Thailand Live Monday 20 Dec 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Monday 20 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 Sunday 19 Dec 2010

[webfact]

PM: MPs salaries increase is in line with international standards

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva confirms that the plan to raise the salaries of lawmakers is in line with international standards and the increase will take effect in the next administration.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his weekly program that many sides had criticized the government's pay raise plan, saying politicians simply wanted to increase their own salaries. However, the increase would take effect in the next government; in line with international standards that the ruling administration should not raise its own pay.

Furthermore, the premier added that the salaries of those working in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches should be equal; and that the pay raise should cover the entire system, not just government officials, who had already had their salaries increased.

-- NNT 2010-12-19

[webfact]

NEW!

Follow thaivisa.com on Google Buzz:

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

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry targets 10% export growth next year

CHONBURI, Dec 19 – Thailand's Ministry of Commerce has targeted a 10 per cent expansion in exports next year, valued at some US$207-209 million on the basis that the baht hovers around 30 baht per dollar and the price of crude oil stays at about $76-77 per barrel, according Department of Export Promotion (DEP) director-general Nantawan Sakuntanaga.

Thailand’s export markets, supported by the world’s economy and trade, tend to expand steadily. Thai goods have more opportunities in the world market. Thai entrepreneurs’ product standard have been accepted and benefited from free trade privileges, Ms Nantawan said.

Although export in 2011 are likely to grow at a good pace, the risk factors are baht appreciation which will have a clear impact on Thai export in the first quarter of 2011.

According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), oil prices may rise to $60-80 per barrel. Thailand's increased daily minimum wage and policy interest rate are likely to lead commercial banks to adjust their interest rates, she said.

The cost of raw materials for export production is rising owing to the recent drought and flooding, she indicated, noting that labour shortages in export-oriented sectors such as the automotive, textile and electrical appliance industries are still problems.

The Department of Export Promotion has studied the effect of risks on each export sector next year and will propose solutions to the Economic Cabinet on Tuesday or the following week at the latest, so that Thai export next year will reach their target.

The export promotion plan next year will focus on supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and penetrating high potential markets including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China, India and Russia, she added.

Services, goods and businesses will be developed, based on value-added measures, branding, innovation and environmentally-friendly production, she explained.

Exports in this year’s final two months is expected to increase by 20 per cent and 24-25 per cent on average, valued at about $189-190 billion for the entire year. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-19

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport Link check-in system launch set for Jan 4

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai public not happy with police performance

Follow this link:

[webfact]

AFP: Thousands of Thai Red Shirts gather in Bangkok

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Red-shIrt rally goes off peacefully

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Many Thais affected by border disputes with Burma

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Religious leader behind deadly ambush in Yala

Follow this link:

[webfact]

BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR

Piyasvasti, President Of Thai Airways International

Follow this link:

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

BMA research into city's woes

By Patcharee Lueng-uthai

The Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is planning a research programme to address the problems, complaints and requirements of Bangkok's people and communities.

In January, the BMA is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with 25 state and private universities, the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), and Thailand Marketing Research Society (TMRS) to conduct community research for a Bangkok reconciliation plan.

It expects to complete the reconciliation plan and submit it to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in August 2011, said Taya Teepsuwan, deputy governor of Bangkok.

The research is in line with the government's national reconciliation plan to "reduce the conditions, which led to conflict in society and create an environment conducive to restoring peace and harmony," said Taya.

She said National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) would be a key player in researching and analysing the information. NIDA would also organise a workshop for all of universities in a bid to move in the same direction and optimise the project outcome.

While, another 24 universities would work with the BMA, PDA and TMRS to carry out research in six zones throughout the Bangkok area, with four universities for each zone.

The research would cover six issues: education accessibility and youth development;community physical conditions such as housing demands; accessibility of public facilities; unfair treatment by state agencies; public opinion opportunities; and poverty and community strength

BMA's initiative would mean collaboration between public and private sectors, and importantly involve public participation. The research would be conducted through the focus groups, survey research and case studies.

"The Bangkok reconciliation plan will be essential for the government to revise the policies' mechanism and even laws for sustainable development," said Taya.

The government launched the national reconciliation plan after facing the prolonged redshirt protests, which led to the violence in April/May 2010. The income gap between rich and poor was one of the crucial causes pressuring the government to take hard steps on the issue.

Meanwhile, the BMA has teamed up with Rakluke Group to initiate training for parents as a part of urban community development projects.

Taya explained that in the past, the BMA had organised training for students and teachers without parents. Now it was seen as necessary to improve knowledge of parents, especially those who lived from hand to mouth. The BMA and Rakluke Group would arrange the training for 100 people in each of six zones. Doctors, academics, psychologists and dieticians would participate in enhancing the knowledge of the parents.

The training would be a guide for a good parenting - particularly among those who do not have time to learn and teach their children. Group training would be divided into four stages from newborns to 2 years, 36 years, 712 years and 1314 years. The project aimed to help parents deal with children's problems such as emotional and behavioural disorders, games and drug addiction, and sex.

-- The Nation 2010-12-20

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Political landmines before Thai govt

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Ministers nobody knows- Narisa and Chaiwut

By The Nation

Deputy Education Minister Narisara Chawaltanpipat and Industry Minister Chaiwut Bannawat share the dubious honour of being the most obscure ministers, according to a nationwide public opinion poll.

Narisara and Chaiwut were tied at 42 per cent as the least known Cabinet members, followed by Deputy Public Health Minister Pansiri Kulanatsiri at 36 per cent.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu and Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Jiramethakorn rounded out the bottom five in the recognition ranks.

The ministers who are the least familiar should produce tangible achievements, said 61 per cent of the respondents, while others want them to work with prudence and integrity and to be more accessible to the public.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva scored the highest job approval rating in the Cabinet with 6.7 out of 10, followed by Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit at 6.0 and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij at 5.9.

Deputy Prime Minister Trirong Suwankhiri and Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit tied for fourth place.

Asked what they expect from Abhisit, 61 per cent said they want him to solve the problems of the country faster and the same percentage want him to be on the lookout for people close to him and possess strong leadership.

About 59 per cent want more action than lip service, 56 per cent want no discrimination, 51.2 per cent want problems with a neighbouring country resolved and 51 per cent want the country's division to be bridged through peaceful means.

Corruption must be attacked at every level, 46 per cent replied.

Abac Poll conducted the survey from December 118 on 2,078 respondents in 17 provinces

-- The Nation 2010-12-20

[webfact]

CHALK TALK

The long road ahead to educational reform in Thailand

Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Chiramethakorn

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Get tough wIth junta: Sen

Follow this link:

[webfact]

PSU to host Islamic world meeting

By The Nation

Prince of Songkhla University (PSU), Pattani Campus, will host an Islamic international conference for Islamic lecturers and academics to share their experiences and opinions and prepare curriculum suitable for changes in the globalised world.

The university's College of Islamic Studies is in charge of hosting the international conference on the "Role of Islamic Studies in PostGlobalised Society", which will take place from tomorrow to Thursday at the campus.

PSU president Assoc Prof Boonsom Siribumrungsukha expected related people and agencies would have more ideas to organise 10 more international conferences on Islamic studies.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would preside over the opening ceremony. About 100 lecturers and academics across the world had confirmed their attendance. They were from alAzhar University in Egypt, alalbayt University, Mutah University and Yarmouk University from Jordan, alNeelain University from Sudan, Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia and other Islamic educational institutions in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

He expected 200 delegates to attend the conference.

Moreover, he said, ministers from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Cambodia had confirmed their attendance for the conference. Islamic spiritual leaders in Asean countries had also been invited to join the conference. Asean Islamic spiritual leaders would hold a meeting to discuss preparations for holding an Islamic conference.

Research related to Islamic studies will be presented to the participants and roundtable discussions among Islamic universities will be held to seek their collaboration to move forward Islamic studies in keeping with the changing world.

"We won't make the discussions useless. We will provide meetings for the academics and lecturers to create their collaboration after the end of discussions to put their ideas into practice," Boonsom added.

He said the college planned to establish a Thai Middle East Collaboration Research Centre and Islamic teacherdevelopment centre to improve Arabic language skills and Islamic teachers and pass on knowledge of Islamic studies to local people.

-- The Nation 2010-12-20

[webfact]

BUSINESS

Dupont working on 10-year plan for Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Hundreds of Christmas travellers face third day stranded at London's Heathrow airport Monday as arctic conditions spark fresh flight delays and cancellations /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,024.59, up 2.13 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Red Shirts Hold Rally to Commemorate 7th Month Anniversary of Unrest

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Justice Minister: No Intervention in Granting Bail for Red-shirt Members

The justice minister has reaffirmed that there will be no intervention in the case of granting bail for the detained red-shirt members, while revealing that the reason they remain in custody is because there has been no bail requested for them.

Justice Minister Piraphan Salirathavibhaga confirmed that there has been no intervention in the decision to grant bail for the red-shirt leaders and their core leaders who are being detained in state penitentiaries.

He stated that the matter is entirely at the court’s discretion and that no one, including the Justice Ministry or people in the political sector, are able to change the court’s orders.

The justice minister pointed out that they are being detained due to court orders, so as the temporarily release decisions.

Piraphan also revealed that 46 detained red-shirt members have already been released on bail, while the rest of the detainees remain in prison because they do not have sufficient bail or lawyers to file bail requests for release on their behalf.

However, some of them refused to be bailed out.

Currently, there are 180 red-shirt members in custody and the Justice Ministry will instruct the Rights and Liberties Protection Department to find out whether any of the detained red-shirt supporters would need legal assistance in order to be granted temporarily release.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-20

[webfact]

2 troops injured in Narathiwat ambush

Narathiwat - Two troops were injured in an ambush by southern insurgents in this southern border province Monday morning.

The ambush happened when four troops on two motorcycles were returning to their base after they escorted a group of teachers to schools.

The attack occurred on Ban Saloh-Bango Kubo Road in Tambon Borngo of Rangae district at 9 am.

The two injured troops are Pvt Useng Morsor, 23, and Pvt Yamaris Muniya, 23.

-- The Nation 2010-12-20

[webfact]

Police Seize 'Ice' Worth 25 Million Baht

Police say they have seized 25 million baht worth of crystal methamphetamine in Nonthaburi province.

Nonthaburi police said they apprehended a suspected drug dealer, 48 year old Charin in Bangbuathong district while also seizing crystal methamphetamine, better known as Ice, worth as much as 25 million baht.

Police said the arrest came when they were informed that the drug dealer, who received Ice from Chiang Rai province, was in Nonthaburi province and was going to distribute the drugs in Bangkok soon.

The suspected drug dealer pleaded guilty, and admitted to burying another 15 packs of Ice underground.

Police said he has been indicted on a charges of drug possession.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-20

[webfact]

Public Health: Three Kids Killed by Illness, Not Cold Weather

Authorities say that three children in the northern province of Lampang died due to illness, not cold weather as was claimed in recent speculations.

The Lampang Public Health Office clarified that the three children in the Muang district of Lampang province, who died on December 17, actually succumbed to an illness, not extreme cold weather.

Officials ruled that the deaths were the result of convulsions following high fevers and epilepsy.

They went on to say that there have been no cold-related deaths in Lampang province so far, and added that most of the deaths during the cold season are due to illnesses.

They also advised people with health conditions, especially asthma, to keep themselves warm as they are vulnerable to sudden illnesses.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-20

[webfact]

Thaivisa launches a new classifieds site: faster, sleeker and easier to use

Follow this link:

[webfact]

FLASH: S.Korea military officer says to begin soon live-fire drill from Yeonpyeong island /RT @tukky_n /RT @suthichai: /via@Reuters

FLASH: Artillery firing heard on South Korea's Yeonpyeong island - Reuters witness /via@Reuters

[webfact]

Thai Airways International cancels three flights to Europe as heavy snow forces airport closures; London's Heathrow expected to resume service tonight /MCOT

[webfact]

Deputy PM Suthep is set to go ahead with narcotics eradication plan

BANGKOK, 20 December 2010 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban is set to meet with the police to discuss the prevention of the widespread use of illegal substances in the country.

Following Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s narcotics eradication regime, Mr. Suthep said he would have a meeting with relevant authorities from the provincial to the national level about the measure to step up their anti-drug operations. He elaborated that, after the long holiday, police would be tasked to report on their progress monthly while also admitting that the move might put pressure on them.

The Deputy Prime Minister has also reassured the public that the government would not adopt extreme eradication methods in dealing with drug dealers as seen during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration which saw many of them killed.

Moreover, Mr. Suthep is reportedly going to meet with Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul to discuss related matters as well.

-- NNT 2010-12-20

[webfact]

Army Chief: Thai troops will remain stationed at Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, 20 December 2010 (NNT) – Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has declared that the Thai troops will not withdraw from the Preah Vihear Temple area but the number of soldiers will be reduced instead.

For the first time after his appointment as the Army Chief, Gen Prayuth along with the Commanders of the First and Second Army Region recently paid an official visit to Cambodia with an aim to strengthen the military ties between the two countries. The topic of border dispute was also discussed.

On this occasion, the Army Chief confirmed that Thailand would not pull troops out of the disputed area around the Preah Vihear Temple but the number of men would be cut in order to ease the tension between the two neighboring countries.

-- NNT 2010-12-20