Thailand Live Wednesday 14 Sep 2011

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Villagers Revive Embankment Project to Break Cycle of Floods and Droughts

Villagers from three northern provinces are assembling to discuss an embankment project aimed at resolving flooding and droughts.

San Chao Kai To Sub-district Chief Somwat Saiwaew, Vice-President of Nakhon Sawan River Basin Management Prasong Inkun, and villagers from Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, and Kamphaeng Phet provinces have assembled in front of Nakhon Sawan Municipality to request that the government accelerate an embankment project in Maewong Disctrict in Nakorn Sawan Province to prevent repeated flooding and droughts that plague the region every year.

Demonstrators also demand that the provincial governor present this subject to the Cabinet for approval, as the project has been put aside for over 40 years to date.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-14

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Outgoing Corrections Department Head Denies Paving Way for Thaksin

The Corrections Department director general has denied claims that the reason he is being transferred to the Justice Ministry is to pave way for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's return, saying it is pure speculation.

During an interview, Director-General of the Department of Corrections, Chartchai Suthiklom said he is happy to be transferred from his current post to take an important job as the next deputy-permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry.

Chartchai said that Permanent Secretary of the Justice Ministry, Kittipong Kityarat will assign him tasks for the new job once his appointment has been royally endorsed.

Regarding Police Colonel Suchart Wonganantchai being selected as the next Department of Corrections head, Chartchai refused to comment as it has already been decided by the Cabinet.

The outgoing Department of Corrections director-general also dismissed claims that these transfers are being orchestrated to pave the way for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's return to Thailand, calling it pure speculation.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-14

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DSI: Officials Involved in Deforestation Rings

The Department of Special Investigation has revealed that some state officials were involved in a deforestation scandal.

Phujong-Nayoi National Park Interim Chief, Saksit Ponsubsiri reported a decline in the rosewood deforestation rate after the national park applied more stringent regulations to suppress illegal logging rings over the past month.

Previously, five officers were transferred due to their involvement in the scandal.

They will be charged with violation of disciplinary regulations as well as with criminal acts.

Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation or DSI Northeastern Operation Center revealed that the illegal logging of rosewood has also been discovered in Kalasin and Mukdaharn provinces.

The initial inspection found at least 40 people involved in the ring, 10 of which are state officials.

The department has yet to identify the leader.

Saksit said that over the past 12 months, the department has arrested 11 suspects and seized a significant amount of illegally harvested wood in more than 135 deforestation cases.

Meanwhile, Dongyai Wildlife Sanctuary officers cooperated with Non Dindaeng police to seize a forest poaching ring as members of the ring were transferring 11 pieces of rosewood lumber from Buriram Province to Sa Kaeo and Chantaburi provinces.

Initially, three suspects confessed that they were paid 2,000 to 3,500 baht to transport illegal wood.

Officials are holding the suspects for further questioning.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-14

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Private Sector Requests BOI to Permit Foreign Workers in Some Businesses

The Federation of Thai Industries has insisted that alien workers are necessary in some businesses due to domestic labor shortages.

President of the Federation of Thai Industries or FTI, Payungsak Chartsutipol met with Industry Minister Wannarat Channukul to discuss cooperation between the private sector and the government, particularly regarding the issue of foreign workers.

The Board of Investment or BOI has deported alien workers in some businesses promoted by the BOI.

The order will come into effect this November.

Payungsak pointed out that labor shortages over the past four years has forced entrepreneurs to rely on alien workers.

He suggested that the BOI permit foreign workers in some businesses, especially the garment industry, which requires a large number of laborers.

He also asked the BOI to declare the exact proportion of permits for alien workers in each business, saying the regulation can be adapted immediately to new industries.

Payungsak reiterated that he will meet with the Labour Ministry to discuss a plan to lessen the burden on small and medium entrepreneurs caused by the government's policy to increase minimum wage to 300 baht a day.

He said the FTI has previously proposed several solutions, such as a reduction of infrastructure taxes for entrepreneurs.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-14

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Court permission sought for bailed reds to visit Cambodia

By The Nation

The defence team on Wednesday petitioned for a court permission for four bailed red-shirt leaders to visit Cambodia from tomorrow to Sunday.

As reason to travel abroad, the petition cited the government's instruction for the four as the advance party to prepare for a friedly football match between Thailand and Cambodia, scheduled to take place next Saturday in Phnom Penh.

The defence will post Bt600,000 in cash as surety.

The four are former red-shirt chairman Veera Musigapong, two Pheu Thai MPs, Natthawut Saikua and Weng Tojirakan, and secretary to the deputy interior minister Yoswaris "Jeng Dokjik" Chuklom. They have been released on bail pending trial on terrorism charges in connection with the last year's riots.

-- The Nation 2011-09-14

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9th grade girl in Lampang hangs herself after being forced by parents to give up seeing P.E. teacher /

ADB cuts Thailand's GDP growth forecast for this year to 4% while expected inflation at 3.8% and next year's export growth at 15% /

ASTV: Veera's brother confirms being informed by Cambodia of pardon for his brother and Ratree; may accompany PM to pick them up tomorrow /

Natural Disaster Warning Center cautions that Chao Phraya River may see overflowing in 10 provinces from today-Sat /

/TAN_Network

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PM: No official confirmation from Cambodia over release of 2 detained Thais; to help secure release onvisit to Phnom Penh Thursday /MCOT

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Phuket Big Buddha image nears completion, huge ceremony planned

A statue of King Rama V at the Big Buddha image in Phuket. File photo.

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Bangkok Car Free Day this Sunday to raise awareness of global warming

BANGKOK, 14 September 2011 (NNT)-Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will be hosting Bangkok Car Free Day 2011 this Sunday with an aim to encourage the use of public transportation and reduce environmental impact from cars.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Mr. Theerachon Manomaipiboon presided over the launching of ‘Bangkok Car Free Day 2011’ today to raise the awareness of the global warming and encourage people to leave their cars at home and instead travel by public transportation or ride a bicycle on Sunday.

For the upcoming celebration for His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday Anniversary, 4,000 cyclists will join the Thai Cycling for Health Association (TCHA) where half of them will form the number ‘84’ in honor of HM’s 7th cycle birthday. Mr. Theerachon adds that 22 September every year is the World Car Fee Day.

-- NNT 2011-09-14

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Chalerm declined to say if Thaksin had helped release two Thais in Camdodia

BANGKOK, 14 September 2011 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister Pol Capt. Chalerm Yubamrung refused to say whether ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was behind the attempt to release the two Thais in Cambodian prison or not while saying that the legal charges against Mr. Thaksin were not qualified for criminal extradition.

According to Pol Capt. Chalerm, it would be considered a present from Cambodia to release Mr. Veera Somkwamid and Ms. Ratree Pipattanapaiboon when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited the country. However, it is not known that whether the two will return to Thailand with the Prime Minister or not.

Regarding Mr.Thaksin, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed no opinion on the speculation that Mr. Thaksin could have been securing the release of the two remaining Thais in Cambodia. He simply added that every one already knew.

The Deputy Prime Minister further stated that since Mr. Thaksin could not be extradited from Cambodia and not even the Foreign Minister could enforce the Thai law in Cambodia to bring Mr. Thaksin back to justice, citing that the law in one nation could not be enforced elsewhere. Therefore, the Foreign Minister can not break Section 157 of the Constitution regarding criminal extradition as claimed by the Democrat Party.

-- NNT 2011-09-14

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Bangkok Governor Tell Officials to Prepare for Flooding

The Bangkok governor has ordered authorities to prepare within twenty-four hours to respond to possible flooding.

The sea level is expected to rise in October, and may cause flooding in Bangkok.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumpan Boripat has ordered city authorities and other related agencies to be ready to provide help to residents within 24 hours if the city faces flooding.

Sand bags, medicine, and other supplies will be prepared to meet demands.

The governor added that he is very concerned about the water level from the North and about the rising sea level, which usually rises at the end of October, putting Bangkok at risk of facing flooding

The 15.5 kilometer construction of a flood-control project at Mahasawat canal has been built to connect between Bangkok Noi canal and Tha Chin river.

The floodgates are located at Shimpree and Mahasawat.

The construction project will help to protect farmland from salty water in the Chao Praya river in Nonthaburi Province and Nakhon Pathom provinces, and to reserve water for farmers in the summer.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-14

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Democrat MP Raps Govt for Helping Thaksin

Former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban has expressed disappointment with the government, which he noted has clearly been subservient to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family, particularly in regard to the official transfers that were ordered yesterday.

Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, who is also a former prime minister, believes that the official transfers ordered by the government yesterday, including the post of the Department of Corrections director-general, were aimed at helping bring former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra back to Thailand.

Suthep said that the public is concerned about this.

The Democrat MP added that during its first month, the government has clearly been subservient to Thaksin and his family as evidenced by its actions.

Suthep also denied claims that he had secret negotiations with Cambodia over the maritime border dispute and that the issue was first raised by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He went on to reiterate that the Democrat Party has no conflict of interest in the matter.

He also said that he is saddened by the unfounded claims made by Hun Sen despite his previous attempts to preserve the Thai-Cambodian relations.

He asked the Cambodian premier to consider bilateral relations as the government could change in the future.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-14

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Red given suspended jail term for violating emergency rule

By The Nation

Red leader Sombat Boonngarm-anong on Wednesday received a suspended jail term after the Bangkok Kwang Court found him guilty of violaing the emergency rule in connection with the 2010 red rally.

The magistrate court initially sentenced him to serve six months in jail before citing leniency to suspend the Imprisonment. Sombat is still liable to pay a fine of Bt6,000.

Sombat, also editor of Lai Jud magazine, led a rally last May 21 attended by some 1,000 red shirts near their headquarters on Lad Phrao Road to protest in the wake of the May 19 crackdown at Ratchaprasong intersection.

Before trail, he was detained for 14 days under the emergency rule.

In its decision, the court said the emergency rule was impoased in accordance with the charter provisions, hence the indictment against the defendant was valid.

The verdict also struck down a defence argument about the violent nature of the Ratchaprason crackdown, noting that a personal view on one incident in another case could not be cited to justify emergency offence.

-- The Nation 2011-09-14

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Criminal Court Allows Red Shirt Leaders to Visit Cambodia

The Criminal Court has granted a request by three red-shirt leaders to make a short trip overseas. The leaders, earlier released by the court on bail, were not allowed to leave the country.

With bonds of 600,000 baht each, they have been permitted to take a short trip to neighboring Cambodia and are required to report back to the court on September 26.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-14

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True Corporation Is Urging Telecom Body To Go Ahead With 3G Bidding

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Court permission granted for bailed red-shirt leaders to visit Cambodia

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English and Ghanaian drug dealing suspects caught by Police in Pattaya

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SET index closed at 1022.96, down 8.71; Bt/USD30.14; GBP47.37; AUD30.73; EUR40.93; CAD30.25; HKD3.86; SGD24.00; JPY38.94

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Google comes to Chiang Mai

Two Google Street View cars after a day of photographing city streets.

(Photo by Ron Lister).

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Troop kills self after shooting dead two superiors in Narathiwat

Narathiwat - A Muslim troop killed himself after he fatally shot two Navy officeres and injured two other officers in this southern border province Wednesday morning.

The shooting occurred at a post of Narathiwat Taskforce 32 in Jampakor village in Tambon Barehnua in Bacho district at 8 am.

Police said Pvt Russalam Moleh, 22, shot himself with his M16 assault rifle after he strafed his rifle at four other troops.

Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Wichit Boonwornsatit and Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Bamrung Senkrathok died at the Bacho District Hospital.

Petty Officer 1st Class Natthapong Pongcharone and Petty Officer 1st Class Chaichana Pramote were severely injured.

-- The Nation 2011-09-14

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Move to seek royal pardon for ex-PM Thaksin faces protest

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Commerce Ministry to push Thailand as jewellery hub

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 15 Sep 2011

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