Thailand Live Friday 27 Jan 2012

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,073.60, up 5.06 points /MCOT

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Tourist Police chief says Pattaya 'completely safe' from terrorist attack

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....rrorist-attack/

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Minister to PM’s office Nalinee starts work at Govet House, unworried over being opposition's target; denies arm trading with Zimbabwe /MCOT

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Two rushed to hospital after separate accidents in Phuket

Kusoldharm Foundation workers and Bangkok Hospital Phuket staff prepare the seriously-injured Ms Lamphong for transport to Thalang Hospital. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

The Toyota Vios after a hitting a power pole on the bypass road in Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ents-in-phuket/

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Superstar Strips down to Mini Skirt on Silom Rd

BANGKOK: -- Sexy Channel 7 superstar Um Patcharapa Chaichua dazzles people on Silom Road in her participation in the 'AP Ready to Move in' event to introduce AP Group's 20 new real estate projects which are located in areas not affected by the recent flooding.

Um was accompanied by singer Pae Arak Amornsupasiri, former boyfriend of another Channel 7 superstar Pancake Khemmanij Chamikorn.

They both showed up in waterproof pants but she was in a strapless top showing her ample bosom during her parade down Silom Road. The highlight of her show was stripping off her waterproof pants to a mini-skirt which could send the weak hearted into a heart attack.

Reports said Um was paid as much as 200,000 baht to strip on Silom Road.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-27

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Thailand to join WTO informal ministerial meeting

DAVOS: -- Thailand will be among 27 countries to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Informal Ministerial Gathering at Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 28.

Hosted after the World Economic Forum (WEF), exonomic ministers of the 27 countries are expected to discuss trade procedures in a follow-up to the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference in December.

From 153 member countries, only 27 are selected thanks to their significant role in trade negotions, said Srirat Rastapana, director-general of Thailand’s Trade Negotiations Department.

-- The Nation 2012-01-27

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Revered monk to be discharged from hospital

NAKORN RATCHASIMA, 27 January 2012 (NNT) - A team of doctors looking over the conditions of Luang Phor Koon Parisutho of Ban Rai temple says the revered monk will be discharged from the hospital on January 30th.

After staying at Maharaj hospital in Nakorn Ratchasima province for nine months, the revered monk is said to have regained his health and his conditions improved to the extent that he will be able to go back to his temple to recuperate this Monday, said the doctors.

Luang Phor Koon has reportedly been seen refresh and happy. He also prayed for Buddhists across the country on the New Year occasion.

The 88-year-old monk will have to be under tuberculosis medication for another seven more months.

Visitors allowed to see him must have facemasks on at all times and must not get closer to him than 2 meters. The doctors also advised that the monk not touch anyone to prevent infection.

-- NNT 2012-01-27

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Govt inspects Bang Chom Sri sluice gate repair

SING BURI, 27 January 2012 (NNT) - Government officials have inspected the repair of Bang Chom Sri water sluice gate, which were heavily damaged during the flooding last year.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut, together with Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development (SCRF) Chairman Veerapong Ramangkul, yesterday inspected the Bang Chom Sri sluice gate in Sing Buri province.

Mr Theera is confident that, once the sluice gates have been repaired, water management will be easier and more effective.

Under a 20-million baht project, repairs of the bridge over the sluice gate, weirs, and gaps between gates are expected to be finished by May. After that will be the second phase, in which a siphon will be built at the sluice gate and a new water pumping station built with a budget of 500 million baht.

Mr Veerapong, at the same time, is confident that the budget of 350 billion baht the government has earmarked for sustainable water management plans will be enough to revive the Chao Phraya River basin in the long run.

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is prepared to propose to the cabinet a dyke repair plan aimed at protecting both sides of the Bang Chom Sri sluice gate.

-- NNT 2012-01-27

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Construction of Buddha statue collapses due to workers’ lack of experience

CHUMPON, 27 January 2012 (NNT) - After the structure of a giant Buddha statue in Chumpon province collapsed, the contractor admitted the workers lack experience and were rushing to finish it in time.

Local residents both in Chumpon and neighboring provinces, who heard about the news of the accident at Wat Pru Yai, went to the site and were saddened by what they saw.

The construction crews were building the world’s biggest Buddha statue, 15 meters wide and 19.9 meters tall, when it collapsed, killing some workers on January 25th.

The contractor who oversees the whole construction admitted to the police that the workers had never before built a statue this big; the tallest they had built was only 15 meters tall. She added that the statue was in a sitting posture and had a curve back. Besides, the workers were rushing to finish it by April.

-- NNT 2012-01-27

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Phuket crowds flock to Chalong Temple Fair

Phuket Gazette –

The Chalong Temple Fair attracts huge crowds from all over Phuket. Photo: Issac Stone Simonelli

Police on duty at the annual Phuket fair say that traffic has been their biggest headache so far this year. Photo: Issac Stone Simonelli

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/529134-phuket-crowds-flock-to-chalong-temple-fair/page__view__findpost__p__5008963

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SET index midday up 6.80 pts, 0.64 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) stood at 1,075.34, up 6.80 points, or 0.64 per cent

in line with regional shares amid Bt14.23 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 751.31, up 5.50 points, or 0.74 per cent.

Top five most active (value) stocks: SCC, PTTGC, PTT, BANPU, BBL.

-- The Nation 2012-01-27

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RT@Biz_TheNation: Pheu Thai Party Fri. issued statement confirming no plan to amend Section 112 of Criminal Code of lese majeste law

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RT @RichardBarrow: 2:24pm Fire on Petchburi Soi 20. Many fire trucks in attendance. Best to avoid the area if you can /via @js100radio

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Bhumibol Dam on early alert against floods: Officials

Bhumibol Dam, file photo. Source: wikimedia

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LESE MAJESTE LAW

Democrat spokesperson to hold rally against Nitiraj

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party deputy spokesperson Jitphat Piromphakdee on Friday called on Thais to rally to pledge loyalty to His Majesty the King and to oppose amendment to the lese-majesty law.

Jitphat said the rally will be held at the Royal Plaza at noon on Saturday. She added that it was her personal campaign and had not been sanctioned by the Democrats.

During the rally, a statement to pledge loyalty to the King will be read and the demonstrators will sign their names to express opposition to the planned amendment of the Criminal Code Article 112, which the Nitiraj group is pushing for, she said.

Jitphat said the campaign of the Nitiraj group of academics violated the monarchy.

She said she has invited the public through her personal Facebook page to join the rally and many Facebook users had posted messages that they would join the demonstration.

Those planning to join the rally include students of Chitralada School and members of the We Love the King Facebook page.

Jitphat said Tul SitthiSomwong, the leader of the multi-coloured group, also planned to take part.

The Nitiraj group, which comprises young academics, has infuriated the public by proposing charter amendments to require the King to swear that he will protect and abide by the Constitution.

The group also proposed amendments to Article 112 to allow the members of the public to criticise the King on the grounds that such criticisms are made with good intentions.

-- The Nation 2012-01-27

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Bangkok Police Conduct Multiple Drug Raids

BANGKOK: -- Early this morning, metropolitan police launched multiple drug raids in the Taopoon and Bang Sue areas of the capital in which many suspects were arrested.

This morning, Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander Police Lieutenant General Wichai Sangprapai oversaw about 120 police officers in drug raids conducted simultaneously at five locations in the Taopoon and Bang Sue areas of Bangkok.

The raids targeted the drug ring of Somchai Iampaijit, or "Ae Leuk", a drug suspect recently shot and killed by police during apprehension.

The police netted a total of 14 suspects and confiscated a quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

A juvenile believed to be an associate of Somchai was also arrested.

Initially, the suspects have been detained and will be charged.

The police commander also ordered all officers to eradicate narcotics in areas under their jurisdiction.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-27

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Smashing Waves Wipe Away Road in Pattani

PATTANI: -- Strong waves damage the shore in Pattani Province as locals in Uthai Thani are recovering from last year's floods.

A six-kilometer stretch along the shore connecting Baan Tah Dan in Yaring District and Baan Klong Tum in Panarae District in Pattani Province was cut off by strong waves.

Both districts have been using this street as a shortcut to transport their goods.

A large number of houses have been affected from the incident as well.

Pattani officials had previously closed down the road as strong waves continued to erode the shore.

Locals were advised to detour to Highway 42 for their own safety.

Meanwhile, in Uthai Thani Province, many important buildings on the 600 rai of grounds surrounding the Jantaram Temple were flooded for over two months.

The damage has been estimated at over 50 million baht, particularly the 100 meter high Mahawihan Kaew hall which houses the body of Luang Por Phrarajprommayan, or Luang Por Rue Si Ling Dum.

Ten million baht has been spent in restoring the hall.

During the flooding, the revered monk's body was relocated.

The hall has been repaired and a ceremony to move the body back will be held tomorrow.

A spectacular parade and religious ritual have been prepared.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-27

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Heavy Rain in BKK Causes Traffic Jam

Heavy rain this morning caused massive traffic congestion in most parts of Bangkok.

Rain has blanketed Bangkok since early this morning, resulting in traffic jams on many key routes.

The traffic police said traffic backed up several kilometers on Sukhumvit, Rama IX, Rama IV, Lardprao, Boromratchachonnanee and Ramkamhaeng roads.

Accidents were also reported on some roads, while flooding was also seen.

The Meteorological Department reported that a high pressure cell over the North and Northeast has weakened, causing the temperature to increase.

However, the weather overall remains cool, with fog seen in the morning.

A southeasterly wind brings moisture over the country and results in rain over the central and eastern regions, as well as Bangkok and its vicinities at this time.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-27

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DSI prepares to crackdown on illegally-run Tour Operators in Pattaya

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Police impersonator and suspected sexual abuser caught by Police in Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ice-in-pattaya/

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Mother accused of selling her daughter to foreign tourists in Central Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....entral-pattaya/

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SET index closed at 1076.29, up 7.75; Bt/USD31.19; GBP48.75; AUD32.91; EUR40.70; CAD30.93; HKD4.01; SGD24.62; JPY40.09

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National Police Chief, at press conference, announces arrest of drug syndicate members in south; 370,000 meth pills, 5kg of ice seized, valued at Bt118 million /MCOT

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Tourism Min Set to Ask U.S. to Lift Terror Warning

BANGKOK: -- Sports and Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-arhca revealed that Germany and France, among many other countries, have cancelled their travel advisories against Thailand.

He said he is set to ask the United States to lift its terror warning as a result.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-27

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Democrat fears Thailand’s image might be tarnished

BANGKOK, 27 January 2011 (NNT)-Democrat Party Spokesperson Mr. Chawanont Intarakomalasut said Thailand could be seen in a negative light with foreign media paying attention to the newly appointed Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office who is allegedly placed on the U.S. blacklist.

Mr. Chawanont said that Police Lieutenant-General Thaksin Shinawatra could have business affiliations with the Zimbabwe President considering what Mr. Thaksin's lawyer, Mr. Noppadol Pattama, has mentioned about his employer and Mrs. Malinee Thaveesin regarding their businesses in Africa.

The Democrat Spokesperson added that the mockery of Mrs. Malinee and her appointment to the Prime Minister’s Office in foreign media would significantly tarnish Thailand’s image in the world community.

-- NNT 2012-01-27

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Thai Tourism Thrives Despite Terrorist Warning

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Thailand Live Saturday 28 Jan 2012

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