Transport Ministry still aims to make Suvarnabhumi Airport into regional aviation hub

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,117.70, up 1.62 points /MCOT

Appeals Court upholds Criminal Court's 20-yr jail term for Pol Lt Gen Chalor Kerdtet in embezzlement of stolen Saudi jewels in 1993 /TANN

Art Exhibition Reflects Human Relationship with Nature

BANGKOK: -- With concern over the impact of human activities on nature and wild animals, a new-generation artist holds an art exhibition to increase awareness on the issue and raise funds for the Wildlife Fund Thailand.

A total of 21 water color paintings are on display at the art exhibition entitled, “Between Us”. All are unique art pieces created by new-generation artist Patcharapan Chanthep, a graduate from Chulalongkorn University.

All the paintings depict nature and wild animals being seriously impacted by human activities and reflect the human relationship with nature. Environmental problems have long been overlooked, but the heavy floods late last year showed that the situation is worse than thought.

Patcharapan hopes her works will help raise awareness on the issue. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Wildlife Fund Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen.

The “Between Us” exhibition is being held at Club Art Gallery near the Chao Phraya River, and will run until March 3.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-09

Buri Ram's Poll Panel Confirms Readiness for By-election

BURI RAM: -- The director of the Buri Ram poll panel has confirmed the readiness for a by-election if the court upholds the Election Commission's resolution to disqualify a Bhumjaithai MP over vote-buying in last General Election.

Director of Buri Ram's poll panel, Apirat Chanthanarerk, said the Election Commission or EC voted 3 to 2 yesterday to revoke the voting rights of Monchai Chartwattanasiri, Bhumjaithai MP for Buri Ram's constituency 5, and to call for a by-election.

Monchai was found guilty of giving money to sway the voters' decisions in the General Election on July 3 last year. The case arose from a petition by former Pheu Thai Party MP candidate for Buri Ram's constituency 5, Udon Channuwong.

The EC has forwarded the case to the Supreme Court's Election Division for the final decision. Monchai is required to suspend his MP duties until the court reaches a verdict on the case.

The Buri Ram's poll panel director confirmed that the provincial poll panel is prepared to hold a by-election if the court upholds the EC's resolution.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-09

Deputy PM to Call for Cabinet Statement Confirming No Amendment to Criminal Code

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung is looking to propose that the Cabinet to issue a statement confirming that the government will not amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code to ease the public concern triggered by mixed stances from government members.

Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yoobamrung called in National Police Chief, Police General Priewphan Damapong, Interior Permanent Secretary Phranai Suwanrat, and National Security Council Secretary-General, Police General Wichien Pojphosri for talks at the Government House yesterday.

Priewphan told the media after the meeting that they discussed issues relating to the protection of the royal institution and that the Deputy Prime Minister was thinking of asking the Cabinet to give a statement confirming that the government will not amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which the Nitirat Group is campaigning for.

The national police chief admitted that the matter has brought concern to the public, but he believes it will not lead to disruptions. He added that the Nitirat group will be liable if its activity violates the law.

Previously, Deputy Prime Ministers Chalerm and General Yutthasak Sasiprapa, as well as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, reaffirmed that the government has no plan to amend the Criminal Code's provision and is not involved with the Nitirat Group.

However, Deputy Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Minister Natthawut Saikuer and Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Phromphan, who are also red-shirt leaders, said the Nitirat Group's activity is an exercise of free speech under democracy.

The differing stances among government members have caused the public to be confused about the real intent of the government and the Pheu Thai Party toward the Criminal Code amendment.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-09

Unstable Weather Seriously Suffers Agricultural Farms

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....cultural-farms/

Boeing 787 Dreamliner touches down at Suvaranbhumi airport, test flight to Chiang Mai Friday as THAI will acquire 8 Dreamliners by lease in 2014 /MCOT

One killed, 12 wounded in two bombings in South

PATTANI, Feb 9 – One person was killed and about 12 others were injured in a car bombing in Pattani while two soldiers from a teacher protection unit were wounded in a separate bombing in Narathiwat.

The Thursday morning car bomb occurred at the Pattani Provincial Public Health Office. The bomb was hidden in a pick-up truck, parked near the agency’s parking lot. Ten cars and a five-metre section of the office were damaged.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Narathiwat, an estimated 5kg bomb, triggered by a radio control, wounded two members of a six-man team of soldiers returning from their providing a security escort for teachers in Bacho district.

Both soldiers were rushed to hospital.

Firefighters spent half an hour putting out the fire in the burning pick-up which was enveloped in flames. The road was closed. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-09

EGAT assures the integrity of Srinakarin dam

BANGKOK, 8 February 2012 (NNT) – Assistant Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand 's Hydro Power Plant Kitti Tancharoen assured the integrity of Srinakarin dam which has been frequently inspected and maintained.

According to Mr. Kitti, the last inspection was carried out in 2011. The entire structure had been thoroughly examined as well as the geological factors surrounding the dam.

All machines and electrical components inside the dam remain in good conditions. EGAT reportedly invited Senior Professor Loren R. Anderson from Utah State University to verify the integrity of the dam.

Prof Anderson is a Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research and teaching interests are geotechnical engineering with specific emphasis on dam safety risk assessment, MSE walls and earthquake engineering.

Prof Anderson found no flaws in the dam system, according to the report, while EGAT also strictly follows the guidelines set out in the dam safety management. It is said to have a better maintenance system than those in some of the countries in the world.

As for concerns over the earthquake, Mr. Prinya Putthapiban of the Geoscience Programme at Mahidol University said that there is no chance for a 5.0 quake to happen in Kanchanaburi given that Thailand is not situated between the earth plates. Public members should not panic as nothing will compromise the dam.

-- NNT 2012-02-09

Army Chief Dismisses April Coup reports claimed by Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ai-mp-jatuporn/

Fugitive Former PM Thaksin Voices Concern About Conflicts In Thailand

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Google is being sued for consolidating its Privacy Policies

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Defense Minister dismissed coup rumors as unfounded

BANGKOK, 9 February 2012 (NNT)-Defense Minister Air Chief Marshall Sukhumpol Suwannathat has demanded that Pheuthai Party List MP Mr. Jatuporn Prompan stop spreading rumors about a military coup, while also urging those opposing the lese majeste law to stop their movement.

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PM: Flood in Ayutthaya result of water release from dams

PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA, 9 February 2012 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has indicated that the current flooding in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province is a result of the water release from major dams in preparation for the upcoming rainy season.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532051-governments-water-discharges-causes-ayutthaya-to-flood-thai-agriculture-ministry/page__view__findpost__p__5041768

Plodprasop believes water management this year effective

BANGKOK, 9 February 2012 (NNT) - Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi is confident in the government’s water management, believing the nation would face only small flooding this year.

During a seminar on adapting to the global changes, Mr Plodprasop says Bangkok covers a large area; water management plan may not be able to cover all spots. Based on experience from last year’s flood, he said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) must improve the effectiveness of dykes, water pumping process, and water releasing into canals.

With the establishment of the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management, Mr Plodprasop believes that flooding this year will not be as severe as last year's. However, he is concerned with the water remaining in the fields and the earlier-than-usual rainy season ; therefore, he has asked the Irrigation Department to frequently inspect the water release process at major dams, so they can take up more water.

The Minister adds that for efficient release of water, monkey-cheek or water retention projects will be established. Sites of the projects will be announced around one month after the prime minister returns from Cabinet retreat in the Northeast.

-- NNT 2012-02-09

Red-shirt leader Thida submits the group's version of the charter amendment motion to set up drafting assembly made up of 100 members/TAN_Network

Activist claims he was hit by PM's security guard

BANGKOK:-- Activist Ekkayuth Anchunbutr, the owner of ThaiInsider.com, claimed Thursday that he was hit on his face by a security guard of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532277-activist-claims-he-was-hit-by-thai-pms-security-guard/page__view__findpost__p__5041831

Car bomb in Thai south kills 1, wounds 15

YALA, February 9, 2012 (AFP) - A car bomb killed at least one person and wounded another 15 in Thailand's violent deep south on Thursday, local hospital officials said.

The bomb was hidden in a pick-up truck and exploded in the morning in front of a public health office in Pattani province, damaging buildings, cars and motorcycles nearby, according to police.

The attack is the latest in the southern region that has been riven by a complex eight-year insurgency, waged without clearly stated aims and claiming thousands of Buddhist and Muslim lives.

Major Acra Tiproch, a spokesman for the heavy army presence in the area, said the attack was most likely in retaliation for the arrest of two core militant members on Wednesday. He said most of the victims were Muslims.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-02-09

Phuket update: Volunteers continue sea search for missing Aussie

Phuket Gazette –

A Facebook photo of Carmel Brookes, who was at the helm of a Phuket-bound sailboat when she mysteriously disappeared last Thursday.

The Koh Rok island group (outlined in red) lies about half way between Langkawi Island and Phuket. It is part of the Koh Lanta Marine National Park in Krabi waters. Image: GoogleEarth.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532291-phuket-update-volunteers-continue-sea-search-for-missing-aussie/page__view__findpost__p__5041899

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iTunes Match Makes Money Out of Thin Air

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Army chief to Red Shirt leader: ‘Who will stage coup?’

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives Thailand

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Court Hearing of Swedish-Thai Couple Facing Death Penalty in Indonesia

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Special Report: Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony Marks Its 16th Anniversary This Year

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German Firm Busted for Collusion in Medical Deals with 8 Public Hospitals: Bangkok

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Surprise tuna catch off Phuket, Krabi

The recent longtail tuna catch is a promising sign for the health of the ocean south of Phuket, Krabi officials say. Photo: Warisa Temram.

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Ruling coalition parties, UDD submit draft Constitution amendment

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