Thailand Live Tuesday 18 Jan 2011

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Measures against 2011 drought prepared

BANGKOK, 18 January 2011 (NNT) – The Department of Water Resources under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has prepared measures to tackle the upcoming drought crisis, which is expected to be severe in 23 provinces across the country.

The 23 provinces include the northern provinces of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Phayao, the central provinces of Sukhothai, Uthai Thani and Phetchabun, the western province of Prachuap Khiri Khan as well as the eastern provinces of Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri and Rayong.

Many provinces in the northeastern part namely Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon and Surin as well as southern provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Satun and Phang-Nga will be experiencing severe drought too.

As for preparations to tackle with the drought crisis, 19 water trucks, 6 potable water purifier trucks, 141 sets of water pumps and 12 field trucks of tap water have been made ready to cope with the situation while local authorities are well coordinated to give assistance to any areas.

In addition, new canals and ponds have been dug while existing ones are cleared up to store water following the royally-initiated Monkey Cheek project, and the operation has been completed by over 50%.

Plans are also afoot for artificial rainmaking, water usage management, construction of more dykes, search for more groundwater resources, natural water resources rehabilitation and distribution of clean water for consumption in drought stricken areas.

-- NNT 2011-01-18

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Suan Dusit Poll: Public reject TPN’s bid to petition HM the King

BANGKOK, 18 January 2011 (NNT) – The planned attempt of the Thai Patriots Network (TPN) to submit a petition to His Majesty the King to oust the government is deemed improper, according to a recent survey by Suan Dusit Poll of Rajabhat Suan Dusit University.

The survey was conducted among 1,251 respondents in Bangkok and its vicinities regarding the ongoing protest of the TPN. The group, an affiliation of the People’s Alliance of Democracy (PAD), is blasting the government for failure to take action over the arrest of seven Thais in Cambodia.

44.67% of the respondents believed that the protest was caused by the delay in the government reaction; however, 20.27% of them said the rally was within the TPN’s rights, but it must be done in a suitable frame.

Regarding the planned attempt to lodge a petition to HM the King to oust the Democrat-led government, 64.81% of the respondents deemed it inappropriate, reasoning that the group should let the government deal with the issue to help the Thai detainees.

42.95% of the respondents urged that the government express a clearer stance and enthusiasm to take strong actions and bring all the seven Thai people back. 25.36% of them agreed that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should negotiate directly with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.

-- NNT 2011-01-18

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Related units ordered to curb pollution in Map Ta Phut

BANGKOK, 18 January 2011 (NNT) – Economic ministers have assigned related units to formulate measures to minimize pollution caused by the volatile organic compounds (VOC) as part of the development of Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Watchara Kannikar, economic ministers on Monday pondered the initial feasibility study results of Map Ta Phut industrial estate as proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

The Department of Pollution Control will be assigned as the main unit to specify the type of industry or other activities causing the VOC, including Benzene 1, 2-Dichloroethane and 1,3-Butadiene, which could be mostly found from petroleum industry.

The Ministry of Industry and its Board of Investment are tasked with revising measures prior to promoting investment for both new and existing investors. They will be given tax privilege and investment promotion only if they help with VOC emission cut.

In addition, both the Ministries of Industry and Natural Resources and Environment have been assigned to revise rules and regulations regarding approval of projects, reduction and elimination of pollution as well as issuance of related laws to control emission of VOC.

-- NNT 2011-01-18

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Thai firm wins contract to build elevated expressway project in Bangladesh

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Village Headman Brutally Killed in Chanthaburi

A village headman was cruelly murdered in Chanthaburi province.

Police believe the murder was motivated by business conflicts.

Police investigated the murder scene at a multi-purpose pavilion in Baan Sueng Lang in Chanthaburi's Khalung district, where the village head, Somboon Surasak, was found dead.

His body was found hanging from a rafter with a hose around his neck and hands tied with duct tape.

According to police, Somboon attended a party at a house 500 meters away from the pavilion before he went missing.

Investigators are initially looking into conflicts surrounding his real-estate business as the motive behind the horrible killing.

They believe that more than two people were involved in the murder and that the victim was acquainted with them.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-18

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AFP: Cambodian court bails four Thais in border case

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Chalerm expected to leave Pheu Thai due to disappointment at not being made leader; expected to set up new party with Chuwit Kamolvisit /TAN_Network

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3 drug cases of narcotics police yield 30,000 speed pills, 5 kg of crystal meth, and Bt26 mln worth of cocaine /TAN_Network

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Man shoots wife then shoots self in Nonthaburi, leaving behind 5 yr old child /TAN_Network

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Thai Patriots Network complete handing of petition to the King; vowed to remain at Govt House until PM resigns /TAN_Network

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School Protests Local Paper for Alleging Punishment Caused Death of Student

Teachers and students at a high school in the southern province of Trang are criticizing a local newspaper report for stating that the death of a student was allegedly the result of corporal punishment by a teacher.

Over 1,200 teachers and students at Wat Khuanwiset Munlanithi Secondary School gathered in front of the school's main building to protest a local newspaper for misreporting that a second year high school student died after he allegedly received corporal punishment by a teacher last week.

The student reportedly collapsed in front of his classroom when he came back from playing a computer game.

Autopsy results indicated that sudden cardiac arrest was the cause of death, as no bruises or other signs of physical abuses were found.

The group demanded that the newspaper print an apology on its paper for seven days, as the report was damaging to the school's reputation.

More than ten police officers were deployed to the school to ensure security.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-18

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Cabinet approves extension of state of emergency in Deep South for 3 more months /TAN_Network

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Leading hoteliers call for establishment of tourism bank

BANGKOK, Jan 18 – A group of leading Thai hoteliers on Monday met Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and a representative of the government's specialised financial institutions called for the government to establish a tourism bank tasked to sserve the tourism sector only.

Hotels included in the meeting were the Pavilion Samui, Boutique Resort, Silver Sand Resort, Nara Resort, and Bandara Hotels & Resorts.

Small and Medium Enterprise Bank President Soros Sakornvisava said he did not yet know the details of the request, but said in practice, establishing a tourism bank is difficult to accomplish.

The group of hoteliers called for the establishment of such a bank, citing the government’s approval of setting up a Post Bank in December and the earlier chartering of the Islamic Bank of Thailand.

The hoteliers claimed the establishment of such a bank would not rely on loan support by the specialised financial institutions, he said.

Mr Soros said SME Bank had long given financial support to the tourism sector. It had so far provided soft loans worth Bt5 billion to the sector and was ready to give an additional loan support. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-18

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Police nab PAD activists Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Somboon Thongburan, for alleged roles in 2008 airport seizure, as they ready for Thailand Patriots Network rally /MCOT

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Man Dives Off 170-Foot Electricity Pole Over Stress

A man from Loei province committed suicide by jumping from a 17 story high electricity pole. He was said to be suffering several serious personal problems.

Thirty seven year old Loei native, Sayan Wongsa,was killed when he jumped 170 feet to his death from a tall electrical pole in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok after suffering countless problems.

Police officers said Sanya's skull was broken into many pieces and his arms and legs were mangled beyond recognition.

Witnesses said Sanya had many problems. First amongst them was that no progress had been made in the investigation into his father's death, also, his wife ran away from home and his rental taxi had been destroyed in a crash.

After five hours of negotiation with the police, Sanya said he wanted to climb down as he was fatigued.

Rescuers asked him to stay put as a rescue truck sent up a basket with rescuers on board to bring him down.

The man climbed down about 10 feet before jumping to his death at approximately 7.30 P.M.

Police said they will perform an autopsy to determine if he was on any drugs and will question Sanya's relatives to determine the exact extent of his problems.

Initial investigation has revealed that Sanya was stressing out because of the lack of progress in an investigation into an accident which killed his father in his hometown, his taxi had crashed over the New Year holidays, and his wife had left him about one month ago.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-18

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Tourism Authority to Use Social Media to Spur Tourism

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced the implementation of a new advertising strategy in which it will use social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

The results of the first phase have been very satisfactory, with 400,000 viewers having clicked on the pages to date.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Suraphon Sawetserani disclosed that his agency has already joined with the private sector to execute social media initiatives to spur tourism activities in the Kingdom.

Suraphon went on to say the campaign relying on Facebook, Twitter and emails is expected to reach 900,000 Internet users and attract 10,000 clients within two months' time.

He added that 400,000 viewers have visited the page and 7,000 people have subscribed to the page so far.

Those who have subscribed to the project have received a lot of information about things such as accommodations and special discounts.

The director insisted that online media will be used throughout 2011 to meet rising demand by consumers and says it will boost the domestic tourism related economy.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-18

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Cabinet extends state of emergency in 3 southern border provinces

The Cabinet Tuesday extended the state of emergency in three southern border provinces.

The emergency was extended in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, except in Pattani's Mae Lan district.

The emergency decree allows the government to declare the state of emergency for a particular area for three months at a time, after which the government must decide whether to extend it.

-- The Nation 2011-01-18

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Chalerm submits 3 conditions to remain with Pheu Thai Party for Thaksin to consider, one of which is a no to Mingkwan as leader /TAN_Network

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PTT, Bangchak raise all oil product prices by 30 satang/litre, except diesel B3, effective Wednesday /MCOT

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Urgent: Chaiwat arrested

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leader of the Thai Patriots Network, was arrested Tuesday afternoon.

He was arrested at the Tesco-Lotus sotre on Rama I Road for his role in raiding and seizing the Don Mueng Airport by the yellow-shirt people.

He was arrested while he was leading a group of protesters to march to the Royal Thai Police to turn himself in to face the airport raiding charge.

-- The Nation 2011-01-18

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SET index closed at 1024.54, up 1.35; Bt/USD30.42; GBP48.49; AUD30.26; EUR40.67; CAD30.76; HKD3.91; SGD23.57; JPY36.69

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Pattaya: Foreign Crime Gang Activity Increasing

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Phuket caddie killers behind bars

Police escort Prathum from provincial police headquarters after today’s press conference.

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Hostage shot by Pattaya Police during rescue attempt

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Eight Phuket residential projects approved

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Tighter Road Safety Measures in Store for Thailand

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AFP: Thailand sees record auto sales in 2010

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Phuket jam: Patong motorists stuck in first gear

Tourists on a motorbike try to safely navigate the intersection

where traffic on Soi Ruamjai flows onto the beach road.

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to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 19 January 2011