Thailand Live Monday 9 Jan 2012

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Thailand Live Monday 9 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Sunday 8 Jan 2012

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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

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Thai officials, PM Yingluck face blame of flooding

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....me-of-flooding/

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Former Thai finance minister Korn warns against 'bank robbery'

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....t-bank-robbery/

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Thai PM Yingluck: no move yet on charter panel

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....-charter-panel/

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Get ready Thailand: Asean economic community is coming in 2015

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....coming-in-2015/

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SET roadshow urges more Japanese companies to list on Thai bourse

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....on-thai-bourse/

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PM visits flood-hit South

The Nation

For the first time since her election campaign toured the South last July, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday visited heavily flooded Nop Phitam district in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

In her one-hour visit, the prime minister gave approval for three urgent projects requested by provincial authorities after making a public appearance and giving money and 1,300 bags of relief supplies to those affected. Cash was presented to owners of eight homes that were completely destroyed and 19 that were partially damaged in the flash flood last week.

The three projects are two bridges worth Bt53 million; the use of a 133-rai land plot in a forest reserve in Pak Phanang district to relocate a village from an area that is regularly flooded; and a fiscal exemption to immediately build dykes in four projects, worth Bt9.89 million.

Yingluck greeted the Nop Phitam residents in the Southern dialect, which drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. She said she would visit the South more often following her failure to do so when the flooding peaked there and in eight other provinces.

Throughout the province, 353,200 people from 118,391 households and 1,062 villages in 15 districts were affected. Forty-five fishing trawlers capsized. Yingluck landed in the province in an Army aircraft, before taking a helicopter to the district with a three-helicopter escort.

It was her first non-rally trip to the South, which is a stronghold of the Democrat Party.

-- The Nation 2012-01-09

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MRI scan for tiger in Bangkok hospital is 'first for Asia'

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....first-for-asia/

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EDITORIAL

Clarity needed on govt policy to promote cassava plantations: Thai opinion

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....s-thai-opinion/

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Eight Melbourne families alive after terrifying Phuket boating accident

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....ating-accident/

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Teach for Thailand: An alternative change agent for education

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....-for-education/

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BTS fares

The Nation

Bangkok residents from May 1 will have to pay Bt15 for BTS rides on the stretch from the station of Onnut to Baring station which has been in operation free of charge since last year.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul said fee will be collected from passengers travelling on the five stations comprising Bang Chak, Pannawithi, Udomsuk, Bangna and Baring stations which are the new extension of the BTS.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had earlier resolved to exempt fee for the route when it started operation on August 12 to January 1 and later extended the fee exemption to the end of April to help people affected from flooding.

Theerachon said the BMA and the Krungthep Thanakom Co, Ltd decided that the suitable fare for the stretch of five stations was Bt15.

The Bt5.3 km extension on Silom route from Wongwianyai to Bang Wa will be in operation on December 5 this year, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-01-09

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Thai Energy Ministry's coupon books 'will breed corruption'

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....eed-corruption/

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Conference for Thai, foreign educators this week

The Nation

An international conference will be held this week for local and foreign educators to exchange knowledge and learn how to prepare Thai students to be citizens of the world. and also.

The conference on "Roles and Experiences in Cultivating Global Citizens" will also discuss preparing Thai students for the upcoming Asean Economic Community.

It will be hosted by the Thai General Education Network, Chulalongkorn University and Higher Education Commission at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel from January 1113.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening ceremony of the event, which is aimed at celebrating His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday.

The keynote speakers are professors from the US and Singapore, who will share their knowledge and experience.

Many more experts from local and foreign universities and state and private agencies will discuss various issues of interest.

The participation fee is Bt4,500.

For more information, call 02 218 3913, contact [email protected] or visit www.genednetwork.or.th/icge2012.

-- The Nation 2012-01-09

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Construction delay: New Thai Parliament site may be moved to Saraburi

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....ed-to-saraburi/

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Man jumps from pedestrian flyover to his death on Rama II outbound express lane opposite Bangmod police station via @fm91trafficpro /TANN

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RT @BreakingNews: Malaysian court acquits opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy - AP

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Cargo Trucks/Taxis Protest NGV Price Hike

Cargo trucks and taxis from across the country and the capital are gathering to protest a natural gas price hike approved by the government. Cargo trucks have already started to gather in front of the Energy Complex on Vipavadee Rangsit Road cause heavy traffic congestion during the morning rush hour.

Taxis are gathering in front of the Government House on Phisanulok Road, closing off two lanes of traffic this morning.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-09

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AFP, Thailand investigate claims of fake rescue of children from sex slavery

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Open Letter to PM Yingluck Re: Updating Laws Affecting Foreigners from Drew Noyes

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Malaysian court acquits Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy

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Jatuporn: Thai Govt To Give Bt46 Million To Bail Jailed Red-Shirts

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....led-red-shirts/

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Some 500 taxi drivers rally outside Government House

Some 500 taxi drivers parked their vehicles around the Government House and at the Royal Plaza Monday morning to protest against the hike of NGV price.

They started parking their taxis on roads around the Government House and at the Royal Plaza at 8 am.

But the drivers did not block the road with their taxis. They only occupied two left lanes of the roads.

Some taxi drivers also carried a banner, saying "cremation of NGV".

The taxis were parked on Phitsanulok Road and their vehicles spilled over to Rajdamnone Nok Road until they reached the Makkawan Rangsan Bridge.

Their leaders also organised a make-shift rally stage in front of the Government House and they took turn to criticise the administration for raising the NGV price.

They accused the government of taking an opportunity when farmers and the poor people were suffering from flooding to raise the NGV price.

They said the price hike severely affected their income and they were disappointed in the administration.

"We are sorry to have voted for the Pheu Thai. The increase is like betraying our votes for you, Pheu Thai," a leader said.

-- The Nation 2012-01-09

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Landslide in Chumpon

CHUMPON, 9 January 2012 (NNT) - Authorities continue to help flood victims in the South. Although overall situation has improved; landslides occured in Chumpon province, damaging several houses.

A house in Chumpon province is in ruins after being hit by a landslide. Local Disater Prevention and Mitigation Department is inspecting the damage. Several landslides have hit many houses, mostly those located on hillsides. Authorities have found that areas on top of the hills have been converted into agricultural fields; the practice which increases the chances of landslides.

Meanwhile, the flooding situation in Pattani province has returned to normal after the water level in Pattani river has reduced. Provincial officials have warned resident to still keep an eye on possible flash floods in low-lying areas on river banks.

High waves, strong winds coming from the east, as well as more rain are expected during January 9-12.

-- NNT 2012-01-09

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NGV stations in west Thailand resume operation

BANGKOK 9 January 2012 (NNT) - All of the NGV stations in the western part of the country have resumed their operations on Monday after the Yetagun offshore natural gas field in Myanmar is back in operation.

The Yetagun gas field which has halted its operation for repair since December 29, 2011, forcing all the PTT’s NGV stations in the west side of the country to temporarily close down until yesterday, has resumed its full operation. The PTT has already begun handling the NGV distribution both at the stations and along the pipelines.

With the cooperation from all related parties, the Yetagun gas field closure did not affect electricity generation nor the industry sector on the Thai side. The company has been providing natural gas from the production in the East, or the Gulf of Thailand, at some stations in the West to cater to the people’s need for NGV in the west side of the country, said the PTT.

As for the NGV distribution for the whole country, the PTT expects the supply of NGV to be sufficient this year as the government has decided to increase the NGV price, which will eventually lead to fewer car owners converting their vehicles to NGV-powered ones. In the mean time, the PTT has also planned to open more NGV stations across the country in the near future, increasing from the current number of 470 to 502 stations. It will also build more pipelines in the North and Northeast at the cost of over 1 billion baht.

-- NNT 2012-01-09

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,033.42, down 2.84 points /MCOT

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PM to go ahead with debt transfer

BANGKOK, 9 January 2012 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has insisted that the draft royal decree to authorize the transfer of the Financial Institutions Development Fund's (FIDF) liabilities to the Bank of Thailand (BoT) will not affect national reserves.

According to the Premier, if the debts are not transferred soon, the government will not be able to seek loans needed for the sustainable water management projects set for next year, adding the water management project will definitely boost investors’ confidence, but will at the same time expand the ceiling of public debts; therefore, the nation needs the decree to maintain the government’s financial status so that it could ask for more loans.

Ms Yingluck has insisted that her government will not touch the national reserves.

Meanwhile, Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij expressed his concerns over the draft royal decree, as the BoT would have to produce more cash or lay its hands on the national reserves; implying the government’s intention to use the money for its unnecessary populist policies.

He added that the move would damage people’s confidence in the government’s handling of the country’s finance.

-- NNT 2012-01-09

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Residents of 5 northeastern provinces gather at Si Sa Ket border, demanding Thai troops not be withdrawn from Thai-Cambodian border /MCOT

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Buri Ram's Temporary Border Pass to Open Twice a Week

Thai and Cambodian authorities have decided to keep the Chong Sai Taku border trading market open two days a week in order to spur trade there.

The Chong Sai Taku temporary border trading market in Buri Ram's Ban Kruad District located close to Udon Meechai province in Cambodia was packed with Thai and Cambodian shoppers.

Authorities from both countries agreed to increase the number of the market's opening days to two days a week.

Most goods being sold and traded at the market are forest products, clothing, and consumer goods.

Buri Rum Governor Khanit Iemrahong said the move will help increase border trade there by 50 percent and strengthen relations between the two countries.

Chong Sai Ta Ku border pass has only been open since September last year after being closed for 5 years due to the Thai-Cambodia border conflict and drug trafficking.

Therefore, authorities are applying stringent screening measures to prevent the smuggling of drugs and other illegal items into the country.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-09