Thailand Live Friday 13 May 2011

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Navy Commander Seeks Approval for Submarine Purchase

The Navy Commander has disclosed information about the purchase of used submarines from German Navy at a total cost of 7.7 billion baht.

Navy Commander Admiral Khumthorn Pumhirun has disclosed information about the purchase of six used submarines from German Navy at a total cost 7.7 billion baht.

The admiral said the Defence Ministry was unable to timely submit the proposal to purchase six used submarines to the Cabinet.

Admiral Khumthorn assured that the proposed six submarines will be able to function in the Gulf of Thailand.

He said that it is necessary for the Thai Navy to acquire new technology to fend off invasions from neighboring countries.

Also these new technologies could help save lives of Navy officers during their operations.

Admiral Khumthorn denied seeking personal gains in the purchase as critics have speculated.

The admiral also said he did not know about Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan seeking submarines from Korea before previously.

Meanwhile, the Thai Navy has also asked the German Navy to extend the purchasing time frame as we wait for the approval from the new administration.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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NSO: 276,000 people jobless in Mar 2011

BANGKOK, 13 May 2011 (NNT) – The number of unemployed people in March 2011 was recorded at 276,000 people, down from the figure for the same period last year by 92,000 people, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO).

Although the number of jobless people in March rose from February 2011 by 8,000, the unemployment level was deemed low. Out of the total of the unemployed in March, 103,000 of them had never worked before, while 173,000 others had some work experience.

Classifying in industries, 75,000 unemployed people used to work in the service and trade sectors while other 57,000 and 41,000 people were from the manufacturing and agricultural sectors respectively.

Breaking down in education qualification, 99,000 of them had undergraduate degrees, followed by those with grade 9, primary and grade 12 certificates of 58,000, 52,000 and 46,000 people respectively. There were 21,000 jobless people with no or lower than primary education.

Bangkok had the highest unemployment rate of 1.2%, up by 0.5% from a year earlier, followed by the South, the North, the Central, and the Northeast by 1%, 0.7%, 0.6% and 0.5% respectively.

A total of 37.81 million people had gainful employment in March 2011, including 13.07 million, 10,000 more than last March’s figure of 13.06 million, in the agricultural sector; and 24.74 million, up by 200,000 from the 24.54 million reported for the same month last year.

-- TNA 2011-05-13

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Major Parties Warned on Wage Hike Policy

The Thai Chamber of Commerce has warned the two major political parties not to focus their election campaign on attracting the manual workforce with prospects of raising the minimum wage and neglecting the agricultural sector.

It has suggested the two political parties address inequality in the agricultural sector.

Thai Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Phongsak Assakul said political parties have begun their election campaigns, trying to appeal to various demographics and occupations.

One of which are the manual workers, where the two major political parties have highlighted policies to hike minimum wage from the current range of 159-221 baht.

The current minimum wage in the Bangkok zone is 215 baht per day. The Democrat Party plans to increase wages by 25 percent, or by 50 baht per day in the next two years.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party plans to set the minimum wage at 300 baht per day.

Phongsak said that although the policies will surely benefit the people, they must carefully consider the impact on the private sector and the employers who must pay the wage.

He said the wage must be deliberated by the tripartite committee representing the workers, employers and the state.

The deliberation must be carefully considered because if the minimum wage is raised, costs for the private sector will also rise and consequently, the prices of goods will be increase.

In the end, the effects will fall on public spending power, so the political parties must analyze the financial impact.

Phongsak went on to say that if the government is to proceed with hiking minimum wage, the private sector will need to see certain aspects addressed, including the quality of the workforce or increased productivity rate to match the wage hike.

The minimum wage hike must be gradual in line with market prices so that the private sector is able to adequately adapt to the changes.

There must also be competition in the private sector by cutting taxes for businesses with larger workforces or high production rates.

The last aspect which should addressed is the government's effort to tackle corruption and grafting by devising more effective legal measures so that production costs can be reduced for operators.

The Chamber of Commerce vice president proposed that the incoming government should address the wage for manual laborers and farmers since the Chamber of Commerce had previously suggested the government tackle inequality among farmers.

This year, the Chamber of Commerce planned to expand the One Rai, 100,000 Baht program for some 20,000 rai of farmland while 32 projects nationwide are currently under the One Company, One Community program.

Phongsak is confident that by considering raising the agricultural sector's wage, the grassroots economy will improve in the long term.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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Election Commission Expresses Concern over Electoral Violence

The Election Commission has expressed concern over the safty of candidate during the period leading up to the election after a former MP was attacked earlier this week.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayatham has reluctantly talked about the shooting of former Samut Prakarn MP Pracha Prasopdee believed to be political motivated, only saying that she does not know if such electoral violence will happen again.

At any rate, she asks the public to inform the Election Commission or the EC of any possible incident through its 24-hour hotline.

The EC has also expressed concern for the candidates' safety and will ask for the government to ensure security in some high risk areas during the period leading up to the general election.

When asked whether additional laws should be imposed to enhance safety, Sodsri said that the EC has no jurisdiction over the matter, but could authorize some electoral regulations to help in preventing electoral violence.

On Pracha's shooting, Sodsri only commented that it will be up to the police to determine the motif behind the crime and that everyone should the justice system takes its course.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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Veteran Politician Sanoh Thienthong to Join Pheu Thai

Veteran politician Sanoh Thienthong, together with 3 other key members of Pracharaj Party, will team up with Pheu Thai party to compete in the upcoming general election. However, the veteran politician is adamant Pracharaj Part will not be disbanded or merged with any other political party.

Sanoh is expected to play a key role in garnering support for Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, and her nomination to take the no.1 candidate on the party's partylist.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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National Police Chief Ensures Security as Election Nears

The national police chief has promised to maintain peace for the upcoming snap election, adding authorities will do their best to nab hired gunmen throughout the nation.

Police Chief Police General Wichian Photphosi said police officers will do their best to oversee security during the period leading up to the poll in July.

He vowed to take legal action against any police officer who is involved in politics during the election period if enough evidence is available.

The police chief went on to say that he predicted that competition will be fierce in many provinces, but police will arrest wrongdoers and eradicate hired gunmen in the countryside.

He threatened to shuffle related police officers who fail to control the situation.

When asked about the extension of the Internal Security Act that will expire May 24, Police General Wichian said he will examine activities of the red-shirt movement planned for May 19 before making the final decision.

As for a rumor that one of deputy police chief will be promoted to sit as the new police chief if the Pheu Thai Party wins the poll, General Wichian said he is indifferent to the rumor and will accept whatever the future brings.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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Arson-hit 'Center One' Shopping Plaza Reopens

The Center One Shopping Plaza fully reopens after eight months of complete renovation.

The shopping center was hit by an arson attack during violent riots in Bangkok last year.

Ratchapol Kraijirachote, managing director of People Plaza, announced the official reopening of Center One Shopping Plaza which has been closed for 9 months after an arson attack during last year’s riots in Bangkok.

Also present at the press conference were Bangkok Governor M.R.

Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Managing Director of SME Bank Soros Sakornwisawa.

Ratchapol said that the renovation costs more than 160 million baht.

He said he wishes political rallies not to be organized in the area surrounding the Victory Monument.

Security has been enhanced both inside and outside the shopping center.

The freshly renovated Center One will house 350 shops, 95 percent of which are occupied by existing tenants.

All shops will receive a 20-percent discount on the monthly rental fee during the first six months after the reopening.

More than 30,000 customers are expected daily, which will allow the shopping center to recoup renovation costs in 4 to 5 years.

Special activities will also be organized to boost sales and celebrate the relaunch from May 20 to 28.

Most mall vendors are confident about Center One’s location.

Some are still concerned about activities of the red-shirt group, especially when the one-year anniversary of bloody protest crackdown on May 19 last year is approaching.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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Daughter of Late Key Red-shirt Supporter 'Seh Daeng' Remembers His Death

Daughter of late army specialist Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol Khattiyah "Dear" Sawasdipol made merit for her late father at King Chulalongkorn Equestrian Statue in front of Lumpini Park today.

Army specialist Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol was assassinated during red-shirt protest in front of the Silom MRT station on May 13, 2010. A large no. of red-shirts turned up to lay red-roses at the site where he was shot. Police were on standby to ensure peace and security of the people who gathered to pay their respects to Seh Daeng.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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Exhibition on Rice Plantation at Museum Siam

The Museum Siam is holding a rice farming exhibition to raise public awareness on the importance of rice farmers.

To mark the importance of rice farming, the Museum Siam is organizing the 'Know-How' exhibition featuring various aspects about rice from May 12 to August 25.

The event showcases rice-related equipments such as plough handles, mortars, rice-winnowing.

Visitors are even welcomed to grow rice on a rice farm model.

Famous actress 'Um' Siriyakorn Pukawet said she was inspired by this agricultural activity and really wanted to promote traditional Thai rice farming to the next generation.

She added that she recently filmed a tv show called 'I will be a rice farmer,' featuring rice farming trial-and-error experience.

She said she even bought a plot of land to simulate a rice planting session.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-13

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AFP: Thai Police arrest UAE man with bear, panthers in case

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2 months from now, all 7-yr-old kids must have ID cards as new ID cards law comes into effect: Matichon /via@tulsathit

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Red-shirt Group Urged to Respect Court Ruling against Leader

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2 year old child’s lucky escape in firearms incident in Jomtien

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Ultra High Speed Internet coming to Pattaya

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SET index closed at 1084.96, down 1.31; Bt/USD30.08; GBP48.82; AUD32.02; EUR42.83; CAD31.20; HKD3.86; SGD24.13; JPY37.14

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Carrefour Stores Change Name To Big C Extra

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Detained Red Shirt Leader Jatuporn Seeks Permission To Register For Election Candidacy

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to be continued,

Thailand Live Saturday 14 May