Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Nov 2011

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Thailand Live Tuesday 15 November 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 Monday 14 Nov 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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THAI-DUTCH TIES

Dutch offer Thailand assistance with water management

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AFTERMATH

Proposal for 200km floodway: Thailand

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INUNDATION CRISIS

Big-bag compromise: Bangkok flood crisis

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Residents of flood-hit homes advised to get rid of mould quickly

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Princess bestows name on baby

The Nation

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has graciously bestowed on the newborn boy of a flood victim the name of "Uthok" (Water), a source said yesterday.

Piratrak Butkhot, 35, and her family moved to a shelter at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy on October 28.

On November 3, the Princess visited the shelter and accepted the pregnant evacuee as a patient under her patronage. The boy was delivered on November 9 and received the name "Uthok".

Overwhelmed by the Princess' generosity, Piratrak yesterday vowed to raise her son as a good citizen of Thai society. Uthok is her third child.

As her home in Pathum Thani's Lam Lukka district was still flooded and the shelter wasn't suitable for recovering from childbirth, Piratrak was allowed by the academy's hospital director, Weerat Ketsakhon, to remain at the hospital a while longer.

-- The Nation 2011-11-15

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SOCIETY

Army chief visits Rama II, urges kindness

The Nation

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday expressed concern about the condition of parts of Rama II Road, while urging Thais not to forget their human values or the kindness he said was part of their national character.

Prayuth said the military would provide preliminary assistance to people near Rama II Road, and that district offices and other agencies would carry on the help. About 5,000 households in the National Housing Authority's projects 1 and 2 are affected. The area is a low plain with limited drainage channels and short canals that overflow quickly.

It is too late to prevent flooding, as it is clear that a large amount of water will arrive in the area, he said, adding that the focus now must be on giving assistance to residents and evacuating people to prepared shelters.

Prayuth was speaking during a visit to Rama II Soi 69 in Bang Khunthien district with First Army Region chief Lt-General Udomdej Seetabut.

The 9th Infantry Division is in charge of the Thon Buri area, and the Second and Third Army regions are also ready to help, Prayuth said.

Speaking to people in a shelter, Prayuth asked them to show compassion and unity.

"We can't blame anybody. There's a large amount of water. The government and related agencies are draining the water to three main rivers. Now we have to figure out how to live our lives from now on. We must think together. Don't look for someone to blame for the floods; we have to figure out why the flooding happened and then develop long-term solutions," the Army chief said, adding that playing the blame game would hurt everyone.

"When I visit flood-affected places and people blame me, I feel bad and don't want to help them. Please be nice. Thais are actually nice. That character has been missing for quite some time. Please bring it back. People want to help nice people," he said.

"I understand how it feels to lose houses and property. But please let's not lose our human values, or the kindness which is in Thai people's character," he said.

Asked by reporters what impact the removal of parts of the Big Bag barrier in Don Mueang district would have, Prayuth declined to answer, saying the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) was evaluating the situation.

"FROC is in charge of planning and management. Please listen to the FROC and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. They must find solutions. Normally, the water level would increase if the barrier is removed. I don't know if it's worth risking [the impact on] other areas. The impact must be considered carefully," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-11-15

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BURNING ISSUE

Virabongsa needs to build consensus: Thai opinion

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Suvarnabhumi Airport director: Floods Scare Off Foreign Tourists

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Polluted flood water a threat to Gulf of Thailand sea-life

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STREET WISE

Disaster risk reduction is all about choices: Thai opinion

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Drinking water distributed

The Nation

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has set up 500 water-dispensing centres across Bangkok to help flood victims.

Wikrom Suwanchomphu, an assistant governor, said the MWA could produce and supply tap water to some 10 million people as usual.

It has improved tap water quality to meet World Health Organisation standards.

The 500 distribution outlets are located at refugee shelters and MWA offices - except those in Bang Bua Thong, Bangkok Noi and Phasi Charoen.

People could bring containers to get the drinking water.

Some heavy-traffic points such as The Mall Ngam Wongwan would also hand out five-litre water bags, he added.

Call the hotline 1125 for details.

-- The Nation 2011-11-15

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School break extended; exams may be delayed

The Nation

Primary and secondary schools will remain closed due to flooding, likely until December 1, the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) said yesterday.

The flood-imposed break in classes was originally scheduled to end November 1. This was extended to November 14 and again to November 21. Obec will meet tomorrow(Nov 16) to decide whether the break will be extended further, and until what date, said secretary-general Chinnaphat Phoomirattana.

Many schools in Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok are located in flooded areas, and a survey is being conducted to determine which should remain closed, either because they are themselves flooded or would require students to travel through flooded areas.

The extended break will shorten the preparation period for students in upper primary and lower secondary planning to sit the O-NET (Ordinary National Educational Test). This group comprises 6th graders advancing to 7th grade, and 9th graders advancing to 10th grade next year.

Twelfth graders will have a similar problem as they prepare for university entrance examinations.

Tomorrow's meeting will decide whether to postpone various exam schedules due to the lack of preparation time available, Chinnaphat said. It will be attended by officials from relevant agencies including the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS), the Office of the Higher Education Commission and the Council of University Presidents of Thailand.

Aside from the curtailed preparation time, NIETS director Samphan Phranphruek said, logistical problems would hamper the administration of such tests at flooded schools.

-- The Nation 2011-11-15

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Fund to aid employers planned

The Nation

The Labour Ministry wants to expand the social security scheme to help companies retain workers during crises like recessions or natural calamities, including flooding.

"Under the scheme, disaster-hit employers can continue to pay their workers at lower rates, without laying them off permanently, while securing soft loans to salvage and continue their business," Songsri Bunma, deputy permanent secretary, said yesterday.

Permanent secretary Somkiat Chayawong said a permanent fund under the social security scheme would be set up to prevent massive layoffs of workers while absorbing some of the cost burden on employers.

This would let disaster-affected businesses recover more quickly, he said.

Songsri said she would discuss the proposal with the International Labour Organisation at a meeting on November 29, before reporting back to Somkiat.

According to the ministry's initial study, Sweden, Canada, Germany and Japan already have such funds, with contributions from employers and employees at various rates and - in most cases - from the government as well.

The Employment Department has prepared a Bt5.25-million budget to feed and care for about 8,000 flood-affected migrant workers living at several shelters in Ratchaburi.

The money covers three meals a day, bottled water and bedding for a 40-day period, director-general Prawit Khiangphol said.

About 2,000 migrant workers at the shelters are transitory, staying and leaving for various reasons. Many are illegal, which prompts them to run away after a few days for fear of repatriation, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-11-15

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Shortage of beer at many stores in Bangkok: Thailand flood

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Land prices in flood zones to be hit: Thailand

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Walls for inner city should have been explained

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Water from Big Bags levee at Don Muang has not reach Lard Prao intersection;Rama II still passable early Tue /The Nation

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Kittirat says World Bank offering to loan Thailand Bt30 bn for long-term flood-prevention projects. RT @tulsathit: TR @ktnews: RT @Supot_

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RT @terryfrd: Pathum group wants big bags removed from outbound VR road & new barrier built to stop flow into their communities. Giving authorities 1 week

RT @terryfrd: TV channels not playing up last night's evacuation alert fiasco. Have only seen 1 brief story in an hour's channel surfing.

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 988.27, up 3.99 points /MCOT

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RT @ThanongK: Chalerm's dream comes true. He is big boss today as he is chairing Cabinet meeting in the absence of YS, Yongyuth & Kittiratt.

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RT @RichardBarrow: Owners of cars parked along roads in Suvarnabhumi must remove them by 20 Nov or they will be towed /via @ThaiPBS

RT @tonravee: Suvarnabhumi will remove flood-escaped cars that block traffic inside airport Nov 20_more info: 021329511-12

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RT @Biz_TheNation: "@PhillipThailand: Chula Hospital resumes nornal OPD operations today _ incl after-hour clinic. For info 02-2564000"

PM on mission in Sing Buri, assigns Deputy PM Chalerm to chair cabinet meeting /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: Thai Travel News: Sleep trains now running between Bangkok & Chiang Mai. Call 02 224 7788 or 02 220 4444 for more info

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Victims Affected by Southern Insurgency Receive Compensation

In Yala Province, 88 victims caught up in the southern insurgency have received compensation worth a total of more than 5 million baht.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general of the Southern Boarder Provinces Administrative Center visited affected areas as to restore confidence among teachers and educational officers.

Yala Governor Kritsada Boonyarat chaired the ceremony at which 88 victims of the bombings in Yala Municipality on October 25 were provided compensation.

Last month's attack resulted in many injuries and deaths, and as well as major property damage.

The compensation was managed by Yala's Healing Center, and is worth approximately 5.2 million baht.

Kritsada said the insurgent chaos in southern provinces since 2004 has caused a large number government officials and innocent residents to be killed.

There has also been a great deal of property damage, adding that all agencies have been attempting to remedy the insurgency in the southern provinces and reduce crime there.

Regarding the bombing on October 25, a number of Yala residents and property have been affected.

Kritsada was sorry to the Yala residents for being unable to monitor and secure all the areas in the province.

He promised to provide compensation and accommodate all victims.

At the Muang District School in Pattani Province, the secretary-general of the Southern Boarder Provinces Administrative Center, General Tawee Sodsong has traveled to meet students, youths, teachers, and educational officers after taking office.

His goal was to build confidence and promote his policies regarding the development and management of education in southern provinces.

Tawee has also talked about the urgent policy, which is the morale and security of teachers in southern provinces, including other benefits.

The Southern Boarder Provinces Administrative Center will support children and youths with their career and education, and also offer scholarships for them to finish their Bachelor's degree.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-15

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RT @ACSBKK: Klong Prem prison reported that they will be open for visits starting tomorrow (November 16). Bangkok Remand still closed.

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Erawan Center, Medical Service Dept offers emergency medical service 24 hrs a day. Call 1646 via Govt Contact Center /TANN

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Water situation stabilising in Bangkok, except for some areas seeing flood surge

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