New govt expected to improve Thai-Cambodian ties

BANGKOK, 11 August 2011 (NNT) – ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan is confident that the new government led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will be able to restore the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia.

Dr Surin, also an ex-foreign minister of Thailand, believed that newly appointed Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul is qualified and suitable for this ministerial portfolio. He said all sides should let the new minister work before making criticism because he was selected in democratic manner.

The secretary-general hoped that the good relationship that the new government has with Cambodia will help revive the ties between the two nations and bring about solutions to pending problems, including border armed conflicts and the Preah Vihear Temple dispute.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapha stated that at present Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s attitude toward the new government and Prime Minister Yingluck is positive. He hence thought that it will be good to let the prime ministers of both countries have a bilateral session first.

General Yutthasak expected that his counterpart General Tea Banh will then be given a green light from Prime Minister Hun Sen to continue his part. Finally the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee meeting shoould be held, allowing bilateral discussions on troop withdrawals and permission to Indonesian observers at the border, he said.

The minister stressed that it is necessary to follow the order of the World Court, but it is also important to make sure that neither side is at a disadvantage. He believed that both sides could find a win-win solution if they start their relations with a friendship.

-- NNT 2011-08-11

Labour minister ready to push forward policies

BANGKOK, 11 August 2011 (NNT) – Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap will press ahead with the minimum wage and salary hike policies as well as the projects to create jobs for inmates and take care of children of labourers.

Mr Padermchai stated that he will certainly push forward the policies of his Pheu Thai Party to increase the daily minimum wage to 300 baht and the salary for graduates to 15,000 baht a month. He said another project to be accelerated is to promote jobs for prisoners.

The Labour Ministry will seek cooperation with the Department of Corrections to provide training courses for prisoners; therefore, they will be able to find jobs and live a normal life after their release.

The ministry also has a policy to take care of children of labourers by seeking cooperation from businesses and local administrative organisations to develop childcare centres in each local area so that labourers’ offspring will be taken care of and grow up well.

In addition, businesses which have supported the child care centre programme will be able to ask for tax deduction at the amount twice more than their expense on the issue.

Another project that the minister mentioned is to improve the social security system. He said however that further studies are required before making any decision.

Mr Phadermchai is expected to start working at the ministry on Monday 15 August 2011.

-- NNT 2011-08-11

Public health minister concerned over waterborne diseases

BANGKOK, 11 August 2011 (NNT) – Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri has instructed medical staff at health stations and village health volunteers in flood-hit zones in the north, northeast and central region to beware of waterborne diseases.

Mr Witthaya expressed concerns over flooding because the water level is rising once again after it earlier subsided. He said he will ask provincial public health offices and local hospitals in flood-hit zones to take care of residents while medicine must be distributed to people in need.

The minister said he had already talked with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about her visits to flood-hit provinces to hand out assistance to people, and she will go on the mission after finishing her duties related to the celebration for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the National Mother’s Day, 12 August.

Mr Witthaya admitted that inundated water is stinking in some provinces such as Ang Thong and Ayutthaya while some residents are suffering from athlete’s foot and rashes. He then warned people not to walk into the water for fear of potential leptospirosis outbreak.

In a related report, Prime Minister Yingluck on Wednesday had a meeting with related units regarding the flood, and solutions are divided into three levels, including immediate relief in flood-hit zones, rehabilitation in post-flood phase and long-term preventive measures.

-- NNT 2011-08-11

Culture minister ready to work

BANGKOK, 11 August 2011 (NNT) – Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome has voiced her readiness to take office, especially to look into the arrangement of the royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda.

Speaking upon her appointment to the ministerial post, Ms Sukumol stated that the scope of her work is wide-ranging although it is a small ministry. She said her urgent task is the preparations for the royal cremation ceremony and construction of the royal crematorium.

According to her, other major projects are being drafted, and they will become clearer after the government elucidates its policies with Parliament.

Ms Sukumol elaborated that initially she will encourage children and youth to pay more attention to cultural issues and learn more about their own local histories.

Asked for her opinion on the fact that the Culture Minister is usually seen as a forgotten minister, Ms Sukumol responded that cultural works are abstract, and the performance is hard to evaluate; however, she promised that she will do her best in this job.

-- NNT 2011-08-11

How close to a train track can you set up a vegetable market?

Maeklong Market, Samut Songkhram, Thailand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3WF1ukNAH0

Cabinet upholds HM the King’s advice

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Scotland Yard confirms a total of 888 people have been arrested in connection with recent unrest in London. 371 charged so far. /via@mpoppel

Science and Technology Minister Asks Public for Chance to Prove Himself

The new Science and Technology Minister has asked the public to give him a chance to work for the nation's interest after facing many criticisms.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee expressed confidence that he can effectively administrate the ministry's affairs.

He said he has always been interested in science, and with his knowledge and experience, he is ready to begin working immediately.

In addition, he stated that he welcomes criticism.

Meanwhile, Plodprasob also defended Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul.

He said Surapong has served six terms as an MP and has a thorough knowledge of international affairs.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-11

New PM Urges Cabinet Members to Keep Oaths at Heart

The prime minister is calling on the opposition to give her Cabinet a chance to work first before launching criticisms, while encouraging Cabinet members to keep their oaths.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in the first Cabinet meeting today, that a summary of His Majesty the King's speech given during the swear-in ceremony yesterday will be handed out to all Cabinet members for use as a guideline and moral support.

The premier noted that there will be no discussions on the preparation of the event to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen's birthday, as her administration has not announced the policy to Parliament.

She said the Cabinet will discuss the tasks left by the previous government.

Yingluck responded to the Opposition's criticisms in the media, asking them to allow the new government to work first.

Yingluck also defended Foreign Minister Surapong Towijakchaikul, who was previously criticized as a weakness in the Cabinet, saying that he has a good vision for foreign affairs and adequate competence, as required for his job.

The prime minister would not comment on a plan to return a Thai passport to her older brother Thaksin Shinawatra.

Yingluck only said that the government will focus on the nation's interests before other matters.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-11

1,556 inmates rioting at Narathiwat Prison; smashed a wall down, now gathering at canteen /via@Juarawee /via@RichardBarrow

Thai stocks index at midday Thursday stood at 1,060.50, up 0.29 point, or 0.03 percent amid Bt 14.83 billion turnover /NATION

Famous Tourist Bridge in Chonburi Collapses

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Thai consumer confidence highest in six years

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Cambodia urges Thailand to hold border talks

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Narathiwat prison under siege as inmates take control

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Thaksin tells Pheu Thai minister to resign party-list MPs

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Armed thief robbed Mae Thongbai gold shop at Big C Bangbon and got away with 20 gold chains worth Bt1 mln /TAN_Network

Govt Remains Undecided on Spokesperson

A Prime Minister's Office minister says the government has yet to decide on who will take the post of government spokesman.

Meanwhile, he admits it will be a big challenge to regulate community radio stations.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon said the government will put into practice His Majesty the King's directives, which were given during the swear-in ceremony for new Cabinet members yesterday.

Surawit said he personally wanted to oversee the state media.

He added he will work to promote transparent and fair practices by members of the state media organizations.

He added private media and radio stations may be asked to cooperate with the government on their presentation of news and information.

He admitted that regulating community radio stations is a big challenge as there is a large number of such stations across the country.

The minister went on to say that it remains undecided who will take the post of government spokesman, but said among candidates, he considered Thitima Chaisaeng the top candidate for the post given her qualifications.

In addition, he clarified that some ministers have given up positions in their political parties just because they want to devote their time to their responsibilities as Cabinet members.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-11

Bangkok Makes It In World's Busiest Airports List

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AVIATION

THAI places orders for A350XWB and A320

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PM brings Cabinet to pay respect to HM the Queen at Chitrladda Villa on the occasion of HM the Queen's birthday tomorrow /TAN_Network

4th Region Army chief says southern security blimp had to conduct emergency landing due to rudder failure; those on board all safe /TAN_Network

4th Region Army chief says southern security blimp had to conduct emergency landing due to rudder failure; those on board all safe /TAN_Network

Tiger attacks Thai customer at Pattaya Crocodile Farm

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Allegations of sexual assault and poor service by two Hospitals made at Pattaya City Hall

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SET index closed at 1062.07, up 1.86; Bt/USD29.79; GBP48.07; AUD30.48; EUR42.32; CAD29.95; HKD3.81; SGD24.44; JPY38.69

AFP: Cambodia sees end of 'nightmare' Thai relations

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No deaths in Narathiwat prison riot: Governor

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Yingluck, husband granted audience with Her Majesty

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her husband, Anussorn Amornchat, were granted an audience with Her Majesty the Queen Thursday afternoon.

Yingluck and her spouse led other Cabinet members with their spouses to have an audience with Her Majesty at the t the Dusidalai Throne Hall, Chitralada Royal Villa at 4:30 pm.

They sought an audience with Her Majesty to wish her a very happy birthday.

-- The Nation 2011-08-11

Second shooting at second-hand shop in East Pattaya

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