Thailand Live Friday 2 Dec 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 2 December 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 1 Dec 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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RED LEADER

Jatuporn may lose MP status over invalid Pheu Thai party membership

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RED SHIRTS

Sluicegate activist has ties to hardline red shirts

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POLITICS

Thai PM Yingluck cancels events after falling sick

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POST-FLOOD MEASURES

Anti-graft alliance vows to keep close watch on Thai govt

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Buddha's relic on display to mark HM's birthday

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FLOOD CRISIS

All of Bangkok dry by Dec 31: Sukhumbhand

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AFTER FLOOD

Tourists flock to chilly North

The Nation

Since the weather forecast for the North includes rain and a sharp drop in temperatures, many people are heading from warmer regions to the highaltitude Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai's Chom Thong district.

Northern Region's Meteorological Centre weather forecaster Pornnapa Thongthep said intense high pressure had covered the Northeast yesterday, bringing isolated showers, cooler weather as well as morning fog in the North. The lowest temperature reported at the peak of Doi Inthanon was 6.8 degrees Celsius. Many nature lovers have decided to climb the 2,565metre high mountain to admire spectacular sunsets and experience morning frost, while the locals burn fires to warm themselves. The Tambon Ban Laung Administrative Organisation is seeking funds to buy blankets for the poor.

In Mae On district's Tambon Huai Kaew, the local tourism association said many tourists were showing up to either go on trekking or birdwatching trips, or just enjoy the local lifestyle and cool weather.

-- The Nation 2011-12-02

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EDITORIAL

Follow the US lead on anti-graft law enforcement: Thai opinion

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Pheu Thai MP Sunai to discuss red-shirt crackdown with ICC judge

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Jobs found for 8,000 laid off in floods

The Nation

More than 8,000 people laid off because of the flooding who registered with the Department of Employment are expected to start new jobs by the end of January, directorgeneral Prawit Khiangphol said yesterday.

The department is building up a Labour Bank of job vacancies, which so far totals 147,365 listings including 28,456 positions in need of urgent filling in Chon Buri, Rayong, Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. The Labour Bank also contains details on 16,000 vacancies abroad.

The 8,075 registered workers have been accepted by prospective employers, and the positions will be taken up from next month, when the employers are expected to complete repairs and renovations. There are now 9,500 people unemployed because of flooding, and the department believes the number will not reach the 920,000 projected in a recent national estimate, Prawit said.

The Labour Ministry has estimated the number of jobless at about 100,000, but many of these do not have the qualifications for the approximately 140,000 positions the ministry estimates are available, he added.

Meanwhile, the Social Security Office's decision to allow employers to pay lower monthly contributions next year as a floodrelief measure would not affected beneficiaries' rights, said permanent secretary Somkiat Chayasriwong as SSO chairman.

There are still sufficient funds to make payments to beneficiaries for death, workrelated disabilities, and delivery of children, he said. The SSO decided on Thursday that employers' contributions would be reduced from 5 per cent to 3 per cent from January to June 2012, and to 4 per cent from July to December next year.

-- The Nation 2011-12-02

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True Corp backs laws restricting foreign firms

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Phairoj to be Supreme Court president

THE NATION

Supreme Court first vice president Phairoj Wayuparp was yesterday unanimously elected president. He replaces Montree Yodpanya, who died last Saturday from an illness.

Phairoj's appointment, after royal endorsement, will take effect retroactively on Sunday.

The Judicial Commission also promoted second vice president Thanit Kessawapithak to first vice president. Phairoj, a law graduate from Thammasat University, has been a vice president of the Supreme Court since October 2009. He sits on the panel that heard the assets-seizure and excise-tax cases against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

He is also an executive member of the Thai Bar.

-- The Nation 2011-12-02

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Flood death toll in Thailand reaches 657

BANGKOK - A total of 657 people were confirmed dead and three other were missing in the floods that had inundated the upper part of Thailand for about four months, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Thursday.

Five more people were confirmed dead on Wednesday in central provinces of Nakhon Patom and Suphanburi.

Ayutthaya has the highest death toll where 139 people were killed by floods, followed by Nakhon Sawan where 72 people were killed.

Floods have been caused by the heavy monsoon "Nock-Ten" and overflow from several dams in upper part of the country since mid- July.

On Thursday, floods still prevail in 15 of 77 provinces and are affecting about 4.8 million people from 1.8 million households.

The flood have affected about 4.0 million households and about 13.4 million people in 64 of 77 provinces since July 25.

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-12/01/content_14198673.htm

-- chinadaily.com.cn 2011-12-02

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AFP: Thailand To Issue Passport For Ex-PM Thaksin Soon: FM

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,021.87, up 2.72 points /MCOT

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Ex-PM Abhisit postpones testimony to police on crackdown against alleged Red Shirts last year; says more time needed to prepare docs /MCOT

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Administrative Court dismisses petition to halt FROC’s salvaging of Road No 340

BANGKOK, Dec 2 - The Central Administrative Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by a Nonthaburi resident demanding the suspension of the salvage operation for Road No 340 and the opening of sluice gates at Khlong Maha Sawat.

The court said that if the operation was halted, deep flooding could prevent small vehicles from using the road, which could affect the public.

As for the sluice gates, the court ordered the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to jointly seek appropriate common water management measures to open and close the Maha Sawat sluice gates.

The environmental division of the Central Administrative Court accepted the petition filed by Tossiri Poonnuan, a resident pf Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi who accused FROC and the BMA of mismanaging the flood crisis.

Ms Tossiri represented Nonthaburi residents hard hit by the flood. She demanded a court injunction enforcing the BMA to open the sluice gates in Khlong Maha Sawat which connects areas from Bangkok to Nonthaburi to drain water from residential areas. The adjustment could be done only after informing and consulting the people who were affected by the flood.

She also sought a court order suspending FROC salvage operation on Road No 340 (Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri) and a section of Highway No 9 -- the Kanchanaphisek outer ring road -- until measures to ensure that the water pumped out to dry the roads would not worsen the hardship of residents.

She filed the petition on Nov 23 and the Court's hearing began Nov 29.

The FROC tried to dry Road 340 as the alternative route in case the Rama 2 Road was flooded. Rama 2 is a main route to the southern region of Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-12-02

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HM King's Birthday Celebrations in Many Provinces Begin

Many provinces are organizing charity activities in celebration of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday.

Deputy Chanthaburi Provincial Governor Kriengdetch Khemthong presided over a service to set free 310,000 sea animals, including tiger and banana prawns at the Khamong Temple pier in Ta Mai District to celebrate His Majesty the King's 84th birthday.

The creatures were donated by Chanthaburi Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center.

A similar activity was held at a recreational park in Lampang Province, where 185,084 sea animals were set free, with Provincial Governor Weerakit Intharaprasit presiding over the ceremony.

In Kamphaengphet, over a thousand school children and parents set free 500,000 fish into the Ping River to pay homage to the King.

There was also an ice-cream eating contest which was enjoyed by the participants and the audience.

In Nong Khai, the provincial administration office organized a ceremony to grant a house to 85-year-old Put Chantharin as part of a charity program to build houses for underprivileged people in the province.

The provincial authority has built nine homes, valued at 110,000 baht each, in seven districts during the current fiscal year.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-02

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2 robbers shoot owner of Saengthongsuk gold shop in Din Daeng area and made off with large amount of gold ornaments /

Supreme Court upholds life imprisonment for 4 on charges of separatism while another was handed 50-yr jail term /TANN

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Commerce Ministry to Tackle Goods Shortages

The Commerce Minister has implemented various measures to solve the goods shortages problem in the flood aftermath, including giving a green light for condensed milk manufacturers to import canned milk.

Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Yanyong Phuangrach said canned the shortages on condensed milk will be alleviated soon, after the ministry has allowed the Nestle Carnation and the Mali Milk brand to import 144,000 cans.

It's expected that an additional 10 million cans will be imported.

Yanyong clarified that the floods forced the closure of Rojana and Bang Pa-In Industrial Estates, which led to the shortages.

He added that other manufacturers unaffected by the flooding, namely Alaska, Palace, Ship, and Falcon are increasing their production capabilities as assistance measures.

Meanwhile, he insisted that the increasing demand for housing materials will be met in the wake of flooding.

However, it's likely that bricks will be scarce, as production sources in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Ayutthaya were seriously affected by the disaster.

As of now, the ministry has asked unaffected factories in Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom to double their output.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-02

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Poll Shows Falling Public Confidence in Thai Politics

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Southern Provinces Warned of Storms While Floods In Other Provinces Ease

Although the flood situation in many provinces have improved, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning to residents in southern provinces of torrential rains and high waves.

Former Prime Minister and Democrat Opposition Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and democrat MPs visited residents at the Laem Taloompuk Subdistrict in Pak Panung District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to hand out supplies that people donated through the Democrat Party.

The areas of Moo 2 and 3 were most affected by the flooding since high sea tides and rapid runoffs caused land erosion and damage to the residential areas.

Homes situated to the east of the village road have been badly damaged while the road at the middle of the village was also seriously damaged.

Residents were forced to evacuate to other areas.

However, Abhisit has promised to provide continuous assistance whereas Deputy Interior Minister Thanis Thienthong also visited areas in Laem Taloompuk as well.

While the flood situation in areas at the Songkhla Lake has not eased, three districts, namely Khao Chaison, Khuan Khanun, and Muang districts of Patthalung Province are still suffering from high tides, which continue to overflow into residents' homes and agricultural farms.

2,500 households were seriously affected.

However, if there are more torrential rains during this week, the water-level of the lake will increase, causing more rapid runoff to residential areas.

In Narathiwat Province, the latest update shows that Su-ngai Kolok River continues to overflow into the residential areas and agricultural farms.

Residents have been affected for more than a week now.

However, the water-level in the river continues to decrease.

The surrounding areas have flooded with 20 to 30 centimeters.

Meanwhile, the situation of Sai Buri and Bang Nara rivers have returned to normal.

The Meteorological Center at the eastern area of the Southern Region has issued the first warning to residents about torrential rains and high waves, from today until December 6, due to high atmospheric pressure coming from China.

Mariners are advised to travel with extra care and small boats are not permitted to leave the port.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-02

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Flood-Weary People Call for Further Action

Flood-weary residents of a housing estate held a protest to demand that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration increase its drainage capacity in their community, after they have lived under floods for more than a month.

A score of residents at the Setthakit Housing Estate in Bang Kae District have rallied in and requested Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra to quickly resolve the flood problem in their community, as their homes were submerged for more than a month.

They said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration earlier installed water pumps to drain the water to underground pipes, but the flood level has not receded yet and they are now worried that the BMA's method could redirect water to flow backwards to their community.

The residents say the water level in the Bang Chak Canal in their community continues to rise as it retains the runoff from Thawi Wathana Canal.

Representatives of the protesters demanded that the BMA add four or five additional water pumps in their housing estate to boost drainage capacity.

In response, the Staff of BMA' Drainage and Sewerage Department were sent to communicate with the protesters.

The BMA's staff said more drainage devices were already installed at a section of the Thawi Watthana Canal and an intersection at Petchkasem Road.

The staff said the once power is set up the pumps will accelerate the floodwater will flow faster to the Thaweewathana Canal.

They assured the protesters that pumping the water to drain pipes will not allow the floodwater to flow backward to their community.

Meanwhile, the Bang Khae District Office promised that nine additional water pumps will be installed in the Ratchamontri Canal in two days to increase the drainage capacity in the housing estate.

The protesters were satisfied with the measures and ended their rally.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-02

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BKK governor orders 3 sluice gates to be opened wider, including Phraya Suren sluice gate which is to be opened to 1.5m /TANN

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Ex-PM Thaksin promised passport as New Year's gift: Foreign Minister

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Former PM Abhisit postpones testimony to police on crackdown against Red Shirts

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Architect Suggests Rules of Post-Flood House Rehabilitation

An architect suggested that residents whose homes were flooded allow their homes to dry naturally, as other methods could cause the walls to crack.

Yodyiam Teptaranon, one of Thailand's prominent architects, offered suggestions for home owners working to restore their homes to help them cope with related problems safely and systematically, including examining the conditions of fences, floors, electricity, water pumps, and drains.

If crack lines are found along the walls, the walls must be left to dry naturally to prevent additional cracking since the bricks are already humid and swollen.

Regarding the ceiling and parquet floors, residents are suggested to keep only sheets that are in good condition.

Furthermore, he advised residents to compare the prices of construction materials to market prices before making a purchase, because many shops have increased the construction material prices.

To assess house damages, he said extra care is needed due to the large amount of moss growing because of the floodwater.

Residents are advised to wear rubber shoes and safety masks to protect themselves from fungus and poisonous animals hiding in the ceiling or furniture.

Taweesak Apichon, a representative of the Botanical Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, made suggestions for post-flooding garden rehabilitation.

He said that if the plants are water-tolerant, rotten branches must be removed to prevent them from dying before making any adjustments in the garden.

A discussion on home renovations during post-flood was organized at Siriraj Hospital.

There were also activities and performances of royal duties and Thai orchids to celebrate His Majesty the King's 84th birthday, which is on December 5.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-02

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SET index midday up 3.62 pts, 0.36 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) index at midday Friday stood at 1,022.77, up 3.62 points, or 0.36 per cent amid B t8.87 billion turnover in line with regional bourses.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 718.40, up 2.38 points, or 0.33 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: BANPU, PTTGC, IVL, THAI ,CPF.

-- The Nation 2011-12-02