Thailand Live Tuesday 19 Oct 2010

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Thailand Live Tuesday 19 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 Monday 18 October 2010

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Deep sea port to have better security

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The governor of Songkhla province has ordered security beef-up around the deep-sea port, following complaints from representatives of foreign shipping companies claiming they have been robbed of tons of their tuna worth tens of millions of baht.

The port authority of Songkhla has beefed up security at night, during which time robbery usually takes place. Security officers will keep the port under surveillance 24 hours a day, and make sure that the entrance to each ship is properly closed.

The authority has also instructed its staff to check identification of every fisherman returning from the sea. Meanwhile, marine police have been tasked with patrolling the port at night; while the police will do it during the day.

-- NNT 2010-10-19

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The Interior Minister is set to clarify rumors with PM

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Interior Minister and Prime Minister Abisit Vejjajiva will thrash out their differences in the wake of the Premier latest remark coming on the heels of the alleged irregularities in the computer leasing plan.

Following the Premier’s remark that the Bhumjaithai Party should leave the coalition if it felt uncomfortable being part of it, Interior Minister Charnvirakul and the Party’s official leader, said he was not concerned with the remark given the prime minister did not get the information first-hand but through hearsay. He added that he would clarify the issue with Mr. Abhisit himself.

Regarding allegations related to the computer leasing scheme, Chavarat said it would not, by any means, affect the relations of the two parties; neither would it affect the way the party worked, adding that everyone involved must be patient.

-- NNT 2010-10-19

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Putting Thai Police Back In Line

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Ministry to Deliver Flood Relief Aid

The Finance Ministry has instructed all of its agencies to speed up relief measures to victims of severe floods across Thailand.

Meanwhile, most trains that connect Bangkok with the North and the Northeast are now back in service.

Finance Minsiter Korn Chatikavanij said he has given orders to all ministry offices to promptly prepare relief assistance to flood victims after several provinces in northern Thailand reported severe flooding since the weekend.

In terms of economic impact, the minister is confident that continued flooding will not affect Thailand’s overall growth.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand has resumed most of its north and northeast bound train services after they were temporarily suspended due to heavy floods.

The railway authority is also asking all passengers affected by the service stoppage to refund their tickets in full.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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Cambodia As A Good Thai Comrade

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Airport Blockade Investigator Faces Counter Charge

A key figure of the People's Alliance for Democracy has filed charge of malfeasance against the chief investigator in charge of the airport closure case for mistreating him during his visit to the Crime Suppression Division last week.

Core element of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, General Pathompong Kesornsuk, assigned the group's lawyer Natthaporn Tohprayoon to file charges of malfeasance against assistant national police chief Police Lieutenant General Somyos Pumpanmuang, who oversees the investigation into the group's sit in protests at Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008.

Pathompong's lawsuit stems from his October 15 appearance at the Crime Supression Division, or CSD, to answer an arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in the airport closure.

Investigators brought five more charges against him, including terrorism, which required 400,000 baht in bail.

The general accused Somyos of abusing his power in trying to delay the bail procedure, forcing him to stay at the CSD for six hours.

The court accepted Pathompong's complaint and set December 20 for a preliminary hearing.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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Provinces Reel under Flood Havoc

The flood crisis in many provinces remain woeful, particularly in Nakhon Ratchasima where five deaths have been reported.

The army has already dispatched disaster relief units to help the distressed public.

Nakhon Ratchasima's flood situation has reached a critical level as flash floods from the slopes of Khao Yai National Park and the bloated Lum Takong River have swamped many districts in the province.

In Pak Thongchai district, the Lum Praploeng Dam has overflowed, flooding the surrounding area with more than one meter deep floodwater.

Five deaths have been reported in the area and disaster relief agencies, including the Region 2 Army, have dispatched teams to distribute food and water to the affected locals.

Also, the overflowing Lum Takong River has swamped Nakhon Ratchasima's municipal area.

Patients at the Maharat Hospital have been moved to the second floor as floodwater has covered the ground floor.

Many major routes in the area have been closed off with more than 50 centimeters of floodwater submerging the roads.

Travelers have been notified to use the Friendship Highway's Nakhon Ratchasima Bangkok route as a detour instead.

Due to the ongoing flood crisis in Phichit, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan provinces, the State Railway of Thailand has temporarily suspended the Bangkok Chiang Mai, Bangkok Sila at and Bankok Denchai train services, with only the Nakhon Sawan Chiang Mai route remaining operational.

Passengers can obtain further information about train schedules by dialing the 1690 hotline.

Army Commander in Chief General Prayuth Chan ocha has ordered the army's disaster relief units in all regions to provide emergency aid to flood hit provinces.

He said that the area under the responsibility of the Region 2 Army has been most affected, with more than 15 provinces reeling under floods.

He assured that the army will be fully dedicated to providing aid to flood hit residents and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has traveled to Nakhon Ratchasima to observe the flood crisis.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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PM Inspects Flood Crisis

The ongoing flood crisis in Nakhon Ratchasima province remains woeful and the prime minister has traveled to the province to observe the situation.

Many areas in Nakhon Ratchasima continue to reel under rising floodwater.

Schools and government institutions in the municipal area have been submerged in floodwater of over one meter deep, disrupting the area's traffic flow.

At Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, floodwater as deep as one meter has forced officials to use boats for transport.

Hospital Director Suwannee Tangweerapornpong disclosed that there are a total of 1,300 in patients under the care of the hospital, 100 of whom in critical condition.

Outpatients have been redirected to Pegasus Hotel and Suranaree Wittaya School.

Meanwhile, the province's four major routes, Sung Noen Pakthongchai, Sikiew Chaiyaphum, Nong Suang Dan Kunthod and Chokchai Konburi have been temporarily closed due to the ongoing inundation.

All train stations have also been closed with only the Pak Chong station still operational.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Rapee Pongbupakit has ordered locals in Jakkarat and Chalermprakiat districts to be evacuated since the areas are prone to more flooding.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has visited Nakhon Ratchasima to personally observe the ongoing flood crisis.

Due to the ongoing flood crisis in Phichit, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan provinces, the State Railway of Thailand has temporarily suspended the Bangkok Chiang Mai, Bangkok Sila at and Bankok Denchai train services, with only the Nakhon Sawan Chiang Mai route remaining operational.

Passengers can obtain further information about train schedules by dialing the 1690 hotline.

Army Commander in Chief General Prayuth Chan ocha has ordered the army's disaster relief units in all regions to provide emergency aid to flood hit provinces.

He said that the area under the responsibility of the Region 2 Army has been most affected, with more than 15 provinces reeling under floods.

He assured that the army will be fully dedicated to providing aid to flood hit residents before handing over the responsibility to disaster relief agencies.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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Bryde's Whales Adapting to Closer Encounter with Tourists

The arrival of thousands of migratory falcons in Prachuap Khiri Khan are attracting tourists who want to catch a rare sight of the winged visitors from Siberia.

Meanwhile, Bryde's whales in the sea off neighboring Petchaburi have become familiar with tourist boats.

The presence of a pod of Bryde's whales and dolphins in the sea off Baan Laem Bay in Petchaburi province continues to attract attention from tourists.

Many groups of tourists were seen hiring fishing boats to take them to see Bryde's whales each day.

An influx of whale watchers has prompted boat operators to place more importance on their security measures.

Tourists are now required to register their names and details and put on life vests before leaving.

At the same time, boats are banned from approaching the whales too closely.

The tourists said the whales are getting familiar with boats and are cruising near the boats, thus allowing tourists to admire them closely.

Meanwhile, the sky over Radar Mountain in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan Noi district is full of falcons that are avoiding the frozen weather in Siberia towards the year end.

The phenomenon has attracted a large number of both Thai and foreign tourists.

The number of the migrating falcons are estimated at 140,000.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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Finance Ministry alerts operators with dollar weakening situation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Ministry of Finance has warned entrepreneurs prepare for even weaker US dollar.

Referring to Former Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula’s proposal on capital inflow tax in order to alleviate baht appreciation, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said he was open for all opinions before discussing possible measures with the Bank of Thailand (BoT).

As for assistant measures, the government is focused on helping SME operators. However, Mr Korn stated that the weakening of dollar is going to continue. The Finance Ministry suggests the entrepreneurs to adapt to stronger Thai baht and increase their productivities.

Concerning the government’s measure revoking the 15% withholding tax on interest income earned by foreign investors from government and state enterprise bonds, he voiced that it has helped reduce the bond trading. Mr Korn added that the reduction showed that there are profit speculations and that this policy was working well.

-- NNT 2010-10-19

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Canada welcomes Thai move on Tamil migrants

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Chula to open learning center near Phuket Airport

The world's economic focus has shifted from the West to Asia,

Sasin director Toemsakdi Krishnamra said.

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Maharaj Hospital almost runs out of oxygen supply

The director of the flood-hit Maharaj Hospital said Tuesday that its oxygen supply is running out in three days.

As a result, Doctor Suwannee Tangweerapong, the director, said the patients will be evacuated to other hospitals.

She also pleaded for public donations for restoring damages caused by the flooding

-- The Nation 2010-10-19

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Pasit flees to Hong Kong

By The Nation

The man at the centre of the five video clips involving the Constitution Court has fled to Hong Kong last week, two days before the scandal broke on Friday, Immigration officials said on Tuesday.

Pasit Sakdanarong, secretary to the high court president, used his official passport to take a Cathay Pacific flight departing around 5.45 pm last Wednesday.

On Monday, high court president Chat Conlaworn removed Pasit from his position on suspicion of his involvement in the leak of the video clips posted on Youtube, revealing a meeting with Democrat MP Wiruch Romyen and a debate of judges in private chambers related to the Democrat Party dissolution trial.

-- The Nation 2010-10-19

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 988.99, up 4.96 points /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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King concerned about Maharaj Hospital flood in Nakhon Ratchasima

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Northern run-off to reach Bangkok Wednesday afternoon, authorities warn residents in 13 districts along Chao Phraya River to brace for rising water level /MCOT

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Former Police Shot Dead in Pattani

A former police officer in the southern province of Pattani was shot dead in a market while shopping with his daughter.

The motive is not yet known.

Senior Police Sergeant Major Atsawin Nakkaramontri was shot dead in the middle of a fresh market in the municipality of Pattani province.

Authorities said he was attacked from the back while he and his daughter were looking for shirts in a shop.

The murderer and an accomplice managed to escape and made off with a gun belonging to the victim.

Security camera footage shows the two culprits arriving at the market on a motorcycle and walking towards the victim.

Police said they are working to identify the motive, which they speculate likely stemmed from a personal conflict.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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30 Alligators Escape from Farm in Nakorn Ratchasrima

Reports indicate that more than 30 alligators have escaped from the Si Kew Alligator Farm in Nakorn Ratchasrima province. Heavy flooding in the provice has allowed the reptiles to swim out of their confinements. Only two have been recaptured. Reports also indicate that some of them are as long as three meters.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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Former Police Shot Dead in Pattani

A former police officer in the southern province of Pattani was shot dead in a market while shopping with his daughter.

The motive is not yet known.

Senior Police Sergeant Major Atsawin Nakkaramontri was shot dead in the middle of a fresh market in the municipality of Pattani province.

Authorities said he was attacked from the back while he and his daughter were looking for shirts in a shop.

The murderer and an accomplice managed to escape and made off with a gun belonging to the victim.

Security camera footage shows the two culprits arriving at the market on a motorcycle and walking towards the victim.

Police said they are working to identify the motive, which they speculate likely stemmed from a personal conflict.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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Cabinet Approves Emergency Funds for Flood Relief

Cabinet has approved 100 million baht as an emergency fund to help flood victims in Nakorn Ratchasrima and serveral other provinces. In another resolution, it extended the State of Emergency in the three southernmost provinces for another three months.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-19

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Phuket accident causes commuter misery

THOU SHALT NOT PASS: The scene on Thepkrasattri Road

southbound on Koh Kaew this morning.

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Three Iranians Arrested At Suvarnabhumi With 1.2 kg Of ‘ice’ Worth US$134,000

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Unidentified Man shot and set on fire in field, on the outskirts of Pattaya

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Pattaya Beach Road re-surfacing work encounters problems

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Pattaya Vegetable and Fruit Prices set to soar

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Thailand extends emergency rule in restive south

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Top Phuket guides ponder the future

Top guides Thitinan Poolsanguran, Sopa Pootnak and Taweep Senasung.

A close up view of a "Kinnaree" award.

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SET index closed at 989.27, up 5.24; Bt/USD29.75; GBP47.05; AUD29.20; EUR41.26; CAD29.17; HKD3.83; SGD22.68; JPY36.32

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Thai Police Break Gang Of Colombian Thieves

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HM the King grants 10 million baht to buy food and relief supplies for flood victims /via @MCOTEnglishnews