Thailand Live Friday 3 Feb 2012

[webfact]

Thailand Live Friday 3 February 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/564113621/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 2 Feb 2012

[webfact]

THAIVISA CONNECT

Thaivisa Forum Apps for your mobile or tablet

"Thaivisa Connect" for iPhone, iPad and iPod:

iTunes App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thaivisa-connect-thailand/id492600537

"Thaivisa Connect" for Android:

Android Market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkthaivisa.activity

OR

For QR code just go here with your desktop or mobile:

http://apps.thaivisa.com

[webfact]

UPDATE

BT684m extorted from taxi bikes

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Taxi motorcyclists nationwide pay Bt684 million each month in protection fees to so-called mafia, an inquiry initiated by a son of Deputy PM Chalerm Yoobamrung found yesterday.

Full story:

[webfact]

Thai Education Ministry Ministry sets tablet PC price at Bt2,400

Full story:

[webfact]

Thai Girls 'Forced Into Sex Slavery' In Australia

Full story:

[webfact]

Drought Silver Lining: Exposed Lampang Riverbed Opens Gold Rush

Full story:

[webfact]

Drunken Friends Disagreement Over Female Thai PM Ends In Murder

Full story:

[webfact]

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn: Lese Majeste A Pretext To Topple Govt By April

Full story:

[webfact]

Yingluck Faces Ombudsman's Probe Over Appointments Of Nalinee And Natthawut

Full story:

[webfact]

Floodwalls around Thailand's industrial estates 'could worsen situation'

BANGKOK: -- The Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) is threatening to take authorities to court if they go ahead with plans to encourage the construction of floodwalls around industrial estates.

Full story:

[webfact]

ICT Ministry plans cyber-security framework: Thailand

Full story:

[webfact]

Thammasat 'is open' to academic events

The Nation

Debate on Article 112 permissible on campus but not collection of signatures or politically related activity: rector

BANGKOK: -- The Thammasat University rector yesterday softened his stance about a ban on the use of campus ground for political campaigns over amendment to the lese majeste law, saying that academic freedom was still fully guaranteed.

Meanwhile, a split was growing between Thammasat's conflicting students and alumni, with one side coming out against the campaign for amendment to Article 112 of the Penal Code on lese majeste, and the other side protesting against the university administration's "restrictions on academic freedom".

Somkid Lertpaithoon, the university rector, said yesterday that the ban would be applied to both sides involved in the dispute - the Nitirat group, which is campaigning for changes to Article 112 and constitutional amendments on the monarchy, and the Siam Prachapiwat group, which is campaigning for protection of the monarchy and against "parliamentary dictatorship by political capitalists".

He said both groups could still hold their academic-oriented events on the matter inside the university compound."The ban only covers campaigns of a political nature about Article 112. If the CCA 112 wants to hold an academic seminar about Article 112, I will give them permission. But I won't allow them to hold a signature campaign inside the TU compound," Somkid said in an interview with Matichon Online.

CCA 112 refers to Nitirat's Campaign Committee for the Amendment of Article 112.

"Siam Prachapiwat also will not get my permission if they want to collect signatures inside the university compound in their campaign against amendment to Article 112," the rector said.

At the university's Tha Phrachan campus yesterday, a group of current and former students from the faculty of journalism and mass communications gathered at the monument of Thammasat's founder Pridi Banomyong to announce their opposition to Nitirat. The group, who called themselves "Journalism Faculty against Nitirat", were led by film director Yuthana Mukdasanit.

Yuthana read a statement that the monarchy had become a target of people seeking to overthrow the institution and that allowing amendment to or removal of Article 112 was to pave the way for them to achieve the goal. The group said they agreed that Nitirat's campaign was not purely academic, but rather politically motivated with the hidden goal of undermining the monarchy.

The anti-Nitirat group also made a five-point call for all elements in society to come out against any efforts to bring down the monarchy. Their petition was handed to deputy rector Pornchai Trakulwaranont, who accepted the document on behalf of the rector, who was in the Northern province of Lampang. The group members, facing Siriraj Hospital across the river where His Majesty the King has been staying, also sang the Royal Anthem before leaving.

A group of red shirts gathered at the campus yesterday, calling for a lifting of the ban. At its Rangsit campus, a group of Thammasat students laid a wreath in front of the statue of late former rector Puey Ungphakorn, in protest against the ban. The students said they did not want the university to curb academic freedom.

-- The Nation 2012-02-03

[webfact]

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE

NBTC plans trial run of digital TV

SIRIVISH TOOMGUM

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission wants to bring about a trial run of digital TV broadcasting this year.

NBTC member Supinya Klangnarong said yesterday that it would have to talk with the government first on which kinds of the digital technology the latter would adopt for Thailand.

Then the watchdog needs to grant temporary digital-TV broadcasting licences to free-TV operators to launch the trial service.

According to the draft of its spectrum-management master plan, the NBTC wants to switch radio and television broadcasting from analogue to digital technology within four years after the master plan takes effect.

The watchdog yesterday held a hearing with consumer groups on its spectrum-management, broadcasting and telecom master plans.

It will launch a nationwide hearing on the three plans on February 10.

Somkiat Tangkitvanit, vice president of the Thailand Development Research Institute, told the hearing yesterday that the NBTC should initiate talks with other Asean regulators to seek ways to lower international mobile-phone roaming rates in the region.

He added that the watchdog should also focus on pressing the telecommunications industry to play a greater role in enhancing the country's overall competitiveness.

He said the NBTC should shorten the periods within which non-concession state spectrum holders have to return their spectra to the commission for reallocation.

This would enable the NBTC to reallocate the spectra for public use quickly.

The draft of the spectrum-management master plan requires the state spectrum holders to return such spectra within the determined periods, radio spectra within five years of the master plan taking effect, TV broadcasting spectra within 10 years, and telecom spectra within 15 years.

But Somkiat said radio spectra should be returned to the watchdog within three years and TV spectra within five.

For those spectra that were granted to private concession holders, the state agencies have to return them to the NBTC once the concessions expire.

The free-TV operators are technological ready to air programmes on the digital technology but household viewers will need compatible devices to receive the signals.

-- The Nation 2012-02-03

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Rumours and smokescreens to divert attention: Thai opinion

Full story:

[webfact]

Strict control on false advertisements planned: Thailand

Full story:

[webfact]

Two brothers held over burglary

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two brothers arrested as accomplices in a burglary in Bangkok's Sai Mai district on Sunday claimed that they had been forced to take part in crime.

Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-General Winai Thongsong told the press yesterday that Sutthisak Oonman, 22, and Surasit Oonman, 19, had been arrested this week in Din Daeng. They had a 32-inch TV and four wristwatches in their possession.

The gang reportedly broke into the home of Lamjuan Mukkatok, 58, at Supalai Estate and made off with valuables worth Bt1.5 million. Winai said police had collected evidence, including fingerprints and security footage, before issuing arrest warrants for the two brothers. The duo admitted that they took part in the burglary and were reportedly each paid Bt10,000 for taking part.

-- The Nation 2012-02-03

[webfact]

Young laws to protect them

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pracha Terat, deputy permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry, said the law had to be strictly enforced to protect children from drugs as well as prohibit entertainment venues from allowing youngsters under the age of 18 from entering.

Pracha was speaking at a seminar on the prevention of drug trafficking, which was attended by 1,360 provincial governors, local leaders and other officials from 14 Southern provinces. Adul Saengsingkaew, chief of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said that since December, 120,000 suspects had been arrested for drug-related offences and 16 million ya ba tablets, 600 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 300kg of heroin, and 4,000kg of marijuana had been seized. Police have also confiscated the assets of about 1,500 suspects worth Bt600 million.

Last year, 92 police officers faced criminal charges and 133 faced disciplinary action for their role in drug trafficking. The Khao Bin Prison in Nakhon Ratchasima has installed a phone-signal jammer to stop inmates dealing drugs after about 2,000 mobile phones and drugs were found in prisons.

In related news, Muhammadnuri Hayibaka was nabbed and Bt35 million worth of cash and assets seized. Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation presented drug suspects Daochai Phuwijitthavornchai and wife Praniporn, who were arrested in Chiang Rai in a sting operation. So far, police have seized assets worth Bt40 million.

-- The Nation 2012-02-03

[webfact]

13 Nations Urged To Withdraw Their Travel Advisory Against Travelling To Thailand

Full story:

[webfact]

PM was 'unaware' of US sanction against Nalinee

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5024978

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Is the Thai govt serious about flood panels?

Full story:

[webfact]

Focus on reconciliation, sister of killed Italian journalist Fabio Polenghi says

BANGKOK: -- The sister of an Italian journalist killed during the crackdown on red shirts two years ago voiced support for providing compensation to the victims of the political turmoil, but said that getting all sides to reconcile was more important.

Full story:

[webfact]

Pheu Thai's BMA proposal 'flawed'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration yesterday objected to the Pheu Thai Party's plan to push for an amendment to the BMA Act that would include the election of 50 district office directors.

Wasan Meewong said he understood the proposal put forward by Pheu Thai MP Wichan Meenchainant was meant to speed up the resolution of problems. However, he said electing officials was not the final answer because it could lead to corruption and vote buying.

He also asked what would happen if a Bangkok councillor came from a different political party than the district director and whether it would lead to the director hesitating to help the councillor for fear his party would become more popular and gain more votes. It might also lead to political conflicts, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-02-03

[webfact]

Govt distances itself from Nitirat

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Key Cabinet figures yesterday maintained that the government has no plan to seek an amendment to Article 112 of the Penal Code regarding lese majeste.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul, responding to an open letter by 224 international academics and activists in support of the Nitirat group's campaign for amendment, said he saw no need for a written reply. "It's because the government has no intention to change Article 112," he said. "Those people may not understand about the Thai way of life".

The letter, dated February 1, was addressed to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the ruling Pheu Thai Party has retained its stance of not seeking amendment to Article 112. He regarded the call by the international scholars as "their personal viewpoint". He said that both the prime minister and Yongyuth Wichaidit, the Pheu Thai leader, have stated clearly the government would not seek changes to Article 112.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prom-phan yesterday repeated his claim about opponents setting up a war room and citing the lese-majeste issue as a pretext to topple the government by April.

"I have heard that a war room has been set up to oust the government," he said.

Jatuporn did not identify the parties supposedly involved in the plot, but said the lese-majeste issue would be distorted in order to pin the blame on the government.

Commenting on a video clip revealing red-shirt chairwoman Thida Thawornseth's remarks about the linkage with the Nitirat academic group, he said the red shirts had never denied their ties with Nitirat.

In the clip, Thida drew an analogy to portray the reds being the right hand and Nitirat being the left hand working in concerted effort in a two-pronged strategy.

Jatuporn said the reds and Nitirat were free to pursue their separate ideas.

"I am not panicked into abandoning [Nitirat] but I, Pheu Thai and Nitirat have respective stands," he said.

Even though the campaign to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code could solicit 10,000 signatures of support, there would be no MPs daring to vote for the amendment, he said.

He said Article 112 was not a problem in itself but the enforcement of the law under the Abhisit Vejjajiva government had been problematic. In 2002, there were no lese-majeste cases, he said, pointing out that under Abhisit's leadership, the cases soared to more than 100 in 2009.

-- The Nation 2012-02-03

[webfact]

Simsimi robot app too rude for some parents: Thai Culture Ministry

Full story:

[webfact]

Traffic to be halted around Victory Monument at 9.30am for placing of royal wreaths for Veterans' Day /TANN

[webfact]

700 police officers raid Bangkwang Prison in BKK for narcotics and drug paraphernalia /TANN

[webfact]

Thai wife visa reject threatens to kill herself at British Embassy in Bangkok

Full story:

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,094.43, up 2.76 points /MCOT

[webfact]

PM Yingluck confirms legitimacy in the appointment of Nalinee Thavisin

Full story:

[webfact]

Prisons to be Strict to Suppress Drug Trade

SURAT THANI: -- The Surat Thani Province's central prison has prepared to transfer two major drug-case inmates to Khao Bin prison, while stricter measures have been launched at Surin prison to prevent the illicit drug trades outside prison from other prisoners.

Surin prison officers have brought in news correspondents to inspect areas around the prison in Surin’s Rattanaburi District.

It was found that the barbed wire fence at the side and back of the prison were cut by some inmates, so that drug pills can be transferred through the holes easier.

News reports from the prison guards told that the drug-case inmates were related to major drug dealers and are involved in the drug network at Ratchaburi’s Khao Bin prison.

They have also formed a network in Rattanaburi prison, and that inmates belonging to the network would get 50,000 baht per month.

Furthermore, it was found that some prison wardens were also involved with the illicit drug trade.

Commander of Surin’s central prison, Paisorn Suwannaraksa, said that stricter measures have been launched, and inmates and wardens have been divided into two groups.

Eight officials had their positions reshuffled, while five officials at Rattanaburi prison have been transferred to Surin’s central prison in order to suppress drug-trading and motivate the officials to work harder.

Surat Thani’s prison commander Suchin Damkaden said that there are 850 drug-case inmates in the prison.

Two drug inmates, who were major drug dealers, have been transferred to Khao Bin prison.

Meanwhile, ten inmates are closely watched if they are involved with drug trade connections.

Suchin further said that there were drug gangs throwing cell phones into the prison nearly everyday, and that sometimes, they threw drugs into the prison as well.

However, officials have been ordered to closely monitor the prison around the clock. Suchin went on to say that since December 2011 to January 2012, 55 cell phones along with a huge amount of amphetamine pills have been seized from the inmates.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-03