Thailand Live Monday 18 Jul 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 18 July 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 16 Jul 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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World Champion Thai Fighters to Star at Major New Mixed Martial Arts Show

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Thailand to table more documents on royal jet

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Hands off Cabinet selection, people tell Thaksin: poll

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3G battle set to begin as real move and CAT are poised to launch service

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ICJ ruling due today on Preah Vihear

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Thai students bag gold at olympiads

By The Nation

Five Thai highschool students scooped medals at the 42nd International Physics Olympiad, with one gold medalist Thipok Rakamnuaykij earning the highest score ever for Thailand, second in a world's ranking to the Taiwanese overall winner.

In another event, the 22nd International Biology Olympiad held in Taiwan, four Thai students won four medals including two golds. The first event, held in Bangkok, ends today, and the second ended yesterday. The Thai students and delegates are due to return to Thailand last night on a THAI flight.

In the 2011 IPHO, Thipok, of Sathit Pathumwan School, made a history for Thailand by earning second highest unspecified scores to an unnamed Taiwanese student, who are among 200 competitors from across the globe taking part in the annual event held at Chulalongkorn University.

Thailand's best ranking in the IPHO event is the fifth in a previous event. The sponsorship and support to enhance skills of straightAThai students have been initiated by late HRH Galyani Vadhana and is now under patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The other gold medalists are Kamphol Akkharawarawong, of Mahidol Witthayanusorn School in Nakhon Pathom, and Phakhaphol Supphanirattisai, of Bangkok's Triam Udom Suksa. Phongsaphak Sawasdirak, won a silver and Jirat Jirawitchitchai, won a bronze, with both also representing Triam Udom Suksa.

In the International Biology Olympiad event, gold medalists are Natthawut Adulyanukosol and Suphassorn Amornmaneerat, both of Mahidol Witthayanusorn, as is silver medalist Khanat Janthongdee. Another silver medalist is Atchariya Wiphatthanakitjaroen, of Triam Udom Suka.

-- The Nation 2011-07-18

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Bad weather hampers helicopter crash recovery

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Thailand as International Education Hub: Challenges and Opportunities

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Pheu Thai could be dissolved for not acting on poll vows

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Monk arrested

A prominent abbot in Chiang Mai province was arrested yesterday for allegedly selling amphetamine tablets inside a Buddhist temple.

Embarrassed about his wrongdoing, the 46-year-old monk agreed to be disrobed.

Police Major Pipat Naradej of the province's Chang Phuek police station led a team of narcotics suppression police to arrest the abbot, Phra Chatchawal Chotidhammo of Ratchamontian temple. The abbot confessed that he sold crystal methamphetamine to a group of gay men. Previously, police had attempted to arrest him several times but did not have strong enough evidence to take legal action against him.

But yesterday's police operation found several packages crystal methamphetamine tablets, many used and unused condoms and Bt80,000 cash in his personal room at the temple. "He was surfing porn websites when police arrested him," Pipat said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-18

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International Olympiad on Saturday

By The Nation

The opening ceremony of the 23rd International Olympiad in Informatics or IOI 2011 will be held on July 23.

The international competition is hosted by Thailand, and it will be attended by students from 82 countries.

It will run from July 2229 at Royal Cliff Beach Resort Pattaya in Chon Buri province.

Thais are invited to cheer their Thai competitors.

To get updates of what is hapฌpening at the competition and see the scores of each team, visit www.ioi2011.or.th.

-- The Nation 2011-07-18

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EC likely to disqualify Pichit as MP candidate

By Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

Thaksin's former lawyer Pichit Chuenban is unlikely to be endorsed as Pheu Thai party-list MP because he was not qualified as an MP candidate as he has been out of jail for only two years.

According to Article 102 of the Constitution, those who have been released from jail for less than five years are not qualified to apply as MP candidates.

The Supreme Court found Pichit guilty of contempt of court for his attempt to bribe court officials with Bt2 million and he was sentenced to six months in jail in June 2008.

However, some lawyers interpreted that Pichit was jailed by "the court's order" not because of "the verdict", so Phichit might not be disqualifed.

By law, a case under contempt of court could be sentenced by court order, rather than conviction.

Pichit refused to give an interview on the matter, reasoning the Election Commission is considering a decision on the case. However, he believed the EC would give a fair decision.

Other red-shirt leaders facing MP candidate qualification problems - Nattawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiputhalaeng Pattanapumthai, Payap Panket and Korkaew Pikulthong - are likely to be endorsed because they were not jailed on election day.

The Constitution prohibits jailed people from casting their ballots, but they retain the right to apply for candidacy. Jatuporn Promphan, therefore, has full rights as a candidate in the election.

However, the red-shirt leader was in jail and could not exercise his voting rights. Jatuporn had notified the EC by letter of the reason why he could not exercise his right due to his imprisonment.

It is now up to the EC to decide on his MP qualification.

-- The Nation 2011-07-18

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Details leak out about iPhone 5

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Democrat candidate to seek new ballot count in Nakhon Nayok

Democrat's failed candidate in Nakhon Nayok, Charnchai Issarasenarak, said Sunday he would file a complaint with the Election Commission on Monday to seek a recount of ballots in his province.

Charnchai said he had checked lists of voters, who cast votes, and number of counted ballots in 17 out of 463 polling stations in the provinces and found a discrepancy.

Charnchai said the number of counted ballots was 29 higher than the number of voters who cast votes at the 17 polling stations.

Charnchai said he believed the number of discrepancy could be higher if ballots were recounted at all the stations and the results might cause the winner to be changed as he was beaten by only 113 votes.

Charnchai said he has filed a suit with the Nakhon Nayok Court against six election officials, alleging them with falsifying documents. He said the court has agreed to conduct a trial.

He said he would inform the EC of the court's decision so that the EC would agree to recount the ballots. If not, he would file a lawsuit against the EC commissioners, alleging them with nonfeasance.

-- The Nation 2011-07-18

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US Embassy Bangkok's American Citizen Services is open for business today. /via@ACSBKK

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Surat Thani provincial councilor assassinated at temple fair; stray bullets kill 5-yr-old girl and injured 10 others /

F Ministry ready for Intl Court's verdict on Cambodia's petition for injunction to remove Thai soldiers from area around Preah Vihear /

Second Area Army steps up security at border with Cambodia and says villagers ready to evacuate should fighting break out /

State offices on holiday but banks, stock markets, and some private businesses remain open

/TAN_Network

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Thaivisa and sites hosted in SG experience slow access issues due to CAT Telecom routing traffic TH-SG via JP. Another day in paradise :-)

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Intl Court's verdict on Preah Vihear expected at 3pm; Foreign Minister Kasit to give press conference via phone at 5pm /TAN_Network

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Only 3 MPs Pick up Endorsement Papers on 4th Day

Yesterday was the fourth day that endorsed MPs could report for duty and only three MPs showed up.

Yesterday was the fourth day that MPs could report for duty after being officially endorsed by the Election Commission, or EC, but only three MPs showed up, namely Pheu Thai Ubon Ratchathani MP Chuwit Pitakpornpanlop, Pheu Thai Si Sa Ket MP Thira Traisaranakul, and Chart Thai Pattana Suphan Buri MP Sorachad Sujit.

So far, a total of 247 MPs have reported for work out of the 358 who have been endorsed by the EC.

Leaving111 MPs who have not shown up yet.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong Nopparit called on the EC to complete its endorsement of the election results within 30 days as stipulated by law, otherwise the House will not be able to convene to select a prime minister.

An ABAC Poll has found that the majority of respondents are not happy that Pheu Thai top party-list MP-elect Yingluck Shinawatra has still not been officially endorsed as they want a new government in place as soon as possible.

Prompong also spoke about the red-shirt MP-elects, saying that the EC has already ruled that they had the qualifications required to run in the election, so they should be endorsed as MPs.

He is of the view that the Democrat’s complaints against the candidacy of these individuals as an attempt to slow down the endorsement process and is calling on the EC to abide by the law when ruling on these complaints.

Pheu Thai Party itself has also submitted a complaint against Democrat acting leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Bhumjaithai Secretary-General Porntiva Nakasai for possibly violating the election law with their approval of holding blue flag cheap goods fairs while serving in their capacity as prime minister and commerce minister.

Prompong said he will submit a video clip and pictures as additional evidence to the EC tomorrow.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-18

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Upbeat Prospects for Tourism Industry This Year

The Tourism and Sports permanent-secretary is ready to join hands with the new government and tourism organizations in mapping out strategies to develop the industry to achieve its target of 20 million tourist arrivals this year.

Tourism and Sports Permanent-Secretary Sombat Kurupan said he wants to sit down with the new government and tourism organizations to discuss how to improve the skills of people in the tourism industry and map out a clear strategy for the industry to be able to increase the salaries of service workers in the future, while making sure operators can absorb the higher cost.

He said the Tourism and Sports Ministry wants the new government to help in terms of developing personnel and allocating budget monies to support the tourism industry since it is a major driver of the economy.

The government should also address the effects of the ASEAN Economic Community to be officially established in 2015.

The permanent-secretary is upbeat about this year’s outlook for the industry, barring any natural disasters or political unrest.

He expects tourist arrivals of more than 20 million for the year, generating around 600 billion baht in revenue.

Sombat presided over the launch of a tourism and sports fair over the weekend at Impact, Muang Thong Thani.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-18

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Trade Chamber Demands Anti-corruption Measures from New Govt

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is calling on the incoming government to tackle corruption after delivering its policy address to Parliament.

Thai Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Pongsak Asakul thanked the Pheu Thai Party for identifying corruption as one of its seven urgent issues to tackle once it assumes power.

He said policies against corruption should be rolled out immediately after the new government gives its policy address before Parliament and assured the Chamber’s full cooperation.

Pongsak said the private sector wants to see unity return to the country again because with rising competition on the global stage, unity in Thailand will help the country weather any problems and changes it may face and bring about prosperity.

Pongsak said entrepreneurs have expressed concerns about the incoming government’s policy to raise the daily minimum wage to 300 baht as that would greatly increase costs for manufacturers, particularly SMEs, which make up the majority of the country’s businesses.

He is calling for policies to help offset the repercussions to SMEs as well as to both Thai and foreign investors because not having them may result in manufacturers relocating their production base to other countries with cheaper wages.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-18

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Thai stocks opened Mon.1,085.88,up 5.97pt /via@Biz_TheNation:

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Entrepreneurs: Minimum Wage Hike to Spark Unemployment

Small business operators expressed concern over the new government's plan to increase the minimum wage rate as the measure could affect goods prices and the unemployment rate.

During the recent election campaign, the Pheu Thai Party said they would increase the minimum wage rate for workers to 300 baht per day.

However, the measure is being widely opposed by many sectors including tourism, restaurants, and the service sector.

All sectors said that a sudden increase in the wage rate would push up their cost of production.

They said entrepreneurs will eventually have to pass on the costs to consumers by increasing goods prices, or decreasing the number of employees.

As for workers, they've expressed satisfaction over the proposed measures, but are also concerned about being laid off as businesses may need to reduce labor costs by cutting jobs.

Moreover, people expressed concern that increasing the minimum wage rate would encourage businesses to hire alien workers, which would lead to more social problems.

Next week, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, or JSCCIB, will discuss the issue and report to the new government the pros and cons of increasing the worker's minimum wage rate.

Studies found that 90 percent of the 513 businesses surveyed, covering 40 industrial sectors in Thailand, will be affected by the measure and in response they say they will likely decrease their number of employees.

Large industries are likely to decrease their workforce by 27.33 percent, while 16.9 percent said the measure could force them to close down.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-18

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Police Nab Cambodian Immigrants in Hopes of 300-baht Daily Wage

Nakhon Ratchasima police arrested a group of Cambodians who snuck into the Kingdom in the hopes of receiving 300-baht daily wages.

Police nabbed 14 male and 2 female Cambodians, who are natives of Banteay Meanchey Province, as they were boarding a bus from Surin Province going to Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

The arrested aliens said they were heading to work at steel factory in Chonburi Province after they each paid 3,000 baht in commission fees.

The Cambodians said their daily wage in Cambodia is only around 50 to 80 baht, while the work they did in Chonburi two years ago paid them 180 baht a day.

Police said the illegal immigrants will be charged with illegal entry and will be deported back to Cambodia.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-18

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3 Killed in Latest Drive-by Shooting in Yala Province

Violence continues to grip southern Thailand as three rubber traders were killed in a drive-by shooting in Raman District of Yala Province yesterday.

Police, bomb squad and military officers investigated the scene of a shooting that resulted in the death of three rubber traders on Raman-Talohalor Road in the area of Baan Thung Khamin in Raman District of Yala Province.

The three victims were 34-year-old Abdulloh Musor, 35-year-old Mareepeng Sadaree and 37-year-old Malawi Mulor.

Their bodies were found riddled with M-16 and AK-47 bullets.

The police collected 20 bullet shell casings and numerous empty M-16 magazines.

According to the initial inquiry, police belieev that the three were buying rubber from planters when at least three gunmen, traveling in a pick-up truck, sprayed them with bullets.

The police suspect a southern militant group is responsible for the shooting and that they intended to instigate chaos, though they have not ruled out personal conflict as a possible motive.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-18

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Chiang Rai police killed suspected drug dealer in shootout and confiscated narcotics worth more than Bt300 mln /TAN_Network

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Atmosphere at Thai-Cambodian Border Peaceful

Cambodians and Thais along border are hoarding necessity items in case an armed confrontation breaks out after the World Court finalizes the Preah Vihear temple case today.

This morning, the atmosphere at the border is lively as a large number of Cambodians are crossing the Thai border at the Pu Singh District in Si Sa Ket Province to buy necessary goods, especially dried food and daily goods.

In Kab Cheng District, Surin Province, the border situation has come alive again after it was quiet for almost 3 months after the latest confrontation at the border.

Locals are fearful that a violent confrontation could erupt after Cambodia filed a petition to the International Court of Justice, demanding that Thailand withdraw all troops from around the temple, unconditionally.

Meanwhile, Thai troops remain in the Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province to defend the nation's sovereignty.

Recently, Cambodia also steped up its forces around Preah Vihear Temple and have stationed at least 5 tanks there.

Moreover, Cambodia has constructed a road behind Wat Kaew Sikka Keeree Sawalak in order to facilitate troop mobility to the Preah Vihear Temple.

Consequently, Thailand is monitoring all of Phnom Penh's movements.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-18

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Public Health Ministry orders hospitals near Thai-Cambodian border to be prepared with medical supplies in case of emergency as ICJ rules on Cambodian border issue today /MCOT