Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Dec 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 8 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 7 Dec 2010

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Over 70 billion baht to circulate during long holidays

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bank of Thailand has estimated that over 70 billion baht will be in circulation throughout in the nation during December, 1–9, the long holiday.

According to Jittima Duriyaprapan, an assistant to the BOT Governor, 26 billion baht would have been spent on gifts and celebrations when the festive event drew to a close on Dec.9. The amount is 4.8 per higher than that in the same period of last year.

-- NNT 2010-12-08

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Reasons behind the oil price rise

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Following the lowering of the prices of Gasohol 91 and E20 last week, today the prices of all kinds of fuel have jumped up by 50 satang a liter, as a result of global oil prices rising to 100 USD a barrel.

Sarun Rungsiri, of the PTT, has disclosed that the company has to increase its retail prices of diesel and benzene by 50 satang per liter, given the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil has reached its highest level in 25 years. The hike is due to the positive result of last week’s economic indicator, together with relatively colder weather throughout the US and Europe.

Moreover, the higher demand for oil for domestic consumption during the festive seasons has also contributed to this price rise, given all holidaymakers need transportation.

According to Mr Sarun, PTT will try its best to slow down the rise, trying to create as little effect as possible on consumers. He has also reminded everyone to make every effort to reduce fuel consumption.

-- NNT 2010-12-08

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Tsunami rumors sparked fear damaging tourism industry

SATUL (NNT) -- Satoon provincial authority has brushed aside prediction by a psychic that tsunami will hit coastal provinces by the end of this year. He has also expressed his concerns over the loss of revenue in the still struggling tourism industry.

Having contacted the National Disaster Warning Center, Winai Kru-wan-na-pat, the Governor, declared the province safe, saying there were no indications whatsoever that the giant wave, a consequence of underwater earthquakes, will occur from December 28th-30th as predicted by some fortune tellers.

However, the spreading rumor has prompted tourists to cancel their trips and room reservations in Phuket, Pang-Nga, Krabi and Trang provinces simultaneously, causing the industry to lose approximately 40 million baht in revenues.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Warning Center, in corporation with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, has recently launched two buoys in the Andaman Sea to monitor any activities or pressure changes underwater.

Data pertaining to the changes will be transmitted to the Center in Bangkok every 6 hour. However, if any unusual movements are detected, they will be reported back to the Center every 5 minute; giving authorities enough time to evacuate the people in the areas.

-- NNT 2010-12-08

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Thailand Post Anti-loan shark bank approved

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REDS LEADERS

Court allows Jatuporn to stay out of jail

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THAKSIN, WHERE ARE YOU?

Uncertainty on whether to seek Thaksin's extradition from US

By The Nation

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FATAL BIKE CRASH

'Film' has swollen brain and showed sign of recovery

By The Nation

Moto GP rider Rutthapark "Film" Wilairoj is suffering swelling on the brain and will need one to two months to recover, a doctor at Bumrungrad Hospital said yesterday.

Dr Montri Laksuwong said the CT scan on Rutthapark, who was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit on Monday after a road accident, showed the right lobe of his brain was slightly bruised and the brain swollen. He had high fever, but his blood pressure and heartbeat were normal, the doctor said, adding they had removed a respiratory aid from him in the afternoon.

Rutthapark showed signs of recovery, being able to lift his arm or leg as instructed and nodded to questions, the doctor said. However he would remain in the ICU for further medical surveillance for the time being.

The brain injuries should recover in about four weeks and the bruise was not severe enough to affect his memory, the doctor said. However it remained to be seen whether he could race his motorcycle in the near future. Visitors were not allowed because of concern about possible infection or complications.

AP Honda executive Arak Pornprapa said he believed Rutthapark could return to racing before long, perhaps for a race in April 2011. He said training schedules would be adjusted so Rutthapark could train in Spain in March.

Meanwhile, Chon Buri police are waiting to interview Rutthapark about the motorcycle accident in Chon Buri that left him injured and a friend dead on Sunday night. Pol Major Surawat Suwatmontri of Muang Chon Buri said it was still unclear which of the two - Rutthapark or his late friend Thammawit Boonruaycharoen - rode the bike.

If it was Rutthapark, he would face a charge of recklessness causing another's death.

After the crash, Rutthapark was sent to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. His mother went with him, leaving his younger brother and sister to welcome 300 guests on Monday evening at the funeral of their father and former racer Christmas Wilairoj at Wat Yai Intharam in Muang Chon Buri.

The family was also discussing the postponement of his cremation, previously slated for December 8, for another 100 days so Rutthapark could attend the ritual.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

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Court revokes order for pair to pay US firm $1.2m

By The Nation

The Central Administrative Court yesterday revoked a Marine Department directive ordering two officials to pay nearly US$1.2 million (Bt36 million) in damages for failures in the purchase of three drill ships 11 years ago. It cited a statute of limitations as the reason.

Wichit Rakphanich and Anan Srimongkutphan had failed to perform their duties, which caused the department to lose a legal battle with US manufacturer Ellicott Machine Corp International and be ordered to pay it a penalty of nearly $1.2 million. But the directive ordering them to pay the money to the US firm was issued after the end of a one-year legal deadline.

The judges said Prasong Tanmaneewatthana, director-general of what was then the Marine Transportation and Naval Commerce Department, had failed to meet the legal deadline stipulated in a 1991 law. But they did not rule on his responsibility, as that was not raised by complainants in the lawsuit.

Prasong had ordered both Wichit and Anan, two out of a total of seven officials investigated by the department, each to pay $593,705.49 to the US firm.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

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BURNING ISSUE

PAD and Thai govt happy for yellow-shirt rally to be postponed

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Welfare to be expanded

By The Nation

Temporary workers included in govt plans; Opposition slams populist policies 'aimed at swaying votes'

The government is expected to announce on December 17 a planned revision of the Social Security Act to welcome some categories of the country's 24 million workers with temporary jobs into the welfare system.

The move is part of a new round of populist policies that have been heavily criticised by the opposition for attempting to influence the way people vote.

A paper obtained by Nation News Network shows that the workers could be included in the social-security net within two months of the revision of Article 40 of the act, which should take between two and five months to accomplish.

"This will make history," said a person familiar with the committee working on the new set of policies.

The committee proposed that temporary workers should contribute Bt100, Bt180 or Bt280 per month to the Social Security Fund, and that the government's contribution should be half that amount.

The policies are also expected to cover measures to raise the income of taxi drivers and taxi motorcyclists. The plan is to have the latter registered, in return for easier access to welfare and loans.

The Fiscal Policy Office in its Macro Morning Focus yesterday gave its support to the inclusion of temporary workers in the welfare system, saying that it could boost domestic consumption, which now contributes 50 per cent of the economy. These workers currently have no support in terms of health and revenue insurance, it said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last week said that aside from extending the social-security network to cover six categories of people - including street vendors, motorcycle taxi drivers and night workers - the policies would cover the new pricing structure for liquefied petroleum gas for household and industrial use, as well as the monitoring of consumer-product prices in line with production costs. The plans will cover immediate measures designed to improve living standards, job security and access to capital and education.

Yesterday, the private sector endorsed the proposed hike in minimum wages by Bt10-Bt11 per day, while the government approved the Government Savings Bank's Bt2-billion loan to flood-hit temporary workers.

Moreover, the Commerce Ministry plans to seek Cabinet approval to freeze consumer-product prices for three more months to end-March in light of rising oil prices.

Abhisit yesterday insisted that his welfare policy was aimed at reducing disparity, and denied the opposition's claim that he had the ulterior motive of jump-starting a campaign to sway votes.

"I have always made known my stand to improve the welfare system," he said, adding that the move was well planned and not a hasty attempt to gain popularity.

"The ultimate goal for Thailand's reform is to reduce the social disparity and injustice existing in the social structure."

He also said the national reform panel chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun would augment the push.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit cast doubt on the government, questioning whether it was promoting social welfare or churning out populist measures designed to buy votes.

"The way I see it, the government is spreading money around - and this is taxpayers' money - to win the people's support," he said.

The government has no vision for how to run the country, he said, voicing suspicion about the timing of unveiling the social welfare plans to coincide with Sunday's by-election.

He called on the Election Commission to launch a probe into what he sees as foul play by the government in an attempt to buy votes.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

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Regulation on smart cards to be amended

By THE NATION

The Cabinet voted yesterday to amend an Interior Ministry regulation and approve the use of nine million national identity cards with an embedded microchip.

Abhisit called for a vote after Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul expressed reluctance over the amendment. Nine ministers backed the change, while Chaovarat and five other ministers abstained.

Those who abstained were Deputy Education Minister Narisara Chawaltanpipat, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut, Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu, and Transport Minister Sophon Saram - most of them Bhum Jai Thai Party members.

An informed source said the Bhum Jai Thai ministers chose to abstain in order to avoid possible legal trouble in the future because the Council of State had ruled earlier against the amendment proposal.

Deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar insisted yesterday that the change was needed to solve problems with the smart cards.

"This solution will allow people to have access to the cards soon," he said.

Problems began earlier this year when the Interior Ministry found that smart cards procured by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry did not comply with prescribed specifications. Because of this, many citizens have had no access to smart cards and people who need national ID have been issued temporary yellow cards over the past few months.

Wongsak Sawasdipanich, former chief of the Provincial Administration Department, welcomed the Cabinet nod for the regulation change.

"If the Constitution can be amended, why can't the regulation?" he asked.

He said the amendment would prevent problems that might arise from the Interior Ministry's decision to reject cards the ICT had already signed purchase contracts for.

Wongsak, who is an inspector-general at the Interior Ministry, is facing a disciplinary probe for approving use of the microchip-embedded cards as national identification cards even though they do not match all the specifications. He granted the approval while he was at the helm of the Provincial Administration Department.

"Had I not approved the use, corruption and conflicts with private companies concerned would have taken place," he said.

An informed source said the government could be required to pay more than Bt300 million in compensation if the purchase contract was terminated.

Wongsak now expected the probe against him to be dropped. "If the probe goes on, I will take legal action against the permanent secretary for Interior and officials concerned," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

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Thai immigration officers arrest hundreds of alleged members of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers Eelam at Phahonyothin Soi 54 for illegal entry to kingdom /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,038.76, down 1.96 points /MCOT

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Thai Army to Rush More Help to Flood Victims

The Royal Thai Army has instructed all units to expedite help for victims of the flood crisis, especially for the poor.

The Royal Thai Army’s Deputy Spokesperson, Colonel Sirichan Ngathong, says a number of issues were raised at the monthly meeting of army agencies.

She said Supreme Commander General Prayut Chanocha has called on all military officers to adopt His Majesty the King’s speech, heard during his 83rd birthday celebration over the weekend, in which His Majesty asked everyone to do their best for the country.

General Prayut also instructed all military units to expedite efforts to help the victims of the severe flooding all over the country, particularly the poor.

The Supreme Commander urged all Thai soldiers to step up and do as much as they can to help.

According to Sirichan, the Royal Thai Army has completed repair work at more than 3,000 homes that were damaged during the flood crisis.

The army plans to work on some 2,200 more homes after the New Year holidays.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-08

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EDUCATION

Thai students score poor marks in world survey

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Myanmar reopens Three Pagodas border crossing, connecting Thailand's Kanchanaburi, to celebrate Thai king s 83rd birthday after five-year closure /MCOT

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50 Sri Lankan illegal immigrants rounded up

Police rounded up 50 Sri Lankan illegal immigrants in Bangkok early Wednesday and suspected members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were believed to be among them, police said.

The Sri Lankans were rounded from rented rooms on Soi Phermsin off Phahol Yothin Road in Bang Khen.

They were sent to the Immigration Bureau for questioning.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

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2 policemen held over robbery charges

By The Nation

The two Bangkok policemen, arrested along with three other suspects for robbing an Indian clothes vendor, would be dismissed from service immediately, Metropolitan Police chief Lt-General Jakthip Chaijinda said yesterday.

Bang Rak policeman Corporal Bancha Phromchak, 30, Phra Ratchawang policeman Sergeant Thawatchai Reungsuwan, 30, and three other men were arrested for allegedly robbing the Indian man and his wife at their Bon Kai home of cash and valuables totalling Bt29,000. The suspects, currently in the custody of Lumpini police, are maintaining their innocence.

Meanwhile, Jakthip said yesterday the incident was suspected to have been part of a debt-collecting scheme. He said police officers had been told to not get involved in debt collection or robbery because if caught, they would face the same punishment as others and the force wouldn't protect them.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

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Eco lessons for Chiang Mai farmers

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Thai Medicine prices will soar under FTA with EU: study

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Thai Foreign Ministry monitoring ex-PM Thaksin's possible US entry

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Two Drug Busts Takes 20,000 Pills Off Streets

Police have arrested five suspected drug dealers in two separate cases and seized a total nearly 20,000 methamphetamine pills.

Police have arrested suspected drug dealers in Pattani province, seizing 18,000 methamphetamine pills and freezing bank accounts worth five million baht.

The criminals have been identified as Suhaimi Ding, Muhammed Pausi Muso, Ma e Kasor, and Nasea Salae.

Authorities said the four suspects are part of a huge drug network orchestrated by Bari Sueni and Wuttichai Alee, who are prisoners in Songkhla province.

Police went on to say they will crush the ring as soon as possible, as this network's influence is massive in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces.

In a separate case, police in the northern province of Payao arrested a suspected drug dealer on a local street in Muang district, apprehending 2,000 methamphetamine pills.

The suspected seller, identified as Saneh Khan olan, said he bought the drugs at the Thai Burmese border in Chiang Rai province and was on his way to distribute them in Roi Et province.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-08

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Foreign Minister Kasit believes US will not allow Thaksin to enter; affirms Thailand and US have active extradition treaty /MCOT

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Special report: Bangkok's China Town

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100 Sri Lankans arrested for illegal entry to kingdom

BANGKOK, Dec 8 – Thai immigration police arrested around 100 Sri Lankan nationals at an apartment in Bangkok early Wednesday morning for illegal entry to Thailand, according to Pol Maj-Gen Pansak Kasamsan, deputy commissioner of Immigration Bureau.

Gen Pansak and 50 immigration police officers raided the apartment in Phahonyothin Soi 54, Bang Khen district, which was suspected as a hideout for some members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a Sri Lankan separatist organisation.

The operation occurred after Interpol had coordinated with Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and reported that some members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were believed to be in Thailand and were set to travel to the United States to carry out sabotage there.

The initial investigation found that those suspects staying at the apartment were not involved in the militant organisation but all of them were charged with entering the country illegally with an aim to immigrate to third countries.

Around 100 Sri Lankans, including children and the elderly, were taken to the immigration office in Soi Suan Plu for detention and further investigation before the police will repatriate them to their homeland. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-08

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AFP: Thailand likely to end emergency rule by New Year: PM Abhisit

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Gen Chawalit is ready to take the PM post if his party wins in the next election

BANGKOK, 8 December 2010 (NNT)- General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth has said he is ready to be Thailand’s next Prime Minister if his party wins the next general election. He also said the planned US trip by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawat will do more good to Thailand than harm.

In light of the government’s all-out efforts to have Mr. Thaksin extradited to Thailand, General Chawalit said whether it would succeed depended on how the government went about the procedures relative to the extradition treaty. He did not believe the former prime minister would make any virulent criticism against Thailand; particularly as regards the gross human rights violations of the past four years.

Regarding the pay rise for local administrative officials, which many said was a vote-buying policy, General Chawalit, the Pheu Thai Party's Chief Adviser, said it could be done as long as the raise was reasonable, in line with the budget spending, and did not affect any other groups of workers or officials.

-- NNT 2010-12-08

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Kasit confident US will not grant entry visa to Thaksin

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya expressed confidence Wednesday that the US government will not grant entry visa to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Kasit was reacting to reports that a US standing parliamentary committee had invited Thaksin to testify over crackdowns on red-shirt protesters.

"I personally believe Thaksin will not be able to travel to the US because he is a fugitive running away for over two years," Kasit said.

"Most countries in the world do not welcome Thaksin. So far, the US and European Union do not allow him to enter their countries," Kasit said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08