Thailand Live Saturday 8 Jan 2011

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Thailand Live Saturday 8 January 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 7 Jan 2011

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Securities Firm Projects Stock Gain Leap after Election

A leading Thai stock brokerage firm is optimistic that the local stock trade will surge healthily after the much anticipated general election later this year.

It also forecasts the country’s main stock index to touch the 1,200-point level before the end of 2011.

SCB Securities Managing Director Kiattisak Jenwipakul said that the economy is expected to have expanded by 7.3 percent in the past year while the local stock trade grew by 40 percent, the second biggest growth rate in Asia only after South Korea.

For 2011, SCB Securities forecast that GDP will grow 3.7 percent.

Even though the expected rate is a contraction, Kiattisak affirmed that it remains acceptably high compared with forecasts for the United States and Europe.

SCB Securities is confident that the Stock Exchange of Thailand index will hit the 1,200 point level without difficulty, especially if this year’s general election passes without incident and the political situation remains calm.

In terms of Thailand’s interest outlook, Kiattisak believes the rate will continue to rise after having spent quite some time in the low range.

He added that the country’s benchmark interest rate will go up between 50 and 75 basis points from the current rate of two percent in order to cope with an expected rise in inflationary pressure and possible economic bubble burst.

Asked to comment on outstanding stocks for 2011, SCB Securities recommended investors keep a close watch on banking stocks, which should reap more benefits from rising interest rates.

Shares of consumer product companies are another recommended choice due to the economic recovery, while those of automobile and industrial parks are also suggested by SCB Securities for this year.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-08

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Army Chief Sees Cambodia's Arrests of Thais as Lesson

The army chief says the arrest of seven Thais by Cambodian troops can be a lesson for related parties to be more cautious about handling border affairs.

Commander of the Royal Thai Army, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, said the fate of the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldier for alleged intrusion on its territory solely rests with the Cambodian court's judgement which no party can interfere with.

Prayuth said he has never been worried about handling the matter as it is his duty to help those people and no party should be blamed about the issue.

The army chief insisted Thailand and Cambodia must respect each other.

The general added no one is ignoring the arrests of those Thais and insisted relevant agencies are trying their best to help them.

Prayuth said if those people really trespassed on Cambodian territory, it was most likely accidental and the event could serve as a lesson that border affairs should be managed with more caution.

He reiterated all armed forces commanders are doing their utmost to defend the country's sovereignty and prevent any encroachment on Thai soil while the matter of territories still in dispute must be left to border panels at various levels and be based on existing evidence the two countries have.

Prayuth remarked the positioning of border markers, particularly those on flat terrains, might have been shifted due to weather and environmental changes, so such problems must be settled.

He also affirmed Thai-Cambodian military relations are still normal since all levels of command have been coordinating with each other.

He added the moves by some people over the arrests of the Thais must be in compliance with the law and protesters must be aware of Thailand's image at the international level.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-08

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NEW!

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[george]

Thailand has more infected PCs than any other country!

A third of all malware in history created in 2010: Study:

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[george]

Bangkok Post buries 24 year old Database:

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CHILDREN'S DAY

PM hopes the young will strengthen the nation

By The Nation

Government House, PM's office to be open to young visitors today

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday wished every child happiness, success, good health and power to make the country stronger. He was speaking on the occasion of the National Children's Day, which falls on the second Saturday every January.

This year's motto for the young is "Be Prudent, Be Thoughtful and Be PublicMinded". Abhisit said being prudent would make children cautious about their choices and help them from running into trouble.

He said that children should be taught thoughtfulness, so they can learn to not just do things that benefit themselves but also other people. They should also learn to put public interest before their personal interest, he explained.

Fortunately, this year's Children's Day is not just about serious mottoes, it's also a day of fun.

The prime minister will personally welcome children at Government House as well as at his office in the complex, allowing youngsters to sit on his chair and pose for photographs.

Apart from the young visitors, some 54 youngsters will be showing up at Government House today for a completely different job. These youngsters have been trained as "small rangers" and will serve as the premier's security guards for the day.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra opened the doors of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) headquarters to welcome some 300 students yesterday.

After the tour, Pathom6 student Ployrung Minbamrung said she wanted to see prominent figures lead the youth by setting a good example.

Meanwhile, Look Rieng Yala Group director Wankanok Pohitaedao said up to 3,482 children in the deep South had been orphaned by the ongoing violence, which started in 2004.

"We have visited them and all they want now is peace," she said.

Though the serious tone was evident at some places, there have been enough treats to put smiles on everybody's faces.

In Ayutthaya, youngsters were delighted by hulahooping elephants, while hundreds of children in Phitsanulok were treated to free food, ice cream, snacks and gifts at the Tambon Samorkhae Administrative Organisation yesterday. A helicopter also dropped some extra snacks to add to the fun.

Things for kids to do

Exhibition of aircraft including F16A fighting falcons, parachute show and Alpha Jet demonstration

Time: 7am to 3pm

Venue: Near Cargo Terminal, Don Mueang Airport

Exhibition of warships, helicopters, armoured vehicles and cannons

Time: 8am to 4pm

Venues: Naval Academy, Naval Museum, Bangkok Naval Base and Chulachomklao Fort

Exhibition of helicopters, armoured vehicles, military tanks, cannons and other military supplies

Time: 8am to 4pm

Venue: In front of the Royal Thai Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue

Exhibition of royalinitiated projects and military supplies, with games and quiz shows also scheduled.

Time: 9am to noon

Venue: Parking area of the Defence Ministry's Office of the Permanent Secretary

Tour around the Government House and an opportunity to sit on the PM's chair, plus fun activities and plenty of prizes

Time: 8.30am to 3.30pm

Venue: Government House

Games and souvenirs

Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm

Venue: Parliament House

Free health check ups and many fun activities

Time: 8.30am to 5pm

Venue: Wachirabenchathat Park (Suan Rotfai)

Sciencerelated games and exhibition

Venue: Rama VI Road near the Science and Technology Ministry

Quizzes, games and recreational activities

Time: 8am to 2pm

Venue: Bangkok National Museum

Cultural shows and musical performances by Chaiya - Ann Mitchai

Venue: The Supreme Artist Hall

Walking rally, quizzes and other fun activities

Time: 8am to 3pm

Venue: Thai Red Cross Society

Free movies for kids no more than 120cm tall

Time: 11am to 4pm

Venue: Esplanade Cineplex Ngamwongwan

Free admission to Madame Tussauds Bangkok for children aged not over 12 years

Time: 10am to 9pm (till Sunday)

Venue: Siam Discovery

Get your photo added to the front page of a mockup newspaper, try out as a news anchor in a real studio, get free watercolour drawing classes along with many other fun activities.

Time: 8am to 2pm

Venue: Nation Tower, BangnaTrat Road

-- The Nation 2011-01-08

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Crashed Honda lent out

By The Nation

The sedan driven by the underage girl involved in a tollway accident that killed nine van passengers last week belongs to a woman who owns a garage and lent it to a third person, police said yesterday.

Witchuta Worrakhajit has been summoned by police for an interview about her ownership of the white Honda Civic, which was registered in Phuket but brought to Bangkok. Police will also question her about her relation to the third person and the underage girl.

Allowing cars to be driven by underage persons is a crime, punishable by imprisonment and fines. The penalties are higher in cases in which accidents occur.

A witness said Witchuta was rarely present at her garage on Lat Phrao Road, and that the Honda was among many cars she lent to garage clients free of charge during repairs of their vehicles.

-- The Nation 2011-01-08

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CRIME

Ruling January 27 in foetus case

By The Nation

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court has set January 27 for ruling on two undertakers who hid and disposed of many foetuses at a Bangkok temple, after they pleaded guilty yesterday.

Suchart Phoomee and Suthep Chabangbon have jointly been indicted for 348 counts of the offence, with Suthep individually at fault for more than 1,000 counts for carrying out his crimes alone.

Under the Criminal Code, each count of hiding and disposing of dead bodies carries a maximum fiveyear prison term, but a legal technicality limits imprisonment to 20 years.

Both men served as undertakers at Wat Phai Ngern Chotanaram in Nong Khaem district. They were paid by a former assistant nurse to hide or cremate foetuses extracted for years through her illegal abortions. At least 2,002 foetuses were found in the temple's morgues.

-- The Nation 2011-01-08

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Mums, Children main focus of Thai Govt's welfare outlay

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TENNIS

Zvonareva set for title defence in Pattaya

Zvonareva

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Thailand's future belongs to our children

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Pheu Thai brands govt a 'total failure'

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Four charged with school milk scam

By The Nation

Four staffers of three dairy companies based in the Northeast have been charged with violation of antibidrigging regulations over their alleged joint efforts to secure school milk contracts worth tens of millions of baht, the Department of Special Investigation said yesterday.

Two dairy companies had submitted bids on several occasions at rates higher than the median price so that Khon Kaen Dairies, which tendered for the median price, won the contract, the DSI said.

The DSI named the four suspects as Phornchai Bunyacheewitanont and Jaroen Rattanapanya, both of Khon Kaen Dairies; Pranee Saenkaew, an employee of Sarakham Kaset Co; and Ladda Mokha, an employee of Thung Kula Dairies Food Co.

-- The Nation 2011-01-08

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Project proposed to reform insurgents

By Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Sennean is proposing a pilot programme offering training to former insurgents interested in changing their ways.

The pilot project would be introduced in Songkhla province's Chana, Thepha, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi districts.

Thaworn, who is also a Songkhla MP, said the emergency decree had been lifted in the four districts, and the state was giving insurgency sympathisers and collaborators an opportunity to start over.

People overseeing the programme will take care of the registration and vocational training, offer help in legal cases and rehabilitate affected people, he said.

"Everything will be done lawfully, so participants can join the programme under certain conditions. The training can last for two, four or six months depending on the severity of the insurgency people have been involved in," he said.

The programme, the principle of which was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, would come under Article 21 of the 2008 Internal Security Act. Thaworn said the Council of State was reviewing the 18 wrongdoings stated in the law to set conditions.

"We still have to make the conditions clear and find solutions for some possible problems. For instance, some insurgent collaborators might decide to join us, but then say we had wrongly lured them if the court decides they are not qualified for the programme. Or what happens if the participant completes the training, but the court still considers him dangerous for society? Mistakes with one person can affect the trust of hundreds in the community," he said.

Thaworn said he expected the programme to start in March. with around 200 people joining.

-- The Nation 2011-01-08

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Narathiwat districts named disaster zones

By The Nation

Eight out of 13 districts in Narathiwat province have been declared disaster zones due to heavy flooding, which has also forced many schools to close until further notice.

Around 200 families in Rangae, Waeng and Sungai Kolok districts have been evacuated to higher ground after their homes were inundated by days of heavy rain.

Eleven out of 118 schools in this southern province have closed temporarily and a local education office said more schools might end up cancelling classes if the heavy rain continues.

Residents in Surat Thani's Tha Chana, Chai Ya and Vibhavadi districts have been warned of landslides, especially in areas located near mountains, though no evacuation plans have been announced yet.

In Phatthalung province, director Akkharaphol Khamkhong has called for help to prevent a repeat flooding of his Phru Nai Khao School in tambon Khlong Ya in Tanode district. He said it might help if the nearby canal was dredged to accommodate water from the highlands.

The school gets flooded during the rainy season and regularly sustains damage to its building and learning equipment.

-- The Nation 2011-01-08

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TAT fair to help boost tourism in Thailand's Northeast

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Trespassing case 'has no bearing' on Cambodia border dispute

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Rayong bus carrying students to Children's Day in capital bursts tyre on Bangna-Trat Road; 29 injured /MCOT

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Thai kids learning how to be a sniper at the Thai Naval Academy http://twitpic.com/3nzcf0 http://twitpic.com/3nzb7r /via@RichardBarrow:

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Deputy PM Suthep says he is unworried by Red Shirt's Sunday rally; security concerned agencies can handle gathering /MCOT

[george]

Australian man shot dead in the head outside his home in Petchabun.

The killer has stated he hated westerners

Full story:

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Sunday 9 January 2011