Thailand Live Thursday 28 Jul 2011

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Thailand Live Thursday 28 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 Wednesday 27 Jul 2011

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Princess Bejaratana passes at 85

By The Nation

Princess Bejaratana, the only child of King Rama VI, passed away yesterday afternoon at the age of 85 from a blood infection, the Royal Household Bureau reported.

The princess' life encompassed four kings, although only one day under one of them. She was born on November 24, 1925, to King Vajiravudh and Princess Suvadhana. After seeing his daughter for a day, the king died on November 25, but not before he finished the poem he had been working on for her lullaby. Her uncle, King Rama VII, bestowed on the princess her name on December 30.

The princess and her mother moved to Suan Hongsa Villa at Dusit Palace, where she received her education from a private tutor. They moved in with Queen Sri Savarindira (the Queen Dowager) during the Second World War, and the princess attended Rajani School until the age of 12. The princess and her mother moved to England, where she received further schooling as well as medication for her illness.

In England, she first stayed at Fairhill Villa in Surrey, then transferred to Brighton. It was well known that the princess and her mother always granted audiences to Thais in England as well as supported Thai activities abroad. During the 20 years of her stay, the princess studied English, French and piano as well as attending an all-girls' boarding school in Wales throughout the Second World War. During the war, she volunteered to help the British Red Cross prepare bandages as well as medicine for soldiers.

In November 1957, the mother and daughter moved back to Thailand. They bought land on Sukhumvit Soi 38 and built Ruenruedi Villa Palace, which is still the home of the princess. Once the princess had settled into her new life in Thailand, she proceeded to perform her royal duties as a representative of the Royal Family. During her active days, she was recognised as a great help to His Majesty the King in carrying out public welfare missions that required visits to remote areas.

Her special interests ranged from education, public health, Buddhism and the soldiers and police stationed at Thailand's borders to general public welfare.

In a statement marking her 61st birthday, the princess vowed to dedicate her whole life to performing royal duties that served the national interest in honour of His Majesty the King.

An article on the Public Relations Department website describes her as follows: "A devout Buddhist, the Princess [was] known to be very punctual and make best use of her time. She [followed] her constant routines every day and her watch [was] always persistently adjusted. The Princess [preferred] simplicity and [was] a true nationalist. Her clothes and handbags [were] only made in Thailand. Her use of language [was] always clear and accurate. English and French [were] spoken only with foreigners. The Princess [crocheted] in her free time. The crocheted cloths [were] given to Thai soldiers along the border".

Princess Bejaratana was known privately to be a very gifted person, especially with numbers. She had the knack of calculating the day of the week for any dates presented to her, promptly and without any hesitation, as well as remembering the birthdays of everyone who had been presented to her.

Because of her age and failing health, she cut back on many of her royal duties in her later years. However, once in a while she engaged in some work that was connected to her late father.

The Royal Household Bureau is arranging for the public to pay homage to her at the Sahathai Samakom Hall in the Grand Palace from 1pm to 5pm today.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

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UPDATE

Jet spat: govt slams Berlin

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Germans decline comment on Thaksin visit claim

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EC endorses another 94 MPs, Jatuporn still not approved

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WAGE

Minimum wage hike 'a challenge' for business: Thailand MPC

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Thais missing after arrest in Laos

By The Nation

Three Thai tourists were arrested by soldiers in the Laotian city of Pak Se for taking photos near a military camp on Sunday. They have not been heard from since, a friend of the victims said yesterday.

A Chiang Rai resident identified only as Ore told reporters that Thanwa Supakham, 34; Samart Yaothani, 41; and Worapol Khamsena, 36; had obtained a 10day permit to drive their Isuzu pickup truck around Laos and departed on July 21.

However, they telephoned on Sunday to say they had been arrested in Pak Se after unknowingly taking photos near a military camp and a mountainbased radar station, the friend said.

Hearing no more from the three men, their families are now seeking help from the Laos Embassy in Thailand and Thai Foreign Ministry.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

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AFP: Thai officials agree imam death payout: court

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DSI probes illegal lottery scheme

By The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation has seized assets belonging to memฌbers of a lottery pyramidscheme and is investigating to ensure a politician allegedly involved is punished, DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

Tarit said Colonel Piyawat Kingket would lead the probe into the Loeibased scheme, which inflicted losses of about Bt3 billion on about 2,000 teachers, police officers and members of public.

Tarit said he had frozen related bank accounts and would ask the AntiMoney Laundering Office to join the probe.

Initial probe found that a group of people established a company in 2009 that claimed it had a contract with the Government Lottery Office to issue 20,000 lottery books. They sold the lottery books to coops in Loei, which then sold them on to about 2,000 members. The money was collected by about 50 people. The investigation will also look into allegations that a former politician was behind the scheme and had pocketed Bt1 billion from it.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

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KORAT

Luxury Homes Built In Conserved Forest Lands Around Nakhon Ratchasima

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Thai Air Force helicopter makes emergency landing in Udon

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AFP: Thai steelmaker says to create 1,000 jobs in Britain

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Raid on illegal slaughterhouse

By The Nation

After a raid on an unauthorised chicken slaughterhouse in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district yesterday, provincial livestock chief Rangsan Rawangsamrong vowed to ensure the suspects faced severe punishment.

Female suspect Lamai Nucharoen was arrested and 500 kilograms of chick carcasses seized in the raid.

Initial investigation found that the landlord of the premises, Amnuay Thurata, had been arrested for transporting chicken carcasses in and out of the province without permission and operating an illegal slaughterhouse in April. The case is still in court.

Officials are gathering evidence against Amnuay, as they suspect he continued breaking the law. The case could lead to more severe punishment if he is found guilty of reoffending.

Since June, when news broke about illegal slaughterhouses in Pak Chong, 11 people have faced legal action and police are investigating the origin of 100 tonnes of chicken carcasses, Rangsan said.

Since then local authorities have been stricter on the transport of animal carฌcasses, slaughterhouse operations and permit issuance for animal carcass vendors, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

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Thai Army Colonel faces attempted murder charges

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BURNING ISSUE

It's time for reds to show their democratic colours

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Abhisit stays mum his and party's future

By The Nation

Caretaker Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he had discussed with three former party leaders about the party's future and in which direction it would be heading.

Abhisit, who is also the outgoing prime minister, announced his resignation as Democrat leader after the party's election loss early this month.

He told Government House reporters yesterday he had consulted with many party seniors including three former party leaders. He said they agreed on certain issues and disagreed on others but he refused to give details.

Abhisit did not name the former Democrat leaders. At least two ex-leaders are still actively working with the party: Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan.

Yesterday, Abhisit refused to comment on the possibility of his return as party leader at the Democrats' meeting on August 6 to elect members of the new executive board, including the party leader and party secretary-general.

He said he expected the party members' decision at their August 6 meeting to bring about unity and force within the party, which in turn would boost its role as an important political party.

Regarding speculation about candidates for the position of new party secretary-general, Abhisit said it had become so wild that his aide Sirichok Sopha had now became another candidate. His remark prompted Sirichok, who was standing behind him during the interview, to laugh quietly.

Suthep Thaugsuban, who earlier resigned as Democrat secretary-general, had said he would not serve in the post again.

When asked to comment on the reported disappointment of some party MPs who threatened to leave the party following its election loss, Abhisit said poor management could certainly affect the party's future but that for him, good members would remain with the party in good and bad times.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

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Pressure grows on Chiang Mai dean to quit

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South railway tracks hit, 3 injured

By The Nation

A roadside bomb in Pattani's Yarang district injured two soldiers yesterday, while another bomb attack in Narathiwat's Rangae district damaged railway tracks and caused a railway-repair worker to lose a leg.

In Yarang district, insurgents detonated an explosive device by remote control as a security team was passing, injuring two soldiers from Task Force 25. The scene was cordoned off for forensic tests and a police investigation is underway.

In Rangae district, two bombs damaged railway tracks but there were no casualties initially.

The bombs, each placed 150 metres apart along the line between Salowkadae and Maruebo stations, went off at about 5.30am.

They damaged the line, forcing the temporary suspension of train services in the three southernmost border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Forensic experts and troops from Narathiwat-based Task Force 38 found two more bombs buried beneath the track and used a high-powered water gun to destroy them.

Later an unlucky worker repairing the damaged railway stepped on another hidden bomb and lost his leg.

The Appeals Court yesterday upheld a life sentence against a leader of a separatist group.

Rosadee Mayama, a motorcycle repairman in Narathiwat, faced charges in the Criminal Court in April 2008 of carrying out terrorist attacks with members of his Muang Nueng Group. The Criminal Court on December 15, 2009, found him guilty of several counts including treason, which is punishable by death. He was sentenced to life imprisonment after a useful confession, a ruling Rosadee appealed.

The Appeals Court did not believe his claim that he was tortured to confess and upheld the life sentence against him.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

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Apiwan hints he'd like Speaker post

By The Nation

Pheu Thai MP Apiwan Wiriyachai yesterday hinted he would rather serve in the position of House speaker than seek a Cabinet appointment.

"I am not eager to seek an appointment, but should the opportunity arise, I want a position in the legislative branch," he said.

Apiwan said if appointed House speaker, he would strive to ensure legislative independence free from domination by the government and the judiciary.

"In a democracy, Parliament is the most important institution, second only to the monarchy," he said.

In politics, lawmakers are like referees tasked to enact laws for the government and judiciary and to enforce them in a just manner, he said.

He said if people were deprived of justice, then street protests would erupt and overshadow the existing parliamentary system.

Commenting on a coalition ally becoming one of two deputy speakers, he said he was uncertain whether coalition partners might want to trade the legislative quota for a ministerial portfolio. The speaker and two deputies might be under Pheu Thai quotas.

In another development, MP Chuwit Kamolvisit of Rak Prathet Thai Party wryly said he was the only one on the opposition bench still working.

The Democrat Party was busy lining up its executive board and the Bhum Jai Thai Party was preoccupied with plotting to jump on the coalition bandwagon, he maintained.

He said he did not believe Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra had the real power to form her Cabinet.

"I won't be surprised if the Cabinet holds one of its mobile meetings in Dubai," he said, hinting ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra holds the power.

He said he wanted to challenge Yingluck to answer truthfully on the seat of power - be it her residence, Shinawatra Tower, Ban Chan Song La (the residence of Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman Na Pombejra) and Dubai (where Thaksin is living in self-imposed exile).

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

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EDITORIAL

Isaan being failed by inequalities in education system; Thai opinion

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[george]

Thaivisa launches Hua Hin information portal

Thaivisa has launched a dedicated Hua Hin information portal:

http://huahin.thaivisa.com - All you need to know about Hua Hin!

Our comprehensive guide to Hua Hin presents the best and most up-to-date local knowledge and information,

helping you discover what the town can offer both to visitors and residents. The info portal is also available via mobile devices.

Read more:

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Demilitarised Zone versus de-politicised approach; Thai Talk

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,125.96, down 4.75 points /MCOT

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Abhisit: Democrat must move together

BANGKOK, 28 July 2011 (NNT) – Outgoing Prime Minister and Acting Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has stressed that the Democrat Party must move together systematically as a whole in order to make a strategic transition in the political arena.

Mr Abhisit stated that the selection of the new party secretary-general will be made in the party meeting to be held on 6 August 2011. He noted that the importance cannot be focused only on the party leader and the party secretary-general, as the party must move as a team in a systematic way.

The acting party leader uttered that the Democrat Party must go through a strategic transition to maintain its political ideology amid the current political arena. He however refused to say if he would take the party leader post again but said he had spoken with at least three advisors about this.

Asked if Mr Apirak Kosayodhin, who has just been indicted for the corruption on the purchases of fire trucks and boats, will have any problem since he is a prospective party secretary-general, Mr Abhisit said Mr Apirak had already shown his responsibility in the case by resigning from the governor post.

-- NNT 2011-07-28

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PM Fires Back at Germany for Urging Thailand to Pay Compensation

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UN Court Demands Thailand to Submit Written Observations within November

Thailand has been asked to present its written observations regarding Cambodia's petition to the World Court for interpretation of the 1962 verdict, by November 21.

President of the International Court of Justice Hisashi Owada notified the Thai ambassador to the Hague, Weerachai Palasai that Thailand will have to submit its written observations about Cambodia's petition, which called for an explanation of the Court's 1962 verdict, by November 21.

In its appeal, Cambodia claimed that the Court based its decision on the 1:200,000 scale map, which was produced by France, and ruled that the Preah Vihear Temple was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia and that Thailand was under an obligation to withdraw its troops from the temple and its vicinity.

However, Weerachai said that the Court only upheld Cambodia's sovereignty for the temple, but not the 4.6-square-kilometer plot of land adjacent to it.

He said following the submission of its written observations, the Court will schedule a hearing to be attended by both sides.

The Thai ambassador expects the Court to rule on Cambodia's petition within the next two years.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-28

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Their Majesties the King and Queen will preside over bathing rite for HRH Princess Bejaratana at Dusit Throne Hall at 5pm /

Sahathai Samakom Pavilion open for well-wishing for HRH the Crown Prince's birthday until 11am; PM & Yingluck both signed well wishes /

PM meets with Attorney-General's Office to consider filing suit against German firm Walter Bau /

/TAN_Network

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Tesco Lotus Assures No Price Hike

The Chief Marketing Officer of the leading hypermarket chain in Thailand, Tesco Lotus, hopes to see an upturn in consumer spending following the improvement of the political situation and has assured the public that there will not be a price hike for the store's products at this time.

Kurt Kamp, Chief Marketing Officer of Tesco Lotus, noted that the improvement in the local political situation after the general election resulted in an increase in the consumer confidence index.

He is convinced that public spending in the country will continuously increase and stay in keeping with the expansion of the Thai economy.

The Tesco Lotus chief marketing officer assured the public that the company will not raise product prices at this time.

On the other hand, it has rolled back prices on a variety of products to help lower the public's living expenses.

Kamp noted that the company enjoyed robust sales last year.

The Tesco Lotus Club Card received an enthusiastic response from Thai customers across the country and over seven million customers have signed up for the card over the past two years since it was launched.

The company is running a campaign “Clubcard Bonus Month” to provide customers with more privileges.

The campaign will run from August 28 to 29.

Recently, the company launched a new store called “Tesco Lotus Extra” on Rama IV Road and spent over 300 million baht investment on the project.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-28

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Thailand's new parliament to open Monday: palace

BANGKOK, July 28, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's new parliament will formally open on Monday, the royal palace has said, paving the way for the selection of the prime minister as early as next week.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will deliver a ceremonial inauguration speech on behalf of the king in the capital Bangkok on Monday afternoon, the palace said in a statement late Wednesday.

The 500-seat lower house is due to start work on Wednesday with the election of a house speaker, followed by the selection of the premier on Friday, said a source from the Puea Thai party which won July 3 national elections.

The Puea Thai party's Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a 2006 coup, is expected to be appointed the nation's new premier in the parliamentary vote.

Yingluck, who will be the first woman to ever take on the role, has formed a six-party coalition that will hold about three-fifths of the lower chamber's seats.

Late Wednesday, the Election Commission said it had endorsed dozens of winning candidates from the national polls, bringing the total approved to 496 -- passing the 95 percent threshold needed by law for the house to convene.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-28