Thailand Live Tuesday 4 Oct 2011

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PM’s profile hacker known, might be caught in 1-2 days

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New Navy Commander-in-Chief Starts His Term

The newly appointed Navy commander-in-chief pledges to push forward with his predecessor's bid to procure new submarines.

Admiral Surasak Runroengrom has been appointed as the new Navy commander-in-chief, replacing Admiral Kamthorn Pumhirun.

The Royal Thai Navy yesterday held a ceremony for Kamthorn to pass on his duties to his successor.

High rank officers attended the ceremony at the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters.

The new Navy commander has pledged to perform his duty to the best of his ability and to work to further carry on the former commander's administration, and to uphold the monarchy.

Moreover, Surasak affirmed that he would push ahead with the project to procure new submarines, adding that it would increase the military's capabilities, making them equal to neighboring countries.

In addition, he pointed out that the submarine fleet would increase the Navy's abilities to protect national marine resources.

The newly appointed commander said that people understand the necessity of the procurement.

He said that the Navy has notified the German defense ministry of their having to delay procurement, saying that the ongoing floods take priority and are the most urgent issue.

However, it is expected that the Cabinet will approve the project today.

Moreover, Surasak pledged not to intervene in politics, adding that he is neutral and is attempting to create national unity.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

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Met Dept: Tropical Storm Nalgae to impact Lower Northeast

BANGKOK, 4 October 2011 (NNT) – The Thai Meteorological Department expects Tropical Storm Nalgae to reach Vietnam on 5 October, affecting the Lower Northeast of Thailand, while forecasting wet conditions nationwide due to monsoons.

Speaking of the approaching Tropical Storm Nalgae, Deputy Director-General of the Meteorological Department Dr Somsri Huntrakul stated that the storm system was in the South China Sea at the moment and was moving northwest towards Northern Vietnam. It is expected to make a landfall in the country on 5 October.

As a consequence, torrential rains will be seen during 6-9 October in the lower part of the northeastern region of Thailand, particularly in Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Surin, Buri Ram and Roi Et. Other provinces to be partially affected include Ranong, Phang Nga, Chanthaburi and Trat.

Furthermore, a monsoon trough passing through the mid-section of the country in combination with the southwest monsoon in the Andaman Sea, the southern region and the Gulf of Thailand will result in more rains over the next 2-3 days in the Lower North, the Lower Northeast, the Central Plains, the East and the East Coast of the South.

-- NNT 2011-10-04

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19 police officers charged for negligence by police inspector general for presence of gambling dens in BKK /TANN

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Thailand's Dancing Queen to Publish Pocketbook

Christina Aguilar. File photo. Source: wikipedia

Another celebrity has decided to put pen to paper; this time, Thailand's dance diva Christina Aguilar is preparing to publish a pocketbook about her outlook on life, love and her career.

Dubbed as Thailand's dancing queen, fans can't seem to get enough of Christina Aguilar since her latest show.

Now, they have even more to look forward to, as Christina is planning to release a pocketbook that details her family life, music career and love life.

Within her stories, there will be Buddhist teachings and morality so that readers have something to contemplate and reflect on.

If reading isn't your cup of tea and you want more dance steps from the dancing queen herself, Christina is planning to get back on stage on October 8 for the “Superstar on Stage” concert.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

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Downpour Makes Flooding Worse in North

Last night's continuous downpours caused huge run-offs and mudslides in many areas as the overall flood situation remains critical.

Continuous downpour throughout the night last night has caused massive run-offs that has submarged a number of villages in the Mae Jam District in Chiang Mai Province.

Homes in the surrounding areas of the Mae Jam River suffered badly.

Ban Pam and Ban Tar Pa were most affected and have been flooded with 2-3 meters of water.

The water level of Jam and Ping Rivers in the Hord District have increased and overflown into many villages, causing severe damage.

Many roads have also been cut-off.

A continuous downpour during the night last night has caused soil and large rocks from the hills to roll down onto the road, blocking the outbound lane from downtown Lampang Province, at around kilometer-marker number 8, on Doi Prabath mountain in Muang Lampang District.

Officials have closed the outbound route, leaving only the inbound route open to the center of Lampang Province.

Meanwhile, the Lampang Airport was flooded, preventing planes from landing on the runway this morning.

However, the runways have since been drained and are now open for landing.

Elsewhere, in Pitsanulok Province, soil and rocks rolled down the hill onto the road at between the 26 and 27 kilometer maker, route number 1248, from Nakon Thai District to in Ban Na Muang.

Over 1,600 households, which is around 6,000 local residents, are suffering and are unable to travel.

Officials have closed and are working to repair the damaged road as fast as possible.

The radio station in Ban Klong Sub-district is now flooded even though there were great efforts made to preventing flooding in this area.

At Ratchapat Piboonsongkram University, backhoe trucks were brought in to build a one-meter embankment to prevent the flood from inundating the university.

The Provincial Administration has also brought in backhoe trucks to remove water hyacinths struck on the pillar, under the Kudsrimungkra Bridge, and under the Kud Pra Kaw Bridge, that were set up on the Moon River.

Removing the water hyacinths will allow a run-off to flow into the Moon River.

Meanwhile, water-levels in the Moon River at the Seiri Pracha Thippatai Bridge continue to drop.

However, the water-lever is still around two meters higher than at the banks.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

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TAT Welcomes Whalewatchers

The Thailand Tourism Authority will be conducting a whale watching program to be held in Petchaburi Province, as the Bruda whale is expected to migrate to the province soon.

Last year, in September, a number of Bruda whales migrated to the coast of Bang Taboon Bay in Petchaburi's Laem Pak Bia District, attracting a large number of tourists, whale watchers and conservationists to visit their temporary habitat.

This year, it is expected that whales will migrate again during the same period as the previous year.

Therefore, the Thailand Tourism Authority, or TAT, in cooperation with Petchaburi Province are preparing for the influx of tourists.

Meanwhile, tour operators will offer close-up whale watching encounters.

The TAT said that tourism experts and other concerned agencies are being sent out to educate people, especially local fishermen, who will offer whale watching services.

They are providing them with instructions to ensure safety, as well as providing information about how to achieve sustainable tourism and tourism that has minimal impact on the environment.

Furthermore, the TAT will be promoting various tourist attractions in the province to create jobs and increase provincial incomes.

The Bruda is considered a medium-sized whale, dark gray in color with a white underbelly.

Mature whales measure 14 to 15.5- centimeters long and weigh 20 to 25-kilogram.

Whale trading is prohibited internationally.

Bruda is the only species that inhabits the Gulf of Thailand.

Most often, they are found in Prajuabkirikhan's Bornok sea.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

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Lampang Airport reopens after flood recedes

LAMPANG, Oct 4 - Lampang Airport reopened Tuesday morning after being forced to close by a flooded runway on Monday.

Ubonwan Wut, acting director of Lampang Airport, said that the flood had receded Tuesday and aircraft can land and take off normally after a survey found no damage to the 1.8 kilometre runway as well as electric equipment in the airport and on the runway.

Lampang Airport was flooded, with 100 metres of runway under one metre of water on Monday.

The Lampang Aeronautical Communications Centre Monday morning instructed pilots of a 70-seat Bangkok-Lampang flight to divert to Chiang Mai for an alternative landing there instead.

In addition, a Lampang-Bangkok flight was cancelled Monday, unable to take off due to the flooded runway. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-04

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Metropolitan Police Bureau arrests drug dealers with 70,000 methamphetamine pills worth Bt21 million; linked to Chonburi prison drug syndicate network /MCOT

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Tak governor says water at Bhumibhol dam is 1 metre short of reaching worrisome level. But "no panic yet." /via@tulsathit /via@news1005fm

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SET index midday Tue at 857.39, down 11.92 pts /Biz_The Nation

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Online music store Rhapsody acquires Napster

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AFP: Thailand's 'worst' floods leave 224 dead

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Wichean appointed NSC chief

The Nation

Former police chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree was appointed the new secretary-general of the National Security Council Tuesday.

PM's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon said the Cabient approved Wichien's appointment.

The appointment will take effect after it receives a royal command.

-- The Nation 2011-10-04

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Cabinet Extends Free Bus/Electricity

Cabinet has resolved to extend measures to ease the cost of living by subsidizing bus fares and partial electricity costs. The new extension will expire in January of next year.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

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Thaksin wants Pheu Thai MPs to stop asking why Suphan Buri is not flooded. He fears question can backfire against govt. -matichon /via@tulsathit

Red-shirts gather at Army HQ to place wreath,burn coffin in protest against promotion of officers who dispersed their protest /TAN_Network

Cabinet approves procurement of smart ID cards, two Blackhawks; extends free bus, train service until New Year /MCOT

Floods lead State Railway of Thailand to suspend another 7 northbound trains Tuesday afternoon /MCOT

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Chinatown Residents Give PM Flood Donations

Representatives of local residents in Bangkok's Chinatown hand over 660,000 baht in donations to the premier to do their part in helping flood victims across the country.

Officials from the Health Department and representatives from Bangkok's Chinatown community traveled to Government House to deliver 660,000 baht donations to the PM's Office via Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

They hope the money will be able to help victims of the recent round of flooding nationwide.

The donations were collected during the Bangkok's Chinatown Vegetarian Festival.

Moreover, representatives from a local noddle shop there also donated 2,000 packs of noddle to help flood victims.

They prepared some of the original fish ball noodle for the premier and Cabinet members to eat for lunch.

Apart from the delicious noodle, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna also gave Yingluck a painting of her when she was granted an audience with His Majesty the King.

The image of the premier was captured when she was giving His Majesty the King an update of the government's work after her first month in office.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

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Typhoon Nalgae becoming more poweful while Nesat is weakening

BANGKOK, 4 October 2011 (NNT)-The Meteorological Department said although typhoon Nesat has weakened into a depression while landing in the upper part of Vietnam, scattered showers and heavy rains can be expected in some parts of the upper region of Thailand.

While ‘Nesat’ is becoming weaker, typhoon ‘Nalgae’ has gained strength and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam from tomorrow until Thursday. Drenching rains can be expected along the western coast of the South and in the eastern part of the country.

Meanwhile, only some parts of the central and northeastern regions will experience more rains from Thursday to Friday. Fishermen are advised to stay ashore as seas will likely be violent with 2-3 meter-high waves.

However, those who plan to travel by boats should consult the weather forecast and check the boat’s engine before leaving the shore.

-- NNT 2011-10-04

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Thai Airways International Gets New Board Members

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Avoid Asia Highway in Lampang although flood had subsided, possible bridge neck erosion there. District chief /via @nnanews /via@Aim_NT

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PM to Launch Rice Pledging Scheme Thursday

The prime minister will preside over the official launch of the rice pledging scheme at Government House on Thursday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to officially open the pledging scheme for in-season rice paddy for the 2011/2012 harvest season at Government House on October 6.

Provincial governors and heads of relevant agencies were ordered to attend the event to be briefed on the policy's details.

On October 7, which is the first day of rice pledging scheme registration, the Prime Minister will visit the ad-hoc operation center for the rice pledging program at the Commerce Ministry.

This is where the premier will be able to observe and monitor online rice pledging activities.

The premier is also expected to visit a number of milling plants that have signed up to participate in the program this afternoon.

Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol affirmed that the government is fully ready to launch the rice pledging program according to the original schedule.

The minister said the premier has demanded relevant agencies monitor the pledging process to combat corruption and ensure that farmers will benefit the most from the program.

Responding to the call for the government to address the low tapioca price, Poom said the Commerce Ministry will hold talks with relevant agencies, tapioca dealers and manufacturers before submitting a proposal to the National Tapioca Policy Committee in two weeks.

He added the government has yet to decide whether to intervene in market prices as demanded by farmers.

Tapioca is currently selling at less than two baht per kilogram.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

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A Rift Must Be Averted: Thai Editorial

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Police believe Fake DSI agent is on the run in Phuket

Witchayut’s ID card photograph as it appears on his arrest warrant.

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Thai Army Chief Denies Troop Training in Israel as claimed by Jatuporn

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'Monkey's business' in Government House

The Nation

A free monkey Tuesday caught media spotlight as it ran around the Government House and successfully evaded anaesthetic shots.

No one knew where this male monkey came from.

Officials from the Dusit Zoo showed up at the Government House yesterday morning for the mission to catch it.

The anaesthetic shots fired by the zoo officials, however, missed and the monkey adroitly fled out of the compounds.

It climbed from trees to power poles. It went to the Padung Krungkasem Canal and then to the Rama V Road. The monkey was last seen heading into the Royal Turf Club.

-- The Nation 2011-10-04

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Facebook Prevents Suicide Attempt By Wife Of Foreigner In Pattaya

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SET index closed at 855.45, down 13.86; Bt/USD31.02; GBP47.71; AUD29.13; EUR40.73; CAD29.22; HKD3.98; SGD23.46; JPY40.23

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Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess win the Nobel prize in physics /via@BreakingNews

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Bhumibhol Dam to discharge water; locals along Ping River banks asked to relocate valuables to higher ground /TANN

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Trio awarded Nobel Physics Prize

Stockholm

The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Saul Perlmutter (US), Brian P Schmidt (US/Australia), Adam G Riess (US) "for the discovery of accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernova," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced Tuesday.

-- The Nation 2011-10-04