Thailand Live Tuesday 16 Aug 2011

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Outcome Of Probe On Chiang Mai Tourist And Thai Guide Deaths

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Samart Expresses Interest in Govt Tablet Handout

Samart has expressed interest in bidding to take part in the distribution of 800,000 tablet PCs to school students in keeping with the government's policy.

Samart Corporation President Watchai Wilailak said that the information and telecommunication industry will enjoy solid growth in the latter half of this year, partially due to the roll out of 3G services as well as the new premier who has considerable experience in the telecommunications business.

Regarding the government's policy to distribute 800,000 tablet PCs to school students nationwide, Samart has voiced its interest in the bid since Samart has quality post-sales customer service and more than 200 repair service centers across the country.

Nonetheless, it is awaiting clarifications about the policy from the government.

Samart enjoyed substantial growth in the second quarter raking in 5.7 billion baht in revenue, a 33 percent growth from the previous year and a 264 million baht net profit, or an 85 percent increase in profit.

Meanwhile, Samart Telecom's ICT Solutions enjoyed a 90 percent growth, earning 3.3 billion baht in revenue and 255 million baht net income, or a lucrative 142% growth.

During the first half of 2011, Samart raked in a total of 4.6 billion with expectations that they will exceed 12 billion baht in earnings for the year.

Samart plans to upgrade its Mobile Multimedia operations to meet customer's 3G demand as its I-Mobile earned 1.7 billion baht and 51 million baht net profit in the second quarter with a projected 2.2 billion baht sales revenue in the latter half of this year.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-16

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Cambodia Demands Immediate Release of Cambodian Suspect

The Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry has disclosed that the third court session to hear the case of a Cambodian man accused of illegal entry and espionage will be conducted early next month.

The Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry has urged that Thai authorities release a Cambodian man suspected of illegal entry and espionage immediately, as it claims, the man has done nothing wrong.

They have accused Thai officials of falsifying evidence to bully him.

The Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry said that a Thai court in the Sisaket border province is set to carry out the trial for the Cambodian man accused of espionage on September 7, after the court has already held two sessions in the case.

Foreign Affairs Ministry's Spokesman Koy Kuong said there was already a second trial by the Thai court for the accused Cambodian civilian, identified as Ung Kimtai, who has being tried for drug possession and illegal entry into Thai military territory with a map.

Koy claimed that Thai authorities falsified evidence and coerced witnesses in an effort to bully the Cambodian man.

They are calling on Thai officials to release the suspect immediately.

The Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry went on to say that the suspect has denied all accusations, also claiming evidence against him was amde up by Thai officials.

He insisted that he entered Thailand legally and that he is simply a merchant.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-16

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Relatives of Narathiwat Prisoners Allowed to Visit After Riots

The Narathiwat provincial prison today allowed relatives of inmates to visit after a riot shut down the prison at the end of last week.

Following a riot regarding contraband and illegal goods that occurred between August 11 and 14, the Narathiwat provincial prison today decided to allow relatives of the inmates to visit the prison.

The prison today was crowded with a number of relatives who brought food and other necessities for the prisoners.

Officials strictly searched bags and the food relatives brought into the compound of the prison, but found no suspicious items.

Narathiwat Provincial Governor Thanon Wetkorakanont, along with Correction Department's Director-General Thanis Siyapan, said the situation was back to normal after mutual understanding was established.

They went on to say that the general public should trust official's operation of the facility adding that from now on, basic infrastructure, such as the size of each jail cell, and sports and recreation for the inmates will be improved as to avoid a renewed uprising.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-16

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Cabinet decides to announce govt's policies before Parliament on Aug 24; every ministry ordered to step up flood warning system /TAN_Network

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Edu minister: Preparations needed for tablet policy

BANGKOK, 16 August 2011 (NNT) – Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul has stressed that preparations must be made before the one-tablet PC-per-child policy is implemented to prevent students from using the tablets in wrong purposes.

Mr Woravat stated that he has assigned the Office of the Higher Education Commission to study details of the one tablet PC per child policy as students must be prepared, especially their English language skill, before tablets are distributed.

The minister admitted that tablets cannot be used to the maximum benefits if students do not possess adequate English skills. He said the readiness of students and contents of subjects to be sent to students are pre-conditions for the introduction of tablets. Without it, tablets might be used in wrong purposes.

The minister also confirmed that tablets cannot replace all textbooks, but they are just one of the educational tools while textbooks and development of children’s skills in various aspects remain necessary. He noted that those components will be integrated in the future.

-- NNT 2011-08-16

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Swiss tourist dies after Phuket Kata Beach rescue

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Tuk-tuks: no more beatings, blockades – warns Phuket police chief

Tuk-tuks parked at the end of Soi Bangla.

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CAT blocks Dtac's 3G launch

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Qantas announces it will buy up to 110 Airbus A320 aircraft /via@mpoppel

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PM orders study into increasing daily minimum wage to Bt300 and Bt15,000 starting salary for new graduates in civil sector /TAN_Network

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AFP: Probe finds pesticide link to Chiang Mai tourist deaths

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Malaysian police arrest Thai woman with cannabis stash

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian police arrested a 28-year-old Thai woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle in 11 kilograms of cannabis, a newspaper report said Tuesday.

Police from the northern Kedah state's anti-narcotics department arrested the woman as she was boarding a bus headed for the capital Kuala Lumpur late Sunday, the police chief Baharom Othman was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times paper.

"Police found 11 slabs of ganja, weighing 11 kilograms, inside her carry-on luggage," he said. "She did not have any travel documents and we are investigating how she entered the country."

The drugs were valued at 33,000 ringgit (11,000 dollars) and believed to be from a drug syndicate from Thailand, he said.

Malaysia's tough drugs which prescribe the mandatory death sentence for convicted traffickers.

-- The Nation 2011-08-16

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Floods Remain Severe in Many Provinces

Authorities are bracing for the huge amounts of water that are expected to reach Ubon Ratchathani Province next month while the flood situation in many provinces remains worrisome.

In Phitsanulok Province, severe flooding forced Wat Phrom Gaysorn School in Bang Rakam District to cancel classes for one week.

Residents in flood-affected areas have had to build higher boardwalks between the main roads to their houses as the flood levels have increased by ten centimeters so far.

Some 3,000 families and 40,000 rais of agricultural areas have been affected.

In Phichit Province, the Nan and Yom Rivers have risen above flood levels and are still rising, with the current level of Nan River measuring 10.73 meters.

Floodwaters have swamped low-lying homes and farmlands. Around 7,000 families in seven districts are suffering.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva handed out flood aid kits to flood-hit residents in Sam Ngam and Rang Nok districts during his trip to inspect flood situation in Phitsanulok, Phi Chit and Nakhon Sawan provinces.

Regarding a proposal for the construction of Kaeng Suea Ten Dam, the former PM said the project is subject to extensive review since it could have a great impact on the environment and requires a huge investment.

In Ubon Ratchthani, Provincial Governor Surapol Saiphan, along with local officials, inspected the levels of Sebai, Shee, and Mun Rivers following a steady rise.

Sections of the rivers have overflown and inundated low-lying lands.

Local authorities have installed water pumps in order to divert floodwaters into tributaries and are closely monitoring the situation.

-- TNA 2011-08-16

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House speaker recommends fast-track charter rewrite

By The Nation

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont on Tuesday made a suggestion that charter rewrite should be put a fast-track to complete in three months, advising against a lengthy process.

"There is a super fast way to amend the charter - the whold process could be completed in three months plus another two months if a national referendum is conducted," he said.

Somsak said if his Pheu Thai Party opts for the lengthy process, the House would have to debate twice - to amend the charter's Article 291 to pave way for forming the Constitution Drafting Assembly and to deliberate on the CDA's draft charter amendments.

He said an alternative was for the House to do away with the CDA formation by retaining the first two chapters of the Constitution, including provisions on the monarchy, and reactivating the suspended 1997 charter for all provisions except those in its first two chapters.

The amended charter would be a mixture of the Constitution with two chapters intact and remaining provisions from the suspended charter, he said.

Many see that the ruling party is pushing for chater rewrite with an ulterior motive to discard Article 309 of the Constitution.

The provision sanctions the orders and activities of the junta, seen as the legal cornerstone for prosecution and conviction of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- The Nation 2011-08-16

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Minister to Seek Release of 2 Thais Jailed in Cambodia

The defense minister is planning to negotiate for the release of two Thai activists being detained in a Cambodia prison during the upcoming Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee meeting in Phnom Penh.

Defense Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha pointed out that he has been invited by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh to attend the 8th Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee or GBC meeting in Phnom Penh to discuss the ongoing border dispute.

Yuthasak said that he has ordered the secretary to defense minister to coordinate with various agencies to prepare for the meeting.

He expects the meeting to take place as soon as the end of this month.

Once the framework of the meeting is agreed upon, the government will inform the International Court of Justice that it is no longer necessary as for the team of observers to be deployed in the disputed area.

The defense minister reasoned that with the new government in office, both countries will now attempt to resolve the border dispute through bilateral talks.

Yuthasak added that at the GBC meeting, he will also try to negotiate with Cambodian authorities for the release of Veera Somkwarmkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon.

They are the two Thai activists who have been convicted of espionage and trespassing and are being imprisoned in Cambodia.

The defense minister also commented on his first meeting with the chiefs of the armed forces, saying he is confident that they will work well together.

About the upcoming annual military reshuffle, Yuthasak insisted that any promotion and appointment will not be influenced by politicians.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-16

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Bail approved for 22 red shirts in Udon Thani

By The Nation

The Udon Thani Provincial Court on Tuesday approved the temporary release of 22 red suspects charged for involving in the torching of the provincial hall last May.

The court set Bt1 million bail for each suspect.

Nine Pheu Thai MPs from Udon Thani had used their positions as surety to free the suspects.

The 22 are facing four separate trials in connection with the arson attack. The court has already concluded the hearing of witnesses and scheduled to hand down the verdict in October.

Some 110 red shirts have presently been remanded, including those in Ubon Ratchathani Khon Kaen and Mahasarakham.

-- The Nation 2011-08-16

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Deputy PM against Dissolving Red Villages

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Democrat Party to Probe Thaksin's Japan Visa Case

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SET index closed at 1077.02, down 9.30; Bt/USD29.74; GBP48.51; AUD30.88; EUR42.65; CAD29.98; HKD3.81; SGD24.55; JPY38.47

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DARE 2/11 - The most anticipated MMA event ever held in Thailand

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CAT Telecom is planning to file a lawsuit against DTAC

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Father of New Zealand victim Sarah Carter advises against travel to Thailand

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FASHION

The fashion industry fights fakes

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Landslide warnings issued in ten northern provinces

Landslide warnings were issued in ten northern provinces Tuesday

Somboon Kositanon, director of Lampang's mineral resources office Region 1, said Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Uttaradit, Tak, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun - especially areas near mountains or rivers were at risk of landslides following abnormally-large accumulated rainfall this year.

-- The Nation 2011-08-16

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1,200 riverside households may be affected by flooding

Published on August 16, 2011

Bangkok's 1,200 riverside households located outside the flood barrier were bracing for flood conditions Tuesday night.

As the Chao Phraya River rose to 1.6metres and a speed of 1,300 cubic metres per second, Bangkok Governor Mom Rajawongse Sukhumbhand Paripatra Tuesday led city executives to inspect Wat Lad Krabang slough gate and the flood prevention plan for Prawet, Suan Luang, and Bang Na areas.

The Chao Phraya was expected to peak at 9.47pm Tuesday at 1.70 metres.

Sukhumbhand said 1,200 families in 27 communities outside the flood barrier would be affected. He instructed city clerk Charoenrat Chutikan to arrange sandbags and wooden planks and to contact temples or schools to prepare to serve as temporary shelters in case of evacuation.

-- The Nation 2011-08-16

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Yingluck on TV 3: Govt is not helping only Thaksin. I'm not involved with any move to help him. /via@tulsathit

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Aldhouse extradition for Phuket murder 'not decided'

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Thailand Live Wednesday 17 Aug 2011

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