Thailand Live Monday 20 Jun 2011

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Yingluck to celebrate her birthday tomorrow quietly with merit-making in the morning and more campaigning in the afternoon /TAN_Network

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Renowned Hong Kong Director Promote Film in Bangkok

Renowned Hong Kong director Peter Chan flies to Bangkok to promote his new martial arts detective film.

The film is set to hit theaters nationwide on July 28.

Notable film director and producer Peter Chan traveled to Bangkok to promote his latest martial arts film, Wu Xia.

He earlier produced a film called 'Warlords' that was released in 2007.

Wu Xia had its international premiere at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, where it impressed audiences and boosted the popularity of Asian films in Europe.

At the press conference, Chan said he is extremely delighted with the tremendously positive response that he has received.

He spent over 600 million baht producing the film.

Chan affirmed that the movie's script is engaging, the characters interesting and, when the action starts, it is inventive and high energy.

The film stars action king Donnie Yen, as well as star Takeshi Kaneshiro from The Warlords.

Kaneshiro takes on the role of a detective who is determined to catch a repentant killer, played by Yen, who retreated to a remote village with his wife.

The film is set to hit theaters nationwide on July 28.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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Rail authority proposes extending free 3rd class train service until a week after NY, request Bt505 mln in compensation to Cabinet meeting /TAN_Network

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Treasury Department to Issue New Souvenir in Honor of His Majesty the King's 84th Birthday

The Treasury Department is releasing their new souvenir coin in honor of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday begining on December 5.

The Minting Association of Thailand's President, Kusik Manotham said that the Treasury Department is releasing a new souvenir coin to mark his Majesty the King's 84 birthday, on December 5.

The souvenir will be available in the form of coin and pin, and will be made out of gold, silver, and copper.

Kusik said the department will set the price of the gold coin souvenir according to market gold prices, as selling lower than market price could cause arbitrage, while selling at higher than market prices could create a situation of coin forgeries.

Meanwhile, he said that the economy has not fully recovered, but that this will not have a big affect on the sales of souvenir coins.

He said all Thais would respond positively to the release of the coin, and purchase the souvenir in honor of his Majesty the King.

He said the commemorative coins will be available for sale starting December 5.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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PM tells Cabinet he has not received report from Envi Minister Suwit from World Heritage Convention in France as today is 1st day of meeting /TAN_Network

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Heartbroken Estonian dies in Phuket Town

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Burma is the fifth world largest refugee producer: UN report

By The Nation

Burma is the fifth world largest refugee producing country with 415,700 people fleeing from conflict at home, the United Nation refugee agency reported on Monday.

Of refugees from Burma, there are some estimated 200,000 unregistered in Bangladesh, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHRC)'s report on global trend of refugees 2010.

As of the end of 2010, Thailand is sheltering 96,675 refugees, mostly from Burma and the UN is discussing with the Thai authority to verify some 540,000 stateless persons in the country, the UN report said.

UNHCR's 2010 Global Trends report showed that many of the world's poorest countries are hosting huge refugee populations, both in absolute terms and in relation to the size of their economies.

Pakistan, Iran, and Syria have the largest refugee populations at 1.9 million, 1.1 million, and 1 million respectively. Pakistan also has the biggest economic impact with 710 refugees for each dollar of its per capita GDP (PPP) followed by Congo and Kenya with 475 and 247 refugees respectively.

By comparison Germany, the industrialized country with the largest refugee population (594,000 people), has 17 refugees for each dollar of per capita GDP, the report said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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National Economic and Social Advisory Council Upholds Wage Hike

The National Economic and Social Advisory Council has voiced support for a proposed minimum wage rate hike following a trilateral panel's agreement.

National Economic and Social Advisory Council Chairman, Okas Teparagul, stated he supports a trilateral working panel's proposal to raise the minimum wage rate in Bangkok by between 5 and 9 baht a day in mid-2011.

He is of the view that the increase is unlikely to seriously affect inflation as the money will improve employees' standard of living.

However, he said he was concerned with political parties' poll platform campaigns regarding a wage increase, as no parties have mentioned where the money will come from.

He suggested that the government offer skills improvement training to workers while ensuring the amount is appropriate to cover living expenses.

The Federation of Thai Industries' Labor and Social Welfare Panel Advisor, Suwan Sukprasert, revealed that the private sector is okay with the proposed wage increase as the plan was formulated by a reliable trilateral panel, not by campaigning political parties.

He noted his concern was about the impact it would have on SME businesses, as this type of business hires more workers than huge industry businesses and the rise will result in retail price hikes.

Meanwhile, the National Economic and Social Advisory Council held a seminar on the convention ratification for the International Labor Organization, or ILO.

Those at the meeting agreed that the Thai government should sign two more ILO conventions, but at the same time devise regulations to protect Thai and alien workers and employees' welfare management plans.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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Public Health Ministry asks Thais not to panic on reports E.coli can be transmitted from human to human, says no infection found in Thailand /TAN_Network

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Democrats not worried by threat by red-shirt group to dress up at ghosts for its campaign at Ratchaprasong Intersection /TAN_Network

Suthep denies campaign at Ratchaprasong aims to stir up situation but says it's attempt to clarify the truth /TAN_Network

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Dusit Poll Suggests Pheu Thai Party in Control

An opinion poll released today shows that the majority of Thais are planning to vote for Pheu Thai candidates on July 3.

Suan Dusit Poll conducted an opinion poll from June 4 through June 18, of over 102,000 eligible Thai voters in all 375 constituencies.

The poll found that the majority of the voters, or 51.5 percent, plan to choose the Pheu Thai Party, in which case it would gain 64 seats, while the Democrat Party trails, second on the poll list, with a predicted 34.05 percent of the votes, and a gain of 43 seats.

Third place in the poll goes to the Bhum Jai Thai Party, with 3.43 percent, or 4 seats and fourth place is the Rak Thailand party, with 2.48 percent, and 3 seats, followed by the Chart Thai Pattana Party who the opinion poll projects will get 1.6 percent of the votes, with a gain of 2 seats.

The Chart Pattana Phuea Pandin, the Rak Santi, the Palang Chon , the Matubhum, and the Social Action Party are expected to each gain one seat for their respective party lists.

In the poll, 2.38 percent of the respondents remain undecided.

In Bangkok, where many have predicted that the middle class would vote for the Democrat Party, the poll indicates that the Pheu Thai Party has actually gained more votes in the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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Portuguese Man o' War invade Phuket

Phuket: Bottlenose ‘jellies’ have no independent means of propulsion,

ending up wherever wind and tide take them.

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Commerce Ministry to Host 'Made in Thailand 2011' Fair in July

The Commerce Ministry is set to host the Made in Thailand 2011 trade fair that will run from between July 13 and 17, while seeking cooperation from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in launching the Blue Flag food stalls and shops campaign throughout the city.

Department of Export Promotion Director-General Nantawan Sakuntanaga said manufacturers and business owners who wish to participate in the Made in Thailand 2011 exhibition can submit application forms from today until June 24.

The Made in Thailand 2011 event will be held from July 13 through the 17 at Halls 5 through 8 of the Impact Exhibition Center Muangthong Thani.

The event will feature more than 1,000 booths from manufacturers from every industry, including food and beverage, gifts and home decoration, clothing and footwear, electronic appliances, auto parts, health and beauty products, printing and logistics.

More than 100,000 visitors, including traders and consumers, are expected to attend the event.

Nantawan said the exhibition will serve as showcase for Thai manufacturers, exporters, entrepreneurs and SMEs and will allow them to create business opportunities and enter the global marketplace.

Meanwhile, Commerce Ministry Permanent-Secretary Yanyong Phuangrat said the Blue Flag food stalls project, which includes shops selling food at prices no higher than 25 baht per dish have registered a certain number of participants.

He added that the Department of Internal Trade has asked the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to arrange for locations throughout the capital.

Yanyong said the ministry will offer a subsidy to help lower the cost for participating shops and stalls so that they can sell food at the capped price.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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ICANN, global body that charts course of Internet allow creation of new website domain suffixes by private companies, enabling major firms to replace ".com" with their own brand /MCOT

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Democrat Party going ahead with rally at Ratchaprasong

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Public Health Ministry asserts that no E.coli bacteria has spread in Thailand,but advises eating hot,cooked food,using serving spoons, washing hands often /MCOT

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Samut Prakan Governor Downplays Political Confrontation

The governor of Samut Prakarn Province said of yesterday's confrontation between two political groups in the province that they were simply exercising their democratic rights.

The governor is not concerned about being dismissed from his post, claiming that he did everything he could to prevent such an incident.

Governor of Samut Prakarn Province, Cherdsak Choosri talked about the commotion that took place yesterday while Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was campaigning in the province, saying that the confrontation was between the Democrat Party's supporters and some red-shirt supporters.

Both groups exchanged heated words and that Abhisit was asked to leave the area before he was finished campaigning in the area.

Cherdsak has admitted that Samut Prakarn Province is heavily populated by red shirt supporters, who were merely exercising their democratic rights when they gathered to express opposition to Abhisit.

At any rate, the Samut Prakarn governor has expressed confidence that he will not be dismissed from his post over the incident, claiming that he did everything he could to prevent such an incident, including assigning more than 500 police officers to oversee security there.

Once Abhisit left the area, the situation returned to normal.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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Public advised not to panic over E. coli outbreak: Health Ministry

NONTHABURI, June 20 – Thai Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on Monday urged the public not to panic over the spread of the deadly bacteria E. coli through human-to-human transmission following the discovery of the first case of human-to-human transmission of the fatal E. coli O104 bacteria in Germany.

As a precautionary measure, the minister said the public are advised to wash hands regularly both before and after eating, using serving spoon and eating hygienic food.

China’s official Xinhua news agency reported Health officials in Germany have confirmed they have detected the first case of human to human spread of the deadly strain of the E. coli bacteria.

Authorities say a woman working in a kitchen of a catering company near Frankfurt became infected with the new strain after eating sprouts and passed it on to 20 people she prepared food for.

Daniel Bahr, German Health Minister said "Now we have the proof that in this case a human passed on the germ to the vegetables and then it was passed to other humans. We need to analyze this calmly, and see which consequences we draw from that."

The Thai health minister said the department and related committee will discuss this afternoon the latest development of the E. coli outbreak.

In a related development, Dr Paichit Varachit, permanent secretary for public health, affirmed thathe strain of E. coli bacteria found in Germany has not been discovered yet in Thailand. So far, no case of human-to-human spread of E. coli has been found as well.

The permanent secretary said that measures related to monitoring the disease will be tightened, ordering provincial health chiefs in tourist destination areas to closely monitor foreign travellers’ health and to report to the ministry if they have stomach pain, diarrhea and kidney failure. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-20

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A Swiss wins TAT tourism photo contest

BANGKOK, 20 June 2011 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has presentsed an award to Mr Marco Stueri (Fribu) from Switzerland, the winner of Microsite ‘The Most Amazing Show on Earth’ photo and article contest aimed at promoting Thai tourism.

According to TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, the contest was organised to stimulate and promote Thai tourism among foreign tourists, urging them to visit and revisit Thailand. Foreigner had been invited to participate in the contest given can see various aspects of Thailand ranging from from tourist attractions, art and culture to hospitality via photos.

The Microsite ‘The Most Amazing Show On Earth’ is part of the ‘Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You’ campaign launched since April 2011. Tourists were invited to send in their photos taken in Thailand and elaborate their stories plus impression towards the trip.

The top award was a cash prize of 10,000 US dollars or around 320,000 baht. There were 4,205 contestants submitting their entries within two months. Judging panel comprised representatives from the TAT, advertising company McCann Worldgroup and production house Hub Ho Hin.

Mr Stueri from Switzerland won the contest from his album entitled ‘From the North to the South’ as it can show various aspects of Thailand through his journey from the North to the South. His album and entries from other contestants can be viewed at www.MostAmazingShow.com.

-- NNT 2011-06-20

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GENERAL ELECTION

Democrats head south

By The Nation

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will today travel to campaign in the southern region, which traditionally has been main stronghold of his party.

Abhisit and core party members including party advisory chief Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Banthatan, will start the campaign in Songkhla today. He is scheduled to campaign in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani later.

This is the first time the party is conducting a mass rally in the region in advance of the July 3 general election.

The mass rally in Songkhla will start in the evening at a Prince of Songkhla University football field with Banyat analysing the political situation over the past few years. Abhisit will take the stage at 8pm and talk about the party's policy for the people.

Chuan, an exPM, will talk about the "Thaksin Regime" and the party's secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban will then give a speech titled "Don't allow anyone to burn the country."

After the rally, Abhisit will stay in a Hat Yai hotel. This is the first time he is staying overnight in the southern region.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Ballots for advance voting on the road

The Election Commission on Monday organised a ceremony that saw the release of a convoy of trucks carrying 2.8 million election ballots to district offices for the advance voting scheduled next week.

The ballots are for advance voting in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn. The ceremony was hosted by the EC, Thailand Post and Royal Thai Police, Thailand Post's president Anussara Jitmitraparb said Monday.

The 235 trucks carrying the ballots for the central and northern provinces were scheduled to leave in the afternoon. She said security for the convoy is tight with post office and police officers accompanying each vehicle

Each vehicle is also equipped with GPS navigator device to detect if it deviates from its path.

She is confident that the transport of the ballots will be in time for the advance voting scheduled for June 26.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Pattani: Khok Pho district police officer returning home for lunch shot dead by presumed insurgents on motorcycle; his weapon taken by assailants /MCOT

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Mango TV Marks First Anniversary

A new entertainment channel marked its first anniversary by holding a party over the weekend to thank those who have been involved and provided support.

The channel's executive, meanwhile, vowed to stun viewers with new and exciting content in the upcoming year.

Satellite entertainment channel 'Mango TV' celebrated its first anniversary, while promising to offer audiences a variety of shows that feature both entertainment and light educational content.

The first anniversary party was held this past weekend, with a great number of personalities in the entertainment industry participating.

The event showcased a photo gallery featuring highlight moments from during the channel's first year.

Channel executive Adisak Limparungpattanakit said feedback from both viewers and ad agencies have been rather excellent, so the channel will next year focus on entertainment content that includes useful aspects for audiences.

He added that Mango TV will also introduce a new kind of variety entertainment show such as a reality show about a fashion designer and a search for news anchors and movie directors.

As for distribution channels, Adisak announced that Mango TV will be broadcast via satellite, cable TV, website and mobile phones to accommodate the life style of new generation.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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Yingluck says she cannot tell red shirts to stop bullying Abhisit

Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said Monday that she cannot tell the red-shirt people to stop protesting against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during campaign rallies.

She said the Pheu Thai did not send the red-shirt people to bully Abhisit and she could not tell the red-shirt people to stop.

She said she learned about the red-shirt people's bullying Abhisit in Samut Prakan Monday morning.

Yingluck insisted that she wanted to see constructive election campaigns so that the country could leave the election conflicts behind after the election.

She said she would like to call on all sides to exercises their utmost patience and express their feelings through the vote on 3 July.

Asked whether she felt discouraged following relentless criticisms by the Democrat Party, Yingluck said she was not discouraged and still wanted to serve and solve the people and lead the country out of the conflicts.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Stock Exchange Head Outlines Probe against Thaksin's Sister

The chief of the stock regulatory body says his investigation panel will not conclude if Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate violated the Criminal Code, but will only determine if she violated any stock exchange law with her alleged perjury.

Secretary General for the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, Theerachai Phuwanartnaranubala stated his panel's inquiry into the Pheu Thai Party's number one party-list MP candidate Yingluck Shinawatra will rely solely on the law governing the stock exchange and will not determine if she violated the Criminal Code.

The investigation came in a response to a complaint by a civic group against amnesty for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra asking for the SEC to take legal action against Yingluck for serving as a proxy for Thaksin and his ex-wife Podjaman Damapong in the Shin Corp share concealment case.

They also asked the agency to prosecute Yingluck for filing a false report on the shareholder structure of SC Asset company.

Theerachai maintained that he faces no pressure over the investigation and insisted it will be carried out with caution as the allegation was made during the run-up to the July 3 election.

Theerachai then said he will not comment about anything other than issues related to the legal aspects involving the case.

In the meantime, coordinator of the civic group against amnesty for Thaksin, Tul Sitthisomwong, tomorrow will submit a separate complaint with the Department of Special Investigation seeking an indictment against Yingluck on charges of violating the Securities Exchange Act's Article 302 and 207.

The group alleged Yingluck had filed a false statement on the Shin Corp share sale and falsified the shareholder list.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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Abhisit 'disappointed' over Yingluck's inaction

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday that he was disappointed that Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra would not take any action to ensure that the red-shirt people would stop bullying other parties.

Abhisit said it was clear that those who bullied him during the campaign in Samut Prakan turned up to show support for the Pheu Thai.

"They did not only protest but they also came to support the Pheu Thai," Abhisit said.

"I am disappointed to hear Yingluck say she can't do anything because red-shirt leaders are among Pheu Thai party-list candidates. If the they can't do anything, the situation will be very worrying."

Abhisit said Yingluck should have at least expressed her stand that she disagreed with the behaviors that disrupted election campaigns of other parties.

-- The Nation 2011-06-20

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Yingluck says she cannot tell red shirts to stop bullying PM Abhisit

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Thailand trade returns to surplus

BANGKOK, June 20, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's trade balance returned to surplus in May after a deficit the previous month, despite a slowdown in exports in following Japan's March 11 quake-tsunami, government data showed on Monday.

Exports grew 17.6 percent from a year earlier to $19.46 billion, after a 24.6 percent rise in April, as the auto sector felt the squeeze from reduced parts from Japan following the twin disaster, the commerce ministry said.

Imports grew 33.8 percent to $19.19 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $277.5 million. In April Thailand posted a deficit of $797 million.

The government said it was confident its forecast for export growth of between 12 and 15 percent for the whole of this year would be achieved.

"Even though the risk of high oil prices and rising interest rates affected production costs, demand from abroad is still high," said Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai.

Thailand's economic growth accelerated to 2.0 percent quarter-on-quarter in the three months to March, the quickest pace in a year, helped by surging exports, the government said last month.

The Thai central bank raised its benchmark interest rate by a total of 175 basis points since July 2010, to 3.0 percent, in an attempt to curb inflation in the face of higher commodity prices.

Consumer price inflation picked up to 4.19 percent in May compared with a year earlier, according to official figures.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-06-20

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Academic unveils Bt500-3,000/voter used to buy votes and each constituency is seeing Bt100 mln spent on vote-buying /TAN_Network

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Suthep: No violence on election day

BANGKOK, 20 June (NNT)-Democrat Secretary-General Mr. Suthep Thuagsuban has assured voters that the election will take place as scheduled while predicting that minor disruptions could be expected during the polls but they will not be extreme.

Meanwhile, Mr. Suthep spoke of the Democrat campaign, scheduled to be held at Rachaprasong Intersection on Thursday, that it would be focused on the integrity and professionalism of his party. Past achievements and policy on security will also be highlighted.

He added that the Democrat would be speaking about the Red Shirts regarding the unrest. Mr. Suthep said the move would not fuel anger given that the truth about how Pheu Thai misled the public would be revealed. The Secretary- General of the Democrat Party said he did not expect to gain supports by holding this campaign. He later said that this event would not block the traffic around the intersection.

-- NNT 2011-06-20