Thailand Live Wednesday 9 Feb 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 9 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 so that 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 Tuesday 8 Feb 2011

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Thai Retail Giant Unworried about Border Conflict

A Thai retail giant is not worried about the armed border conflict with Cambodia.

More investment is also being plannned despite ongoing domestic political conflicts.

Central Group CEO Sudhitham Chirathivat said that the clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces and unresolved border tension are not of his worries as Central Group, a leading retail conglomerate, has made no investment in the neighboring country.

Sudhitham conceded that the company is eyeing to invest in other ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.

However, he noted that continued political conflicts in Thailand are a major concern for him and asked both lawmakers and protesters to seek a peaceful way out and to avoid the repeat of previous incidents of violence.

When asked about the group’s investment plan, Sudhitham revealed that at least 20 billion baht has been earmarked for this year, while the company is targeting to achieve the sale growth of 12 percent, or around 133.5 billion baht in monetary term.

Central Group registered total sales of 119 billion baht, which represented an eight-percent growth, in 2010 as a result of continued economic recovery and calmer political situation.

Sudhitham added that Central Group hopes that it will benefit from many state economic stimulus measures, which are aimed at boosting domestic consumption.

In addition, affiliated Central Pattana or CPN CEO and President Kobchai Chirathivat said that CPN has been conducting a number of studies to expand its presence into several Asian markets, including China, India and Vietnam, where economic growth has been on the rise.

Kobchai also noted that the company may finally get to start making an investment in overseas markets by the end of this year.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-09

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TAT to hold Smile@Khao Yai to revive tourism

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to organize the Smile@Khao Yai campaign to help stimulate local tourism, which was hard hit by floods last year.

TAT Events Department Director Wiwatchai Boonyapak disclosed that the TAT would join hands with the private sector in launching Smile@Khao Yai during 18-20 February at the Bonanza Khao Yai Resort, Nakhon Ratchasima. The main objective is to promote Khao Yai’s positive image and restore tourists’ confidence after the popular vacation spot was hit by severe flooding in October 2010.

The event will receive a budget worth 10 million THB from the TAT and is expected to see around 20,000-30,000 participants, generating a circulation of 30 million THB. Featured activities will include environmental conservation activities, concerts and sales of local products and food. Hotels and resorts in the area have reportedly been fully booked at the moment.

Mr Wiwatchai added that the TAT had been organizing tourism campaigns in Khao Yai on a regular basis in a bid to attract visitors all year round. Most of the visitors are from Thailand, followed by Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

-- NNT 2011-02-09

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AFP: Thai-Cambodia border quiet as UN eyes temple visit

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Abhisit explains Thai position in call to United Nation boss

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Nzer Dies Of Suspected Food Poisoning In Thailand

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Homes of displaced Thai residents 'looted'

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ANALYSIS

Thailand and Cambodia need to resolve land dispute or Gulf riches will remain unexploited

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Civil servants can get paternity leave

By The Nation

The Cabinet yesterday approved 15-day paternity leave for civil servants, political officials, policemen and officials of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Deputy Government Spokesman Watchara Kannika said under the new regulation, officials will be able to take paternity leave after their wives, who have a legally recognised status, give birth.

In addition, civil servants working overseas will also get longer annual leave.

"If they work in developing countries, their annual leave will increase by five days," Watchara said, while those working in Latin America and Africa will get an extra 10 days off.

Officials will also be allowed leave of up to 12 months for rehabilitation in case they have an accident on the job.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

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TELECOM

Chuti urges CAT to back True deals

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Nigerian man, Guinean woman arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport with 4.6 kg of 'ice'

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Hun Sen's eldest son a key man in Thailand-Cambodia border fight

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Robbers make off with Bt1.4m worth of gold

By The Nation

Three men stole a kilogram of gold ornaments worth more than Bt1.4 million from a gold shop in eastern Bangkok yesterday.

The owner of Mae Kimhong shop, in Ramkhamhaeng 2 Soi 23 intersection 3, said two men entered in the afternoon. One held a pistol at his head before forcing him on his knees and handcuffing him to a doorknob.

The second robber jumped the counter and swept all the ornaments into a bag, before the pair fled in a black Honda City sedan driven by a third accomplice, he said.

Sriwanrit Thongthanaset, 48, later called police and told them the man who forced him on his knees at gunpoint wore a dust mask and spoke in a clear Central accent. The other bandit did not say a word.

Footage on security cameras showed three men stopping at the shop at 1.07pm and leaving the area at 1.15pm, even though the owner said they spent only two minutes during the heist.

The robbers were seen entering the car but its licence plate was not clearly visible, before it was driven away.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

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Elections still on, promises Abhisit

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As the guns roar, feelings harden among border evacuees

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

Kantharalak, Si Sa Ket

Villagers evacuated from the Thai-Cambodia border in Si Sa Ket province hope life will return to normal quickly - but they're uncertain when they can return home and their kids can no longer go to school in an area which has been closed indefinitely.

Toys have been donated and booths set up to allow the children to draw and play. Some draw pictures of war.

As for local adults, the conflict has deepened the already strong distrust of Cambodia.

Those interviewed said they wished the nationalist yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) would not try to visit the province and exacerbate the situation; enough damage has been done to the livelihoods of people along the border.

"Please don't come. It's going to get even worse," said Huan Kanchanachart, 45, from Baan Klong Sai village who now lives under a huge blue tent in front of the district office. Huan and her family and two young kids, fled the village last Friday as both sides exchanged gunfire.

The firing and heavy artillery has also made Thai villagers more negative about Cambodia.

Huan said she believed the Cambodian army opened fire first, but has no way to support it.

"I don't really know. I have no evidence. But if the other side doesn't stop retaliating then we should not either, because we don't want to lose more land," Huan told The Nation.

Negative feelings toward Cambodia are evident not only among those evacuated, but just as strongly among locals who have come to help and donate supplies.

"Cambodia tried to build roads and populate the [disputed] areas," claimed Voranuch Pimthong, staff member at the government's Savings Bank in Si Sa Ket who is helping the evacuees.

"It's like they don't keep their word," she said, referring to the short-lived ceasefire agreement during the weekend between the two sides. "We don't trust Cambodians. It's like Cambodians like to lie. They lie and cheat when trading with us."

In that same makeshift camp, stronger Thai-Cambodian ties can be detected, however.

Rice farmer Luan Thai-Orm, 45, from Bhumi Salor village along the border, was born a Cambodian but crossed the border more than 20 years ago to marry a Thai wife and take up Thai citizenship. He fled with his wife and three children and doesn't know when they can return home. The village school has been destroyed by a bomb.

Asked which side started the act of aggression, he said he doesn't know. "Thais and Cambodians are like brothers who do not want to bow to one another," he said. His wife, Thae Thai-Orm, said she had lost contact with relatives on the Cambodian side of the border. "I don't feel happy. It's hard for us to make a living and so the PAD should not think about coming here," she said.

Since last Friday, some 4,000 people have begun living under tents and building structures around Kantharalak district office. They said they had access to adequate food and water supplies but there were no mosquito nets for most of them. Pillows were also in need, the villagers said.

Bhum Jai Thai MP Udomlak Pengpornpat and her team have been a visible presence, lending some large tents with her name printed on them. A male staff member of the MP tried to cheer people up by urging them to sing nationalistic songs - and some rather immodest ones too.

A famous local monk arrived in the afternoon in his new Bt50 million Rolls Royce to provide amulets and words of assurance to the mostly poor villagers.

Elsewhere, a 70-year-old grandmother said her house was looted and among items stolen was her silver wedding bowl. Some villagers said they were considering selling their rice at low prices as they're afraid of thieves. Others are thinking of selling their cows and water buffaloes. Rubber from trees grown in the area has been found tapped by thieves as more and more men return to their villages to look after their houses and belongings.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

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Needless deaths, murky motives behind Thailand-Cambodia flare-up

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Warrants out for suspects behind Pattani attack

By The Nation

Arrest warrants have been issued for four suspects who were allegedly involved in the shooting of five people at a Buddhist village in Pattani's Panare district on February 3, a senior official said yesterday.

Pol LtGeneral Paithoon Chuchaiya, chief of the Police Operation Centre for Southern Border Provinces, told a meeting yesterday that after investigation, the police had gathered sufficient evidence to get arrest warrants, but declined to provide details.

Paithoon was speaking at a forum held to follow through on the unrest in the South and honour 43 police officers for their outstanding work.

In related news, a village security volunteer was killed and his wife seriously injured at a 6.30am shooting yesterday in Yala's Yaha district.

Mahama Sulong, 58, and his wife Corsiya, 49, were riding a motorbike down a rural road in Tambon Baro, when two men on a motorbike showed up and shot at them. The two were rushed to Somdet Phrayupparat Hospital where Mahama was pronounced dead.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

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Plans underway for revered monk's cremation ceremony

By The Nation

UDON THANI

A large number of disciples and followers yesterday continued to pay respects to the late highlyrevered monk Luangta Maha Bua Yanasampanno for 10 consecutive days.

The monk's will requested donated money be used to buy gold bars for the national reserve; and the amount received between January 30 and February 7 has now reached Bt37 million.

The yesterday meeting to prepare the royallysponsored cremation ceremony for Luangta Maha Bua was also told that HRH Princess Chulabhorn would visit the temple every week until the cremation ceremony completed. The meeting also discuss the temporary crematorium plan and proposed for the 15plot parking lot to extend to 19 plots or two million square meters.

The crematorium construction so far progressed at 70 per cent.

They also discuss solutions for preventing outsiders to bring goods to sell in the temple compound, the overwhelming amount of garbage despite three trashcollecting rounds, and the insufficient toilets that might need mobile toilets as backup.

The Udon Thani provincial administrative organization also arranged two vans and two sixwheel trucks to transport people from the Thung Sri Muang to Wat Ban Tad freeofcharge everyday from 10am to 4pm until the cremation day. The electricity authority also installed three 160KV transmitters in addition to the temple's 250KV transmitter and prepare to send a mobile 500KV transmitter truck for the temple on the cremation day.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

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AFP: UN chief seeks to end Thai-Cambodia border clashes

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Policy interest hike holds despite higher risks, says Bank of Thailand

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Top military leaders inspecting border

By The Nation

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha on Wednesday flew to Si Sa Ket to visit troops and get a briefing on border situation at Kataralak district.

Kataralak was bombarded by Cambodian artillery on Friday.

During the inspection trip, Prawit and Prayuth have scheduled to attend the funeral of two soldiers killed in the border skirmishes.

The bathing rite for Sergeant Thanakorn Poonperm, who sustained injuries and died yesterday, will be held at Ubon Ratchathani.

The cremation for Rucharin Chartkamdee, promoted poshumously to the rank of captain, is to take palce at Sakon Nakhon.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled to fly to New York next week to explain the border issues at the United Nations.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

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PRESS RELEASE

Press Conference on the Current Situation along the Thai-Cambodian Border

February 9, 2011, 12:48 am

On 7 February 2011, the Royal Thai Government held a press conference by Mr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesperson, Mr. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Royal Thai Army Spokesperson, on the current situation along the Thai-Cambodian border at Government House. Gist as follows:

The Royal Thai Army Spokesperson, recounting what had transpired in the border areas, stated that on 4 February 2011, Cambodian troops opened fire on two Thai military posts at Phu Ma Khua and Pha Mor I Dang, and a Thai village in Si Sa Ket Province of Thailand along the Thai-Cambodian border. Thai troops responded with gun fire in self-defence. Then, on 5 February 2011, gunfights broke out briefly again as Cambodia resumed their hostility by firing at Thai troops. Later that morning, once the clashes had subsided, military commanders from both sides met and agreed to a ceasefire and not to reinforce their troops along the border. Thailand’s good intention was clearly evident as the Commanding General of the 2nd Army Region of the Thai side authorized that same afternoon the opening of three border passes in the area. However, Cambodia broke the ceasefire agreement when fresh clashes erupted on the evening of 6 February as, once again, Cambodian troops fired on Thai troops. The clashes over the past three days resulted in the death of one civilian and one Thai military personnel and injured 12 civilians and 13 Thai military personnel. They also caused severe damage to Thai civilian properties and led to the evacuation of over six thousand Thai civilians residing along the border area.

Colonel Sansern stressed that the Thai side did not start the fighting. Thai troops had acted with utmost restraint. Nevertheless, Thailand had no choice but to exercise its inherent right to self-defence in response to Cambodia’s aggression. Thailand’s military action was aimed at protecting Thai sovereignty. Thailand’s response was both measured and proportionate to the threat and targeted only military objectives.

Mr. Chavanond, Secretary to the Foreign Minister, stated that on 5 February 2011, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya met with a group of foreign ambassadors and diplomatic representatives to Thailand from 16 countries to brief the latter on the recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. During the said briefing, the Minister reaffirmed that Thai troops responded only in self-defence, and that in doing so, the Thai troops had exercised maximum restraint and used force only as necessary, in a manner proportionate to the threat against them, with fire being directed only at military targets from where the attacks were launched by Cambodian troops. The Foreign Minister had also contacted his Cambodian counterparts and both agreed to convene a meeting of the Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) by the last week of February 2011.

The Secretary to the Foreign Minister further noted that Mr. Marty M. Natalegawa, Indonesian Foreign Minister, in his capacity as the current Chair of ASEAN, had expressed concerns regarding the situation and was scheduled to visit Thailand on 8 February 2011 to receive information on the matter – not to “mediate” – after visiting Cambodia. In addition, the Foreign Minister had sent a note dated 5 February 2011 to the President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to inform all UNSC member countries about the situation and Thailand’s position, reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to the UN Charter and to resolving the situation through peaceful means. He also sent a note to the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), pointing out to the latter that the inscription of the Temple of Phra Viharn on the World Heritage List had led to tension between the two countries, which was against UNESCO’s principle to promote culture and peace in the area. As such, any activity in relation to the inscription of the Temple of Phra Viharn should be avoided and bilateral negotiation on the matter between Thailand and Cambodia should be allowed to continue before proceeding further with the World Heritage issue.

Mr. Chavanond said that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would also send another note to the UNSC President on 7 February 2011 to underscore the fact that even though both countries had agreed to cease fire on 5 February 2011, Thailand was once again attacked by Cambodian troops on 6 February 2011. He further observed that with the fighting still ongoing, letters from the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister of Cambodia were successively released shortly after the Cambodian attacks were launched, which could indicate the pre-mediated and well-planned nature of these attacks to create a situation which would serve Cambodia’s political objective of internationalizing the issue. Thailand, on the other hand, maintained that the incident between Thailand and Cambodia is essentially a bilateral issue and should be resolved bilaterally.

On this part, the Acting Government Spokesperson expressed the Royal Thai Government’s sympathy for those who had lost their lives and their families, as well as for those who were injured or affected, especially the civilians living along the border. The Government was confident in the Royal Thai Army’s ability to handle the border situation and that they had the Government’s full support. The Royal Thai Government would do its utmost to safeguard Thailand’s sovereignty and protect its people.

Noting Cambodia’s attempt to involve other countries in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, Dr. Panitan stated that the Royal Thai Government appreciated concerns by friendly countries and international organizations on the matter. Be that as it may, he reaffirmed that existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Commission on the Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia (JC) and the JBC, remain appropriate channels to resolve the dispute.

The Acting Government Spokesperson emphasized that the Royal Thai Government has been fully transparent about what has transpired and would provide the Thai public as well as the international community with accurate information. He noted that Thailand’s openness and active participation in various international fora have helped the country gain the trust and confidence of the international community, and while Thailand is willing to cooperate with the international community, Thailand and Cambodia – with their overall bilateral relations continuing to move forward – should be allowed to resolve outstanding issues bilaterally and they are in the position to do so. The relevant Thai authorities have been coordinating closely with one another and engaged in discussion with their Cambodian counterparts at all levels. He noted that the recent clashes had provided a lesson that both sides must find a solution together.

Source: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=26491

-- MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 2011-02-09

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 983.63, down 0.10 points /MCOT

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Appellate verdict due for Da Torpedo

The appellate decision is due on Wednesday's morning on the lese majeste conviction for Daranee Chanchoengsilapakul, aka Da Torpedo.

Daranee, sentenced to serve 18 years in jail, is seeking to overturn her conviction and sentencing in connection with her anti-coup remarks in 2008.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

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Sisaket Provincial Governor Confident about Supporting Evacuees

The Sisaket provincial governor is confident that all evacuees will be well taken care of.

Security officers will further assess the situation at the border before allowing people to return to their homes.

Though the chaos at the border in Kuntaluk district of Sisaket province has quiet down since Monday, military officers are still guarding the area 24 hours a day.

The evacuation center in Kuntaluk district is crowded as evacuees continue to enter, while others have returned to the village to check on their belongings.

As for living conditions at the evacuation center, officers from both the government and the private sector have stepped in to help provide food and necessities.

The Army Region 2 Unit has also arranged water supplies to support the evacuees.

The number of evacuees has risen above 15,000, all of whom are scattered among 40 evacuation centers across the province.

Sisaket Provincial Governor, Somsak Suwansutrit, revealed that the 40 evacuation centers officially provided by the government will be adequate and are ready to provide food and necessities to facilitate the evacuees.

This includes arranging activities to help people relax in the face of this stressful situation.

Furthermore, special village security have been arranged to monitor homes during both day and night, to prevent robbery. So far, there has been one robbery reported in the village.

Tensions between the two countries have eased since an official ceasefire was established; however, about two more days are needed to assess the situation before allowing villagers to return to their homes.

Damage reports found that 7 houses have been completely destroyed, while 10 houses were partly damaged. Soldiers and state officials will help rebuild homes within 1 month.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-09

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Cabinet Approves Debt Relief for 80,000 Farmers

The Cabinet has approved debt relief for 80,000 farmers, as well as measures to curb the current palm oil shortage.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij announced after the weekly Cabinet meeting that the government has approved an unconditional debt relief for 80,000 farmers who have outstanding loans with the Farmers' Reconstruction and Development Fund.

The program will also be applicable to debtors who are now deceased or can no longer work.

Korn said the government does not want the farmers' children to be overburdened by their parents' debts.

The Cabinet has also approved a set of measures aimed to curb the current palm oil shortage.

The measures include a reduction of the quantity of palm oil used in the production of Biodiesel fuel, state support of Biodiesel production and sales, import of crude palm oil to meet the domestic demand, and a required reserve level.

Also, to regain consumer confidence, the state will cancel stockpiling at all levels.

Palm oil will be imported based on actual demands for both household and industrial purposes.

The government will also facilitate streamlining of the market and retail mechanisms to maximize benefit for consumers.

Korn also pledged that the import procedure will be closely and continuously monitored to bring market equilibrium.

Prior to this, the government approved the import of an additional 120,000 tons of palm oil by next March.

The process will be supervised and distributed by the Public Warehouse Organization and the Commerce Ministry.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-09

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Smartphones: Buy Now or Wait?

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BMA launches contest for best trees in Bangkok

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UNESCO to send delegation to inspect Preah Vihear Temple; Cambodia denies temple used as base to attack Thailand /TAN_Network

MFA says PM has talked to UN secretary-general about conflict with Cambodia; insists on bilateral talks with Cambodia /TAN_Network

Defense minister and 2nd Army Region commander visits border area; hopes to see peace soon /TAN_Network