Thailand Live Monday 22 Aug 2011

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Polls Show Public Demand for Thaksin to Cease Political Activities

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Defence Minister Gen Yutthasak notes presence of Indonesian observers at Thai-Cambodian border will benefit Thailand /TAN_Network

99 more resorts in Wangnamkiew, Nakhon Ratchasima targeted for violating natl park land /TAN_Network

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Premier Dismisses Claims of Thaksin's Influence

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra denies a claim that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is orchestrating the government's policies, saying that all matters rest with the party's executive board.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has denied a remark that the former prime minister is the mastermind behind the government.

Recent surveys revealed that many Thais want Thaksin to stop hindering in the government's political affairs and allow his sister to work independently.

Yingluck reiterated that Thaksin realizes what he is supposed to do and will not step in, but, as a former premier, he may give her some advice.

She stressed that the party's policies rest solely on the executive board.

As for the 91st anniversary of Privy Council President General Prem Tinasulanont on August 26, she hopes to be granted a chance to meet with him in person to wish him a happy birthday.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has warned the Yingluck-led administration against exploiting personal business opportunities in Thaksin's alleged trip to Cambodia, as Abhisit claims to have knowledge that Thaksin has plans to invest in many ASEAN countries.

When asked about Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul's threat to counter sue, Abhisit wondered aloud whether Surapong will counter sue Japan as well, since Tokyo stated that Surapong demanded a special entry to Japan for Thaksin.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-22

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Anti-narcotics Officials Confiscate 100 KGs of Ice

The anti-drug agency and police have teamed up to confiscate 'Ice' in two separate cases.

Almost 100 total kilograms of the drugs were seized.

The Office of Narcotics Control Board and police announced the arrest of two drug dealers at a gas station in the Lamlukka District of Pathumthani Province and seized 94 kilogram of 'Ice' and six mobile phones in the bust.

The suspected dealers have been identified as Sarayut Taeng-ngan, Chaipruek Sirisunton, and Buntarika Sukpom.

Police said the drugs were hidden inside a plastic bag in a beer container.

The dealers have been charged with possession of a first-category narcotics.

The three sellers pleaded guilty, admitting to have been involved in three similar operations and have been paid at least 100,000 baht.

In another case, in Songkhla Province, anti-drug officials reported that a Malaysian man, identified as Tan Gi Hao, was arrested for possession of class-one narcotics with the intention to sell.

They said they seized three grams of liquid ice, 20,000 pills of pseudoephedrine, a pick-up truck and two cell phones.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-22

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7-Eleven Backs 300 Baht Minimum Wage Policy

Seven-Eleven has announced its support for the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy, believing that it will increase consumer purchasing power.

The company has also pledged that it will not raise its prices for the time being, in an effort to help the consumers cope with the high cost of living.

Piyawat Titasattavorakul, president of CP All, the operator of 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Thailand has pledged that the company will be among the last retailers to increase their goods prices.

However, Piyawat did admit that the company will have to increase the price of CP Group's boiled eggs to cope with the higher cost, which has already been approved by the Department of Internal Trade.

He has promised to lower prices again once costs have also gone down.

Meanwhile, CP All has announced that it also supports the implementation of the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy.

The company believes it will enjoy higher sales thanks to consumers' higher purchasing power.

During the first half of this year, the company generated 79 billion baht, a 17.3 percent increase from the same period of last year, with a net profit of 4.2 billion baht, an increase of 23.5 percent from the same period last year.

The largest convenience store chain in the country expects that it will exceed its earlier projected sales for 2011 by 15 percent.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-22

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THB to move 29.75-30.10 THB/USD this week

BANGKOK, 22 August 2011 (NNT) – Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch) has estimated that the Thai baht this week (from 22 to 26 August 2011) will move in the range of 29.75-30.10 baht per US dollar with the Thai Monetary Policy Committee's meeting and the US economic figures as the major focus.

KResearch reported that the baht strengthened in the first half of last week upon a hope that the EU debt crisis would be solved. Purchases of Thai stocks among foreign investors also pushed up the baht in the middle of the week; however, trade slipped later on upon concerns over fragility of the global economy.

The baht however can manage to bounce back stronger in the end of last week as exporters sold US dollars. The baht closed at 29.78 per US dollar on Friday, compared with 29.89 baht per US dollar a week earlier.

As for this week, the baht is expected to move in the range of 29.75-30.10 baht per US dollar. Domestic factors that should be monitored are the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the second quarter this year and the meeting result of the Monetary Policy Committee this week.

Meanwhile, external factors that should be focused are still concentrated on important economic figures from the US.

-- NNT 2011-08-22

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Public Health Ministry: Flu vaccines prepared

BANGKOK, 22 August 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has prepared 2.5 million doses of vaccine against three strains of influenza for people, especially those in risky groups to prevent them from seasonal influenza.

According to Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri, influenza is found spreading in small groups of people during this rainy season. The Bureau of Epidemiology reported that from 1 January to 10 August 2011, there were 21,398 flu patients with four fatalities, down from the figure last year of 115,183 cases with 126 fatalities.

To prevent flu spread and reduce fatalities, the ministry has prepared 2.5 million doses of flu vaccines, covering influenza A (H1N1), influenza B and influenza A (H3N2) to be injected to risky groups of people, including medical personnel, senior citizens aged over 65 and people with chronic diseases.

So far, 1.5 million doses were injected. Vaccination for risk groups is scheduled to finish this August. Patients with seven chronic diseases, including pneumonia, asthma, heart disease, stroke, chronic renal failure, cancer under chemotherapy and diabetes are recommended to receive vaccination.

Patients in the said risk groups can receive vaccination free of charge at all public hospitals and participated private hospitals nationwide.

In addition, the minister has assigned the Department of Disease Control to prepare 1,000 doses of flu vaccine for MPs and senators as well as parliament staff wishing to receive the vaccine when Parliament convenes for the government’s policy statement this Tuesday. He said both politicians and parliament staff had to work hard and had little time to rest. Therefore, it is easier for them to catch flu due to weaker immunity.

-- NNT 2011-08-22

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TAT to Promote Medical Tourism in Russia

The Tourism Authority of Thailand and private hospitals are collaborating to promote medical tourism, with medical package tours ready to be presented at the Medical MATIW-Leisure 2011 event in Moscow for the first time.

Products and Tourism Deputy Pensuda Prai-A-Ram, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed that the TAT is planning to participate in MATIW-Leisure 2011 event in Moscow, Russia from September 21 to 24, 2011.

At the event, the TAT will present medical products and services for the first time to the Russian market.

The TAT has partnered with private hospitals to set up booths featuring Thai medical product and service packages to Russian tourists.

In addition, Deputy Director of the Division of Tourism Pattanamat Wongwattanasiri will organize a medical tourism seminar at the event to promote Thailand as an attractive medical tourism destination.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-22

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FLASH: Gaddafi forces still fighting in Tripoli, control 15-20 pct of city, rebel spokesman tells Al Jazeera /via@Reuters

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SET by 16.14 to close at 1,053.06 midday, value of Bt15.49 bln /TAN_Network

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AFP: Thai Economy Shrinks As Exports Lose Steam

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Japanese media reports on Thaksin's arrival in the country for a 6-day visit /

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon denies reports Thaksin will be investing in oil excavation in Cambodia /

EC chairman proceeds with complaint against Pheu Thai for allegedly bribing media to put out favorable content for party /

PM refuses to speak to press today; posts on FB about how many issues concerning her have been inaccurate /

/TAN_Network

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Thailand's 2011 overall economic growth revised downward to 3.5-4%: NESDB

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Ranger volunteer killed in Narathiwat

Narathiwat - A ranger volunteer was killed inside his rubber plantation in this southern border province Monday morning.

Police said Nirosuenan Jhenu, 31, was attacked while tapping rubber trees in a plantation in front of his house in Moo 1 vilage in Tambon Borngor, Ranage district, at 10 am.

Police said a pillion-rider gunman shot at him and twice, sending him down. The gunman then ran toward him and shot him at his head.

-- The Nation 2011-08-22

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Suchart denies promising Bt1 million for all red-shirt villages

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Legendary British Farmer Joe loses water-tight 30-year lease in Thailand

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Bidding for 10 New Skytrain Routes by Year-end

The Transport Ministry is set to hold construction bidding for ten new Skytrain routes linking the city with its suburbs by the end of this year.

Transport Minister Admiral Sukhampol Suwannathat said the government is currently expediting a plan to construct ten new Skytrain routes connecting Bangkok to the suburbs.

The ten new routes are Thammasat-Mahachai, Salaya-Hua Mak, Don Muang-Bang Sue-Phaya Thai-Suvarnabhumi, Bang Yai-Ratburana, Bang Sue-Hua Lampong-Tha Phra-Phuttamonthon 4, Lam Luk Ka-Samut Prakan, Yos Se-Bang Wa, Taling Chan-Minburi Kaerai-Minburi and Lad Phrao-Sam Rong.

Sukhampol noted that his ministry is considering the construction plan and budget proposal for the project and expected the construction bidding to take place at the end of this year.

He added that he is also studying how to cut the fare of all electric trains to a flat rate of 20 baht, which is one of the Pheu Thai Party's campaign promises.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-22

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SOCIAL NETWORKING

Yingluck uses facebook to fight back

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday used her Facebook page to complain that many issues were either distorted or cooked up to put the blame on her government.

She did not mention particular issues, insisting her government's urgent policies were aimed at helping people fight problems of flooding as well as domestic and world economic troubles that have affected the country.

Her government will reveal details of the policies in the twoday policy debate, starting Tuesday. "What I am asking is that all agencies and sectors put their best efforts to work for the country," she said in her facebook; Yingluck Shinawatra.

When we work, we have to put priorities on the benefits of people and the country, she wrote.

The Yingluck government has been criticised of having a hidden agenda to bring back her elder brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, on the run from a twoyear jail term on charges of corruption and abuse of power.

Her government has been criticised for helping Thaksin get a special entry visa for a visit to Japan this week. Thaksin is scheduled to give a lecture at a seminar and to visit areas affected by tsunami and earthquake.

-- The Nation 2011-08-22

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Thaksin arrives in Japan : Kyodo

By Kyodo News

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Japan on Tuesday reportedly with an aim to assist the reconstruction of the northeastern region which were severely hit by March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Kyodo news reported.

Thaksin, an elder brother of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck, has been a fugitive travelling to many countries with Montenegrin passport after Abhisit government revoked his Thai passport.

Thaksin's visit to Japan has become controversial after Japan said it issued entry visa for him at the request of Yingluck government.

Japan's immigration control law prohibits the entry of a foreign national who has been found guilty of a crime and given a jail term of more than one year.

Yingluck and Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul denied Japan's statement.

During his trip until Sunday, Thaksin is scheduled to give speeches and hold talks with Japanese politicians and business leaders in Tokyo before visiting two cities in Miyagi Prefecture devastated by the March disaster.

-- The Nation 2011-08-22

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Khon Kaen Court requires MPs to deposit Bt500,000 in cash for bail of red-shirt suspects

The Khon Kaen Provincial Court agreed to free four red-shirt suspects on a condition that each Pheu Thai MP must deposit Bt500,000 as a guarantee for each suspect's bail.

The suspects have been being detained at the Khon Kaen Prison for over a year on charge of torching the Khon Kaen Provincial Hall and NBT station in the province.

Six Pheu Thai MPs have applied for the four's release on bail using their MP position as a guarantee.

But the court ruled Monday that at least four MPs must deposit Bt500,000 each for the four and the MPs must also sign a contract to guarantee that they would pay for Bt1 million compensation if the four jumped bail.

The MPs have yet to travel to the provincial court to provide the money and sign the contracts.

-- The Nation 2011-08-22

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SET index closed at 1067.84, down 1.36; Bt/USD29.69; GBP48.83; AUD30.75; EUR42.56; CAD29.81; HKD3.80; SGD24.39; JPY38.48

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Thai PM Yingluck declines media questions

BANGKOK, Aug 22 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday declined to answer today's doorstep media questions saying some issues were merely created for politically-motivated purposes.

The Thai premier's latest move came as she refused to answer media questions but instead posted messages gathering her comments on her Facebook social network page stating that many issues have been raised to inappropriately draw attention to or distort facts.

She said in her Facebook page that the government has three urgent missions to accomplish, including relieving and resolving problems related to natural disasters--floods, as well as problems concerning domestic and impacts from the global economy.

The government needs to speed up its work, while the state policy will be delivered to Parliament on Tuesday, according to the message she posted.

Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and Chinese ambassador to Thailand Guan Mu on Tuesday paid a courtesy call to Ms Yingluck at Government House to congratulate her assuming the premiership.

The Chinese envoy also presented a congratulatory note from Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to the Thai premier, saying Thailand is an important country in ASEAN and has a long-established cordial relationship with China.

The note stated that Thai-Chinese relations have also stepped forward with cooperation expanded in every aspect and hopes that both countries will remain and foster the ties.

The Chinese premier also invited Ms Yingluck to attend the 8th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) to be held October 21 in the South China city of Nanning.

The Thai premier expressed gratitude for the congratulatory message and pledged to continue the ties between the two countries, as well as inviting the Chinese premier to visit Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-22

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REU: REBELS ARE NEAR MUAMMAR GADDAFI'S COMPOUND IN TRIPOLI BUT HIS FORCES ARE RESISTING -- REBEL OFFICIAL /via@mpoppel

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Frenchman arrested in Pattaya Police Drug dealing sting in Central Pattaya

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Three factory workers arrested following sex and drugs party in Sriracha

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David Cameron says Gaddafi's regime is falling apart and is in retreat /via@SkyNewsBreak

BREAKING -- Cameron: At least two of Gaddafi's sons detained /via@mpoppel:

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AFP: France plans to host a meeting of world powers implicated in the Libyan conflict next week; Fo Minister Alain Juppe says /via@mpoppel

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Ex-cop Shot Dead by Gas Station Employee

An employee at a gas station shot a former policeman to death over disputed 1.80 baht.

Makam police in Chantaburi Province inspected the body of former police officer, Police Lieutenant Colonel Palangpon Pakdee, at an LPG station.

Palangpon was shot twice in the head and once in the shoulder and died immediately at the scene.

Rit Pridatham, the gas station's employee, was said to have shot the former policeman and immediately fled the scene on his motorcycle.

Another gas station employee, who witnessed the incident, said the victim wanted his vehicle filled with 600 baht worth of LPG but Rit had overfilled it by 1.80 baht.

An argument ensued as the customer refused to pay the extra 1.80 baht and the the gas station employee then shot him.

The gun belongs to the gas station owner who left it for employees to use in self-defense in case of robbery.

Police said the suspect has contacted them to negotiate a surrender but he has not specified when he will turn himself in.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-22

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New Kennel for Rescued Nakhon Panom Dogs

Following the rescue of a large number of dogs from being smuggled across the border in Nakhon Panom Province, authorities have been improving facilities used to house the rescued dogs.

They have also stepped up security along the border to prevent further dog smuggling.

The animal quarantine station in Nakhon Panom Province has been facing problems of overcrowding following the recent crackdown on a dog smuggling ring and the rescue of almost 2,000 dogs.

The station now has 976 dogs left, which included 70 injured ones and six puppies.

Fifteen dogs have been reunited with their owners already.

The committee set up to oversee donations pouring in for the dogs has decided to spend 300,000 baht to construct another kennel to reduce overcrowding.

The new facility should be completed in a week while electric fans will be installed for ventilation to help prevent diseases.

Authorities have also been successful in capturing 100 out of the 500 dogs that were let loose by the smuggling ring when they sighted the pursuing police.

Currently, the amount of cash donations has exceeded 17.5 million baht while there are 30 tons of dog food donated.

Meanwhile, border patrol police have increased security to keep an eye on trafficking activities along the Mekong River.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-22

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AFP: Thai FM accuses opposition of slander

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