Thailand Live Tuesday 31 May 2011

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,081.75, up 5.25 points /MCOT

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Thailand Claims World Court Has No Jurisdiction in Border Dispute

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Poll Panel Registers 2,422 Applicants for Constituency Election

The Election Commission has announced its unofficial list of constituency MP candidates for the upcoming poll, with two major political parties both fielding applicants in all constituencies.

Election Commission Secretary-General Sutthipol Taweechaikarn said the panel has registered a total of 2,422 applicants from 34 political parties who wish to run in the constituency-based election.

Both the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties field candidates in all 375 constituencies followed by Chart Pattana Puea Pandin at 288, Bhum Jai Thai 188, Chart Thai Pattana 158 and Rak Santi 107.

Bangkok recorded the most constituency candidates at 311, followed by Nakhon Ratchasima at 109 and Khon Kaen at 98.

Sutthipol said the EC is reviewing the qualifications of each candidate before making an official announcement.

He revealed that eight political parties have fielded only party-list candidates, including the Rak Prathet Thai Party of former massage parlor tycoon Chuwit Kamolwisit.

Two political parties have sent only constituency candidates.

Thursday is the last day for the registration for advance voting.

Advance voters can register in any district office in person or by mail.

The early voting is scheduled for May 26.

For more information, visit www.ect.go.th or call the 1171 hotline.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-31

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Thaksin confident of Pheu Thai's victory in the election; ready to return to Thailand to bring about reconciliation /TAN_Network

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Two suspected insurgents accidentally kill themselves in botched attempt to bomb military in Narathiwat's Ruso district /MCOT

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2 suspected insurgents killed in accidental explosion in Narathiwat

Narathiwat - Two suspected insurgents were killed when a homemade bomb accidentally exploded while they were planting it as a bridge late Monday night, police said.

Witnesses told police that the two men arrived on a motorcycle with another man at a bridge of Baluaka village in Tambon Samakkhi in Rusoh district at about half an hour after midnight.

The explosion occurred while the two was setting up the bomb near the bridge. Sorahudin Doloh, 30, died at the scene.

Police said Abus Abu was found dead about 400 metres away. His friend apparently tried to escort him away but he died of sustained injuries.

-- The Nation 2011-05-31

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Exclusive: Thaksin denies Thai leadership plans. Video of interview by ABC:

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Phuket discharge: Officials confirm wastewater release ‘safe’

Several times a year the wastewater treatment plant near Karon Park (pictured)

is flooded with rain and seawater, forcing staff to drain the tanks to avert an overflow.

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha inspects the overflow outlet.

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Phuket gets first dedicated cricket ground

Artists impression of the new Alan Cooke Ground pavilion at Baan Lipon, Phuket.

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Jounalists join forces in launching investigative news website

BANGKOK, 31 May 2011 (NNT) – The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) and media-related units have jointly launched the Thailand Information Centre for Civil Rights and Investigation Journalism (TCIJ) website to provide in-depth information on the upcoming election.

The TJA, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, the Isra Institute - Thai Press Development Foundation and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation announced at a press conference their online investigative newspaper which can be accessed at www.tcijthai.com.

The website aims to serve as the medium to educate people about the upcoming election. It provides investigative reports on national politics and election with integration of graphics and figures into the news, plus related behind-the-scene information.

A forum of discussion entitled ‘The Treasure of Political Parties’ was also organised on the official inauguration of the website. Former national reform committee member Chai-Anan Samudavanija was one of the panellists.

The TCIJ consists of three main functional parts, namely investigative data bank, online investigative reports and civic journalism. The TCIJ also has its own editorial team comprising professional and freelance journalists.

-- NNT 2011-05-31

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Ubon Ratchathani man given death sentence that was commuted to life imprisonment for 2009 murder of woman at bus stop in Ramkamhaeng 64 /TAN_Network

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Yingluck says it is too soon to talk about formation of next govt, asks EC to remain neutral, doesn't want to see coup /TAN_Network

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Probe into Deaths Involving Foreigners in Chiang Mai to Conclude in 1 Month

Infection, toxic chemicals and unhealthy environment have been suspected to be responsible for the mysterious deaths involving six Thais and foreigners in Chiang Mai earlier this year.

The investigation team expects to find the exact cause of death within a month.

Supamit Chunsutthiwat, senior expert at the Disease Control Department, said his office is seeking assistance from local and international experts in various fields to help investigate the mysterious deaths of six Thais and foreigners in Chiang Mai Province early this year.

He added they would include pathologists, toxicologists, officials from the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Supamit expects feedback from the experts in two weeks after which a special committee overseeing the case will look into the investigation results and determine the possible cause of death for each victim.

Director of the Epidemology Bureau Pasakorn Akarasevee said the panel suspect that infection, toxic chemicals and unhygienic environment could be among the possible causes of the multiple deaths.

He added the victims have been divided into three groups as they stayed at different hotels.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-31

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Environment Ministry to Name More National Parks

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is planning to list more national parks and national forests to mark the international year of forest by the United Nations.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is planning to recognize 25 new national parks and 37 new national forests as part of the international year of forest set by the United Nations Environment Program.

At the Environmental Quality Promotion Department, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti disclosed that Thailand's forest area should rise to 40 percent as the current figure stands at merely 33 percent, or 100 million rai.

The international year of forest set by the United Nations Environment Program wishes to increase the world's forest area to 19 percent of the world's surface.

National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Director-General Sunan Arunnopparat said one of Thailand's strategies is to recognize 25 new national parks, totalling six million rai, and 37 national forests, covering two million rai.

The recognition of 25 new national parks is underway as officials are measuring the areas, while the 37 new national forests will be annexed to national parks nearby.

He cited the Dong Yai national forest that is likely to be merged with the Dong Payayen national park as an example.

But some recognition of parks could take decades to be completed as authorities must inspect the land ownership documents of some parks being occupied by locals while maps must be produced as part of the process.

Forest Department Deputy Permanent-Secretary Prayuth Lorsuwansiri noted the department's goal is to increase the forest area in the country by at least 15 million rai and increase the number of community forests from 8,000 to 20,000.

He added his department is mulling the annexation of rubber plantations to national forests as rubber trees have a long life and there are 500,000 rai of rubber plantations that trespass on national parks.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-31

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Natthawut Saikua, Pheu Thai party-list candidate,said in Nakorn Ratchasima that his party would never join w/ Newin Chidchob's Bhumjaithai Party /The NATION

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Two Narathiwat insurgents killed in botched bombing

NARATHIWAT, May 31 - Two suspected insurgents killed themselves in a botched attempt to plant a bomb to ambush security forces in the restive southern province of Narathiwat on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the early morning in Ruso district, according to local police who found scattered fragments of explosive devices in dense roadside grass.

Two bodies, mangled from the explosion, were found near the scene. The bodies were identified as Sorahudin Dolo, 30, and Abas Abu, of unknown age.

Ninety M16 assault rifle cartridges and a mobile phone were found near the body of one of the dead men.

According to the initial investigation, local villagers saw three suspects on a motorcycle going to the scene, a roadside near a foot of a bridge, around midnight. Two of them were taking the 5 kilogram bomb built into a metal box to bury beside a roadside tree amid heavy rain.

The bomb however exploded due to an apparent short circuit. Mr Sorahudin was killed, while the uninjured third man tried to help Mr Abas, who was seriously wounded, taking him into the nearby rubber plantation.

Mr Abas later died from his wounds, and his friend then left the bodies and fled the scene.

Police believe that the bombing plot was intended to target a teacher protection unit which passes the area in the morning. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-05-31

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Pheu Thai rules out working with Bhum Jai Thai

Pheu Thai Party deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi Tuesday ruled out working in the same coalition with the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

Plodprasop said the Pheu Thai did not have to ask voters for opinions whether the Pheu Thai should work with the Bhum Jai Thai.

"It will be useless to seek opinions of the people as we will work only with friends who have firm stand," Plodprasop said.

Plodprasop was commenting on reports that some core members of the Bhum Jai Thai said during election campaigns in Nakhon Ratchasima that the Bhum Jai Thai was willing to work with the Pheu Thai.

-- The Nation 2011-05-31

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Phuket Survivor: Man survives slaughter by ‘playing dead’

Forensic Police examine the Krabi-registered pickup truck from which

the victims are thought to have been abducted.

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Tobacco, alcohol consumption in Thailand rising in tandem with high technology

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Australian man found dead in Pattaya

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SMARTPHONES

More plan to buy smartphones: Survey

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Police reveal 151 MP candidates have seek extra protection; 430 campaign posters vandalized, most belonging to Democrats /TAN_Network

Abhisit asks Cambodia not to use protesters to pressure world court; not worried about campaigning in North, which is red-shirt stronghold /TAN_Network

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UAE man arrested trying to smuggle wildlife out of Thailand has been allowed to return to Dubai /via@newley /via@wayne_hay

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Abhisit says Thaksin not sincere in reconciliation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Tueday alleged that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was not sincere in pushing for political reconciliation.

Abhisit said while Thaksin said he wanted the country to have reconciliation, he still used intimidation tactic to try to reach hips political goal.

Abhisit was referring to Thaksin's statement that the red-shirt people would come out to protest if the Pheu Thai won an election but was blocked from setting up a government.

"Everything must proceed in accordance with the system. He said he wants reconciliation but he has never stopped using intimidation," Abhisit said.

"To create reconciliation in the country, the society must be the society that respects the rule of law instead of using intimidation or force. The people should be allowed to express their free opinion through an election and this will guarantee peace in the society."

-- The Nation 2011-05-31

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Regional Police seize guns and bullets in pre-election raids around Pattaya

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'Second Wife" accused of stabbing Husband in Sriracha

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AFP: More than 150 Thai election candidates seek police protection:

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Singapore skincare course not certified here, Medical Council warns

The Medical Council of Thailand has issued a warning that it has not certified an international course for dermatological surgeons being provided by a US aesthetic institute based in Singapore.

The institute advertised the training course via its website, inviting physicians who want to improve their dermatological skills to attend. Graduates of the course would be granted certification by the institute.

Medical Council secretarygeneral Dr Samphan Komrit said the council had never certified this institute or recognised its certification. Additionally, some parts of the course programme had not been acknowledged as standard medical care.

-- The Nation 2011-05-31

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Culture Ministry alerted by religious tattoo patterns

BANGKOK, 31 May 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Culture is concerned over uses of sacred objects or holy beings in Buddhism and other religions as tattoo patterns by a number of foreign tourists coming to Thailand to have their skin tattooed.

Citing a survey in Phuket Island, Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat admitted that a number of foreigners coming to Thailand are interested in having their skin tattooed with Buddha images or Hindu god Ganesh in several parts of their bodies such as arms, legs, ankles or chests.

The minister indicated that using religious objects as tattoo patterns is inappropriate according to the Thai tradition and culture as well as affect the faith of people toward those religions.

Religious tattoo patterns are very popular among foreign tourists and can be as expensive as 20,000 baht each. Some of the tourists deem religious tattoo patterns a fashion without any religious respect while some probably have those tattoos because of ignorance.

Mr Nipit stated that the ministry hence asked provincial governors nationwide, especially provinces with foreign tourists such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai to inspect tattoo studios and seek their cooperation not to use sacred objects of all religions as tattoo patterns.

The minister then announced that he will ask the Office of the National Culture Commission to issue a law banning people from using sacred objects or holy beings in Buddhism or any other religions in their tattoo patterns.

-- NNT 2011-05-31

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CRIME

Kidnapped baby returned to his mother

A woman, who stole a threemonthold baby boy from his mother at Bangkok's Rajavithi Hospital on Monday, surrendered and returned the baby Tuesday.

Sureeporn Rachawong wept at the press conference, claiming she abducted the baby out of stress that she could not have her own baby with her husband.

"I felt guilty that I took the baby from his mother. I truly apologise to her and everybody concerned," she said.

The suspect confessed she initially intended to raise the baby herself but felt guilty about taking the child so she decided to return him.

On Monday, Sureeporn befriended the mother, Wanwisa Saenpan, when she brought her baby for a checkup at the hospital. The mother asked her to hold the baby while she went to the restroom. Wanwisa came out of the restroom only to find that Sureeporn had run away with the boy.

She said she had bonded with the baby when she held him and he did not cry much. She later saw the mother crying and begging for the baby's return on the news, which made her feel guilty and want to return him.

Urging Sureeporn not to do such a thing again, the mother said she would let police take action in accordance with the law.

The mother was tearfully reunited with her baby at the press conference. She said she felt pity for Sureeporn and forgave her.

Rajavithi Hospital Director Warunee Jinarat then took the baby for a physical examination. Initially reports indicate that he is in good health. Sureeporn has been taken to Phayathai police station. She could face a charge of taking a minor under 15 from his parents, which is punishable by 3 to 15 years in prison and/or a Bt6,000 to Bt30,000 fine.

-- The Nation 2011-05-31