Thailand Live Saturday 4 Feb 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 4 February 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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Revolution looms for Thai digital television

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Pracha puts prison commanders on notice over drug trafficking: Thailand

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ANTI-FLOOD MEASURES

Dam water to be released from May: Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....m-may-thailand/

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Victims of state violence in Thai South to be compensated

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Psychology of absolute monarchy lingers: scholar

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some Thais still relate to the monarchy institution as if they lived under an absolute monarchy, leading them to become enraged when faced with people they think want to criticise the institution, said Thammasat University political scientist Kasian Techapeera.

This outlook also causes them to regard anyone who wants to repeal or abolish the lese majeste law.

"They think [like this] because they have not left the absolute-monarchy system," Kasian said at a symposium held by Pridi Banomyong International College at Thammasat University yesterday.

The remark came as the Nitirat group of seven Thammasat University law lecturers, which has proposed that the lese majeste law be amended, has been denounced by some ultra-royalists as wanting to form a republic. Thammasat's administrators have barred Nitirat and its supporters from using the university's facilities to collect signatures in support of amending the law, leading to increasing confrontation between supporters and opponents of the law.

Kasian urged those critical of the monarchy and the lese majeste law to refrain from using hate speech or strong words and bear in mind that they're dealing with people who believe they love the institution "most".

He urged people to handle the debate with care. "What is scary is possible unorganised and spontaneous violence" as the hatred towards Nitirat is spreading, he said. Kasian added that to the best of his knowledge, nobody at Thammasat wanted to overthrow the monarchy to establish a republic. Rather, people who support the amendment want to ensure that the monarchy institution is not used as a weapon in political disputes.

Panus Tassaneeyanond, a former dean of Thammasat University's faculty of law and a former senator, said the media played a role in fanning hatred through the supply of one-sided information. He also acknowledged that many ultra-royalists did not care about details of the proposed amendment, and simply regarded supporters of the move as anti-royalists. The mentality of these ultra-royalists is that of people living under an absolute monarchy, he explained.

Thamrongsak Petchlertanand, a political-science lecturer at Rangsit University and an alumnus of Thammasat, criticised Thammasat's administrators for barring Nitirat and its supporters from collecting signatures on campus, accusing them of caving in to political pressure and serving the powers that be.

He urged administrators, lecturers and students to preserve the spirit of engagement in political activism for which Thammasat has become famous over the seven decades since Pridi Banomyong founded it.

-- The Nation 2012-02-04

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Rector defends Nitirat but slammed over 'gag order'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat University rector Somkid Lertpaithoon yesterday defended the Nitirat group of law lecturers and its leader Worachet Pakeerut for seeking amendments to the lese-majeste law.

However, Worachet slammed the rector for imposing a ban on events related to the Penal Code's Article 112 from being held inside the university compound. Describing the ban as a "gag order", he said he had become the target of a "witch hunt".

Somkid and Worachet gave separate interviews to the Kom Chad Luek television talk show, which was broadcast last night via satellite-based Nation Channel.

The rector said he believed that Nitirat, which includes some of the university's law lecturers, had good intentions and did not want Article 112 to be enforced unnecessarily. He also said it was "untrue" that Worachet and other Nitirat members were ungrateful to the monarchy and were part of a movement to overthrow the institution. Worachet is also a law lecturer at the university.

"Nitirat has the constitutional right to hold their campaign. The problem is they have raised far too many issues and thus face opposition," he said.

The rector said he agreed that Article 112 needs to be amended on certain points such as penalties, though he did not see too many problems with the clause in general. He said the problems involved enforcement of the code through the justice system.

"There is no need for an amendment right now," he added.

The university management under Somkid's leadership has banned the use of campus grounds for campaigning in relation to Article 112, drawing praise from detractors of Nitirat's campaign and criticism from supporters.

Somkid said that as university rector, he faced pressure from both sides, though pressure from those who disagreed with Nitirat was stronger. "Over the past year that Nitirat has been allowed to campaign [inside the compound], we have received complaints from people on all levels. I listened to them and sought good justification. I could not listen to every call," he said.

The rector also said he doubted if the campaign would get much more support.

"Judging from the current social atmosphere, I wonder how many people want Article 112 to be changed," Somkid said. "It seems there are more people who do not want changes than those who do."

He said that as opposition to the campaign grew, there was more a danger of violence.

"If Nitirat does not stop the campaign, I am afraid more people will come to the university, and there might be some who prefer to use violence," Somkid said.

He also said that there would be factors that could not be controlled, such as people campaigning separately in support of Nitirat.

Worachet, meanwhile, insisted that the Nitirat group, comprised of seven academics, was independent and did not seek donations or benefits. "Nobody can order us about," he said.

He also denied having anything to do with the red-shirt movement, saying that he did not like it when certain red-shirt leaders said Nitirat was like a limb of the red shirts.

"We have nothing to do with the red shirts but they might find our ideas pleasing," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-02-04

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ECONOMY 2012

Bank of Thailand raise growth forecast

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EDITORIAL

Is this government overstepping its fiscal authority?: Thai opinion

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WATCHDOG

Thai govt put on the ropes as court deliberates on decrees' legality

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....crees-legality/

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Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport scheduled to re-open March 2

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....e-open-march-2/

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Action on new ministers unlikely

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Ombudsman is unlikely to take action against two newly appointed Cabinet members for alleged moral wrongdoing because the petition against them was filed before they assumed office, Ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij said yesterday.

He said Prime Minister's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin and Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua were not Cabinet members when the petition was filed against them.

"The two persons were not actually public officials when they were accused of moral wrongdoing," he said.

However, Siracha said his office would continue its investigation to determine whether Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kitti-ampon were aware of any issues that would have disqualified Nalinee and Natthawut before they were appointed to the Cabinet.

-- The Nation 2012-02-04

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Public transport van plunges into ditch killing 4, injuring 14: Sukhothai

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....g-14-sukhothai/

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20% of deaths in Thailand blamed on cancer

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Cancer is believed to be the No 1 killer in Thailand accounting for about 20 per cent of deaths in the country every year. In 2010 alone, 58,076 people succumbed to the disease.

"However, cancer is curable if symptoms are detected at an early stage," Deputy Public Health Minister Surawit Khonsomboon said yesterday at an event held to raise public awareness about cancer. February 4 is marked as World Cancer Day every year.

Dr Wilawan Jeungprasert, directorgeneral of the Medical Services Department, said people over the age of 30 should undergo a checkup every year.

"Unusual bleeding or discharge, indigestion, sores that do not heal and recent changes in a wart or mole are among the signs of some types of cancer," she said.

She also advised people to keep the disease at bay by exercising regularly, including fruit and vegetables in their diet as well as being positive. "Don't smoke. Don't drink alcohol. Don't engage in risky sex. Don't eat raw freshwater fish and don't expose yourself to glaring sunlight," she said.

-- The Nation 2012-02-04

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Libel warning over sharp-tongued SimSimi chat robot: Thailand

File photo, Source: wikimedia

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....robot-thailand/

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Nine nations urged to lift travel warning

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry yesterday called on nine countries to lift their travel warnings about terror threats in Thailand.

Britain, Australia, Austria, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Romania and Canada are still warning their citizens to be careful when visiting Thailand.

"We hope the travel advisories will be adjusted to reflect the current situation," the ministry's permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.

Earlier this year, what was believed to be a terror threat in Thailand prompted many countries to issue travel advisories. Thai authorities have already arrested Atris Hussein, believed to be a member of Hezbollah, for the unauthorised possession of chemicals that can be used to make bombs.

Sihasak said the Foreign Ministry had yesterday informed ambassadors that Thai authorities had already taken measures needed to remove any concerns about a terror attack.

Police said investigation into Hussein's case is ongoing but refused to disclose any details.

-- The Nation 2012-02-04

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Govt ahead on 3 issues but behind on 2: poll

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US lifts terror alert in Thailand: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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PM gives policy on illicit drug crackdown, satisfied with results during the past 4 month, urges cooperation, aims to cut number of users /MCOT

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State Railway of Thailand imposing order on Chatuchak weekend market; 100 police on duty to prevent unregistered vendors /MCOT

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Micron CEO Steve Appleton dies in small plane crash in Idaho

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Dep PM Pledges to Suppress Extortion

BANGKOK: -- A deputy prime minister pledges to protect motorcycle taxi drivers against extortion.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung met about a hundred motorcycle taxi drivers, led by the transport minister's adviser Wan Yoobumrung, who is his son, to receive their complaints about extortion.

Chalerm stated he will set up a committee to probe their complaints and advised them not to bow to any threats or extortion because doing so means they are making the payment voluntarily which bars any legal action.

The deputy premier suggested motorcycle taxi drivers report extortion activities to Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Winai Thongsong.

He remarked the restructuring of regulations governing motorcycle taxis in the capital is the duty of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or BMA, and noted the situation can be improved if the governor is from his Pheu Thai Party.

Chalerm then maintained he has no plans to replace the present Police Chief Police General Priewpan Damapong with his deputy Police General Panupong Singhara, given the decision rests with the National Police Policy Committee.

He stated the issue is just a rumor which could be aimed at instigating chaos in the police office.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Association Chalerm Changthongmadan said his group wants the government to crackdown on extortion activities against motorcycle taxi drivers.

He said Bangkok has 130,000 to 180,000 motorcycle taxis, but only 40,000 are legally registered so if the government registers all motorcycle taxi drivers, extortion activities will cease.

The chairman said his association has already asked some district offices to proceed with registration, but they said the BMA still has not approved the issue.

The association will meet the Metropolitan Police commissioner to discuss how to tackle the extortion of motorcycle taxi drivers.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-04

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More than 220 dead as Europe freezes

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Phuket update: US lifts terror alert

Police in Bangkok load onto a truck inflammable materials found in a shophouse and linked to suspected terrorist Atris Hussein. News of Hussein's arrest earlier this month caused many embassies to issue terrorist alerts for Bangkok which have hurt the Phuket tourism industry. Photo: The Nation.

Full story:

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Officials extend period to accept applications for flood-related assistance

BANGKOK, 3 February 2012 (NNT) -The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has given 45 more days to flood victims to submit applications for the THB5,000 assistance from the government.

Mr. Teerachon Manomaipiboon, a Deputy Bangkok Governor, said the BMA has extended the application period for flood victims in Bangkok to claim the cash until 29 February 2012. Once receiving the applications, district offices will forward them to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) while the Government Savings Bank has been assigned to pay the money to flood victims. The procedure should be completed within 45 days.

Monetary compensations for damages to property and working tools, as well as for people killed in the floods, are between THB10,000 and THB30,000. On Monday 6 February 2012, the BMA will officially ask the DDPM to set aside an additional budget of THB 50 million for the purpose. Currently, a total of 50,862 people out of over a million flood-affected people have applied for the assistance. The damage compensations will be paid for the first time next week.

-- NNT 2012-02-04

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Phuket update: Swede horror smash driver surrenders

Phuket Gazette –

The tire tracks show where the Phuket-bound truck crossed over the median strip before crashing into the Toyota passenger car.

The wreckage of the Phuket-registered Toyota Altis.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5028982

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Man shot dead at teashop in Pattani's provincial seat by attackers on motorcycle; police presume motives personal conflicts/southern unrest /MCOT

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 5 Feb 2012

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/531039-thailand-live-sunday-5-feb-2012/