Thailand Live Wednesday 21 Sep 2011

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Bangkok: Fake City Cameras Prompt Review of City Management

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Deputy PM Meet American and Saudi Charge d'Affaires

A deputy prime minister has had a talk with the United States and Saudi Arabia's charge d'affaires.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung gave an interview after a talk with the United States Ambassador and the Saudi Arabian charge d'affaires.

He said the United States Ambassador praised the government's attempt to suppress drug rings, and to lessen poverty, as well as to eradicate corruption.

The ambassador added that the United States will back the Thai government in narcotics suppression initiatives, saying the United States is not suspicious as to whether there were extrajudicial killings of drug suspects during the terms of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's administration as has been claimed.

In addition, the United States ambassador expressed support for the government's crackdown on websites with lese majeste content.

Chalerm also held a talk with the Saudi Arabian charge d'affaires.

He revealed that the Suadi Arabian charge d'affaires has requested that the Thai government further investigate the jewelry robbery scandal involving a Saudi national.

Chalerm promised to review the case and asked that Saudi Arabia have faith in Thailand's judicial system.

He expressed confidence that the ties between the two countries will be revived after a talk.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-21

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Troy Davis, facing execution, willing to take polygraph test, lawyers say - ajc.com http://bit.ly/nCLnxt /via@mpoppel /via@BreakingNews

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Xinhua: 10 KILLED 11 MISSING IN BOAT SINKING IN BALI, INDONONESIA /RT @mpoppel

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Let's just condemn the coup and play soccer: Thai opinion

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A flood barricade on Phahonyodhin Rd in Chainat bursts causing flooding in the city area; Uthai Thani is still seeing severe flooding /TAN_Network

DSI chief to consider fact-finding panel's suggestion to release lese majeste suspects /TAN_Network

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MFA: No Thai casualties in Yemeni riots

BANGKOK, 21 September 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that no Thai nationals have been harmed by deadly riots in Yemen while the situation is expected to ease next week.

After violent protests broke out in the city of Sanaa in Yemen, killing at least 50 people and injuring over a hundred others, Deputy Director-General of the Information Department and Acting Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Jesda Katavetin stated that the Royal Thai Embassy in the nearby Oman had been assigned to follow up the situation closely and ensure the well-being of all Thais in Yemen.

Based on the records, there are a total of 189 Thai citizens in Yemen; 90 of them are laborers; 79 are students; and the rest are housemaids. Only one Thai national is reportedly residing in Sanaa but has not been affected by the political turmoil. All other Thais are scattered in different parts of the country and are in safe conditions.

Protestors in Yemen have been calling for a change of government since February this year, and violent clashes have been erupting periodically. Nonetheless, the chaos is speculated to subside within next week as the two opposing sides might be able to settle a peace agreement.

Even though the Foreign Ministry has not raised its travel warning against Yemen, all Thais heading to the restive country are encouraged to check on the situation beforehand and also keep a distance from risky areas and protest sites.

-- NNT 2011-09-21

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Abhisit Urges PM to Lead Internal Security Herself

The Democrat Party leader says the prime minister should lead the Internal Security Operations Command herself, while expressing concern that the agency might be used as a political tool.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should lead the Internal Security Operations Command herself, as there is a legal provision that justifies a prime minister's leadership in the agency.

Prime Minister Yingluck has made a gesture to assign General Pallop Pinmanee to the task.

Abhisit would not comment on reports that General Pallop is interested in the post of ISOC director, saying only that this could be another political ploy as many have criticized.

The Democrat Party leader said he is not surprised that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered his supporters to expand red-shirt villages, saying that Thaksin would do anything for his own benefits and to create a rift in Thai society.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-21

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Duty-free Shop to Open at Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station

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Police Bust Major Drug Ring in North

Police have arrested suspected drug dealers in the Mae Sai and Muang districts of Chiang Rai Province.

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Suspected Murderer of Hua Hin Real-Estate Businesswoman Surrenders

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Flooding Still Crucial in Many Provinces

A number of provinces are still experiencing severe flooding, which is expected to continue as more rain is expected over the next few days.

The water-level at the Lampao Dam in Kalasin Province is reaching its critical level, with the dam currently at 92% capacity.

Dam officials are discharging an average of seven million cubic meters of water per day, causing the Pao and Chi rivers to rise.

The river water is now overflowing into many districts, including Yang Market, Muang, Kamalasai, Kong Chai and Rong Khum districts, causing damage to more than 50,000 rais of farmland.

The Irrigation Department of Maha Sarakham Province Director-General Worawarat Prawanpatamakul said that the Chi River, which flows through the province, has been rising on an average of 10 to 15 centimeters per day.

Officials are closely monitoring the river tide on a 24-hour basis in six high-risk districts, since the river is 83 centimeters away from overflowing.

The Mul River has also overflowed and swamped communities in Ubon Ratchathani's Muang and Warin Chamrab districts, as the river tide continues to rise on an average of 5-10 centimeters per day.

Warin Chamrab residents were forced to evacuate their homes for the second time in less than two months.

A total of 634 villages in Ubon Ratchathani's 15 districts or 77 Sud-districts have been affected.

In Trat Province, a two-day non-stop downpour has triggered flash flood torrents from the slope of Banthat Mountain and submerged schools and homes in the area below.

Officials are keeping a close-eye on Kao Sa-ming District, where large volumes of water will converge.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-21

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Red-shirt Leader Arisman prepared to Surrender: Korkaew

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Multi-colored Shirt Group Collect 10,000 Signatures to Oppose Royal Pardon for Thaksin

The multi-colored shirt group has collected over 10,000 signatures to oppose the royal pardon for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Multi-colored shirt group coordinator Tul Sittisomwong said the group has collected over 10,000 signatures to oppose the petition seeking a royal pardon for fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The group is continuing to collect signatures in Bangkok and it's vicinity until October 15.

Tul added that he will file a complaint against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with the National Anti-Corruption on September 23.

He accuses the prime minister of giving a false statement in court to protect her brother in a seizure case in February of 2010.

The group will gather at the Victory Monument after the one-month anniversary of the government policy declaration on September 23 at 4 P.M.

On September 25, the group will hold a similar rally at Wong Wien Yai.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-21

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SET closed up by 4.48 during Wed midday break at 1,030.76 on speculative buying with value at Bt8.69 bln /TAN_Network

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National Disaster Warning Ctr issued flood warning Wed-Thur for 14 districts of Petchabun, Loei, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi /Nation

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Residents of 15 provinces warned of flash floods

The Meteorological Department Wednesday warned residents of 15 provinces to brace themselves for heavy rains and possible flash floods.

The provinces are Phetchabun, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Nakyok, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat.

The department said the provinces would be hit with heavy rains Wednesday and Thursday because of the influence of southwest monsoon over the Andaman and Gulf of Thailand.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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Thailand and Cambodia talks over petroleum project in Gulf of Thailand

BANGKOK, 21 September 2011 (NNT) - Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has held a bilateral talk with Cambodia during ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) at Brunei Darussalam.

After the discussion, the Minister said there was a high tendency that both countries would continue with the petroleum project on the continental shelf in the Gulf of Thailand, where great promise of oil and gas development lies. The project was halted since 2001 due to the overlapping area dispute.

Mr Pichai stated the discussion only included the overlapping sea area; not the current dispute over the 4.6-kilometer area around Preah Vihear Temple. He added the petroleum project would be discussed openly.

The Energy Minister said the project is important to Thailand as it would benefit from it. The gas reserve in the Gulf of Thailand has been low, leaving the resource enough for use only for 16 years.

-- NNT 2011-09-21

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Thai govt to lower corporate income tax

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Pattani postman on usual rounds seriously injured when attacked by presumed insurgents on motorcycle /MCOT

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THAI-AUSTRALIAN TIES

Logo design contest launched

The Foreign Ministry and the Australian Embassy in Bangkok are inviting participating in the newly launched "Logo Design Competition" which celebrates the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Thailand and Australia.

The competition is open to artists, professional and amateur, of all ages.

The winner of the competition will receive the grand prize of one return economy class ticket to Australia, sponsored by Thai Airways International sponsored.

The winning design will be used as the official logo of the anniversary for all activities and materials organised by the embassy and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to celebrate the occasion throughout 2012.

Entries close on November 30, 2011. The winner will be announced in December 2011.

-- The Nation 2011-09-21

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Phuket update: 'Kru Kiew' denies torture charge

A screenshot of a YouTube video which shows Phuket childcare worker Kru Kiew

taking a heavy hand to her young charges.

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Australian reports assault by Frenchman at Pattaya bar

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Teacher at College in Sriracha accused of assaulting students

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Pattaya Floating Market owner finds his stolen boat after a 5 year search

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AFP: Thai flood death toll reaches 130: govt

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SET index closed at 1029.59, up 3.31; USD30.32; GBP47.33; AUD30.96; EUR41.33; CAD30.30; HKD3.89; SGD23.75; JPY39.45

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Chalerm's son Wan has been made "Mr Airport Link" to lead crackdown on airport taxi mafia and be Airport Link presenter. /via@tulsathit

Transport Ministry unveils Deputy PM Chalerm's son Wan as presenter for Airport Rail Link; more trains to be purchased for the service /TAN_Network

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Iran approves release of U.S. citizens convicted of spying

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Quicksilver surf competition underway in Phuket

A sign announcing the Quicksilver surf Phuket event atop a rock

climbing wall set up for spectators.

At just 12 years-old, Phuket native Annisa Flynn is ready to defend

her short board crown against all comers.

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