Thailand Live Friday 29 Apr 2011

[webfact]

Thailand Live Friday 29 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 Thursday 28 Apr 2011

[webfact]

NEW!

Follow thaivisa.com on Myspace:

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

[webfact]

Thaksin: Pheu Thai will win 270 seats

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Abhisit: No plans to meet Hun Sen

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Soldier and civilian killed in fresh fighting

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Nation Group bags prestigious awards

By The Nation

Nation Multimedia Group won two key prizes, including the gold in news photography, at the 10th Asia Media Awards ceremony last night.

The other award - a silver - was won by Kom Chad Luek newspaper, The Nation's sister publication.

The winning front page (seen above) was the work of the Thai-language daily's chief designer Adul Daengmool.

Photographer Watcharachai Klaipong, who won the gold for his photo (seen below), was thrilled. "After seeing all the entries in this award category, I feel very proud of my achievement," he said.

The award-presentation ceremony was held at the

Shangri-la Hotel and was presided over by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The event was organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Nun's bizarre rituals violate rights: NHRC

Follow this link:

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Food price hikes add to the woes of the impoverished

Follow this link:

[webfact]

SUBSIDIES

Economists urge Thailand to focus on energy efficiency

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Swede Killed in Traffic Accident in Phuket

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Lethal blaze at infamous pub

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Burmese workers protest Saha Farm abuse

By The Nation

Around 1,000 Burmese workers at a chicken processing factory in Phetchabun on Wednesday evening launched a protest against alleged physical abuse by Thai security guards.

They briefly held two Thais hostage, before setting them both free.

Bueng Samphan police are detaining and questioning 30 protest leaders while the number of protesters had reduced by half as of press time last night. The Burmese workers insisted they would talk only with Saha Farm CEO Panya Chotitawan, who has not yet responded publicly to their demands.

The protesters, armed with sticks and metal water pipes, were gathered inside the factory compound. A number of shotguns used by security guards and a pistol belonging to a policeman, who was detained and later released, are reportedly in their possession.

Rescue workers took over the security mission from a large number of policemen after the situation eased, with nonprotesters and families allowed to leave the factory to get food and supplies, as of press time last night.

Provincial governor Kongekwilas Rujiwatthanaphong said the dispute was an internal solvable conflict until the workers held people hostage.

Three vehicles and two motorcycles, which are the company's property, have been pushed into a pond.

The protest began Wednesday evening with Burmese workers accusing a security guard of beating their colleagues. They took him hostage.

A factory manager and policeman who were talking to them were also held and later released, after the protestors demanded direct talks with Panya, while still detaining the guard.

A Karen worker said a large number of Burmese workers were beat up regularly by security guards. They were guarded by men armed with rifles all the time during their transport within Thailand, under the supervision of a female employment agent known only as Lek.

A villager living nearby confirmed the abuse and showed sympathy for the workers. "The workers have been treated like they are not human," said the person, who asked not to be named.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Rising bird flu infections in region could mean bird flu threat in Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

DSI postpones formal indictment of red leaders

By THE NATION

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has postponed the date for formally indicting 18 red-shirt leaders over lese majeste charges.

DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith said yesterday that the 18 had been informed in writing that the date for them to appear before the authorities to be formally indicted would be May 4 instead of May 2.

Tarit said public prosecutors had instructed the DSI to investigate the case further to ensure fairness to all involved, which is why the date had to be postponed.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan is one of the 18 red-shirt leaders accused of insulting the monarchy during a recent rally held to mark the first anniversary of last year's April 10 crackdown.

Jatuporn, who was also one of the key leaders of last year's rally that led to unrest and riots, managed to escape detention thanks to the immunity allowed MPs. Other core red-shirt leaders were put in remand for terrorism and inciting violence in connection with last year's unrest, which left 91 people dead and 2,000 others injured.

A source said yesterday that the delay meant Jatuporn would lose his immunity, which is not applicable when the House of Representatives is dissolved.

Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to dissolve the House on May 6 before he leaves for Indonesia to attend the Asean Summit. Abhisit had earlier promised to seek royal endorsement for House dissolution in the first week of May to pave the way for an early election.

Meanwhile, public prosecutors will this afternoon seek a Criminal Court order for the withdrawal of bail granted to nine red-shirt leaders facing terrorism charges, a source from the Office of the Attorney-General said yesterday.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Banned politician pulls faction out of coalition

By THE NATION

Former tourism and sports minister Sonthaya Khunplome, who was banned from politics, said yesterday that his family had created a new political party with him serving as adviser.

The name of the new political party - Palang Chon (Force of Chon Buri) - reflects the Khunplome family's focus on its stronghold in the province.

Sonthaya said his group had decided to leave the coalition partner Bhum Jai Thai Party because Chon Buri residents wanted them to form a new political party, since "they think it's better suited for this political atmosphere".

The new party, which has been registered with the Election Commission, will have be led by Chao Maneewong, who was formerly a senator for the province and former rector of Chon Buri's Burapha University, Sonthaya said.

He added that the party would be officially launched when "the time is right".

Sonthaya expected the new party to win 12 parliamentary seats in the upcoming general elections When asked about the possibility of the party winning all the MP seats in Chon Buri, he said that would depend on the voters. "Chon Buri residents will decide, because this party was born in their province," he said.

So far, the party has attracted election candidates from all regions except the South.

Sonthaya served as tourism and sport minister in the government of Thaksin Shinawatra and is among the 111 former executives of the Thai Rak Thai party who face a five-year political ban after the party was dissolved in 2007 for electoral fraud.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Senator pushed for disabled rights role

By The Nation

Thailand has nominated disabledrights advocate Senator Montien Boonton to be a member of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for 2013-14.

Kingkaew Inwang, chief of the National Office for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NEP), said yesterday that the 18strong committee was established under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to follow up country reports of disabled persons' rights protection and make recommendations to member countries.

Thailand ratified the convention on July 29, 2008, and it came into effect on August 28 the same year.

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry, the NEP and the Foreign Affairs Ministry have devised plans to secure votes for Montien, who had an important role in pushing forward the implementation of the CRPD.

The election of 12 new committee members will take place in late 2012 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

HYDROPOWER PROJECTS

Dams may 'drive rebels into Thailand'

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Chiang Mai

Salween Watch warns ethnic groups will be driven out of their homes

Conservationists have accused the Burmese authorities of using development projects in predominantly ethnic minority areas to suppress dissident groups - resulting in a greater influx of refugees into Thailand.

Burma, with the cooperation of Thailand, is planning a number of hydropower projects in the Salween River in Karen and Shan States to generate and export electricity to Thailand.

The projects would displace people living in the proposed inundated areas along the Thailand-Burma border, said Day Day from the Chiang Mai-based conservationist organisation, Salween Watch.

The projected dam areas are strongholds of Karen and Shan rebellious groups who have fought for autonomy for many years.

"With dams flooding their homes and farms, people would lose both their livelihoods and living areas, forcing them to seek refuge and new lives in neighbouring Thailand," said Kwa Say of the rights group Burma Issue.

The proposed construction sites on the Salween River - for Tasang in Shan state and Hat Gyi in Karen state - are now seeing heavy fighting between Burmese government troops and the armed ethnic minorities, said Day Day.

The conflict has intensified since November last year when Burma held its first general election in two decades. Fighting is looming in the Karen and Southern Shan states, around the proposed dam sites along the Salween River, he said.

The attack is part of a systematic campaign by the Burmese regime to wipe out all ethnic resistance forces, including ceasefire groups who have refused to become Border Guard Forces under the Burmese army.

"The danger of dam building in Burma's war zones should be evident to Thai investors and their Chinese partners. It is impossible to adhere to meaningful dam building standards when communities are silenced by violence," said the Salween Watch in its statement.

The group called upon concerned authorities in Burma and Thailand to halt the plans to build dams on the river. Burma plans to build five dams on the Salween River on the border with Thailand. The Salween dam cascade is composed of the Hat Gyi, Tasang, Upper Thanlwin (Salween), Wei Gyi, and Dagwin dams.

Among major environmental costs, the Hat Gyi Dam, with installed capacity of 1,300MW, will flood two wildlife sanctuaries in Karen State and the Tasang Dam, with a capacity of 7,000MW, will flood teak forests.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and its partner from China and Burma hold concessions to develop the two dams.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Pheu Thai Party offers tablets to Thai students

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Party cries foul over provincial EC selections

By PRAPHAN CHINDALERT-UDOMDEE

THE NATION

Pheu Thai Party deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi yesterday questioned the transparency of the selection of members of Provincial Election Commissions, saying the Interior Ministry dominated the process through provincial governors.

Provincial Election Commissions can suspend election results (yellow cards) or disqualify MP candidates (red cards). Plodprasop said governors chaired selection committees for provincial panel members.

He called for strict verification of Provincial Election Commission members. Where there are questions, officers must be excluded from the job, he said.

An investigation into Provincial Election Commission members would be required in case of complaints against MP candidates.

Governors must think of their honour as government officials and not serve politicians, he said.

Plodprasop also complained that television stations twice returned a Pheu Thai Party promotional video, claiming the content could not be aired as the party attacked the government.

The party made changes and sent the tape for a third time. Plodprasop said that if the tapes were rejected again, he would burn the tapes in protest at the unfairness to the party.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

House is adjourned again for lack of quorum

By NERISA NERYKHIEW,

PIYANART SRIVALO

THE NATION

The House had to be adjourned yesterday for the fifth time this year due to a lack of quorum even as Parliament prepares to meet possibly the last time next week. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has announced his plan to dissolve the House by next week.

Four hours into the House session yesterday, after MPs had finished scrutinising the drafts on an independent agency for natural resources, environment and health, a quorum check showed that there were only 223 MPs present.

At least 236 MPs are needed for final voting.

Deputy House Speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai, who was also chairing the session, put the meeting off till today.

Next Wednesday will most probably be the last time that the House will meet before it is dissolved. Officials have tentatively arranged for a final Senate-House joint meeting as well as a farewell party for Monday.

INFORMAL MEETING

At Parliament yesterday, Abhisit also held an informal meeting with ministers. He told reporters that they discussed the prioritisation of issues to be brought to the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, which will be the last if the House is dissolved next week.

"It is impossible for all issues to be considered urgent ones. They need to be really crucial and urgent," he said.

Abhisit denied reports that the Cabinet would rush to approve mega-projects or ones that require huge budgets. "Big projects should have been considered by the National Economic and Social Development Board and related agencies before reaching the Cabinet," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Thai Labour Ministry hopes to double disabled employment

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Yala-Narathiwat road opened

By The Nation

A major road linking Yala and Narathiwat, which has taken eight years to build, is finally ready. The construction was delayed as contractors had to keep abandoning the job because of insurgent attacks.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will inaugurate the 28kilometre Route 4066, which links Raman district in Yala with Narathiwat's Yingor district, in a ceremony today. This new road offers an alternative route to local motorists and is expected to cut down on accidents.

The road was completed in six years after Army engineers took over the project, which was dropped by civilian contractors after two years because of frequent insurgent attacks, which claimed many lives.

Meanwhile, a village chief in Narathiwat's Rangae district was seriously wounded in a gun attack while he was tapping rubber. Witnesses said two gunmen, likely insurgents, opened fire on Koyi Samaae before fleeing on foot.

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Light clashes late Thursday as well as early Friday on Thai-Cambodian border despite ceasefire: Thai army spokesman Col Sansern /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,091.70, down 0.61 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Government Whip: Abhisit-led Admin Passed 52 Laws Passed in 15 Months

The government whip claims the Abhisit-led administration has done a good job regarding the deliberation of important bills.

As many as 50 laws have been approved over its 15-month tenure.

Government whip member Warong Detwikrom said that the Abhisit-led administration has passed a total of 52 important bills since its term began 15 months ago.

He said there are some 130 draft bills pending at the moment, and at least 7 bills are likely to be finalized before the House is dissolved.

Warong cited draft bills involving rubber, independent agencies, consumer protection and nationality as examples.

The government whip added that this government's passed bills outnumber those of the Samak Sudaravej and Somchai Wongsawat administrations.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-29

[webfact]

AFP: Cambodia appeals to World Court over Preah Vihear temple

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Police arrest nephew of a famous villainous actor for stealing things in vehicles parked at Suvarnabhumi & elsewhere in BKK /TAN_Network

[webfact]

No More Flights at Don Muang Airport After 2015

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai Army Chief: Cambodia Calling for International Attention

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Bhumjaithai Party Confident about Securing 70 Seats

The Bhumjaithai Party has said it is convinced it will win at least 70 seats in the upcoming poll.

Bhumjaithai Party MP President, Prachak Kaeoklahan says he believes his party and the Chart Thai Pattana Party are likely to ensure at least 70 MPs in the upcoming poll.

He went on to say it is a good opportunity for parties expected to win numerous seats to work together when the next government is formed.

Prachak added that his party has already outlined a framework concerning political relations with another party, as it is one of his party's strategies.

As for the Phalang Chon faction, which has a close relationship with key members of the Bhumjaithai Party, Prachak said it's impossible to say his party will not work with this faction, as the key members of the two parties have joined hands before.

When asked if the alliance of the three groups will be a major factor of the next government, Prachak answered that the intention is only to work together, not to form a coalition government.

He added that his party will not call for a particular ministry, but rather, that negotiation could be a good solution so that each party has an opportunity to work in a ministry of its area of expertise.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-29