Thailand Live Thursday 20 Jan 2011

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BMTA to Trial Bus Ticket Machines in 6-8 Months

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority is set to test bus ticket machines in six to eight months.

Passengers will be able choose whether to buy tickets from the machines or from the bus conductor.

Director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority or BMTA, Opas Phetmunee, said the risk management committee is currently studying the details and risks involved in the application of automatic ticket machines for bus services, such as the budget and how to educate commuters about the new fare payment system.

The BMTA is expecting to pilot bus ticket machines in six to eight months. To avoid confusion, passengers can choose to buy tickets either from the machine or from the bus conductor.

Tickets issued from the machine are available for a flat fare of 12 baht for a single trip, and 30 baht for a one day trip.

Opas noted that his organization will have to consider the impact on employees, as the full introduction of ticket machines would result in some 20,000 bus conductors being laid off.

However, he said the BMTA may need to hire additional staff if new NGV-powered buses are bought.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-20

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Govt whip to propose public gathering bill into Parliament

BANGKOK, 20 January 2011 (NNT) – The government whip is poised to propose the public demonstration bill draft to Parliament for consideration within this parliamentary session.

Speaking at Government House on Wednesday, Government Chief Whip Witthaya Kaewparadai reported that the steering panel of the government whip was now handling the bill draft, expecting it to be ready for the government whip’s meeting within next week.

According to the public demonstration bill draft, any and all protest groups must inform the authorities prior to staging their demonstration. Some places will be banned as rally sites such as temples, schools, royal palaces, the Government House, and Parliament, for example.

Asked if the ongoing gathering of the Thai Patriots Network (TPN) in front of the Government House is legal, Mr Witthaya responded that the public demonstration bill draft had yet to be in effect before he could answer such a question. He said the government would make decision based on the situation.

The government chief whip noted that there would actually be no problem if the TPN did not close entrances or exits to the Government House or any roads nearby.

-- NNT 2011-01-20

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Mitsubishi Motors, Japan's 4th-largest automaker, says it will build third factory in Thailand to make it company's second-largest export hub after Japan /MCOT

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Krungthep Poll says BKK governor performace has improved

BANGKOK, 20 January 2011 (NNT)-Krugthep Poll reveals Bangkok residents are happy with Bangkok Governor, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra, giving him an overall performance score of 5.63 points out of 10, a little higher than 6 months ago, with people most happy with his approach to curbing the spread of diseases and keeping the capital clean.

The survey was carried out from 13 to 16 January on the occasion of his second year as a governor of Bangkok last Saturday. Over 1,400 people aged 18 years and over, living in Thailand’s capital city were asked to rate and give their opinions on his performance. According to the results, his average performance has improved by 0.03 points, although people said the Governor has not done enough to protect the lives and properties of Bangkok residents given that he has received a score of just 4.93.

However, the respondents have high regard on his efforts in preventing and raising awareness about the flu with a score point of 5.84. His integrity as a governor has been given 6.19 while his ability to quickly solve the problem received a score of 5.44. The survey also found that over the past two years, 30% of the respondents have been satisfied with his accomplishments. 17.3% of them said footpaths, canals, and streets in Bangkok have been cleaner.

16.6% of respondents are content with the flood prevention strategy and the flood relief program for victims. In addition, 15% of those surveyed found improvements on walkways, bridges and roads in the city whereas 12.4% think Bangkok has become greener. 9.1% said the transport system has progressed significantly. In terms of living, almost 70% of the respondents said their lives have not changed while 21.5 said theirs have improved. However, only 13.2% said their lives are worse.

-- NNT 2011-01-20

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Elderly foreigners a heavy burden for Thai hospitals: Foreigners can't afford to pay their medical bills

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Phuket Airport director under investigation

Former Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham (pictured) has

been transferred pending an investigation by Airports of Thailand.

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British MPs have been banned from Twitter during parliamentary meetings. /via@tulsathit

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SOUTH CRISIS

Separatists steal 50 guns during Wednesday attack

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DTAC Gears Up for 3G Test Run In Bangkok

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Alleged black-shirt man arrested by DSI

Investigators of the Department of Special Investigation have arrested a 'man in black' for having allegedly fired at troops at the Kokwua Intersection on April 10.

DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit alleged that Manop Charnchangthong, 48, was one of men in black who fired at troops on April 10.

Tharti said Manop was arrested in Nonthburi Wednesday night.

Tharti alleged that Manop also took away guns of troops and distributed them to other red-shirt guards.

He said Manop also took away guns of policemen when police tried to arrest red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong at the SC Park Hotel on April 16.

-- The Nation 2011-01-20

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Pattaya: Curfew enforced by police for under aged

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Slight earthquake reported in Lamphun province

LAMPOON, 20 January 2011 (NNT)-An earthquake registered 2.0 on the Richter scale was reported in Lamphun province last night at 10.51 p.m. No damage or injuries have been reported so far.

The Seismological Bureau of Thailand has reported that the tremor occurred in Takat sub district of Mae-Tha district, Lamphun Province last night. Residents, particularly those living in two-story buildings, said they could feel the ground under them shaking at the time the slight quake struck. None of the historical places was damaged by the tremor.

-- NNT 2011-01-20

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Trat prepares for fight forest fire during drought season

TRAT, 20 January 2011 (NNT) – An ad hoc center for forest fire prevention has been established in the eastern province of Trat as the drought season has officially begun.

Trat Governor Chalor Baicharoen stated that the province is now gearing up to tackle the problem of wildfire during this year’s drought season, particularly in Bo Rai, Khao Saming, Ko Kut and Ko Chang districts, which have been hit by the disaster in the past. As part of the fire prevention effort, an ad hoc center has been formed at the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office.

According to the Governor, the center has prepared a contingency plan as well as necessary apparatus, such as fire trucks, water trucks and water pumps, in order to be able to extinguish the fires promptly. All risk-prone areas have also been listed to facilitate responsible agencies in their vigilance while district offices and local administrative organizations are seeking cooperation from residents in avoiding all burning activities that could trigger bush fires.

-- NNT 2011-01-20

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Raging House Fire Kills Bed Ridden Occupant

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Red-shirts Reach Agreement with Ratchaprasong Vendors

The red-shirt group has met with Ratchaprasong businesspeople and reached an agreement on their future bi-monthly gatherings in the area. They agreed that the group will gather at the intersection at noon before moving to the Democracy Monument at 3 P.M.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-20

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Govt Unfazed by Red-shirt Group's International Court Move

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SET index closed at 1022.16, down 12.64; Bt/USD30.41; GBP48.41; AUD30.16; EUR40.89; CAD30.46; HKD3.90; SGD23.52; JPY36.8

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Thai auto production in 2010 hits record high

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Thai Industrial index rises for 3rd consecutive month in December

BANGKOK, Jan 20 – Thailand Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) grew for the third consecutive month in December, climbing from 99.7 in November to 109.7, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

FTI vice chairman Suparat Sirisuwanangkura told a news briefing on Thursday that the continual increase in December 2010 was driven by steadily rising demand for products and services during the festive season of Christmas and New Year, higher agricultural commodity prices as well as more stable political situation in the country despite anti-government Red Shirt gatherings in December.

In addition, the exports, particularly those to Asian markets, continued expanding.

Meanwhile, the TISI in the next three months was projected to edge up to 115.5 since entrepreneurs in the industrial sector forecast the total purchase orders, sales as well as entrepreneurs’ operating costs and operating performances to improve.

Mr Suparat said the entrepreneurs, however, remained concern about impacts of oil price hike, currency value fluctuations, global economy, loan interest rates and political stability at home.

The industrial organisation also asked the government to oversee energy and raw material prices to be at an appropriate level in order to minimise the impact of rising costs of production.

The FTI vice chairman urged the government to encourage and promote small and medium enterprise (SME) investments by offering low interest rate loans, boosting trade and investments with business partners from neighbouring countries and promoting the country’s exports and stabilising the domestic political situation in order to boost confidence of both foreign and local investors. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-20

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Court dismisses request to revoke Jatuporn's bail but asks him to abide by his bail conditions strictly /TAN_Network

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ABAC University van overturns on Burapawithee Expressway, 8 injured and traffic is congested /TAN_Network

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Court Dismisses Jatuporn's Bail Revocation

The Criminal Court has dismissed the Department of Special Investigation Director-General Tharit Pengdit's request for the revocation of bail of red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan. However, the court asked Jatuporn to abide by his bail conditions strictly.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-20

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Somsak elected to Medical Council's board again

Dr Somsak Lohlekha has earned the highest votes of support for nine consecutive times in running for the post in the Medical Council's board.

His grip of power there will continue to deepen. The new board's term will run from this year till 2013.

In the latest election, more than 10,000 doctors voted for Somsak who has served as the Medical Council chairman for four times already.

Somsak looks set to get the top post at the Medical Council again.

The council's new board members will convene on February 10 to select the new chairman and the secretary general for the council.

The board has 26 members.

-- The Nation 2011-01-20

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Twenty-Two Arrested During Banglamung Police Crime Suppression Operation

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Phuket Reminder: QSI fun run on Saturday

Children of all ages are welcome to join the fun.

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‘Gruesome twosome’ arrested for Phuket security guard murder

Phitakpong Chaetaphai (left) and Namchok Saetan re-enact the shooting.

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Navy Frigates return from tour of duty off the coast of Somalia

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Phuket’s Tuptim survives marathon 18-hour surgery

Mum Nit with baby Tuptim before the operation. Both are recovering well.

Photo: Chris Meyer

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Phuket crowd mobs DEA for ‘Most Wanted’ souvenirs

The crowd mobs the police truck on Soi Bangla to get one of

the ‘most wanted’ souvenirs.

Most Wanted, Patong style.

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 21 January 2011