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Posted

Thailand Live Friday 10 June 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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 9 June 2011

Posted

Army chief Prayuth warns Pheu Thai

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Tensions rise as Army chief fumes after soldiers on anti-narcotics mission are threatened

Follow this link:

Posted

WTO ruling on cigarette

By Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is to deliver its final ruling on a tax dispute between Thailand and the Philippines next week.

The ruling is expected to have an impact on the tax system, the cigarette industry and customs valuation practice.

The Philippine government in 2008 petitioned the WTO that Thailand was conducting unfair customs practice by rejecting the import price declared by US-based Philip Morris for cigarettes it manufactured in the Philippines.

Declared import price is used as a base for tax calculation, and Thai authorities suspected the company was declaring an artificially low price to avoid paying full taxes.

Tammy Chan, general manager of Philip Morris (Thailand), said the WTO's final ruling was due on June 17 and it would be an imporฌtant guideline for customs valuation.

The WTO disputesettlement panel ruled previously in favour of the company. The Thai government appealed against the ruling, but the Customs Department currently accepts the import price declared by Philip Morris.

The Department of Special Investigation has been investigating the case and the Opposition Pheu Thai raised the issue during the noconfiฌdence debate in March against the Democratled government, accusing it of helping Philip Morris evade tax payment.

Chan said her company was looking forward to tax reform in Thailand, which would make the system more transparent and predictable.

In response to the issue, the Excise Department has proposed collecting excise tax on the retail price of cigarettes instead of the factory price and CIF (cost, insurance and freight) for imported products. The proposal is pending consideration by the new government, after next month's general election.

Chan expressed support for the proposal, as it would apply to everyone. But the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly has objected to it, saying that TTM would have to bear a greater tax burden than its competitors under such a scheme. As of April, TTM had a market share of 76.8 per cent, and Philip Morris 20.6 per cent.

Charonchai Salyapong, director of corporate affairs at Philip Morris, claimed that its market share had been at this level for many years, and had not sharply increased as many believe.

Charonchai said the tax rate on cigarettes was quite high - 67.8 per cent of the price of a pack of smokes - while laws and regulations on smoking were also strict.

The number of smokers in Thailand last year was 9.5 million, or 18.1 per cent of the population, down from 22.5 per cent in 2001.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Severe flooding in Surat Thani

By The Nation

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Flooding in Surat Thani's Khian Sa district has reached a critical level since continuous rains from Wednesday night have increased the water level to about two metres.

Tambon Ban Sadet in Khian Sa has been hit with heavy rain for days now, causing the Nong Tam Sao reservoir to overflow and flood lowlying areas. As of yesterday, the situation was deemed severe, which prompted Khian Sa district chief Suwit Chuchuaysuwan to ask the provincial administrative organisation to help drain the flood by digging canals in rubber plantations.

In Phanom district nearby, farmers complained they could not go ahead with the tapping of rubber trees because 500 rai of the plantations was submerged. Therefore, reports said, they were happy to sacrifice some land to drain the water.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Illegal cosmetics seized in warehouse bust

By The Nation

A large number of unauthorised cosmetics and socalled beauty narcotics have been seized in a raid on a warehouse in Bangkok's Lat Phrao area.

Among the items is a brand of whitening serum and a food supplement, which police and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agents say feature as an exaggerated panacea in broadcast and online advertising.

Except for one type of vitamin, all items seized - including sheepplacenta cream, collagen drinks, and glutathione - are not FDAcertified, administration secretarygeneral Phiphat Yingseri said at a news conference after the raid.

Police also arrested Thanaroj Itthimongkholwat, who allegedly operates a website advertising the items, and charged him with the sale of products without a licence, sale of unauthorised narcotics and advertising of those products.

Phiphat said use of the products, worth about Bt800,000, could cause harmful effects in the long run, including rashes, low blood pressure, asthma and clogged trachea.

Glutathione is a substance capable of ridding toxins from the liver. But its use as a cosmetic, as practised unlawfully by beauty practitioners and women seeking to whiten their skin, is wrong, Phiphat said.

Police are looking for a man who owns the warehouse, and possibly others who administered the products to customers or injected clients with the serum in violation of medical regulations, which could subject them to three years' imprisonment and/or Bt30,000 fines.

Doctors who prescribe these products or administer them to clients, especially injection of the serum, face disciplinary and ethical action from the Medical Council.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Eight Bangkok districts in list of trouble spots

By THE NATION

Fearing violence in the run up to the July 3 election, eight Bangkok districts have been placed on a police watchlist. In addition, two previous lists designated areas in the provinces as "hot spots" and higher-alert "red zones" where violence is likely or has occurred.

Deputy Bangkok police chief Pol Maj-General Kareerin Inkaew said police were most concerned about security on July 1, when all parties deliver their final speeches.

"The Democrat Party takes the stage at Benjasiri Park, the Pheu Thai at Rajamangala Stadium and Social Action Party at Lumpini Park. Police presence and security will be at their peak at these venues," he said.

The eight districts are Lak Si, Don Muang, Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa, Nong Chok, Bang Khunthien, Bang Bon and Thawee Watthana. An extra 11,000 police will be mobilised and crime prevention backed up by supplement units, he added.

Cases of vandalism of election signboards total 1,246, including 104 in Bangkok, while 282 candidates from 11 parties have requested police protection. In general, the situation in Bangkok has been regarded as non-violent despite the latest list putting eight capital districts on a watchlist.

In Chanthaburi, assailants yesterday fired on the home of a kamnan who canvassed for a Pheu Thai Party candidate in Constituency 1. Sa-ard Termsomboon was not at home during the attack and only property was damaged.

Police said the motive could have been Sa-ard's political support, or conflict stemming from gambling.

Kareerin said the number of vandalism cases had not increased as rapidly as before following the launch of police and media campaigns.

He repeated that the maximum sentence for vandals would be a three-year prison term and/or Bt60,000 fine.

Anyone paying for or supporting systematic vandalism can be subject to the maximum sentence of a 10-year prison term and/or Bt200,000 fine, or even party dissolution if they are executive members.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Three face arrest over student killing

By The Nation

The court issued arrest warrants for three former students from the Pathumwan Institute of Technology, who face the charge of killing a student from a rival college in 2006, after they failed to show up at the Appeal Court to hear the verdict yesterday.

The court said yesterday that the three suspects would be considered as having fled the scene, and hence arrest warrants would be issued against them and their bail guarantor charged Bt1 million per person. The court also postponed the verdict hearing to July 25.

On July 29, 2008, Sutthinan Wanghomklang, 28; Mongkol Sripool, 33; and Chatree Juwanna, 31; were sentenced by a lower court to life in prison for shooting and stabbing Benjapol Wiriyarampha to death. The victim was a secondyear student at Rajamangala University of Technology's Uthen Thawai campus. The lower court also ordered them to give the victim's mother Bt4.2 million in compensation plus 7.5 per cent interest per year since the date of the murder until the payment is complete.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Police list likely poll trouble spots

By The Nation

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Fearing violence in the run up to the July 3 election, eight Bangkok districts have been placed on a police watchlist. In addition, two previous lists designate areas in the provinces as "hot spots" and higheralert "red zones" where violence is likely or has occurred.

Deputy Bangkok police chief Pol Maj General Kareerin Inkaew said police were most concerned about security on July 1, when all parties deliver their final speeches.

"The Democrat Party takes the stage at Benja Siri Park, the Pheu Thai at Rajamangkala stadium and Social Action Party at Lumpini Park. Police presence and security will be at their peak at these venues," he said.

The eight districts are Lak Si, Don Muang, Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa, Nong Chok, Bang Khunthien, Bang Bon and Thawee Watthana. An extra 11,000 police will be mobilised and crime prevention backed up by supplement units, he added.

Cases of vandalism of election signboards total 1,246, including 104 in Bangkok, while 282 candidates from 11 parties have requested police protection. In general, the situation in Bangkok has been regarded as nonviolent despite the latest list putting eight capital districts on a watchlist.

In Chathaburi, assailants yesterday fired on the home of a kamnan who canvassed for a Pheu Thai Party candidate in Constituency 1. Saard Termsomboon was not at home during the attack and only property damage was sustained.

Police said the motive could have been Saard's political support or conflict stemming from gambling games.

Kareerin said the number of vandalism cases had not increased as rapidly as before following the launching of police and media campaigns. He repeated the maximum sentence for vandals: a threeyear prison term and/or Bt60,000 fine.

Anyone paying for or supporting systematic vandalism can be subject to the maximum sentence of a tenyear prison term and/or Bt200,000 fine, or even party dissolution if they are executive members.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Army private caught for double murders

By The Nation

Songkhla

An Army private, who killed two fellow soldiers at Pattani's Sirindhorn Base on Tuesday, was captured on Wednesday, but as he was being driven back to base, he started struggling, causing an accident, which killed three soldiers and injured another.

Songkhla's Thepha police superintendent Pol Colonel Chaiwat Nitayawimol said yesterday that Private Hassan Mudliead was eventually shot in the leg by another ranger and recaptured.

Hassan was initially found by a fourmember team of officers at his relative's home in Songkhla's Sadao district. However, as he was being driven back to the base, police say Hassan suddenly went berserk and tried strangling the driver, who lost control of the truck, which plunged into the Thepha River.

In the accident, SgtMajor 1st Class Saman Samaae, SgtMajor 1st Class Decha Janoui and SgtMajor 1st Class Ammat Hayiwani were killed and team leader Second Lieutenant Sitthichai Khongdaeng injured.

Hassan then made his way out of the sinking truck and hijacked a motorcycle. Upon receiving a complaint about the hijacked motorbike, a patrolling ranger chased Hassan and shot him in the leg when the fugitive resisted arrest. Hassan was taken to Thepha Hospital before being transferred to Hat Yai Hospital late Wednesday night.

Chaiwat said investigators had discovered that Hassan was a former drug addict and suffered from mental illness. His relatives had been asked to have him admitted into the Songkhla Mental Hospital before the first incident took place.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Pontoons ready for barge salvage operation

By The Nation

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Towboats and pontoons are expected to reach Ayutthaya this morning to begin the mission of salvaging a sugar barge, which sank in the Chao Phraya River on May 31.

"We should reach the scene by 8am," Thanadej Ployjinda, an executive of Alpha Marine Supply, said yesterday. The Pathum Thanibased firm was hired to build pontoons for the salvage mission.

Deputy Transport Minister Kuerkul Danchaiwijit explained that the pontoons would be put under sunken barge and brought up to the surface. "After that, five towboats will drag the barge away," he said.

Ayutthaya Governor Wittaya Phiewpong said yesterday that the sinking of the barge caused a lot of problems. He pointed out that four houses on the riverbank had to be dismantled because the change in waterflow direction had seriously damaged the bank.

"The barge owner will be held responsible for the damage," he said.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Registration period set for migrant workers

By The Nation

The registration period for migrant workers and their dependants will run from June 15 to July 14, and some 200,000 employers are expected to submit documents, chief of the Employment Department Sutassanee Suebwongpat said yesterday.

Initially, employers can submit the documents without having to take the workers to the provincial employment office in person. Onestop service centres have been set up in 10 employment offices in Bangkok and in 20 provinces that are believed to have the largest number of migrant workers. The documents required included a "Thor Tor 1" form, which can be downloaded from www.doe.go.th, two 2.5centimetre photographs of the worker as well as his or her identification papers. Once the documents are submitted, officials will then make an appointment to collect fingerprints and other "bio data" in mid July before issuing a work permit 120 days after June 15.

Once this period is over, businesses will be fined between Bt10,000 and Bt100,000 per worker if they are not registered, she added.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

PAD not to file injunction with court over 'Vote No' posters anymore; says EC's ban on posters doesn't include ones on streets /TAN_Network

Posted

CNN reports that NATO is now targeting Gaddafi directly /BNONews

NATO official told CNN that Gaddafi is a legitimate target because UN resolution calls for "all necessary measures" to protect civilians /BNONews

Posted

Pheu Thai-Chart Pattana Puea Pandin alliance possible?: Suwat

By The Nation

The Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party is ready for an alliance formation talks if invited to joint the Phue Thai-led government, its faction leader Suwat Liptapanlop said on Friday.

"If Pheu Thai wins the vote and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin is willing to consider whether the two parties a common stand to form the next coalition," he said.

Suwat said his party has some reservations about Phue Thai's stand on the amnesty issue opposed by many, hence the reason his party would demand a clarification before agreeing to join the alliance.

"Chart Pattana Puea Pandin will withdrawal from the coalition alliance if trouble brews over amnesty," he said.

Commenting on varying scenarios for the next government, he said a third party would have a chance to nominate the prime minister if the firs two parties with most votes could not push through their candidates.

He also said in his opinion, male and female contenders for prime ministership would have an equal chance of securing the job.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Police: Democrat suffers most damages on campaign posters

BANGKOK, 10 June 2011 (NNT) – Police indicate that up to 720 campaign billboards of the Democrat Party have been destroyed, which is more than other parties, while 574 bodyguards have been sent to protect 282 MP candidates nationwide.

National Police Advisor for Security Affairs Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, as head of the police center for peace-keeping during elections, revealed that so far there had been four cases of electoral law violations, including false accusation and money offering, while another 21 cases had stemmed from the destruction of campaign posters.

The current toll of damaged signs across the country stands at 1,246, most of which or 323 were found in areas under the supervision of the Provincial Police Region 1. Up to 720 damaged items belong to the Democrat Party, whereas 108 belong to Pheu Thai, 124 to Bhumjaithai and 47 to Chart Thai Pattana.

Meanwhile, the number of MP candidates who have requested personal protection from police during the election period has increased to 282, representing 11 political parties. 574 police officers have been dispatched for the duty.

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-- NNT 2011-06-10 footer_n.gif

Posted

Robson quits as Thailand’s coach

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BANGKOK, 10 June 2011 (NNT) – The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has confirmed that former England and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has resigned from being the coach of Thailand’s national football team.

Acting FAT President Worawi Makudi insisted the 54-year-old coach quit on 8 June 2011 while Steve Darby also resigned as technical adviser. He denied that the resignations were related to the recent bribery scandal between him and the Football Association (FA) of England.

Earlier, former FA Chairperson Lord David Triesman accused four FIFA members including Mr Worawi of trying to bribe him in exchange for their votes for the 2018 World Cup host.

Regarding the selection of a new coach, Mr Worawi said it would take place after a new FAT president is elected on 17 June. A press release confirming the resignation of Mr Robson has been publicized in the FAT website.

It has been rumoured that Peter With, a former chief coach of Thailand from 1998 to 2002, is among the candidates.

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-- NNT 2011-06-10 footer_n.gif

Posted

Red-shirt Radio Host Surrenders to Police

A former radio host of a Chiang Mai red-shirt group has turned himself in after eluding authorities for his involvement in the May 2010 political violence and has declared his departure from the red-shirt group.

Radio host and former leader of the Love Chiang Mai 51 red-shirt group Niyom Luangsiri, widely known as DJ Lae, has turned himself in to Chiang Mai Provincial Police Commander Police Major General Somsak Chanthaping after eluding authorities for his involvement in the attack on the Provincial Police Bureau 5 headquarter and the Royal Center in Chiang Mai.

Niyom said he wished to exercise his voting right and come back to help his fellow red-shirt members in the fight for democracy.

He said before turning himself in, he hid in a neighboring country with help from red-shirt supporters.

He denied involvement in holding 11 hostages at a resort in Mae On district as well as the M-79 attack on the home of Kanaen Supha, a relative of Bhum Jai Thai de facto leader Newin Chidchob.

Niyom announced his departure from the Love Chiang Mai 51 red-shirt group with plan to form a new group consisting of former members and radio hosts from the Love Chiang Mai 51 group.

When asked about a rumored conflict between him and his ex-wife Kanyaphak Maneechak, or DJ Aom, Niyom only said he did not have any comment on the issue.

Regarding Niyom's case, the Chiang Mai provincial police commander said Niyom was charged in two cases of the attack on the Provincial Police Bureau 5 headquarters and the Chiang Mai Royal Center.

He was also defendant in a defamation case filed by former Provincial Police Bureau 5 chief Police Lieutenant General Somkid Boonthanom.

Somsak added that Niyom has sought bail and it will be up to the court to decide.

Police did not object to the bail request since Niyom gave himself in.

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-- Tan Network 2011-06-10

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Posted

PAD to march on Silom Road, motorists warned

The People's Alliance for Democracy will on Friday's morning organise a march from Lumpini Park to Silom Road in order to raise awareness on the no vote campaign, police said, warning motorists to avoid the route from 11.00 am to noon.

"The traffic from Rama IV Road to Silom will be partially closed by two lanes due the march," Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Maj General Phanu Kerdlarppol said.

The PAD is expected to distribute leaflets encouraging voters to cast blank ballots.

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-- The Nation 2011-06-10

Posted

Vibhavadi Hospital denies over 70 Horwang students have diarrhea due to E.coli; School director says no students admitted to hospital /MCOT

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