Thailand Live Monday 13 Dec 2010

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Thailand Live Monday 13 December 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Sunday 12 Dec 2010

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Poll: Democrat saved from party dissolution could lead to further conflicts

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A recent Suan Dusit poll revealed that 48% of people agree that after the Democrat party free from dissolution case, more political conflicts could occur in the country, while the other 45 per cent still believe the root causes of the problems remain unchanged.

Many people fear that the Court’s decision to withdraw charges against the Democrats will cause another political uprising in Thailand. The public poll was conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University about the Court’s decisions on the Democrat party’s charges. It said 44% of the respondents believed there is always at least one group of people disagreeing with the decision, no matter how it comes out; however everyone must respect the ruling.

Around 30 per cent of the people believed that the two charges would not create more conflicts in the society.

When asked about the political situation in Thailand, the majority of Thais thought that political conflicts remain a major concern holding the nation back. Only 18% of them still have a deep appreciation on the work of the Democrat party and wish for a better outcome and development of the nation.

The constitutional court, in a 4:3 votes, let the Democrat off the hook again in connection with the case involving the 258-million baht donation by giant TPI Polene Plc in 2005, saying that the legal process was not followed properly.

-- NNT 2010-12-13

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PM: No confirmation on Myanmar’s nuclear activities

BANGKOK (NNT) -- In light of the WikiLeaks’ claims that Myanmar is in the process of producing nuclear weapons and surface-to-air missiles, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said the issue has not been confirmed, adding Myanmar has already agreed with other ASEAN nations that the region be nuclear-free.

According to the Premier, Myanmar confirmed during the latest ASEAN Summit that it was willing to promote ASEAN as a non-nuclear-weapon region.

As for the WikiLeaks’ report that several ships loaded with weapons from North Korea docking at a Myanmar’s port, Mr Abhisit said the report was true; however, the ships had already left.

-- NNT 2010-12-13

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PM: Politics should not meddle in football

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has brushed aside claims that Thai football is in crisis.

According to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the problems of the Football Association of Thailand should be thrashed out by related organizations; adding that politics should not meddle in the issue. He, however, pledged appropriate support for the national team.

The Thai national team reached its lowest level in years when it made a first-round exit at last week’s Southeast Asian Championship last week, beaten by Indonesia; after securing two draws with Laos and Malaysia. It was also eliminated in the Asian Cup qualifying match last month. Not to rub salt in the wound, Thailand’s under-23 team was sent packing in the first round of the 2009 Asian Games

-- NNT 2010-12-13

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Pheu Thai faces test to keep its flock together

By The Nation

No surprises in by-elections, but opposition has a lot to worry about

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Voter turnout well below expectation

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Thaksin's US hearing put off

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INTERVIEW

Thai Education Ministry planning to educate people about Asean, cross-border mobility

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SMART BANGKOK

Bangkok to trial security alert system in three areas in early 2011

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Chance for short-story writers

By The Nation

Students who write short stories in English have been invited to compete for a prize of Bt10,000 by the Department of English at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts.

The short-story should pro?mote moral and spiritual val?ues and demonstrate a resist?ance to materialistic trends in modern society.

The submitted works should display originality and must be written in English.

Writers must be Thai nationals who are students at a university or holders of a bach?elor's degree or the equivalent. Each contestant is requested to submit only one work.

The annual contest is the Assoc Prof Dr ML Ananchanok Ladavalya Pahnichaputt Award 2011.

Contestants can submit their work until June 1, 2011 and should call 02 2184707-8 if they need more information.

Previously, two winners were announced in another category of the award - the 2010 English language poetry contest.

They were Preeyakit Buranasin for his 'Four Poems You Need to Hear' and Phacharawan Boonpromkul for her poem 'Children I Met'. Each was granted a Bt2,000 prize.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13

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DSI names six officials in computer bidding scandal

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

A probe by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has identified six officials for their alleged role in the Interior Ministry's scandal-plagued computer project.

Saksayam Chidchob, who is in Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul's working team, and Thani Samartkij, now the Pathum Thani governor, were allegedly implicated when witnesses insisted both had tried to persuade and intimidate Wongsak Sawaspanich - then head of the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) - to approve the bidding results.

Wongsak was transferred out of his post after he refused to oblige.

Many other officials, DSI has found, were slapped with transfer orders after showing opposition to bidding for the project.

The bidding process, according to the DSI probe, was mired with irregularities because many steps were not in line with the terms of reference (TOR).

However Kong-ekwilas Rujiwattanapong, then deputy director-general of DPA, and Interior Ministry's permanent secretary Manit Wattanasen approved the bidding documents.

The DSI has suggested that Kong-ekwilas and Manit might have violated the law.

Thirawat Wuttikhun, head of the DPA Finance Division, is under investigation too because he did not respond to Wongsak's instruction that he suspend the project. Wongsak gave the order while he was still at the helm of DPA.

Mongkon Surasajja, who replaced Wongsak as DPA director-general, was the other official

implicated in the scandal for pushing ahead with the controversial project.

The DSI probe results have now been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission because it involved holders of government offices.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has received a report on the probe results from the DSI too.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13

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Assembly condemns govt's insincerity over poor

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

The Assembly of the Poor yesterday slammed the government for its "lack of sincerity" in resolving problems related to poverty, natural resources and land ownership during the past 15 years.

Kanchananat U-sap, a member of the Land Reform Network, said even though the network had negotiated with the government over land ownership issues, the people had been deceived. Many have now been forced to move from their land, after government solution ideas failed.

" Some were threatened by authorities and were forced from their land to somewhere else. They were crying and said there was nowhere for them to live. They could not build their houses in the clouds," she said.

Kanchananat was speaking at a seminar of 300 people who had joined to mark the 15-year-anniversary of Assembly of the Poor, at Thammasat University.

Since the Assembly was established in 1995, many problems relating to the poor had been solved but many remain to affect people - especially those caused by government projects, Sawat Oop-hat, the Assembly's coordinator said.

"This reflects the government's lack of clear policies to [help] poor people," he said.

Arun Sripen from the Forestry Network said the government had issued many Cabinet resolutions - but they were just pieces of paper that had never been implemented. This was why the problems still affected so many people.

"We had talked with the governor several times about not destroying trees on our land, but the forestry officials went to our land and destroyed our trees. We have lived in this land for a long time," he said.

Adul Jewtham of the Local Fishery Network said it had tried to ask the government to revise the 1948 Fishery Act to help local fishermen preserve marine and coastal resources.

Even though the revised version of the Act had been approved by the lower house, so far it has not been enforced as it would affect commercial fishery businesses,he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13

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Engineers needed for aerospace industry

By The Nation

The aerospace industry was growing in Thailand and would require a supply of talented and well-trained engineers in the future, the Dean of Engineering at Kasetsart University, Assoc Prof Thanya Kiatiwat, said yesterday.

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has got together with Kasetsart to boost skills, learning and training of students from the Department of Aerospace Engineering about engine spare parts.

"We are pleased to be able to enhance their knowledge and develop new capabilities in the Thai aerospace industry through our scholarship and support for academic programs," Ewen McDonald, managing director of Rolls-Royce Thailand, said.

Roll-Royce supported the King Mongkut University of Technology with a scholarship fund in 2008. Presently, the company employs 39,000 people in its facilities, spread over 50 countries. Last year its annual revenue topped 10 billion euros, and on June 30 the company announced orders worth more than 58 billion euros.

Roll-Royce produces high technology aircraft, aerospace and car equipment. It provides power systems and service for sea vessels and planes. The firm seeks to enhance its development, employee skills and aerospace expertise in Thailand.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13

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Mahidol data via new iPhone app

By The Nation

Published on December 13, 2010

Mahidol University International College has announced new technology- MU App. Fast, Faster and Fastest- to help students access university data, including lessons, in a few minutes via the iPhone application.

College journal (Kaleidoscope) and university theme songs are also contained in the application.

Students will also be able to enrol and check schedules or school-records via the MU App. (Fastest). The next platform, Android, will be programmed soon.

Meanwhile, the AV-SMS Emergency system is being developed through mobile phone networks. The teaching service provider can be asked for assistance by instructors and students on instructional problems in classes..

MU iPhone App. is available on Apple Store and iTunes Store from December, 15.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13

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WAGES DEBATE

Senators oppose pay hikes

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Bangkok Second Cheapest City In The World - Oslo Most Expensive

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Early Mon rain and slippery roads caused numerous car accidents, traffic jams in Bangkok.Cooler temperature in the North, Northeast /Nation

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Time is ripe for Thai firms to look abroad

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PM to launch AMED meeting Wednesday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will chair the opening ceremony of the Third Asia-Middle East Dialogue Ministerial Meeting (AMED) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Wednesday, a senior official said Monday.

Prawit Chaimongkol, the director-general of the Southern Asia Department, said the meeting will be held under the topic of Strengthening Cooperation Towards Common Prosperity.

Delegates from 49 countries will attend the meeting, Prawit said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,043.78, up 7.93 points /MCOT

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Russian computer-security company Kaspersky sets sights on Asia Pacific

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Coalition parties win four of five by-election constituencies

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Kite Festival in Buriram to Kick Off Soon

A kite festival in the northeastern province of Buriram is set to start next week to promote tourism activity in the area and preserve traditional Thai arts and activities.

The 'Isan Kite Festival' is scheduled to run between December 18 and 19 at the Huay Rat district stadium in Buriram province.

Provincial Governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao said the event is intended to promote the importance of traditional Thai games and the local tourism industry.

The festival will showcase an array of Thai kites, such as the ancient Ek, the Ek Pattana, the Giant Ek and the common Ek.

The festival also showcases a beauty pageant and a kite parade.

He expects at least five million baht to circulate during the festival.

Traditional Thai beliefs say that playing kites is a way of giving offerings to and worshiping deities and is used to speculate about the outcome of the upcoming agriculture harvest.

If kites fly high, the country will enjoy abundant crops and water.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-13

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Don't over interpret leaked US cables : Singapore FM

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Nong Khai-Padang Besar high-speed train construction to be done in 4 years: Suthep

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PM Abhisit: Salary Raise for Parliamentarians Necessary

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Bus Operators Mull Fare Hike as Diesel Price Exceeds 30 Baht per Liter

Private bus operators say they may have to increase ticket fares if diesel prices rise above 30 baht per liter.

President of the Inter provincial Bus Operators Association Suchinda Cherdchai said bus operators are keeping a close watch on petrol prices and admitted that they may increase fares by three satang per kilometer should diesel go above 30 baht per liter.

Concerned state agencies are meeting to discuss a cut in excise duty on diesel for private bus concessionaires who could be affected if the diesel price exceeds 30 baht.

Some of the measures initially proposed include tax cuts on diesel, the issuance of discount coupons and a discount on fuel prices of two baht per liter that would be offered by retailers to bus operators this discount scheme is regarded as the most likely suggestion to pass.

President of Bangchak Petroleum Anusorn Saengnimnuan revealed that the marketing margin obtained by his firm remains at a deficit of 70 to 80 satang per liter.

He added that the company is monitoring the situation, and will see what happens next week before making a decision on any further petrol price hikes.

Vice President for Strategic Retail Marketing of PTT Group Chakkrit Charuchinda said his company is planning to fix its current pump prices during the New Year holidays, but will look at global petrol prices in order to make a final decision.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-13

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New Politics Party Expresses Concern over PM's Hint at House Dissolution

The secretary general of the New Politics Party has expressed some concern over the prime minister's indication that a general election might be held next year.

He has also said that in order to strengthen the judicial system's credibility, the court's procedures for deciding cases must be reformed.

At a press briefing yesterday, Secretary General of the New Politics Party, Suriyasai Katasila expressed some concern about Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's hinting that a general election would be held next year.

Suriyasai said that this may cause state officials to be ineffective in implementing government policies and ignoring recommendations made by the reconciliation committees.

Suriyasai demanded that the prime minister be more explicit regarding his stance towards the various committees in order to bring about effective reforms in the country.

The secretary-general of the New Politics Party also suggested that the prime minister's hint of a House dissolution could just be another political ploy aimed at quelling criticisms of the government for its mismanagement and corruption.

Suriyasai also warned the Election Commission against widespread electoral fraud in the next general election based on the number of complaints received in last weekend's by-election.

The secretary-general of the New Politics Party also talked about the dismissal of the Democrat Party's dissolution cases.

Suriyasai pointed out that the Constitution Court's decisions were based on laws, not facts, causing public doubt about the efficacy of the judicial system.

Suriyasai also urged the Election Commission to be more unified in its operation, especially in party dissolution cases.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-13

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Voter turnout in 5 constituencies 54.85 per cent

The Election Commission announced Monday that the voter turnout in the by-elections in five constituencies was 54.85 per cent with Bangkok's Constituency being the lowest.

EC commissioner Praphan Naikowit said Bangkok had the lowest voter turnout among the five constituencies because it was a long weekend and Bangkokians might leave the capital for vacations.

Bangkok saw the voter turnout at 33.73 per cent.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13