Thailand Live Friday 2 Sep 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 2 September 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 Thursday 1 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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The state of the cases against Thaksin

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Rescued dogs dying of hunger

By The Nation

Of the 2,000 or so dogs rescued from being smuggled to dinner tables in Vietnam, only 863 are alive, because up to 10 succumb to illness every day as many refuse to eat commercial dog food, veterinarian Jakraporn Suwattanachao said yesterday. The dogs are being quarantined at an animal shelter in Nakhon Phanom.

The crowded conditions at the animal station prompted an outbreak of canine distemper and other viral diseases, even though donations have been pouring in. The donations hit Bt20.7 million yesterday, but so far only Bt611,270 has been spent on cleaning cages, building new ones, providing food and medical supplies.

Jakraporn said that since most of the dogs were raised on leftover rice, they were not familiar with dog biscuits, and many died from malnutrition. She added that the donation fund management's rule of having the committee meet just once a week to approve all expenditure slowed down the purchase of food and medication.

-- The Nation 2011-09-02

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Floods in Thailand shut down 47 schools in Phichit

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Paddy subsidy a one-year trial in Thailand

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Embattled Thai Police Chief Wichean to be moved to top job at NSC

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US suit challenges firm on Thai royal insults

by Shaun Tandon

WASHINGTON, September 2, 2011 (AFP) - A US citizen who says he risks prison in Thailand has sued an Internet company for allegedly handing over his personal data, in a legal test touching on the kingdom's tough ban on royal insults.

Anthony Chai, a Thai-born naturalized American who runs a computer store in California, said in a lawsuit that Canadian web service provider Netfirms.com Inc. broke US law by sharing his personal information with Thai authorities.

On a now defunct website, Chai posted anonymous comments critical of Thailand's "lese majeste" law in which criticism of the royal family carries up to 15 years in prison. Critics say the law is frequently abused.

Even though he did not identify himself on the site, Chai said that agents pulled him aside for interrogation at Bangkok's airport and that he fears imprisonment if he returns.

In comments to AFP, Chai said he hoped to draw attention to the "despicable" law on lese majeste and to test Thai authorities' contention that their rules apply around the world and not only inside the kingdom.

"So many innocent Thai people are now rotting in Thai jail across the country in Thailand because of their belief in freedom of expression," Chai said.

Such expression "does not contain any violence or promotion of violence. The whole country is held hostage by this law," he said.

Netfirms.com Inc. did not respond to telephone messages seeking comment. The company's website says that it provides web hosting and domain names to more than 1.2 million websites around the world.

The lawsuit said that Netfirms.com confirmed in correspondence that it suspended the website Manusaya, on which users at Chai's shop posted anonymous comments, in 2005 after complaints from Thai authorities.

Chai said he was interrogated in Bangkok in May 2006.

Chai said he suffered "severe psychological and physical stress" during two days of questioning, in which authorities seized his laptop, forced him to surrender his passwords and told them they knew where his family members lived.

Chai said he was forced to write a letter praising and apologizing to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch who is revered as a demi-god by many Thais.

In the lawsuit, Chai said that he wanted to appear cooperative and agreed to meet twice later in the Los Angeles area with Police Colonel Yanaphon Youngyuen, the director of Thailand's bureau of high tech crimes -- once at an airport McDonald's restaurant and then at Hollywood's Magic Castle Hotel.

The lawsuit said that Netfirms.com Inc. violated Chai's rights under the US Constitution's First Amendment which guarantees the right to free speech. The suit also said that the company violated California's business code which bans the sharing of confidential information.

Allison Lefrak, litigation director at the World Organization for Human Rights USA who is representing Chai, hoped that the case would have a "broader effect."

"For us, it's an important case to underscore the need for all Internet communication companies to think about these human rights issues," she said.

Chai is seeking an injunction on the company's release of private information as well as at least $75,000 in compensation. Among his losses, Chai said he felt obliged to sell stock shares in Bangkok as he is afraid to return.

More than 100 international academics recently called on Thailand to review the lese majeste rules, saying that the number of cases has risen sharply in recent years amid political polarization in the kingdom.

In March, the webmaster of a site linked to the then opposition was jailed for 13 years after it allegedly published comments insulting the monarchy. A US citizen was also arrested in Thailand in May over Internet postings.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-09-02

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Chalerm to seek releases from Hun Sen

By The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday that he would meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to seek ways to secure the release of Thai activists Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who were imprisoned for espionage in December.

He said his visit would come only after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's first official visit to Cambodia, but no date had yet been fixed for her trip.

Veera and his aide Ratree were arrested by Cambodian authorities on December 29 near Sa Kaew's Ban Nong Chan while inspecting a disputed area on the border with five other activists, including Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth.

The five others were charged with trespassing and freed after a Cambodian court suspended their prison sentences.

Veera and Ratree were convicted of espionage and other offences on February 1 and sentenced to eight and six years' jail, respectively. Their requests for royal pardons were denied.

Yingluck's brother, former prime minister Thaksin, has close ties with Hun Sen, once serving as his personal economic adviser. That appointment led to a downgrading of ties between Thailand and Cambodia.

Chalerm said his son, Wan, was a friend of the deputy commander of Cambodia's navy, and he would try to use this connection to help secure the release of Veera and Ratree.

He claimed that the Cambodian prime minister watched whenever Chalerm delivered a speech or participated in a debate.

"After the policy debate I received a call from Hun Sen's secretary, saying the prime minister wanted to treat me to a meal," he said. "Believe me, such good relations under this government will bring good things to our country."

In a separate development, Yingluck yesterday instructed Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul to examine the deal reached with Cambodia by former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban over maritime resources in the overlapping claims area in the Gulf of Thailand, after the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority released a statement on the issue.

The statement from Phnom Penh on Tuesday said Suthep held two secret meetings with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An in Hong Kong and Kunming, China, in 2009 and 2010, respectively, on the maritime deal.

Yingluck insisted that all negotiations with foreign countries should be conducted transparently, according to Government Spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng.

-- The Nation 2011-09-02

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Chiranuch's motives to be weighed

By Pravit Rojanphruk

The Nation

A new judge presiding over the hearing of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of prachatai.com, who faces criminal charges for not removing messages deemed offensive to the monarchy "quickly enough", said the ruling would be based on the technicality of whether the suspect collaborated with the posters or if she just failed to remove the posts in time.

"It's a legal technicality. Did she know that [defamatory remarks existed] and did not remove them [quickly enough] out of negligence?" new judge Kampol Rungrat asked lawyers on both sides yesterday morning.

The prosecution side responded by asking: "So the case is becoming one of interpreting the intention [of Chiranuch]?"

The judge ignored the question, and went on to say: "It's clear that the defendant did not post the messages [herself] but the question is, did she or didn't she support [such postings]?"

Kampol, one of the two new judges assigned to the case, said that he would also decide on whether the 10 postings, each of which warrants a five-year jail term under Computer Crimes Act Section 15 or a combined sentence of no more than 20 years, can be considered as acts of lese majeste.

"The case really isn't complicated. The information is clear. It's not like someone stabbed a person and disappeared for five days. Whether she is guilty or not will be up to the court to decide," the judge added.

Two prosecution witnesses also testified at yesterday's hearing.

Pol Captain Kirirat Marak, a computer crime investigator, said that though he kept a close eye on the content of prachatai.com, he is not aware if there was any legal cases related to postings. "I did see some inappropriate content before [Chiranuch was charged] though," Kirirat told the court.

The second witness, Pol Major Suraphong Thampitak, is part of the panel considering whether the anonymous postings could be considered an act of lese majeste.

After he was pressed by defence lawyer Saengchai Rattanaseriwong to explain how the police dealt with the lack of clear procedures on how to conduct the examination, and what constitutes a lese majeste remark, the prosecution side asked Suraphong who was responsible for removing offensive postings from a website.

"The [prachatai.com] webmaster," Suraphong answered.

A composed Chiranuch later told The Nation that no matter how the trial ends, the case was already having a chilling effect on online discussions about the monarchy.

A number of foreign observers were present at the hearing, including two staff members from the US Embassy. The trial continues today.

-- The Nation 2011-09-02

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Ex-Samut Prakan councillor surrenders over murder charges

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Chalerm rejects motion moved by opposition over press intimidation

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Court acquits group of Moonies

By The Nation

Dr Lek Thaveetermsakul, secretary-general of the local arm of the Unification Church's Universal Peace Federation, was overjoyed when the Supreme Court acquitted him and seven others yesterday of charges related to racketeering, public deception and posing a threat to national security. The charges were filed by the National Peace-Keeping Council (NPKC) in 1991.

Lek said he was happy that justice was finally served because he and his fellow Moonies felt stigmatised over the past two decades, even though they worked on promoting love, unity and world peace. The verdict confirmed that the group was not involved in criminal actions or inciting disunity as accused, he said, adding that the federation would next week host a press conference to inform the public of the court verdict and facts.

The NPKC accused Lek and seven others of inciting public chaos and disunity through writing and the spoken word. However, the group was acquitted by the Criminal Court in February 2003 and by the Appeals Court in June 2004.

-- The Nation 2011-09-02

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Foreigners and Thais arrested in two drug busts

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37 more cases come to light in Wang Nam Kheow

By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

The Royal Forest Department (RFD) has found another 37 resorts and private homes built in forest reserves in Nakhon Ratchasima province's Wang Nam Kheow district.

Of this number, 17 are resorts located in mountainous areas and 20 are private homes built in zone C forest reserves.

RFD inspector Witoon Chalainanawin, who leads the department's working group, said the department had already conducted an investigation into the 17 resorts and will take legal action against the owners. The 20 private homes are now being investigated.

"These private homes are for sale," he said. "We will ask police to take legal action against these resorts and private homes in the next two days," he added.

Earlier, the RFD took legal action against 22 developers who built resorts and homes, which are expected to be demolished in the next month.

"We are waiting for them to show us their documents to prove ownership of their lands," he said.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has agreed to the RFD's request to conduct a probe into forest encroachment in Wang Nam Kheow district, as the cases involved persons who used their influence to encroach on the forest, he said.

Meanwhile, a group of 30 Wang Nam Kheow officials led by Bhum Jai Thai MP Pranom Phokham has submitted an open letter to RFD chief Suwit Rattanamanee asking him to suspend legal action against suspected developers and villagers involved in the alleged encroachment.

They also asked the RFD to conduct a new survey to demarcate the forest reserve's boundary, claiming the existing boundary overlaps residential areas.

Suwit said he would hand the open letter to the natural resources and environment minister, but added, "We will continue to take legal action against the 22 developers who encroached on forest reserves to build resorts and private homes."

Thai Sa Mak Kee Local Administration Organisation chief Chongkon Sachareon said he would lead a group of 4,000 people to travel to the RFD office and remain there until the land dispute is resolved.

In a related development, a group of developers is gathering evidence in preparation for a legal suit against the RFD.

"The signs installed by the RFD in front of resorts and private homes built in forest reserves only mentioned the prescribed punishments under the Forest Act. It was not an official order," said the group's legal adviser, Prasert Kiatsongpanich.

-- The Nation 2011-09-02

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PRESS RELEASE

TAT launches new tourism promotion initiative to feature Google Maps with street view

Thais will be asked to nominate the tourist destinations they want photographed for Street View

Today the Tourism Authority of Thailand jointly announced with partner, Google Thailand, the launch of a new tourism promotion initiative featuring Google Maps with Street View and plans to invite Thais to nominate their favourite tourist destinations to be captured in images as Google Maps with Street View cars begin driving across the country.

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Thai labour groups push for wage rise nationwide

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Thai MP Chuwit proves credentials as a prize fighter

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Bogus Drugs and Counterfeit Viagra in Thailand

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Phuket consuls let loose over German bashing

Maj Gen Pekad expresses deep sorrow over the incident and

promises to do everything possible within the law to bring the

perpetrators to justice.

A stern Dirk Naumann, Phuket's Honorary Consul for Germany,

railed against the bashing of a German man, who was rendered

comatose by the incident.

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[Lite Beer]

Date to pick new police chief not finalised: Aek

By The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has yet to scheduled the Police Policy Board to name the new national police chief, board secretary General Aek Angsananot said on Friday.

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,072.81, up 3.68 points /MCOT

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FM to Fly to Phnom Penh

Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul is set to fly to Phnom Penh on September 14 to try and secure the release of two Thai activist who have been jailed in Cambodia since December of last year. Reports indicate that the new foreign minister may have a good chance of succeeding as relations between Thailand and Cambodia have improved considerably since the Yingluck administration took office.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-02

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Govt Confirm Salary Raise for Bachelor's Degree Holders

The government has confirmed its plan to raise salaries for state officials to 15,000 baht a month, along with many other economic policies to help Thais cope with higher cost of living.

Deputy Finance Minister Viroon Tajapabul has assigned the Comptroller General to consider the criteria and conditions of salary increases for officials.

The increase has been presented to the Cabinet for further consideration.

It will start granting temporary living allowances to assist workers with higher cost of living, which will be implemented immediately under the authority of the finance minister.

These officials include bureaucrats, full-time and part-time employees, and stationed military officials.

Currently, around 650,000 officials are earning salaries of under 15,000 baht per month.

Some 346,000 officials who have completed their bachelor's degrees will receive temporary living allowances, which will increase their salaries to 15,000 baht.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-02

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Democrat Criticizes Govt's Energy Policies

The Opposition is criticizing the government's energy policies, claiming they will not benefit society as a whole.

Democrat MP for Trang Province, Sukit Attopakorn said that bringing down gasoline prices, cutting the oil fund contribution policy, and the alternative energy development plan will not benefit society as a whole.

He explained that people currently consume 50 million liters of diesel per day and a total of 8 million liters of gasohol 91 and 95.

The policies will not decrease the people's cost of living, as they do not serve the majority of people.

Sukit said the policies will adversely affect ethanol producers and farmers.

In response, Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan insisted the government's energy policies will not affect market mechanisms and they will certainly benefit the majority directly.

He added that he cannot specify when to lift the slash on Oil Fund contributions.

Meanwhile, he said the government pledges to continue to support alternative energy development.

He said the ministry is working hard to reduce the people's cost of living.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-02

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Arrest Warrants Out for Hua Hin Millionaire's Killers

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AFP: Thai FM plans first foreign trip 'alphabetically'

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Multicolour shirts condemn political meddling in police job

By The Nation

Multicolour-shirt leader Tul Sitthisomwong on Friday led a brief rally before reading a statement condemning the political inteference in replacing the national police chief.

"There is no justification to transfer General Wichean Potephosree out of the police service," he said.

Tul said if Wichean was guilty of involving in the gambling dens, then he should face the investigation instead of political pressure to dislodge him from office.

He also cast doubt on the government's push to name General Prewpan Damapong as the new police chief.

Prewpan used to be the brother-in-law of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said, asking whether he would do his job by arresting the ex-husband of his sister Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra.

-- The Nation 2011-09-02

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Thai Police to tackle drug trafficking seriously

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ABAC Poll finds majority of respondents don't have trust in govt; they voice disappointment with wage policies and demand clarification /TAN_Network