Thailand Live Wednesday 23 Feb 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 23 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 Tuesday 22 Feb 2011

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Suthep: Southern solutions on right direction

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban believes the persisting southern unrest in the country is being solved in the right direction although a spate of violent incidents continue over the past few months.

Mr Suthep stated that he remains concerned about the continuous violence in the three southernmost provinces. He said all official units, not only police and military personnel, must give good collaboration by tightening their duties to help prevent possible unrest.

On 21 February 2011, a car bomb went off in the southernmost province of Yala, killing one and injuring 17 people on the scene. A week earlier an explosion took place in the same province.

The deputy prime minister has instructed security officers and civilians to improve their security measures, especially the operation to seal off suspected areas and comb risky spots more frequently. He admitted that local residents might get some inconvenience from the operations.

Upon a news report about police extorting money from people in the southern area, Mr Suthep called on the people who have any information to report to the police at once.

-- NNT 2011-02-23

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Thai Border Residents to Seek Cambodia's Compensation

A subdistrict chief in Si Sa Ket province is rallying villagers affected by the recent shelling from Cambodia to demand compensation from the Cambodian government.

Saothongchai subdistrict chief Weerayut Duangkaew from Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district said that since the series of clashes between Thai and Cambodian border forces from February 4 to 16, a large number of villagers living next to the disputed Preah Vihear Temple area have been deeply affected by the fighting.

Villagers complained the Cambodian artillery shelling targeted Thai civilian areas, causing collateral damage to homes and private properties as well as killing a villager Charoen Pahom.

The villagers said a total of seven houses were destroyed and many rai of rubber fields and farmland were damaged by the Cambodian artillery fire.

Weerayut said that more than 25,000 villagers along the border were displaced by the clashes as they had to be evacuated to designated emergency centers.

He called on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to take responsibility for initiating the latest round of clashes along the border.

Weerayut went on to say that he has talked with the village chiefs, Si Sa Ket's local administration officials and affected locals to demand justice and compensation from the Cambodian government in a total sum of three billion baht for the damage.

He added that he is gathering necessary information and documents along with a petition from the affected villagers.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-23

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Seven Thai Red Shirt Leaders Freed On Bail

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Two Russian Tourists Injured In Assault And Robbery

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Phuket Consuls Keep Pressure On Tuk-Tuk, Jet-Ski Scams

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Thai Air Force Pilots itching to fly latest Gripens, seen as a new force in the region

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Indonesia to send observers

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33m litres cooking oil available in Thailand in 15 days

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Govt to extend subsidies until July

By The Nation

Cabinet yesterday decided to extend subsidy measures, such as free electricity and free bus and train rides, for another four months until June 30. The extension is expected to require another Bt9 billion.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij had proposed that the extension be for four months instead of two, so authorities could assess whether the free power scheme could be made permanent, Deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said. Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva also asked him about studying the possibility of making free bus and train rides permanent.

Korn reported that the first six phases of these measures, from Feb 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, cost the country Bt35.6 billion.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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State power coming to Phi Phi

By The Nation

Krabi

Phi Phi Island residents were overjoyed yesterday to learn they would be able to access state-run electricity within six months, as the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department will allow power poles to be erected in the Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

The poles-in-the-park decision followed a visit to Bangkok by Phi Phi residents in December to ask the prime minister for an electricity service, said Krabi Governor Prasit Osathanon.

On Monday, the department signed a permit to allow the Krabi electricity authority to set up the power poles on a two-kilometre-long route across the park to reach residents wanting access to the much cheaper state-run power, he said.

Krabi electricity authority manger Suriya Prayoonwong said, after getting confirmation of the department's permission, they would proceed with construction which should be finished in six months.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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Thai physician demands probe into unfair dismissal

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Owner of 'Lavita Coffee' shot dead in Bangkok's Rama III park

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No Thais harmed in Christchurch quake

Thai people living in Christchurch, New Zealand, have escaped the 6.7magnitude earthquake that ripped through the city yesterday and killed at least 65 people, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said Tuesday.

There are some 8,000 Thai nationals living or studying in New Zealand, with 2,000 of them in Christchurch, Thani said.

The Thai Embassy has tried to get in touch with all Thais living there and has set up assistance centres at the Thai temples. Thani said the closure of the Christchurch airport had left four Thai travellers stranded, and the embassy would step in to help them out.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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Thai workers in Libya stop working following unrest

Thai workers in many parts of Libya have already stopped working in the wake of political unrest there but all are safe, Employment Department director general Jeerasak Sukhontachart said Tuesday.

Now, there are about 23,600 Thai workers in Libya. Most of them are in construction sector.

According to Jeerasak, employers in Tripoli and Benghazi have suspended any work because going out could expose workers to a risk.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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Muslim man shot dead in Pattani

Pattani - A Thai Muslim was killed in a drive-by shooting in this southern border province Tuesday afternoon.

Police said Manase Kortae, 38, was shot and killed by a pillion rider while he was riding his motorcycle back home at 12:30 pm.

He was shot at while riding past a school in Juraebong village in Tambon Taluboh in Muang district.

The two assailants sped off on their motorcycle after gunning down Manase, a member of the village committee.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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Mae Sai school shut after horror smash

By Chinnapat Chaiyamon

The Nation

CHIANG RAI

The Bandai Thepkanchana-upatham School in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, which lost the bulk of its teachers - killed or injured - in a horror bus crash on Monday, closed yesterday pending a search for temporary replacement staff.

The school had only two fit staff members, as 11 of the 13 killed and 16 of the 17 injured in the crash, were teachers.

Police and emergency services were alerted to the tragedy at about 7.30am, after the bus plunged into a ravine by the road in Nan's Song Khwae district. Aside from the teachers, the driver and bus conductor were also killed.

Yesterday, the two remaining teachers, Natthawuth Mahasen and Thitiwat Fantangcheu, told the parents of 465 students the school was currently unable to manage their kids due to lack of staff. The school atmosphere was quiet and empty.

Relatives of the teachers took their bodies for funerals yesterday at hometowns, mostly in Phayao and Chiang Rai.

The funeral for Sunantha Kaewkhampoung, 32, a teacher from Ban Dai, was a scene of grieving yesterday, by her relatives, especially her husband Seksan, 31, and their two-year-old son.

Chedi Detchapan, deputy director of Chiang Rai Educational Service Area Office 3, presided over a meeting at the Mae Sai school yesterday for 15 teachers from around the area to help solve the sudden crisis. There was concern about today, as students had been slated to take the National Test (NT), and the end of the month when students are due to sit their final exams.

Chedi expressed hope that relief teachers could pick up the work well and that the students' exams would not need to be postponed. He said they would assist the victims as much as possible and that teachers who were in the Teacher Friends' Association were entitled to Bt100,000 for funeral costs.

In Nan, local public health official Dr Pisit Sriprasert said yesterday doctors had operated throughout Monday night and managed to save nine teachers. The nine were now stable and recovering, except for teacher Kanda Saramit, who suffered a brain haemorrhage and needed further surgery at Central Lampang Hospital.

School director Somsak Leurat remained in Intensive Care but he was said to be recovering well, and should be able to go home later this week. Other injured teachers were released to go home.

Relatives of 12 of the 13 killed had claimed their bodies. Only the body of bus driver Saravuth Chaipan was still waiting to be claimed by relatives at press time.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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Drug rings may be behind Thailand's deep South insurgency

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ISA extended till March 25

By The Nation

Cabinet yesterday approved extended enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) from tomorrow till March 25, national police chief General Wichean Potephosree said.

Under a recommendation from the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, enforcement of the law will cover seven districts in central Bangkok - Dusit, Pom Prab, Phra Nakhon, Pathumwan, Wangthonglang, Watthana and Ratchathewi.

The security measures are designed to rein in protests by the red and yellow shirts.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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PAD leaders report to police

By The Nation

Ten leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), including Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang, went to police yesterday to answer charges related to their protest while the Internal Security Act is in force.

Sondhi said he and other PAD leaders had complied with the summonses issued by the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order.

After denying any violation of the ISA, the 10 leaders completed the booking process and promised to submit written statements within 30 days.

Emerging from the meeting with police, Sondhi said his defence team was exploring the possibility of a counter-suit for "wrongful enforcement" of the security law.

He vowed to carry on with the protest till the government agrees to cancel the 2000 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on resolving border disputes.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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MCOT labour union files complaints over management

By The Nation

The MCOT labour union yesterday urged Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to look into the management of the organisation, alleging that some top executives lacked transparency and good governance.

The union's chairwoman Orawan Chudee met and submitted the petition to the premier at Government House.

"Our labour union believes the chairman and some other top executives have been running MCOT without transparency, without good governance and without efficiency," she said.

The MCOT chairman is Suraphol Nitikraipots, while Tanawat Wansom is the president.

In its petition, the labour union questioned the management's decision to extend Channel 3's concession by another 10 years for a fixed fee of just Bt2 billion. Suraphol's initial suggestion that Channel 3 pay Bt405 million in compensation was opposed from some of the MCOT directors and outsiders.

The labour union also pointed out that MCOT had not received any income from its decision to let the True Visions cable network air commercials even though it had promised to pay MCOT 6.5 per cent of the income from ads.

The labour union also attacked MCOT executives' decision to procure the tele-presence system via a special process, and complained that the acting vice-president of the organisation had far too close personal ties with the president.

"The MCOT executives also lack clear business plans for the organisation's future," the petition added.

Abhisit said he would hand the petition over to the minister in charge of MCOT, after which the organisation's executives and chairman would be summoned to provide explanations.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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Protesters seek answers over dam floodgates

By The Nation

The Cabinet has not decided when Pak Moon Dam's floodgates will be opened to release water but it has assigned ministries to look for a solution, government deputy spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said yesterday.

The lawmakers have also approved Bt310,000 as rehabilitation money for each family affected by the construction and operation of the dam, he said.

About 1,000 supporters of the People's Movement for Justice Society gathered in front of Government House yesterday to push the Cabinet's consideration of the issue. The protesters included many groups affected by the project, such as the Assembly of the Poor and the Four Regions Slum Network.

The group has been rallying at Royal Plaza since last week calling for compensation and for Cabinet to approve the floodgates remaining open for five years. They are currently opened for four months per year.

Opening the gates will allow villagers in Ubon Ratchathani to continue earning a livelihood from fishing. Prayong Doklamyai, adviser to the Land Reform Network, said the Cabinet had told the Agriculture and Energy Ministries to study the situation and propose a solution in two weeks.

Meanwhile, the group will continue rallying because only four of the 28 issues raised by the group have been brought before Cabinet.

Prayong said the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry had opposed the idea of opening the gate continuously, saying it might affect the irrigation system.

Two governmentappointed committees, including academics and the network's representatives, have studied the problems related to Pak Moon Dam. Both reported the dam construction had affected local ecology and people's way of life. Moreover, the dam is not needed for electricity generation as Huay Hoh Dam provides sufficient power and Nam Theun Dam 2 will be operating soon.

-- The Nation 2011-02-23

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Being inquisitive does pay off in the long run; Thai society

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Thai central bank to implement monetary policy based on core inflation

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 990.76, up 3.55 points /MCOT

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Freed reds a first step for reconciliation: Kanit

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DSI Found No Hoarding at Factory in Petchaburi

The Office of the Consumer and Environmental Protection Board, together with the Department of Special Investigation and the Department of Internal Trade in Phetchaburi province, searched an palm oil energy company, as investigation into palm oil hoarding continues..

Director of the Consumer and Environmental Protection Board Noppadon Ratanasatien, chief investigator of the DSI Lieutenant Colonel Sarawut Boonsiriyothin, and a representative from the department of internal trade in Phetchaburi province have searched Palm Oil Energy Industries, the producer of the brand 'Waew' palm oil.

Investigators said they found no hoarding.

The production plant reported that they usually produce at 4,000 tons per month.

The company was awarded a quota of 1,950 tons of palm oil production and have already produced up to their quotas.

They will allocate the remaining 10,000 trunks of palm oil to their customers as ordered by the Department of Internal Trade.

Noppadon said that they have found no hoarding at the companies they investigated in Phetchaburi province.

He said all factories are producing at their given quotas and are allocating all products to their customers.

The DSI will continue to search factories in Samut Prakarn and Samut Sakhorn provinces.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-23

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Red Shirts bail a sham to rig judicial process: Suriyasai

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Army Chief: No Cease-fire Deal Signed with Cambodia

The Army chief says no cease-fire deal was made in the recent meeting between the Royal Thai Army chief of staff and the deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.

He explained that the meeting covered discussions on efforts to relieve local residents affected by border disputes.

Army Chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha said regarding a meeting between Chief of Staff General Dapong Rattanasuwan and Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, Lieutenant General Hun Manet, son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, that the two met to discuss cooperation to reduce the impact of the territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia on local residents along the border.

He noted that no cease-fire agreement was signed at the meeting, saying the deal is subject to approval by the Parliament first.

Prayuth affirmed that the Army will not do anything that puts the nation at a disadvantage.

Regarding the visit on Monday by foreign military representatives to observe the situation in disputed areas, the Army chief said it's good for Thailand, as the international community will get to see in person the events that happened.

He added that the Army is ready to welcome delegates from Asean to observe the border situation.

Meanwhile, Prayuth blamed societal divide as a major obstacle preventing the military from carrying out its duty effectively.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-23