Thailand Live Wednesday 4 Jan 2012

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2 Soldiers Killed in Pattani Road Blast

Two military officers were killed in a blast in Pattani Province while traveling to Khao Wang Village to give New Year's gifts to residents there.

Police, military officers, and a bomb disposal team rushed to Khao Wang–Klong Chang Road in Koh Chan Subdistrict of Pattani's Mayor District after a blast was reported in the area.

A wrecked four-door pick-up truck was found in a roadside ditch near the bomb scene.

A preliminary investigation indicated that a convoy of four motorcycles and a car carrying nine soldiers was heading for Khao Wang Village in Krasoh Subdistrict to give New Year's gifts to locals there, when it was struck by the explosion one kilometer away from the base.

First Lieutenant Direksin Rattanasin and Sergeant Yutthaya Jampamee were seriously wounded and later succumbed to their injuries at a hospital at the Ingkayut Borihan military camp.

The blast carved a one-meter deep hole into the road.

Investigators presume the attacker planted a booby-trap bomb of approximately 15 kilograms under the road surface and detonated it through an electrical wire.

Investigators believe the bombing was carried by an alliance of the RKK militant group in reaction to the arrest of two RKK leaders last Sunday.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-04

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224 Taxi Drivers Charged During New Year Holidays

The Land Transport Department reported that 224 taxi drivers were caught violating the law during the New Year Holidays.

Land Transport Division Director Yongyuth Nakdaeng reported that a total of 224 of taxi drivers violated the 1999 Motor Car Act during the New Year Holidays from December 28 to January 3.

He said 195 drivers who refused to take passengers to their destinations may face a 500 baht fine, while 28 who refused to turn on their meters may be fined 1,000 baht.

Other six drivers who used unregistered cars may be fined 1,000 baht.

Moreover, an additional 56 drivers have been charged this morning.

In response, the department has inflicted a penalty on the taxi drivers.

Yongyuth has asked taxi drivers to stringently comply with the law.

Meanwhile, there have been a shortage of cabs as the number of passengers have outnumbered available taxis.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-04

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English Speaking Year 2012 kicks off

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Tourism in Songkhla loses 50 million baht to flood

SONGKHLA, 4 January 2012 (NNT) - The overall flood situation in Songkhla province has eased off. The damage from the flood on the tourism sector is estimated at 50 million baht.

According to the Hai Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association, the flooding, which took place during the New Year festival, had cut off Kanchanawanit road, the main road connecting border checkpoints in Sadao district and Hat Yai district. Small vehicles could not pass the area, forcing many Malaysian tourists to cancel their plans to Songkhla.

Nearly all reservations were canceled during the New Year, while tourists who came before the festival had left earlier in fear of the flood. The tourism industry in the province was estimated to lose 50 million baht.

The Songkhla provincial governor says around 80 percent of the flood water has receded in the province. Big cleaning is expected in coming days. Initial damage assessment is expected to be over 100 million baht, with the tourism sector being the biggest loser.

-- NNT 2012-01-04

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New Year road toll rises to 314

The first six of New Year Festival's seven dangerous days saw 314 people killed and 3,116 others injured in 2,856 road accidents, the Road Safety Centre announced Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the sixth day of the seven-day period for monitoring road accidents, 312 accidents occurred, killing 32 people and injuring 333 others.

-- The Nation 2012-01-04

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SET index midday up 16.03 pts,1.56 pct

Thai composite stocks index at midday Wednesday stood at 1,041.35, up 16.03 points, or 1.56 per cent in line with regional shares amid Bt 9.15 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 731.10, up 12.70 points, or 1.77 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: PTT, PTTEP, ADVANC, PTTGC.

-- The Nation 2012-01-04

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Methee, 7, passes away at Vachira Phuket

Phuket Gazette –

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73 kgs of 'ice' drug found at Bangkok bus terminal

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Nakhon Si Thammarat declared disaster zone

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City normalising after flood recedes in Chumphon

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December inflation up 3.53% year-on-year, lowest expansion in eight months: Commerce Ministr./MCOT

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Road accidents kill 314 persons in first six days of 'Seven Dangerous Days'

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Dubai Airports Launches MyDXB App For Apple And Android Devices

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Fourth Mekong bridge falls behind schedule

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Tourism Dept proposes 452 million baht budget for tourism revival

BANGKOK, 4 January 2012 (NNT) - The Tourism Department has revealed that it has proposed to the Cabinet a budget of 452 million baht for its 28 projects aimed at creating new images of tourist destinations under the Amazing Thailand project.

According to Tourism Department Director-General Supon Sripan, the budget requested would be utilized on improving the efficiency of the tourism industry. Another 200-million-baht budget will also be used to improve major roads linking important tourist sites.

The 28 projects under the 452 million-baht budget, which has yet to pass the Lower House's second and third readings,will be launched this year. They include improving the landscapes, putting up new signs, and several other improvements of many tourist destinations.

-- NNT 2012-01-04

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GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION

Pheu Thai MP Jirayu told to show proof

The Nation

City spokesman Wasant Meewongse on Wednesday challenged a Pheu Thai MP to show evidence of his allegation that several people from other provinces have moved to Bangkok to prepare for the gubernatorial election early next year.

Pheu Thai MP Jirayu Huangsap claimed that his party has found an unusual increase in the number of people in house registrations in Bangkok.

He implied that the increase was down to preparations for the election and would ensure that these individuals are eligible to vote in the election of the Bangkok governor, which is scheduled for January next year.

A person has to reside in Bangkok for at least one year to be able to vote in a gubernatorial election.

City spokesman Wasant said that Jirayu should demonstrate evidence, which is not difficult to find to prove his allegation, he said.

"Evidence is needed to back up the claims because Khun Jirayu's imagination is negatively affecting other people. It is not good to speak simply for political benefit," he said.

Current Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra of Democrat Party was elected to the position in January 2009.

-- The Nation 2012-01-04

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Laem Chabang Port Top Customs Earner for 2nd Year

The Laem Chanbang Port customs office remains the top customs duty earner for the second consecutive year, with the greatest percentage of revenue coming from automotives and machinery import.

The office is targeting 36 billion baht in customs duty collection for the 2012 fiscal year.

Director of Laem Chabang Port Customs Bureau in Chonburi Province Paisarn Chuenjit said his office remains the highest-earning customs office for the second year in a row despite seeing its revenue fall by 1.3 percent in 2011 to 28 billion baht.

The top ten earners for import duties are automotives and automotive parts, machinery, electrical appliances, steel and steel products, plastic and plastic products, raw materials for feed production, rubber and rubber products, chemicals and optical equipment.

Paisarn is optimistic that the office will achieve its 36 billion-baht revenue target for the 2012 fiscal year, as it has already collected higher revenue during the first two months of the fiscal year than initially targeted.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-04

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Red-shirt hardliner Arisman turns himself in to Chiang Mai police on charge of giving speech to incite chaos;submits Bt100,000 bond for bail /TANN

PM voices concern about flooding in South but can't visit area yet due to other obligations; orders 3 agencies to extend help /TANN

Cabinet approves tax exemption of Bt100,000 for flood victims' new car purchase /TANN

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Home Safety With Police program proven effective during holiday period

BANGKOK, January 4, 2012 (NNT)- 60% of Bangkok residents who entrusted the safety of their homes to the police have returned from their vacation, said Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, the Deputy Commander of the National Police.

According to the Deputy Commander, the police will continue to keep watchful eyes on every house until the owners come back. More than 1,900 home owners joined the ‘Home Safety’ program during the New Year celebrations, under which the police offered participants property protection.

The police will continue to provide home protection to the remaining 1,195 houses until January 8th, when most of the houses are expected to leave the program.

In Bangkok, the highest number of home owners who joined the program is from Chokchai District, followed closely by those in Bangkhen. Meanwhile, in the nearby provinces, Nontaburi recorded the highest number of participants; followed by Samutprakarn and Pathumthani, respectively.

As for the houses in the flooded areas, Police General Pongsapat has confirmed that they remain safe, given the higher level of security provided during the past weekend.

-- The Nation 2012-01-04

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SET index closed at 1036.21, up 10.89; Bt/USD31.34; GBP48.97; AUD32.38; EUR40.82; CAD30.79; HKD4.03; SGD24.26; JPY40.65

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Swiss man arrested following Pattaya gun incident may face attempted murder charges

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Foreigner saves drowning toddler at Phuket beach

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THAI-AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Australia awards Thai agronomy professor

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Two teenagers drown in flood-hit Nakhon Si Thammarat

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Red shirts call for release of defendants in political cases

The red shirts Wednesday called on the government to seek temporary release for all defendants in "political cases" and to ensure justice for them.

Thida Thawornseth, who is the caretaker chairwoman of the red shirt movement, made the call during Wednesday's press conference. She said that the government should ensure that all the defendant in political cases would be granted temporary release while fighting the cases against them.

She also expressed support to the calls for amendment to Article 112 of the Penal Code involving lese majeste. Thida said the debate on the issue should be based on knowledge, and not personal vendetta.

"People who oppose the amendment should tell their reasons. Don't just think that people who want amendment are not loyal to the monarchy," she said.

-- The Nation 2012-01-04

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Abhisit ready to answer summons on red-shirt crackdown

Opposition leader and former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said he is prepared to meet the police and other related agencies to answer questions related to the 91 deaths during the April-May 2010 military crackdown on red shirts.

The National AntiCorruption Commission (NACC) said the investigation into the 91 deaths should be completed by the end of this year.

Abhisit said Wedensday that he has yet to be formally summoned by police or the NACC, adding he does not want the matter to be unduly prolonged as well.

-- The Nation 2012-01-04

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 5 Jan 2012

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....day-5-jan-2012/