Thailand Live Wednesday 10 Aug 2011

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1st House session cannot come to conclusion about days and time for future meetings; meeting ended with next one scheduled for Aug 17 /TAN_Network

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Banharn positive with PM

BANGKOK, 10 August 2011 (NNT) – Chart Thai Pattana Chief Advisor and ex-Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa has voiced his confidence towards Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that she will be able to create happiness and mitigate sufferings as pledged.

Mr Banharn deemed the statement given by the prime minister after receiving the royal command on Monday evening as promising and containing good wordings as she pledged to create happiness and mitigate sufferings of all Thai people.

The Chart Thai Pattana chief advisor noted that the substance of Ms Yingluck’s speech conforms to people’s expectations and shows her sensibility. He said it was a good start for Ms Yingluck and she should get compliments from all sides because of that, but her performance is something people have to wait and see.

Asked for his opinion if the prime minister will be able to endure the hard work, Mr Banharn asked the press not to underestimate women at present because a number of high ranking government officials in important positions are women; therefore, gender differences should not affect the work at all.

Asked again if Ms Yingluck will be able to withstand political pressure as the national leader, the ex-prime minister responded positively and reasoned that she is very energetic.

-- NNT 2011-08-10

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Suspected Killer of Hit-and-Run Case to be Charged with Attempted Murder

The Metropolitan Police Force says the colonel involved in a hit-and-run case will face charges of attempted murder and will have to appear in a military court.

Region 1 Metropolitan Police Superintendent, Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai, disclosed that the suspect, identified as Colonel Saksit Puklan, will be charged with attempted murder after he ran over a female doctor at Phra Mongkut Klao Hospital, or Major Hataipon Imwittaya.

He explained that the decision came after investigators questioned the suspect to acknowledge the accusation, gathered evidence that helped finalized the inquiry.

The superintendent said he signed to approve the conclusion of the inquiry and agreed to charge the suspect with attempted murder.

The case will be forwarded today to the military court prosecutors.

Deputy Police Chief, Police Major General Amnuay Nimmano, earlier downplayed a claim that the police force has tried to help the suspected killer get away with his crime by sending him to a trial by the military court instead of a regular court.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-10

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Major overhaul of Malaysia's airline sector

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PM Yingluck chairs meeting of agencies concerned for flood problem briefing before visiting affected areas on weekend /MCOT

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Phuket readies for HM Queen Sirikit’s birthday

Paiboon Upatising (center), president of the Phuket Provincial

Administration Organization, ready to release fish this morning

as part of celebrations to mark HM Queen Sirikit's 79th birthday on Friday.

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Tourist arrivals jump exposes Phuket infrastructure lag

More tourists arrive at Phuket Airport Immigration, a factor the

island's tourism infrastructure is struggling to cope with.

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Thai stocks rebounded midday Wed. at 1,059.97, up 17.43 pt, 1.67% in line with regional bourses /NATION

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PM asks public to give her cabinet opportunities

BANGKOK, 10 August 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has asked the public for an opportunity for her cabinet to work for the country after some cabinet members are cristicised as not suitable for the task assigned.

The prime minister reassured that the selection of each cabinet member was made with thorough consideration and with the help of advisors specialized in each field. The prime minister defended that Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul is suitable for the post because of his long experience as MPs for many terms and has been through a number of tasks, especially economy. She believed that he will be able to enhance the country's diplomacy.

Ms Yingluck announced that each cabinet member will be given six months to work prior to evaluation. She added that the government’s policy statement will be announced to Parliament within 15 days after the cabinet members take the oath of allegiance.

Upon concerns expressed by the Federation of Thai Industries that Ms Yingluck’s economic management will only focus on the capital market, the prime minister responded that Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Na Ranong will be taking care of the overall picture of economy while experts have been invited as his advisors.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the government’s focus includes industrial and investment activities as well. She said her executive branch is now ready to move the country forward alongside the legislature.

-- NNT 2011-08-10

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Troubled Tiger Airways Australia cleared to fly again

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Yingluck's choice of foreign minister draws flak

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Well-Known Australian Body Builder Dies In Thailand Sauna

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AFP: Germany frees Thai prince's plane

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Ex PM Abhisit critical of new Foreign Minister

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PM to visit flood-affected areas later this week and will discuss compensation and preventive measures /

Ministers gather at Govt House to register for ID cards and take a group picture before being sworn in; 1st Cabinet meeting tomorrow /

Constitution Court President Chat Chollaworn has resigned from his post, saying he has been in the post for 3 years as promised /

/TAN_Network

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Iranian detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport with 3.5kgs of crystal meth 'ice', valued at Bt12.2 mln /MCOT

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PM asks for six months for Cabinet to prove themselves

BANGKOK, Aug 10 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday asked for opportunities for her Cabinet ministers to work for six months before criticising their performance.

In response to criticism of the new Cabinet lineup endorsed by His Majesty the King on Tuesday, Ms Yingluck said her Pheu Thai Party did its best in selecting persons to fill its ministerial posts.

The Cabinet, she said, will be part of the driving force which includes the lower chamber of parliament and advisory teams, to steer the economy and the country forward through policy implementation.

Thailand’s first female prime minister asked the public to give her Cabinet a chance to work and refrain from criticism before they have begun working.

In the spotlight was Surapong Towijakchaikul who was appointed minister of foreign affairs with no experience in the field. Ms Yingluck said Mr Surapong is a veteran MP and has worked in various parliamentary committees and also has experience in running a private company.

As for diplomatic affairs, Ms Yingluck said she believed civil servants in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would give him a helping hand.

The prime minister also defended the selection of former Thai bourse chief Kittirat Na Ranong as Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, saying Mr Kittirat although very keen on capital market would supervise the overall economy and that more advisers would be brought in to work with him.

Asked when she would evaluate the performance of ministers, Ms Yingluck said she would let them work at least six months because running the country needs time to materialise the policies.

She said that after her new Cabinet had taken the oath of allegiance before His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital today, the government would deliver its policy statement to the Parliament within 15 days before fully beginning to work.

Ms Yingluck then called a meeting of agencies concerned to hasten efforts to help ease grievances of flood victims in many provinces in the North and Northeast.

The prime minister is scheduled to visit the flood-affected area this weekend. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-10

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Cabinet now on its way to Siriraj Hospital for swear-in ceremony with HM the King at 5.30pm /TAN_Network

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Red-shirt MP Asks Peers to Accept Cabinet Line-up

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PM to visit flood-hit areas in Phrae, Nan on Saturday, to map out long-term measures to prevent repeated flooding /MCOT

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SET index closed at 1060.21, up 17.67; Bt/USD29.73; GBP48.27; AUD30.64; EUR42.54; CAD30.09; HKD3.80; SGD24.43; JPY38.49

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Iranian man arrested with Bt12 million worth of 'ice'

An Iranian man was arrested at the Suvarnabhumi Airport along with 3.5 kilogram of crystal meth worth Bt12.2 million, Director-General of the Customs Department, told a press conference Wednesday.

Prasong Poontaneat announced that customs officials received a tip-off that an Iranian man was smuggling drug from Iraq to Thailand via an Emirates flight arriving at 7am Wednesday.

So, Thai officials stopped and searched the 26-year-old suspect Mohammed Reza Mohamadi who matched the description and found the drug inside his luggage's secret compartment.

The man admitted that he was hired at 5,000 US dollars to smuggle the drug into Thailand.

-- The Nation 2011-08-10

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Frenchman dies during late night dinner with friends in Central Pattaya

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Russian drugged and robbed at South Pattaya Motel

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Husband and Wife bag snatchers caught by Pattaya Police

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Drugs Party broken-up by Police in South Pattaya

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First House Session Fails on Weekly Meeting Schedule

MPs fail to agree on the schedule for weekly House meetings during today's session and the meeting has to be postponed to next week.

Earlier today, the House held a meeting in order to schedule weekly House meeting days and time.

The meeting ended within an hour after both Opposition and government MPs could not agree on the meeting schedule.

The Pheu Thai Party, represented by Nakhon Panom MP Paijit Sriworakan, proposed meeting every Wednesday at 1.30 P.M. and every Thursday at 10.00 A.M. to give time for MPs to attend House committee meetings in the morning.

However, the Opposition did not agree with the proposal.

Democrat MP from Phitsanulok Warong Dejkitwikrom and Bhum Jai Thai's Nakhon Ratchasima MP Boonjong Wongtrairat proposed starting the meeting at 9 A.M. on Wednesday and Thursday.

They also proposed House committee meetings be held on other days.

With the difference unresolved, the House speaker decided to end today's session and schedule another meeting to discuss this issue for next Wednesday.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-10

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 11 Aug 2011

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