Thailand Live Thursday 3 Feb 2011

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Tourist Police Party In Pattaya

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Foreign Affairs Committee: Thailand Should Remain in World Heritage Committee

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has pledged to lodge a protest if the issue of unilateral registration of Preah Vihear Temple is brought up at the World Heritage Conference.

Meanwhile, the committee claims it would be benefit Thailand to remain in the World Heritage Committee.

Yesterday, The House Foreign Committee evaluated the preparedness of the envoy that will represent Thailand at the 34th UNESCO World Heritage Conference in Bahrain in June of this year.

The committee vowed that the Thai representatives will lodge a protest at the conference if Cambodia brings up the issue of unilateral registration of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site.

Meanwhile, Bangkok MP Ratchada Thanadirek of the Democrat Party, who is also the committee spokesperson, said the land surrounding the temple is still an issue, as Cambodia has yet to submit a comprehensive management plan for the area, especially in the northern and eastern parts of the temple.

Ratchada said that this clearly demonstrates that Phnom Penh is unprepared to manage the disputed area.

However, the committee endorsed the Thai-Cambodian joint registration of the temple as a World Heritage site.

Meanwhile, members of the committee agreed that Thailand should remain a member of the World Heritage Committee, because it will give the government an opportunity to explain and protest if necessary.

The comments were a response to the People's Alliance for Democracy's call for the Thai governemnt to withdraw from its membership from the World Heritage Committee as part of the efforts to protect Thailand's sovereignty.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-03

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Chinese around the world celebrate the new Year of the Rabbit

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Red shirts should try Thai courts before using Thaksin lawyer Amsterdam to file case in World Court

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Electric rates hike in Thailand likely in May

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Phuket Bikers raise funds for Life Home Project

LEADER OF THE PACK: “Super” Mark Johnson with

fellow biker Kitar Wawithank.

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Former Senetor Arrested in Returning from Cambodia

A former senator has been arrested after returning from his post as lawyer for the two remaining detained Thais in Cambodia, for his alleged involvement in seizing Bangkok international airports during protests in 2008

Crime suppression police arrested Karoon Saingam for his alleged involvement in seizing Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports during protests in the year 2008.

Prior to the arrest, the former senator was performing duties as a lawyer for the two detained Thai activists in Cambodia , Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who were recently sentenced to jail for trespassing and espionage.

Karoon was initially accused of unlawfully organizing a gathering of more than 10 people, and of creating a commotion.

After the investigation, the former senator will be allowed release on bail worth up to 300 thousand baht.

However, Karoon refused to request bail to deny the charges.

If he does not propose a bail request by tomorrow morning, he will be immediately imprisoned.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-03

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Staff trained to give consultations on teen pregnancy

BANGKOK, 3 February 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is training staff members of its Prachabodi 1300 call center, on the skill in providing consultations for teenagers with unwanted pregnancy problem.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai on Wednesday presided over the opening ceremony of the training at Riverside Hotel. The participants were given insight knowledge into the problem of teen pregnancy, rights of mothers and related laws.

In addition, the call center staff members were coached on skills to provide proper consultations for teenage mothers, especially mothers who are pregnant when they are not ready.

Mr Issara stated that teen pregnancy had been frequently found in society and drawn much attention of the public. He admitted that the situation is getting worse since teenagers have accepted inappropriate cultures and behaviors as norms.

According to the statistics, 12.01% of teenagers aged below 20 are getting pregnant, the rate which is above the standard of 10% set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Teen pregnancy can lead to many problems ranging from preventing teen mothers from completing education, lower birth weights of children born, and other social issues.

-- NNT 2011-02-03

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Suthep affirms early House dissolution

BANGKOK, 3 February 2011 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has voiced his readiness to supply clarification to any accusation in the censure motion to be filed by the opposition

Mr Suthep stated that he did not feel any pressure from the no-confidence debate, adding that it would not be different from previous ones whether or not Pheu Thai MPs Chairperson Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung would join the debate.

Police Captain Chalerm usually took the lead in the censure debate to grill the government and often exchanged hot verbal attacks with the deputy prime minister. However, the Pheu Thai Party has resolved to let former Prime Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan lead the debate team this time.

The deputy prime minister voiced his confidence that he would be able to explain everything if he was one to be grilled in the censure debate.

Mr Suthep reaffirmed that the government would dissolve the House before completing its term; however, he said the date could not be specified by now since everything would depend on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The deputy prime minister also stated that the passage of 2012 budget bill was not a pre-condition for House dissolution at all.

-- NNT 2011-02-03

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Danish Tourist Robbed of Gold Chain

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Red Shirt published a book on coup d'etat

BANGKOK, 3 February 2011 (NNT)-The UDD or Red Shirt has launched a handbook on anti-coup d'etat with an aim to give their members a crash course on how to respond to the military coup.

Acting Red Shirt Leader Thida Thawornsate has said that Thailand would not be any different than Myanmar if the government was constantly overpowered by the military.

The other Red Shirt leader, Jatuporn Promphan, said the Red Shirt protesters will gather around the Supreme Court on 19 February before moving on foot to Rachaprasong intersection.

Mr. Jatuporn added that the UDD will prolong the mass rally if the government does not respond to their requests as it did to the Yellow Shirt’s.

-- NNT 2011-02-03

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AFP: Thailand invites Obama to patch up

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Commerce Ministry in urgent check of soya oil stocks following supply shortage

BANGKOK, 3 February 2011 (NNT) – Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai has instructed the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to inspect stocks of soya oil in the wake of supply shortage.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai stated that stock checking was necessary to prevent traders from hoarding, which would lead to a crisis similar to the palm oil situation.

As for palm oil, the minister said the shortage and overpricing should have eased off by now after palm oil factories have increased their production capacity and more products have reached consumers.

However, soya oil supplies to supermarkets have reduced by 30% while those sold in fresh market are priced higher at 55-60 THB per liter. Soya oil supplies to some supermarkets have been running out or very low for two consecutive weeks sending impacts to sales of other vegetable oil which has become more expensive and scarce.

In addition, people have been complaining via the DIT hotline 1569 that some merchants are selling soya oil at 58 baht per bottle against the control price of not more than 46 THB.

-- NNT 2011-02-03

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Suthep: Kasit to mend Thai-Cambodian ties

BANGKOK, 3 February 2011 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has voiced his confidence that Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will be able to relieve the strained relationship between Thailand and Cambodia upon his visit to the neighboring country.

The deputy prime minister stated that Mr Kasit has thorough understanding of the Thai-Cambodian relations. He believed that the minister will be able to convey Thailand’s determination to enhance a peaceful coexistence with its neighboring country.

Mr Kasit is scheduled to travel to Cambodia to attend the 7th meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) on bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia held in Siem Reap province of Cambodia from 3 to 4 February 2011. He will meet with his counterpart Hor Namhong, during which a discussion on Thai-Cambodian spats is expected.

The minister will also ask Cambodia to help the two Thai border crossers, including Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who have been sentenced to prison terms without probation in Cambodia.

As for news report that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) would intensify its demonstration, Mr Suthep responded that such development would not be beneficial to any side. He said the government was dealing with the situation according to the set procedure.

Regarding the recent security operation exercise at Government House with use of tear gas, the deputy prime minister said the rehearsal did not signal the PAD group that the government would use force to disperse the rally as speculated.

-- NNT 2011-02-03

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Photographer Launches Chinese New Year Exhibition

An eminent photographer has turned leading actors and actresses into Chinese-Western hybrids to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Thailand's top photographer, Amat Nimitphak, has launched one of the year's biggest photo exhibitions, entitled 'Chinese Fashion Design Now' at Central World shopping complex, featuring photos of 23 stars and celebrities dressed in modernized and state of the art Chinese outfits to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.

Amat said he picked up all the costumes himself, and his intention was for the presenters to look completely different from their real appearances.

Among the models are 'Tai' Phenphak Sirikun, 'Marg' Prinya Supharat, and 'Barry' Nadet Kukimiya.

The show will be showing from now until February 8 at Central World, Bangkok.

When asked about his next project, he said he will launch another big project by late 2011.

He also said this summer, he will stun the general public with sexy swimwear photo collections.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-03

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Phuket Mega-event: Bring on the Blues Rock Fest

HE’S COMING: Phuket Blues Fest headline act Curtis Salgado has

been nominated for a major blues music award.

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Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak carrying sticks and knives seen moving towards Tahrir Square in Cairo, from Reuters /via@BBCBreaking

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PAD not to move its rally anywhere else

BANGKOK, 3 February 2011 (NNT) – The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said it would not move its rally anywhere else, at least not until their leaders said so.

One of the PAD core leaders, Major General Chamlong Srimuang, said during a press briefing that their members would be informed in advance should the leaders decide to move the street mass rally to Government House or any other location as rumored.

According to Chamlong, some people claiming to be PAD members have managed to mingle with the crowd at the rally site since the beginning of the rally and have since tried to create confusion among protestors by spreading rumors about the group planning to invade Government House. Chamlong has reaffirmed that protest leaders must seek a consensus from the crowd relative to what the PRD should do before taking any other action aimed at adding more pressure on the government.

Meanwhile, PAD Spokesperson Prapan Koonmee stated that the PAD would step up the intensity of its demonstrations, adding that they would take the government to task on rampant corruption in the Democrat-led administration, which costs taxpayers hundreds of billions of baht annually.

Prapan , an attorney and former senator appointed by coup leader Gen. Sondhi Bunyaratakalin, further said that the PAD would go all-out exposing corruption practices under the present administration, the hoarding of palm oil in particular. He alleged that the hoarding enabled certain politicians to line their pockets with windfall profits to the tune of billions of bah in the past few months. He also said that corruption under this government was much worse than when the now defunct Thai-Rak-Thai Party was in power.

-- NNT 2011-02-03

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Malaysian Arrested With 1.6 Kg Of ‘Ice’ At Suvarnabhumi Airport

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PHUKET NIPPLE ALERT: Staying abreast of nude on our beaches

BARE ESSENTIALS: Nudism, even ‘quasi-nudism’ is illegal in Thailand.

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Phuket “heinous” crimes up, murders down in 2010

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Court allows police to detain Karun 12 days

The Criminal Court Thursday approved police's request to detain former senator Karun Sai-ngarm for 12 days pending further investigation into terrorist charge against him.

The court allowed police to detain Karun until February 14.

Karun was arrested at midnight for allegedly taking part in the seizures of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueng Airport in 2008.

-- The Nation 2011-02-03

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Coconut shortage hurting Phuket retailers

A member of the Kasetsart research team inspects a coconut palm

suffering from infestation of the coconut hispine beetle.

Specimens of the predatory ‘stink bug’ Eocanthecona furcellata being

bred to combat the dreaded coconut hispine beetle.

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BreakingNews: People carrying knives, metal bars, sticks, swords out in force in Cairo, situation may be getting worse than yesterday-NBC News

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Five EU nations - Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain - urge immediate political transition in #Egypt to end violence /via@BBCBreaking:

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SET index closed at 980.6, up 2.76; Bt/USD30.73; GBP49.68; AUD30.94; EUR42.32; CAD31.04; HKD3.94; SGD24.02; JPY37.43

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Police Drill Denied as Training for Protest Crackdown

The deputy prime minister in charge of national security said the police's tear gas drill is just part of a security protocol for Government House, preparation to crack down on current political protests.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban noted the police have been practicing safety drills at Government House, which include the use of tear gas, but in no way they are signaling to political protesters that they will be cracking down on their rallies.

Suthep also questioned the People's Alliance for Democracy's three-day ultimatum for the government to help two Thai activists jailed in Cambodia, Weera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipaitanapaiboon, saying that escalation of the group's protests will not be beneficial to the country and the group should cooperate with the government in finding ways to help the two.

The deputy premier said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's visit to Cambodia is to take part in the seventh Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Committee meeting in Siem Reap, which has nothing to do with the two Thais detained in Phnom Penh.

For the two Thais, he said their case is still pending in Cambodian court and he is not sure when it will end.

Suthep said he did not ask Kasit to follow up on anything special during this visit as Kasit himself knows the issues well, particularly the message that Thailand does not want to wage war with Cambodia.

The minister said he has not been briefed about the arrest of Thai Patriots Network leader Karun Sai-ngarm at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon his return from Cambodia to help in the two Thais' case. However, Suthep noted Karun has a pending arrest warrant, so the police's action is routine.

Meanwhile, Kasit spoke to the press before his departure to Cambodia that he has spoken to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva about issues for the joint committee meeting.

The minister will also visit troops at the border and inspect joint road and rail construction with Cambodia to see whether extension should be carried out.

Kasit declined to comment on the case against the two Thais, only saying that he will find time to visit them during this trip.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-03

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Land Hitch Delays New Bangkok Skytrain Line

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Hua Hin, Cha-am to become special zone

Two coastal districts, Hua Hin and Chaam, have been designated for upgrade into a special administrative zone, designed as a pilot project for sustainable development to mark the 84th Birthday of His Majesty in December.

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Man wanted in connection with sexual assault on 12 year old girl arrested by Police in Pattaya

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