Thailand Live Monday 20 Jun 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 20 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 18 Jun 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Get the reds in order, PM tells Yingluck

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Pheu ThaI still leading

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ANALYSIS

Pheu Thai's risky one-upmanship

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Abhisit lists government actions, hits back

By The Nation

Responding to attacks from his rivals - the "Big words, zero actions" tirade - Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday posted a statement on his Facebook page.

It outlined policies implemented by the ruling party as proof of "action", ranging from: a monthly Bt500 for retirees, extra for health volunteers, and a subsidy for 15 years free compulsory education, all in a 99-day framework touted by his party.

He said: "Who is actually good only at giving big words, but taking no action? Who lied to the red shirts that he would stand in the front line when gunfire was heard, but instead went shopping in Paris? Many are complaining to him, while showing disappointment at the acts they chose to commit, committed by those announcing in advance they would come and burn."

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Avoid divisive campaign, parties urged

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Telecom sector awaits anxiously next Thai Govt's ICT policies

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ICT Ministry to examine CAT's Bt230 bn plan

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Blind loyalty not policies seem to matter for some voters; Thai opinion

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Bhum Jai Thai targeted again

By The Nation

After last week's killing of a key political canvasser based in Lop Buri, the Bhum Jai Thai Party was targeted again yesterday with the discovery of a grenade in the home of another canvasser in the province. The grenade was a dud and failed to explode.

Police said the USmade M26 grenade was a new one, with the safety lever released. It was found in the home of former kamnan Surin Krobthong, and police believe it was not meant to be a dud.

Surin denied working for any party during the runup to the July 3 poll, but neighbours stated otherwise, saying he was in charge logistically of BJT rallies in Constituency 2.

Buntharik, a son of Surin, said the family received a phone call asking Surin to stop canvassing for BJT. Suban Jiraphanwanich, a local politician in Lop Buri and key BJT canvasser, was shot dead last week in the tourist street Khao San Road in Bangkok, with politics the likely motive.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, the home of a People's Alliance for Democracy supporter sustained heavy damage after being hit with rocks thrown by assailants late last night. Owner Somchai Likhitworrasiri estimated the losses at around Bt10,000 and said police and the local Election Commission office had made little progress responding to his complaint over previous verbal threats by opponents of the PAD.

Somchai, quoting eyewitnesses, said the assailants came to his home in Muang district in a brand new grey Toyota Vigo pickup without a licence plate, and began throwing stones at his home, and left.

As a result of escalating political violence, 371 candiates are now protected by police at their request, and the number of vandalised election signboards has reached 1,884, lodged as complaints to police in 58 cases.

Police in Bangkok are set to obtain an arrest warrant for the lone gunman allegedly seen shooting dead Suban. The police are relying on a sketch and nowavailable additional evidence, said Chana Songkhram police, who leads the investigation.

Subans' wife, Oraphin, who was also shot and wounded in the shootout last Thursday, is not yet ready psychologically to be interviewed by police although she has recovered well from the wound. She is under police protection during her hospital treatment, along with a woman aide also shot and wounded in the shooting.

BJT executive Saksiam Chidchob, a brother of defacto leader Newin, has been put in charge of party activities and rallies in Lop Buri in place of Suban. BJT is planning election campaigns to retain Suban's position and find his replacement as chief of the Provincial Administrative Organisation in a byelection within 60 days after his death.

One of many candidates is Jamroen Salacheep, currently mayor of Muang Lop Buri municipality, and a close friend of Suban.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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PUBLIC DEBATE

Lese majeste law in eye of storm

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation on Sunday

Amid increasing criticism, the country needs a rational approach instead of a policy that is causing conflict

The debate on the merit of the controversial lese majeste law reached a new height earlier this week when Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha defended the law in his surprising nationwide address through Army-controlled Channels 5 and 7.

The move came as increasing numbers of people are calling for a repeal, if not abolition of the law. The topic is no longer limited to a handful of concerned academics and political activists like historians Somsak Jiamteerasakul and Thongchai Winichakul or exiled political scientist cum-red-shirt Ji Ungpakorn but has been embraced by architects, movie directors and even young novelists.

However, with its characteristic self-censorship on virtually all critical issues regarding the monarchy, a majority of the mainstream mass media continue to turn a blind eye to the issue. This has led to a group of writers, with more than 300 signatories, launching an online press conference earlier this week, on Monday, partly as a way of breaking through the wall of self-censorship imposed by the traditional mainstream mass media who are self-appointed gatekeepers of news and information.

This group of writers, led by young high-profile novelists like Wad Rawee, Sakariya Amataya and Prabda Yoon, caught the attention of the wider public and royalists alike as they normally do not involve themselves in launching any political campaign or making joint political statements.

Another group, Awareness 112 - a reference to penal code section 112, which is the other name of the lese majeste law - instead tried to bring people from diverse professions to speak out and raise awareness about the contentious issue.

Like other activists and academics who made the point before them, these groups essentially stated that the lese majeste law is hindering freedom of expression and is undemocratic with its heavy penalty of maximum 15 years' imprisonment.

While many royalists may wish that the debate would simply go away, it is highly unlikely. The fact that His Majesty the King is advancing in age, currently at 83, and has been in hospital for more than a year, has led to much speculation about the future of the institution and the law. Even with the lese majeste law intact, and more than 300 people charged over the past five years, according to experts like Khon Kaen-based scholar David Streckfuss, a growing number of Thais, and not just red shirts, continue to critically discuss the perceived role of the highest institution in politics and society, albeit online or in private.

Some use coded names to discuss the topics while others are more straightforward or even full of angst and resentment. On the other hand, the authorities, including the Army and citizens who are ultra-royalists, are promoting the idea that the highest institution is being severely challenged and threatened like never before.

Both sides are full of passion and have interests to defend, including that of the status quo of the social hierarchy. It is hoped, however, that less emotion and more rational and frank discussion and debate can grow and eventually turn into a long deliberation regarding lese majeste law and the preferred relationship between Thai citizens and the monarchy in a democratic society. As more and more people are joining the call to reform or abolish the lese majeste law or move to defend it, they ought to recognise that the debate can never be resolved through more self-censorship or suppression.

There is too much at stake for Thai society to simply turn a blind eye to this burning issue and pretend as if it does not exist.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Researchers invited to put in projects for Cerebos grants

By The Nation

Thai researchers are invited to submit in their research in nutriology, pharmacology, and other related fields to compete for Cerebos Award research grants.

The Cerebos Awards 2011 will grant a total of Bt500,000 to five research projects.

Physicians, pharmacists, nutritionists, nurses, scientists and academics interested in conducting research can submit proposals for these grants.

The research projects must benefit society and involve food products, herbal products, drug and eating behaviour that affects nutrition therapy and health promotion, Prof Dr Jomjak Jantarasakul, president of the scholarship committee, said recently.

Jomjak said Cerebos Thailand had given grants to 33 research projects since the awards were established in 2001. Those research projects were useful as some could be used as the basis to conduct further research with deeper knowledge, while other grant recipients' projects produced new knowledge that could be applied for public benefit.

The committee is made up of physicians, pharmacists, nutritionists, academics and scientists. It will consider four main things, including application of the research in helping society, creative thinking, possibility of research completion, and academic recognition and ways of conducting research.

Applicants are allowed to submit their proposals from now until the end of this month (June). They can download application forms from www.brandsworld.co.th or call 026509777 for more information.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Chuan speculates on PM from minor party, unfazed by hecklers

By The Nation on Sunday

Democrat Party chief adviser and former premier Chuan Leekpai was unfazed by a handful of protesters when he showed up to campaign in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday for the ruling party.

Chuan was booed by both red and yellow shirts, complete with placards, but was unfazed and hoped his party could attract more party-list votes to assure it a victory. The former PM admitted, however, that the party's standing in the Northeast was shaky.

Chuan speculated on the possibility that leaders from small parties such as Sanan Kachornprasart or Purachai Piumsomboon may end up becoming the next prime minister.

He said the Democrats had been adequately received by locals in the Northeast, although he conceded that in most seats they faced a losing battle. Red shirts who followed Chuan at the Thao Suranaree Statue booed him while the yellow shirts held "Vote No" placards. But there was no violence.

Chuan also defended Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has been criticised for addressing the nation on Army-controlled TV channel 5 and 7 about the election and criticising some red shirts for being anti-royalist. He said he did not think Prayuth was meddling in politics but merely urged people to vote good people into Parliament.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit denied that red shirts' harassment of some Democrat Party candidates had anything to do with the party. The announcement was a reaction to an earlier call by Democrat Party deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, who called for Pheu Thai to tell red shirts not to pester them.

Prompong said the party was concerned but denied supporting any such action. He also denied that the party or red shirts were behind an attack on a Democrat Party candidate in Samut Prakan province, saying the claim was likely to be a smear to discredit Pheu Thai.

He also said he did not think it was appropriate for the Democrats to hold a rally at the Ratchaprasong intersection next week, claiming it would drive the social divisions even deeper. Prompong said it was better to talk about policies than about the past.

Meanwhile, Purachai, who is leader of Rak Santi party, campaigned at Rama IX park in Bangkok yesterday and was well received by people. Purachai criticised the "Vote No" campaign by the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy saying it dishonoured the electorate, adding that a "Vote No" campaign poster was put up in front of his party.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Sister of shooting victim seeks protection

By The Nation on Sunday

Police expect it will take a few days to issue an arrest warrant for the gunman who shot dead the chairman of the Lop Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation on Thursday, Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, head of an ad-hoc centre in charge of maintaining safety, said yesterday.

Suban Jiraphanwanich, the PAO chief who was a key canvasser working for the Bhum Jai Thai Party, was shot dead in Bangkok's Khao San Road, while his wife Oraphin and aide Chanutphorn Phothisamphan were wounded.

Pongsapat said the investigation was progressing due to witnesses' testimony. Police from the Crime Suppression Division were searching for the suspect.

Suban's sister Mallika has sought police protection, saying she had also received a death threat and feared that with her brother gone she had to be careful - or she might be killed next.

Police released a sketch of the gunman on Friday. They went to the province to find people related to the case and summon them to give testimony.

Police have given more weight to politics as the motive for the slaying than personal or business conflicts. Security will be increased in Lop Buri as police upgraded the province from a 'yellow' to 'red' zone.

So far 377 candidates have sought police protection and eight of them are in Lop Buri. Police have seized 163 guns after setting up checkpoints to prevent violence in mid-May.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Outspoken Thai offIcial Somchai made some valid points

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Teachers Council grants

By The Nation

People in professions related to education are invited to submit proposals to compete for research grants provided by the Teachers Council of Thailand.

Five grants are available and each offers Bt30,000 to researchers. Two of the grants are for teachers, one for a school administrator, one for an educational administrator and another for an educational supervisor, the council's secretary general Ongkorn Amornsirinan said recently.

He said the research projects had to support development of a profession. They must not be part of a thesis in graduate studies. Projects had to be completed as written in the proposals. The selected research would be published in the Withayajarn Journal (the Journal of Teachers' Professional Development), or allowed to presented at the council's academic conferences.

Interested people can submit proposals to the council until the end of this month.

Call 0 2280 6366 or 0 2280 4334 ext 585 or email [email protected] for more information.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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What's on offer from top two

By The Nation

Key policies on mega-investment and infrastructure projects

/attention: click on thumbnail opens a 1.6mb file

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Yingluck still campaigning in North today while Abhisit does his prime ministerial duty by chairing Cabinet meeting /TAN_Network

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Meteorological Dept warns of possible flash floods in Chumphon, Trad, Chantaburi, Ranong, and Prachuab Khiri Khan /TAN_Network

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Airport Link's express train faces mechanical error, causing a delay to the express service by 10 minutes /TAN_Network

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Thai Women council holds seminar on women's role in election

The National Council of Women of Thailand will hold a seminar on women's role in clean and fair election on Tuesday.

The seminar titled "Women's Force and Clean Election" will be held at Sripathum University from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Khunying Natthika Wattanavekin Angubolkul, the president of the National Council of Women of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, said the seminar is aimed at helping women and teenage girls understand their rights and encouraging them to vote for good and capable politicians to lead the country to reconciliation and prosperity.

The seminar will be moderated by Sutthini Methiprapa, legal affairs chairwoman of the council, and Dr Ratchaneeporn Pukkhayaporn, rector of the university.

The seminar will be presided and opened by the president of the women council.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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INTERVIEW

Laos still seeking international help to boost education

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Yingluck confirms she has no authority over the red-shirts to order them to stop disrupting the Democrat campaign /TAN_Network

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Pheu Thai send Dr. Olarn Chaiprawat to debate with Democrat's Abhisit at PNET debate stage on Thursday /TAN_Network

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Bali Nine death row inmate loses final appeal

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,022.69, up 3.73 points /MCOT

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371 MP candidates seek police's extra protection while 1,884 campaign posters have been vandalized; 50 election-related cases filed /TAN_Network

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Red-shirts Commemorate 13-Month Anniversary of Rally Crackdown with 'planking'

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Suthep Confirms Ratchaprasong Campaign Rally

Democrat Secretary General Suthep Thaugsuban has confirmed that his party will go ahead with plans to stage a campaign rally at the Ratchaprasong Intersection this Thursday evening. He affirms that the rally will not further polarize Thailand's political situation and says it is an opportunity for the prime minister to clarify allegations that the government used force against the red shirt protesters.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20