Thailand Live Tuesday 24 Jan 2012

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Cabinet transfers Govt Spokesperson Thitima to post of deputy secretary-general for PM /TANN

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Nanny Arrested for Stealing Employer's Car

Police arrested a female car thief who disguised herself as a babysitter at the home of the Palang Chon Party MP's daughter.

She stole the car during the night with the intent of reselling it.

On December 28, 2011, 31 year-old Panida Suwankot stole a white Chevrolet Captiva car from the home of Ilada Ngampiches, a daughter of Palang Chon MP Sansak Ngampiches.

Panida was arrested by police from the Khlong Tan Police Station at the See Kew vehicle checkpoint in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

The suspect confessed that she posed as a babysitter at Ilada's home in Suan Leamthong Village within the Suan Luang District.

Afterwards, she stole the car during the night and resold it to her friends.

She further confessed that this was not her first time, as she has committed vehicle theft twice before, and that each time she received a quota of 60,000 to 100,000 baht.

However, police are not buying the suspect's testimony, since they found that she has had warrants for her arrest from robberies and drug dealings in areas under the jurisdiction of Chokchai police station, Kongchai and Kamalasai police stations in Kalasin Province, and Buddha Monton police station in Nakhon Pathom Province.

Anyone who suspects they have been robbed by Panida can contact the Khlong Tan police station to view the suspect's face.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-24

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Public Health Ministry on lookout for bird flu

BANGKOK, 24 January 2012 (NNT) – The rapid weather change has prompted the Department of Disease Control (DDC) to instruct the Surveillance and Rapid Response Teams (SRRT) to be on the alert for outbreaks of diseases, especially zoonosis, nationwide.

DDC Director-General Dr. Pornthep Wanarangsan revealed that the rapid change of weather in many parts of the country has contributed to the quick growth and spread of diseases, especially those belonging to the zoonotic group, such as malaria, avian influenza, dengue and tuberculosis.

Although Thailand possesses an effective disease control system and no case of severe outbreaks has been found, the Department still voices concerns given these diseases are commonly found in Thailand's neighbouring countries, such as Cambodia, Myanmar and China.

The Department has alerted more than 1,500 SRRT rapid deployment teams nationwide to be on the lookout for these diseases in all areas of the country, particularly along the borders. The immigration of foreign labour and animals is to be monitored closely as well.

Additionally, the Department has coordinated with village health volunteers to monitor patients whose symptoms fit the profile of these diseases.

-- NNT 2012-01-24

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UPDATE

Car Chase Suspects Turn Themselves in

Two suspects from a group of teenagers who caused riots in a car chase have turned themselves to the police.

Five people were killed in the Ratchaburana District of Bangkok.

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Red Shirt Cabinet Member Ignores Public Criticism

Newly appointed Deputy Agriculture Minister and red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuer has shrugged off public criticism about his appointment and pledged to do his best on the job.

He reiterated his support for the financial compensation package for those affected by the political violence of the recent years, claiming that it would be a step toward national reconciliation.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Nattawut Saikuer responded to public criticism that he was appointed to a cabinet post because of his role as a red-shirt leader, by pledging to perform his best.

Nattawut also thanked the Pheu Thai Party and the prime minister for entrusting him with the job.

While many see his appointment as a reward for leading the pro-government red-shirt group, the newly appointed deputy agriculture minister said he will work to fulfill the government's policies and will not be discouraged by any obstacle.

He also thanked his supporters in his home province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and commented on said those who oppose him have freedom of expression.

Regarding the financial compensation package for those killed and injured during the political violence of recent years, Nattawut pointed out that the measure was put forward by the reconciliation committee in the previous administration.

However, he would like everyone to see the financial compensation as a way to lift the country out of the political conflict.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-24

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World Film Festival Of Bangkok Opened With Thai Film

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SET closed up by 5.81 points at 1,068.36 during the midday break with value of Bt11.47 bn /TANN

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Topless casino models turn themselves in to police

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Democrat Party submits names of 145 MPs to Senate speaker to seek impeachment of Foreign Min Surapong on reinstatement of Thaksin's passport/TAN_Network

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Chinese New Year tourism boom

SONGKHLA, Jan 24 – Thailand’s tourism ambiance during the Chinese Lunar New Year festival drew large numbers of Thai and foreign travellers streaming into the major southern province of Songkhla as well as the northern province of Chiang Rai.

Somchart Pimthanapoonporn, president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association, said Tuesday that a large number of Malaysian and Singaporean tourists crossed the border to join activities in Songkhla during the Chinese New Year festival. On average 10,000-20,000 Malaysians daily crossed the Thai-Malaysian border in Sadao district during the holiday, he said.

Thanks to numerous visitors from the neighbouring country crossing the border to Thailand, the traffic near the border crossing on the Malaysian side was congested. A road was reportedly jammed pack with vehicles as far as 10 kilometres.

Meanwhile, all hotel rooms in the Songkhla metropolis of Hat Yai were fully booked, Mr Somchart said.

In the southern province of Satun, many domestic and foreign tourists were visiting islands around the Tarutao National Park, according to Panapon Cheevaserichon, assistant park chief.

He said that ferry boat service took a full load of passengers with every trip and that operators had to provide additional boats to meet the passenger demand.

Elsewhere, cool weather in the northernmost province of Chiang Ra attracted a large number of visitors during the Chinese New Year. Many tourists visited the Mae Fah Luang Garden to enjoy decorative plants and winter flowers.

The Lunar Chinese New Year is one of the most important occasions in Thailand, particularly among ethnic Chinese Thai people. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-24

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Village head shot dead in Narathiwat

Narathiwat - A village headman was shot dead while riding his motorcycle to attend a monthly meeting, police said.

Nileh Ngo, 57, the head of Bango Kubo village in Tambon Bongor of Rangae district, was killed on the main road of the village at 10 am.

Police said Nileh was riding his motorcycle to attend the monthly meeting at the district office when insurgent on a pick-up truck fired at him.

They fled off with his revolver.

-- The Nation 2012-01-24

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POLICY RATE

FTI urges steep cut in policy rate

The Nation

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) urged the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee to keep the policy rate at 1.25-2 per cent for a few years in light of persistently unfavourable condition of the domestic economy.

The MPC will convene tomorrow. The policy rate is now 3.25 per cent.

Sommat Khunset, secretary-general of the FTI, said that high policy rate would pressure economic recovery, as this would add into manufacturing cost amid higher labour wage, raw materials costs and diesel prices. Without government assistance, Thai businesses particularly small and medium-sized ones would face great difficulties.

. "The private sector is confident that the low policy rate would be more effective in boosting the economy than other government measures in the pipeline. This would reduce the operating cost of over 3 million manufacturers and debt burden of the majority. This would quickly boost consumption," he said.

The FTI is of the view that the agricultural sector would be a key economic engine this year, as the Thai economy is on the course of rehabilitation amid global uncertainties. It expected the US and European economies to remain in doldrums for two more years. As such, the policy rate must be slashed hugely, as even a cut by 25-50 basis points would not help lift up the sentiment.

-- The Nation 2012-01-24

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Chalerm's son appointed advisor to deputy transport minister

The Cabinet Tuesday approved the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung's son as an advisor to a deputy transport minister.

Wan Yoobamrung was appointed an advisor to Deputy Transport Minister Chatchachart Sitthiphan.

-- The Nation 2012-01-24

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Cabinet extends diesel excise tax exemption one more month, to Feb 29, to help ease cost of living for public/TAN_Network

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Court issues arrest warrant for fugitive, former local politician Somchai Kunplome, for missing verdict reading in murder case/MCOT

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5 Essential iPhone Productivity Apps

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Red-shirt leader Shinawatra appointed advisor to transport minister

The Cabinet Tuesday approved the appointment of red-shirt leader Shinawatra Haboonpad as an advisor to the transport minister.

-- The Nation 2012-01-24

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Phuket fruit vendor died of spider bite: wife

Mrs Piyanan said she wanted to warn other Phuket residents about the dangers posed by large, black spiders. Photo: Warisa Temram.

Phuket Public Health officers photograph the arm of the late Mr Wanchai. Photo: Warisa Temram.

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Democrat seeks impeachment of Yingluck, Surapong

The Democrat Party Tuesday submitted an impeachment motion against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul related to the issuance of passport for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Wirat Kalayasiri and Chaiwut Pongkaew, Songkhla MPs of the party, submitted the motion to Senate Speaker Thirdej Meepian. The motion was signed by 145 Democrat MPs.

In the motion, Surapong was accused of violating the directives of the Foreign Ministry for issuing a passport to Thaksin.

Yingluck was accused of nonfeasance for failing to revoke the passport issuance order when asked to.

-- The Nation 2012-01-24

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Henan Acrobatic Troupe dazzles Phuket

TIP TOP PERFORMANCE: The Chinese acrobats displayed strength, flexibility and amazing balance before a huge crowd in Phuket Town last night. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai.

Female performers in a complex "human pyramid" at Sanam Chai in Phuket Town last night. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai.

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Trend Micro maintains #1 again in worldwide server security market share

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meanwhile.... in the Philippines...

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House fire leaves Phuket poor homeless

Phuket residents Mrs Prapha and her niece Ms Mookrin take stock of their remaining possessions. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Mrs Prapha lived rent-free in Phuket, but had to pay for the electricity, which is suspected of being the cause of the fire. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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Thailand Ranks 3rd in Asia When It Comes to Eating Rat Meat

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Google+ now supports nicknames, pseudonyms and names in other scripts

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SET index closed at 1063.08, up 0.53; Bt/USD31.32; GBP48.61; AUD32.77; EUR40.60; CAD30.87; HKD4.03; SGD24.55; JPY40.44

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Phuket Police chasing 'missing money' from currency exchange haul

WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? Police have confirmed that at least some of the money was used to fund a spending spree. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Police display BB guns recovered from the perpetrators of the currency booth robbery. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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Body of man washed up on Samaer San Beach close to Pattaya

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East Pattaya Shooting blamed on territorial dispute between two Water Companies

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Chinese New Year Festivities go horribly wrong at South Pattaya Supermarket

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