Thailand Live Thursday 14 Jul 2011

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Commerce Ministry Reminds Pheu Thai to Stop Directing Baht

The Commerce Ministry has advised the Pheu Thai party's economic team to stop directing the baht currency, as it will affect exports and create currency speculation.

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot warns the Prime Minister-elect Yingluck Shinawatra and her party's economic team to stop directing the baht currency as it will affect exports and cause the baht to appreciate.

He urges the Pheu Thai Party to wait for the establishment of the Cabinet and the announcement of all administrative policies before proceeding with their action.

He feels the new government should leave the baht currency to conform to the ASEAN region, as directing the currency could affect exports, which account for 70 to 80 percent of Thailand's GDP.

He suspects exports will expand by 15 percent this year.

Alongkorn went on to talk about the Export Opportunity of SMEs fair.

He said the fair aims to create brand awareness for Thai exports in all industrial sectors, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs.

He said SMEs in Thailand have created up to 76 percent of the country's total employment.

He added that the government should support the SME sector and encourage adding product value to generate income for the country.

Entrepreneurs exhibiting their products at the fair say they hope the new government will support more product exhibiting fairs to help increase income for the people.

He added that the worker's wage rate should adjust according to the labor's competency level.

Meanwhile, he said the Made in Thailand Fair 2011 is being held from now until Sunday at Impact Muang Thong Thani, where today's event will include business talks.

Tomorrow's event until Sunday will include retail product sales, in which entrepreneurs will be exhibiting their products in more than 836 booths.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-14

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Pheu Thai urges EC to nod election result

BANGKOK, 14 July 2011 (NNT) – The Pheu Thai Party has asked the Election Commission (EC) to certify MP status for all elected candidates urgently after the endorsement for many of its key members is pending.

Speaking about the pending approval of MP status for 11 elected party listed candidates of the party due to complaint investigations, Pheu Thai Spokesperson Prompong Nopparit said the EC should give justice to the targetted candidates as the complaints are suspected to contain political motives, rather than electoral frauds.

Mr Prompong noted that every candidate has gone through qualification examination of the EC since their registration. Moreover, he said if electoral offences are really found, the House speaker can lodge complaints against wrongdoers for investigation later on.

The spokesperson hence hoped that the EC would be able to certify at least 95% of the new MPs, or 475 elected candidates by 19 July, so that Parliament could be open and the new government formed to solve people’s problems immediately.

The endorsement of the MP status for 142 elected candidates is put on hold, including incoming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and two core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship Jatuporn Prompan and Natthawut Saikua.

-- NNT 2011-07-14

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INN: Abhisit ready to answer to queries from EC but still unsure as to why he hasn't been endorsed /TAN_Network

ASTV: Nutthawut warns if he does not get endorsed by EC, there will be trouble /TAN_Network

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Yingluck denies Pheu Thai party leader Yongyuth is substitute premier; rejects charges of campaign irregularity, claim that Potjaman affecting cabinet lineup /MCOT

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Lady Gaga Wax Replica Unveiled at Madame Tussauds

Fans of pop star Lady Gaga will have a chance to mingle with her, as her wax replica is now featured at the Madame Tussauds museum in Bangkok.

The launch of a new wax replica of pop star Lady Gaga at the world-famous wax museum Madame Tussauds in Bangkok has drawn the attention of many fans.

Lady Gaga has arguable become the most famous pop star today.

Her unique style and music has made her an idol for many Thai girls.

All the guests at the launch event thoroughly enjoyed themselves taking pictures with the wax version of Lady Gaga.

Participants also had the chance to enjoy a show by comedian superstar Sudarat Butprom, better known as 'Tukki Chingroi Chinglan', who dressed and danced like Lady Gaga.

'Tukki' said she wants to be the next celebrity to be immortalized in wax by Madame Tussauds.

Rumor has it that Nichkhun Horvejkul, a member of Korean boy band 2PM, is likely to be the next celebrity to be replicated in wax at the Madame Tussauds.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-14

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New MPs register at Parliament

BANGKOK, July 14 - Thailand's new members of parliament on Thursday reported to the House of Representatives registration process at parliament after the Election Commission (EC) officially issued their endorsement status notices.

The EC officially endorsed 358 MP candidates but delayed the endorsement of 142 others, including outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, prime minister-to-be Yingluck Shinawatra and the leaders of the Red Shirt movement.

The first MP who turned up at parliament Thursday morning to register is Komdej Chaisivamongkol, constituency-based MP for Kalasin province.

MPs elected in the July 3 general election will also receive higher salaries at Bt113,560 (US$3,785) per month, a new pay rate, approved earlier, which has just taken effect for the new set of lawmakers.

The atmosphere at parliament was reportedly lively in welcoming the new MPs.

EC Secretary General Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn earlier said that the poll agency will consider endorsing the remaining MPs next week, with the last batch expected to be announced by July 28.

Under Thai law, the parliamentary session is required to open within 30 days from the election date, and is due on August 1.

The last cabinet meeting under outgoing premier Abhisit on Tuesday agreed in principle on a royal decree to open ordinary session of parliament, but the Secretariat of the Cabinet can only proceed when the poll agency officially endorses at least 95 per cent of the elected MPs or 475 out of 500 persons.

Meanwhile, Ms Yingluck, set to be the next prime minister, on Thursday dismissed rumours that the Pheu Thai No2 party-list candidate, party leader Yongyuth Vichaidit, is on standby to take the premiership in case she is not endorsed by the election agency.

Ms Yingluck urged all parties to wait and see the EC decision, while expressing confidence that the poll agency will carry out its duty fairly.

The youngest sister of ousted prime minister Thaksin said her legal team is now preparing information to defend her in case the EC asks for clarification.

The EC secretary-general earlier said Ms Yingluck’s MP endorsement is delayed due to complaints of the involvement of banned politicians during her election campaign rallies, while Mr Abhisit was faulted for allowing the organisation of a trade fair of low priced consumer goods during advance voting in Samut Prakan province.

The outgoing prime minister on Thursday said that so far the EC has not notified him about the allegation, but he said he stands ready to defend himself against any complaint.

Mr Abhisit argued that the trade fair was organised as concerned state agencies wanted to sell low-priced products to consumers. He said he had already instructed all politicians not to engage in the matter when the cabinet agreed in principle to approve the project.

The Democrat No1 party-list MP said he is confident that he will be able to defend himself before the EC and that he had no intention to breach the law. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-14

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POST-ELECTION

New Govt boosts consumer confidence

By Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Thai consumer confidence index increased to 81.7 points in June, rising for two consecutive months to the highest level in four years as consumers expect better economic conditions on the back of the new government's policies.

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce survey showed that consumer confidence slightly increased from 80.4 points in May. Boosting the confidence were lower fuel prices, increased export growth, stable agricultural commodity prices, and higher interest rate.

However, UTCC's Economic and Forecasting Centre director Thanavath Phonvichai pointed out that the index is still fragile due to concerns over higher cost of living, political stability, and global economic recovery.

The new government promised a wide range of policies to boost the economy. Chief among them is the hike in minimum wage to Bt300 nationwide. Workers welcomed the move but fretted that the policy could raise goods prices and lead to layoffs.

-- The Nation 2011-07-14

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First Batch of Endorsed MPs to Report for Duty at Parliament

The Secretariat of Parliament has prepared to receive the first batch of certified MPs at the Parliament.

The Secretariat of Parliament has prepared the lobby area to receive the first batch of certified MPs.

The Election Commission recently endorsed 358 Mps-elect who are due to report for duty at Parliament.

They must also bring with them some form of identification including their ID cards, house registrations, marriage certificates, educational documents, and photographs.

To expedite the procedure, the newly elected lawmakers of the 24th House of Representatives could fill out the online form at Parliament's website.

The MPs will need to have their ID card photos taken at Parliament and will be given a handbook on Parliamentary regulations and procedures.

There is also a large welcoming banner hanging at the reception area, and an exhibition to promote national reconciliation among the lawmakers.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-14

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Yingluck: Yongyuth not her substitute

BANGKOK, 14 July 2011 (NNT) – Incoming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has brushed aside the rumour that her Pheu Thai Party has reserved its leader Yongyuth Wichaidit as the prime minister substitute in case of a political accident.

Ms Yingluck stated that she is waiting for the consideration of the Election Commission (EC) to certify MP status for her while Pheu Thai Party executives are not worried about this issue since it has not yet exceeded the time limit of 30 days that the EC must complete its process.

Rumour is spreading that the Pheu Thai Party has set its leader Yongyuth to be the next prime minister if the EC does not endorse MP status for Ms Yingluck, the number one party-list candidate of the party.

The incoming prime minister also played down the rumoured involvement of Khunying Potjaman Damapong, the ex-wife of her brother former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in the formation of the new cabinet line-up.

Ms Yingluck also confirmed that ex-Prime Minister Somchai and his wife Yaowapa Wongsawat did not take part in the election campaign of the Pheu Thai Party. She then expressed her confidence that the EC will be fair to her and her party.

Regarding a suggestion made by Army Chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha that the new defence minister should be a military officer, the incoming prime minister declined knowledge about the comment but said she welcomes opinions from everyone.

-- NNT 2011-07-14

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Air traffic control unveil new systems at Phuket Airport

Air traffic control officers at Phuket Airport now have among the most

advanced monitoring equipment in the country to guide approaching

aircraft in for a safe landing.

FLYING HIGH: (From left) Provincial Police Commander Pekad Tantipong

with Governor Tri Augkaradacha and Phuket Air Traffic Control Center

Director Somporn Petprasit officially open the new air traffic control center.

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Lawyer Persues Bail Effort for Red-shirt Leader

A red-shirt lawyer states he will try to seek bail for one of the group's core figures without waiting for an official endorsement of his MP status by the Election Commission.

Winyat Chartmontri, lawyer of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, disclosed that his team is brainstorming to find the best way to seek bail for Jatuporn.

Jatuporn can wait for an official endorsement from the Election Commission, or EC, of his MP status but that will have to be at least until next Tuesday when the EC meets again to decide on more endorsements, which may not even include his case.

The lawyer team said it will try to find alternative ways of getting Jatuporn to be released on bail before then.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court today held a hearing for Jatuporn as he has been accused of defamation by the Democrat Party's outgoing secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban.

According to Suthep, Jatuporn claimed Suthep ordered police to recruit 5,000 alien workers to wear red shirts and stir violence in order to defame the red-shirt movement.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-14

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POLITICS

Yongyuth "not on standby for leadership": Yingluck

By The Nation

PM candidate Yingluck Shinwatra on Thursday dismissed rumours that the Pheu Thai No2 partylist candidate, party leader Yongyuth Vichaidit, is on standby to take the premiership in case she is not endorsed by the EC.

Yingluck urged all parties to wait for the EC's decision and expressed confidence that the poll agency will carry out its duty fairly.

The youngest sister of ousted prime minister Thaksin said her legal team is now preparing information to defend her in case the EC asks for clarification.

The EC earlier said Yingluck's endorsement has been delayed due to complaints of involvement by banned politicians during her election campaign rallies, while Abhisit is accused of allowing the organisation of a trade fair of lowpriced consumer goods during advance voting in Samut Prakan province.

-- The Nation 2011-07-14

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Phuket prepares for Kathu Cultural Street Festival

A variety of cultural costumes will be on display at tomorrow's parade, starting at 5pm.

Phuket photographers will want to be on hand for the opening parade tomorrow, when

Kathu’s finest will be garbed in traditional ‘baba’ clothing.

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Clients Unworried about Case against DTAC

DTAC subscribers express no concern over the company facing charges of being foreign-owned.

Acting Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlabutr has confirmed that DTAC has breached the Foreign Business Act through the use of Thai proxies to hold shares for foreign owners.

The minister named seven discrepancies in the company, such as the fact that the company has a registered capital of 100,000 baht but is able to obtain a loan of up to 1,000 times of the amount.

Moreover, at DTAC's shareholder meetings, Thai shareholders, who have a 51-percent stake, are allegedly allowed to have one vote while foreign shareholders, who hold 49 percent of shares, have 49 votes.

The case originated when DTAC's business rival True Move filed a complaint claiming DTAC violated the foreign ownership law.

However, DTAC subscribers are not overly concerned about the situation as they believe the company will be able to clear the charges while the state should provide help for subscribers.

Some also said if there are problems, they can simply change their service provider.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-14

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AFP: Police raid Thai zoo in tiger smuggling probe

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Mr. Chumpol: Up to Pheu Thai to nominate Yongyuth as PM instead of Yingluck

BANGKOK, 14 July 2011 (NNT)-Chatthai Pattana Leader Mr. Chumpol Silapa-acha said he would only express political opinions once the Election Commission of Thailand has endorsed the rest of the to-be MPs’qualifications within 30 days.

Mr. Chumpol refers to a report on the nomination of Mr. Yongyuth Wichaidit by Pheu Thai to take the helm of the government instead of Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra if a ‘political accident’ occurs that it is entirely up to Pheu Thai to make that decision.

He added that his party remained a good ally with Bhumijai Thai. He further said that he wished to see Thai politics going in the right direction to bring reconciliation to the country.

-- NNT 2011-07-14

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Ex-defense volunteer shot dead in Pattani

PATTANI, July 14 – A former Thai government defense volunteer was gunned down Thursday at a tea shop in the southern province of Pattani, according to local police.

Adeunan Maming, 33, was shot in his torso and forehead while drinking tea at a shop in Yarang district, according to Pol Col Uthai Tipsopa of Ban Sarong police station.

According to a preliminary investigation, two men on a motorcycle parked their vehicle in front of the teashop. Then, one of them walked into the shop and fired at the defense volunteer four times. The victim immediately died at the crime scene.

The motive behind the killing is under investigation.

The violence has intensified and occurs on an almost daily basis in Thailand's insurgency-plagued southern border region of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, since erupting in 2004. So far, the unrest claimed more than 4,300 lives. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-14

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UK study says children born in 2009 can expect to live 20 years more than children born in 1930

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SET index closed at 1079.91, up 2.51; Bt/USD30.00; GBP48.29; AUD32.06; EUR42.56; CAD31.14; HKD3.85; SGD24.49; JPY37.93

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EC to endorse more MPs-elect Tuesday

The Election Commission will endorse a new batch of MPs-elect by Tuesday and issue red and yellow cards for those found to have violated campaign rules, EC secretary general Suthiphon Taweechaiyagarn said Thursday.

"The EC does not try to fault any specific individuals but is obliged to check the balloting outcome being contested," he said, explaining why 358 of 500 MPselect were endorsed last week.

-- The Nation 2011-07-14

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Jatuporn: No intention to discredit Suthep over the Red Shirt rally

ฺBANGKOK, 14 July 2011 (NNT)-UDD Core Leader Mr. Jatuporn Prompan said he had never intended to discredit Democrat Secretary-General Mr. Suthep Tuegsuban over the alleged attack on the Red Shirt by a group of 5,000 immigrants whom the rumor claimed to have been hired to pose as Red Shirt demonstrators before instigating chaos.

Mr. Suthep has filed a lawsuit against Mr. Jatuporn for making a false claim that he was telling the police to gather 5,000 immigrants and had them put on red shirts before asking them to mingle with the demonstrators on 10 December 2009.

The claim by Mr. Jatuporn also said that they were told to create chaos in an attempt to lead the public to believe that it was done by the Red Shirt. In his response to Democrat Secretary-General, Mr. Jatuporn said in the court he held a press conference to make sure no third party would be trying to do the same to the Red Shirt.

Mr. Jatuporn told the Criminal Court that before the Red Shirt rally took to the street, police had been told in advance to make sure it would be held in peace. He added that both he and Mr. Suthep upheld different principles in politics and believed both sides had done nothing outside of the political frameworks. However, witnesses would be asked to provide evidence in this case on 22 September 2011.

-- NNT 2011-07-14

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Stock Analysts Fear Setback from Delayed Govt Formation

The Securities Analysts Association has raised some concern over the current delay in the formation of the government, claiming that it may hurt investors' confidence.

The association also believes that the 300-baht daily minimum wage policy will force manufacturers to relocate their production base elsewhere and damage the overall economy.

Secretary general of the Securities Analysts Association, Sombat Narawuthichai, said investors' confidence will be hampered by any delay in setting up the new government.

He added that the longer it takes to appoint the prime minister and Cabinet members, the more investors' confidence will be affected.

The association has also conducted a survey among a number of analysts from brokerage firms.

According to the results, most opposed the 300-baht daily minimum wage, the 15,000 baht starting monthly salary for state employees and abolishing of the state Oil Fund.

Instead, most analysts wanted the new government to focus on tax and education policies.

They also said that only the most suitable individuals with good credibility and performance records should be appointed to the Cabinet.

From the survey, about 90 percent of the respondents have confidence in the stability of the Pheu Thai-led government.

However, some are still concerned about the Eurozone public debt crisis which has started to worsen and has expanded to larger economies.

Because of this, analysts predicted a moderate growth for the Thai economy this year.

Compared to the results of the survey in April, most expected the Stock Exchange of Thailand to reach 1,197 points by the year-end, increasing from an earlier projection of 1,181 points.

They also anticipated the total trade value by foreign investors in the latter half of the year at more than 34 billion baht.

In addition, analysts predicted that the Thai economy will grow by 4.3 percent this year and 4.7 percent in 2012.

The SET's average price to earning ratio is expected to rise to 16.7 percent by the year-end, an increase from 13.8 percent in the previous survey.

They also expected the repurchase rate to be hiked to 3.6 percent by the end of the year and inflation at 4 percent.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-14

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New high speed rail link plans revealed at North Pattaya meeting

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Two dead, one injured in North Pattaya Motel shootout:

Man shot dead in remote field in Banglamung:

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Dual currency debit card launched in Thailand

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Germany seizes Thai Crown Prince's aircraft in debt dispute

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Thailand slams Germany for holding prince's plane

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Thailand Live Friday 15 Jul 2011

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