Thailand Live Saturday 16 Oct 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 16 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 Friday 15 October 2010

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Drug ring members arrested with 200,000 speed pills, worth US$2 million

BANGKOK: -- Three members of an alleged transnational drug syndicate in Thailand’s northern region were detained with 200,000 methamphetamine 'speed' pills, valued at Bt60 million (about $2 million), in the Lad Prao area, according to a Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) press briefing on Friday.

Sinchai Sanleow, 36, Anucha Sanleow, 34 and Somchart Sanchaichareonkij, 24, were apprehended on Thursday while delivering the meth pills hidden in a fruit cardboard box to his customers in Bangkok, said NSB Commander Pol Lt-Gen Adithep Panjamanon.

Apart from confiscating the 200,000 methamphetamine pills, the drugs police also seized seven cell phones, six black bags and two ATM cards for further investigation and tracking information.

The three detainees said that they were hired by a transnational drug syndicate from the bordering Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai to smuggle meth pills for one baht per pill.

The three suspects later delivered to the drugs to their customers at Talaad Thai fresh fruit and vegetable market in Pathum Thani province before concealing all drugs into cardboard boxes.

According to the plan, the drugs were aimed to send to drug agents in the capital and surrounding provinces.

The trio were charged with possessing the methamphetamine pills for sales.

Cooperating in the drug bust were the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and the Narcotics

Suppression Police Region 5. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-16

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Gen Pathompong, actress Sirilak, acknowledge charges on Bangkok airports' seizure case

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New Air Services Agreements Between Thailand, Denmark, Sweden and Norway

New Air Services Agreements between Thailand and Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were on Friday 15 October signed by Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Michael Sternberg, Ambassador of Denmark, Katja Nordgaard,

Ambassador of Norway, and Lennart Linnér, Ambassador of Sweden.

It was about time, too. The previous agreements dated back to 1949.

According to the signatories to the new agreements, the new paragraphs in the agreements are mostly updates that reflect the current global aviation market and take into account European Union rules and regulations.

The agreements allows for Thai Airways International and SAS to continue operating with unlimited capacities and frequencies, both for the transport of passengers and cargoes, and to transit at any points. In addition, aviation safety will be improved in accordance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Some articles on fair competition are also included to ensure equal opportunities among the airlines of the parties – a benefit of which would fall directly upon the consumers, a prwess release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explain.

At the ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomats also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Co-operation between the Scandinavian Countries and Thailand regarding Scandinavian Airlines System and the Designation of Airlines.

According to this MOU, the three airlines under the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), namely SAS Denmark A/S, SAS Norge AS and SAS Sverige AB, are allowed to operate services with aircrafts, crews and equipments belonging to any of the three companies. Thai Airways International is designated by the Thai side to operate aviation services in accordance with the Agreements.

At present, there are altogether 28 direct flights per week between Thailand and the Scandinavian countries.

Thai Airways International operates seven direct flights weekly for each of the three routes, Bangkok - Copenhagen, Bangkok - Oslo and Bangkok – Stockholm.

SAS operates seven flights weekly between Copenhagen and Bangkok.

After the signing of the agreements, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya held a short speech touching on the close cooperation on aviation between Thailand and the three Scandinavian countries. In 1960, SAS even helped Thailand establish Thai Airways International and held as a 30 oercent share in the company untill 1977 when Thailand bought back the last remaining shares.

He also said that he was proud that time and again Thailand was voted the best tourism destination in the three Nordic countries.

Michael Sternberg, the Danish Ambassador, elaborated on this significant trend in a brief reply speech in which he predicted an even further increase in tourism. He had personally expected a slump in tourism following the incidents in April and May this year, he said, but it did not occur.

"There is an affinity between our countries, that cannot be so easily destroyed," he said, adding that we would no doubt see economic ties develop further as well.

Also President of the Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, Axel Blom, President of the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Kenneth Radencrantz, Executive Director of the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Katrine Praest, and Regional Managing Director of SAS Niels Henrik Hansen, were present at the signing ceremony.

Niels Henrik Hansen said the agreement could lead to a further development of the cooporation between SAS and Thai Airways International, both members of the Star Alliance group, and expand the market.

Ambassador Sternberg added that with the strengthening of the Thai Baht, Denmark had actually recently become a lot more affordable for many Thais.

"If they would like to take advantage of their new buying power, they are most welcome," he said.

Source: http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?news_id=7494&coun_code=dk

SCANDASIA

-- 2010-10-16

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PM Abhisit: No Recurrence of 1997 Financial Crisis

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Thailand's PM Abhisit Tough on Suvarnabhumi Airport Graft Scandal

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Thai Airways aims to place large plane order soon: president

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THAI President Unaware of Muslim Pilgrims' Stranding

The Thai Airways president has denied knowledge about more than 2,000 stranded Haj pilgrims after the Civil Aviation Department allowed two other airliners to transport them to Mecca, while the Thai Airways has the capability to do so.

Thai Airways President Piyasawas Amaranan has denied knowledge about more than 2,000 Muslim pilgrims who have been left stranded at the Hat Yai Airport, waiting to go on their pilgrimage trip to Mecca.

Piyasawas also questioned the Civil Aviation Department's allowing of two foreign airliners, Air Iram and Mahan Air, to transport the southern Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia while the Thai Airways has full capability to do so.

The Thai Airways chief urged the Civil Aviation Department to come out an clarify the matter.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-16

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Security agencies step up security for this week's Red Shirt activities

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) on Friday ordered security agencies to step up security measures in response to the planned political activities by supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or Red Shirt movement this weekend.

CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the UDD can hold political activities in Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok as planned, if the activities do not violate the law and other peoples' rights.

CRES assigned the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and local authorities to work with the special branch police to prevent disruption on the streets, Col Sansern said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Metropolitan Police reported to the CRES meeting that after the survey, additional 385 closed circuit cameras were needed and 105 more surveillance cameras were installed, with installation of the remaining 280 CCTV cameras expected to be finished within next week to ten days.

In the meeting, CRES also assigned the metropolitan police to oversee security when United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits Thailand October 26.

CRES asked the public to help monitoring the situation. Any groups, which want to submit a letter, can do so but their action must be limited under the legal framework. They should also think of the country’s image when they consider doing anything, Col Sansern said.

The UN secretary-general will visit Thailand before attending the summit between the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi on Oct 29. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-16

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Abhisit to give interviews to Cambodian reporters Sunday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will meet reporters from Cambodia on Sunday, PM's Office Minister Ong-arj Klampaibul said Friday.

Ong-arj said the Cambodian reporters will visit Thailand as the government's guests as part of the measure to improve the bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.

-- The Nation 2010-10-16

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Govt panel approves Bt1bn for reading promotion

A government committee has approved Bt1billion budget for a two-year project to promote reading.

Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, who chairs the government committee on the promotion of reading for lifelong learning, yesterday revealed that the budget would support the implementation of five key work plans between this year and next year.

Of the budget, Bt620.29million will go to efforts to boost Thais' reading ability.

"We will also spend Bt257.2million on campaigns to promote the love for reading," Chinnaworn added.

He said Bt55.9million would be allocated to the creation of environment conducive to reading while Bt76million would be invested in creating networks for reading.

"Moreover, we will have Bt44million to finance researches on reading," he continued.

-- The Nation 2010-10-16

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Administrative Court allows acting auditor-general to go on working

The Central Administrative Court Friday issued an injunction allowing Pisit Leelavachiropas to carry on as the acting auditor general pending the outcome of the judicial review on the dispute over his office.

Pisit is fighting the court battle with Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka who insists to have the mandate to head the Office of the Auditor General despite reaching her retirement age at 65 in July.

Pisit and Jaruvan both claim to be a lawful office holder for the position of auditor general.

In Friday's judicial decision, the restraining order overrode Jaruvan's instruction, dated August 18, to cancel her earlier order naming Pisit as the acting auditor general, which was issued before she came out of retirement.

-- The Nation 2010-10-16

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Mitsubishi mulls higher Thai plant output amid strong yen

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Phuket killer nabbed while selling fish

Six months ago to the day, Kusoldharm Foundation workers

prepare Mr Pornsak's remains for transport

to Patong Hospital. File photo.

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Thailand's TOT to have 3G auction by November

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Russia Fears Viktor Bout Could Reveal Secrets

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Deep flooding hits Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong; Meteorological Department warns of more heavy rain in North and Northeastern regions /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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Mysterious Bag Found Near Privy Council President's Residence

A mysterious black bag was found 100 meters from the Si Sao Thawet residence of Privy Council President General Prem Thinsulanonda. After further investigation, officials found merely garbage and a defaming letter inside. They are now looking through CCTV footage to gather more information on the possible culprit.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-16

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Rain Water Off Khao Yai Floods Villages in Pak Chong

Due to heavy rain, waters running off of Khao Yai Mountain have flooded two villages in Pak Chong district. Officials are speeding up rescue efforts. Mithraparp Road which runs directly through Nakorn Ratchasrima province is also flooded at several points.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-16

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Phuket Vegetarian Festival ends with a 'boom' tonight

A scene from the final-day festivities last year. Photo by Jim Welch.

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Phuket politician nabbed in meth bust

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Phuket resident Brad Kenny receives Thai Navy award

Brad Kenny with Royal Thai Navy officers in Bangkok.

Mr Kenny's Sahataya Naval Insignia and Certificate.

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Phuket superyacht event lands major sponsor

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Phuket sea gypsies prepare for 'Loy Ruea' festival

A 'gayoo pa ha duk' (sea gypsy holy fence) on the beach at Koh Sireh.

The new Westin resort on the island can be seen in the background.

Drift Away: One of the ceremonial boats that will be drifted

away at the upcoming ceremony.

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to be continued

Thailand Live Sunday 17 October 2010

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