Thailand Live Tuesday 11 Jan 2011

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Thailand Live Tuesday 11 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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Flooding in South Remains Worrisome

Flooding continues to ravage homes and farmland in certain southern provinces while flood-hit locals in Phattalung are urging relief agencies to send emergency aid to the affected areas.

Despite ceased downpours, flooding in Phattalung province remains critical, particularly in Kuan Kanun, Muang and Kao Chaisan districts, where a run-off from Banthat Mountain has bloated local canals and Songkhla Lake.

Coupled with a high sea tide, homes and main roads in many villages have been submerged under floodwater as deep as 80 centimeters to one meter.

More than 700 affected families have been living under harsh conditions for the last three months and are still waiting for aid while some families have taken out informal loans for their daily spending.

Flood-hit locals complained that the government and the local administrative offices have yet to deliver aid to locals who have been suffering under floods for the last three months.

In Narathiwat province, Governor Thanon Wetchakornkanon gave an update on the province’s latest relief efforts, stating that related agencies in various districts have been dispatched to assess the damage and the public’s living condition, particularly villagers in remote areas who are still in need of emergency aid.

Narathiwat’s 13 districts have all been declared disaster zones to ensure maximum efficiency in the aid efforts as the province’s three main rivers continue to inundate homes and farmland.

The Bang Nara River tide has been on the rise, inundating Ra-ngae and Muang districts, and schools in the affected districts have been forced to temporarily cancel classes.

The head of Narathiwat Meteorological Office disclosed that the public must continue to monitor the rainfall in the next couple of days and brace for further flooding while ocean waves were measured as high as two to three meters.

Small boats and vessels have been advised to stay in ports.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-11

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Two Thais Thankful for Release from Cambodian Jail

Two of the three Thais who were detained at a Cambodian prison said their imprisonment was difficult to cope with.

They have entered monkhood to express thanks for their safe return to Thailand.

Sanong Wongcharoen and Lim Puangpetch, two of the three Surin villagers arrested by the Cambodian military for trespassing on Cambodian soil while foraging in the forest, were ordained as Buddhist monks after their release from jail.

The villagers were detained at Siem Riep Central Prison for four months and two days after the Siem Riep Court sentenced them to 18 months in jail.

However, they received a royal pardon on December 20 last year.

The two were ordained at a local temple in Surin’s Sungka district to express thanks to those who helped coordinated their safe return to Thailand.

The two monks told the press that there were prisoners from many countries at the Siem Riep Prison with the majority being Cambodians. They added that eight to 11 prisoners had to share a single cell.

The monks went on to say that the prison provided only two meals per day. Rice was served in a small bowl which was barely enough because of the high number of inmates.

However, they said the wardens treated them slightly better than the local inmates since they might fear for further tension if mistreatment was reported to the Thai embassy.

The two monks then thanked the Thai government, the Cambodian government and all related Thai officials who helped bring them back home.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-11

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PHUKET

World Heritage status sought for Phuket City

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Bangkok Van crash girl released without bail

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REDS LEADER

Court decides no changes to Jatuporn's bail

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Two Thai detainees face additional charge in Cambodia

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Rubber will wipe out South's parks in 10 years: Thai ministry

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Early retirement scheme has proven too popular

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The early retirement programme for state officials might be ended early because it has proven too successful.

"After the implementation of early retirement, we have been able to reduce the sizeable workforce and in fact some agencies have become undermanned. The Civil Service Commission is conducting research to determine if the programme is still necessary next year," CSC secretary-general Nonthikorn Kanjanavijtra said yesterday.

The early retirement scheme was launched in 1999 and could trim 80 per cent of civil servants. The third programme, started in 2009, was due to close next year (2012), he said.

Teachers topped the list for those taking early retirement, Nonthikorn said. "They left [Education Ministry] units short of staff, so we have had to add special criteria for those wanting to join the programme."

He said the problem was the policy on decentralisation was not clear and there had been an overlap in staffing with local government bodies.

"The budget has been transferred to local [bodies] but the personnel and the burden [tasks] are still centralised. Some missions such as Basic Education should have been transferred to local [bodies] where the schools and teachers are under the local government. Public health centres should also be transferred," he said.

Public Health personnel were second among those seeking an early retirement.

The number the permanent state employee is 1.6 million, while another 400,000 are hired on a temporary basis.

The state workforce committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri has set a target to slash the headcount from 2 million to 1.4 million because of fear the country won't have enough funds over the next 10 years. By 2019, fixed spending needs could reach up to Bt2 trillion, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-11

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POLLUTION

Samut Prakarn folk suffer pollution

By Darakarn Kaewmukda

Janjira Pongrai

The Nation

The last part of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province is very dirty and contaminated with heavy metals, Greenpeace Southeast Asia said yesterday.

Plai Pirom, who works for the group, said he and his colleagues had collected and studied samples from the river.

"The water has a foul smell and contains scraps of leather," he said, adding that the pollution was adversely affecting fishermen in the Bang Pu area. He lamented that relevant authorities had failed to stop the problem, even though the issue had been raised before.

Wilai Kobtong, a 75-year-old local resident, said she and her family had lived with the foul smell for decades.

"When a tanning association stepped in to help, the pollution eased somewhat," the elderly woman said.

However, Boonchu Ib, who was visiting her old hometown yesterday, said the pollution had worsened.

She suspected tanning factories released their waste without proper treatment during floods or heavy rains, because the water on the roads was clearly red, black or purple in colour. "I think the water must be contaminated with some chemical," she said.

Srisuk Sayayon, 45, said she and her granddaughter had developed respiratory problems. "Our health is failing because of the pollution," she said.

Another resident, Watcharee Chaiya, 55, urged relevant authorities to fix the problem by dredging nearby canals. "I have developed allergies and asthma now. I have difficulty breathing in cold weather," she said.

Industrial Works Department engineer Wirittipon Tuwachit-apiwich said his agency would take action if it received complaints. "As of now, we have checked wastewater at factories and it passes the legal requirements," he said.

Meanwhile, a Senate committee on natural resources and environment inspected a polluted area in Samut Prakan's Muang district last month to tackle the problem.

-- The Nation 2011-01-11

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BMA fears concern over shrine's move

By Jeerawan Prasomsap

The Nation

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra was concerned that relocation of the Uma Devi shrine might upset some people's religious beliefs - and he would consult with Deputy PM Sanan Kajornprasart before the matter was sent for Cabinet's consideration, a senior official said yesterday.

The Koh Rattanakosin Re-landscaping Committee's sub-panel, led by Lt Kriengsak Lohachala, confirmed yesterday the shrine, currently located next to Wat Suthat in Phra Nakhon district, needed to be relocated.

Panel members told the city the shrine wasn't in harmony with the surrounding area, which was in the process of applying for world heritage status.

BMA deputy spokesman Wasan Meewong said the city initially agreed in principle and didn't object to the plan, but the governor was concerned the relocation would hurt people's feelings or beliefs and could lead to criticism of the government,even though it was legal.

The governor would soon consult with Sanan, in his capacity as Koh Rattanakosin committee chairman, to find the best solution before the sub-panel concluded the plan and proposed it for the committee's approval and eventual BMA implementation.

During the meeting yesterday, the BMA Department of City Planning also proposed for the city representative to function as the Koh Rattanakosin Committee's secretary. In the past the BMA had representatives only in some sub-panels with little participation in the landscaping planning for Koh Rattanakosin, which was under its jurisdiction.

The department cited the Sanam Luang landscaping as an example. They were concerned over the flooring material selection and the drainage system there, which might affect surrounding ancient sites, an informed source reported. The department was also prepared to submit its concerns for Sanam Luang to the committee, the source added.

-- The Nation 2011-01-11

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Hospitals planned for 54 new districts

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

In a bid to allow easy access to medical services in rural areas, the Public Health Ministry is planning to spend Bt500 billion to build 54 hospitals in newly named districts across the nation this year.

However, the Rural Doctors Society says this plan will end up becoming a long-term financial burden on the ministry.

The hospitals are expected to initially provide medical services for outpatients due to budget limitations, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit told the press yesterday. The plan to build hospitals in newly established districts is part of the ministry's 21 agenda for this year.

Jurin said the Budget Bureau would be asked to allocate funding for this project. As for staffing the new hospitals, he said, initially few medical personnel would be needed because they would only be serving outpatients.

This plan comes as 304 state hospitals under the Public Health Ministry continue suffering from a severe financial crisis.

Prominent economist Ammar Siamwala, who is also a member of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) board, said the ministry should first find the money to build and maintain these 54 hospitals.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Rural Doctors' Society, Dr Kriangsak Wacharanukulkiart, said the project would adversely affect the public health system because the new hospitals would need medical equipment and personnel. Also, he said, of the 54 newly established districts, only 10 needed new hospitals because most of the others were close to general or central hospitals. Instead, he said, the ministry should spend the money upgrading other hospitals in rural areas.

Health Insurance System Research Office's director, Dr Samrit Srithamrongsawas, said this plan would allow easy medical access to people living in remote areas, though it would need coverage under the National Health Security Fund.

Currently, there are 304 state hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Public Health Ministry facing a financial crisis, and financial mismanagement in the new hospitals might make this crisis even more severe.

Samrit also said that just offering outpatient services would put these new hospitals in financial trouble.

In related news, the NHSO will ask the government to allocate Bt166 billion from the 2012 budget to support medical services under the universal healthcare scheme.

The per capita healthcare budget has increased from Bt2,546 in 2010 to Bt 3,147.74 in 2011, NHSO secretary-general Dr Winai Sawasdivorn said yesterday after a meeting with the office's board.

The budget for universal healthcare coverage will cover medical expenditures for both in- and outpatients, the number of which has been rising drastically over the past year.

The budget will also cover a prevention programme, including schemes for people living with HIV, screening for cervical cancer and dental health.

-- The Nation 2011-01-11

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Floods reach disaster levels in Narathiwat

By Narong Nuansakul,

Pares Lohasan

The Nation

All 13 districts in the southern province of Narathiwat were yesterday declared flood disaster zones and 11 local schools were forced to close indefinitely. Pattani has also been hit hard.

Heavy downpours continued in parts of Narathiwat, causing the three main waterways - the Sungai Kolok, Bang Nara and Saiburi rivers - to overflow, flooding homes and farmland.

Severely hit areas were up to 1.5 metres underwater while other parts had to cope with clogged drainage pipes and water 50-100cm deep.

The provincial disaster coordination centre said 36,908 residents in 284 villages were affected, while 46 roads were impassable and nine bridges and main drainage pipes were damaged.

The flood also hit some 10 vegetable exporters, as their produce had started to rot. Malaysian customers were unable to pick up the produce because major roads in the state of Kelantan were also flooded. Most stock had been sold cheaply to locals.

Downstream in Pattani's Muang, Nong Chik and Yarang districts, rain had stopped for three days, but floodwater was still two metres high and 10 schools had been forced to close. Some have been shut for three months because of previous floods. All up 1,200 families were affected and 1,000 rai of farmland had been ruined.

In Ban Pakalimapuro School in Muang district, flooded and closed for three months, all buildings were damaged and, although teachers had arranged special classes, students were concerned they would not be able to catch up. The latest flood forced the school to close for three more days.

A Prathom 6 student, Nureemmuminee Lunae, who rowed a boat to help teachers move things to higher ground, said yesterday students were badly affected - unable to study as floods hit their homes and school.

In Yala, the Pattani River flooded 300 homes in Muang district's Tambon Yupo. Local authorities had delivered relief supplies, but the situation as of yesterday was only slightly improved. The floodwaters remained and Ban Thung Rieng School, which had 146 pupils, was under water 60cm-deep.

Tambon Yupo has been hit by floods twice in the past three months and many residents have yet to receive their Bt5,000 in assistance money. In Raman district, the 171-student Ban Upor School was under 60cm of water and closed for safety reasons.

-- The Nation 2011-01-11

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PM Abhisit should look again at New Year 'gifts'

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Historical Feature

Thai Warship Destroyed In Korean War

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Woman Beaten Unconscious On Phuket Beach

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Mae Sot-Myawaddy border trade revives after eased Myanmar border measures

TAK: -- Cross-border trade between Thailand’s Mae Sot and Myanmar’s Myawaddy has revived significantly following Myanmar's relaxation of border control measures, the top Mae Sot official said Monday.

District Chief Kittisak Tomornsak said trade at the second largest cross-border trading port along the Moei River in Mae Sot began returning to normal after the lifting of the freeze in effect since the neighbouring country shut the border crossing at the bridge across the Moei River and some 20 cross-border trading ports along the river last August.

Myanmar closed its border, the Thai official said, to improve its cross-border trade measures and to set up a border protection force. The measures currently are nearly complete so the

Myanmar authorities have relaxed the border measures, helping revive trade along the border of the two countries.

Mr Kittisak said that if there are no further incidents or tensions, it is expected that Myanmar will reopen the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in January.

Meanwhile, Pol Lt Col Rinnawat Puwattnatikan, commander of the 346th Border Patrol Police, urged local border patrol police to tighten security in order to maintain order and prevent the smuggling of illegal goods. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-11

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The 375-125 House-seat apportionment in jeopardy

The House committee in charge of vetting charter amendments will today convene amid uncertainty on the revamped formula to apportion House seats, Democrat MP and committee chair Tirdpong Jayanandana said.

"It is not true that the Democrats have mustered a majority vote for the 375-125 formula," he said in reference to the proposed apportionment of seats between constituency MPs and party-list MPs.

Tirdpong said the passage of the formula needs a simple majority of 23 votes but only 19 Democrats sit on the committee.

-- The Nation 2011-01-11

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Thailand urged to gradually increase natural gas vehicular fuel price

BANGKOK, Jan 11 – The Thai government must gradually increase the price of natural gas for vehicles (NGV), as resolved earlier by the Cabinet unless it wants to make the whole investment in the business, according to PTT President Prasert Bunsumpun.

Mr Prasert said the recent decision by the government to maintain the current NGV market price unchanged made it necessary for PTT to further subsidise its price.

In the future the company might not be able to continue assuming the burden since the NGV failed to increase under the proper structure.

Mr Prasert said PTT's NGV business was not a worthwhile investment for the company, as it had experienced financial losses from the business all along.

The business cannot be commercially viable unless the market of of natural gas for vehicles is adjusted to an appropriate level.

The PTT chief said the company wanted the government to step-up the increase in the NGV price by 2 baht per kilogram as resolved earlier by the Cabinet on the condition it not exceed the half price of diesel oil.

Should the government fail to do that, it needs to make an entire investment in the business by itself, he added.

At present, PTT operates over 400 NGV stations serving about 200,000 vehicles consuming over 200 million cubic metres per day. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-11

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,013.98, down 4.05 points /MCOT

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PAD Demands Harsh Action Against Cambodia

he People's Alliance for Democracy is calling on the government to pressure Cambodia to release the seven Thais being detained in Cambodia, by closing the border and ceasing assistance for public utility development in the country.

People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD Spokesman Panthep Puapongpan, along with academic Thepmontree Limpaphayom, held a press conference to affirm that the arrest by Cambodian authorities of seven Thai nationals was made in Thai territory, and that this has been proven by Thailand's topographic map series L7017 and L7018 as well as Cambodia's map series L7016.

Panthep added that the aerial photographs also showed that the seven Thai citizens were in a UHNCR refugee camp located in Thai territory at the time of the arrests.

The PAD is calling on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to be a man of his word, referring to the prime minister's statement that the seven Thais would not be brought into Cambodia's legal process.

The group also demanded that the government apply harsher measures to pressure Cambodia to release the Thai citizens by closing the border and discontinuing assistance for public utility development in Cambodia, without using military force.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-11

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AFP: Mass fetus find stokes Thai abortion debate

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Police helicopter makes emergency landing during observation in Chachengsao province; police pilot, royal household aide injured /MCOT

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Taxi hits motor cycle of policeman about to go on duty at PM's residence, another taxi comes by and crushes him to death near Sukhumvit 21 /TAN_Network

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DSI arrests leader of red shirt guard group, who led a raid on Chulalongkorn Hospital on Apr 29 /TAN_Network

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11 Shells Land in Mae Sot as Myanmar, Rebel Troops Clash

More than ten artillery shells have landed near the Mae Sot district of Tak province, as Myanmar troops and the DKBA rebel group clash.

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army or DKBA and Myanmar's junta troops have exchanged fire in Myawaddi province, opposite Thailand's Mae Sot district in Tak province.

Reportedly, four Burmese soldiers have been killed and fourteen others were wounded in the recent skirmish.

Eleven 81 millimeter mortar rounds fell in a forest and farmland on the Thai side.

No damage was reported.

Local villagers in the area were frightened by the incident. Farmers are afraid of going out to check their crops, fearing they might be hit by stray shells.

General Supachoke Tawatchpeerachai, the commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment special forces in Tak's Mae Sot district, inspected the sites where the artillery rounds landed, but has yet to notify the Myanmar government of the incident.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-11

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Thai Patriots Network to Rally at MFA This Afternoon

The Thai Patriots Network has announced that it will rally in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon. They are now in front of the Government House, demanding that the Abhisit administration take action in getting the seven detained Thai nationals back to Thailand. They will move to the MFA this afternoon to demand the resignation of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-11

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Killer Thai 'Policeman of the Year' is in 'Supermax'

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Ratchaprasong Business Community Strongly Affected by Red Shirt Protests

The business community around the Ratchaprasong intersection have gathered to ask that protesters not use their area as future protest sites. They are gathered in front of the Gaysorn Plaza Complex and will send a representative to the Government House around 2 P.M. today. The red shirt movement had earlier announced that they would gather in the Ratchaprasong area the 9th and 19th of every month to commemorate the deadly crackdown of their rally. Last Sunday's rally saw more than 30,000 protesters gather. The business community is claiming that throughout the red shirt protest in 2010, more than 2,800 vendors and employees lost around 12 billion baht in sales revenue.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-11