Thailand Live Wednesday 5 Jan 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 5 January 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 4 Jan 2011

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New Year Spending Close to Bt200 Bln

The Tourism Authority of Thailand reports that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in 2010 has reached 15.5 million.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Thailand says nearly 200 billion baht was circulated during the New Year holidays.

The Bank of Thailand, or BOT, disclosed that there had been a significant increase in the demand for banknotes from December 17 to 31, and 172.5 billion baht worth of cash had been circulated during the period, a six-percent rise year on year.

In the meantime, the Kasikorn Research Center reported that 18.5 billion baht were spent in Bangkok during the festive season, seven percent higher than last year's spending.

About 5.9 billion baht were spent on New Year celebrations, 5.3 billion on buying of New Year gifts and souvenirs, 4.5 billion on travel and accommodations, 1.8 billion on merit-making and another one billion baht on shopping and going to the movies.

Meanwhile, Tourism Authority of Thailand, or TAT, Governor Surapol Svetasreni stated that the TAT helped campaign on public relations for New Year celebrations at 33 places in 27 provinces and spent 15 million baht to hold activities in three locations.

He estimated that around 3.8 million local and foreign tourists participated in New Year countdown parties in Thailand and spent around 3.6 billion baht while traveling, a five-percent rise from last year.

He also revealed that the total number of foreign tourist arrivals throughout last year is at 15.5 million, 13 percent higher than 2009's figure, and generated around 580 billion baht in tourism revenue.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-05

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BoT expects more loan releases by banks in 2011

BANGKOK (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) believes commercial banks will issue more loans this year following the recent increases of both the deposit and loan interest rates.

BoT Deputy Governor for Financial Institutions Stability Krirk Vanikkul estimated that commercial banks would increase their loan releases in 2011 in line with the economic growth, which is expected to reach 3-5 per cent. Following the Monetary Policy Committee’s upward adjustment of the policy interest rate by 0.25 per cent, interest rates for both loans and deposits also rose, indicating that commercial banks are planning to gain more depositors in order to generate sufficient funds for the higher loan issuance.

The BoT disclosed that there would be a downturn in loans without guarantee and personal loans, which grew less than 10% last year, whereas auto loans would see a significant growth due to the economic recovery. As for credit card loans, the central bank hoped the target growth of 5 per cent would be achieved.

-- NNT 2011-01-05

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Chart Thai Pattana ready for election, eyes 25 MP seats

BANGKOK (NNT) – The Chart Thai Pattana Party has confirmed readiness for the next general election, setting the target to claim at least 25 seats in the House.

Chart Thai Pattana Spokesman Watchara Kannikar stated that his party had been well-prepared for the upcoming election since over 6 months ago and is currently waiting for the right time to announce the party’s policy, possibly within this month. He elaborated that the party was intent on retaining its status as a medium-sized party and also on winning at least 25 MP seats.

Mr Watchara said many qualified people had expressed interest in becoming part of the party’s election campaign, which would emphasize the goal to eliminate political conflicts in the country. He believed everybody wishes to see Thailand return to its peaceful state with steady economic and social developments.

-- NNT 2011-01-05

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THAI-SAUDI TIES

Thailand's DSI found some missing Saudi gems

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Thai Court denies bail for seven Red Shirt leaders for third time

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UPDATE

TOLLWAY TRAGEDY

Teen to be sent to juvenile center : police

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THAI-CAMBODIA BORDER DISPUTE

Ties'at risk' if Phnom Penh drags out case: Thai Foreign Minister

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BOMB SUITS

New suits on the way

By The Nation

Nine new bomb suits bought recently by the Royal Thai Police are due to arrive in Thailand late this month. It is hoped they will end complaints about substandard bomb suits used by police and soldiers in the deep South, which arose following the death of two policemen last Friday in a bomb disposal operation.

Three Canadian-made suits will be given to police EOD units in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, national police chief Pol General Wichean Potephosree said yesterday.

Wichean expressed regret about the deaths of two police killed in the operation last Friday, and ordered an investigation into what caused the explosion.

Wichean gave different numbers for bomb suits owned and/or used by the police and military - 11 in total, two with units in the capital, and nine in the three southern provinces. Eight of the suits in the deep South have been loaned from the military.

Some 26 EOD officers from the Army have been assigned to assist police bomb units in the deep South because of a police personnel shortage, the police chief said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-05

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Campaign kept burglars at bay

By The Nation

Published on January 5, 2011

All 1,515 houses left under the care of the Metropolitan Police Bureau during the New Year period have been reported secure. Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Worasak Nopsittiporn said yesterday.

According to Worasak, the Metropolitan Police Division 2 received 345 requests from householders -- the highest number this year. On the overall situation, Worasak said just three thefts took place over the New Year holidays. "Police have already arrested suspects in two of these cases," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-05

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Suthep key to the survival of Thai govt, Abhisit

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ACCIDENTS

Thai survey shows many youngsters drive after drinking

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Plastic bags not a wise substitute for condoms: Thai health ministry

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Compulsory licensing of drugs has helped poor people with Aids, cancer

By DUANGKAMON SAJIRAWATTANAKUL

THE NATION

Over the past four years, compulsory licensing (CL) of some drugs has proved a key way for many Thais to gain access to expensive medicine to counter Aids and other serious diseases - especially through a state-subsidised healthcare scheme operated by the National Health Security Office (NHSO).

Seven drugs are listed for CL. This includes clopidogrel, for treatment of heart-related diseases- normally priced at Bt70 per tablet but available now for Bt3 from India. The price is so low, NHSO deputy secretary-general Natenaphis Sukhanawanich said it stirs uncertainty among doctors about the drug's efficiency. Many opt not to prescribe it to patients, ironically.

After an NHSO communication campaign to government pharmacists at local hospitals, 8,000 boxes of clopidogrel - each containing 100 tablets - are now ordered each month, compared to 300 boxes a month last year. Natenaphis gave credit to CL for allowing low-income patients, or NHSO beneficiaries, to gain access to expensive medicines.

"Prices of medicines under CL are now six or ten times cheaper and this is hugely beneficial to patients in need of all [seven] types of medicine.

"The quality of CL-enabled medicines is as good as that of non-CL prototypes, at much lower prices," she said.

Director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) Withit Atthawetchakul said 10 million tablets of clopidogrel were stockpiled but only a few had been prescribed initially.

However, after the NHSO campaign, prescriptions became more frequent, and the GPO stockpile was exhausted. He said there had been no criticism of clopidogrel - it had completely replaced its non-CL prototype in Thailand.

Chulalongkorn Hospital head Dr Adisorn Phattharadool said other variants of clopidogrel were prescribed to patients as it was not on the hospital's drug list, even though it's already on the NHSO list.

"We do not always prescribe all CL-enabled medicines on the NHSO's list. We focus on the drug's quality and normally prescribe generic medicines or other variants if available," he explained.

Sanofi Aventis, owner of the patent for clopidogrel, has said CL has caused a drop in sales of |the drug here, especially in government hospitals under the NHSO scheme.

A source at the firm, who asked not to be named, said it was good for Thailand that clopidogrel substitutes had proved effective.

"But it remains to be seen if they are as effective as clopidogrel," the person said.

CL has helped cut the price for seven types of drugs in Thailand. Efavirenz, Lopinavir and Ritronavir all help patients resist Aids; while Clopidogrel (trade name Pravix) was an anti-blood-clotting drug relevant to Aids medication).

Four other drugs are for cancer treatment: Docetaxel for lung and breast cancers; Erlotinib for lung cancer; Imatinib for gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST); and Letrozole for breast cancer.

GPO director Withit said new lots of Docetaxel could be imported this year (2011) following the shortage, which prompted the GPO to buy large amounts from the patent owner at a lower price.

He said the GPO could produce two Aids-resistant drugs this year, which would make their prices even lower than those from India.

-- The Nation 2011-01-05

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STOPPAGE TIME

25 reasons why 7 clumsy Thais should be released

By Tulsathit Taptim

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University to support van victims in bid for compensation

Thammasat University would act as joint plaintiffs for relatives of 14 van passengers killed or injured in a road accident on December 27, a deputy rector said Tuesday.

The underaged driver of a sedan involved in the accident and her family had not stated clearly how they would show responsibility for the crash.

Police set Wednesday to summons the unnamed girl, whose name is withheld due to her being a minor at 17 years of age, to acknowledge criminal offences against her.

"TU will appoint lawyers to act as joint plaintiffs to pursue criminal prosecution and demand civil compensation [against the defendant]," said Parinya Thewanaruemitkul.

-- The Nation 2011-01-05

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More party-list MPs in next poll

By The Nation

The next election could see about one in three provinces, including Bangkok, lose MPs under proposed changes to the 500 House seats.

The legislative committee vetting charter amendments agreed yesterday to revamp the electoral system by increasing party-list MPs from 100 to 125 while reducing constituency MPs from 400 to 375.

Of the 25 constituency seats that will disappear, Bangkok will give up two - from 36 to 34 - while 23 provinces will lose one.

They are Krabi, Kamphaeng Phet, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Narathiwat, Buri Ram, Phang Nga, Phatthalung, Phichit, Maha Sarakham, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Lop Buri, Lampang, Lamphun, Si Sa Ket, Surat Thani, Surin and Amnat Charoen.

The chairman of the panel drafting the changes, Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, spelt out the proposed amendments before the panel, chaired by Democrat MP Tirdpong Jayanandana, voted to endorse the new electoral system.

The reason for boosting party-list MPs was to raise awareness of and strengthen political parties.

The 125 party-list seats represent about one-fourth of the population. Voting for parties would be tallied from ballots cast in all 77 provinces.

The requirement for a party to receive more than 5 per cent of party votes in order to be included in the proportionate system will be eliminated so small parties can have a presence in Parliament.

For the direct vote, constituencies will be switched from multi-seat to single seat on the principle of one-man, one-vote, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-05

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Phuket police warn over 'royal souvenirs'

The souvenirs themselves are convincing people to make the donations.

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Youngest son of Iran's former Shah commits suicide

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Underage driver in van accident to report to Metropolitan police at 9am; she will be sent to juvenile center after interrogation /TAN_Network

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Government’s plan to subsidise diesel prices acceptable: Thai Chamber

BANGKOK, Jan 5 – The Thai government’s plan to set aside the first lot of Bt5 billion of the Oil Fund to subsidise local diesel fuel prices to ensure they stay at no more than Bt30 per litre is acceptable, but must be only for the short run, according to Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) chairman Dusit Nontanakorn.

He said the measure, which would soon go before the Energy Policy Management Committee, could help ease the inflationary pressure and possible domino impacts on other product prices.

Still, the government must implement the measure for the short term, perhaps 6 to 12 months, and try to end it.

The measure should not be applied indefinitely because it could distort the market mechanism if consumers do not use the efficiently diesel.

Mr Dusit said he feared the measure might bring about 'prodigal' use of diesel fuel by some consumers.

In theory, he said, fuel prices should be allowed to move according to the market mechanism because it could encourage consumers to use fuel efficiently and economically. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-05

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Underage Driver Reports to Metropolitan Police

The underage driver who was allegedly responsible for a deadly crash on the tollway that killed nine people has reported to the Metropolitan Police headquarters. She originally was scheduled to report to the Viphavadee police station, but changed her mind. She is facing one count of driving without a license and one court of man slaughter.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-05

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Stealers Wheel singer Gerry Rafferty dies at 63

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,044.88, up 2.47 points /MCOT

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Russian Tourist Stabbed And Robbed By Construction Workers

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Total of 358 Deaths During NY Holiday Travel

After seven full days of heavy road traveling during the New Year's holiday, the road safety center has concluded that a total of 358 deaths resulted from road accidents. The number is 11 more than last year's figures. 3,750 people were injured.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-05

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Tension in Sa Kaeo as protesters face locals while trying to access area where 7 Thais were nabbed by Cambodian officers; governor mediating /TAN_Network

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New Year road accident toll reaches 358

The accumulated death toll of road accidents during the seven deadly New Year holidays rose to 358, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban announced Wednesday.

Suthep, director of the road safety centre, said 3,497 accidents occurred during December 29 to Tuesday, January 4, a drop of 37 accidents compared to the same period last year.

A total of 3,750 people were injured, a drop of 77 injuries from last year's.

Suthep said the death toll increased by 11 deaths, compared to 347 deaths last year.

-- The Nation 2011-01-05

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Phuket foreign property sales to grow 25% this year

Kamala is home to many high-end development projects. Photo by Jim Welch

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