Thailand Live Friday 22 Jul 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 22 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 Thursday 21 Jul 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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YINGLUCK GOVERNMENT

Tough choices ahead on the new Cabinet

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THAI To Use Amadeus Altea To Modify Booking System, Reduce Cost

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UPDATE

Govt will fight jet case : Kasit

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UPDATE

AIRLINE INDUSTRY

THAI expects recovery in third quarter

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UPDATE

ENVIRONMENT

40 more resorts face no-entry order for 'illegal' construction

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UPDATE

BLACK HAWK DOWN

Search intensified for Black Hawk

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DTAC in full gear for launching 3G service to the customers in August

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Phuket authorities to tackle illegal Russian, Korean tour agents

Capt Siramate Thanapansiri of the Phuket Tourist Police said the

task force is ready to start work as soon as they get the green light.

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ANALYSIS

With the new PM, what's in store for the Kingdom?

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EC Yet To Approve Hardcore Red Leaders As MPs; 32 Others Get Through

By JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRANG,

CHANIKARN POOMHIRUN

THE NATION

Despite holding a meeting that lasted nearly 10 hours yesterday, the Election Commission had still not decided to endorse Pheu Thai party-list members Jatuporn Promphan - who is in custody for lese majeste offences - as well as Nattawut Saikua and Payab Panket. All three are hardcore leaders of the red-shirt movement.

The EC, however, did give the nod to four other Pheu Thai Party candidates - Weng Tojirakarn, Korkaew Pikulthong, Wiphoothalaeng Patthanaphoomthai and Wichean Khaokham - who are also members of the red-shirt movement and took part in the violent protests last May.

Two non-red-shirt Pheu Thai candidates, Apiwan Wiiriyachai and Phichit Chuenban - who served a six-month prison term for attempting to bribe judges with Bt2 million in cash hidden in a bag of desserts - have also been endorsed.

The EC also approved another 32 MPs, who won votes in the July 3 election, thus making 402 MPs legitimate so far. At least 475 MPs out of a total of 500 are needed to commence Parliament.

Pheu Thai candidate Karun Hosakul of Bangkok's Constituency 12 has not been endorsed because the complaints lodged against him with the EC need to be verified.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai's top party-list MP Yingluck Shinawatra, who planned to pick up her documents at the EC headquarters today, asked the red shirts to respect the rules - saying she believed the commission would do its duty fairly. The election had passed and the group should let the political climate remain free and fair, she said.

Caretaker Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday also got documents endorsing him as an MP. Replying to reporters' questions on why the EC had not endorsed the red-shirt leaders, Abhisit said the group should not pressure the agency. Yingluck and Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit should take action to stop them from doing so, he said.

Abhisit said since the red shirts had supported the 1997 Constitution, the group should respect the EC, as it and the National Anti-Corruption Commission were formed as per that charter. Part of the red-shirt movement was calling for the reinstatement of the 1997 Constitution, while the current charter was an amendment of the 2007 Constitution.

The Election Commission met yesterday to consider endorsing the third batch of MPs who won the July 3 election.

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn had earlier said it was uncertain whether the red-shirt leaders would be considered yesterday.

"I admit I'm worried that some agencies are putting pressure on the EC. The EC follows procedures as stated by the law [and there's] no such thing as an 'invisible hand's interference'. There is still more time to consider [the endorsements] before the deadline," he said.

EC member Somchai Juengprasert, in charge of election investigations, said resolutions of the EC meetings should be respected by all - as he does - even though he disagrees sometimes. Somchai said the red shirts could pressure the EC, as long as they did not violate the law.

In separate reports, new elections have been ordered in Nong Khai and Sukhothai have been ordered.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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FDA tightens control over some cold and allergy medicines

By The Nation

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday declared three pseudoephedrinebased medicines used to treat colds and allergies as controlled drugs.

People will be permitted to buy them only from state and private hospitals where patients are admitted overnight.

The FDA's deputy secretarygeneral, Dr Pongphan Wongmanee, said the FDA's committee had decided to update the status of the three pseudoephedrinebased medicines - pseudoephedrine and triprolidine, pseudoephedrine and brompheniramine, and pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine - from dangerous to controlled drugs.

The FDA will ask the Cabinet to issue an announcement listing these three medicines as controlled drugs.

Additionally, FDA will also ask the drugs' importer and manufacturer to sell them only to state run hospitals and permitted private hospitals.

Pseudoephedrine substances have been used widely in the production of illicit methamphetamine drugs known as "speed" and "ice".

The drug watch agency strictly controlled the sales and distribution of pseudoephedrinebased medicines in drug stores.

The FDA will continue to monitor the inappropriate use of pseudoephedrinebased medicines and will charge people caught using this drug to produce methamphetamine.

Pongphan said the FDA had upgraded the status of a phenylephrinebased medicine used to treat nasal congestion, as not a dangerous drug, allowing people to buy it from any drug store.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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Integrity call to counter MPs' corruption

By Pakamas Jaichalard

The Nation

The Centre for the Promotion of National Strength and its networks yesterday proposed the new government and Parliament set July 22 of every year as "National Integrity Day".

The proposal was among four proposals issued at the fifth National Morals, Ethics and Values Assembly, said Doctor Poldej Pinprateep, president of the assembly.

The other three proposals demand the government announce: it would work transparently and issue policies promoting morality and honesty; it supports the centre's national integrity development plan (20122016) by establishing a Thai Integrity Fund, a specific purpose fund; and it would use integrity development guidelines to create politicians' ethics so as to force them to work transparently.

Poldej said a survey found corruption in Thailand had grown as the integrity of people in different careers decreased. It would affect the country's image, trade and investment.

"A Bangkok Poll conducted by economists in 26 leading agencies said not even a single political party had issued a serious anticorruption policy. This is a dangerous signal for our economic and social development," he said.

The assembly was held under the concept "Develop the Nation with Transparency, Develop Thais with Integrity" at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from yesterday to tomorrow (July2123).

The assembly is being attended by hundreds of representatives from 20 network agencies.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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Thai flood victims learned hard lesson in March devastation

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Compensation for redshirt riots

By The Nation

The period for applications for compensation by victims of military operations on violent redshirt protests last May ended yesterday, with 172 cases approved out of 243 applications filed, the Rights and Liberties Protection Department said yesterday.

Another 22 cases are "on hold" due to insufficient documentation from the victims or their relatives. Six of these will be reconsidered in the near future, said directorgeneral Suwana Sarajootha.

A total of Bt8.8 million has been paid out in the 172 cases approved. In addition, 21 of them were paid concurrrently or separately by insurance companies. The department mediated in counselling and negotiations in a number of cases where victims and insurance companies could not reach settlements.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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ALIEN LABOUR

Fishing industry wants illegals

By The Nation

Nearly 1m alien workers registered

The National Fisheries Association of Thailand (Nfat) wants the government to allow illegal alien workers who are waiting for deportation to fill vacant jobs in the fisheries sector.

"The sector needs 140,000 workers, but it can find only half of them," Nfat board member Mongkhon Sukcharoenthana said yesterday.

He said many fisheries operators had resorted to hiring illegal alien workers in the face of the labour shortage.

Nfat will inform the Labour Ministry of the need for labour in the fisheries sector in order that relevant authorities can provide an adequate quota of alien workers. "Then, there will be no need to hire illegal alien workers," he said.

Employment Department deputy directorgeneral Prawit Kiangphon said the Labour Ministry agreed with the fisheries operators' idea of recruiting alien workers. "We will discuss the details with the Nfat," he said.

Fishing operators have offered to provide employment contracts and to inform the alien workers of living and working conditions in advance, he said, adding that the department planned to inspect fishing trawlers to ensure proper working conditions.

Between June 15 and July 14, employers around the country have registered 984,535 alien workers with the authorities. Of these, 643,095 are Burmese, 238,586 are Cambodians, and 102,854 are Laotians.

Fishing operators have until August 13 to register their alien workers.

Prawit said his department was about to hire a company to collect the biological data of registered alien workers - a job that had to be completed within 120 days.

Three companies have tendered bids for the project and the lowest bidder will be selected.

"The biological data will include their facial pictures and fingerprints," Prawit said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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Police seek three more attackers

By The Nation

Three more men are wanted by police following an attack early this month on the shelters of poor people built on a large land plot north of Bangkok. A number of people are already in police custody and on wanted lists following the incident.

The latest three have been named as Pol Lance Corporal Saknarin Malawong, 43, Piya Phookjit, 48, and Ronnakrit Phithakkhongkha, 33. The men were identified from media footage.

The extensive 616rai (98.5 hectare) land plot in Pathum Thani is owned by influential businessman Thammanas Phromphao, who has been charged with ordering the attack and arson on July 2, and has been released on bail.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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Hit and run victim grateful to HRH

By The Nation

"Dr Muk", the Army physician recovering from serious injuries sustained in an alleged vicious hitandrun attack last month, yesterday expressed deep gratitude for a bouquet presented by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Dr Phannakorn Imwitthaya said she appreciated the princess' courteous condolences, upon receiving the flowers from Thanphuying Angkarb Bunyatthiti, a representative of the Princess, in a ceremony at the Armyrun Phramongkutkloa Hospital, where she works and was undergoing treatment.

Despite severe brain damage and multiple operations, Phannakorn is improving day by day and can now count from 1 to 20 and talk more intelligibly. Her speech should return to normal in six months, doctors said.

The roadrage victim and her mother would meet with Phya Thai police today to discuss the progress in her case, which was dragged out due to many still unsolved mysteries.

Details remain murky over whether the selfconfessed suspect, an Army man, was really the driver and hit her on purpose as he claimed in his statement to police.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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Egat urged to scrap Burma project

By The Nation

A network of environmentalists and villagers based in Chiang Rai are campaigning against a power plant project in Burma, and demanding that joint developer Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) withdraw from it.

At a meeting yesterday, representatives of hilltribe people in Burma said the Bt270billion project, involving a lignitefired power plant, had forced 3,000 people out of 20 villages and put them at risk of abuses by rival minority groups.

The groups demanded that Egat withdraw from the plan to jointly develop the MaiKok project in Burma and later purchase power produced by it for 15 years. They said Egat was also planning to jointly develop another power plant in Burma, from which it would buy electricity for 25 years.

Activist Montree Janthawong said the plants would probably emit toxic fumes and discharge harmful chemicals. Despite a request for information from a Thai coalmining company taking part in the projects, he never received answers.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

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Plans unveiled for Phuket’s long-awaited Patong tunnel

The plans provide for an elevated road stretching more than 500 meters.

Evacuation routes for people trapped in the tunnels by fire were also presented.

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Phuket police have doubts over mum’s suicide

Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers recover Ms Sawat's body,

which relatives have already claimed in order to hold her funeral

service in her home province of Surin. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

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Weather bureau warns of heavy rain in North, Northeast, and East and thunderstorm in BKK /TAN_Network

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Yingluck reports to EC at 10 before going to Parliament to report for duty; meets Pheu Thai MPs this afternoon at Miracle Grand Hotel /TAN_Network

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Suthep: Apirak suitable as new Democrat sec-gen

BANGKOK, 22 July 2011 (NNT) – Former Democrat Party Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban considers Mr Apirak Kosayodhin as the most suitable candidate for his replacement due to his extensive political experiences.

After his resignation as the Democrat Party Secretary-General, Mr Suthep voiced support for the appointment of Mr Apirak to the post as his successor. He pointed out that Mr Apirak had all the desired qualifications, both in terms of knowledge and ability, and had served in many political positions, including two terms as the Governor of Bangkok.

Regarding the case involving Mr Apirak’s allegedly illegal procurement of fire trucks, Mr Suthep believed it would not become a problem as evidence had suggested that the incident, in fact, took place before Mr Apirak assumed office. Personally, he was confident that the candidate would make an outstanding secretary-general for the Democrat Party.

Mr Apirak has confirmed his readiness to take charge of the secretary-general post if chosen even though he insisted that the decision would depend on the new executive board of the party, which would be set up on 6 August. As for the selection of the new Democrat Party leader, the former Bangkok Governor disclosed that most party members still had high hopes for Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva’s reappointment.

-- NNT 2011-07-22

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EC certifies 32 more MPs, 6 are UDD leaders

BANGKOK, 22 July 2011 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has endorsed the MP status for another 32 MP-elects, six of whom are core leaders of the red-shirt group, while more MPs are expected to be certified later today.

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Ratchaburi provincial councilor had a shootout with a rival at a bar, resulting in death of both and serious injury to another /TAN_Network

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EC to be sued if Jatuporn endorsed: Tul

By The Nation

Multi-coloured shirt leader Tul Sithisomwong on Friday threatened to sue the Election Commission for lapse of duty if red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan was endorsed as MP.

"The EC will face litigations in Criminal, Administrative and Elections courts for negligence," he said.

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,114.47, up 10.32 points /MCOT

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2 helicopters carrying 40-member rescue team to Kaeng Krajan National Park to search for fallen Black Hawk, relieving earlier teams /MCOT