Thailand Live Friday 4 Feb 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 4 February 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 3 Feb 2011

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Egg Sale by Kilo to Be Reviewed after 3 Months

The commerce minister insists her ministry will try the sale of eggs by kilogram for three months before reporting the result to the prime minister to decide whether the scheme should be continued.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said selling of eggs by kilogram is the government's effort to offer another alternative to customers and to lower their cost of living.

The scheme was launched on February 1 and has been widely criticized.

Porntiva said the new sale method was unpopular as the public might be unfamiliar with the system and that they need time to adjust to and understand it.

The minister noted that the new system will be tried out for three months or until the end of April, after which the result will be reported to the prime minister and the Cabinet.

A final decision will then be made whether the scheme should be continued.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the sale of eggs by kilogram was introduced as a pilot project to allow vendors and consumers to decide on the most appropriate method to sell eggs.

He added the new system can be reversed if it fails to win acceptance from consumers.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-04

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PM counters Pheu Thai’s accusations during debate

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has defended his administration against the opposition Pheu Thai Party’s attacks on both economic and social policies during the censure debate.

Pheu Thai MP for Chaiyaphum Prasit Chaiwirattana opened a no-confidence debate concerning the government’s lack of direction in solving national problems, during which he accused the Abhisit administration of failing on both economic and social fronts.

He claimed that the spread of narcotic drugs had become more severe and criticized the measures to import palm oil and sell eggs by kilogram for their ineffectiveness. According to the MP, the Prime Minister has been treating Thai people with a double standard and is causing confusion among them by promising to dissolve the House.

As a response, Mr Abhisit asserted that the government has concrete direction in administering the country. He replied that, over the past two years in office, anti-drug operations had been carried out stringently in accordance with the legal framework while more arrests of major drug dealers had been made.

As for the palm oil shortage problem, he clarified that it was caused by lower productivity of palm fruits, stemming from the unfavorable weather, and assured that imports of the product would not affect agriculturists although their profits could slightly decrease. He also reiterated that selling eggs by weight is only an alternative for shoppers; they can always opt for the original method of selling by piece if they wish.

Regarding House dissolution, he said it had been the demand of the opposition party, and the government is willing to do it for national reconciliation.

Moreover, the Prime Minister presented a report indicating that the government had been successful in slashing the unemployment rate to only 1 percent, making Thailand one of the countries with the lowest joblessness. With the government’s adherence to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, the national economic expansion now stands at 8 percent with people’s savings on the rise and public debt on the decline.

-- NNT 2011-02-04

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Thai central bank sees need to strengthen financial institutions system

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul on Wednesday announced that the country's central bank now has a policy in place to strengthen and stabilise the financial institution system in preparation for fluctuations of the Thai and global economies.

The central bank chief invited representatives of the Thai Bankers Association to acknowledge the BoT policy guidelines for 2011 and exchange views on its performance in various specific areas as well as overall economic conditions.

Mr Prasarn said the economy in 2011 would continue growing, bolstered by the strong economic expansion of 8 per cent in 2010 on the back of rising exports, improved demand, increasing employment, and higher agricultural product prices.

On the direction of monetary policy implementation, he said, the bank will continue to adjust the policy interest rate to try to ensure it stays at a proper level given the economic and inflation trends.

The Monetary Policy Committee will change interest rates with caution, taking into account various risks, to maintain price stability and keep the core inflation rate within the target range.

As for the currency exchange rate policy, he said, the bank would continue keeping the baht flexible in relation to the changing economic fundamentals.

On the policy on strengthening and stabilising the financial institution system to accommodate local and global economic fluctuations, Mr Prasarn said the bank would focus on strengthening the financial institution system in five areas.

They include building the stability of financial institutions, diversifying risks to prevent the corporate loan concentration, consumer protection, basic infrastructure development, and adjustment to the changing business environment. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-02-04

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Thailand Mobile Expo 2011 kicks off

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Unrest may threaten Thai oil supplies if it spreads in Mideast

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Thai Foreign Minister Kasit to meet Cambodian counterpart in Siem Reap

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TOT doubts court case against AIS

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More help for Thais fleeing Egyptian riots

By The Nation

The Foreign Ministry is preparing to send a third flight to riotstricken Egypt after 800 more Thais asked for help returning home, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.

"The second evacuation flight should be able to bring 300 of them back," he said. "The third flight will depart for Egypt as soon as possible to help the rest return home."

The second plane left Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday at noon and was scheduled to arrive in Cairo at 5.30pm. It was expected to spend two hours collecting passengers before taking off again and arriving in Bangkok at 8.50am this morning.

Kasit said he was in discussions with Malaysia and Indonesia on how to help Asean citizens in Egypt return to their homelands.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Compensation for deaths, injuries during red-shirt protest 'inadequate'

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EDITORIAL

A chance to some good for the public interest; Thai Telecoms

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Foreigners nabbed in huge drug busts

By The Nation

Narcotics Suppression Bureau police arrested two Malaysians, two HmongThai women, two Burmese men, a Nigerian man and a Cambodian woman in four separate drug cases, bureau chief Pol LtGeneral Atithep Panjamanond announced yesterday.

Atithep told a news conference that the first two drug arrests took place on Tuesday at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where police arrested Malaysians Niew Bee Yuak, 51, and Lee Kian Sun, 47, each carrying more than 1.5 kilograms of crystal meth.

The arrests followed a tipoff that a Malaysian man and woman would attempt to smuggle the drugs from Thailand to the Philippines capital city of Manila.

Atithep's deputy Pol MajGeneral Harnpol Nitwibul said that in the second case, police arrested two Hmong women in a sting operation at a shopping mall parking lot in Lampang. Pissamai Tiwanan, 37, and Srinuan Wongcharoenchoke, 33, were allegedly carrying three kilograms of crystal meth worth Bt4.8 million.

In the third case, police arrested two Burmese men, Sai San Teng, 26, and Kaew Toonkham, 37, allegedly in possession of 100,000 yaba tablets in a sting operation in Mae Rim district in Chiang Mai.

In the fourth case, police arrested Nigerian Emmi Sam, 32, and a Cambodian woman, Van Nek Soy Bo, 25, along with two kilograms of crystal meth on Wednesday after the Nigerian crossed the border from Cambodia into Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaew province.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Condom hat symbolises ineffectual govt, Pheu Thai MP says

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Yellow-shirt leader Karun gets bail

By THE NATION

The Criminal Court yesterday granted temporary release to a yellow-shirt leader arrested late on Wednesday in connection with the airport seizure in 2008.

Former senator Karun Sai-ngarm, a key member of the Thai Patriots Network (TPN), was released on bail of Bt200,000.

The court had earlier backed a police request to detain Karun. However, police did not oppose his temporary release.

Officers from the Crime Suppression Division escorted Karun to court to seek permission to detain him for 12 days as their investigation into his case has yet to be completed.

Karun, 59, is accused of taking part in an unlawful assembly, trespassing, inciting a perilous situation and damaging property.

He was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon his return from Cambodia on Wednesday night. Karun was in Phnom Penh to lend a hand in the legal defence of TPN leader Veera Somkwamkid and his aide Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who were given lengthy jail terms this week after being convicted of trespassing and espionage in the neighbouring country.

In a written request given to the court, police said they would not oppose a move for bail by Karun, provided he agreed not to take part in public gatherings or political activity that goes beyond his constitutional rights. Karun was also warned not to make public comments that could have a negative impact on the investigation of his case.

Karun's lawyer Natthaporn Torprayoon, meanwhile, protested against the request for the yellow-shirt leader to be detained, saying all the charges carried a maximum penalty of no more than five years. Karun also wanted the court to immediately look into what he alleged was an illegal request for detention.

"I'm ready to fight in court," he told reporters with a smile yesterday.

Some 100 members of the Thai Patriots Network gathered at the CSD headquarters to offer moral support to Karun, who was taken there after the arrest. Apart from Karun, other yellow-shirt leaders wanted for the same charges are Veera, Pramote Nakornthap, Somchai Wongvej and Chaiporn Kerdmongkol.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Pufferfish kit a world first

By The Nation

The Public Health Ministry's Department of Medical Sciences has created a world first by perfecting a 15minute highaccuracy test kit for tetrodotoxin in puffer fish and mangrove horseshoe crab.

Deputy Public Health Minister Pansiri Kulnartsiri said yesterday that the TTXIC test kit, using acetic acid as its main component, worked similarly to a pregnancy test strip. If the result showed one red line, that meant toxic and two red lines meant nontoxic.

The test kit is also inexpensive, at Bt120 per set, and is sold by the department in boxes containing 12 sets for Bt1,200.

Pansiri said that previously, a single test for tetrodotoxin took half a day and cost between Bt1,000 and Bt2,000.

Department chief Sathaporn Wongcharoen said the test kit - which had a sensitivity rate of 100 per cent and a specificity rate of 80 per cent - was invented by researcher Aree Thattiyawong, from the National Institute of Health, who had been studying tetrodotoxin since 2006.

Thailand has about 20 types of puffer fish, both toxic and nontoxic, and two types of horseshoe crabs - the giant king crab and the mangrove horseshoe crab. In 2001, 20 people died and another 60 became ill after eating pufferfish meat or crab eggs.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Soldiers injured

By The Nation

As many as 35 soldiers were injured yesterday when an army trooptransport truck apparently suffered brake failure and plunged off a steep road in Kanchanaburi's Muang district.

The injured soldiers, all from the 29th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, were rushed to nearby hospitals. Eleven were taken to Phaholpholphayuhasena Hospital, 10 to Surasee Camp Hospital and 14 to Danmakhamtia Hospital.

The accident occurred on PhunamronLamsai road in Kanchanaburi's Muang district. Police believe the driver was unable to control the vehicle when its brakes failed on a steep slope.

The truck was returning from military exercises.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Key element missing in Thai Army 'coup plot' - a good excuse

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Hospitals want SSO to adopt national healthcare system

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

Private hospitals urged the Social Security Office (SSO) yesterday to manage operations the same way as the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to relieve pressure on some hospitals, which they said were in a financial crisis.

Supamitr Sena Hospital director Dr Kittisak Jirasottikul said his hospital withdrew from the Social Security Scheme last year and claimed more private hospitals would likely follow suit this year.

He said the Supamitr Suphan Hospital, a branch of Supamitr Sena, would also quit the SSO because the budget it was allocated by the fund was not enough to provide the treatment expected.

"Private hospitals do not make any profit from providing medical treatment to patients under the Social Security Scheme," he said.

Those institutions still registered with the SSO remained in the scheme because they needed the money SSO pays them each month, he said.

"They will quit the SSO when they can get money to support the hospital from other financial sources such as the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme or universal healthcare coverage," he said.

To stay with the SSO and remain financially viable, private hospitals needed to treat about 50,000 SSO members.

Most large private hospitals had treated more than 100,000 SSO members. Because most of them had several branches, they could be confident of receiving enough patients, he said.

But small private hospitals such as Supamitr Sena Hospital had treated only 10,000 SSO members.

"We cannot shoulder the financial burden of expensive diseases," Kittisak said.

The SSO had not changed the way it managed its fund or extended healthcare benefits for its beneficiaries for five years. And it had not increased its perhead budget for treating expensive diseases, he said.

"I think the SSO should manage its fund like the National Health Security Office by setting a ceiling for the cost of each treatment," he said.

Related agencies should conduct research to find out the real cost of medical treatment for other diseases, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Celebrated artist Prasom Susutthi dies

By The Nation

Prasom Susutthi, an awardwinning artist known for his unique skill at carving banana trees, died yesterday of lung cancer. He was 89 years old.

Some of his bestknown artwork and wreaths made from banana trees were displayed during the royal funerals of the Princess Mother in 1995 and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana three years ago. Prasom was also a special tutor in banana tree carving to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Prasom was also skilled at drawing and painting murals. He had been recognised by an award from the National Culture Commission and an honorary degree in applied arts from the Rajabhat Institute in Phetchaburi.

A Phetchaburi native, he was born on May 19, 1922, to father Prasert and mother Thongdee. He earned a high school diploma from Wat Anongkharam School and a bachelor's degree from Thammasat University. He initially worked at the Bank of Thailand and later resigned to work as an art teacher at the school. He was married to Phanor, with whom he had had eight children.

Prasom's early work in clay, cement and wood decorated temples in Phetchaburi. He later turned to carving banana trees - a rare skill among today's traditional artists - and excelled at it.

His funeral takes place today at Wat Khongkharam in Muang district.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Hundreds queue for Luangta Maha Bua

By The Nation

Five days after the death of Luangta Maha Bua, Buddhists and followers are queuing for 2 kilometres to give alms to the revered monk at Wat Pa Ban Tad, where he was abbot.

Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana also took part in an alms-giving ceremony yesterday morning.

Deputy abbot Sudjai Thantamano has carried Luangta Bua's bowl, and has had to empty it repeatedly after it has been filled again and again by hundreds of respectful devotees.

A charity fund has received more than Bt3.3 million and $703 in US dollars, plus gold bars and ornaments weighing a total of 334 grams.

A group of Luangta Bua's followers in Kalasin have vowed to carry on a charity scheme to rescue cattle earmarked for butchering. The project was initiated by the revered monk, who bore the Pali surname of Yanna Sampanno and the ecclesiastical title of Phra Thamma Wisutthi Mongkhol.

Through the scheme, the monk's followers have received 154 bulls and 61 water buffaloes, which they will use in their farm work. The scheme will be expanded to all 18 districts of the province, village headman Praphas Phoowongkot said.

A group of 200 soldiers are taking turns providing logistical help and security at Wat Pa Ban Tad, where a crematorium is being built for Luangta Maha Bua's cremation on March 5.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Drought, pests seriously lower Thailand's coconut production

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Hua Hin, Cha-Am To Become Special Zone

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All motorcycle taxis to recieve a yellow plate

BANGKOK, 4 February 2011 (NNT)-The Department of Land Transport has welcomed the government’s Prachawiwat policy by urging motorcycle taxi drivers to register for a yellow license plate.

According to the Deputy Director of Land Transport Assathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket, the Department is now open for the registration of all motorcycle taxi drivers. Under the rule, every driver must register for a new plate as it applies to every driver across Thailand.

Over 63,000 motorcyclists have already registered in Bangkok while 30,000 more are expected to follow suit.

-- NNT 2011-02-04

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Notebooks, LCD TVs, single houses, pickups favourite in Chinese New Year

BANGKOK, Feb 4 – Most Thai consumers prefer buying notebook computers, LCD televisions, single-detached houses, ordinary mobile phones, and pickups during the Chinese Lunar New Year festival, according to a poll conducted by the Assumption University ABAC Poll.

The survey on “Influence of Media on Intention and Decision by Consumers to Buy Products during the Chinese New Year Festival” was conducted during Nov 20, 2010-Feb 2, 2011 using a random sample of 2,159 consumers at a household level aged between 15-60 years in 12 provinces nationwide.

Included are Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Chonburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket, and Songkla.

It found the social network has a similar strong influence to the radio ads while TV ads, billboards at shopping centers and complexes, and exhibition booths have great influence on viewers.

The survey also showed during the Chinese New Year festival this year most consumers or 71 per cent of computer enthusiasts preferred buying notebooks.

Among potential buyers of television sets, 35.7 per cent opted to purchase LCD TVs.

Of those interested in buying mobile phones, 67.9 per cent still preferred common mobile phones.

Home-buyer statistics showed that 73.1 per cent preferred purchasing single-detached houses.

More than half or 54.5 per cent of those interested in buying vehicles opted for pickup trucks. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-02-04

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 992.12, up 11.52 points /MCOT

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2nd chartered flight return from Cairo

The second chartered flight dispatched to evacuate Thais in Cairo returned to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Friday morning.

The flight arrived at the airport at 9:15 am with 338 people on board, FM 100.5 station reported.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

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Southern insurgents bombed a teachers' security unit in Raman, Yala, killing 1 soldier and seriously injuring 4 /TAN_Network

338 Thais arrive in Thailand from Egypt; MFA to send 3rd flight to pick up more Thais as 800 express desire to return home /TAN_Network

Weather dept: North, Northeast to see cooler temperature, fog; South sees more rain /TAN_Network

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Kanchanaburi governor orders immediate help for 2 elderly women who've had to eat rats, cockcroaches due to poverty /TAN_Network

Suthep supports joint usage of disputed territory between Thailand, Cambodia; no plans to crack down on PAD protest /TAN_Network

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PM's aide Sirichoke says PM to dissolve House if protests lengthen; affirms no military coup /TAN_Network

CORRECTION: PM's aide Sirichoke says PM will delay House dissolution if protests lengthen; affirms no military coup /TAN_Network