Thailand Live Wednesday 15 Jun 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 15 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 Tuesday 14 June 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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DTAC: It's not True

Telenor says ownership complies with laws, in response to TrueMove's complaint to Crime Suppression Division

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POLITICS

PM Abhisit halts transfer of top official

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JULY GENERAL ELECTION

Yingluck promises peace in South

Pheu Thai candidate Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday put on hijab head covering to meet Muslim constituents in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.

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Car theft gangs use new trick - employing women to drug drivers: Thai police

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Car theft gangs use new trick - employing women to drug drivers: Thai police

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FOOD

Crackdown on contaminated chicken; Thai food

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BURNING ISSUE

'Invisible hand' throttles our democracy; Thai opinion

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Ex-MP Chinnicha denies wrongdoing in asset declaration

By The Nation

Chinnicha Wongsawat, a Pheu Thai Party election candidate, told the Supreme Court yesterday that she did not intend to make a false declaration of her assets while serving as Chiang Mai MP in the previous House of Representatives, as alleged by the anti-graft agency.

Chinnicha appeared at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders along with her father, former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat.

She said the charge against her - filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) - was based on an investigation by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), which was appointed by the coup-makers who overthrew the government of her uncle Thaksin Shinawatra. The politician said she sincerely believed that the AEC was biased against her family.

Chinnicha's father Somchai is married to Thaksin's sister Yaowapa.

"I have no concerns that this case will affect my election campaign. I am confident that I did not commit the alleged wrongdoing," said Chinnicha, who is contesting Chiang Mai's Constituency 3 as a Pheu Thai candidate.

She is accused of failing to report Bt100 million she is said to have borrowed from Bannapot Damapong, who is a distant relative, after being elected as a member of Parliament. She argued that it was part of her assets confiscated after the coup of September 2006. Chinnicha explained that she was unsure whether the confiscated assets could still be considered hers, so she had opted to "show her sincerity" by not mentioning the debt in her financial report filed with the NACC.

The court yesterday ordered the defendant to submit her written denial to the court within 30 days. The court also scheduled August 9 to consider the lists of witnesses to be submitted by the plaintiff, the NACC, and defendant Chinnicha at least 14 days beforehand.

-- The Nation 2011-06-15

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Coliform levels in Ubon tap water far exceed standards

By Siriluck Ong-art

The Nation

Ubon Ratchathani

The level of coliform bacteria in tap water in the Northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani exceeds the standard by 32 times, an environmental agency said yesterday.

"We have to use a lot of liquid chorine to kill these bacteria in tap water," said Associate Professor Anucha Pianchana, a member of the subcommittee on the recovery of the province's Lam Moon Noi River.

Residents were warned not dump raw garbage into drainpipes to avoid polluting rivers.

Anucha said his team had been performing random tests to monitor the quality of the public water supply used to produce tap water in the province from 2007-08.

They found that the level of coliform-bacteria contamination in the Lam Moon Noi River was 160,000mpn (most probable number) per 100 millilitres of water, while the standard is only 5,000mpn.

The high level of faecal contamination in tap water was caused by the heavy release of human sewage into rivers, especially in urban areas.

The subcommittee has asked local government agencies to instruct the owners of dormitories and residences not to dispose of human sewage and garbage directly into the water, as people living in the province had filed complaints about the bad smell of tap and river water.

But no agencies responded to the subcommittee's suggestion.

-- The Nation 2011-06-15

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LAND ROW

Investor claims submerged land

By The Nation

Upset residents say land is theirs

A row has broken out on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Prakan Province over rights to a large expanse of land that now lies under the sea at high tide.

Boasting about a project to develop a new and important attraction for the country, an investor has been trying to acquire land documents for 1,000 rai (160 hectares) of submerged land at Tambon Laem Fa Pa, in Samut Prakan's Phra Samut Chedi district.

"I will have a hotel and a marina constructed here. This project will cost more than Bt10 billion," Kris Anantarangsi said yesterday. He urged locals to not oppose his plan.

"Although they will no longer be able to collect scallops on my plots anymore, they will be able to sell something to tourists," he said.

Local people have complained to authorities about his moves. They have accused him of seeking deeds for plots already owned by others.

One local resident, Samphan Cherdchid, said Kris had attempted to claim about 80 rai belonging to him.

"I had to show evidence [of my ownership] before he backed down. He brought officials in to survey land plots that are mine," Samphan said. "I have title deeds to prove my ownership. I wonder how he had land-rights documents for the same plots?"

Many locals are accusing Kris of using fake land-rights documents or acquiring them by illegitimate means - an allegation he hotly denies.

"I would have no courage whatsoever to produce fake documents," he said, "Besides, I am willing to back down if surveys of my land plots seem to overlap with locals' plots."

Kris said he bought more than 1,000 rai of land many years ago, but did not start working on the plots right away because of economic problems.

"When the situation improved, I decided to seek land-rights documents. Now, I have a plan to create a new attraction for the country," he said.

Samphan said he was not interested in Kris's fanciful project.

"My family has earned a living as traditional-style fishermen for decades. Our income is also good. We can get Bt500 from collecting scallops in just two hours," he said.

Samphan also said he hated the idea of having an alien structure near the shore.

Ban Khun Samut Chine village head Samorn Kengsamut said the investor had upset locals because he tried to raise intrusion charges against them.

"He has accused them of encroaching on his land. His accusation is untrue," she said.

Tambon Laem Fa Pa Administrative Organisation chief Udon Boonchuaylaew said local people had already complained to the Lands Department.

Due to severe coastal erosion, several plots of land have become submerged by seawater over time.

A lands official in Samut Prakan said that if the investor could produce evidence that he had constantly maintained his rights as the owner of the submerged plots over time, he stood a chance of getting the land-title deeds.

"Now, we have set up a committee to check if he has done so," Kukiat Khamharn said, adding that after the committee reached its conclusions, the Lands Department would decide whether to issue the land-title deeds.

-- The Nation 2011-06-15

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SHORTAGE OF NURSES

Govt urged to change stance on recruitment

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EC seeks more evidence on vote-buying in Si Sa Ket

By The Nation

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday concluded that more evidence was needed for an investigation into alleged vote buying involving an electoral candidate in Si Sa Ket, a source said.

The EC ruled three to two after a four-hour meeting on the case. The commission did not name either the candidate or the party she or he belongs to.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond and commissioners Prapun Naigowit and Sodsri Sattayatham were in the majority. Wisut Pothitaen and Somchai Jungprasert were the two other commissioners.

In a separate development, a Pheu Thai Party candidate lodged a complaint over alleged campaign violations, claiming Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat was on the hustings at a state college during office hours.

Jirayu Huangsap said Chinnaworn had campaigned on Monday seeking votes in Bangkok's Khlong Sam Wa district.

Jirayu is in a tight race with his Democrat rival Samai Charoenchang in the district designated as Constituency 18.

He said Chinnaworn violated campaigning rules by abusing his position at the Business and Tourism College, a state-run institution.

As evidence to back up his complaint, he submitted a video clip of Chinnaworn's speech detailing Democrat achievements.

Jirayu also called for the Election Commission to look into the distribution of leaflets smearing his party. He said the leaflets allegedly had the endorsement of a student group from Ramkhamhaeng University.

-- The Nation 2011-06-15

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Two injured as Burmese, Karenni troops clash

By The Nation

A clash broke out between Burmese troops and Karenni soldiers in Burma's Phayatongsu town yesterday afternoon, injuring two people, including a 33-year-old Thai merchant.

A key market in the Burmese town, which is close to Kanchanaburi, was also set on fire. In response to a call for help, fire trucks from Thailand headed to the scene and extinguished the blaze.

"The fighting broke out at around 12.30pm," Sangkhla Buri district chief Jamras Kangnoi said yesterday.

"There were exchanges of gunfire using small firearms and M79 grenade launchers."

A source said the clash erupted after about 30 heavily armed Karenni attempted to stage a blatant robbery at Phayatongsu's biggest construction and gold shop.

"While the Karenni were taking away gold ornaments, about 20 Burmese troops showed up and opened fire," the source said. "The fighting followed."

It added that Pong Somboon, a Thai national, was running his stall near the scene when a stray bullet hit him in the stomach. A Burmese merchant also got shot in his leg. Both were sent to hospitals in Thailand.

Jamras said policemen, soldiers and volunteers marched along the border in the wake of the clash.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-15

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Thai Tourism sector not happy with party vows

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Yingluck campaigns in Northeast in Ubon Ratchathani while Abhisit campaigns in Bangbon, BKK /TAN_Network

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Land Transport: Fake driving licenses are offered in scams

BANGKOK, 15 June 2011 (NNT)-Deputy Director-General of the Department of Land Transport Assathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket warned that no driving license obtained through an agent was legitimate.

According to Mr. Assathai, the idea of not having to take a driving test by hiring a group of criminals to obtain a driving license has attracted a number of innocent people. The Director General said the only way to obtain a driving license was by taking the test. This cannott be done on behalf of a driver by any individual.

He said people paying for the phony service had discovered the truth and reported to the Bang Sue police. There is an office situated in front of the Department of Land Transport building where people can complain and report on any illegal activities. They can call 1584 for 24 hrs.

The Deputy Director General points out that real license contains the Department of Land Transport’s emblem on the surface of the card. It contains 7 colors and on the background is the symbol of each province depending on where the driver takes the test. He added that fake I.D. usually were in darker colors.

-- NNT 2011-06-15

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Strong wind, waves in Andaman Sea, upper Gulf of Thailand; widespread thundershowers in North, Central, East, western South: Meteorological Department /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,033.78, down 1.14 points /MCOT

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Democrat chief adviser Chuan campaigns in Lampang, which has strong presence of red-shirt group /TAN_Network

Yingluck says she is ready for a debate with other prime ministerial candidates but it must fit her schedule /TAN_Network

Army spokesman denies speculation that Deputy PM Suthep met with Army chief yesterday //TAN_Network

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Tough Action Urged for Illegal Slaughterhouses

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Thai Public Urged to Join Blood Donation

Former contestants from reality TV show The Star have teamed up to invite the public to help save lives by donating blood on World Blood Donor Day 2011.

Cast members of reality TV show The Star yesterday took part in an event held to mark World Blood Donor Day at the Thai Red Cross Society.

Attending the event were Season 5 runner-up Dew Arunpong Chaivinit and Season 7 eliminated contestants Silvy Vipada Morijji and Kwang Kornwan Suttiwong.

With the theme, “More Blood, More Life”, this year’s World Blood Donor Day pays tribute to millions of voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood and reiterates the urgent need for more people worldwide to become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly.

Although the three were disqualified from donating blood, they entertained participants at the event by singing songs.

They also invited the public to help donate blood every three months to meet the need for blood in the country.

By designating one special day to recognize the role of voluntary blood donors worldwide, it is hoped that a new generation of blood donors will help ensure a steady and sufficient supply of the safest blood possible that will be readily accessible wherever and whenever it is needed to save lives.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-15

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Pattaya Beach Concert Gathers Top Artists

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Commerce Ministry to Host Thailand's Best Friends 2011

The Commerce Ministry says more than a hundred trade partners have confirmed participation in Thailand's Best Friends 2011, which will be held between June 22 and 24 at Government House.

The event is expected to help the country achieve this year's export growth target of 15 percent.

Department of Export Promotion Director General Nuntawan Sakultanaga said after presiding over a press conference for the Thailand's Best Friends 2011 that the event is organized for the third year and it aims at strengthening ties with international trade partners and helping the country achieve the export growth target of 15 percent with a value of 224 billion US dollars.

According to Nuntawan, export categories that have seen continuous growth are agricultural products, food, construction materials, plastics and chemicals.

The United States, Europe and Japan remain the main trade partners while China, India and ASEAN countries are gaining export share.

The Thailand's Best Friends 2011 will be held between June 22 and 24 at Santi Maitree Building, Government House.

The event is expected to be attended by more than a hundred trade partners and involve trade agreements worth more than ten billion baht.

Major trade partners will also be presented with certificates from the prime minister.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-15

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AFP: Thai army chief enters election fray

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FDA: Chicken Meat in Bangkok Safe to Eat

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Suthep: I Will Resign if Democrats Win Less than 170

Democrat Secretary General Suthep Thaugsuban has announced that he will resign from his post if the party wins less than 170 seats in the upcoming election. His comment was made after party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva admitted that anything less than 170 seats would be a huge defeat and he would resign as party leader.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-15

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Thai doctor warns against planking that those who do it risks pulling muscle or even death if it's done at the edge of buildings /TAN_Network

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Short-term profit-taking pushes SET up by 1.07 points to close the midday break at 1,035.99 with value of Bt12.18 bln /TAN_Network