Thailand Live Monday 26 Sep 2011

[webfact]

Thailand Live Monday 26 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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/564113621/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 24 Sep 2011

[webfact]

Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

Follow this link: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

[webfact]

Thai govt thinks again on car rebates, civil service incomes

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Fears of investment drought: Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Politics may make border demarcation tough: JBC chief

Follow this link:

[webfact]

5,000 seeking help each day for flood woes, illnesses: Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Abhisit pleads farmers' case in meet with PM

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Arrests follow tough drug policy response: Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Anti-coup scholars deny trying to help Thaksin

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Teachers TV: making it work for Thailand

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Drug suspects arrested in three cases as government crackdown continues

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Hometown Hero Shannon Wiratchai Shines at DARE Championship in Bangkok

Follow this link:

[webfact]

MPs need a dose of reality when they go after one another: Thai opinion

Follow this link:

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

You will be held responsible for huge loss, Pridiyathorn warns Thai ministers

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Vehicle crosses lane into oncoming traffic and hits Sattriwittaya 3 school bus on Buddhamonthon 4 Rd; 1 reported dead while scores injured /TANN

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 945.75, down 12.41 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Yongyuth to ask Cabinet to approve reshuffle of 45 Interior Ministry officials Tuesday

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit will ask the Cabinet Tuesday to approve reshuffle of 45 senior officials of his ministry, a well-informed source said Monday.

The positions include the director-general of the Provincial Administration Department, the director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, the source said.

-- The Nation 2011-09-26

[webfact]

PM holds video conference on flooding and promises Bt40 bln to tackle problem in the long-term /TAN_Network

Vegetarian Festival kickstarts nationwide; vegetable prices have doubled and tripled in some areas /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Two security installations heavily damaged by suspected arson at Narathiwat's Bacho district, no casualties; incident believed to stir disturbance /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Baht Monday. Weaker on outflow of funds,expected to move in Bt30.90-31.05 /USD range/ Via@Biz_TheNation

Asian and Thai stocks dived sharply Mon. on heavy sell-off by foreign investors on caution over EU debt crisis/ Via@Biz_TheNation

[Lite Beer]

ICT

ICT Ministry to probe deals between CAT, True Corp

By The Nation

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry instructed its permanent secretary late last week to set up a committee to probe the legitimacy of the deals that paved the way for CAT Telecom and True Corp's collaboration on a 3G wireless broadband service provided on 850MHz

A ministry source said ICT Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap ordered permanent secretary Jirawan Boonperm last Wednesday to appoint the committee, which is required to finish its probe within 15 days of its establishment.

The probe will focus on whether the deals comply with related laws and regulations, and whether the deals are subject to the 1992 Public-Private Joint Venture Act. The Office of the Attorney-General informed the ICT Ministry in July that these deals do not need to adhere to the 1992 Public-Private Joint Venture Act and were deemed to comply with the wholesale and resale regulations of the National Telecommunications Commis-sion. The ministry asked the agency to look into the matter following criticism that the deals failed to comply with certain laws and regulations.

CAT signed deals with True subsidiaries Real Move and Real Future in January to set up their collaboration to provide 3G-High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) service on 850MHz spectrum. Under the deals, Real Future subsidiary BFKT (Thailand) has already installed HSPA equipment for CAT, which will wholesale 3G capacity. Real Move has already leased capacity from CAT to resell the service.

The ministry is also examining CAT's request for a budget of Bt12.5 billion to install core telecom facilities to support its supplying 3G-HSPA services under the deals. After it has finished considering the request, the ministry will send its opinion on the matter for consideration by the National Economic and Social Development Board.

-- The Nation 2011-09-26

[Lite Beer]

Thailand's export grows against economic crises in US and EU

By Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

Thailand's export growth remains high in September, depite weakening economies in Europe and United States says Prasong Poontaneat, director general of the Customs Department.

Preliminary ficgures suggested exports would expand at least 20 per cent, as exports to China and Asean continue to expand, he says

-- The Nation 2011-09-26

[Lite Beer]

STREET WISE

Pheu Thai are great marketers but their products are poorly timed

By Achara Deboonme

Former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij apparently understands better than anyone why Pheu Thai won the election.

On his Facebook page, he hinted that it was natural for Pheu Thai fans to vote for the party due to its wage hike policy. For people in such a situation, every offer was alluring.

He got it right. While feeling sorry for "them" as the policy would not benefit all workers as expected, he urged people in his community, dubbed as "us", to understand the voters.

Yes, the voters are not fools. And yes, Pheu Thai is just naturally excellent with its marketing. Unlike the Democrat Party which is often rather too rhetorical, Pheu Thai comes up with more appealing policies with easy-to-understand wording. Sometimes, the party's members were convinced these policies could be implemented without any hurdles. And when a hurdle did arise, they were sure they could handle it, even if it was poorly.

The Bt300 nationwide wage hike, for one, was a mistake as the party did not take into account the different cost of living in each province. In light of heavy criticism, it changed course to implement it first in a limited number of provinces.

Next came the suspension of the Oil Fund levies on the three fuel products, including octane-91 and octane-95 petrol. When it was criticised for making the products cheaper and gasohol products less attractive, the price gaps of premium and gasohol products were widened. Another widening is expected at the meeting later this month.

Now problems are arising from the first-car policy. Forget about a possible violation of the World Trade Organisation rules; no such issue was launched against China or the US when a similar policy was initiated there. Problems instead come from automakers, chiefly Ford, as its products are excluded from the package despite the mere 100cc difference in engine size.

Yes, this week, Cabinet is expected to extend the policy to cover Ford Fiesta and other models with engines up to 1,600cc. Rules would also be drawn to deal with tax rebates in case of vehicle foreclosures.

Following comes the rice-pledging scheme through which old corruption practices are expected to resurface. This could be changed if it does not succeed, said Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.

The first-home policy is criticised for favouring the middle-class as the eligible house price is up to Bt5 million. And so to please those with lower incomes, a zero-rate mortgage scheme is on offer for houses valued at no more than Bt2 million.

Indeed, Korn is right. These policies are not benefiting the poor, who form the vast base of votes for Pheu Thai. How much has a family to earn so that it can pay a Bt20,000 monthly mortgage instalment for a Bt4 million house? Earning a minimum wage of Bt221 in Phuket, workers there cannot take benefit from the first-car policy.

What the poor stand to gain is so small - like the planned credit cards for farmers for raw material purchases, and energy credit cards for households and taxi companies for special energy prices following an energy price overhaul. And they will have to wait before the minimum wage hike comes true.

Pheu Thai is apparently canvassing for votes from the middle-class who form the vast vote base for the Democrats.

Actually, the Democrats did the same thing when they handed out the Bt2,000 cheques for those earning less than Bt15,000, effectively low-income earners by our standards.

The only difference here is the Democrats launched the cheque scheme when the world was engulfed in financial crisis and a credit crunch. Pheu Thai is launching all its policies when the economy is threatened by high inflationary pressures and inflation expectation. Indeed, the global economy is reeling from another possible crisis.

These policies, to boost consumption and effectively push up inflation, would be a wonder if they could boost the Thai economy. Indeed, Kittiratt or Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala could win the Banker Magazine's award for long-sightedness, as Korn was once honoured.

Alas, it's really sad for its supporters that the party is so good at marketing, but so poor at putting the right products on the market at the right time.

-- The Nation 2011-09-26

[Lite Beer]

Prosecutors have decided not to take Pojaman tax case to Supreme Court after she was set free by Appeals Court last month/Via@tusathit

[Lite Beer]

PM orders measures to cope with floods, storms threaten Thailand

BANGKOK, Sept 26 – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered short-term measures to resolve flood problems across the country as the National Disaster Warning Centre warned of likely heavy rain in the Northeast as two tropical storms approach the region

Ms Yingluck was briefed on latest flood situation Monday by disaster centres in Ubon Ratchathani, Uthai Thani and Ang Thong provinces via a video conference.

Permanent Secretary for Interior Vichien Chavalit reported to the prime minister that the Meteorological Department is continuing its monitoring of the quantity of rainfall for the next few days particularly in the eastern region.

Nationally water volume is stable except for the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan and in the Mun and Chee rivers in Ubon Ratchathani, where volume is likely to increase.

Ms Yingluck ordered all provinces to plan short-term flood prevention to be reported to her this week. She advised local authorities to work with the irrigation department to oversee the tide, the water level in the Chao Phraya River, and the amount of rain.

Floodwater from the Lopburi River overflowed into the business area in Lopburi’s provincial seat.

Schools, temples and houses were surrounded by the fast-rising waters. Local residents failed to move their belongings to higher ground soon enough and many children, the elderly, and confined patients are stranded in their homes.

Local residents have moved to stay on higher ground on roads, which are often higher than surrounding areas. The main road connecting the province to the capital is under water and impassable.

In Prachinburi’s Si Maha Phot district, flooding has spread, and continued for about two months.

Local authorities said the case of a 70-year-old man living in difficulty with his wife and a handicapped niece exemplified the challenges affecting those who are stranded and isolated from the wider community.

The National Disaster Warning Centre warned of heavy rain in Thailand’s Northeast as tropical storm Haitang, centred in the upper South China Sea will make a landfall in Vietnam on Tuesday.

It also warned of flash floods and mudslides if typhoon Nesat, centred in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines moves to Thailand in three to four days. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-09-26

[Lite Beer]

Thai stocks plunge more than 8.0%

BANGKOK, September 26, 2011 (AFP) - Thai stocks dived more than eight percent mid-session on Monday, hitting their lowest level in more than a year as investors fretted about a weak global economy and Europe's debt woes.

Emerging Asian stock markets such as Thailand and Indonesia have been hit particularly hard by the latest bout of worldwide financial market turmoil.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index fell by as much as 8.46 percent, or 81.08 points, to 877.08 by early afternoon -- the sharpest one-day percentage drop since October 2008, at the beginning of the financial crisis.

"Investors dumped shares in panic as they have lost confidence," Prapas Tonpibulsak, chief investment officer at Krungsri Asset Management Co, told Dow Jones Newswires.

Across Asia, stocks extended losses as investors were left unimpressed by a commitment at the weekend from G20 finance chiefs that they would take strong, coordinated action to tackle the market turmoil.

Despite moves to shore up confidence in Greece, many fear the country will inevitably default on its loans, threatening fresh financial chaos.

After strong growth last year, Thailand's economy contracted 0.2 percent in the second quarter of 2011 as supply shortages caused by Japan's March earthquake and tsunami led to a sharp slowdown in exports.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-09-26

[Lite Beer]

Arisman told KomChadLuek he escaped from Rajprasong using a camouflage spell a monk taught him on the phone./ Via@tulsathit

Spiderman-in-camouflage Arisman also said he had to dodge "a hundred thousand bullets" during escape. cc @KribBKK @rebel_bay/ Via@tulsathit

To those asking why Arisman had to dodge 100,000 bullets if he could camouflage himself, I don't know./ Via@tulsathit

[Lite Beer]

Attorney-general decides not to appeal Pojaman's acquittal ruling

By The nation

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/501060-attorney-general-decides-not-to-appeal-pojamans-acquittal-ruling/

[Lite Beer]

MARKETS

10% plunge triggers circuit breaker

By Siriporn Chanjindamanee

The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand temporarily halted trading for half an hour, following the plunge in the composite index by 10 per cent

The circuit breaker was turned on 5 minutes after the afternoon trading started, as the index lost as much as 10 per cent to 867.94 points.

The market nosedived nearly 9 per cent in the morning session, on rumours that Greece may be let to default on its massive debts and leave the euro zone.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand lost grounds, with the composite index plummeting to 877.08 points or over 8 per cent before a rebound. At midday, the index ended at 883.23 points, down 7.82 per cent, on turnover of Bt24.81 billion.

The rumours were originated on a string of bad news following the International Monetary Fund's meeting last weekend. Group of 20 then showed worries over the absence of solution to ease the European debt crisis. Big-time investor George Soros also mentioned that the world is slipping into recession and the euro zone debt crisis is now more severe than the US economic malaise. The most frightening news came from International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, who said that the fund's $384 billion lending chest may not be enough to meet all loan requests if the global economy worsens.

IMF today said in a statement that Lagarde met with Greece's Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos today in Washington. They discussed the terms under which the IMF mission would return to Athens to undertake the fifth review of Greece's economic programme -- most likely this coming week.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday also defended her government's part in international efforts to save Greece, this time from default against internal criticism from her party.

Foreign investors have remained net-sellers in the Thai market so far this month, with combined sale outpacing purchases by Bt15.8 billion. It accounted for nearly half of Bt34.69 billion foreign net-sell so far this year

-- The Nation 2011-09-26

[Lite Beer]

MARKETS

SET plunges on Greek debt woes

By Siriporn Chanjindamanee

The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand has lost nearly 10 per cent, on fears that Greece may be let to default on its massive debts and leave the euro zone.

Market jitteries heightened in the afternoon, as computer glitches led to a brief stop in trading. Investors were briefly convinced that the market lost as much as 10 per cent, and that the loss triggered the circuit breaker.

The glitches took place 5 minutes after the afternoon trading started. At the time, the SET index lost 9.42 per cent to 867.94 points.

The market nosedived nearly 9 per cent in the morning session. The Stock Exchange of Thailand lost grounds, with the composite index plummeting to 877.08 points or over 8 per cent before a rebound. At midday, the index ended at 883.23 points, down 7.82 per cent, on turnover of Bt24.81 billion.

The rumours were originated on a string of bad news following the International Monetary Fund's meeting last weekend. Group of 20 then showed worries over the absence of solution to ease the European debt crisis. Big-time investor George Soros also mentioned that the world is slipping into recession and the euro zone debt crisis is now more severe than the US economic malaise. The most frightening news came from International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, who said that the fund's $384 billion lending chest may not be enough to meet all loan requests if the global economy worsens.

IMF today said in a statement that Lagarde met with Greece's Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos today in Washington. They discussed the terms under which the IMF mission would return to Athens to undertake the fifth review of Greece's economic programme -- most likely this coming week.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday also defended her government's part in international efforts to save Greece, this time from default against internal criticism from her party.

Foreign investors have remained net-sellers in the Thai market so far this month, with combined sale outpacing purchases by Bt15.8 billion. It accounted for nearly half of Bt34.69 billion foreign net-sell so far this year.

-- The Nation 2011-09-26