Thailand Live Friday 24 Dec 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Friday 24 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 Thursday 23 Dec 2010

[webfact]

Free buses on offer during New Year

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has prepared additional 50 free buses to serve Bangkok commuters during the New Year holidays.

The BMTA said the route for the free buses is Victory Monument-Sanam Luang-Mor Chit, which will be in service during December 30th - January 2nd from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

The move is set to facilitate commuters on their way to Mor Chit Bus Depot to catch a bus to their home provinces as well as those who want to perform merit-making trips at the nine-temple around the Rattanakosin Island.

These 50 buses will be labeled 'free', so that people can spot them easily. However, all of them are non-air conditioned buses.

As for other buses serving different routes in Bangkok, the BMTA said around 3,000 regular buses would still be running as usual although many people were expected to leave the city to go back to their hometowns.

-- NNT 2010-12-24

[webfact]

PM: Release of red shirt leaders depends on court’s deliberation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reiterated that the red shirt leaders’ bail is up to the court’s decision, adding that the anti-government group has the right to file its bail petition.

Commenting on Acting Chairperson of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Thida Thawornset’s petition to the court for bail of the group’s core leaders, Prime Minister Abhisit admitted that she was entitled to her right to do so. However, he stressed that the final verdict whether the detainees would be freed or not would be up to the court.

According to the premier, the government has no policy as to which core leader can or cannot be bailed out.

-- NNT 2010-12-24

[webfact]

NEW!

Follow thaivisa.com on Google Buzz:

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

[webfact]

Prawit: CRES spending can be investigated

BANGKOK (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 2010-12-24

[george]

Not directly Thailand related, but ...

Man in central Bangladesh beaten to death by his four wives

Full story:

[george]

TAT seeks to lure millions to its website with new app

Full story:

[webfact]

More than 1,000 arrested in Bangkok drug raids

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thailand to allow Civil servants to have labour unions

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thailand's first time Pancreas transplant successful

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Korbsak's resignation sparks Thailand general election speculation

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Broken fences between Thailand and Cambodia are not beyond repair

Follow this link:

[webfact]

PM, Korn cleared in 2008 texting case

By The Nation

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday dismissed a case of alleged abuse of power against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij.

They were accused of wrongfully asking three mobile phone operators to deliver mass SMS text messages to 17 million telephones nationwide free of charge when they first took office in 2008, NACC secretary-general Apinan Issarangkul Na Ayudhaya said.

The commission reasoned Abhisit and Korn did not act in their own interest or for commercial gain but in the public interest. Moreover, the three mobile phone operators paid tax from their income so the act did not help private companies, the NACC said. It added that the National Human Rights Commission had explained the texting did not violate people's personal rights.

Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana filed a petition to the NACC seeking the removal of Abhisit and Korn from office for alleged abuse of power in their actions.

The NACC also dismissed the case against the premier for malfeasance in appointing Kasit Piromya, who was allegedly involved with the takeover of Suvarnbhumi Airport, as Foreign Minister. It said the accusation had no grounds.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

'Leaked' reports blame Thai military for some crackdown deaths

Follow this link:

[webfact]

General Asawin named crime buster of 2010

By The Nation

General Asawin Kwanmuang was named this year's best crime buster, Abac Poll director Noppadol Kannikar said yesterday.

Citing a survey on 2,032 people in 17 provinces on crime and police response, Noppadol said 33.5 per cent of the respondents found drug trafficking the worst crime, followed by theft and robbery (23.1 per cent), murder (19.5 per cent) and sexual attacks (10.8 per cent). As for the best crime buster, 32.6 voted for Asawin, 30.1 per cent for Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew and 21.4 per cent for Pol General Pongpat Chayapan.

While 58.8 per cent said they hated the police force for their corrupt practices, followed by 8.3 per cent saying they were sick of their bullying and extortion, 38.3 per cent said they hoped police would become more honest and responsible.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

Chinese to check on panda family at Chiang Mai Zoo

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Verdict delayed in EC pay rise case

By The Nation

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

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

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

The prosecution contends the four committed a malfeasance in 2004 by bypassing the parliamentary scrutiny on pay rises.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

Seh Daeng's aide denied bail

By The Nation

The Ratchadapisek Criminal Court ruled yesterday that James Singhasith, a close aide to late General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol, be detained until January 3.

The court also rejected requests for James's bail release on grounds that he is a radical person with a record of violence and that he was a flight risk because he previously avoided arrest.

The 29yearold is accused of lobbing M79 grenades at the Saladaeng BTS station and Silom Road on April 22, when the redshirt rally was at its height. James was arrested on Tuesday in front of a post office in Bangkok's Lak Si district. Though he has confessed to joining the redshirt rally and knowing Seh, he denied firing the grenades as accused.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

Flood-hit farmers to get compensation today

By The Nation

The Agriculture Ministry is speeding up the payment of compensation to floodhit farmers.

Before the end of this week, 89,901 affected farmers will receive a total of Bt2.07 billion through their accounts with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut yesterday disclosed the BAAC planned to complete these transactions by today.

He said floods ravaged through 11.26 million rai of farmland in 74 provinces between August 1 and December 9. About 5.82 million rai - mostly paddy fields were completely destroyed.

Theera said compensation for these farms was to the tune of Bt13.3 billion.

"We will hand out the compensation via various agencies," he said.

Natural disasters also hit 190,432 rai of aquaticanimal farms in 68 provinces between August 1 and December 7 - including 156,745 rai of fish farms.

Compensation for these losses will reach Bt936 million.

Among the victims of natural disasters between August 1 and December 3 were 279,289 livestock farmers.

"Compensation for them will be around Bt87.2million," Theera said.

Meanwhile, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said his office's fund for flood victims now stood at Bt116 million.

"The money will be used to fix damaged houses in Songkhla, Phatthalung and Pattani," he said.

Satit said more than 10,000 houses suffered partial damage from storms in Phatthalung alone.

Chaiyaphum Governor Jarin Jakkapark said his provincial government had already spent Bt41 million on postflood rehabilitation. "We have more than Bt100 million budget for the purpose," he added.

According to Jarin, more than 5,000 families had already received Bt5,000 each in financial help.

"The money will have to be distributed to another 10,000 families," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

Pattani Declaration to help improve application of Islamic studies

By Chuleeporn Aramnet

The Nation

Thailand and 15 other countries yesterday participated in the Pattani Declaration, which aims to apply Islamic studies to bring world peace, improve Islamic youths' education and life opportunities in a postglobalised society, and establish a committee to create a balance in Islam by 2012.

Yesterday's declaration marked the end of the threeday Islamic international conference titled "Role of Islamic Studies in Post Globalised Society" at the Prince of Songkhla University Pattani Campus. The conference was attended by 100 Islamic lecturers and academics from Thailand, Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tanzania, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Tunisia and Libya.

The university's president Boonsom Siribumrungsukha read the declaration, which detailed points that all participants had agreed to unanimously. The points are applying Islamic studies to create world peace; integrating knowledge for social development; making Islamic studies an active science in terms of technology to herald a prosperous and peaceful society; emphasising an international approach to promote worldwide cooperation; and arranging opportunities for dialogue to prevent radical ideas.

The declaration also included seven main points for joint development including the establishment of a committee to create a balance for Islamic students and give importance to Islam by 2012, the establishment of a research centre and a joint research network to develop Islamic studies, and the making of Pattani university as an Arabic language study hub in Thailand.

They aim to organise an international conference in Pattani every two years. This conference is expected to yield more than 10 international projects, Boonsom said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

Asean expert urges Thais to prepare for the AEC

By Wannapa Khaopa

Darapan Kaewmukda

The Nation

To prepare Thai people, particularly young people, for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), only disseminating knowledge about ASEAN is not enough, but encouraging them to see what will benefit them and how they should prepare themselves will be more effective, two experts on ASEAN urged yesterday.

"Only knowing Asean or AEC is not enough because people still have no idea what they will do and how they should prepare themselves, especially children," said Phanpob Plangprayoon, counsellor of Asean Department at Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Meanwhile, Nantana Gajaseni, executive director of Office of the Asean University Network Secretariat urged Education Ministry to make people recognise advantages they could gain from AEC. "Young people should know why they should be in the same community with nine other Asean nations."

They were giving the comments at a workshop on Asean educational action plan creation held by the ministry's Office of the Permanent Secretary at S.D. Avenue Hotel.

Moreover, another expert on ASEAN, Administration and Communication of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation Secretariat Deputy Director Tinsiri Siribodhi urged to encourage local people in rural areas to learn about ASEAN.

"Authorities should not only educate locals contents through news as it may be boring for them, but also using different creative methods to raise their awareness, like through radio soap operas. Lots of locals like the radio soap operas," she said.

Nantana pointed out that Higher Education Commission should clearly tell universities to provide Asean studies as general education for bachelor's degree students. So, they would understand Asean community.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

Princess feeling better though she still has fever

By The Nation

HRH Princess Somsavali's conditions are improving, according to the Royal Household Bureau.

The Princess has been admitted to the Chulalongkorn Hospital since Tuesday with pneumonia.

The Royal Household Bureau yesterday said the Princess' overall conditions were improving although she had fever.

"Her breathing is normal and her blood sugar level is well under control," it added, "There's no septicaemia".

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[webfact]

Site chosen for new Phuket Provincial Hall

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket tour operators furious at Russian counterparts

Phuket Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office Chief Piyasuda Sukcharoen

Follow this link:

[george]

Not Thailand related, but:

China bars English words in all publications incl. newspapers, books and websites:

Full story:

[george]

Thai composite stocks index (SET) opened on Friday at 1,023, up 1.69 points, or 0.16 per cent.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 713, up 1.21 points, or 0.17 per cent.

The top five most active shares: TRUE, DTAC, PTL, CPF, IVL.

-- The Nation 2010-12=24

[george]

Aceh asks Phuket for tsunami drill training:

Full story:

[george]

Strong economy spurs new year spending to grow 10.5%

New year spending is expected to grow 10.5% to Bt89.04 billion due to strong economic growth and higher goods value, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's survey. /The Nation

[george]

300 red shirts protest in front of Army base in Lop Buri

Lop Buri: -- Some 300 red-shirt people staged a noisy protest in front of the 3rd Special Warfare Regiment Friday morning.

The protesters cited the leaked reports of the Department of Special Investigation as the cause for the protest.

The report blamed the military for the deaths of several red shirts.

The angry protesters shouted loudly that troops killed innocent people. Some shouted that troops were trained just to kill people.

They laid black wreaths with the names of Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and some troops mentioned by the DSI reports in front of the regiment.

They earlier laid black wreaths with the names of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit in front of the provincial hall.

-- The Nation 2010-12-24

[george]

Phuket Poll: Would you wet your lips with Phuket tap water?

Is our tap water safe to drink?

Vote in our poll: