Thailand Live Saturday 19 Mar 2011

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Thailand Live Saturday 19 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 Friday 18 Mar 2011

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Govt Speeds Up Aid to Thais in Japan

The government pledges to accelerate its efforts to help all Thais stranded in disaster-hit Japan.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government held meetings with relevant agencies to discuss relief efforts for Thais living in disaster ravaged Japan and found that there are still some obstacles to be addressed, especially for travel back to Thailand.

Abhisit further said a center has been set up to receive information and help coordinate aid for Thai nationals in Japan.

Thai temples closest to airports will be used to store items transported from Thailand to help Thais who have been affected.

Thai grocery stores will serve as centers for distribution of donated relief packages to Thais in Japan.

The premier said that Thai authorities are strictly inspecting imported goods and people traveling from Japan for radiation.

He noted that the government is prepared to send rescue workers to help in the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Japan.

However, the exact date of their travel will depend on the Japanese government.

The prime minister earlier today received donated items for Japan from a subsidiary company of Charoen Pokphand Foods, which also gave 25 tons of cooked chicken worth five million baht.

Thai Airways International donated 4.8 tons of drinking water and 5,000 blankets while the Thai Union Frozen Products donated 200,000 cans of tuna worth seven million baht.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-19

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Thailand still studying nuclear power plant construction

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Energy will keep on studying feasibility of constructing nuclear power plants in Thailand despite the alarming concern for safety measures in the wake of plant explosions and radioactivity leakage in Japan.

Energy Minister Medical Doctor Wannarat Channukul stated that Thailand has not yet scrapped the feasibility study and will thoroughly revise the planned construction; however, the project will not be raised to the attention of the cabinet very soon.

In this connection, the Energy Ministry will adjust the 20-year power development plan (PDP 2010), which aims to construct hundreds of 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plants beginning 2020. He said if the project could not be implemented, other types of energy must be developed.

According to the initial plan, four additional 800-megawatt coal-fired power plants will be built, raising the total number of such plants to 13. Another 800-megawatt gas power plant will be constructed.

The minister admitted that the construction of coal-fired power plants must be considered carefully because it has been confronted with strong protest. He then questioned opposing people on how the country could acquire electricity if all power plant projects are protested.

-- NNT 2011-03-19

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Thai Opposition Lawmakers Blame PM Abhisit For CentralWorld Fire

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Construction Material Demand to Rise after Japan Disasters

A construction material retailer predicts that the demand for building materials will continue to rise particularly in Japan where massive repair efforts are needed after the catastrophic tsunami.

Meanwhile, building material prices are expected to rise in line with world crude oil and shipping cost.

Managing director of Siam Cement Group's roof tile retailer CPAC, Noppadol Kaewthabthim, said that the catastrophic tsunami that hit Japan will raise the prices of building materials since Japan will start its massive repair efforts nationwide within the next three to four months.

This will cause a sharp rise in the demand for construction materials for both domestic and international markets as domestic demand for new homes is projected to rise by five percent this year.

Prices for construction materials like steel wires have risen in line with the world crude oil price.

Noppadol went on to say that CPAC raked in 150 million baht last year for its roof tile business, or a 140 percent growth, since 2009 which came from 40 construction and repair projects.

This year, CPAC has planned 90 projects targeting newly-constructed homes with a projected revenue of 300 million baht from roof tiles.

A total of 60 million baht have been made in the first two months of the year.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-19

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New Zealand Issues Travel Health Warning For Thailand After Sixth Poisoning Death

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Bangkok Criminal Court Acquits Seh Daeng's Aide K Thong Of Terror Threats On YouTube

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CENSURE DEBATE

Mingkwan announces he is Pheu Thai's PM candidate

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Chalerm hits PM over cigarette 'tax evasion'

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THAI says its tickets from Japan not overpriced

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CAT Telecom defends True deals

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Thailand to deport accused British child molester to Cambodia

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4,000 Thais still missing in Japan

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Charges dropped against 10 in airport seizures

By The Nation

National police chief General Wichean Potphosree yesterday decided to cut from 25 to 15 the number facing terror?ism and related charges in con?nection with the seizure of two Bangkok airports in 2008 by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is among the 10 former suspects to have charges dropped. After Wichean's review and approval, the police report is to be forwarded, ten?tatively on April 5, to public prosecutors for trial prepara?tions.

In a related case, Wichean endorsed a police report nam?ing 104 suspects as accomplices in the seizure of the airports. The accomplices would be charged with violating the Aeronautics Act.

Police spokesman Maj-General Prawuth Thawornsiri said the decision to drop charges against 10 former sus?pects, particularly Kasit, was based on the lack of intent to harm the airports and air traf?fic.

Prawuth dismissed specula?tion that Wichean was under pressure to exclude Kasit from the list of suspects. He cited insufficient evidence to try and convict Kasit.

The 15 PAD leaders still fac?ing indictments include Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Suriyasai Katasila, Somkiart Pongpaiboon, Pipop Thongchai, Sirichai Mai-ngarm, Samran Rodphet, Saranyu Wongkrajang and Maleerat Kaewka.

Those who saw the charges dropped include Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Pathompong Kesornsuk, Praphan Koonmee, Thoedpoom Jaidee and Veera Somkwamkid, who is in jail in Cambodia on charges of illegal entry and spying.

Police also decided not to charge ASTV, the PAD's mouth?piece, for broadcasting the seizure. Two news anchors, Sarocha Pornudomsak and Anchalee Paireerak, will not face charges.

-- The Nation 2011-03-19

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Companies find ways to help

By The Nation

Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, public and private organisations are providing muchneeded help.

- CAT Telecom offers free international calls between Japan and Thailand through Wednesday, using its "009" dialling service. This follows the fact that many Thais have been unable to reach out to their friends, family members and others in Japan. Calls can be made through all network services, fixed or mobile. For AIS, DTAC, True, Hutch and CAT CDMA, dial 009>81> area code/mobile code>destination number.

Thais in Japan can also make a free international call back to Thailand from any kind of phone.

Using special phones provided by airports, department stores, business districts and tourist centres, dial through a Thai operator to connect with the destination. Make an international call from Japan through Softbank service by dialling 006635660. From KDDI service dial 00539661 and from NTT services dial 0034811066.

- PTT Group has donated Bt5 million through the Foreign Ministry, and another Bt5 million through funds established by the Thai media.

- Charoen Pokphand Group has donated a supply of 25 tonnes of cooked chicken worth Bt5 million to help earthquake and tsunami victims. To date, CP has provided assistance worth Bt7.5 million. The supplies are distributed by Japan's Seven & I Holding Corporation.

- Thanachart and Siam City Bank created "Ruam Namjai for Victims" accounts, No 0316003330 and No 0014132165, respectively. Transfers through all 678 branches are waived from paying any fee. The proceeds will be given to the Foreign Ministry.

- Tisco Bank invites all to donate to savings account No 00010010000323 through all branches and ATM. Tisco Group has deposited the first Bt1 million to the account. Proceeds will be passed to Mizuho Bank, its 30year partner, and it will eventually be given to the Japanese Red Cross.

- Bangkok Bank in cooperation with Western Union is providing freeofcharge money transfers to Japan, from now until April 17. Transfers can be made through all 900 branches of BBL in Thailand, and recipients in Japan can cash in the amount through the Western Union network. For more information, call toll free 001 800 852 5385.

- CP All Plc, the operator of the 7Eleven franchise in Thailand, is donating US$20,000 (Bt607,000) to Japan through the 7Eleven Japan Green Foundation.

- Betagro Group also presented a Bt1million donation through Channel 3.

- Bayer is providing immediate financial aid in the value of ค880,000 euro (Bt33.1 million) - to the Japanese Red Cross. The funds are intended to help assist communities or individuals severely affected by the catastrophic events. It will provide the Japanese health authorities another ค120,000 euro worth of health products that are urgently needed.

Bayer is also calling on its employees worldwide to make donations through the Bayer Cares Foundation. The company will match the donations up to the amount of 250,000 euro. These funds are to be used for a reconstruction project yet to be defined in one of the worst affected areas.

Bayer has been operating in Japan for more than 100 years and employs some 3,660 people. None of the employees was injured as a consequence of the earthquake or the tsunami.

- Seiko Epson Corp plans to donate ฅ100 million yen (Bt37.2 million) to quake and tsunami victims, with hopes that the situation will return to normalcy soon.

- The Stock Exchange of Thailand Foundation has approved a ฅ10 million yen (Bt3.7 million) donation, in realisation of the longstanding cultural, social and economic ties between the two countries.

-- The Nation 2011-03-19

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Censure debate in Thai parliament an exercise in mud-slinging

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Court defends adviser's payment

By The Nation

The Supreme Administrative Court Office yesterday issued a statement defending its decision to fill the position of adviser with a remuneration package of Bt60,000 per month.

The office cited its mandate for the job appointment as sanctioned by Article 84 of the 1999 Administrative Court and Procedural Act.

It said the remuneration package was on par with those paid by the courts of justice and independent organisations.

The incumbent adviser was appointed due to his judicial experience as a former judge of the Supreme Administrative Court. His experience was invaluable for the training of new judges, the office said.

His nomination and appointment were endorsed by the Commission for the Officials in Administrative Courts, which is the regulatory body for court officials.

-- The Nation 2011-03-19

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REU: SURVIVOR OF JAPAN QUAKE AND TSUNAMI FOUND EIGHT DAYS AFTER DISASTER-NHK CITING MILITARY /via@mpoppel

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Temperatures increase by 4-6 degrees Celcius all across Thailand today /TAN_Network

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WHO: there is no public health reason 2 avoid traveling 2 Japan or to leave country. http://bit.ly/eh0Kv4 /via@veen_NT /via@marisa_nt

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Censure vote is scheduled in 20 mins but if history is anything to go by, MPs will fight 4another half an hr b4 the vote can really begins. /via@veen_NT

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Prime Minister Abhisit Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 249 MPs supporting him, 184 against him. /via@paisal_nt

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 249 MPs supporting him, 185 against him. /via@paisal_nt

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Abhisit gets 249 'Yes' votes

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 249 MPs supporting him.

A total of 184 MPs votes against him and 11 MPs abstained while 23 others did not cast any type of votes.

-- The Nation 2011-03-19

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Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 245 MPs voting for him, 185 against him. /via@RT @paisal_nt

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Suthep survives censure vote with 249 supporters

Deuty Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 249 MPs supporting him.

A total of 185 MPs votes against him and 13 MPs abstained.

-- The Nation 2011-03-19

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Korn survives censure with 245 votes

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 245 MPs voting for him.

A total of 185 MPs votes against him and 12 MPs abstained.

-- The Nation 2011-03-19

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ICT Minister Chuti Krairiksh Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 247 MPs voting for him, 185 against him.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul Saturday survived the no-confidence vote w 250 MPs voting for him, 188 against him.

Transport Minister Sophon Saram Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 248 MPs voting for him, 188 against him.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu Saturday survived no-confidence vote w 243 MPs voting for him, 188 against him.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya Saturday survived the no-confidence vote with 247 MPs voting for him, 188 against him.

via@paisal_nt

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AFP: Thai PM Abhisit wins no-confidence vote: speaker

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Japan: Radiation levels at Fukushima 'decline' following cooling operations

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