Thailand Live Tuesday 21 Dec 2010

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Thailand Live Tuesday 21 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 Monday 20 Dec 2010

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Had Yai prepares to host Had Yai Countdown to 2011

HAD YAI (NNT) -- The city of Had Yai has joined hands with several related organizations in the area hosting “Had Yai Countdown to 2011” during December 30 – 31. The event will be held in order to boost the city’s economy and tourism devastated by floods a couple of months ago.

The Countdown, which will be held at the Odian Fashion mall, will bid the turbulent year of the Tiger, 2010,goodbye; and at the same time welcome the year of the Rabbit to one of the cities hardest hit by floods in recent memory, according to Prai Pat-ta-no, the Mayor of Had Yai.

The event, which will officially kick off on December 31 at 8.00 p.m., is expected to draw thousands of people, many of whom from Malaysia, generating millions of baht for this southern province.

-- NNT 2010-12-21

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PAD Leader Urges Govt to Scrape MOU 2000 and Withdraw from World Heritage Commission

Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, is pleading with the prime minister to revoke the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with Cambodia in the year 2000 and to withdraw from the World Heritage Commission to protect Thailand's border integrity.

Sondhi Limthongkul, who is one of the core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or the PAD, issued a warning via his weekly television program that Thailand may lose part of its territory because of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's adamant stance on the Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, signed with Cambodia in 2000.

According to the prime minister, the memorandum of understanding would keep the United Nations from interfering with the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

However, Sondhi argued otherwise, claiming that with or without the MOU, the UN is not allowed to intervene in the dispute either way.

The PAD leader repudiated the government's claim that the MOU has successfully forced the World Heritage Commission to adjourn twice, saying that it was because of the ongoing border dispute, not because of the MOU.

Also according to a Japanese reporter, Thai soldiers have already withdrawn from the disputed area.

Sondhi pointed out that the only way to prevent Thailand from losing part of border is to annull the MOU and withdraw its membership from the World Heritage Commission.

The PAD leader also asked the public to hold Abhisit and the Democrat Party responsible if Thailand loses its sovereignty over the disputed land.

The government has been saying that the reason why the MOU has not been revoked because it does not want any conflict.

However, Sondhi said that it is a responsible of all Thai people to protect the country.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

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ANALYSIS

Little change in reality if Thai govt decides to call it a day for CRES

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Thai govt plans to extend cost freeze

Crude oil rise, pay hikes raise alarm

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Thai berry pickers - No fruits for their labour in Sweden

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YEAR-END SPECIAL

Slower growth expected

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'Rogue' judge faces prosecution

By The Nation

The Judiciary Commission yesterday dishonourably discharged a Court of Appeals judge for taking bribes from defendants and having an affair with a married woman.

The judge, identified only as "Sor", was suspended from duty and transferred to an inactive post when the accusations surfaced a few months ago. He will be prosecuted and all his royal decorations confiscated.

An initial internal investigation substantiated the claims against the man and a formal probe ordered by Supreme Court President Sobchoke Sukharom confirmed the findings against him.

The case has been raised publicly and widely reported in the media, with evidence submitted by a complainant who revealed his identity. The evidence was used during both investigations.

The rogue judge had the affair with the unnamed woman and later, through his connections, demanded Bt10 million in total from high-profile suspects in criminal trials in exchange for their release or a favourable ruling.

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

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City planners' pow-wow

By The Nation

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials met yesterday with staff from six adjacent provinces to try to develop a plan to jointly manage transport, infrastructure, the environment, and water.

BMA city planning chief Anchalee Pattamasawan said city officials met with staff from Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram.

Officials from these areas had met previously to try to establish a framework for a merged city plan.

In regard to transport, plans to set up a 2,000-rai logistics park in the city's west to support some 400 public transport operators was discussed with officials from Nakhon Pathom.

The BMA is also looking for appropriate locations for garbage "management" and if it can help nearby provinces get rid of noxious trash.

Officials were also keen to discuss land use, especially new areas for water retention and solutions to coastal erosion.

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

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Japanese fund sago centre in Trang

By The Nation

TRANG

Japanese ambassador to Thailand Seiji Kojima yesterday presided over the opening of a Bt2.7-million sago forest ecology learning centre in Trang's Na Yong district - funded by the Japanese government to conserve sago trees and train local people about processing sago food.

Trang Governor Maitri Intusut and some 300 villagers were present at the ceremony.

Praising the district's efforts to conserve their sago trees, Kojima urged the locals to protect and make good use of the trees while linking them to local development. He said this would also help tackle the threat of global warming because the trees absorb carbon dioxide.

The centre opening follows the signing of an MoU in January between Ambassador Kojima and Yardfon Association chairman Pisit Charnsanoh for sago tree conservation under the Japanese government's grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

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Garbage truck corruption trial slated for April, May

By The Nation

The Ratchadapisek Criminal Court yesterday named April 25 and May 23 next year as the dates for a trial to consider evidence in the Garbage Truck Parking Lot corruption case against former Bangkok Governor Bhichit Rattakul and seven other city officials.

Bhichit and fellow officials, including then city clerk Prasert Samalapha, are accused of malfeasance in taking some Bt18 million in bribes from landowners and a broker during procurement of land to park the city's garbage trucks and other vehicles.

The men are accused of conspiring not to perform their duties during the purchase deal which allegedly involved prices inflated by Bt36.855 million. The offences are said to have taken place between December 1995 and September 1997.

The court also ordered the four lawsuits filed against the defendants to be merged into one, as they were of the same case and shared the same evidence and witnesses - to which the defendants agreed.

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

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Cash-strapped Thai hospitals say they are on the critical list

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Standard evaluation process needed for education: PM Abhisit

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Lawyer's call for action against dissolution judges

By The Nation

A legal advocate yesterday petitioned for an impeachment proceeding against four Constitution Court judges who formed the majority opinion dismissing the two Democrat Party dissolution cases.

The petition cited an error of judgement as grounds for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to look into the alleged misconduct involving the four judges.

"I think the four judges relied on false legal opinion in order to dismiss the two cases," advocate Picha Wichitsilp said.

Picha called for the NACC to target judges Charan Pakdithanakul, Nurak Marpraneet, Supoj Khaimuk and Charoon Inthajarn for a probe.

He said the four judges had erred in dismissing the two cases, based on the political party registrar's failure to draw a conclusion before seeking the judicial review.

In a previous party dissolution case involving the Farmer Force Party, the high court ruled to disband the party even though the political party registrar merely referred the case to the Election Commission for prosecution without stating his conclusion, he said. The verdict did not address examining the role of the political party registrar.

"The four judges have departed from legal precedent without justification," he said.

In his petition, Picha also contends the judical decisions on the two cases were wrongful because the judges opted to cite a legal technicality for dismissal instead of addressing all contentious issues involved. The high court's procedural code clearly prescribes for the verdict to cover every pertinent issue, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

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Red Shirts accused of lesser crimes will get help first, PM Abhisit says

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Puea Pandin, Ruam Chart Pattana mull merger

By THE NATION

The Puea Pandin and Ruam Chart Pattana parties have been talking about a merger and the result could be known after the New Year holiday, de facto Puea Pandin leader Pairote Suwanchawee said yesterday.

The veteran politician, who has been deprived of electoral rights by court order, said talks have been ongoing for months and there would be more meetings between leaders of the two parties next week and during the New Year holiday.

"A merger can help save costs |and improve [party] efficiency. |Also, the two parties would not have to compete against each other in an election," Pairote said. "Things will be clearer after the New Year festival. A general election will certainly take place next year, so an early preparation will be a good start."

He said voters nowadays were more politically active and disliked temporary political parties. "There are many political parties but only some of them hold regular political activities. Politicians bicker like dogs biting dogs. Politics suffer and people don't like it."

Puea Pandin MP Anuwat Wisetjindawat said Pairote appeared to be "testing the water" by disclosing news about the merger talks.

A Puea Pandin source said most party MPs would agree to a merger |in which Ruam Chart Pattana would be merged into Puea Pandin, and not |vice versa. "Puea Pandin is the bigger party and has more MPs," the source noted.

According to another Puea Pandin source, some party MPs close to Pairote would join Ruam Chart Pattana as soon as dissolution of the House of Representatives was announced. Another possibility was for the two parties to retain their political alliance after the next general election.

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

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Changes in Thailand's far South will be closely watched

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Lead mine operator ordered to compensate villagers, clean Klity creek

By Yossaran Suphan,

Supoj Kaewkasi

The Nation

Kanchanaburi

The operator of a lead mine in Kanchanaburi, and seven others, have been ordered to pay Bt35 million in compensation to ethnic Karen villagers affected by the mine - and to rehabilitate a contaminated creek.

Kanchanaburi Provincial Court ruled yesterday that Lead Concentrates (Thailand), operator of the defunct Klity Mine, and seven others pay Karen residents of the Lower Klity village Bt35 million in compensation.

The firm was also told to rehabilitate Klity creek, which has been contaminated with lead, till it was back to normal.

Karen Studies and Development Centre director Surapong Kongjanteuk, lawyer Surasi Polchaiwong and eight Karen villagers, who represented 151 affected villagers, went to hear the verdict yesterday. It stemmed from a lawsuit villagers filed against the company and seven others for Bt1.04 billion in compensation.

Surapong said the mine had had a negative impact on local villagers from 30-40 years ago. In 1998 they complained to the media about their plight but got little response from the firm and public sector. So the 151 villagers filed a lawsuit for compensation in 2007, he said.

After the ruling, Surapong told reporters the court ordered the company and seven others to pay a total of Bt35.8 million in compensation to 150 villagers at varying rates - from Bt100,000 to Bt600,000 for each affected person.

But the court had not ruled on the case of one villager, Jeesa Nasuansuwan, 64, because he had died during the trial.

The court also ordered the company and seven others to clean the creek of lead, and if it failed to do so, the villagers could demand further compensation from the company for cost of cleaning the creek, he said.

The villagers' living conditions have yet to improve despite the mine being closed, because of lead in the riverbed, which has also contaminated the creek and animals in it. Dozens of people have died already - although there has been no confirmation that their deaths were caused by lead contamination.

The villagers have not moved from the land as their families have lived there for generations and they say there is no better area to relocate to.

Meanwhile, another lawsuit, in which the Administrative Court ordered the Pollution Control Department to "fix" the creek, was still before the Supreme Court, Surapong said. In regard to the human impact, he said villagers were still waiting for the Public Health Ministry to determine if affected villagers had lead contamination.

Senior villager Yase-a Nasuansuwan said he was happy with the ruling, as it gave the villagers justice. People weren't too concerned about the money but they wanted the creek to be clean again.

None of the defendants or their lawyers attended the reading of the verdict, which took about 40 minutes. They now have 30 days to appeal.

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

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Don't panic over claims Bangkok might be under seawater in 20 years: Lecturers

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Government urged to find measures to contain inflation

BANGKOK, Dec 21 – The Thai government should more quickly finding measures to contain the inflationary pressures arising from foreign capital inflows next year, according to a veteran senator.

Prasert Prakunsuksaphan, president of the Senate Committee on Economy, Commerce and Industry, said the capital influx, if unabated after the New Year, will fuel inflationary pressure.

The US government’s decision to inject US$600 billion more into its economy and set aside $75 billion to repurchase debts each month ignited capital inflows into Asian countries, including Thailand, in large amounts.

Rising oil prices had undeniably pushed up the costs of production, transportation, and consumer goods, he said.

“The key local factors for mounting inflationary pressure [in Thailand] include the wage hike and higher farm product prices. They will definitely make the inflation rate rise to 4-4.5 per cent.

“So, it is expected the Bank of Thailand will raise the policy interest rate by 2.75 per cent next year in a bid to rein in the rising inflation rate,” Mr Prasert said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-21

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Cabinet to Consider Lifting Emergency Rule

It has been confirmed that today's Cabinet meeting will consider lifting the State of Emergency in the remaining provinces, including Bangkok. A special task force is expected to be set up to replace the obsolete Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations, or CRES.

Meanwhile, a group of Facebook members have gathered in front of Government House to protest against last week's Cabinet resolution to increase the salaries of MPs and Senators by more than 14%.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,011.41, up 4.90 points /MCOT

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Thai bond market active despite reactions to negative economic news

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Petrol Stations Warned To Watch Out For Fake Bank Notes During The Holiday Season

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PM to Announce Govt's Achievement on Friday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be announcing his administration's achievement for the year 2010 on Friday, December 24 at 5 P.M. He will also announce the national reform plan on January 1.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

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Thai Police Chief Announces New Crackdown on Drugs, Gambling

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Appeals Court Dismisses Thaksin's Case against AEC

The Appeals Court has ruled to dismiss the appeal submitted by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra against the now-defunct Assets Examination Committee for wrongful seizure of his assets. The court says it does not have the authority to deliberate the issue.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

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AFP: Thailand To Lift Emergency Rule In Bangkok

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Police Chief ensures safety during New Year Festival

BANGKOK, 21 December 2010 (NNT) - National Police Chief Police General Wichien Potephosri has urged the people to be confident about their safety during the New Year’s holiday, citing no reports of violence.

Police General Wichien said that police had planned to heighten their safety standards, especially for the New Year Festival in major provinces like Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

The Police Chief assured that, so far, there had been no reports of movements by ill-intentioned groups to create disturbances. He also said strict traffic laws would be enforced to prevent road accidents during the festivities.

-- NNT 2010-12-21