Thailand Live Wednesday 25 Jan 2012

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PM will not amend Section 112 of Criminal Code

BANGKOK, 25 January 2012 (NNT) - Following a suggestion by a group of law academics that the governmebnt amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code , Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insists that the government will not do that, saying constitutional amendments should not involve the highest institution.

Section 112 of the Criminal Code is relative to lese-majeste offences. The group of law academics called Nitirat has said this rule must change in order to allow the people to exercise the freedom of speech.

In response, Ms Yingluck said the monarchy institution must be protected and therefore she was against the move.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Police General Chalerm Yubamrung has said public referendum will be held before constitutional amendment is to take place, reiterating that the Pheu Thai-led government will not include Section 112 in the constitution amendment, given the two are totally different issues.

Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is also against the Section 112 amendment; however, he has told Democrat MPs to see through the Pheu Thai’s intention, explaining that although the government has expressed its opposition to the move; it has been allowing political movements and conflicts, which circle around ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to find ways to erase all of the ex-premier' wrongdoings.

-- NNT 2012-01-25

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Arrest Warrant Approved for Drug Dealer

The Criminal Court has approved a warrant for the arrest of a drug trafficker's accomplice found in possession of amphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamines worth more than one billion baht in a house at Pathum Thani Province.

Provincial Police Region 1 Acting Chief, Police Major General Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, has instructed police officers from the special investigation department to quickly close the case in arresting a suspected drug trafficker identified as Nipon Kunchart.

Kamronwit said Nipon is involved in one of the largest drug networks, Koon Sa.

Earlier, the police seized a large haul of amphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine worth more than one billion baht during a raid on a house in Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi District.

As of now, the Criminal Court has approved an additional warrant to arrest Nipon's accomplice who is also tied with the ring.

However, Kamronwit said he had nothing to do with the dealer's escape.

Officers have already charged Nipon with possession of type-one narcotics.

Kamronwit said the police are now tracking him. Nipon is believed to be hiding within a neighboring country.

Meanwhile, the police have coordinated with the Immigration Bureau for an arrest.

Additionally, the police have seized Nipon's assets, worth eight billion baht.

Officers explained that Nipon is a criminal with a history involving drugs, and 1.7 million baht of his assets were seized in 2009 to 2010.

In addition, the high-ranking officers will hold a meeting to follow up on the progress of the case this afternoon.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-25

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Work underway on Phuket's newest police headquarters

An artist's impression of what the new Phuket police headquarters will look like fully completed.

Although just unfinished buildings at the moment, the new complex will greatly assist the policing of Wichit district.

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School Slammed for Praising Red-Shirt Leader

A school alumni group has requested the removal of a cut-out poster at their school that congratulated red-shirt co-leader Natthawut Saikua on his appointment as the Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister.

The Benjamarachutit School Alumni in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province held a mass gathering, requesting the removal of a 50-meter board in front of their campus.

The school installed a large sign with a message congratulating its former student, Natthawut Saikua, for his new appointment as Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister.

The alumni expressed strong opposition to Nattawut for his role in the violent red-shirt street protests.

A group of the alumni and street vendors who have stalls in front of the school gathered outside.

They were led by Sumeth Sodjit, a former alumni, submitted an open letter to the administrators demanding that the congratulatory message be removed immediately.

The group members also demanded that the school administrators make their attitude toward Natthawut clear, adding that the school must take a key role in educating society.

In response, the deputy director of the school's development department, Sa-nga Nawarat, said the school has not joined moves led by the alumni association in 2010 to expel Natthawut because of his role in leading red-shirt supporters.

Sa-nga said the group's request to remove the board would need to be discussed with the school's five bodies, namely the administrative board, the school board, the alumni association, the parents and teachers association, and the school's teacher alumni and parents network.

In the meantime, a group of red-shirt supporters in the province placed a cut-out bearing the message, “Congratulations to Natthawut Saikua” on the other side of the school.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-25

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Angthong Couple Claims to be Haunted by Ghost of Stranded Boy

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Deputy PM Yutthasak to Temporarily Oversee Multiple Security Agencies

The Cabinet has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapha to hold the fort at security agencies and the Prime Minister's Office on behalf of the prime minister and ministers who are currently on an official visit to India.

Yesterday, the Cabinet resolved to appoint Deputy Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapha to oversee the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the Information Communications and Technology Ministry, the National Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Council Office on behalf of ministers who accompanied the prime minister on her official visit to India from January 24 to 26.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Niwat Thamrong Bunsongpaisarn was assigned to represent the Prime Minister in supervising the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office, the Secretariat of the Cabinet, the Public Relations Department, and the MCOT Public Company.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin was assigned to act on the prime minister's behalf in overseeing the National Identity Promotion Office, the Secretariat of the Cabinet's Office of the Spokesperson, and the Office of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-25

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Mick Jagger pulls out of "politicized" Davos event

London: -- Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger has withdrawn from a British government-sponsored publicity event at the World Economic Forum in Davos after complaining of being used as a "political football."

A statement released by the 67-year-old singer in London late Tuesday said media reports which alleged his political closeness to the Conservative Party of Prime Minister David Cameron were "inaccurate."

"I have always been interested in economics and world events. I now find myself being used as a political football and there has been a lot of comment about my political allegiances which are inaccurate. During my career I have always eschewed party politics," the singer said.

His cancellation on the eve of the high-profile annual World Economic Forum is something of an embarrassment for the British government, which invited the famous singer to a tea party promoting British talent in the exclusive ski resort.

-- The Nation 2012-01-25

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SET index midday down 2.35 pts, 0.22 pct

BANGKOK: -- Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Wednesday stood at 1,060.73, down 2.35 points, or 0.22 per cent amid Bt9.10 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 740.53, down 2.42 points, or 0.33 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: IVL, ESSO, STA, PTTEP, ADVANC.

-- The Nation 2012-01-25

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Significant Growth in Thai Exports

BANGKOK:-- Thai exports in December 2011 were better than expected despite severe floods, resulting in a significant growth in Thai exports for the whole year.

According to the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Mr. Yanyong Phuangrach, exports were adversely affected in October and November as a consequence of the flood crisis in 2011. The improved export situation in December showed that the industrial sector had picked up quickly.

Exports last year were valued at 228.8 billion US dollars, accounting for an increase of 17.2 percent over the previous year. The figure surpasses the growth target of 15 percent set earlier. In terms of the baht, the export value came to almost 6.9 trillion baht, representing an increase of 11.7 percent. Imports in 2011 were recorded at about 228.5 billion dollars, an increase of 24.9 percent. In terms of the baht, they were valued at 6.9 trillion baht, accounting for an increase of 19 percent.

Last year, Thailand gained a trade surplus of 334 million dollars in terms of the US dollar; however, however, owing to the exchange rate, it converted to a trade deficit of 77 billion baht.

Major export items that have enjoyed continued growth in both volume and value include rubber, tapioca, and food, especially frozen seafood and frozen and processed chicken. Thai exports saw a decline in such major markets as the European Union, Japan, and the United States, but saw an increase in ASEAN, India, Russia, Latin American, and Canada. As for border trade in 2011, Thailand exported 587 billion baht worth of goods to Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, accounting for an increase of 20.7 percent. Imports from those countries came to 312.4 billion baht, an increase of 15.6 percent. Thailand enjoyed a surplus of 274.9 billion baht in border trade.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of Export Promotion, Mrs. Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, said that industrial groups affected directly by the severe floods in 2011 involved agricultural and food production and electronics manufacturing. Light industries, such as cosmetics production, were not affected directly. But orders for products under these groups have dropped for various reasons, such as the decline in the number of tourists.

She said that several warehouses in Bangkok and the provinces had been damaged by the flooding and companies had not been able to move raw materials and products to safe places. In order to help the affected entrepreneurs, the Department of Export Promotion has coordinated with various trade associations, asking them to provide space for the flood-hit enterprises.

The Department is also seeking cooperation from other organizations, such as Airports of Thailand and the Port Authority of Thailand, in offering available areas to facilitate the operations of the affected businesses.

Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department

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Coalition whips insist no amendments to Article 112

BANGKOK:-- Coalition chief whip Udomdej Ratanasathien insisted Wednesday that the government would not amend Article 112 of Criminal Code.

Udomdej, a Pheu Thai Party MP, said the coalition whips resolved not to support the Nitiraj group's call for amendment of Article 112.

Udomdej said the coalition whips would seek to amend Article 291 of the Constitution to set up a constitution drafting assembly to write a new charter.

-- The Nation 2012-01-25

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New Transport Minister to repair flooded roads as priority

BANGKOK, 25 January 2012 (NNT) - On his first day in office, newly appointed Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan says his ministry's priority is to repair flooded roads and infrastructure, while promising to work in a transparent manner.

The transport minister as well as his deputy Chadchart Sittiphan paid respect to a Buddha image and the spirit house at the ministry for good fortune. Mr Jarupong also officially accepted the position from Air Chief Marshal Sukampol Suwannathat, former Transport Minister who is now Defense Minister.

Mr Jarupong has promised to be honest and adhere to righteousness. He says the urgent issues for his ministry are repairing infrastructure damaged by the flood, increase Thai logistics potentials, speeding up electric train railways, and clarify the truth on former Permanent Secretary for Transport Supoj Saplom's corruption case.

-- NNT 2012-12-25

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Thailand’s new education minister to expedite educational opportunities

BANGKOK, Jan 25 – Education Minister Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech on Wednesday pledged to speed up expanding educational opportunities for Thai students.

Delivering a policy statement to education administrators, educators and support workers nationwide via live broadcast on his first day of work, the minister said he would expedite expanding educational opportunities for students to have equal access to education-related resources and funding sources. He pledged to promote skills training, lifelong learning and efficient learning by utilising technologies.

The ministry will offer tablet personal computers for Grade 1 students, he said, adding that the project is underway as relevant officials are coordinating with the Chinese government to reach a government-to-government agreement.

Apart from improving the learning process for students, the policy implementation will also help strengthen and improve teachers’ lives and resolve teachers’ debts.

Mr Suchart promised to tackle drug problems and education-related corruption in schools and educational institutions.

Before heading to the Teachers’ Council of Thailand to deliver the policy statement, the new minister earlier took a public bus to the Ministry of Education, saying he wanted the people to see him as an ordinary man like others who ride the buses.

Upon arriving at his office, Mr Suchart was warmly welcomed by ministry officials and supporters of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the Red Shirt movement. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-25

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Defense Ministry welcomes new leader

BANGKOK, 25 January 2012 (NNT) - The Defense Ministry has held a ceremony to congratulate and honor General Yutthasak Sasiprapa and Air Chief Marshal Sukampol Suwannatat, who have been appointed to new positions in the Cabinet.

Former Defense Minister General Yutthasak has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister. He has been succeded by Air Chief Marshal Sukampol. The Ministry therefore held a ceremony to bid farewell to General Yutthasak and welcome Air Chief Marshal Sukampol at the same time.

The new defense minister presented a commemorative gift to General Yutthasak. Air Chief Marshal Sukampol then affirmed that he would proceed with the policies implemented by the former minister. He said he would also re-examine the Navy's submarine purchase plan and make clarifications to the public.

The Defense Minister added that reconciliation and unity in the armed forces were also important and asked the media not to question about the possibility of a coup d'état because the answer from the Army Chief would always be the same, and that no one wanted to see another coup.

-- NNT 2012-01-25

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Thai Media Report: Clashes Along Thai-Cambodian Border; 1 Injured

INN is reporting that clashes are taking place between Thai and Cambodian forces near the Ta Muern Kwai Temple in Surin Province. One Thai soldier is reportedly injured.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-25

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OFFICIAL VISIT

Thai PM in India to boost mutual ties

BANGKOK:-- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has met with Thai businesspeople in the Indian capital and is due to hold talks with her Indian counterpart to expand cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries.

She and her delegation met the Thai business community in India at the Taj Palace Hotel on Wednesday morning.

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman and the Thai Chamber of Commerce South Asia committee, consisting of representatives from the Charoen Pokphand Foods and Italian-Thai Development, also attended the meeting.

Thai News Agency said Yingluck asked them about business opportunities and obstacles they face and a working panel gathered information on that to find solutions later.

She then will meet with Indian leaders aiming to double two-way Thai-Indian trade and investment.

The Thai prime minister attended an official welcoming event, being greeted by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and inspected a guard of honour, and went on to pay respects at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial where she laid a wreath before signing a visiting book.

Yingluck was scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister SM Krishna at the Taj Palace and discuss many issues including reducing visa processes to facilitate tourists and businesspeople as well as setting up a Thai-India foundation to promote cultural exchange between the people of both countries.

At noon, she was to pay a courtesy call on Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to offer congratulations on the Republic Day of India and to thank India for its assistance to Thailand during last year's flood crisis. Thailand is in the process of rehabilitation and designing an overall water resource management system.

At 6.30pm, she will again meet the Indian prime minister for talks on bilateral cooperation, and strengthening the strategic partnership and economic connectivity

-- The Nation 2012-025

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Red-shirt people submit 65,000 names to sponsor charter amendment bill

BANGKOK: -- A red-shirt group Wednesday submitted 65,400 names of voters to sponsor a bill seeking to amend the charter to permit rewriting of a new charter draft.

The bill and names of sponsors were submitted to Parliament President Somsak Kiartsuranon at 10:30 am.

The bill was submitted by Yiamyod Srimunta, chairman of the Federation of Democracy Lovers.

-- The Nation 2012-01-25

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Coalition whips insist no amendments to Article 112

BANGKOK: -- Coalition chief whip Udomdej Ratanasathien insisted Wednesday that the government would not amend Article 112 of Criminal Code.

Udomdej, a Pheu Thai Party MP, said the coalition whips resolved not to support the Nitiraj group's call for amendment of Article 112.

Udomdej said the coalition whips would seek to amend Article 291 of the Constitution to set up a constitution drafting assembly to write a new charter.

-- The Nation 2012-01-25

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AFP: Thai thief caught with 10,000 pairs of women's underwear

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....mens-underwear/

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Thai military Nakhon Sawan arsenal explodes, buildings damaged, but no one hurt /MCOT

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Monetary Policy Committee cuts policy rate by 25 basis points to 3% as Thai and global econ are weakening /TANN

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2nd Area Army commander says no clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at the border in Surin; soldier's injury from gun accident /TANN

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Poll: People disapprove of flood prevention for inner Bangkok

BANGKOK, 25 January 2012 (NNT) – A poll conducted by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation indicated that the majority of people disagreed with a decision to keep inner Bangkok safe from flooding, but approved future investment and construction measures for better management of water.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation conducted a survey on 3,048 respondents in Bangkok and its vicinity to collect opinions on the management of the recent flood crisis with the purpose of finding guidelines and measures to handle future inundation.

Disapproval on the measure to protect the inner areas of Bangkok from flooding was expressed by most of the respondents. This includes 55% of people in Bangkok, 49.7% in Pathumthani and 67.7% in Nonthaburi.

Regarding acknowledgment of flood management in the area, half the respondents were aware of flood monitoring and warning measures. Assistance measures during the flood were acknowledged by 30% of the respondents while 10-16% were aware of flood preparation measures. Only 5% expressed no knowledge of any kind of preparation.

The majority, or 60% of the respondents, agreed that the military showed the highest efficiency in assisting flood-affected victims.

As for future flood prevention measures, over 60% approved investment and construction decisions to improve water management in the future, such as flood retention basins or “monkey cheeks”, and larger drainage and canal systems.

-- NNT 2012-01-25

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CHARTER AMENDMENT

Red-shirt people submit 65,000 names to sponsor charter amendment bill

BANGKOK: -- A red-shirt group Wednesday submitted 65,400 names of voters to sponsor a bill seeking to amend the charter to permit rewriting of a new charter draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....amendment-bill/

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National artist Juree dies at 83

CHIANG RAI: -- National artist Juree Osiri died Wednesday morning in Chiang Rai. She was 83 years old.

A veteran actress, Juree was appointed a national artist in 1998.

Funeral service will be held at the Makut Kasattiyaram in Bangkok's Bang Khunprom starting on Thursday.

-- The Nation 2012-01-25

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2nd Army Region dismisses reports of Thai-Cambodian military clash at Ta Kwai Temple; says one Thai soldier wounded in gunshot accident /MCOT

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Chiang Rai policeman killed in ambush at police checkpoint

The body of fallen Pol. Sub. Lt. Sirawit Poonkamlang is carried in the coffin to Wat Huay for the funeral ceremonies.

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Ministry officials check Boy Bars in South Pattaya

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Suspected Marijuana dealer caught by Police in East Pattaya

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SET index closed at 1056.01, down 7.07; Bt/USD31.43; GBP48.91; AUD32.93; EUR40.84; CAD30.94; HKD4.04; SGD24.67; JPY40.09

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Chalerm: No officials will be spared from law for committing crimes

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