Thailand Live Sunday 22 Jan 2012

[Lite Beer]

Survey: Charter amendment may deepen society rift

BANGKOK, Jan 22 - More than half of Thais polled fear any attempt to amend the country's constitution might lead to further conflict in society, while 81 percent are against any coup attempt to topple the Pheu Thai-led government, according to a survey released on Sunday.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/527914-survey-charter-amendment-may-deepen-society-rift/page__view__findpost__p__4996903

[Lite Beer]

2 drug dealers arrested for shooting of Chatuchak female vendor to steal her motorcycle; arrest warrants issued for 2 more accomplices/TAN_Network

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AOT estimates 2.3 million passengers during Chinese New Year

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has forecast 2.3 million visitors to be passing through its airports during the Chinese New Year, while additional flights continue to fly in from China.

AOT President Flying Officer Anirut Thanomkulbutra disclosed that airports under the supervision of the AOT are expected to be receiving 23% more passengers than the previous year during the current Chinese New Year holidays from 19-31 January. The total number of local and foreign passengers is speculated at around 2.3 million.

It was also revealed that 332 additional flights have requested landing at AOT airports; 92% of which accounts for international flights while 8% are domestic flights. Most additional flights are from China.

Additionally, the AOT President stated that security measures at all airports have been stepped up, including the number and frequency of security officials on patrol, security checkpoints within airport compounds, random search of luggage prior to boarding and 24-hour police surveillance.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai urges public to give Nalinee a chance to work

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – A spokesperson to the Pheu Thai Party has asked the opposition to refrain from taking political advantage of an appointment of Mrs. Nalinee Taveesin.

Follow this link:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/527836-nalinee-to-address-us-blacklist-issue/page__view__findpost__p__4996959

[Lite Beer]

Selling of Finance Ministry’s stakes in THAI will benefit flag-carrier

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – The President of Thai Airways International stated that the plan to sell the Finance Ministry’s stakes in the company would become an advantage for the airline.

Thai Airways International or THAI President Piyasvasti Amranand said that if the Finance Ministry were to sell its stakes in the company to the Vayupak Fund, THAI would benefit from the action since it would be freed from its state-enterprise status. Mr. Piyasvasti explained that not being a state enterprise would ensure the company more flexibility in its management.

The Finance Ministry is rumoured to be selling its stakes in large state enterprises, such as Thai Airways International and the PTT, with the purpose of reducing the country's public debts.

Meanwhile, THAI revenue this year is expected to be on the rise alongside with the post-flood recovery of the tourism sector. The recent cancellation of travel advisory by China as well as the pending revocation of the terror alert by USA would also help bring business back on its feet.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai denies Nalinee pressured to quit

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/527836-nalinee-to-address-us-blacklist-issue/page__view__findpost__p__4996977

[Lite Beer]

Dusit poll: people hope new cabinet perform better

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – Suan Dusit Poll shows roughly one third of the respondents believe the newly-reshuffled cabinet would perform better whereas another pollster, ABAC poll, revealed that the majority of the surveyed opinions saw no concrete accomplishments of the government in terms of economy.

The Suan Dusit Poll collected opinions of about 2,500 respondents during 18-21 January on the new cabinet line-up. According to the result, 37.5 percent hoped the cabinet reshuffle could help facilitate the government's working efficiency while 22 percent said it was premature to say so.

The majority of the respondents, or 80 percent, were most satisfied with Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapha’s being promoted to be a Deputy Prime Minister, closely followed by changes in the positions of Kittiratt Na Ranong, and Air Chief Marshal Sukampol Suwannathat.

Meanwhile, ABAC poll also conducted the survey on the people’s opinions towards hot political issues and the political takeover among nearly 2,160 people.

When asked what issues could bring about further conflicts, well over half of the respondents, or 54.5 percent, said the constitution amendment, 52 percent said an attempt to revise lèse-majesté law, and 49 percent said a conflict of interests among politicians.

In terms of which aspect they saw the government lacks of concrete execution in the past six months, 80 percent said ability to solve the economic problems while 75 percent said internal conflicts among Thais. However, 76 percent saw the government’s anti-drug trafficking effort dominant.

In addition, nearly 95 percent expressed disagreement with a political takeover in the form of military coup, but only 21 percent said they would come out and oppose such act, if any.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

[Lite Beer]

Kasikorn: Thai stocks to fluctuate this week

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – Kasikorn Securities and Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch) have projected that the Thai stock market will see a continuous volatility this week while an approval of the second bailout for Greece should be closely monitored.

According to KSecurities and KResearch, the SET index this week might fluctuate in a wide range. Factors that should be closely watched are the progress in resolving European debt crisis, Troika (ECB/EU/IMF)’s evaluation on an approval of the second financial aid package for Greece, the negotiation on debt swap deal of Greece’s Private Sector Involvement (PSI), and outcomes of the money policy meeting of the Central Bank of US, the Central Bank of Japan and the Bank of Thailand’ Monetary Policy Committee.

Kasikorn Securities also predicted that the support line and resistance line will be at around 1,041-1,020 points and 1,063-1,073 points respectively.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

[Lite Beer]

Commerce Ministry to join forces with TAT in promoting GI products

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – The Deputy Minister of Commerce aims to join hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to push Thai geographical indication (GI) products to the global market for the benefit of the local communities.

Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kajornprasart has proposed to promote GI products in order to boost income for the local population as well as increase points of sale at both domestic and international levels.

Initially, Mr. Siriwat has suggested that the Ministry cooperate with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to promote local GI products alongside each tourist attraction sites. He is determined to make GI products become well-known among tourists and be bought as souvenirs.

Additionally, the Ministry has planned to showcase GI products in local and international exhibitions with the purpose of increasing export opportunities to the global market.

Geographical indications or GI are forms of identification which distinguish a product as originating in a specific region or locality in a particular country.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

[Lite Beer]

Transport Perm Sec Supoj ready to meet with NACC tomorrow; insists only Bt5 mn was stolen from his home/TAN_Network

PM's Office Minister Nalinee insists she'll continue with her duties and says she can still enter US; says hasn't talked to PM about issue/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Agriculture Ministry to extensively promote Thai orchids industry

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives together with related agencies will organize various activities to promote Thai orchids in accordance with the 5-year government strategy to strengthen Thai orchids' competitiveness in the global market during 2011-2016.

Mr. Supachai Baanthubthong, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives, said the ministry has laid out plans to improve efficacy of Thailand’s export competitiveness by expanding the exports to new potential markets while protecting regular customers as well as accelerating public relations.

In addition, Mr. Supachai said the ministry also has plans to diversify types of orchids and improve their quality to an export standard.

Suvarnabhumi airport and public parks in Bangkok will also be adorned with various kinds of Thai orchids to boost the image of this flowering plant and the potential of Thailand to become the world’s leading exporter.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

[Lite Beer]

Nalinee says she won't quit over alleged links to Zimbabwe president Mugabe;says query to US for clarification still unanswered for 3 years/MCOT

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Ethnic Chinese Thais pay homage at shrines nationwide

BANGKOK, Jan 22- Many Thais of Chinese descent flocked to temples and shrines in Bangkok's Chinatown and other provinces to pray for good luck on the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Monday.

Along Bangkok's Yaowarat Road, center of the Chinese community, many people in red clothes paid homage to their ancestors and then headed with family members to shrines to seek blessings for happiness and prosperity.

Brisk trade could be seen in the area where shoppers were doing last-minute shopping before the holiday with their families on Monday. Some traders said this year's sales were slightly up from last year, despite the higher cost of goods.

Preparations are underway for the two-day Bangkok Chinatown Festival 2012, which is to be presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn at 5pm on Monday. Yaowarat Road has becomes a sea of crimson, with red lanterns hanging all along the route.

The holy Lim Ko Niao Shrine in the southern border province of Pattani was also packed with a large number of worshipers from the neighbouring provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

Prayoondej Kananukarak, chair of the shrine foundation, said the year of the dragon drew an unusually high number of visitors, as many believed that it was an auspicious year. Special activities, including a traditional lion dance, will be organised throughout the evening until midnight, when the firecrackers would be set off and the sky is lit up with fireworks.

In Hat Yai, the commercial district of the South in Songkhla province, both Thais of Chinese descent and Malaysians paid homage to Chinese traditions at various shrines. The atmosphere was reported as lively, with shops open early to service tourists.

In Trang, senior provincial officials and businesspeople as well as 10,000 civilians donning white offered alms to 10,000 monks and novices from 286 temples in 14 southern provinces at the city centre. They also donated items to monks of the four southern border provinces where it is too dangerous for them to go out for alms. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-22

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Police nab exchange booth robbery duo

Phuket Gazette –

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY: Mr Kriangsak's ear-to-ear grin belies the very serious criminal charges he now faces. Photo: Phuket Police, Chalong District

Mr Amnard after his confession at Chalong Police Station in Phuket last night.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/527956-phuket-police-nab-exchange-booth-robbery-duo/page__view__findpost__p__4997246

[Lite Beer]

AOT to exempt fees at Don Mueang Airport

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – The Airports of Thailand announced that it would be exempting charges for airlines and entrepreneurs who have been impacted by the flood at Don Mueang Airport.

Initially, the exemption of aircraft landing and parking fees at Don Mueang Airport will be retroactive from 25 October 2011 to March 2012. Meanwhile, property rental fees and other charges, as well as expenses which may be applied to the relocation of certain airlines to Suvarnabhumi Airport due to the flood, has been lowered to the same rate as Don Mueang Airport.

This attempt to help flood-affected airlines and entrepreneurs is estimated to cost the AOT approximately 110 million baht.

Additionally, the budget for the restoration of Don Muang Airport is calculated at around 440 million baht. Improvement of the eastern runway, driveway and parking area, which is due to be finalized in February, will use up 305 million baht while the remaining 135 million baht will be spent on repairing the western part of the airport for commercial use.

Don Mueang Airport is expected to be resuming commercial services in March.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

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Four agencies team up to assist Chinese tourists

BANGKOK, 22 January 2012 (NNT) – Four agencies have partnered up to establish a Council for exploitation prevention and solution for Chinese tourists in order to create confidence as well as promote the image of Thailand’s tourism.

Sansern Ngaorangsi, Deputy Governor for Asia and South-Pacific Markets of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated a Council for exploitation prevention and solution for Chinese tourists has been established to provide security measures and create confidence in Thai tourism among the growing Chinese market.

The council is a collaboration of four agencies, which include the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Royal Thai Police, the Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (T.C.T.A) and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand

Mr. Sansern added that the council was set up to boost confidence and a positive image for the nation’s tourism among Chinese tourists since they account for a large part of the market. The TAT has estimated that around 2 million Chinese tourists would be traveling to Thailand in 2012.

-- NNT 2012-01-22

[george]

Facebook Scam: Get Dunkin Donut Gift Card for FREE!

SCAM WARNING: http://www.nettechblog.com/facebook-scam-get-dunkin-donut-gift-card-for-free-limited-time-only/

[george]

Facebook Scam: The number one song when I was born was

I have seen this wall post on many of my friends' walls this past week, so I thought I would look into it and see what the buzz was about. It turns out that....

Full story: http://www.nettechbl...i-was-born-was/

[Lite Beer]

Abhisit and public oppose talk of coup

The Nation

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday expressed his opposition to the idea of a military power seizure in Thailand while an opinion survey found that most people are also against a coup.

Attending a party seminar in Ubon Ratchathani, Opposition leader Abhisit told reporters he disagreed with any call for the military to topple the Pheu Thai Party government.

The call was made last week by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

"A political change should not happen through nonsystematic means. We should help support the political system to proceed - and political problems should be handled by the mechanisms of the system," Abhisit said.

"If we see that the government has done what is not right, we must use the Constitution to address [the problem] or should base our actions on the charter."

Meanwhile, the Abac Poll of Assumption University announced Sunday its latest opinion survey found that 81.7 per cent of respondents opposed the idea of a coup.

The survey was conducted among 2,153 respondents in 17 provinces.

Abac Poll found that the percentage of people who supported the idea of a power seizure by the military in January this year increased from 5.4 per cent in January last year to 18.3 per cent - but 81.7 per cent are still opposed to a coup.

The survey found that 52.7 per cent of the respondents said they would do nothing if a coup was staged while 21.1 per cent said they would campaign against the coup maker and 26.2 per cent had no comment.

-- The Nation 2012-01-22

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Democrats don't ignore the poor, says Abhisit

The Nation

Opposition Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday dismissed criticism that during his premiership the Democrat Party had done little to help the poor.

Abhisit was speaking at the party's seminar in Ubon Ratchathani, attended by 126 party branch chairmen and party members and party heavyweights, such as Chuan Leekpai and Korn Chatikavanij.

Abhisit said the Democrat Party helped the poor by allowing free use of electricity, lowering taxes on farmers with smaller plots of land, and placing the oil price ceiling at not more than Bt30 per litre. By contrast, the Yingluck government was set to scrap several social welfare policies soon, he said.

Abhisit said the Yingluck government added to the financial burden on the public through lifting oil and rice prices, and charging the poor for electricity use.

Abhisit said he believed Isan people still had faith in the party because its candidates received more than 10,000 votes in many constituencies. The reason the party had fewer MPs in this region was they had too little time to prepare for the election, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-01-22

[george]

5 Essential iPad Productivity Apps

Looking for ways to organise your work life and become more productive? Then here are 5 essential iPad productivity apps that no iPad owner should be without. The choices were based on both personal experience and customer reviews.

In random order, here are the five of the most essential iPad productivity apps:

http://www.nettechbl...ductivity-apps/

[webfact]

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Thailand Live Monday 23 Jan 2012

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