Thailand Live Friday 30 Dec 2011

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Thailand Live Friday 30 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 29 Dec 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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

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ROBBERY

Thief gunned down, officer hurt in Bangkok heist

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....-bangkok-heist/

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THAI-CAMBODIA RELATIONS

Phnom Penh offers to swap prisoners for Veera and Ratree

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....era-and-ratree/

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FORMER UN CHIEF

Annan will help bring the country together

The Nation

Kofi Annan, former United Nations secretary-general, will be in Bangkok from February 16-19 to discuss reconciliation strategies with the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT), panel member Kittipong Kittayarak said yesterday.

Annan will meet concerned agencies to share his experiences in bringing sides together, Kittipong said, adding that the former UN boss had accepted TRCT's invitation when they visited him in Switzerland in October. Annan had urged all parties to join hands in removing the divisions in society. The UN chief also urged the panel to seek public participation and maintain its independence.

-- The Nation 2011-12-30

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NEW YEAR'S GIFT

State employees to get pay rises

WICHIT CHAITRONG

THE NATION

Low-income bureaucrats and other state employees holding bachelor's degrees will get a New Year's gift from the Finance Ministry - an increase in their gross monthly incomes to Bt15,000, while other low-paid state personnel are also in line for extra pay.

The Finance Ministry plans to announce pay rises for degree holders to Bt15,000 in the form of additional monthly allowances, while non-university graduates will also get pay rises, Rangsan Srivorasat, director-general of the Comptroller-General's Department, said yesterday.

The ministry has sent the draft of the regulations governing the planned pay rises to the State Council, the government's legal advisory body, for final approval, and will officially announce the pay increase on January 1, Rangsan said.

The pay increase covers 649,323 state employees in five categories: civil servants (soldiers, police officers, teachers, university personnel and parliamentary officials); permanent state employees; temporary employees paid from the government budget; low-ranking soldiers performing mandatory military service; and government office workers.Those whose salary is less than Bt12,285 per month will get an allowance of Bt1,500, but the gross payment must not exceed Bt12,285. Those whose salary is less than Bt9,000 will get additional income to make up the shortfall.

The 346,365 such employees who hold bachelor's degrees will get total combined income of Bt1.59 billion per month from the government. The rest will get Bt455 million per month.

The total cost of the payments between January and September is expected to be Bt18.4 billion.

Because of the delay in the government's budget, payment is only for nine months of fiscal year 2012 (October 2011 to September 2012).The pay rise is intended to help low-income earners cope with the rising cost of living and to boost consumption.

The government has promised to increase the minimum wage for labourers in Greater Bangkok and Phuket to Bt300 in April as one of its populist schemes. The sharp hike is strongly opposed by many in the business community, as they complain that it will increase their costs.

-- The Nation 2011-12-30

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SUNDAY MARKET

Chatuchak could operate on weekdays: SRT boss

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....kdays-srt-boss/

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The Good Side Of You - Our Person Of The Year

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....on-of-the-year/

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EDITORIAL

Speaking English campaign is just a passing fad: Thai opinion

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....d-thai-opinion/

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Charm needed to sway the central bank on debt burden: Thai opinion

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....n-thai-opinion/

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AFP: Cambodia, Thailand seek to revive oil talks

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....vive-oil-talks/

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Red-shirts gather to inform Thai govt of signature campaign

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Prem lauds Thai military's flood efforts

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....-flood-efforts/

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Safety measures put in place as people get ready to celebrate

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THE GOOD SIDE OF YOU

Flood crisis brought out hidden strengths

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

In the wake of gigantic waves of flood water, the power of communities has provided a guiding light and assured the public that a crisis - though big - need not be all that bad. When their communities were united and strong, people saw real hope.

"We will not wait for donations of relief items. We want allies in dredging canals and pumps to quickly take run-off water to the sea," Ban Phaeo residents chorused as flood water drowned the homes of millions and left countless flood victims dependent on donations of food and other necessities.

Ban Phaeo is located in Samut Sakhon. When the huge volume of run-off from the North engulfed Nakhon Pathom and northwest Bangkok in October, it appeared certain that neighbouring Samut Sakhon was next. Yet, together, the Samut Sakhon residents and authorities proved they could beat all odds.

From early October, the citizens of this small province started having weekly meetings to discuss strategies to fight floods. They tallied the amount of water expected and surveyed the landscape to identify the best drainage routes. The 73 canals in Samut Sakhon running north to south would be crucial, so dredging began.

"Our people are supportive," Samut Sakhon Deputy Governor Apichart Todilokvej says proudly. "Our province's strengths are efficient local administration, a great private sector and a united people."

When the plan for safeguarding the province was laid out, no local protested.

"That unity of opinion allowed us to tackle problems faster," Apichart said.

The private sector in the province devised its own ideas to help too. One of their remarkable initiatives was the digging of a 100-metre "artificial canal" alongside Klong Bang Nam Jeud to help speed the floodwater along. All this effort resulted in at least four-fifths of Samut Sakhon staying dry, in dramatic contrast to its neighbours.

The exemplary community power has also shined in some other areas, including Pak Kret municipal area, from which food and relief items were delivered to its flooded neighbourhoods.

Elsewhere in dry areas, people from strong communities pitched in to ease the flood woes of affected people. They raised donations, cooked food, produced EM balls and more.

Educational institutes have extended help in many ways too. Apart from providing shelters to displaced flood victims, they created many useful items. Vocational schools created floating toilets. King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang unveiled new devices for testing electrical leaks in the hope of protecting flood victims from electrocution.

When and where the community power and the flow of kindness existed, the flood crisis was not at all too hard to handle.

-- The Nation 2011-12-30

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Bangkok goes global to woo back tourists

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....-back-tourists/

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Fire at ribbon manufacturing plant in Laemchabang cause damage of Bt200 mn; blaze at flour manufacturing plant in Bangpu, damage at Bt10 mn /TANN

North still cold and foggy, BKK cool, South faces heavy rain and strong waves /TANN

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Fire engulfs Chon Buri ribbon factory, Bt200 million damage losses; Samut Prakan flour mill blaze causes Bt2 million loss /MCOT

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Report: Apple to announce new iPads in January

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....ads-in-january/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,027.10, up 3.19 points /MCOT

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Brother of Killed Local Politician against Parlaiment Previllege for Suspected M.P

A brother of the murdered Samuth Sakhon politician asks the House not to allow the Democrat M.P, who is a suspect in the case, to use his parliamentary immunity to prevent him from being scrutinized during the investigation process this session.

Today, Udom Krsiwatnussorn , the younger brother of Udon Kraiwatnusorn , the Chief of Samuth Sakhon Provincial Administrative Organization, who was shot and killed recently submitted a petition to the House speaker Somsak Kietsuranont opposing the move by Democrat M.P of Samut Sakhon province, Kanchit Thapasuwan , the prime suspect in the murder, exercising his parliamentary immunity against being brought into judicial system during a Parliamentary session.

Udom said the murder of his brother is a serious charge and the evidence against the M.P. was discovered immediately, as the M.P gunned down the victim on his own.

He asked at the House's meeting, that they examine the purpose of Parliament's rule on immunity for its members in deciding whether it should be granted to Kanchit.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung said during the House's meeting that the case will be handled fairly and indiscriminately even so the suspect is an opposition M.P.

Chalerm went on to say Kanchit's decision to testifying during the court trial is his right while assuring that witnesses in the case are now under a witness protection program.

Concerning the Democrat's question as to how the police were able to identify the suspect so quickly, the deputy premier explained that the crime took place during daytime and there were three eyewitnesses who saw the gunman.

He then said Samut Sakhon's gun registration could benefit the inquiry as it suggested only 8 of the province's residents are licensed to carry the same type of the pistol that was used in the murder.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-30

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Civil Court's Ruling Provides Precdence for Insurance Claim on Political Riots

The Civil Court gave a verdict to order an insurance company to pay damage compensations for its client in response to its losses from the red-shirt political riots last year.

The Civil Court yesterday ordered the Muang Thai Insurance Company to pay a compensation of 16.5 million baht for the Aim Tham Company restaurant chain who received damages resulted from the arson on its eatery during the red-shirt protests last year.

The case went to court when the insurance firm denied to pay a 25 million baht compensation claimed by Aim Tham.

The Lawyer Council of Thailand acted as the attorney for the plaintiff and the lawsuit was classified a consumer case.

The court stated the plaintiff really bought the insurance policy from the firm so it must be paid the compensation.

Deputy spokesperson of the lawyer council Kreingsak Worramonkolchai said the verdict serves as a precedence for similar disputes, as some insurance companies stated that their policies do not cover losses from the political riots.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-30

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PM wishes happiness for all Thais for new year, promises to speed up reconciliation, seeks chance to continue work /TANN

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Lampoon gold shop robbed, thief hit 2 owners with a hammer and made off with 2 trays of gold ornaments /TANN

Dusit Poll: Thais most happy about HM the King recovering from illness, troubled by flood crisis, admire former PM Thaksin /TANN

Metropolitan police arrest former police officer for shooting at 6 cars on Ratchadapisek Rd while drunk /TANN

34 deaths, 501 injuries in 427 road accidents reported on 1st day of 7-day travelling period on New Year holiday, higher than last year: Disaster Prevention, Mitigation Dept / MCOT

1st day of 7 road accident danger days see 34 deaths, 501 injuries; Morchit bus station and Friendship Highway busy /TANN

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Drug Dealers Aressted with 5,645 Amphetamine Pills

Provincial Police Region 3 and the Nakorn Ratchasima Provincial Police have arrested drug dealers from one of the largest prison drug networks, seizing more than 5,000 amphetamine pills.

Provincial Police Region 3 Commander, Police Lieutenant General Panu Kerdlarbpon along with Nakorn Ratchasima Provincial Police acting commander Ongarj Piwruengnont held a press conference after officers and the Narcotics Control Bureau successfully arrested four suspects for drug trafficking in prisons.

Four of the suspects have been identified as 31-year-old Lek Pinkaew, 31 year-old Sutad Plaiau, 24-year-old Narong Klabpensook and 31-year-old Jutha Soongnoen.

The suspects were found to be in possession of 5,645 pills and 40,000 baht in cash.

In an initial interrogation, Narong confessed that he was hired by an inmate who has a close relationship with the drug ring.

He added that the seized supplies would be distributed during the New Year celebration.

However, Narong could not identify the man behind the scenes.

After running a record check, officers pointed out that the drug smuggling ring has been selling drugs for a long time, probably distributing around 200,000 pills, worth 10 million baht.

Meanwhile, in Lampang Province, 32nd Army Military Circle, Surasakmontree Camp Commander Major General Anek Inamnuay has led all military men in taking an oath, saying that they will not get involved in drugs as their way of glorifying His Majesty the King's 84-birthday.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-30

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1st Day Of 7 Road Accident Danger Days See 34 Deaths, 501 Injuries

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34 killed in road accidents on 1st dangerous New Year holidays

The first of the so-called seven dangerous New Year holidays saw 34 people killed and 501 others injured in road accidents around the country.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/522590-1st-day-of-7-road-accident-danger-days-see-34-deaths-501-injuries-thailand/page__view__findpost__p__4943751

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TR@mpoppel: BREAKING -- Former President Nelson Mandela taken to hospital, South Africa media reports

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Khon Kaen crazy nicking knickers

It took three sacks to hold the mostly worn and unwashed ladies' panties that Mr Pathanin had been collecting.

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