Thailand Live Friday 7 Oct 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 7 October 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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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.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 6 Oct 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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FLOOD

Hospital, prison evacuated, road swamped in Ayutthaya

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Thai MP Chuwit's video nails paddy, gas smugglers

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Pheu Thai MPs seek new military

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FLOODING

Ubolrat Dam to the brim

The Nation

People living downstream of Khon Kaen's Ubolrat Dam might end up being flooded in until the New Year because the dam will be releasing 50 million cubic metres of water every day.

The dam, which has gone 118 per cent beyond its capacity, has prompted related officials to hold an urgent meeting yesterday to seek possible solutions.

Pinyo Thongsing, assistant chief of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's Northeastern Hydropower Plant, said the dam contained 2,859 million cubic metres of water, well beyond its capacity of 2,531 million cubic metres, and that up to 80 million cubic metres was pouring into it on a daily basis. Since the dam will be releasing 50 million cubic metres from today or tomorrow, he expressed concern about the dam's water management and the impact it will have on people downstream.

Since this is the largest volume of water the dam has encountered in its history, with still more pouring in, it is unable to get rid of the excess in a month's time like before, he said. Since it is not possible to know how long the dam will have to keep releasing 50 million cubic metres of water daily, he warned residents downstream to brace for floods that could last for a while, even until the New Year.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Oct 16-18 critical for Bangkok: Flood crisis

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Thai govt to revive Village Scouts program to foster reconciliation

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US mum on Thai lese majeste law at UN rights hearing

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Two jailed for sex-trafficking Laotian girls, women

The Nation

A Nong Khai procurer convicted of trafficking Laotian women and girls into prostitution was Thursday sentenced to 21 years in prison, while another from Udon Thani was sentenced to nine years.

Sentencing Nang Chomphuwong, 57, to 21 years and Therdsak Tubla, 42, to nine years' imprisonment, the Criminal Court said the pair trafficked Laotian women and girls between 14 and 20 years old for prostitution in June last year.

Told they would be given highly paid work as receptionists in Songkhla, the Laotians were instead taken to work at a karaoke bar in Pattani and forced to prostitute themselves, the court said. Nang seized their passports and demanded Bt15,000 from each of them if they refused to work as prostitutes, according to the court.

The victims escaped the karaoke bar in September last year and reported their ordeal to police.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Chiang Mai-Bangkok buses running again

Chiang Mai Transport Office chief Charnchai Kilapaeng confirmed yesterday that the 40-50 private companies running buses on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route would operate as per normal except for buses run by Transport Co and Sombat Tour, which were suspended for the sake of safety.

Charnchai said that since the buses would have to avoid flooded roads by taking a detour to Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and go through Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district to Bangkok, the journey would be extended by three to four hours.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Drug rehab programme attracts 500 applicants on first day: Thai Govt

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Agency seeks bottles for flood-relief

The Nation

The Department of Groundwater Resources yesterday invited donations of water containers to aid in its provision of clean water to flood victims.

Department chief Praneet Roibang said his office and the Water Resources Department had arranged a 25-vehicle caravan - which included a mobile water-quality-improvement unit, a 1,000-litre water truck, about 100,000 gallons of bottled drinking water and water-quality-assessment teams - to assist flood victims, especially in Central provinces including Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Chai Nat and Uttaradit. The caravan planned to visit other flood-hit provinces and has so far distributed 3 million litres of clean water to flood victims, Praneet said.

As the Department of Groundwater Resources does not produce its own bottled water it is calling for donations in the form of plastic containers or money to purchase them. Those interested can contact the department at (02) 299 3911.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Lava from moon part of exhibition

The Nation

Basalt that is believed to be 3,300 million years old will be put on display at the Technomart - Innomart fair next month. Other highlights include items used by astronauts on space ships. The exhibition will run from November 10 to 25 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

"The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration [Nasa] and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency [JAXA] have cooperated with us," Science and Technology Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Dr Weerapong Pairsuwan said yesterday.

According to him, the basalt, or a type of solidified lava, was collected during the Apollo 15 mission to the moon. Apart from displays from Nasa and JAXA, the upcoming Technomart - Innomart will also feature innovations from various other organisations in the science and technology fields.

"Locally-made machines and inventions will also be exhibited," Weerapong said. "We aim to show that local technology is up to date as well."

The theme for the Technomart - Innomart 2011 is "Going Green in the Future".

As part of the BOI Fair 2011, the event will cover more than 10,000 square metres.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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US university expo on Saturday

The Nation

The American Education Expo and Scholarship Fair takes place on Saturday from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok.

The United States remains the most popular destination country for Thai students going abroad to study. Organisers of the expo offer to answer questions for both students and parents about scholarships, tuition, eligibility and admission procedures. Top US universities participating in the expo include Eastern Washington University, Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Participation is free.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Bangkok's Lat Krabang flooded in

The Nation

More than 1,000 homes in Bangkok's Lat Krabang district are inundated due to heavy rains over the past two days, while residents in the Rom Klao housing estate have been piling up sandbags to keep out the waters.

Wichet Insuan, a 52-year old disabled man, said his home was submerged and that he and his family had to move to friend's place until a sandbag barrier can be built to protect his home.

Nittaya Phonchan, 34, said her home was also flooded in and that she and her four children had gone to the district office to get sandbags.

Araya Dinna-em, a 63-year-old resident, said that even though her home was still not submerged, she needed bags of sand to set up a barrier.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Highways swamped

Highway Police Commander Maj-General Noraboon Nanna reported that many highways linking provinces were inundated yesterday, causing problems for motorists.

The Ayutthaya-Asia Highway was under 20 to 30 centimetres of water, while the Pathum Thani-Bang Pahan route was under 30 to 60cm of water.

The flood level on the Mittraparp highway in Saraburi was one metre, while in Lop Buri, the Khok Samrong-Chaiyaphum highway was under 30-40cm of water, the bypass under 40cm and the Lop Buri-Sing Buri road under 20-30cm.

In Nakhon Sawan, the western bypass was swamped by 40-50cm of water, Pak Nam Pho-Nakhon Sawan highway under 40-50cm, Phayuha Khiri-Uthai Thani under 40-50cm and Nakhon Sawan-Phichit under 40-50cm.

In Sing Buri, the Phaholyothin road was under 60-70cm of water, Lop Buri-Sing Buri under 25cm, Ayutthaya-Chai Nat under 30-40cm, while the Tak Fah-Phitsanulok road came to a standstill due to a broken bridge.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Businesses urged to help workers stay afloat: Thailand

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Record floods test new Thailand prime minister

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Train derails in Nakhon Si Thammarat, no casualties

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT 7 October (NNT) – Bangkok-bound passengers experienced a tense moment on Thursday as a passenger train derailed in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The train carrying more than 200 passengers lost its control, causing nine of the twelve carriages to detach. No casualties were reported.

A passenger said the nine carriages got off the track and by chance leaned to one side, sparing the passengers injuries. She added that there could have been a tragedy if the carriages had turned upside down.

Police inspected the scene and found that the worn-out tracks were the cause of the accident. Repair work could take up to a week. The railway line will be impassible for trains operating three routes: Nakhon Si Thammarat- Sungai Kolok, Nakhon Si Thammarat- Pattalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat- Yala.

-- NNT 2011-10-07

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Israel offers Thais job opportunities

BANGKOK 7 October, 2011 (NNT) – Israel has planned to recruit 6,000 Thai people in the agricultural sector next year.

According to the Senate Committee on Labor and Social Welfare, the employment project is the cooperation between the Israeli and the Thai governments. Instead of having to pay a hefty commission between 184,500 and 380,000 THB to private employment agencies, job seekers using the government service will pay a much lower sum of 69,306 baht per person.

Eligible persons must be aged between 23 and 39. Online application is available at www.doe.go.th and www.overseas.doe.go.th . Walk-in application can be made at the 10 employment offices in Bangkok and provincial employment offices. Successful applicants can start working early next year. They will be paid 36,900 THB per month.

-- NNT 2011-10-07

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Flood-hit people get free parking at Don Mueang Airport

BANGKOK 7 October, 2011 (NNT) - Don Mueang Airport has offered free parking to people affected by flooding to alleviate their difficulties.

Affected people can now keep their vehicles at the parking lot of the domestic terminal free of charge. The parking lot of the international terminal has also been prepared in case the one at the domestic terminal is full.

Those interested in using the service are required to inform officials of the terminal first.

Meanwhile, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has planned to move its vehicles to Don Mueang Airport from its factory in flood-torn Ayutthaya.

-- NNT 2011-10-07

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ICT Ministry sets up flood hotline

BANGKOK 7 October, 2011 (NNT) – The Information and Communication Technology Ministry has set up a flood hotline in a bid to better respond to affected people’s needs.

The ICT Ministry’s hotline will offer comprehensive service to people needing help or updates on the flood crisis.

By calling 1111 and pressing 5, people in flood-hit areas can report their problems. Information from callers will be analyzed and forwarded to relevant agencies so that officials can act on their needs promptly.

The hotline will also provide latest developments on the crisis, including inundated roads, the number of affected provinces and areas to be hit by floods and mudslides. Those wanting to make a donation can also acquire a list of bank accounts from the hotline.

The ICT hotline is operational around the clock.

-- NNT 2011-10-07

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Residents in Lopburi and Ayuttaya are advised to evacuate to higher grounds immediately; Weather forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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TOT Awaits New Board To Develop 3G Services And Internet-Based TV

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 931.69, up 17.97 points /MCOT

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3,000 Laborers Gather at Gov't House

According to the INN News Agency, approximately 3,000 laborers are scheduled to gather at the Government House to demand that the administration follow through with campaign promises to raise minimum wage to 300 Baht per day. Talks yesterday between employees, laborers, and the state broke down when they failed to agree on how to implement the wage increase.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-07

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AFP: Australia says boy arrested in Indonesia a priority

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PM kicks off first day of rice mortgage scheme with sluggish atmosphere in several provinces due to severe flooding /MCOT

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PAD holds 3rd anniversary memorial for Oct 7 crackdown on its protest with merit-making at Royal Plaza this morning, activities at ASTV /TAN_Network