Thailand Live Wednesday 31 Aug 2011

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,056.02, up 11.05 points /MCOT

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Deputy PM Chalerm: Police Chief to be Trasnferred over Gambling Dens

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Thailand Approves Sales of Electricity to Cambodia

A Thai committee has reached a consensus to approve sales of electricity to Cambodia to increase the province's revenue.

Commander of the Region 2 Army, Lieutenant General Tawatchai Samutsakorn, along with Suranaree Deputy Commander General Wut Saengjak and Sisaket Governor Somsak Suvannasujarit have discussed Cambodia's request to buy electricity from Sisaket Province.

A Cambodian company called Luek Heng submitted a request to buy electricity from the province to distribute in Cambodia's Udornmechai Province.

Somsak said members of the meeting reached a consensus to approve the Cambodian company's demand, saying it could increase the province's revenue.

The Cabinet will consider the matter at its next meeting.

In addition, Somsak added that the province is coordinating with the Preah Vihear Governor to promote tourism at Pha Mor E Dang and Preah Vihear Temple in the future.

However, it is necessary to consider the plan thoroughly, as it will have a significant effect on security.

Regarding the military withdrawal according to the International Court of Justice, Tawatchai said the demilitarization details would be clearer after the Regional Border Committee or RBC meeting, to be held in Phnom Penh next month.

He insisted the army is ready to comply with the army commander's order.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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Gasohol Price Drops Further as Govt Cuts Oil Fund Contribution

The government has announced a cut in the contribution to the Oil Fund from the sales of gasohol 95, bringing the retail price down even further.

Energy Minister Pichai Nariptapan disclosed that the Energy Policy and Planning Committee has approved a temporary cut in the contribution to the state Oil Fund from the sales of gasohol 95, by one baht per liter.

The panel also agreed to use money from the Oil Fund to subsidize the price of gasohol 91 and gasohol E20 by 1.50 baht per liter.

The measure takes effect, bringing the price of gasohol 95 down by 1.07 baht a liter and 1.60 baht a liter for gasohol 91 and gasohol E20.

This puts the price difference between gasohol 95 and gasoline 95 at 4.55 baht per liter, and that between gasohol 91 and gasoline 91 at 3.04 baht per liter.

The price of gasohol E20 is lower than gasoline 91 by 4.54 baht a liter.

The energy minister noted that the measure aimed to widen the price gap between gasoline 91 and 95, to encourage more consumption of alternative fuels.

He stated that the reduction in gasoline contribution will result in a drop of about four billion baht per month for the Oil Fund.

The fund currently has a surplus of 15.83 billion baht and is in debt by as much as 14.76 billion baht, leaving net cash of around 1.06 billion baht.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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Thai Finance Ministry Heeds IMF Warning of Continued World Economic Struggle

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Tax rebate for first car not doable: Boonsong

By The Nation

The Pheu Thai Party's campaign pledge on Bt100,000 tax rebate for first-car buyers might not be implemented in its entirety, Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teyaphirom said on Wednesday.

"The tax rebate can not be applied to all first-car buyers as pledged by Pheu Thai," he said.

The campaign pledge would have to be modified, he said,

The Excise Department and the Revenue Department are in charge of tax rebate and under tax provisions, the rebate could be applicable only to tax payers who file their income tax return but not all car buyers are in the tax system.

The Excise Department has recommended, after reviewing the tax code, to reimburse car buyers via the Revenue Department. The rebate would be limited to first-time buyers of eco cars and pickup trucks with selling prices of no more than Bt1 million.

The Revenue Department is mapping out methos for paying rebate. One method on the drawing board is to allow a tax deduction calculated over five years equivalent to the Bt100,000 rebate.

If the rebate is to be paid as a form of income tax deduction, then the beneficiaries would be only tax payers in the high income bracket.

Of 10 million people who file their income tax return, only two million are actually paying income tax because they earn more than Bt20,000 per month.

-- The Nation 2011-08-31

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Kanchanaburi Province: Chick Mountain Music Festival Highlights

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'Mad' Norwegian Pours Out His Stuff At Pattaya Police Station

shouting 'Thai woman is not good!'

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Army Chief Declines to Comment Red-shirt Appointments

The Army chief has declined to comment on the appointment of red-shirt members as state officials.

Meanwhile, he insists the annual military reshuffle will be conducted with standard procedure.

Army Chief, General Prayuth Chan-O-Cha said the appointment of red-shirt members as minister's advisers and secretaries is not an issue to criticize.

General Prayuth said he would keep his focus on doing his job to the best of his ability.

When asked about the annual military reshuffle, the army chief said the committee of the defence minister will finalize any adjustments to be made to the armed forces.

General Prayuth confirmed that the appointment of the top five positions, popularly dubbed as the 'five tigers' of the armed forces, will be considered according to their knowledge and experience.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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First-time Eco-friendly Car, Truck Buyers to Get Tax Deduction

First-time buyers of eco-friendly cars and pick-up trucks will be eligible for a tax deduction of up to 100,000 baht, for the next five years.

The program is expected to be launched in October.

Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said regarding the tax break for first-time car buyers that buyers of new fuel-efficient cars and pick-up trucks valued at less than one million baht will be allowed to deduct the excise tax from their personal income tax.

The deduction will be available for five years, and is limited to 100,000 baht.

Boonsong said the Revenue Department is holding discussions with the Excise Department to finalize the details of the program.

Boonsong added that he intends to table the proposal for the Cabinet's consideration as soon as possible, so that the program can go into effect in October.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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BILLIONAIRES

Dhanin tops Forbes's Thailand Rich List

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Revered Monk to be Transferred to Siriraj After Setback

Followers and medical staff looking after revered abbot Luang Phor Koon Parisutto agree that the senior monk should be transferred to Siriraj Hospital for better medical care.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governer Rapee Pongbupakij said that the 85-year-old abbot of Ban Rai Temple, Luang Phor Koon Parisutto, continues to struggle with ailments, even after having been admitted to Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital nearly four months ago.

Rapee said the monk's general condition is getting worse, as he continues to choke on food, which has caused lung infections.

He choked again last night and is now receiving nasogastric tube feeding.

The revered abbot has lost another three kilograms, dropping his weight to a dangerous 40.5 kilograms or about 90 pounds.

Nakhon Ratchasima doctors are coordinating with Siriraj Hospital to transfer the monk to the hospital in Bangkok, to receive tube feeding directly to his stomach.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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Culture minister: No shake-up in her ministry

BANGKOK, 31 August 2011 (NNT) – Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome has confirmed that only two high-ranking positions in her ministry will be newly appointed after the incumbents retire at the end of September.

Ms Sukumol stated that the selection for the two posts is in process, and no conclusion has been made. She added that Permanent Secretary for Culture Somchai Sianglai will propose the appropriate names for her consideration once the selection is completed.

The minister elaborated that after her consideration, she will forward the two names to the cabinet for approval. She expected that the process should be completed in the mid of September. She reconfirmed that only two positions will be appointed while others will be untouched.

The two executives of the ministry who are due to retire in the end of September are Deputy Permanent Secretary for Culture Prarop Laovanich and Religious Affairs Department Director-General Sod Daeng-Ied .

Ms Sukumol noted that other ministerial executives will not be transferred or replaced because she viewed that all directors-general of each department are still working efficiently.

-- NNT 2011-08-31

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Military Reshuffle List to be Submited to PM by Mid-September

The defence ministry spokesman says the transfer list of military personnel will be submitted to the prime minister by September 15.

Speaking during an interview with INN news agency, Defence Ministry Spokesman, Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng said Defense Minister, General Yutthasak Sasiprapa, the supreme commander, and armed forces leaders will convene to consider the annual military reshuffle list this week.

Thanathip noted the list of military shake-up will be submitted to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for further consideration by September 15.

He affirmed that it will be deliberated with transparency and without political interference.

Seniority and ability will be taken into consideration.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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EC to Consider Bhumjaithai MP's Red Card

The Election Commission is planning to discuss several issues today, including forwarding a case against a Bhumjaithai MP to the Supreme Court.

The Election Commission or EC, including Chairman Apichart Sukakanon, Prapan Naikowit, Sodsri Sattayatham, Somchai Chuengprasert, and Wisut Pothithan will attend a meeting to discuss many issues.

First on the table is the discussion of progress in submitting a request to the Supreme Court's Election Cases Division to disqualify Boonjong Wongtrairat of the Bhumjaithai Party, who was elected in Nakhon Ratchasima in a by-election in 2010.

Boonjong was found guilty of involvement in treating village headmen to a party to gain an advantage in a recent by-election.

Moreover, the EC will consider the qualifications of the newly elected Democrat Party leader and its executive board members for further endorsement.

In addition, the EC will continue its consideration of the case of red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP-elect Jatuporn Phrompan regarding his allegedly illegal membership in the Pheu Thai Party.

The EC must rule on the matter before the case is expired 30 days after the complaint was filed.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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Jatuporn: Use Your Office To Strengthen The Red-Shirt Movement

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Phisanulok hard hit by renewed flooding

PHITSANULOK, Aug 31 – The northern province of Phisanulok has been hit by a new round of floods, leading the authorities to tighten security to prevent looting.

Local residents in Bang Rakam district still dealing with an ongoing flood condition had their problems intensified as new floodwaters as high as two metres swept into provincial seat from the overflowing Yom River, flooding a wider expanse of low-lying areas.

The flooding in Bang Rakam district covered 11 sub-districts and over 100 families were evacuated to higher ground at local roadsides.

Governor Preecha Ruengchan ordered police to provide security at deserted houses in the provincial seat, as well as Bang Rakam and Phrom Phiram districts, to prevent looting.

Heavy rain and northern run-off will aggravate flooding while a special centre to handle flood problems has been set up at the city hall and mobile medical units have been sent to flood-hit areas.

Meanwhile, the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat released more water causing the river to overflow its banks in Sing Buri’s In Buri district.

Governor Pichet Piboonsiri and the provincial authorities informed the public to monitor the situation closely and prepare for possible evacuation.

In Ayutthaya, the Chao Phraya River flooded a 100-year-old market in Phak Hai district, affecting about 200 households. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-31

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Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Wednesday stood at 1,057.67, up 12.70 points, or 1.22 percent /Nation

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Three Iranians arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly trafficking crystal meth worth over Bt13 million: Customs Department /MCOT

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Democrat leader Abhisit urged police chief to fight against transfer and for state officials to fight any unfair transfers/

Democrat MP Suthep slams Deputy PM Chalerm for threatening to replace the police chief in 7 days/

Deputy PM Chalerm says he hasn't been pressuring police chief to resign and says he's dedicated his effort to fighting narcotics/

Red-shirt leader Thida warns the media against distorting facts and says the group has the right to go against media/

/TAN_Network

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Bangkok to have alcohol free zones

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Army Chief Discloses Progress in Military Reshuffle

The army chief declines to comment on red-shirt members serving as Cabinet ministers' advisers.

He also insists that the appointments of the new top five Army officers will be carried out with consideration of their knowledge and experience.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the appointments of red-shirt members as ministers' advisers and secretaries are not an issue to criticize.

Prayuth said he would remain focused on doing his job to the best of his ability.

When asked about the annual military reshuffle, the army chief said the committee responsible for the task will finalize any adjustments to be made within the armed forces.

The army chief confirmed that the appointments of the top five army officers will be considered according to their knowledge and experience, not their involvement in the crackdown on red-shirt protesters, as it was not a special mission.

Today, General Prayuth presides over the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new building at the Region 2 Army's headquarters in Khon Kaen Province.

The general said a new unit has been set up to counter national security threats in the future.

He also urged all military units to speed up building unity among the forces in preparation for any situation that may arise.

Prayuth said the army will propose arms purchases to the defense minister by next week and the proposal will be passed to the government for its consideration later.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-31

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NEW BOEINGS

THAI finalises order to new Boeings

By The Nation

Boeing and Thai Airways International (THAI) have finalised a firm order for six 777-300 Extended Range (ER) airplanes, worth about Bt118.6 billion (US$1.7 billion.)

The order completed an agreement to purchase the aircraft announced during the Paris Air Show in June.

"These additional Boeings will support our commitment to expanding market presence while delivering profitable growth," said Piyasvasti Amranand, president of THAI.

"They set the standard for twinaisle reliability because Boeing continuously incorporates new technology and innovations into the aeroplane to improve operating cost and plane performance. And, with a wider and more spacious cabin, the Boeing is preferred by passengers in every class."

THAI currently operates nearly every 777 model produced and THAI Cargo became the first carrier in Southeast Asia to utilise the 777 Freighter.

Marlin Dailey, vice president of sales & marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes said the firm thanked THAI for the trust and confidence it continues to show for aeroplanes built by the men and women of Boeing.

"We look forward to working with THAI in introducing the 787, as well as these additional 777s, into its operations."

-- The Nation 2011-08-31

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FLASH: Russia, China to be represented at Thursday's Friends of Libya conference in Paris - French government source /via@Reuters

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Party time!

THAIVISA SEPTEMBER PARTY IN HUA HIN

You are cordially invited to Thaivisa’s Grand Opening Party in Hua Hin!

More info: http://huahin.thaivisa.com/party-time/

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Three Iranians arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport for trafficking 'ice' total worth over US$750.000

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FLASH: Earthquake shakes buildings in Tokyo - Witnesses

FLASH: Magnitude 4.5 earthquake jolts Northeast Japan

/via@Reuters

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SET index closed at 1070.05, up 25.08; Bt/USD29.87; GBP48.60; AUD31.77; EUR43.01; CAD30.32; HKD3.82; SGD24.66; JPY38.74

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Truck Driver shot dead in road rage incident close to Pattaya

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Natthawut, Jatuporn to host TV talk shows

By The Nation

Pheu Thai MP Natthawut Saikua on Wednesday said he and his fellow MP Jatuporn Promphan would holst separate talk shows aired by Asia Update TV, a satellite television station seen as close to the red shirts.

"I hope our two talk shows will keep us in touch with the people," Natthawut said.

He said the shows would start next month. He voiced hope for expanding mass support for the red-shirt movement.

He will host "Fa Wong Lom" (breaking the encirclement) programme and Jatuporn's show is named "Lom Hai Jai Thi Mai Phae" (undefeated breath).

-- The Nation 2011-08-31