Thailand Live Wednesday 12 Jan 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 12 January 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 11 Jan 2011

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Royal Aide Urges Public Heed to King's Advice

The head of a royally-sponsored foundation asks Thais to follow His Majesty the King's advice on the preservation of the country's natural resources.

Secretary general of the Chai Patthana Foundation, Sumeth Tantivejakul, said although His Majesty the King remains in Siriraj Hospital, he is still following up on several royally initiated projects.

Sumeth said although the King does not oversee those projects by himself, he has Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn or related individuals look after them.

Sumeth noted more frequent natural disasters in recent years stemmed from global changes caused by people's abuse of nature as previously suggested by His Majesty

He said His Majesty's recommendation on readjusting human activities to suit the course of nature is the best way out.

Sumeth then urged every party to help preserve the country's natural resources and work in unison with each other at the suggestion of His Majesty the King.

Sumeth's suggestion was part of today's speech delivered to staff of the Armed Forces Development Command on what he has learnt from His Majesty's works on the occasion of the King's 84th birthday this year.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-12

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Construction Projects for New Province Discussed

Nong Khai province has hosted a meeting to discuss preparation for physical resources acquisition for the newly-established province of Bung Kan.

All officials for the new province are expected to commence work by April 2011.

A meeting to discuss the progress of the physical development of the 77th province of Thailand, Bung Kan, has been held in Nong Khai province, from which Bun Kan has separated, with Nong Khai Provincial Governor Wirat Limsuwan presiding over the ceremony.

Those at the meeting mentioned the acquisition of 500 rai of land located near Kud Thing Lake to construct the provincial hall, along with other state agencies' offices.

The work panel, led by Interior Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Phranai Suwanrat, said they will also study the relation of Bung Kan and the Laotian district of Bolikhamsai, which stands on the opposite side of the river.

All officials, office supplies, belongings, and documents are to be transferred from Nong Kai province.

In addition, the province will be given a royally endorsed name soon. Bung Kan will be used for the time being.

It's expected that the full establishment of Thailand's 77th province will come into effect this April.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-12

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

The woman behind prime minister Abhisit

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Growing concern by Bank of Thailand points to rate hike today

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Free Thai Govt handouts serve only vested political interests

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LANGUISHING THAIS

Two yellow shirts face espionage charges

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While we Thais can, let's enjoy the calm before the storm

By Tulsathit Taptim

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SAMUT PRAKARN

Tanning factories threatened with legal action

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Former convict caught dealing drugs

By The Nation

A man was arrested with 6 kilograms of crystal meth or "ice" and some drug-taking tools in Chon Buri's Muang district on Monday afternoon.

The 27-year-old suspect Theerapong Phuttaraksa was presented to the press yesterday along with the evidence. The suspect was arrested while police were staking out an area following a tip-off about a drug delivery at a gas station.

They saw Theerapong, who circled the area on a motorcycle several times, leave a plastic back next to a power pole. Upon finding "ice" inside the bag, a team of police officers apprehended Theerapong in his home, where they found another 2.5 grams of the same drug. The suspect, who was released from prison a year ago after serving for physical assault, is also allegedly a member of the Bang Kwang Prison drug-dealing network.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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PM Abhisit calls for tougher scrutiny of tutorial schools

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Govt student loans available on-line from February 1

By The Nation

Government student loans are available through e-application starting from February 1, with the greater portions of loans offered going to vocational students and science-related fields in the secondary school level, the Student Loan Office said yesterday.

The new ratio between vocational and general students is 60 to 40 per cent, and between science-related fields and social, 50:50, in the next school semester which begins in mid-May. The e-application is open on February 1 at its website: www.studentloan.or.th, said loan manager Assoc Prof Thada Martin.

There is Bt42 billion available in loan funds for the next academic year, with 706,652 loans ready to be taken up, and 290,741 new loans available for successful applicants. Applicants taking them up are required to register for further loans, while new applicants must pre-register to obtain their berths.

The new offerings are intended to recruit more students in vocational and science-related fields at the secondary level in response to higher demand in job markets, said Thada.

The loans are available to existing borrowers who now study at undergraduate level; and existing borrowers who have omitted studying for two years but whose debts are not overdue. For more details applicants should visit the website or call 0-2610 4888 at office hours on weekdays.

Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC) secretary-general Sumeth Yaemnun said a precise number and quota of loans under the new ratio would be issued to comply with demand in the job market in the long-run.

He said the new ratios should not regulate students too tightly. Vocational and science-related studies could get learners immediate employment upon their graduation.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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CRIME

Police swoop in on another illegal clinic

By The Nation

A retired high-ranking government officer and an aide have been arrested for allegedly running an illegal abortion clinic in Bangkok's Bang Phlat district.

Apart from arresting Dr Manoon Jiratikallakij, a former provincial health office chief, and Atchara Jarukan, police yesterday seized a cache of miscarriage inducing pills. The arrests took place after they allegedly received Bt8,500 from an agent pretending to be pregnant.

Police said another clinic in Lat Phrao still provided illegal abortions, but an earlier sting operation failed after a staff member refused to provide abortion services.

Manoon has been charged with allowing unqualified people to work under his supervision, an offence that carries a two-year prison term and/or a Bt40,000 fine. Atchara faces a charge of running a medical service without a licence and carrying out illegal abortions - an offence that carries a three-year term and /or a Bt60,000 fine.

Atchara said she only interviewed clients and provided them with tablets as prescribed by Manoon. Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said later that though the tablets were legal, they were being used illegally.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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FDA raids factory producing fake cosmetics

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

A team of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials yesterday raided factory in Nonthaburi province and seized fake cosmetic products, such as skin-whitening cream, acne cream and weight loss pills worth more than Bt30 million.

The products were being illegally marketed through beauty clinics both in Bangkok and upcountry, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said.

The factory, located in a two-storey house in Nonthaburi's Bang Kruay district, was also found using banned chemical substances such as glutathione, sibutramine, hydroquinone, vitamin A acid, clindamycin, clotrimazole and minoxidil in its products.

Chemicals such as sibutramine, which when mixed with psychotropic substances to create weight-loss pills, can have consumers suffering from severe depression. Similarly, minoxidil, which was also found at the factory, can put consumers at the risk of developing vitiligo and liver disease.

During the raid, 10 factory workers were also arrested, and the owner faces a myriad of jail terms and fines for different offence. The factory owner will be given five years in jail and fined Bt10,000 for illegally producing and selling cosmetic products. In addition, he will face another three years imprisonment and a Bt5,000 fine for illegally importing chemical substances, as well as a one-year term and Bt60,000 fine for producing and selling unsafe products.

FDA's secretary general Dr Pipat Yingseri said products from this factory were being illegally distributed in more than 100 beauty clinics nationwide.

Pipat said that according to law, doctors can produce drugs by themselves, but sometimes they hire someone else to manufacture it on their behalf. However, they fail to check if the manufacturer is registered with the FDA or not.

He said he wanted to warn beauty clinic owners, drug makers and sellers across the country to stop violating the law by selling medicines or cosmetic products that have not been approved by the FDA. The ministry has also instructed its provincial public health officials nationwide to keep a close eye on illegal drugs. "Drug manufacturers and sellers are responsible to the consumer," the FDA chief said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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An open letter to the red shirts

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NHSO to hand out large chunk of subsidy

By The Nation

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) will be giving 804 state hospitals 50 per cent of its annual subsidy worth Bt22.5 billion in one go at the start of the year, NHSO spokesman Preeda Tae-Arak said yesterday.

Preeda said that for the fiscal year of 2011, instead of paying the subsidy in four 25-per-cent instalments over the year, it was paying 50 per cent in one go so hospitals can become more efficient and not develop any liquidity problems.

The ministry, the NHSO and the Health Insurance System Research Office have also set up a team comprising the public health inspector-general, provincial health office directors and NHSO district branch directors to keep an eye out for financial issues, he said. The team will also have the health insurance office and former health department chief Dr Narong Aungkasuwapala as advisers.

Preeda went on to say that the NHSO had already given Bt3.5 billion to the 83 hospitals under the Public Health Ministry facing liquidity problems, but they still needed to improve their administration and management problems.

"Having a liquidity problem does not mean that the hospitals are suffering losses. In the past, most hospitals under the Public Health Ministry suffered financial liquidity issues and the solution that the ministry and NHSO are working on should not only solve this problem, but also make administration and management more effective," he added.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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Taxi runs over and kills policeman in Asoke

By The Nation

A traffic policeman was killed by a taxi in a hit-and-run accident yesterday morning in front of Ratchapak Building in Bangkok's Asoke area.

Police later arrested the alleged runaway taxi driver, who claimed the dead officer was riding his motorcycle against the traffic.

At 5am, police rushed to the scene to find the body of uniformed Pol Senior Sgt-Major Nattapong Sangkhadit, 54, under a lilac coloured taxi.

Witnesses said Nattapong, who was heading to the prime minister's residence to start his shift at 6am, was first hit by a yellow taxi, which sped away. While the victim was on the ground, he was hit for a second time by a lilac coloured taxi.

Driver of the second taxi, Uthai Nongpha, 30, told police that he saw another cab hit the policeman but he couldn't brake in time.

Police later apprehended the alleged yellow taxi driver Jinda Senaraj, 36, on Bang Na-Trat Road and seized the vehicle in question.

Jinda, meanwhile, denies any wrongdoing, claiming the policeman was driving against the traffic on his way out of a soi, and he could not brake in time. He said he didn't stop to look because he was astonished to discover he had hit a cop, and thought the victim was just injured.

However, Thong Lor superintendent Colonel Samreung Suanthong said initial investigation showed there was no soi at the scene as claimed by the cabbie. Also, Uthai told police the yellow tax had sped up and overtaken him on the left-hand side before cutting to the right. Driver of the yellow taxi, Jinda, faces initial charges of being involved in a hit-and-run accident as well as reckless driving causing death. Uthai has only been charged with reckless driving causing death.

The hit-and-run charge is punishable by up to six months in prison and/or Bt5,000 to Bt20,000 in fine, and reckless driving causing death is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and Bt20,000 in fine.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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Number of direct university admission exams to be limited

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Pheu Thai team vets reform package

By The Nation

The Pheu Thai party has set up a team to scrutinise the government's Pracha Wiwat populist platform and other reform measures.

"We're concerned that the policy is not clear or sustainable. The government seems to be spending money without showing where it will get it from," party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.

Earlier, representatives of the opposition party gave a copy of a book titled "Thootjarit Abhisit Chon" (Corruption of the Privileged Class) to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House.

The book compiles the government's alleged corruption and administration procedures in the past two years. It will be used as a resource for a censure debate that the party plans to move for after the new legislative session convenes this month.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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ELECTION COMMISSION

Ruling on Panich's House status to take time: EC

By The Nation

The Election Commission does not expect to rule any time soon on whether Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth will lose his House seat if he is found guilty by a Phnom Penh court.

"As I understand it, the Cambodian judicial process in forming a verdict will be lengthy," EC secretarygeneral Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said yesterday.

Panich and six other Thais are facing immi¬gration and possibly harsher charges after they were arrested last month in Banteay Meanchey, opposite Sa Kaew's Khok Sung district.

The EC is checking with the Foreign Affairs Ministry on the progress in the case, Suthiphon said.

Under the Constitution, a convicted MP will be disqualified upon receiving a prison sen¬tence, including a suspended term.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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POLITICS

Chart Thai names Kuakul as candidate

By Wattana Kamchoo

The Nation

Chart Thai Party spokesman Watchara Kannika said yesterday that the party's executive board approved Kuakul Danchaiwichit as the candidate for deputy transport minister.

Kuakul's name was put forward by party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa, he said.

Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Chaovarat Chanweerakul, who is also the interior minister, has already said clearly that his party would nominate Boonjong Wongtrairat as a deputy interior minister.

Kuakul, Boonjong and four other House members were disqualified last year as MPs after the Constitution Court found them guilty of holding stakes in firms with state concessions.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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Thai Govt gifts: A vicious cycle of patronage and dependence

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Veera, secretary Ratree, two of seven Thais detained in Cambodia, taken to court for hearing on spying charge /MCOT

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Myspace reduces staff by nearly half as site's popularity falls

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Condo prices in Thailand begin recovery upon easing of political turmoil

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Two Detained Thais Stand Trial for Espionage

Two out of seven detained Thai nationals, Veera Somkwamkid and his assistant, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, were brought to the Cambodian Criminal Court earlier this morning to stand trial for espionage charges. As he was being brought out of the prison to leave for the courthouse, Veera told reporters he was being unfairly being charged with additional allegations. Espionage, if proven guilty, holds a sentence of up to ten years in prison.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-12

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Si Sa Ket visit no bearing on Cambodian ties: Suthep

By The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban insisted on Wednesday before departing for Si Sa Ket that his inspection trip to the border province had no bearing on the Thai-Cambodian relations.

"My trip is about a reafforestation project in honour of His Majesty," he said, denying any linkage to today's Cambodian judicial inquiry on additional espionage charges against two of seven detained Thais in Phnom Penh.

Accompanied by Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Suthep said he wanted to thank soldiers and participants for reafforestation in Kanthararak district.

When asked about the detained Thais, he said the government had already assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be the primary agency in charge of assisting in the legal defence and commenting on related issues.

He said, however, that he understands the Cambodian court is expected to rule on the case within this week.

He reaffirmed good neighbourly ties with Cambodia in every aspect.

-- The Nation 2011-01-12

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Region 2 Army Chief Denies Military Involvement in Khon Kaen School Attack

The commander of the Region 2 Army has denied military involvement in the weekend bomb attack at a school in Khon Kaen province.

Commander of the Region 2 Army, Lieutenant General Tawatchai Samutsakorn, visited Prem Tinsulanonda School in Khon Kaen province to inspect the damage caused by the weekend bombing.

Tawatchai has also ordered forces in the area to assist in the investigation.

The school, which has already been targeted thrice, is located only about a kilometer away from an army base.

As a result, some are beginning to question whether some men in uniform may be behind the attacks.

The regional army commander has also denied military involvement in the incident, saying the attackers may have procured the explosive elsewhere.

Meanwhile, investigators said that despite there having been three attacks, investigators lack sufficient evidence that could lead to an arrest. According to forensics, the bomb used in the attack was highly explosive TNT.

The authorities will use this information in the investigation, to bring those responsible to justice

-- Tan Network 2011-01-12

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,025.13, up 11.74 points /MCOT