Thailand Live Thursday 7 Jul 2011

[webfact]

Govt to Raise Minimum Wage for Civil Servants, State Firm Employees in October

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Body of missing Aussie tourist found

The body of missing Aussie tourist Jennifer Laidley was found about a

kilometer offshore from Karon Beach this morning.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

ASTV quotes Yingluck as saying she has not ruled out appointing red-shirt leaders as ministers /

Abhisit hopes politics will not lead to more street rally during speech on launch of 11th econ and social development plan /

Democrat's Sirichok supports Abhisit as party leader; voices disappointment with red-shirts continuing to harass his party /

Abhisit advises red-shirt leader Arisman to turn himself in if he's confident in his innocence /

Suthep makes merit on 62nd birthday at Cholaprathan Temple and says he is not worried if red-shirt leaders get appointed as minister /

Mercedes Benz with faulty gear slams into Temraksuksa School building in Nonthaburi; 8 students injured with 2 in critical condition /

/TAN_Network

[webfact]

Air quality in South blanketed by moderate haze

SONGKHLA, July 7 - The air quality index in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district is hovering midway since the region was blanketed by haze from Indonesian forest fires.

Chongchit Neeranatmetheekul, director of the local environmental office of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said that smog in the South assessed at Air Quality Monitoring Stations found that the air quality is near the middle of the scale and will not have a health impact.

However, thin haze has still caused poor visibility and people with allergies, the elderly and small children are advised to stay indoors.

The haze probably comes from forest fires on Indonesian Sumatra which envelopes the Thai South annually. The Pollution Control Department is monitoring the situation continuously.

In Satun, smog has covered several areas for the third consecutive day Thursday. It is thicker than yesterday.

The Pollution Control Department dispatched mobile air quality monitoring units to inspect air quality and the provincial public health office advises on health guidelines and practices for local residents.

Masks are available for the public at public health offices and hospitals in their communities. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Nutthawut says Thida will remain leader of group while stating he's not upset if no red-shirts are appointed as minister /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Police to provide safety for Yingluck, new MPs

BANGKOK, 7 July 2011 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police has dispatched its police forces to safeguard incoming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and all MPs while assessing that eight provinces are at risk of unrest incitement after the 3 July general election.

National Police Advisor Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said the police forces from the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Special Branch have been tasked with safeguarding Ms Yingluck. He also said appropiate measures will also be taken to provide security for other political key figures.

Security forces for outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be partially withdrawn but will remain intense. Moreover, the police will be eyeing on safety of important figures and the 500 newly-elected MPs closely.

Police General Pongsapat added that violence is likely in eight provinces, comprising Saraburi, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Lop Buri, Uthai Thani, Phetchabun, Yala and Narathiwat, according to an assessment of the Special Branch.

The police advisor also indicated that National Police Chief Police General Wichean Potephosree has commanded that the police take care of demonstrations of all groups regardless of colors and that traffic must not be blocked, while protesters breaching the lèse majesté law must be prosecuted.

-- NNT 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Phuket plans parks at two reservoirs

A view of Bang Neaw Dum reservoir in Phuket, which already has

limited recreational facilities.

A waterfall that feeds into the Bang Neaw Dum Reservoir in Phuket.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Pheu Thai Adds 1 More Party to Coalition

Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Vichadit announces the addition of the New Democratic Party to the ruling coalition, making the number of parties in the coalition total 6 instead if 5. The number of MPs has also been boosted to 300.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-07

[webfact]

FitchRating: Peaceful transfer of power in Thailand is step towards reducing political risk; could be positive ratings for Thailand /MCOT

[webfact]

BREAKING -- Malaysian media report 30 children and 4 teachers being held hostage in Kuala Lumpur by a man with a hammer/

AP reports the man is holding hostages with a machete, and not a hammer /

Actually, he's carrying a hammer and a machete /

/via@mpoppel

BNONews

[webfact]

Pheu Thai Open to Appointing Red-shirt Ministers

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Chuwit dares Yingluck to disclose hubby's assets

Opposition MP-elect Chuwit Kamolvisit said on Thursday he would dare the designate prime minister for a disclosure of common-law husband's wealth.

"It is a fact that Yingluck Shinawatra is living in wedlock with Anusorn Amornchat," he said.

Even though the graft law has no provision for asset declaration by a common-law spouse, Yingluck should demonstrate her good intent by acting above and beyond the legal requirements, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Growing rifts in the red shirt movement now are something to watch. /via@jin_nation /via@tulsathit

[webfact]

Red-shirt Leader Nattawut Saikua Admits Internal Rift

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Defence Min Prawit denies reports that the military is not happy w election result and that he has been offered the defence seat /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler is heading to Thailand to play for Muang Thong United, in surprise move just weeks after ex-England striker quit Australia's A-League /MCOT

[webfact]

Two Chiang Rai villages under investigation for vote boycott

The Chiang Rai Election Office has launched an investigation aimed to uncover why 1,200 villagers from two villates in Muang district refused to vote on Sunday, resulting in zero turnout at two polling stations.

"Not a single vote was cast in two polling stations located at Muang district's tambon Huay Chompoo," provincial election director Pongpan Riewthongthawee said on Thursday.

The office has summoned kamnan and village headmen to give their statements on the issue.

Talking to reporters after his testimony, kamnan Preecha Kanoknatkul said villagers acted on their own accord to boycott the vote.

-- The Nation 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Pheu Thai told Democrat to stop sabotaging its candidates' success in the election

BANGKOK, 7 July 2011 (NNT)-Deputy Leader of Pheu Thai Party Mr. Prodprasob Surasawadee has called on the Democrat Party to stop sabotaging Pheu Thai and to work in politics creatively.

Mr. Prodprasop mentioned the post election comments made by the Democrat Party and said that they ought to work towards reconciliation instead of making negative comments about Pheu Thai.

He added that the Democrat should accept the fact they lost in the election and if they harbored doubts or had no confidence in Pheu Thai then this should be debated in the parliament.

He urged civil servants in the country to continue to work to their full potentials during the transitional period and warned them not to abuse power nor exaggerate the budget allocations as well as favor any particular politicians.

-- NNT 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Chiang Mai Zoo Scraps Polar Bear Exhibition Plan

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Chalerm Krung Theater Celebrates 78th Anniversary

An event was held recently to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the Chalerm Krung Royal Theater, the oldest theater in Thailand. Many national artists and Thai classical dance experts participated.

In celebration of the 78th anniversary of the Chalerm Krung Royal Theater, the Sala Chalerm Krung Foundation held an event to present funds to senior Thai classical dance artists and scholarships to students from Bundit Patanasilpa Institute.

The event also featured Thai classical dance shows, including singing from Chalermrat big band and a rare traditional dance called “Sui Sai Pram”, performed by national artist Doctor Suppachai Chansuwan.

The team that won the highest number of votes, “kid-buak-sipp, from popular TV reality show Thailand's Got Talent also took the stage to present a charming show.

The Chalerm Krung Royal Theater was the first theater in Thailand, constructed during the reign of the King Rama VII as a gift for the Thai people.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-07

[webfact]

HTMS Similan Loaded and Ready for Anti-piracy Operation

Navy officials are stocking the HTMS Similan with food, supplies, and munitions in preparation for an international anti-piracy effort in the Gulf of Aden.

At the Sataheeb navy base, navy officers have begun loading food, oil, and ammunition on the HTMS Similan, ahead of its anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast Somalia.

The operation is an international effort to protect global marine interests and to strengthen the Thai Navy's role at the international level.

The HTMS Similan is scheduled to depart from the Sataheeb base on July 12 and will take approximately 20 days to sail to its destination. The Similan is expected to return to Thailand on September 28.

The Similan quartermaster, Warrant Officer Wanlop Chartsuwan said a total of 100 tons of dried and fresh food has been loaded onto the ship, with a 100-kilogram jar of fermented fish as one of necessities the crew cannot live without. The ship is also equipped with a large freezer to help preserve fresh foods.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Flooding Continues in Upper Central Provinces

The central provinces of Phitsanulok and Sukhothai are still facing ongoing flooding, as countless rice plantations have been destroyed in the region.

Flooding continues in central Phitsanulok Province as farmers in Bangrakam District have constructed small dams to deal with huge amounts of water flowing from the Klong Nong Yai bridge, as their crops will be ready for harvest soon.

Farm areas in Chumsaengsongkram Village in the same district have been flooded for two days now, and it's expected that the rice will be rotten in a few days' time.

Irrigation officials in Phitsanulok said two districts, Bangrakam and Prompiram, have been affected by the flooding, and farmland of 20,000 rais has been inundated to date.

The water level of the Yom River is stable, and the situation is expected to improve as the Sirikit dam has cut water volume to ease the burden of the public.

In Sukhothai Province, the floodwater has damaged dams in Kongkrailat District and flooded crops that were to be harvested in ten days' time.

A total of 5,000 rais of rice plantations have been hit by the flooding.

News reports say the water has reached farmlands nearby and an additional 5,000 rais of farmland will likely be affected today.

Some of rice farmers said they have decided to harvest the plant in advance for fear of flood damage, as they anticipate that the flood will reach the area today.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Red-shirt rally at DSI

The red shirts on Thursday held a rally in front of the Department of Special Investigation to protest a lack of progress in solving cases involving 89 red shirts killed in the last year's riots.

Surviving relatives of those killed demanded for DSI director general Tharit Pengdit to show responsibility for his failure to bring culprits to justice.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-07

[webfact]

Update: Poll Panel Yet to Endorse Red-shirt MP

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Suthep: Democrat party expected to hold mid-August meeting to choose new leader; will work with dedication even without formal position in party /MCOT

[webfact]

Former World Snooker Champion comes to Pattaya

Follow this link:

[webfact]

House of vote canvasser for Pheu Thai's Nonthaburi MP-elect hit by gunfire, no one injured; politics believed to have motivated attack /TAN_Network

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1083.08, up 10.40; Bt/USD30.19; GBP48.21; AUD32.32; EUR43.17; CAD31.28; HKD3.87; SGD24.48; JPY37.13

[webfact]

80 Million Baht Algerian ATM Fraudster arrested by Pattaya Police

Follow this link:

[webfact]

HM the King expresses concern about Thais misusing the Thai language and interspersing their sentences with English words /TAN_Network