Thailand Live Wednesday 6 Apr 2011

[webfact]

Thailand Live Wednesday 6 April 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Google Buzz: http://www.google.com/profiles/thaivisa

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/564113621/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 5 Apr 2011

[webfact]

NEW!

Follow thaivisa.com on Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/564113621/

[webfact]

Thai govt won't be overthrown, No coup: Military commanders

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Today is "Chakri Day", a public holiday

Banks, Government Offices and Post Offices are closed

[webfact]

Over one million people in Thailand face landslide risk

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Hikes in soybean oil and milk prices

By The Nation

The Commerce Ministry is allowing manufacturers of bottled soybean oil to increase the price by Bt9 per litre from tomorrow.

Yesterday's approval will bring retail prices of soybean oil up to Bt55 per litre from Bt46.

"The price will have to be reviewed again in three months," Vatchari Vimooktayon, director-general of Internal Trade Department, said.

The department is consider?ing the price of several goods, since manufacturers are strug?gling from rising production costs. The next product to be considered for price adjustment would be fertiliser.

Vatchari said the price of soybean oil had been increased in line with the cost of import?ed soybean seed, which has risen from Bt14.86 to Bt17.31 per kilogram. In order to pro?duce one litre of oil, 5.87kg of soybean seeds have to be used. As a result, it costs manufac?turers an extra Bt14.09 to pro?duce a litre of oil, which is why they want to set the retail price at Bt60 per litre.

So far, four manufacturers have agreed to retail the oil at Bt55 per litre for three months.

Vatchari, meanwhile, point?ed out that soybean oil in Thailand was still cheaper than in other countries such as Vietnam, where it is sold at Bt60 per litre, Cambodia at Bt64, Laos at Bt76 and the Philippines at Bt90.

The four manufacturers have also agreed to boost their combined production to 300,000 bottles per day in order to serve the demand.

"They [the manufacturers] have guaranteed that there will be no shortages," Vatchari said.

Meanwhile, the sub-com?mittee has also given the nod to increasing the price of ready-to-drink milk. The price of 100-200cc cartons of milk will rise by 25 satang; 225-300cc car?tons by 50 satang; and 400-450cc cartons by 75 satang. The panel agreed to raise the price of ready-to-drink milk follow?ing the Cabinet's approval to boost the price of raw milk by Bt1.50 per litre. The new price went into effect yesterday.

-- The Nation 2011-04-06

[webfact]

Thais fail to give importance to 'National Disaster Warning Centre' warnings

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai Cabinet to consider approving pricey military gift list

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Waters subside in 3 Thai provinces, others still critical

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Oilpalm thieves kill policeman

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Minor parties to unveil alliance

By The Nation

The newly-formed alliance between the Ruam Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin parties for the upcoming general election will be unveiled tomorrow.

Puea Pandin leader Charnchai Chairungrueng and Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul of Ruam Chart Pattana will preside over a press conference to outline their alliance, party director Prachern Tiyapanjanit said yesterday.

Faction leaders like Suwat Liptapanlop from Ruam Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin's "3Ps" - Pairoj Suwanchawee, Preecha Laohapongchana and Pinij Charusombat - are expected to witness the formation of the alliance.

A source who asked not to be named said Wannarat would initially take the party leader's post. Executives will come from Ruam Chart Pattana. The name of the new party is expected to be Ruam Chart Pattana Puea Pandin. In an earlier interview, Suwat said he expected small parties to become allies in order to defend their strongholds against campaigning by the major parties.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MPs agreed that opposition chief whip Wittaya Buranasiri should take the chair in place of Chalerm Yoobamrung, the former chairman who resigned from his post as an MP last month. The party is expected to unveil its policies at Thammasat University's auditorium on April 24.

The Democrat Party will support Abhisit Vejjajiva as prime minister for a second term, Thepthai Seanapong said. The Democrats' policies have been figured out and are waiting only for announcement to the public.

-- The Nation 2011-04-06

[webfact]

Locals fight against Xayaburi dam project

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Forum hears of flesh trade

By The Nation

Human trafficking syndicates spend up to Bt1 million per woman or girl they drag into the flesh trade, a seminar heard yesterday.

"In order to recoup the money, they force their victims to provide sexual services everyday, even when they are menstruating," assistant national police chief LtGeneral Chatchawal Suksomjit said.

He was speaking to about 400 participants at the event, which was organised by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.

He said some victims willingly went along with the gangs to foreign countries because they believe they can land better paying jobs.

-- The Nation 2011-04-06

[webfact]

Phnom Penh wants Indonesia to host JBC meet

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thais still looking for quick political fixes

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Climate change staying with Kyoto Protocol

Follow this link:

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Respect Thai teachers if standards are ever to improve

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Commission denies usurping Cabinet power

By The Nation

The Merit System Protection Commission has denied usurping the authority of the Cabinet by ruling against a controversial appointment in the Interior Ministry.

The commission's chairman Sarawut Menasawet commented yesterday on reports that several members of Cabinet had voiced concern about his commission's ruling having violated the government's jurisdiction.

Last April, Manit Wattanasen, then Interior Ministry permanent secretary, decided to transfer Vongsak Swasdipanich from his position as directorgeneral of the Provincial Administration Department to an inactive post.

The Cabinet subsequently endorsed the transfer before seeking a royal command on the shuffle.

Vongsak appealed to the commission to overturn his transfer on the grounds that his superior, Manit, was biased.

Following a yearlong inquiry, the commission ruled last month in Vongsak's favour, instructing relevant authorities to cancel the transfer and reinstate him in his old job.

The incumbent permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry, Wichien Chavalit, has now set up an advisory panel to come up with recommendations on how to comply with the commission's ruling.

Vongsak's successor, Mongkol Surasajja, last week petitioned the Central Administrative Court to review the commission's ruling. He asked for an injunction to allow him to keep his job pending the court's decision.

In defending the commission's ruling, Sarawut said his commission ruled to reinstate Vongsak based on the provisions of the Civil Service Act. He said the VongsakManit row had no bearing on the Cabinet.

The ruling did not touch on the Cabinet's approval of the appointment, but addressed a grievance involving a subordinate and a superior officer, he said.

Should the parties involved disagree with the ruling, they are enttled to seek a judicial review, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-06

[webfact]

Twitter group holds fund raiser

By The Nation

The "Twitter for Thailand" socialnetwork group is holdฌing a celebritypacked fundraiser today called "Volunteer Connext" for the victims of floods in the South of Thailand and the earthquake/tsunami in northฌeastern Japan.

The event starts at noon and runs to about 6pm at Siam Discovery's Plaza and Siam Centre's Atrium space.

Volunteer Connext will gather personalities from all walks of life and offer a variety of activities. A miniconcert will be performed by hit artists including Ewevery, TMorrow, iHere, 7 o'clock, Dr Pop and F*ckin Hero. Actor/singer Pakorn "Dome" Lam, Cherman "Ploy" Boonyasak, Wutthitorn "Woody" Militachinda, Patcharasri "Kalamare" Benjamas and Jettrin "Jay" Watanasin are among the stars donating personal items for an auction.

Talks on volunteering and the earthquake will be led by Dr Ekarin Wasanasong, with guest speakers joining each session from 1pm to 5.50pm at the Atrium event space on the first floor of Siam Centre.

Thai Red Cross will allocate the proceeds for both countries.

-- The Nation 2011-04-06

[webfact]

World Bank raises GDP growth forecast to 3.7%

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Canadian seeks support for B900mn Phuket aquarium project

Mr McDaniel presented plans for the aquarium to Gov Tri today.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

AFP: Thai PM sees 'immense' trade potential with India

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Southern flood death toll at 51; Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport reopens; train service to South still disrupted as tracks are repaired /TAN_Network

More rain throughout Thailand as temperature rise further in all regions; 20 crocodiles on the loose in flooded Punpin, Surat Thani /TAN_Network

PM Abhisit presides over celebration of 65th anniversary of Democrat Party /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to deliver water to solve drought crisis

BANGKOK, 6 April 2011 (NNT)-The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has launched a new project with an aim of solving water crisis in the drought stricken areas in the long term.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Mr. Suwit Khunkitti said, due to extreme weather patterns, over 20 provinces in Thailand had been facing a water crisis while some were inundated in flood waters. For residents suffering from the water shortage problem, the Ministry has established a water center where water delivered by trucks will later be distributed to people while some will rely on underground water.

Mr. Suwit said with the possibility that the situation could exacerbate this month; the Ministry has formulated every plan possible within a 10 billion THB budget to make sure all aspects of the water crisis will be solved.

The new project called “Nam-thueng-rai-na Prapa-thueng-tuk-ban- water for all agricultural areas, tap water for all households” is ready for operation. Experts have been hired to study the drought impact on the environment and with the budget of 800 million THB, people from over 11 provinces in the northeastern part of Thailand will receive water for consumption and for farming.

-- NNT 2011-04-06

[webfact]

Deputy PM Suthep launches book titled “Thailand, Do Not Let Anyone Torch It” to raise funds for southern flood relief /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport prepared to handle Songkran travelers

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Workers not laid off by flood-affected businesses in the South

BANGKOK, 6 April 2011 (NNT)-President of the Federation of Thai Industries Payungsak Chartsutipol has said the flood crisis in the South has no impact on laborers while business owners are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.

According to Mr. Payungsak, officials will investigate factories affected by the floods as soon as the water has subsided. Serious damages anticipated to have covered vast areas of the southern provinces. He added that laborers have neither been laid off nor affected by the disaster.

He stressed the need to ask the industrial sector and vocational schools to volunteer their skills and resources to help fix electrical appliances for flood victims the same way they did last year.

-- NNT 2011-04-06

[webfact]

MOTOR SHOW

Sales hit new record at 33,000 units

By The Nation

The 32nd Bangkok International Motor Show was wrapped up successfully with the booking of over 33,000 vehicles, well above the 28,000 target.

However, as small cars ruled the show, the combined value of sold vehicles was short of the Bt40 billion target.

The event started from March 25 and ended on April 5.

-- The Nation 2011-04-06

[webfact]

Many Pheu Thai MPs believe Thaksin gave strong hints at phone-in to party yesterday that Mingkwan isn't party's PM candidate. /via@tulsathit

Sources quoted Thaksin as saying that though Mingkwan was named alternative PM in censure motion, "censure is now over." /via@tulsathit

Thaksin also said that whoever proposed as PM candidate by PT "must not b a waste" (indicating he still doesn't have a definite choice) /via@tulsathit

[webfact]

I hope many others donate 2 RT @USEmbassyBKK:US donates 2.25 million baht for Thai flood victims - http://goo.gl/59np1 /via@KristieKenney