Thailand Live Friday 10 Feb 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 10 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 9 Feb 2012

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GARDEN PARTY

Thai Govt: Bt10m flood bash is to say thanks, mend fences

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Newly completed hotel in Bangkok faces demolition after court verdict

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Saudi Blue Diamond case cop to stay in jail, 4 others sent up: Bangkok

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No plan to sell PTT: Thai Finance Minister Kittiratt

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ster-kittiratt/

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SOUTH CRISIS

Fatal blast in Pattani kills one, injures many

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Dreamliner to help fuel Thai Airways' growth

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Populist spending will not fix our education woes: Thai opinion

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Amid chaos, we need unity more than ever: Thai opinion

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Most See Charter Rewrite Is for Politicians' Gain: Thai poll

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BMA progress on BTS Silom line extension, set for services next year

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Terrorist warning will stay, but people not stopped from visiting Thailand: US Ambassador

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Cease coup talk, Jatuporn told

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Thaksin critic attacked at Bangkok hotel

The Nation

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Crackdown on illegal motorbike taxis in Bangkok

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police have begun a crackdown on unauthorised operations of taxi motorcycles, after Wan Yoobamrung, a secretary to the transport minister, launched an inspection earlier this week and vowed to combat illegal operations based on mafia protection fees.

A meeting of traffic inspectors at all 88 police stations in Bangkok was held yesterday to discuss the cleanup. Each police station is rechecking registration details of motorcycle queues and finding out how many are operating unlawfully. The inspection and checking of registration details are to be completed in a month.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt General Winai Thongsong vowed to take action against any police officers taking bribes or benefiting from the unlawful operations of unregistered queues.

-- The Nation 2012-02-10

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Youth urged to use condoms as Valentine's Day nears: Bangkok

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Royal photo helps flood fundraising

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has featured a photo she took of the famous Wat Chaiwatthanaram in heavilyinundated Ayutthaya province in a photo exhibition which raised more than Bt1.3 million in relief funds, Culture Ministry permanent secretary Somchai Sianglai said yesterday.

The photo was taken from a helicopter in which the Princess was travelling on October 14 last year. It was put on display in the event, held between December 830 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, and attended by 11,612 visitors.

There were 200 photos displayed in the event, selected from 1,700 shots submitted by Thai and foreign photographers. "The visitors said they were impressed by the Princess’ photo ,which they saw as a reflection of her concern over the flooding situation and the welfare of flood victims," Somchai said.

-- The Nation 2012-02-10

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RATCHABURI

DSI look into encroachment

Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

Officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) went to Suan Phung district in Ratchaburi yesterday to meet former deputy education minister Narisara Chavaltanpipat's father in relation to allegations of encroachment on stateowned land.

RATCHABURI: -- DSI special case investigator Pravuth Wongsinil said the Army had urged DSI to look into the alleged encroachment of stateowned land in Suan Phung by Sompong Chavaltanpipat and Ratchaburi's Rubber and Oil Palm farmers' cooperative's vice president Wanchai Kanchanapen.

Initial investigation showed that the allegations had grounds and that the special case committee had agreed to take up the case on December 28, 2011, he said, adding that the two men had also allegedly fired threatening shots at borderpatrol soldiers as well.

The DSI also found that Sompong was allegedly encroaching on two plots of land. The first plot, covering 1,500 rai, is located in the Phubon Valley area in tambon Suan Phueng. In 1989, police had arrested 52 men for illegally felling trees there, and Narisara had filed an application to rent the land from the Ratchaburi Treasury Office but investigation could not find evidence of the request being approved.

In 2007, Sompong sold the land to Sucha Kleepbua and the sale contract was signed. Following a dispute, Sucha applied to rent the land from the Ratchaburi Treasury Office but Sompong objected to this, claiming right over the land via Narisara's land rental papers.

The second plot was in the Phuhin Valley in tambon Pa Wai, which Sompong's other daughter Siriorn had sought to rent and was granted permission. However, Sompong took it over and cleared the 176rai forest in the nearby mountainous area. Pravuth said the Army Engineering Department and the Ratchaburi Treasury Office had not given the family permission to use the land and had even ordered Sompong to move out of the area, though 690 rai of forestland had already been destroyed.

It is believed that the dispute between Sompong and Sucha had led to Sucha's murder on September 21, 2010, which is being investigated by the DSI. The Ratchaburi Court sentenced Chatchawal Kerdkiattikul to 33 years in jail for pointing the target out for the hitman, while evidence is being gathered against the mastermind.

Pravuth said DSI had discovered that Wanchai was allegedly encroaching on some 500 rai of forestland near the 13rai plot he had bought in tambon Suan Phueng, and was growing rubber trees there. He has also allegedly set up an irrigation system and cut a road through the plot.

Wanchai had also applied to rent the land, but his application was denied and he was told to stop encroaching. However, Wanchai continued using the land and even brought migrant workers to work on it, he said.

Pravuth added that Wanchai was also encroaching on some 300 rai of mountainous land near the 10rai plot he had bought in tambon Suan Phueng to grow rubber trees and though his request to rent the land was rejected he continued using the area.

-- The Nation 2012-02-10

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Inmate's wife surrenders as Thai prison drug cleanup continues

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....anup-continues/

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GURU SPEAK

Invest Thailand: Optimism rising fast after floods

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Van carrying Cambodians to funeral in Bangplee hits parked 18-wheeler on Eastern Ring Rd near Bangna, 7 dead, 4 injured /TANN

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German Firm Busted For Collusion In Medical Deals With 8 Public Hospitals: Bangkok

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RT @RichardBarrow: "Summer Night with Olivia Newton-John" at BITEC on 23 March. Tickets from 1,500-6,000 Baht. Available at ThaiTicketMajor

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,116.31, down 0.86 points /MCOT

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PM's Office Minister Niwatthamrong affirms Gen Prem's attendance at Govt House function tonight while Abhisit not to take part /TANN

RT @TAN_Network: Army chief says he's not Jatuporn's subordinate that he has to do as Jatuporn says which is to vow not to stage a coup

Army chief affirms situation at Thai-Cambodian border remains normal with no heightened tension reported /TANN

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Govt ordered provinces near rivers to prepare for floods

BANGKOK, 10 February 2012 (NNT) - The government has instructed governors of all provinces located near rivers to prepare for possible flooding.

During Thursday's Lower House meeting, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Preecha Rengsomboonsuk told the gathering MPs that the government is in the process of prompting all related parties to deal with this year's flood.

He added that the preparations include the instruction to the governors of all provinces situated near the Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan, Chao Phraya, and Sakae Krang rivers to come up with necessary preventive measures ready for possible inundation, just like the one seen last year.

According to Mr. Preecha, other programs to cope with the floods are the Gam-Ling, monkey cheek, water retention project, the drainage of floodwater into the sea and the dredging of the Chao Phraya River.

The Natural Resources Minister has also answered a question posted by one of the MPs on what the government's flood prevention measures in all 25 key water sources nationwide are, and how the government plans to convince the industrial sector and investors of its flood-prevention programs.

-- NNT 2012-02-10

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Northeastern residents warned to brace for strong wind and thunderstorms until weekend

BANGKOK, 10 February 2012 (NNT) - The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has warned residents in the country's Northeastern region to be prepared for bad weather condition.

Mr. Viboon Sanguanpong, Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), said on Thursday that 19 northeastern provinces are at risk of being hit by thunderstorms and strong wind that may last until Sunday.

These provinces are Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Buriram, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham, Roi Et, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Si Saket and Yasothon.

Mr. Viboon has warned people in these areas to make sure all structures and trees around their houses are in the positions to withstand strong wind, while applying any possible means to protect their farmland and produce.

The DDPM has coordinated with its offices in the region to continue warning locals until the weather condition is back to normal, and to be on stand-by to provide help to those in need.

Residents who need the DDPM assistance may contact Hotline number 1784 around the clock.

-- NNT 2012-02-10

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27-year-old English teacher reported missing in Phuket

A missing person poster of Mark Robson. Courtesy Phuket Tourist Police.

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Thai Immigration Switch To Auto-Gates At Suvarnabhumi Airport

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....abhumi-airport/