Thailand Live Thursday 29 Sep 2011

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ANALYST COMMENT

Launch of Amazon tablet

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Opposition Leader Warns PM About Public Addresses

The Opposition leader has warned the prime minister to watch her public addresses, as they could ruin the government's credibility.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva lashed out at Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after she apparently made a blunder in her interview regarding the Cabinet approval of the navy’s submarine procurement project.

Abhisit warned Yingluck to be cautious in her public addresses.

In addition, Abhisit thanked the government for being receptive to his suggestion, after the government approved an additional payment of 1,437 baht per ton of rice crops damaged by recent flooding.

He said he is backing the government’s attempt to relieve farmers.

Abhisit added that the government must hurry to manage the water drainage system to make it more effective in the provinces, noting that the water released from the provinces adversely affects others and leads to conflict.

He reiterated that authorities should clarify the flood management plan in order to deter any conflicts.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Ravaging Floods Damage Routes Nationwide

The Transport Ministry has pointed out that nearly 600 routes nationwide are adversely affected by flooding, especially in the northern region, which has been the hardest-hit area.

The Rural Roads Department is rushing to make temporary repairs to allow for transportation.

Deputy Transport Minister Chat Kulladilok said the Rural Roads Department and the State Railway of Thailand have reported that a total of 577 routes in 57 provinces nationwide have been damaged by the ongoing flooding.

A total of 80 routes are completely obstructed.

The floods have ruined 52 routes in the northern provinces, and 22 routes in the central region.

Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Sing Buri, and Chai Nat provinces are the hardest-hit areas.

The ministry has instructed the Rural Roads Department and relavent agencies to provide aid for flood victims and to make temporary repairs.

The department is now rushing to use heavy machinery, rouge, and sand to rebuild the main roads to allow for some transportation.

The deputy transport minister added that a section of railway track in Nakhon Sawan’s Bueng Boraphet is currently under floodwater.

Train services in the area have been suspended.

Train services bound for the North are also under a continued suspension.

Damage is estimated at 13 million baht.

However, bus services from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are operating as usual.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Court hands down 3 yr, 4 month jail term for undertaker at Pai-ngern Temple in the case of the 2,002 fetuses /TAN_Network

PM orders military and ministers to dispense help to flood victims; Chaiyaphum proposes constructing 23 monkey cheeks using Bt400 mln /TAN_Network

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Foreign Minister: Two Thai Activists to Seek Royal Pardon

The foreign minister has told the international community that ties between Thailand and Cambodia are improving, which would drive for the fast approaching ASEAN single community in 2015.

At the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thai-Cambodian relations are continuing to improve since the Pheu Thai Party has taken its term as government.

Many countries are pleased that conflicts between the two countries have eased, as it will help the ASEAN countries move toward becoming a single community in 2015.

In addition, Surapong said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed his intention to help Thai activists Veera Somkwankid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon seek a royal pardon.

It's likely that the two Thais will get a reduction of their jail terms.

Currently, they are imprisoned in Phnom Penh.

During the talk between defense ministries, Hun Sen suggested the two could be freed in the event that the Thai government releases Cambodian prisoners.

Justice Minister Pracha Phromnok pointed out that the prisoner exchange deal, signed by the two countries on September 2009, is eligible provided that the case does not concern national security.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Due to flooding the British Consulate in Chiang Mai is closed today http://ow.ly/6I2L0 /via @ukinthailand #ThaiFlood /via@RichardBarrow

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Yingluck to visit Burma next week

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit Burma next Wednesday, a well-informed Government House source said Thursday.

She will leave Bangkok in the afternoon and visit Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.

Yingluck will hold a discussion with Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein and will also pay a visit to Senior General Than Shwe, former chairman of defunct the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

The source said Yingluck will also visit the Uppasanti stupa in the new capital but she has no schedule to meet Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Yingluck has no schedule to visit Rangoon and she is scheduled to return to Bangkok at midnight.

The source said Yingluck will visit Malaysia on October 11, a postponement from the initial schedule of October 3. The source said the Malaysian government was not ready to receive her that day so it asked for a postponement to October 11.

Yingluck will also visit Singapore on October 12 and visit China from October 19 to 21.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Democrat Party Slams Govt Plan to Borrow to Fund Green Line Rail Project

The Democrat Party has slammed the government’s plan to borrow 36 billion baht to invest in the Green Line electric rail project instead of using funds from the first-car tax rebate scheme.

Democrat Party Bangkok MP Attawit Suwanpakdi said the Democrat Party appreciates the government’s decision to compensate farmers for crops damaged by the ongoing flooding and to hand out rice seeds, as proposed by his party.

He noted that more boats are needed in many areas affected by floods.

Donations are welcome, either at the Democrat Party head office or its flood-relief volunteer center.

However, Attawit said the Democrat Party disagrees with the Cabinet’s decision to seek 36 billion baht in loans to fund the Green Line electric train project instead of using funds from the first-car tax rebate program, which is taken from the state’s tax revenue.

He added that it's unnecessary for the government to borrow, pay interest rates, and as a result, charge more taxes.

He said it's interesting to see how far the current government will go with piling the public's financial burden in order to realize its populist policies.

The Democrat Party also criticized the first-home tax rebate program for favoring the rich, although the government has changed the condition to allow buyers to deduct tax directly.

Attawitch said the program still does not benefit low-income families that earn less than 30,000 to 40,000 baht a month.

Besides, he believes the program supports the sale of SC Asset housing units.

Meamwhile, Wirat Kalayasiri, head of the Democrat legal team, is gathering information and looking into whether the first-home tax measure is unfairly benefiting particular individuals.

The Democrat Party will raise questions on the matter at the House meeting today.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Against Casino Construction

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Thaivisa Launches More Mobile Services

Classifieds, hotels, forum, local portals

We are happy to announce that we have launched additional Thaivisa services that you can access with your mobile browser. So whether you are on the bus, on the Sky train or in the swimming pool you have easy access to Thaivisa with your mobile device.

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Phuket Airport tipped to reach breaking point

ARE WE THERE YET? AoT expects 7.95 million passengers this year,

which will exceed the stated capacity (6.5 million) by 22%.

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Rak Thailand Party Leader Reveals Another Gambling Den

An outspoken opposition MP has revealed another gambling den at Meng Jai District in Bangkok.

He voiced concern about the plan to establish a casino complex in the Northeast.

Rak Thailand Party leader, Chuwit Kamonwisit disagrees with Director of the Government Lottery Office Wanchai Surakul's plan to build a casino at Tung Kula Rong Hai area in the Northeast.

The party leader said the government should develop the field in other directions.

The Rak Thailand Party leader advised the government to establish the casino complex on an island that already have well-established hotels and an airport.

Meanwhile, Chuwit has revealed that another gambling den is to be established at Meng Jai intersection soon.

He challenged officers to search the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Continued Rain Worsens Flood Situation

The latest updates on flooding across the country indicates that water is still on the rise in many regions.

Many dams are now filling up to their full capacities.

At Maung Yow Municipality in Lampang Province, torrential rain has caused vast flooding, resulting in a rapid increase of the water-level in the Mae Keang and Mae Yow dams.

Run-off from the Mae Yow River continues to converge into Koh Ka District, where residents in high-risk areas have been warned by officials to closely monitor the situation.

The flood situation in Phitjit is crucial as Nan and Yom river basins still contain a high volume of water.

Many roads have been flooded and cut-off, causing difficulties for travel to Maung Phitjit Municipality and the downtown area.

Highway 117 is the only available route to enter Phijit Province.

The northern line, which passes Phitjit Province, has also been forced to shut down.

Officials have prepared for further flooding by building sand-bag walls in risk areas to keep the floodwater at bay for the safety of economic areas and government offices in the area.

However, urban areas are expected to experience severe flooding if there is another torrential rain.

Elsewhere, local residents in Tah Lan Municipality in Ban Mor District of Sara Buri Province have been forced to evacuate due to the collapse of the Tah Lan Dam, which submerged nine villages.

Volunteered officials and soldiers are helping victims from more than 1,000 households to evacuate from risk areas.

In Nakon Ratchasima Province, torrential downpour has caused the water-level in large dams to increase continuously, including Lam Pra Plerng and Lam Takong dams, causing watercourses under the dams to overflow into some riverbanks areas.

At Pi Mai Dam, which receives water from downtown Nakon Ratchasima Province and Pak Tongchai District, officials are removing water-blocking hyacinths and garbage to accelerate the water discharging into the Moon River to flow into Burirum Province.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Cabinet passes 2nd lot of flood compensation

BANGKOK, 29 September 2011 (NNT) – The Cabinet has approved a budget of 1.67 billion THB as the second lot of financial assistance for over 334,000 flood-affected families in 36 provinces across the country.

Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Viboon Sanguanpong stated that the Cabinet had agreed to compensate the second batch of flood victims, who were affected by disasters during 1 May-23 September this year, at the rate of 5,000 THB per household. There are more than 334,000 households in 36 provinces eligible for this round of assistance with a total of over 1.67 billion THB to be handed out.

The recipients have been divided into two groups. The first group covers 24,287 families devastated by flooding in Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Chachoengsao and Surat Thani provinces during 1 May-5 September while the second includes 309,752 families in 36 provinces who were affected during 6-23 September.

After this, officials of the DDPM will be dispatched to all 36 provinces in a bid to assess flood damages and verify the locals’ eligibility for the compensation. Their duty is to make sure that the recipients in this round of assistance have never been compensated before.

-- NNT 2011-09-29

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Phitsanulok Rail Service Resumes as Water Recedes

The partial rail service from Phitsanulok Province to Nakhon Sawan Province has resumed, after flood water has receded.

The rail service in Nakhon Sawan Province was suspended for three consecutive days due to flooding.

However, in Phitsanulok Province, the round-trip rail service to Chum Saeng Station in Nakhon Sawan Province has partially resumed.

The route is offered at three times each day.

However, the station is not as crowded as usual, since full rail service has yet to be restored.

The schedule depends on the flood situation in Nakhon Sawan Province.

For more information about rail service in the area, contact 055-258005 or the State Railway of Thailand 1669 hotline.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

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Northeastern residents told to brace themselves for two tropical storms

BANGKOK, 29 September 2011 (NNT)-The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has issued an alert for people in the northeastern region against two tropical storms ‘Haitang’ and ‘Nesat’ moving from southern China.

Residents of Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, Beung Kan, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Loei and Nong Bua Lamphu should be aware of possible dangers when the two storms make landfall.

Haitang and Nesat are expected to cast off heavy rainfalls which could eventually lead to an overflow near the embankment and flood homes. Riverside residents are under evacuation alert and told to move their valuables and belongings to higher grounds.

-- NNT 2011-09-29

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Ping River water level falling this afternoon but expected to increase again at noon tomorrow,which may cause further flooding in Chiang Mai /TAN_Network

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PM: full efforts for Chiang Mai residents affected by floods

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AFP: Thai undertaker jailed over hidden foetuses at Bangkok temple

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Democrats question PM's proefessional ethics

The Nation

The Democrat Party on Thursday petitioned for a probe into the professional ethics of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in connection with the first home scheme.

"The tax scheme for first home buyers might be designed to benefit a developer linked with Yingluck," Democrat MP Wiratana Kalayasiri said in the petition.

On his main opposition party's behalf, Wiratana filed the petition with the Office of Ombudsman outlining the suspicion that the scheme would work in favor of SC Asset Corporation where Yingluck was a top executive before entering politics.

Under relevant procedures, the Ombudsman will rule whether the case merits the investigation. Should a cause be established on misconduct, this will lead to the activation of the impeachment proceedings.

-- The Nation 2011-09-29

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Red-shirt terrorism suspect to chair House committee on security

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FDA raids well known clinic in Chatuchak-Don Mueang area, seize fake cosmetics worth Bt13 million /MCOT

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Chiang Mai mayor apologises to city residents not preventing Ping River from flooding city, estimates initial damage at least 1bln baht /MCOT

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PATTAYA NEWS

Prison Inmate behind latest drugs arrest by Pattaya Police:

Suspected drug dealer caught by narcotics officer in Sattahip District:

Lucky Escape For Driver Following North Pattaya Truck Fire:

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SET index closed at 926.21, down 5.39; Bt/USD31.10; GBP48.51; AUD30.39; EUR42.24; CAD30.00; HKD3.98; SGD23.89; JPY40.39

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PM to begin radio show on Saturday

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will on Saturday launch her radio programme, dubbed "PM Yingluck meets the people".

Yingluck said on Thursday that her programme will be aired by Radio Thailand on Saturdays from 8.30 am to 9.30 am.

In her programme, she said she would sum up her work during the week, clarify certain issues and invite Cabinet members to publicise their work progress.

She said the government would have to review the programme proposal before deciding whether to allow the opposition Democrats to access to state media outlets.

In regard to the removal of two broadcasting programmes seen as critical of the government, she said she had no involvement in the matter.

-- The Nation 2011-09-29

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Phuket Debacle: Bus Terminal 2 may never open

A sign on the median strip opposite the entrance to long-dormant

Phuket Bus Terminal 2. Rassada Mayor Suratin Lianudom, who lives

in the white house behind, says he will continue to fight to prevent

the facility from opening.

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Aphrodite Cabaret opens tonight in Phuket

A scene from the Aphrodite Cabaret show’s Indian segment,

one of 16 in the hour-and-a-half performance.

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Reuters: German parliament backs more powers for euro zone rescue mechanism

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Seizure of Chuwit's Bt3.4 million related to prostitution ring

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