Thailand Live Tuesday 2 Nov 2010

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Thailand Live Tuesday 2 November 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Monday 1 Nov 2010

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Senate Speaker Defends Debate on Border Issues

The Senate speaker advises the People's Alliance for Democracy to submit its complaint with a House member to seek the suspension of the House's review of the Thai Cambodian joint border panel meeting minutes rather than staging protests.

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Bundej said tomorrow's parliamentary review of the meeting minutes of the Thai Cambodian Joint Border Committee will provide grounds for future negotiations with Cambodia over the disputed areas.

Prasopsuk suggested the People's Alliance for Democracy, or the yellow shirt protesters, seek a more formal and less confrontational channel to air its protest against the scheduled parliamentary deliberation.

The PAD fears the House's approval of the controversial memorandum of understanding, countersigned by the Thai and Cambodian governments, will cost Thailand's sovereignty over the disputed border areas.

However, he insisted the group has the right to stage the rally to air its opposition against the House's approval of the meeting minutes.

He commented the PAD's plan to seek an Administrative Court's injunction against any activity concerning the MOU is ineffectual.

He explained that the court has no power to order the ban on the House consideration over the matter.

The Senate speaker also expressed his disapproval against a suggestion that the Constitution Court be dissolved in response to the emergence of video clips hinting possible dubious behavior of its judges.

He believed the release of those clips was aimed to discredit the Constitution Court as the event took place just before the court would hand down its ruling on the dissolution case against the Democrat Party.

Prasopsuk also said he is not confident the government will go ahead with the proposal to amend the Constitution put forward by the House's political reform committee.

He suggested the current administration should give its priority to helping Thai citizensaffected by the flood crisis.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-02

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Government confident the MOU will solve Thai-Cambodian tension

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajeva has said the government’s approach to solving tension between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear issue will be successful if the memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed with Cambodia in 2000, remains in effect.

In light of the PAD’s petition to the Central Administrative Court asking it to issue an injunction against the controversial MOU, which it has claimed will cause Thailand to lose part of its territory, the Prime Minister has disclosed that the United Nations has acknowledged that the

demarcation issue should be solved through bilateral talks between Thailand and Cambodia, and that no third country is supposed to intervene in the sensitive Preah Vihear matter.

Mr. Abhisit has reassured that the public and the parliament will be consulted once the talks with Cambodia are over. He has also dismissed the accusation that he is a traitor, saying that he stands to receive no personal benefits whatsoever in the dispute, and that the bilateral talks are meant to protect the Kingdom’s sovereignty from any foreign intervention.

Regarding the PAD’s demonstration planned for tomorrow, the Prime Minister said he could not stop the group from doing so, but was hoping their gathering would comply with the law. He added that he understood that both the government and the yellow-shirts were taking different approaches in dealing with the Thai-Cambodian relations; however, their opinions should be mutually respected.

-- NNT 2010-11-02

[george]

Crackdown On Bogus Foods, Cosmetics

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Reports: Severe Flooding in Songkla Kills 2

Media reports indicate that severe flooding in Songkla province has killed two residents. Unconfirmed reports indicate that one victim was electrocuted while the other was stuck in their car and was caught unawares by floodwaters. There have also been reports of electricity blackouts in some parts of Muang district of Songkla province.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-02

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Floods batter Thailand's South

By The Nation

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Ministry told to revise 'overly complex' malpractice bill

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

The government whip yesterday ordered the Public Health Ministry to revise the draft Medical Malpractice Victims Protection Bill because it was too complex for medical workers across the country - including many physicians and nurses - to understand.

The government whip also found that 12 measures on compensating malpractice victims and setting up no-fault compensation funds under the draft bill should be revised because their definition and implementation measures were unclear.

"The government has given the Public Health Ministry a week to inform its medical workers clearly about the bill in a bid to … reduce conflict among medical workers and patients," chief government whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said after meeting with Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit at Parliament.

Paijit, who chairs the ministry's special panel tasked with resolving conflicts, informed Witthaya about the ministry's 12 measures to resolve conflict over the draft bill.

One measure proposed that the bill be renamed the Public Health System Services Error Victims Protection Bill.

The meeting also agreed to revise the make-up of the "no-fault fund" committee, to include an equal number of representatives from medical service providers, medical profession associations and patients' networks.

Patients would not be compensated if medical errors during treatment were caused by the nature of their disease or an unavoidable event, or if the damage caused by medical errors did not affect their daily lives.

If patients decided to claim compensation from the bill, they still had the right to file a criminal lawsuit against doctors and medical workers - but they no longer had the right to file a civil lawsuit.

Witthaya said the meeting of government whips had resolved to instruct the Public Health Ministry on revising the draft bill and re-submitting it for consideration by the House of Representatives, but it was not necessary to open a special session to do so.

"There is no need for the House of Representative to consider this draft bill urgently, as it still has some controversial issues," he said.

Chonticha Prakornsiang, 26, from Phetchabun province, has filed a complaint against the Public Health Ministry over the death of her newborn son, allegedly through negligence in a state hospital,

Chonticha went to the hospital on September 16. She had severe abdominal pains while waiting to give birth, but she claimed nurses told her to wait for several hours, until she developed an amniotic-fluid problem.

She wanted the doctor to perform a Caesarean section, but said the doctor insisted she needed a spontaneous delivery.

A few hours later, the baby was born by spontaneous delivery but had a lung problem and breathing difficulties. He was referred to Phetchabun Hospital but it could not provide the needed treatment and he was sent back to the first hospital. The baby died during the transfer.

Chonticha said she had asked the hospital's director to pay compensation, but the director told her to file a lawsuit.

"The hospital's director just told me not to pay for the delivery service. It was only about Bt4,000. That's all the hospital paid us as compensation. This was not fair for my boy."

Chonticha had registered with the Social Security Fund to receive healthcare coverage but the fund had protection only for Chonticha and did not include compensation in case of the death of a newborn baby.

"I will file a lawsuit before the court and fight until my son receives justice," Chonticha said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

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Many schools unable to open due to floods

By The Nation

More than 700 schools across the country were unable to open for the new semester yesterday due to severe flooding.

"These institutes are either inundated or only accessible via flooded areas," Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said.

In Songkhla, up to 113 schools will remain closed for at least three days due to increasing floodwaters.

Since October, the flooding has ravaged dozens of provinces across the country, with the official death toll having risen to 105 and metres-deep floodwaters reported in many areas.

Meanwhile, Chinnaworn said yesterday that the Bt136 million sought to help students and schools had already been approved "in principle" by economic ministers.

"We will spend Bt70 million on providing new school uniforms and learning materials to about 120,000 students who might have lost their belongings in the raging floods," he said, adding that the remainder would be used to provide textbooks to affected schools.

"We will also work out a rehabilitation package," Chinnaworn said, adding that it should require up to Bt450 million for this project.

The Office of Higher Education Commission has also been instructed to ask universities to either waive the tuition fees or defer the payment for flood-hit students.

"If possible, universities should also help them find part-time jobs," Chinnaworn said.

The Office of Vocational Education Commission, meanwhile, has been told to launch a project to help people rebuild their homes and schools.

"Unaffected schools should deliver assistance to affected schools," Chinnaworn added.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

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FLOOD CRISIS

His Majesty grants Bt21m to victims

By The Nation

Their Majesties ensure distribution of basic relief items; Health Ministry told to cover hospital repairs

Over the past two weeks, His Majesty the King has graciously granted Bt21 million to help flood victims, of which Bt10 million was contributed via the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation under Royal Patronage yesterday. The foundation will spend the donation on relief items for affected people.

On October 19, His Majesty gave another Bt10 million to the foundation for the delivery of basic necessities to people in flood-ravaged areas.

Fourth Army Region chief Lt-General Udomchai Thammasaroj said His Majesty had donated another Bt1 million for flood victims in the South via the Army.

"Soldiers will hand out the royally sponsored relief items to affected people," he said.

In response to Her Majesty the Queen's concern about the quality of drinking water provided to the flood victims, the Interior Ministry is co-ordinating with relevant authorities, including the Provincial Waterworks Authority, in providing clean water.

From today onwards, plastic bags containing clean drinking water will be delivered to residents in areas that are still inundated.

"In areas where the floods have already subsided, we will wash containers and fill them up with clean water," Disaster Mitigation and Prevention Department director general Wiboon Sanguanpong said.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry will be asked for Bt123 million to cover preventive measures and repair works for government hospitals in the Northeast provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum and Buri Ram.

Of that total, Bt35 million would be spent on repairing Maharat Hospital in hardest-hit Nakhon Ratchasima. Hospitals that still have savings have been instructed to spend available funds before a budget request is approved at a coming Cabinet meeting, senior area officer Dr Thawatchai Kamoltham said.

Maharat Hospital can now attend to some 2,600 patients each day, around 90 per cent of its full capacity. The number would grow to 100 per cent after the complex is cleaned up in the next seven or ten days, he said.

In separate news, Manao Bay in Narathiwat has been ordered closed indefinitely after tidal waves and high seas damaged a 1-kilometre stretch of the beachfront road.

Heavy rains are also reported in all 13 districts of the Southern province, increasing rainwater capacity and floodwater levels in the now stagnant farm areas close to three key rivers - Sungai-Kolok, Sai Buri and Bang Nara.

The Fourth Army Area has opened a flood relief centre in Narathiwat with logistical support provided jointly by civilian relief agencies. Area commander Udomchai called on residents in low-lying areas to stay alert in case of flash floods before relief assistance could reach them.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

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Driver of van faces serious charges, police say

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BURNING ISSUE

Top Thai judge in the spotlight after clips

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Judges vow to take legal action

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Govt cool on OIC moves to bring peace to far South

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Pasit and top judge teamed up back in the late 90s

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Govt MPs vow to push JBC documents

By The Nation

Government MPs yesterday promised that the minutes of Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Committee (JBC)'s three meetings would be given approval, despite the People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) threat to hold a rally at Parliament today.

"I promise that the JBC documents would be passed in Parliament without delay," chief government whip Wittaya Kaewparadai said yesterday.

However, he said he would first encourage the MPs to listen to explanations from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya before making the decision to approve the minutes.

PAD, meanwhile, is aiming to mount pressure on the government and the Parliament as the Administrative Court yesterday rejected its petition to have the documents scrapped.

Parliamentary approval, if any, would help the panel continue negotiating with Cambodia on boundary demarcation issues and its provisional arrangement over the disputed areas adjacent to the Hindu temple.

The documents have been on hold for more than a year since its meeting last April in Phnom Penh, with the PAD accusing the government of being at risk of losing sovereignty.

The yellow-shirt PAD also wants the government to scrap the memorandum of understanding, which was signed in 2000 after boundary talks with Cambodia because the pact recognises the French map - which was behind the International Court of Justice ruling in 1962.

The PAD is calling a huge rally at Parliament to show their disagreement even though the capital is still under a state of emergency.

The authorities have approved the demonstration and no problems are expected, Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situations spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

Meanwhile Kasit, who is a major PAD fan, has urged the group to think rationally because the JBC's documents would never allow any territory loss.

"We have been informing the public, including the PAD regularly, on the JBC negotiation. We have nothing to hide," he said.

Yet, Kasit said PAD refused to listen to any rationalisation and continued with its stance.

"You should not use nationalism to create trouble. Thailand would never lose its territory. The negotiation on boundary issues [with Cambodia] is based on fact and international laws," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

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EDITORIAL

Asean needs a push after stalling on human rights

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No electricity in Hat Yai. 300 ppl get stuck in Lee Gardens hotel. #ch3 /via @tukky_nt

Relief supplies, boats are being flown to Hat Yai on board C-130 military aircraft /via@tulsathit

Hat Yai flood crisis is said to be worse than yr 2000 /via@tulsathit

80% of Hat Yai submerged and flood waters rise to 1.2 m at Kimyong and Santisuk market. /TR @NationChannel24 /via @veen_NT

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Sondhi Limthongkun leads PAD rally at Parliament to protest its scheduled vote on documents related to Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission meeting /MCOT

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Flood report: Songhkla's Hat Yai district cut off by heavy flooding; Hat Yai facing 3-metre flood, airport operating normally; Heavy rain in Nakhon Si Thammarat

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PAD threatening prolonged protest if JBC passed

The People’s Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday organised a rally in front of the legislative seat to sway vote on the three reports of the Joint Border Commission tasked for the demarcation of Thai-Cambodian border.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul led a procession of hundreds of protesters from Royal Plaza to Parliament House.

In a speech to the crowds, Sondhi threatened to hold street protests next month if the House-Senate session vote to approve the JBC reports, a framework agreement on border demarcation.

-- The Nation 2010-11-02

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PAD Moves Rally from Royal Plaza to Parliament

The People's Alliance for Democracy has moved their protest of the JBC meeting minutes to the Parliament building. PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul has warned that the PAD will organize an even bigger rally in December if Parliament members approve the JBC minutes.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-02

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,003.27, up 0.03 points /MCOT

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(10.20am) TG flight from BKK to Samui and Krabi face delay due to bad weather via /@Preechachan /via @tukky_NT

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One fatality reported, as Songkhla's Hat Yai district isolated by heavy flooding

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Floodwaters remain high at Hat Yai hospital, patient evacuations continue; Southbound trains halt at Surat Thani /MCOT

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Southern Train Services Stop at Surat Thani

Due to severe flooding in many provinces of Southern Thailand, the railway authority has announced that train services to Southern Thailand stop at Surat Thani province and do not go any further from there.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-02

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Songkhla flooded, tropical depression headed to Phuket

A satellite image of the system taken at 7:10am today.

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Weather service: Storm in Gulf of Thailand, heavy rains likely from Surat Thani southward with 3-5 metre high waves; Flash flood warnings in lowlands /MCOT

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Phuket motorcade to support "100% helmet use" campaign

BACK TO THE FUTURE: 400 members of the Patong Motorbike

Taxis Cooperative took to the streets in December 2009

after receiving free helmets from the Muang Thai Life

Assurance company. File photo.

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Loxinfo Internet blackout imminent, optic provider warns. BKK->SGP link going down due to power cut in Hat Yai. /via @hwc001

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