Thailand Live Thursday 5 Jan 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 5 January 2012

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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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Govt debt policy will make the Thai currency 'worthless'

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2011 POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Abhisit ready to answer summons on red-shirt crackdown

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CRIME

Kidnap drowning suspects held

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ARMY COMMANDER IN CHIEF

Army needs helping hand to protect monarchy: Prayuth

The Nation

The Army chief yesterday insisted the military was not complacent about its duty to protect the monarchy.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha also called on the public to help the military defend the monarchy against efforts to undermine the institution. He suggested a social boycott of lese-majeste law offenders.

"You can't employ the law alone. The authorities involved are trying to use both legal and political means in dealing with this issue. It's not that we are complacent or that we are not firm about protecting the monarchy," Prayuth said.

"Most people in this country are aware what is going on. The point is that we have to help protect His Majesty the King and the monarchy," the Army chief said.

"The military has the direct responsibility … but you should not let the military do it alone. Everybody must come out to help, as far as the country's rules allow."

Prayuth said that he did not want to get involved with the debate as to whether certain legal provisions about lese majeste should be amended. However, he admitted that applying the law alone was not enough and that the monarchy would eventually be affected from enforcement of the relevant legal provisions. He added that His Majesty the King in fact did not want offenders of the lese-majeste law to be punished.

The Army chief called for social boycott of "those bad people" who insult the monarchy so that their acts would have no impact and they would stop "doing bad things".

In a related development, the Department of Special Investigation team probing the "diagram of the plot to overthrow the monarchy" has not obtained permission from its director-general Tarit Pengdith to summon Suthep Thaugsuban, former deputy prime minister and ex-director of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), to testify about the diagram.

DSI deputy chief Prawet Moonpramuk, who heads the investigation, said yesterday that the agency wanted to know how the names in the diagram were collected, as the probe into the diagram had not progressed after more than a year.

However, Tarit gave permission to the DSI to summon on January 12 Thawil Pliensri, the former National Security Council secretary-general and former CRES secretary-general, to explain about the making of the diagram, according to Prawet.

The diagram was made by the previous Democrat-led government's CRES during the political unrest in 2010.

Also yesterday, opposition Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut criticised the DSI for trying to imply that there was no movement campaigning to overthrow the monarchy. He was referring to the fact that DSI officials recently told the media they believed people mentioned in the diagram acted separately and were not part of a movement.

The Army chief said the insurgency-related violence in the deep South was one of his greatest concerns. He pointed to the tactic of increasingly deadly violence employed by the insurgents. However, he said that excessive use of military force and law enforcement against the insurgents would backfire through opposition and criticism from the public and the international community.

"Solving the problem will be more and more difficult, due to the social media and the globalised world," Prayuth said. He also called on the mass media to denounce "those bad people" who are a threat to the country.

"If you denounce bad people, good people will get the moral support. If you allow good people to be harmed more and more and fail to condemn bad people, our country will not survive," he said.

The Army chief also thanked respondents of an Abac Poll survey who picked him as one of the five best chief executives from the public sector for the last year.

"I feel honoured that most respondents trust the military. But this is not something I, or any chief executive, can achieve alone without the cooperation from subordinates," he said, adding that other elements of society should also be credited for helping the military gain the good image.

The military won much accolade for helping affected residents during last year's severe flooding in many provinces, including Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2012-01-05

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FLOOD IN THE SOUTH

Army takes the plunge as Nakhon Si Thammarat battles floods

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PROPERTY

Undecided buyers to delay property-market: Thailand

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EDITORIAL

Problems on the Mekong river are far from over: Thai opinion

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Charter changes: By politicians, for politicians?: Thai talk

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Red shirts, yellow shirts agree change is needed: Thai study

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Thida calls for release of red-shirt defendants

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NEW YEAR BREAK

Fewer tragedies during holiday week

WATTANA KHAMCHOO

THE NATION

The holiday week this New Year has so far seen less slaughter on the streets than last year. On the first six of the seven dangerous days of the holiday period, 314 people died and 3,116 were injured in 2,856 road |accidents nationwide - down by 11 deaths, 337 injuries and |371 accidents from last year, |the Road Safety Centre said yesterday.

Buri Ram suffered the most number of fatalities among provinces with 18 deaths, while Nakhon Sawan recorded the most injuries at 110 and |also the most accidents at 104, Pol Lt-General Borihan Siang-arom, assistant National Police chief, told a press conference.

Only 10 provinces were free from road deaths - Satun, Nonthaburi, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Si Sa Ket, Yala, Trat, Sukhothai, Tak and Pattani.

The statistics on the sixth day showed a marked improvement over last year. On Tuesday alone, 312 accidents killed 32 people and wounded 333. This was better by 9.83 per cent or 34 accidents, 27.27 per cent or 12 deaths and 8.01 per cent or 29 injuries.

The major cause of accidents was drunk driving at 28.2 per cent, followed by speeding at 20.5 per cent. Motorcycles were involved in 78.7 per cent of the crashes.

The 70,036 officials manning 2,466 checkpoints stopped 695,066 vehicles and arrested 94,502 traffic offenders - mostly for failing to wear helmets at 29,774 cases, he added.

As the rush to return to work in Bangkok was mostly over, business at Nakhon Ratchasima's Bus Terminal 2 yesterday was back to normal, but up to 20,000 travellers - most of whom took another day off to avoid traffic jams - were still expected to use its services.

-- The Nation 2012-01-05

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Online activities bad for morality: Thai Culture Ministry Secretary

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Boost to gun power

The Nation

The Cabinet yesterday gave the green light to the purchase of scopes and muzzle brakes for 1,500 police guns with the aim to boost their power and efficiency.

Deputy government spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the Cabinet approved in principle the proposal to carry over Bt20 million from the previous fiscal budget to help fund the purchase of the parts for the 5.56mm guns.

Since the total cost was Bt209.1 million, the remaining Bt189.1 million would have to come from the current fiscal budget.

National Police had procured the weapons in 2008 and were now saying they needed the accessories.

-- The Nation 2012-01-05

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Thai Education minister's goals lack implementation clarity

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Thailand's Road Safety Center Praises an 11.50% Drop in Holiday Road Accidents

BANGKOK, 5 January 2012 (NNT) - The state-appointed center, tasked with overseeing road safety, revealed a sizable drop in records of accidents during the New Year holidays. However, drunk driving and speeding remain major causes of deaths and injuries on Thai roads.

Mr. Vibool Sa-nguangpong, Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Secretary of the Road Safety Center (RSC), said that during December 29, 2011 and January 3, 2012, there have been a total of 2,856 road accidents throughout Thailand, or 371 fewer cases when compared with the same period of the previous year. This represents an 11.50% year-on-year drop.

In terms of fatalities, the record shows this year's deaths were 11 fewer than last year and stand at 314, while the number of injuries also dropped to 3,116, or 337 lower than last year’s.

Across Thailand, central Nakhon Sawan stands as the province with the most cases of road accidents of 104.

At the same time, Buriram continues to record the highest cases of fatalities of 18, with Nakhon Sawan reporting the largest number of injuries of 110.

Meanwhile, there are still 10 provinces that have reported no road fatality. They are Satun, Nonthaburi, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Si Sa Ket, Yala, Trat, Sukhothai, Tak and Pattani.

Mr. Vibool said that all related units, including provincial offices and the police, will continue to collaborate in facilitating the journeys of holiday-makers while making sure that those who have violated traffic laws will be punished.

-- NNT 2012-01-05

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Red-shirt Leader Surrenders to Police in Chiang Mai

A red-shirt leader has surrendered to police in Chiang Mai to acknowledge a charge of instigating chaos.

Red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, along with his lawyer, turned himself in yesterday to police at the Provincial State Attorney Office of Chiang Mai Province.

Arisman met with San Pa Tong police station superintendent Police Colonel Kanit Prasarnsuk and investigators to formally acknowledge the charge against him of instigating chaos in the country.

He denied the charges before being temporarily released on a 100,000-baht bail.

Investigators from San Pa Tong police station filed a lawsuit against Arisman for inciting unrest in his speech made on stage in front of red-shirt supporters in San Pa Tong District of Chiang Mai Province during November 22 of last year.

After being released on bail, Arisman greeted a number of his supporters who gathered in front of the office to offer morale support, and said he would fight the case in court.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-05

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Signature campaign for charter change to complete Jan 20

The Nation

The campaign to solicit the signatures of 50,000 voters is expected to complete by January 20 in order to sponsor a motion on charter amendment, Pheu Thai MP Sanguan Pongmanee said on Thursday.

"The motion to amend the Constitution should be ready for legislative debate by next month," he said.

Sanguan said the gist of the motion was to pave way for the formation of the Constitution Drafting Assembly by amending the charter's Article 291 pertaining to the charter rewrite.

He said the draft to amend Article 291 was already finalised, spelling out the details of the CDA.

The CDA should comprise 101 elected charter writers. The deadline to complete the rewrite is 240 days. The 77 CDA seats will be allocated to each province and the remaining 24 seats will include leading figures from the academic circle.

The referendum vote will be organised following the completion of the charter draft.

-- The Nation 2012-01-05

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Pheu Thai Party Denies Flood Relief Boat Scams

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....ief-boat-scams/

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BOI Fair showcases Thailand’s high technology, innovations

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Abhisit prodding FROC to solve southern flood

The Nation

The Flood Relief Operations Centre should take a more active role in the flood-hit areas in the South, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday.

"The government is misdirecting its efforts to publicise about the disbursement of recovery payments rather than solving the seasonal floods in the South," he said.

Abhisit said he would today visit Chumphon to assess the flood-related damage. He plans on Saturday to inspect the flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

He said the South faced a different set of flood-related problems each year, calling for the authorities to brainstorm in order to map out a sustainable solution for each locality.

-- The Nation 2012-01-05

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Civic Group Rallies against World Court's Order

A civic group in the Northeast has rallied to voice its opposition against the withdrawal of Thai troops from the Preah Vihear border, as it could threathen Thailand's sovereignty.

Core leaders belonging to a civic network called Ruam Palang Pokpongphandin from five provinces in the lower part of the Northeast comprised of Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces staged a rally to express disapproval of the International Court of Justice's order on Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from the overlapping area of 17.3 square kilometers near Phrea Vihear Temple.

The group said the order could threathen Thailand in losing its sovereignty.

Thailand could also lose a 798 square-kilometer of land along the Thai-Cambodia borderline and another 27,000 square-kilometer area of land surrounding the Gulf of Thailand, which contains natural energy resources worth 5 trillion baht.

The protesters called on the armed forces to protect the country's territory and not to remove troops from Preah Vihear area according to the court's order.

The group then rallied around downtown Buri Ram to raise awareness about the protecting of the country's ownership of the Preah Vihear area before submitting a statement with the provincial army.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, about 50 protesters from the same civic network gathered outside the headquarters of the Region 2 Army to submit their petition with its chief Lieutenant General Tawathchai Samutsakhon, asking him not to withdraw troops from Preah Vihear border.

Members of the group in three other provinces carried out similar moves, asking their residents and military officers not to allow the loss of even a square inch of land over the disputed territory.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-05

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,035.94, down 0.27 points /MCOT

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Phuket resort GM 'safe' after stabbing attack

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....tabbing-attack/

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335 Deaths Result from Holiday Traffic

Officials have revealed the number of deaths which resulted from holiday traveling during the 7 Dangerous Days period.

335 deaths were reported. The number is down by 23 from last year. 3,375 people were injured.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-05

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Transport Minister Uninformed of Chatuchak Market Fire

The transport minister says he was not informed about last night's fire at Chatuchak Market. Meanwhile, he reported that the market's assets are being appraised and he affirmed that no vendors will be evicted.

Transport Minister Sukampol Suwannathat reported that the management rights of Chatuchak Market have been transferred from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to the State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, since January 2.

Sukampol added that both agencies have appointed their own commissions to appraise the value of the market's assets.

At any rate, the transport minister has affirmed that no vendor will be evicted from the market grounds.

Regarding a report that the SRT is required to generate at least 420 million baht per year from the market, Sukampol said that it is just the low-end figure estimated by an assets management firm.

However, the transport ministry has reiterated that the businesses inside the market will not be taken advantage of.

Sukampol also said that he has not been informed about the last night's fire at the market and the incident was not brought up during the previous discussion with Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke.

The transport minister also pointed out that the 3,500 buses project has already been approved by the Cabinet and the oversight committee is being formed.

He expects the project to begin sometime in February and promises to expedite it as a New Year's gift for the Thai people.

The transport minister also presided over the New Year merit-making ceremony at the Transport Ministry.

He also took the occasion to thank the officials, particularly on their performance during the flood disaster.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-05

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RT @Juarawee: CNN: A landslide in southern Philippines kills 25 ppl, leaves over 100 missing

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Prisoners arrested for bringing cellphones in Ayutthaya Prison

Prison wardens in Ayutthaya have arrested prisoners for attempting to bring cellphones into prisons.

An explosives recovery team from the Ayutthaya Provincial Police was dispatched to investigate the Ayutthaya prison after the wardens reported of suspicious objects hidden in a lent candle.

The candle was sent by an inmate's relative who claimed it was sent to pay homage to the Buddha statue in the prison.

Officers used a high-pressure gun to destroy the candle.

A total of 18 mobile phones, along with chargers, were found in a PVC tube inside the candle.

Police officers arrested 36-year-old Somsak Thongeiam, who brought the lent candle to the prison.

His pick-up truck was also seized.

During the first interrogation, Somsak confessed that the prisoners, identified as Somporn Thongeiam and Sunthorn Lamphen ordered the cellphones.

Sunthorn played a role as the coordinator and purchaser responsible in scouring around for cell phones priced around 400 to 500 baht before reselling them at an exorbitant price of 18,000 baht to clients.

Both Somporn and Soonthon pleaded guilty to all charges against them.

In the initial stage, officers charged the three prisoners for attempting to bring illegal items into the prison.

At the same time, an Angthong Prison officer took 46-year-old Boonchoo Pokkrong into custody after she hid two cellphones in fermented rice flour noodles to bring to her husband and son, who are both imprisoned.

Boonchoo insisted that she's innocent, claiming that she had nothing to do with the two phones.

Officials have lodged a complaint against her.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-05

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Rocker Organized Mini Concert After Drug Rehabilitation

After singer Sek Loso entered treatment for his drug habit, his ex-wife disclosed that his condition has improved.

Now, he organized a mini concert for doctors and nurses at the center and is writing new songs for his fans.

After singer Seksan Sukpimai, more commonly known as Sek Loso, has publicly admitted to using narcotics and admitted himself for treatment voluntarily.

He entered treatment for his drug habit at the Thanyarak Institute in Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi District.

His ex-wife, Kan Wipakorn recently posted a message on Facebook saying that Sek's condition has improved after a week of treatment.

Since Sek badly wants to return home and the doctor prohibits visitors, Kan brought an electronic piano, CDs, and a guitar to the center for Sek to use for relaxation.

She further disclosed that Sek is now writing new songs for another album for his fans during his rehabilitation.

On the other hand, Sek's manager, Pornpimon Theppichai, disclosed that Sek's condition has improved, and that Sek's life is going on normally in the center.

She went on to say that in addition to writing songs, Sek organized a mini concert, singing his songs for doctors, nurses, and other patients for their relaxation.

It's expected that Sek will need six months of treatment.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-05