Thailand Live Monday 7 Mar 2011

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 998.71, up 2.80 points /MCOT

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TG945 from Rome, Italy lands with 45 Thai construction workers from Libya; around 400 more Thai laborers from Libya to arrive later today /TAN_Network

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Army chief affirms some missing weapons recovered while thief has been arrested; denied soldiers' involvement in torching of Central World /TAN_Network

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Ampol Food Forced to Import Coconuts As Shortage Looms

Leading food processor Ampol Food has been forced to import coconuts from overseas after domestic outputs have been on a decline since February last year.

The firm says it will also have to raise its prices.

Domestic sales manager of Ampol Food Processing Limited Sonthaya Worawong said coconut output has been low since February of last year, and a shortage could be expected soon.

He explained that more than 100,000 rai of coconut plantations were damaged by pests and widespread drought last year.

The manager said his company has been forced to import coconuts from overseas, which currently accounts for 70 percent of its total coconut stock.

According to Sonthaya, at least 100 tons of coconuts are used everyday in the manufacturing and processing of coconut-based products.

He expects the output problem to be settled within two years.

However, Sonthaya said that the current supply constraints will cause coconut prices to rise.

Fresh coconuts currently cost 40 baht a kilogram, while fresh coconut milk is selling at 65 to 70 baht.

He added that the price is expected to stay at current levels for at least another five months.

Ampol Food has raised the price of its coconut products twice, but promises that there will be no further hike from this month onwards.

Consumers have recently opted for packaged coconut milk since it is cheaper and can be kept longer.

Ampol Food has set a target of 30 percent growth this year, with sales volume of 2.2 billion baht.

Last year, the firm took in 1.6 billion baht in revenue, mostly from the sale of coconut cream products.

It is planning to improve market strategies for other product lines, to better cater to consumer needs.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-07

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Police clear part of Phitsanulok Road

Police cleared part of Phitsanulok Road at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge Monday morning.

Police removed tents of the Dharma Army in front of the gate on near the bridge at 5:17 am.

Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangpraphai, the commander of the Metropolitan Division 1, said police simply wanted to clear the road in front of the gate of the Government House so that officials could enter the compound conveniently.

He said he had coordinated with the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy for the protesters to clear part of the road.

-- The Nation 2011-03-07

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Monk’s health to be boosted nationwide

CHIANG MAI (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is pressing ahead with its project to improve health of monks and novices nationwide after finding that they are risking major health illnesses.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on Friday presided over the launch of the mobile medical team for monks and novices as well as religious leaders, at Si Soda Monastery in the northern province of Chiang Mai.

The ministry has been conducting physical health examination on 370,000 monks and novices across the country since November 2010. So far, about 100,000 monks and novices have undergone the checking. The rest are expected to go through the process by April this year.

According to the Minister, monks are facing risk of getting major chronic diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and cancer because of diets and lifestyles. People usually offer alms with food they consider ‘auspicious to their prosperity’, which are mostly sweet and fatty. Monks also have 45% chance of getting smoking-related illnesses.

Mr Jurin stated that his ministry will soon discuss with the Sangha Supreme Council ways to arrange healthier dishes for monks since they are restricted from taking physical exercises.

-- NNT 2011-03-07

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School bus driver falls asleep behind wheel, causing bus to slide off road in Nakhon Ratchasima; 50 teachers and students injured /TAN_Network

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Bus carrying teachers, students on field trip overturns, 50 injured, 5 in seriously injured after driver dozes off /MCOT

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PAD protesters prevent BMA officials from dismantling protesters' toilets; police had to step in to bring out the BMA officials /TAN_Network

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AFP reports UN's Ban spoke with Gaddafi. Not true to my knowledge. /BNONews /via@mpoppel

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Thai AirAsia to be listed in SET by Q4/2011

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Chularajmontri says southern violence often intensifies early year

Thailand's Islamic spiritual leader, Chularajmontri Asis Pithakhumpol, said Southern violence often intensified early in the year.

H said the violence often intensified in early in the year before the situation became less violent and it has been happening in this pattern for years.

Asis was speaking to reporters when he let Islamic committees' members from five southern provinces to visit the prime minister at the Government House.

Asis said insurgents have recently attacked both imams and Buddhist monks with goal to drive wedge between Buddhists and Muslims in the region.

Asis insisted Islamic leaders did not teach Muslims to practice insurgency but the local people in the region have been accumulating their dissatisfactions for years.

-- The Nation 2011-03-07

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All Thai workers in Libya will return to Thailand no later than 15 March 2011

BANGKOK, 7 March 2011 (NNT)-Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Ministry's Information Department Mr. Jesda Katavetin said the remaining Thai workers in the Middle East will return to Thailand no later than 15 March 2011.

Mr. Jesda said 5,227 have already returned to Thailand while 173 Thai workers insist that they remain in Libya. Their safety and well-being is overseen by the Thai Embassy. According to Mr. Jesda, 1,744 Thais in Tunisia are expected to board the ferry soon.

However, he said more flights and ferry trips to evacuate the rest of Thai workers will be considered based on their locations and the level of political atrocity going on in Libya. Since the unrest broke off, Thai workers have scattered around, prompting authorities to plan carefully ahead of the rescue efforts to make sure they can save as many Thais as possible.

-- NNT 2011-03-07

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Missing Rogue Soldiers Hinder Progress in Prachuap Khiri Khan Armory Theft Investigation

The police are reporting that no progress in the investigation into a theft at an army camp in Prachuap Khiri Khan province has been made, as the rogue soldiers believed to have been involved cannot be found.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has confirmed that a number of firearms were stolen from the Thanarat Infantry Camp in Prachaup Khiri Khan province.

Prayuth is holding the camp commander responsible for the inventory discrepancy and says that the theft was carried out with the help of a sergeant major, who was working with some outsiders.

Initially, all related officials were suspended and could face more severe disciplinary action if found guilty of involvement.

The local police force is reporting that no progress has been made in the investigation, as they have yet to be contacted by the army about the whereabouts of the sergeant major.

Additionally, the police have not been able to locate the army lieutenant, who was the first person to report the theft.

At any rate, local law enforcement authorities expect more cooperation from the armed forces in the upcoming week.

Meanwhile, the army authority in the southernmost region has been ordered to confirm a report that the stolen firearms were sold on the black market for a mere 5,000 to 10,000 baht each.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-07

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Finn Charged With Arson In 5M Baht Pattaya Shophouse Fire

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5 policemen, 2 civilians injured in Narathiwat bomb attack

Narathiwat - Five policemen and two civilians were injured Monday when insurgents threw a grenade at a grocery shop and detonated a car bomb to ambush a team officers rushing to first explosion scene.

The car bomb attack damaged 18 vehicle and the ground floor of a 4-storey police apartment building in Si Sa Khon district and a policeman and a civilian were injured.

The first explosion occurred at 11:50 am when an insurgent threw a grenade at the house of Pol Sgt Maj Sanit Kwansuk of Si Sa Khon police station. The house was modified as a grocery shop.

Sanit was sitting in front of the house and was severely injured.

Ten minutes later when troops from Narathiwat Taskforce 37 and police from the district station were rushing to the scene, insurgents detonated a car bomb to ambush them.

The second explosion was about 50 metres away from the first explosion scene.

-- The Nation 2011-03-07

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Red-shirt Group to Stage Rally in Phichit

The red-shirt group has announced holding a mass rally in the lower northern province of Phichit next week as part of its upcountry campaign.

Red-shirt member Sunee Luangwichit stated the pro-Thaksin movement will stage a rally in Phichit province this Sunday, a day after the mass demonstration in Bangkok.

The event will center on promoting democratic principles and voicing opposition against any military coup.

It is likely to be held at Thungyai Temple in Pho Prathabchang district.

There will be a dinner party in which northern and central red-shirt members will attend.

The highlight will be the introduction of MP candidates for Phichit and nearby provinces as well as a phone-in by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

She added the function will be broadcast live on the Asia Update Channel.

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SET index closed at 1002.94, up 7.03; USD30.32; GBP49.16; AUD30.61; EUR42.28; CAD31.10; HKD3.89; SGD23.80; JPY36.62

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Nine Thai policemen commit suicide in 18 months

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Thai forensic police affirm discovery of 4 bodies of Thai nationals from earthquake in New Zealand; ashes of 1 to arrive tomorrow /TAN_Network

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Censure debate to be held 15-17 March

The no-confidence debate will be held on March 15, 16 and 17, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said Monday.

He said he has put the censure motion on agenda.

The no-confidence vote will be held on March 18.

Chai said he has informed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of the debate schedule.

-- The Nation 2011-03-07

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Gaddafi, in interview with France 24, says world media spreading lies about situation in Libya /via@REUTERSFLASH

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Pheu Thai asks British govt to probe Abhisit's nationality

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Cops to be drug tested: Phuket Police chief

BUSINESS TIME: New Phuket City Police Superintendent Chot Chitchai

intends to 'clean house' by drug testing police officers.

The latest drugs suspects arrested were presented by police at

a press conference today.

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Phuket blood center seeks Songkran stocks

The Phuket Regional Blood Center is located in Saphan Hin.

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Phuket music fans: Mango House Festival kicks off in Koh Lanta, Krabi

Irish DJ Colin Edwards will be one of the two DJs from England's

Ministry of Sound performing in Krabi on Thursday and Friday.

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to be continued

Thailand Live Tuesday 8 March