Thailand Live Monday 6 Jun 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 6 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 Saturday 4 Jun 2011

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Thai students believe July 3 election won't end political conflict

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Police alert: Poll heats up in Thailand

Ranking of hot spots reassessed; PM revises North tour after Democrat candidate shoved by three men in Phitsanulok

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NATION ROUNDTABLE

Private sector, academics criticise major Thai parties' plans

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Thailand's Harvard whiz kid, with a heart

By Achara Deboonme

The Nation

Chula graduate realises leaders must be different and work hard

While attending Ruamrudee International School and Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Engineering, Chaya Chansmitmas did not know where his new knowledge would take him. But good grades after years of concentration solidified his future, culminating in his recruitment into Harvard Business School and a successful start in the business world.

"At every stage of my life, I am motivated by the people around me. My determination comes from looking at those who are successful, both alive and dead," he said. "When I am down, I visit those who are less fortunate to remind myself why it is a shame to give up. And when in doubt, I turn to those who support and believe in me for guidance and wisdom."

An only son, Chaya always had his parents' support. They motivated him to pursue whatever he enjoyed, and in return he did not disappoint his parents. The young man, full of purpose, graduated with a bachelor's degree in information and communication engineering from Chulalongkorn University's International School of Engineering in 2010 on a full scholarship with a GPA of 3.98.

Indeed, Chaya admits that he was not a bookworm. During his school years, his field of interest was extensive. He never rested during summers. In 2008, he was a creative/customer relations intern at Virgin Radio Thailand and a year later, he was the information technology/ corporate social responsibility intern at Standard Chartered Bank.

A year before his graduation, he founded and became the president of IEEE Computer Society Student Chapter at Chulalongkorn. He appeared in TV commercials and teenage magazines.

Importantly, he put his computer knowledge to social benefit, with the design of a Microsoft Word course for 17 underprivileged children at the Rajvithi Children's Home. But he was more proud of his software that teaches visually disabled users to write using sound variation. Pending for a patent, the programme in 2009 won him a special award from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Ratchasuda Foundation for Disabilities and fourth place in the category of Assistive Technology for the Handicapped.

"I am fortunate to have such a great network of people supporting me and I always feel responsible for giving back to society. The drive behind all of my social activities and endeavours is my desire to improve the lives of others with what I have. It can be as simple as educating children at an orphanage or more complex tasks such as developing VirtualStroke, innovative software that helps the blind to communicate better with the general population," he said.

The writingassistance programme was designed when he decided to enrol at Harvard, one of the most prestigious business schools. In his junior year, Harvard launched the Master's "2+2" program for rising and current college seniors. It is made up of two years of professional work experience followed by two years in the HBS MBA programme. Upon graduating from college, 2+2 students spend two years working in a professional, HBSapproved position in the public, private or nonprofit sector. Among 100 accepted from 250 applicants worldwide granted interviews, Chaya was the first Thai citizen selected for the programme. And he was one of five who are not US citizens. Notably, his software satisfied one of the admissions criteria, requiring applicants to be engaged community citizens.

"GPA alone won't help if you really want to join the institution," Chaya recalled. "Harvard's slogan 'Leaders make difference' guided me. To qualify, we need to be leaders and we must be different from others."

Aside from good grades and social work, he also sought help from foreign lecturers for interview preparation. A onesemester experience at Tuffs University as part of the Chulalongkorn University internship programme helped, as he had to fly to Boston for the interview. On extensive preparation, he realised that compared to foreign students, Thais are considered shy, and no matter how good they are at thinking, they are not good at presentation.

Chaya expects three main benefits from the MBA programme. First, essential skills needed to succeed in the business world. Second, to be part of a strong global network that lends support to one another. Lastly, all the possibilities out there that he might otherwise never know of.

"In doing business today, no matter how good you are, you can't thrive without knowing the right people," he noted. "Listening to different views of wouldbe CEOs should give me diverse perspectives on various issues."

While waiting for the school to start in autumn, 2012, he is reading business articles to prepare for the 500+ cases that he will study over the course of two years. During these two years, he also sees himself involved in design, implementation, analysis and adoption of customer relationship management projects in various industries like banking, food and hotels. With friends, he is also involved in ITrelated marketing exhibitions while keeping on his social projects for the underprivileged, something he vows to keep doing.

"At the age of 50, I see myself at the helm of an organisation, steering the business through various situations. I will still be learning new things to compete in the everevolving business landscape. Should I become successful, I would like to mentor others to become successful as well. For me, the joy of being able to help others is the most rewarding sensation one can ever feel."

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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TOT

TOT to showcase its 3G service

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Networkers come to aid of sunken sugar barge

By The Nation

A group of social network entrepreneurs are set to work on ways to improve water conditions at a Chao Phaya river section in Pathum Thani following massive contamination caused by the capsize of two sugar barges there last week.

The first technique they recommend is to add more oxygen to the water, by throwing in mixed organic substances, contained in 5,000 paper balls, said Piyacheep Watcharobol, head of Arsa Dusit group which communicates with members mostly through Facebook and Twitter. The group mobilised volunteer manpower and relief supplies and donated aid recently to flood victims in the South.

The Arsa Dusit group, together with Thai Flood group, are planning to employ other techniques to limit contamination and will make statements about their future attempts soon.

The organic substances are produced by Chaleo Panniam, a farmer recognised for his green methods in preserving nature, who said the mixture consisted of yeast and germs that would jointly help reduce the level of contamination. He said his products had proved effective in containing contamination and he gave overseas lectures on his products to environmental groups there.

A small number of fish has died at the site, near a resort in Sam Khoke district, as a result of contamination while all species of scaled fish have disappeared, said the fishery's provincial office. The oxygen level at the river bank is around 2.80 on a scale, unspecified but in a safe level, while it is 3.20 in the middle of the river.

Hong Pathummawas temple, located not far from the site, is spraying water in the air as an attempt to add oxygen to it.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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EDITORIAL

How long can Yingluck hide from the big tough issues?

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BRIEFS

Drug arrests in Pathum Thani, Ubon

Police have arrested drug traffickers and seized almost 800,000 ya ba tablets and Bt3 million in cash.

Police spoke to reporters yesterday after they arrested Aniwat Saeliew, 40, a Nakhon Ratchasima resident, on the Rangsit to Nakhon Nayok Road in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district.

They seized 786,000 ya ba tablets, two pickups and cash totalling Bt3,002,000.

Aniwat reportedly confessed that only 30,000 out of the pills belonged to him. The rest, he said, belonged to Somyos Saelee, his friend who escaped.

The pair allegedly got the drugs from a Chinese man known as Lek or Kulek, who lives in the North. Each time they transported one million tablets to store in Ayutthaya or Pathum Thani, before selling them to customers in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, police in Ubon Ratchathani arrested three suspects and seized 60,000 ya ba tablets worth Bt18 million and 980 grams of 'ice' or crystal meth hydrochloride, worth Bt4 million. The suspects were Prasong Phaophan, 27, Somphan Phinnok, 41, and Suwit Sukbanbon, 39.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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Vandals destroy parties' signs

By The Nation

Published on June 6, 2011

Over 700 election campaign signs of the two major parties have been destroyed around the country, prompting Pheu Thai to complain that police were slow in preventing the problem.

Pol Maj General Prawut Thavornsiri, spokesman of the National Police Office, said yesterday police were following up on 18 cases involving defacing of campaign posters of the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties, but so far no arrests have been made.

Mutilated posters were found in Bangkok and all regions of the country except the East. While Pheu Thai reported its campaign signs were vandalised in the southern stronghold of the Democrats, the Democrats protested that their signs were mutilated in the northern bastion of Pheu Thai.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit demanded police speed up investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.

Many Pheu Thai signs had been stolen in the North, Central region, Northeast and Bangkok, he added.

Pirapong Sangthong, Pheu Thai's candidate in Surat Thani Constituency 1, said dozens of his campaign materials showing him with the party's prime minister candidate Yingluck Shinawatra were ruined while those of the Democrats nearby were left intact.

In Patthaulung, Pheu Thai candidate Sodiguen Samuhaseni said several of his campaign posters were trashed. In Lamphun, Democrat candidate Khayun Wipromchai said six campaign signs in Pasang district were damaged.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's picture was cut out of the signs and some were burnt, he said.

In Angthong, several campaign posters of Somchai Talummuk, the Democrat candidate in Constituency 2, were spoiled.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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Thailand election - Teams run tight show for 'working woman PM'

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Network press conference tomorrow

By The Nation

The network opposing a pardon for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra will hold a press conference tomorrow at Parliament in its pursuit of criminal action against his sister, Pheu Thai top party-list candidate Yingluck.

Kaewsan Atibhodi, a member of the now-defunct Assets Examination Committee, yesterday posted details on Facebook about asking the Department of Special Investigation to sue Yingluck over Thaksin's asset-concealment case.

He said nobody related to the case had been sued after the Supreme Court ruling, including Yingluck.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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AFP: Thailand to free 96 Pakistan asylum detainees

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SPECIAL

Vote-buyers under the hammer

By The Nation

New counting system as politicians pay canvassers to secure ballots

The July 3 election will witness not only massive vote-buying but also a greater risk of vote canvassers putting their lives in danger, while some with more leverage may earn double commissions from politicians willing to pay whatever it takes to win.

The rules of the game have changed and canvassers must adapt to the new election law, which calls for ballots to be counted at polling stations. This rule is not really new because the election law has shifted between counting at polling stations and counting at constituency centres.

The 1997 constitution stipulated the counting of ballots at polling stations but the rule changed in 2006 to the counting of ballots at constituency centres. The recent changes to the 2007 Constitution required ballots to be counted at polling stations.

The rationale behind the change? Lawmakers believe counting ballots at polling stations will speed up the reporting of election results, prevent the problem of ballot boxes being swapped while being transported, and curb vote-buying. That is because constituencies are smaller and ballots are exclusively counted right away at each polling station.

With counting at constituency centres, ballots from many polling stations were mixed together, but with counting at polling stations, MP candidates can check if their canvassers were able to help them buy votes as promised. Canvassers also fear being punished for failure to meet vote-buying targets.

"By counting ballots at polling stations, MP candidates can check if canvassers meet their targets for vote-buying. Police are keeping a close watch to see if this will bring about violence,'' a source said yesterday.

Surveys have found that many canvassers dare not commit themselves to politicians as they cannot guarantee 100-per-cent success in winning a certain number of seats through vote-buying.

The change in the rules does not deter politicians from buying votes. In Chiang Rai, canvassers reveal that they have already received 30-per-cent advance commissions of total vote-buying money. Politicians rush to give advances for fear that the canvassers would accept work from their rivals. The smaller the village, the easier to buy votes. MP candidates prepare an average of Bt300-Bt500 per vote and the price jumps to Bt1,000 in remote areas.

Canvassers are classified into community leaders, people with influence over teenagers, kamnan and village chiefs.

"Community leaders accept commissions from both rival political parties. They do not care that the ballots will be counted at polling stations because they tell politicians that they can only give them a 50-per-cent guarantee of winning the seats they want. If they cannot meet this target, they are ready to give back some money,'' the source said.

Politicians who are not happy with this noncommittal stance can opt to use other canvassers, he added.

In Lampang, a canvasser who refused to be named said politicians had come up with more and more aggressive vote-buying tactics in each election. Starting with pressuring kamnan, village heads and community volunteers, politicians will check the number of their supporters in each area before giving money to canvassers to buy votes. For every Bt500 of vote-buying money, Bt200 is given to the canvasser.

In the South, the Democrat Party's stronghold, vote-buying is more difficult because constituents are loyal to the Democrats.

"Voters accept the money but will not vote for rivals of the Democrats. Politicians then have to buy votes by giving a lump sum of money for weddings, merit-making ceremonies of constituents. This way they may win at least 20 votes from paying about Bt20,000,'' the source said.

A canvasser in Surat Thani says a politician has prepared about Bt20 million to buy votes and threatened to kill canvassers who receive money from him but do not bring enough votes as promised.

An MP candidate in Phetchaburi also admitted that smaller constituencies make it easier to buy votes. But since rival candidates also buy votes, they have to up the ante to win votes.

"Buying votes by giving money to one particular canvasser is not as effective as giving money to many canvassers - with each canvasser managing about 50 voters, although the latter method may cost politicians more," he said.

Many politicians also promise bonuses if they win the election, to be shared among canvassers and voters.

A canvasser said that with stricter laws and the fact that the Election Commission and anti-vote buying agencies are armed with technology, he feared being caught with evidence of vote-buying.

"I will only offer vote-buying money to my relatives, close friends and not people who I don't know,'' he said.

Ratchaburi is one of the provinces where the election race will be fierce, so canvassers dare not commit themselves to any party.

"It's hard to embezzle the vote-buying money since votes will be counted at polling stations. It's scary. No one dares to be a canvasser of any party even though they are heavily wooed with hefty commissions,'' a canvasser in the province said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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KEY CONTENDERS

Young Democrat vs veteran in Don Muang

By Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

Sirared Cherdchusilp

The Nation

At first look, it does not appear Democrat Thankhun Jitt-isara is snatching too many votes in Karun "Keng" Hosakul's stronghold of Bangkok's Don Muang district.

In fact, the Pheu Thai candidate is convinced he will beat Thankhun easily in the upcoming election.

"I don't even have to spend too much time campaigning because I'm a local. Many people in this area know me personally. Not just the older generation, but also the young people. I take part in every major event, be it an ordination, a wedding ceremony or graduation. I have been working in this area for nearly a decade now, as a member of the district council, the Bangkok council and as an MP," he said.

Though Karun looks a bit like a gangster, he is still welcomed with open arms around Don Muang.

"Somebody once said that I had influence because I am a bit rough. You can ask businessmen in my area what Keng's behaviour really is like," he said.

Despite his rough appearance, Karun was seen recently being very polite and gentle. He greeted older people as his parents, asking them to choose their "son" Keng. His supporters greeted him with flowers, and someone was heard asking when Yingluck Shinawatra - the Pheu Thai Party's PM candidate - was going to visit.

One resident said there was no way Thankhun could win in Don Muang because he did not live in the district and had not proved himself there. Thankhun, a new face in the Democrat Party's list of candidates, has been welcomed and dismissed. Yet, it looks like the Democrats made the right decision in choosing him, because the younger generation seems to find him charming. He has quite a fan club among female voters.

And though some Don Muang residents have been hurling abuse at him, the young candidate insists he is not discouraged.

"During our campaign, some people abused us and even threw bottles at us. But we will continue doing our best to visit every area, even though we never thought there would be such violence like this. Sometimes we were warned of men waiting for us with sticks in some areas, so we decided to stay away.

"Though we are disheartened and discouraged sometimes, we cannot turn back. The only way to go is straight ahead. I believe we are doing well in our campaigns. This constituency has three different types of voters - Karun's supporters, those who are undecided and the 'silent power'. If we can win over the 'silent power', we have the chance to win. We're looking for the best way to make the silent power come out and vote," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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I'net link to foreign lecturers, universities

By Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

Thai universities will be able to connect with leading universities across the world. During a realtime meeting, attendants will feel as if they sit across the table from others who are in different places and countries.

The socalled Global TelePresence Research and Education Community on the Uninet Network project will provide interested universities with TelePresence technology, which is a gateway of virtual connection.

About 70 universities worldwide have joined TelePresence community, such as the University of California, Duke University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford and the National University of Singapore.

"Lecturers and students or people attending the meeting will feel as if they are in the same environment as the technology gives real time interaction. Video and audio are synchronised without delay. Remote participants are lifesize. So, they can communicate effectively," said Sumate Yamnoon, secretarygeneral of the Office of the Higher Education Commission (Ohec).

"It will be easier for Thai students and lecturers to learn from professors and lecturers in foreign countries. They don't have to waste time travelling across countries to lecture or join a meeting in Thailand. Possibly, we'll be able to reserve three hours of an MIT lecturer to teach via TelePresence," Tatchapol Poshyanonda, managing director of Cisco Systems (Thailand) said. Cisco provides the technology.

Uninet is the InterUniversity Network, which allows Internet access to universities, vocational institutes and educational service area offices countrywide.

Tatchapol said more than 10 universities in every region of the country were interested in using the technology.

Chulalongkorn University finished the equipment installation a few months ago. It used TelePresence to connect with its campuses.

And the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce was due to install it soon to create a "smart" classroom, which can invite foreign lecturers to teach students in "realtime" online.

Sumate said Ohec would push use of the system for teaching, learning and research, both locally and internationally.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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Yingluck Requests Meeting with Army Chief

Pheu Thai number one party list MP candidate Yingluck Shinawatra has reportedly requested a meeting with Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-o-char. The reason behind the request was not given. However, the army spokesperson has been quick in saying that a meeting between the two would not be appropriate and if a meeting were to take place, it should be attended by representatives of all political parties. He said the EC should also be informed.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,054.86, down 3.00 points /MCOT

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People's Alliance Faults Cambodia's Troop Withdrawal Call

The People’s Alliance for Democracy expresses concern Thailand may be tricked by Cambodia into pulling troops out of the area around the Preah Vihear Temple to make way for its management plan of the temple as a World Heritage site.

People’s Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, spokesman Parnthep Puapongpan commented that Thailand should not fall prey to Cambodia and withdraw its troops from the 4.6-square kilometer disputed territory around the Preah Vihear Temple.

Former deputy army chief General Vichit Yathip has said that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wanted both Thailand and Cambodia to pull troops out of the area, jointly develop the 4.6-square kilometer disputed territory and hold the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission meeting.

Moreover, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came out to reiterate he is ready for negotiations with Cambodia but it must withdraw its lawsuit against Thailand from the International Court of Justice, withdraw soldiers from the disputed land and withhold its management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site.

Parnthep noted Cambodia is trying to show that Thailand has the advantage in the World Court but there is actually no guarantee that Thailand will win the case.

He added that the withdrawal of troops from the disputed area will fall under Cambodia’s plan to move forward with the World Heritage listing.

In addition, Cambodia's proposal to jointly manage the area is not related to the border demarcation process, so there is still a chance that Thailand will lose sovereignty over the land to Cambodia.

Parnthep pointed out that Thailand’s relations with members of the United Nations Security Council like Russia, China, France and the United States are not at their best, so if the World Court case goes to the UNSC, Thailand may lose out, particularly with France’s vested interest in Cambodia.

He alleged this may be a conspiracy by various countries to benefit Cambodia.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Democrats Wrap Up Campaign in North

The election campaign by the Democrat Party leader in the lower North has proceeded smoothly.

Caretaker Prime Minister and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva visited Sukhothai Province during his two-day campaign trip to the North to help constituency MP candidates Virat Wiriyapong and Sampan Tangbenjapol.

The campaign kicked off with the campaign team paying homage to the holy Buddha image Lung Phor To at Wat Kongkrailard with a belief that this will bring the Democrats luck in the general election scheduled for July 3.

The rite was followed by a campaign speech.

During the campaign, Abhisit received a warm welcome from local residents.

One of his supporters, an elderly woman named Chalao Chaemcheun, gave him her brass ring and wished he takes another term as PM.

Meanwhile, tight security was provided and at least 150 policemen were on guard to prevent any chaos from breaking out.

Abhisit completed his campaign tour of the northern provinces with the last stops being Baan Suan and Sukhothai Municipal markets, where the group received a warm welcome.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Malaysian world heritage city of Malacca will be smoke-free from June 15, first for country /MCOT

Abhisit affirms Democrats will not team up with Pheu Thai to form govt as policies are totally different /TAN_Network

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Army spokesman says Yingluck's request for meeting with Army chief is in appropriate unless other party leaders join; EC has to be informed /TAN_Network

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Vegetable sprouts behind E coli outbreak

The E. coli outbreak in Europe appears to have come from bean / vegetable sprouts grown on an organic farm in Germany, according to Germany's agriculture officials.

Latest toll from the E coli outbreak stands at over 22 dead and more than 2,200 people ill.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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3.7 magnitude quake in Myanmar, 15km to the north of Mae Sai, Chiang Rai; no reports of damages yet /TAN_Network

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Thai Finance Ministry to Launch New Bonds

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Police to Remove PAD "Vote No" Campaign Signs

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Suthep calls on EC to look into Pheu Thai allowing red-shirts to disrupt campaigning /TAN_Network

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Second-Hand Car Business Sees Robust Growth

The market for second-hand cars has seen a substantial growth thanks to the ongoing election campaign, the rising world oil price and the recent tsunami disaster in Japan.

Union Auction Company Chairperson Saovaluck Chaidejsuriya said the market for second-hand cars has been booming over the past two months.

She said the recent tsunami disaster in Japan, combined with the rising world oil price, has had major impact on the car industry and delayed car manufacturing.

Saovaluck said the Thai government has helped by subsidizing diesel price to hold it at 30 baht per liter.

She said that during the election campaign, sales of second-hand pick-up trucks have risen by 20 percent, while sales of second-hand passenger cars have risen by 10 percent.

Meanwhile, she noted that the company currently has just four competitors in the car auction business.

She said Union Auction holds 75 percent of the market share and 50 percent of its revenue comes from sales to finance firms and the other half to the general public.

She added that the market for second-hand cars has fewer competitors because the business requires a lot of space to park the cars, thus raising costs and lowering profits.

Saovalak said the company also conducts auctions for brand-name products. She added this sector of the market has not been highly affected by the economic crisis.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Academic to Press Charges against Yingluck for trying to seek amnesty for Thaksin

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