Thailand Live Thursday 19 May 2011

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Thailand Live Thursday 19 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 Wednesday 18 May 2011

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THAI ELECTION 2011

Ten red leaders to figure in Pheu Thai party list

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High Noon In Phuket As Police Clash Over Property Sting

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Meeting voters more important than debate with Abhisit: Yingluck

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Security to be heavy as Thai MP hopefuls register

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Kasit does not put peace package on Cabinet agenda

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3G INVESTMENT

NTC board to convene on CAT-True deal

By The Nation

National Telecommunication Commission commissioner Natee Sukonrat said yesterday that the NTC board was expected to hold a discussion next week about the office's study on the CAT Telecom-True Group deal.

The office has already submitted the study to the board but Natee said it needed to be discussed further and more details should be taken into consideration.

He said the board's discussion would focus on the study's conclusions, the wholesale-resale contract of the 3G service sent to it by CAT, and related licences. The last issue concerns whether the transactions in the deals violate Article 46 of the 2010 Frequency Allocation Act, which obliges NTC licence holders to provide their service on their own spectra, instead of allowing other parties to do so on their behalf.

CAT and True's subsidiaries, Real Future and Real Move, entered into 12 deals on January 27. As part of the deals, CAT will allocate its 850MHz spectrum to be used exclusively with HSPA equipment to be leased to it by BKFT (Thailand) of Real Future for 14.5 years.

CAT has committed to allocating a maximum of 80 per cent of HSPA wholesale capacity during the first three years to Real Move to retail the service. CAT will utilise the remaining capacity to either wholesale to the other organisation or to provide retail services on its own.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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EDITORIAL

Can Pheu Thai's nominee Yingluck really convince the Thai public?

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BURNING ISSUE

Thaksin's long shot with Yingluck

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Ability, not gender, is what makes a good Thai PM

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Jailed Jatuporn denied release to attend MP registration

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Abhisit on three-day leave

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is taking a two-day leave of absence from today to lead his Democrat Party in the registration of candidates, thereby putting the election campaign in full swing.

During Abhisit's absence, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey will be stepping in as caretaker premier.

Since all Cabinet members are entitled to a three-day leave per week in order to meet their campaign obligations, Abhisit wryly quipped that soon Deputy Education Minister Narisara Chawaltanpipat will be taking over as caretaker premier.

"If Narisara is given the duty, she might become our first female prime minister and douse the other side's aspirations," Abhisit said, referring to Pheu Thai's candidate for the top job - Yingluck Shinawatra.

Jokingly, Narisara retorted that she was willing to take the job but did not have a horse to ride to work. She was referring to a prophecy that a lady on a white horse would be a political saviour and bring the turmoil to an end.

Several ministers also found it funny that "Kung" (shrimp) as Narisara is known, might precede "Pu" (crab), Yingluck's nickname, to the prime minister's seat.

At the Cabinet meeting yesterday, Abhisit reminded his ministers to strictly abide by campaigning rules, particularly those related to attending social functions, so there was no conflict about being an incumbent office holder and an election candidate.

It was unfortunate that all party-list candidates were banned from sending wreaths to the funeral of veteran politician Pairoj Suwanchawee, which coincided with the campaigning.

Satit explained that Cabinet members had to take every precaution not to violate campaigning rules because they were the first to assume the caretaker PM's duty after the 2007 Constitution was promulgated.

Under prescribed procedures, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban should be designated caretaker premier, but he is away on a trip overseas.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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Pracha discharged amid heavy security

By The Nation

Pheu Thai Party MP Pracha Prasobdee, who survived an assassination attempt last week and is still suffering from a gunshot wound, was yesterday discharged from a Bangkok hospital amid heavy protection by a 20member police security detail.

National police chief Pol General Wichean Potephosree said there would be "good news" relating to the investigation into the shooting in the next two weeks, after police mobilised 100 investigators from many divisions to jointly probe the case. "There should good news that may lead to arrest of the mastermind," he said.

Chief investigator Pol MajGeneral Khamronwit Thoopkrajang said the arrest of members of the hit team whose potential confession could lead to the mastermind was "extremely difficult", but police were working hard to solve the case.

Despite useful information provided by Pracha, the officer said that making arrests depended on the evidence police needed to produce. He refused to comment on news reports that two black Toyota Vigo pickup trucks were used by the hit team, other than to say that both vehicles had possibly been dismantled and evidence of them removed.

Khamronwit also refused to comment on reports that the shooting was possibly carried out by men in uniform, but said the gunman was highly skilful in using a modified M16 assault rifle.

Pracha left Rama IX Hospital on foot and did not speak to waiting reporters before departing in his sedan with four police vehicles following. Doctors said later that he reported pain in surgical wounds in his neck after fragments of bullets were removed, and that he needed to periodically return to have his wounds redressed.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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US visa sought for ill student's parents

By The Nation

The Foreign Ministry said yesterday said Thai Embassy officials in the United States were trying to get a visa for the parents of a Thai student who is in hospital in Texas for encephalitis.

In a statement explaining the case of Sarocha Niamboonnam, a Thai student who went to Texas under the "Work and Travel" project and is currently under intensive care in hospital, the ministry said embassy officials in Washington and Los Angeles were trying to get a visa for her parents. Officials are also applying for a visa via the US Embassy in Bangkok. The statement said the ministry had contacted the President of the Thai Association in Houston, Texas, to help the couple during their visit, while the restaurant where Sarocha was working at before falling ill would help cover the expenses.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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Warrants issued for police chief murder

The Nation

Crime Suppression Division police told a press conference yesterday that arrest warrants had been issued for a construction contractor and a gunman for the murder of Kerkrit Niyomserm, the former chief of Sai Ngam Police Station in Kamphaeng Phet, on April 19 at his home in Nakhon Sawan.

The warrants were issued on May 16 for contractor Niran Peungsampao, who allegedly procured a hitman and getaway vehicle, and a gunman identified in a sketch, said CSD deputy commander Pol Col Prasobchoke Prommul.

A police investigation suggested the killing was ordered because of a conflict involving the victim and bidding collusion over the construction of dams on the Chao Phraya river in Nakhon Sawan worth Bt290 million, Prasobchoke said.

Believing more people were involved in the murder, including "influential figures", the police say they are gathering evidence to arrest those behind the crime.

Police suspect many people were involved in distributing murder fees worth millions of baht, Prasobchoke added.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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Luang Por Khun improving

By The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima

The condition of Luang Por Khun Parisuttho has improved, with the muchrevered monk gaining a kilogram of bodyweight to 36kg, though he will remain on an IV drip.

Doctor Pinijjai Nakphan, a cardiologist of the Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, said that without more infections, Luan Por Khun would continue to improve after being fed through a tube in his nose for about two weeks.

The monk's general condition has improved and his blood pressure, vital signals and body temperature are normal, the doctor said.

The previous tuberculosis drug formula was changed on May 14 after it affected the monk's liver, thus it would take another month to tell if the new formula made him better.

The infection and inflammation in his lung were stable, he said, adding that doctors would today take a blood test on the monk.

The Wat Ban Rai abbot was admitted to hospital on May 4 with tuberculosis.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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TCT plans police complaint over uni degree sales

By The Nation

A meeting of the Teachers' Council of Thailand (TCT) today will table the issue of Khon Kaen's ESarn University selling professional teacher certificates, aiming to get the council's agreement to file a police complaint against the private university, a senior official said yesterday.

TCT chairman Ongkorn Amornsirinan said the 794 ESarn university graduates whose professional teacher certificates had been revoked by TCT could apply for new professional teacher certificates - if the university issued their transcripts.

Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Chiramethakorn said taking legal action against the university would be difficult because each of the three agencies involved had its own information and hadn't coordinated with the others. He planned to invite representatives of TCT, the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) and the Committee supervising Khon Kaen's ESarn University to discuss and speed up the action against the university.

Chaiyos said the Department of Special Investigation would announce later this month if it would take up the case - which would speed the investigation and enable the seizure of university money.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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Why Thailand’s sexpat community hates Thaksin Shinawatra

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Kidney patient complains to court over NHSO

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

A 67yearold patient is seeking legal remedies after he was required to pay for therapy for his chronic kidney disease even though he holds a "gold card".

"Why do I have to pay so much money for my treatment when I'm eligible to get free medication under the universal healthcare scheme for my chronic kidney disease?" Noppadol Poonchareon, who has suffered from the problem for two years, said yesterday.

He started receiving hemodialysis at a state hospital in January 2009 as a member of the universal healthcare scheme but staff there asked him to pay Bt2,000Bt3,000 for medical services.

"At that time, I totally wondered why I have to pay over Bt2,000 for my medication even though I hold a gold card and have rights to receive free treatment under the universal healthcare scheme," he said.

After learning that he had to pay with his own money for hemodialysis treatment, he went to the Central Administrative Court to file a complaint against the National Health Security Office (NHSO), which manages the universal healthcare scheme.

He cited Article 51 of the Constitution, which requires the government to provide free medication to poor people, and Article 53, which asks the government to provide social welfare to people aged over 65.

NHSO had informed Noppadol that it would provide only continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as a free treatment for patients with kidney disease. If they want hemodialysis, they have to pay Bt500. But if they were registered as a patient with NHSO before October 1, 2008, they have to pay Bt1,500.

"This was an unfair announcement," Noppadol said.

Now he undergoes hemodialysis offered by the Chamlong Srimuang Foundation, which asks him to pay only Bt1,300 for medical services each time.

About 20,000 patients are receiving medical treatment for kidney disease under the universal healthcare scheme. About 10,000 of them are on CAPD.

Saree Ongsomwang, secretarygeneral of the Foundation for Consumers, said NHSO should improve its medical benefits especially for kidney disease patients and help them to access affordable medication.

The Friends of Kidney Patients Club has also asked the Social Security Office (SSO) to include kidney transplantation with immunosuppression as a medical benefit under social security, but the SSO's board has still not agreed with the proposal.

"We'll give them only seven days to give the green light to extend this medical benefit to save our lives. If they don't, we'll meet them at their office," club chairman Subin Noksakul said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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Election Watch: Democrats and Pheu Thai to Go 3rd and 4th

The Democrats party will be the third party to draw their party number for the 2011 election.

Pheu Thai party will go fourth to draw their party number for the July poll.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-19

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EC chairman uses wooden spoon to mix the no. balls. First party to draw party# is PALANG MUAN CHON /TAN_Network

Second party to draw party is NEW POLITICS PARTY. /TAN_Network

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Democrats has been assigned NUMBER 10 for the 2011 poll. Party members and supporters cheered loudly & chanted "number 10, number 10" /TAN_Network

PHEU THAI party has been assigned NUMBER 1 for party# for July 2011 election. /TAN_Network

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Democrat to contest under Candidacy No 10

The Democrat Party was Thursday assigned the candidacy No 10.

The party got Number 10 in lot drawing at Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng Thursday morning.

A total of 28 parties applied for the election contest before 8:30 am and participated in the lot drawing.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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Pheu Thai to contest under Candidacy No 1

The Pheu Thai Party was Thursday assigned the candidacy No 1.

The party got Number 1 in lot drawing at Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng Thursday morning.

A total of 28 parties applied for the election contest before 8:30 am and participated in the lot drawing.

-- The Nation 2011-05-19

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Chuwit Kamolvisit drew out NUMBER FIVE as party for July poll. Pleased crowds with special 'victory' gesture. /TAN_Network

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Love Thailand Party Assigned No.5

The Love Thailand party under the leadership of Chuwit Kamolvisit, former massage parlous king, drew out number 5 for party number for the upcoming poll in July. He pleased the crowd with a special 'victory' gesture on stage.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-19

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Party Candidacy Registration: Result of lot drawing

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,081.25, up 5.34 points /MCOT

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Memorial Held for 1992 Black May Victims

A memorial for the May 1992 political bloodshed was held today to remember those who perished.

The Phruetsapha Prachatham Foundation held an event to commemorate the 19th anniversary of what Thai people remember as 'Black May' in 1992, when a popular uprising was met with brutal suppression by the military that cost dozens of lives.

Thos who joined the memorial event included relatives of the tragic incident's victims along with President of the Research Center for Peace Building at Mahidol University, Kothom Araya, Adul Kiewboriboon, who is head of the committee of relatives of demonstrators killed during the uprising and Prinya Thewanarumitkul, assistant rector for student affairs at Thammasat University, who witnessed the incident.

However, the atmosphere at the event was quiet as only small number of victims' relatives participated-- no renowned politicians made an appearance.

The memorial featured a Buddhist alms-giving ceremony in the morning, followed by a laying of flowers garlands by leaders of many agencies.

Officials reported on progress in the construction of the Black May monument after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration handed over an area on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, where former Public Relations Department offices used to stand, to construct the Black May monument.

Designs for the monument have yet to be approved by the Rattanakosin Island Committee.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-19

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AFP: Thailand's election race heats up

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