Thailand Live Saturday 13 August 2011

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AFP: Japan 'plans to allow visit' by ex-Thai PM Thaksin

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Govt likely to delay big projects: Pheu Thai source

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Many New Thai Cabinet Appointments Met with Public Criticism

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UPDATE

Pheu Thai likely to tell its ministers to quit as MPs

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Ministry proposes to join convention

By Pakamard Jaichalard

The Nation

Cultural heritage issue to be taken to Cabinet, Parliament

The Culture Ministry will push for Thailand to become a member of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage as soon as possible.

It will make the proposal to the new Cabinet and Parliament, after a discussion among the ministry, the Foreign Ministry, Unesco Thailand and related agencies on Monday, a senior official said yesterday.

The director-general of the Department of Cultural Promotion, Apinan Posayanon, said his recent visit to Cambodia, during which he was able to observe the two countries' traditional performances, confirmed to him that there were many similarities.

He said Cambodia's registration of intangible cultural heritages had a clear point in conserving the near-extinct cultural heritages and that a member country of the convention could register its own with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

He also pointed out that the registration was made in the names of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and the Sbek Thom Khmer shadow theatre, which were specifically Cambodian and had nothing to do with any other country.

He added, however, that one of the disadvantages of joining the convention could be the linking of culture with politics in bilateral issues.

He also urged Thailand to acquire good knowledge and understanding about neighbouring countries before entering the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

Thai academic and former national culture commissioner Srisak Wallipodom argued that the Cambodian move to register the Thai traditional dance posture and shadow play had hurt Thailand's interests. He warned that unless the government and Thai academics expressed their objections, all Thai cultural heritages might be registered by Cambodia.

He said he would like to see how the new prime minister handled this matter. Governments in the past did not show any interest and this had resulted in this problem, which was not the first conflict between Thailand and Cambodia from having similar cultures, he said.

The issue came to light after new Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome's recent comment that her first mission in office would be to reclaim for Thailand the graceful hand position called jeeb - part of traditional Thai dance - and shadow plays. Both of these were listed as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Cambodia in 2008.

-- The Nation 2011-08-13

Mor Muk's mother honoured

By MONTHIEN INTHAKET

THE NATION

On behalf on Her Majesty the Queen, Thanpuying Pannawadee Jutharattanakul yesterday gave a flower basket to the "road rage" victim Major Dr Hathaiporn ("Mor Muk") Imwittaya at Phra Mongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok.

Hathaiporn's mother, Dr Pannakorn Imwittaya, was also honoured with the Outstanding Mother" Award from the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand for National Mother's Day. Pannakorn said she felt glad and honoured to get the award, but she couldn't go to receive it in person because she had to take care of Muk.

Pannakorn said she was grateful for the Queen's mercy, and this was the fourth flower basket from the HM the Queen to Muk, who is recovering but still needs further practice walking, talking, and tending to herself.

Pannakorn said she did not do anything special on Mother's Day, but only said "I love you" to her daughter, to which Muk just smiled back.

"Since her dad died when she was nine months old, I've always been with her ... I raise her like we are friends. Normally, Muk would give me a jasmine flower, a card and take me to a restaurant for Mother's Day," Pannakorn recalled.

"This year, although Muk is still in hospital and I take care of her, I'm very happy that, at least, I still have her to take care of," she added.

Dr Boonchote Khiangkittiwan said Hathaiporn's condition was improving gradually. She could walk and stand, but still needed speech training, while taking supplements and memory-enhancing medicine.

Doctors plan to implant an artificial skullcap on her in October.

-- The Nation 2011-08-13

2000 dogs saved in Nakhon Phanom from dinner tables

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Free tablet computers could well be a masterstroke; Thai opinion

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UPDATE

Narathiwat prison riot brought under control

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UPDATE

Resorts must produce land ownership papers or face demolition: RFD

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Man in the hot seat Tarit likely to remain DSI chief under the Pheu Thai government

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Thai Govt to respond to HM the Queen's concerns about drugs

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Thailand 'could lose' EU, US export privileges

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Study says Bing searches more effective than Google

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50 years ago, the Berlin Wall arose to divide

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PM to visit flooded areas in North; says return of Thaksin's Thai passport is up to Foreign Ministry /TAN_Network

Foreign Minister Surapong confirms Japanese ambassador seeks meeting with him to discuss Thaksin's visit to Japan /TAN_Network

Light decorations on Ratchadamnoen Ave on occasion of HM the Queen's birthday to be on from 6pm-6am tonight and from 6pm-midnight tomorrow /TAN_Network

Pheu Thai spokesman reveals govt's policy statement will be delivered before Parliament on Aug 24 /

Pheu Thai spokesman says decision by ministers to resign as party-list MP was personal and not party resolution /

/TAN_Network

Warrant Sought in Connection With Kirsty Jones Murder In Chiang Mai

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Media In Thailand

Opinion by Andrew Drummond

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Thai Foreign Minister: No reissuance of diplomatic passport to Thaksin

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AFP: Dogs saved from dinner tables: Thai authorities

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Flood problem in Sukhothai still critical as water level reach 2 metres high; PM orders study of proposed Kaeng Sue Ten dam project /MCOT

Flooding in Ayutthaya could worsen as more rains are expected next month

AYUTTHAYA, 13 August 2011 (NNT)-It has been speculated that if the water levels in Bhumibol and Sirikit dams will exceed their capacity, and the water will have to be relieved into the rivers downstream which could eventually exacerbate the flooding in Ayutthaya province.

According to Mr. Maitri Pitinanon, Director of the Ayutthaya Royal Irrigation Project, the water levels in the Chaopraya and Pasak Rivers have been stable at the moment. However, whether the amount of water is set to increase or not will entirely depend on the amount of rain from September to October brought on by storms.

Authorities involved are not complacent about the current situation and will continue to monitor the rains. Water from the two dams would be released into the rivers by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) only if the levels reach a critical point.

Ayutthaya will likely be affected if that is the case. Over 7,700 families in Phak Hai, Bangsai, Bang Pa-in, Sena and Bang Ban districts have been affected by the inundation. The number has been lower than the last flood by 2,000.

-- NNT 2011-08-13

Yingluck promises long term solution to prevent flood

SUKHOTHAI, 13 August 2011 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has promised flood stricken residents of Sukhothai province a long term prevention regime while ensuring that they will be receiving all the help they need to cope with the flood.

After visiting the province, Sukhothai Governor Mr. Jakarin Plieanwong suggested the premier to implement both short and long term solutions to relieve the situation. He said residents would need any help they could get now from the authority on a day to day basis as water was flooding their homes.

He told Ms. Yingluck the long term plan to develop the Monkey's Cheek dam and construct reservoirs which would not only relieve floods but also save water for farmers during the dry season. The proposal would need the government to support financially for it to take shape.

The Prime Minister said she was concerned about the well being of the residents and her visit to the province was to show moral support for victims and expressed her condolences to the family of those who had lost their lives to the Mother Nature. She believed that rescue efforts had been made and provided to local residents.

The short term solution for the government to quickly respond to the issue at hand is to reduce the inundation whereby cooperation from various sectors will be formed to establish a long term plan. For emergency situations, people are encouraged to call 1111, a hot line of the Prime Minister's Office.

-- NNT 2011-08-13

Democrat says some ministers are not suitable for their roles

BANGKOK, 13 August 2011 (NNT)-Democrat Spokesperson Mr. Chawanont Intrarakomalasut criticized Pheu Thai for assigning ministerial portfolios to unsuitable MPs while saying its shadow cabinet will begin to examine the morality of the new government as soon as it is formed.

The Spokesperson cited a few examples to support his claim. He said Mr. Prodprasob Surasawadee should have been appointed a minister of Environment and Natural Resources for his expertise instead of taking up the position of Science and Technology Minister.

Meanwhile, he added that Mr. Surapong Towijakchaikul is not qualified for his role as a foreign minister given his experience in engineering. He could have been given the post that involves the development of science and technology instead.

However, the Spokesperson said the shadow cabinet would be established once the ruling party had made a statement on its policy in governing the country first. MPs will also be welcomed to partake in the work of the shadow cabinet.

-- NNT 2011-08-13

Democrat urges MFA to explain its return of Thaksin’s passport

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Thailand Live Monday 15 Aug 2011

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