Thailand Live Wednesday 30 Mar 2011

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Relief Aid Rushed to Flood Victims in South

The army chief has instructed the Fourth Army Region to expedite help for victims of the flood crisis in the South, while the Disaster Relief Committee has approved a 22.4 million baht budget to assist disaster victims.

The PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, in his capacity as head of the Disaster Relief Committee, said that the committee has approved a 22.4 million baht budget to provide 40,000 relief bags for flood victims in the South.

Sathit said the relief packages will be distributed to the victims immediately through the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

An initial 50,000 baht will be allocated to each family of those who have died in the floods.

Sathit added that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is traveling to flood-hit areas in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces.

The government is concerned about the flood situation, as seven provinces in the region have been declared disaster zones.

In response to the weather forecast suggesting that there will be five more consecutive days of rain, Sathit said the Disaster Relief Committee has ordered relevant agencies in flood-hit provinces to assess the situation and evacuate residents living in areas in risk of mudslides.

Travel warnings have been issued for those planning to visit provinces along the Andaman coast and the Gulf of Thailand.

In the meantime, Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Wittaya Kaewparadai stated that the premier has instructed MPs in the South to visit flood-hit areas to assess the situation and offer help to those affected.

He noted this is the most severe flooding in 40 years, and has caused severe damage to farmland and homes.

Wittaya noted that the Talumpuk cape in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province is heavily flooded, leaving more than 400 families homeless.

Meanwhile, Army Commander in Chief General Prayut Chanocha said he has instructed the Fourth Army Region chief to speed up help for victims of flooding in the South by setting up a Flood Coordination Center to provide immediate assistance.

The Fourth Army Region has been ordered to use its helicopters to help those stranded in areas where roads are cut off and aid has yet to reach residents.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-30

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Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Declaring War

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Bangkok Airways: Weather at Samui now heavy rain and wind. 6 flights left from Bkk this morning but only 1 could land: http://bit.ly/e1buRd

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Thai flood toll reaches 11, thousands stranded

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Thai Red Cross urges organ donation as transplant list grows

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Tourists affected by the flooding in Koh Samui who need assistance should call the tourist police hotline by dialing 1155 /via@USEmbassyBKK

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Phuket faces worker shortage

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'Japan crisis won't hit Phuket tourism': PTA

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North, Northeast, Central, East to see temperature drop by 1-2 degrees; South continue to see heavy rain and strong waves /TAN_Network

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PM Visits Flood-stricken South

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, accompanied by PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey, visit Nakhon Ratchasima province to hand out necessity bags and check on the flood situation.

The Meteorological Department has reported continuous heavy rain for the area, as well as strong waves.

The HMTS Chakri Naruebet has arrived in the South to rescue those stranded on various islands but the effort has been hampered by strong waves. The naval ship will be in the area to help with relief efforts, such as cooking for flood victims.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has released a caravan of donations for the flood relief effort in South.

The government has increased the flood-relief budget for 5 southern provinces from Bt50 million to Bt100 million.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-30

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Democrat Dissolution Clip Suspect Turns Himself in

The Crime Suppression Police revealed that Pasit Sakdanarong, the former secretary of the Constitution Court president who is wanted in connection to the distribution of clips related to the Democrat dissolution cases, has turned himself in this morning. Police have set bail for him at Bt100,000.

Pasit is believed to have been behind the recording of several video clips, some of which are closed door meetings of Constitution Court judges and some with a member of the Democrat Party's legal team for the dissolution case, to show that there was an attempt to lobby judges for a verdict that is favorable to the Democrat Party.

He has been on the run since the clips were released publicly.

The charges against the Democrat Party were ultimately dismissed by the Constitution Court on legal technicalities.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-30

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Three Filipinos found guilty of drug trafficking were executed in China: Philippine Vice President /MCOT

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Flood situation in Nakhon Si Thammarat continues to worsen w water level up to roof in many areas while Talumpuk Cape sees 4-5m waves /TAN_Network

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Their Majesties the King and Queen provide funds to Thai Red Cross to help flood victims in southern provinces /MCOT

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High Speed Crash In Siam Cc Road Demolishes Restaurant And Parked Cars

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Bangkok Airways

Flight from Phuket to Samui delay, the new departing time is as follow :

PG 252 12.50 p.m.

PG 260 13.00 p.m.

PG 256 16.00 p.m. (Ontime departure)

PG 258 19.30 p.m.

For PG282 Phuket - Utapao will depart at 18.15 p.m.

For more information please contact :

+66 (076) 225 033-5 Phuket office

+66 (076) 205 401-2 Phuket Airport

http://fb.me/CCSQckP5

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Bangkok Airways: PG 104 has taken off from Samui. The estimate time arrive in Bangkok is 12.30 p.m. For more information please contact 02 265 8777

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**Give them big hands!! Japanese MPs give 37.65% of their income (ab Bt180,000) for 6 mons to help tsunami &quake victims. /via @Sithidej /via@veen_NT

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Poll of northeastern voters find PM's popularity decline due to inability to solve econ, social, environmental woes /TAN_Network

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Honda Summer Fest to Rock Hua Hin Beach This May

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Govt to Impose Maximum Tax Rates on Distilled Spirits to reduce alcohol consumption among Thais

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Phuket Update: One dead, four injured in Krabi mudslides

The Phuket Gazette has confirmed that guests staying at the popular

Khao Phanom Bencha Mountain Resort (pictured) have been safely

evacuated to Krabi Town as a precaution.

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8 Southern Provinces Declared Disaster Zones

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Ten bodies recovered after Krabi village hit by flashflood, mudslide

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Govt Accused of Buying Time over Thai-Cambodian Issue

The People's Alliance for Democracy denies that the group plans to end its protest while saying that the appeal to the Constitution Court to rule whether the minutes of the Thai-Cambodian joint boundary panel's three meetings require parliamentary approval is only the government's tactic to buy time.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, spokesperson Panthep Puapongpan commented on the postponement of Parliament's ratification of the three minutes of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission, or JBC, meetings.

The delay is due to a petition made by Democrat MPs to the Constitution Court to rule whether those minutes fall under Article 190 of the charter, requiring parliamentary approval for international agreements.

Panthep said the move is only the government's tactic to buy time as it has strong intent to push for Parliament's endorsement of the JBC meeting minutes.

He noted that endorsement of all three JBC meeting minutes will result in a loss of the country's right over the border area still in dispute with Cambodia.

The PAD spokesperson also denied reports that the group plans to end its protest, saying the report was groundless and aimed to create a rift within the group.

Panthep added that the PAD leaders viewed that the election is not a way out for the current political conflict and asked the public to cast blank ballots in an attempt to reform politics.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-30

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Bangkok Airways

Flight information update at 15:06, 30 March 2011

BANGKOK - SAMUI

PG 121 LANDED

PG 135 LANDED

PG 265 DIVERT TO BANGKOK : TO BE CANCEL

PG 123 DEPART

SAMUI - BANGKOK

PG 5138 BOARDING

PG 134 BOARDING

PG 136 BOARDING

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Ex-Secretary to Constitutional Court Chief Acknowledges Charges over Clip Scandal

The former secretary to the Constitution Court president, who was accused of releasing a video clip of a Constitution Court meeting last year, has reported to police to acknowledge the charges against him.

Former secretary to the Constitutional Court president Pasit Sakdanarong surrendered to acknowledge charges of conspiracy and distribution of false information on the internet that could cause damage to others, which is a violation of Article 14 of the Computer Crime Act 2007.

Pasit was accused of being behind the recording of a video footage that was claimed to be a meeting of the Constitutional Court judges last year.

Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Colonel Naiyawat Phadermchit said an initial bail amount has been set at 100,000 baht in cash or 200,000 baht in assets.

Meanwhile, another suspect Chutima Saensinrasri, a Constitutional Court employee is wanted on the same charges, is still in hiding.

Naiyawat said the investigation is nearly complete and the case files are expected to be forwarded to the public prosecutor within this week.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-30

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Energy Minister: Thailand needs nuclear energy before other resources run out

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Navy successful in rescuing all stranded tourists on Koh Tao; next destination is Koh Phangan with 800 tourists /TANN

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Alert - Airport Link Express service not running. City Line trains only every 30 minutes. /via@Dany_k /via@MichaelBKK