Thailand Live Thursday 16 Dec 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Thursday 16 December 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 15 Dec 2010

[webfact]

High fuel costs force Southerners to fill the tanks with Malaysian oil

NARATHIWAT (NNT) -- In light of the rising fuel retail prices in Thailand, people living near Malaysian border have crossed over to the neighboring country to fill their tanks with much cheaper gasoline.

Fuel prices in the Malaysian border are reportedly a lot cheaper: benzene 95 costs only around 19 baht/liter and diesel is selling at 22 baht per liter; whereas in Thailand they cost up to 37 and 30 baht a liter respectively.

With nearly 20 baht/liter cheaper petrol, people from the Thai side have flocked to Malaysia, causing heavy traffic at the border.

Meanwhile, Thai authorities have arrested a number of smugglers who smuggle fuel from Malaysia to resell in Thailand; however, many of them have managed to escape the long arm of the law thanks to the long Thai-Malaysia border.

-- NNT 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Army Chief: Homeland Secuirty Act can be used once emergency decree is lifted

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-O-Cha has said the emergency decree could be replaced by the Homeland Security Act, should the former be terminated by the end of this year.

General Prayuth said he was planning to propose that Prime Minister Abisit Vejjajiva consider applying section 1 of the Internal Security Act in maintaining peace in the country; the Act is under the responsibility of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES), the same agency in charge of enforcing the present emergency decree.

In case of violence or emergency, the National Peace Keeping Council will proceed with security measures as stated in section 2 of the Act. However, both laws will be lifted next year if there are no signs of political movements, added General Prayuth

-- NNT 2010-12-16

[webfact]

NEW!

Follow thaivisa.com on Google Buzz:

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

[webfact]

JUNO BILL

New Thai law will let pregnant students continue studying

Follow this link:

[webfact]

FACEBOOK

Social media users angry over Thai legislators' wage hike

Follow this link:

[webfact]

POLITICAL CHAOS

Japanese diplomat queries probe into cameraman's death

Follow this link:

[webfact]

CRIME

Police deny use of excessive force in arrest

Pol General Asawin Kwanmuang yesterday denied that police acted excessively in their attempt to capture the younger brother of a pair sought for the road-rage shooting of a young boy in Ayutthaya, despite an Internet video showing the officers killing the suspect.

Police had no previous conflict with Charnchai "Joke Phaikhiew" Prasongsil, but last Saturday were just trying to take the armed suspect into custody for legal proceedings, he said.

Asawin said police were ready for any probe and he believed he could answer to society. As he was approaching retirement, he wouldn't do anything to tarnish his name and good work.

Asawin, the acting commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, went to see Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to report on Tuesday's arrest of Joke's brother Noppol "Jib Phaikhiew" in connection with the fatal December 4 shooting of Bhokin "Thomy" Deephiu, 12, on the Asian Highway in Ayutthaya.

Asawin said Suthep urged him to crack down on drug syndicates and to find measures to prevent ill-intentioned people from throwing stones or shooting at vehicles on highways.

Suthep's reward for his breaking the case was a "Hey, well done!"

Asawin said police would soon seek arrest warrants for more suspects but declined to identify them so as not to jeopardise the operation.

A squad of 15 heavily armed police escorted Jib, wearing a bulletproof vest, from Ayutthaya's Uthai Police Station to the provincial court to apply for the first detention period.

The procedure was finished swiftly amid tight security for fear that gangsters would try to silence Jib, an alleged drug kingpin. The media and Jib's mother Prayong were not allowed to go near the suspect. The court approved Jib's detention without bail. He will be confined at the provincial prison.

Prayong said she tried to visit her son at the police station but wasn't allowed to see him. She said her sons didn't often come to her home in tambon Phra In Racha, Bang Pa-in district, and they told her they had obtained jobs at a restaurant with monthly salaries of about Bt10,000. They would stop by once in a while to give her Bt3,000-Bt5,000.

She said she grieved for Joke's death and if her sons did attack Thomy, she apologised to the boy's family.

She said she would hold a cremation ceremony for Joke today at a local temple.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Thai Govt to use oil fund for subsidising diesel

Follow this link:

[webfact]

THAI TALK

Next Thailand election has nothing to do with the public interest

By Suthichai Yoon

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai Immigration arrest American and British fugitive wanted for child molesting

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Democrats' popularity in Isaan does not mean a poll win: Kraisak

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Ban sought for ads of baby milk products sold in Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Teachers who beat students convicted

By Prasit Tangprasert

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima

Three teachers were yesterday initially sentenced to a one-year jail term and Bt8,000 fine each for flogging about 40 schoolboys with a wicker cord on August 23. However, the sentences were lowered to two-year suspended jail terms because of the teachers' confessions and willingness to compensate the victims.

Parents of four students had submitted a video clip of the flogging as evidence while they filed a police complaint on August 26 against the three teachers from Marie Vithaya School - former art teacher Somchai Limthammaporn, Thai-language teacher Piyachat Khaonok-adeed and student dorm-caretaking teacher Phayao Ithipi.

The Nakhon Ratchasima Court summoned the three defendants for only 10 minutes, when they confessed to the charge of physically assaulting the students and agreed to pay Bt120,000 in compensation to the four young victims.

The court ruled the three defendants were guilty of assaulting others - but as they had confessed to the crimes and paid compensation, it lowered the sentence. During their two-year suspended jail terms, the three have to report to the court four times a year and perform social services.

The parents were happy with the verdict, which they called just and satisfactory, and urged all schools to take good care of students without resorting to violence as a punishment tool.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Govt officials, private firms face corruption charges

By The Nation

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is getting ready to take further legal action against officials and private firms involved in the illegal construction of the Klong Dan Wastewater Treatment Plant in Samut Prakan.

In its website, the NACC said it had evidence suggesting that both government agencies and private companies were involved in corrupt practices while working on the controversial project.

"Our fact-finding panel has already questioned 130 witnesses and gathered more than 30,000 pages of documents," the NACC said.

According to the announcement, the fact-finding panel is chaired by NACC commissioner Wichai Wiwitsewee, and also includes another NACC commissioner Methee Krongkaew, two public prosecutors, an expert from the Bank of Thailand, an expert from the Anti-Money Laundering Office and an economist from Chulalongkorn University.

"The panel is expected to conclude its investigation and submit results to the NACC early next year," the announcement said. It added that the statute of limitations on the Klong Dan case had not yet expired.

The officials facing corruption accusations are former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame, officials at the Pollution Control Department (PCD) and Land Department, as well as several private firms.

Earlier, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Vatana to 10 years in jail for illegally buying up land plots in Samut Prakan before selling them to the PCD at a much higher price. Investigators allege Vatana is on the run.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Thai Court postpones extradition verdict of two Britons trading in anabolic steroids

Follow this link:

[webfact]

THAI-CAMBODIA TIES

Govt to help 3 Thais jailed in Cambodia : PM

By Thai News AGency

Foreign Ministry has been assigned to help three Thais who were sentenced to 18 months in jail in Cambodia for illegal entry into Cambodian territory, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Wednesday.

They had been prosecuted in Cambodia in accordance with that country's legal process and the government is trying find legal remedies to help them, state-run Thai News Agency quoted Abhisit as saying.

"I have asked Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya about this and it was affirmed that the ministry is currently following the situation. We're studying how we can benefit from the agreements made between Thailand and Cambodia regarding this issue," he said.

A collaboration has been made on the matter at a local level, he added.

The trio -- Sanong Wongcharoen, Ling Pongphet, and Laen Sapsri from the northeastern province of Surin's Sangkha district -- were arrested in August by Cambodian border patrol police, after they strayed across the border, and were charged by Cambodia with spying while hunting and foraging for food in the forest along the border.

Senior Thai officials had earlier said the three men were not spies and their arrest had nothing to do with the border dispute between the two nations.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Abhisit Administration Appears To Have Perfect Recipe To Mock Truth

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Was Norwegian killed by a cobra in Pattaya plotting revenge?

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai stocks opened Thur at 1,031.75, down 3.72pt /Nation

[webfact]

Army's rebuttal for killing reds

By The Nation

The anti-riot operations in April and May were enforced in accordance with the rule of law and under international standards, First Army Region commander Lt General Udom Sitabut said on Thursday, rebutting the allegation about soldiers shooting down red protesters.

"Soldiers enforced crowd control measures with every precaution to avoid excessive force," he said.

Udom said he was confident after all facts related to the riots emerged, the negative perception of the military would be dispelled.

He said he did not want to quarrel with critics of the military because he believed any misunderstanding would be cleared up after the completion of the legal proceedings.

He also refused to comment on the report by the Department of Special Investigation which raised the possibility that some deaths might be inflicted by the military firepower. He said he understood the DSI was trying to do its job.

Udom made his remarks in the wake of a threat by Pheu Thai MP Jatuporm Promphan to make public parts of what he claimed to be the investigative reports on 91 killed in the crackdown.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Diesel Prices to Be Slashed by Bt0.30/Ltr Tomorrow

Following the state's decision to use money from the Oil Fund to subsidize local diesel prices, pump prices for diesel will be slashed by Bt0.30/liter tomorrow at 5 A.M.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Retired top judge under NACC probe

By The Nation

The National Anti Corruption Commission has launched a fact-finding probe on alleged misconduct involving former Supreme Administrative Court president Ackaratorn Chularat.

Ackaratorn, who retired from his position this year, is under probe due to a complaint about his decision to reassign presiding judges in charge of the administrative litigation on Preah Vihear Temple controversy, NACC member Vichai Vivitsevi said.

The fact-finding probe on Ackaratorn is a first step before the NACC decides whether to open a full inquiry, Vichai said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Police Seized 31 Million Baht of Ice, Meth Pills in Drug Bust

Police have arrested suspects of a drug ring in Rayong province and confiscated an estimated total of 31 million baht worth of methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine pills.

The suspects claim they received their orders from a local prison.

Narcotics Suppression police officers conducted a drug bust and apprehended three suspected drug dealers including Suwitchai Plai ngam, Suthi Thammee and Somchai Fakyam.

Officers also seized 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice, and 100,000 of methamphetamine, or Ya Bah pills, estimated to be worth more than 31 million baht.

Police carried out the bust at Rayong’s Nikhom Pattana and Klaeng districts, after receiving being tipped that Suthi was going to deliver the drugs stored at a petrol station to Somchai in Klaeng district. Police followed the suspects and eventually moved in for the arrest.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they received orders from a prisoner in the Rayong Central Prison named Putthithep Namnil, to transport the drugs for which they received 70,000 to 80,000 baht in payment.

Investigators have detained the suspects and have begun investigating the aforementioned prisoner at Rayong Central Prison.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Family Calls for Justice in DJ's Death in Holding Cell

Relatives of a Dj who was found dead in a cell at Sutthisan Police Station are urging officers to search for a culprit, as they believe the man was beaten to death.

Relatives of Chatchapong Chandket, a former disc jockey at a famous pub in the RCA area, filed a complaint with Crime Suppression Police asking them to find the person responsible for the man's death.

The man, widely known as DJ Sin, was found dead while being detained at Sutthisan Police Station. He was arrested in February for wielding a knife in public.

Autopsy results indicated the DJ died of suffocation and circulatory system failure caused by internal bleeding of the brain and various organs, due to impact from hard objects.

No traces of narcotic substances or alcoholic were found in his body.

Chatchapong's family is convinced he was assaulted by officers.

They claim Chatchapong obeyed the directions of officers during his arrest and should not have been subjected to violence.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

[webfact]

CRES Sends Proposal to Cancel Emergency Decree to Govt

Secretary General of the National Security Council Thawil Pliensri has revealed that the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations, or CRES, has forwarded its proposal to cancel the state of emergency in the remaining three provinces to the government. The proposal will be studied by Cabinet on December 21. If it is approved, all emergency decrees will be cancelled on December 22.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Phuket to Regulate Yacht Arrivals and Departures

Phuket province is set to develop an Internet check in and check out system for all yachts arriving in the province, to shorten processing times and facilitate yachtsmen.

Deputy Phuket Governor Weerawat Chanpen said that all foreign yacht arrivals and departures to and from Phuket waters will be required to report to the Phuket Port Control Center at Ao Chalong Pier in Muang district before they can berth at private Marinas or travel anywhere else around Phuket.

Weerawat added that since Phuket has become the premiere yachting destination in Asia, the province has developed Ao Chalong Pier as a one stop service where customs officials, Immigration, Port Captain, and other related offices are located.

Furthermore, the deputy Phuket governor noted that the Information and Communication Technology Ministry has assigned the Software Industry Promotion Agency or SIPA to set up a system to enable yachtsmen to check in and out in advance via the Internet.

The system is expected to be put into use at the beginning of next year.

The local Marine Department is constructing an office building to be used for providing services for the registration of yachts at Chalong Pier.

The construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Asthma clinics to be set up across country

BANGKOK, 15 December 2010 (NNT) - The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has announced that it would set up asthma clinics in local communities across the country enabling patients covered under the social security system to have access to steroids and inhalers.

According to the NHSO, over 1 million patients are admitted to hospitals for acute asthma each year; therefore, the Office has planned to establish the clinics to cover every part of the country within 2011.

A pilot project was established in Khon Kaen Province in 2008, which, so far, has helped around 20% of patients with acute asthma without having to transfer them to emergency units.

The Public Health Ministry has reported a sharp increase in the number of asthma in-patients in Thailand. Fewer than 67,000 were admitted to hospitals for the treatment of the disease in 1995, but the number jumped to over 100,000 patients in 2007.

-- NNT 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Villagers Protest Biomass Power Plant in Ubon Ratchathani

Villagers in Ubon Ratchathani province are protesting against the construction of a biomass power plant in the area, calling for the project to be suspended until an environment impact assessment is completed.

Some 100 villagers in Sawangwong district gathered at Ubon Ratchathani City Hall to oppose the construction of a biomass power plant in their neighborhood, demanding that the project be suspended until local authorities have studied its pros and cons.

The group also called for a review of the project permit.

They said no environment impact assessment has been undertaken, as there was only a letter of support letter issued by the provincial industry office.

Ubon Ratchathani Governor Suraphon Saiphan accepted the complaints from villagers, saying he will send a notice asking the owner of the project to halt the construction until the result of the environmental impact study comes out.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

[webfact]

Robbery Reported in Si Sa Ket

A 37 year old woman in Si Sa Ket province was robbed after being tricked into stopping at an obstruction.

A robbery was reported in Si Sa Ket Province when a man placed wood across a local road in Kanuan Village in Si Sa Ket's Uthumporn Phisai district, to get passersby to stop their vehicles before robbing them.

The obstruction forced 37 year old Sanguan Thaosing, who was driving to a local market in the early morning, to stop her vehicle.

The man then stabbed her and robbed her of more than ten thousand baht in cash.

The victim's father recounted that his daughter was just going to a local market before the incident occurred just 100 meters away from home.

His daughter told him that a man wearing a red jacket placed wood across the road. She said he stabbed her and made off with her belongings.

Police believe the culprit might be a local from the area, since he knew about the traveling patterns of the victim.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16