Thailand Live Tuesday 12 Apr 2011

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Thailand Live Tuesday 12 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 Monday 11 Apr 2011

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Inexpensive product fair to be launched after Songkran to help Thai families

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Government is ready to launch a special fair selling inexpensive household products to help ease the pressure on Thai family expenses. Meanwhile the Commerce Ministry will oversea product prices to make sure they remain reasonable during Songkran Festival.

Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai will consult with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva within this week over the cost of living. According to her, Southern residents in 10 provinces have by far been affected the most due to the floods. After the price pegging scheme expired last month, many Thais have complained to the Commerce Ministry since several items have become more expensive.

The fair is expected to be launched across the country for as long as 3 months. However, she added that it could be extended for another 3 months if people responded well to the fair. A budget allocation for this has been estimated to be around 1 billion THB.

The Prime Minister has agreed to this approach and said that prices of many household items in the fair will be 20%-40% cheaper than the market prices. Meanwhile, Ms Pornthiva citied delivery cost as the main reason for an increase in product prices in the South.

However, local commerce officials have been instructed to control prices while more fresh food such as vegetables and meat have been brought to the South from suppliers elsewhere in Thailand in an attempt to address the cost of living issue.

-- NNT 2011-04-12

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AFP: Thailand Wants To Close Myanmar Refugee Camps

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ANALYSIS

Problem with Yingluck as PM candidate is her brother Thaksin loves her

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ECONOMY

Bank of Thailand ready to revIew its monetary polIcy

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UPDATE

Paradorn joins Suwat in politics, watched by dad and ex-wife Natalie

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Thailand 'split on observers'

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Chularajamontri stable

By The Nation

Chularajamontri Aziz Pitakkumphol, who suffered a stroke to the right side of his brain, is safe and being treated at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Office of the Chularajamontri announced yesterday. It urged Thai Muslims to pray to Allah for his quick recovery.

Chulalongkorn Hospital director Dr Adisorn Patradul said the Chularajamontri, transferred from Nong Chok Hospital on Sunday, was getting better and conscious although he still felt weak in muscle with his left side limp. Adisorn said that if his condition remained stable like this physical therapy would be sufficient and a surgery would not be needed.

Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombut, who visited the Chularajamontri yesterday, said the Chularajamontri's family told him the illness was partly caused by him working hard and not having enough rest. He had just returned to Bangkok from a car trip to southern Thailand and Malaysia.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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Inundation leaving people depressed

By The Nation

Up to 1,700 flood victims are suffering from mental stress, with 103 of them considering suicide, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday.

So far, 1,097 victims have been diagnosed with depression, 194 with intense depression, 309 with chronic depression and 103 as suicidal. Those who are suicidal will be counselled for three months, while the rest will get a month of therapy, Dr Thawee Tangseri, director-general of the Department of Mental Health, said.

As of yesterday, the death toll from the floods stood at 63. A total of 100,211 people have sought treatment from mobile medical teams, which have made 2,176 visits to flooded areas. Of the people seeking treatment, 42 per cent suffered from foot infections, while 28 per cent had flu.

Flooding has caused Bt8-million worth of damage to 169 government hospitals or clinics, while the Tha Rong Chang hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat reopened yesterday. The ministry is prioritising the mental health of flood victims, surveillance and prevention of possible outbreak of disease and restoration of health infrastructures. "No disease outbreaks have been reported or detected so far, but people are advised to avoid wading through floodwaters," Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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Songkran's first road death reported

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Ministry to check on DSI claim of hospital graft

By THE NATION

The Public Health Ministry will double-check DSI claims that two state hospitals may have corruptly dispensed medicine under the medical scheme for civil servants.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) was reported to have suggested irregularities at the Sappasithiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani and Renoo Nakhon Hospital in Nakhon Phanom.

"We will conduct probes based on the DSI findings," Public Health Ministry deputy permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said yesterday. He was speaking after a meeting with top officials at the ministry and Minister Jurin Laksanawisit.

Paijit said the hospitals had already offered explanations. For example, the Sappasithiprasong Hospital had said the amount of drugs prescribed soared as services expanded and the number of patients grew.

Nakhon Phanom public-health chief Dr Pira Areerat also guaranteed yesterday that there was no corruption at Renoo Nakhon Hospital.

"Between January 1, 2008 and October 31, 2009, this hospital was reimbursed just Bt5.99 million from the Comptroller General's Depart-ment (CGD) for medical bills incurred by civil servants and their family members," Pira said. "It's not a big amount at all".

He said the hospital allowed patients' relatives to pick up medicine because it was difficult for some patients to travel.

In recent years, the CGD has been looking for ways to cut the costs of the medical scheme for civil servants and their families. "Each year, the scheme costs up to Bt62 billion," CGD chief Rangsan Sriworasart said.

In a bid to reduce expenses, it had assigned doctors to do random checks at 40 hospitals each year. The information is then forwarded to the DSI and Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission for in-depth investigation.

However, Senator Dr Anan Ariyachaipanich warned yesterday that the much-publicised investigation threatened to demoralise good officials. He voiced concern during a Senate meeting.

"Officials who work for the scheme are getting worried and demoralised." He said the DSI probe had confused people by making many believe corruption had already taken place. "In fact, the allegation has not yet been proven," Anan said.

He supported action against corrupt officials and doctors, but did not agree with the publicity.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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Protesters seek amnesty for young man facing death in Singapore

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Election looms in Thailand after Songkran holiday

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Thai Voters should elect the PM, academic says

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EC meeting to endorse new senators

By Prapasri Osathanon,

Olarn Lertratanadamrongkul

The Nation

The Election Commission will meet this morning to endorse the 73 appointed senators and provide them with the paperwork needed for registration at Parliament.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said yesterday that he believes the 73 new senators would be accepted by the people as the selection panel had done its best and there was no lobbying in the process.

Suthiphon Thaveechaiygarn, secretary-general of the EC as well as the selection committee, said doubts and criticisms were unavoidable, but the panel had evaluated the diverse work experiences and credentials of the candidates, while opening the door for women, the disabled and the underprivileged.

Anyone finding irregularities in the selection process can file a complaint with the EC, which will take the case to the Supreme Court according to the law, he said.

Suthiphon declined to confirm the names leaked by the media, saying some were wrong.

The members of the senator selection committee, besides Apichart, are Constitution Court president Chut Chonlavorn, Chief Ombudsman Pramote Chotemongkol, National Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Panthep Klanarongran, Supreme Court Justice Montri Sriiamsa-ard and Supreme Administrative Court Justice Kasem Komsattham.

Acting State Audit Commission chairman Pisit Leelavachiropas was supposed to be on the committed but excused himself to avoid problems related to his controversial holding of the post.

The Senate morality promotion committee yesterday presented awards to Nakhon Si Thammarat Senator Siriwat Kraisin, Phatthalung Senator Jareon Pakdeevanich and appointed Senator Admiral Surasak Sri-aroon for taking only one, two and three leaves of absence, respectively.

From January 21, 2008 to February 18 this year, some of the 150 senators took more than 40 leaves of absence, the panel said.

Outgoing Senate Speaker Prasobsook Boondech said he was happy that the Upper Chamber has been a neutral institution that people can depend on, but regretted that the impeachment process took too long.

"I think the Senate should give priority to impeaching and taking criminal action against corrupt politicians to set an example," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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Initial phase of Skywalk to proceed: BMA

By Thanatpong Kongsai

The Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will proceed with the "Skywalk" - an elevated walkway under the Skytrain, saying it could build the project for less than private firms and 87 per cent of Sukhumvit residents backed the project.

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) had not asked BMA to postpone or review the project - it just advised city offi?cials to conduct a survey of res?idents living in the first phase areas - Sukhumvit, Phaya Thai and Ramkhamhaeng, BMA governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.

The OAG also urged the city to be careful spending funds on the second phase as it would cost up to Bt10 billion, he said.

There had been no objec?tions to the first phase of the Skywalk in Wongwian Yai, so the BMA would start it first, the governor said, adding that it could build the pedestrian walkway for about Bt50,000 per square metre, compared to prices of Bt60,000-Bt100,000 per square metre by the private sector.

Following the OAG advice, city officials had assigned the BMA Traffic and Transport Department to hire a company to study the second phase of the project before construction begins next year, he said.

The BMA Traffic and Transport Department had conducted a third survey after the OAG said a 2009 survey, which found 88.8 per cent of people wanted the Skywalk, and second survey by Chulalongkorn University lacked details and clarity. The latest survey found 87.2 per cent of 500 Sukhumvit residents polled wanted the Skywalk, said deputy governor Teerachon Manomaipibul.

City officials plan to survey residents in Phaya Thai and Ramkhamhaeng and to hold a public forum and provide facts about the project to reduce the chances of conflicts, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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Thailand Health commission to seek govt ban on asbestos use, products

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SOUTHERN FLOODING

Victims demand urgent action, compensation

By Kissana Tiwatsirikul,

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Payment of cash for last year's disaster delayed because of big number of applicants, Satit says

About 1,000 flood victims gathered yesterday at two sites in Nakhon Si Thammarat to protest at being left out of the Bt5,000 per family relief fund and the late payment of compensation for flooding late last year.

The villagers submitted four demands during the first rally at 10am outside city hall. They wanted immediate compensation for people hit by heavy flooding last year and clarification of criteria for eligibility.

Another group gathered at the Hua Sai district office later to make the same demands. Both groups dispersed peacefully after the authorities agreed to comply with their demands.

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey, who is in charge of government relief operations, said the payment of compensation for last year's floods was delayed because the criteria was not clear and the number of applications was very large, so verification was taking a lot of time.

"The government is responsible for verifying all claims," he explained.

Payments had been made to about a million households, he said, who were residents in the Central region and parts of the Northeast affected after October 10, plus those affected before October 1.

Satit also warned Yongyos Kaewkhia, kamnan of tambon Khao Phra Bart in Chian Yai district, of legal consequences for backing applications by people whose homes were not flooded or damaged. He said similar cases of bogus claims for payment elsewhere were subject to criminal investigation.

He said Yongyos should not have made the issue a political affair. Asked if the kamnan was canvassing for a rival of the Democrat Party, which Satit belongs to, he jokingly said Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a veteran political rival.

Satit hit out at the media earlier, saying some reporters unfairly criticised relief efforts by the authorities just to "make themselves look good" and had no real intent to serve the public. "They try to show that the authorities are sitting idle," he said.

"They are also exaggerating the issue of the Bt5,000 payments, which normally would take between six months and a year, but were in fact completed recently," he said.

As a result, a media campaign by state-run Channels 9 and 11 would be launched over the Songkran break to show that the authorities were doing relief and restoration work. A state-supervised campaign for donations would also begin shortly to mobilise funds.

Meanwhile, aerial checks would be conducted soon of cracks in land and hills in Sichon and Nopphitam districts with the help of locals, but people would be prohibited from accessing areas deemed risky.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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Senate gives nod to new electoral laws

By Olarn Lertratanadamrongkul

The Nation

The Senate yesterday unanimously approved in principle the three organic laws related to the upcoming general election.

A 15-member committee has been appointed to deliberate the laws including - the election process and how to elect senators, political parties and the Election Commission. They are due to be brought before the Senate meeting again next Monday when the newly appointed senators are expected to join in considering the laws.

The new laws are needed now that a Constitution amendment requires constituencies be made smaller and just one MP representative instead of several. The overall number of MPs has also been reduced from 400 constituency and 80 party-list MPs to 375 constituency and 125 party-list MPs.

The House of Representatives last week passed the three laws. The proposed changes for the upcoming elections include cutting down the days for advance voting from two to one, as well as requiring that requests be filed in advance for casting an early ballot. The changes also include allowing a sole candidate to become an MP if he or she gets less than 20 per cent of the votes, even if the number is less than the abstained ballots in the constituency.

As in the House meeting, senators yesterday widely discussed the disadvantages of advance voting, saying it opens more chances for electoral fraud.

EC member Prapun Naigowit said advance balloting was not against the Constitution, but it promoted people's right to vote when they cannot do so on the scheduled election day.

In the meantime, the EC will work hard to keep government officials and election staff politically neutral, violation of which is considered a crime.

Prapun also said the new allocation of constituencies would be considered carefully based on the latest general election allocation. Moreover, the EC had never set any number of pending election results or disqualified MP candidates.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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British National Arrested In Phuket Cocaine Bust

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Kyodo: Japan to raise nuke accident severity level to highest 7 from 5: sources /via@mpoppel

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Japan to raise Fukushima nuclear accident level to worst

Tokyo - The Japanese government is to raise the accident level at a stricken nuclear power plant to 7, the worst on an international scale, from the current 5, news reports said Tuesday.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Station has been releasing massive amounts of radioactive substances, which are posing threats to human health and the environment over a wide area, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing the government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.

The agency gauged the level with the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES).

The agency declared in mid-March that the Fukushima crisis was a level 5 incident, the same as the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island in the United States.

Level 7 has only been applied previously to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

-- The Nation 2011-04-12

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3.3 magnitude quake in Laos, just 7km away from Maesai, Chiang Rai; no damage reported yet /TAN_Network

Rain forecast for all regions; North, Northeast, Central regions to see hot weather and thundershowers /TAN_Network

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Water trucks banned from Kaosarn, Silom, Chokechai 4 and Aksa roads from Apr 13-15 from 11am-10pm /TAN_Network

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Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs will allow best-selling author Walter Isaacson, who chronicled lives of Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin, to publish his biography next year /MCOT

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HRH Princess Chulabhorn donates Bt4.6 mln, flashlights, and drinking water via Foreign Ministry to help quake victims in Japan /TAN_Network

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Bomb ambush misfires; no soldiers injured in explosion while patrolling Narathiwat railway track /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,068.85, down 7.48 points /MCOT

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29 Deaths in First Day of Songkran Holidays

In the first day of the 7 Dangerous Days of Songkran holiday, 29 deaths have been reported nationwide. 400 other travelers have been injured. Authorities report that the main cause still centers around drunk driving.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-12