Thailand Live Saturday 13 Nov 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 13 November 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

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who wish to follow the news can find it here...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 12 Nov 2010

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Thailand to produce 1.7 million vehicles by year end

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is maintaining its position as the "Detroit of Asia", beating all production records to produce about 1.7 million cars by year end and is now ranked as the 14th largest world auto producer, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)'s Automotive Industry Club.

Club chairman Suparat Sirisuwannangkul made the observation at a seminar held by FTI, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and Siam Commercial Bank.

Of the 1.7 million automobiles, 750,000 are for domestic sale and the rest, or 950,000 vehicle, are for export. He said the original target of the number of cars produced in the country was set at 1.6 million, but actual production might reach 1.8 million units.

About 990,000 vehicles were manufactured in Thailand last year.

For the first nine months, Thailand already produced about 1.2 million vehicles. Among them, 556,000 were for local sale and 664,000 for export.

In 2011, it is forecast that Thailand's auto production will likely to increase by 10 per cent, making it have about 800,000 automobiles to be sold in the kingdom and about one million for export.

The value of automotive exports and spare parts accounted for Bt430 billion in the first nine months, following computers and electronics.

Such value is expected to exceed Bt510 billion by the year end.

Mr Suparat said Thailand's strength in car manufacturing is that the country is a base to assemble pick-up trucks and spare parts, with markets large enough to support car supply and to produce automobiles at cheaper prices. Also, Thailand has good infrastructure and its government has a long-term policy to support the auto production.

However, he said the country still depends on the technology of other countries and lacks skilled workforce.

Meanwhile, spokesman for the FTI Automotive Industry Club Surapong Paisitpattanapong said about 100,000 more of eco-cars will be manufactured next year.

For the past seven to eight months, he said, Thailand was able to produce more automobiles, accounting for 51 per cent of the total number of vehicles manufactured in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The volume of vehicle production in Thailand counts for around 11 per cent, or Bt9 trillion, of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-11-13

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AFTERMATH

Dangerous chlorine cylinders go missing in Hat Yai

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PRO-THAKSIN PROTEST

Police, troops at ready as red shirts rally

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CLINTON VISIT

'Saving our planet is worth it'

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POLITICS

Puea Pandin stands aside for Pheu Thai in byelections

By Piyanart Srivalo,

Praphan Chindalertudomdee

The Nation

Puea Pandin will not be fielding any candidates in Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin byelections because it wants to pave the way for Pheu Thai Party, a source said yesterday.

Key leaders of the main opposition Pheu Thai Party had spoken to Puea Pandin’s key leader Pairote Suwanchawee about the matter, the source said.

“Pairote thinks it is not worth [fielding candidates] because the government’s term will end soon. We would have to spend about Bt30 million to Bt40 million per constituency,” the source quoted Pairote as saying.

If Puea Pandin does not run in the byelections, it is likely that their supporters will vote for Pheu Thai instead. This means that the two byelections will be a contest between Pheu Thai and Newin Chidchob’s Bhum Jai Thai.

“We will join hands to beat Bhum Jai Thai in the two constituencies,” the source said.

The byelections are being held because Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat from Bhum Jai Thai and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit from Chart Thai Pattana along with four other MPs were disqualified as MPs for holding shares in firms with state concessions.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party’s secretarygeneral Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday met Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpaarcha, who is also Chart Thai Pattana Party’s leader, and Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, who is Bhum Jai Thai’s leader, to talk them into getting Boonjong and Kuakul to resign as ministers before running in the byelections.

“They complained about [Prime Minister] Abhisit [Vejjajiva] interfering in their internal affairs. He should respect our parties,” a source quoted both Chaovarat and Chumpol as saying.

From Suthep’s point of view, both Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana leaders stood firm that their ministers would not resign, the source said.

“When we [the coalition partners] agreed to form the government, we were not told that we would have to do the same as the ruling Democrat Party. We have our own way,” the source quoted the two party leaders as saying. Suthep has been told to wait for their parties to meet next Monday.

Meanwhile, Suthep reported that Abhisit is insisting that Boonjong and Kuakul quit as ministers if they want to run in the byelections.

“If both Chart Thai Pattana and Bhum Jai Thai still stand firm, I, as a government manager, will have to keep applying mild pressure on them to meet the premier’s goal. I am frustrated because this is one of the most difficult jobs I have ever done,” the source quoted Suthep as saying.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Parents warned of deadly childhood pneumonia

Childhood pneumonia has claimed at least 17 lives and infected more than 32,925 youngsters this year, the Paediatric Infectious Disease Society of Thailand said Friday.

Children under five years of age, including healthy youngsters, are at risk from serious illness caused by pneumococcus bacteria.

Children at high risk of invasive pneumococcal disease are those with low immunity, newborns with body weight lower than standard, and youngsters in large groups and public spaces such as kindergartens and nurseries, the society's president Professor Usa Tissayakorn said.

According to the Public Health Ministry, last year more than 62,825 children suffered from pneumococcal infection and 60 succumbed to the disease. This year up to July, about 32,925 children were infected with pneumococcus and 17 died.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Thais spend 94 minutes a day on average in reading: Research

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Respected abbot in intensive care

By The Nation

Revered monk Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho has been hospitalised for possibly septicemia and would be provided with intensive care indefinitely, the Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima hospital said yesterday.

The 87yearold abbot of Wat Ban Rai in Nakhon Ratchasima sustained certain complications in his brain and a labbased diagnosis will soon confirm if he is affected by septicemia, doctors said. Visitors are not allowed until further notice.

The monk woke with a start on Thursday night and appeared dazed and confused, unable to recognise his close aides. He was initially taken to the Dan Khun Thod hospital, and later transferred to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima hospital, which is better equipped to treat brainrelated diseases.

The revered abbot has suffered from chronic heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol. He underwent a heart bypass and brain surgery a few years ago.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Justice to complain against rejected request

By The Nation

At the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday, the Justice Ministry will submit a complaint against the Foreign Ministry for not heeding its request for additional manpower to help with antihuman trafficking operations and fighting human rights abuse.

The Justice Ministry’s Department of Rights and Liberties Protection only has five officials to deal with such crimes, for which the government is seeking immediate results under its national humanrights plan.

In a leaked written statement, the Justice Ministry said that last month it had asked the Foreign Ministry for 20 officials to commence the operations, but the request was turned down. The Foreign Ministry said it still lacked personnel owing to a limit on adding more officials to its 1,900people quota.

In a response to the Justice Ministry’s second request, the Foreign Ministry still stood on the quota ground, saying it was willing to give counselling and training on the job instead.

The Justice Ministry said it was important for Thailand to be ready to commence the operations, especially since it had initiated the idea to establish an Asean humanrights body.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Central bank moves to cool property loans

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Don't stifle the Thai language; let it live and breathe

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Jailed drug lord’s brother arrested

By The Nation

Police have arrested the brother of a jailed drug lord, said to have influence in the Klong Toei slums, for concealing Bt10 million worth of assets that were allegedly bought with drug money.

After arresting Somnuek Seedaeng alias Chayut Yatikhunanphorn, police and antimoney laundering officials are set to jointly seize the Bt10 million and other possible assets that might have come from unknown sources.

Police said Somnuek, brother of drug lord Supharb, changed his name to Chayut before purchasing a large number of assets, including land, allegedly with drug money. He refused to declare Bt10 million in his assets when he was asked to a few years ago.

Somnuek was arrested on Wednesday at a home in Samut Sakhon, under the additional charges of possessing “ice” flakes. He has denied both charges relating to moneylaundering offences and possession of “ice”.

Meanwhile, Samut Sakhon police yesterday arrested a young man, who they believe is a major drug dealer, for having war weapons in his possession.

Saritphoom Rachata Kraiwin admitted to possessing 92 grams of “ice” flakes and 60 ecstasy tablets, as well as purchasing war weapons. The weapons include one M16 assault rifle with three magazines and 79 rounds as well as three pistols including a .45 automatic Colt, which cannot be legally possessed by civilians. [/b][/size]

By The Nation

Police have arrested the brother of a jailed drug lord, said to have influence in the Klong Toei slums, for concealing Bt10 million worth of assets that were allegedly bought with drug money.

After arresting Somnuek Seedaeng alias Chayut Yatikhunanphorn, police and antimoney laundering officials are set to jointly seize the Bt10 million and other possible assets that might have come from unknown sources.

Police said Somnuek, brother of drug lord Supharb, changed his name to Chayut before purchasing a large number of assets, including land, allegedly with drug money. He refused to declare Bt10 million in his assets when he was asked to a few years ago.

Somnuek was arrested on Wednesday at a home in Samut Sakhon, under the additional charges of possessing “ice” flakes. He has denied both charges relating to moneylaundering offences and possession of “ice”.

Meanwhile, Samut Sakhon police yesterday arrested a young man, who they believe is a major drug dealer, for having war weapons in his possession.

Saritphoom Rachata Kraiwin admitted to possessing 92 grams of “ice” flakes and 60 ecstasy tablets, as well as purchasing war weapons. The weapons include one M16 assault rifle with three magazines and 79 rounds as well as three pistols including a .45 automatic Colt, which cannot be legally possessed by civilians.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Anti-graft meet to adopt Bangkok Declaration

By Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

The Bangkok Declaration, a product of the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference, is expected to be signed at the end of the conference today.

More than 1,200 participants, including decision makers, from more than 130 nations joined the four-day forum to exchange experiences and ideas on how to bring about joint global action towards greater transparency.

Yesterday, winners of the International Transparency Integrity Awards, which are given to people who make outstanding contributions to the fight against corruption, were announced. They are a Russian lawyer, a Gabonese activist and a Sri Lankan journalist.

Lawyer Sergei Magnitsky testified against senior Russian officials who reclaimed more than Bt6.8 billion in tax illegally. His medical treatment was cut off and he died in prison. Gregory Ngbwa Mintsa two years ago joined a probe into how three African leaders gained luxury assets in France. He continued despite threats, jail and freezes on his salary. Just this Tuesday the French Supreme Court allowed the investigation to go forward.

Sri Lanka’s Attotage Prema Jayantha has dedicated himself to exposing injustice in his country’s health, education and transport sectors.

The next International Anti-Corruption Conference will be held in Brazil in 2012.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Dept of Disaster Prevention: Death toll from flood related cases countrywide reaches 215 /MCOT

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Aung San Suu Kyi set for evening release

Rangoon: -- Burma's junta appeared set to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house detention Saturday evening in a bid to placate international condemnation of their regime.

"She will be released some time after 6 pm (1130 GMT)," said a senior police official who asked to remain anonymous.

Hundreds of her supporters, members of the opposition National League for Democracy party and reporters have been waiting outside her house-cum-prison in Rangoon since Friday in anticipation of her release.

Supporters also gathered at the NLD headquarters in Rangoon, where it is presumed that Suu Kyi, 65, will go after her anticipated release.

NLD members sported T-shirts saying, "We stand with Aung San Suu Kyi" in English.

"I love her very much," said one elderly woman. "She will save the country."

Security personnel have not prevented the crowds from gathering, which is unusual in the military-controlled state

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says her sentence will expire at 7 pm on Saturday and can no longer be legally extended. /via@thirtymilezone

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Supporters of late Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, to light candles at 5pm at Saladaeng site where he was shot, marking 6-month death anniversary: daughter /MCOT

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All southbound trains resume normal operations, services after flood situation eases /MCOT

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Man whose two brothers earlier killed by insurgents shot dead in Narathiwat

Narathiwat: -- A man whose two brothers were earlier killed by insurgents was shot dead in this southern border province Saturday morning.

Police said Adul E-saw, 49, was killed in a drive-by shooting while hew riding his motorcycle to on Sungai Kolok-Sungai Padi Road in Sungai Padi district on his way to work in Malaysia.

Police said Adul was killed by a pillion rider when the attacker’s motorcycle overtook him on the road.

Adul’s two brothers were earlier killed by insurgents in Sungai Kolok district.

-- The Nation 2010-11-13

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Water receding in Ayuttaya, Pathum, Nonthaburi, Chainat, Singburi. Rebuilding in Suphan, Saraburi, LopBuri. /via@tulsathit

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Map shows water receding & rebuilding work in central region, with both overlapping in some areas. http://yfrog.com/6zt3slj

/via@tulsathit

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US Navy back in Phuket

USS Peleliu is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship, named after

the Battle of Peleliu during World War II.

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Phuket land dispute stalls sea gypsy culture center project

The Urak Lawoi hand the letter of protest to Phuket Vice Governor

Nivit Aroonrat on Thursday.

The investor claims the land to the left of the red demarcation string.

The backhoe had been at work grading low-lying government land on the right.

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Drug Crazed Briton Strips off Frightening Neighbors in Pattaya

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PM's advisor Apirak, Deputy Interior Minister's aide Sukit; party spokesman Buranat 1st Democrat nominees to contest BKK by-election /MCOT

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Cold spell hits 13 Thai provinces

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Enraged Thai Man dowses girlfriend in Petrol during domestic dispute in East Pattaya

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World Badminton Championship coming to Pattaya

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Abac poll shows 68% of ppl dont know govt has declared road accidents prevention a national agenda. /via @news1005fm /via @tulsathit