Thailand Live Sunday 14 Nov 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Sunday 14 November 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 13 Nov 2010

[webfact]

Thai PM proposes yuan use in trade among Asian countries; ASEAN currency office to be set up

BANGKOK: -- Concerns over the ongoing volatility of and among the Thai baht and other Asian currencies have prompted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to propose to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to use the Chinese yuan as the principal trading currency in the region instead of the US dollar.

Mr Abhisit told journalists before his departure here Friday to attend the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games which opened in the Chinese city of Guangzhou later in the day and to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting in Yokohama,

Japan, during the weekend, that he had raised the idea of using the Chinese yuan for trade among Asian nations.

The measure is aimed at reducing currency volatility, Mr Abhisit said. Problems remain as China must necessarily relax its tight control on yuan and on its capital account.

Mr Abhisit said he was optimistic that his idea of using yuan as a major trading currency in the region could materialise as the issue was discussed during summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi in late October.

The just ended Group of 20 major economies meeting in South Korea failed to make headway as leaders set vague “indicative guidelines” for measuring imbalances and let details to be discussed in the first half of 2011.

Realising this, Mr Abhisit said he expected the APEC summit would discuss the issue of currency volatility, particularly regarding cooperation among countries in this region aimed at reducing effects from that volatility.

Mr Abhisit said another of his idea on setting up an ASEAN office to handle currency issues, arrived from the Chiang Mai Initiative, could probably “start operations soon.”

The office would be an important mechanism in working with the ADB in future, he added. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-11-14

[webfact]

Apirak ready to contest Bangkok by-election

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Fight for seats on Thai broadcasting body may be fierce

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Migrants badly hurt

By The Nation on Sunday

A van transporting 15 Burmese workers from Bangkok to get passports at Ranong immigration checkpoint, plunged into a roadside abyss in Chumphon’s Lang Suan district yesterday early morning. Twelve people were seriously injured.

Police and rescue workers rushed to the scene after receiving a report about the accident at 12.15am to help the driver and 15 passengers, which included a three-year-old girl, from the wrecked van in the abyss.

Driver Saisamorn Chaiyaporn, 43, who was slight?ly injured, told police the road was dimly lit, and there was no sign warning about a damaged section of the Lang Suan to Ranong Road, which had been eroded due to heavy rain and he wasn’t familiar with the route. The van lost control in the section which had subsided and plunged into the roadside abyss.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

Two killed in South

By The Nation

A man whose two brothers had previously been killed by insurgents was shot dead in Narathiwat’s Sungai Padi dis?trict yesterday morning, while a Yala defence volunteer was killed on Friday night by men wearing outfits similar to mili?tary clothing.

District police chief Colonel Peerapol Na Phattalung said Adul E-saw, 49, was killed in a drive-by shooting while riding his motorbike on Jarusathien Road on the way to work in Malaysia.

Adul died instantly after he was shot three times by a pillion rider when the attackers’ motor-cycle overtook him on the road.

It was also reported that prior to his death, Adul’s two younger brothers were earlier shot dead by insurgents in Sungai Kolok district.

In Yala’s Raman district, a group of 10 men, wearing out?fits similar to military clothing, went to hide in Ban Jakwa School, where they tied up six village defence volunteers, who were patrolling the school.

The men then shot dead an 18-year-old volunteer Ismael Salae before fleeing the scene with the volunteers’ two guns.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

PM meets Peru, Chile presidents

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva held bilateral talks with Peru President Alan Garcia Peraz during which both countries agreed to boost trade and investment cooperation.

Abhisit also met Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique who re-confirmed the free-trade negotiation framework with Thailand.

A free-trade pact will further boost bilateral trade and investment, which amounts to US$400 million (Bt12 billion) annually.

Regarding Peru, Abhisit said the Thai Parliament will next week consider a bilateral trade liberalisation and cooperation pact which will help increase the volume of trade and investment between the two countries.

Both the Thai and Peruvian leaders shared the opinion that Apec members should put more emphasis on balanced national development, rather than just economic growth.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

HRW calls for release of political prisoners

By The Nation

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Thailand will issue a statement calling on the Burmese government to release 2,000 political prisoners after democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from seven years of house arrest, Sunai Pasuk, HRW adviser in Thailand said yesterday.

Sunai said Burma is walking onto the path of democracy and the Burmese government should allow political opponents the right to play their role. He said otherwise the release of Suu Kyi would be seen only as a move to divert the world community’s attention from the sham elections in Burma.

He said since Suu Kyi had been released, the Burmese government would face its biggest challenge because she would join forces with the National League for Democracy Party to check electoral frauds.

“I believe a number of Burmese would join her in the fight against election fraud, especially the silent force,” he said.

“What should be more worrisome for the Burmese government is the fact that it has failed to negotiate with the armed minorities. It is now facing war from two sides with the public, and the armed minorities,” he added.

Meanwhile, seven Burmese soldiers were killed and five injured in a clash with KNU Karen rebels at Ban Mae Sari, 20 kilometres from the Thai border in Kanchanaburi’s Sankhlaburi District.

The Burmese soldiers were travelling to reinforce their troops on the border.

A number of Burmese fled the fighting to seek refuge under the care of the Mon army.

Torod, Mon district deputy chief, said the Mon army is providing safety for 500 Burmese refugees on humanitarian grounds. He said Mon would stay neutral and would not interfere in the conflict between the Burmese government and Karen rebels.

The Thai soldiers are reinforcing security on the Burmese-Thai border to prevent the influx of Burmese refugees.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

HEADLINE MAKER

How a tweet in time can save lives

By Asina Pornwasin

The Nation on Sunday

The recent floods show how powerful -- and useful -- microblogging site Twitter has become

Follow this link:

[webfact]

College transferred

By The Nation

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Medical College at Vajira Hospital had been transferred to come under supervision of the new BMA University, a senior official said yesterday.

BMA permanent secretary Charoenrat Chutikan said HM the King had signed a notice to approve the establishment of BMA University as an institute of higher education as per the BMA University Act 2010 and this was published in the Royal Gazette. The existing BMA Medical College at Vajira Hospital hence would be trans?ferred to the new university with 120 days after the act comes into effect.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

Most missing chlorine tanks found

By The Nation

After news that some 60 cylinders full of chlorine were washed away the Hat Yai Waterworks Office during recent floods, office manager Thirapol Kongpanya yesterday reported that most cylinders had been retrieved.

Thirapol said that, as of yesterday afternoon, only 10-12 out of the 58 previously missing cylinders remained unaccounted for, thanks to local residents, who promptly helped water?works officials to locate most of the missing cylinders, which had been swept away by flood torrents.

Thirapol filed a notice about the missing cylinders to police in case scavengers or people with ill-intentions get hold of them and try to improperly cut open the high-pressure tanks, which, although “used” used, contain some “toxic liquid chlorine”.

Pure chlorine was dangerous and could be used to make bombs or chemical weapons, hence possession of liquid chlorine was against the law, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

Related topic:

Dangerous chlorine cylinders go missing in Hat Yai

[webfact]

Hundreds flee villages as landslide looms

By The Nation on Sunday

Five villages in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Chawang district were preparing for evacuation yesterday after the discovery of a 2km-long crack on a nearby mountain, which could cause a landslide.

The news came as the death toll from heavy flooding in many provinces since October 10 rose to 215 yesterday.

Meanwhile, PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, attending the APEC meeting in Japan, told Chilean president yesterday that the floods might lower Thailand’s expected GDP growth from 8 per cent to 7.7 per cent.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported yesterday that 152 people in the North, Northeast, East and Central regions and 63 people in the South died in flood crisis.

Some 57 districts in 13 provinces in the North, East, Northeast and Central regions remained flooded, affecting about 820,000 people and threatening to ruin 6.3 million rai of farmland. In the South, 67 districts in Songkhla, Trang, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung and Pattani are flooded, and some 850,000 people affected.

Another 174 districts in 13 provinces have been declared ‘disaster zones’ because of the cold weather.

Meanwhile, a two-metre-wide and two-kilometre-long crack was found yesterday on Ban Suan Ai mountain on the Khao Luang range. The site is a rubber plantation 300 metres from a community. People at villages thought to be at risk have been urged to evacuate to a safer spot at Wat Suan Ai.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Theera Mintrasak said floods had killed 10 people, and affected 234,000 people, plus 244,000 rai of farmland.

Two more large sinkholes were also found in Ranong’s La Oon district, bringing the total found this year to 30.

In Surat Thani, 20 tambon Pak Mak officials sent to take dried food to people in four villages in Chaiya district after a forest flood on Friday were trapped by heavy rain and a subsequent landslide.

Officials and 200 villagers trekked a 5km route through the mountains to safer ground at Ban Khlong Mai Daeng, but another 200 marooned people refused to leave their homes despite warnings.

The at-risk villages were identified as Ban Wang Thum, Ban Khao Lak, Ban Kwuan Nok Wa, and Ban Namtok Ton Reubin. The remaining villagers later agreed to leave after theprovincial clerk went with 50 rescue workers to urge them to leave for their safety. They will stay in temporary shelters for 2-3 days while officials used machines to try to stop any landslide.

Apirak Kosayothin, who has chaired the flood co-ordinating centre, said officials were still monitoring possible landslides in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey is due to hold a video conference tomorrow with 12 governors in the South to learn about the situation in the field, to draw up a rehabilitation guideline and plans for future water management to prevent floods, Apirak said.

While already asking related agencies to drain floodwater out of affected areas in the Central region, Apirak said local officials would also be urged to survey victims about the distribution of Bt5,000 in initial assistance.

Apirak said water had gone down in Suphan Buri, Sara Buri, Chainat, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, plus Khon Kaen and Maha Sarakham, levels in Kalasin, Roi Et, Yasothon continued to rise and floods in Surin and Si Sa Ket were stable. The Mul River was 1.94 metres above the riverbank in Si Sa Ket’s Rasi Salai district, while the Chi River was 1.37 metres above the bank in Roi Et’s Jang Han district.

But the situation in the Chao Phraya basin had improved in all areas, as the Royal Irrigation Department stopped releasing water from the Rama 6 Dam, so the amount of water passing through Ayutthaya’s Bang Sai district was now 2,363 cubic metres a second, Apirak said.

Various organisations have continued to send relief and food to flood victims. A caravan from Nation Multimedia Group and allied firms delivered relief bags and other needed items to the flood victims yesterday in Nakhon Sawan’s Tha Tako and Muang districts.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

Nobel committee invites Suu Kyi to Oslo

Oslo: -- Norway's Nobel committee on Saturday invited Aung San Suu Kyi to Oslo to make a belated acceptance speech for the peace prize she won 19 years ago but did not pick up.

The opposition icon of Burma was honoured in 1991 for her non- violent struggle for democracy and human rights, but was unable to travel to Scandinavia because she was under house arrest.

She also feared she would not be allowed to return to Burma, and asked her husband, who has since died, to accept the prize on her behalf.

The head of the Nobel committee, Thorbjrn Jagland, said he would seek a guarantee from the government in Rangoon that Suu Kyi would be allowed back if she visited Oslo.

"I don't believe she would leave the country without first obtaining such a guarantee, Jagland said told the Norwegian News Agency NTB.

Her release Saturday after a decade-and-a-half of house arrest was good news for political prisoners all over the world, he said.

This year's peace prize was warded to Liu Xiaobo, who is serving an 11-year prison term in in his native China for his commitment to democracy.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

New landslide blocks access to village in Surat Thani s Chaiya district, local officials safely evacuate villagers to temporary shelter /MCOT

[webfact]

Meteorological Dept: Temperatures drop 1-3 degrees Centigrade in upper Thailand; more rain in southern east coast, stronger winds, higher waves in Gulf /MCOT

[webfact]

The Lady’s 15 years under house arrest

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thailand welcomes Suu Kyi release

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Pensiri makes kingdom proud

By Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation

Guangzhou

Thai lifter wins silver, dedicates it to Their Majesties

Weightlifter Pensiri Laosirikul got the honour of winning Thailand’s first medal in the 16th Asian Games when she clinched a silver in the women’s 48kg category at Dongguan Gymnasium yesterday.

Thailand fielded two lifters in the event. However, both Pensiri and Pramsiri Bunphithak came up against a formidable opponent in defending champion Wang Ming-juan of China.

It was the duel between Pensiri and Chen Wei-ling of Taiwan that captivated the crowd in the early stages of the snatch session. The Thai failed in her first attempt at 83kg before successfully lifting the weight in her next attempt.

In her third lift, the Nakhon Si Thammarat-native called 86kg but was unable to lift it, while Chen settled for 86kg after failing with an 89kg lift in her final attempt.

After the two finished, Wang emerged on the stage for her first attempt at 89 kg which immediately put her in the driving seat for the gold medal. The 16-year-old Chinese then lifted 91kg in her second attempt before ending up with a Games record of 95 kg.

Wang was in equally impressive form in the clean and jerk and set another Games record with a lift of 115kg. “I was just thinking about trying to do my best, I wasn’t pinpointing an Asian or world record,” Wang said.

Pensiri managed to clear her first two attempts despite some difficulties.

Even though the Thai failed easily in her third effort at 114kg, the 109kg lift she made was enough to seal the silver with a total of 192kg. Premsiri finished fourth, 10kg adrift of Chen in the third.

“I’m aware that I would not win the gold because my record is far inferior to Wang. I just hoped Premsiri and me could win a medal,” said Pensiri.

“Even though I won only a silver for the second successive time in the Games, I’m very proud to win the first medal for the country.

“I want to offer the medal to Their Majesties the King and the Queen. If I stay healthy physically, I want to compete in the London Olympics in 2012. I want to make up for the failure in Beijing two years ago,” said Pensiri.

Yuan wins first gold

No prizes for guessing who won the first gold medal of the Guangzhou Asian Games: the script was well choreographed for Yuan Xiaochao and China.

And that was just Act 1.

Wushu, the Chinese martial arts, provided the first of yesterday’s 28 gold medals and two-time world champion Yuan Xiaochao obliged by winning the changquan discipline in confident style before 10am on the first day of competition. “I feel very lucky to be able to compete for China’s first gold medal ... very happy to get that first gold medal,” he said.

The Chinese won 18 of the next 27 finals, including all five in dance sport’s Asian Games debut, five of six in shooting, four of six in the pool, two each at both weightlifting and wushu and the men’s team event at gymnastics.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

Massive fire sweeps through 100-year-old community in Lop Buri

Lop Buri: -- A massive fire swept through a 100-year-old community here Sunday morning, destroying over 50 wooden houses.

The fire started at 7:30 am at the Tha Khun Nang Market community in Muang district.

Over 20 fire engines took over two hours to control the blaze.

Police said the fire was caused by short-circuit at a shop that sold cooking gas. The strong wind cause the blaze to quickly sweep through the community, which was regarded as the oldest on in this central province.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

Tourists flock into Petchaboon province

PETCHABOON, 14 October 2010 (NNT) –The winter season has brought back to life the province of Petchaboon, now swarmed over by tourists from all walks of life who wish to experience the cold weather.

Locals in Khao kho, Nam nao National Park, and Poo tub berk, the three top tourist sites in Petchaboon, have, in the past several days, seen the province’s hotels and resorts fully occupied by thousands of tourists of all nationals; camp sites have also been packed with nature lovers who put up their tents there, waiting to see how cold it will be at the top of the mountain when the mercury drops to10 Celsius at night.

Petchaboon has been known for its breathtaking scenery and cold winter weather. During this time of the year, the province is usually overwhelmed by tourists and their families who go there to relax, enjoy the cold weather, and watch the sun rise early in the morning—things you can not do or see in the crowded and hectic capital

-- NNT 2010-11-14

[webfact]

Chiang Mai Stellar Winter Fest 2010

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Don’t wear red shirt to Samak’s cremation rite: Jatuporn tells red shirts

Pheu Thai party-list MP and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan Sunday urged red-shirt people to attend the cremation ceremony of former prime minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday.

Jatuporn told the red-shirts to wear black and attend the solemn rite instead of wearing red in line with their usual practice.

“Please be dressed in black to pay respect to Samak whom we love,” Jatuporn said.

The cremation rite will be held at the Thepsirin Temple at 4 pm.

-- The Nation 2010-11-14

[webfact]

14th International Anti-Corruption Conference comes to a close

BANGKOK, 14 November 2010 (NNT) - The 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) 2010 has come to a close, with members agreeing that corruption was related to poverty.

A round of the applause from the 1,200 participants from 135 countries signified the success and closing of Bangkok Declaration.

During the closing ceremony, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NCCC) member Pakdee Phosiri concluded that the current corruption problems were connected to poverty, which led further to instability of the nation.

He added that the private sectors had to take part in solving corruption as well, given it took two to tango: briberies and fraud could only happen when at least two parties were involve; in this case, the public and private sectors. Although the Declaration was not binding, the recommendation should be taken and applied in ways suitable for each nation, Mr Pakdee added.

The NCCC will set up a panel to analyze and utilize the meeting’s outcome in order to create effective anti-corruption policies.

The 15th IACC will be held in Brazil two years from now.

-- NNT 2010-11-14

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Monday 15 November 2010

//CLOSED//