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Thailand Live Wednesday 13 Apr 2011

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webfact Grand Master Member

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Thailand Live Wednesday 13 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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 12 Apr 2011

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Special Report:

Political Groupings Ahead of the General Election

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement to dissolve the House in May to pave the way for a fresh election, political competition is now in full swing as many new alliances have been formed among political parties, especially small and medium-sized ones.

Throughout its incessant anti-government protests, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has been demanding for the Democrat-led administration to step down and return the power to the people. As a response, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva set three conditions, which suggested that the economic condition must be healthy, the constitutional amendment bid must be approved by Parliament and the political atmosphere must remain calm and violence-free.

Recently, upon his satisfaction with the progress in all three areas, the Prime Minister made an official declaration to the public that House dissolution would take place within the first week of May and the general election would follow within 60 days as required by the Constitution. With the poll drawing near and the administrative power up for grab, alliances have become much sought after among political parties as some of them have their sight fixed on victory and some are struggling to survive.

On behalf of their parties, Chart Thai Pattana de-facto leader Banharn Silpa-archa and Bhumjaithai de-facto leader Newin Chidchob took an oath on 14 March that both parties would from then on share the same political standpoint and that all decisions would be mutual regardless of the election result. Together, the parties have set a target to gain over 100 MP seats, which would help boost their bargaining power dramatically.

On the opposition side, Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong received blessings from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra via a video link on the occasion of his 78th birthday anniversary on 1 April and was also invited to join forces with the opposition Pheu Thai Party. Mr Sanoh embraced the proposed alliance and vowed to support Pheu Thai party-list MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan as the next premier. Some fellow politicians consider the bond as a chance for Pracharaj to maintain its political standing on the coat-tails of a bigger party.

Meanwhile, on 7 April, a press conference was jointly held by the Ruam Chart Pattana and the Puea Pandin Parties to unveil their political merger. Key figures at the conference included Energy Minister and Ruam Chart Pattana leader MD Wannarat Channukul and Puea Pandin leader Charnchai Chairungruang as well as executives of both sides. The newborn party was named “Chart Pattana Puea Pandin” and was recently joined by ex-tennis superstar Paradorn Srichaphan as an MP candidate.

Although the ruling Democrat and the opposition Pheu Thai Parties are deemed as two opposing giants in the upcoming poll, it is almost impossible for either of them to win more than half of the seats in Parliament, forcing them to have to rely on their lesser allies. Nonetheless, there is no guarantee as little ones with sufficient alliances in their hands could also emerge victorious.

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-- NNT 2011-04-13 footer_n.gif

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Vote to protect monarchy: Army chief

By The Nation

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Asks 60m people to cast ballots; 10 red leaders to be probed for lese majeste

A high voter turnout is the key to safeguarding the monarchy and bringing about change under a democracy, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday, urging the people to voice their aspirations via the ballot box.

"I believe if all 60 million [eligible] Thai citizens come out to cast their votes, they can change the country," he said.

Prayuth said he was optimistic that the upcoming general election could end the political turmoil that had gripped the Kingdom.

Through balloting, the people could safeguard the country's revered institution by weeding out ill-intentioned politicians, he added, speaking on the sidelines of a merit-making ceremony to mark the Songkran holiday.

Commenting on offensive remarks about the monarchy, he said that throughout his military service he had never seen His Majesty the King involved in any inappropriate activity.

He said he saw no justification for certain individuals to try and fault the King, adding that politicians should not allow their political rivalry to spiral out of control and tarnish the monarchy.

In the past two years, the country and fellow Thais have suffered a great deal from politically motivated violence, he said, urging voters to punish the instigators of last year's riots through the ballot box.

"Everyone knows the culprits behind the lost lives and the injuries incurred," he said.

Although the instigators tried to attribute the blame to anti-riot forces, the crowd-control measures had been activated as a last resort and in a defensive manner due to the provocation, the Army head said.

People should understand that in the face of the rioting, soldiers were obliged to safeguard peace and order because no government in the world would allow society to descend into chaos, he said.

Prayuth pointed out that troops and protesters suffered high casualties while the rally organisers themselves had come out unscathed.

In a veiled attack on red-shirt leaders, he said everyone should review the events of 2009 and 2010 in order to see how and why the violence had erupted. Soldiers were being portrayed by the rally organisers as responsible for the bloodshed, but news clips showed otherwise, he insisted.

He also criticised the red-shirt leaders for trying to link the military to politics in a bid to sway the crowds.

In a separate development, the Department of Special Investigation has launched an investigation into 10 red-shirt leaders, including Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan, on suspicion of their having offended the monarchy during the April 10 rally last year at Democracy Monument.

DSI director-general Tharit Phengdit revealed yesterday that his team of investigators was preparing to charge Jatuporn and rally organisers for lese majeste, as evidenced by their recorded rally speeches.

Tharit said the DSI would on Monday ask the Office of the Attorney-General to initiate judicial proceedings to revoke Jatuporn's bail for charges in connection with last year's rioting. He also said Jatuporn had contacted him via telephone to inquire about surrendering to face a lese majeste charge.

Other red-shirt leaders likely to face the same charge include Weng Tojira-karn, Natthawut Saikua, Kokaew Pikulthong, Suporn Atthawong, Kwanchai Praipana and Laddawan Wongsriwong.

The Army has filed a police complaint at Samranrat police station accusing Jatuporn, Suporn and red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Wichian Khaokham of lese majeste. The Army submitted recorded rally speeches from April 10 as evidence.

Colonel Jirapol Longpradit from the Adjutant-General's Department was assigned by Army chief General Prayuth Chanocha to file the complaint with the police.

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-- The Nation 2011-04-13

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Princess offers help to Japan

By The Nation

Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Valailaksana yesterday donated cash and relief supplies for disaster victims in Japan through the Japanese embassy.

In addition to the Bt4.64 million, the items donated included a large number of plastic bottles and water containers, torches, batteries as well as drinking water.

During the handover ceremony, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said blankets, drinking water, torches and batteries were most needed now, adding that a number of Thai construction firms were helping their Japanese counterparts on restoration work among other projects.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand will soon be dispatching technicians to Japan as other agencies continue coordinating with their Japanese counterparts, Kasit said.

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-- The Nation 2011-04-13

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Chularajmontri set to leave ICU

By The Nation

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The Muslim spiritual leader Chularajmontri Asis Phithakkhumphol will be moved from the intensive care unit to an ordinary ward in Chulalongkorn Hospital in the next few days.

The Chularajmontri suffered a mild stroke last Sunday after developing a haemorrhage in his brain. Neurologist Dr Surachai Khaoroptham said the patient will be moved when his blood pressure returns to normal.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-04-13

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'Change living conditions to suit elderly relatives'

By The Nation

Families with grandparents and seniors living in their homes during the Songkran festival can pay respect to their elders by adjusting their surroundings and living conditions to better suit their movements and make them more comfortable.

That's one activity for Elders' Day as suggested by Katanyoo Horsootisima, a lecturer with the Maha Sarakham University's Faculty of Agritecture.

As an example, at least one sit-on toilet should be available in the building, in place of the squat type, to reduce the risk of accident or damage to knee joints or muscle strain, Katanyoo said. And the restroom should be on the ground floor, he said, with a push-outward door in case of emergencies.

Katanyoo's awareness project is a joint cooperation of the ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation and the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development.

It suggests the width of stair steps should be increased if too narrow, and handrails installed firmly. Ladders, mostly in upcountry homes, should be replaced by stairways, while slopes with anti-slip tiles should replace elevated floors in place of steps.

Elderly people gradually lose sight, height, bone mass and mobility - a tendency starting after the age of 40. Seniors gain weight by about 20 per cent, which stabilises between 65-74 years of age.

Their walking pace becomes shorter and speed slower, said Katanyoo, who bases his designs for room readjustment on these changing physical characteristics.

Bright lights should be adjusted to suit the eyesight of individual elders while buzzers should be installed at all locations they frequent, for calls for help, either for normal errands or emergency.

"These are easy things that can be done immediately to increase both their quality of life and to show your care for them," Katanyoo added. One day, as they grow older, young people can make use of these readjustments and facilities themselves, while setting a good example for younger generations to follow.

Katanyoo said his university was responsible for two homes for seniors in northeastern style, to be built in Nong Kung Chern and Phu Wiang districts in Khon Kaen province.

The awareness project is expanding, with at least a model home planned to be built in each of all four regions, to suit different and specific types of residences.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-04-13

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Cabinet approves raft of measures after barely scraping together a quorum

By THE NATION

The Cabinet almost failed to form a quorum yesterday for its last meeting before the long Songkran holiday, which starts today, but managed in the end to approve a host of measures.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had to leave the meeting early to welcome Burma's foreign minister at Government House. Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri took over as the meeting chair.

However, shortly after the PM left, more than 10 Cabinet members followed suit, leaving only eight ministers in the meeting room - four short of the required quorum of one-third of the 36-member Cabinet.

With four more proposals still requiring Cabinet endorsement, Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot suggested that in order to continue without any legal problems, the Cabinet should have at least 12 members present.

Cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kitti-ampon then tried to persuade those Cabinet members who were in the dining room and outside the meeting room to return. He managed to bring back only four - just enough to form a quorum.

The 12 ministers then spent less than five minutes approving the remaining proposals before the meeting was declared closed.

Among the key decisions taken was maintenance of the 25-per-cent corporate tax rate for Market for Alternative Investment-listed companies, for each company's first Bt50 million in net profit.

Approved in principle was the draft law to pave the way for a farmers' welfare fund, which will cover 3.7 million households. The Finance Ministry and the Council of State are assigned to review the law, benefits and contributions to the fund.

Ministers agreed on the extension of the petroleum exploration concession term of Sino US Petroleum for another 10 years. The concession areas are in Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet.

Also agreed was a Bt570-million budget to subsidise chemical-fertiliser prices for farmers, which should help them secure 380,000 tonnes during May and June.

Internal Trade Department director-general Vatchari Vimuktayon said Deputy PM Trairong had been tasked with working out the |purchase plan in detail, plus |the source of the funding.

Approved in principle was the proposal for the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to provide special-rate loans to farmers for direct procurement from fertiliser producers.

The bank is also assigned to educate farmers on the proper use of urea-based fertiliser.

The Cabinet approved the Finance Ministry's tax measures to promote foreign film shoots in Thailand. Income tax will be waived for non-Thai actors for income generated while they are in the Kingdom during January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015.

"Designed to draw interest from foreign film-makers, the tax measure will also help promote the tourism industry and generate income for local industries," said Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit.

The Cabinet approved the State Railway of Thailand's establishment of a subsidiary to operate an electric train project, as well as a Bt1.86-billion working-capital loan. It also approved the Bt2-billion budget to finance the establishment of another subsidiary to operate the Airport Rail Link.

Ministers also agreed on the third round of financial assistance of Bt2 billion to Thai logistics companies and direct-sellers.

From September to December, small and medium-sized logistics operators and those involved in the direct-selling sector will be able to borrow from the fund in order to boost their liquidity.

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-- The Nation 2011-04-13

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Traffic out of BKK, on major routes leading to provinces busy but flowing; bus, train stations still seeing people leave for provinces /TAN_Network

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Silom, Sathorn, Narathiwat roads see traffic reduced to 1 lane as vendors set up stalls in preparation for water splashing today /TAN_Network

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Phuket celebrates Songkran with ‘Icy Road’ and Pod of Modern Dog

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'Pod’ Ujjin of Modern Dog performs tonight. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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