Thailand Live Thursday 7 Oct 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 7 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 Wednesday 6 October 2010

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NTC to Up Fine for Mobile Number Portability Delay

The telecom watchdog has suggested a higher fine to be imposed on five mobile operators for their failing to offer mobile number portability service.

National Telecommunications Commission or NTC member Sutham Yoonaitham said the daily 167,000 baht fine imposed on each of five telecom companies,

including AIS, Dtac, True Move, TOT, and CAT Telecom, for a delay in the launch of the mobile number portability service is incorrect.

He said the rate should be calculated from the total number of 98 million mobile users in the market, instead of 1.2 million users who switch operators according to annual statistics.

That means telecom operators could be slapped with a daily 5-million baht fine.

Sutham said all mobile users must be taken into account in the penalty calculation because the Telecommunications Business Act 2001 stipulates equal protection of the rights of all consumers.

Meanwhile, a daily 167,000 baht fine has been imposed since September 15.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-07

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Sanan denies intention to be on both sides

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister Major General Sanan Kajornprasart denies his intention to be on the other side of politics; while the Coalition Bhumjaithai Party says the interior minister will not be replaced.

The Bhumjaithai Party key member, Anutin Charnvirakul, says no one is going to replace the current interior minister Chavarat Charnvirakul as the rumor suggested.

He adds that the subject has never been brought up for a discussion among the party members.

Meanwhile, Major General Sanan also clarifies to the media that he has never been approached by the Pheu Thai Party to take the leadership role nor received a phone call from Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra. He also says he is not ready to play a political role in both sides of politics.

Another rumor such as removing the Bhumjaithai Party from the Coalition and replacing it with the Phue Pan Din Thai Party is also unfounded.

-- NNT 2010-10-07

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Energy Agency Plays Down Oil Price Rise

A senior energy agency official believes domestic retail oil prices will not exceed 40 baht a liter as the baht continues to appreciate.

The global oil price is moving in the range of 70 to 80 US dollars per barrel.

Deputy director general for the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, Thawarut Sutabut, said the surge in the current global oil price to 83 US dollars per barrel reflects the growing demand during the upcoming winter, expected to be unusually cold.

Thawarut believes the average oil price will not exceed 80 US dollars a barrel until the year end and its direction will swing in the range of 80 dollars in the short term given the lack of clear signs on the global recovery, particularly the situation in six European countries still ridden with economic crises.

He expected domestic retail oil prices not to surpass 40 baht a liter as the current spiral of the global oil price in the range of 70 to 80 dollars per barrel will cause only a one or two baht change in the price per liter in the domestic market.

The appreciation of the baht will also help stem the upward trend.

Previously, deputy managing director of PTT, Sarut Rangkasiri , said domestic retail oil prices are supposed to move up by 1.50 baht per liter in line with the global market, but the current baht rise has limited the increase to only sixty satang.

He predicted the global oil price from now to the end of the year will rise between three to five US dollars per barrel due to the cold weather and the recovery of world economy.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-07

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Truck carrying money shot at in Pathum Thani

By Panor Chompusri

The Nation

Police said yesterday that the motive behind unknown assailants firing at a truck in Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi district on Tuesday night was either the Bt20 million cash inside the truck, or a personal conflict with the leader of the security team who was injured.

The truck, riddled with bullet holes on the driver's side, was found parked in front of a 7-Eleven store outside the Pulphol Housing Estate. The injured security chief, Sombat Prongfa, 51, was rushed to a nearby hospital earlier.

Chokthisa Aree, who was driving the G4S Cash Services (Thailand) truck, told police that the team was picking up cash from Lotus Express stores in the Klong Neung area, and was shot at by a gunman on a motorcycle while it was passing through the isolated Soi Thaihenng Mill. Suspecting a robbery attempt, Chokthisa said he sped to a safer spot a kilometre away before alerting the police and discovering that his supervisor had been hit by a bullet in the ribs.

Following inspection of the truck and discovering five spent bullets yesterday morning, Pathum Thani police chief Pol Maj-General Methee Kusolsang said the assailants used a .25 pistol and seemed to be following the truck for a while. Security cameras along the route revealed the truck being tailed by a bronze sedan and two motorcycles.

Police will interview the security team in detail and gather other evidence, he said, adding that police suspected the culprits either had an eye on the Bt20 million inside the truck or had a personal conflict with Sombat.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

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Building at centre of blast closed off, declared disaster zone

The Samarn Metta Mansion, a five-storey rental apartment building in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, where a deadly explosion erupted on Tuesday, has been roped off and declared a disaster zone.

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Senior doctor faces discipline over procurement irregularities

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

A senior doctor at the Public Health Ministry's Department of Medical Services has been found guilty and faces discipline after investigation by the Office of the Civil Service Commission into irregularities in the Thai Khemkhaeng medical stimulus scheme.

The result of the investigation was revealed yesterday by the ministry's newly appointed deputy permanent secretary, Dr Narong Sahamethapath. Narong had been assigned by Minister Jurin Laksanawisit to study results from the September 27 disciplinary investigation.

Narong said Jurin had set up the disciplinary investigation committee after a fact-finding panel led by Dr Banlu Siripanich revealed the names of five officials allegedly implicated in questionable procurement of medical items and suggested they be held responsible for the alleged irregularities.

The panel was chaired by former Office of the Civil Service Commission secretary-general Benjawan Sawangnithorn.

The investigation found three officials - ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit, Department of Medical Services director-general Dr Rawat Wisarutwej, and Policy and Strategy Bureau director Dr Supakij Sirilak - not guilty.

However, Dr Suchart Laohabariphat, former director of the ministry's Bureau of Provincial Health Administration (BPHA), was found guilty - although the committee ruled his violations of discipline were not severe.

The investigation decided the Public Health Ministry inspector for Division 6, Dr Chakkrit Bhumsawas, was not under the authority of the Office of the Civil Service Commission investigation.

Narong said former public health minister Witthaya Kaewparadai had the authority to stop the irregular procurements under the Thai Khemkhaeng stimulus package, but Paijit did not - and he was found not guilty of violating discipline.

Narong said Rawat would take responsibility for handing down any punishment to Suchart, who could have his salary cut or be given notice.

However, Narong added that the Public Health Ministry would set up another panel to investigate any disciplinary violations by Chakkrit.

Rawat said he would not file a lawsuit against Banlu's panel, which alleged he had been involved in ministry procurement irregularities.

"I think I will forgive Banlu [despite his having] accused me over the scandal," Rawat said.

Meanwhile, Suchart said he accepted the result of investigation.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

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Chaiyos foresees big lift in Teacher TV audience

By Supinda Na Mahachai

The Nation

Burapha University (BU) aimed to boost its "Teacher TV" viewership to 20 per cent this quarter, said Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Jiramethakorn yesterday.

Chaiyos was commenting on newspaper reports about a politician's interference with BU's work on the project and threats to fire them if they failed to boost the ratings of Teacher TV on TPBS.

Chaiyos said he was president of the Teacher TV Committee and his duty was to proceed as appropriate on committee resolutions.

The programme claims six million viewers to its website. However, Chaiyos said the committee and Chulalongkorn University, who acted as project evaluator, used the Internet Protocol (IP) data, which showed 21,000 users in July, 27,000 users in August, and 56,000 users in September - hence the Teacher TV rating was at 10 per cent or 60,000 viewers.

Chaiyos said if his action was deemed an interference, it was for the majority benefit. He admitted having mentioned gradual changes if the rating didn't increase. He said he had also instructed BU to buy on-air time from a free television channel to present the content in another programme with a new name and presentation style from the Teacher TV on TPBS.

Chaiyos said TPBS had also changed the "Teacher TV" on-air time from 05.45-06.00 to 17.45-18.00 following teacher viewers' complaints. Chaiyos said he suggested BU adjust its public relations stance to be more proactive in the first three months, with emphasis on newspapers rather than billboards that don't reach the targeted audience.

BU Faculty of Education Dean Montri Yaemkasikorn, the project director, said the goal of a 20 per cent rating was attainable as they had clear plans for the programme to be widely accessed by teachers and had set a network of teachers nationwide to make use of the programme content.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

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Veteran politician Sahas dies from cancer

By The Nation

Former deputy senate speaker and senator for the Sa Kaew province, Sahas Pintuseni, succumbed to cancer of the digestive tract on Tuesday. He was 73.

His royal-sponsored bathing ceremony was held yesterday from 4.30pm at Wat Phrasri Mahathat Worawihan in Bangkok's Bang Khen district, while prayers will be held every evening until next Tuesday, after which the body will lie in state for 50 days.

Having done his bachelor's degree in Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, Sahas was also deputy prime minister under Samak Sundaravej's reign in February 2008. He had also served as deputy Bangkok governor.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

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Melting furnace explosion kills 1

By The Nation

An aluminium-melting furnace exploded in a Samut Sakhon factory yesterday killing one worker and injuring five others. One worker is still buried in the debris somewhere and cannot be found, Pol Lt-Colonel Pramote Aksornpan from Krathum Baen district police station said yesterday.

After the accident was reported at 2.30pm yesterday, police rushed to the 5-rai factory, but could not aim water hoses at the furnace for fear of another explosion. They had managed to retrieve the body of Mangkorn Singkhot, 58, from the debris but at time of press missing Sarayuth Bangkhunthod, 21, could not be found. It is suspected that he either got crushed by the debris or drowned in the hot-water tank.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

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HOSPITALS IN CRISIS

Thai doctors salaries not paid for 10 months

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Bangkok-Nonthaburi bomb went off accidentally

Detonator was triggered prematurely: ordnance expert; Police say technique similar to bombs found at other sites in city

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NEW ARMY CHIEF

Prayuth : Coup never my idea

Gen Prayuth

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COPYRIGHT

Thai wins Ultraman copyright case in Tokyo

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BOUT VERDICT

Russia dissatisfied over court's dismissal of second charge

Lavrov

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BURNING ISSUE

Thailand's 'new, improved' future

The trouble with the explosions rocking Bangkok and its vicinity - one of which took a deadly turn on Tuesday, killing four people and injuring 10 in Nonthaburi - is that your take on the situation will most likely be influenced by your political stance.

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Thai Media reform panel's ideas go to PM Abhisit next month

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New Swedish School in Hua Hin

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PAD leaders Sondhi, Chamlong lead Yellow Shirt supporters to make merit at Royal Plaza to mark 2nd anniversary of Oct 7 protest against Somchai Wongsawat government; no traffic disruption /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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PAD Hosts Memorial for Lives Lost in Oct 7 Crackdown

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy are gathering at the Royal Plaza this morning to commemorate the deaths which resulted from a violent crackdown on protesters two years ago today. They are gathering for a major merit making ceremony before moving to the ASTV headquarters later in the morning for seminars and other activities.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-07

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PM will ask for more time for Bout´s extradition

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DPM Suthep resigns from post, effective tomorrow; to officially apply for by-election tomorrow /via @TAN_Network

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 982.22, up 3.22 points /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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Speeding Pattaya Jet Ski Kills Iranian Tourist while Swimming

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Current baht strengthening remains justified, says Bank of Thailand

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[george]

INVITATION FOR THAIVISA MEMBERS:

Thailand's #1 geek event, Barcamp Bangkok 4

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[george]

BAD WEATHER ON THE WAY TO THAILAND?

Torrential rain, flash floods kill at least 28 in central Vietnam

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Thailand weather forecast:

http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Russian Press Rap Bout's Extradition

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[george]

Death toll after flash floods in Indonesia rises to 97

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Tourism and Sports Minister: Frequent Bombings Won't Deter Tourism

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