Thailand Live Tuesday 7 Feb 2012

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FM Surapong briefs Thai envoys in 5 neighbouring countries on govt policy to strengthen ties; no progress on helping 2 Thai activists jailed in Cambodia /MCOT

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Bangkokians feel at highest risk due to cost-of-living, debt: Survey

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Thammasat University Rector to Allow Student Movement Regarding Section 112

BANGKOK: -- A student organization has submitted a letter to a university rector asking permission whether the students can be involved in using the university's premises to demonstrate their stance against amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

Thammasat University rector Somkid Lertpaitoon has agreed to allow students to use the university's premises as a means to demonstrate thier stance against amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

It has been pointed out that the university's rector wishes outsiders to see that students have the freedom of thought to express themselves and reduce pressure on the university director.

For this reason, Somkid agreed with students' proposal and allowed them to demonstrate their stance about the amendment on Article 112 of the Criminal Code, while the university management board and most students are agreed to prevent further conflict and violence.

Somkid has signed to address the issue, which stated that student participation is allowed, and that they can demonstrate their stance.

Meanwhile, Somkid added that a letter from the Faculty of Journalism, which have been signed by more than 1,000 students against the Nitirat movement, will be disclosed tomorrow.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-07

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Fraudster Makes away with 7 Million Baht on Cheap iPhone-iPad Scam

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Gold Shop Owner's Son Cuts up Millions of Baht in Banknotes

CHONBURI: -- Police have interrogated a gold shop owner and his son after the son confessed to cutting up millions of baht in 1,000-baht banknotes in protest of his father as he thought his father loved his older brother more.

Chonburi Police yesterday interrogated 30-year-old Worapan Rojsatarat and his father Worapong Rojsatarat, who owns the Rungcharoen gold shop, in Ban Bueng, Chonburi.

Police displayed evidence which consisted of about 1 million baht (US$33,000) in 1,000-baht banknotes which are cut up and burnt and were dumped in a trash can in front of the Sapmongkol store, a pair of scissors, a match box, and money bands from Kasikorn Bank.

The gold shop owner told the police the cutting up, tearing and torching of the banknotes was carried out by his son. His son then dumped the notes in a trash can about 30 meters away from their residence. He said his son was stressed out because he felt his father didn't love his 3 children equally. The father had opened another gold shop for Worapan's older brother and his wife in Pattaya City 2 years ago and would often give 100,000-200,000 baht a month to the older brother because he complained that the gold shop isn't doing well.

Worapan wasn't happy with what happened so he embezzled around 10,000-20,000 baht from the proceeds from his father's gold shop for the past 2-3 years until he accumulated 1 million baht in cash and proceeded to destroy the banknotes and dumped them. However, he saw on the internet that the police were going to pursue the destroyer of the banknotes by lifting fingerprints on them so he got scared and confessed to his father. His father then contacted the police, leading to the press conference.

The police say they won't prosecute Worapan because the banknotes he destroyed belonged to his family. They added there is no cause to prosecute Worapan for lese majeste in destroying banknotes which have an image of the King on it as he didn't have the intention to do so.

Worapan said he felt guilty for what he had done and admitted it stemmed from anger at his father as he thought he loved his children unequally. He was also worried the family's wealth will be drained because the gold shop he is taking care of isn't doing as well too and the family had to take out a bank loan to help with the situation.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-07

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Nielsen News Release: Thai Consumer Confidence Drops Five Points in Q4 2011

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SET closed up by 2.95 points at 1,096.96 during the Tue midday break with value of Bt12.12 bn /TANN

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Govt to launch thank you party for international community for flood help

BANGKOK, 7 February 2012 (NNT) - The government has prepared to launch the Love Thailand party to thank the international community and organizations for their contribution to efforts to deal with the crisis during the massive flooding in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5036613

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Cabinet sets up another committee to revamp all water-related agencies with PM as head;replaces Anuttama with Pakdeehan as deputy spokesman/TAN_Network

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Authorities raid Trang prison; detain, move riot leaders to separate prisons

TRANG, Feb 7 – Trang provincial prison authorities raided inmates’ dormitories on Tuesday, detaining and separating some 100 riot leaders, and moving them to other provincial prisons to prevent further turmoil in the jail.

Trang prison commander Krit Wongvech led some 300 wardens, police and volunteers to search the prison compound in Zones 1 and 2 and detained 107 inmates involved in Monday’s riot.

Thirty were hardliners while 77 others were key followers who staged the protest, set mattresses afire and used slingshots against prison guards to vent their anger.

The 107 will be separated and moved to central prisons in Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla, Mr Krit said.

He told a news conference after separating the inmates that the prison would consider the inmates' eight-point demand including relaxation of strict jail regulations, improvement of inmates' welfare, provision of sufficient medication and clean drinking water, as well as permission for delivering parcels to the prisoners and that any issue which is beyond his authority would be forwarded to the Department of Corrections for consideration.

However, he said, the demand on transfer of four prison wardens was unreasonable as the four have performed well in intercepting drugs and mobile phones smuggled into the prison.

The transfer of the 107 inmates was aimed to prevent any repetition of the riot, he said.

Mr Krit said that the core riot leaders were mostly drug-related convicts and were involved in an earlier prison riot in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The riot followed the prisoners learning that those convicted on drug charge would be transferred to the maximum-security Khao Bin Prison in Ratchaburi, which is more strictly regulated, so that the leaders of the inmates incited their fellows to rise against the plan which led to the riot, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-07

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School janitor shot dead in Narathiwat

Narathiwat - A school janitor was shot and killed and his wife was seriously injured early Tuesday, police said.

Witthaya Ratanakul, 53, was shot at while riding his motorcycle to his rubber plantation in Bua Rangae village in Tambon Tohdeng in Sungai Padi district at 3:30 am.

Witthaya was riding the motorcycle with his wife, Wanna Ratanakul, 48. She was severely injured and rushed to the Sungai Kolok Hospital.

-- The Nation 2012-02-07

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Comptroller-General's Dept voices concern Bt7.75 mn compensation for political rally victims may not go ahead due to lack of law to support/TAN_Network

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Muslim man shot dead in Narathiwat teashop

Narathiwat - A Muslim man was shot and killed inside a teashop in this southern border province early Tuesday, police said.

Azi Mazila, 39, was shot twice on his chest with 9mm pistol while drinking tea with friends inside a shop in Moo 3 village in Tambon Sribanphot in Si Sa Khon district at 5:20 am.

Witnesses told police that Azi was attacked by a pillion rider shortly after his motorcycle parked in front of the shop.

-- The Nation 2012-02-07

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The Interior Ministry declares Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Kamphaeng Phet, Lamphun, Loei, Petchaburi and Sukhothai provinces as drought disaster zones

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Thai Airways to Start Direct Route Between Phuket and Stockholm

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15 Nan districts declared drought disaster zones

NAN - Nan Deputy Governor Witthaya Kamol said Tuesday that all 15 districts in his province have been declared drought disaster zones.

He said the long period of no rains affected some 216,000 people from 53,183 families living 775 village in the 15 districts.

The drought affected 132,259 rai of farmland and some 1,450 cattle.

So far, the drought caused damages worth Bt59.9 million.

Declaring the disaster zones would permit the provincial administration to urgently allocate emergency fund to help affected villagers.

Witthaya said Nan Governor Pongsak Wongsamer had allocated Bt50 million from the provincial emergency fund to all district chiefs for helping affected villagers.

-- The Nation 2012-02-07

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2 Thais Jailed in Cambodia to Serve at Least 1/3 of Sentences

BANGKOK: -- The foreign minister reveals that the two Thai activists jailed in Cambodia for espionage and illegal entry will have to serve at least one-third of their sentences before the jail term could be commuted.

Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul briefed the media on the government's latest attempt to help free Thai activists, Veera Somkwankid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon.

The two have been imprisoned in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison, for illegal entry and espionage.

The foreign affairs minister said the Cambodian government has told the Thai authorities that the two activists are required to serve at least one-third of their sentences before a royal pardon could be considered.

Veera was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined 1.8 million riels , while his secretary Ratree was given six years in jail and a 1.2 million riel fine.

The duo have been in Cambodian custody since late December, 2010.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-07

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Dep PM Denies Rigging Seats in Charter Drafting Panel

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung says members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly will be picked for their potential contribution to the drafting process.

He promised no special quota will be given to members of the Pheu Thai Party.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung denied reports that a special quota will be given to Pheu Thai members on the Constitution Drafting Assembly, or CDA.

Chalerm issued the statement after reports have made headlines that members of the Pheu Thai Party who failed to be appointed as MPs or Cabinet members are lobbying to sit on the CDA.

The deputy PM is also undaunted by the Election Commission's comment that it has no jurisdiction to host an election for the CDA members.

He said cryptically that obstacles are meant to be resolved and not worried about.

He then maintained the spending on the Pheu Thai government's anti-drug campaign is in line with reality.

He explained that before the budget could be used, it has to be reviewed by various agencies including the Auditor General's Office.

He urged the Opposition Democrat Party to discuss any doubt it has over Pheu Thai's budget spending in Parliament.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-07

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SMART THAILAND

Entire Nakhon Nayok province to get broadband facilities: Pilot project

NAKHON NAYOK: -- Entire province to get broadband facilities, while some e-government services will also kick off

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-pilot-project/

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Two civilians killed in Thai south shootings

NARATHIWAT, February 7, 2012 (AFP) - Gunmen shot dead two civilians in Thailand's deep south on Tuesday, police said, as the army defended its record on an eight-year insurgency in the Muslim-majority region.

Attackers killed a 52-year-old school caretaker and critically injured his 41-year-old wife at a rubber plantation in Narathiwat, one of three restive provinces near the border with Malaysia.

In a separate attack in the same province, a 40-year-old Muslim man was shot dead at a tea shop.

A complex insurgency, waged without clearly stated aims, has riven Thailand's far south for years, claiming thousands of lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, and resulting in a heavy military presence in the region.

Last month an incident in which four Muslim civilians, including an elderly man and an 18-year-old boy, were shot dead by state paramilitaries sparked an official investigation and local outrage at army activity in the area.

Army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha urged the military to be more cautious in the south following that shooting, but said the 40,000 soldiers and 20,000 other security officials in the south were "not sent to fight".

"You must understand that solving the southern unrest will not be through fighting but through understanding," he added.

Around 5,000 people have been killed and 8,300 wounded since the unrest began in 2004, according to local conflict monitor Deep South Watch.

People in the region complain of a long history of discrimination against ethnic Malay Muslims by authorities in the Buddhist-majority nation, including alleged abuses by the armed forces.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-02-07

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Geologists Examine Wang River Gold Source

LAMPHANG: -- Geologists of Lampang Mineral Resources Department's Region 1 conduct tests to determine the quantity of gold deposits found in the dried up Wang River.

Meanwhile, the Wang Haew Sub-District Administrative Organization warns against excessive digging activities, fearing possible landslides.

Somboon Kositanon, director of Lampang's Mineral Resources Office Region 1, led geologists to survey 7 points along the 2-kilometer distance of the Wang River.

Based on the geologists' information on the area, they believe there's not enough gold deposit for commercial gold mining to be conducted at the Wang River.

They said there should only be enough gold deposits for locals to pan for gold on a recreational basis.

So far, geologists were able to unearth large stones and rubble at the first dig site.

More conclusive findings are expected once the all the dig sites have been explored.

In the meantime, Wang Kaew Sub-District Administrative Organization demanded the sub-district chief ban locals from digging gold on the river bank to prevent a possible landslide.

Guards have also been posted around the site to prevent outsiders from panning for gold there.

The local officials have issued a health warning to the locals after some have reportedly become sick from pneumonia and rashes.

The rashes may have been caused by the water in the river that contains pesticide and fertilizer residues which flowed from rice fields and orchards along the river.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-07

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New Prison Planned in Nakhon Ratchasima

BANGKOK: -- The director-general of the Corrections Department is set to finalize the details of a new prison designated for drug convicts.

The main location that's being considered for this new prison the authorities are calling "Super Max" is Si Kiew District of Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Corrections Department director-general, Police General Suchart Wonganantchai talked to the media about the transfer of convicts to the Khao Bin Prison in Ratchaburi Province.

He said inmates currently being incarcerated in various major prisons could be transferred to the Khao Bin Prison immediately.

The department expects approximately 221 convicts to be included in the transfer.

The first lot of prisoners to be transferred are convicts who are considered to be major players in the drug trade and those who've been convicted of dealing drugs or drug trafficking.

The second lot of inmates will include convicts who've been prosecuted for supporting the drug trade.

This is part of a new effort to clamp down on drug dealing inside the walls of prisons.

The Corrections Department director general also revealed to the media the plan to build a new prison the authorities are calling "Super Max."

At the new facility, designed especially for drug convicts, the holding cells will be clearly divided into 3 different types

Around 60 percent of the prison cells will be designed for solitary confinement.

The rest will be divided equally between cells that can accommodate 2 and 6 inmates.

Prisoners with good behavior will be assigned to the cells designed for 2 or 6 inmates.

The department director general say the "Super Max" facility will be equipped with computerized security system with a personal tracking device attached to each inmate.

A smaller number of prison officers will be required to oversee the new facility which is expected to accommodate a maximum of one thousand inmates.

The Corrections Department chief also said a new facility will be used to house the "Super Max" Prison.

The main location that will be used for the new facility is located in Si Kiew in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-07

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SET index closed at 1101.12, up 7.11; Bt/USD30.80; GBP48.65; AUD33.10; EUR40.33; CAD30.77; HKD3.97; SGD24.58; JPY39.95

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Pha-ngan Island to host mass Valentine’s Day wedding

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Cabinet Approves New Water Management Agency

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet has given the nod to the formation of another water management body designed to oversee the complete management of the country's future water crises.

This public organization will also be responsible for negotiating with locals who are adversely affected by future water management strategies.

Prime Minister Office's deputy spokesperson Anuttama Amornwiwat said the Cabinet's meeting today endorsed the formation of a new water management body.

The new public organization will be responsible for the overall management of water resources and handling of water-related disasters.

As a public organization, the agency will operate under two committees chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The first committee will consist of representatives from all ministries. It will be headed by a director whose position is equivalent to the permanent secretary position at a ministry.

This committee will responsible for formulating policies and oversee the entire water management system in the country.

The second committee will see to the agency's administration.

The new body will be responsible for dealing with future flood crises and negotiations with the people who may disagree with the government’s water policies.

Anuttama went on to say the Cabinet has also resolved to extend the deadline on farmers' registration for suspension of debt worth less than 500,000 baht to April 15 from February 15.

She stated only 10 percent of some 770,000 eligible farmers have applied for the repayment break due to the recent flooding.

The Cabinet's meeting today also replaced Anuttama with former Bangkok MP candidate of Pheu Thai Pukdeehan Himathongkham as the PM Office's deputy spokesperson.

Anuttama has been reappointed to the post of sectary to the social development and human security minister.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-07

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Mystery Of 1.3 Million Baht Of Torn-Up Money Solved By Chonburi Provincial Police

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Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Feb 2012

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