Thailand Live Friday 20 Jan 2012

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Military camaraderie will prevail: Prayuth

The Nation

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday said he was confident that the military camaradie would smoothen the ties between the armed forces and new Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat.

"Sukumpol was a pre-cadet upperclassman, hence he and I could talk in a brotherly manner and will not hurt one another," he said.

Prayuth ruled out fear for a conflict over the mid-year military reshuffle which might trigger a military coup in April.

"Soldiers have one sole duty to heed the command of their superiors," he said.

He was reacting to speculation that Sukumpol might exert his influence over the military rotations.

Commenting on the Cabinet reshuffle, he said the government had the mandate to name the defence minister without having to consult the armed forces.

He said the outgoing minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha told him that his promotion to the position of deputy prime minister was a change for the better.

"Yuthasak will oversee security affairs, including the Defence Ministry," he said.

Sukumpol tried, meanwhile, to allay anxiety that his appointment might stir up tensions between the government and the military.

"I am not a hawk as seen by the media but a reasonable man," he said.

He dismiss speculation that he would amend the Defence Minister Administration Act in regard to military appointments, saying he would not take a stand until he could thoroughly study relevant issues.

He said he would abide by existing rules in regard to the military line-up. Should his decision on military reshuffle tend to impact the government, he would consult the prime minister before implementation, he said.

He said as a retired air force officer, he should not have any trouble overseeing the military affairs.

He would not to live in the past, he said in reference to his military career derailed by the 2006 coup.

He insisted he had good ties with Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Suphawong, dismissing speculation he would mount a military purge.

-- The Nation 2012-01-20

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Baby Elephant's Body Found in Kuiburi National Park

Park officials discovered the body of a male baby elephant in Kuiburi National Park this morning. The officials are investigating the cause of death.

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Rice prices falling despite floods in South-East Asia

World rice prices fell 3 per cent month-on-month in December and are on a downward trend for the first half of 2012 despite extensive flood damage to South-East Asia's crop late last year, the Food and Agriculture Oganization said Friday.

The increases were seen after concerns last year that food prices would rise because of a drought in China’s wheat-growing region and floods in the rice basket of South-East Asia.

But the UN agency said, "Bountiful harvests in other areas more than made up for crop losses in regions affected by severe weather and fluctuating climatic conditions."

Its cereals price index saw a 4.8-per-cent drop in December from the previous month. Maize fell by 6 per cent, wheat by 4 per cent and rice by 3 per cent.

In December, the price of Thai white 100-per-cent B second-grade rice, which sets the international benchmark, was 620 dollars per ton, down from 649 dollars per tonne in November, a 4.5-per-cent drop.

Although floods in September and October damaged rice crops in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, India has taken up much of the slack on the international rice market.

India, which ended a three-year ban on non-basmati rice exports in September, exported 2.2 million tonnes of rice last year. "India stands to gain from the rising price of rice from Thailand, the world’s leading rice exporter, as buyers seek to source the grain at cheaper prices," the UN agency said.

Thailand, which has been the world’s leading rice exporter for the past five decades, exported 10.5 million tonnes last year, but it is likely to witness a 30-per-cent decline in rice exports this year, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association

-- The Nation 2012-01-20

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Reds lawyers spearheading change on lese majeste law

The Nation

The Federation of Legal Professinals for Democracy and Society has been formed to raise awareness on the democratic rule and the flaws of the lese majeste law, reds lawyer Karom Pholthaklang said on Friday.

Founded by a group of seven lawyers, the federation will spearhead the campaign on charter change in which the people would take part in the rewriting of the Constitution, he said.

Commenting on Article 112 of the Criminal Code, he said the lese majeste offence should be amended in order to ensure that false accusers would face mandatory prosecution for fabricating the alleged violations.

The accountability of false accusers would prevent the abuse to smear political rivals, he said.

He also called for an immediate release of all prisoners detained on politically-linked charges, a catchphrase for the red shirts in various stages of the legal proceedings.

-- The Nation 2012-01-20

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SET index flat at midday

Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Friday at 1,059.26, up 0.32 point, or 0.03 per cent amid Bt12.24 billion turnover.

SET-50 index was at 740.13, down 0.47 point, or 0.06 per cent.

Top 5 most active stocks: INTUCH, STA, ADVANC, KBANK, BBL.

-- The Nation 2012-01-20

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Chinatown bustles with shoppers preparing for the Chinese New Year; consumers complain of high goods price/TANN_Network

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A lady never tells: Yingluck

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday refused to reveal her conversation with chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda during the yesterday's dinner.

"No one would tell on this kind of conversation," she said.

At the dinner to mark the Army's 420th Anniversary, Yingluck had her first public meeting with Prem for the first time since assuming office. She led the welcoming party to greet him.

The two were seen exchanging friendly greetings before proceeding into the party venue.

In the political turbulence ahead of the 2006 coup, Yingluck's brother Thaksin made veiled attacks about Prem's involvement in bringing about his downfall. The attacks seem to have stopped after the Pheu Thai's election victory.

-- The Nation 2012-01-20

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US terror alert sends psychological impact on Thai tourism

BANGKOK, 20 January 2012 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) stated that the terror alert issued by the US would affect Thai tourism psychologically causing a lower number of arrivals. The private sector is preparing to submit a letter requesting the US embassy to cancel the warning.

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Nong Pin’s mom asks Phuket Governor for help

Mrs Samruay holds up a picture of Nong Pin, the Phuket schoolgirl who disappeared over six weeks ago.

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Photos Of Naked Female Casino Dealers Shock Thai Police

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Five killed in crash resulting from drive-by shooting in Bangkok

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British Man battles with suspected Thai Thief in Central Pattaya

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Speed Control for Public Vans to Start April 1

The Land Transport Department is rushing to install digital speed guns onto public passenger vans.

The new system will be started on April 1.

Meanwhile, a new series of car plates will be launched soon.

Land Transport Department Director General Somchai Siriwattanachok disclosed that a new series of car license plates will be launched by mid-2012 after the double characters in front of the plate numbers have all been assigned.

The new version of automobile plates will add a number in front of the two current letters, followed by the registration number.

On the issue of passenger safely, Somchai said that in order to provide more security to city dwellers travelling by passenger vans, the Land Transport Department is installing digital speed guns onto every passenger van on every city route, including expressways.

Violators speeding will face dispensary action according to the law.

The new system is expected to be ready by April 1.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-20

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SET index closed at 1058.66, down 0.28; Bt/USD31.39; GBP48.51; AUD32.59; EUR40.62; CAD30.80; HKD4.04; SGD24.50; JPY40.48

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TAT hosts web design competition to boost tourism industry

BANGKOK, 20 January 2012 (NNT)-The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in cooperation with Microsoft Thailand, is hosting “Travel Thailand, Bring Back the Land of Smiles” event, a website competition which promotes the Thai tourism in an entirely new perspective.

TAT Governor Surapol Sawetserani said since tourism is Thailand’s strength and main strategy in competing in the global economy, it is essential that travelers have more confidence in the country after the flood crisis.

The TAT, Microsoft Thailand and the Webmaster Association have been jointly hosting the competition entitled “Travel Thailand, Bring Back the Land of Smiles”. It is also said to be raising standards for web design in Thailand. Interested individuals can apply directly by visiting http://html5Thailand.com from now until March 2nd.

-- NNT 2012-01-20

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Two Bulgarian ATM skimming suspects caught by Pattaya Police

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PM Reserved on US-blacklisted Minister

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Phuket dive crew rescues seven from blazing catamaran

Seven people were rescued from the blaze, but it was too late to save the vessel. Photo: Diva Marine Co Ltd

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BANGKOK, Jan 20 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday announced her government’s water management 2012 master plan to increase the efficiency of the flood-prevention system and to integrate water management operations to speed draining water into the sea.

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PM will lead 16 newly-appointed cabinet ministers to take oath of allegiance to HM the King on Monday at 5.30pm at Siriraj Hospital /MCOT

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TERROR THREAT

'I am set up by Mossad,' : terror suspect

A Lebanese-born Swede terror suspect arrested in Thailand last week on terror suspicions has professed his innocence, claiming he was set up by Israeli intelligence service Mossad, the Local online reported Friday.

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PAD leaders call for power seizure

The Nation

The People's Alliance for Democracy on Friday organised a public talk to mark the Chinese New Year and its four leaders vowed to resume the struggle against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, speaking via a telephone call from China, said the military should stage a coup in cooperation with the people in order to wrestle a complete control of the country from Thaksin.

"If the PAD is to make a move once again, this time will not just confine to street protesting but a complete seizure of power," he said, pledging a make-or break struggle.

Sondhi said he feared for the future of the monarchy if the Thaksin camp had its way.

He took part in the talk while undergoing acupuncture treatment in China.

PAD co-leader Bhipop Thongchai said the PAD-led movement did not wane in the past six year but stood ready to step out and fight against the domination of rogue capitalists over the political system.

Bhipop argued that the country's ethical standard was being challenged in the face of attempts by rogue capitalists to plunder the country.

"The Thaksin regime is not getting stronger as evidenced by its popular support dropping from 19 million votes under Thai Rak Thai banner to 15 million votes under Pheu Thai banner," he said.

He said the PAD was ready to lead the people to victory in safeguarding the country.

Another PAD leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon said he expected a final showdown with the Thaksin regime. He claimed about the regime was contracting some 5,000 Cambodian and Vietnamese mercenaries to topple the monarchy in order to inaugurate a republic.

The PAD will pour into the streets at the first sign of changing charter provisions pertaining the monarchy and granting amnesty for Thaksin, he said.

PAD's Chamlong Srimuang said the PAD-led protests for 384 days and nights were proof of the invincibility of the people's power.

Chamlong vowed to flex the PAD's power if the situation calls for.

-- The Nation 2012-01-20

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Officials warn of fake monks' targeting Phuket tourists

Chatpawit Jinapong warns of fake 'monks' collecting donations from tourists and locals in Phuket. Photo: Warisa Temram

Most genuine Buddhist monks do not seek alms after 8am, said Mr Chatpawit. Photo: Warisa Temram

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Thailand Live Saturday 21 Jan 2012

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