Thailand Live Sunday 8 Jan 2012

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29 provinces affected by cold spell

Twenty-nine provinces have been affected by the cold spell, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department announced Sunday.

The cold spell affected 29,611 villages in the 29 provinces, including Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Phetchabun, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Patom and Kamphaeng Phet.

The department said six provinces - five in the South and Nakhon Pathom, are still being affected by floods.

-- The Nation 2011-01-08

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Japanese Trade Minister to visit Thailand-Myanmar next week

BANGKOK, 8 January 2012 (NNT) – Japan's Trade Minister is scheduled to visit Thailand next week, with plans to get the latest information on flood-ravaged businesses and industrial estates in the country.

NHK news service has reported that Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Yukio Dean, is expected to make an official visit to Thailand some time next week.

During his upcoming visit to Thailand, Mr. Dean is said to have planned a meeting with a Thai Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the rehabilitation process for Japanese companies, which have been affected by last year's severe flooding.

The reports said he will also travel to flood-hit industrial estates to get updates on their recovery operation and general situation.

Along with a trip to Thailand, the Japanese Trade Minister is scheduled to visit Myanmar where he will hold meetings with a number of senior ministers in the capital city of Naypyidaw to discuss Japan's support for Myanmar's economy and industrial development plan as well as an investment into the natural gas sector.

In addition, Mr. Dean is reportedly planning to meet with Myanmar's democratic champion, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit.

-- NNT 2012-01-08

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ABAC poll: 5,000 baht compensation for flood-hit residents is insufficient

BANGKOK, 8 January 2012 (NNT) – Flood affected people are not satisfied with the THB 5,000 flood recovery compensation, according to the latest survey from ABAC Poll.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524660-over-half-of-flood-victims-say-govt-should-help-pay-more-than-bt5000/page__view__findpost__p__4963666

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Dusit Poll: respondents feel Gen Prem is epitome of honesty while politicians are viewed as least honest​/TAN_Network

Bangyai, Nonthaburi residents close off Kanchanapisek Rd to demand speedy Bt5,000 flood compensation, police conducting negotiations/TAN_Network

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Samut Sakhon police to ask Parliament to hand over Democrat MP Kanchit for prosecution in Samut Sakhon PAO murder tomorrow/TAN_Network

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Opposition leader Abhisit asks govt to provide flood relief for South without bias,expresses concern about debt incurred from water projects/TAN_Network

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PM visits flood-hit southern province

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Jan 8 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday visited flood victims in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The prime minister arrived at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport at 12.30 am and travelled by car to a child development centre to give compensation money and relief supplies to flood victims. She is due to return to Bangkok at 4 pm on Sunday.

Pol Janchum, chairman of Krungching sub-district Administrative Organisation in Nipphitam district--one of the hardest-hit in Nakhon Si Thammarat--said that the province would seek a budget from the Prime Minister to fix bridges and roads damaged by flash flooding.

The local authority has also planned to build a new road connecting Nakhon Si Thammarat with the neighboring province of Surat Thani.

The road construction project was initiated in 1995 but was then suspended.

The new road will be the main transportation route for farm products and it is hoped will help boost tourism in Nopphitam district.

The southern floods since December 31, 2011 has affected ten provinces including Nakhon Si Thammrat, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Trang and Ranong, according the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

One flood-related death was reported in Yala. Flood has eased in five provinces and rehabilitation work has started in Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, Ranong and Trang. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-08

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Over half of flood victims say govt should help pay more than Bt5,000

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524660-over-half-of-flood-victims-say-govt-should-help-pay-more-than-bt5000/page__view__findpost__p__4963659

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TRADE

Thai-Peruvian FTA takes effect

The Nation

The Early Harvest programme under the free trade agreement between Thailand and Peru took effect on Dec 31, 2011, covering 70 per cent of goods traded between the two countries.

According to the Trade Negotiations Department, under the scheme, tariffs on 50 per cent of all goods are zero per cent. Tariffs on 20 per cent of the goods would be zero within Jan 1, 2016.

Thailand will enjoy zero tariffs for a number of 3,985 items, against 3,844 items for Peru. Among Thai goods enjoying the zero tariffs include automobile, components and parts of which US$163 million value accounts for over 70 per cent of exports to Peru. Others are washing machine and rubber products.

Zero tariffs are also applied to the imports of ores, fish oil and frozen seafood.

The department expects bilateral trade to expand from US$589 million, registered in the first 11 months of 2011, due to the FTA implementation. It also hopes that this would raise awareness among Thai companies to use Peru as gateway to the South America. Peru has so far struck FTAs with a number of countries like the US, Mexico, Canada, European Union, Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

-- The Nation 2012-01-08

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Phuket Opinion: Thailand's lethal roads are not a secret

Phuket Gazette –

The realities of Phuket's roads are highly visible and well known to all who live here, but the mayhem never stops.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524664-phuket-opinion-thailands-lethal-roads-are-not-a-secret/page__view__findpost__p__4963738

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'Wrong place, wrong time': Phuket axe victim's parents say

Phuket Gazette –

Srivara Issara addresses the press at Bangkok Hospital Phuket yesterday as her husband and doctors look on.

An image showing the back of Mr Vorasit's head, which was struck five times with a sharp object during the attack in a Phuket Town pub early Wednesday.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524669-wrong-place-wrong-time-phuket-axe-victims-parents-say/page__view__findpost__p__4963829

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BMA to speed up finalizing flood prevention plans

BANGKOK, 8 January 2012 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will hold a meeting with the government to conclude flood prevention plans within this month so that their construction will be expedited before this year’s rainy season.

Mr. Jumpol Sampaopol (จุมพล สำเภาพล), deputy city clerk of the BMA revealed that the plans take into account four main aspects including measures to deal with high tides, increased amount of precipitation, excess runoff water from the North, and a tendency of surface subsidence in the capital. He added that the government and the BMA must work together on developing the city plan for central provinces along the Chao Phraya River.

Based on the recent flood damage estimates reported by the department of drainage and sewerage, Mr. Jumpol said drainage canal cleaning and improvement of irrigation and pump station infrastructures should be done primarily.

-- NNT 2012-01-08

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RT@Biz_TheNation: All NGV stations to resume normal operations on Jan 9 as Yetagun gas field in Burma is back online.

RT@Biz_TheNation:From Thai Rath, central bank bars officials from taking executive titles at banks, in less than 1 yr after resignation from BOT.

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Protesters disperse from closing off Kanchadapisek outbound lanes but threaten to do so again tomorrow if demands not met/TAN_Network

PM addresses southerners in southern dialect to convey her concern about flooding there and promises to speed up compensation/TAN_Network

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Abhisit disagrees with charter amendment draft panel idea

BANGKOK, 8 January 2012 (NNT) – Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has expressed his disagreement over an idea to establish a 30-member charter amendment draft panel proposed by Professor Dr. Ukrit Mongkolnavin, Chairman of the Independent National Rule of Law Commission.

The Democrat party leader opposed the idea since it was not based on the government’s policy previously declared to set up the Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA). He urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinnawatra to provide clear details to the public on what Articles to be amended and how. He also asked for the government’s reconciliation effort by confirming that the Criminal Code in Article 112 would not be revised.

The Chairman of the Independent National Rule of Law Commission has earlier voiced his opposition to the creating of the CDA, reasoning that members representing the assembly lack knowledge on the matter and could be biased or influenced by some groups.

-- NNT 2012-01-08

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Phuket Football: Saved by Muang Thong Utd!

Phuket Gazette –

From left: FC Phuket President Narubas ('Ko Lek') Aryupong; Consultant Paitoon ('Ko Men') Chutimakornkul; and Director Soranan Sanae at Surakul Stadium last night. Photo: Pimwara Choksakulpan.

Play in last's night's match at Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town. Photo: Apinun Saitong.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524703-phuket-football-saved-by-muang-thong-utd/page__view__findpost__p__4964139

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Myanmar's Suu Kyi could get govt role: official

YANGON, January 8, 2012 (AFP) - Myanmar democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi could be given a job in a nominally-civilian government if she is elected to parliament in April by-elections, a presidential adviser said on Sunday.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524707-myanmars-suu-kyi-could-get-govt-role-official/page__view__findpost__p__4964221

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Yingluck needs more time to study Ukrit's proposal

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Sunday that her government has yet to study a proposal of an independent panel for an establishment of a 34member panel for making changes to the Constitution.

She said her government would have to give priority to tackle economic crisis than charter amendments and she indicated that her government's stand is to set up a constitution drafting assembly, not a charterdrafting panel.

The independent National Rule of Law Commission (NRLC), led by Ukrit Mongkolnavin, has issued a statement suggesting that the government the 34member panel to amend the charter without the need to set up a constitution drafting assembly.

-- The Nation 2012-01-08

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Phuket Red Cross raffle winning numbers announced

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha (left) and other officials after the draw of the grand-prize-winning number: 38352. Photo: Warisa Temram.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524713-phuket-red-cross-raffle-winning-numbers-announced/page__view__findpost__p__4964308

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RT@veen_NT: MCOT: Transport entrepreneurs to protest @PTT HQ, Royal Plaza on Mon against cabinet resolution to raise price of NGV by Bt6/kg in 1yr

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Site for new Parliament may change to Saraburi

The new Parliament building may be relocated from Kiakkai Intersection in Bangkok to Saraburi after a delay in its construction, Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomol said Sunday.

Charoen told Nation TV that building of the new Parliament complex has been set back due to several obstacles.

Charoen said it was possible the House committee in charge of the construction would consider relocating the new Parliament during its meeting Monday - after a briefing on all the problems.

Charoen said he would propose the House committee select another location in Saraburi where a new highspeed train would be built so parliamentarians could travel easily and quickly to the new Parliament.

-- The Nation 2012-01-08

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to continue:

Thailand Live Monday 9 Jan 2012

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