Thailand Live Monday 2 Jan 2012

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ABAC Poll Tallies Latest Results for Politician Likeability

The Assumption University, or ABAC, conducted a poll about the likeability factor for politicians belonging to the Pheu Thai Party and the Opposition Party based on their performances during 2011.

ABAC’s Research Office has rounded up the latest results of the likeability factor of all politicians during 2011.

A total of 2,149 adults aged 18 and older in 17 provinces were surveyed about to share about their opinions on politicians belonging to the Pheu Thai Party.

77.7% of voters were satisfied with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra while only 13.9% approved Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung while the rest were followed by Defense Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit and Commerce Minister Kittirat Na Ranong.

Regarding their opinions for politicians from the Opposition Party, 74.9% favored Democrat Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. The runner-up was Love Thailand Party Leader Chuwit Kamolvisit who received a 16.7% satisfaction rate while the rest were followed by Chief Adviser Chuan Leekpai and Democrat MP Rangsima Rodrasamee.

When questioned about the behavior that people found “downright intolerable” from government officials, results show that 79% of people disapproved corruption, collusive bidding, and reaping up benefits for personal interest.

Lastly, when asked about what people expect from politicians, 70.4% of appreciate honesty and integrity. About 82.9% of Thais hope that the country would foresee happiness, love, and support for each other.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-02

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AYUTTHAYA

Street vendor loses hand to explosion

An unlucky street vendor in Ayutthaya province was injured on Monday when an explosive she found near her cart exploded, mutilating her hand.

Saiyud Kaleeklin, 53, lost her left hand in the blast, which also wounded two other vendors nearby. Some shops near the scene were also damaged.

The accident took place at the mouth of Soi Pracha-uthit on Rojana Road in Muang Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district at about 7.30am.

The two others vendors injured were Thitiya Poethong, 52 and Rassamee Yoosamrang, 41. They suffered shrapnel wounds to their faces and bodies.

Waraporn Chiangthong, 45, a helper at a food vending stall, told police that Saiyud found a round black object tied with tape, but she did not know what it was. She was shaking it when the object hit a table and exploded, Waraporn said.

Police believed that the explosive device was home-made by teenagers who may have prepared it to attack rivals over the New Year.

It may have been left in the street to avoid being found by police who had set up a checkpoint near the scene of the explosion.

-- The Nation 2012-01-02

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Democrat Party: Thai Politics Still Under Thaksin's Influence

Follow this link:

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Pattaya News

200,000 Baht New Year Robbery From South Pattaya Phone Shop: http://www.thaivisa....aya-phone-shop/

Bangkok Taxi stolen in North Pattaya: http://www.thaivisa....-north-pattaya/

56 year old man and 7 year old step-son drown at Pattaya Lake: http://www.thaivisa....t-pattaya-lake/

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SRT takes over Chatuchak Market from City Hall

BANGKOK, Jan 2 - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Monday returned management of the world renowned Chatuchak Weekend Market to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) after its commercial lease expired on Jan 1.

Speaking to media after a three-hour meeting with BMA senior officials, Prasert Attanant, SRT deputy governor who also heads an SRT preparatory group on market management, said the meeting resolved that the railways would operate the market from Jan 2 onward.

They agreed to set up a joint working group comprising SRT and BMA representatives to discuss how to manage or utilise BMA-owned assets and said that further discussion is needed for a conclusion.

The SRT deputy governor assured the vendors that the market takeover would definitely not adversely affect them.

There will be business as usual over the upcoming weekend since SRT earlier offered to waive their rental fees for two months, he said.

Regarding public utility fees, the joint working group will sort out the matter before the weekend to spare the vendors' difficulties. Security operations will be outsourced to a private company, the SRT executive said.

Although some vendors acknowledged that the SRT has the right to manage its own property, they questioned the continuity and the railway agency's readiness to operate the 27-acre market which attracts as many as 200,000 visitors daily on weekends with 30 per cent of them being foreigners.

Last week’s cabinet resolution acknowledged that the SRT has management rights to Chatuchak weekend market after the expiry of its lease with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-02

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8 tourists found after getting lost in the forest in Phattalung for 2 days/TAN_Network

Routes from North and Northeast to BKK congested as people return from New Year holidays/TAN_Network

6 southern provinces warned of flash floods/TAN_Network

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Jan 2012

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....day-3-jan-2012/