Thailand Live Monday 27 Dec 2010

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SET index closed at 1019.46, down 2.53; Bt/USD30.07; GBP46.25; AUD30.05; EUR39.35; CAD29.79; HKD3.86; SGD23.05; JPY36.10

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Abhisit insists he will to appoint Anchalee as new PM secretary-general

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday insisted he wants to prmote Democrat treasurer Anchalee Wanijtheppabutr to the post of PM's secretary-general.

Abhisit said Anchalee is qualified to replace Korbsak Sabhavasu as the PM's secretary-general.

Abhisit said Anchalee has been working closely with Korbsak so she would have no problem to follow up on the Korbsak's works.

-- The Nation 2010-12-27

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Two Korean's Arrested Following Assault And Robbery Complaints In Pattaya

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Grand Pattaya Countdown 2011 begins

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Northern province of Chiang Mai declares whole province cold snap disaster zone, seeks Bt14 million to buy winter clothing for distribution /MCOT

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Airport Rail Link to be improved by Jan 4 with new fares

BANGKOK, 27 December 2010 (NNT) - Permanent Secretary for Transport Supoj Saplom has vowed to improve the Airport Rail Link system before it begins full operation on January 4th next year.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), along with the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), last week submitted progress reports on 34 rail transport projects to Mr Supoj.

One of the projects still in need of special attention was the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link, particularly in the customer service area. The Permanent Secretary has thus instructed the SRT to hastily solve any problems in order for the system to open its full service on January 4th as scheduled.

The Airport Rail Link fares will also increase from January 4th onwards. The Express Line will cost 150 baht, up from the current rate of 100 baht, while the fare of the City Line will increase to 15-45 baht, depending on the distance, from the current 15 baht.

Moreover, Mr Supoj has urged the SRT to build a walkway connecting Phetchaburi Station of the MRT underground train and Makkasan Station of the Airport Link as well as put up proper entrance and exit signs. The SRT will seek cooperation from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Department of Highways and the Department of Rural Roads in completing the tasks by the middle of next year.

-- NNT 2010-12-28

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Temperature Expected to Drop in All Regions

The Meteorological Department warns of dropping temperature in all regions across the country.

The weather bureau expects average temperature to drop by one to three degrees Celsius while rainfall is expected in the southern provinces of Thailand.

The chilly weather has prompted Karen hilltribe people in Uthai Thani's Huay Kot and Baan Rai district to set bonfires as a source for warmth since many poverty stricken locals do not own enough winter clothes to stay warm.

Students at the Baan Klong Haeng Wittaya School must endure the shivering cold weather as they lack proper winter clothing.

Teachers have advised students to keep warm by playing in the sun before attending class while some classes are held in the sun.

In Uttaradit province, the public and other sectors have donated blankets and winter clothes to poor people in the remote Baan Kok district.

Kalasin Hospital has been donating blankets to poor locals in Nong Krungsri district, where temperature is at 13 degrees Celsius while temperature in areas around Phupan Mountain is as low as six to ten degrees Celsius.

Locals in Maha Sarakham province have resorted to building bonfires to keep warm as temperature at night can drop to under 20 degrees Celsius.

Head of Maha Sarakham Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Anuchit Kanthamul, disclosed that disaster prevention centers have been set up in all Maha Sarakham districts to oversee nearly 2,000 villages.

The office expects more than 180,000 people will be affected by the cold weather this year.

Earlier today, the Meteorological Department announced that a high pressure trough from China will cover the northern part of Thailand, causing temperature to drop by one to three degrees Celsius when coupled with strong winter winds.

There have also been reports of frost at certain mountaintops.

From today until December 30, the Meteorological Department reported that the southern region will see dark rain clouds and strong winds in the Gulf of Thailand.

A warning has been issued to fishermen and seafarers to exercise caution in their travels.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-27

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Natural resources ministry's banned alcohol consumption in all national parks. Violators face 1-mon jail/or Bt1,000 fine. /via@tulsathit:

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Disaster Services: Chiang Mai declared cold snap disaster zone

CHIANG MAI, Dec 27 - Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai has declared all its 25 districts as a disaster zone due to the cold snap affecting the region, according to to provincial disaster response services director Prajon Pratsakul.

The Chiang Mai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office head said temperatures dropped below 15 degrees Celcius for over three days, which he said is an indicator that the whole province will become colder. The provincial seat is the warmest spot where the temperature has been 14 degrees Celcius.

Some 2,000 villages with more than 230,000 households, or about 430,000 people, have been affected by the cold due to high pressure coming from China.

Chiang Mai province has requested a budget of Bt14 million from the Interior Ministry to purchase around 80,000 sets of winter clothes and duvets for the cold victims. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-27

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K Samed not covered by liquor ban as there r privately-rented plots on the island. Ban applies on areas directly under national park dept. /via@tulsathit

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Phuket aglow with tsunami remembrance ceremonies

A mother and child light a candle in remembrance at the 'Light Up Phuket'

tsunami memorial service on Patong Beach last night.

Photo: Pollit Thitivarithinun

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Kata Royal Condo moves to save Phuket view

An artist's impression of the completed project at a height of only five storeys.

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PM Abhisit Denies House Dissolution in April

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topic continues

Thailand Live Tuesday Dec 28

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