Thailand Live Friday 8 Apr 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 8 April 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 Thursday 7 Apr 2011

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Hospitals Ordered To Prepare For Songkran Road Accidents

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AFP: Thailand Admits Controversial Weapon Use

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Red Shirts Oppose Social Studies Textbooks Claiming False Information

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Imported Japanese Foods In Bangkok Radiation Free: Bangkok Governor

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Ex-communist Party Members Accuse District Chief of Assault

A group of ex-communist party members have pressed charges against a district chief in Kalasin, accusing him of assault during their protest to demand promised compensation from the government.

Nearly 100 former members of the defunct Communist Party of Thailand, or CPT, arrived at Kalasin's Somdej district police station to file charges against district chief Ruk Leesongsak for assaulting them during a rally to demand compensation from the government.

Group leader Bunsai Kondinjee said the district chief's action violated the government's policy to serve the public and not to harm them.

He said the incident has hurt sentiment among former CPT members as their gathering only aimed to pressure the government to find solutions to their problems they have earlier peritioned it about.

The group also demanded the district chief be transferred out of the area to ensure transparency of the investigation.

District chief Ruk denied he hit or abused any protesters, but conceded he acted impolitely to some of them as he was angry with the group's roadblock which made him late for his meeting with village chiefs.

Kalasin Governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan pledged the two parties will be treated fairly and urged the former CPT members to stay calm as the government is proceeding to help them.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-08

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Red Shirts To Mark Anniversary Of 10 April Bloodshed

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Booze-free 'safety areas' set for Songkran

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Electoral laws are amended

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US sends condolences for deadly Thai floods

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent US condolences Thursday for a wave of deadly flooding that has swamped southern Thailand, saying the US embassy in Bangkok has offered relief assistance.

"On behalf of President (Barack) Obama and the people of the United States, I send our sincere condolences and sympathy to the people of Thailand for the loss of life and damage caused by the flooding in southern Thailand," Clinton said in a statement released by the State Department.

Floods over a meter (three feet) deep have washed across swathes of the south, leaving 25 people dead, as unseasonably wet weather deluged the homes and businesses of around a million people in what should be one of the hottest months of the year

Around 9,000 people have been evacuated from waterlogged areas, including nearly 1,000 holidaymakers stranded on islands in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea who were picked up by naval ships on Wednesday and Thursday.

Clinton thanked the Royal Thai government and the Royal Thai Navy for their "ongoing assistance to American citizens in the area during this difficult time," and that "our thoughts and prayers are with the Kingdom of Thailand -- our longtime friend and ally -- and everyone affected by this terrible tragedy."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-08

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Thai South flooding damage estimated at up to Bt26 bn

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His majesty the king 'still works tirelessly' in hospital

By The Nation

Despite his health problems, His Majesty the King has been working every day from Siriraj Hospital, his youngest daughter says.

HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana made the comment during a recent interview with popular TV host Wuttitorn Milintachinda, better known as Woody.

The second part of the interview will be broadcast on the "Woody Talk" programme on Channel 9 from 10.30pm this Sunday.

The first part, which aired last Sunday, has become the talk of the town.

The princess rarely gives TV interviews. It is thus uncommon for the public to hear her speak of her father, who has won overwhelming love and respect from people across Thailand.

His Majesty is also the world's longestreigning monarch. Throughout the past several decades, he has worked tirelessly for the happiness of all Thais.

Even during his hospitalisation period, the 83yearold monarch has been working, the princess said. "His Majesty has never taken a day off work."

His Majesty has been receiving treatment at Siriraj Hospital since September 2009. Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn have stayed with him at the hospital to care for His Majesty.

"Their bedroom and bathroom at the hospital are small and very simple," HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana said.

According to the Princess, His Majesty's thigh muscles are weak but his overall condition is fine. "He has caught a cold from time to time. But throughout the period, his mental strength has been remarkable," she said.

During the interview with Wuttitorn, the princess also talked about music, her pet dogs and her views about doomsday.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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Thailand-Cambodia JBC meetIng off to a 'smooth start'

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Nation Channel wins 'best doc' gong

By The Nation

Nation Channel has won a prestigious Sangchai Sunthornvut Award in the Best Documentary category in last year's competition, results of which were announced yesterday.

The story, titled "Zen 2010, from Suan Mok to Plum Village", was hosted by group editorinchief Suthichai Yoon and produced by Kanchai Uthailert and Manasikul Owartphesat, with photography by Krittaya Nimakorn and editing by Nithiwadee Bunwajjanasombat.

There were 164 stories nominated in the annual event, which is held to commemorate the late director of the Mass Communications Organisation of Thailand.

The Best Investigative Story was "Illegal Land Encroachment in Ratchaburi" by TPBS, while the Best Incident Story went to "The Puzzle of the Men in Black at Khok Wua Intersection", also by TPBS.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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THAI TALK

Please don't call me red or yellow, I am Thai

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Surachai denied bail

By The Nation

The Criminal Court yesterday rejected the Bt1.2-million bail application to free red-shirt suspect Surachai "Sae Dan" Danwattananusorn, citing flight risk since he was facing a second case for offending the monarchy.

After his release in the first case, Surachai was rearrested in December for a repeat offence. Police cited his offensive remarks at a red-shirt rally as evidence.

In a separate development, the court forwarded for an appellate review the bail application for computer-fraud convict Thanthawut Thaweewarodomkul, aka Red Eagle.

As webmaster, Thanthawut was found guilty of violating the Computer Act by spreading false and malicious information about the monarchy on the website www.norporchousa.com. He was sentenced to 13 years in jail.

The defence has filed an appeal seeking to overturn Thanthawut's conviction and applied to have him set free pending the appellate decision.

The case and bail application have been sent to the Appeals Court for review.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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Battle for Gripen fighters

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Reservoirs dry

By The Nation

Farmers were advised yesterday not to plant secondseason crops.

The reservoirs at major dams are now depleted, with only 10 per cent left in the entire Chao Phraya basin, the Irrigation Department reported yesterday.

Bhumibol Dam in Tak and Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit are at only half capacity, while the average for all major dams and reservoirs is 56 per cent. Two major dams in the basin, Kwai Noi Bamrung in Phitsanulok and Pa Sak Chollasit in Lop Buri, were at 40 per cent and 38 per cent of capacity.

Under the department's waterallocation plan, 90 per cent of reservoirs, or 7.61 billion cubic metres, have been used up in the basin, leaving 10 per cent for the main crop, making offseason farming impractical.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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Report says 93 red shirts killed in last year's crackdown

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Clean water still in acute shortage as floods recede

By The Nation

Even though floods are subsiding in the South, residents in many areas are still suffering from the lack of basic necessities, especially clean drinking water.

Portable water purifiers are being supplied to affected areas in many districts of Surat Thani, while water trucks as well as 16 large mobile waterpurifier units are being dispatched. So far, more than 100,000 bottles of water have been handed out to residents, and authorities are seeking more containers for distribution.

Quoting a weather forecast, the government's adhoc relief centre said more heavy rain and subsequent flash floods are expected next week in other areas as well as in the eight affected provinces in the South.

So far, about 500 homes have been damaged or destroyed and will be built or repaired pending approval from the PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey.

The centre's deputy director Witthayen Muttamara dismissed media reports that some of donations were lost or pocketed by officials, and said it was not possible that donors had changed their minds after making pledges to donate relief funds. The amount of the money received will be made public by today.

The number of fatalities caused by the flood had reached 56, with 79,677 people suffering from illnesses. Out of 187 government facilities damaged, 17 still remain unopened. Of the 848 people under psychological counselling, 68 are suffering from stress, 103 are depressed, while 56 have been suicidal.

Nakon Si Thammarat's Tha Chang General Hospital is expected to go into full operation by next Monday.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has granted 1,500 relief sets for distribution in various affected areas, in addition to supplies provided by individual donors, charity and media organisations.

Meanwhile, a large number of crocodiles from the Phunphin district zoo in Surat Thani are on the loose, while two of them have been "disposed of". The other districts suffering a shortage of clean water are Muang, Chaiya and Kanchanadit.

Though Route 41 is open to motorists, they have been warned of dangers due to damage to its surface. So far, only one BangkokSurat ThaniBangkok train service is back in operation.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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'No election war room', insists Thai Army chief Prayuth

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Thai Govt hopes to bring down number of deaths during Songkran

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Tight controls on Japanese food eyed

By The Nation

The Public Health Ministry is considering tightening controls on food and ingredients from Japan.

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Panel names members of law-reform committee

By The Nation

Eleven members of the government-appointed law-reform committee have been selected and many of them seem to be connected to the Justice Ministry.

Permanent secretary for Justice, Kittipong Kitayarak, who chairs the panel in charge of selecting members of the law-reform committee, said yesterday that six of the members would work full time during their four-year term, while the remaining five members will work part time.

The first group consists of former attorney-general Kanit na Nakorn; former member of the National Human Rights Commission Sunee Chairos; human rights activist Somchai Homla-or; former Constitution Court judge Saowanee Assavaroj; law expert and executive of the now-defunct People Power Party Sukhumpong Ngonkham; and National Economic and Social Advisory Council member Phairoj Pholphet.

The second group consists of law lecturer Banjerd Singkaneti, Kamchai Jongchakrapong, Virada Somsawat, Prasong Lertratanavisut and Chaisit Suksomboon.

Kittipong said yesterday that he would submit the list of names to the prime minister to seek royal endorsement for their appointment. He added that on April 18, the committee members would convene to select the president and vice presidents.

Election Commission member Sodsri Satayathum had said earlier that she had applied to become part of the law-reform committee and would leave the EC if selected.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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Small parties merge as polls near

By The Nation

Two small political parties, Ruam Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin, yesterday announced they were merging to contest the upcoming general elections as a single party.

The new party will be called "Ruam Chart Pattana Puea Pandin", leaders of the two parties said - although Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban described the name as "a bit too long".

Ruam Chart Pattana leader Wannarat Channukul, Thailand's energy minister, and Puea Pandin leader Charnchai Chairungruang, a former industry minister, announced the merger at the Siam Kempinski Hotel.

Veteran politicians who are considered de-facto leaders of the two parties were also present. They included Ruam Chart Pattana's Suwat Liptapanlop and Puea Pandin's "Three Ps": Pinij Jarusombat, Pairote Suwanchawee and Preecha Laohapongchana.

Charnchai said the original Puea Pandin Party would not be abandoned and a few party politicians would keep it active. Puea Pandin deputy leader Kwang Robkob told The Nation that he would take care of the party and would not contest the next election.

Suwat said the merged party would present itself as a new alternative for voters. But he declined to speculate on which political camp it would join after the election.

Many of the two parties' incumbent MPs have made it clear they plan to defect to other parties such as Pheu Thai and Bhum Jai Thai. Of 40 current MPs, only about 17 are expected to remain with the post-merger party to contest the next election.

Suthep, who is also deputy prime minister, said yesterday that mergers of political parties would make it easier for voters to make decisions when going to the polls.

Bhum Jai Thai deputy leader Boonjong Wongtrairat said yesterday that he did not think the Ruam Chart Pattana-Puea Pandin merger would affect his party's performance in the upcoming election, particularly in the Northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, where competition is expected to be tough.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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Locals protest against the Puthep copper mine

By Chularat Saengpassa

Boonchoo Sritraiphop

The Nation

Loei

Some 1,000 protesters yesterday forced a meeting of doing public scoping for the Puthep copper mine to be cancelled.

The meeting held at the Loei Palace Hotel was immediately cancelled as the demonstrators led by a member of Tambon Namsuai Municipal Council, environmental activists and university students blocked an entrance to the meeting room.

Meanwhile, 200 police officers were deployed to prevent possible violence there.

With concern that the mine covering 10,000 rai area and being located only a kilometre from a local community would possibly cause toxicity that would affect the environment and locals' health, the protesters staged the rally against any procedure to get the mineral lease.

The mine will be located in tambon Kudpong, Nadindum and Namsuai of Muang district.

"Locals don't want the mine. We've seen bad impact caused by a mine in Phichit province. If the company wants to do any procedures, they have to organise the meeting in our community where locals hear and know what they will do, not at the hotel outside our community," said Charin Kanpaengsri, an environmental activist who is among the protest leaders.

Charin said they would send a letter to the province's governor to show that local people would not accept any actions or procedures the company did secretly without their participation.

"The public scoping is just a procedure before environmental and health impact assessments (EIA and HIA). So, no resolution will be issued after the meeting. We'll just discuss on scope of the work. As an academic, not an employee of any companies, if my study shows the mine will cause a lot of (unwanted) impact to locals, I will report the fact," said Prof Kasem Chankaew, a researcher from Kasetsart University's College of Environment who is in charge of the mine's EIA and HIA

EIA and HIA will be done later after the public scoping.

Alistair Maclean, Phuthep company limited's director said every procedure of his company followed the law, and he wanted to give locals knowledge about the mine. Locals' concerns would be addressed if they listened to him.

He insisted if Kasem found a lot of impact, his company would not do mining.

Padaeng Industry and PanAust Limited are the mine's joint venture.

If the mine lease can be done following legal process, it will be the first mine in this province that does HIA. Forty two other mines opened earlier in the same province has not had the HIA.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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PM backs Bt250 wage

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday promised a blanket Bt250 daily minimum wage to workers, saying the rate was suitable and reflected the rise in the cost of living and inflation.

At a seminar with representative of employers and labour leaders, he said skills training and quality improvement were needed to make the rise reasonable for employers and consumers. The government is balancing two approaches to industry, between giving workers more income and making industry thrive with higher profits while carrying more costs, he said.

Phayungsak Chartsutthiphol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and a key representative of employers on the Tripartite Wage Committee, said welfare could be enhanced as an incentive and an alternative to hiking the daily wage.

Chinchot Saengsang, a labour leader representing employees, said the government should control the prices of goods more effectively and a stronger industrial sector meant that Thailand did not have to rely solely on the export sector.

-- The Nation 2011-04-08

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Phuket Songkran 'Seven Days of Danger' road safety campaign announced

A Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation worker tends to a man injured

in a motorcycle accident during last year's 'Seven Days of Danger'.

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BREAKING: 2 dead in 7.1 quake off NE Japan last night /@mpoppel