Thailand Live Tuesday 26 Apr 2011

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Thailand Live Tuesday 26 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 25 Apr 2011

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TELECOM

Dtac files lawsuit against CAT Telecom on CAT-True Group deal

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Thai-Cambodian Border clash flares again

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Laws passed to pave way for Thailand poll

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Where is the will to tackle serious issues?: Thai Opinion

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Thai Facebook users fall for scam

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E-Sarn University the key suspect in sale of diplomas

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August 12 opening for BTS' Baring extension

By The Nation

Published on April 26, 2011

Commuters can start using the long-awaited extension of the Skytrain's Sukhumvit Line from Onnuj to Baring on August 12.

A trial run was scheduled for May 4, with the media invited, Jate Sopitpongstorn, spokesman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said yesterday after a meeting of BMA executives.

Throughout June, the whole Skytrain system will be tested before the Baring extension is officially launched on August 12.

A promotional fare of Bt15 per trip would likely be charged, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

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Abortion penalties should be dropped: Thai Lecturer

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BURNING ISSUE

Don't let Thailand be torn asunder

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Six more provinces for Bangkok plan proposed

By The Nation

Bangkok urban planners will seek to involve six surrounding provinces in the drafting of a new master plan for the metropolis.

The meeting of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration executives had discussed the master plan, which would be renewed for another year, BMA spokesman Jate Sopitpongstorn said yesterday.

The City Planning Department reported to the meeting that a public hearing on the new city plan would be held after the general election and suggested that, to make it more complete, it should include the six neighbouring provinces.

Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra instructed the department to prepare a proposal for the master plan that would link with the provinces to be presented to this or the next government, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

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Cost of healthcare for elderly expected to soar

By The Nation

The cost of caring for the elderly is expected to more than triple over the next 12 years under the three main national health schemes.

Dr Thavorn Sakulpanich from the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development revealed the estimate yesterday, saying costs would be 3.6 times higher by 2022.

Dr Ladda Damrikarnlert, another executive from the foundation, said effective prevention of diseases would be needed, or administrators in the future would face huge medical costs for the elderly.

About 62 million Thais are covered by the three main health schemes: social security, universal healthcare, and the health scheme for civil servants and their immediate family members.

Some 26 per cent of those covered by the three schemes are senior citizens. But elderly people already account for 34 per cent of inpatient costs in the universal health scheme.

In the medical scheme for civil servants and their families, 52 per cent of inpatients are elderly, but they account for 64 per cent of total inpatient costs.

"If the elderly people can maintain relatively good health in the future, the cost will reduce," Ladda said.

Over the past three decades Thais have been living longer, she said, but more elderly people have been seeking medical treatment, as many have had chronic diseases.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

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DSI moves against three red shirts

By THE NATION

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) asked public prosecutors yesterday to indict three more key figures in the red-shirt movement for terrorism in connection with last year's political unrest and riots.

Senior investigator Thawan Mangkang met prosecutors at the Attorney-General's Office about possible court action against Suporn Atthawong, Payap Panket, and Chinnawat Haboonpad.

The DSI also sought that bail for the three be revoked on the ground that they violated conditions for their temporary release by attending rallies by the red shirts early this month.

There was turmoil in Bangkok last year when the red shirts staged anti-government protests between March 13 and May 19, which erupted in bloody riots and ended with 91 people killed and about 2,000 others injured.

While some red-shirt leaders surrendered, Suporn, Payap and Chinna-wat were among the protest leaders who escaped. They turned themselves in to the authorities recently.

The three men's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, said yesterday he had submitted a request for public prosecutors to ensure fair treatment for his clients. He said he also sought further temporary release for them.

Red-shirt leaders such as Thida Thawornseth and her husband Weng Tojirakarn, the latter among nine key "reds" released recently on bail on the same charges, offered moral support for Suporn, Payap and Chinnawat yesterday. Thida said the red shirts acted as a "warning mob" - whistle-blowers to warn of social happenings they deemed improper.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

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Drug misuse hastening rise of resistant diseases: WHO

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BJT likely to team up with Democrats

By THE NATION

The Bhum Jai Thai Party was likely to join a Democrat-led government after the election, if neither the Democrats or Pheu Thai win a complete majority, Bhum Jai Thai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said yesterday.

When asked about the possibility of Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva returning as prime minister, Supachai said it was likely if no single party managed to win a majority of House seats in the election.

"Abhisit is the leading candidate to become prime minister and if no parties win a majority in the House, the party [bhum Jai Thai] is likely to join the government formation," the spokesman said.

Bhum Jai Thai would contest 250 out of 375 constituencies, according to the spokesman, who added that the party expected to win at least 40 House seats.

He denied Bhum Jai Thai's decision not to contest all constituencies was part of a secret deal with the Democrat Party.

Bhum Jai Thai would unveil its policy platforms and election candidates at a function on Saturday, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

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Thaksin banned Two Pheu Thai MPs, party source says

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Thai Academic voices opposition to public assembly bill

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U.S. state department orders all eligible U.S. embassy dependents, some non-essential staff, to leave Syria /via@REUTERSFLASH

Former US president Jimmy Carter arrives in North Korea, Chinese state media reports, on visit aimed at easing tensions on Korean Peninsula /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,100.62, down 4.81 points /MCOT

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INN reporting that Interior Minister admitted that border clashes may force gov't to postpone Parliament dissolution /TAN_Network

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Gunman Arrested for Killing Businessman in Chonburi

A gunman has been nabbed in connection with the murder of the owner of a private intercity van in the eastern province of Chonburi.

Crime Suppression Division Police said they have arrested a suspected killer, identified as Dutsadee Pongsap, alias Daeng, for allegedly shooting dead the owner of an intercity van stand in Chonburi Province on February 16.

Captured at a park in the western province of Phetchaburi, Dutsadee claimed this was first job, and that he was paid 40,000 baht for it.

The killer added that he wanted the money to pay his father's medical bills.

Police said the arrest came after one of the four accomplices, identified as Sunthon Chaemkrachang, turned himself in following an arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court.

However, Sunthon has denied all accusations.

Police went on to say that there are still two more suspects at large, and they've been identified as Sombat Nuam-on and Winai Huiweng.

Crime Suppression Division Commander Police Major General Supisan Pakdinaruenat said that the police will increase security measures ahead of the general election, especially in three provinces known for violent political conflicts including Chonburi, Phetchaburi and Nakhon Sawan.

In addition, arrest warrants will be issued for 50 gunmen who are on the Crime Suppression Division's blacklist.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-26

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Transport Ministry Blames Truck Overloading for Damaged Roads

The Transport Ministry has admitted that there are still extensive violations of maximum weight limits by commercial trucks, and are calling on operators to abide by the law.

Deputy Permanent-Secretary for Transport Silapachai Charukasemrattana said a number of commercial trucks continue to violate the legal load limit of 20 metric tons, which causes damage to roads and costs the state millions of baht to repair.

He noted that these trucks carry loads of between 40 and 50 tons and are to blame for shortening the average lifespan of roads from 20 years to 10 years.

Silapachai urged officials at the weigh stations to be more strict and for truck operators to observe the regulations.

The Transport Ministry, the Faculty of Engineering of Chulalongkorn University and the Road Association of Thailand will jointly organize the 7th International Road and Airfield Pavement Technology on August 3-5 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The event is an effort to promote pavement technology advancement, with more than 350 specialists, engineers and academics from 30 countries participating.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-26

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Army Chief: Thai Troops Prepared to Defend Territory

The army chief has reaffirmed the military's preparedness for combat, and said his troops are ready to follow government orders.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha insisted that the army will maintain troop levels along the Thai-Cambodian border to defend Thai sovereignty.

He denied claims that Thai troops trespassed onto Cambodian soil and said that they will retaliate only if necessary.

Prayuth downplayed the possibility of a war, saying that the most recent clashes were the result of a minor territorial dispute.

The army chief is of the opinion that Cambodia wants a third-party nation to intervene.

He said that a third-party nation will be allowed only to observe the situation, adding that Cambodia must abide by the agreements made earlier by withdrawing their soldiers and evacuating villagers from the disputed areas.

He went on to say that he has instructed military units operating along the border to be vigilant as he does not want any losses to occur.

Prayuth reiterated that the army is ready to follow orders from the government.

Meanwhile, Defense Ministry Spokesperson Colonel Thanatip Sawangsaeng reaffirmed the military's preparedness for battle and its commitment to protecting the nation's sovereignty.

He assured residents in the border areas that Thai soldiers will do their best to ensure their safety and noted that the military will not react without justifiable cause.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-26

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FLASH: Sony says tablet to go on sale from autumn this year /via@Reuters

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Army Spokesman: Thai Troops Firing to Fend Off Cambodian Attacks

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Thailand to review Thai-Cambodian relations: Foreign Minister

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Thailand to be prudent on electricity cut on Cambodia

BANGKOK, 26 April 2011 (NNT) – The Minister of Energy says he does not think the current situation on the Thai-Cambodian border will necessitate Thailand to cut electricity supply to Cambodia as proposed by some sectors.

Speaking on a call for Thailand to take measures other than military retaliation against Cambodia, Energy Minister Medical Doctor Wannarat Channukul said he was waiting for a signal from the government whether to launch the measure. If instructed, the ministry is ready to comply with the call.

Medical Doctor Wannarat said the ministry would have to cooperate with the Provincial Electricity Authority in launching the power blackout.

He added that use of the aforementioned measure should be considered very carefully as villagers residing on the Thai-Cambodian border will certainly get trouble from the action.

A series of border clashes occurred continuously at Prasat Ta Muen Thom in the northeastern province of Surin. The skirmishes have killed five Thai soldiers while dozens of villagers have to leave their homes and seek refuge in arranged bunkers.

-- NNT 2011-04-26

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260,000 people jobless in Feb 2011

BANGKOK, 26 April 2011 (NNT) – The number of unemployed people in February 2011 stood at 268,000 or 0.7% of the total workforce and shrinking by 115,000 people from last year, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO).

The figure dwindled by 106,000 people from 374,000 in January. Most of the unemployed or 155,000 people, used to have jobs while the rest of 113,000 had never worked before. The number of jobless people with work experience rose from last year’s figure of 132,000 people.

Out of the 155,000 unemployed people this year, 60,000 came from the manufacturing sector while 59,000 from the service and trade sector and 36,000 from the agricultural sector.

Graduates formed the highest unemployment rate at 98,000 people or 1.5% of the total number of the unemployed, followed by those finishing primary education at 62,000 people or 0.7% and secondary education at 43,000 people.

Bangkok had the highest unemployment rate of 1.0%, followed by the central and northeastern regions, 0.7%, and the North and South, 0.6%.

The number of employed workforce last month was at 37.55 million people. The workforce inside the agricultural sector rose by 520,000 year-on-year to stand at 12.93 million people while the number of people working outside the sector was at 24.62 million people, down 570,000 people year-on-year.

-- NNT 2011-04-26

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Defence Minister Prawit denies Cambodia took Ta Kwai Temple; Deputy PM Suthep says he does not believe rumors about Hun Sen being ill /TAN_Network