Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Feb 2012

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Residents in Sena, Ayutthaya hit by 20cm of flooding due to discharge of water from Bhumibol Dam /TANN

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Army insists Thai-Cambodian borders peaceful

SAKAEO, 8 February 2012 (NNT) - Army Region 1 Commander Lieutenant General Udomdej Sitabutr says the Thai-Cambodian borders are peaceful, but vows to take tough action against declares any military personnel found to have been involved in illegal activities.

Lieutenant General Udomdej yesterday visited military scouts in Sakaeo province at the Thai-Cambodian borders. He stated that the people in both countries have been travelling across borders as usual.

Not only was his visit aimed at inspecting the situation between Thai and Cambodian forces, but also observing soldiers’ activities to prevent any illegal activities such as smuggling of expensive and rare wood.

The Commander admitted that some military personnel have been involved in the smuggling and the Army has been keeping an eye on them. He added that those caught have already been punished, vowing to take harsh action against them if they return to taking part in the illegal business again.

Lieutenant General Udomdej says he has also been tackling the problems of authorities abusing their power to their own advantage.

-- NNT 2012-02-08

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Siamese rosewood logs worth Bt40 million seized when police find them hidden in Si Sa Ket warehouse, ready for smuggling from country /MCOT

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EC Votes to Bhumjaithai Disqualify MP for Buying Votes

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has announced a red card for the Bhumjaithai MP for Buri Ram, due to vote-buying in last General Election.

The Election Commission Deputy Secretary-General, Phuchong Nutrawong, said the EC has reached a consensus and issued a red card for the Bhumjai Thai MP for Buri Ram Province, Monchai Chartwattanasiri.

The EC considered a request yesterday which objected to an election result on July 3 of last year. After a meeting, the EC voted to disqualify Monchai and call for a by-election.

Moreover, the commission resolved to take criminal action against Monchai's two canvassers, Prinya Suwantha and Kittisak Iempathumsak.

In the meantime, the court ordered Monchai to pay for the by-election. The EC explained that Monchai is found guilty of vote-buying. He apparently called a meeting with about 400 residents and local leaders in Muang Pai Subdistrict of Krasang District on June 4 and 5 last year.

Monchai's canvassers handed out cash to all participants, 200-300 baht per head. Those who drove a car and motorbike to attend the meeting got an additional 500 and 100 baht, respectively. He was accused of seducing voters to cast ballots for him and his party.

Phuchong said the EC would forward its resolution and recommendations to the Supreme Court's Election Division. Meanwhile, Monchai is required to suspend his MP duties until the court reaches a verdict for the case.

In response, Monchai said he will attend the House meeting today as usual. He said he has yet to discuss the matter with party leader Navin Chidchob.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-08

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RT chuwit_online: I can no longer let any one be on my side, not even my member, this is what I believe and whenever I did not believe, I will quit of duty

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Warrants out for 23 More Suspects in Billion Baht Drug Bust

PATHUM THANI: -- The provincial police and the Anti-Money Laundering Office have issued arrest warrants for 23 suspects who may be tied in with drug-related money, after officers raided a house in Pathum Thani last month and seized more than a billion baht in meth.

Provincial Police Region 1 and the Anti-Money Laundering Office uncovered a money trail linked to the Noo-Chen drug ring following the raid on a house in Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi District on January 21. A total of 3.8 million methamphetamine pills and 71 kilograms worth of crystal methamphetamine valued at more than one billion baht were seized.

Officers arrested Nipon Kanchart, a dealer for Peerayut Patsakol who is a detainee at Bangkwang Central Prison, for drug trafficking and were able to identify other gang members. To expand the investigation, a special working team was set up to follow the movement of money to check for money laundering.

The police issued warrants for 23 suspects for money laundering and have arrested four of them, including Sirinrat Thongkham, Walaipan Phenpha, Chayarat Nongchang, and Pimpatra Tawee-apiradeethaptip. The four have a total of 21 million baht in their bank accounts.

According to the police, the suspects opened bank accounts into which drug gangs would transfer money, which would later be withdrawn and passed on to a ringleader called Noo Chen.

Officers also seized assets belonging to the suspects' families worth an additional 143 million baht. The police discovered that there are 22 similar gangs, each making a daily money transaction of around a million baht.

Anyone who suspects their bank accounts are subject to abuse by a drug gang and come across irregular transactions are advised to report to officers.The police are looking to issue warrants for an additional 50 to 60 people.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-08

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Tune Hotel Pattaya Launches 199 Baht Promotion; Opens 17 February 2012

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Democrat Party Adviser Warns of Further Conflicts from Charter Amendment

BANGKOK: -- An advisory member of the Democrat Party believes the charter rewrite will breed a new round of protests as the move apparently aims to favor a single individual. He urged the government to rethink the selection process for the constitution drafting committee members, to show sincerity.

Democrat Party' advisory council member Banyat Bantadtan said the proposed constitution amendment will lead to more disruptions, as a number of people are likely to protest against it.

He disagrees with the government's plan to amend the Constitution, because he believes the move aims to help a single individual, who was convicted, to return home without facing prosecution.

Banyat noted that the heart of the charter amendment campaign is Article 309 concerning an amnesty. Meanwhile, he said if the government is honest about the selection of drafting committee members, it should organize a public referendum before amending the Constitution.

Regarding the internal conflict at Thammasat University, Banyat, who graduated from the university, said its president has a legitimate reason to bar any use of campus areas by the Nitirat Group or other political movements, because it could get the university in trouble.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-08

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Red-carded MP Still Working

BANGKOK: -- Bhum Jai Thai MP for Buriram Monchai Chartwatanasiri, who was found guilty of vote-buying by the Election Commission in a 3:2 vote yesterday, continues his duty as normal at the Parliament today. He says he hasn't discussed the issue with the party's de facto leader Newin Chidchob yet.

The case still has to go to the Supreme Court division for election cases for a final decision.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-08

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Ayutthaya Locals Hit by Flooding

Residents of Sena, Ayutthaya are hit by 20 centimeters of flooding from the discharge of water from the Bhumibol Dam for irrigation.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-08

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Thailand: April 9 declared bank holiday

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Yingluck govt still fails in latest opinion survey

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck government still failed in is performance according the latest opinion survey by Bangkok University.

The Bangkok Poll announced Wednesday the government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra scored 4.94 out on the scale of one to 10 for public satisfaction in the government's performance.

Anyway, the performance point increased by 0.16 point from the survey when the government turned three months old.

The survey was conducted among 1,151 people, who are at least 18 years old, from January 31 to February 3.

But when Yingluck was evaluated individually as the prime minister, she barely passed with 5.29 out of 10 points.

Her performance point increased by 0.31 point compared with the survey when the government turned three months old.

-- The Nation 2012-02-08

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Govt whip agrees on charter amendment motion and will submit it to House speaker tomorrow /TANN

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Suspect in Illegal Wildlife Trade Nabbed

BANGKOK: -- A prime suspect of illegal wildlife trade, Thananuwat Boonperm, also known as Ood Bangkruay, has been arrested at an area of Ram Indra Road after he refused to turn himself in yesterday.

Yesterday morning, Thananuwat Boonperm or Ood Bangkrauy, was charged with illegal wildlife possession.

He was arrested by the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division Police officers at Ram Indra Soi 129. The suspect had refused to turn himself in to the police as he was appointed.

Meanwhile, the police have been investigating the suspect to see whether there is a link between he and the recently arrested wildlife smuggling gang.

Acting Commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, Police Colonel Norasak Hemniti, believes the suspect is part of a wildlife smuggling ring in Mae Sot District of Tak Province.

Officers have been working to identify the carcasses to determine the origins of the animals.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-08

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SET rose 14.76 to close the Wed midday break at 1,115.88 with value of Bt19.27 bn /TANN

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Agriculture Ministry admits Ayutthaya's Sena district flood resulted from water discharges at dams; authorities send help to affected residents /MCOT

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Bob Brindley passes away in Phuket

A photo of Bob Brindley at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club in Phuket. Courtesy ACYC.

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Search for missing Phuket girl hits two-month mark

One of the many photos of the Phuket youth on her Facebook page "Pinnee Smile".

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Phuket to Rid Itself of Beggars and Homeless People

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SET index midday up 14.76 pts. 1.34 pct

Thai composite stock index (SET) at midday Wednesday stood at 1,115.88, up 14.76 points, or 1.34 per cent in line with regional shares amid Bt19.27 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 782.88, up 11.93 points, or 1.55 per cent.

Top five most active (value) stocks: PTTGC, IVL, TOP, PTTEP, PTT.

-- The Nation 2012-02-08

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Red-shirt leader Thida will be submitting the group's charter amendment draft to the Parliament tomorrow/TAN_Network

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INN: blaze at advertising agency in Town in Wangthonglarng area; electricity has been cut and fire fighters are controlling blaze/TAN_Network

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Special Report: Chinese contribution to Thai flood

The constant support provided to Thailand by the People’s Republic of China during the flood crisis is a reflection of the longstanding bond of friendship between the two nations.

On 12 October 2011, 64 amphibious boats from China arrived in Thailand to assist in flood relief efforts. This was, however, only a small part of China's contribution to help Thailand pull through the major catastrophe. Throughout the flooding, China uninterruptedly helped Thailand, by donating aid money and flood relief equipment, such as water pumping machines, water filters, tents, speed boats and rescue motor boats, among other things.

On 27 October 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao extended a letter of condolence to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of the severe flood crisis in Thailand. The letter underlined that China and Thailand were close neighbors and that China was ready to lend a hand to support Thailand in its flood relief efforts and post-flood reconstruction.

Meanwhile, Mr. Guan Mu, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, stressed that the Chinese people have great concern for Thailand, given Chinese and Thais are like brothers and sisters. Thus, the Chinese government gives priority to the allocation of help to Thailand in return for Thailand’s numerous help efforts to China in times of natural disasters.

Upon receiving money and material donation from the Chinese Ambassador, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressed gratitude for the concern and assistance of the Chinese government and its people. The Thai Premier also promised that the government would do its best to help Thai people overcome this disaster.

The support China extended to Thailand during the flood crisis not only created a lasting impression on the Thai people, especially the flood victims, but was also a demonstration of the close and healthy relationship between Thailand and China.

-- NNT 2012-02-08

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More water released from dams to handle monsoon season

BANGKOK, 8 February 2012 (NNT) - Waters in major dams have continuously been released so that the dams could take in more rain water during the monsoon season.

Authorities have begun to release water in the Bhumibol Dam in Tak Province in December and will continue to do so until April in order to rid the dam of over 7 billion cubic meters of water. If things go according to the plan, the authority expects the dam to be able to handle 3-4 monsoon storms, set to be in from May onwards, dumping more than 6.5 billion cubic meters of water into the area.

Meanwhile, the Sirikit Dam in Uttradit province has been releasing 49 million cubic meters of water each day, with more to be released before the rainy season approaches three months from now. The released water benefits farmers in the Nan River, given they can grow corn, peanut, and other produce, which are currently fetching high prices.

-- NNT 2012-02-08

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Police to patrol entertainment venues during Valentine’s Day

BANGKOK, 8 February 2012 (NNT) – Police are prepared to patrol entertainment venues during Valentine’s Day in order to prevent sexual-related crimes and youths from having premature sex.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532010-police-to-patrol-entertainment-venues-during-valentines-day/page__view__findpost__p__5039194

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Chalerm to seek Cabinet's resolution against amending Article 112

BANGKOK:-- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung will ask the Cabinet to issue a resolution to promise that the government would never amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the national police chief.

Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Priewphan Damapong said Chalerm told him during a meeting at the Government House. The meeting was also attended by the secretary-general of the National Security Council and the permanent secretary for Interior Ministry.

-- The Nation 2012-03-08

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POLL

Yingluck govt still fails in latest opinion survey

The Yingluck government is still failing in is performance according the latest opinion survey by Bangkok University.

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Chonburi Immigration Police Arrests American and 7 Ugandans

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....and-7-ugandans/

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3-Year-Old Lampang Boy Teaches Himself To Read

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Nearly one-third of flooded factories resume production

BANGKOK, Feb 8 – About 30 per cent of Thailand factories hit by flooding last year have resumed production, lower than the number originally targeted, according to Witoon Simachokdee, Permanent Secretary for Industry.

Among the total of 838 plants forced to halt operations due to flooding, 30 per cent have already resumed production, while at the end of March, about 60-70 per cent of closed plants are expected to restart production, he said.

Industry Minister Pongsvas Svasti ordered his ministry’s senior officials to visit the factories to learn about their problems so the ministry can help them rehabilitate their operations as soon as possible.

Regarding construction of dykes to protect seven industrial estates, the permanent secretary they will be completed in August as planned ahead of the upcoming rainy season.

The Ministry of Industry is working with the Finance Ministry and models of the dykes have been submitted to the industry ministry for certifying. Managers of the industrial estates will later seek loans from the Government Savings Bank.

Touching on news that there have been business closures in some industrial estates, he said the number is not great, but about ten operators at the Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya dissolved their businesses.

The head of the ministry’s working committee has checked the facts regarding them. Meanwhile, there are not shutdowns in six other industrial estates hit by flooding. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-08