Thailand Live Thursday 18 Nov 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Thursday 18 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

- Google Buzz: http://www.google.com/profiles/thaivisa

- 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 Wednesday 17 Nov 2010

[webfact]

Tourism Industry affected by floods

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The number of foreign visitors is expected to drop to under 15 million thanks to the recent floods wreaking havoc on Thailand, according to The Tourism Council of Thailand.

The Council has disclosed that, due to recent floods, both local and international tourists have been reluctant to travel to the Kingdom, particularly those from Malaysia and Singapore.

The district of Hadyai is the shopping paradise for most tourists from Malaysia and Singapore; however, the number of visitors from those two countries is expected to drop by 100,000 this month, costing the district to lose at least 10 billion baht in revenues. 30% of the 2 million Thais tourists visiting Hadyai each month have also put off their plan to travel to the South.

The Council is set to hold a meeting with tourism operators to assess the ongoing situation. It might also have to revise its tourist target to 14 million, down from 15 million earlier projected.

-- NNT 2010-11-18

[webfact]

NEW!

Follow thaivisa.com on Google Buzz:

http://www.google.com/profiles/thaivisa

[webfact]

Refugees return to Myanmar

MAE SOT (NNT) -- As the situation along the Thai-Burmese border has returned to normal, Thailand is repatriating Karen refugees back to their hometown in Myanmar.

Most of the 650 Karen tribesmen of Burmese nationality seeking refuge at Walay Camp, Tak Province, are now on their way back to Myanmar, right after the fight between Burmese troops and Karen rebels died down . The refugees fled their country into Thai soil when the fight broke out on November 14, and have since sought refuge in the province of Tak, just across the border from Burma.

-- NNT 2010-11-18

[george]

Crackdown On Illegal Abortions In Thailand:

Full story:

[george]

Sharp Cut In Thai Corporate Tax Mulled, VAT Could Go Up:

Full story:

[webfact]

Multimedia spectacular in honour of the Chakri Dynasty

By The Nation

A multimedia extravaganza will be put on show from December 17 to February 28 in honour of the Chakri Dynasty and the Royal Family.

Tickets to the show, staged on the Grand Palace’s lawn which can accommodate 2,000 people, will go for Bt500 each. The 90-minute performance will run from 7pm to 8.30pm every day, except most Mondays and between December 27 and January 3.

The show will chronicle key historic events in each chapter of the Rattanakosin Era to reflect how the Chakri kings have contributed to the strength and unity of the Kingdom.

It will also glorify the much-revered present monarch.

Lord Chamberlain Khwankaeo Vajarodaya said

yesterday the event was being staged to mark His Majesty’s 84th birthday next year, Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th birthday in 2012 and HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday in 2012.

Distorn Vajarodaya, an adviser to the Royal Household Bureau, said the performance would serve to remind all Thais about the Royal Family’s dedication to the country.

“His Majesty has worked very hard for the happiness of his people,” he said, adding that the Royal Household Bureau had spent more than Bt40 million on developing the show.

Tickets can be bought at the Royal Household Bureau outlet at the Emerald Buddha Temple from December 6. Proceeds from the extravaganza will be presented to His Majesty.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Boonjong, Kuakul will quit Cabinet to run in by-polls

By The Nation

Two ministers yesterday finally announced their departure from the Cabinet to contest the December 12 by-elections.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat said his resignation would take effect next Monday, the first day of candidacy registration.

“I made the decision [to resign] after my party resolved to field me as the candidate in the by-election. I did this to avoid being accused of abusing power to help me [in the by-election],” he said.

Boonjong is to seek a re-election bid for the House seat from Nakhon Ratchasima’s Constituency 6 under the Bhum Jai Thai party’s banner.

Boonjong said he had no idea who would replace him as deputy minister or if he would be reappointed to the post after the election. It depended on Interior Minister Chavarat Chanweerakul, who is the Bhum Jai Thai leader, and party executive members, he said, adding that the post will belong to his party.

Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit will work until tomorrow before kicking off his electoral campaign on Saturday in Ayutthaya’s Constituency 1 under the Chart Thai Pattana Party’s banner.

“I understand the situation. It’s good to follow poll regulations. I feel comfortable now [after resigning] because I won’t be accused of abusing my power,” Kuakul said, his voice

shaking.

Kuakul said his party had not talked about whether he would be re-appointed as deputy minister.

The two said they were relinquishing their respective positions without any pressure from the prime minister.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made it clear he wanted Cabinet members to step down before contesting a by-election. Boonjong and Kuakul were among the six MPs disqualified from their House seats after violating a ban on shares linked to state concessionaires.

Meanwhile, a Democrat Party committee to select a candidate to run in Bangkok’s Constituency 2 by-election decided to propose former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin and Sukij Kongtoranin, secretary to the deputy interior minister, as candidates.

“Apirak has a better chance and is a better choice than Sukij because the former is more well known, especially when we have a short period to campaign,” a source said.

The committee will propose the two candidates to another selective committee chaired by party adviser Banyat Bantadtan, who will have a meeting next Monday. After that it will be approved by an executive party meeting the same day.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Bout's extradition is a big relief for local authorities

Follow this link:

[webfact]

THAI TALK

There is no such thing as a good Thai military coup

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Surat Thani villagers kept from homes over landslide fears

By The Nation

In the wake of repeated landslides, authorities have continued to bar more than 400 Surat Thani residents from returning to their village.

Landmass has crumbled down time and again in their village in Chaiya district during the past week, raising serious safety concerns.

Locals have thus been evacuated and told to stay at the Ban Klong Mai Daeng School until further notice.

Although the evacuees were provided with food, mattresses, pillows and mosquito repellent, they said they preferred to go home if allowed.

Meanwhile, rain continued in most parts of Surat Thani province yesterday.

Because the soil in the mountainous area has been saturated with water, the risk of landslides is growing with every additional rainfall.

Surat Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation chairman Montri Phetkhum said yesterday that officials together with heavy machinery and backhoes were on standby around the clock to help clear landslide debris from roads wherever possible.

“We will help people as they go through such a difficult time,” he said.

According to the central government’s coordination centre for flood-relief operations, landslides in seven districts of Surat Thani have caused more than Bt453 million in damage.

Besides Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Chumphon and Phang Nga provinces are facing the risk of landslides.

The centre’s director, Apirak Kosayodhin, said downpours would hit many southern provinces including Chumphon over the next one or two days.

The flood-related death toll to date is 229. In Chumphon, the families of two people killed were each given Bt50,000 in financial help yesterday.

The money came from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Fund for Disaster Victims.

At press time, 1.39 million people in 16 other provinces were still suffering from floods.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Wiboon Sanguanpong said a cold spell had also hit up to 14,466 villages in 13 provinces including Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.

“We have handed out 198,235 pieces of winter clothes to keep people there warm,” he said.

Those hit by the cold spell or flooding can call 1784 to ask for his department’s help around the clock.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Jurin orders probe into controversial images

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit yesterday asked relevant agencies to conduct a disciplinary investigation into the person implicated in scandalous images posted on the YouTube website.

“A disciplinary fact-finding mission needs to be launched. If he is found guilty, he will be punished under civil-servant regulations,” Jurin said.

The move came after a group of doctors, led by Dr Oraphan Methadilokkul and Dr Thapanawong Tang-uraiwan, filed a complaint on Tuesday against the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit, asking for investigation into the two controversial images posted online.

The first image, posted by hotpig009, shows a bald man sitting with a young girl dressed in a student’s uniform.

The second image, posted by mornar1231, shows the man trying to embrace a girl who has taken her shirt off.

“If the man in these pictures is not Paijit, then the people who posted these images should take responsibility for causing damage to a high-level health official,” Jurin said, adding that he did not think this scandal was caused by the conflict over the Medical Malpractice Victims Protection draft.

“Conflicts in the ministry started long before I joined,” he said.

Meanwhile, Paijit insists that he is not the man captured in the images. He has filed a police complaint and is demanding an investigation into who posted the pictures.

He added that he was relieved that Jurin had ordered a disciplinary investigation and hoped the truth would be uncovered soon.

“I have to wait and see the result of investigation,” he said, adding that he had known about the pictures for several weeks, and also knew about messages defaming him that have been sent to Jurin and other senior officials.

He added that he has had no conflict since he was given the post of permanent secretary last year.

“I have been working hard for more than 30 years and just have one more year left. If someone wants to fire me, just tell me I’m not good at my job. That would be enough,” he said.

In a related development, a group of health officials gave Paijit a bunch of flowers and encouraged him to continue working.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

BMA seeks funds for futsal fields

By The Nation

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will seek Bt1.3 billion in loans to build futsal fields in preparation for the 2012 Futsal World Cup.

Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul said yesterday that BMA had told Krungthep Thanakom to come up with the loan on a short-term basis for three years. He added that the Government Savings Bank had proposed a low-interest savings lottery to support the project, though he believes other financial institutions would come up with better proposals.

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thon Buri has come up with the preliminary design, he said, adding that BMA aimed to promote the indoor futsal field as one of Bangkok’s landmarks. The futsal arena would incorporate modern design with Thai architecture, will have digitally changed colours and accommodate 12,000 viewers. It will be located in Nong Chok district.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Police break up gang of scammers

By The Nation

The Criminal Court yesterday sentenced four gang members, including a former Thai policeman and two Romanian men, to 20 years in jail each for forging credit cards and using them to purchase goods as well as withdraw cash, reportedly causing Bt50 million in damages.

A fifth suspect Jirayos Siribovornkiat, 45, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence, but: Ionut Buliarca, 30; Robert Rotaru, 31; former policeman Pramote Piathong, 43; and Ponthakorn Deeprasert, 33; were initially sentenced to 57 years in jail, which was then lowered to 20 years the maximum term as per Thai law.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials testified that two of the suspects had brought a skimmer over from Spain and taught the rest of the gang how to use this machine. The gang used credit-card information stolen in the South to forge credit cards, which were then used to purchase goods and withdraw cash from ATMs. The DSI officials presented documents, photographs and security camera footage as evidence, which combined with the forging tools seized during the arrests, convinced the court that the four men were guilty as charged.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Truck crash kills seven in Bang Phli

By The Nation

A pickup truck transporting workers hired for fishing crashed into a large concrete pole on a road along the Suvarnabhumi Irrigation Canal in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district, killing seven people, including the driver, and injuring three others, early yesterday morning.

When the accident was reported at 4.30am, police and rescue workers rushed to the scene to find four bodies in the wreckage, including driver Sawat Nakju, 63. Of the six injured who were hospitalised, three were later pronounced dead.

A worker’s relative Chumpol Kaewbangplee said the group was on the way to work in the Bang Kaew area. Police suspect the driver did not see the concrete pole or had fallen asleep behind the wheel.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Burma urges Thailand to help refugees

By Marisa Chimprabha

The Nation

Phnom Penh

Burma has asked Thailand to help people fleeing clashes between Burmese troops and ethnic rebels, because they believe the conflict will continue for some time yet.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had told his Burmese counterpart, Thein Sein, that Thailand would do what it can to help the displaced persons.

Abhisit, Thein Sein and leaders of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam were in Phnom Penh for the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs) summit.

At a press conference, Abhisit said he had raised the subject of the conflict with Thein Sein on the sidelines of the summit, because the clashes were affecting Thailand as people fled across the border to safety and the conflict spilled over into Thai soil.

“The Burmese premier told me the fighting would continue for quite a while. He also asked me to help provide humanitarian assistance to the Burmese refugees,” the premier said.

“I informed the Burmese PM we were willing to help the people. Most of the thousands who had earlier escaped to Thailand have already returned home.”

Abhisit also told Thein Sein it was clear the conflict spilling over into Thai soil was unintentional. When asked about his thoughts on the recent release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Abhisit said the matter had been mentioned in the summit.

“Burma said Aung San Suu Kyi had been released as per the law once her detention period expired,” he said.

Suu Kyi was released on November 13, shortly after the junta held its first general election in two decades. Results of the election, which the West branded as a sham, saw most of the parliamentary seats being won by the military-controlled party.

Commenting on his earlier statement that Suu Kyi’s release would help ease tension with the West, Abhisit said western nations had not clarified their stance on the release. However, he admitted, the decision to free Suu Kyi could be considered a response to the call by international communities to release her.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Challenge to regulate cable and satellite TV in Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Joint Cabinet meeting to discuss rice cartel

By Marisa Chimprabha

The Nation

Phnom Penh

Thailand and Vietnam will hold a joint Cabinet meeting in February, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

The venue of the meeting has yet to be finalised.

Abhisit met his Vietnam counterpart, PM Nguyen Tan Dung, on the sidelines of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs) summit in Phnom Penh.

He said that the proposed rice cartel among Acmecs members should be on the agenda at the joint Cabinet meeting. The proposal will help benefit members by boosting their cooperation on rice, rather than introducing fierce competition.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Law means heavy penalties for reluctant witnesses

By The Nation

The House of Representatives yesterday passed a law giving teeth to committees wishing to punish those who resist summonses or are uncooperative when called to give testimony.

Anybody failing to testify before the Parliament’s committees can now be jailed for six months or fined a maximum of Bt10,000 or both, according to the law’s Article 15.

Those who submit false information or faked documents to committees could face severe punishment of two years imprisonment, a fine of Bt4000, or both.

In the past, testimony in the Thai Parliament has often not been meaningful as witnesses, notably concerned officials, have declined to cooperate.

The bill of testimony in the Senate and House of Representatives’ committees has been debated in the lower house for three weeks as members found it difficult to reach common ground on many articles.

They debated strongly on whether to keep information from testimony secret, and to punish those who leak such information to the public.

The MPs finally rejected the idea and allowed the free flow of information from the testimony to the public.

The lower house yesterday voted 173 to 144 and passed the bill. The Senate would take up the bill for consideration soon.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Coalition whips agree to activate charter debate

By Nerisa Nerykhiew,

Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Kanittha Thappajorn

The Nation

The coalition whips have agreed to activate the two-day charter debate starting on Tuesday, chief whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said yesterday.

Next week’s House-Senate joint debate will cover two issues: the electoral system for MPs and the framework for international negotiations, he said.

Although the government-sponsored bill on the charter rewrite will form the basis of the debate, two other drafts -- one submitted by red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn and another by a group of 102 MPs -- will also be factored in, he said.

Witthaya said he believed the Democrat Party would have adjusted its position before the debate to be in line with the coalition’s stand on charter amendment.

The main coalition party is scheduled to hold an executive meeting on Monday. It previously opposed a switch in the electoral system from multi-seat constituencies to single-seat ones.

The four proposals for the charter amendment include the draft proposed by weng and civic groups, 102 MPs from five coalition parties, and the latest proposals put forth by the government according to the conclusion of the charter amendment and political reform committee led by National Institute of Development Administration president Sombat Thamrongthanyawong.

Weng’s draft is mainly similar to the 1997 Constitution, while the other drafts are just amendments to the electoral system (Articles 93 to 98) and the requirement of a parliamentary debate related to an international agreement (Article 190), deputy Democrat spokesman and government whip Warong Dechgitvikrom said.

He said the parliamentary meeting might be extended till Thursday.

Democrat proportionate MP Charoen Kanthawongs said his party might vote for a resolution on whether to approve the charter changes in principle. After that, there would be some time to scrutinise the details during the second and third readings.

The Democrats are split on whether to support the changes, especially on the issue of the electoral system. The party formerly opposed the changes, but Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva recently said it would respect Sombat’s committee as it had independently studied the specific issues without any political interference.

Warong, spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks and another whip member Atavit Suwannapakdee said the Democrats would reach a conclusion by Monday on which direction they should take during the parliamentary debate.

“The party hasn’t reached a conclusion on the issue. But by Monday we must reach a conclusion to indicate the single direction the party’s MPs must take. We will discuss and analyse the impact of the changes. It is unlikely our MPs will vote freely during the Parliament meeting, but we need to crystallise ideas,” Atavit said.

However, another whip, Sorawut Nerngchamnong, said there are many issues for the Democrats to discuss and free voting by MPs is still possible.

A Democrat source who asked not to be named, said the Democrats would propose to Parliament that it consider each draft one by one, so that Weng’s draft would eventually be out of the discussion.

Meanwhile, Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa said he would withdraw the coalition party’s draft. “So only the government’s draft of amendment in the two issues will remain,” he said.

“I’m worried about the quorum. The charter amendment needs more than half the House and Senate in combination -- 310 votes. Although the majority has agreed to the changes, no committee can be set up to deliberate unless the votes reach 310,” he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Five Acmecs nations to support new trade lane linking Thailand, Burma, Malaysia

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai Police arrest Swedish Man for Tax Fraud valued at over 400 million baht

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Hong Kong confirms its first case of bird flu in humans in seven years, with 59-year-old woman in serious condition after visit to mainland China /MCOT

[webfact]

R. Amsterdam's "white paper" book on Thai crisis has been taken off some shelves in Thailand after Democrats claimed lese majeste -matichon. /via @tulsathit

[webfact]

Army chief Gen Prayuth urges Red Shirt demonstrators to not prolong their planned protest on Friday, and observe emergency decree /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 992.22, up 2.09 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Major Illegal Online Lottery Ring in Ayutthaya Province Busted

The police computer crime division has busted a major illegal lottery ring in Ayutthaya province and has confiscated more than 2 million baht in cash, computers used in the crime, and a large number of lottery slips.

Anurak Sirikrerkkiet and five members of his illegal lottery ring have been arrested by the police computer crime division in the Muang district of Ayutthaya province.

The police have also confiscated 11 computers, 6 telephones, a large number of lottery slips, and financial documents, along with more than 2 million baht in cash.

The suspects are allegedly members of a ring that operates more than 30 illegal lottery and gambling websites under the name “Hia Rung Group”, out of an office in the Bangrak district of Bangkok.

The gamblers would submit their bank account numbers for the IP addresses and passwords used to access the gambling websites.

Bets would then be made on any three digit number from 000 to 999, and winnings were transferred directly to players' accounts.

The gamblers could also borrow money from the ring to gamble on the websites.

All the suspects who were apprehended have been charged with running an illegal gambling operation, an offense carrying a maximum penalty of a three year imprisonment, a 5,000 baht fine, or both.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-18

[webfact]

Thai Energy Ministry to Crackdown on Illegally Modified LPG Vehicles

Follow this link:

[webfact]

No rush to replace two outgoing ministers: Suthep

By The Nation

There is no urgency to shuffle the Cabinet to fill two vacant seats as the prime minister will later decide whether to allow the return of two outgoing ministers after contesting the by-elections, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday.

“The prime minister will decide whether to leave the two Cabinet position vacant untile the by-election vote,” he said.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat and Deputy Transport Minister Kuerkul Danchaiwijit are to depart the Cabinet by next week before joining the December 12 race to seek their re-election bids in Nakhon Ratchasima and Ayutthaya.

In a related development, Bhum Jai Thai MP Prajak Klaewklaharn denied the allegation about his party infighting to replace Boonjong.

Prajak said his party executives have yet to meet and decide on whether to replace Boonjong or reserve the seat for his return after the vote.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

[webfact]

French retail giant Carrefour cancels planned sale of its stores in Malaysia and Singapore after offloading its 42 Thai stores /MCOT