Thailand Live Wednesday 21 Sep 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 21 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 Tuesday 2o September 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Skål and PATA unite to promote Phuket tourism

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Paiboon calls for 'dam healthy Phuket'

Phuket OrBorJor President Paiboon Upatising called for more 'healthy options'

for Phuket people to enjoy the outdoors.

A schematic of the plans to redevelop the area around Phuket's Bang Wad

Reservoir into four zones, including a botanical garden.

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Google+ open to public

Google+ now open to the masses

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Bt300 wage will be enforced by 2012 end: Thai Labour Ministry

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Thai Govt increases state officials' allowance

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Bangkok braces for flash floods

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Cabinet gives its backing to maintain satellite orbital slot with Thaicom

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EDITORIAL

Thailand's soccer chief must explain and clear up all allegations

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Don't call dummy cameras fakes, says Sukhumbhand: Bangkok

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Blind swimmer's balcony fall

By The Nation

A blind swimmer was injured yesterday after accidentally falling from his dormitory's balcony at Supachalasai Stadium.

Phongsathorn Choochom was treated by a physician at the site for a broken arm. He has been admitted to Police General Hospital for further internal checks, an officer who works for Paralympics Committee of Thailand said.

The swimmer has trained and practised swimming since September 1 to compete in the Asean Para Games 2011 to be held in December in Indonesia.

The officer was told that Phongsathorn fell from the fourth floor of the dormitory while he and a friend who also has an eyesight problem were moving an object in his room.

He said the balcony fence was shorter than an adult's height from feet to waist. Phongsathorn walked backwards and fell from the balcony.

Disabled athletes stay in the same dormitories as other athletes without disabilities, but the facilities often do not suit them. The committee had requested past governments to provide them with special dormitories with suitable facilities but there was no progress so far, he added.

He called on the current government to provide more suitable dormitories for disabled athletes.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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Press panel will investigate e-mail on bribes to journalists

By The Nation

The National Press Council yesterday set up a committee to look into an appeal against the council's ruling that a e-mail allegedly written by a Pheu Thai Party figure, which detailed bribes to journalists, was genuine.

The panel members are Assoc Prof Jumpol Rodkhamdee, Saksit Viboonsinsophon, Sawit Bamrungsuk, Saree Ongsomwang and Jakkrit Waewklaihong.

It was given 30 days to report its findings back to the council.

The council also acknowledged the withdrawal of Matichon newspaper from its membership in protest against its conclusion regarding the bribery scandal. Matichon reporters were among those named as beneficiaries of the alleged bribes.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Wim Rungwattanajinda was accused of sending an e-mail to his boss, saying he had paid Bt20,000 each to some journalists in exchange for giving priority coverage to Yingluck Shinawatra during her election campaign.

The council resolved to formally thank Nation Multimedia Group, one of its members, for confirming in writing its intention to strictly abide by the council's code of ethics.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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HM gives nod to crematorium design

By The Nation

His Majesty has approved the design of the crematorium to be used for the funeral of HRH Princess Bejaratana, Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said last week. The crematorium is similar to the one built for the funeral of HRH Princess Galayani Vadhana.

The crematorium, the construction of which will begin on December 15, should be ready by March, well in advance of the funeral scheduled for April 9. The structure, displaying the late princess's full regalia, will be 33 metres high and will stand on a 28m by 30m base. The construction of the structure will be carried out mainly at the National Theatre, which is near Sanam Luang, where the funeral will be held on April 9.

The offspring of Prasom Soosutthi, who is known for his artistic carving of banana trees used in funerals, have been selected to do the work.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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Youths sought for Asean culture camp

By The Nation

Young people have been invited to apply for cultural exchanges with people from other Asean countries and Asean dialogue partners at an Asean Cultural Youth Camp to be held in November.

Thai youths aged from 1825 years who can communicate in English, adjust themselves to a new environment, know Asean culture and have cultural abilities are eligible to send applications.

Individuals must have abilities, such as traditional Thai dancing, playing Thai musical instruments, a knowledge of archaeology, or mass media photography.

Each of 10 Asean countries, plus China, Japan and South Korea, will send five representatives to participate in the camp. It will be organised near Borobudur Temple in Indonesia from November 2027 under the theme "We Feel, We Care and We Share Our Culture Identity."

The application deadline is September 30. Interested people can request then return application forms to the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Culture Ministry. Call 024228947 for more details.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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BURNING ISSUE

Is it time to move on five years after the coup?

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Three forest homes to be demolished

By THE NATION

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNP) will today, under court orders, tear down three private luxury homes that were built illegally in Prachin Buri province's Tab Lan National Park.

The demolition team of about 100 forestry officials will be led by DNP director-general Damrong Pidej, the national park's chief Thewin Meesap said.

Two of the homes are located in tambon Udomsab in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow district, while the third is at tambon Bubhram in Prachin Buri's Na Di district.

In the next two months, the Royal Forest Department will also demolish luxury resorts and private houses found encroaching on the Phuluang forest reserve.

The department recently called on the owners of the homes and resorts to present documents proving their ownership, but so far nobody has shown up, Suthep Pawaretwittayalan, chief of the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial forest management division 8, said.

Previously, the Royal Forest Department had thought that some 37 luxury homes might be encroaching on reserve land, but after close inspection it decided that only 17 of the structures were illegal.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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Two get jail sentence over Santika Pub tragedy

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Wichien moved from Interior to PM's Office

By The Nation

Wichien Chawalit yesterday lost his post as the permanent secretary for Interior through an order signed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

One of Wichien's deputies, Phranai Suwanrat, is now the acting permanent secretary.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit yesterday held a press conference to announce that Wichien was transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister.

"Wichien will be appointed the secretary general of the committee on integrated watermanagement plan," Yongyuth said.

He also confirmed that Phranai was now his ministry's actฌing permanent secretary.

The removal of Wichien took place, without being submitฌted as an agenda for Cabinet meetings. "It's the decision made by me and the prime minister," Yongyuth said.

The transfer order involving Wichien took effect yesterday, and Yongyuth immediately appointed Phranai as the acting permanent secretary.

The interior minister insisted that Phranai was well qualified to serve as the permanent secretary for Interior.

"I will nominate Phranai as the new permanent secretary soon," Yongyuth said.

Phranai has one more year in service before he reaches his mandatory retirement age.

"I will consult with Phranai about the reshuffles of senior officials at the ministry too," the interior minister said. The annual reshuffles of senior officials will soon take place because some officials will retire at the end of this month.

Yongyuth expressed confidence that Wichien would not lodge a complaint over the transfer.

"He has assured me so. He says he loves and respects me," the interior minister said.

Yongyuth still has four more years in services before he reaches his mandatory retirement age. Asked whether Yongyuth would be allowed to return to the helm of the Interior Ministry, Yongyuth said, "It's the matter of the future".

Both Phranai and Wichien were not present during the press conference yesterday, even though both were initially scheduled to show up.

"It's about the atmosphere. It's not that they are unsatisfied," Yongyuth said.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

Phranai refused to give any interview. When contacted, Wichien said he had to attend a meeting.

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'Limited staffing hindered webboard screening'

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Due to limited funding, there was just one person minding the webboard at prachatai.com and keeping an eye out for postings, which could go into the thousands every day, that could be considered defamatory to the monarchy, Jon Ungpakorn, co-founder of the website and former senator, told the court yesterday.

"It's difficult to go through all of them," he said, adding that the prachatai.com staff consisted of just 10 people.

Jon was in court to defend Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of prachatai.com, who is facing a maximum 20 years in prison under the Computer Crimes Act for not deleting 10 allegedly defamatory postings quickly enough. He said a website cannot facilitate genuine political debate if it does not permit real-time interaction.

"If we censor everything first, we cannot have a genuine exchange on the webboard ... It's like Facebook and Twitter," Jon explained, adding that the webboard, which has since been discontinued, also allowed members to look out for possible lese majeste content and block it temporarily.

Jon said the website's policy was to remove lese majeste remarks as soon as possible though in her job as director, Chiranuch, also had many other administrative chores to complete. After providing his testimony, Jon was asked by The Nation as to what he thought about the fact that foreign media and organisations seemed more interested in the case than local media. Jon responded by saying that this might have something to do with the fact that Thai mainstream media tended to avoid reporting anything related to the lese majeste offence.

"There are virtually no TV reports about the trial. Also, people who are calling for the repeal of the [lese majeste] law [and the Computer Crimes Act] are seen as having committed lese majeste themselves," Jon said.

The second defence witness yesterday was National Human Rights Commissioner Nirand Pithakwatchara. He told the court that prachatai.com played a significant role in fostering the freedom of press in Thailand, especially in a climate where the mainstream media is divided and tends to censor opposing views. This, he added, may be why genuine debate took place on prachatai.com and also why so many sensitive postings emerged after the 2006 coup.

Chiranuch will speak before the court today as her trial continues.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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PM vows to expedite action on TRC report

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The Cabinet yesterday acknowledged the progress report from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission and agreed to speed up action on the commission's recommendations in order to reconcile political differences rapidly.

"The government has appointed a panel to implement the commission's report in a gesture of sincerity to bring about reconciliation," Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said following the Cabinet meeting.

The panel to follow up on the report will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, Yingluck said.

So far, the commission has submitted two reports, including one made under the previous government, she said, while pledging her full cooperation for the commission's work.

Among its key recommendations, the commission urged the government to get to the bottom of the incidents in connection with the violence that erupted last year, she said.

The commission also suggested that suspects should be notified with clear indictments and should avail themselves of the due process, she said in reference to cases linked to the political conflict before and after the 2006 coup.

In regard to lese majeste charges, the report said the government should aim to uphold the monarchy rather than allow rival camps to fault one another.

The prime minister said the restoration measures for victims of violent incidents would go beyond the compensation limits prescribed under the existing laws.

In a related development, the commission's consultant Priscilla Hayner paid a courtesy call on the prime minister at Government house.

Hayner, an internationally recognised expert on truth and reconciliation, is co-founder of the International Centre for Transitional Justice.

During the meeting, she praised the government for its efforts to uncover the truth related to the violence in order to prevent a repeat of such bloodshed.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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New social security bill to Cabinet

By The Nation

A bill to improve social security conditions for beneficiaries - proposed by the influential Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) - will be soon tabled for approval by the Cabinet, Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap said yesterday.

The bill proposes more benefits under the Social Security Office to beneficiaries, more government contribution and heavier penalties for employers who fail to provide their contributions. In addition it offers a new selection process to seek "active representatives" in the SSO board from the employees' side, along with election of an SSO secretarygeneral.

The other improved benefits are 50 per cent of payment for injuries from occupational hazards for workers, and a new type of beneficiary card which could enable holders to receive treatment at all hospitals belonging to the SSO scheme.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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A satirical look at our society wins the 2011 SEA Write

By The Nation

Thirty-five year old painter/cartoonist/writer Jadet Kamjorndej won this year's SEA Write award for his debut book entitled "Daed Chao Ron Kern Kwa Ja Nang Jib Kafae" ("The Morning Sun is too Hot for One to Sit Outside and Sip Coffee").

The book, printed by Pajonphai Publishing, is a compilation of 12 short stories each written in an innovative and experimental manner. The style is rather abstract and the language satirically mocks our dysfunctional society. However, the stories also take on a philosophical bent and look into human nature, as if challenging the reader to look beyond the words and re-examine the society they live in.

In its announcement, the judging committee said the short stories inspired readers to develop a fresh perspective on life and that this was meaningful and worth studying.

"Daed Chao Ron Kern Kwa Ja Nang Jib Kafae" was one of the seven out of 83 submissions that made it to the shortlist.

This year's finalists offer tales on anything ranging from everyday life to magical journeys.

Though social issues are still the common ingredients, writers use broader perspectives and tell their stories in a provocative style. It is clear that the seven authors made it to the finals because their work could well contribute to Thailand's literature in the near future.

The other six finalists are Fah Poolvoralak's "24 Ruang San Khong Fah", Pichedsak Popayak "Ruang Kong Ruang", Anusorn Tipayanon's "Nimit Wikarn", Rewat Panpita's "Kradook Kong Kwam Luang", Jakkapan Kangwan's Parbpayong Tee Tai Tam Talot Chewit" and Want Yuangkaeo "Bandai Krajok".

Tanatat Kongthong, a lecturer at the Thai Chamber of Commerce University, chaired the panel of judges, which was comprised of seven academics including two magazine editors.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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Health checks reveal Phuket police getting heavy

A Traffic Police officer checks his watch while on duty in Patong. Annual health

checks starting in Phuket today show that police officers are increasingly becoming

overweight and suffering from high cholesterol.

One of the younger, healthier Phuket police officers enjoys a joke at the health check today.

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Lower North, Northeast, Central and East warned of heavy rain /TAN_Network

Last night's red-shirt+Pheu Thai VS star football match raised Bt440,004 for flood relief effort /TAN_Network

Democrat to also hold charity football match with stars on Saturday at Chulalongkorn University stadium /TAN_Network

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nnanews: Thaksin said to have left Cambodia already, headed for Malaysia; visiting Hong Kong on Thurs to meet with military school mates /TAN_Network

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'THAI Smile' crew to be hired

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TOT and CAT to get new directors in two weeks

By Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

The entire board of Thailand Post has stepped down while some directors of TOT have tendered their resignation to pave the way for the ICT Ministry to appoint new boards.

A source at the ICT Ministry said that Panthep Chamrasromrun was expected to be appointed new TOT board chairman. Panthep reportedly has close ties with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He is also a former board director of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority.

The TOT board had not held a regular meeting in the past two months following the ministry's plan to appoint a new board of directors.

TOT is also waiting for the new board to push ahead with the development of its plan to lease 3G capacity on its existing and upcoming 3G networks to interested firms. The plan is aimed at creating an additional income source.

ICT Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap said last week that he expected to appoint the new board of CAT Telecom and TOT either this week or next week. The new boards will guide TOT and CAT to implement the government's policy of promoting ICT network expansion nationwide.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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Two French Credit Card Criminals Arrested In Pattaya

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,024.12, down 2.16 points /MCOT