Thailand Live Tuesday 4 Oct 2011

[webfact]

Thai Govt claims progress in crackdown on drug trade

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Hmong 'killed' in forced return to Laos

Jim Pollard

The Nation

An elderly Hmong man and his son were allegedly killed when the forced repatriation of several dozen hilltribe people to Laos last week turned violent, according to rights advocates in the US.

Yang Chao, 68, and his son Peng Chao, 21, were reportedly beaten by Lao officials because they tried to resist being put on boats to go back across the Mekong to Vientiane on September 28.

Witnesses rang Hmong advocates in the US to say that Yang Chao, who was handcuffed at the time, was knocked senseless, then allegedly dumped from one boat when it was halfway across the river.

They claim his son Peng Chao was also beaten unconscious in Nong Khai while arguing against being forcibly returned. His body was also allegedly thrown into the river, advocates said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-04

[webfact]

Electricity cut in 3 districts in Ayutthaya because of flooding; locals urged to evacuate in 3 hours /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Northern floods prompt Phuket call for blood

A Bangkok resident sits near the submerged Tha Tian Pier yesterday as the swollen

Chao Phraya River continued to rise. Photo: The Nation.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Phuket gears up flood relief efforts

Red Cross Phuket President Nalinee Augkaradacha (left), who is also the wife of Phuket Governor Tri, receives representatives from local security company Siam Guardian Services and Thanyapura, who made donations of water, dry food, medicine, clothing and a check to help provide assistance to flood victims.

Follow this link:

[Lite Beer]

Veera, Ratree may have to wait until next May for jail term reduction

The Nation.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen may seek reduction of jail term for yellow-shirt activists in May next year during King Norodom Sihamoni's birthday and the traditional Khmer New Year, Cambodian media reported Tuesday.

Hun Sen promised Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra when she visited Phnom Penh last month to seek the reduction of sentence for nationalist activists Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon who were being jailed for espionage charge.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said that bilateral talks between Cambodia and Thailand could pave the way for an eventual prisoner exchange or royal pardon, but stressed that the two activists must first serve two-thirds of their jail terms.

-- The Nation 2011-10-04

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet extends measures to help Thailand's low income earners

BANGKOK, Oct 4 – Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday extended measures to reduce the cost of living for low income earners by offering free non-air conditioned bus and third-class train service to Jan 15 next year, according to government spokesperson Thitima Chaisang.

Extending free bus and train services to Jan 15 is aimed at reducing travel costs for people traveling home to the provinces for the long New Year holiday. The measures expired on June 30.

The spokesman said the measures will cost the government around Bt2.18 billion.

The Ministry of Transport reported in August that 400,000 bus passengers and 50,000 rail passengers per day benefited from the measures.

Initiated during the administration of late former prime minister Samak Sundaravej to assist low-income earners in 2008.

Other measures included free electricity for users of less than 90 units per month and free tap water for users of less than 30 cubic metres per month. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-04

[Lite Beer]

AirAsia operates Chiang Mai-Ubon route

The Nation

Follow this link:

[Lite Beer]

LAW VIOLATION

Suriya cleared from duty free case

The Nation

The National Anti-Corruption Commission voted 5 to 4 in favour of former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, in the case involving a duty free concession at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Klanarong Chantik, a commissioner as spokesman, said the majority commissioners resolved that Suriya and accomplices did not violate the Public-Private Joint Venture Act in awarding the concession as the project value is less than Bt1 billion. Meanwhile, such award did not violate the public procurement law as more than 1 company joined the bidding.

Suriya served the Thaksin administration. Aside from this case, he was implicated in the unscrupulous procurement of scanners for the airport.

Cleared from the case, he is spared from a lawsuit.

-- The Nation 2011-10-04

[webfact]

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 5 Oct 2011

Follow this link: