Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Jun 2011

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Thailand Live Tuesday 14 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 Monday 13 June 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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WANTED: Another 40,000 nurses!; Thailand Health crisis

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We will disqualify wrongdoers before Thai election, EC panel warns

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In the end, only one poll will matter; Thai opinion

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Politics may fuel inflation in Thailand

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GENERAL ELECTION

Parties vow to bring transparency to sport

By Preechachan Wiriyanupappong,

Kaweewit Kaewjinda

The Nation

With the election drawing near, the five political parties fighting to win the popularity contest have unveiled their solutions to energise Thailand's ailing sports scene.

Representatives of the Democrats, Pheu Thai, Chart Pattana Puea Paendin, Palang Chon, and Palang Kon Keela spelled out their policies for sports development in the country during a conference at Nation Tower. Although it came from different parties, the main message was the same - improve the potential and the prospects for young Thai athletes.

During the three-hour meeting, Pheu Thai's deputy spokesman and parliamentary candidate Jirayu Huangsap laid out plans to abolish the Tourism and Sport Ministry entirely and replace it with two separate committees for sports and tourism.

The party's sports agenda is to create jobs and healthier lifestyles for local sportspersons, including retired athletes. Pheu Thai aims to fix problems in the sports industry from the grassroots up. A more efficient system for sports would result in better outcomes, said Jirayu.

Democrat parliamentary candidate Samart Malulim echoed Jirayu's suggestion by saying that the Tourism and Sport Ministry should be replaced with two separate ministries with different responsibilities.

Samart then went on to express grave concerns over the internal problems plaguing Thai sports associations. He cited a lack of transparency and what he called the poor knowledge of top officials in many organisations.

"Athletes bring joy and happiness to millions of our people with their achievements. It is visible in the faces of people whenever an athlete brings glory to the country. I think athletes should learn to devote themselves to the happiness of others," said Samart.

"The Democrat Party would try to increase the budget for sports and at the same time create appropriate laws to govern the sports scene," he added.

Veteran politician and leader of the Palang Kon Keela Party Wanasthana Sajjakul, widely known as "Big Hoy", claimed that sports and politics are inseparable and mutually supporting.

"My long experience in politics would serve me well as Minister for Tourism and Sport. I have a strong belief that competition is an integral part of sport, and that when this is lacking, interest in sport wanes," said Wanasthana, formerly known as Thawatchai.

"My main agenda is to push for competitions to take place at every level in every sport, including the less popular sports like petanque. I also hope to see Thai athletes participating in every major sporting competition - even in the Winter Olympics."

The Athens Olympic taekwondo bronze medallist Yaowapa Boorapolchai, known as "Nong View", outlined the plans of Chart Pattana Phea Paendin Party, should they gain power.

"Our party's agenda includes support for constructing 7,000 mini sports complexes all over the country to attract people to sports. We also plan to double the stipends to Thai athletes," she said.

National futsal coach Adisak Benjasiriwan of the Palang Chon Party hopes to use his vast experience and success to help improve Thai sports.

"I've taken the national futsal team to the World Championships three consecutive times. My main agenda is to launch a 'Sports for All' programme and urge Thai youngsters from ages 8 to 18 years to develop their athletic ability. A total of 2,000 pilot schools will be built to serve young athletes, so we can pick the most talented in each discipline," Adisak said.

"We also plan to construct a 'sports city' that would generate great income for Thailand."

Thought it is still too early to predict which party might win a majority on July 3 to form the next government, the five representatives vying for power sent a clear message to voters that they are ready to develop sports in the country. They also agree that rapid changes among sports overseers are required for the bright future of Thai sports.

-- The Nation 2011-06-14

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Thailand ignores education reform at its own peril

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Briton Drowned in Koh Samui Insist Thai Police, so murder investigation is off

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Poor lighting a factor in tunnel accidents

By The Nation

Poor lighting in underpasses in Bangkok was a major factor behind accidents, deputy city police chief Pol Maj General Phanu Kerdlarpphol said yesterday.

The sudden drop in lighting faced by motorists driving into underpasses made it hard for them to quickly adjust their eyesight to cope with the dark in tunnels. This resulted in many of the more than 100 such accidents recorded last year.

However, police records showed that most accidents in underpasses in Bangkok took place between midnight to 6am. Phanu did not say if insufficient light or other factors were the top cause of accidents.

The other causes include sharp curves inside underpasses, motorcyclists parking to avoid rain outside, or inconsistent lane lines in tunnels and on connecting roads. Motorcyclists normally use underpasses without permission.

The accidents took place in Huay Khwang, Lak Si and Kasetsart underpasses, which had 11, seven and six accidents respectively last year.

-- The Nation 2011-06-14

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Gunshots ratchet up the tension in Sukhothai

By The Nation

Unknown gunmen shot up a Bhum Jai Thai Party canvasser's house in the Sukhothai province's Constituency 4 and threatened another canvasser with a gunshot in the air on Sunday night - but no deaths or injuries were reported.

Somneuk Kanthakaew, 62, a tambon Mae Sin administration organisation member and canvasser, and fellow canvasser Phin Kaewphulsiri, 50, filed complaints at Sri Satchanalai police station yesterday.

Somneuk claimed that at about 9pm on Sunday, a pickup truck stopped at his home's entrance and he heard four shots fired at his window.

The day before, the driver of a black Isuzu D-Max pickup truck had asked neighbours where Somneuk's house was. Somneuk told police the truck might have been connected to the shooting.

Phin said he heard a pickup approaching his home, followed by a shot in the air.

Bhum Jai Thai candidate Manu Pookprasert, for whom the two men canvass, said he would apply for police protection and urged authorities to provide security in this election.

In Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district, former radio host at Rak Chiang Mai 51 Group's 92.5, Niyom "DJ Lhae" Leungcharoen, complained to police yesterday that gunmen had shot at his home the night earlier and damaged windows.

On Thursday, Niyom went to the Mae Ping police station to hear charges of attempted murder, possession of explosives, property damage, illegal entry of a Police Region 5 Office, and libel against the regional police chief. He also asked for police protection as he had separated from his former wife, DJ Om, and was preparing to set up a new red-shirt group.

Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, adviser to the Royal Thai Police, said at the election peacekeeping centre yesterday that police monitored news and movements in 375 constituencies, assessing the constituencies in levels of tendency for violence.

He said 108,915 policemen would be deployed to protect 90,815 polling stations nationwide - at least one officer per polling station.

Yesterday afternoon saw a 15-car convoy leave Thai Post to carry advance ballots to Hat Yai, Thung Song and Chumphon post offices.

-- The Nation 2011-06-14

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Contamination: 2nd raid on chicken slaughterhouses

By Marut Boonyanareumit,

Poungchompoo Prasert

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima Livestock Development officials raided six chicken slaughterhouses in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district early yesterday and seized about eight tonnes of decomposed chicken.

They arrested three suspects and the Public Health Ministry is considering filing at least three charges against the factories.

The move followed news that some chicken slaughterhouses in Nakhon Ratchasima were soaking dead chickens in strong-smelling formalin solution before selling them.

Later yesterday, the province and related agencies assigned a committee to investigate whether state officials were involved in the operation of the slaughterhouses and were preparing to transfer local livestock officials to make way for the investigation.

Suspicion of the involvement of state officials arose because the slaughterhouses were raided for selling decomposed chicken on April 19 and 10 suspects were arrested on that occasion, but operations didn't cease until yesterday's action.

Provincial Governor Rapee Pongbuppakit apologised to the public for problems caused by the slaughterhouses. It is suspected that the decomposed chickens were used in processed food products sold in far rural areas.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, who also instructed provincial health officials to randomly check on chicken sold in risky areas, said that under the Public Health Act 1992, operators of the slaughterhouses could face charges of causing a disturbance, punishable by one month in jail and/or a Bt2,000 in fine; operating an activity harmful to health, punishable by six months in jail and/or a fine of Bt10,000; and operating a food-storage place of more than 200 square metres without permission, punishable by one month in jail and/or a fine of Bt2,000.

Other laws that could be used in this case were the Food Act 1979, which provided for two years in prison and a Bt20,000 fine for selling contaminated food, if the chicken was found to be tainted with formalin as claimed, and the Communicable Diseases Act 1980, if the slaughterhouses were found to have caused an outbreak of disease, he said.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Dr Pipat Yingseri said that formalin was allowed as a disinfectant for floors and medical tools, but was prohibited for use with food. To use it with food was punishable by two years in prison and/or a fine of Bt20,000.

He said people who consumed formalin-contaminated food might suffer skin irritation, an inflamed stomach, vomiting and diarrhoea. However, prolonged consumption could lead to destruction of the nervous system, sterility and cancer.

He said that formalin could usually be detected by its smell,

Disease Control Department senior official Dr Rungreung Kijphati said that bird-flu watch nationwide had not reported any outbreaks. Nor had any other chicken diseases been reported.

-- The Nation 2011-06-14

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Thai Democrats 'have faith' despite bad surveys

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Talk of Thai army intervention is being played up

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Bhutanese royals visit Doi Suthep

By The Nation

The Queen of Bhutan, HM Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, who is on a personal visit to Thailand, paid her respects at Phra That Doi Suthep last Sunday.

Queen Dorji is married to Bhutan's fourth king, father of the current monarch, HM King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Two other Bhutanese royals, including the queen's eldest daughter, HRH Princess Sonam Dechen, accompanied her during the trip. The three from Bhutan arrived at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in the morning and climbed the hundreds of steps toward the sacred pagoda.

The queen stopped briefly from time to time during the climb. She also brought out a fan but continued smiling. As she arrived at the pagoda, tourists alike gathered around her and took her picture.

Chao Soymala na Champasak, a descendant of a late royal ruler of Vientiane, presented the Bhutanese queen with phasin. The three royals then walked around Phra That Doi Suthep three times with candles. At 11am, they gave offerings to the abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and later had their pictures taken.

-- The Nation 2011-06-14

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Wage rise to be considered shortly

By The Nation

Members of the Central Wage Committee will consider a new rate for the minimum daily wage on July 6, three days after the election.

An increase is likely even though the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has said a wage hike may cause some employers to go out of business.

The FTI has claimed that between 6.7 and 16.9 per cent of businesses may have to close down if a major wage hike is approved, and the possibility is highest in the East.

"The information is worrying," Labour Ministry deputy permanent secretary Sunan Phothong admitted yesterday. But he said wages would have to rise in the face of soaring living costs.

He pointed out that after government schemes to provide free bus and train rides, plus free electricity and tap-water for low-income households, expire at the end of this month, living costs would soar even further.

A Labour Ministry survey showed that the minimum daily wage averaged Bt176 across the country, lower than what it should be when living costs were taken into account.

However, Sunan fell short of saying how much the minimum wage would rise by.

He said provincial wage panels would propose the new rates to his sub-panel by June 20 next Monday.

"We will analyse and summarise the proposals for the Central Wage Committee to consider," he said in his capacity as chairman of the academic sub-panel on wages.

He said his sub-panel would take into account the inflation rate reported by the Bank of Thailand, the Consumer Price Index compiled the Commerce Ministry, and economic figures reported by the National Economic and Social Development Board.

-- The Nation 2011-06-14

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E-sarn university may be shut down

By The Nation

A decision on whether to shut down E-sarn University - rocked by a scandal over the sale of teaching diplomas - will be made in about a month.

A four-part committee was is looking into the scandal and would decide on what would become of the university by July 11, Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Jiramethakorn said yesterday.

The committee had decided that about 100 innocent stu?dents, studying at the main Khon Kaen campus, would be helped or granted diplomas.

But a large number of others registered and studying at more than 125 off-campus centres could not be helped equally, because those centres had been set up and operated in violation of regulations.

"By July 11, all details obtained [by the four-part commission] should be enough to rule whether the issue has gone 'beyond rehabilitation'," Chaiyos said. "What is wrong will be dealt with via penalties. If not, the commission could be subject to counter-lawsuits or charges of malfeasance itself.

"Everything will be decided and over by July 11."

Managers and staff of E-sarn's off-campus centres would be charged with public fraud, but the committee had not decided what measures could be taken to help those studying at such sites.

The committee is made up of officials from the Office of Higher Education Commission, the Kurusapa, an OHEC-led administration that took over E-sarn, and university itself.

It would also decide by July 11 whether E-sarn rector Assadang Sawaengkarn would be held criminally liable for knowingly approving diplomas to 11 students who obtained them, and subsequently got jobs as teachers without having ever attended a lecture or course as an apprentice.

In yesterday's meeting, Thanawat Noiha, director of E-sarn University's centres at Nan and Chon Buri, submitted a request for help from OHEC for students under their supervi?sion. Thanawat also requested an OHEC probe into operations at other universities.

-- The Nation 2011-06-14

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Yingluck campaigns in 3 southernmost provinces today /TAN_Network

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5.2 magnitude earthquake hits northern part of Indonesia's Sumatra; no effect on Thailand /MCOT

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PM: Thailand ready to host 21st WEF on East Asia

BANGKOK, 14 June 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared Thailand’s readiness to play host to the next World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia in 2012 upon his visit to Indonesia on Monday.

Upon his participation in the 20th WEF on East Asia in Jakarta, Indonesia, Prime Minister Abhisit hosted a reception at Shangri La Hotel. There, he spoke on the stage ensuring Thailand’s readiness to host the 21st WEF next year.

The prime minister elaborated that Thailand has been well-known as land of smiles as well as famous for its tourism and medical hub. In addition, the country is considered as the important production base of various industries.

Speaking about the upcoming general election scheduled for 3 July to economists participating in the event, Prime Minister Abhisit said the vote could indicate that the country has never stopped developing and has been moving forward in line with the democratic system.

The prime minister yesterday paid a one-day visit to Indonesia in order to attend the 20th WEF on East Asia.

-- NNT 2011-06-14

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AFP: Pentagon papers finally published 40 years after the end of the Vietnam war

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Wanted: Automatic immigration clearance at Phuket airport

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Phuket to 'paint the world RED' today

Staff at the Phuket Regional Blood Center. File photo.

The center is located at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town.

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,022.28, up 6.75 points /MCOT

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EC unconcerned over EU observers

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Oishi Confident to Remain Leading Green Tea Brand

Leading green tea brand Oishi expresses no concern over increasing competition while giving assurance that it will continue to enjoy the majority of Thailand's market share.

Oishi Group President Mathew Kichodhan said after the launch of new beverage Oishi Chakulza that the company is not concerned about new green tea organic product Ichitan, which has been introduced by Tan Passakornnatee.

Mathew said an increase in number of competitors will help the market for green tea expand further.

He said Oishi opened up the market for green tea in Thailand and now holds the majority of the market share of up to 60 percent.

He said Oishi's green tea market has been expanding by more than 25 percent a year and he hopes it will generate up to five billion baht this year.

He added that Oishi green tea sales grew 17 percent during the first quarter of this year, generating nearly 1.5 billion baht in revenue.

Meanwhile, he said Oishi Group's food market is also continuously expanding and the company has set a revenue growth target of 25 percent

Mathew added that Oishi has launched Oishi Chakulza, which is green tea mixed with soda.

He hopes to gain 20 percent of the market share for the new green tea product in five years.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-14

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Fans Remember Luk Thung Superstar

It has been 19 years since the Thai country music industry lost one of the genre's most pioneering and legendary singers.

However, her legacy lives on through her fans and loyal followers of her music, giving her megastar status in Thai country music.

Fans of Thai country music, or Luk Thung, were shocked on June 13, 1992, when country music superstar, widely referred to as the queen of Luk Thung, Pumpuang Duangjan died of kidney failure at just 31 years old.

Her death shook the Thai music industry but at the same time cemented her legendary status in the Luk Thung style that she pioneered, which became one of the most popular musical genres in Thailand.

Nonetheless, her legacy lives on through her fans who have set up a shrine to pay homage to the queen of Luk Thung at Thapkradan Temple in Suphanburi Province, where every June 13, her fans come to pay their respects to the late star.

However, this year, Pumpuang's story of rags to riches will be glorified on the silver screen with Sahamongkol Studio dramatizing the story of a young illiterate peasant girl rising to megastardom and her untimely demise.

The film is scheduled to premiere next month.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-14

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No Banking Irregularities Found Ahead of Election

Following a sweeping probe into transactions at financial institutions nationwide, the Anti-Money Laundering Office so far has found no irregularities in relation to the upcoming poll.

Police Colonel Seehanart Prayoonrat, acting secretary general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, or AMLO, said the agency has completed the probe into financial transactions across the country and found no irregularities that especially could be linked to the upcoming general election on July 3.

He noted that AMLO officials looked into transactions at financial institutions and found no evidence of suspicious financial activities.

However, Seehanart admitted that it is more difficult to detect financial irregularities in relation to an election than other forms of money laundering.

He explained those involving drug trade, for example, are typically carried out by drug rings and with apparent objectives, while those related to an election may involve candidates who normally do financial transactions as part of their jobs or businesses, which make it difficult to find clear evidence pointing to election frauds.

Regarding reports of bulk cash smuggling across the border, Seehanart said it is a common practice of bringing illicit money across the border to evade monitoring by AMLO, whose authority is confined to transactions at financial institutions only.

Therefore, he added that the investigation and prosecution for cash smuggling requires coordination between the Election Commission and the Royal Thai Police.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-14

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True Move Accuses DTAC Of Operating Illegally

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One-year-old Beaten by Own Father

A one year old girl was physically assaulted by her father while a nine-month-old boy in Phitsanulok Province was held hostage by his father.

A one year old girl in Pathum Thani Province was attacked by her father who became angry after having had and arrangement with his wife.

The man's wife, Thitima Muang-ngern recalled that her husband, identified as Wanna Sonkreu beat her after she refused to give him money to buy methamphetamine.

After the quarrel, she left the girl with him and went to buy food at a fresh market nearby.

When she arrived back home, she found the girl screaming and crying and saw bloodstains all over her body.

The wife said her husband is now at large, adding that she has filed a complaint with the police and will ask doctors to issue a medical certificate that she will use as evidence in the case.

In a separate case, a nine-month old boy in Phitsanulok Province was held hostage by his 19 year old father, identified as Narin Dokkham, who was high on drugs.

The mother, Nattaloi Pliannakham, said she is not with her lover anymore but that he still begs her to go back to him.

She said he came to see her yesterday and was under the influence of methamphetamine.

Eventually, the man released the boy and underwent an immediate drug test by the police.

Police said they indicted the man on illegal detention charges and will question him soon.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-14