Thailand Live Sunday 18 Dec 2011

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Thailand Live Sunday 18 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 Saturday 17 Dec 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

Follow this link: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

[Lite Beer]

Bombs suspect a 'former red-shirt guard'

The Nation on Sunday

Upset at not getting money, tried to see Thaksin: paper

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519803-bombs-suspect-a-former-red-shirt-guard/page__view__findpost__p__4919357

[Lite Beer]

Surapong accused of dishonesty

The Nation on Sunday

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519804-surapong-accused-of-dishonesty/page__view__findpost__p__4919360

[Lite Beer]

Killer Serm released early to avoid media

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Serm Sakhonrat, a 35-year-old inmate who had murdered his girlfriend while he was a medical student and was granted a royal pardon this year, was released two days before schedule on Friday so he could avoid the media.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519805-killer-serm-released-early-to-avoid-media/page__view__findpost__p__4919364

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai to discuss charter changes

The Nation on Sunday

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519806-pheu-thai-to-discuss-charter-changes/page__view__findpost__p__4919368

[Lite Beer]

Surapong plays down Cambodian attack on chopper

The Nation on Sunday

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday that an incident in which Cambodian forces fired upon a Thai helicopter near the Cambodian border last week was a misunderstanding and would not lead to a dispute between the countries.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519807-surapong-plays-down-cambodian-attack-on-chopper/page__view__findpost__p__4919371

[Lite Beer]

Army ranger shot dead in Yala

NAKHARIN CHINWORAKOMOL

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

An Army paramilitary ranger was shot dead yesterday in a drive-by shooting in Yala's Muang district.

Police suspect an attack by southern insurgents or a personal conflict.

A man riding pillion on a motorcycle shot Bunphot Meeboon, 53, of the 41st Ranger Forces Regiment, twice as while he was driving a motorcycle on Sirorot Road. Bunphot was rushed to Yala Hospital, where he died of his wounds.

Police said they would check videos recorded by closed-circuit cameras near the scene of the shooting in an effort to trace the attackers.

In related news, nine villagers considered at risk of being recruited by insurgents met police at the Southern Border Provinces Police Operations Centre in Yala to prove that they are not involved with the insurgency.

The villagers are from Yi-ngor district in Narathiwat and Yaring district in Pattani.

They showed up at the centre to see if they were the subjects of arrest warrants. Police told them they had not issued any arrest warrants against them.

-- The Nation 2011-12-18

[Lite Beer]

Two flood officials shot dead

THE NATION

Two senior flood officials based in Loei, who were assigned to help with relief operations in Bangkok's Sai Mai area, were shot dead yesterday - allegedly by their drunk driver.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519809-two-flood-officials-shot-dead/page__view__findpost__p__4919377

[Lite Beer]

Criteria for payments to laid-off workers to be reviewed

THE NATION

A government policy to pay Bt3,000 for three months to workers who have been temporarily laid off may be reviewed, as the criteria for payment needs to be clarified by the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap said yesterday.

Workers verified by the department as qualifying for the scheme will be paid by the Social Security Office, which would require approval, he said.

In the meantime, the department will negotiate with employers to pay salaries to laid-off workers, he said, ruling out the possibility of a million people losing their jobs because of the floods.

Phadermchai did not give details on why the newly approved policy might not take off.

Workers have expressed concern that they will not be rehired by employers whose businesses resume after flood rehabilitation. Woodlock Co based in Pathum Thani has not announced whether it will rehire a large number of its workers, while Casio Thailand Co in the same province announced it would close by January 31, laying off 1,333 workers.

A meeting was held yesterday at the ministry to help workers negotiate with their employers over unpaid salaries, while attempting to secure post-flood employment. A total of 266 businesses in Pathum Thani have agreed to rehire 110,118 workers. There are 3,986 vacancies in 57 positions with 50 companies in the province, the convention announced.

In related news, about 1,000 workers of Siam Food Supply Co yesterday gathered to protest against Wutthichai Rungwitwithun, manager of the company's human resources department.

They claimed Wutthichai told Muang Samut Paknam Hospital not to issue medical certificates to almost 100 workers who had undergone treatment there. As a result, they were unable to obtain reimbursement for their medical expenses.

The manager later denied telling the hospital not to issue the certificates, saying the incident was a misunderstanding between the hospital and the company.

The protesters demanded the company dismiss the manager, increase their wages according to length of employment, and provide better welfare conditions, otherwise they would resign en masse.

-- The Nation 2011-12-18

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck, Suu Kyi to meet in Rangoon

The Nation on Sunday

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519650-thai-pm-to-meet-myanmars-suu-kyi-next-week/page__view__findpost__p__4919385

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Thaksin passport takes us out of the water, into the fire

The Nation

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519810-thaksin-passport-takes-us-out-of-the-water-into-the-fire/page__view__findpost__p__4919389

[Lite Beer]

Meteorological Dept forecasts 2-4 degrees drop in temperature,asks public to take care of health;heavy rain in eastern coast of South/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Ploenchit inbound closed off to traffic since midnight for Ploenchit Happiness fair from 4-10pm/TAN_Network

Avoid Ramkamhaeng Rd with BAAC exam and blue flag fair at Ramkamhaeng Univ and Carabao concert at Velodome/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Fireworks from US wins intl fireworks competition in Pattaya last night/TAN_Network

Public transport urged Siam Univ's graduation rehearsal on Petchkasem Rd from 7.30am-6pm,Muay Thai Fight at Royal Plaza from 1-8pm/TAN_Network

Walkathon on Pahurat,Charoenkrung,Ratchadamnoen,Rama VIII Bridge,Arunamarin,Siriraj,Phra Pokklao Bridge,Chakpetch and Pahurat/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Dusit Poll: majority of respondents support Cabinet reshuffle in mid-Jan; Interior Minister Yongyuth should be removed/TAN_Network

Foreign Minister Surapong not worried about Cabinet reshuffle as his achievements are evident/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

BKK governor reassures again that all flooding in capital will be drained by Dec 31; expresses concern about 2nd round of trash dumping/TAN_Network

Cleaning on Uttayarn Rd from 9am-noon by 1st Area Army and Taweewattana district office/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

RT@Biz_TheNation: Tropical storm,Washi flooded vast areas of southern Philippines;440 people dead, 200 missing

[Lite Beer]

RT@Newley: AP: Ex-Thai PM Thaksin in Nepal on Buddhist pilgrimage.http://t.co/0yz40Qaq

[Lite Beer]

2 lanes on Ploenchit outbound closed for Ploenchit Happiness fair until 10pm, cars which exit expressway must all turn right to Petchaburi/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

RT@Biz_TheNation: British golfer,Lee Westwood's leading Masters champion Charl Schwartzel by 4 shots after 3rd round Thailand Golf Championship

[Lite Beer]

Songkhla's 10 districts warned of landslides due to continuing rain: Disaster Prevention & Mitigation Dept/MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Slow recovery for flood-hit Thai plants - Focus

by Daniel Rook

AYUTTHAYA, December 18, 2011 (AFP) - Piles of rubbish, rusting furniture and discarded machinery litter one of Thailand's top high-tech parks, a former symbol of economic prowess laid to waste by weeks of flooding.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519844-slow-recovery-for-flood-hit-thai-plants/page__view__findpost__p__4919915

[Lite Beer]

Songkhla warned of landslides due to continuing rains

SONGKHLA, Dec 18 – The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department warned ten districts in Songkhla to beware of possible landslides following continuous heavy rain for several days.

So Hemsakul, head of the Songkhla Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office issued a warning for possible landslides in ten districts. Local authorities reported a landslide in Maepru forest reserve in Rattaphum district.

Local residents along the southeastern coast from Surat Thani southward were warned of torrential rain and flash floods triggered by the strengthened northeast monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand.

All ships at sea are warned to proceed with caution and small boats advised to stay ashore during the next 2-3 days. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-12-18

[Lite Beer]

Phuket's 'labour shortage' more imagined than real

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Conundrum: The scenario seems unnecessary, and a pity for all concerned.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/519852-phukets-labour-shortage-more-imagined-than-real/page__view__findpost__p__4920047

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet reshuffle is due: Dusit Poll

BANGKOK, Dec 18 – Most poll respondents said it was time for a cabinet reshuffle with most of them wanting to see a change in the Interior Ministry, according to the latest Suan Dusit Poll.

The survey was conducted among 1,827 people in Bangkok and surrounding provinces from December 13-17.

Most of respondents of the poll said it was time for the cabinet reshuffle because they saw no clear results from the government’s performance with the performance of some ministers particularly underwhelming.

A minority, or 19.59 percent, viewed that it was too soon for a cabinet reshuffle because the government has been working to tackle the flood crisis after it took power and has yet to do other work as stated in its elected policies.

The highest number of respondents, or 29.23 percent, thought that the interior minister should be changed, followed the minister of agriculture and cooperatives at 20.12 percent.

Asked if a cabinet reshuffle will help stabilize the government, most respondents, or 57.89 percent, said they were not sure, while 34.64 percent believed it will make the government more stable.

A plurality of 42.59 percent said only some ministers should be removed while 36.56 percent said all ministers should be changed.

Most of the people surveyed or 44.91 per cent said the cabinet reshuffle should be done in mid January while 29.47 percent said that it should wait until six months after Ms Yingluck’s government took office in August 2011. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-12-18

[Lite Beer]

Possible cabinet reshuffle unlikely to negatively affect 2012 Thai economy: BOT governor

BANGKOK, Dec 18 – Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said on Sunday he believed that the possible cabinet reshuffle, which may occur in January 2012, was not likely to have any negative impact on the overall economy.

Regarding the possible cabinet reshuffle, Mr Prasarn observed that the government may want to implement some changes in order to improve the government’s overall works.

However, the reshuffle will not negatively affect the 2012 Thai economy, which was projected to grow by 4.8 per cent, the governor said, adding that next year’s exports were forecast to expand by 8 per cent.

Regarding bombs found and defused at several locations in the capital during the past week, Mr Prasarn believed that relevant agencies have sufficient information to resolve the problem.

He personally called on everybody to perform their duties as best as possible, aiming to restore confidence among foreigners. If the country is peaceful, then national development can move forward. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-12-18

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Thailand Live Monday 19 Dec 2011

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