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Thailand Live Thursday 15 Sep 2011


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Thailand Live Thursday 15 September 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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 14 September 2011

Posted

'Berserk' soldier kills 2, wounds 5

By The Nation

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A conscript in Narathiwat's Ba Cho district reportedly went berserk and opened fire at his supervisors, killing two and injuring five, before turning the gun on himself yesterday morning.

Police along with military officers rushed to the Jampakor Base in Tambon Bareh Neu at 8am following a report that Private Russalam Molae, 22, had fired his M16 rifle at a group of soldiers.

Commander RN Jakkapong Apimahatham said it was yet to be determined why Russalam shot the officers and killed himself.

Meanwhile, Narathiwat deputy governor Dejrat Simsiri, on behalf of HM the King, yesterday presented royally-granted soil for the burial ceremonies of two village defence volunteers killed in the August 26 bomb attack in Reu Soh district.

The family of Sulgiflee Tayae, 30, received the royally-granted soil at the Reeyeng cemetery in Tambon Laloh, while the family of Mayari Lateh, 36, received the royally-granted soil at the Kampong Dusong cemetery in Tambon Batong. Dejrat also presented the two families the Bangrajan medals, certificates and assistance money from Army Region 4.

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-- The Nation 2011-09-15

Posted

Ukrit says his panel won't work on Thaksin's pardon issue

By The Nation

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Professor Ukrit Mongkolnavin said that his government-appointed Commission on the Rule of Law would not get involved with efforts for retrial of the Ratchadaphisek land scandal case against fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the petition for the ex-leader to get royal pardon.

Ukrit said in a statement posted on his website (ukrit-mongkolnavin.com) that his first task as the committee head would be to select no more than 12 other members who are respected law experts and scholars. They would include deans and former deans of law faculties from Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities, and senior law professors with no political positions.

The statement said that Ukrit, formerly a Senate speaker, would be on an overseas trip for two weeks, as part of a prior appointment. He would begin his work as the panel chairman after his return from the trip.

The panel's work would not overlap with that of the Truth for Reconciliation Committee headed by Kanit Nanakorn, which was established by the previous government, Ukrit said in his statement.

The statement said Ukrit, 77, would still adhere to his resolution made when he was 60 years old - "Leaving politics without abandoning the country".

"Now the country has problems that affect people throughout the country. I cannot stay idle. In doing this work, I will get no benefit in return - no political position or remuneration of any kind," Ukrit said in his statement.

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-- The Nation 2011-09-15

Posted

Chiranuch wins award for her bravery

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the embattled director of prachaitai.com, has become the first Thai to win the Hellman/Hammett Grant from Human Rights Watch for her commitment to free expression and her courage in the face of prosecution.

Chiranuch, who might face 20 years in jail under the Computer Crimes Act for not deleting 10 messages that were deemed defamatory to the monarchy "quickly" enough, said yesterday that the award also made her "sad".

"The significance of me being the first Thai to receive this award is an indicator that freedom of expression in this country has declined since the September 2006 coup," she said in a statement released yesterday.

Chiranuch also criticised the Yingluck Shinawatra administration for not "showing any understanding or intention to reduce the problem of violations of freedom of expression".

The award, named after US playwright Lillian Hellman and novelist Dashiell Hammet, who were both questioned by the United States' congressional committees about their political beliefs and affiliations during the McCarthy anti-Communist investigations in the 1950s, also went to 10 Chinese and eight Vietnamese activists.

Chiranuch argued that the Thai mainstream media has failed to provide a checks-and-balance mechanism, "voluntarily surrendering themselves" to existing political powers. She urged Thai people to guard the freedom of expression or face a situation where they become "brain-dead" due to the lack of independent news and views.

Asked by The Nation if she would have "fully cooperated" with the police officers in providing IP address for the anonymous posters on prachatai.com, provided she could turn back the clock, Chiranuch said: "Yes, I would do the same because it is the law, even if I disagree with it."

Malaysian political cartoonist Zunar, who has been prosecuted for sedition in his country and was one of the 48 recipients of the award this year, spoke at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) yesterday. Zunar, whose work is banned from publication, said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was tightening controls over the mass media.

"Not a single piece of news, opinion or editorial cartoon is allowed to criticise the government in mainstream media, print media or electronic media. You will read nothing in the Malaysian media except articles that praise the government," he said.

Phil Robertson, deputy director for Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, said at the FCCT yesterday that some of the awardees from Vietnam and China were afraid of publicly accepting the award for fear of trouble back home.

Shawn Crispin, Southeast Asia Representative for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, said governments across the region had become more capable of censoring the Internet and surveillance. He said a blogger in Vietnam recently refused to meet him for fear that the government would know about the meeting. The Chinese government is also teaching the Laotian regime to censor and control the Internet.

"No where is safe. Not even Laos," Crispin added.

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-- The Nation 2011-09-15

Posted

Underwater training facility for Chanthaburi

By The Nation

The Culture Ministry has approved a Bt27-million budget to build a diving training facility for underwater archaeology in Chanthaburi, in order to improve human resources and underwater site inspection. It is expected to be completed in 2014.

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem explained that such training was previously done in the sea where, if there was a mistake, it could be fatally dangerous. As a result, the ministry asked for a facility building. The diving pool would be 12 to 20 metres-deep with an observation chamber in the bottom for a coach to observe divers during training, she said.

Fine Arts Department chief Somsuda Leeyawanich said the project organisers had studied China's Shang Hai underwater archaeology centre, which was the most modern of its kind in the Asia-Pacific. She said the Office of Architecture was currently designing the diving facility, which was hoped to be the Asean hub of underwater archaeology and used by Unesco to train Asean countries' underwater archaeology divers.

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-- The Nation 2011-09-15

Posted

Car Buyers Warned of Tax Rebate Default

The Excise Department director-general says his agency will take back any rebate granted to first-time car buyers should claimants later be found to have misrepresented themselves and violated the project conditions.

Director-general of Excise Department, Phongpanu Swetarun, said eligible buyers must file their car tax rebate form and evidence with his agency's offices nationwide between September 16 and December 31 of next year.

Phongpanu stated that the rebate applications will be approved once the car ownership is completely transferred to the buyers before the end of the project, which is scheduled to end on December 31.

He warned that if the buyers who are granted rebate are found to have violated any condition or cannot afford to pay their monthly installment, his department will file suit against them with the Civil Court seeking its permission to get the rebate back.

Vice chairman of the Lease Business Association, Chalit Sinlsrikul, said credit companies may need to apply stricter rules concerning the loans granted to first-time car buyers due to concerns about their defaulting.

He said the minimum down payment for them may be higher than for others.

Chalit suggested that the project will partly impact the used car market as some of its potential clients may instead buy brand new cars.

Secretary-general of the Thai Auto Industry Association, Phithak Pluethisarikorn, said the move will support growth in his sector, but he cannot determine if it will drive next year's car sales to increase by as many as 500,000 units.

Those who wish to participate in the program must submit documents, namely the rebate claim form, copies of their citizen identification card, census registration, lease contact, license plate registration, purchase invoice and the written agreement that they will keep the purchased car for at least five years.

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-- Tan Network 2011-09-15

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Posted

HRH Princess Bejaratana's 50th day of passing

By The Nation

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Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday morning led officials and the public to offer alms to 10 Buddhist hierophants and 186 Buddhist monks at Bangkok's Sanam Luang to mark the 50th day of HRH Princess Bejaratana's passing.

His Serene Highness Prince Chalermsuk Yugala yesterday presided over the food-offering ritual at Wat Ratchasittharam and Wat Phrachetupon for monks who had performed the Abidhamma sermon, while Mom Rajawongse Worawallop Worawan presided over the lunch-offering ritual at Wat Bovornniwet and Wat Mahathat. In the evening, the royal ritual and sermon were held to mark the 50th day of HRH Princess Bejaratana's passing.

After HRH Princess Bejaratana had passed over on July 27, His Majesty the King instructed the Bureau of Royal Household to organise funeral ceremonies according to tradition while the princess lay in state at the Dusit Mahaprasart Throne Hall. A merit making and Abidhamma sermon would be held on November 3 to mark the 100th day of the princess's passing.

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-- The Nation 2011-09-15

Posted

MEDICAL FAIR

Hi-tech healthcare on display

By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

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Mobile phones, robots at the forefront of today's medicine

From now on, the ubiquitous mobile phone will be used for more than making a phone call, sending short messages, chatting, or just playing games. Future phones will help you improve your state of health by recording heart rhythm and monitoring blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol.

"Just use your left hand to hold the two side contacts and with two right fingers touch the bottom contact. This is how it works," Christopher Seow, a business development manager of Singapore-based Ephone International (S) said at a "Medical Fair" that has caught the attention of thousands of medical and healthcare professionals from 25 countries.

The three-day international conference at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok opened yesterday and will end tomorrow.

Ephone International's EPI Life is one of thousands of medical devices on display. It is the first mobile phone with integrated electrocardiogram (ECG) and health-monitoring functions. It is designed for people concerned about their well-being and health.

The device also offers a mobile health concierge service - with a virtual health depository system and direct access to health care professionals from any part of the world - 24 hours a day.

Panasonic's Hospi robot will serve as a nurse assistant and help hospital employees by delivering medications safely and accurately.

Multiple sensors inside the robot help navigate the lengthy hallways of a hospital and enable Hospi to avoid bumping into patients. It can get on and off lifts.

Hospi can also deliver drugs and food directly to patients. Hospital staff simply enter information on a map of the building they want the robot to move around in - and it's on its way.

Because of a rising demand for improved medical and healthcare products and services due to urbanisation, ageing populations and greater access to new medical technology and advancements, Thailand and other Asean countries continue to invest heavily in these sectors. They're expanding access to treatment, modernising their medical systems and infrastructure, and providing more advanced service to patients.

"This in turn opens up myriad opportunities across entire healthcare systems, particularly for suppliers of medical devices and equipment," Thai Medical Device Suppliers Association president Preecha Bhandtivej said.

Thailand's total imports of medical devices grew 11 per cent in 2009 according to Thai Customs Department statistics. Demand this year should also rise because of favourable political and economic conditions, and further growth of medical tourism.

Preecha said medical tourism demanded very sophisticated medical technology. It is well known that many hospitals in Thailand, especially private ones, are competing for bigger market share in this sector. This expansion is an incentive not merely to replenish existing hospital equipment and technology, but rather procure and obtain new and more modern devices.

Competition is driving hospitals to seek international accreditation, employ multilingual staff, and open exclusive wards for foreigners demanding the best medical equipment and highest level of medical expertise.

Some of the more in-demand medical equipment, devices and products are disposable or quick diagnostic test kits, neurosurgical and other surgical devices and accessories, dermatological treatment devices, non-invasive surgical devices, rehabilitation equipment and accessories, orthopaedic and implant devices, respiratory devices, oxygen therapy, and sophisticated technology for diagnosis and treatment cancer and hypertension.

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-- The Nation 2011-09-15

Posted

CORRUPTION

Most say graft a major stumbling block: survey

By Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

More than half of Thais agree that corruption is a major obstacle to the country's development, according to a survey by the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The corruption perception index slipped from 67.4 points in July to 66.9 per cent last month, showing higher concern about graft, Saowanee Thairungroj, vice president of the Research Division of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday.

She said 56.7 per cent of respondents agreed that the government and public and private sectors must rid every transaction of corruption, as it hinders the development of the Kingdom.

Almost 70 per cent also believe that corruption is widespread in many organisations.

To solve the problem urgently, respondents said the government must enact stringent laws to punish those who pay bribes or take tea-money. It must also cooperate with all sectors involved with the younger generation, to give youth an early start on acquiring high ethical standards.

The survey also showed that respondents wanted the government to rank corruption as one of top five problems faced by the country. Other problems in the top five were the high cost of living, low incomes, illegal drugs, and flooding.

To increase awareness of the problem, the chamber and all the provinces will hold anti-graft marches on September 25. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will take part in the event.

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-- The Nation 2011-09-15

Posted

US Embassy reaches out to Phuket

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US Ambassador Kristie Kenney with Phuket Gazette publisher John Magee

during her visit to the newspaper's offices last week.

Follow this link:

Posted

Two Drug Dealers Shot Dead in Lak Si District

Two suspected drug dealers have been shot dead in Lak Si District. Authorities believe the motive was a drug-dealing argument.

Polices from Toong Song Hong police-station were dispatched to the scene of the incident, where the two drug dealers were shot dead at Lak Si District last night.

Two drug-dealers, Non Moonkumm, age 32, and his wife Ake-anong Praditsuwan, age 32, were shot dead on a motorcycle. Two nine-millimeters shell casings were found near their bodies.

Witneses told police that Non was unemployed, whereas Ake-anong was a shopkeeper. However, the two are well-known as drug traffickers in Lak Si District.

A witness reported that before the incident, Non went to a snooker shop nearby and then went to pick up his wife at her shop. On their way home, two suspects were riding a motorcycle with a concealed license plate. The two rode up beside the couple and shot them.

Authorities believe the incident was related to a drug-dealing argument. Officials are interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence to hunt down the suspects.

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-- Tan Network 2011-09-15

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