Thailand Live Thursday 18 Aug 2011

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Thailand Live Thursday 18 August 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 17 Aug 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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BURNING ISSUE

Thai govt at work to bring back Thaksin

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ANALYSIS

Thaksin's Cambodia visit complicates task for govt

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9 MPs ready to give up immunity and face charges

By PIYANUCH TAMNUKASETCHAI

THE NATION

Nine red-shirt leaders have decided not to exercise their right of parliamentary immunity as MPs when they defend themselves against the charge of attempting to dislodge the monarchy.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Tarit Pengdith said he had heard about the red-shirt leaders' decision to not exercise their immunity and appear in front of the investigator to hear the charges.

However, he said the DSI would have to first get the nine MPs to sign a document giving up their right and then pass it on to the House Speaker to get House approval. If the House does not okay their intention, the nine MPs will still be under protection against their will, Tarit said.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said he would ask House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont to propose the issue at the House meeting next week. He believes that Pheu Thai MPs, who make up the majority, will agree to the nine leaders' decision to waive immunity. The nine MPs will then join the other 10 red-shirt leaders in facing the investigators and acknowledge their charges.

According to the law, MPs cannot be detained while Parliament is in session.

The nine MPs ready to give up their immunity are Jatuporn, Natthawut Saikua, Karoon Hosakul, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Weng Tojirakarn, Payap Panket, Kokaew Pikulthong, Vichien Khaokham and Prasit Srichaiya.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Time frame unclear for wage hike: Pheu Thai

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Floods persist in 12 Thai provinces

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Pak Mun Dam: Death of a river

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The real test for Yingluck is substance before style; Thai Talk

By Suthichai Yoon

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Report blames chemicals, diseases, infections for death of tourists

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Clampdown on cold medicines

By The Nation

Responding to Her Majesty the Queen's wishes on drug suppression, Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said yesterday that the control of all cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine would be implemented in September. They will be declared prescription drugs to prevent them being used as basic materials to produce narcotics.

Witthaya said the ministry would urgently tackle the issue because drug abuse - especially among students - had increased 7.5 times in the past 14 years. In 2010 alone, 78 per cent of those admitted to rehabilitation were newcomers and the number of drug-related cases rose to 200,000 - a 12-per-cent increase from 2009. Besides having rehabilitated 460,000 drug addicts from 2006 to 2010, the ministry will also control the basic materials for narcotics production - especially cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine. Some addicts buy this medicine in large quantities to make drugs, despite Food and Drug Administration control.

FDA chief Pipat Yingseri said cold medicines with phenylephrine would replace the three formulas containing pseudoephedrine that had been available as over-the-counter drugs.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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PM Yingluck shirks question if charter change aims to benefit Thaksin

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Jatuporn: Businesses ready to put up Bt100m bail sureties for Red-Shirts

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Border conflict a threat to govt stability

By THE NATION

Mismanagement of the problem could revive clashes and turn the public against the administratrion, NSC ex-chief warns

A chronic border conflict with Cambodia is a political time bomb that could threaten the government's stability, a former National Security Council chief warned yesterday.

Khajatpai Burutpat, who served as the NSC secretary-general from 1998 to 2002, said that mismanagement of the problem could lead to an eruption of border clashes similar to those that took place during the previous government's tenure.

The government's failure to protect the country's interest regarding the matter, particularly in the wake of a verdict by the International Court of Justice in a case filed by Cambodia, could result in an outburst of dissatisfaction among the Thais, Khajatpai warned.

"If the court rules in favour of Cambodia, Thai people may not accept the ruling. Many Thais are still upset with the World Court's verdict in 1962 [that gave the ancient temple of Preah Vihear to Cambodia]," he said.

Khajatpai was speaking during a seminar on "The Direction for Thailand on Security Issues" held at Miracle Grand Hotel. The event was co-hosted by the NSC and the Security Promotion Association of Thailand.

He said that despite positive responses from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen towards the new government, which is headed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in the long run the bilateral ties could turn sour again if the world court rules in favour of Cambodia.

"The conflict with Cambodia is a time bomb or a suicide bomb for the government. If the government mismanages this issue, there will be violence again, like it happened in the past," Khajatpai said.

He said that after Thailand and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 to settle their border conflict, the bilateral ties remained good until 2005 when Cambodia sought a listing of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site unilaterally. Border clashes took place from time to time after that, he noted.

Khajatpai called on Cambodia to withdraw its latest case filed with the World Court asking the court for interpretation of its verdict in 1962. He said both countries should return to the negotiating table and refer to the MoU of 2000 in a bid to settle their border row bilaterally.

He said that the social conflict over the last five years also was a major security concern for Thailand. He said that protesters could take to the streets again if the government failed to please them or made some moves that anger them, such as amending the Constitution or issuing an amnesty law benefiting certain political figures.

He called for the government's sincerity in promoting reconciliation efforts with groups inside and outside Parliament. "The government must make it clear to the detractors and critics that they are sincere," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Actor off hook

By The Nation

Negotiations ended in favour of actor Jessadaporn Pholdee, as authorities decided not to charge him with trespassing and disobeying officials' orders while recording Channel 3's "Navigator" programme in a restricted area of Phu Khiao wildlife reserve in Chaiyaphum province.

Pol Lt-Colonel Sarayuth Daojaeng of Kaset Somboon police station said the case had been concluded after Jessada listened to the charges and provided information on Tuesday. Sarayuth said police and the public prosecutor decided not to file charges, as the case was negotiable and each side had good intentions towards forest conservation.

Phu Khiao wildlife reserve chief Kanjana Nittaya said the reserve had no intention of taking action against anyone, especially a celebrity, who had goodwill towards the forest and wildlife. Kanjana expressed hope the case made people aware of what can and cannot be done.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Case goes ahead

By The Nation

The public prosecutor yesterday decided to pursue a case against former ranger Sutthirak Khongsuwan, who was accused of shooting dead 10 people and injuring 12 others praying in Al-Furgon Mosque in Ipayae Ville in Narathiwat's Joh I Rong district on June 8, 2009.

After Sutthirak surrendered to police in January 14 last year, there were rumours the public prosecutor would not proceed with the case, one of several causing resentment among Thai Muslims.

However, Narathiwat prosecutor Sophon Thipbumrung yesterday said that after a police investigator declared they would not file charges, he ordered more investigations. He then decided to prosecute Sutthirak on two charges, murder and attempted murder. He said rumours of dropping the case might have stemmed from confusion, as he had eliminated some weapons charges. He said the Region 9 attorney-general concurred with the murder and attempted-murder charges.

In Ra Ngae district, seven soldiers were slightly injured by a roadside bomb as their team in an armoured pickup truck on Tanyongmas-Maerubo Road in tambon Chalerm was taking 10 teachers home yesterday. There was a brief gunfight before their attackers fled the scene.

In another incident, the bullet-ridden body of Huru Parae villager Abdulloh Samae, 34, was found after he was shot dead by an unknown gunman while tapping rubber trees. Police collected 14 spent M16 rifle cartridges from the scene and suspected it was insurgents' doing.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Thai Students found 'addicted' to football gambling

paying debts by providing sexual favours

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WANG NAM KHEOW

ALRO, RFD join up to resolve issue

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Wetropolis: A Floating City That Survives The Ebb And Flow Of Shifting Tides

architect's proposed solution to a sinking Bangkok

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House to meet every Wednesday and Thursday

By THE NATION

The House of Representatives yesterday decided by a majority vote to convene twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Pheu Thai MP Cholnan Srikaew sponsored the motion specifying that the Wednesday session would run from 1pm to 9pm and the Thursday session from 10am to 6pm.

Following a two-hour debate, the coalition lawmakers approved the motion by 273 votes.

Pheu Thai MP Paijit Sreewarakan then pushed through his motion for the House session to run from Sunday to April 16, 2012.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Car accident kills nine Indonesians in eastern Malaysia

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Phil Spector loses Calif. Supreme Court appeal - http://bit.ly/poD1Pg /via@CBSNews

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North and Northeast warned of heavy rain and possible flash flood; BKK to see thunderstorm /

Defence minister and army chief visit deep South /

Bus with mechanical error parked at Chidlom-Petchburi junction causes traffic to back up on inbound Petchburi to Klongton /

Bus no. 60 parked in front of Ramkamhaeng 12 causes traffic to be congested on Ramkamhaeng, Serithai, and Lardprao /

/TAN_Network

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Metro Police striving to reduce traffic jam in Bangkok

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Multi-colour shirts to oppose Japanese visa granted to Thaksin

By The Nation

Multi-colour shirt leader Tul Srisomwong will submit a letter on Thursday's morning at the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok opposing a special entry permit given to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I want justice-loving Japanses people to question the move by their government," he said.

Tul said Thaksin is a fugitive and that his donations for Tsunami victims are ill-gotten gains, or dirty money accumulated by corruption. His letter will attach a high court's verdict on the Thaksin assets seizure case, he added.

He said he will closely monitor the next week's policy debate in order to determine whether the government was gearing to help Thaksin elude the law.

"The government should be focusing on extraditing the fugitive (Thaksin) instead of helping him to gain entry to another country," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Jackie Chan is alive and well and working hard on his next movie! Don't believe the latest death rumors. /via@EyeOfJackieChan

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DDPM warns of flashflood until 21 Aug

BANGKOK, 18 August 2011 (NNT) – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned residents in the north, northeast and east to brace themselves for flashflood, wild water and mudslide until 21 August 2011.

According to DDPM Director-General Viboon Sanguanpong, residents in the three regions, especially those residing near hill slopes, water ways and river basins in 40 provinces are warned to prepare for heavy rainfall, which might lead to flashflood, spruge of wild water and mudslide from 17 to 21 August 2011.

Residents in risky zones are advised to stay alert and observe irregular signs in nature for immediate evacuation in case of possible wild water and mudslide.

The DDPM has coordinated with its provincial offices in risky provinces to arrange officials to monitor the situation during this period and get ready related rescue equipment.

Residents affected by natural disasters and mudslide can notify the authorities for assistance at the DDPM hotline 1784 around the clock.

-- NNT 2011-08-18

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Appellate verdict due next week for Pojaman tax evasion case

By The Nation

The Appeals Court will next Wednesday hand down its decision on the tax evasion case involving Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In the lower court's decision, Pojaman was found guilty in 2007 and sentenced to serve three years in jail. She was freed on bail pending the appellate verdict.

Pojaman is fighting tax charges in connection with the shares transaction involving her brother Bannapot Damapong and her private secretary Kanchanapha Honghern.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,099.10, up 5.59 points /MCOT

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Democrats To Target Yingluck And Surapong For Impeachment

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