Thailand Live Thursday 23 Dec 2010

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SKorea's military starts major live-fire exercise involving tanks, artillery and fighter planes at Pocheon, 30 kms south of tense land border with NKorea /MCOT

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Thai Police arrest Malaysian tourist for smuggling Ice worth 20 million Baht

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Female Police and Army Staff Arrested for Fraud

Police have arrested a female army sergeant and a police sergeant for fraud.

Under false pretenses, the two promised non commissioned police officers promotions in exchange for money.

Female Police Sergeant Tippawan Petchthong of the Information and Communications Police Division of the National Police Office and Sergeant Piraiporn Jeensomboon of the Ordnance Deparment of the Royal Thai Army have been arrested for fraud.

The two lied to a number of non commissioned police officers, claiming to be well connected able to help them pass the police officer examination in exchange for money.

A total of 11 non commissioned police officers paid the women 400,000 baht each.

Tippawan was paying the army sergeant 50,000 to 100,000 baht for finding clients.

Both have also confessed to having committed eight similar crimes at state enterprises before.

Police are still hunting for two other men who are believed to be involved.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23

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Two rangers killed in Narathiwat attack by motorcycle-mounted assailants, gun stolen; two villagers wounded /MCOT

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Lamchabang Port expansion to speed up

BANGKOK, 23 December 2010 (NNT)-Transport Minister Sophon Sarum has urged the Ports Authority of Thailand to expedite the Lamg Chabang Port expansion project as it is one of the nation’s major export ports..

According to Mr. Sophon, the project has been 20% behind schedule, and it is important that it be completed as soon as possible to accommodate the enormous volume of both import and export products going through the Lamchabang Port each year.

As for the progress of the State Railway of Thailand’s construction of the 75 kilometers double-rail tracks between Chachernsao and Sriracha, 75 percent of the project has been completed; the rest is expected to be finished by March next year, added the Minister.

-- NNT 2010-12-23

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Two rangers shot dead in Thai south

NARATHIWAT, December 23, 2010 (AFP) - Suspected Islamic militants shot two rangers dead in Thailand's restive south on Thursday as the country unveiled plans to revoke a state of emergency in part of the troubled region.

Four attackers disguised as Muslim women gunned down the paramilitary workers who were driving home from night duty in Narathiwat province.

Two local women were wounded by stray bullets in the morning shooting and police said the assailants stole the rangers' guns.

The violence came as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced plans to end emergency rule in three insurgency-plagued provinces after nearly seven years of unrest.

Thailand lifted a separate state of emergency in Bangkok and three neighbouring areas this week, eight months after the law was invoked in response to anti-government "Red Shirt" protests that ultimately left over 90 people dead.

"We are preparing to lift the state of emergency," Abhisit said, adding that in one district of Pattani province, Mae Lan, the laws were likely to be lifted "before New Year" as a test case for the rest of the southern area.

The restive region, which also includes Yala province, has been continuously under a state of emergency since 2005.

Activists fear a culture of impunity has developed in the region and accuse authorities of abusing their sweeping powers under the laws, including the ability to hold suspects for 30 days without charge.

Suspected Islamic insurgents have waged a violent campaign in Thailand's deep south near the border with Malaysia since January 2004, targeting Muslims and Buddhists, civilians and security personnel.

More than 4,400 people have died since the violence began, while over 7,000 have been injured, according to the non-governmental organisation Deep South Watch, which monitors the conflict.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-12-23

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Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 77 and greets thousands of flag-waving well-wishers who gather at palace in Tokyo /MCOT

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Thai Govt prepares to lift Emergency Decree in three southern provinces

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Shell to Raise Pump Prices for All Fuel Types

Shell and Esso have raised pump prices for fuel. Shell has increased the prices for all types of fuel by Bt0.50/liter while Esso raised the price for Benzene 91 by Bt0.50/liter.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23

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Court postpones verdict against 4 former EC members

Four former members of the Election Commission will have to wait in suspense for another more week after the Criminal Court Thursday delayed a verdict on their involvement in giving themselves a pay hike without the sanction of Parliament.

The court cited the incomplete draft on the judicial decision as reason to postpone the session to next Thursday.

The four defendants comprise Vassana Permlarp, Prinya Nakchudtree, Virachai Naewboonnien and Charupat Ruangsuwan.

The prosecution contends that the four committed a malfeasance for bypassing the parliamentary scrutiny on pay rise in 2004.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Hill-Tribe Beauty Pageant in Nan Province

In a highlight event at the annual tourism and Red Cross fair in Nan province, a Mien hill tribe villager has been crowned winner of the Thida Doi beauty pageant.

The beauty pageant was held as part of the province's tourism and Red Cross festival, with 44 beautiful women from various hill tribes participating.

The contest was a showcase of hill tribe culture and costume.

Contestants were judged by their costume, personality, and special talents.

Jinnipha Tangserikul, a girl from the Mien tribe, was crowned the winner of the beauty pageant.

Runner ups were Phennapha Charuphakpririya of the Mong tribe, Amchira Chaimongkol of the Thin tribe, and Passorn Hangkham of the Khamu tribe.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23

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SET index closed at 1021.27, up 2.13; Bt/USD30.02; GBP46.20; AUD29.97; EUR39.30; CAD29.61; HKD3.85; SGD22.88; JPY35.93

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Asawin voted 2010 crime buster: survey

Pol Gen Asawin Kwanmuang was voted the year 2010 crime buster, Abac Poll director Noppadol Kannikar said Thursday.

The survey was conducted among 2,032 respondents aged over 18 in 17 provinces from December 15-22.

Pol Gen Asawin was voted the year's crime buster at 32.6 per cent followed by Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew at 30.1 per cent and Pol Gen Pongpat Chayapan at 21.4 per cent, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Phuket Skype users still “offline”

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN: It is unclear when Skype will

be back online for all of its millions of users.

Photo: WikiCommons.

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Siriraj team successful with pancreas transplant

In October, for the first time in Thailand, doctors in Siriraj Hospital were successful with a pancreas transplant in a patient with type1 diabetes and kidney failure.

Dr Somchai Limsrichamrern, a surgeon who was part of the team, explained that the pancreas transplant was needed to control blood sugar levels.

"Many patients with type1 diabetes die at a young age after they develop complications such as chronic kidney failure, coronary heart disease and age-related macular and neuro degeneration," he said.

The procedure was conducted on Somnuek Pisaiphan, a 47-year-old physical therapist, who has been suffering from type1 diabetes for 25 years. "I've been given a new life," he told reporters.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Average oil prices to rise 9% next year, according to forecast of Thai Oil

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Mother Commits Suicide After 1 Year Old Child Dies From A Broken Neck In Pattaya Home

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Woman shot in apparent random shooting in North Pattaya

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Their Majesties grant aid for poor teen

Their Majesties the King and Queen have graciously seen to it that a house is built in Si Sa Ket's Kanthararom district for 16-year-old Mathayom 4 student Songpol Sanohsap.

Songpol filed a petition with the palace two years ago, saying his home was falling apart; his parents, who made brooms for a living, were very poor; his grandmother suffered from gastroenteritis due to malnutrition and that he had to bicycle 10-kilometres every day to get to school. He also has four school-age siblings.

Privy Councillor Ampol Senanarong Thursday handed over the assistance in a ceremony at the Khukhan district office and also provided 500 relief bags to other residents.

-- The Nation 2010-12-23

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Suvarnabhumi Airport plagued with many problems

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Foreign pirate duo nabbed in Phuket raid

BOOTY: Police sift through thousands of pirated watches seized

in a Patong raid.

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City Drug Raid Yields Meth, Weapons

More than 450 officers from the Metropolitan Police Division 1 have searched a community in central Bangkok for illicit drugs as part of the government's policy to eradicate narcotics and illegal activities.

Earlier this morning, Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai and some 450 officers closed off and conducted a drug search at Jarurat community in Soi Petchaburi 35.

It is one of the 26 communities targeted for crime and drug trafficking under the Metropolitan Police Division 1's jurisdiction.

The police force was divided into four squads that were able to arrest 22 year old Banpot Klinpraneet, a suspected drug dealer with a history of drug related crimes.

Police seized an M-26 grenade, M-16 rifle ammunition, a bulletproof vest and a motorcycle from Banpot as evidence.

A total of 17 suspected drug users were arrested and taken for further investigation.

More than 150 methamphetamine pills were confiscated during the search.

The anti drug operation was initiated following reports on widespread drug trafficking in the capital.

This prompted the city police to swoop down on communities with high crime rate as part of the government's “war on drugs” policy, which also target police personnel with possible links to drug gangs.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 24 December 2010