Thailand Live Wednesday 1 December 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 30 Nov 2010

Knife Used In Pattaya Jetski Scam - Irish Tourist’s Life Threatened

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Meth Worth Bt300 Million Seized in Phayao

Police have seized 300 million baht's worth of methamphetamine pills which were being delivered to a former provincial councilor of Kanchanaburi at a checkpoint in Phayao province.

Police seized 300 million baht's worth of methamphetamine and Ice pills, along with three mobile phones and 450,000 baht in cash from a truck at the Mae Ta checkpoint in Phayao province.

The drugs were found in five packages hidden under bags of corn seeds in the back of the truck.

Police arrested 52 year old Adul Tuipan, who confessed that he was hired by Den Phrommaree, a former Kanchanaburi provincial councilor, and his son, Kriangsak, to pick up the drugs from a dealer in the North.

Adul said he was on his way to deliver the drugs to the pair at a market in Ayutthaya province.

Police then went to arrest Kriangsak and are still searching for his father, who is suspected to be hiding in Kanchanaburi.

The three were charged with possession of Class 1 drugs for sale.

In another drug bust, police arrested Nattakul Rattanadetchkul while confiscating 13,000 meth pills valued more than 950,000 baht on the market at the Bangkok Bank's Tesco Lotus Sala Ya branch.

The man was suspected to be a major drug dealer in Nakhon Pathom province.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-01

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Trade Council Unworried about Political Situation

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is unfazed by worries over the impact from local political trouble.

However, it is more concerned about the effects of rising costs and continued strengthening of the baht.

Thai Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Chatchai Boonrat said that he is not worried about any fallout from the Constitution Court’s dismissal of the Democrat Party's dissolution case, saying that this latest political development is not of any concern for the private sector.

Chatchai affirmed that the business sector can continue various activities without having to wait for state guidance.

When asked about possible political moves that may follow, he suggested that all is acceptable as long as it is carried out under the code of law.

Chatchai went on to say the economy will likely experience a slowdown in growth in 2011.

He expected local GDP growth at four percent next year due to rising labor cost and a stronger baht.

The vice chairman also urged related state offices to come up with appropriate measures to help those hit hard by the baht appreciation.

And as he expects the US and Europe to take a few more years to recover from the ongoing crisis, Chatchai is urging business operators to realize the importance of Asian markets.

Moreover, the chamber is asking all entrepreneurs to prepare themselves for the introduction of the ambitious ASEAN Economic Community plan in 2015.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-01

THAI-BURMA RELATIONS

Suu Kyi calls on Thailand

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BURNING ISSUE

Is Suthep's charm wearing off?

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POLITICS

Pheu Thai sets sights on polls

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ANALYSIS

Thailand's EC demonstrated confusion on laws

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Smart card expected to resume next year

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Thai Govt, PM Abhisit blasted for 'low interest' in Aids prevention

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Holidays next May

By The Nation

May 16 next year has been announced as a public holiday, which will result in a five-day holiday from May 13-17, the Cabinet said yesterday.

In 2011, Royal Ploughing Day falls on May 13, a Friday, and Visakha Puja Day falls on May 17, a Tuesday. May 16 links two-day breaks together.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

Justice ministry bailing out some arrested red shirts

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

The Justice Ministry is continuing to help detainees from the April-May protests - except those charged with serious offences - while police are preparing arrest warrants for two more suspects in the M79 grenade attacks.

Suwanna Suwanjutha, director-general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, who heads the working team to help political unrest detainees, said yesterday they were continuing to apply for bail release for red shirts.

After managing to bail out seven red shirts so far, the team this week would propose a list of detainees in need of assistance to Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga in his capacity as Justice Fund board chairman. She said they would carefully select detainees not held for serious offences, supposedly good examples of people who would not be repeat offenders.

The Mukdahan Court on Monday granted bail to red-shirt Winai Pinsilapachai, who drank a fabric softener in front of his wife during visiting hours before being rushed to the ICU last Thursday. Winai was diagnosed with severe depression and suicidal tendencies. The court allowed Winai's wife's request for bail with a guarantee of Bt500,000. Now being treated at a Nakhon Phanom mental hospital, Winai would present himself before the court on Friday.

A volunteer lawyer Anon Ampa, congratulated Winai's family and thanked the court. He pointed out that there were 19 detainees at the Mukdahan Prison and hundreds nationwide, hence Winai's case might be repeated by others.

In Chiang Mai, two red shirts, Nikorn Srikhamma, 29, and Sujit Intarachai, 50, were released on bail and ordered to report to the Probation Office yesterday.

Police adviser Pol General Assawin Kwanmuang said yesterday that authorities would soon issue warrants for two more suspects following the arrest of a former soldier from the 7th Cavalry Regiment, Wallop Phitheephrom, and five others. He said two other suspects were at a military operational level, while police had to gather more evidence to reach the masterminds.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

Thai Minister vows to hold men responsible for pregnancies

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WOMEN IN SCIENCE 2010

Four researchers awarded

By Darapan Kaewmukda

The Nation

Four female researchers have won "Women in Science 2010" fellowship awards for their work in combating TB and malaria, for developing biodegradable plastic, and for research into atomic structure to benefit Thai manufacturing.

The awards for their achievements were presented yesterday by L'Oreal Thailand with support from the Thai National Commission for UNESCO at the Renaissance Bangkok. The fellowship programme offers four fellowships per year, valued at BT200, 000 per fellowship for female scientists and researchers.

The first winner this year is Assistant Professor Dr. Pornpan Pungpo from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ubon Ratchathani University.

Her study in molecular modelling and computational chemistry is aimed at developing more effective anti-TB agents to overcome drug-resistant problems in tuberculosis treatment.

"My commitment is to apply my knowledge to help improve the living quality of Thai people by creating more effective anti-TB agents," Dr. Pornpan said.

Second winner, Assistant Professor Dr. Malika Imwong from the Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, is working on drug resistant malaria. Dr. Malika has developed techniques to isolate a number of genes relevant to drug resistance.

The malaria virus strikes an estimated 300-500 million cases each year and kills between one and three million people annually.

The third award winner is Assistant Professor Dr. Duangdao Aht-Ong from the Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University. Her research is into developing biodegradable plastic from cellulose, derived from local agricultural residues to produce biodegradable food and agricultural packaging.

The final winner is Assistant Professor Dr. Wantana Klysubun from Research Facility Division, Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organisation) at Nakhon Ratchasima.

She was awarded a fellowship for her atomic structural research which will benefit Thai scientists and also assist industry in investigating problems in manufacturing processes.

"I hope to promote frontier research that truly benefits science and technology in this country," Dr. Wantana said.

Jean-Francois Couve, managing director of L'Oreal Thailand said the company was committed to supporting and recognising the achievements of women in the scientific field. The L'Oreal group contributes around BT30 billion each year to support the work of more than 3,000 researchers of 60 nationalities in the company's 18 research centres around the world.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

Community land title deeds for 35 villages

By Nanthida Puangthong

The Nation

People in 35 villages will be given community land title deeds following a review of 48 communities across the country, Cabinet was told yesterday.

The villages were proposed as possible pilot projects by community groups.

Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said Cabinet got a report on progress in implementing a PM's Office regulation about issuing community land title deeds. PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey was appointed chairman of a panel coordinating this.

At least 30 communities had to be surveyed within 120 days of new regulations going into in effect on October 9 last year. So, the coordinating committee set up four working teams for the North, Northeast, South and Central regions to survey and check 48 communities out of some 88 that were proposed.

A green light was then given for 35 communities to obtain community land title deeds once officials studied the results in October.

The surveyed communities were overseen by various state agencies such as the Natural Resources and Environment (17 communities), the Agriculture Ministry (9 communities), the Transport Ministry (one), the Finance Ministry (three), the Interior Ministry (14) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (four).

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

Small bomb in Saba Yoi

By The Nation

A home-made bomb exploded yesterday near a crowded market in Saba Yoi in Songkhla, the first since the state of emergency was lifted recently. Five police were injured and property damaged.

Police arrested two teenage men as suspects, found changing their clothes not far from the scene of the blast, near Saba Yoi market.

Fourth Army commander Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasarojrat said it was too early to conclude that the attack was carried out in defiance of the lifting of the state of emergency.

The home-made bomb, initially thought to be detonated via a mobile phone signal, was in a box hidden under a bench near the market where traffic policemen regularly rest after traffic duty near the market.

The attack was the third in five years in Saba Yoi, where most residents are Buddhists who live with Malay-speaking Muslims. It is one of four areas in Songkhla where the state of emergency was lifted recently.

In Pattani, a teenage volunteer guard was killed in an insurgent ambush at 3am early yesterday. Muhamma-ibha Jehwae, 18, was gunned down by automatic rifle-fire near a school in Kapho district while heading home.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

Thailand Tourism to see drop of 10-15 percent this year

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Election next year will be close: PM

By NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN

THE NATION

The next election would be a close race, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday at the annual meeting of the British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.

"If voters choose on a party basis, the Democrat Party will have a slight edge (over the Pheu Thai Party)," he said.

However, the Pheu Thai Party had a large number of MPs in the North and Northeast. The election would be a close contest, he added.

Abhisit said he hoped that everyone would accept the winning party, which would need at least a small coalition partner to form the next government.

He said the election would occur sometime next year after the current Parliament completes its four-year term next December.

The premier hoped there would be healthy competition in the poll and that issues and policies would matter.

He also hoped the country would move forward with the economy continuing to grow. Political development would move beyond current conflicts. But the ballot would be held according to the Constitution and would be peaceful.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

AFTERMATH

EC members demand Apichart step down

By PRAPASRI OSATHANON

The Nation

Apichart

Members of the Election Commission yesterday called on chairman Apichart Sukhagganond to step down and take responsibility for the Constitution Court's failure to dissolve Democrat Party. This comes after Apichart fiercely defended his role in a closed-door meeting and later said all five commissioners, including himself, should resign.

The EC members' demand was reportedly made after they met for a hour to discuss the court's non-dissolution verdict, which resulted from Apichart's failure to submit the EC's recommendation of the dissolution of the ruling party within the legal deadline.

The other members dismissed Apichart's call for all of them to resign, saying that he was the one solely responsible, not just as EC registrar of political parties, but also for missing the 15-day time frame to submit the case to Constitution Court.

One unnamed EC member reportedly told Apichart: "From now on, you as the chairman cannot do such a thing. It is required that you submit your recommendation within the time frame and technical legality before going ahead with the court process."

A source said that Apichart did not pass basic qualifications as EC registrar because he failed to meet the legal deadline and should no longer be EC chairman.

Citing regulations, the source said EC members could not seek the chairman's resignation, because: "It depends on Apichart and how he shows his responsibility by tendering his resignation himself."

The source said Prapun Naigowit, an EC member in charge of the operation of elections, would be the most suitable successor for Apichart.

"Prapun has a stronger character and is cooler than Apichart," the source added.

A law lecturer, Khomson Phokhong, of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, had earlier called on all five EC members to resign to show joint responsibility over their failure to follow basic legal requirements needed in the court process. He also called on the Parliament's Ombudsman to closely look into the EC if its members refuse to resign.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

THAIVISA NEWS: Interpol issues 'red notice' for arrest of WikiLeaks' Julian Assange

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Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Dept: Four provinces still affected by flood, death toll reaches 257; 15 provinces face extended cold spell /MCOT

PM Abhisit will preside over opening of Grand Celebration to mark HM the King's 83rd Birthday at Royal Plaza at 6pm /MCOT

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,007.54, up 2.42 points /MCOT

Thai Democrats to face second disbandment case

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MOTOR EXPO 2010

Honda goes for smaller cars to keep market share

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Gold trading price hits record high of Bt20,200 per one baht weight of gold (15.244 gram); Gold bar price now Bt19,800 /MCOT

Police Arrest Three Suspects in Chonburi Salesman Murder

Police have arrested three suspects who allegedly murdered a salesman in the eastern province of Chonburi.

All suspects have pleaded guilty.

Police captured three suspected killers of 35-year salesman Somkit Sae phua.

They have been identified as 28 year Thanathip Pinphakdee, 21 year Nittaya Udom, and 33 year Sarit Phutthachat.

The body of the victim was found buried in a cassava plantation field in the eastern province of Chonburi.

Five bullets were discovered embedded in the victim's head. His sedan was found burnt beyond recognition.

The three suspects claim they were paid by the mastermind behind the crime, Somsak Netwong, a prisoner serving a life sentence.

They said Somsak was upset at Somkit for courting his girlfriend outside of prison.

According to the three suspects, the prisoner wanted to kill the victim for refusing to break up with the woman.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-01

Senate Sport Committee Discusses Disappointing Performance in Asian Games

The Senate Committee on Sports has met with sports associations regarding the performance of Thai athletes in the 16th Asian Games, after Thailand fell short of reaching its target of 13 gold medals.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Worawut Rojanapanit, chaired a meeting of sport associations to summarize the performance of Thai athletes in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Thailand won 11 gold, 9 silver, and 32 bronze medals in the tournament.

Representatives of 20 sports associations attended the meeting.

They blamed the poor performances on the small budget provided to the associations and a shorter period of training for Thai athletes than that of athletes from developed countries.

Thailand had set a target of 13 gold medals.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the obstacles to the development of Thai sports and to find solutions.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-01

US, SKorea are planning more joint naval drills as early as this month, South Korea's military says Wednesday as two sides wrap up 4 days of Yellow Sea manoeuvres /MCOT