Thailand Live Thursday 3 Mar 2011

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Thailand Live Thursday 3 March 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 Wednesday 2 Mar 2011

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Chuan deems censure debate good chance to explain

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Democrat Chief Advisor and former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has deemed the upcoming censure debate a very good opportunity for the government to explain its achievements and obstacles to the public.

Speaking about the censure motion against the Prime Minister and nine cabinet members, Mr Chuan stated that a no-confidence debate is part of the democratic system and provides the government with the chance to explain all suspicions raised by the opposition in Parliament.

The chief advisor viewed that the debate is a useful check-and-balance strategy enabling the public to learn truthful information about the current administration.

He added that the government’s victory in the censure debate has nothing to do with its stability.

Asked if the censure debate would affect the next election, Mr Chuan replied that it would depend on the evidence and how each cabinet member responded to queries of the opposition. He said ministers failing in their clarifications might bring problems to parties they belong to.

As for the proposed four days to be spent on the debate, the ex-prime minister said the period would be suitable or not depended on the debate’s content and the necessity of the content. He said the longer the debate, the better the government would be as it would have more time to explain data and information in detail.

The opposition has proposed a four-day censure debate to grill Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and nine cabinet members. Six of them are from the ruling Democrat Party while the rest are from the coalition Bhumjaithai Party.

-- NNT 2011-03-03

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Top Democrat Plays Down Rival's MP Candidate Listing

The Democrat Party's secretary general says he is not surprised that the son of his party's MP is an election candidate of the rival Pheu Thai Party.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is the Democrat Party's secretary general, said the listing of Warathit Chaiyanant, the son of Democrat MP Terdpong Chaiyanant, among the 300 or so constituency MP candidates of the rival Pheu Thai Party did not come as a surprise.

Suthep said it is normal during the period leading up to the election for MP candidates to switch party, particularly for the Pheu Thai Party which is trying hard to attract candidates from other parties.

He said the Democrats will not use this tactic, but will find newcomers as candidates.

Suthep affirmed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is still a suitable person to lead the Democrat Party in the next general election.

He commented that now is an opportune time for House dissolution and a general election unless political chaos breaks out again.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-03

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Thai Tourism Reported Safe From Local, Global Tensions

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Finnish tourist found dead in Phuket room

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Thai Doctors Develop New Test Kit For HIV Drug Resistance Testing

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TOURISTS

Focus on quality tourists, not quantity, urges PM Abhisit

(In photo: Mayomburi, a 5-star boutique hotel, is waiting for more wealthy tourists. It is located on Khao San Road, the haven of backpackers.)

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Political meddling leaves Thai Tiger Airways takeoff plans up in the air

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THAI TALK

Limiting land ownership? Not a chance; Thai Talk

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EDITORIAL

Handouts are not an investment in our future

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Ageless Santana lights up the sky

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Censure debate to start on Wednesday

By The Nation

Government and opposition whips have agreed the forthcoming censure debate will take place over four days starting on Wednesday.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob has until tomorrow to add the debate to Parliament's official schedule.

"The opposition will get 40 hours to scrutinise the PM and nine ministers," said government whip Warong Dechgitvigrom. "The ministers will get 20 hours to clarify." He said the govern-ment would conclude the debate from 7 to 9 pm on the final day, with the opposition having until 11pm to make its own concluding statements. Voting is scheduled for the following Sunday.

Nevertheless, Warong said, the government and opposition whips could not agree on the use of video clips during the debate. The government wants a joint committee to verify the clips before they are played in the chamber. The opposition disagrees. The matter is currently for Chai to consider.

The opposition originally suggested the debate start on Monday to keep the process to weekdays. But the government said it would be ready for the debate on Wednesday, Warong said. The government whip said the process to submit the motion for the censure debate had not been completed as the opposition's documents were not ready. The process should be completed today.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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New Zealand confirms identity of Thai

By Kwanhathai Malakarn

The Nation

Death certificate to be issued for Haruthaya; Thai team seeks dental records of missing girls

New Zealand's Identification Board yesterday confirmed that a Thai body retrieved from a collapsed CTV building in Christchurch was Haruthaya Luangsuraphisakul and would issue a death certificate for her, said Pol Lt General Jaramporn Suramanee, chief of the Justice Ministry's Forensic Science Office.

His forensic team confirmed the finding on Tuesday, and submitted a request to the board to release it yesterday.

Meanwhile, the team would use DNA testing to confirm a second body found under the same building was another of the missing Thais, he said. It had on one wrist a distinctive bangle with a Buddhist text, similar to those worn by Thais.

Jaramporn said he submitted the request to the board at 2pm yesterday. The board yesterday received requests to release seven bodies, six of whom were New Zealand citizens, and the other was Haruthaya.

Before reporting the confirmation to Royal Thai Police in Bangkok, the team had found fingerprints from the body's 10 fingers matched those of Haruthaya.

"After the death certificate is issued, it will be translated from English to Thai. The Thai Embassy in New Zealand can represent Haruthaya's relatives to bring her body back to Thailand," he said, adding that the Thai government would partially subsidise the expense and the family could request the government to advance payment for the full expense.

He expected the process would take one or two days.

"The mother of one of the missing Thais has emailed us a photo of a bangle given to her by her daughter. It looks similar to one on the body."

"However, we will have to wait for DNA test samples from parents in Thailand of the missing girls before confirming who it is," Jaramporn added.

Next, his team will compare the dental records of the missing Thais with Asian bodies. However, the records of one missing Thai, whom the team suspects is the body with the bangle, have not been sent to the team.

Jaramporn has asked the Medical Services Department to email her dental records to him and expected to receive them last night.

Jaramporn reported his team's progress to the Royal Thai Police through a teleconference and

said none of the missing Thais had been found undergoing treatment in hospital.

Police in Thailand yesterday emailed the team DNA test results of parents of Haruthaya, Wanphen Preeklang and Jitra Waithayatadapong while those of parents of Thanida Intarangkoon and Pimporn Liangchuae are expected to be sent tonight. They are trying to gather dental records of all five missing as this method is easier to confirm than by using DNA.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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7 red-shirt leaders to join March 12 rally

The seven red-shirt leaders will take part in the March 12 rally despite a warning to revoke their bail and the protest might last all night long coinciding with the following morning's censure vote, organisers said Wednesday.

"The protests will take place on March 12 and again on March 19 in order to demand justice for 150 red shirts still held in remand," redshirt chairwoman Thida Thawornseth said.

Thida said the rallies will continue until all the red shirts are freed from jail, arguing they have been unfairly held in remand despite weak evidence and politically-motivated charges.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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Freed red-shirt leaders to attend March 12 rally in Bangkok

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Thailand must show it is not an obstacle to peace

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Police refute DSI finding on shot cameraman

By The Nation

A senior police investigator yesterday described as "muddled" a Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conclusion that a Japanese cameraman was not shot by a soldier's M16 bullet during a clash with redshirt protestors at Khok Wua intersection on April 10 last year.

He said the report was based loosely on theory and not convincing or credible enough.

Pol Lt General Amnuay Nimmano was citing a report by DSI adviser Amphorn Jarujinda that cameraman Hiroyuk Muramoto was facing a column of soldiers when he died. He said the DSI jumped to the conclusion the fatal shot must have been fired from the direction of a group of red shirts confronting the troops. For this information they relied on the dead man's camera, in which the last shots shown were of soldiers.

"It turns out that the camera's lens was covered, and the camera did not work the moment he was shot. A person can turn in any direction when [hit by a bullet]," said Amnuay.

Amnuay did not respond to Amphorn's statement on Monday in which he, as a gun expert, confirmed the Reuters journalist was shot by an AK47, but not one registered in the Army or used by soldiers in a unit on duty in the area.

Amphorn is a former police scientific study chief and serves as an adviser to the DSI. His opinions, when submitted in a court trial, are as valid as those of experts, said Amnuay. He hinted Amphorn would maintain his stance on the source of the AK47 bullet when the case was completed by DSI and had gone to court.

"It's DSI's own theory, own leads, own investigation and own conclusion, without police getting involved, and based on nothing convincing or credible. To put it simply, the conclusion is simply muddled," Amnuay said.

The Pheu Thai Party yesterday lodged a complaint against Amphorn and DSI directorgeneral Tharit Phengdit, accusing them of malfeasance over the DSI conclusion that Muramoto was shot by a single AK47 bullet.

Both are accused of lying about a military weapons' list showing no AK47s were taken from the armouries, while a DSI investigation had earlier said Muramoto died through acts of soldiers, said the complaint.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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Jailed Thais won't appeal verdict

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Donations sought ahead of Luangta's cremation

By The Nation

As preparations for Luangta Maha Bua Yanasampanno's royally sponsored cremation on Saturday progress, the organisers are inviting people to donate money to the late monk's fundraising project for the national coffers.

A member of the funeral committee, Phra Ajarn Inthawai Santusatko, said yesterday that the project, launched by Luangta Maha Bua on April 12, 1997, would end on April 11 or 12. He urged people to make donations before that date, and especially this afternoon. Since January 30, donations totalled Bt268 million in cash and 53 kilograms of gold.

At Wat Ban Tad, an 8.3metreradius umbrella weighing 800 kilograms, made by 17 people, was set up in a practice run on Tuesday night to see if it would cover the revered monk's crematorium. It will be officially installed today.

Five thousand pieces of Indian oak have been piled up in front of the crematorium and 5,000 sets of monk robes prepared . Many people have set up tents in the premises.

Region 4 Police have called up six companies of policemen from Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Sakon Nakhon to provide security over the weekend.

Traffic police will man 10 intersections leading to the temple. Thirteen places, including Udon Thammanusorn School, will be used as temporary parking lots.

Udon Thani radio hosts and journalists have joined forces to set up a special news centre called "Kleun Ruamjai Thawai Luangta" ("Radiowaves Dedicated to Luangta"), and will broadcast information about the rites on FM 99, FM88 and FM 92.75.

Among people who visited the temple yesterday to pay their respects was Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and governors of 11 provinces that border Laos. In related news, tour firms are all smiles after a huge number of disciples in Songkhla booked buses to attend the cremation.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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HIV patient quits job as Thai social security won't pay for drug

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Film director Chittin dies at age 76

By THE NATION

Film director Charin "Chittin" Disyaniyom, 76, died yesterday morning from a severe lung infection. He was being treated at Bhumibol Hospital.

Chittin entered show business in 1957, and produced hits such as "Dok Bua" ("Lotus") in 1968 starring Mitr Chaibancha and Petchara Chaowarat; "Kaew Konlek" in 1971 starring Kanchit Kwangpracha, Petchara Chaowarat and Sa-ad Piampongsan; and "Ded Saratee" in 1977 starring Sorapong Chatri and Naowarat Yuktanan.

He also dabbled in television and produced popular dramas such as "Baan Sai Thong" and "Phan Tai Norasingha".

He is survived by son Thipthanin Disyaniyom, also a film director who is currently working on the TV drama "Phoo Yai Lee and Nang Ma".

Bathing rites take place today at 5pm in Pavilion 11 of the Phra Sri Mahathat Temple in Bangkok's Bang Khen district. The body will lie in state for seven days before being cremated.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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Change must come from the bottom: Prawase

By The Nation

Prawase Wasi, chairman of the Reform Assembly, yesterday called for change through government decentralisation and community empowerment to improve the political system and meet people's aspirations.

Reforms should be community-based, he said, as he coined the new term thesapiwat, or empowering each area to run its own affairs instead of relying on the central government.

He also warned of the seven dire consequences that Thailand could suffer if it failed to bring centralised power to an end. Without decentralisation, the military is bound to intervene, he said.

The dire consequences include the weakening of communities where handling of local affairs is concerned, an increased struggle at the central and local levels, a centralised education system, weakened bureaucracy, rampant corruption, a substandard political system, and conditions conducive to coups.

"In the future, national leaders should come from a pool of community leaders." He said politicians should first build a track record on their capability and honesty by working in local government before they gain prominence at a national level.

Change should come from the bottom, with people uniting and working together, he said. He called for local residents to set up a network of about 80,000 village councils to address their grievances instead of being under the control of the central government.

He said decentralisation would only succeed under seven conditions, including tax reform for the operation of local governments and legislation empowering communities to manage local affairs.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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Freed red-shirt leaders to attend March 12 rally in Bangkok

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NAKHON SI THAMMARAT

Community leaders fight powerplant project fiercely

By The Nation

Scheme will hurt local culture, food sources: residents

A number of community leaders in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday voiced fierce opposition to the plan to construct a coalfired power plant in their hometown.

"The locals don't want such a power plant, and community leaders across the province have come forฌward to make their voices heard," Boonchok Kaewkaem, chairman of the Tha Kheun Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO), said.

He added that residents had first voiced their opposition at the public forum held late last month, because they believed it would destroy their culture and natural abundance of food.

He said community leaders, espeฌcially those from the 29 TAOs, were now prepared to push for a local regฌulation that would protect their hometowns from unwanted developฌment projects introduced by the govฌernment.

Tha Sala Conservation Network chairman Wicharn Chavalit said he would give the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand 15 days to scrap the project and close its office in Tha Sala district.

"The locals are very upset about the project, and if Egat doesn't listen to me, it must understand its safety is at risk," Wicharn warned. "Egat will learn the hard way if it does not withฌdraw within the deadline."

He also plans to submit complaints with the National Human Rights Commission and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Meanwhile, Asst Prof Ladda Chiamwong from Walailak University in Tha Sala district said studies show that power plants have a serious impact on people's health.

Piyapon Boonkaew, a student at the university, said he planned to join a campaign that would educate resiฌdents about the negative impact of power plants. "We will hold activities every week," he said.

Egat executive Wiwat Chancherngpanich said he saw no reason why his officials would have to pull out of Tha Sala district.

"They are there to educate the locals about the current energy situation, and make them understand what would happen if the country cannot produce more power," he said, adding that though alternative energy was a good idea, it could not meet demands.

Despite the threat issued by Wicharn, staff continued working at the Tha Sala office as usual yesterday. Police said they had not been asked to provide protection.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

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AFP: ArcelorMittal takes 40% stake in Thai steel firm

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Mae Ai quake caused by energy

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Sirhan Sirhan, convicted assassin of Robert F. Kennedy, denied parole in California - AP /via@BreakingNews

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Thai mystery hotel death toll jumps to four

- Why are tourists deaths being played down?

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66-Hour Censure Debate to Begin Next Wednesday

The government and opposition whips have agreed to a 66-hour censure debate, which will be carried over four days.

Government Chief Whip Witthaya Kaewparadai announced after meeting with the Opposition chief whip that the censure debate will take five days starting next Wednesday.

The Opposition has been a lloted 40 hours to elaborate on points in support of the no-confidence motion, while targeted Cabinet ministers will get 20 hours to state their rebuttals.

Six hours has been alloted to both sides for extra discussions on any of the issues brought up before a conclusion is stated to end the debate.

The House will vote on the impeachment motion for nine cabinet ministers on Saturday, which will determine the fate of the current administration.

Opposition Chief Whip Withaya Buranasiri said he is satisfied with the duration alloted.

He said the Opposition will conduct a meeting to appoint party representatives who will participate in the debate soon.

Puea Thai Party MP for Bangkok Anudit Nakorntap said the Opposition will focus on three matters.

Seven debaters will focus on the violent dispersion of demonstrators last year, 18 to 22 debaters will focus on corruption, and 10 debaters will focus on the government's failure to administrate the country.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-03

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 992.88, up 5.29 points /MCOT