Thailand Live Sunday 9 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 Saturday 8 Jan 2011

A day of fun and celebration for children

By The Nation on Sunday

Thai kids enjoyed special treats and fun activities provided by state agencies, organisations and companies as the country celebrated National Children's Day yesterday.

At Government House, in keeping with tradition every year, children formed a long queue for a chance to sit on the prime minister's seat in the Thai Khu Fa building.

Among the children were 13 whose parents were killed in the Southern unrest. They were taken to meet PM Abhisit Vejjajiva who greeted them.

Nine-year-old Alimin Waetingwae from Narathiwat said the premier's seat was soft. He also said that Abhisit was handsome and that he too wanted to become a prime minister in future.

Abhisit had earlier presided over the event hosted by the Education Ministry at Sanam Suapa and another by the Metropolitan Police before his meeting with 241 Thai Student Council representatives. He also attended a videoconference with youth representatives of four regions at Government House.

The prime minister was guarded by the "little rangers" security volunteers. He gave an interview to a special television programme by the Thai youth news centre. Abhisit said that if he could ask for three blessings for Thai kids he would want them to be good, capable and happy.

At Parliament, children watched in awe a light and sound show of a 3D House meeting in which they saw PM Abhisit explaining a fiscal matter, House Speaker Chai Chidchob performing his duty and MP Chalerm Yoobumrung giving a speech. They also got a chance to act as news broadcasters from a mock-up TV studio and to learn about Thai politics and royal projects from the exhibition there.

Many military bases also hosted special events for kids and were a popular choice for parents to take their kids to yesterday. The Defence Ministry headquarters in Bangkok hosted many games. There were plenty of photo opportunities for kids to pose with military machines, and also the opportunity to ride one of 32 horses.

At the 14 October 73 Memorial on Rajadamnoen Avenue, democracy advocates and red-shirt supporters hosted an event titled "children love democracy, don't play with soldiers and don't accept dictatorship", in which children were taught to make paper birds, as a symbol of peace.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) also celebrated the day by granting 500 scholarships to underprivileged kids, while providing fun activities for kids at most city parks, the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng as well as other 37 youth centres, 10 sport centres and 34 libraries.

At the Nation Tower in Bang Na, the Nation Group yesterday morning hosted a fun event for kids. Besides playing games for gifts and colouring pictures, the kids also got a chance to try recording their voice at a news studio and had their image printed on the cover of Kom Chad Leuk newspaper.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

PM presides over National Children’s Day celebrations

BANGKOK: -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday presided over the National Children’s Day celebrations at Sanam Suapa near the Royal Plaza and met with representatives of the specially-convened Student Council at Government House here.

After speaking to 241 student representatives, Mr Abhisit listened to their opinions, concerns and the outcome of the Student Council meeting for 2011 and joined them in children activities held within the Government House premises.

Children, accompanied by their parents and their relatives, entered Government House only through the front gate so guards could search their bags which for security reasons.

As with National Children’s Day held in previous years, children could sit in the prime minister’s chair, visit his office and watch a live drive-by exhibition of Harley Davidson motorcycles ridden by the Bangkok metropolitan police and the Formula One racing car.

Children's Day this year was the first time that 54 children selected to attend the Kid Ranger or 'Jew Ranger' training program so they can be auxiliary guards to provide security at Government House.

The prime minister agreed with the idea because it provides children a chance to do useful activities for public and encourage a spirit of public awareness and service just like his slogan for Children's Day this year -"Be Prudent, Perceptive, Public Minded.”

Several agencies in both public and private sectors sponsored similar celebrations simultaneously throughout the country.

At the Royal Thai Army (RTA) headquarters, children were able to see three helicopter gunships parked at the lawn and more than 30 various types armoured vehicles and tanks.

The children were delighted to have their parents taking their photos as they stood alongside soldiers inside the army compound.

To stimulate children to be aware of their significant role in the country, National Children's Day was first held on the first Monday of Oct 1955 and continued until 1963, but then it was changed to the second Saturday of January. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-09

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Six dead, U.S. Congresswoman Giffords among at least 12 injured in Az. shooting

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Police prepared for Bangkok red shirt rally

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PM Abhisit to set 'people's agenda' today

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Bomb hits Thai school ahead of rally

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PM backs Student Council's ideas to help children

By The Nation

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Driver charged after bus crash

By The Nation

Chachoengsao

An IRPC bus taking 60 Rayong students to a National Children's Day activity in Nakhon Pathom yesterday overturned at 4.30am on the Bang Na-Trat Road (KM 52), injuring 27 people.

Bus driver Pichai Pholthavee, 48, told police the road section near Bang Pakong power plant was very bumpy and caused the vehicle to swerve to the left and right and he lost control before the bus crashed into a roadside wall and overturned.

However, one young passenger said the bus was going at about 120kmh before the driver hit the accelerator and caused it to swerve and crash.

Police charged Pichai with reckless driving causing injuries.

Some 27 students were taken to hospital, but most were released by press time. Two high school pupils, Thanakhom Suwanpitak and Kritthee Kingthong, who had more serious wounds, were being treated for a torn left ear, and a severely torn tendon in the left wrist.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

Pilot critical

By The Nation

A pilot was seriously injured during a paramotor show yesterday held to mark National Children's Day at Narathiwat's Central Stadium.

The pilot suffered electric shocks after his aircraft became entangled in high-voltage wires.

The accident caused a nearby transformer to explode and a subsequent blackout across the city.

Heavy rain occurred during the show and caused First Petty Officer Sura Wichakarn to loose control of the paramotor before it fell onto the power lines at 10.30am.

He was severely injured and was rushed to the Narathiwat Rajanakarind Hospital. As press time, his condition remained critical.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

Probe into illegal wood

By The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation is speeding up a probe into illegal teak logs to try to find out if any state officials were involved.

Following a compliant that Anton Co illegally imported teak from Burma and the December 15 seizure of Bt50 million worth of logs in Chiang Mai, Thai officials on December 22 raided Suksawad Plywood Co in Nonthaburi's Sai Noi district, and seized teak planks worth Bt75 million.

DSI deputy chief Narat Savetnant said yesterday the Justice Minister told him to seriously proceed with the inquiry.

Suksawad Plywood Co, which claimed it had nothing to do with the illegal import of logs, has yet to be charged. But the DSI would check if they knew about Anton's alleged illegal importing, as documents declaring the teak logs were deemed counterfeit, he said. The DSI would also check if any state officials were involved in the importing as the goods had to pass through several steps and related agencies must check on an importer's papers.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

INTERVIEW

Social Move: Leftists still fighting for justice

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation on Sunday

Small leftist groups such as Social Move often get ignored alongside the bigger political actors, such as the yellow and red-shirt movements, and rarely get media exposure. Their ideological commitment is clear, however. Key Social Move member Saowalux Pongam talks to The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk about the left and politics. Excerpts:

What is the political standing of Social Move?

Some of our positions are: we oppose the lese majeste law and want to see Thailand managed as a welfare state in which the state looks after its citizens. To borrow the late Puay Ungpakorn's idea, the state should look after its citizens from cradle to death. We also oppose military coups and, at the moment, we are also campaigning for the unconditional release of political prisoners.

It seems that most leftist groups have now chosen to be in the red-shirt camp. What's your view of the matter?

We must ask why leftist groups chose to be with the red-shirt movement. That is because the movement shows features of a democratic movement. Many things that were done to red shirts after the September 19 2006 coup also show that a class system does exist in Thai society and that the elite class does not accept [political] decisions made by the people. This forced us to stand side by side with the red-shirt movement.

But can the political stance of groups like Social Move be different from the red-shirt movement? Or that of Thaksin Shinawatra, Red Sunday's Sombat Boon-ngam-anong or Somyos Prueksakasemsuk of the June 24 group?

Personally speaking, although many red shirts support people like Thaksin Shinawatra, there are many red-shirt groups who have gone with Sombat. We believe that Social Move, or those who support democracy, must support elected governments. Thaksin's administrations were elected and the important thing for progressive people to bear in mind is to protect governments that are elected. Some elected governments may not be good, or misbehave and so on, but the problem must be dealt with through the electoral system. Many members in Social Move do not like Thaksin and may even criticise him but at the same time but we also recognise what Thaksin did was also beneficial to the people, more so than many other political parties over the past seven decades.

In reality, what percentage of red shirts are actually leftist?

Not many, I think. However, if one regards 'leftists' as those who support democracy, then 100 per cent of red shirts support democracy. There aren't that many self-proclaimed leftist groups in Thailand, however, and their memberships are small.

Some see leftists as exploiting the red-shirt movement for their own ideological gain while others believe that leftists have mistaken reds as being progressive, which may not be the case. What's your take?

I don't think much about it. There were allegations that some leftist red-shirt leaders were exploiting right-wing capitalists. Personally, I have no view on the matter because as long as our main goal is to fight for democracy and reduce socio-economic disparity, as well as oppose things that are not right, we will just do it step by step.

What about the fact that under the Thai Constitution, no communist or socialist political parties can be legally formed, while that is possible in countries like Japan?

The elite do not want people to have a clear political stance, but on the other hand the left are also weak. However, being weak doesn't mean we did nothing. But we found ourselves on the receiving end of actions by the right, be it the constitutional constraints or many other laws. Having a Political Party law is very ludicrous because in a democracy, political parties are formed by people who want to propose certain ideas to the electorate, and if the people do not vote for them it will simply die a natural death. No laws are needed to tell us whether a certain party should be dissolved or not.

It's difficult enough to form a political party here, not to mention a leftist political party.

It seems that the mass media in general do not really pay any attention to groups like Social Move. How do you feel about it?

One thing we must admit is that leftists in Thailand are weak. At the same time, we are trying to open up the debate. But we must also accept the reality that the system is pretty much headed in a right-wing direction. We shall continue to try to tell the public that capitalism cannot take us further and when it cannot do so, we will propose a socialist economic system.

Do you not feel lonely with many believing that socialism is dead?

We do not feel lonely or disheartened. We used to joke that the Thai social movement died on October 6, [1976] or May [1992] but when the [2006] coup occurred many red shirts banded together to fight. This reminded us that there's no justice, and that people are ready to fight even if those fighting may not be leftists.

It made us see what the Thai state is doing today is not right, it's very unjust. There was a massacre at the Ratchaprasong intersection and [the government] still managed to cling to power. For those who refuse to give up, these are the very things that burnish their courage to carry on, a reminder that people haven't given up hope. We're just waiting to intensify the move and make it more unified. This fight may last for years.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

Floods in Narathiwat

By The Nation on Sunday

All districts in Narathiwat except Sukhirin and Si Sakhon were declared disaster zones yesterday.

The provincial coordination centre for flood, storm and landslide disasters reported yesterday that 38,446 residents in 10,014 households were affected. Some 216 people in at-risk areas in Rangae, Waeng and Sungai Kolok districts were evacuated to safer ground.

The Kolok River was 2.2 metres above its banks, while the Sai Buri and Bang Nara rivers also overflowed into homes in low-laying areas, causing residents to use flat-bottomed boats to get around.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

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

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Thailand's Central Bank will act on growing inflation rate

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Two Thai workers injured in mortar attack in southern Israeli town close to Gaza Strip: Israeli military /MCOT

Thief Takes 150.000 Baht In Cash Forgotten By Bank Customer

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Govt to reorganise roadside stalls as tourist attractions

The government will reorganise roadside stalls in certain areas as tourist attractions, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced Sunday.

The measure is part of the his government's so-called people's agenda for 2011, designed to help the low-income people.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

Govt to register taxi motorcyclists, provide welfare

The government plans to register taxi motorcyclists nationwide so that they will enjoy welfare and benefits like other professions.

After the registration, the taxi motorcyclists will also work as security volunteers for their communities, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday.

The measure to help taxi motorcyclists is part of the people's agenda for 2011 detailed by the prime minister at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Sunday.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

Freelancers to be covered by Social Security scheme from July: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced Sunday that self-employed people can join the Social Security scheme in July.

He said freelance workers and self-employed people can start paying Bt100 a month to join the scheme to enjoy benefits like company's employees.

The measure to help freelance workers is part of the nine "New Year gifts" the prime minister unveiled when he detailed his party's people's agenda for 2011.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

Govt to reduce crimes by 20 per cent in 6 months

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday promised that his government will reduce crimes by 20 per cent in six months.

He said the government will install more security camera in remote spots and increase police patrols in such areas to prevent crimes.

The measure is part of the people's agenda for 2011 announced at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Sunday.

-- The Nation 2011-01-09

PM Abhisit details '9 New Year gifts'

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7 companies of police maintaining order at Red Shirt Democracy Monument, Ratchaprasong rallies Sunday afternoon, set to end at 8pm /MCOT

Police posted on anti-government protest march route

BANGKOK, Jan 9 -- Seven companies of police personnel – about 1,000 officers – plus about 150 civil servants from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (City Hall) are on duty on the route where anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters are marching Sunday demanding that the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva free the Red Shirts top leaders from jail on terrorism charges, a senior police officer said.

Police Bureau Division 1 commander Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai said police will be deployed at key sites where the UDD will assemble -- at the Democracy Monument, at Ratchaprasong Intersection and at Phetchaburi Soi 7, where a major clash erupted between the protesters and "third hand" elements during the marathon UDD demonstration held in April and May last year.

Gen Wichai said the UDD leaders told him at yesterday’s talks that protesters would not attack the royal institution, that no stage would be erected and that live-flame floating airbourne lanterns would not be released.

The Red Shirt protesters will gather from 3pm at the Democracy Monument and march to Ratchaprasong where they will commemorate protesters who lost their lives last April and May. They plan to disperse at 8pm.

The UDD leaders announced earlier they would rally in the capital monthly on the 10th and 19th to remember demonstrators killed in clashes with government troops on April 10 on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and on May 19 at Ratchaprasong.

Eighty-nine persons, both security personnel and protesters, were killed and more than 1,900 were injured in several clashes between the troops and UDD members during April and May last year.

The Red Shirt protest in Bangkok was dispersed on May 19 when movement leaders ended their ten-week protest and surrendered to police as army units closed in and sealed off their protest area.

Most top protest leaders remain jailed under terrorism charges and their bail has been rejected as the court cited their possible flight to avoid prosecution.

National police chief Pol Gen Wichien Pojphosri, meanwhile, said police will act as the key mechanism in maintaining peace and order after the emergency decree was lifted in the country.

Police, he said, must act in a neutral manner, with no double standards.

Regarding the plan of key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, also an MP from the opposition Puea Thai Party, to speak to the protest rally today despite a court order forbidding him to attend political events, Gen Wichien said the activist must act under Thailand’s legal framework and under conditions set by the court. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-09

15:45 Main Red Shirt group have already cleared Phan Fah & heading down Nakhon Sawan Road to Ratchaprasong. /via@RichardBarrow

3:50pm About 2,000 red shirts still at Democracy Monument listening to speakers there. Expect to leave at 4:30pm /via@RichardBarrow

Three Thai workers wounded in Gaza mortar attack out of danger

BANGKOK, Jan 9 -- Over 26,000 Thai workers now living in Israel have been warned again not to work near the Gaza Strip and nearby areas after three labourers were wounded by a mortar shell believed to have been fired by Palestinians into an Israeli agricultural community close to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, a senior Thai Labour Ministry official said Sunday.

Director-General Jirasuk Sugandhajatji of the Employment Department said the incident took place at 2.20pm Israel time Saturday when mortar shells were fired from Gaza and one landed in the Nahal Oz kibbutz, wounding three Thai male workers.

Two of the victims were agricultural workers near where the mortar fell while the third was a friend who had come to visit, Mr Jirasuk said.

All three were wounded but are now out of danger, he said. They are still being treated at a hospital in Nahal Oz kibbutz.

Mr Jirasuk said Thai labour representatives in Israel had visited the trio in hospital and also warned over 26,000 Thai workers, mainly employed in farming, to stay away from the Gaza Strip and nearby areas as they are considered a danger zone where fighting between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers continues although both sides have pledged to avoid a full confrontation. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-09

4:15 Red Shirts on Phitsanulok Road heading to Ratchaprasong. Traffic heavily congested. http://twitpic.com/3oewuw /via@RichardBarrow

4:38pm Phetchaburi Road looking east/west. Traffic very slow moving http://twitpic.com/3of3q4 http://twitpic.com/3of3pn /via@RichardBarrow

4:43pm Red Shirts passing Panthip Plaza. I'm told front of parade already at Ratchaprasong http://twitpic.com/3of56b /via@RichardBarrow