Thailand Live Friday 21 Jan 2011

[webfact]

Thailand Live Friday 21 January 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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 sothat 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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Google Buzz: http://www.google.com/profiles/thaivisa

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 20 Jan 2011

[webfact]

DSI: 64 deaths in Red Shirt protests remain unconcluded

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Thursday said it could not conclude the causes of death of 64 out of 89 fatalities during the deadly clashes between troops and the anti-government Red Shirt protesters last year, while the case of the Japanese photojournalist could not yet be concluded as the department is awaiting a police autopsy report.

DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit stated the investigation result on the deaths of 89 people killed during the April-May anti-government protest has been divided into three categories.

In the first category, Mr Tharit said, evidence indicated that the death of 12 people, including Col Romklao Thuwatham, were caused by supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) with outstanding arrest warrants on terrorism and UDD-linked actions.

Another 13 people were believed to have been killed by the security forces operation and the cases have been forwarded to the police to proceed with legal action against the particular government officials.

Mr Tharit said police are now investigating the cases of Hiro Muramoto, a Japanese cameraman for Reuters news agency, three deaths at Pathumwanaram Temple near Ratchaprasong intersection, the killing of a man in Dusit Zoo and the death of a soldier Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

He said DSI will be able to conclude the cases after police send the autopsy results back to the department.

For the third category, the DSI chief said no wrongdoer was identified for the deaths of 64 people, including the killing of army strategist Maj-Gen Khattiya Swasdipol, aka Seh Daeng, and Italian reporter Fabio Polenghi.

Mr Tharit reasoned that although the investigation has found some details of the killings, the incidents occurred under chaotic conditions and key locations were set afire, restricting the fact- and evidence-finding processes of the investigators.

The DSI now cannot press charge against anyone for the cases of 89 deaths but the investigation will continue and the public will periodically be updated regarding the progress, according to Mr Tharit.

He said, however, that army personnel may have immunity from prosecution if deaths were found to have been caused by their operation which was aimed at restoring peace to the country, but that depends on the court’s consideration.

The DSI chief also urged persons who helped the Italian reporter on May 19 to give more information on the case to DSI investigators. Rewards will be awarded to those who saw the incident or who provide any clue about those who helped Mr Polenghi that day.

In a related development, a Red Shirt guard Manop Charnchangthong, 48, with an outstanding arrest warrant on terrorism, was arrested Jan 19 in Nonthaburi province, according to the DSI chief.

Mr Tharit said Mr Manop was accused of looting Tavor assault rifles from army personnel and distributing them to other Red Shirt guards on April 10, during the confrontation.

DSI investigators have evidence showing that Mr Manop is a UDD guard and that his operation was supervised by the late Maj-Gen Khattiya, Mr Tharit said. The suspect was also among those who fired at soldiers, killing and injuring both soldiers and other people.

He also stole weapons from soldiers and showed them on the Red Shirt rally stage at Ratchaprasong, then handed them in other Red Shirt guards who later used the arms to attack troops, according to the DSI chief.

On April 16, Mr Tharit stated, Mr Manop with his companions seized police guns as they raided the S.C Park Hotel attempting to arrest Arisman Pongruangrong, a prominent UDD leader.

Mr Manop however protested his innocence, saying he was not involved with stealing firearms nor the clashes between the Red Shirts and soldiers. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Chuan: SBPAC reform takes time

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Democrat Party Chief Advisor Chuan Leekpai has expressed moral support for security officials in the Deep South while admitting that the reform of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) will require some time.

Speaking of the mission to solve the southern unrest, Mr Chuan said he sympathized with the officers serving in the three southern border provinces, citing that they had all been performing their tasks in the face of danger and deserved a great amount of support. He personally viewed that a capable authority like Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam should be sent to be stationed in the restive area in order to act as the coordinator among related agencies.

Regarding the restructuring of SBPAC, Mr Chuan disclosed that the procedure had just started, adding that a good amount of time must be allowed before concrete results are seen. He explained that a lack of understanding of the southern unrest had exacerbated the problem until today, and the elimination of local insurgents could not be done in a blink of an eye, nor could the SBPAC reform.

-- NNT 2011-01-21

[webfact]

NEW!

Follow thaivisa.com on Google Buzz:

http://www.google.com/profiles/thaivisa

[webfact]

Passengers flew out of airport without passports

Phuket Airport director under investigation

Follow this link:

[webfact]

ENVIRONMENT

Diving sites in Thailand to be closed for a month

By The Nation

Follow this link:

[webfact]

SUNDAY RALLY

Reds and retailers summit makes little progress

By The Nation

A second round of talks between red shirts and Ratchaprasong retailers yesterday failed to yield concrete measures to prevent more road blockades in the central shopping district.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, who is also an MP for the opposition Pheu Thai Party, met with Chai Srivikorn, president of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, at the Metropolitan Police Bureau in a meeting brokered by the police.

After more than an hour of talks, Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Maj-General Kririn Inkaew said it was agreed the police would set aside two lanes of Ratchaprasong Road for traffic and the remaining lanes for the red-shirt protesters during their street rally on Sunday. However, he said if there was a large number of protesters the road would have to be closed.

He said the red shirts would leave Ratchaprasong at 3pm and head for Democracy Monument, where they would gather until midnight.

Kririn described the results of the meeting as "satisfactory".

Jatuporn said he would not be surprised if a lot of red shirts gathered at Ratchaprasong Intersection.

"Many people are dissatisfied with the government now and we cannot prevent them from joining the activity," he said.

Chai said he agreed with the police solution although he disagreed with road closure by the protesters and wanted their rally to be moved elsewhere.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

SURVEY

Residents show little more confidence in Sukhumbhand

By The Nation

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra got 5.36 points out of 10 for his two years in office, recording a 0.03 point increase compared to a poll held six months ago, a survey conducted by the Research Institute of Bangkok University revealed yesterday.

In the January 1316 survey, 1,435 city residents said they were most satisfied with his measures on health issues and prevention of disease and least satisfied with his work on security for people and property.

As for his performance, Bangkokians gave him 5.72 out of 10, which was a 0.07 point drop from the previous poll. He got the most points for honesty and transparency, and least for quick action to solve problems. About 30 per cent of the respondents said they were impressed by the governor's work, especially keeping the city clean (17.3 per cent) and solving flood problems and assisting victims (16.6 per cent), while 69.4 per cent believed otherwise. Regarding the governor's policies on elevating living standards, 65.3 per cent said their lives remained unchanged, 21.5 per cent said things had become better and 13.2 per cent said they had worsened.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

BORDER DISPUTES

Lawyers appeal to Cambodian Supreme Court to free Veera

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai Constitution proposals guided by self-interest

Follow this link:

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS

Calls to family meet bloody end

By Suphitcha Rattana

Phassaphol Tohombut

The Nation

The daily phone calls Captain Krit Khampirayan made to his family to signal his safety during his duty in the violence-infested South came to an end on Wednesday.

Ninety minutes after he spoke to them, an insurgent attack on his base in Rangae district in Narathiwat killed him and three other soldiers.

"Did you eat, Mum? Don't worry about me. I am fine," were the last words "Boy" gave to his family, said his sister Rawi-orn, an Army colonel.

Krit made the call every day throughout his five years on duty in the deep South, since his graduation from the military academy.

A young officer with a bright future, Krit was expected to earn his PhD soon, together with his fiancee Wannapha Niltab, who is also a PhD candidate. He was set to be promoted to the rank of major, mainly because of his dedicated service, which won over local people and turned them into allies of the military in its fight against a seven-year insurgency.

Krit, 32, was the commander of 15121 Infantry Company, attached to Army Task Force 38, based at an outpost off a key road in Marue Botok subdistrict. The attack late on Wednesday occurred 15 days after the seventh anniversary of an insurgent raid on an Army outpost in Joh I Rong district, in which a large number of assault rifles were stolen.

A 30-strong insurgent force carpeted his base with M79 grenades and opened fire with automatic rifles, killing Krit and three other soldiers while wounding another seven. The three fallen soldiers have been named as Sergeant Thewarat Thewa, Sergeant Abdulloh Kayee and Private Prawit Chooklin.

Krit gave an interview to Nation Television last January about the military operations aimed at deterring the insurgency while winning over Muslim communities - three years after the fatal beating of government teacher Juling Pongkanmul.

The officer said the villagers trusted the military and volunteered useful information leading to successful security operations.

The youngest of five siblings and the only son, Krit was a nephew of former defence minister Thammarak Issarangkul na Ayutthaya. His father was Lt-General Suthorn, his mother was Sumonman.

Thewarat, 33, was a son of Phallop and Suksan. He is survived by wife Juthamas, daughter Thana-|phorn, 5, and son Phooraphee, 2.

Abdulloh, 29, was among four siblings born to Isoh and Bedoh. He is survived by wife Noreesa and a young daughter.

Prawit, 23, was single. He was a son of Praphan and Jiraphan. He had two sisters, Uthumphorn and Wilailak.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

PC appointments fail to go government's way

By The Nation

Despite reported heavy lobbying by the government, two highprofile candidates were not chosen as special members of the Police Commission (PC) in yesterday's muchawaited selection.

Noting that Department of Special Investigation directorgeneral Tharit Pengdit and National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) Prof Sombat Thamrongthanyawong were snubbed, PC member Achirawit Suphanphesat said, "It has been proven that politics cannot interfere with the PC selection process."

Yesterday saw the appointments of six experts in various fields of science and five retired policemen to the 11strong PC through free and unanimous votes.

Both Tharit and Sombat are known for their close ties to the Democrat Party and its secretarygeneral Suthep Thaugsuban.

Achirawit said Deputy PM Suthep looked unperturbed by the results. "He gave a free vote and to me did not look disappointed at all. He looked as fresh as ever."

"The PC should not fear political interference because the selection process has been transparent and strong enough to resist outside factors," Achirawit said.

The six special members selected yesterday were Vishanu Kruangam, Assoc Prof Surachart Bamrungsuk, Suphawut Saichua, Wongsak Sawasdiphanich, Assoc Prof Sorraphol Sukthassanee and AttorneyGeneral Julasing Wasantasing.

The five other members, all retired police generals, were Achirawit, Witthichai Srirattanawutthi, Charnchit Phienlert, Bunrit Rattanaphorn and Supphawut Sangong. The official appointment of the 11 members will be completed within two weeks.

Suthep claimed he had not lost face, "as I never bet with anyone over the results."

He dismissed reporters' questions about whether the shortlist had red lines drawn under the names of Tharit and Sombat. "I don't know what colour the lines were. All I had were the name lists and histories of all the candidates."

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

YouTube clip 'tarnishes' religion

By The Nation

After a video clip showing two halfnaked Buddhist novices dancing was posted on the YouTube website, Wat Borabue Sarakham in Maha Sara Kham's Borabue district said yesterday that it had expelled three novices from its school last May.

One of the three novices later moved to another temple, but after receiving a warning from his first temple, he was removed, abbot Phra Panyananthakhun said. The abbot also had a teacher from the temple's school file a police complaint yesterday against the two novices, aged 15 and 21, for posting the video clip which tarnished the temple's reputation and the religion.

Director of the Office of National Buddhism, Nopparat Benjawatananun, said he was told that four novices, who studied at the Wat Hua Nong Sangkha Prachasan School, had recorded the clip early last year, but split up later over a dispute. He said the clip had probably been posted on the Internet for revenge.

Nopparat said the office would take two preventive measures: strict screening of those wishing to be ordained and close supervision of young novices.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

BMA concludes study on four Bangkok communities

By The Nation

The team tending to the issuing of title deeds for Bangkok communities has concluded its study on Beung Kum's Petch Khlong Jan, Khan Na Yow's Luang Wichit, Watthana's Thong Lor Police Station and Suan Luang's Rong Wai communities.

At the meeting yesterday, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Deputy Governor Pornthep Techapaibul said the team spoke to related agencies and community representatives, and agreed that the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) would in a couple of weeks survey and design community plans. If needed, he said, the BMA would ask the government for funding to improve communities. At present, 1,962 communities facing publicland encroachment issues have asked the PM's Office for help.

The PM's Office has asked the BMA to consider issuing land titles to some communities so they are not driven out, though those located along the city's drainage system will have to be relocated.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Thai navy ships come home from Somalia

By Patcharapol Panrak

The Nation

Chon Buri

The two Thai navy ships, which had taken part in international operations to protect ships from pirates along the Somalian coast and in the Gulf of Aden, came home to a warm welcome yesterday.

After 130 days of patrolling along Somalian coasts, HTMS Similan and HTMS Pattani arrived at the Sattahip Navy Base's Chuk Samet Port yesterday morning to a welcoming ceremony presided over by Royal Thai Navy Chief Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran.

Kamthorn said the two ships left Thailand on September 10 and spent 17 days covering the 7,840kilometre distance to Somalia, where they became part of the Combined Maritime Forces from October 1 to January 2. During the operations, the Thai ships provided protection to 1,703 cargo ships going through the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor, and also escorted 12 convoys, comprising five cargo ships from Thailand and 56 from 23 countries. They also provided security for the MV Kapitan Danilkin, which was delivering weapons to Sudan.

The Thai navy's biggest achievement was on November 4, when they rescued 23 crew members of the Thai ship "Or Sirichai Nava 11", which was shot at by an unidentified warship following its seizure by pirates along the Yemen coast last October.

Besides bringing fame Thailand, the operation also proved that commands from the Navy base in Thailand can travel more than 7,000km and be met in a realtime manner, Kamthorn said.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Criminal Court rejects DSI's request for revoking bail for Jatuporn

Published on January 21, 2011

The Criminal Court yesterday rejected a request by the Department of Special Investigation for the court to revoke the bail of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, on grounds that he had not violated the conditions of his release.

However, the court warned the red-shirt leader against criticising the country's justice system.

"The second defendant [Jatuporn] is a key leader, whom millions of people listen to and are ready to follow. Although, the second defendant has said he doesn't want to cause an impact, circumstances might force the action. Therefore, the second defendant should be careful and beware of possible things which might later get out of control," the court said.

After hearing the court's decision, Jatuporn's lawyer Karom Poltakland threatened to sue DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit for malfeasance.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Court finds Alongkorn guilty of defamation

Though Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot yesterday received a guilty verdict for defamation, he narrowly escaped imprisonment when the Criminal Court gave him a suspended six-month jail term.

The court cited his first offence and public service as grounds for leniency and decided to give him a chance to reform his behaviour. Alongkorn still has to pay a fine of Bt50,000 for making libellous remarks against two senior military and police officers in 2003.

The remarks were made when Alongkorn, as an opposition member, was spearheading a campaign to root out corruption.

In his remarks, he pointed an accusing finger at the then-War Veteran's Organisation director General Thosaros Muang-am and the then-Police Ordnance director Maj-General Prasert Pithaktham for their involvement in what he saw as inflated prices for 2,000 bullet-proof vests, costing the state some Bt32 million. The War Veteran's Organisation was the supplier.

In outlining its verdict, the court said evidence indicated the actual cost was Bt9,000 each, well below the benchmark price that the Royal Thai Police had earmarked for its budget.

As an opposition member fighting corruption, Alongkorn should have ended his crusade after filing a complaint at the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the verdict said. Instead, he made his statements public, which were deemed as libel.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Plea to International Criminal Court: Red shirts face bumpy road ahead

Follow this link:

[webfact]

ASTV: Cambodian court will hand down verdict on 7 Thais at 2 P.M. today; MFA to hold press conference at 10 A.M. /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Thai finance minister denies SingTel lobbies him on AIS concession issues

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai stocks open down 5.90 pt, 0.58 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) opened on Friday at 1,016.26, down 5.90 points, or 0.58 per cent.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 704.06, down 5.21 points, or 0.73 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: BANPU,PTT,KTB,IVL,TRUE

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Activists Back Crackdowns on Shops Selling Alcohol to Minors

An alcohol watch group has submitted a petition calling on authorities to take action against shops selling alcohol to minors, by putting them on a blacklist and revoking their permits.

Narin Paenprasert, coordinator of the Alcohol Watch Network, submitted a petition to Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Chakthip Chaijinda calling on officers to take severe measures against shops, pubs, and restaurants that sell liquor to persons under 18 years of age, and those that offer free drinks and prizes as part of their promotional activities.

The group voiced support for harsh alcohol control measures, in a bid to curb social problems and to protect youth from the vice of alcohol.

It is suggested that police crack down on shops found to be selling alcohol to underage drinkers, especially near schools, as well as inspect shops that don't have a license for the sale of alcoholic drinks.

The group also demanded that authorities root out shops that sell illicitly distilled liquor, and blacklist those found to have violated the Alcohol Control Act 2008, and coordinate with the Excise Department on a permanent withdrawal of licenses.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Weather bureau: all regions in Thailand to see colder temperature and fog, mountaintops to face cold /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Mother commits suicide with 3-day old baby by jumping from Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, stressed about hospital bill & baby's health/TAN_Network

[webfact]

New mom jumps to her death from hospital building along with son

A 33-year-old mother, who has just delivered a son three days ago, jumped from the 13th floor of a hospital building together with her child early Friday, police said.

Both Jongkol Jampakhao, 33, and her 3-day-old son, Sathu Janterm, were killed.

Their bodies were found on the ground beside a building of the Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital in Bangkok's Bang Kholaem district.

Police said the mother jumped down from the balcony of the inpatient ward at about 4:30 pm.

Police quoted hospital officials as saying the mother might be depressed after her son developed certain physical disability. She was seen holding her son and walking around in the room late Thursday night until she climbed over the balcony and jumped down.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[webfact]

Ratchaprasong Hotel Operators Worried Over Planned Red-Shirt Protest

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Red-shirt Rally alert for Bangkok on Sunday

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Diving sites in Thai South close indefinitely for coral rehabilitation

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket bar owners protest at Provincial Hall

The task force is checking business licenses and enforcing closing times at Phuket bars.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

AFP: Thailand closes dive spots due to reef damage

Follow this link: