Thailand Live Wednesday 11 May 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 11 May 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 Tuesday 10 May 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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[george]

Two out of three National ID database servers down, crisis imminent

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ANALYSIS

Yingluck is Thaksin's big bet

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Quakes shake Thailand's north, more floods loom

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ANALYSIS

PM Abhisit takes border peace one step back with new conditions

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Anti-graft body probes CAT executives

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Onet seen as key to better education

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The law applies to all, regardless of background: Thai opinion

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Media literacy needed among television viewers

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Thai sports heroes carry parties towards election goals

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Police lured into bomb trap in Yala, four injured badly

By The Nation

Insurgents detonated a roadside bomb in Yala's Muang district yesterday to lure police investigators before detonating another bomb at a nearby bus stop shelter, injuring two police sergeants and two civilians, police said.

The blast severed Pol Sergeant Wutthinan Chanorn's leg and left Pol Sergeant Homhuan Polcha injured in the head and left leg. It also slightly injured two local residents Kopeusoh Damaloh, 27, and Ravi Ma, 33.

Initial police investigations showed that insurgents had hidden the explosives close to a roadside electricity pole and detonated the bomb at around 1pm to lure security officers to the scene. The injured police were part of the investigating team from Kota Baru police station. They were in a bus stop, collecting evidence, when the second explosion - suspected to be a 35kg bomb hidden under the seat - went off.

On behalf of Their Majesties the King and Queen, Trang Governor Maitree Inthusud presented a royally granted wreath to the funeral of Private Anuwat Petchram, 22, at Wat Nai Pong in Trang's Wang Wiset district. Anuwat was killed in a bomb attack in Yala's Raman district on May 7. Other royal members also sent wreaths to the funeral. The royalsponsored cremation ceremony will be held on May 16 for Anuwat, who was posthumously promoted to second lieutenant.

-- The Nation 2011-05-11

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Graduates in uni scandal appealing licence loss

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Police seek trial for 114 yellow shirts

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Bt1bn fund sought to ensure safety at workplaces

By The Nation

149,539 people were injured at work, 650 killed, 10 disabled and 2,157 maimed, the Labour Protection and Welfare Department (LPWD) directorgeneral Amporn Nitisiri said yesterday. Meanwhile, the Labour Ministry is thinking about seeking a Bt1billion fund for work safety.

Amporn said the affected workers were given a total of Bt1.6 billion in compensation from the Social Security Fund and Workmen's Compensation Fund. From October 1 last year to May 1 this year, 215 cases were found in violation of labour law, while 54 cases involved work safety. Employers were fined Bt7 million in total.

Amporn made these comments at yesterday's National Work Safety Day event, which marked the anniversary of the Kader toyfactory fire on May 10, 1993 in which 188 workers were killed and 469 injured.

Labour Ministry permanent secretary Somkiat Chayawong, who presided over the ceremony, said the Safety, Occupational Health and Environments in Work Performance Act 2011, under which establishments were obligated to make working conditions safe or face a tougher punishment ranging from a year in jail and/or Bt200,00 fine to two years in jail and/or Bt800,000 fine, would go into effect from July 16.

The ministry is also planning to seek Bt1 billion from the next government to set up a worksafety office and fund, he said. Somkiat added that LPWD had reported the ratio of workers going on sick leave due to work hazards had gradually lowered from 9.69 per 1,000 in 2000, to 7.02 in 2006 and 5.22 in 2010.

-- The Nation 2011-05-11

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Thai Genome project takes off next month

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Reconciliation impossible if truth obscured, Thai panel says

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AFP: Pheu Thai politician shot: police

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Frauds within Thai private sector unabated: TDRI

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,092.60, up 7.04 points /MCOT

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Chart Thai Pattana Party Snubs Pledge on Forming Govt

The Chart Thai Pattana Party has brushed off a proposed pledge to give the party who wins the most MP seats preference to form the government.

Meanwhile, the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party has unveiled another superstar athlete joining the party..

Chart Thai Pattana Party Leader Chumphon Silapa-archa has brushed off a pledge proposed by the Pheu Thai Party to give the party who wins the most MP seats the preference to form the government, saying it is unnecessary.

Chumphon also urged everyone to reconcile after the election, to avert another bout of political violence.

As the House has been dissolved, the Chart Thai Patta Party is planning to announce its campaign promises to the public on May 12.

On the same day, the party will unveil some of its candidates for constituencies.

Chumphon has claimed that 4 to 5 incumbent MPs from one or two northern provinces have decided to join the party.

The Chart Thai Pattana Party leader also dismissed the recent public opinion poll results which omitted Chart Thai Pattana from the list of the most popular parties, saying that he is dumbfounded by this because his party has been working hard.

At any rate, Chumphon said since it is a small party, the Chart Thai Pattana Party is not pressured by the poll results.

In addition, Chumphon offered condolences to the family of Pairoj Suwanchawee, the de facto leader of the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party who recently passed away, saying Paijoj was his student and they worked together in the past.

Pairoj died of a blood infection at the age of 62 on May 7.

Meanwhile, the party has revealed its candidates for the upcoming election, including the addition of Piyapong Pue-on, arguably one of the best forwards Thailand has ever produced.

Piyapong said he decided to enter politics to continue his passion in developing Thai sports.

The party has also promised to develop sports in Thailand through projects such as the construction of athletic centers throughout the country, one-billion baht funds for sports programs per year, and another billion baht for athletes' funds, amongst many others.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-11

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Siam Retail to Launch Lifestyle Mall in Feb 2012

The Siam Retail Development Company believes consumer confidence will return after the election.

Meanwhile, the company is set to launch a new lifestyle mall in Ram Intra in February 2012.

Prasert Sriurapong, president of Siam Retail Development, the management of Fashion Island and The Promenade Shopping Malls, said that consumer confidence will return after the election, which will boost the economy.

In addition, the company has unveiled The Promenade, a two-floor hybrid shopping mall project located on an 18-rai plot of land near Fashion Island in the Ram Intra area of Bangkok.

The Promenade is boasted as a lifestyle mall, combining both outdoor and indoor sections.

The company has said its main target customers are premium-class shoppers aged between 28 and 40 year old.

The company has invested one billion baht in the project, and construction is already about 60 percent complete.

The developer expects 20,000 to 30,000 people will visit the mall per day, generating at least 2 billion baht per month.

The shopping mall will open to the public in February 2012.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-11

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Malaysian deputy foreign minister denies criticizing Thailand in conflict with Cambodia, saying his comment was misrepresented /TAN_Network

Army chief affirms police will manage security during the election while soldiers will help only when asked to /TAN_Network

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PM calls for Pheu Thai to unveil premier candidate

BANGKOK, 10 May 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged the Pheu Thai Party to reveal its candidate for premiership in order to allow voters to consider who to vote for in the upcoming general election.

In his capacity as the Democrat Party leader, Prime Minister Abhisit indicated that the party executive committee would finish its deliberation regarding MP candidates, both in the party-list and the constituency systems, on 12 May and a seminar would be held with all of them on 14 May. As for Bangkok, he said the list of candidates had already been completed, adding that the party was represented in all constituencies within the capital.

When asked for his opinion about Ms Yingluck Shinawatra, who might be fielded by Pheu Thai to contest with him for the prime minister seat, Mr Abhisit admitted that he had no knowledge of the Pheu Thai Party’s decision on the matter. Since the House had been dissolved as promised, he demanded the party to officially unveil its candidate to the public at once in order to provide sufficient time for voters to make their decision ahead of the poll.

-- NNT 2011-05-11

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American man found dead in Phuket

Mr Alletzhauser was originally from New York state.

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Cabinet Meeting Results Unveiled

The spokesperson for the PM's Office has reported that the Cabinet has dealt with various issues during its weekly cabinet meeting, such as the upcoming poll, the border tension, and a fertilizer promotion project.

PM's Office Spokesman Panithan Wathanayakorn said that the Cabinet will meet from time to time to consider important issues after the House has been dissolved.

The next meeting is set for May 18, as the Cabinet will be vetting a proposal forwarded by the Foreign Affairs Ministry over the observers along the Cambodian border.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asserted that Cambodia must withdraw from the disputed area before Indonesian observers step in.

Panithan added that the premier may have a talk with the Election Commission before Tuesday to discuss the rules and regulations about the premier, such as the vehicle for the premier, ahead of the election.

Deputy spokesperson to the PM's Office Wachara Kannika added that the Cabinet has consented to the management of six chemical fertilizers and approved the change of the project's title to 'Fertilizer Promotion to Cut Production Costs for Farmers."

It is expected that a budget of 3.9 million baht will be allocated to this project.

In a separate matter, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has assigned the PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey to address problems and repercussions related to natural disasters.

The last agenda involved the acknowledgement of crime statistics forwarded by the National Police Office.

According to the report, crime rates for serious offences plunged in March 2011 by 24 percent, physical assault cases dropped 20 percent, and personal belonging cases fell 15 percent.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-11

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EC encourages Cabinet ministers to campaign after working hour and bans use of official vehicles during this time /TAN_Network

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Bhumjaithai Party: Puea Phandin Party Leader's Death Won't Affect Election

The deputy leader of Bhumjaithai Party confirms that the death of the former Puea Phandin Party leader will not have an effect on the upcoming election.

Bhumjaithai Party MP and deputy party leader Boonjong Vongtrairat said that the death of former Puea Phandin Party leader Pairoj Suwanchawee, who was also a member of the Group 16 faction, will have no effect on the Bhumjaithai Party in the upcoming election.

Boonjong said Nakhon Ratchasima Province is a large province with 15 available seats.

He said each of Bhumjaithai's members has their strong points, and, therefore, he leaves the decision to the people as to who would be suitable for the position.

Boonjong hopes the party will be able to maintain six of their MP positions, as they have experience in administrating in the area.

Meanwhile, he confirms that Pheu Thai Party MP for Nakhon Ratchasima and deputy party leader Somchai Petprasert is not moving to the Bhumjaithai Party as they have already elected their candidate list.

He said the party hopes to win 74 MP seats in the upcoming election.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-11

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Violence targeted on popular political party before election

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NDWC: Heavy rain to hit many regions

BANGKOK, 11 May 2011 (NNT) – The National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has issued a warning against possible heavy rainfall in many parts of Thailand within the next few days.

According to NDWC Director Group Captain Somsak Khaosuwan, many regions of the kingdom including the western part of the South, East, Central, and North are likely to experience torrential rain from 10 to 11 May 2011.

Related units, especially those in the provinces of Phang Nga, Ranong, Phetchabun, Phichit, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Nan, Phae, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, should brace themselves for possible flash flood while villagers residing in risky spots should follow officials’ advice as well as monitor the news closely.

Moreover, small boats are advised against leaving the shores during this period due to strong wind in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

-- NNT 2011-05-11