Thailand Live Thursday 12 Jan 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 12 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 Wednesday 11 Jan 2012

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Thai official faces action over Survanbhumi airport assault

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Thai govt compensation offer fails to assuage rivals

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UN expert studying Thai freedom of speech, lese majeste law

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

A senior United Nations expert is on a private visit to Bangkok to discuss and monitor freedom of expression in the Kingdom, especially the controversial lese-majeste law.

Frank La Rue, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, issued a statement last year expressing concern about Thailand's lese-majeste law.

He hopes he will be officially invited back later this year to examine the law and issues of expression.

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental element of any democratic society," La Rue said, urging Thai authorities to do what they can to promote it.

La Rue met yesterday with members of the House of Representatives' Committee on Human Rights and the Senate Committee on Human Rights, as well as with National Human Rights Commissioner Nirand Pitakwatchara. He told a group of reporters on Tuesday evening that liberation movements around the world, the Arab Spring for example, were a consequence of freedom of expression.

Asked how Thailand compared with other nations, La Rue answered cautiously: "I never compare nations," he said, adding that it would be only valid to judge each nation against itself.

He said he would not be commenting specifically on Thailand during this trip but hoped he could later come to the Kingdom to officially carry out his task of studying the Thai situation.

La Rue defended himself from critics - who said the issue of lese-majeste law was an internal affair that should be left to Thailand to sort out - by reminding them that Thailand is a member of the United Nations. "This is not intervention, because human rights is an international issue and a commitment [by all UN member states]."

La Rue urged Thai authorities and the public to also recognise: "The exercise of freedom and liberty begins with freedom of expression."

His visit comes prior to the Nitirat group of law lecturers launching a public campaign to amend the lese-majeste law this Sunday at Thammasat University.

Another amendment proposed by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand was also put forward recently, although all political parties have since said they will not touch the lese-majeste law.

-- The Nation 2012-01-12

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LESE MAJESTE LAW

Elites call for amendments

The Nation

Eight Royal descendants have written to PM Yingluck Shinawatra seeking amendments to the lese majeste law.

The move comes amid growing calls for changes to Article 112 of the Penal Code regarding lese majeste.

The letter, dated January 6, noted that the number of lese majeste cases increased from zero in 2002 to 165 in 2009, despite His Majesty's call in December 2005 for an amendment to the law, as it was the monarch who would be criticised when violators were punished. "In fact, the King has never said he wants [violators] to go to jail," His Majesty was quoted as saying. The group said past governments have failed to realise the King's wish.

The letter is signed by Sumet Jumsai na Ayudhya, MR Saisavat Svasti, Saising Siribut, Narisra Chakrabhong, Worapoj Snidvong na Ayutthaya, General Krit Kridakorn, MR Pavari Suchiva (Rachani) and MR Opas Kanchanavichai.

-- The Nation 2012-01-12

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FIDF decrees expected to benefit state lenders

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Residents challenge dams, flood master plan

The Nation

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Thailand film festivals

Thailand plays host to no fewer than five film fests over the next two weeks

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Yingluck honours the young

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presented plaques to hundreds of outstanding youngsters from across the country at Government House yesterday in order to mark the upcoming Children's Day.

Thailand celebrates Children's Day on the second Saturday of January.

Of the 720 plaques handed out, 491 were for outstanding academic performance, while the remaining 229 were given to those who had won a good name for the country by winning contests overseas.

Yingluck said good education would help move the country forward, and urged young people to be careful with technology because it had its pros and cons. She also urged them to understand and practice what they learn and said everyone should be proud of Thai culture and uniqueness and should help conserve it.

She added that the next generation was capable of leading the country to prosperity.

The event also included an exhibition of gifts given to Yingluck prior to the plaque presentation ceremony.

-- The Nation 2012-01-12

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EDITORIAL

Public has had enough of Thai govt's false promises

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Hopefully this wasn't staged for television: Thai talk

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TELL IT AS IT IS

Is Thailand going blindly down the same path as Greece?

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Nurses nabbed for playing doctor

The Nation

A team of police and officials from Department of Health Service Support raided a clinic in Pathum Thani's Klong Luang district and arrested Thanisorn Saengsing, 53, a nurse who diagnosed and medicated patients at the clinic.

Though no physician was found on the premises, police did find a medical certificate signed by Dr Jakrawut Saensueb. Police will investigate to see if he had signed the certificate for the clinic's use or if his signature had been forged.

Meanwhile, nurse Phannee Nookaeo, 43, was also arrested for treating patients with over-the-counter drugs at another clinic in the same district.

-- The Nation 2012-01-12

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Khanchit to face murder charges

The Nation

A written request for Democrat MP Khanchit Thabsuwan to face indictment is complete and will be submitted to Parliament by tomorrow, Royal Thai Police spokesman Pol Maj-General Piya Uthayo said yesterday.

In addition to being indicted for the premeditated murder of local politician Udorn Kraiwatnusorn in Samut Sakhon last month, Khanchit might face additional charges after he undergoes examination in relation to new DNA-related evidence that has been found.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said an open letter would be sent to Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva asking him to order Khanchit to cooperate with police and the Parliament's directive telling him to surrender. He said police would still want to examine a handgun owned by Khanchit and his vehicle, both of which he has not handed over to police.

National police chief Pol General Priewpan Damapong said the Khanchit should be handed over to police instead of allowing his parliamentary immunity to protect him.

-- The Nation 2012-01-12

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Avoid children's day snack binge: Thai Health Dept

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CSD launches hunt for call-centre scamsters

The Nation

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has set up a team to hunt down a gang of call-centre con artists, after a former state official lost nearly Bt30 million.

The CSD team will collaborate with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to search for information about the gang.

CSD will first meet representatives of the banks that had taken care of her accounts to find owners of the accounts she has transferred the money to. The former state official has transferred money to around 80 accounts, which police believe belonged to the gang.

-- The Nation 2012-01-12

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Democrats question

The Nation

The opposition Democrat Party is planning to petition the Constitution Court to rule on the constitutionality of an executive decree requiring the central bank to repay the Bt1.14-trillion debt incurred after the 1997 financial crisis.

The decision was made at a meeting of the party's "shadow Cabinet" yesterday, the shadow Cabinet's spokesman, MP Atavit Suwannapakdee, said.

He added that the Democrat's legal expert MP Wirat Kalayasiri would study the matter and file a petition with the court in two weeks to provide a constitutional interpretation regarding the matter. Wirat said yesterday that he would wait to see the actual text of the decrees before writing the petition.

The spokesman said the shadow Cabinet had resolved to back the government's plan to raise funds for flood-prevention projects by issuing bonds, but that it would look into the details to see if the projects are appropriate. If not, the opposition party would seek a Constitution Court ruling.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet passed four executive decrees to address public debt and borrow huge amounts to finance post-flood reconstruction projects. It approved an executive decree requiring the Bank of Thailand to pay both the principal and interest of the Bt1.14-trillion debt incurred by the Financial Institutions Development Fund to rescue financial institutions.

-- The Nation 2012-01-12

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Don't rush decision on moving: New Thai Parliament complex

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Good public relations is not enough: Burning issue

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Doctor claims MPs, officials plan to sink health scheme: Thailand

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'Doomsday Clock' moves closer to midnight

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Japan hopes Thailand will speedily complete flood prevention system

BANGKOK, 12 January 2012 (NNT) – Japan is hoping Thailand will quickly complete the flood prevention system, while expressing confidence that Japanese investment will remain in the country in spite of last year's severe flood crisis.

Mr. Yukio Edano, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said that both Japanese state and private sectors are still confident in Thailand and will continue to keep investment here.

However, Mr. Edano conceded that Japan will be keeping a close watch on this country's flood prevention system that is yet to be completed and on the upcoming measures to help flood-hit businesses.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has thanked Japan for its assistance given to Thai flood victims.

She has assured the visiting Japanese minister that with strong economic fundamentals and help it has received, Thailand will be recovering at an impressive pace, with a growth target of 4-5% in 2012.

The prime minister also stated that the government has planned a 1.2-million-dollar budget to help the private sector, including Japanese investors, that has been affected by the 2011 flood crisis.

In addition, PM Yingluck has affirmed that the restoration of damaged infrastructure will be completed within 6 months while a 120-billion-baht budget is also planned for the improvement of dykes and levees that will prevent industries and business operators from future flooding.

She has pledged that the Thai government is ready to do all it can to restore confidence in Japanese and all foreign investors.

-- NNT 2012-01-12

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Former Thai Student in Australia Fights Extradition

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Pheu Thai Hasn't Discussed about Cabinet Reshuffle

The Interior Minister insists that his group has yet to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle, given that the decision is based solely on the prime minister.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said members at the party's meeting today did not discuss the Cabinet reshuffle.

He said the matter is merely a rumor.

Yongyuth then remarked that he is not in a position to comment on which ministers should be removed from the Cabinet or when to reshuffle, as the decision rests with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The minister said the premier has assigned him to arrange a place for the mobile Cabinet meeting in the South, and he has not decided which province will be selected to host the event.

He said the third mobile Cabinet meeting will be held in a southern province after Chiang Mai in this month and Udon Thani in February.

The minister then said he believes the progress of the government's narcotics crackdown will be clearly seen in this year.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-12

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,053.80, up 2.17 points /MCOT

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Plea for "O" Blood For Hydrocephalic "Boy Game"

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....halic-boy-game/

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Thais Grab Up Auspiciously Named Trees to Bring in Chinese New Year

The New Year just started and the Chinese New Year will soon be upon us. According to the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the year of the dragon and to bring in the New Year, many Thais of Chinese decent are heading out to their local greeneries to pick up some auspicious trees to plant in their homes to bring joy and good luck.

At the Or Thor Gor, or Farmers Market, in Bangkok, greeneries are boasting of increased sales of up to 20 to 30 percent. They say it’s not just because of the New Year, but a lot of customers are replacing gardens destroyed during last year’s flood. But one thing is for sure, they picking trees and plants with auspicious names to bring them good luck.

Trees with auspicious names include (direct translation from Thai) “Riches Plant”, “House Full of Gold”, “Gold and Silver Lining”, “Bearer of Good Luck”, and “Wilson Millionaire”.

Orange trees are also one of this year’s favorites because they bear orange colored fruit which resemble small bags of gold. They are an annual favorite during the Chinese New Year. Prices range from 250 to 5,500 baht depending on the size of the tree.

The “Wilson Millionaire” tree is so popular this year that supply is not meeting demand. More than 30 customers a day come in asking for them. They run around 150 baht.

Plants sold in many Farmers Market stores come directly from Pracheenburi and Nakorn Nayok provinces. Store owners drive their once a week to replenish their supplies.

The number one selling tree this year is the “Prestige Tree”, which is believed to bring power and influence to its owner. They are selling at around 300 baht.

Feng Sui also dictates that large standing trees are to be planted to the left of a house while smaller, less stable plants are moved to the right.

Translated from www.matichon.co.th

-- Tan Network 2012-01-12

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Eastern double-track railroad linking Chachoengsao w Laem Chabang opens; expected to facilitate logistics system to Laem Chabang port /MCOT

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Democrat MP Kanchit, a suspect in the murder of Samut Sakhon PAO chief, says he won't turn in his car & gun to the police as requested /TANN