Thailand Live Wednesday 1 Dec 2010

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Local Fishermen Safely Help Stranded Whale Back to Sea in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Residents of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province have safely help a stranded whale return to sea.

Residents of Laem Talumpuk sub district of Pak Phanang district in Nakhon Si Thammarat province discovered a stranded whale 2 kilometers off the coast.

Local authorities believe the whale was stranded in the 1 meter deep area the night before.

The residents had to place the whale on a large canvas to keep it afloat to prevent it from being scraped by sharp rocks, sea shells, and corals at the bottom.

Their efforts paid off as the whale was safely dragged back to sea.

The whale was an 8-meter long female bruda, 2 meters in circumference and weigh approximately 1.5 tons.

The fishermen said they spotted similar types of whales in the surrounding areas.

It is believed that the whale was feeding on small shrimp when it got stranded in shallow water.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-01

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PRESS RELEASE

Apple Launches iPad this Friday

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About 700 Karen people flee from Myanmar to Tak s Phop Phra district in wake of fresh fighting between Myanmar military, ethnic groups /MCOT

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Big bikes to roar into Phuket

File photo by Christian Mouchet.

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Soft launch this Sunday for number portability for mobile phones. 100 customers per carrier per day /BkkPost /@RichardBarrow

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BMA to conduct random inspections of gift baskets throughout Bangkok

BANGKOK, 1 December 2010 (NNT) – To prevent consumers being short-changed, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is prepared to inspect New Year gift baskets, starting from December – January.

According to Deputy Bangkok Governor Malinee Sukhavetchavorakij, the BMA has received a number of complaints every year about goods in gift baskets being close to their expiry dates or expired. This year, the BMA has joined hands with consumer protection groups conducting random inspections of gift baskets over the next three months to ensure that customers get their money’s worth during the festive season.

Dr. Malinee said the regulation required the consumer products in cans or packages to have a shelf life of at least six months; their expiry labels must also be seen clearly. Baskets containing any perishable goods must not be put on display longer than three days, being taken off the shelves and replaced with new ones.

The BMA will also demand that customers be allowed to return the products in the baskets they are not satisfied with for full refunds, or exchange them for new ones; until the end of February, 2011.

Dr. Malinee hopes the inspection will help restore the confidence of gift basket customers and also prevent producers taking advantage of their customers.

Officials will, from now until the end of February, conduct random inspections of gift baskets in shopping centers, retail stores, and local groceries throughout Bangkok.

-- NNT 2010-12-01

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Govt Spokesman: No Thai troop re-deployment at border after Cambodia reportedly plans reopening border gate at Preah Vihear temple this weekend /MCOT

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27th Thailand International Motor Expo kicks off; Bt23 billion expected to circulate

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Phatthalung rubber tappers hit hard by floods

By The Nation

Many parts of Phatthalung have been hit by floods - some for the fourth time - as the wet season continued to bring heavy rain to the South. Rubber tappers have complained about losing income for one month now.

After heavy rains on Saturday caused flooding in many areas in the province, The Nation visited Ban Phru Por in Pa Bon district yesterday, which has been under water since Sunday morning.

Villagers such as Preecha Srisawat and Boonpob Chumuad lamented that this was the fourth flood in a month and rubber tappers who hadn't been able to work and earn money had started to borrow from others. Hoping that they would soon repay the debts after the water recedes, many now fear rubber trees might be damaged by the flooding.

Pa Bon district chief Somneuk Phromkhiew said the situation should be back to normal this week if there was no more rain.

However, the weather report might dim such hope, as the Phatthalung Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office warned residents yesterday about floods and possible landslides in six districts near the Ban Thad mountain range. They were Pa Phayom, Si Banphot, Kong Ra, Srinagarindra, Tamot and Pa Bon districts.

The Meteorological Department forecast yesterday that the ridge of rather intense high pressure from China that extends over upper Thailand and the South China Sea combined with the rather strong Northeast monsoon still prevails over the South and Gulf of Thailand. So widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain was expected over the next one to two days in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung.

A landslide occurred yesterday on Khuan Khao Sa Mountain in Songkhla's Chana district after three days of heavy rain. It damaging seven rai of rubber plantations - one kilometre from Ban Hua Khuan. No one was injured or killed, but villagers fear more landslides because the area remains soaked with water. They want geological authorities to inspect risky spots and report back to them.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

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Staff Terrorised As Two Gunmen Raid Pattaya 7-11 Store

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AFP: Thai inflation stable in November

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Bank of Thailand raises policy interest rate by 0.25% from 1.75 to 2.00 %, effective immediately /MCOT

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Nigerian arrested for trading cocaine, ice worth Bt2 mln; confesses drugs received from foreigner for sale to buyers in Bangkok's Phra Khanong district /MCOT

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2 Asians found dead off Patong beach after their jet ski hit into sailboat. The victims were between 25-35 yrs old. /via@Urisara_NT

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AFP: Finnair Cancel More Than 200 Flights on Wednesday

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Pump prices of benzene to rise by Bt0.40/liter tomorrow (Dec 2) at 5AM. Diesel prices to remain unchanged. /TAN_Network

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Army Chief Warns against Unruly Gatherings

The army chief asks the red-shirt group to reconsider their rallies scheduled during the upcoming celebrations of His Majesty the King's birthday.

He also warns that they carry out their activities lawfully.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan ocha stated the red-shirt group should review the appropriateness of its planned anti government activities on December 5, His Majesty the King's birthday, which is considered an auspicious day for Thais nationwide.

He went on to caution the protesters against violating the law.

Prayuth insisted the authorities have already prepared full security measures for handling the group's gatherings and urged anyone who plans to stir chaos to cease their movement for country's sake.

The general also said the revocation of the Emergency Decree in Bangkok and nearby provinces rests with the decision of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation.

He said regular security laws can be reimplemented if the situation is fully secure.

He reiterated the army's crucial role in the management of present security measures.

He insisted it is not the military's ploy to meddle with politics.

As for a rumor about a planned attack on Pattani province this month, the army chief said the situation in the southern border region is under close watch.

He revealed that he has often visited the region to reiterate the importance of stringent security measures in the area.

Prayuth also said the army has attempted to increase its presence to ensure the safety of residents in the region, but their scattering settlements have posted an obstacle for soldiers to provide thorough security.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-01

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AFP: Thailand hikes interest rates to 2.0 percent

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Command centre to monitor safety during Thai King’s birthday celebrations

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People's Alliance Barred from Blocking Roads

Police are speeding up the search for red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruengrong after he sent a letter to a red-shirt website to call for his supporters to prepare for a military coup.

Meanwhile, the People's Alliance for Democracy will be allowed to stage a peaceful protest on December 11, but a prolonged rally and road blocking will be prohibited.

Spokesman of the National Police Office, Police Major General Prawut Tawornsiri, said the planned anti government rally led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, on December 11 can be carried out in line with rules and regulations.

He added that the PAD must consider the impact of the demonstration on the general public.

He stated that the police are currently negotiating and discussing with PAD leaders the expected number of protesters and the rally site.

The police insisted that road blocking and a prolonged rally are not allowed.

Asked about the red-shirt group's plan to stage another rally on December 10, a day before the PAD, Prawut said the police will also coordinate with the group's leaders to ask about the rally site and the date scheduled as chaos could occur due to the proximity and timing of the rallies of the two groups.

Meanwhile, red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruengrong, who has an arrest warrant against him on terrorism charges, has broadcast a message through one of the red-shirt websites, calling on his supporters to prepare to come out if a military coup is staged.

Related agencies are investigating the IP address that Arisman used to send his letter to locate his whereabouts.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-01

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SET index closed at 1017.64, up 12.52; Bt/USD29.95; GBP46.57; AUD28.63; EUR38.94; CAD29.22; HKD3.85; SGD22.65; JPY35.70

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35 people get HIV each day, Prof Dr Chuanchom Sakondhavat says

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Thai Deputy PM Suthep To Cease Provocative Comments Against Political Groups

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Civil verdict set on March for PAD's seizure of airports

The Civil Court has scheduled March 25 to hand down its verdict after hearing the last defence witness rebutting the demand for Bt245 million damage inflicted by the yellow shirts during their seizure of Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi Airports in November 2007.

The civil litigation is a fallout from street protests led by the People's Alliance for Democracy culminating in the airports seizure. As plaintiff, the Airport Authority of Thailand has named 13 PAD leaders, including Sondhi Limthongkul, as defendants.

Speaking from the witness stand, Sondhi told the court that protesters did not disrupt international and domestic flight since they were not responsible for shutting down the two airports in Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2010-12-01

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AFP: Cambodia delays opening Thai border gate to temple: official

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to be continued

Thailand Live Thursday 2-December 2010

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