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Thailand Live Saturday 31 Dec 2011

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webfact Grand Master Member

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Thailand Live Saturday 31 December 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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 Friday 30 Dec 2011

webfact Grand Master Member

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LESE MAJESTE

Truth panel backs call to change lese majeste law

THE NATION

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The Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) yesterday issued a statement backing calls for amendment of the lese majeste law on grounds that the suppression of insults to the monarchy had been politicised to fuel social divisions.

TRCT chairman Kanit na Nakorn reminded all sides that instead of shedding light on a possible solution, the debate on the issue seemed only to have caused greater confusion.

Certain elements were invoking Article 112 of the Criminal Code in the name of the royalist cause for self-serving reasons to damage their political opponents, he said. At the same time, the other side has argued that Article 112 stifles their freedom of expression, he added.

"The TRCT has taken up the challenge of reviewing the lese majeste clause with the hope of bringing about reconciliation," Kanit said.

After reviewing legal precedents in several countries, the TRCT found that whereas other democracies had adopted a liberal approach toward law enforcement, Thailand appeared to have opted for an authoritarian approach, he said.

Political parties in other democracies had been developed to tackle national issues under the rule of law, but Thai parties were less developed as political institutions, he said.

While the approach of law enforcement in places such as Germany and Japan was found to be reliable in dealing with extremist subversive groups such as the Red Army, Thai law enforcement appeared lopsided, triggering despair and paving the way for power seizures, he said.

Given the prevailing conditions, the repeal of Article 112 might not be warranted, but at the same time, criminal culpability for lese majeste had been wrongfully politicised, Kanit said.

DETERRENCE, NOT SUPPRESSION

As a way to ensure the survival of Article 112 while preventing politicisation, the clause should be amended and enforced as a form of deterrence, in lieu of suppression.

The TRCT proposed that the following five steps be undertaken to amend Article 112:

First, the lese majeste clause should stipulate that power of attorney is required to activate prosecution proceedings, in lieu of a mandatory review by public prosecutors.

Second, the Lord Chamberlain, a position appointed at the royal discretion, should be entrusted with the responsibility to decide on the power of attorney for each case.

Third, the penalties for insulting royalty should be reduced.

Fourth, in the TRCT's view, the maximum jail term should not exceed seven years with or without a fine of no more than Bt14,000.

Fifth, Article 112 should be amended along with Article 133 prescribing the protection of foreign heads of state. The amended Article 133 should prescribe imprisonment of no more than three years with or without a fine of no more than Bt6,000.

In a related development, a National Human Rights Commission-appointed panel has formed a 13-member task force to review the lese majeste clause and the computer law.

The task force, led by activist Jon Ungphakorn, is scheduled to complete its report on June 16, 2012.

Jon's task force is entrusted to come up with recommendations on whether the enforcement of Article 112 has infringed on human rights, and if so, how to rectify it.

National Human Rights Commission member Niran Pitakwatchara said the agency had received many complaints related to Article 112 since he took up the position, especially in the past two years.

"We have to examine the issue to make sure everything goes according to the law and prevent [the article's] use as a political tool," Niran said.

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-- The Nation 2011-12-31

webfact Grand Master Member

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Nicknames from Tweeples

THE NATION

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Twitter was abuzz with aliases for politicians after reporters on the Government House beat came up with their list.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

@gunnerthai: "Pou Muen Ho" (Confused, weeping Pou)

@love_pma: Honest mistake PM

@naelkung: Prompter reading beauty queen

@AeWasana: Amazing PM

@Wie_wee: Scripted PM

@preeyagorn: Robotic beauty

@Oil_jirayu: I don't know

The Government

@Wie_wee: "Aou Yu" (Managable)

@nathawatkidrai: Appearing to try hard to reconcile

Deputy PM and Interior Minister Yongyuth Vichaidit

@NochPH: Wallpaper deputy PM

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok

@Wie_wee: Drowned Judge Pao

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung

@Wie_wee: Mr Know-it-all

Former finance minister Korn Chitikavanij

@NewsRattha: Still in charge (behind-the-scenes at the ministry)

Opposition

@sudan_FMTV: Opposing for the sake of opposing

A Suan Dusit Poll on 6,033 peo ple across the country revealed:

Most popular male politician: Thaksin Shinawatra: 38.32 per cent

Abhisit Vejjajiva: 34.34 per cent

Chuvit Kamolvisit: 14.94 per cent

Most popular female politician: Yingluck Shinawatra: 57.97 per cent

Paveena Hongsakul: 29.16 per cent

Mallika Boonmetrakool: 4.42 per cent

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-- The Nation 2011-12-31

webfact Grand Master Member

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CRIME

Search warrant sought for Kanchit's home

The Nation

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The police is planning to seek court permission to conduct a search at the house of Democrat MP Kanchit Thapsuwan, who is currently the prime suspect in the murder of Samut Sakhon Provincial Administrative Organisation's chairman.

Kanchit surrendered to police to face the murder charges, but has said he will only speak in court. Therefore, police do not have any evidence relating Kanchit to the case.

"We will ask for court permission to search other areas as well. We will try to locate the gun used in the crime," Colonel Jamraeng Sudjai, chief of the Muang Samut Sakhon police station, said.

According to an informed source, the Samut Sakhon Election Commission decided to hold an election yesterday for the new chairman of the Samut Sakhon Provincial Administrative Organisation on February 19. The post became vacant upon the suspected murder of Udon Kraiwatnusorn.

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-- The Nation 2011-12-31

webfact Grand Master Member

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Senior police officers to get promoted

The Nation

About 20,000 police senior sergeant majors will become commissioned officers from April 1 onwards, as per a resolution issued by the Police Commission yesterday.

"The resolution is applicable to all police senior sergeant majors who are above the age of 53," police spokesman MajGeneral Piya Utayo said.

He was speaking after a meeting with the Police Commission, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung. At the meeting, the commission also approved the appointment of Yasothon police chief Pol MajGeneral Boonyos Boonpaisan as the new commander of the National Police Office's Disciplinary Division.

Piya added that the Police Commission had also created three inspectorlevel posts that would be attached to Sukhothai Palace. According to the police spokesman, the National Police Office's board has already decided to drop its decision to merge the Southern Border Province Police Bureau (SBPPB) with the Provincial Police Region 9.

"SBPPB will remain in operations," Piya confirmed.

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-- The Nation 2011-12-31

webfact Grand Master Member

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One killed, six injured in South attacks

The Nation

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Many violent incidents erupted in the South yesterday, killing a defence volunteer and injuring six soldiers.

An unidentified gunman opened fire at Kasaman Sadeemae, 23yearold village defence volunteer, in front of his home in Yala's Raman district early yesterday.

Kasaman was about to leave his home when a motorcycle stopped and the passenger opened fire at him. The victim later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.

Police believed the attack was yet another attempt by insurgents to fan unrest in the deep South.

In Pattani, unknown attackers fired M79 grenades at a military base in Thung Yang Daeng district. Four soldiers there sustained minor injuries and were treated at the Pattani Hospital.

At about 8.10am, a bomb went off on Highway 410 in Yarang district injuring two soldiers.

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-- The Nation 2011-12-31

webfact Grand Master Member

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In final weekly TV programme of 2011, PM says she's not satisfied with past four months; to focus on economic revival & reconciliation next year /MCOT

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RT @AsifAAhmad: Kate Duffall of British Embassy Bangkok receive MBE in New Year's Honours list. Well deserved recognition for service to Brits in Thailand.

RT @ukinthailand: Mrs Kathleen Dufall, Vice-Consul, #BritishEmbassy, BKK, receives an #MBE for her outstanding contribution to crisis response in Thailand.

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PM vows to devote self to people in 2012, focus on economic revival and post-flood rehabilitation

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BANGKOK, Dec 31 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday expressed dissatisfaction on her performance over the last four months in the office and vowed to fully devote herself to the public next year with the goals of reviving the economy and post-flood rehabilitation.

In the final weekly TV programme of 2011, during the "Yingluck Government Meets the People" programme, moderated by former Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Suranand Vejjajiva, that she felt she has not been able to accomplish as much as she wanted and she desired more time to work for the public.

Ms Yingluck said the event she was most proud of was the organisation of His Majesty King Bhumibol's 84th birthday celebration on December 5, as she could see all Thais smiling with happiness.

In 2012, the premier said she promised to work harder and to do what her Pheu Thai Party had set out to accomplish during the election campaign.

As for the flood crisis, she said the government would go ahead with a water management plan as soon as possible while measures to prevent future floods could be implemented by next year.

The budget could be effectively spent since February, she said.

Ms Yingluck said the government would fully implement a drug crackdown policy after the government has put it on the national agenda.

The prime minister also said that reconciliation should equally benefit the public as a whole, and that the entire public sectors should participate in the process. (MCOT online news)

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-- TNA 2011-12-31

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Thai road smash kills 12 travelling to funeral

BANGKOK, December 31, 2011 (AFP) - Twelve mourners were killed when their packed pickup truck collided with a passenger bus as they travelled to the funeral of a relative in northeastern Thailand, police said Saturday.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/522816-death-toll-reaches-94-on-second-of-seven-new-years-dangerous-days-thailand/page__view__findpost__p__4945841

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Phuket New Year road toll battered as three die

Phuket Gazette

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The dangerous curves, where the barrier on the median strip has been battered by out-of-control vehicles, have been marked with signs bearing the Thai word kohng, meaning “curve”, in large red letters. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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Polish national Pawel Gilman was riding a limited edition Liverpool Honda Scoopy when the fatal accident happened. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/522825-phuket-new-year-road-toll-battered-as-three-die/page__view__findpost__p__4945857

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