Thailand Live Monday 25 Jul 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 25 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 23 Jul 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Real move targets 1 million subscribers

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

No amnesty for just one man : opposition MP Purachai

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Thai Revenue Department ready to cut corporate tax

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I'll pick my own cabinet : Yingluck

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Third crash stuns Army

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EDITORIAL

Thaksin's Apology to the South a lame bid for sympathy

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Flood wreaks havoc in Lampang, Phichit

By The Nation

Many areas in Lampang and Phichit were submerged by flash floods yesterday due to heavy torrential rains. Homes, farms and public facilities were destroyed.

Over 200 rai of rice farms in five villages in Lampang's Maung Pan district were totally submerged by the floods.

Roads were also damaged by flood water. Local agencies dispatched officials to survey the damage and help affected people.

The level of flood water in Ma Ta Brook is expected to rise higher in the coming days. Meanwhile, the flash flood from Phetchabun Mountain damaged hundreds of homes in Phichit's Tambon Tab Klo.

The flood also destroyed hundreds of homes in Talad Tai community and fifteen homes in Suan Pho community. The level of flood water rose very quickly in a few hours and was about 40 centimeters high. People had to move all their belongings to higher areas to prevent further damage.

-- The Nation 2011-07-25

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Forest resorts to fight Thai govt eviction moves

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British Police Seek DNA Test On Academic In Connection With Abuse And Murder Of Backpacker In Thailand

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Three Killed, One Injured In Bell 212 Helicopter Crash

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JUST IN -- Strong earthquake strikes the New Ireland Region of PNG; happened 11 minutes ago; preliminary 6.3 to 6.5 (BNONews) /via@mpoppel

Details from PNG quake still coming in.. preliminary estimates between 6.3 and 6.9 now. Dept about 30-40 kms. (BNONews)

No USGS or tsunami warning center magnitude so far (BNONews)

/via@mpoppel

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Attorney-General's Office confirms Germany hasn't impounded 2nd Thai plane as speculated; plane in question also doesn't belong to Air Force

/TANN_Network

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Survivor from Bell 212 helicopter crash yesterday in stable condition but still suffering from back pain /

Bodies of 9 victims of Black Hawk crash brought to Tungladya Temple in Kanchanaburi for bathing rites /

/TAN_Network

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Remains of seven killed in downed Black Hawk arrive Kanchanaburi

KANCHANABURI, July 25 -- The remaining seven victims who died in the Black Hawk helicopter crash in Phetchaburi province were transferred to the Surasee 9th Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi Sunday night after rescue workers successfully retrieved the remains from the heavily-forested border site on Sunday.

The operation to retrieve all nine bodies in the Black Hawk crash was completed Sunday after a third helicopter crash occurred Sunday morning, raising the death toll of the three helicopter crashes in nine days to 17, with one soldier injured.

The seven bodies moved, after being airlifted from the forest accident site, were taken to the Surasee 9th Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi by truck, instead of helicopter, arriving at 9.45pm.

The process for official identification was be completed early Monday and the bodies then transported to Wat Thung La Ya for funeral rites.

The nine who died in the downed Black Hawk are 9th Infantry Division commander Maj-Gen Tawan Ruangsri, 1st pilot Maj Praphan Chiamsungnoen, 2nd pilot Maj Chuphan Phonwan, flight mechanic Sgt-Maj 1st Class Somkid Wongtasaeng, second mechanic Sgt Aram Pongsing, Capt Jate Sudjai, Capt Chakraphan Bamrungphuet, L/Cpl Ithisak Hinasuth and Channel 5 television cameraman Sornwichai Kongtannukul.

Gen Tawan and Sornwichai were earlier the only two whose bodies were successfully retrieved from the forest on Saturday as the transfer of remaining seven bodies was delayed to Sunday because of inclement weather and the challenging topography of the crash site, which is located in a steep valley.

Meanwhile, the bodies of three soldiers killed in the third helicopter crash Sunday arrived at Anandamahidol Hospital in Lop Buri and funeral rites were to be held at Wat Dong Sawong.

Their Bell 212 helicopter crashed Sunday during a mission to support the operation to retrieve the remaining bodies of seven soldiers killed in the Black Hawk crash last Tuesday.

Sunday’s crash killed two pilots, Maj Theerarat Kaewkramol and 1st Lt Purana Wangjai along with one mechanic Sgt Maj 1st Class Wichien Chantapat, and injured Sgt Pattanaporn Tonchan, the other mechanic.

The Black Hawk helicopter crashed last Tuesday inside Myanmar, near the Phetchaburi provincial border, during a mission to retrieve the bodies of five soldiers killed in an earlier Huey helicopter crash on July 16.

The five victims in the Huey crash are Maj Kiartsak Jeeniam, Maj Kitthipoom Ekkaphan, 1st Lt Prachaya Nuansri, Sgt Maj 1st Class Rangsan Chonsaibua and Sgt Maj 1st Class Narongdej Pongnoomkul.

The Huey helicopter had been on a rescue mission to airlift a group of rangers, journalists and suspected forest encroachers out of the forest in Kaeng Krajan National Park where they had been stranded for five days.

Foul weather conditions was blamed for both crashes while the Bell helicopter crash was being investigated. It was initially believed that it may have been caused by a malfunctioning engine. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-25

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,117.31, down 3.73 points /MCOT

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5 teachers, 2 volunteers injured in Yala bomb attack

Yala - Five teachers and two defence volunteers were injured in a bomb attack by insurgents in this southern border province Monday morning.

The insurgents detonated a homemade bomb with a remote control when the defence volunteers were escorting the teachers to the Limud School in Moo 3 village in Tambon Thasapa in Muang district at 8:07 am.

The bomb was hidden on a road side at the entrance of the school.

-- The Nation 2011-07-25

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Southbound BKK-Surat Thani train suspended after Kantang-Bangkok train derails in Phetchaburi; service expected to resume before noon /MCOT

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PM-to-be Denies Visiting Fugitive Brother to Wish Happy Birthday

The soon-to-be PM said she will not be visiting her fugitive sibling as he celebrates his 62nd birthday.

She also reiterated that party executives would play a major role in deciding on the new Cabinet line-up, saying that her brother would not being taking part in the process.

The Pheu Thai Prime Minister-to-be, Yingluck Shinnawatra, denied rumors that she would visit her brother, the fugitive former PM, Thaksin Shinnawatra, in Europe to celebrate his 62nd birthday on July 26. However, she will call him to wish him happy birthday instead.

In addition, Yingluck has said that the party will not discuss the formation of a Cabinet until the Election Commission endorses at least 475 MP-elects.

She reiterated that the Cabinet line-up will depend on the decisions of Pheu Thai Party executives, not the Shinnawatra family.

Although some MP-elects have visited Thaksin abroad, she stated that these visits are in regard to private matters, and are not concerned with the party's affairs.

Yingluck promised that the party would assign ministerial posts according to suitability, as she understands that the new Cabinet is the hope for a fresh start for most Thais.

Meanwhile, Love Thailand Party Leader and MP-elect, Chuwit Kamolvisit, called Yingluck's government the 'Family Cabinet'.

He strongly believes that Yingluck is just Thaksin's puppet.

He is also critical of other members of the Shinnawatra family, including Khunying Pojjaman Na Pompetch, Payab Shinnawatra, and Yaowapa Wongsawad, saying they have intervened in politics by taking some of the key Cabinet posts.

He has asked Thaksin to let Yingluck to govern the country herself.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25

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Army Chief: Third Chopper Crash Caused by Engine Malfunction

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Attorney-General Rejects Second Jet Seizure Claim

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NACC submits 50 boxes of documents to Supreme Court for suit against Apirak and 6 others in purchase of fire trucks and boats /TAN_Network

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ASTV: Abhisit denies Suthep is lobbying for Democrat Party members' support in voting for Apirak as secretary-general /TAN_Network

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BMA to launch 1555 facebook page

BANGKOK, 25 July 2011 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will launch Bangkok 1555 facebook page very soon in order to facilitate and offer people with an additional channel to file complaints to the BMA.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornthep Techapaibul stated that at present the BMA is improving the BMA hotline 1555 in order to increase its operational efficiency to receive complaints from people. He added that the new Bangkok 1555 facebook page will be launched very soon.

The deputy governor explained that the facebook page will enable complainants to post pictures as evidence to their cases directly while Bangkok officials in all districts will have greater convenience in monitoring the complaints on line and solving the problems more easily.

Mr Pornthep noted that the BMA will allow people to file complaints even via their smartphones as they can notify the spots of the problems via the Global Positioning System (GPS), making it easier and faster for BMA officials to be dispatched to the scenes of problems.

In addition, the BMA will link its complaint system with the Metropolitan Police Bureau in order to forward some related complaints to the police directly such as those on traffic law violation and others. The Metropolitan Police and the BMA hence will be able to communicate at ease.

People filing complaints to the BMA via the newly improved system also will be able to track and know the progress of their complaints filed. The new system is expected to be fully operational within the next three months.

-- NNT 2011-07-25

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Army Grounds All Helicopters Pending Safety Checks

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Thailand Extends Condolences to Victims of Attacks in Norway

The Foreign Ministry has condemned the deadly twin attacks in Norway and expresses condolences to the victim's families.

The Thai Foreign Ministry has condemned the attacks and the explosion in Oslo and mass massacres in Utoeya on July 22, caused large number of casualties.

In addition, Thai Government extends its condolences for this terrible event, saying that to attack innocent people is totally illegitimate.

Moreover, Prime Minister-to-be Yingluck Shinnawatra offered her condolences to the country and its people.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25

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Election Commissioner Hints Further Delay in MP Endorsement

An Election Commissioner is unsure whether her agency can complete the MP status endorsements for the elected candidates who are still awaiting approval before the deadline at the end of this month.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham dismissed reports that a member of Election Commission, or EC, allegedly joined a golf outing with a politician, claiming that none of the Election Commissioners play golf.

She added that suggestions from any investigative subcommittee do not necessarily have an influence on the EC's decision as her agency will adhere to the rule of law above all else.

Meanwhile, Sodsri is keeping quiet about details of their continued considerations on the status of MP-elects who have not been endorsed, including Porntiva Nakasai and other red-shirt MP candidates, at the next EC board meeting.

Regarding a by-election for those who were issued yellow cards, she said it might not be held this month and therefore, the endorsement process will have to be pushed back one week from the original deadline.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25

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Army Commander to Preside Over Funeral of Chopper Victims

The seven bodies of those who perished in the Black Hawk tragedy are being transported to Wat Toong Lardya after they are identified.

Yesterday, all seven bodies that were retrieved from the site of the recently downed Black Hawk were moved to Surasee Camp Hospital, Karnchanaburi Province.

This morning, all military men on board are being identified by a team of medical personnel led by Khunying Doctor Pornthip Rojjanasunan.

All of the bodies were temporarily being kept at Surasee training Camp in Kanchanaburi Province.

However, after the third helicopter crashed, the army was forced to end the all air missions.

Consequently, all of the bodies have been moved to Wat Toond Lardya in a military vehicle on ground.

Army Commander Region 1, Lieutenant General Udomdet Seetaboot, will preside over the funeral bathing ceremony.

In addition, the Privy Councilor, on behalf of his Majesty the King will conduct a royal bath for the military personnel.

The families will be able to take the bodies of their loved ones back to their hometown after the royal ceremony.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25

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Hit-and-run Victim's Relative Clarifies Mother's Testimony

In the latest developments concerning the victim of the unforgettable hit-and-run case, the woman's relatives are asserting that the mother of the victim did not identify the colonel as the person who hit the victim with his car as the deputy city police chief claimed.

Kosalang Wannarotpak, a relative of the hit-and-run victim, Doctor Hataipon Imwittaya, reiterated that the mother of the victim did not say that, Colonel Saksit Puklan, an Officer of Comptroller General officer, was the person who hit the victim, as was claimed by Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief, Police Lieutenant General Amnuay Nimmano.

Investigators at the Payathai Police Station on Friday unveiled security camera footage and other evidence that failed to prove that Colonel Saksit Puklan was the one who crashed into the victim, Doctor Hataipon Imwittaya.

Her relatives insisted they will file a complaint if investigators indict Colonel Saksit Puklan on only one charge, attempted murder.

As for the latest update on the health condition of the victim, physicians said the patient's condition continues to improve.

She is able to hum along with songs, but she is still not able to count from one to twenty correctly.

Doctors expect that the victim still needs more time to restore her brain functions.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25