the Attorney-General will forward the cases to court or not. My first [case for violating computer crime law] is already taking years. After getting bail, I have to travel to Khon Kaen once a month and it's a burden.

How has this affected your life?

I have doubts about the judicial process. In this case, if someone wants to hurt you, the person can lodge a police complaint in a far-flung province and the suspect has to travel far. This incurs real expenses.

Do you know the person who has pressed charges against you?

No, I have never met this person, though I have learned that he's a real-estate businessman based in Khon Kaen.

What's your view on the lese majeste law?

Many parties, including the government, admit that it is problematic but they have failed to prevent the abuse [of the law]. Anyone who wants to press charges can just do it. I was joking with someone that if the charges were filed in Narathiwat province [which is even farther], then I would have to travel there. Not that I have anything against Narathiwat.

What will you say if someone asked you about the state of freedom of expression in Thailand?

I think there's a problem with it. We must first review and reconsider the situation. There's a legal obstacle, a climate that hinders it and the new [online] media is a new culture that is being forced to become silent. The society is not very pleased about an open-exchange environment. They feel some control is needed.

Do you blame anyone about the case in particular?

I try not to be angry. We must also be fair to those who posted the comments. Nobody can tell whether it's defamatory or not except the court. If I'm upset at anything, it's the murky corners in Thai society where there is a lack of tolerance toward differing views and often resorts to any convenient means to shut people up. [PM] Abhisit [Vejjajiva] is perhaps in an uneasy situation, which is not particularly fun.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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EDITORIAL

Mekong River - Think twice before doing damage that will be irreversible

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Thanks to Thailand's Newin, a reconciliation - albeit by default

OPINION - By Suthichai Yoon

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Indonesia Thur issued tsunami warning following 2 consecutive earthquakes registering 7.2 and 6.6 Richter, no initial reports of damages /THE NATION

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Police investigate explosion at TMC, Chonburi hydraulic crane manufacturer, Wednesday night; six cars damaged /MCOT

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Tsunami warning issued after quake off Indonesia's Papua

Jakarta - An earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale rocked Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua early Thursday, prompting a tsunami warning.

The epicentre of the quake was 141 kilometres south-east of Kaimana in West Papua province at a depth of 25 kilometres, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

The quake was followed by another measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale off the Aru island group near the Maluku archipelago, the agency said.

"We're still trying to contact West Papua to check whether there has been damage or casualties," said Andi Arief, a presidential aide in charge of disaster management

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew hospitalized for chest infection

Singapore - Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, was hospitalized late Wednesday for treatment of a chest infection ,media reports said.

The 87-year-old was supposed to attend the wake for a senior minister who died on Monday, but was instead admitted to Singapore Genera lHospital, said a statement from Lee's press secretary posted on the Channelnewsasia website.

Lee was Singapore's first prime minister. Under his government, the city-state developed from a third-world port to one of Asia's wealthiest countries in just three decades.

Since stepping down in 1990, Lee has retained great influence in Singapore as an advisor to the government.

Currently, he serves as a minister mentor in the cabinet of his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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Bomb attack at Thai factory in Chonburi

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Explosion heard near Foreign Ministry

Police are investigation an explosion near Foreign Ministry on Si Ayuttaya road on Thursday.

Nation radio station reported that witnesses saw two men on a motorcycle near a site near the entrance before an explosion was heard.

-- The Nation 2010-09-30

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 972.63, up 2.98 points /MCOT

[george]

Thai police pounce on prolific panty perv

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Thailand Mobile Expo starts today & iPhone 4 draws the crowd at AIS booth http://yfrog.com/7fy7gij via @pepeuntil

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Map Ta Phut activists begin rally protesting government's list of harmful activities

RAYONG, Sept 30 - Amid tight security, environmental activists of Map Ta Phut, Thailand's largest industrial estate, a sprawling complex in Rayong, on Thursday began a protest urging the government to review its list of 11 types harmful industrial categories.

Eastern People’s Network coordinator Suthi Atchasai led some 200 members from many provinces to gather at the Rayong government office centre Thursday morning, even as more activists were on their way to join the protest in this province southeast of Bangkok.

Security has been tightened around the protest area as residents living near Map Ta Phut plan a counter-protest against Mr Suthi's group, saying most Eastern People’s Network members live elsewhere. Local residents said the outsiders should seek the opinions of the people who live and work at or nearby the industrial estate first if they want to demonstrate.

The overall situation in the morning remained orderly with a number of police officers deployed to maintain order of the situation.

The activists's demonstration came following after the four-party panel headed by ex-prime minister Anand Panyarachun earlier proposed 18 categories of harmful industries to the government through the National Environment Board (NEB).

The National Environment Board on Aug 23 listed only 11 types of industrial projects it regards as harmful and which will require undergoing environmental and health impact assessments.

The environmental agency's narrowed down list was approved by the Cabinet. Such projects include expansions of the petrochemical industry, airport runways, and all kinds of mining, dams and power plants.

The Central Administrative Court on Sept 29 last year ordered 76 industrial projects at Map Ta Phut industrial estate, 180km southeast of Bangkok, to temporarily halt operations for failing to pass the environmental and health impact assessments required by Article 67 of Thailand's Constitution.

Early this month, the court allowed 74 of the 76 suspended projects to resume operations. Two projects accused of activities harmful to the environment remain suspended -- an ethylene plant operated by TOC Glycol Co, a unit of PTT Chemical Plc, and a vinyl chloride monomer project owned by Thai Plastic & Chemical Plc. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-09-30