Thailand Live Tuesday 9 Aug 2011

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Cabinet secretary submits Cabinet lineup to King via HM's Principal Private Secretary for royal endorsement /MCOT

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Flooding Damages 1 Million Rais of Rice Paddies

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has disclosed that flooding in the North has damaged more than one million rai of rice paddies and 400 kilograms worth of rice per rai.

The situation is expected to ease within the next month.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut said the flood crisis in areas including Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Prae could last several weeks more, and that full recovery will likely be completed as early as next month.

According to damage assessments and surveys, more than 1.3 million rai of farmland has been ravaged by the latest round of flooding, 1 million rai of which are rice paddies.

The damage to the rice paddies will cause a dip in this season’s rice harvest, at approximately 400 kilograms per rai.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Authorities Wait for Court Orders to Help End Forest Encroachment

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Shrimp Export Generates Bt100 Billion in Revenue

The Fisheries Department says shrimp export has brought in nearly 100 billion baht in revenue and the department is confident the European and U.S. economic crises will not have a severe impact on shrimp export, as demand remains high.

Fisheries Department Vice President Surajit Inthornchit disclosed that the Thai shrimp industry currently generates 80 to 100 billion baht in revenue from exports and has been continually expanding.

However, he said there are contributing factors which could affect the industry’s growth including environmental impacts and the uncertain global economic climate.

He is confident the U.S. and European economic crisis will not have a major impact on Thai shrimp export, since the demand for Thai shrimp is still high.

Surajit added that export to Europe has faced some problems regarding chemical contamination, but the problems have been resolved and export has resumed normally.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Source: Cabinet Seats Set for Coalition

A source within the new government has revealed that ministerial seats have been assigned for coalition partner Chart Thai Pattana Party.

A source has stated that the Pheu Thai Party had allocated seats for the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Chart Thai Pattana Party leader, Chumpol Sillapaarcha, will likely be given the Deputy Premier and Tourism and Sports Ministry post.

Key leaders Teera Wongsamut and Siriwat Kajornprasart will likely be assigned as Deputy Agricultural and Cooperatives Minister and Deputy Commerce Minister, respectively.

In addition, a key leader of the Pheu Thai Party Warathep Rattanakorn has discussed the work strategy with Chart Thai Pattana deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul.

Meanwhile, veteran politician Sanoh Tianthong said the new prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, will finalize the new cabinet line-up by tomorrow.

All ministers will be granted audience with His Majesty the King on September 10.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Noodle sellers who pay their workers 200B/day say they'll have to increase prices to 50B/bowl if min wage is 300B (BP) /via@RichardBarrow

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Bank Robber Re-enacts Crime in Rayong

A bank robber who made off with two million baht in cash was taken by police to re-enact his crime in the eastern province of Rayong

Rayong Provincial Police Commander, Police Major General Pricha Charoensahayanon, held a press conference regarding the arrest of a bank robber, identified as 40-year Charan Wingwon.

Police asked the suspect to re-enact the crime at Kasikorn Bank's Ban Chang branch, where he allegedly used a false grenade to make off with two million baht in cash on July 11.

The suspect pleaded guilty to the accusation, adding that he committed the crime without deliberate intention.

He said he spent the sum to pay off debt, and bought a three-door sedan for himself.

At the press conference, a motorcycle, four bank account books for accounts worth 270,000 baht in total, and 400,000 baht in cash were presented to the media.

Police said they will work to bring back the rest of the cash as soon as possible.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Pork Sellers Oppose Price Control

Hat Yai pork sellers have expressed opposition to the Commerce Ministry's plan to control pork meat prices.

Pork sellers at Plaza 3 market in Hat Yai District of Songkhla Province are now back in business after having kept their shops closed for six consecutive days to pressure pig farms to reduce their product prices.

Sellers said they are opposed to the Commerce Ministry's plan to control pork prices, while saying that pork prices in the market today have not been changed to follow the controlled price.

Maha Sarakham pork sellers have also expressed opposition to the plan to control pork prices at less than 152 baht per kilogram.

The vendors say they are already facing higher costs such as ice to keep pork cold and shop rental fees.

The sellers added that pork is being bought from farms at 150 baht per kilogram and are sold to consumers at 160 baht per kilogram.

The sellers are urging the new government to help reduce pork prices starting at farms instead.

In Chanthaburi, pork markets are still selling meat at 150 baht per kilogram in the city area, while border-area markets are selling it at higher prices.

The Chanthaburi Internal Trade Department said that next week they will be bring in pork from the cost-saving Blue Flag program, which will sell pork at lower prices.

Meanwhile, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan Surin Campus said they will be selling pork raised by college students at lower prices.

The pork will be sold at 130 baht per kilogram, and has gained mass public interest.

The Swine Raisers Association of Thailand said pork prices could go to 200 baht per kilogram by September due a shortage of breeders, while demand for pork continues to rise.

The association urged the government to solve the issue by supporting farmers with more pork breeds, as shortages are the main cause of expensive pig prices at farms.

They said the government should not attempt to solve the problem by controlling market pork prices.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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ECONOMY

Looming dollar liquidity crunch could batter Thailand

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UPDATE:

Revenue Dept Defends Tax Return for Thaksin's Children

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Cabinet Secretariat: Names Already Submitted for Royal Endorsement

Cabinet Secretariat Ampol Kittiampol has revealed that the names included in Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's Cabinet line-up have been vetted and have already been submitted for royal endorsement.

Once the endorsement is handed down, the prime minister will bring her Cabinet to be sworn in before officially taking office.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Flooding Continues in North

The provinces are reeling under flooding as run-off from the North has reached Ayutthaya Province, inundating three districts.

The Chao Phraya River water along Ayutthaya’s Chaiwattanaram Temple has gone up by another 50 centimeters and is overflowing into the temple area.

Residents in Bang Luang District have been forced to move their belongings to higher ground due to the rising water level.

Banana farms have already been destroyed along the riverbanks.

In Nakhon Sawan Province, run-off from the North has inundated Chumsaeng District, forcing locals to move to the second floors of their homes and to resort to using rowboats for transportation.

In Nan Province, heavy downpour has caused flooding in Pathong Sub-district of Tha Wang Pha, at least 18 households, banana, and coffee farms have been seriously affected.

Meanwhile, the water level in Santhong Sub-district is continuing to recede, and locals are returning to their normal lives.

Meanwhile, Mobile Development Unit region 31, under the Army command, has distributed disaster relief packages in the hard-hit areas.

In Phitsanulok Province, the Irrigation Department warned of possible flooding, saying the water level will increase by another meter this week.

Residents are rushing to relocate to higher ground, while farmers have had to harvest their crops to avoid damage.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Thai PM says cabinet lineup awaiting royal endorsement

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Only Red Shirt Reportedly Slated for Cabinet Turns Down Post

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Thai stocks midday Tue: 1,051.80, down 26.39pt, 2.45pct; Bt31.29 bn turnover /NATION

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Bangkok Governor Presides Re-opening of Renovated Sanam Luang

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Hundreds arrested as riots spread to other UK cities

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YINGLUCK CABINET

I don't want to be deputy PM overseeing Defence Ministry : Apiwan

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Yingluck: foreign minister not former ambassador

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Thai PM Yingluck advised by her brother Thaksin to work hard

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No Thais harmed by riots in England

BANGKOK, 9 August 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that no Thai people have been killed or injured in the riots in England, which have been going on since Saturday and spread to other cities outside London.

Information Department Director-General and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Thani Thongphakdi reported that there are about 50,000 Thai people in England, and 10,000 of them are in London alone; however, he said no injuries among Thai people were reported from the situation.

Mr Thani noted that the Thai embassy in the United Kingdom has been reporting the situation back to Thailand around the clock while Thai communities in England are informed to be cautious. He said Thai people living in England are told not to enter the riot zones.

The spokesperson personally estimated that the situation in England will be restored to normalcy very soon and will not be exacerbated to become as violent as countries in the Middle East.

Anyone with family members residing in England can dial 44-791 8651720 and 44-207 5892944 for further enquiries on the situation or monitor the situation via the website of the Thai embassy in England.

It has been reported that the riot is spreading from London to other cities, including Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham and Liverpool. At least 450 people have been arrested following the riots across London over the past three days alone.

-- NNT 2011-08-09

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People flocking to buy gold

BANGKOK, 9 August 2011 (NNT) – People are flocking to buy gold for speculation after domestic gold price yesterday hit a new record high with a tendency to go up non-stop.

Throngs of gold buyers visited gold shops everywhere after the gold price yesterday increased by 650 baht per one-baht weight. Most of them came to buy more than sell as they expected that gold price would skyrocket further due to the US economic situation.

As of 12.28 hrs on Tuesday, gold bullion is bought at 24,900 baht and is sold at 25,000 baht per one-baht weight. Gold ornament is bought at 24,544.04 baht and is sold at 25,400 baht per one-baht weight.

Due to inadequate gold supplies, gold shops mostly have to issue reservation slips for gold buyers to collect their gold later in the next seven or ten days.

-- NNT 2011-08-09

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DDPM warns 21 provinces of flash floods

BANGKOK, 9 August 2011 (NNT) – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned residents in 21 provinces to be prepared for heavy rainfalls and possible flash floods from now on until 11 August 2011.

DDPM Director-General Viboon Sanguanpong stated that he has warned residents in 21 provinces, especially those dwelling near risky zones or down the hill slope near water ways and river valleys to brace themselves for heavy rainfall and beware of flash flood, forest water and mudslide.

The 21 provinces are Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Uttaradit, Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani and Mukdahan.

Run-off from forests and mudslide can be expected after more than six hours of heavy rainfall with more than 100 millimetres of rainwater. Other signs indicating flash floods are rapidly rising water level as well as small trees flowing down the rivers. Evacuation is highly recommended upon the situation.

Residents living near risky zones are advised to monitor the situation and observe the nature for changes in watercolour if it turns to be similar to soil on the mountain.

The DDPM has coordinated with its provincial offices to dispatch officials to monitor the situation closely while disaster relief equipment must be in the ready condition.

-- NNT 2011-08-09

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NEW PRIME MINISTER

Khmer envoy is the first to congratulate Yingluck

By The Nation

You Ay, the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand, on Tuesday became the first foreign envoy to meet and congratulate the newly-endorsed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The envoy was among eight ambassadors lining up to meet the first female prime minister of Thailand at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters.

You Ay also presented to Yingluck official congratulatory notes from Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong.

The ambassador was quoted as telling the PM that both countries should separate political conflicts from economic cooperation and that they should strengthen all aspects of cooperation.

Yingluck told You Ay that her policy would create peace and reconciliation between the two countries and that the countries would cooperate more under the framework of Asean and Asean Economic Cooperation.

Under the government of Yingluck's predecessor Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand and Cambodia have had rocky relations on all issues, with border conflicts escalating several times into clashes resulting in deaths of both soldiers and civilians.

However relations between Cambodia and Yingluck's brother, convicted exPM Thaksin, are much better. Cambodia's PM Hun Sen once appointed the exiled Thaksin as his government's economic adviser. Abhisit government was furious and ordered withdrawal of its Thai and Khmer ambassadors and downgraded diplomatic ties.

After You Ay, it was turn of Indonesian ambassador Mohammad Hatta who read out congratulatory message from his President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Thailand and Indonesia have enjoyed strong relations and cooperation for a long time and last year celebrated the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Hatta also said his president is looking forward to meeting Yingluck at the Asean Summit to be held in Bali in November.

Indonesia would like to invite Yingluck to make an official visit to the country, Hatta said.

After that Yingluck met with the ambassadors of Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Chile and Panama.

-- The Nation 2011-08-09

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Thai, Cambodian Military Plans Border Talks

The Region 2 Army commander plans to meet his Cambodian counterpart to discuss the ruling handed down by the International Court of Justice for Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from the disputed border area.

Region 2 Army Commander Lieutenant General Thawatchai Samutsakhon said he has been in contact with Chea Mon, commander of Cambodia's Military Region 4.

Talks are already underway to initiate the next Regional Border Committee meeting.

The two commanders are expected to discuss how both countries will implement the ruling by the International Court of Justice in July.

The court ordered both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the disputed area around the Preah Vihear Temple.

The court also ordered Thailand not to prevent Cambodia from accessing the temple ground for non-military purposes.

The Region 2 army commander said the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border has eased since the victory of the Pheu Thai Party in the July 3 election.

However, despite the World court's order, neither Thailand nor Cambodia has withdrawn or scaled down their military presence along the border.

Meanwhile, the chief of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, Colonel Thanya Kietisarn, who oversees security operations around Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, said the situation there has much improved thanks to the daily talks between Thai and Cambodian officers.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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City Seeks Renewal of Weekend Market Lease

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has sought an extension to the rent contract for Chatuchak market.

The contract will expire in January next year.

The State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, said it has received a request from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, to extend the lease contract for the Chatuchak weekend market.

The BMA has submitted an offer to pay a rental fee of 79 million baht per year for the concession to manage the 8,000 shops on the 68-rai plot of land.

On the other hand, the SRT has offered to extend the concession for the price of 1.1 billion baht per year.

The SRT said the proposed fee of 79 million baht a year is extremely low compared to current market rental rates.

Currently, the BMA pays the SRT 24 million baht annually to manage and develop the popular weekend market.

Under the proposal put forward by the BMA, vendors will pay rent ranging around 240-280 baht a month.

If the yearly rental fee is raised to 1.1 billion baht a year, tenants will be forced to pay a rental fee of up to 10,000 baht per month for the shop space.

Asource at the SRT said shop owners are more than willing to pay 10,000 baht in monthly rent since it is still much lower than the rates elsewhere.

The current contract between the BMA and the SRT is due to expire in January next year.

The SRT does not believe an agreement can be reached on the rental rate for the new contract by next January.

During preliminary negotiations, the two agencies have tentatively agreed to settle the new rent at 420 million baht per year.

The SRT said it is willing to renew the concession for the BMA to continue to manage the Chatuchak market.

However, if no official agreement can be made between the SRT and the BMA, the matter will be forwarded to an SRT committee.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Elephant Writes Mother's Day Message

An eight-year-old elephant at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden shows off his artistic talent by painting a love message to celebrate the Mother's Day.

Eight-year old elephant Yok carefully wrote “Yok loves mom” by using his trunk to hold the paint brush.

Yok has earned a lot of tourists' attention with his ability to write the simple message by using his trunk.

The painting session was part of a rehearsal for a show at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya on the Mother's Day this Friday.

Chaicharn Eiamcharoen, Sattahip district chief, said Sattahip District will join hands with the Na Jomtien Subdistrict Administration Organization and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden to organize a special event to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's 79th birthday on August 12.

A special exhibition will be held to honor the Queen's royal projects, such as forest conservation and arts and crafts projects which are well-known across the world.

There will be a special parade featuring 30 elephants with Yok writing a message to celebrate the Mother's Day in front of visitors.

Mothers can visit the garden free of charge on Friday.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-09

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Australian falls from 4th floor hotel balcony in Central Pattaya

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Teenager shot dead as two gangs collide in Jomtien

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