Thailand Live Sunday 3 Jul 2011

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Thailand Live Sunday 3 Jul 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 2 Jul 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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AFP: Divided Thailand votes in crucial election

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AFP: Thais warned to stay off Twitter -- or face jail

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ELECTION

195,000 police and troops to guard voters

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Bus terminals in Northeast packed with returning voters

By The Nation on Sunday

The Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Terminal was buzzing yesterday as voters from the Northeast returned to their hometowns to cast ballots in today's national election.

The province's new bus terminal on Mitraparp Highway, providing travellers with at least 1,600 bus trips per day on 84 routes to 19 provinces, was packed with people. It caused provincial transport officer Manas Rungpin to ask private bus operators to provide more rides.

However, several sections of Mitraparp Highway from Kaeng Khoi in Saraburi to Pak Chong in Nakhon Ratchasima were under repair, which caused traffic jams. The travel time for the 256km stretch from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, which usually takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, had been taking about 4-5 hours since Friday night, Manas said.

One 28-year-old worker, Mayuree Khokklang, who went to vote at Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima, said the Election Commission should implement a measure to help voters with their expenses when travelling to vote.

In Khon Kaen, the provincial bus terminal was also packed. Terminal official Phaithoon Srisakulthai said the terminal normally had 20,000 travellers passing though per day but yesterday there were about 35,000-40,000 travellers, prompting officials to ask bus operators to make additional trips.

Meanwhile, a woman was arrested in Maha Sarakham yesterday for alleged vote-buying. Thongphul Sriyowong was caught in possession of Bt6,400 cash in the Northeast province's Muang district following a tip-off people were bringing money to buy votes there.

The suspect told police three unnamed men delivered the money to her at the village and led police to the men's car, but they saw police and fled.

Police then seized the car and found a total of Bt394,285 in cash in Bt100 notes in a plastic bag, a 9mm pistol with 10 rounds of ammunition and a list of canvassers and villagers as well as some leaflets of a Maha Sarakham Constituency 1 candidate.

Thongphul was initially charged with vote-buying and police will investigate the case further.

In Angthong, Muang district chief Somchai Anawatchakul said that from 8am to noon yesterday the district office had issued over 100 national ID cards to people who wanted their ID cards so they could vote today, and that in the past two weeks 2,500 people had got ID cards there.

In a related development, floods in Sukhothai province forced eight polling stations in Constituencies 1 and 2 of Muang and Sri Samrong districts to be moved yesterday.

In Phichit, authorities had planned to move polling stations in five districts at risk of being flooded, provincial election director Thanaboon Sinmana said.

He said the preaching halls of temples with raised floors would be turned into polling stations if floodwater overflowed the Yom River and affected the five provinces in the river basin. Meanwhile, authorities rushed to release water from the Yom into the Nan River yesterday.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Observers impressed with preparations

By The Nation on Sunday

Visiting foreign election officials yesterday expressed optimism that Thailand's general election today would be free and fair.

Election Commission of Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof praised Thailand's Election Commission for its "international-standard" election management, which ensures free and fair treatment to all parties.

He said that after observing for two days the election process, he noticed that every step of the procedures could be checked and election officials had undergone training well. He believed everyone would respect the election results.

"The election process is transparent and just. There will be parties that will lose the election and I suggest that they accept the election outcome."

Malaysia's Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar who came to observe poll preparations in Songkhla's Constituency 1, said he felt the process was well managed. He is staying over to observe the polling today at Constituency 1.

Lee Jae-hoo, director of Facilities Management Division of South Korea's National Election Commission, said the Thai Election Com-mission had prepared every polling procedure well and he believed there would not be any problem today. He was observing preparations for the general election in Chachoengsao.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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They're 'up' for it

By Maywadee Witthayanukorn,

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation on Sunday

Thousands are waiting to hear if they've been selected for Thai Airways' cabin crews

Lots of people want to be "angels in the sky", and for Thais yearning to be flight attendants, Thai Airways International is the best place to work.

The national carrier has drawn 3,688 applicants with its first recruitment in three years - for just 370 openings.

Patiphat Sangkaew, 24, is among those waiting for the results, pinning his hopes on having made it to "the final frontiers" of the selection process - the swimming test and physical exam.

"I've always dreamed of joining THAI, but when I first graduated there were no vacancies," says the marketing grad who currently works for Siam Cement.

"Being a flight attendant is a career that's attractive and challenging," Patiphat says. "It requires different skills for changing situations.

"I've applied at many airlines and always failed, but THAI is my dream because it's the national airline. It offers a stable career path - for me, salary is secondary."

Patiphat applied online in late April and was called in for an interview. Unlike many, he didn't take a course to prepare for the process. The helpful courses can cost Bt10,000.

"I just searched the Internet, particularly ThaiCabinCrew.com, and asked people who've experienced the application process. I mostly asked them about the questions I might be asked and how to dress - you look best if you wear a vest under a white shirt."

At the interview he learned that much emphasis is placed on weight and height. Some male applicants drink lots of water to boost their kilo count and some females find ways to jack up their hair so they're taller.

The toughest question for Patiphat: Why does he want this job when he already has one that pays well at a good company? "Everyone was asked that. The question seems easy, but it's pretty difficult to impress the committee with your answers.

"I was also surprised when they asked if I ever do household chores and asked to see my hands," he laughs. "Fortunately my hands are rough!"

Another applicant who asks to be identified only by her nickname, Kaew, has been preparing for years. In high school she took English classes, then spent two months at the San Air Training Centre, a course that cost Bt14,500.

THAI requires decent scores on TOEIC, TOEFL and ITELTS academic tests, and the San centre helped Kaew with that.

"I don't like office jobs, but I love travelling and serving people," says the 26yearold, "so THAI is my 'destination'. One of my tutors had been a THAI crew member and spoke highly of the airline."

Being a flight attendant is not the dream of Purida Wisetbupha, who instead entered the application process to gain new experience.

"I want to be part of the aviation industry - my dream is to be the director of the flight department, helping shape the future of Thai aviation," says the 26yearold Kasetsart University aerospace-engineering graduate.

She's currently pursuing a master's at Nakhon Phanom University's International Aviation College.

"I applied to be a pilot with Thai AirAsia but didn't get it, so here I am applying at THAI. I don't think I'm good at interviews, but if I fail I'll just study harder."

Bhinkham Rohitasthira, vice president of THAI's Inflight Service, acknowledges that the process is quite complicated. Amid aptitude tests and group interviews, the applicants are assessed for general knowledge, teamwork ability, emotional control and whether they have a "service mind".

"Women have to take the 50-metre swimming tests and the men 100 metres, weight and height are important, and they need a good personality," Bhinkham says.

"They need not be beautiful or handsome, but it's a plus if they have beautiful teeth because nice smiles impress the passengers."

As the selection process continues, any of the 400 firstround candidates can fall by the wayside at any time. The airline aims to recruit 370 people, but if it can't find 370 people with the right qualifications, it will make do with less.

It's a dream job, after all, and it's a rare thing when dreams come true.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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EDITORIAL

New Thai govt should push Public Private Partnership scheme for investment

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'Men in black' attack slum dwellers in Klong Luang

By The Nation on Sunday

A group of 200 men yesterday raided an abandoned factory in Klong Luang in Pathum Thani, which members of the Four Regions Slum Network had occupied - burning down 30 of about 200 shacks erected over the past two months.

After a clash with residents, the men retreated and stood guard around the disputed 615-rai plot of land, which they claim was sold by the Thai Asset Management Corp to a businessman who hired them.

The men, who wore black clothing and green scarves, burnt down shacks near Phaholyothin Road and fought for one hour with 40-50 residents armed with just sticks and stones.

A few gunshots were heard during the melee, which led the two sides to separate. But the disturbance caused a traffic jam several kilometres long.

Later, 50 men in black, carrying long knives, were seen camping outside the block, while Khlong Luang police tried to give a protected ride for slum dwellers who gathered on the inner corner of the land.

Ubon Ratchathani native Taingsa Warisa, 57, said she and fellow poor people had lived on the land for over a month as they had no money and no place to stay. She said her family was preparing to leave for Ubon Ratchathani to vote when the men raided the land, fired guns and hit her fellows with wooden sticks. She insisted they would not move anywhere.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Paradorn's grandmother killed in crash

By The Nation on Sunday

Former tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan, accompanied by his father and other relatives, yesterday took the body of his dead grandmother from Bangkok Hospital Ratchasima in Nakhon Ratchasima to a funeral in Khon Kaen province.

Tin Saengthong, 84, died on Friday after she had a road accident in Pak Chong district while on her way to Bangkok. Paradorn's mother Ubon Srichaphan and aunt Krisana Srichaphan, who were also in the accident, were hurt but not seriously.

They departed Khon Kaen for Bangkok to cast votes for today's election. A slippery road caused Ubon, the driver, to lose control of the van. Tin's body is at Wat Sri Nuan in Muang district.

Meanwhile, doctors operated and sewed wounds on Ubon's face and the fingers of her left hand. She is expected to stay at the hospital for a few days. She will then be admitted to a Khon Kaen hospital, Paradorn said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Conel's daughter to testify on Tuesday in 'Dr Muk' case

By The Nation on Sunday

Police insisted yesterday that the daughter of Colonel Saksit Puklan, the suspect who said he was driving a car that left Army doctor Hathaiphorn ("Dr Muk") Imwitthaya critically injured, would meet police to give testimony on Tuesday.

The girl was reportedly not told when and where she was due to meet police. Her name was not available at press time.

Police said they would not allow her to postpone the appointment, at which she is due to give evidence.

A doctor at Phra Mongkutklao Army Hospital, where Hathaiphorn is being treated, said the hospital would not hold a press conference to announce Dr Muk's condition today - election day.

The media were allowed to follow her recovery progress, he said, adding that she responded well to child relatives who visited her. Initially, the condition of her brain was similar to that of a child, and it would develop continuously.

-- The Nation 2011-07-03

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Thailand's 26th general election starts, with eligible voters flocking to polling booths nationwide /MCOT

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Yingluck now at polling station! She's at Wat Lumjiak School in Bungkum district. Abhisit will vote at around 9AM /TAN_Network

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Yingluck Casts Vote in Bungkum District

Pheu Thai No.1 MP candidate Yingluck Shinawatra turns up to vote in Bungkum district. Democrat No.1 party list candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to cast his vote at 9AM.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-03

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Party-list ballots are blue while constituency ballots are pink /TAN_Network

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Polling Stations Open Nationwide

Polling stations nationwide open their gates at 8AM this morning. Several polling stations saw a number of people waiting in front of the stations waiting to cast their votes. Polling stations will close at 3PM today.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-03

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Abundant rain expected throughout Thailand in afternoon and evening; voters advised to cast ballots in morning: Meteorological Dept /MCOT

Many Thai TV channels say that the weather e.g. heavy rain can hinder many people from voting today. /via@Saksith

Weather Dept warning of heavy rain later on in the day; voters urged to cast their ballots early /TAN_Network

Yingluck Shinawatra casts her vote in the Thai election http://yfrog.com/h4k3wpvzj /via @wannasorn_krg /via@Saksith:

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Chanthaburi election committee has received complaints of vote-buying but has not yet found solid evidence. /

anan Kajornprasart cast ballots at Sakhothai school in Bangkok at 8.08am. /

/via@ThaiElection11

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Turns out PM Abhisit is going to vote @ 9:30AM, patience is a virtue /via@chaowaraty80

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Not much action at Samut Prakan City Polling Station. Thai PBS here but only one voter. /via@RichardBarrow

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Chamlong Srimuang and his wife could not cast their ballots in Dusit district as they had registered to vote in Kanchanaburi province. RT @ThaiElection11

Sukhothai Province provides boats for people to go to vote in flooded areas. /via@ThaiElection11 /via@nationnews

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Bhumjaithai leader has already cast ballot in Bangkok's Chong Nonsee area. /via@ThaiElection11

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Motorcycle driver told to take off zipped up jacket, revealing No.21 on his vest. Told to take it off too /via@RichardBarrow

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Correction: Party-list ballots green! /TAN_Network

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Call 1711 if you detect any electoral irregularities. /via@nationnews

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Election Commission chairman satisfied with overall situation during poll opening /MCOT

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Thai TV shows PAD-leader Chamlong Srimuang at a polling station in Dusit, he actually can't vote...! /Rvia@Saksith

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Seems like turn-out can be unprecedented. EC is looking at above 75 % if rains take it easy on us. /via@tulsathit

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Army Chief casts his ballot, adding that people need to stop talking about a coup / TAN_Network