Thailand Live Wednesday 13 Oct 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 13 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 Tuesday 12 October 2010

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Vegetarian Festival from all around the country

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Fruit and vegetable prices have been on the rise since the beginning of the Vegetarian Festival. Meanwhile, the

atmosphere in Phuket is upbeat, with parade going around the city.

The procession of Buddha parade around the city attracted over 10,000 tourists, both Thai and foreigners, as well as the media.

Villagers set up an altar with the firecrackers to welcome the divine gods. Large number of tourists took pictures of worshipers spiking their bodies with sharp objects.

In Krabi, at all 54 shrines, disciples invited 1,500 divine beings and their horses to give them a blessing and show their supernatural power to the vegetable-eating crowd.

The Vegetarian Festival in Lamphun has been affected by the rising prices of vegetables. As more vegetables are in demand, merchants and vendors raised the prices of the produce. Price rise also came on the back of floods. The price of morning glory rose from 30 baht to 35 baht per bundle; a bunch kale went up from 25 baht to 35-40 baht per kg, and Cantonese jumped from 30 baht to 40 Baht per kg.

-- NNT 2010-10-13

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Thai Air Asia to open new routes to India

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Thai Air Asia will launch two new routes to India after the South Asian country’s economy has shown great business prospects.

The new routes will be Bangkok-Calcutta, and Bangkok-New Delhi. The flights will commence on December 1st. The Bangkok-Calcutta flights are scheduled to fly daily, while the Bangkok-Delhi flights will take off four times a week.

The Thai Air Asia stated that the Indian was among the world’s top markets. With the country's huge population and enormous economic growth, the Airways believed having more flights to the country would stimulate both nations’ economy, and attract more Indian tourists to Thailand.

Over 600,000 Indian tourists traveled to the Kingdom in 2009, bringing over 16 billion baht income to Thailand. In the first eight months of this year, Indian travelers to Thailand have increased by 20 percent year-on-year.

-- NNT 2010-10-13

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Burirum vaccinates cattle to prevent foot and mouth disease

Burirum (NNT) -- The Department of Livestock in Burirum province has been providing vaccinations to cattle, in hope of preventing foot and mouth disease during the season change, from rainy to winter, which make them susceptible to diseases.

The Department officials have been providing the vaccinations to about 80 percent of all the cattle in Burirum province. Service for the rest is underway.

The officials also urged farmers to take good care of their cattle during the end of the rainy season, suggesting farmers to regularly clean the cattle living areas as well as keep them dry and warm to prepare for winter.

-- NNT 2010-10-13

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Bhumjaithai Party confirms it remains coalition party

BANGKOK, 12 October 2010 (NNT) - The Bhumjaithai Party Spokesperson indicated that forces from outside of the party was pressuring for political change, while confirming the party would remain part of the coalition.

Talking about the rumor that the government wanted to replace the Bhumjaithai Party with the Phue Pan Din, Bhumjaithai Spokesperson Supachai Jaisamut said the rumor should stop because his party, the ruling Democrat, and the Phue Pan Din had all confirmed there would be no cabinet reshuffle.

He added the Bhumjaithai and the Democrat were like a married couple; they might have disagreements at times. Moreover, the Prime Minister already insisted that there would be no change in politics.

Concerning the corruption issues alledged by the Phue Thai Party, Mr Supachai said problems did occur given the party was in charge of many ministries. He affirmed that the party members did not have any involvement with any of the problem.

He explained that many allegations from outsiders were targeting the Bhumjaithai Party in a bid to create political change, adding the party was ready to be investigated.

-- NNT 2010-10-13

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Provincial Police strictly monitor bomb material trade

Nakorn Ratchasrima, 12 October 2010 (NNT) - Provincial Police Region 3 has ordered officials to strictly monitor the trades and movements of raw materials that could be used to make bombs, citing concerns over possible attacks in lower northeastern region.

Police have expressed concerns over the current movements of different groups, including the red shirts, in eight provinces in the lower northeastern region. Intelligence officials are urged to closely monitor the groups that could create social disturbance, particularly those along the Thai borders.

In addition, trading of materials that could be bomb components are now under stringent control.

-- NNT 2010-10-13

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DEATH OF A MODEL

Model's death still a mystery : police

By The Nation

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Two reservoirs collapse in Rayong

By The Nation

After days of heavy rain, two major reservoirs in Rayong's Wang Chan district collapsed on Monday night, submerging a village, which saw one man getting drowned and a woman missing.

There have been no official statements on whether it was the reservoir belonging to Wat Thammaros or the one belonging to the Wang Chan golf course that collapsed first.

The golf course's owner Damrong Sriprasert, however, claimed that the temple's reservoir collapsed at 3am before the one in his property gave in at 6am despite efforts by workers to strengthen the wall.

Damrong said he had evidence to prove that it was the collapse of the temple reservoir that submerged the village, adding that his contractor Kitti Tetiwong had witnessed it happening.

Wang Chan district chief said 140 villagers had registered for compensation for damage to their homes and properties, but did not give details about which reservoir had collapsed. A man was drowned in the strong currents, while a nun living at the temple is still missing.

Meanwhile, the west of Koh Chang faces landslides due to structural damage caused by illegal dredging by builders, a senior official from the Department of Mineral Resources said yesterday.

A vast area of the island has been dredged up, especially areas that have a greater than 70-degree slope, resulting in the land, especially on the west where many resorts are located, being weakened, Adichart Surinkham said.

Flash floods and landslides are possible in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat and Prachuap Khiri Khan in the next few days, he said.

The landslides at the Mae Salong hill in Chiang Rai's Mae Chan district have stopped, despite 300-metre long cracks and a collapse of 85-centimetres of land. Cabinet approval is being sought to conduct an eight-month survey that would lead to the division of areas on the hill into different categories.

Diving in areas around Koh Chang marine national park will be prohibited briefly, but it is still open to tourists, the Department of National Park Wildlife and Plant Conservation said.

-- The Nation 2010-10-13

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PM vows to keep malpractice bill on House agenda

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has promised the Network of Patients that the draft of the Medical Malpractice Victims Protection bill will be considered at the current House session and will not be withdrawn as demanded by the doctors.

Kannikar Kijitwatchakul, of the Foundation for Consumer Protection, said she had met with Abhisit at the international press centre in Brussels. She was there to attend the Asian-European Forum and the prime minister was there to participate in the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).

She said Abhisit had promised that the bill would be considered during the current House session and that it would not be withdrawn.

"I asked him why he did not make this commitment openly in public, and he said he could not openly confront the doctors' movement," she said.

Kannikar spoke to the press at the Public Health Ministry before attending a meeting to try to resolve the differences between supporters and opponents of the controversial bill yesterday afternoon.

But Kannikar and the Network of Patients later declined to attend the meeting after learning that the Public Health Ministry's permanent secretary Dr Paijit Vejjajiva had met separately yesterday morning with a group of doctors who opposed the bill.

The president of the non-governmental Coalition on Aids, Supattra Nakapiew, said she was disappointed that Paijit did not inform them about the earlier meeting with doctors.

The Public Health Ministry had previously held a meeting between supporters and opponents of the medical-malpractice bill on September 28, but the doctors who were against the bill walked out of the meeting to protest against what they described as distrust directed at them from all parties involved.

"We will not talk with them [the doctors who oppose the bill] any more," Supattra said.

However, the chairwoman of the patients' network, Preeyanan Lorsermwattana, did attend the meeting, though only as an observer.

Meanwhile, Medical Council vice president Dr Amnat Kusalanant said doctors who were against the bill wanted the government to stop it from being put on top of the House agenda, because there were still a lot of arguments about the issue.

Moreover, doctors want the government to amend the National Health Security Bill's Article 41 to cover all three public healthcare schemes.

Paijit said he would collect recommendations about the malpractice bill from all stakeholders, including medical workers, civic groups and the doctors and patients who attended the meeting yesterday, and hand them to Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit by next week.

In yesterday's meeting, he said, doctors and some representatives from the Network of Patients wanted the ministry to revise the title of the bill, the definition and the portion about setting up a committee to manage the no-fault fund.

-- The Nation 2010-10-13

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DSI probes handling of temple finances by monk's ex-wife

By The Nation

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Police endorsed

By The Nation

The appointment of 48 top police to new posts at the Royal Thai Police won royal endorsement yesterday. The royal command was issued to confirm the appointments, effective from Oct 1.

Six of the senior officers were promoted from the rank of police lieutenant-general to police general, including new deputy police chiefs Pol Gen Chalor Chuwong, Pol Gen Panupong Singhara na Ayutthaya, Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, and Pol Gen Wut Puawes, and police advisers Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang and Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen.

National police chief Gen Wichean Potephosree presided over a rank-bestowing ceremony for 24 officers promoted to be lieutenant generals and police generals. Wichean said the Police Committee would have meet on Friday, with the PM to consider officers to be commissioners and commanders.

-- The Nation 2010-10-13

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Bonus proposed

By The Nation

Bangkok Deputy Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul has proposed a one-and-a-half-month bonus for city officials and employees, after the city reportedly earned Bt5 billion more than targeted income this year, deputy spokesman Wasan Meewong said yesterday.

The city executive meeting heard yesterday that the city administration earned about Bt46 billion, which was more than the expected Bt41 billion. Income next year was expected to earn at about Bt46 billion - Bt11.25 billion of which would be collected by city officials and Bt34.75 billion from other state agencies. Theerachon proposed the maximum one-and-a-half-month bonus rate, which would cost Bt1 billion, and the city clerk was assigned to study details further, he added.Wasan said the meeting also agreed to a draft decree about city officials' salaries after the August 16 Cabinet meeting approved a 5 per cent rise to take effect from April 1, 2011.

-- The Nation 2010-10-13

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TRAPPED MINERS

Thai welders share limelight in Chilean miners rescue operation

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Thaksin: Don't name Pheu Thai candidate yet

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Ties with Cambodia strained over militant red-shirts

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NONTHABURI EXPLOSION

Woman linked to blast agrees to talk to police

By The Nation

Wasa Theprian, a woman connected to the Samarn Metta Mansion bombing case, has agreed to appear for questioning this week.

"We have just talked over the phone and she has promised to report to police by October 15," Chiang Mai deputy police chief Colonel Panudej Boonruang said.

He denied that police had arrested the 25-year-old secretary to the House anti-money-laundering and anti-narcotics committee.

Wasa has not reported to work since last Thursday.

On October 5, a home-made device exploded inside an apartment in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district, apparently killing a red-shirt guard staying there as well as three other victims.

On the following day, Wasa was found to have transferred some money from a bank inside Parliament House to the bank account of Kasi Ditthanarat, who was identified as the man who took the red-shirt guard and some boxes to the apartment.

Panudej said Wasa claimed a businessman asked her to send the money to Kasi.

"She said she was going to bring him to police too," he said.

Wasa is close to Pheu Thai MP Wisut Chai-narun, who chairs the House committee and helped her get the job as the committee's secretary.

Wisut said he had talked to the businessman mentioned by Wasa. "He has evidence to prove that the transaction was for business purposes."

Sopon Peungchai, superintendent of Bang Bua Thong Police Station, said his station was handling the case.

"We are now waiting for the results of the forensic tests, so we have not yet summoned any more people for questioning," he said, confirming that no summons had been issued for Wasa.

-- The Nation 2010-10-13

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PM Abhisit: No change planned to Thai Cabinet line-up

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INN: Traffic police refrain from giving out tickets today in light of Thai Police Day /via @TAN_Network

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ASTV: Udon Thani-Bkk train ploughs into tree, crashes near Khon Kean; 6 injuries reported /via @TAN_Network

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No Traffic Tickets Today in Bkk

Traffic police in Bangkok will not be giving out traffic tickets in Bangkok today. The move is in celebration of the Thai Police Day on October 13, 2010.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-13

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Udon Thai-Bkk Train Crashes in Khon Kean

A Bangkok bound train from Udon Thani has crashed into a tree in Khon Kean province. Six injuries have been reported, including a pregnant woman.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-13

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House panel chairman vows to resign if secretary fails to explain money transfer

Pheu Thai MP Wisut Chaiyanarun vowed Wednesday to resign as the chairman of House committee against money laundering and drug trafficking if the panel's secretary failed to explain the transfer of money to a suspected bomber.

Wisut reiterated that he would lead the secretary, Wasa Theprien, and the business man, who hired her to transfer the money to the suspect, to meet investigators on Friday.

Wisut admitted that he nominated Wasa as the panel's secretary because she is his daughter's close friend.

A transaction record showed that Wasa wired Bt50,000 to the account of Kasi Ditthanarat, 48, who was sought for his involvement in the Bang Bua Thong blast.

-- The Nation 2010-10-13

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British Expat Found Dead in South Pattaya Apartment

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Laguna Phuket ready for triathlon, Ironman 70.3

Former Ironman 70.3 world champion Samantha

McGlone of Canada will lead the women’s pro line-up

taking on both the Laguna Phuket Triathlon and Ironman

70.3 Asia-Pacific Challenge.

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Visa overstay issues causes confusion

UK Foreign Office confirm tougher policy

The cover story in the first edition of Pattaya One (published 1 October this year), which noted a tougher line being taken by Immigration officials with foreigners who had overstayed their visas by 42 days or more, created quite a stir, and not a little confusion.

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Phuket Tourist Boat Explodes, Injuring 7

A tourism boat parked at a Phuket port has suddenly exploded. Seven injuries have been reported, one seriously.

Officials are still unsure what caused the explosion.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-13

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Thai AirAsia Launches Flight from Ubon Ratchathani to Phuket

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15 Pakistanis Arrested in Southern Thailand over Possible Terrorist Link

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Pic of Phuket tourist boat on fire: http://yfrog.com/9gecqij by @nationphoto /via @tukky_nt

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Traffic, Electricity on Koh Chang Back in Service

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