Thailand Live Thursday 16 Jun 2011

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Policeman, civilian injured in Yala bomb

Yala - An insurgent detonated a bomb in front of a school in this southern border province Thursday morning, injuring a policeman and a civilian.

Fortunately, the bomb exploded after the students and teachers of the Nibong Chanupatham School in Muang district have already entered the school's compound so no students and teachers were injured.

The bomb was detonated by a two-way radio at 8 am.

Police Senior Sgt Maj Yuenyong Dulayaserik, 54, suffered cuts on his hands body. He was rushed to the provincial hospital.

Mahama Daiden, an employee of the Yala Highways office, suffered chest pain from the impact of the blast. He was inside his pick-up truck when the bomb exploded so he suffered no cuts.

Police said Yuenyong was walking to his motorcycle when an insurgent detonated the bomb. He was about to return to his police station after he directed the traffic in front of the school.

-- The Nation 2011-06-16

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REU: Series of loud explosions heard from Tripoli compound of Libyan leader Gaddafi, smoke seen rising - Reuters witness /BNONews

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Si Sa Ket governor confirms head of the Cambodian spy suspect group has escaped with Thai military coordinates; arrest warrant issued /TAN_Network

Thaksin tells foreign media he hopes to return to Thailand when his sister becomes PM; expresses concern for his sister /TAN_Network

Appeals Court upholds fine of Bt50,000 against red-shirt member 'Da Torpedo' for engineering chaos at ASTV headquarters /TAN_Network

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Si Sa Ket Governor Claims Head of Suspected Spies Escaped

The Si Sa Ket governor has announced that officials believe the man wanted in connection to three others suspected of espionage has escaped across the border. According to the governor, he also had in his possession a military coordinates map. An arrest warrant has been issued.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Questions raised over Phuket's Big Buddha

After nine years of construction and completion of the 45-meter-tall image,

officials are asking when the project will be completed. Photo: Gazette file

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Sonthi declines to rule out working with Pheu Thai coalition

Former 2006 coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin Thursday declined to rule out the chance that his Matubhum Party would work on the same coalition with the Pheu Thai Party.

Matubhum leader Sonthi said the party did not belong to him alone so the final decision would have to depend on the party's executive board.

-- The Nation 2011-06-16

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Survey: Hong Kong couples happy with sex less than twice a week

Hong Kong - Hong Kong couples are content to have sex less than twice a week, with wives and girlfriends often feigning sickness to avoid intercourse, according to a survey published Thursday.

Nearly 1,000 adults were interviewed for the study which found men on average like to have sex 1.9 times a week while women are content with sex 1.6 times a week.

More than half of the women questioned by Hong Kong's City University admitted feigning illness or tiredness to avoid sex when they were not in the mood, the South China Morning Post reported.

Hong Kong has one of the world's lowest birth rates and the city of 7 million has previously been repeatedly ranked among the world's poorest performers in terms of sexual activity

-- The Nation 2011-06-16

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PAD Snubs Claim of Working with Thaksin

The People's Alliance for Democracy insists that its 'Vote No' campaign aims to bring true reform to Thai politics and that it is not an attempt to help the Pheu Thai Party or former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the upcoming election as accused by some.

Spokesperson of the People's Alliance for Democracy Panthep Puapongpan has insisted that one of the reasons his group is promoting the 'Vote No' campaign is to prevent any attempt at amnesty for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been charged with many corruption charges, in order to preserve the rule of law.

Panthep added that the campaign aims to peacefully bring about reform to the political system regardless of political affiliation.

The PAD spokesperson has reiterated that his group is not being subservient to Thaksin as accused by some.

Panthep claimed that this election is undemocratic as there is widespread vote-buying, intimidation and vandalizing of campaign billboards, especially those belonging to the 'Vote No' campaign.

He pointed out to an opinion poll which found that up to 66 percent of voters have no confidence in the Election Committee in ensuring fairness.

He advised that if the poll panel could not address the electoral fraud problems, all of its members should resign.

Panthep also pointed out that the existence of red-shirt villages in the northern of the country is a clear indication of the government's weakness, which has allowed the people to be indoctrinated by the red-shirt propaganda.

The PAD spokesperson said that many people have been misled to believe that the government was responsible for the deaths during last year's political unrest.

Panthep commented on Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha's criticism of the PAD-affiliated satellite television station, pointing out that it was because of the government and the armed forces' inability to protect the monarchy and the nation's sovereignty that the people had to take matters into their own hands by tuning to alternative sources of information.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Comic Series Scott Pilgrim Translated into Thai

Great news for Thai reading fans as popular Canadian comic book series Scott Pilgrim has been translated into Thai.

Because of the immense popularity of Scott Pilgrim, a series of graphic novel written and drawn by Canadian artist Bryan Lee O'Malley, Mars Space Publishing bought the copyright to translate the series into Thai.

All six volumes of Scott Pilgrim series have been translated by talented translator Tor Kanchat Rangseekansong, who is also film critic for Bioscope magazine.

A press conference was held to launch the Thai version of the first three volumes of the series with Ta Ittipong Kridakorn na Ayudhya from rock band Paradox and the lead actress from romantic comedy film Suck Seed coming to share their reading experience.

Scott Pilgrim has been made a hit movie Scott Pilgrim VS the World.

The Scott Pilgrim series is about 22-year-old Canadian Scott Pilgrim, a slacker and part-time musician who lives in Toronto and plays bass guitar in a band.

He falls in love with American delivery girl Ramona Flowers, but must defeat her seven evil exes in order to date her.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Property Market Slows Down

The housing industry has experienced a slowdown compared with last year as a result of rising interest rates and construction costs.

However, developers are anticipating more active atmosphere after the election.

Chairman of the Thai Real Estate Association, Kittiphon Pramote Na Ayutthaya, said investment in real estate is cooling down compared with the same period last year as evidenced by a more than 50-percent drop in number of property transfers during the first quarter of 2011.

He attributed the slowdown to the rise in interest rates, costs of construction materials and overhead expenses.

Kittiphon noted that the property market was very active last year thanks to government stimulus measures, including tax incentives.

He expects that the market will become more lively after the general election and that property prices are likely to rise by five to ten percent.

Kittiphon, however, said property prices will rise to a lesser extent than the costs of construction materials, citing May statistics showing the price index for construction materials up five points while that for properties did just two points.

He also called on the new government to focus on improving the country's overall stability and education and to continue with infrastructure projects so that real-estate businesses can have more opportunity for investment.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Matubhum Leader Undecided on Alliance with Pheu Thai

Matubhum Party leader General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin says his party's executive board team decide on a possible alliance with the Pheu Thai Party.

He insists he is not the only one who can decide on the issue.

Former army chief and 2006 coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin stated his Matubhum Party has not yet decided whether to ally with the Pheu Thai Party.

He explained the final decision must be reached by the party's executive board, not only him, as his party is a political organization.

Sonthi added there are a lot of good persons, not only bad ones, in the Pheu Thai Party, so it would NOT be deemed a greed for power if he would team up with Pheu Thai.

He noted the amnesty attempt for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is a principal factor to the decision of his party's executive committee.

Concerning the “Red Card” penalty by the Election Commission against one of his party's members, Sonthi said the commission is abiding by the law, adding the party has already formed a panel to look into the issue.

The Matubhum leader concluded by saying he wished his party could get at least 10 seats in the House.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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PAD Continues "Vote No" Drive in Provinces

The People's Alliance for Democracy promoted its “Vote No” campaign in northeastern and southern provinces with its supporters marching through municipalities and handing out leaflets as part of the campaign.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, kicked off its “Vote No” campaign in two northeastern and one southern provinces.

In the southern Phatthalung Province, members of the PAD and the Pheu Fa Din Party marched and biked through the province's central city to distribute leaflets to promote the “Vote No” campaign.

In the northeastern Buri Ram Province, PAD supporters visited the municipality area to distribute “Vote No” stickers and posters.

They planned to head for remote areas in the province to promote the campaign soon.

Also in the Northeast, 500 members of the PAD and the Pheu Fa Din Party set off a parade of 50 trucks to publicize the “Vote No” push along a business area for 20 kilometers in Muang Distirct of Ubon Ratchathani Province.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Pattaya Immigration website: What is going on? Is it hacked?:

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One dead, three injured in Phuket car crash

A Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker inspects the wrecked pickup truck.

Photo: Wichai Wittawat

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Top Pheu Thai Candidate Dismisses 270 Seats Projection

The Pheu Thai Party's number one party-list candidate has brushed off the ousted prime minister's projection that Pheu Thai would win at least 270 MP seats in the next election.

Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra commented on her brother, ousted premier Thaksin's projection that Pheu Thai will win at least 270 seats by saying that she does not wish to make any projections since there is still two weeks of campaigning left. Nonetheless, she has taken her brother's statement into consideration that the party must intensify its campaign.

Regarding Thaksin's remark about approaching smaller parties rather than medium-sized parties to form the coalition government, Yingluck said she believes her brother meant that the coalition government should be varied with different types of parties. And if she has the chance to form the new government, the parties on board should work toward realizing the social and ecnomic policies promised to the people.

When asked about the Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's alleged harassment by red-shirt supporters on his campaign trail, Yingluck asserted she is not involved in the incidents. She stated that every citizen has the right to express their political opinion but she wants to see the election proceed smoothly and orderly.

Whether Abhisit's claim will damage the party's popularity, Yingluck said it should have no impact since the majority of the people already has a candidate or party they wish to vote for.

The Pheu Thai candidate went on to say she is not worried about bringing up old controversial issues for discussion but feels that everyone should discuss measures and policies to help solve the current social and economic problems.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Court Upholds Fine against Red-shirt Element

The Appeals Court upholds the Criminal Court's fine of 50,000 baht against a red-shirt element for insulting a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The Appeals Court ruled the Criminal Court's verdict against red-shirt element Daranee Chanchoengsilapakul, allias Da Torpedo, was justified given the footage and evidence that showed her presence and provoking speeches during a protest on June 1, 2008 outside the ASTV headquarters.

Daranee led a group of red-shirt protesters to the station to air their discontent against core leader of the People's Alliance for Democrat Sondhi Limthongkul, who is ASTV's founder.

The red-shirt outspoken element was also a co-defendant in other charges, namely assembly of more than ten to instigate chaos, confining others, vandalism and attempted trespassing, but the court has acquitted her of those charges.

Daranee is currently in prison to serve an 18-year sentence for lese majeste in a response to her speeches on the rally stage of a red-shirt group's faction on June 7, 2008.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Thai PM Abhisit Says Cambodian Spy Escapes

PM Orders Investigation into Fugitive Cambodian Spy

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Ultraman Joins 'Vote No' Campaign

The license holder of Ultraman has allowed the People's Alliance for Democracy to use the beloved super hero to promote its 'Vote No' campaign. The group organized a parade to promote the campaign in Bangkok's Chinatown today.

Spokesperson of the People's Alliance for Democracy Panthep Puapongpan has announced that Sompote Sangduen, who is the president of Chaiyo Productions Company, the license holder of Ultraman, has allowed the group to use the super hero character to promote its 'Vote No' campaign without any charge.

Chaiyo Productions Company is the license holder of the Ultraman series outside Japan. Its president, Sompote, said that he is aiming to use the character to raise the 'Vote No' campaign awareness among children aged two to 18. He added that Thailand has been without a hero for quite some time and as a result, the country is currently in turmoils. Sompote hopes that with Ultraman's help, Thai youths would become more interested in politics.

One of Ultraman's most recognizable poses, “the crossed wrists” will be used to symbolize the crosses that voters would check on their ballots to vote no on election day.

Also today at around 1 P.M., the PAD organized a parade from Chinatown to its rally site at Makawan Rangsan Bridge near the Government House.

Tomorrow, the group will submit a letter to UNESCO, demanding the withdrawal of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site and to postpone the examination of the management plan of the land around the Khmer ruins proposed by Cambodia. The PAD is hoping that UNESCO will be aware that it is putting regional stability at risk with its action.

Afterward, the group will organize another parade along Sukhumvit Road to promote its 'Vote No' campaign.

Panthep has also raised suspicion as to why one of the Cambodiann spy suspect has managed to escape detention, while saying those responsible for the blunder should be severely punished.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Phuket ‘Miniature World’ expo starts tomorrow

A set of ancient-style pottery, carved in incredible detail even at

the smallest scales, is one of the many interesting items that will

be on display in Phuket starting tomorrow.

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Noodle shops warned of lead contamination

BANGKOK, 16 June 2011 (NNT) – Noodle shops are warned of lead contamination from poor quality cauldrons and are encouraged to change to good quality ones for the sake of consumers’ health.

According to Health Department Director-General Medical Doctor Somyos Deerasamee, there are 166,760 food shops and stalls across the nation, 75,000 of which are selling noodles in particular. They include roadside stalls and outlets in department stores.

Based on the survey, some noodle shops are using substandard stockpots, which are posing risk of lead contamination. Long-term accumulation of lead in humans consuming noodles cooked in poor quality cauldrons can even cause paralysis.

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute under the Ministry of Industry has recently required that stainless steel seamed stockpots must meet with the Thai Industrial Standards (TIS), as stipulated in the ministerial announcement no.4043 issued in 2009 which will be effective on 18 August 2011.

Entrepreneurs hence are encouraged to inspect conditions of their cauldrons which should have smooth seems as they use no other metals in the welding process apart from stainless steel. The Director General added that using good quality pots also benefits in terms of durability and consumer confidence promotion.

-- NNT 2011-06-16

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Police warn of call center fraud involving kidnap threats and money transfers, saying more than 10 have fallen prey /TAN_Network

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Business Development Dept chief confirms Thais hold 51% of DTAC shares following its rival's complaint /MCOT

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Maha Sarakham Governor to Deal with Pro-Red Shirt Villages

The Maha Sarakham governor stated he will deal with pro-red shirt villages in the province as they may be violating a local administrative act.

Maha Sarakham Governor Thongtawee Pimsen said he will look into red-shirt villages and a red-shirt subdistrict in Kosumpisai District, formed on May 14.

He explained the establishment may be against the Local Administrative Act.

Thongtawee asked village headmen and subdistrict chiefs to file a lawsuit against those who are responsible for the pro-red shirt movement. The governor added officials who refuse to do so will be deemed negligent and he will step in if any district still sees such movements.

He went on to say two MP candidates have been found involved in the matter but he has already asked related village headmen and subdistrict chiefs to forward the issue to the local Election Commission.

News reports added more red-shirt subdistricts will soon be established in Kantaralak District.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-16

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Thai Mental Health Department Warns of "Planking" Perils

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Klas Molin Appointed new Swedish Ambassador to Thailand

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UDD lawyer to resubmit bail request for Red Shirt leaders Jatuporn, Nisit June 20; Red Shirts to hold mass rally June 19 at Democracy Monument /MCOT

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70 homes in Narathiwat's Waeng district in Narathiwat dismantled as storm hits province; 30 homes in Trad destroyed due to storm /MCOT

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Lop Buri Provincial Admin Org chief, brother of Bhum Jai Thai Lop Buri MP candidate, shot dead next to Govt Lottery Office /TAN_Network

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Pattaya Tourist Police Arrest Women following Theft From Canadian

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