Thailand Live Thursday 26 Jan 2012

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Phuket hit-and-run driver surrenders, victim still in hospital

Phuket Gazette

After the hit-and-run accident on one of Phuket’s most dangerous roads, medics stabilized Mr Suriya before taking him to hospital. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

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Rescued Dogs Receive Vaccination in Buriram Province

BURIRAM: -- Officials from the Buriram Animal Quarantine rushed to provide vaccinations to rescued dogs and make a record of them.

The work is expected to be completed this week.

Officials from the Buriram Animal Quarantine and a team of vets from the Livestock Department were quick to make records of rescued dogs and provide them with vaccinations to prevent them from becoming ill, as they are the key evidence in a dog smuggling case.

The dogs have been transferred to Animal Quarantine in Buriram's Pakam District to receive care and treatment.

There are approximately 2,300 dogs in the Animal Quarantine.

Seventy percent of dogs have received their vaccinations and records have been made.

The process is expected to be completed this week. Officials will post records of the rescued dogs and their photos on their website for dog owners who are seeking their lost dogs.

The owners can contact the Buriram Animal Quarantine to pick-up their dogs. More than 10 people have asked to adopt dogs.

However, they will have to wait at least 15 days to one month to allow dog owners to claim their dogs.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-26

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Govt to hold National Thai Elephant Day celebration

BANGKOK, 26 January 2012 (NNT) – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is prepared to organize the National Thai Elephant Day celebration to raise public awareness of the pachyderm conservation and to remind people of the legendary Thai elephants.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk revealed that the celebration will be held at Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang province from February 3-5. The event is aimed at raising awareness of elephant conservation and informing people of the importance of elephants, who have been playing major roles in the Thai history.

With the recent reports of widespread elephant poaching and killing for ivories, the number of Thai pachyderms has been reducing significantly. Besides, the animals have also fallen victims to attacks and road accidents. Many wild elephants have become crippled and died.

The National Thai Elephant Day celebration will also be held to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday anniversary, as well as to promote tourism in areas under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Industry Organization.

-- NNT 2012-01-26

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Phuket likely to get Administrative Court

The Supreme Administrative Court building in Bangkok, which has the final say in unresolved disputes between citizens and State.

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Chuwit exposes gambling dens in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 26 January 2012 (NNT) – Whistle-blowing Chuwit Kamolvisit, Rak Thailand Party leader, has exposed two more gambling networks in Bangkok, saying high-ranking police officials are behind the networks.

The Rak Thailand leader showed video clips taken inside the gambling dens to the media, saying their networks are spreading throughout Bangkok. According to him, two major networks namely Tue Golden Dragon and S. Sommai with 14 and eight gambling venues, respectively have been in operation for some time. He hinted that two police generals with initials "Or'' and" Jor" were behind the gangs.

He added several gambling venues, which had been closed earlier, have now resumed their operations.

Metropolitan Police chief Winai Thongsong says as of now the police still have no detailed information on the gambling dens as cited by Mr Chuwit.

-- NNT 2012-01-26

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Bangkok's Counterfeit Gold Production Den Raided

BANGKOK: -- Bang Sao Tong police officers invaded what they thought was a gambling and drug den in the Phasi Charoen District, but the place turned out to be a hideout for making fake gold.

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SET index midday Thur at 1,063.62, up 7.61pts, 0.72 pct in line w/ regional shares /The NATION

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Constitution Court Receives to Rule on Flood Relief Package Corruption Case

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court received a request from the House speaker to rule on the status of eight Pheu Thai MPs for their alleged involvement in a flood-relief package corruption case.

The court will decide whether to accept the case.

Yesterday, Spokesperson for the Constitution Court, Pimol Thampitakpong, reported that on January 24, the court received a request from the House speaker to rule on whether eight Pheu Thai MPs allegedly involved in a flood-relief package corruption case should be dismissed from their posts.

The court will now decide whether to accept the case.

According to the report, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont signed his name on the petition from Democrat MPs and submitted it to the Constitution Court.

The Democrat Party claims that eight of Pheu Thai MPs have violated Article 265 and 266 of the Charter by interfering the procurement procedure of flood-relief packages.

The Pheu Thai MPs implicated in the case are Pracha Promnok, Karun Hosakul, Suchart Thianthong, Worachai Hema, Tanusak Lek-uthai, Wicharn Meechaianant, Jirayu Huangsap, and Jarupong Ruangsuwan.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-26

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Gay Photo Contest Sparks Controversy

BANGKOK: Many would say Thailand is one of most accepting countries with it comes to homosexuality. Not only are we famous for our Tiffany-like shows and gay pride activities, society in general seems to be more open to the less traditional genders. However, when it comes to people in uniform, we're just like any other country. The “All for Men” fan page on Facebook recently organized a photo contest to celebrate upcoming Valentine's Day in style. The page administrator, Pattanasak Monkata, is encouraging fans to post romantic pictures themselves and their boyfriends on the fan page. Whichever picture receives the most “Likes” wins the grand prize.

More than 50 couples have participated so far and the contest has been deemed by most as advocating acceptance of a third gender. However, things got rather heated after some couples posted racy kissing pictures. The situation was further aggravated when men in uniform sent their own pictures. The most controversial one shows an army soldier piggy backing on his boyfriend while still in uniform.

Although there has not been any official comment from officials, many in the cyber world have expressed dissatisfaction at what they feel to be inappropriate.

The contest organizer says he's not worried about their concerns and will continue with the activity. The couple with the most “Likes” by the end of this month wins a romantic getaway to Khao Yai.

The All for Men fan page has more than 2,000 fans and is known to represent part of the male gay online community.

Translated from www.thairath.co.th

-- Tan Network 2012-01-26

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Nalinee vows to answer opposition's questions in House debate

BANGKOK: PM's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin Thursday said she was ready to defend herself if the opposition submits an interpolation to question her qualifications.

The opposition has threatened to submit an interpolation against Nalinee to question her qualifications related to a ban on business transactions imposed by the US government on her.

Nalinee said she would defend herself if the interpolation is submitted.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

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Saimai Police superintendent files defamation suit against Rak Thailand leader Chuvit for claiming his involvement with gambling dens/TAN_Network

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SET ended up by 7.61 points at 1,063.62 during the midday break with value at Bt9.90 bn/TAN_Network

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Do Not Lose Sight of the Real Argument

BANGKOK: The debate over Article 112 of the Criminal Code is intensifying, particularly after the Nitirat Group proposed an idea that most people deem to be an attack on the monarchy. Meanwhile, the group, led by Worajet Pakheerat, has not been able to clearly explain to the public how its proposal would benefit the nation. The ongoing dispute between those who support a change to Article 112 and those who are against it has turned into a chaotic mudslinging, further deteriorating the situation.

In principal, Article 112 is not much different from ordinary defamation law, Article 326 to 333, which guarantees the victims' rights to defend themselves against slanders made against them. Only in Article 112, the victims are the king, queen, heir-apparent and the regent...all of who, cannot lodge lawsuits against commoners. The main differences are that a normal defamation charge could be settled out of court and only carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment while the lightest sentence of a lese majeste violation is three years in prison. Many claim that the current lese majeste law itself could easily be exploited to defame someone.

The main point of the argument is not about whether Article 112 should be revoked but rather how the law has often been abused to persecute political rivals. Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities lack judgment to decide which cases brought to them are valid.

Permanent Secretary of Justice Kittipong Kittayarak has proposed that police and prosecutors must be more coordinated while proceeding such cases and to protect all of those involved. In the past, anyone could file lese majeste complaints against another individual at any police station. The police and prosecutor themselves seldom turn away these complaints for fear that their loyalty to the crown would also be questioned.

By allowing the Nitirat Group to continue making proposals which go against traditional values, the opposing camp will be further angered. This may lead to a new round of violence as in the recent past. The public must be informed of the main essence of the argument. We must be more open and try to understand what exactly are we arguing about.

Taken from Editorial Section, Kom Chad Leuk Newspaper, Page 4, January 26, 2012

Translated and Rewritten by Kongkrai Maksrivorawan

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network

-- Tan Network 2012-01-26

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House speaker orders end to today's session following widespread protests on the issue of PM's Office Minister Nalinee/TAN_Network

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Chuwit exposes gambling dens in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 26 January 2012 (NNT) – Whistle-blowing Chuwit Kamolvisit, Rak Thailand Party leader, has exposed two more gambling networks in Bangkok, saying high-ranking police officials are behind the networks.

The Rak Thailand leader showed video clips taken inside the gambling dens to the media, saying their networks are spreading throughout Bangkok. According to him, two major networks namely Tue Golden Dragon and S. Sommai with 14 and eight gambling venues, respectively have been in operation for some time. He hinted that two police generals with initials "Or'' and" Jor" were behind the gangs.

He added several gambling venues, which had been closed earlier, have now resumed their operations.

Metropolitan Police chief Winai Thongsong says as of now the police still have no detailed information on the gambling dens as cited by Mr Chuwit.

-- NNT 2012-10-26

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Princess praises Mahidol Award recipients

BANGKOK, 26 January 2012 (NNT) - Representing His Majesty the King, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presented the 2011 Prince Mahidol Award to three foreign professors, and praised them for their dedications to the development of medical advancement.

A winner of the 2011 award in the field of medicine is Prof. Aaron T. Beck, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He discovered the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to treat depression patients. The other winner in the same category is Dr. David T. Wong, Adjunctive Professor from the Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Wong has found fluoxetine which effectively cures depression with small side effects.

In the field of public health, Dr. Ruth F. Bishop, Professorial Fellow from the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, won the award for 2011. In 1973, the doctor discovered that the cause of diarrhea in children younger than six years old was “Rotavirus.” Her discovery has led to the development of vaccines against diarrhea in small children nowadays.

At the award presenting ceremony, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn says the world is faced with various diseases, which still cannot be cured, and that finding remedies is difficult. She thanked the award recipients for their devotion to hard works researching for the cure. She hopes that their research could greatly be parts of medical and public health development for humanity.

His Majesty the King granted permission to establish the Prince Mahidol Award 19 years ago in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, the father of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The late Prince Father is recognized as the “Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health of Thailand.”

-- NNT 2012-01-26

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New minister eyes revamping energy structure

BANGKOK, 26 January 2012 (NNT) – Newly-appointed Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon is set to restructure the entire energy policy, stating that everyone must equally benefit from it.

His long-term projects feature the development of sustainable energy security to accommodate economic and social growth by searching for new energy resources and establishing a clearer master plan. The government must also work hard to push Thailand towards the ASEAN Economic Community’s process of energy convergence. In addition, the people must be aware that the country has sufficient energy reserve for times of natural disasters.

On the other hand, his short-term plan includes the transparency of all relevant parties. His policy will respond directly to the government’s policy on energy. It will encourage the use of alternative energy and technological innovation while taking into account all possible environmental impacts. He added that all energy prices must be controlled fairly.

Regarding the reconstruction of energy prices, Mr. Arak proposed that the Energy Policy and Planning Office reconsider collecting money into the oil fund during its meeting on 16 February. He stated that all initial decisions must be based on actual costs.

Additionally, the Energy Minister admitted that diesel price, which is currently held down at below THB30 per litre may be increased if further studies point to a higher production cost.

-- NNT 2012-01-26

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Laborers Prepare for Natiowide Rally to Demand Wage Hike

Laborers have revealed that they are planning a nationwide rally to protest against delays in raising minimum wage to 300 per day. The Yingluck administration had made campaign promises which have been delayed due to an economic downturn following widespread floods last year.

However, a date for the rally has not been revealed.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-26

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Democrat MP questions Nalinee's qualifications

BANGKOK: A Democrat Party MP Thursday submitted an interpolation asking Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to clarify the appointment of Nalinee Taveesin as a PM's Office Minister.

Bangkok MP Ratchada Thanadirek asked Yingluck to clarify whether Nalinee's appointment breached the ethic code.

Nalinee has been banned by the US Treasury Department from engaging in business transactions with US citizens on suspicion that she has been involved in business transactions with Grace Mugabe, the wife of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

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Former Pilot Calls for Probe into Possible Violations of Aviation Code by Thai Airways

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Disgruntled Farmer Strips in Front of Government House

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FC Phuket face extinction

FC Phuket Director Soranan Sanae hopes the future of the team will brighten with foreign investment.

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Thai PM joins India's national day celebrations

NEW DELHI, January 26, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand's premier was guest of honour on Thursday at India's 63rd Republic Day celebrations, an annual display of the country's military might held amid tight security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....y-celebrations/

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Narathiwat district chief escapes death in bomb explosion

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- Insurgents detonated a roadside bomb Thursday morning as the pickup truck of Narathiwat's Ra Ngae district chief Supawarit Phetchkan passed by, damaging the vehicle and another motorist's car but causing no injuries or fatalities, police said.

The bomb attack took place at 9.45am on Ban Hulupare Moo 1's road along a railway in Tambon Tanyongmmat. Police found the driver's side doors and windows ridden with shrapnel holes.

Some 30 metres away was another car, its rear window shattered by shrapnel while a hole, 60 centimetres deep and almost a metre wide, was found in the opposite lane with pieces of the bomb all around it. Police suspected the insurgents remotely detonated the 5kg homemade bomb through radio communication.

Supawarit said he and four village defence volunteers were passing the spot in his armoured truck to preside over Ban Chulaporn Pattana's vetiver grass growing project when the culprits detonated the bomb. The shrapnel also damaged passerby Mahusend Kaseng's car.

Supawarit then told his driver to speed away for fear that insurgents might open fire at them. He later returned and called the police. Supawarit said insurgents wanted to kill him, because earlier rangers had checked the road and didn't find anything suspicious. Saying the assassination attempt didn't scare him, he vowed to work to protect Thailand.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

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Interior allowed by law to deal with Bangkok Governor

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sukhumbhand Paribatra if he does not cooperate with the government's policy to prevent a repeat of flooding, Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said Thursday.

Yongyuth insisted that the interior minister is authorised to sack the governor of Bangkok, which is a special administrative zone. However, he insisted he did not want to go that far because it would be a severe measure and he is hoping that the governor, a former Democrat MP, will cooperate with the government in preventing the floods.

Last year, many central and northern provinces including Bangkok suffered from massive inundation as a result of water mismanagement and heavy rains. The government has thus announced preparations to prevent a repeat of flooding this year, which includes the salvaging of waterways.

During the flooding, both the government and the Bangkok authority publicly aired their conflict over the handling of the flood crisis, which added to the chaos.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

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Uniformed and armed Civil Defense Volunteer arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police

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Clash Rumor Spoils Border Tourism

SI SA KET: -- The rumored clash at the Thai-Cambodian border hurts the tourism atmosphere of a national park in Si Sa Ket as visitors are not confident in their safety.

The atmosphere at the tourist destination of Mor E Daeng Cliff in Phra Viharn National Park in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak District was inactive after a rumor on Wednesday suggested a Thai soldier was injured in a clash with Cambodian troops in the border area near Ta Kwai Temple in Surin Province.

Only two groups of tourists visit the area, much lower than the regular number of some 400 to 500 tourists a day.

Chief of the Phra Viharn National Park Saksit Polsapsiri said his office has received a lot of phone calls asking about the situation in the area, but many are still not confident to visit although having made reservations.

The rumor also sparked concern among residents of Phum Sarol Village, near Preah Vihear Temple.

Villager Mayuree Saengkham said her neighbors have to return home from working on their farms before dark over fear of possible border clashes.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha insisted no clash broke out at the Thai-Cambodian border on Wednesday and said the injury of a Thai soldier resulted from an accidental discharge of his firearm while he was cleaning it after finishing his patrol task.

Prayuth said an investigation could be launched to determine if the accident was caused by recklessness.

The general maintained the border situation is still normal and talks between the two countries will proceed as planned.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-26

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Bank of Thailand governor projects Thailand’s economy in 2012 likely to grow at least 4.8%; official figure due on Feb 3 /MCOT

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SET index closed at 1068.54, up 12.53; Bt/USD31.23; GBP48.80; AUD32.99; EUR40.82; CAD30.94; HKD4.02; SGD24.68; JPY39.94

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DNA database planned to protect Thailand's elephants

BANGKOK: -- Natural Resources and Environment Ministry plans to build a DNA database of the 4,000 or so domesticated elephants in order to stop people from bringing in wild elephants and taking over identity papers of deceased pachyderms.

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