Thailand Live Saturday 14 Jan 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 14 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 Friday 13 Jan 2012

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Chalerm denies threat of terror: Thailand

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Compensation for Tak Bai victims considered: Thailand

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Deposits will be protected: Thai finance minister

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DISASTER WARNING

Rough weather conditions in South

The Nation

Flash floods, landslides, mudslides predicted for southern provinces

Weather conditions in the lower Gulf of Thailand will get rough over the next few days, the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) warned yesterday.

It also warned of possible flash floods, landslides and mudslides in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat from yesterday to Monday.

"All concerned authorities need to monitor the situation closely," Wanchai Sakudomchai, director of the Southern Meteorological Centre (East Coast), said. He added that the South was facing the impact of a lowpressure ridge moving into Malaysia.

He said the waves could be up to four metres high along the southern region's east coast.

"Small fishing trawlers should not go out to sea," he warned.

Floods have already wreaked havoc in the southern provinces this year. In Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district, many locals are preparing to evacuate for the third time this month to escape possible flooding.

The level of the Sungai Kolok River was reportedly rising to dangerous levels as of press time.

In Sukhirin district, runoff from the mountains had already damaged some sections of the SukhirinNarathiwat Road, prompting local officials to put up warning boards alerting motorists about the possible dangers.

Those using the road were also advised to exercise extra caution.

Nearly 200 families have moved to a higher road in the same district to stay dry as the downpours triggered flash floods.

In Satun, several consecutive days of heavy rain left the districts of Ma Mang and Khuan Ka Long submerged. Many canals in Khuan Don district are already overflowing, inundating some areas. Provincial authorities have raised "red flags" and are encouraging residents to evacuate to higher ground.

Songkhla has also been affected, with up to 100 households along the Utapao canal in the Hat Yai district being inundated for a second time this year.

However, the flash floods that hit several communities on the outskirts of Hat Yai have now receded, while water on Kanchanawanit Road, which connects Hat Yai and Sadao districts, has been decreasing.

-- The Nation 2012-01-14

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Price of LPG to be adjusted from Monday

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation

Map Ta Phut, Rayong

The government intends to adjust the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) starting from Monday as LPG cost will gradually increase to US$614 per tonne (Bt19,500) in 2016 from the current $450 and the government won't be able to bear the burden, according to the Energy Policy and Planning Office and PTT.

Vachara Kunawatanawuti, PTT executive vice president, yesterday said PTT had hired Deloitte to do a study about the future LPG marginal cost from 2010 until 2016. According to the study, based on the global oil price of more than $100 per barrel, LPG cost in 2012 would be around $533 per tonne. The expected cost from 2013-2016 would be: $568, $580, $595, and $614, respectively. The government now has fixed the purchasing price of LPG at $333 per tonne. As a result, PTT, the LPG seller, has to shoulder the cost of LPG and face losses every year. Hence, the government has decided to float the LPG price starting from Monday.

The structural cost of LPG includes the gas price, gas transmission cost, capital expenditure and operating expenditure.

Somchai Kooyai, PTT vice president for production, planning and technical management, said 63 per cent of the total natural gas feed from the Gulf of Thailand was used as fuel in power plants, the industrial sector, and to produce natural gas for vehicle (NGV). Thirty-seven per cent is fed to all six gas-separation plants. About 35 per cent of the gas from the separation plants is used as fuel in households, the industrial sector, and in exports, whereas 65 per cent is fed to the petrochemical industry.

He said natural gas sold to the petrochemical industry fetches a higher price when compared with sales to households and the transportation sectors. That's the reason why the LPG fed to the household and transportation sectors have faced supply shortage, and the government has had to import LPG every year. The price adjustment reflecting the real cost will help Thai people use energy more cautiously, resulting in reduction of LPG imports.

Suthep Liumsirijarern, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, said the fixed LPG purchasing cost of $333 per tonne had resulted in retail price per household of Bt18.33 per kilogram, whereas the actual retail price should be Bt26.53 per kilogram. Thai households get LPG at a cheaper price compared with neighbouring countries. The LPG price in Laos is equivalent to Bt40 per kilogram, while in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia it is Bt37, Bt41, and Bt19, respectively. The sharp difference in retail LPG price has led to LPG smuggling to neighbouring countries.

"The LPG cost is made up of gas price Bt10.43 per kilogram, excise tax Bt2.17, municipal tax Bt0.22, contribution to the Oil Fund Bt0.87, marketing margin Bt3.25, and value-added tax Bt1.19. So, the end price should be Bt26.53 per kilogram. The government cannot distort the LPG price anymore," he said.

The Energy Ministry will gradually adjust the LPG price in the transportation sector, starting Monday, at the rate of Bt0.75 per kilogram per month. The LPG price by the end of this year will be around Bt27 per kilogram. The LPG price for the industrial sector will be increased by Bt12 per kilogram this year, so the price at the end of this year will be Bt30 per kilogram.

Manoon Siriwan, an energy expert, said the adjustment of LPG price was reasonable, but the Energy Ministry and PTT should inform the people about the real structural cost. This would help people understand the move and accept the need for LPG price adjustment.

-- The Nation 2012-01-14

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Supreme Patriarch wants adults to set a good example

The Nation

The Supreme Patriarch is calling on all adults to use the occasion of the National Children's Day and start setting good examples for the next generation.

"The future of children lies in the hands of older people," Somdej Phra Yanna Sangworn said yesterday.

National Children's Day is marked on the second Saturday of every year.

The Supreme Patriarch said children automatically learned from older people and adopted their behaviour.

"Children are important because they are the future of our nation. Since the future of the young is in the hands of older people, it is also the older people who are responsible for the country's future," the senior monk pointed out.

Hence, he said, adults should become good role models and learn to take care of the young, who are the assets of the human race.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her government would help inculcate the sense of duty and discipline in children.

"We will also teach them to uphold the nation, the religions and the monarchy," she said. "We will teach them to have faith in our constitutional monarchy".

Her motto for this year's Children's Day is: "Unity, Knowledge, Wisdom, Thainess and Technology Savvy".

According to a Bangkok University poll, 37 per cent of the respondents said they would be able to embrace "unity", while 24 per cent said they were confident about maintaining their "Thainess". Some 1.4 per cent of the youngsters, however, said they did not think they could embrace any of the values in this year's motto.

The survey covered 1,200 children aged between six and 14 in Bangkok and its adjacent provinces

When asked what Children's Day meant to them, 39.9 per cent said, "the motto", 24.3 per cent answered "free admission to zoo", while some 11.7 per cent others said "closeup experiences with military supplies".

The most popular profession among these children was doctor, policeman and teacher respectively. Only 1.4 per cent said they wanted to become politicians when they grew up.

Asked what was the characteristic of good people, 38.4 per cent said "honesty", while 36.2 per cent said "kindness".

Asked what they wanted from Yingluck on Children's Day, 17.9 per cent said, "iPad and tablets", while 17.8 per cent wanted smart phones.

Asked what they wanted the most from adults, the children's most common answers were "unity", "honesty" and "good examples".

-- The Nation 2012-01-14

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This time, let's not let down our children again: Thai opinion

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Thai Govt Urged Not to Reward Red-shirt MPs with Cabinet Posts

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Police in Bangkok arrest 707 people over drug charges

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Jatuporn's case takes time before reaching Constitution Court

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Parents to be held responsible

The Nation

Civil Court Secretary Narat Imsuksri explained yesterday that civil code held the parents of the 17yearold girl involved in the fatal December 2010 crash responsible.

As families of the deceased and the injured file lawsuits against the girl for Bt100 million in compensation, Narat said the codes' Article 429 stated that the patents of a minor shall be held responsible unless it was proven that the parents had done their best to supervise the minor. The case will hit the court on March 5.

The suspect, also facing the criminal charge of reckless driving causing others' deaths and injuries and using a cellphone while driving, was released on a Bt100,000 bail.

-- The Nation 2012-01-14

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Hunt on for elephant killers

The Nation

The Phetchaburi Provincial Court has issued arrest warrants for the assistant of the Kaeng Krajan National Park's chief and four villagers for hunting and killing an elephant for ivory and then burning the body.

Following the recent killing of the threeyearold elephant in Tambon Padeng, Kaeng Krajan district, Phetchburi police yesterday announced that arrest warrants had been issued for the park chief's assistant Suriyon Phothibundit, 39, and four other men. Suriyon will face the additional charge of negligence to perform his duty.

-- The Nation 2012-01-14

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Police chief dismisses Suphoth's claim

The Nation

Bangkok police chief Pol LtGeneral Winai Thongsong said yesterday that he did not believe Suphoth Sublom's testimony that only Bt5 million had been stolen from his home in December.

Following the National AntiCorruption Commission's report that the suspended permanent secretary for Transport had enriched himself through graft, Winai said he had reason to disbelieve Suphoth's claim of losing just Bt5 million and that police were gathering more evidence. He said the report on the burglary case would be completed by next week and that Suphoth would be summoned to hear charges.

Police have arrested several suspects and seized some Bt20 million in relation to the burglary case, while Winai and Pol General Panupong Singhara na Ayutthaya said they believed the robbers had got away with at least Bt100 million.

-- The Nation 2012-01-14

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Court accepts complaint over gas price hikes

The Nation

The Central Administrative Court yesterday accepted a complaint against the prime minister and the entire Cabinet over the latter's approval of increases in the prices of NGV and LPG. The complaint seeks an injunction blocking the increases, which are supposed to take effect on Monday.

An urgent hearing to consider the injunction request was set for 1pm on Monday. Senator Rossana Tositrakul, who jointly lodged the complaint, called on the government.

-- The Nation 2012-01-14

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Police reveal sketch of middle eastern man, suspect for possible terrorist attack in Thailand; security stepped up at tourist spots /MCOT

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RT @terryfrd: Sketch of the man police want for questioning in relation to alleged terrorist threat via Post Today http://yfrog.com/od5nozvj

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Children shorter than 140cm and accompanied by adults can enjoy free BTS, MRT and Airport Link rides /TANN

Thai Chamber of Commerce Univ holds graduation ceremony today and tomorrow; traffic expected to be congested /TANN

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PM Yingluck brushes aside worries over terror attack plan in Thailand

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ABAC Bangna Campus holds graduation practice today and tomorrow /TANN

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RT @RichardBarrow: Children's Day: BTS Skytrain, MRT Subway & Airport Link are free today for kids shorter than 140cms /via @news1005fm

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House Speaker hopes to finalize new Parliament construction site by Feb 14

BANGKOK, 14 January 2012 (NNT) – The House Speaker plans to call a meeting with members of the House of Representatives to discuss the new site for the construction of Parliament, hoping to draw a conclusion on the matter by mid-February.

Mr. Somsak Kiatsuranond, Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that, on Tuesday, January 17, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Charoen Chankomol, who chairs the House Committee on the evaluation of the new Parliament construction, is to submit a suggestion on whether or not the change of the construction site is necessary.

After reviewing the suggestion, Mr. Somsak plans to hold a meeting with all members of the Lower House to discuss the issue again.

The House Speaker is confident that a final conclusion will be reached before February 14.

He went on to say that delayed land expropriation could be blamed as the obstacle to the construction of a new parliament in Kiakkai, as it is expected to take at least 2 years for this process to complete before the construction can begin.

Mr. Somsak added that the alternative site, which is public property, has an advantage of its being ready for construction without a need for expropriation.

In addition, the House Speaker affirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has nothing to do with the prolonged discussion on the new Parliament construction site.

-- NNT 2012-01-14

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Public Health Ministry set to promote child development

BANGKOK, 14 January 2012 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is set to launch six major projects in a bid to improve the quality of Thai children as a present for them on the National Children’s Day this year.

According to Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri, three series of books will be given to children of three different age groups, namely the new-born, the six-month olds and the one-year-olds as part of the First Book Project. Parents are advised to read the books for their kids to promote their development.

More activities aimed at developing children’s IQ, EQ and technical skills will be promoted. Family’s participation will also be involved.

On the healthcare issue, the Public Health Ministry will launch self-assessment questionnaires to enhance the awareness of risks caused by unhealthy lifestyle, such as obesity and tooth decay among children and parents.

Teenagers will be armed with self-protection knowledge and skills to safeguard themselves against unwanted predicaments, such as pre-marital pregnancy.

As a large number of children reportedly die from drowning each year, more than 200 life-saving trainers are expected to be produced this year as part of the Ministry’s plan to enable children to save themselves from drowning.

Last but not least, all the 15,000 child development centers throughout the country will be cleared of all kinds of infectious agents that could lead to diseases like flu, hand-foot-mouth disease and bird flu.

The Public Health Ministry this year is holding Children’s Day activities both in Bangkok and the provinces. In Bangkok, the event is held at Sanam Sua Pa and Area 904 in Dusit area while provincial Public Health offices nationwide are instructed to hold similar events.

-- NNT 2012-01-14

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INN: Explosion and blaze at textile screening factory on Kanchanapisek Rd kills a child and injures 10; officials rush to put out blaze /TANN

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ABAC Poll: Most parents celebrate Children’s Day with children

BANGKOK, 14 January 2012 (NNT) - A recent survey by Assumption University has found that most parents are ready to celebrate Children’s Day with their kids and are aware of the importance of parental participation in child activities.

The poll, which covers 800 parents during January 7-9, shows that as much as 73 percent of the respondents plan to join activities with their children on Children’s Day. Nearly 32 percent of them plan to take their children out for shopping while 23 percent will bring their children to the celebration venues organized by the government. Eighteen percent of them choose to stay home cooking a family dinner.

As much as 63 percent of the respondents intend to buy gifts for their children. Sixty percent of them want to give their kids new clothes. Fifty-four percent plan to buy toys. Twenty-nine percent plan to buy study materials. Sixteen percent want to give their kids new books while ten percent choose IT equipment as a gift.

The correspondents wish to express their love for their kids more by finding more time to chat with their kids, giving them moral support and taking part in child activities.

-- NNT 2012-01-14

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National Police Chief: Police step up security at high-risk locations: embassies, Khao San road, Sukhumvit soi 22 /MCOT

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PM recommends children apply her National Children Day's motto to develop learning

BANGKOK, Jan 14 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday recommended children on the National Children's Day apply her motto for 2012 Children's Day to develop their education for the benefit of themselves, their families and the nation.

The premier's motto for the 2012 Children's Day is "Unity with Knowledge and Wisdom, Preserve Thai Identity, Mind the Technology."

To mark the National Children's Day, on the second Saturday of January, the prime minister invited children from various group and the three southernmost provinces to join her weekly TV programme "Yingluck Government Meets the People" broadcast from Radio Thailand and National Broadcasting of Thailand, to ask questions.

She said that the government has policies to develop and upgrade quality of education to equalise with international standards and prepare for the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community in 2015.

The premier said the government would go ahead with the policy to provide tablet computers to students as it would definitely benefit the pupils.

Ms Yingluck also said that there were two urgent issues to be carried out by the government: post-flood rehabilitation and economic revival. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-14

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PM opens National Children Day 2012

BANGKOK, Jan 14 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday presided over the opening ceremony of National Children's Day 2012 at the Royal Plaza and Government House, urging adults to give precedence to children, as they would eventually become the strength of the nation.

Ms Yingluck and her son Supasek Amornchat joined the activities at Royal Plaza and Government House.

The premier said that she wished everyday was children's day because adults would place great importance to children, who were the future of the nation.

She also clarified her National Children Day's motto this year, "Unity with Knowledge and Wisdom, Preserve Thai Identity, Mind the Technology" and that she wanted to see unity in the society, with knowledge acquired from training, and that knowledge was all around, not only in the classroom.

She added that the government gives equal education opportunity to all children and wanted them to bear in mind Thai values.

They should also pay attention to the information technology and utilise new technology, she said.

There was a variety of activities held for children at the Government House.

Youth representatives would have a chance to sit in the prime minister's chair and pose for pictures with the prime minister.

After the activities at the Government House, Ms Yingluck would travel to Chiang Rai to inspect the Doi Tung Development Project and attend the first cabinet retreat meeting in Chiang Mai on Sunday. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-14

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Norwegian Man Missing in Thailand/Pattaya

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