Thailand Live Monday 21 Feb 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 21 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 Saturday 19 Feb 2011

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Govt asks Indonesia to send observers

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Thai govt 'can solve' palm oil crisis: PM Abhisit

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ECONOMY

Inflation biggest challenge for Thailand's monetary policy-makers

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'Thais in four hot-spots all ok; evacuation plans ready'

By The Nation

Despite unrest in Libya, Iran, Yemen and Bahrain, all Thais there were safe and had not expressed any intention to return home at this point, Department of Information director general Thani Thongphakdi said yesterday.

"But we have been closely monitoring the situation," he said, "We also have evacuation plans if violence erupts".

He said there were about 4,000 Thais in Bahrain, 2,500 Thais in Libya, 500 Thais in Iran, and 122 Thais in Yemen. He advised Thais in those countries to strictly abide by curfews for their own safety. "Thai embassies have already been in contact with them," Thani said. Although there is no Thai embassy in Yemen, all Thais there had been contacted and were under the care of the Thai embassy in Oman.

Thani said communication systems and airports were still functioning as normal in Libya, Iran, Yemen and Bahrain.

-- The Nation 2011-02-21

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EDUCATION

Chulalongkorn University (CU) aims to be a world-class university with a mission

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Northern teak farmers cash in on carbon credits

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Sakon Nakon

Three years ago, villagers at Sakon Nakhon province's Kubat village could not have imagined how a tree, through its ability to capture carbon and safely store it over long period, could make money for them.

Now their dreams have come true as the US Michigan State University has signed a contract worth Bt900,000 with the 40 villagers to purchase carbon credits from their 625 rai teak plantation.

More than 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be captured from the smallholder agro-forestry lands in three provinces of the northeastern part of Thailand, including Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, and Nakhon Phanom.

These credits will be sold on the Chicago Climate Exchange - the first US voluntary pilot programme for trading of greenhouse gases. The value today is around US$4.25 (Bt130) per tonne of carbon dioxide.

Chetpong Butthep, a National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) policy and planning senior expert, who oversees the project,

said the contract to sell and buy

carbon credit between villagers in three provinces and Michigan State University was the country's

first carbon credit sale to a

foreign carbon market.

The contract is part of a developing smallholder agro-forestry carbon offset project. It was initiated by the NRCT, Mahasarakham University and Michigan State University in 2007 to work with Inpang Community Network and selected farmers, who own teak plantations that could capture carbon dioxide and sell credit to the market.

The Inpang Community Network is a group of local farmers in northeast Thailand embracing the principles of the "Sufficiency Economy". Most previously planted and earned money from cassava. After learning that teak - which could be used in construction or furniture - could make a lot more money than cassava, they started planting teak trees fifteen years ago. Now they make money by preserving the teak plantations and selling carbon credits to markets, instead of cutting and selling the teak.

The contract with Michigan State University will expire in the next two years. Chetpong said he wanted to persuade local industries to be a part of the climate change mitigation plan by continuing to buy carbon credit from plantations and trading it on the voluntary carbon market.

A 35-year-old farmer, Tanakorn Promburom, who was the country's first farmer to receive Bt30,000 from Michigan State University from his 70 rai teak plantation, said he never thought an intangible property like carbon dioxide could make money for him.

But he had decided to join the project after learning from the NRCT and Mahasarakham University staff how carbon dioxide storage in his plantation could make money for him.

"It was not all about money," he said.

"Actually, I wanted to be a model for other villagers and show them how we could make money from selling an intangible thing like air without cutting and selling trees. We also could save the world," the farmer who has planted teak for 15 years said.

-- The Nation 2011-02-21

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CAPO move to extend internal security law

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Thailand to host Informatics 2011

By The Nation

Thailand will host the 23rd International Olympiad in Informatics or IOI 2011, to be attended by students from 84 countries across the world.

The IOI 2011 will be held from July 22-29 at Royal Cliff Beach Resort Pattaya in Chon Buri province.

The international competition is an academic activity aimed at encouraging ideas about using computers to develop teaching and learning. It seeks to inspire students to become computer personnel in response to fast modern Information Technology, Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Chirametakorn told a press conference last Friday.

He said Thailand's hosting the international competition showed other countries had confidence about the Kingdom, and it would take the chance to promote Thai culture through the event.

The first IOI was in 1989. Since then Thai students have won 11 gold, 26 silver and 32 bronze medals at IOI events.

The Education Ministry and Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology will jointly organise the competition.

-- The Nation 2011-02-21

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Karaoke bars shut in Narathiwat town

By The Nation

Narathiwat

More than 60 karaoke lounges and other night-time entertainment venues in the Narathiwat town were closed yesterday in the wake of a car bomb and shooting attack that injured 20 people on Saturday night.

Of the victims, 12 remained hospitalised with one in intensive care.

An ongoing investigation suggested the attackers, who opened fire on the Maya karaoke lounge, fired an M79 grenade into another karaoke bar, and set off a car bomb in front of Dao Phrajan massage parlour, were from the same gang.

Two suspects were captured on security cameras. One was a tall middle-aged man. He was seen pulling up a silver bronze pickup in front of the massage parlour at 4.10pm on Saturday. He drove away as soon as a Mitsubishi car came closer at 4.23pm. This car took over the spot and had the bomb that later exploded and injured many victims.

The car driver was a tall man in a yellow T-shirt. He left the car and walked toward a nearby market.

According to police, the attackers opened fire on the Maya karaoke lounge on Na Nakhon Road to lure security officials to a spot near the car bomb, just 100 metres away.

Two waitresses at the Maya karaoke lounge were injured.

Detailed examination revealed sophisticated skills were used to make the car bomb, thought to have been triggered by a cell-phone or an MCR switch. The latter would mean a decision by security officials to turn on a phone-signal jamming device could not prevent it going off.

The car with the bomb had a fake licence plate. The serial number on the car's clutch was also removed in an apparent attempt to prevent officials tracking down to the owner and culprits behind the blast.

Police who inspected the M79 grenade inside Sao Loei karaoke bar on Ra-Ngae Mankha Road believed all incidents were related and carried out by the same group of attackers.

The grenade was believed to have fired at another karaoke bar but bounced onto the road and near to Sao Loei karaoke bar. Fortunately, no one was injured by the blast.

Spent M16 bullet cases found at the Maya karaoke bar showed that the attackers were linked to the raid on a military post in Narathiwat on January 19, in which four soldiers were killed and six others injured.

-- The Nation 2011-02-21

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Heroin suspects paraded in Chiang Mai.

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Internal Security Act Could Be Extended

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US Embassy BKK is closed today for American President's Day - honoring Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. /via@KristieKenney

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Scores of businesses close after shootings and bombing in southern Thailand

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Assistant Chief of Staff leads ASEAN military attache corps to Phum Srol village to observe army operations, effects of border clashes /MCOT

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Weather bureau issues warning for possible rainstorm during Feb 21-22; rising temperature in N,, NE, Bangkok: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,000.37, up 4.80 points /MCOT

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Thailand Prepared for Asean Meeting Tomorrow

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called a meeting with officials to discuss the ongoing Thai-Cambodian dispute ahead of the upcoming Asean ministerial meeting.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva met with the foreign and natural resources and environment ministers at the Foreign Ministry to define Thailand's policy on addressing the current Thai-Cambodian border dispute ahead of the upcoming Asean ministerial meeting on February 22 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Abhisit said after the meeting that Thailand will clarify its stance at the meeting of all 10 Asean foreign ministers on Tuesday, which is to settle the border dispute through bilateral mechanisms.

Foreign Minister Kasit Phiromya said Head of the Joint Boundary Committee Asada Jayanama has already sent a letter to Phnom Penh inviting its head delegation to meet in Bangkok.

Asada will be responsible for discussing border demarcation at the joint committee meeting.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is expeceted to send a letter to his counterpart, General Teah Bahn, to request to hold a General Border Committee in the middle of the year to discuss border security arrangements.

Second Army Region Thawatchai Samutsakhon is also expected to call for the Regional Border Committee.

Concerning allegations that the Army Chief-of-Staff General Dapong Rattanasuwan's met with Deputy Army Commander General Hun Manet to discuss a formal permanent ceasefire, Abhisit said that it was just a regular talk to discuss an area management plan at the local level.

At any rate, the prime minister pointed out that he talked with the director of the UNESCO about the sensitivity of the issue surrounding the disputed 4.6 kilometer square meters around the Preah Vihear Temple.

Abhisit vowed that Thailand would protect its sovereignty saying that the World Heritage Committee should not interfere in the dispute.

The UNESCO director has pledged that it will only administer the archeological site, not the land.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-21

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Two dead, several injured as bus carrying teachers from Chiang Rai's Mae Sai plunges into ravine in Nan; rescue workers help 30 others trapped in bus /MCOT

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PAD: Thailand to Lose Land Permanently in Ceasefire Agreement

The People’s Alliance for Democracy has pointed out that a ceasefire agreement would cause Thailand to lose land unconditionally as Cambodian troops would still remain on Thai soil, while Thailand will not be able to defend its sovereignty.

Key leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy Chamlong Srimuang insisted that the government should expel Cambodians who have settled on Thai soil before a ceasefire agreement is reached.

He explained that the agreement would allow Cambodia to seize complete control of the disputed area and put Thailand at a disadvantage.

However, Chamlong stressed that his stance was not intended as a rejection of peace, adding he was of the view that Thailand is wasting money on military operations, since Thai soldiers are unable to take any action despite having powerful armed forces.

He noted that it seems that some influential figures in the government are trying to protect their own interests along the border by taking no military action.

Spokesperson for the People’s Alliance for Democracy Panthep Phuaphongphan is of the same opinion as Chamlong.

He said that Cambodia must move out of the area or else they will seize the disputed land which belongs to Thailand.

He pointed out that the ceasefire agreement will result in no advantage for Thailand as it will lose the disputed area for good.

Panthep went on to say that failure to expel Cambodia from the disputed area and to revoke the MOU signed in 2000 would prevent Thailand from exercising military power if needed.

He added that a ceasefire agreement is only needed because of the government's negligence.

Panthep said that the situation is unlikely to improve if Abhisit Vejjajiva remains in office.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-21

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Military attaches from 14 countries visit disputed border

Deputy Army Chief-of-Staff Lt Gen Sirichai Distthakul Monday led 14 foreign military attaches to visit a village in Si Sa Ket near the Thai-Cambodian border skirmishes.

Sirichai told reporters before leaving for Si Sa Ket that the foreign military attaché would be let to the Bhumsarol village to be briefed of the situation by local officials.

Sirichai said the foreign attaches had been briefed of the clashes by Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on February 8 and now they would travel to see the site.

The 14 countries are eight Asean nations, except Cambodia, and China, France, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States, Sirichai said.

-- The Nation 2011-02-21

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Higher number of foreign tourists on direct flights to Chiang Mai airport

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Foreign Affairs Minister Announces Upcoming ASEAN Meeting Agenda

The Foreign Affairs Minister has announced the agenda items that will be discussed at Tuesday's Asean meeting.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Phiromya has announced the agenda for Tuesday's Asean meeting of all foreign ministers in Jakarta.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, and Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Kasit said that at the upcoming meeting, they will discuss matters concerning regional issues, while the Thai-Cambodian conflict will be one of the topics on the meeting agenda.

At the meeting they will continue discussing the United Nations Security Council or UNSC resolution, which asks Thailand and Cambodia to solve the border conflict through bilateral mechanisms, and demands a permanent ceasefire between the two nations.

The Thai government reiterated that it is ready to hold bilateral talks with Cambodia under the Joint Boundary Commission or JBC, General Border Committee or GBC, and Regional Border Committee or RBC to resolve the border conflict.

Thailand has sent a letter to invite Cambodia to join the JBC meeting which will be held in Bangkok, and has sent a letter to Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Tean Banh asking Cambodia to host another GBC meeting.

Moreover, Thailand has requested that Indonesia send in representatives to observe the Thai armed forces' operations at the border, which will allow the Asean chairman to see that Thailand is not instigating the ongoing violence.

The foreign affairs minister reaffirmed that no formal documents have been signed concerning the ceasefire agreement.

He explained that the meeting of Army Chief of Staff General Daopong Rattanasuwan and the Cambodian Army's Deputy Commander Hun Manet, son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was only an informal meeting with no binding resolutions.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-21

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Thais Call Govt for Faster Solutions to Economic Problems

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Commerce Minister Denies Corruption in Palm Oil Crisis

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M79 Fired at Karaoke in Narathiwat

Violence continued over the weekend after an insurgent fired an M-79 grenade into a karaoke bar in Narathiwat province.

Meanwhile, security authorities have made progress in the investigation into last Saturday's car bomb attack.

Insurgents fired an M-79 grenade into a karaoke bar in Narathiwat province on Saturday night.

No casualties were reported as the bar was vacant during the attack.

According to investigators, the grenade was most likely fired from an ice factory located across the street.

The authorities believe the attack was carried out by the same group responsible for the car bomb attack in Yala province last week.

Meanwhile, police have made progress in the investigation into last Saturday's car bomb attack, after discovering that an explosive was hidden in a Mitsubishi Lancer.

The insurgents also filed off the vehicle identification number to make the investigation more difficult.

The investigation team also found that the explosive device was connected to a detonator on a cellphone and a timer in case there was a radio frequency jammer in the area.

At the same time, the 12 people who were injured in the attack have been trasnferred to a local hospital, while one victim remains in critical condition.

Additionally, local police have been ordered to set up security checkpoints throughout the province to step up security.

Law enforcement authorities are working with military and administrative authorities to track down those responsible, while inspections for explosives or weapons that could be used in future attacks are being carried out thoroughly.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-21

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Govt to Decide on Additional Palm Oil Imports Tomorrow

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Border Situation Improves, Fewer Clashes Reported

Aid money has been sent to the border clash victims in the northeastern province of Sisaket, after clashes have died down.

Sisaket provincial governor Somsak Suwansujarit said that the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border has improved.

Somsak said there were no clashes last week, dispite some gunfire from the Cambodian side.

The improved situation has made local residents feel more at ease after having been under severe stress after clashes broke out last month.

When asked about the progress being made in repairing the damaged houses, he said that compensation for the losses has been increased from 200,000 baht to 500,000 baht per home.

As for damages to rubber plantation, he said an inspection to assess losses is underway.

He went on to say that urgent financial aid, worth 1,000 baht will be dispensed to the villagers of two sub-districts in Kantoralak district that are located along the border.

News reports suggested that border trade in Phusing district remains sluggish and no tourism activity has taken places in recent days dispite the situation having improved.

However, scores of Cambodians continue to enter Thailand via a border gate in the Kabchung district of Surin province to buy household items and shops on both Thai and Cambodian territories.

Meanwhile, Thai gamblers have also continued their trips to two Cambodian casinos over the border.

Concerning the border situation near the Ta Kwai and Ta Mun Thom temples in Surin province, paramilitary rangers have been stationed around the clock to maintain peace, despite tensions there having subsided.

Dispite the improved climate, there were two explosions reported on Sunday morning near the Phu Makhua area.

No injuries were reported and Thai authorities were instructed not to respond.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-21

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PAD against Thai-Cambodian ceasefire pact

BANGKOK, 21 February 2011 (NNT) – The People’s Alliance for Democracy has voiced its opposition with the permanent ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, reasoning that Thailand will be at risk of losing the disputed Preah Vihear Temple zone forever.

PAD Spokesperson Panthep Puapongpan stated that Thailand would be at a disadvantage because the agreement will turn the disputed Preah Vihear Temple area into a permanent peace zone, enabling Cambodia to proceed with its petition to register the century-old temple as a world heritage site. If the move is fulfilled, Thailand will never be able to claim back the land.

The spokesperson also said that Cambodia was expected to ask the International Court of Justice to provide interpretation of its 1962 verdict on the Preah Vihear Temple case as announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Besides, he said, the ceasefire pact bans using of heavy weapons, thus restricting the Thai military from showing the armed strength when necessary.

Mr Panthep demanded that the government supply clarifications on how it will expel all Cambodians away from the 4.6 square-kilometer overlapping zone if it insists that negotiations can protect the Thai sovereignty.

The spokesperson cited a PAD resolution as saying that a new government must cancel the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding signed with Cambodia, protest against the world heritage registration process and terminate the permanent ceasefire pact, in order to expel Cambodians from Thailand.

Meanwhile, another PAD key member Prapan Koonmee stated that the negotiation framework for the ceasefire agreement that the government entrusted the Thai troops to sign might violate Section 190 of the 2007 constitution requiring parliamentary approval prior to making any international agreement.

-- NNT 2011-02-21