Thailand Live Wednesday 25 May 2011

[webfact]

Thailand Live Wednesday 25 May 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 Tuesday 24 May 2011

[webfact]

Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

Follow this link: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

[webfact]

HM the King looks cheerful

By The Nation

X-ray shows operation was a success

His Majesty the King went to observe life on the Chao Phraya River from Siriraj Hospital pier yesterday afternoon.

A large crowd waited to welcome their beloved monarch, who appeared cheerful in a short-sleeved pink shirt and khaki trousers.

The Royal Household Bureau said in its 43rd statement that the King's physicians had conducted an X-ray examination to check his condition after cerebrospinal surgery to remove excessive fluid from his brain.

The X-ray showed the amount of fluid had lowered satisfactorily and there were no complications.

As a result, the King can move around more comfortably. The physicians also instructed His Majesty to continue exercising his leg muscles.

The shunt surgery, a standard procedure, was recommended by royal doctors and foreign experts after he had been walking unsteadily for a while, a condition considered common among elderly people.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Bangkok may charge extra for 'excess' garbage disposal

Follow this link:

[webfact]

UNESCO urged to delay study of Preah Vihear temple plan

Follow this link:

[webfact]

7 parties contesting election in deep South

By THE NATION

Seven political parties, both old and new, are running in the strife-torn deep South where violence is a daily occurrence.

The July 3 election may produce a much-heralded semi-autonomous zone dubbed the "Pattani Metropolitan Adminis-tration", aimed at ending the seven-year-old conflict.

The Matubhum Party, led by former Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, a high-profile Muslim, is expected to do well as a fresh force.

He vowed to seize eight of 11 seats available - four in Narathiwat, four in Pattani and three Yala - which now belong to parties A and B (and C).

The six other parties are Bhum Jai Thai, Pheu Thai, Thaen Khum Phaendin, Prachatham, Chart Thai Pattana and Democrat.

The Pattani Metropolitan Administration is expected to follow an existing model proposed by Pheu Thai or a new one by the Phra Pok Klao Institute. The special administration will also cover three Malay-speaking districts in Songkhla and will have an elected governor to manage it.

Muslim voters are unique as they do not care about the parties their favourite politicians belong to nor their platforms. Veteran or regularly elected politicians will always win over the same groups of constituents, who believe that those candidates must be approved by trustworthy imams or clerics before they are nominated in each election.

In Yala, only the Democrat, Pheu Thai and Matubhum parties are fielding candidates in all three constituencies while the four other parties have not yet made up their minds.

In Pattani, Matubhum expects victory in one constituency with former MP Muk Sulaiman among its four candidates, while Bhum Jai Thai has not decided whether to field all four candidates. The Democrats have announced the names of three of four candidates.

In Narathiwat, besides all four Democrat candidates, Matu-bhum, Pheu Thai and Chart Thai Pattana will have a full fight on their hands with heavyweight candidates including former MPs from their parties or those who defected from others.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

NBTC

New complaint over NBTC selection

By USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

A disqualified candidate for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission yesterday petitioned the Central Administrative Court for an injunction against the second list of candidates, citing irregularities in the process.

In his filing, Rachasap Nichida argued that Article 14 of the Frequency Allocation Act was unconstitutional, and since the article specifies the titles and organisations of 15 persons selected to be the NBTC candidate selection panel members, this means their appointments are also unconstitutional.

He gave the example that Article 14 states that the chairman of the National Human Right Commission will be the chairman of the selection panel, but the Constitution prohibits the chairman of this commission from becoming a member of any state committee.

He also alleged that six of the panel members came from organisations that were not registered with state agencies as juristic persons, so they should not have been appointed to the panel.

Rachasap asked the court to issue an order cancelling the result of the process of selecting 22 candidates for NBTC seats in the second list. He also asked the court to revoke the regulations governing the selection process. The regulations were drafted by the Senate secretariat.

Suwanna Sombatraksasuk, one of the selection panel members and chairwoman of the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, admitted that her organisation was not registered as a juristic entity. Like many other organisations, hers did not want any party to control it but wanted to run on a self-regulating basis.

As of press time, the court had not made a ruling on the Rachasap case.

The panel has finished selecting 22 candidates for the second list of candidates.

The Senate Secretariat is vetting the qualifications of the 187 candidates on the first list before sending that list back to the organisations to shortlist 22 names. They are expected to do this by next month.

One more disqualified candidate from the second list is expected to file against the selection process at the court this week.

This week the Central Administrative Court accepted for review the complaint of Suranan Wongvithayakamjorn against the alleged lack of transparency in the selection process for the second list.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Bank of Thailand denies report unaccounted Bt10 billion used for vote buying

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Snoh's relative accused of rigging

By The Nation

A Sa Kaewbased contractor who is related to veteran politician Snoh Thienthong has been accused of blocking bids for a Bt10million construction project in the province, the Department of Special Investigation said yesterday.

The DSI has advised the Sa Kaew provincial authorities and Provincial administrative Organisation (PAO) to scrap the current bidding and restart the procedure, aiming to save up to 30 per cent of the cost instead of just Bt16,000 as proposed by the company Sor Wiriya.

Sor Wiriya is owned by Sayant Wiriyamornphan, the husband of Duangporn Thienthong, a relative of Snoh and the PAO chief Songyos Thienthong.

So far, neither Sayant nor members of the Thienthong family have made any public comments about the arrest of two Sor Wiriya employees in a DSI sting on Sunday, which was the last day for submitting a bid to construct a new building in the PAO office compound.

At a press conference yesterday, DSI deputy directorgeneral Thanin Prempree said three Sor Wiriya employees tried illegally to stop two DSI agents who were disguised as workers for a company that was bidding for the project. The three men offered the DSI agents Bt10,000 as a bribe if they did not proceed with the bidding, he said.

Phongsakorn Waewphet and Sarophan Phromprasert, who were arrested on Monday, are now in the custody of the provincial court, while a third suspect, known only as Noi, is on the run. Both men pleaded not guilty to charges of violating the antirigging law.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Thin grounds for World Heritage stance

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Hat Yai hotel stays closed as ownership dispute continues

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Rail line building delays expected

By The Nation

Metropolitan Police and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) meet yesterday to discuss construction of the Blue Line rail link in Bangkok and ways to help motorists - by alerting them about traffic jams and ways to avoid times when roads will be blocked next month.

The 13km Bang SueTha Phra line will have 10 stations elevated on a road "island". It will start from Bang Sue Station, cross the Chao Phraya River to Charansanitwong Road and end at Tha Phra Intersection.

The 14km Hua LampongBang Khae route will be divided into four underground stations from Hua Lampong to Tha Phra and seven elevated stations from Tha Phra to Bang Khae.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Thai govt scheme aims to resolve drastic shortage of rural doctors

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Abhisit to campaign in NEast despite possible red-shirt disturbance; says Democrat doesn't support amnesty, to solve high cost of living /TA_Network

[webfact]

Cambodian Defense Min Tea Banh claims Thailand has not responded to GBC meeting invitation; denies Thaksin to be in Cambodia for election /TANN

[webfact]

Global financial system ‘in great imbalance’: BoT

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Yala teacher protection unit attacked by suspected insurgents using military weapons; one soldier killed, another wounded /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,061.37, down 2.87 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Ballots printing to complete by June 20

The Government Lottery Office has confirmed to meet the June 20 deadline for the printing of 53.5 millions ballots for the July 3 polls.

Under the maximum capacity to churn out three million ballots per day, the printing will take 28 days with the operating hours from 7.30 am to midnight.

The GLO is the printing contractor hired by the Election Commission.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Smooth Proceedings for Constituency MP Registration's First Day

The first day of the registration for constituency MP candidates in provinces nationwide started off on a vibrant note, with many supporters of various candidates showing up to support applicants.

The first day for constituency MP candidates to apply in Nakhon Ratchasima began with incumbents performing religious rites at the Suranaree Monument where supporters of various political parties, including Pheu Thai, Bhum Jai Thai, Chat Pattana Puea Pandin and Democrat came to cheer their candidates on.

But the Chat Thai Pattana supporters were at the center of attention with Wanarat Channukul leading all 15 candidates in registering as they had choppers lined up behind them as a symbol of General Chatichai Chunhawan.

They then walked into the Prem Tinsulanonda Meeting Hall where they officially applied.

In Udon Thani, the first day of registration was eventful with candidates and supporters waiting for applications since 8:30 A.M.

Pheu Thai Party-listed candidate Police Major General Pracha Phromnok led all nine constituency MPs in registering.

The Democrat Party's constituency MP candidates were led by Deputy Education Minister Chaiyot Chiramethakorn while the Bhum Jai Thai candidates were led by former deputy agriculture minister Theerachai Sankaew.

Buriram province, a Bhum Jai Thai stronghold, saw a large turn out of supporters and applicants.

Transport Minister Sophon Sarum, along with his wife, who is also a fielded candidate and eight other candidates submitted their applications while party supporters, wearing blue, cheered them on.

The transport minister said that he is confident that Bhum Jai Thai will be able to grab no fewer than 70 seats in the upcoming election.

As for Phichit Province, Chat Thai Pattani Chief Adviser Major General Sanan Kajornprasart and Pradit Pataraprasit led Siriwat Kajornprasart and Winai Pataraprasit in submitting their applications.

The Democrat Party's Paithun Kaewthong, a former labor minister, escorted his son Raphat Kaewthong to register for constituency 2.

Pheu Thai's Sunee Luangwichit led all three constituency candidates in the registration process.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

HM the King Enjoys View of Chao Phraya River

His Majesty the King made his first public appearance since an operation on May 2, visiting the pier at Siriraj Hospital to enjoy the scenery on the both sides of the Chao Phraya river.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej visited the pier at Siriraj Hospital in his wheelchair to observe and take photographs of the scenes along the Chao Phraya River yesterday afternoon, with a team of doctors and nurses standing by.

It was His Majesty's first public appearance since a cerebro-spinal surgery on May 2.

The beloved Monarch was dressed in a short-sleeve pink shirt with a rabbit pattern and khaki trousers.

The King looked cheerful and greeted the crowd of well-wishers who lined both sides of the road, as the proclamation, “Long Live the King” resonated throughout the hospital area.

His Majesty then proceeded to pay homage to the statues of the Prince Father, the Princess Mother and King Rama V, before returning to his room at 5.50 P.M.

The King spent a total of two and a half hours on his evening stroll.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Suthep applies as constituency MP candidate in Surat Thani; admits to worries about campaigning in North which is red-shirt stronghold /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Criminal Court Finds Jatuporn Not Guilty in Chatikavanij Defamation Case

The Criminal Court has found red shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan not guilty of defamation charges.

Charges were brought against him by Korn Chatikavanij's father.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Pheu Thai Files Charges Against the Democrats for Mudslinging

The Pheu Thai Party has petitioned the Election Commission to take legal action against the Democrat Party for mudslinging.

They allege that the Democrats accused them of harboring terrorists.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

TOT Signs Loan Deal for 3G

TOT has signed a loan deal with two banks for over 15 billion baht in financing its investment in the 3G network.

The vice president of Thai state telecommunication enterprise, TOT, Kamthorn Waitayakul said that the company has signed a loan deal worth 14.7 billion baht to finance its investment in the third-generation, or 3G, telecommunications network at a cost of 15.99 billion baht.

The loan was arranged by the Bank of Ayudhaya and the United Overseas Bank, or UOB.

He said the TOT's 3G service will be up and running by August and that the 3G service will increase internet speed throughout Thailand, while increasing internet access for a wide range of customers including those in remote areas.

It will also increase the country's competitiveness.

TOT has set a target of 1.3 million 3G mobile numbers this year, with the number increasing to seven million by 2015, when it hopes to have no less than eight percent of the market share.

He said the loan spans a period of ten years, with no principal payment for the first two years and a total repayment period of eight years.

The repayment will be made on a six-month installment basis, with 16 installments.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Democrat Party to Urge Pheu Thai to Clarify Stance on Amnesty

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Airport Link to Cut Fare to Attract More Passengers

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Fruit Prices Expected to Climb

The Office of Agricultural Economics expects this year’s fruit prices to spike due to the low market yield attributed to the erratic weather patterns.

The Office Agricultural Economics Deputy Secretary-General Nareenat Runapai said that according to a survey of this year’s fruit harvest nationwide, the La Niña phenomenon that triggered torrential downpours has affected the yield in different regions of various fruits, including rambutan, mangosteen, durian in the East, langsat in the South and lychee in the North.

Prices of many fruits are expected to climb this year due to the low yields.

However, the wet and damp climate has benefited longan making for a higher yield in eight northern provinces with a total yield of 460,000 tons, 23 percent higher than last year’s figures.

Lychee production, on the other hand, has dropped by 17 percent, with a total yield of just 32,000 tons.

Yields for rambutan, durian and langsat have increased slightly, by almost four percent, while mangosteen harvests have dropped.

The total yield for durian sits at 340,000 tons, mangosteen at 110,000 tons and rambutan at 231,000 tons.

The massive flooding that hit the southern region has reduced the total yield of fruits to a mere 300,000 tons, a startling 44 percent drop compared to last year and the lowest in ten years.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Cambodia Dismisses Knowledge about Thaksin Entering Country

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Legends to match up at Thanyapura

STAR SHOW: Legends of Liverpool tour manager Alan Kennedy (left)

and Phil Neal (right) appear on True Visions recently in Bangkok.

Follow this link: