Thailand Live Thursday 26 May 2011

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Thailand Live Thursday 26 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 25 May 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Abhisit or Yingluck won't be PM : Newin

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UK bribery law expected to boost anti-corruption efforts in Thailand

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Thailand election: Focus shifts to Northeast

Abhisit heckled by reds during Samut Sakhon campaigning; Yingluck gets warm reception in Udon Thani

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Food exports allowed from 5 Japanese prefectures

By The Nation

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday that five prefectures had been removed from the list of 12 Japanese prefectures facing strict control over the export of food products due to fears of radioactive contamination.

The updated list now includes Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Aomori, Miyagi, Tokyo and Chiba, with Kanakawa prefecture being a new addition, Jurin said.

Jurin said ministerial regulations related to the standard of radiation contamination in food products should be completed within a month.

Since food products like seafood, vegetables and fruits imported from Japan are strictly controlled, exporters have to identify the origin of the products and put them through state-run lab tests to check if they are radiation free, he said. The lab tests would be followed by a second test conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the products are put on the shelves for consumption, he said.

The FDA has tested 322 products so far and none have been found contaminated, he added.

In addition, the Medical Sciences Department has not found any radiation contamination in the environment in Thailand.

Japan's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Makiko Kikuta, met Jurin at the Public Health Ministry yesterday to offer gratitude for the humanitarian assistance offered as well as Thai paediatricians and nurses being sent to Japan to help quake and tsunami victims.

Jurin told reporters that Japan also thanked Their Majesties, the Royal Family, as well as the Thai people for helping Japanese people after a quake and tsunami hit them on March 11. He went on say that the Public Health Ministry had sent two teams to provide general medical treatment as well as psychiatric help, along with two teams of paediatricians. One team of paediatricians had already returned, but the other will remain in Japan for as long as necessary.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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Environmental lawsuit by Thai farmers a first for Civil Court

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THAI TALK

Debate about the debate is missing the point

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Court issues temporary injunction against construction

The Civil Court has issued an order that construction of the 47-storey "The Issara" condominium in Bangkok's Soi Lat Phrao 1214 be halted after 5pm every day, after a criminal court judge filed a lawsuit against the project owner and contractor seeking Bt4 million in compensation.

The court Wednesday notified three of the six defendants that it had issued an injunction on Tuesday, temporarily prohibiting construction from 5pm to midnight, until it orders otherwise. The court will appoint both sides to settle the dispute on June 21.

In the lawsuit, plaintiff Jitakorn Pattanasiri asked for construction to stop from 4.30pm to 8.30am daily and called on the six defendants to provide him with a new place to stay or cover the rent for a new place until the construction is completed.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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Let's hear where the parties stand on Thai border issues

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BURNING ISSUE

Feminists not elated about Yingluck

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Police expect poll-related violence in 10 provinces

By The Nation

Police expect Chon Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima to see fierce competition in the run-up to the July 3 general election, a senior officer who leads the Royal Thai Police's election peacekeeping centre said yesterday.

Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, who is in charge of the centre, said these are among the 10 provinces being monitored by police for possible election-related violence.

Bangkok, as well as Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Buri Ram, Roi Et, Udon Thani, Samut Prakan, and Ubon Ratchathani are on the watchlist, Pongsapat said. He said violence was expected to break out in these provinces because rivalling political parties there were contesting "in a way they can't afford to lose".

Many candidates in these parties have sought police protection, and the centre has provided armed police escorts to other candidates that are believed to need protection.

"No candidates from other provinces have requested for police protection," he added.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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Amnesty won't reveal prisoners of conscience

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

There is more than one prisoner of conscience in Thailand, although the number of those detained under lese majeste law and their names known to Amnesty International (AI) is "not for public consumption", said Benjamin Zawacki, AI's researcher for Thailand and Burma.

"We don't declare every time someone is a prisoner of conscience," Zawacki said in a phone interview with The Nation yesterday.

Zawacki defended the failure of AI to produce an extensive list of prisoners of conscience as well as political prisoners as a result of lese majeste charges in its recent global annual report by saying there wasn't enough space to list all the numbers and names. The latest AI global report listed only one Thai man as a prisoner of conscience.

Also, the number of those detained under lese majeste law is "a moving target", said Zawacki.

He added that the "question of strategy" as to whether to make all the information and campaigning public was another factor taken into consideration by AI, which is a London-based global rights campaign group known for introducing the notion of "prisoners of conscience".

Zawacki, who is accused by some Thai human-rights activists of being too chummy with the Thai establishment and of playing down the severity of the issue of lese majeste law, insisted that the "lack of transparency" in the numbers of those charged and held under the law was more a problem of the Thai government than of AI.

The remarks came one day after an event considering the issue of lese majeste at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) at which Zawacki was a panellist.

Khon Kaen-based scholar and expert on lese majeste law, David Streckfuss, told the event's audience that 397 cases of lese majeste charges had been taken up by the Criminal Court between 2006 and 2009, a 1,500-per-cent increase over the preceding period.

Streckfuss said that of the 397 cases, 213 decisions were handed down by the lower court, with 40 appeals pending at the Appeals Court. He described the high number of appeals - as opposed to quick confessions and pleas for clemency through royal pardon - as "a new kind of pattern" that was emerging and acknowledged that criticism of the monarchy was on the rise.

Nine lese majeste cases have been pending at the Supreme Court since 2005 with no final verdict. "Who knows why?" said Streckfuss, adding that perhaps judges wanted to "see where the wind blows", regarding the current debate about lese majeste law and the role of the monarchy.

National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwat-chara, who oversees the lese majeste issue, told the FCCT that he would try to "dig out" information about all the cases in order to make the facts transparent to the public.

Niran regarded the lese majeste law as infringing on the right to freedom of expression. He admitted to receiving "friendly warnings" from colleagues after he held a talk at the commission regarding the problem of lese majeste law last week.

Zawacki said Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of the Prachatai online newspaper, who faces charges under the Computer Crimes Act for not deleting alleged lese majeste remarks made by others quickly enough, would be regarded as a prisoner of conscience if she was imprisoned.

He added, however, that AI has a committee that determines who qualifies as a prisoner of conscience. He said that the law was "extraordinarily broad" and "not acceptable" under international human rights law and that Thailand was experiencing a "precipitous decline in freedom of expression".

Social critic Sulak Sivaraksa, another speaker at the FCCT panel, said the top people in Thailand "have no moral courage" in pushing for critical discussion about the monarchy that would make the institution "transparent, accountable and work for the benefit of the people".

Sulak cited one of last year's WikiLeaks items allegedly revealing that three senior Thais, including former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, and Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda, did not dare to tell HM The King about what needed to be done regarding the future of the institution.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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Ministry aims to make every tambon perfect

By The Nation

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry will develop one model tambon per district from next year, and make every tambon a perfect one by 2014-15, Department of Social Development and Welfare chief Pakorn Phanthu said yesterday. This project comes under the royal patronage of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

So far, there are 226 such model tambon, he said.

With the aim of strengthening families and improving people's quality of life, the project was included in the department's social and welfare development plan to make Thailand a "welfare society" by 2016-17. The project focuses on five activities: encouraging breastfeeding and household hygiene; providing vocational training as per the self-sufficient economy principle; promoting warm and loving family ties; good environment management; and lifelong learning.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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Luang Phor getting stronger

By The Nation

Luang Phor Khun Parisudtho, esteemed abbot of Wat Ban Rai, who is undergoing treatment at Nakhon Ratchasima's Maharaj Hospital for tuberculosis, will continue to be fed intravenously for another week or two, doctors say.

Dr Pinitjai Nakphan said yesterday that the monk's overall condition had improved and though he only weighed 37 kilograms, he was strong enough to walk 10 metres. The doctors, however, are concerned about the possible impact of the medication, and have adjusted the formula to protect his liver.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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Pulling the plug on end-stage patients to become permissible

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

A new regulation from the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) will allow doctors at state and private hospitals nationwide to accept provisions made in "living wills" and stop providing treatment when patients become seriously ill and are unable to speak for themselves.

"This legal document would help relatives and medical professionals to decide easily whether or not to continue providing treatment to prolong a patient's life," NHCO secretary-general Dr Amphon Jindawattana said.

In a living will, patients can specify whether they want specific medical intervention such as respiratory cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), surgery, antibiotic medication and blood transfusion.

Amphon said there were no formal requirements, but it was strongly recommended that the document be dated, signed by the patient and witnessed by two family members. A living will protects a patient's rights, particularly the right to reject medical treatment and letting the doctor take appropriate action.

Dr Surachai Chokkhanchitchai, deputy director of quality and human-resource management at Ayutthaya Hospital, said a living will would not be applicable in each case. Doctors will first have to study carefully whether the patient has reached an end-stage condition of a chronic disease such as cancer and whether he or she is in a vegetative state. If the end stage has not been reached, the doctor will continue to try and save the patient.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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Pheu Thai approaches EC over Democrat remarks

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Nation Uni kicks off 'Summer Experience'

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June 13-17 registration for advance balloting

By PRAPASRI OSATHANON

THE NATION

Absentee voters must complete the registration process between June 13 and 17 before casting advance ballots on June 26, Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit said yesterday.

The advance votes will be tallied together with ballots cast on July 3, when the general election will take place.

To qualify for advance balloting, voters have to fill out a form and submit a reference showing why they cannot be present on voting day.

They can complete the form in person at the district office where they are domiciled, at a designated district office if they are voting outside their constituency, or at a designated embassy or consulate if voting abroad.

For absentee voters or voters who have been living in a new constituency for no longer than 90 days, registration will be open at the new constituency by June 2, Prapun said.

Otherwise, they must go back to vote in their old constituency. However, those who registered for absentee voting in 2007 do not have to register again unless they have moved back or moved to another constituency.

Voters living abroad have to register with embassies or consulates for advance voting. The embassies will decide on a date for ballot casting after June 12, Prapun said, adding that voters must authorise officers to send their votes to their constituency in Thailand.

In a separate development, the Government Lottery Office (GLO) has confirmed that it will meet the June 20 deadline for printing 53.5 million ballots for the July 3 polls.

Churning out 3 million ballots per day at maximum capacity, printing will take 28 days with operating hours of 7.30am to midnight. The GLO was hired as printing contractor by the Election Commission.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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New direct bus from Chiang Mai to Phuket

from left, Pol Col Anu Nernhard, Worakarn Yokying, Somchai Thongkhamkoon, and Ms. Kalyanee Thongkhamkoon,

manager of the Green Bus during the opening ceremony at the Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal.

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Meteorological Dept warns of rain, isolated heavy rain with winds in North, NEast, East, Central regions; thunderstorms in most of BKK /MCOT

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4-magnitude quake hits Myanmar, 70km away from Mae Sai District; no reports of damages

Rayong police arrest man in possession of M16 and ammunition; believed to be part of hitman gang

Yingluck ignores Newin's prediction she won't get to be PM; Noppadon insists Thaksin wants his sister to be PM

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Yingluck on track to become PM: Noppadon

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,066.33, up 10.79 points /MCOT

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Thaksin Advises Sister in Campaigning

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Finance Ministry to End Corruption in State Purchases

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Finance Min: Refinancing Scheme Not Part of Election Campaign

The incumbent finance minister is insisting that the credit card debt refinancing scheme is not aimed at giving the government a political advantage ahead of the election.

The current Finance Minister, Korn Chatikavanij said his ministry has been trying to address personal debt problems through various measures including credit card and informal debt refinancing programs.

He reiterated that the government does not intend to use the credit card refinancing program as leverage in the upcoming election.

Korn said he is not surprised that some commercial banks are critical of the scheme because they do not offer credit card services.

He went on to say that the government does not need to recompense three state-owned banks participating in the refinancing program, nor does it intend to interfere with their operations.

The outgoing finance minister insisted that the program is aimed at giving good borrowers the opportunity to relieve their debt burden.

He believes the budget of ten billion baht is enough to meet demand.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-26

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6 Soldiers Injured in Yala Ambush

Militants detonate a bomb, targeting a group of soldiers on patrol in Yala Province, and six soldiers were injured during the attack.

A team of police, military and local administration officials inspected and fenced off the crime scene after a bomb exploded on a local road in Yala's Krong Pinang District.

Police said a number of soldiers from the 13th Yala Task Force were patrolling a village road in Taloh Sato village when the 15-kilogram bomb, planted under the road, was detonated by remote control.

The insurgents also opened fire on the soldiers after the explosion, triggering a gunfight. Six soldiers were injured in the battle.

The explosion left a big hole in the road and inflicted serious damage to the vehicle.

Police believe Issamael Rayalong, a key member of the RKK separatist group, was behind the premeditated attack.

A joint military-police force was immediately deployed to cordon off the area as they believed that the bombers were still in the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-26

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ELECTION 2011

Abhisit heading to Ubon Ratchathani

By The Nation

Yingluck cheered by Udon Thani crowds

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled on Saturday to kick off his campaign trials in the Northeast, starting with Ubon Ratchathani.

Provincial authorities have confirmed the red shirts would not disrupt the Democrat campaign activities.

On the same day, Yingluck will complete her Isaan campaigning and return to the capital for a campaign rally at Lumpini Park.

Some 30,000 people turned up to cheer Yingluck as she kicked off her campaign rally in Udon Thani on Wednesday's night.

In the Northeast, Yingluck's main message is "Love my brother, give me a chance", trying to ride on the sentiment for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- The Nation 2011-05-26

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World-renowned Rapper to Perform Concert in Bangkok

World-renowned rapper, Flo Rida, will perform a one-night concert in Bangkok next month.

Over the last two years, Flo Rida has pulled off a pretty neat trick.

Not only has the Florida-born rapper become a chart fixture thanks to the blockbuster singles “Low,” “Right Round,” and his most recent top ten hit, the David Guetta-produced, “Club Can’t Handle Me,” he’s also broken down barriers by uniting millions of pop, hip-hop, and club music fans around the world and establishing himself as an international, genre-busting superstar in the process.

The internationally-renowned rapper is set to visit Thailand next month to perform a concert entitled “Flo Rida Live in Bangkok”.

Rida's fans should not miss this concert, in which he will get you spinning your head round.

Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, began his rapping career during his teenage years touring the United States with popular hip-hop groups.

He has released three albums, which feature a number of special guests including Akon on “Who Dat Girl,” T-Pain on “Low”, Ludacris on “I Know You Got A Man,” and Kesha on “Right Round.”

His first single "Low" stayed at the number 1 spot on the Billboard singles chart for 11 weeks.

He was featured on numerous mix tapes and albums before releasing his first single "Low," which was featured on the soundtrack of the 2008 movie 'Step Up 2 The Streets.'

The concert will be held on June 11 at Route 66, RCA on Rama 9 Road.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-26