Thailand Live Monday 4 Oct 2010

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Thailand Live Monday 4 October 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 Sunday 3 October 2010

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Suthep is acting PM while Abhisit attends ASEM in Belgium

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban will be Acting Prime Minister, while Abhisit Vejjajiva attends the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, Belgium, during October 3rd-8th.

Speaking during the weekly program, Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit, the Premier said that he would seek talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during the bi-ennial meeting; the two will talk about the development of relationship restoration plans after both met and agreed on the plans in New York last month.

This year’s Asia-Europe Meeting is held in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from Asia and the European Union are attending the meeting to exchange measures and perspectives on the world economy. Mr. Abhisit has assigned Mr. Suthep to be in charge of the situation this week while he is away, before the Deputy resigns from his post to run in the Surat Tani bi-election.

In the mean time, the Prime Minister announced that the emergency law has been lifted in three additional provinces: Udon Thani, Khon Kean, and Nakorn Ratchasrima. Only four provinces are now under the special law. They are Bangkok, Nakorn Pathom, Samut Prakarn, and Pathum Thani. He said the Cabinet would consider the cancellation of the law in the remaining provinces tomorrow.

Mr Abhisit stated that he had assigned the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation and related authorities to consider lifting the special law as it could not stop violent movements in Bangkok and its vicinities.

-- NNT 2010-10-04

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Thai, Cambodian PMs to discuss border issues in Belgium

BANGKOK: -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would confer with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen on the two countries’ border problem on the sidelines of the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting being held in Belgium this week.

It is possible that more talks on the issue, especially on actions of concerned government units of each country, will be discussed after the informal talks of the two leaders in New York late last month, Mr Abhisit said.

Some projects such as those involving education and cultural exchanges between the two countries have made considerable progress, he said.

The border problem with soldiers of both countries facing each other on the border may be discussed further, Mr Abhisit said.

Asked whether he would ask Mr Hun Sen for a troop withdrawal to ease tensions when they meet at the upcoming meeting, Mr Abhisit said the Cambodian government fully realises that existing bilateral mechanisms agreed by the two countries must be approved by the Thai parliament.

Thailand and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 to establish a Joint Boundary Commission to demarcate overlapping parts of their boundary, but the framework for border demarcation has not been approved by the Thai parliament as required by the constitution.

The two neighbouring nations have been locked in a military standoff on their disputed border since July 2008, when the historic Preah Vihear temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, although its main entrance lies in Thailand. The exact boundary through the

surrounding grounds remains in dispute, with occasional full-scale military skirmishes claiming a number of lives.

Realising that the border problem has been continuing too long, Mr Abhisit said “there are several problems which hinder a final agreement as processes must be approved by each country.” (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-04

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Police on high alert before political gathering

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The National Police Chief launched the new center to operate during violent situation in preparation for the upcoming political rallies in October.

After reporting to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva about the preparations for the upcoming political rallies in October, National Police Chief, Police General Wichean Potephosree, asks the rally organizers to choose appropriate venues and not to violate the emergency law.

October marks many anniversaries related to politics, including student uprisings in 1973 and 1976 and the deadly suppression of the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s protest in 2008.

The Royal Thai Police have set up the new center to operate in case violence erupts. The center will integrate many agencies together in taking control of the situation.

Police General Wichean insists that the emergency law will not be added up in any area because the authorities consider the special law as the last resort.

Meanwhile, Deputy Pheu Thai Leader Plodprasob Surasawadee agrees with the appointment of General Prawit Wongsuwan as the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation Director, as the replacement for Mr Suthep Thuagsuban.

Mr Plodprasob stated that General Prawit was a former Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, who understood the overall operation to protect national security.

-- NNT 2010-10-04

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More heavy rain expected this week

People in most parts of Thailand have been warned of flash floods, forest run-off, and mudslides as the regions are expected to face very heavy rain and gust during the next few days.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has announced that upcoming torrential rain during 2-6 October could cause damage to lives and property as well as agricultural land. Low-lying areas should beware of swollen rivers, flash flood and mudslide. DDPM regional offices in risk-prone provinces have been instructed to stay alert around the clock and prepare equipment necessary for relief operations in case a disaster hits.

Risk-prone provinces include 16 provinces in the Northeast, ten provinces in the upper South, five provinces in the East, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi in the western part and Nakhon Nayok in the central region.

According to the DDPM, many provinces had been inundated during 10 September-2 October 2010 as a result of a monsoon trough causing isolated heavy rain, flash floods in many areas. A total of 19, 490 farm families had been affected and 28,500 rai of farmland flooded. However, the situation has improved with only four provinces namely Phichit, Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Ayutthaya remaining inundated at present.

-- NNT 2010-10-04

[george]

Hotels In Bangkok Refuse Blacks And Indians

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Brit poses as a millionaire to steal back his son from the Thai lady he once called his wife

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Child p0rn on Sukhumvit stirs outrage

SUKHUMVIT VENDORS OPENLY SELL VCDS

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Thai Berry Pickers in Sweden Head Home Empty Handed

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Red warriors are 'planning more attacks' in Thailand

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Her Majesty leaves hospital

By The Nation

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit left Chulalongkorn Hospital yesterday following successful treatment for an irregular pulse, much to the joy of many well-wishers.

She entered the hospital last Thursday with what was called a rapid heartbeat.

The Royal Household Bureau said in a statement that Her Majesty's heartbeat was now normal and she could return to Siriraj Hospital where His Majesty has been recuperating for about a year now.

During Her Majesty's stay at Chulalongkorn Hospital, His Majesty as well as many royalty paid her a visit.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn accompanied her mother when she departed the hospital in the late afternoon.

Earlier, crowds flocked to the hospital to wish Her Majesty a speedy recovery. Among the high-profile figures were Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, National Police Commissioner-General Wichien Pojphosri, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, acting Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka and Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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Vocational Schools Join Hands To Stop Fights

By MAYUREE SUKYINGCHAROENWONG,

WANNAPA KHAOPA

THE NATION

Student brawls have stained the reputation of three vocational schools in Bangkok for 20 to 30 years. Other vocational schools have faced the same problem for many years. It's a tough job, but the three schools tried hard to end the violence. Eventually, they found their strategies worked.

In 2008, heads of the three vocational schools signed an agreement with four other vocational schools, five police stations and leaders of nearby communities to improve their relationships and collaboration.

The three schools were Nakhonluang Polytechnic College (NPC), Phraramhok Technology School (PTS) and Kong Thabbok Upatham Changkol Kho So Tho Bo School or Army Transportation Engineering School (ATE).

After realising that stronger relationships and collaboration can help, the three schools inked another MoU last week to let their students work together as a network.

Students will assist teachers to keep an eye on their friends' behaviour and instil a proper attitude among their juniors at their schools to reduce brawling. They will also contact friendship networks at other schools to prevent any clashes.

Chayapol Photi, head of the Student Administration Department at NPC, said: "Now we've seen a drastic decrease in our student quarrels. They have dropped from about three times a week to only once in three months since we started improving relationships with these institutes and seriously patrolling areas together that used to be plagued with student fights.

"Teachers of the three schools meet almost everyday. We visit each other at our schools, drink coffee and talk about our students. We're closer, while students at each school are more familiar with teachers from other schools so they respect them. It makes our work easier," he said.

Suttipun Sangkawelert, deputy manager of PTS, said that without teachers' bias in favour of their own students and with sincere inter-school collaboration, they could ease this very serious problem.

"We are sincere in helping to find attackers among our students after their fights. After we find the attackers, we try to make them confess, based on reasonable discussion.

"The suspects are allowed to defend themselves or give reasons why they attacked other students first. We need to listen to them before judging that they are the attackers and convincing them to accept punishment.

"Many teachers in other institutes have an affinity for their students. They don't use reason. So, the problem won't end, as those teachers become part of the student conflicts, which indicates they support the students. They refuse to collaborate with those in their students' rival institutes," he said.

The wrongdoers will then be taken to the rival school to apologise.

Ten teachers at PTS are responsible for taking care of over 30 students considered the most at-risk group. ATE has 17 teachers responsible for 30-50 students deemed "at-risk". And NPC has 20 teachers responsible for 60 students in its "at-risk" group.

Most of the PTS and ATE teachers are hired full-time to monitor students without being burdened with teaching chores, so they can be more effective in their patrols and student administration missions.

Both also get teachers patrol mission allowances to cover car and telephone expenses, plus walkie-talkies to facilitate communication.

They patrol mainly risk areas together, such as Nonthaburi Pier and bus transfer hubs on roads heading to these schools. The three schools inspect students for hidden weapons every morning. Residents and police who have committed to help these schools report on students who are likely to quarrel.

"They help us approach students immediately so we can stop possible brawls or quickly find wrongdoers. Being able to find attackers quickly and punish them helps reduce revenge," Ubonwan Visaijorn, the director of NPC, said.

Students at the three schools are allowed to go home at staggered times to reduce the chance of them meeting each other. Senior students are also assigned to accompany the juniors on the way back home to ensure their safety.

Teachers try to keep older students with a tendency for violence away from other students to prevent them causing younger pupils to have an aggressive attitude, she said.

Songsin Khumkerd, 19, a PTS student, said having a friendship network with other schools made students from different schools understand each other.

"A student from another school swore at my friend, which made him angry. I have some friends there. So I called them, asking them to find the student who did that and find out why. Later, they found the student and learned that he had cursed the wrong person. So, with help from friends, we can stop this problem," he said.

Students at last week's MoU signing recommended inter-school activities to improve relations, Ubonwan said, so they plan to get students from the three schools to eat, go camping and undertake community services together.

ATE director Col Teerapon Manying said the vision of school administrators was crucial because they had the power to have an impact. They needed to be open-minded and sincere with officials from nearby schools to share information and discuss problems. They also needed to punish students at their schools without bias if they committed offences.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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Physicians now face a fresh threat of financial scrutiny

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Patients protest efforts to block malpractice bill

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

The Network of Patients and its allies yesterday called for the Private Hospital Association and private clinics across country to stop obstructing the draft bill for Medical Malpractice Victim Protection now on the agenda of the House of Representatives.

A group of 30 patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease and HIV/Aids held a symbolic protest against the Private Hospital Association which opposes the draft bill.

They gathered outsider the private Ramkhamhaeng Hospital where a president of the Private Hospital Association, Dr Auechart Kanchanapitak, is managing director.

The group of patients held a banner and posters reading " This bill is security for patients and medical workers." and "We are calling for compensation, not filing a law suit."

President of the Thai NGO Coalition on Aids, Supattra Nakapiew, said the Private Hospital Association had tried to block the Medical Malpractice Victims Protection bill from coming up in the House of Representative's November session.

Sari Ongsomwang, secretary-general of the Foundation for Consumers, said a group of doctors, mainly from private hospitals, regularly walk out from meetings on the controversial protection bill as they don't want to be forced to contribute from their profits into the no-fault compensation fund.

Some doctors opposing the bill had also tried to slander a group of patients by saying the Network of Patients wanted to manage an annual Bt200 million budget under the fund.

"There was no reason for us to support the bill and exploit the fund under the bill," Sari said.

"The Private Hospital Association and clinics must stop opposing this draft bill and let it go before the House of Representatives for consideration," she said.

A group of patients also threatened government to protest by dressing with white color before the Government House on October 5 if the government does not get serious about the speeding up the consideration of the bill.

The draft bill on Medical Malpractice Victims Protection was put in the agenda of House of Representative's consideration on April meanwhile Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on August 10 had promised to meet with the Network of Patients if legislative passage was delayed, Suppattra said.

"Now there was no time for government to buy the time anymore," she added.

Meanwhile, Auechart who is also a chairman of National Health Security Office's committee controlling the standards of public health service, said the Private Hospital Association did not behind the movement to oppose the draft bill on Medical Malpractice Victims Protection.

Speaking in the name of NHSO's committee controlling the standards of public health service, he said the committee had proposed the NHOS's executive board to amend the National Health Security Bill's article 41 to cover all three public healthcare schemes.

But the Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit who chaired the NHSO's executive board, said the medical malpractice bill would apply to all victims of medical errors under the three healthcare schemes.

Amending the National Health Security Bill would be slower than letting the House legislate the medical malpractice bill, he added.

Dr Oraphan Methadilokkul, who chaired the Federation of Healthcare Workforce of Thailand, said the Federation will seek to impeach Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit for advocating the Medical Malpractice Victim Bill as this bill will cause damages for country's public health system.

"We now have enough names to send to the upper house to impeach Jurin," she said.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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Lahu hilltribe people caught with 36 kg of heroin

By The Nation

Four Lahu hilltribe people were arrested yesterday with 36 kilograms of heroin - worth up to Bt250 million if sold in the US, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said yesterday.

The four hilltribe-people were arrested at Fang district market in the north of Chiang Mai province with a Toyota Hilux pick-up and a Beretta shotgun. They are accused of delivering 100 packs of heroin with the "two lions and a globe" brand.

The suspects included two women - Tipsuda Siriwongpanapai, 46, and Patchariya Chutimapana, 22 - and two men - Jamoosee Pafu, 22, and Jakor Saekue, 27.

Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said US Drug Enforcement Agents informed the DSI there was a network of Lahu tribesmen headed by Preeda Trakulpreeda, a 41-year-old orange farmer who lives in Chiang Rai's Tambon Monbin.

The DSI had made a plan to bust the group by buying drugs worth Bt20 million. A DSI official made an appointment with the dealers to send the heroin to the Fang district market - and immediately arrested them.

About 30 officials from the Office of Narcotics Control, the Army Operations Centre to control and suppress drugs were involved. Police found packs of heroin hidden inside a sack of urea fertiliser behind a seat inside the pick-up.

Police arrested the drug dealers pending further inquiries. They also went to Preeda's home to arrest him but he managed to escape.

Jamoosee admitted he was an employee at Preeda's orange farm, but insisted he did not know about and wasn't involved in Preeda's drug business.

"Preeda told me to help him to buy something at the market," Jamoosee said.

However, police did not believe him and detained him for investigation. The heroin could be worth Bt20 million in Thailand and Bt200-250 million in the US.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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Shocking levels of graft in Thailand

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PM willing to talk but Pheu Thai must have common stand

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday signalled his willingness to hold reconciliation talks with the Pheu Thai Party once opposition lawmakers form a common stance and severe ties with those disposed to inciting violence.

"I always say if core opposition members can't distance themselves from those seeking change through violence, then it's difficult for the political predicament to end," he said.

Earlier Pheu Thai deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadee said he was ready to lead a team of opposition MPs to meet and discuss bridge-building with the prime minister.

"I'm not tired of talking so long as there's a genuine effort to push for reconciliation," Abhisit said.

In light of the varying views and cliques within the main opposition party, the opposition members should work out their differences so that a meaningful and tangible outcome could emerge from the discussions, he said.

A lot of politicians in every party want to see a return to political normalcy, he said.

Although he was ready to exchange ideas on how to bring about unity, progress hinged on whether those opposition members seeking to meet him were the voice of Pheu Thai, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart also appeared to be pushing for reconciliation, but he had yet to be informed about Sanan's plans.

He ruled out his deputy quitting his post in retaliation against criticism over his offer to meet with fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to call a truce.

"I have never heard Sanan saying he would resign," he said.

Sanan just said he would meet Thaksin only after reaching a conclusion following a series of meetings with all parties to the conflict, and the others tried to speculate about Sanan's plans even though it was unclear what Sanan wanted to talk about with Thaksin, he said.

There was no conflict between Sanan's fence-mending drive and the reconciliation panels appointed by the government, as all sides talking together was better than not talking, he said.

An aide said on condition of anonymity that his boss Sanan felt hurt because faction leader Newin Chidchob from the Bhum Jai Thai Party had tried to smear him.

It was Newin who spread the rumour that by spearheading a reconciliation campaign, Sanan was trying to become the next premier, the aide said.

Newin called Sanan to offer support for his bid for the premiership if the Democrat Party were dissolved by the court, the aide said.

But the telephone conversation was leaked to the press, prompting Newin to make amends with the Democrats by denying his involvement and launching the smear campaign against Sanan, he said.

Newin also called Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silapa-Archa to sow distrust regarding Sanan's ambition to strike a deal with Thaksin at Banharn and his party's expense, he said.

Because of the slur, Sanan became disheartened, prompting him to announce his retirement after he completed his peace-brokering mission, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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Democrat chiefs to deny all in court today

By The Nation

Banyat Bantadtan and Pradit Pattarap - will deny in court today any knowledge of the party's election campaign finances, its chief legal specialist said yesterday.

The Department of Special Investigation has checked all their bank accounts and found no irregularities, which means the two did not receive any suspicious funds, said Bandit Siripan, who is in charge of the party's defence in the dissolution case.

The party was accused by the Election Commission of misusing Bt29 million for election campaign ads.

Bandit dismissed concerns that the party's lawyer was taking it too easy on questioning state witnesses.

"Many people wonder why the lawyer has not done enough cross-examination over the routes of the funds. It is actually the duty of the EC to prove which Democrat Party executive handled the funds," he said.

The party did not commit election fraud because it had the right to use state funds for election campaign ads as soon as the EC approved the first lot worth Bt19 million on November 19, 2004, he said.

The last hearing is set for October 18 and the justices should reach a verdict by December 15, he added.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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Puea Pandin set to come in from the cold?

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The Democrats have offered to expand the coalition alliance to include a mainstream faction from Puea Pandin Party in a bid to bolster government stability and avoid any "political accidents" that may arise from the verdict on their party dissolution case, party sources said yesterday.

If negotiations to reallocate Cabinet seats are successful, a new government line-up is expected later this month.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva booted out ministers from the Puea Pandin mainstream following the censure debate in May, as punishment for failing to support colleagues from Bhum Jai Thai Party who were grilled in Parliament.

The Puea Thai "mainstream" is made up of three factions - Wang Phaya Nak, Surin and Korat, which have 18 House seats. After its ousting, the Puea Pandin "splinter group" with 10 House seats joined the government. But another four House seats are part of the Pracha Phromnok faction, which remains uncommitted to the coalition and the opposition.

A source from the party's mainstream said its 32 votes could be crucial to keep the coalition from falling apart if the main coalition party faced an unfavourable verdict and some of its executives were barred from holding office.

If Democrat executives were banned from holding office it would reduce the coalition's majority and threaten the government's survival unless the block of 32 votes from Puea Pandin stayed intact, the source said.

And the Democrats may want to prevent Puea Pandin from switching its loyalty to the opposition Pheu Thai Party, by extending the olive branch, the source said.

Should the main coalition party be dissolved, Puea Pandin would hold decisive votes on whether Pheu Thai would have a chance of forming the next coalition, he said.

Puea Pandin spokesman Phumin Leetheeraprasert said he envisioned a strong possibility for his mainstream faction to join the government once again.

"Puea Pandin is willing to support the government since it took part in the coalition formation, but the issue is the party has voted against two ministers from Bhum Jai Thai," he said.

He urged the PM to pave the way for his party to return to the government coalition by heeding its reservations about Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and Transport Minister Sophon Saram.

He said Puea Thai did not demand the removal of Bhum Jai Thai from the coalition but expected the prime minister to effect changes related to the two portfolios.

He said he had heard about the Democrats floating the idea of his party's return last week but he had not been informed of any details.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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Suvarnabhumi urged to be a smoke-free airport

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Viktor Bout arrives at Thai Court for ruling on his extradition

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 985.78, up 7.20 points /MCOT

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Bhum Jai Thai Mentor Newin Celebrates 52nd Birthday

Bhum Jai Thai party defac to leader Newin Chidchob has opened his home to welcome guests and well wishers on his 52nd birthday anniversary. He said his birthday wish is to see Thailand peaceful again. According to ASTV, during a brief interview with the press, the veteran politician revealed that his 'former boss' is the only one with the means of taking out a 20 million baht contract on his life.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-04

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Phuket helmet crackdown to cover entire island from January 1

Three youths on a motorbike, all without helmets, ride against

the traffic on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew.

Kathu Police Superintendent Arayapan Pukbuakao (front) and Kathu Traffic

Division Inspector Jakkawat Boontawegunsawat (pillion) on a campaign sign

along the beach road in Patong.

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Newin Alleges Thaksin Behind Reported Assassination Attempts

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Worst flood in 15yrs in Kanchanaburi, train temporary halted. /via @Cake_NBC /RT @tulsathit /RT @Tulip_Oum

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Kanchanaburi faces heaviest flood in 20 years, disrupting train services; Chanthaburi closes Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary for fear of flash floods /MCOT

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Australian man found dead in Pattaya condo

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Baht at 13-year high

The baht currency hit a 13-year high at Bt30.15 per US dollar early Monday.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said on Monday that the Bank of Thailand Governor, Prasarn Trairatvorakul will have to manage the rising baht with appropriate measures.

The Finance Ministry will meet with Commerce Ministry officials as well as the private sector to discuss the impacts of the rising baht on local exporters.

-- The Nation 2010-10-04

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All 8 districts of Phetchaburi declared disaster areas due to continued forest run-off; officials use flat-bottomed boats to visit, aid residents /MCOT