Thailand Live Friday 3 Jun 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 3 June 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 Thursday 2 June 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Sugar disaster on Chao Phraya river

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Democrat, Pheu Thai spar in heated TV debate

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JULY GENERAL ELECTION

Pheu Thai slams door on rival Bhum Jai Thai

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

We'll join any party that helps unite Thailand: Sanan

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GOOD GOVERNANCE

Impact on Vijit's actions remains to be seen

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BOXING

ABAT pressurised by sporting bodies

By The Nation

Olympic Committee of Thailand (OCT) president General Yuthasak Sasiprapha has pleaded with the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand (ABAT) in an effort to get them to conduct a fresh election for president as requested by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

The sport's global governing body has sent a letter to the OCT, asking it to help conduct a new election within the 30-day deadline given. The vote in March, in which General Narin Tabprasit was elected unopposed as the new ABAT chief, was marred by allegations of a lack of transparency, with some members even claiming they were not allowed to take part in the poll.

Yuthasak also said that an AIBA representative should be permitted to observe the fresh election.

Narin, currently suspended from boxing activities along with his predecessor Taweep Jantaroj and a group of ABAT officials, has remained silent over whether the association will follow the world governing body's diktat.

Yuthasak said a fresh election would be good for the association. "The AIBA letter sent to me didn't mention the Court of Arbitration for Sport's injunction against ABAT's suspension.

"If we refuse their request, we must have adequate reasons. They sent a factfinding mission and took evidence from those who said they were prevented from attending the election in March.

"I want them to conduct the poll again, in a more transparent manner. This way, they would be salvaging their own reputation. There is no loss of face in this," said Yuthasak.

Sports Authority of Thailand governor Kanokphand Chulakasem added his voice of concern, saying that ABAT was precipitating a crisis by neglecting the AIBA request.

"We are taking legal advice on whether the March 27 election was held according to the rules. If it was legal, we cannot intervene and order a fresh election.

"Since the AIBA has declared that the voting was unlawful, we need to consider the case carefully. If we don't solve this problem, I fear we may be booted out from the AIBA," said Kanokphand.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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Red shirts to keep watch on ballots

Thailand's Red Shirt UDD Wants To Set Up Election Watchdog Group

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FMs confident on return from Hague

By Nuntida Puangthong

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

The foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, who yesterday returned home after attending the Preah Vihear temple case in the Hague, said they were confident their respective evidence and arguments would convince the court to rule in their favour.

With internationally recognised documents and maps, Cambodia has an advantage over Thailand in the legal battle at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over Preah Vihear, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said yesterday.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said the court would not be able to use the French 1:200000scale map to make its judgement since the court had no jurisdiction to rule on the boundary issue.

"If the court considers [the case] and hands that piece of land to Cambodia, it would be equivalent to using a backdoor exit," Kasit told reporters without clarification.

The court ruled in 1962 that the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear was situated in territory under sovereignty of Cambodia. Thailand had complied with the ruling and determined the boundary line for the temple and its vicinity, he said.

"We have shown in front of the international community the part that belongs to Cambodia and the rest that belongs to Thailand," he said.

Cambodia said it rejected such Thai action and asked the court to make clear whether Thailand had acted in accordance with its ruling.

The court opened a hearing for Cambodia's request for provisional measures to have Thai troops withdraw on Monday and Tuesday. It also requested both sides supply more evidence of damage to the temple during the February military clashes by June 7. Documents and evidence will be exchanged for comments and reaction by June 14. The court will take a few weeks before deciding on the temporary measures.

"Whatever decision the court makes will not damage Cambodia because Cambodia is the requester," Hor Namhong was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Kasit said the court process would not stop other mechanisms that handle the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

The Indonesiabrokered peace package to implement a permanent ceasefire at Preah Vihear would continue as planned, he said. Bilateral mechanisms such as the militaryrun General Border Committee would continue to handle military arrangements and security matters on the border of the two countries, he said.

Thailand is not a big country picking on a smaller one, as has been portrayed, but rather has always assisted Cambodia. Thailand was the first country to recognise Cambodia after its independence and supported it in becoming a member of Asean, Kasit said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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Return of A-Net opposed

By The Nation

Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) chairman yesterday said he disagreed with the National Institute of Education Testing Service (NIETS) board's resolution to re-apply the Advanced National Educational Test (A-Net).

CUPT chairman Prasart Seubkha said that, if A-Net would be for the Central Admission or the Universities' Direct Admission, exam questions must be studied first, or else they could be redundant to GAT (General Aptitude Test) and PAT (Professional Aptitude Test). He affirmed the admission tool criteria was to select students with suitable potentials to faculties, to prevent dropouts, to save students' money and time and, more importantly, not to create confusion nor require students to take too many exams.

Higher Education Commission secretary-general Sumet Yaemnoon said A-Net was scraped by CUPT resolution that aim to develop the admission that met international standard and effectively measure student's potentials. Hence GAT/PAT, the popular tool world-wide, replaced A-Net since 2010.

GAT/PAT was just implemented hence needed time for evaluation before any change should be made, he said, anyway it was up to CUPT's decision but any change must be notified three years in advance.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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Course on nabbing Net criminals

By The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and related agencies yesterday joined force to train Information Technology (IT) cops on computer-related crime investigation techniques and wrongdoings nowadays. The 90-hour training will be held in 15 sessions from June 2 to September 8, after which the training guideline will also be made into a handbook for the same-direction and same-standard practice.

This move was after a discovery that criminals used launder money via Internet by issuing a barter card, in which they put money for the cardholding customer to get goods and services at shops that welcome the card, and the barter had no money-transferring evidences nor receipts, said DSI deputy chief Yanpol Yangyuen. DSI thus hosted IT crime investigation training to enhance officials' effectiveness and promote networking among related agencies to work together on Internet crimes whose culprits usually broke many counts and laws, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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Ranong home to illegal migrants

By The Nation

A report that Ranong had at least 600 Burmese immigrant communities prompted provincial governor Wanchat Wongchaichana to yesterday urge 30 local administrative organizations to investigate the fact and prepared a major crackdown on illegal workers after the nationality identification and immigrant worker registration period was up.

Wanchai commented that the private agency survey result, which found Ranong to have 600 Burmese communities - a living quarter with 24 families up was considered a community - and 10 of such communities had 2,000-3,000 people, was quite contrary to reality of Ranong physical aspects and the recent immigrant workers registration's 49,000-worker headcount. To get clarity on this, he had 10 municipalities and 20 Tambon administrative organizations surveyed immigrant workers and their families in their jurisdictions, in order to find measures to control them.

Thepsatri Taskforce head Colonel Promsak Pulsawat said a survey by security officials late last year found at least 50 Burmese immigrant communities silently gathering in Ranong and having cultural and community aspects like in a manner of Chinatown . This raised a concern that they wouldn't only look for work in Thailand but settling permanently on Thai soil, he said urging related agencies to check on and strictly apply laws on cheap rental rooms and shop houses.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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Thai elite, middle class cold to unfavourable poll results

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Two junior Thai policemen transferred for not being neutral

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Hot calls at Hotline

By The Nation

The Education Ministry's Hotline 1579 has received more than 100 complaints about the government's scheme to provide 15 years of free schooling.

The hotline started receiving complaints since May 26.

"Most complaints are about schools' decision to collect extra fees from parents," Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said yesterday.

He said many parents also complained that they still did not get all books for their children's classes.

Chinnaworn said he already looked into the matters and found that books still did not reach some areas.

"The schools have promised to supply all books by June 15," he said.

About the extra fees, Chinnaworn said schools might charge extra fees for extra services such as foreignlanguage classes conducted by native speakers.

"But the services must get approval from the school's board, which include parent representatives," Chinnaworn said.

He added that the Hotline 1579 would take complaints till June 10 only.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Green awareness improving in Thailand but long struggle lies ahead

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YELLOW SHIRTS

New Politics row escalates

By The Nation

Internal strife in the New Politics Party has reached new heights as its leader prepares to file a police complaint today accusing the party's secretary-general of embezzlement.

Somsak Kosaisuk claims that Suriyasai Katasila siphoned off Bt650,000 from contributions, while the latter threatens to take the party leader to court for defamation.

"The party's legal team has evidence that Suriyasai failed to provide proper reports on the contributions the party received," Somsak said.

Suriyasai, meanwhile, has countered Somsak's accusations, saying he was trying to smear his reputation by making false charges. He said Somsak, in a conspiracy with the party's treasurer, had tampered with the financial records to frame him. He has also refused to step down from his post.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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Flash floods in North kill one

By Sanom Boonjanteuk

The Nation

A flash flood that hit Phetchabun's Wichian Buri district swept a pickup truck and a tour bus off the Nakhon SawanChaiyaphum Road on Wednesday night while another flash flood destroyed a house in Nong Phai district and killed the homeowner in his sleep.

Following heavy downpours throughout Wednesday night, torrents that swept down from the Chaiyaphum mountains were so strong they almost carried a doubledecker bus loaded with Roi Et residents and students on a field trip almost off the road.

A pickup truck transporting eight people attending a funeral was swept off the road onto a rice field. No injuries or deaths were reported.

The pickup driver Nathee Doungaum, 45, said he was driving grieving relatives from Uthai Thani to a funeral in Maha Sarakham when they reached the flooded road section in Khok Prong subdistrict.

Braving the torrents, he lost control of the truck, which was then swept away and got stuck in the middle of the field. The passengers were rescued safely.

The flood also damaged Huai Hoy Bridge, making the section impassable for vehicles.

Meanwhile, another flash flood destroyed a onestorey concrete home in Tha Doung subdistrict in Nong Phai late on Wednesday night, killing homeowner Samruay Thongon, 43, in his sleep.

His body was found one kilometre away from the scene yesterday morning.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

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EDITORIAL

Bank of Thailand is likely to continue to raise interest rates

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Hackers claim to have compromised more than one million passwords, email addresses and other information from SonyPictures.com in latest cyberattack on the Japanese electronics giant

/MCOT

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Abhisit campaigns in Klongtoey area where motorcycle taxi drivers gave him no. 10 vest; due to unveil Democrat's econ policies at QSNC

Yingluck campaigns in Bangkapi area in the morning and is due to go to Nonthaburi in the evening

Army chief refutes red-shirt leader Natthawut's claims that soldiers will be forced to vote for Democrats

Abhisit ignores fortune tellers' predictions of his bad fortune; denies staging PAD bomb attack

/TAN_Network

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,060.38, up 0.57 points /MCOT

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Yingluck denies her brother Thaksin ordered Pheu Thai to turn down Bhum Jai Thai in joining coalition to form govt /TAN_Network

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Hackers claim new data theft from Sony

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4 suspects, posing as police officers from Banglamung, attempt to kidnap 3-yr-old child on Sarasas School Bus on Rama II Rd /TAN_Network

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Thai police arrest wanted Germans on fraud and tax evasion charges

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Poll Panel Disqualifies 32 Party-List Applicants

The Election Commission has disqualified 32 party-list candidates, most of whom are from small political parties.

The poll body has set a seven-day deadline for filing petitions with the Supreme Court for a re-assessment of qualifications.

The Election Commission or EC yesterday announced the disqualification of 32 party-list candidates.

EC Secretary-General Suthipol Taweechaikarn said disqualified candidates may file their petitions with the Supreme Court's Division of Elections by June 9, in order to have their qualifications re-assessed.

He added that those whose names are marked with an asterisk have been disqualified because they did not vote in recent national polls.

Suthipol noted that the candidates in this group may file petitions with the court if they have proof of their voting.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-03

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Democrat Leader Completes Campaigning in North

The Democrat Party leader has expressed his opinion that the outcome of the election depends on the decision people make, not on fortune tellers.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said while campaigning in LamphunProvince that the outcome of the election depends on the people's vote, and not on any fortune tellers.

Fortune tellers have claimed the Democrat Party will not win the upcoming election.

He said his party would announce its economic development plan today at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center to provide more information to voters before the election.

He expressed no concern over the chaos created by the red-shirts during his election campaign, saying its normal for the public to have diversified opinions, as long as they express their stance through peaceful means.

Abhisit has completed his campaign tour of northern provinces with the last stop being Chiang Mai Province, where he accompanied his constituency MP candidate Duentemduang Na Chiang Mai on a tour of various areas.

During the Democrat Party's campaign in Chiang Mai, a red-shirt supporter showed up but police asked the man to leave to prevent chaos.

Apart from that, the party has received a warm welcome from locals, especially from farmers, despite the North being a stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party and of the red-shirt group.

Abhisit added that the reason he did not travel to the North over the past two years is because he did not want to provoke any violence.

He asked locals there to give his party a chance to continue running the country by voting for his party in the upcoming election.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-03

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Filming Underway for Latest Ghost Flick

Filming for an upcoming Thai ghost flick has begun at an ancient building in Bangkok.

The movie is expected to be released late this year.

The shooting of a forthcoming motion picture entitled 'Ghost Day' has begun, and the film is expected to hit theaters by December.

'Ghost Day' tells a story about a TV show that wants high ratings and so invites a couple of men who posted a ghost-related clip on Youtube to be guests on the show.

At first, the show's producers believe the ghost story in the clip was merely a trick, but the men in the clip turn out to be real black magicians and possess supernatural powers.

At the filming location, the film crew had to stay in a building full of dust, but everyone did their best to make the perfect film.

'Ghost Day' is directed by Thanit Chitnukul and is played by hip-hop singer Joey Boy and sexy star Pimnara Right.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-03