Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Jan 2012

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Provinces Face Fickle Weather

Several provinces in Thailand continue to be affected by extreme weather conditions, ranging from drought to cold weather conditions.

Chiang Mai continues face usually cold weather.

The Mae Kaning phenomenon, or frost, could be observed in various areas.

Frost is seen for the first time in 9 years in Kew Mae Pan on Doi Inthanon National Park.

The same phenomenon could be seen at the winter fruit and vegetable gardens at Doi Ang Kang in Fang District.

Om Koi District in the North is also seeing the mercury drop.

This morning, the temperature has dropped to as low as 1.1 degree Celsius.

Lumpang Province is also seeing an usually cold front. Road visibility has been rendered to less than 10 meters as the area is blanketed in thick white fog.

Motorists have been urged to turn on their headlights to prevent road accidents.

The Meteorological Department of Lumpang Province revealed that the temperature has dropped to as low as 8.2 degrees Celsius in Tern District, the lowest level in two years.

In Ang Thong Province, the water level of the Chao Phraya River has declined, drying up in parts of the river.

Locals have rushed to plant short-term crops and vegetables, such as long green beans and peanuts on the dry parts of the river.

In Kalasin, heavy fog has blanketed the entire 18 districts of the province.

Locals are expecting to face the coldest and longest cold front this year.

The Meteorological Department warned the locals to beware of possible heavy rain, fog and strong winds.

The temperature may drop to between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in Pattani Province has improved.

The water level of Pattani River has grdually declined after the rain stopped.

However, a large number of villages along the river banks remain under 50 centimeters of floodwater.

Many schools have been forced to suspend classes.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-18

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Bengal Tiger Terrorizes Betong Rubber Farmers

Rubber farmers in Betong District of Yala Province haven't been able to collect rubber for seven consecutive days because a Bengal tiger has been detected in the area. They have pleaded that officials deal with the situation before physical harm comes to themselves or their livestock.

More than 50 local officials, including the Border Police, have set up numerous wooden traps in the areas where locals have spotted the tiger or where footprints have been found.

Officials are using sheep as bait to lure the tigers into the traps.

Since the area borders neighboring Malaysia, which is experiencing a similar problem, locals are afraid more tigers will populate the dense forest and gradually move towards villages and plantations.

www.khaosod.co.th

-- Tan Network 2012-01-18

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RT @mpoppel: 25 minutes until Wikipedia Blackout

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Phuket 'Ae Inside' murder: Thai media reports police closing in on killers

Phuket Gazette

Noppadol “Pae” Praisri was under heavy guard throughout the day yesterday, when he took part in crime re-enactments at four locations in Rassada and one in Phuket Town.

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Three Vietnamese fishing boats impounded in Thai territorial waters

SONGKHLA, Jan 18 – The Thai navy impounded three Vietnamese fishing boats for intruding into Thai territorial waters on Wednesday.

After being informed by a Thai fishing boat that about ten Vietnamese fishing boats intruded into Thai territorial waters, a Royal Thai Navy patrol vessel and reconnaissance aircraft entered the area and found the Vietnamese fishing boats, east of Kra island in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Three Vietnamese boats – CM 99102 TS, CM 99207 TS, and CM 99129 TS – were impounded and 30 Vietnamese crew members were taken into custody.

Rear Admiral Somsak Wanichcharoen, Chief of Staff of Songkhla Naval Region 2 said that he ordered patrols in the area and to impound any other fishing boats found to violate Thai territorial waters. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-18

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Canada to lower threat level on Thailand

BANGKOK, 18 January 2012 (NNT) – Canadian Attaché is expected to lower the threat alert level on Thailand following discussions with Thai Defense representative.

Defense Ministry Spokesperson Col. Thanathip Sawangsaeng disclosed the result of the discussion between the Canadian Defense Attaché to Thailand and Director of the Defense Ministry’s Office of Policy and Planning Gen. Nipat Thonglek concerning the high-level threat alert issued by Canadian Foreign Affairs agency for its citizens living in Thailand.

The Canadian Defense Attaché claimed that the Canadian government made the decision to issue the terror alert following the examples of the US and Australian governments. However, he stated that the warning was according to normal security procedure and did not cause panic amongst the people.

In the wake of the terror suspect arrest, Col. Thanathip expressed hopes that the three embassies will promptly reduce the threat level on Thailand to be on par with the real situation at present in order to restore foreigner’s confidence on Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-01-18

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December Industrial Confidence Index rises to 93.7 from 87.5 in November as country’s flood crisis eases, returns to normal: Federation of Thai Industries /MCOT

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RT @mpoppel: Wikipedia blackout has begun, will last 24 hours: http://tinyurl.com/2unsh

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Flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport Unaffected by Terrorist Threat Reports

The director of Suvarnabhumi Airport says the number of flights and tourist arrivals to Thailand have been unaffected by reports of terrorist threats. Meanwhile, the airport has raised its security level to 3.

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Narathiwat's Su-ngai Kolok Provincial Council member shot dead inside his pickup; Police believe murder due to political conflict /MCOT

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Senators Slam Appointment of Red Shirt Leader to Cabinet

Several senators have condemned the appointment of Natthawut Saikuer, a red-shirt leader, as the deputy agriculture minister.

They also fear the replacement of the defense minister could lead to another coup.

Senator Wanchai Sornsiri has commented on the recent Cabinet reshuffle in which Natthawut Saikuer, a red-shirt leader, has been appointed as the deputy agriculture minister.

Wanchai said it's inappropriate to submit the name of a terrorist suspect for royal endorsement, even though he has not been convicted by the court of law.

Meanwhile, Senator Somchai Sawangkarn said the government is being inconsiderate about people's feelings by appointing a red-shirt member as a deputy minister.

He warned that this may create a bad precedent in which mob leaders are rewarded with Cabinet posts without thinking about the benefit of 64 million Thais, and may bring more social problems.

Regarding the replacement of Defense Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa with Sukampol Suwannathat, Somchai believes it's the government's intention to install someone with a strong personality to assert its influence on the military.

He warned that it may create discontent within the armed forces and lead to another coup.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-18

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Rangsit Residents Block Road in Protest of Gov't Flood Aid

Residents of the Prueksa 2 Housing Development have gathered in protest of the government's lack of flood aid. They have just closed down the Rangsit-Klong 8 Road in an attempt to pressure the government into paying the five thousand baht in flood relief. Commuters are advised to avoid the area.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-18

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SET fluctuated in morning trade to close the Wed midday break up by 0.46 point at 1,057 with value of Bt12.07 bn /TANN

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C7 customs official caught on tape assaulting airport security official postpones meeting police by 1 week on excuse of being ill/TAN_Network

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INN: Met police say terrorist suspect claims he's entered Thailand 11 times,is planning to purchase Bt6 mn building to store explosives/TANN

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House speaker undecided whether to relocate Parliament construction site

The Nation

House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont on Wednesday said he had not formed a decision on whether to relocate the construction site for a new Parliament complex from Bangkok's Kiak Kai area.

"I have not had a chance to read the Charoen Chankomol report," he said.

In his capacity as construction overseer, Deputy House Speaker Charoen recommended for the relocation to either a plot in Nonthaburi or another plot in Saraburi. He cited several construction hurdles, including the delay on land appropriation, to justify the move.

Somsak said he would need a "special reason" before abandoning the Kiat Kai site.

Should the relocation be deemed necessary, he will allow the isse for debate and vote by the House instead of making his own decision, he said.

He said at this junture, there was still time to clear the present plot for construction which could commence as late as the year's end in order to meet the deadline.

He still voiced optimism that the land appropriation would not be delayed for about two years as feared.

-- The Nation 2012-01-18

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Appeals Court uphold 37-year term against convicted Dutch child attacker

The Appeals Court Wednesday upheld 37-year jail term against a Dutch convicted in molesting a 12-year-old boy in 2007.

The Appeals Court upheld the guilty verdict against Willem Gerard Knoppien, 54.

Earlier, the Criminal Court found Knoppien guilty of luring the boy to be molested in his rented house in Prachuap Khiri Khna in March 2007.

The court also found his accomplice, Thanes Bualuang, 35, guilty of soliciting the boy for Knoppien and sentenced the Thai man to 26 years and eight months in jaill.

Knoppien appealed against the guilty verdict but the Appeals Court upheld the guilty verdict on ground that the boy should not lie so the court believes the boy's testimony against the Dutch man.

The court also reasoned that Thanes had admitted soliciting the boy for Knoppien.

-- The Nation 2012-01-18

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Deputy Police Chief Pansiri denies police set up discovery of bomb ingredients at Samut Sakhon; Suspect entered Thailand 11 times/MCOT

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Sakda gets the job after meeting Thaksin

Incoming Deputy Education Minister Sakda Kongpet on Wednesday said he knew he would get to join the Cabinet after meeting with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong befrore the New Year holiday.

"I flew to meet Thaksin and subsequently knew about getting my appointment in advance," he said.

Sakda, also Pheu Thai MP from Roi Et, said Thaksin had told him that Cabinet members and MPs should work in a more effective manner.

He said he was ready to start his new job, pledging to show results.

-- The Nation 2012-01-18

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Police refuse bail for Lebanese terrorist suspect

BANGKOK, 18 January 2012 (NNT) - Police have detained the Swedish-Lebanese terrorist suspect in prison and refuse to give bail for fear that the suspect might escape to other countries.

The police charged Atris Hussein for the possession of ammonia nitrate without permission; the charge carries a maximum jail term of five years and/or a 50,000 baht fine. At the initial stage he will be detained in Bangkok for 12 days until January 28.

The police refuse to grant him bail to prevent him from escaping or changing the evidence, while the case is still under investigation.

Atris Hussein has a suspected link with the Hezbollah terrorist organization. His arrest came after the US Embassy had issued a warning of terror threat in Bangkok.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Winai Thongsong said the suspect used Thailand as a base to store and distribute bomb-making materials to third countries. He says Mr Hussein did not intend to make an attack in Thailand, citing the Transport Company has received an order from the suspect to send the materials abroad.

-- NNT 2012-01-18

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Tensions Resurface at Phu Makhua over Thai-Cambodia Border Dispute

Tourists and vendors were warned to evacuate from the Mor E-Daeng cliff after Thai and Cambodian troops faced off in the Phu Makhua mountain on January 16.

Although the situation has eased, the atmosphere at the disputed 4.6 square kilometer area around Preah Vihear Temple remains quiet.

Thai and Cambodian troops faced off in Phu Makhua mountain on January16.

Cambodia alleged that Thailand has encroached some areas of the mountain and that Thailand has built a Buddha statue at the western area of Preah Vihear Temple in Palanyao area.

However, military representatives from both countries have negotiated and resolved the matter.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Preah Vihear National Park in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak District is quiet, as there were only few villagers passing the entrance to do their farming.

Villagers said they have no fear to enter the areas nearby Preah Vihear Temple since it is not close to Thai-Cambodian border, where Thai and Cambodian troops are settled.

At the area of Mor-E Daeng cliff, all shops are closed but army personnel still remain to strictly secure the area.

Reports indicate that the cause of the dispute was that the Thais refused to comply with the Cambodians' request to remove the Buddha statue in the Palanyao area.

The Thais said the Buddha statue was built to boost morale for the soldiers who are monitoring the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area around Preah Vihear Temple.

This caused great dissatissfaction to the Cambodians, who claimed that the area where the Buddha statue was built belonged to them.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-18

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Yala heightens security measures during Chinese New Year

BANGKOK, 18 January 2012 (NNT) - Security forces in southern Yala are stepping up all measures to prevent any undesirable situations during the upcoming Chinese New Year festival.

Yala Provincial Police Chief, Police Major General Peera Boonliang, on Tuesday, urged all police officers in the province, particularly in the Yala municipal area, to prompt themselves for any possible violent situation during the week ahead.

Police Major General Peera said undesirable incidents can occur in any form and security officers should always be on alert.

He has also instructed round-the-clock checkpoints to be set up around the central district of Yala and authorized search at any suspicious and likely-targeted house or building ahead of the Chinese New Year festival, which is about to start in a few days.

In addition, the Yala Provincial Police Chief reiterated with the residents of this strife-torn province that stepped-up security is intended to assure the safety of all in violence-prone areas. He added that security protection is upgraded not only during the approaching festival or on special occasions.

Police Major General Peera said the police, with intense collaboration with all related security agencies, have been keeping a close eye on the situation, at all time.

-- NNT 2012-01-18

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16 Year Old Student Dies from Mysterious Gunshot Wound

Emergency rescue personnel found the body of 16-year old Fah (pseudonym) lying in front of a two storey town house in the Bang Bua Thong area of Nonthaburi Province. She had died of a single bullet wound to her right temple. Initial investigation revealed that Fah and six other friends gathered at the house to work on a school project. However, after arriving at the town house, Fah and her boyfriend went upstairs to the second floor. After sometime, their friends said they heard a single gunshot.

They rushed upstairs and found that Fah had been shot in the head. They carried her downstairs in an attempt to bring her to the hospital, but she died as they reached the front of the house.

Fah's boyfriend 16 year old boyfriend Rung (pseudonym) told authorities that the gun he brought to the house was borrowed from a friend. He claims that Fah was toying around with the gun when it accidentally shot off a round, hitting Fah in the temple.

Police have asked all of the six teenagers involved to give their statements at the police station and have conducted tests to search for gunpowder residue on all of the students involved in the incident.

www.dailynews.co.th

-- Tan Network 2012-01-18

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FDA Warns of 5 Dangerous Substances Often Found in Chinese New Year Delicacies

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Provocative School Girl Clip Becomes Viral: Thailand

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Thai Govt Seeks Release Of 57 Red-Shirt Detainees

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Democrat leader calls for clarification on criteria of political prisoners

BANGKOK, 18 January 2011 (NNT) – Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is calling for a clarification from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) regarding criteria for persons to be called political prisoners. He also shows concerns over Thailand’s image in connection with foreign embassies’ alert for terror attacks in the country.

Mr. Abhisit, the Democrat Leader, expressed his doubts over which inmates should be qualified as political prisoners under the TRC criteria, saying the TRC must see to it that no ‘double standard’ is allowed as the case would jeopardize their work.

The Democrat Leader indicated that a prisoner who has been arrested for shooting at Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha), is in a group of political prisoners being transferred to the new remand prison in Lak Si district. Mr. Abhisit demanded a TRC clarification on the issue if it did not want to be accused of employing double-standard treatment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit is urging the Prime Minister and the National Security Council to quickly respond to the U.S. embassy’s terror attack alert, which has not yet been lifted, on fears that it could hurt the tourism industry in the country.

-- NNT 2012-01-18

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Thailand as best sailing venue: Survey

The Nation

Thailand was voted the favourite sailing venue and best regatta location in Asia thanks to the best sailing grounds, good weather conditions and beautiful scenery.

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Toyota Affirms Confidence in Thailand as Manufacturing Base

Toyota has affirmed that it will not relocate its manufacturing plants from Thailand.

At the same time, the giant automaker announced that it will invest an additional eight billion baht for the construction of a new factory in Chachoengsao Province which will create 1,500 new jobs.

President of Toyota Thailand Kyoichi Tanada indicated that last year, Toyota faced some of the most serious natural disasters in the firm's history, with both the earthquake and tsunami disasters in Japan and the major flooding in Thailand.

As a result, total sales have dropped 11 percent, to 290,061 vehicles.

Passenger car sales fell 2.6 percent, commercial vehicles 17.5 percent and one-ton pickup trucks 18.1 percent.

The company exported 250,823 vehicles, a 25 percent decrease from last year, with a total value of over 107 billion baht.

However, with domestic demand, along with the government's support for the auto industry, it is likely that car sales this year will surpass the one million mark and hit 1.1 million for the first time in Thailand's history.

Based on this figure, Toyota is hoping to sell 450,000 vehicles of which 214,000 will be passenger cars and 236,000 commercial vehicles.

Moreover, the giant automaker is planning to invest an additional eight billion baht this year for the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Chachoengsao Province.

The new plant is expected to start production in July next year and create about 1,500 jobs.

This clearly demonstrates the company's commitment to Thailand.

Toyata also has production bases in Indonesia and India. The company has expressed confidence in the government's flood prevention projects.

Meanwhile, Vice President of Toyota Thailand Ninnart Chaithirapinyo has indicated that the Thai auto industry is fully prepared for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Ninnart pointed out that since Thailand has the highest production capacity in the region, with a large number of parts suppliers, the industry will not be affected by market liberalization.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-18

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SET index closed at 1051.64, down 4.90; Bt/USD31.65; GBP48.52; AUD32.76; EUR40.35; CAD31.04; HKD4.07; SGD24.59; JPY41.05