Thailand Live Tuesday 26 Jul 2011

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INN: German Embassy asks Thailand to pay out compensation to maintain good relations; says impound of Thai plane has been resolved /TAN_Network

6 bodies from Black Hawk crash sent back to hometown for funeral services; Yingluck to attend Ch 5 cameraman's funeral in Lop Buri /TAN_Network

Chiang Mai red-shirts make merit for Thaksin's 62nd birthday; Yingluck wishes him good health /TAN_Network

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Royal Plane Seizure

German Embassy Presses Thai Govt to Pay

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Death toll in Norway attacks reduced to 76

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Man High on Drugs Arrested for Firing Pistol and Carjacking Van

A man was arrested after shooting a gun up in the air in the Ekkamai area and attempting to carjack a van to escape.

Klongton and Thonglor Police arrested 38-year-old Wirut Chiya-ut after the man fired a 9-millimeter gun into the sky in front of Sukhumvit Hospital in the Ekkamai area and carjacked a van to escape.

The man then hit a taxi near Major Cineplex Ekkamai while he was attempting a getaway.

The police shot out the van's tires to stop him before taking the man down and seizing his pistol, which had four bullets in the round.

The suspect was unable to communicate with officers as he was under the influence of drugs.

The police initially charged him with illegal possession of a firearm and firing a gun in public.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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Runoff and Rising River Water Hit Upper Central Region

Phitchit Province is being seriously affected by mountain run-offs, while Phitsanulok Province has been hit by rising water levels in the Yom River.

Mountain run-off from Phetchabun mountain has flooded the municipality of Tab Khlo District in the central Phichit Province, leaving more than 100 houses inundated in Talat Tai and Suan Pho villages.

The one-meter high water levels forced residents to relocate to higher ground. Volunteer security guards have been stationed there around the clock.

In Phitsanulok Province, more than 20 agricultural plots in Bang Rakam District have been submerged after dams made from the dirt and mud and sand bags were brought down by the raging Yom River.

A local village headman in the district said he asked residents to take pictures of their affected rice plantations and report the damage to provincial officials, as there has been no concrete assistance policy announced by the government yet.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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Army Chief Upset at Suspicion of Corruption in Chopper Accidents

The army chief urges the public to voice their opinion about the three consecutive chopper crashes cautiously, saying the accident has nothing to do with corruption as is being alleged.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has vioced disatisfaction over criticism from the public following the tragedy of choppers in Phetchaburi Province.

He insists that the incidents were not results of corruption in the armed forces as people have speculated.

Critics are accusing the armed forces of corruption in procuring sub-standard helicopters or sub-standard maintenance.

The army chief went on to say that the army strictly adheres to aviation rules, and that these accidents were really beyond anyone's control.

He vowed to improve the army's operations and is suspending all helicopter flights for the time being, until thorough maintenance for all aircrafts is complete.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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Thailand successfully breeds rare bird species, Great Argus

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Muslim man shot dead in Pattani

Pattani - A Muslim man was shot dead in front of his wife and six-year-old daughter in this southern border province Tuesday morning.

Waeharong Johmama, 30, was shot and killed while driving his pick-up truck on a village road in Banrosaning village in Tambon Baraho in Muang district at 7 am.

He was travelling with his wife and daughter.

His pick-up was stopped by another truck blocking the road and a pillion rider walked toward him and shot him at pointblank three times.

-- The Nation 2011-07-26

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AVIATION

TG Phuket flight forced to return to Bangkok due to bad weather

By The Nation

A Thai Airways International flight bound for Phuket was forced to return to Bangkok on Tuesday after failing to land at Phuket International Airport due to bad weather.

TG flight 201, which was full, left Suvarnabhumi Airport at 8.30am and was scheduled to land at Phuket 9.20am.

However, faced with heavy rains just before the aircraft was about to land at Phuket airport, the pilots decided to head back to Bangkok for safety reasons.

The passengers were informed after landing in Bangkok that THAI officials would check the weather this afternoon and then make a decision whether to fly to Phuket

-- The Nation 2011-07-26

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Engine problems force Singapore A380 superjumbo to turn back

Singapore - An A380 superjumbo operated by Singapore Airlines Ltd was forced to return to Singapore airport after experiencing engine problems about 20 minutes into the flight, a spokeswoman for the airline said Tuesday.

One of the plane's four engines shut down after encountering "surge and high vibration" as the plane was ascending on its way to Hong Kong late Monday, the spokeswoman said.

The A380 with 368 passengers and 21 crew on board returned to Singapore and landed safely at 11.17 am (0317 GMT), about one hour after takeoff, she said. No one was injured.

The incident was the latest in a series of troubles involving the A380, made by European manufacturer Airbus SAS, and equipped with engines by Rolls-Royce Group Plc.

In November, an A380 flown by Australian airline Qantas was forced to a safe emergency landing in Singapore after an engine explosion.

Last month, a Singapore Airlines superjumbo had to return to Hong Kong due to problems with a landing gear.

Singapore's flag carrier was the first airline to operate the A380 in October 2007.

It currently has a fleet of 12 A380s in service with seven more on firm order.

-- The Nation 2011-07-26

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Yingluck wishes brother Thaksin happiness, good health

Prime minister-in-waiting Yingluck Shinawatra Tuesday wished her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a very happy birthday.

Tuesday is Thaksin's 62 birthday anniversary and red-shirt people in several provinces held religious rites at temples to pray for him.

Yingluck said she wished Thaksin to have much happiness and good health.

-- The Nation 2011-07-26

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Apirak proclaims his innocence in fire vehicle purchase

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UPDATE

GERMANY

German embassy demands payment of debt

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Renown Filmmaker Plans Epic Adaptation of Rashomon

After success with Chua Fah Din Sa Lai, or Eternity, Pandevanop Devakul, a renown Thai filmmaker, is working on an epic adaptation of Rashomon, a classic Japanese film.

Umong Pha Muang, or “The Outrage” in English will be the 10th film directed by Pandevanop Devakul, a renowned Thai film director.

The film is an adaptation of Rashomon and commemorates the 100th birthday of the late Kukrit Pramoj, who translated Akira Kurosawa's Oscar-winning classic into Thai language.

The film also marks the 40th anniversary of Sahamongkol Film International.

The Outrage is set approximately 700 years ago during the Lanna period.

Just like the original, the film is a crime mystery involving a warrior, a bandit and a beautiful princess.

Pandevanop's previous film, Chua Fah Din Sa Lai, or Eternity, received great critical acclaim.

The cast and production crew of the film was made up of people who have collaborated with Pandevanop in the past including, Ananda Everingham, Chermarn Boonyasak, Mario Maurer and Pongpat Wachirabunjong.

Umong Pha Muang is an adaptation of Rashomon, which was translated into Thai language by Kukrit Pramoj, who was a statesman and national artist honored by UNESCO as one the World's Important Historical Figures.

The film will also have a story based on Buddhist philosophy.

It is currently being filmed in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lamphang Provinces and is due to open on September 8.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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Palang Chon Party Denies Eyeing Tourism Ministry

Palang Chon Party has dismissed reports that the party has its eyes on the Tourism and Sports ministerial seat.

Sonthaya Khunpleum, leader of a faction within the Palang Chon Party, said the coalition parties are waiting for the Election Commission to endorse 475 MPs before they start discussing the allocation of Cabinet seats.

He added coalition partners preliminarily agreed on supporting Yingluck Shinawatra to be nominated and voted as Thailand's next prime minister.

Meanwhile, Sonthaya dismissed reports that Palang Chon has demanded to be given the ministerial post in the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

He said Palang Chon will welcome posts in any ministries and that it will be able to appoint the right man to the right job.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry was under the supervision of Chart Thai Pattana Party in the Democrat-led government.

Wanchai Jaisakul, deputy director of the Election Commission's election administration department, called on eligible voters to cast ballots in two by-elections for Nongkhai's Constituency 2 and Sukhothai's Constituency 3.

The by-elections will be held on July 31.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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Supporters Celebrate Thaksin's Birthday

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PM-to-be Denies Thaksin's Role in Forming Cabinet

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Army wants to buy new helicopters to replace old ones

ฺBANGKOK, 26 July 2011 (NNT)-Army Commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha is asking the new government to allocate more budget for the procurement of new helicopters to replace the old fleet.

According to the Army Commander, the accident is part of the military operations while also saying that Thailand is lacking sufficient funds for artillery compared to others in the region.

He added that the Army was not supported by the government in its previous decision to buy 30 helicopters to replace its existing Huey helicopters. He is planning to propose to the new government for a budget allocation to buy new helicopters next year.

Meanwhile, he explained that some time he was being aggressive in his speech because he needed to showed his leadership and protected the reputation of the Army. He asked the public to understand where he was coming from and support the Army.

-- NNT 2011-07-26

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Poll Ballots Found Dumped in Ratchaburi

Used election ballots were found in a plastic bag dumped near an irrigation canal in Ratchaburi Province.

Ratchaburi's Baan Pong police inspected the area next to the irrigation canal on Sai Tah Pha Road in Ratchaburi's Baan Pong District.

Police acted on a tip eceived from a local villager.

The village told police that a plastic bag full of the pink constituency ballots was discovered underneath a shrine near the irrigation canal.

The Baan Pong p-olice found 135 used ballots and 30 destroyed ballots in the plastic bag.

Commander of the Baan Pong police station Police Colonel Chartchai Na-thueng said police have already informed the Ratchaburi Election Commission Office of the discovery.

The ballots will be delivered to the local poll panel for further examination.

The conclusion on the origin of the ballots has yet to be made.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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Apirak to remain in race for Democrat secretary-general post

Apirak Kosayodhin Tuesday vowed to defend his name and to not give up his chance for the Democrat Party's secretary-general position over the fire-vehicle purchase scandal, which prompted him to step down as Bangkok governor a few years ago.

"I have already showed my responsibility when I decided to resign from the Bangkok-governor post on November 19, 2008," Apirak said.

He was speaking at a press conference a day after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) lodged a complaint against him and five other defendants over the scandal with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

-- The Nation 2011-07-26

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Helicopter Crash Survivor's Condition Improves

The condition of the sole survivor of the latest army Bell 212 helicopter crash, has improved.

He is expected to be discharged from the intensive care unit later today.

Colonel Peerapol Pokpong, director of the Emergency Department at Phra Mongkutklao Hospital revealed the condition of Sergent Pattanaporn Tonchan, the mechanic who survived the latest army Bell 212 helicopter crash in Kaeng Krachan District of Petchaburi Province has improved constantly.

He has regained his speech.

The crash victim is expected to be furthered examined for internal and bone injuries.

In any case, his doctor assured the media that Pattanaporn is not in any pain but he is still in shock from the accident.

He is currently undergoing treatment by a psychiatrist.

Pattanaporn could be discharged from the intensive care unit later today.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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Phuket flight forced back to Bangkok now on the ground in Phuket

The Thai Airways 747-400 arrived safely in Phuket early this afternoon.

Photo: Christoph Filser

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SET index closed at 1121.63, down 5.95; Bt/USD29.55; GBP48.17; AUD32.17; EUR42.73; CAD31.15; HKD3.79; SGD24.38; JPY37.67

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As from Aug 1, AoT will move domestic flight operation services at Don Mueang Int'l Airport from Domestic Terminal to Terminal 1 /MCOT

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EC orders recount of votes in Yala's constituency 2; postpones additional endorsements of MP-elects to tomorrow /TAN_Network

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EC Set to Endorse Remaining MP's Tomorrow

Thailand's Election Commission is prepared to endorsed the remaining number of MP's ahead of next week's deadline for the first Parliament session.

Reports indicate that among the names to be endorsed tomorrow are Jatuporn Phrompan and Porntiva Nakasai.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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People in risky zones warned of flashfloods during Aug-Nov

BANGKOK, 26 July 2011 (NNT) – The National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) has cautioned people living in risky areas of possible flashfloods and mudslides during August to November this year due to tropical storms.

NDWC Director Group Captain Somsak Khaosuwan indicated that between this August and November the southwest monsoon trough in southern China would gradually move downward to Thailand, causing torrential rains in all regions of the Kingdom.

In addition, he cited a recent forecast by the Meteorological Department, which suggested that the country would be struck by 1-2 tropical storm systems from the South China Sea during the period. The incident is likely to result in widespread flooding, mudslides and overflows of rivers.

Therefore, Mr Somsak urged all people residing in risky areas, such as on hill slopes and near waterways, to stay on high alert for natural disasters and follow up weather reports closely. In emergency, assistance can be requested from the NDWC at Hotline 192 or telephone number 0-2399-4114.

-- NNT 2011-07-26

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Poll Panel Postpones Endorsement of More MP-elects

The Election Commission has postponed the endorsement of more MP-elects to tomorrow.

Tension is on the rise as the 30-day deadline approaches.

The poll panel is required to endorse at least 475 MP-elects so Parliament can convene to select a House speaker by August 3.

The Election Commission or EC met since this morning to consider electoral fraud complaints against MP-elects who still have not been endorsed.

At the end of the day, the EC called for a recount of votes in Constituency 2 in Yala Province and postponed its announcement of additional MP-elect endorsement to tomorrow.

Most closely watched are the endorsements of red-shirt leaders such as Jatuporn Prompan and Nutthawut Saikua.

The complaints against them center on their imprisonment which goes against an earlier Pheu Thai regulation that automatically dismissed members who have been jailed.

The Pheu Thai Party has since then amended this regulation and the red-shirt leaders claimed they resigned from the party and re-applied as members again after the regulation was amended so their membership is still valid.

Jatuporn is faced with another problem of not having cast his ballots in the July 3 election due to his imprisonment.

The Election Commission has already endorsed 402 MP-elects and an additional 73 needs to be endorsed so the House can convene with 475 MPs or at least 95 percent of the total 500 members of Parliament.

The first House session to select the House speaker needs to be held within 30 days of the election or by August 2.

The EC has promised it will endorse the needed number of MP-elects within this week as it can always disqualify them within a one-year period if it finds grounds for electoral law violations.

The EC is also due to hold by-elections in Nongkhai's Constituency 2 and Sukothai's Constituency 3 on July 31 as the winners were given yellow cards.

A budget of five million baht has been prepared for the by-elections.

Meanwhile, four MP-elects report for duty at Parliament today.

They were Democrat party-list MP Boonyord Sukthinthai, Yala Democrat MP Prasert Pongsuwanasiri and Rayong MP from the Democrat Party Sathit Pitutecha.

The last one was Pichit MP from the Chart Thai Pattana Party Winai Pattaraprasit.

A total of 372 out of 402 MPs have reported to Parliament in the past 13 days.

Thirty have yet to report for duty.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-26

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to continue

Thailand Live Wednesday 27 Jul 2011

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