Thailand Live Thursday 4 Nov 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 4 November 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 3 Nov 2010

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TCC: Songkla-Malay trade loses 2 billion baht/day from flood

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Thai Chamber of Commerce has assessed damage of floods in the south, saying transportation, export, and Songkla-Malay border trades have been affected, with 2 billion baht loss incurred per day.

Deputy Secretary-General of the TCC Pornsil Patchrintanakul stated that transport and export, especially from the port of Songkla, had come to a complete halt; therefore, trading had to be done through the ports of Leam Chabang and Klongtoey instead. As a result, logistics cost had drastically gone up. Suppliers of shrimp, palm oil, and para rubber, 70-80 percent of which came from the South, had been affected most.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai said trade between Thailand and Malaysia through the Songkla Port was worth no less than2 billion baht a day. When the port had to stop operating due to floods, trading was practically wiped out, given it had been conducted through the Port.

At the same time, the Kasikorn Research Center has assessed the damage to agricultural fields in six provinces, covering 4 million rai, down south at 12 billion baht, adding that damage to the whole country's farmland,which covered 8 million rai, amounted to 24 billion baht.

-- NNT 2010-11-04

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Expressway Authority Considering Pass Card Discount

Expressway Authority of Thailand is preparing to discuss with board members a possible 20 to 30 percent discount on the 1,000 baht deposit for the Easy Pass card.

If passed, the discount is expected to go into effect by December next year.

Expressway Authority of Thailand, or EXAT, Governor Lieutenant Colonel Taweesan Rakkatanyu said EXAT has been considering a possible discount for the current 1,000 baht deposit required for an Easy Pass card.

A 200 to 300 baht discount has been proposed to the EXAT Board, which is expected to deliberate the issue this month so it can take effect by December 2011.

There are currently 220,000 registered motorists using the Easy Pass card and EXAT is projecting that 600,000 motorists will be using the card in the near future.

EXAT has also been collaborating with the Bangkok Expressway Company Limited, or BECL, to provide motorists with Easy Pass Fast Service to help make the card's payment and top up service more convenient for users.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-04

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CIRCUS CRUELTY

Elephants forced to walk across metal tightropes in Thailand's Safari World

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Huge challenge ahead

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FLOODS

Drainage dispute flares

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EDITORIAL

Flood crisis brings out the best in people

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AFTERMATH

Flood victims to get cash handouts today

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Flood Kills 107 In Upper Thailand; Eight More Deaths Reported In South

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THAI TALK

Charter changes have little to do with public interest

By Suthichai Yoon

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Their Majesties provide Bt8m for flood relief

By The Nation

Their Majesties the King and Queen have provided Bt8 million through the Royal Thai Air Force and the Royal Thai Navy to assist flood victims, senior officials said yesterday.

Royal Thai Air Force spokesman Monthon Satchukorn said Their Majesties gave Bt2 million to the Air Force to buy commodities for flood victims nationwide. The Air Force assisted flood victims in the South by mainly using C130 planes to transport urgently needed items, including flat-bottom boats, while Nok Air Airline gave jet skis to the Air Force to search for stranded victims.

The Air Force will bring kitchen tool sets to cook food for the victims and help fix people's homes after the flood waters have receded, he said.

Meanwhile, Royal Thai Navy spokesman Wipan Chamachote said Their Majesties gave Bt3 million to the Navy on Monday to buy drinking water and necessary items for the victims and then gave another Bt3 million yesterday to the Navy to help the Southern flood victims. The Navy will deliver relief bags by its own aircraft to the affected residents soon.

In Pathum Thani, on behalf of HRH Princess Chulabhorn, Chulabhorn Research Institute executive Damrong Ratanapanich yesterday provided 3,000 relief bags to flood victims at Wat Soparam in Muang district and Wat Bngna in Sam Khok district.

Meanwhile, Wilai Keangpradoo, Advance Info Service (AIS) vice president for public relations, said AIS had set up service points at Songkhla's Hat Yai International Airport, Hatyairatprachasun School, Prince of Songkhla University and Songklanagarind Hospital to let people make free phone calls. It is also dispatching mobile service stations with a total of 400 cell phones and chargers for flood-affected people use for free at 20 locations around Hat Yai. She said AIS customers in Hat Yai could also call or send messages free of charge until midnight of November 5.

Chief corporate affairs and strategy officer of Total Access Communication, Thana Thienachariya, said DTAC had arranged 300 cell phones, each along with a Bt60 refill card, for flood victims to call for help. DTAC will refill credit for the flood victims for 30 days, and also extend the phone-bill payment deadline for monthly subscribers.

TOT president Varut Suvakorn yesterday said they had repaired the fixed-line phone problem which resulted from some fibre optics getting damaged. He added that TOT used electricity generators to keep its Internet Broadband service in Hat Yai available.

ICT Minister Chuti Krai-riksh urged people to report about flood disasters or send their complaints over hotline 192 or 1111 or 0-2141-6588, or send short messages to alert the authorities via the free 4567891 number.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

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Rescue teams must work selectively in Hat Yai

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Democrats' Wiruch to face penalty, but not dismissal

By The Nation

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that party MP Wiruch Romyen, who is part of the defence team fighting the dissolution case, will be punished for an "inappropriate act" in meeting with the secretary to the Constitution Court president - but he will not be expelled from the party.

Abhisit said he was studying the report from the party's fact-finding committee and would seek additional information before making a final decision on a penalty. The panel suggested a warning and admonition.

The PM said that according to party regulations, the party leader is authorised to give an admonition or warning, order a further investigation, cancel the probe, or order an inquiry for possible termination of party membership. "In both ways, they are extremes," said the prime minister.

Meanwhile, spokesman for the opposition Pheu Thai Party, Prompong Nopparit, yesterday said the result of the Democrat probe team was not beyond expectation. He said the result and the suggested light punishment appeared to have been agreed upon in advance.

"The goal is to keep the scandal from the [senior figures in] the Democrat Party's defence team, such as Chuan Leekpai, Banyat Bantadtan, and Bundit Siriphan. … The investigation's result is not convincing. All of the people involved are colleagues from the same political party," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

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Six MPs disqualified

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Yellow shirts face criminal charges

By The Nation

National Police chief General Wichean Potephosree yesterday gave the green light to press criminal charges against 21 yellow shirts for demonstrating outside Parliament House two years ago.

Among them are leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy such as Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphob Dhongchai, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Somsak Kosaisuk and Suriyasai Katasila.

Others are PAD figures such as Samran Rodphet, Veera Somkwamkid, Sirichai Mai-ngam and Anchalee Paireerak.

Police will seek their indictment for violating Articles 116, 215, 216, 309 and 310 of the Penal Code by using force with the intent to bring down the government, inciting unrest, staging illegal public gatherings, detaining and coercing people illegally and committing other offences.

A police source said Wichean had dropped three people from the original list of 24, including Democrat MPs Thaworn Senneam and Sathit Pitutecha.

On October 7, 2008, the yellow shirts rallied outside Parliament to prevent new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from delivering his policy statement.

A police crackdown ensued, leading to two dead and many wounded protesters.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

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Lawmakers join to pour oil on political waters

By Nerisa Nerykhiew,

Prapan Chindalert-udomdee

The Nation

A group of MPs from four leading parties has set up a group called "Maitreechit" (Good Will) to promote peace and reconciliation among politicians.

Founders of the group- including Charoen Kanthawong from the Democrat Party, Thanusak Lek-uthai from the Pheu Thai Party, Udomlak Pengnorapat from the Bhum Jai Thai Party and Ronritthichai Kankhet from the Puea Pandin Party - joined yesterday's press conference.

The 16 MPs represent every party with House seats, including Chart Thai Pattana, Matubhum, Ruam Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin.

"The group has been formed with the aim of creating a good atmosphere, starting with the House of Representatives, to bring about amicable ties among MPs to work beyond partisan interest," Thanusak said.

Charoen voiced hope the group would serve as a catalyst for reconciliation.

Group members will encourage their coalition and opposition colleagues to befriend one another, he said. For a start, MPs from Maitrichit will sit and mingle together in the House dining room.

Thanusak said the group agreed conflict in society remained with many factors - such as policies that do not tackle problems squarely. Examples are the large troop presence in the South and politics-led military policies.

Operational problems are also caused by problematic laws and the slowness of government officials to put policies into action, Thanusak said. Politicians have a bad image which affects relationships among them. Moreover, there are problems in truthful communication among both politicians and the media, he said.

Democrat MP Rachada Dhnadirek said she had a meal with the group earlier this week and agreed with the idea. She hoped more MPs would join the group and people would understand that politicians are not always rivals to one another.

Democrat Banpot Tontheerawong said the MPs joined the group voluntarily and individually, regardless of their party.

Responding to media questions about whether the group would allow hard core MPs to join, Ronritthichai said they would start with the 16 MPs agreeing to work together peacefully. In the future the group might invite MPs with independent ideas to join.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

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Thai anti-graft project aims to "shut the door to corruption"

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Sanan, Thaksin meeting mooted

By The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart and fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may soon hold a meeting in Norway, a legal adviser said on Wednesday.

Noppadon Patama said although he could not confirm it, he believed Sanan would likely meet Thaksin at a Buddhist temple.

Sanan is presently making a trip to Norway to bring back an old Buddhist scripture for exhibition in Thailand.

Noppadon said he knew Sanan had been in touch with Thaksin, but did not have details.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

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BURNING ISSUE

'Anti-monarchist' branding simplistic

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

In the space of less than a week, the army chief, the defence minister and the police chief have publicly declared war on "the anti-monarchist movement" by vowing to put behind bars those making defamatory remarks about and criticising the institution. The approach is simply wrong, is undemocratic and won't solve the "problem".

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha's warning, made on October 25, simplistically casts the situation in a dichotomy of black and white.

"There are only two groups of Thai people: the good and bad, normal people and outlaws," Prayuth was reported as saying.

Such a view bundled up a diverse group of Thais, ranging from those merely critical of the monarchy institution; those wanting to see reform of the institution to one more akin to the British, Japanese or Spanish monarchy; to those with stronger attitudes. For Prayuth, they're all bad and people who should be outlawed.

Also, the definition of "a good person", politically speaking, depends on the political ideology one holds. To diehard royalists, people mildly critical of the monarchy institution can be "bad people", while republicans may find royalists "feudalistic and bad". Now, those in power like Prayuth, will decide who is good and who is bad.

In the same speech, the hawkish new army chief also claimed that most people who posted anti-monarchist messages online and in public or semi-public areas such as toilets at petrol stations are immature.

"Let me ask: How old are you? I saw that many of you are quite young ... If you did it because you didn't know better, then please go ask your parents," Prayuth said. That is patronising and reduces these supposed "anti-monarchist" people to a bunch of juvenile pranksters.

Prayuth then warned that those "not involved" should remain that way and not get involved - as more persecution looms. But how can society turn a blind eye to issues related to freedom of political expression that has so much to do with a very important institution?

No sound explanation is provided beyond the all-too-convenient blaming of Thaksin Shinawatra and his red-shirt minions for all the current woes. But is that really all there is to it?

If there was any more to it, Prayuth and his boss, Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, and police chief Pol General Wichean Potephosree are not saying. Prawit vowed last week to crack down on online anti-monarchist messages made by military officers but failed to explain why some officers have allegedly become anti-monarchist.

Wichean told the Bangkok Post this week that offenders of the monarchy would face the full wrath of the police force, and yet he failed to take into account the increasing spate of arrests.

It should be acknowledged now that there are Thais who think differently towards many political matters as well as the institution. The difficult step now is for society to try to engage in a critical and frank discussion about the role of the monarchy and related issues in a changing world. Barriers to that include lese majeste and computer-crime laws, ultra-royalist zealots and simplistic warnings from generals.

One red shirt was arrested on Monday under lese majeste law. How many more will it take before Thais can honestly talk about the issue without fear of reprisal?

In a truly democratic society, we should face challenges with fairness, liberty, mutual acceptance and clear heads. Anything less won't solve any problem.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

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Chumphon's Lang Suan Hospital evacuates patients after water level rises late last night /MCOT

Restoration work starts to revive Hat Yai after flood recedes /MCOT

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For Thursday's flood updates:

Thailand's Flood Crisis - Huge Challenge Ahead

South Thailand Floods Reports - LIVE updates Thursday

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Kuerkul to contest Ayutthaya by-election

By The Nation

The Chart Thai Pattana Party has decided to field Deputy Transport Minister Kuerkul Danchaivichit for the Ayutthaya by-election, a party adviser said on Thursday.

Somsak Prissanananthakul said his party will endorse Kuerkul's candidacy despite the Wednesday's judicial decision on his disqualification.

"Kuerkul is an Ayutthaya native and Chart Thai Pattana finds it difficult to find his replacement," Somsak said.

Kuerkul was one of the six MPs disqualified on the ground for violating the equity ban for possessing shares linked to state concessions.

The ban applies to MPs and senators but has no impact on ministerial job.

Somsak said under the election law, Kuerkul was qualified for his re-election bid because he had already sold his shares in question.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party has yet to decide on its candidacy endorsement for Bangkok by-election, replacing another disqualified MP Somkietr Xanthavanij.

PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon said his main coalition party did not anticipate Somkietr's disqualification, hence it needed time to form a decision on his replacement.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,026.45, up 12.25 points /MCOT

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Economic guru warns of bubble burst in Thailand's property and stock markets

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PM: Flood Improving in Ubon Ratchathani and Songkhla

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Mayor promises to restore Hat Yai in 3 days

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Thai Rapper Helps Flood Relief Efforts

A famous rapper is making big efforts to help in the flood crisis, first by gathering donations and now with plans to join a concert to raise funds for flood relief.

'Jay' Jetrin Wantanasin went to Ayutthaya on Sunday to donate flatboats for flood victims on his birthday.

He has asked all Thais to send moral support and donations to help those who are battling one of the country's worst natural disasters in its history.

He said donations are pouring in to his TV program “Morchit Tid Jor”, and soon he should be able to send another round of goods for flood victims.

The rapper said fellow singers like Christina Aguilar and Mai Charoenpura have plans to hold a concert to raise funds for the flood.

Jay said he would be more than happy to join in performing if he is invited to the stage.

The singer, who is also a jet ski champion, flew to Hat Yai in Songkhla with his jet ski team to help deliver necessities to flood victims, since jet skis can weather strong currents.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-04

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Baht rose to near 13-yr high 29.71/USD Thur after Federal Reserve said it would buy more govt debt,raising USD supply which can be invested in higher-yielding emerging-market assets /The Nation

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AFP: Thai Flood Death Toll Hits 122

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Troubled Qantas Airbus A380 plane lands in Singapore with smoke coming out of its underside and is quickly surrounded by six fire engines /MCOT