Thailand Live Thursday 26 January 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news, national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 25 Jan 2012

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FLOOD

Even worse flood crisis this year unless Thai govt is decisive: Water experts

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FATAL ACCIDENT

Suphan Buri fireworks disaster affects 500

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A land the maps ignore

TAIPEI: -- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson journeys to the centre of a sequel with 'Mysterious Island', screening here next week

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Chalerm: No Officials Will Be Spared From Law For Committing Crimes

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Thai Thief Caught With 10,000 Pairs Of Women's Underwear

He smelled them all the time even while driving, says police

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Thai Army denies, admits fire at weapons storage site

The Nation

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Thai overseas students abusing rights: Tax evasion

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Final goodbye to National Artist Juree

The Nation

CHIANG RAI: -- Entertainers and fans alike are mourning the passing of National Artist Juree Osiri, who was considered an icon by the new generation of celebrities.

Pa Ju, or Aunty Ju as she was known affectionately, died at her Chiang Rai home yesterday. She was 81. Juree is survived by her only son, actor and director Noppol Komarachun.

Veteran artist Settha Sirachaya lamented Juree's passing, saying that the entertainment industry had lost a rare artist whose talents ranged from singing and acting to doing voiceovers.

"She was like a mother to me," he said, recalling their first encounter 36 years ago when Juree offered him a role in "Fai Gam Prae", which won Settha the national Tukkata Tong Award.

In her later years, she contributed to the entertainment industry by encouraging the younger generation of artists to be disciplined and determined to produce quality work. She, in collaboration with Settha, was also behind the Senior Artists Club, which aimed to help unfortunate artists in their old age.

Actress Jarunee Desneige said she considered Juree a great teacher. "I once starred in a film with her, and during the drive to work from her home, she would give me so many good tips."

People have also been posting messages via social media in Juree's memory.

"Rest in peace, dear Pa and thanks for teaching us all that love is the greatest thing on Earth," TV host Wutthithorn "Woody" Milintajinda tweeted.

The Thai Film Archive also paid tribute on its Facebook page, lamenting that it did not have a chance to get Juree's hand and foot print for its database.

"She was not available, and during the floods she was living in Chiang Rai," a staff member said on the page.

Juree is perhaps best known for her voiceovers during the Thai film industry's golden age in the 70s and 80s. At that time, she was the voice of all leading actresses, including Petchara Chaowaraj, Pisamai Vilaisak, Aranya (Ngamwong) Sirachaya, Paowana Chanachit, Naowarat Yuktanan and Lalana Sulawan.

She won several awards and honours, before being named National Artist in 1998.

Her funeral rites will be held from today at Bangkok's Makutkasatariyaram Temple. As National Artist, the Culture Ministry will provide Bt135,000 for funeral expenses and another Bt35,000 for merit making. Her family will be given a budget of up to Bt120,000 to publish a book on her life and work.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

AFP: Revamping HSBC sells Thai banking assets

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Crucial choice for PM Yingluck in picking next spokesperson

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My good intentions will prove critics wrong: Nivatthamrong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office Minister Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal yesterday said he was not stressed about his new job supervising state-run media outlets, reminding reporters to reset their alarm clocks because he is an early bird who arrives for work at 7am.

"I don't feel under pressure because I have been familiar with media professionals for years," he said in reference to his experience in the management team of defunct iTV.

Nivatthamrong was the first newly appointed minister to report for work. He began his first day in office by paying respects to a Brahmin shrine atop Government House and a spirit house guarding the seat of government.

He said he was not worried about concerns that his past service in the Shinawatra business empire conflicted with his government work.

"I think my good intentions and job performance will prove my critics wrong," he said.

Another minister, Woravat Auapinyakul, said he did not feel offended about his reassignment from the Education Ministry to the PM's Office.

Woravat said the move was not a demotion, because he would be in charge of the budget, seen as the cornerstone of the government's performance.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua arrived for work at 6.19am accompanied by a large entourage of red shirts, including Yoswarit "Jeng Dokjik" Chuklom and Worawuth Wichaidit.

"My first job is to resolve the problem of the natural rubber price," he said, vowing to drive up the price to Bt120 per kilogram.

Natthawut said one of his priorities was to coordinate with relevant ministries in order to ensure the stability of farm prices.

He said that as a young minister aged 36, he was willing to consult and emulate his elders in doing his job.

He denied that he might have a difficult time working under Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut, saying he and his boss were native sons of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

EDITORIAL

No more leniency towards criminal organisations: Thai opinion

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'Brotherly talk' hides political-military rifts: Thai talk

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Thai Army dismisses reports of Thai-Cambodian military clash

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Surachai defers his hunger-strike plan

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pranee Danwattananusorn, wife of Red Siam group leader Surachai Danwattananusorn, who is in jail on lese majeste charges, said yesterday her husband had decided to postpone his hunger strike.

The strike was subject to a response from the Corrections Department chief, whom Surachai had sent a letter asking he be transferred to the newly opened detention centre for political prisoners in Bangkok's Lak Si district. Pranee also named fellow red-shirt detainee Somyos Prueksakasemsuk in the request.

Surachai, 69, was initially planning to go on hunger strike yesterday.

"I personally don't want him to go without food," Pranee said. "But the situation is forcing him. His supporters don't have time, and he has to help himself. You are exposed to all kinds of diseases being locked up with other inmates. Yet, if you go on hunger strike and fall sick, you do get taken to hospital, so at least that will be on the news."

A verdict on Surachai's charges is expected on February 28.

Meanwhile, Somyos' son, Panithan, has announced he will go on hunger strike mid next month on behalf of his father, who was editor of the Red Power and Voice of Taksin magazines, to demand Somyos be transferred to the new detention centre. Panithan will also use his protest to push for an amendment to the lese majeste law.

Though Panithan could not be reached as of press time, key red-shirt member Jitra Kodchadej said he was planning to carry out his hunger strike at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

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

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CHUMPHON

2 killed, 5 injured in scaffold collapse for construction of world's largest Buddha statue: Thailand

CHUMPHON: -- Scaffolding at the construction site of a giant statue of a Buddhist monk in Chumphon province collapsed last night, killing two workers and injuring five others.

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900,000 tablet PCs to be handed out now: Thai Education Minister Suchart

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Police arrest drug suspect, alleged Army accomplice

The Nation

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Flood victims deserve as much compensation as those hit by political riots: SGWA

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Nation Group to invest Bt500m in satellite TV businesses

BANGKOK: -- Nation Group has unveiled a three-year, Bt500-million plan to expand its satellite TV business.

The group plans to launch at least two more stations - Krungthep Turakij and Yaowachon Channel - taking the total number of its stations to seven.

It aims to capture audiences in all segments and expects to boost broadcasting advertising to 40 per cent of total ad revenue.

Discussing the group's business direction for the next three to five years, Thanachai Theerapattanavong, executive chairman of Nation Multimedia Group (NMG), said Wednesday that its print businesses still shows strong growth. The group is also committed to entering new businesses, especially in television, which accounts for as much as 60 per cent of the country's Bt100billion advertising market.

"The TV business is also undergoing a period of transformation with lots of opportunities," he said, adding that there are now some 200 satellite TV channels. Meanwhile, satellite TV has become increasingly popular with a number of audiences amid intense competition. Therefore, those who are capable of producing content have a competitive edge. Nation Group, a leading media organisation that produces a vast amount of its own content, will strive to boost its TV business this year, he said.

"We are ready to produce content for all TV formats, including free TV, satellite TV and Internet TV. This year, Nation Group will open at least two more TV channels which will be under the operation of its two subsidiaries - Krungthep Turakij and Nation Edutainment Plc," Thanachai said.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

BBC: Flood-proofing Bangkok could force canal dwellers out

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Be informed, Be protected - 6 Critical Features for Facebook Security

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Facebook now forces their timeline on everyone

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Facebook Scam: Chuck Norris dies at age of 71! Not a Joke.

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,062.22, up 6.21 points /MCOT

Eighth suspect, school kid, arrested for Phuket Pla-wan attack

Vorasit 'Pla-wan' Issara continues to recover at his Sri Panwa resort in Phuket. Photo: Warisa Temram

The injury in Mr Vorasit's shoulder will require further surgery.

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Transport Minister Orders Speedy Repairs of Flooded Roads

BANGKOK: -- The transport minister has ordered agencies under his command to speed up the repairs of flood-hit roads.

Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said yesterday that he has instructed agencies under his supervision to follow the government's policies, particularly the prime minister's order to accelerate the reconstruction of roads stricken by the recent flooding.

Jarupong noted that he asked related agencies to seek methods of lowering the country's logistics costs of 17.9 percent against the Gross Domestic Product to 15.9 percent within 4 or 5 years in preparation for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community.

The minister added that he plans to offer various training programs for the ministry's personnel, including those concerned with handling natural disasters, including floods.

Jarupong held a meeting with his two deputies, Police Lieutenant General Chatt Kuldilok and Chatchart Sittipan, over the working plans for agencies under the supervision of their ministry.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-26