Thailand Live Wednesday 17 Nov 2010

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Russia Expresses Disatisfaction over Bout's Extradition

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Fourteen people died in western Cambodia when their homemade tractor ran over anti-tank mine left over from country's civil war in 1980s /MCOT

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Thaksin The Opportunist

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AFP: Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Arrives In US From Thailand

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Domestic industrial confidence index down

The Thai industries confidence index dropped for the third consecutive month in October amid the rising baht and the massive floods around the country, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman, Payungsak Chartsuthipol said.

The TISI fell to 98.7 points in October, from 100.87 in September. The industrial index fell below the 100-point benchmark for the first time since June. An index figure of above 100 points shows that confidence level is still acceptable.

The industrial confidence index is expected to rise to 110.1 points in the next quarter after dropping from 114.7 in September amid the rising baht.

-- The Nation 2010-11-17

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Child Prostitution Ring Uncovered in Pattaya Internet Café

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Thai flood-related deaths climb to 229

BANGKOK, Nov 17 – Two more deaths related to Thailand's five weeks of devastating floods were reported Wednesday, raising the total death toll to 229, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

The number of deaths from flooding in upper Thailand was recorded at 156 since October 10. Currently 12 provinces remain under floodwaters while the flood situation in 27 other provinces has eased.

Meanwhile, the flood-related death toll in the South reached 73 since floods there began on Oct 30 while the four southern provinces of Songkhla, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung are still submerged.

In a related development, landslide continued to occur in the southern province of Surat Thani. Rainfall on Wednesday triggered the fourth landslide in Chaiya district which damaged five homes.

However, no casualties among residents were reported as most villagers had been evacuated to temporary shelter. Surat Thani authorities still warned people in at-risk areas to beware of more possible flash floods from forest run-off and landslides.

Since October, the floods began hitting the northern and northeastern regions, then crippled much of the central and eastern regions. Incessant and heavy downpours have continued in many southern provinces. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-11-17

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Alcohol related deaths kill 3 Thais every hour on average

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Air Force officer charged for lese majeste

By The Nation

Squadron Leader Chanin Klaiklueng of the Royal Thai Air Force's Engineering Department on Wednesday reported himself to the Metropolitan Police Bureau to face charges relating to posting messages deemed offensive to the monarchy.

Chanin, mechanical engineering chief officer, has been named a suspect on November 5 for spreading offenisve mesaages via the Facebook social network.

Following his booking, Chanin claimed his innocence and reserved his right to testify in courts.

Metropolitan deputy commissioner Maj General Amnuay Nimmano said the case involving Chanin came to light after his superior officers filed a complaint at Don Mueang police station.

In his statement, Chanin voiced suspicion that his Facebook account might have been hacked to post the offensive messages without his foreknowledge, Amnuay said, adding investigators have yet to check into the matter before drawing conclusion.

The remand hearing and other judicial proceedings involving Chanin will be under the purview of the Military Tribunal.

-- The Nation 2010-11-17

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Flood updates

NAKORNSRI THAMMARAT, 17 November 2010 (NNT)-Floods are still wreaking havoc in the South and Northeast of the country, inundating farmlands and prompting farmers to begin harvesting earlier.

Since palm trees in Suratthaini have been submerged for days, farmers have already begun picking palm fruits ahead of their usual schedule. Residents of Poon-pin district, relying on long tailed boats to get to the plantations, are able to save only 50% of the yields.

Flood measured 1 meter deep continues to inundate over 60 rais of palm orchards, while the water level in the Tapee River keeps rising, making it difficult for Buddhist nuns living at a meditation center to go about their daily business.

Meanwhile, in Nakornsrithammarat, a team of authority has just revealed that the crack discovered in the mountain of the Kualuang National Park, in fact, occurred 22 years ago and poses no threat to local residents. However, the authority will keep an eye on possible mudslides.

In the Northeast, over 2,000 rais of rice field in Kalasin have been damaged by floods; farmers are working around the clock trying to drain the water out in order to salvage what is left of the crops.

Meanwhile, farmers in Buriram are calling on the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to consider lowering the interest rates and deferring debt repayment period for 3 years to help members get through the crisis.

-- NNT 2010-11-17

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Parents are warned against letting their children go alone on a Loy Kratong day

BANGKOK, 17 November 2010 (NNT)-The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has encouraged parents to take their children to safe areas to float their kratongs. It has also recommended that children be in the company of adults at all times during the festival.

According to the Department, statistics has indicated that the number of children drowning during the Loy Kratong Festival is 3 times higher than that on an average day; to the tune of 29 to 11. The causes of deaths were either accidents or drowning while trying to get the money in the kratongs.

The Department has warned parents to take precautionary measures by making sure that the the floating platform is strong and not too crowded at the time the children are floating their kratongs. If children plan to go to the riverside, parents must be sure that the area around the embankment is not slippery.

Parents or adult relatives have also been advised against allowing their children to collect the money in the water as they might have leg cramps. In case of accident, please call an emergency unit at 1784 24 hours a day.

-- NNT 2010-11-17

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Two Russians seriously injured in fight at South Pattaya Hotel

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SET index closed at 990.13, down 10.60; Bt/USD29.90; GBP47.39; AUD28.99; EUR40.22; CAD29.09; HKD3.85; SGD22.76; JPY35.64

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Pattaya Beach Vendor arrested with counterfeit branded items

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Domestic flights to Chiang Mai must make landings by 6.30pm between Nov20 and Nov22 due to Loy Krathong floating lanterns /via @Urisara_NT

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Thailand dismisses terrorism risk study by British firm

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Two new vice governors for Phuket

Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak, 56, is a

native of Surat Thani.

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Phuket motorcycle helmet campaign hits streets of Patong

The sign reads: 'This is what happens when you don't wear a helmet'.

Members of the Phuket Tourist Police Volunteers strut their stuff

on the beach road yesterday.

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Phuket mototaxi driver dies of glue overdose

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Phuket Star Gazers Hope For Clear Skies

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[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Thursday 18 November 2010

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