Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Jan 2012

[webfact]

Thailand Live Tuesday 3 January 2012

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/564113621/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Monday 2 Jan 2012

[webfact]

Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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

[webfact]

Korn warns Thai govt not to fall into Thaksin 'death trap'

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....sin-death-trap/

[webfact]

Risk management plan urged to bolster tourism

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....r-thai-tourism/

[webfact]

Disaster zones declared as flooding hits Phattalung

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....its-phattalung/

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

Funding of restoration raises doubts

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....oubts-thailand/

[webfact]

Put off changing Constitution until end of this year, Banyat urges Thai govt

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....rges-thai-govt/

[webfact]

Don't put up the rent, keep prices low, vendors say

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong,

Jiraporn Phetdee

The Nation

As management of Chatuchak Weekend Market was being transferred from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), vendors told The Nation their wishes and many concerns about the change.

"I want the new administrators not to increase rental fees, so we can sell our goods cheaply as we have done for a long time. We want to keep the market's identity - offering goods at reasonable prices," said Ngamta Chobchai, 53, vendor at a men's shorts stall. She voiced concern about her needs after the State Rail body was allowed to take over running the market.

"Chatuchak Market is well known around the world, since there are various goods with reasonable prices. If the rent increases, prices of goods here will be more expensive and the market's uniqueness will fade," said Ngamta who has traded there for 14 years.

She has already lodged a bid with the BMA to sell at the stall, paying Bt5,000 for January, so she was worried about whether the council would return her money. There had been no official announcement of new regulations, so many vendors expressed the same concern.

The owner of "Pure Shop", selling miniature items and clay flowers, said she didn't know how long the SRT would allow her to sell here. Before, BMA contracts allow her to sell her wares there for 30 years.

"The SRT will hire a private company for market management. If this causes a price hike, buyers will be affected and the number of customers will drop. I want the SRT to allow the selling period for at least 20 years," she said.

"I want the SRT to keep the market like it has been for decades," she said.

Somsuk Wikhalin, 66, a sales person at "Sense Ceramics and Aromatic" shop, said was anxious about cleanness and security. "I want the SRT to provide a clean and secure environment like the BMA did. BMA had security staff looking after all shops here," she said. "Unclear administration guidelines and regulations of the SRT make me feel uncomfortable."

Bussakorn Ngamthamsiri, 30, owner of a shoe shop for men, said she didn't want State Rail to change the rent contract because the current Bt600 fee per week was fair for her.

Meanwhile, customer Somporn Moolkasem, 19, said she loved shopping at the market because there were various goods and shops, and the prices were so cheap. She wanted State Rail to expand the market carpark and keep prices low.

Chatuchak is still crowded with Thai and foreign shoppers. Indeed, more stalls have been set up on the market's main street.

-- The Nation 2012-01-03

[webfact]

Give all parties a say in managing water: Thai panel

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....ter-thai-panel/

[webfact]

Democrat Party: Thai Politics Still Under Thaksin's Influence

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....sins-influence/

[webfact]

Road toll up, but fewer crashes this year: Thailand

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....-year-thailand/

[webfact]

Vendor in Ayutthaya loses hand

The Nation

An unlucky street vendor in Ayutthaya province was injured yesterday 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 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 believe that the explosive device was made by teenagers who may have prepared it to attack rivals over the New Year holiday.

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 2012-01-03

[webfact]

New owner SRT to decide what to do with Chatuchak buildings

Khanittha Theppajon

The Nation

BMA hands over administration; panel will assess whether to buy or destroy structures

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday transferred administration of Chatuchak Weekend Market to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and a joint committee was set up to discuss what to do with buildings and stalls built by the BMA.

Chatuchak Market and State Rail officials hosted a press conference following three hours of talks.

SRT deputy governor Prasert Atthanant said the BMA had transferred the market to the SRT but couldn't come to a conclusion in regard to the BMA properties. So a joint committee was set up to discuss this later.

"The joint committee, to meet in one to two days, will determine if BMA properties will be demolished or whether they should be bought from the BMA. If the SRT sees the buildings as still being usable, they will assess the price and buy them... We would take into consideration the benefit to the majority," he said.

Prasert said the issue wouldn't affect market activities and would not lead to market closing because this was only a management transition. He said the SRT had hired two private companies to take care of security within the market compound and cleaning.

Market director Arun Sricharoon said all buildings on the land, such as administration buildings and 8,000 stalls, belonged to the BMA. It was the BMA's job to take care of them - but so far he couldn't say what would happen before talks on whether the SRT will rent them.

Metropolitan Police deputy chief Methee Kusolsang said 60 crowd-control police would be dispatched to guard areas around the market each day until February 29.

Prior to the conference, journalists were handed a brochure detailing the market's administrative structure. It showed a committee headed by Prasert for oversight of the market made up of 10 sub-committees. They were for: lease contracts, income collection, legal matters, stall order, security and traffic, public relations, cleaning, garbage collecting and tap water, and electricity.

Some vendors camped outside the market administration building yesterday and presented flowers to Arun and SRT executives.

Vendor representative Napaporn Malidaeng said they didn't mind that the SRT had taken over the market but urged rail officials to listen to their suggestions because some vendors had been there for 30 years. They suggested the SRT renew rental contracts with vendors for another 30 years, that they collect rents at Bt650 to Bt1,000, and let vendors participate in the running of the market.

The SRT yesterday announced an extension to the application period for leasing stalls until January 15. Vendors wishing to continue renting stalls should go to SRT property management (tel 0-2220-4053) on the second floor of the Rodfai Club and show previous leases from the BMA, such as lease contracts or rental receipts, from 8.30am to 4.30pm by January 15.

It was also reported that 8,000 out of 8,807 current vendors had so far submitted rental applications.

-- The Nation 2012-01-03

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: RT @iamKohChang: Today is exodus day, no private minibuses available. Yesterday 2 hour queues for ferry off Koh Chang.

[Lite Beer]

RT@Biz_TheNation: Heavy rain,flash flood risk in the lower South;2-3m.waves in lower Gulf of Thailand Jan.4-6 colder in N,NE

[Lite Beer]

Samut Sakhon police chief demands Democrat MP Kanchit turn over his guns for examination in murder of PAO chief by today/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

2 dead,3 injured in flooding in Hat Yai,Songkhla;flooding recedes in Songkhla,Phattalung;7 districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat still flooded/TAN_Network

[webfact]

All flights suspended at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport due to poor weather; train service also halted due to flooded railway track /MCOT

[webfact]

Nok Air cancels 2 flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat this morning but afternoon flights still on schedule; Air Asia keeps all southern flights /TANN

[webfact]

Slight rain reported in eastern provinces such as Chantaburi and Chonburi; motorists urged to drive slowly /TANN

[webfact]

Heavy traffic in North, Northeast as travellers return to Bangkok; portion of Asian Highway 41 in Chumphon under water /MCOT

[webfact]

Road accidents claim 282 lives in first five days of dangerous seven New Year's travel days, 2,783 injured; no accidents reported in Chaiyaphum; most deaths in Buriram /MCOT

[webfact]

Defence Ministry spokesman reveals PM ordered defence minister to coordinate southern flood relief; 21 centers set up to distribute aid /TANN

[webfact]

After 'bloody' New Year, Phuket holiday road toll eases

A Thai-language warning sign on a Phuket Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation vehicle reads: ‘Drunk driving will get you a ride home with us’. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

Follow this link:

[Lite Beer]

Rail service from Khao Chumthong-Nakhon Si Thammarat halted, passengers being transferred by buses instead/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

RT@Biz_TheNation: Domestic gold bar prices Tue,up Bt50: Bt23,600(buy),Bt23,700(sell)

[Lite Beer]

RT@Biz_TheNation: PM sends troops to help southern flood victims;assign interior minister to inspect damages;ready to extend flood relief/aids accordingly

[webfact]

Two Thai Army soldiers killed in Pattani bombing /MCOT

[webfact]

Phuket Tourism 2011: 'It was what it was'

Follow this link:

[webfact]

ACG official opening dates announced

BOUNDARY VIEW: The ACG clubhouse (above) is near completion, offering spectators elevated views of the ground and the lakes area of Ban Liphon.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....ates-announced/