Thailand Live Thursday 23 Dec 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 23 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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follow the news can find it here...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 22 Dec 2010

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Further Gold Price Rise Expected in 2011

The country's leading gold trading company expects global gold price to reach 1,650 US dollars per ounce next year as a result of weak global economic conditions and the possibility that the US dollar will weaken further.

Pawan Nawawattanasub, vice president of YLG Bullion and Futures Company, one of the biggest gold trading firms in Thailand, stated that the demand and global price of gold are expected to rise next year.

She noted the global economic instability and possible further weakening of the US dollar are attracting more investment in gold.

The rising demand for gold will push prices higher and the world gold price could rise to as high as 1,650 US dollars an ounce next year.

Pawan suggested investors purchase gold for short-term speculative purposes and closely monitor the price movement since its price can fluctuate widely and unpredictably.

She also disclosed the company's sales from the beginning of this year to present, saying it has sold 224 tons of gold, an increase by 35 percent year on year.

The company earlier set a growth target of 20 percent and sales target of 200 tons of gold.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23

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People's Alliance Holds Preah Vihear Forum in Phuket

Key leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy have called on Thai people to join a mass rally on January 25 to press the government to prevent Thailand from losing sovereignty around the Preah Vihear Temple.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, held a seminar at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket province yesterday.

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang chaired the seminar and said currently there is no other severe matter than losing Thailand's territory around the Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia.

Chamlong called on all Thai people to join a mass rally led by the PAD to help prevent Thailand from losing its sovereignty around the Preah Vihear temple on January 25.

The PAD leader also demanded the government withdraw membership of the World Heritage Committee and cancel the controversial memorandum of understanding signed in 2000, which may have led Thailand to lose its territory.

The yellow-shirt PAD will hold more seminars in Nakhon Ratchasima and Si Sa Ket provinces on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23

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Use of LPG is increasing amongst Thai people

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The consumption of oil has fallen this year, but that of LPG has been on the rise, said the Department of Energy.

According to the Department of Energy, The consumption of benzine in Thailand has plunged to 20 million liter a day, decreasing by nearly 2 percent; while the amount of diesel consumed is at 50 liter a day, a drop of 0.7 percent. The reason of the decrease is that more car owners have switched to using LPG and NGV in the past several months.

However, the use of LPG, the gas used mainly in cooking, has risen by 15.2 percent; to 27.9 liter or 480,000 tons a day.

-- NNT 2010-12-23

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Chiang Mai red shirts slam killing of radio host

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CENSORSHIP

Thai film board bans 'Insects in the Backyard'

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Thai Twitter guru accused of online financial scam

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Thai politics - 'Battle of ideology' looms?

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Thailand cannot afford a new and bloody drug war

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THAI TALK

Populism in Thai politics then and now: The pot calls the kettle black

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OBITUARY

Memorial service for writer, academic Duangjai

By The Nation

The memorial service for Associate Professor Pratumporn Vajarasathira, who died on Monday, is being held until today at the Sueb Sampantawong Church on Sivieng Road in Bangkok's Bang Rak district.

Pratumporn died peacefully at Chulalongkorn Hospital at the age of 67. In accordance with her written wish, her body will soon be donated to the hospital.

In her academic life, she taught at Chulalongkorn Hospital's Faculty of Political Science. She was also a famous writer under the pen-name "Duangjai". Because of her prominent work, she was appointed a member of the National Legislative Assembly in 2006.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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LABOUR

Govts to control Thai workers in Israel

By The Nation

The Thai and Israeli governments will take direct control over the recruitment of Thais to work in Israel so they would no longer be cheated by job-placement agencies.

Labour Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said the government-to-government agreement signed yesterday would eliminate almost completely the bilking of Thai workers by those private brokers while reducing the problems of illegal entry or immigration of Thais in the Middle East country.

The 6,000 Thais seeking employment in Israel can pay up to Bt300,000 each in commissions and service fees to the companies. The deal will lower their cost to Bt120,000-Bt150,000.

The Israeli government will now not permit aliens to work in the country through non-official channels.

Israeli Ambassador Yitzhak Soham, who inked the deal at a ceremony, said it was the first entered into with a government. There are now 26,000 Thai workers there, with 96 hired for farming.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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CRIME

Another vocational student wounded in gunplay

By The Nation

A girl with a group of fellow vocational students was wounded by a bullet shot into a passenger truck, allegedly fired by students from a rival Bangkok vocational school, near City Hall yesterday.

Police said students from Bangkok Vocational School opened fire on the vehicle, wounding Suphalak Sanoi, 18, of Samut Prakan Technical College, in the waist.

Police pursued the Bangkok Vocational School students and arrested three of them. They denied shooting into the vehicle but said they carried one home-made pistol and five knives for self-protection.

The shooting took place at a major intersection near City Hall, and police arrested the three students at a bus depot. No details were released of the students' names, ages or charges.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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BMA seeks help from neighbouring provinces

By The Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to get three nearby provinces to help prevent coastal erosion. The provinces are Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram.

Currently, the 4.7-kilometre seafront in Bangkok's Bang Khunthien district is suffering from erosion.

However, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornthep Techapaiboon said yesterday that joint efforts could help find an effective solution.

"We might consider constructing a sea wall along the 30-km coast in the four provinces," he said. "Or we could look for a way to create mutual co-existence between nature and people along the coast."

Pornthep expects to hold discussions with representatives from the three provinces next month.

Meanwhile, the BMA has also created a bamboo embankment along the coast in Bang Khunthien district under the annual budget of Bt10 million.

"We have also thought about constructing a T-groin, though an environmental impact assessment needs to be conducted first," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Law to allow unions for civil servants

By PIYANART SRIVALO

THE NATION

A new law will be proposed soon to allow civil servants and public officials to form groups similar to labour unions in order to exercise their constitutional rights, although they will not be allowed to go on strike.

The matter will be discussed at today's meeting of the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) to be chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, OCSC secretary-general Nontigorn Kanchanachitra said yesterday.

At the meeting, the agency would submit for approval a draft royal decree that would set the guidelines and conditions for civil servants and other groups of public officials to establish groups similar to labour unions in state enterprises and private companies, according to Nontigorn.

He said the right is guaranteed under Article 64 of the 2007 Constitution and it has been included in the revised regulations for civil servants.

The charter's Article 64 states that "A person shall enjoy the liberty to unite and form an association, a union, a league, a cooperative, a farmers' group, a private organisation, a private development organisation or any other group. Government officials and State officials shall have the liberty to assemble like other people provided their assembly shall not affect the efficiency of public administration and the continuity of the provision of public services, as provided by law."

The civil servants' unions - to be formed in the government's ministries, departments, and provincial authoritative agencies - are expected to offer legal assistance to members who are in trouble and provide advice and consultation to those facing disciplinary action, according to the OCSC chief. He added that the unions would be required to register with the OCSC.

The unions are expected to inform new members about their rights and duties and to act on behalf of the members in making calls that they deserve under the law. And their actions should not affect the public service, such as going on strike.

"This is new to public officials although state enterprises have long had their |labour unions. There is also concern about excessive use of the right. The OCSC meeting will discuss this matter," Nontigorn said.

According to a source, there is concern about possible political intervention and the use of unions as a bargaining chip with agency supervisors - something currently being faced by labour unions at certain state enterprises.

However, a former permanent secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, Julayuth Hirunyawasit, yesterday said he expected unions to give public officials unity and more power. "They will have more courage in making comments and protesting against ruling politicians" on matters and projects they disagree with, he said.

He suggested that the unions should also have participation by senior bureaucrats to help boost their bargaining power against politicians in power. He did not expect political intervention in civil servants' unions, unlike state enterprise unions that are joined by low-ranking employees and largely ignored by high-ranking executives.

Julayuth is part of a group of 50-plus retired permanent secretaries and top-ranking C-11 officials who meet regularly.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Jatuporn's attempt to sue judge rejected

By The Nation

The Criminal Court yesterday said Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan had no cause to sue over a senior presiding judge turning down his defence request during a defamation trial.

Jutuporn's suit was thrown out on grounds of lacking cause for a judicial review.

As plaintiff, Jatuporn contended that defendant Somsak Wongyuen committed malfeasance and a lapse of duty as per Articles 157 and 200 of the Criminal Code.

In his supervision of the defamation trial, Somsak imposed a cap on defence witnesses Jatuporn planned to summon to rebut charges raised by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The court ruled that if Jatuporn objected to Somsak's judicial discretion on the list of witnesses, he had the right to seek an appellate review. Instead he opted to bring up unwarranted charges against the senior judge.

Article 157 prescribes offences based on abuses, but Somsak had the mandate to supervise the trial proceedings, the verdict said.

Article 200 covers lapse of duty applicable to prosecutors and law-enforcement officials but not the judiciary, it said.

After the verdict session, defence lawyer Karom Pholthaklang said his client would decide whether to seek to overturn the ruling.

From his point of view, Karom said he was satisfied with the verdict, which he saw as just.

"My client Jatuporn decided to sue the judge because at the time he felt he did not receive justice he was entitled to," he said.

But the situation changed because the judge had already removed himself from the defamation case on grounds of conflict of interest, since he was in a court battle with Jatuporn, he said.

Subsequently Jatuporn was allowed to summon additional witnesses to testify in his defence, Karom said.

"I still have trust in the judiciary for dispensing justice," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Prachatai calls on public to demand right to information

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

The public must demand that the government free all websites blocked under the emergency decree, which ended yesterday, in order to defend their right to access information, media executive Chuwat Rerksrisuk said yesterday.

Chuwat is managing editor of prachatai.com, an online independent newspaper, which has been blocked under the decree since April 8 this year.

"I would like to call others whose websites have been officially blocked, and those who use their services, to come out and demand they be unblocked - and make it known how truly valuable is the freedom we have been deprived of," he said

"As for the government, it should learn from the experience [of imposing the emergency decree] that this leads to more divisions in society and it is also impossible to truly shut down [opposition] media," said Chuwat, during a prachaitai.com press conference yesterday.

The website, which had to change its Internet address eight times over the past eight months, said many people could not access the site over the period and damage was estimated at Bt5 million. Prior to the blocking of Prachatai on April 8, the site received some 450,000 hits per week - including 87,200 visitors on the days before the blocking. Last week, the figure had dropped to 109,380 hits per week and 29,921 visitors. Under legal pressure, its political Web-board was also terminated in July.

"This is tantamount to shutting down people's mouths, ears and eyes," said Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of prachatai.com.

Yesterday, after 258 days of being blocked and finally changing its temporary address to prachatai3.com, part of prachatai.com had been unblocked by some servers - but people were still finding access impossible through servers such as TOT and True.

Both executives urged the public to closely monitor how the Internal Security Act, which has now replaced the emergency decree, would affect basic rights and liberty.

The website had earlier filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and the ICT Ministry for "unlawfully" blocking the site - but the civil court decided the defendants acted lawfully under the emergency decree. The case is now before the court of appeals.

The site, though not-for-profit, lost income generating opportunities as no one dared put up advertisements on the site and the mobile phone SMS news-service was unilaterally cancelled by the provider for fear of breaking the law.

"It affected the development of Thai mass media. The editorial staff have been affected emotionally, as well as their families. Our work proceeds under a climate of fear... which leads to the lack of freedom in carrying out our task."

In a sign of continued commitment to the freedom of access to information, for the past two weeks prachatai.com reported some of WikiLeak's cables on Thailand that had been self-censored by the mainstream media.

"We must admit that the issue of WikiLeaks [contained information] related to the transition of Thailand into the future... If we are the media, it would be hard for us not to point this out... But we understand the limitations of mainstream media and didn't expect anything from them," said Chuwat.

Chiranuch said that as a consumer of news from the mainstream Thai media, she was simply "disappointed".

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Red-shirt leaders sign petition for bail

By The Nation

All seven red-shirt leaders under remand have signed a joint petition seeking the government's intervention to assist and facilitate their bail applications, red leader Thida Thawornseth said yesterday.

The joint petition was filed at the Rights and Liberties Protection Department. It marks the first step to activate proceedings for temporary release following Tuesday's Cabinet decision to pave the way for a judicial review on bail applications of those in detention over the April, May riots.

The judicial review is expected to cover more than 100 red shirts facing minor charges. The seven core leaders have been charged with terrorism.

The seven are weng Tojirakarn, Kokaew Pikulthong, Natthawut Saikua, Wiphuthalaeng Phattanaphuthai, Yoswarit Chuklom aka Jeng Dokjik, Kwanchai Praipana and Nisit Sinthuprai.

Thida, also Weng's wife, said the seven cited their good behaviour, absence of evidence-tampering and no prior criminal records as reasons for seeking bail.

In their joint petition, they attached copies of documents arguing in favour of bail, including the Cabinet decision, the Kanit na Nakorn panel report and the Human Rights Watch report.

The proceedings to assist the red shirts applying for bail will likely take about two days. The department is expected to back up respective bail applications and recommend temporary release although the outcome will hinge on the judicial review.

Thida said she met with Natthawut to discuss preparations for his bail. She quoted Natthawut as saying that he was at the mercy of the court to set his bail conditions.

She said the red-shirt leaders, if set free, would be willing to bring about reconciliation.

In a separate development, the Department of Special Investigation detained a fugitive suspect Jame Singsith who returned to Bangkok after months on the run.

Jame, a Si Sa Ket native, is wanted for charges related to his involvement in the M-79 attacks on BTS Sala Daeng station. Trained as a volunteer ranger, he was a red guard seen as close to the late pro-red officer Maj-General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Four killed in van crash

By The Nation

Four medical staff were killed and seven others injured when a van they were travelling in skidded off a road into a hillside in Chiang Rai yesterday.

All 11 passengers were staff at Udon Thani hospital, on a return trip from an inspection visit in Chiang Rai's Muang district. Police said the driver's inexperience on the winding Lao <deleted>-Ar Bae road was a possible cause of the accident.

The chartered van was one in a 10-vehicle caravan on the way to Phrae province before heading back to Udon Thani. Driver Sathit Jantharaphoon is said to have been new to this road and the tour guide was among seven people injured.

The van was wrecked after sliding into the 300-metre long hillside. Among those killed was one nurse and three nurse assistants. Three survivors have been hospitalised in Chiang Rai with serious injuries.

Police said a thorough inspection into the cause of the accident was underway and would be soon completed.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he believed road accident casualty targets should not be estimated before major holidays.

"I feel awkward looking at road casualties each year, and a figure targeted for reduction. Why should we set the [anticipated] death toll for every holiday break? It should not be that way," he added.

Abhisit was speaking at a Government House ceremony aimed at reducing road accident casualties to less than 330 during the coming New Year break - compared to the 350 people killed during the same period last year.

The "Arrive Alive" campaign involves 200 government and private agencies and a caravan of vehicles travelling from Bangkok to Surat Thani. Road accidents cost around Bt200 billion each year in treatment costs and property damage.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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MALAYSIA'S WORST CAR ACCIDENT

Dead from Malaysia bus crash flown home

By The Nation

Two C-130 military planes returned to Bangkok last night bearing the coffins of the 25 Thai tourists who died in a bus crash in the mountains of Malaysia on Monday.

Also on the transport aircraft were their grieving families. "I'm so sad. My life will never be the same," said Juthamas Mekmahaphrom, who lost her mother.

The siblings of Malee Ounjan said the tragedy shocked and hurt them deeply. "We miss her a lot," they chorused.

Pattama Kuanseri said she would now have to take care of her elder sister, because the death of her brother-in-law Commander Weera Jakthanakorn was simply too much for her sister to deal with.

"I myself feel so bad," she said.

The Consular Affairs Department has paid for the C-130s, which cost nearly Bt200,000 an hour. After the dead and their relatives reached the Air Force Wing 6 airfield in Bangkok, insurance companies arranged transport to their home towns, mostly Bangkok, Suphan Buri, Phetchabun, Chiang Rai and Phuket.

Among the fatalities were the parents of Natchanon Akarachaowanon, 16. "It's a huge loss," he said on the tarmac.

Of the 10 Thai tourists who were injured, one returned to Thailand on the C-130 and three were transferred overland to Hat Yai Hospital.

The three were Areena Songserm, 20, with leg wounds, Rungnapa Kongsuwan, 53, with a serious face wound, and Sujanjira Chai-urai, 41, with broken collarbones.

The six remaining injured victims are being treated at a hospital in Malaysia. Two are in intensive care.

Darunee Songserm, the tour guide, has not yet regained consciousness. She has brain and lung injuries.

Somchai Phon-anan is also in serious condition but is awake now.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said Malaysia offered to pay the medical bills of the patients in its facility's care.

"The victims who are treated in Thailand will also receive free treatment under the universal healthcare scheme," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Sweden to Shut Down Embassies in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur for Budget Reason

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,021.78, up 2.64 points /MCOT

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Skype says sorry for massive outage

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Weather bureau warns of heavy fog in North, Northeast, Central and BKK while South will see rain /TAN_Network

Police start raid in Pratunam community with seizure of narcotics and weapons; raid at Soi Charoenkrung 107 found 30,000 speed pills /TAN_Network

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SEC To Crackdown On Trade Irregularities

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Cold Climate Boosts Tourism

Loei's tourism sector is welcoming the winter air as tourists are beginning to flock to popular destinations in the northeastern province.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department says while temperature may rise slightly in the central, north and northeastern regions, some areas will be covered by fog and mist.

The cold winter air on top of Loei's Phu-Rua National Park has attracted many tourists seeking to get in touch with nature and experience the shivering cold weather.

Phu Rua district chief Thanapol Chantaranimi said that a large number of tourists are flocking to the area this year, particularly on holidays when hotels and resorts are fully booked.

He added that more than 2,000 cars have made a journey to this popular tourist destination and the district is organizing the New Year's countdown which is expected to be a hit with tourists.

Temperature in the Phu Rua area is measured at seven to eight degrees Celcius.

Also, the cold weather has favored cabbage farmers in Maha Sarakham's Cheunchom district as it helped with the large yield of high quality cabbage for the market.

Many expect this winter season will help rake in no less than 10 million baht for the local agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said the high pressure mass over the northern region is dissipating, causing temperature to rise slightly at this time.

Nonetheless, the north, northeastern and the central regions will continue to experience cold weather with fog and mist in certain areas.

The department has issued a warning for people in areas covered by fog and mist to exercise caution while traveling.

Also the northeasterly monsoon pouring in the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region has eased, causing scattered rainclouds in the area.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23

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Prawit: CRES spending can be investigated

BANGKOK, 23 December 2010 (NNT) - Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has confirmed that the spending of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) was transparent and could be accounted for.

According to the Defense Minister, most of the budget was spent on security personnel’s daily allowances. Security officers were paid 400 baht each a day during the period the decree was enforced in several provinces including Bangkok

The Defense Minister added that Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thuangsuban had clearly said that if there were any doubts, it could be investigated. The details of the spending would be reported to parliament and the figures made public.

Gen Prawit concluded that the CRES was ready to have its expenditure investigated as the center was fully aware that the budget was part of taxpayers’ money.

-- NNT 2010-12-23

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Thai Govt not hunting Red Shirts: Deputy PM Suthep

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Chiang Mai Red Shirt Releases Statement over Member's Death

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