Thailand Live Friday 10 Feb 2012

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Two people are dead because they unfriended woman on Facebook

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Yongyuth: Ayutthaya flood caused by unintegrated works

PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA, 10 February 2012 (NNT) - Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit has indicated that the current flooding in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has been caused by two agencies' not integrating the works.

Mr Yongyuth said the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has released the water without informing the Royal Irrigation Department, causing the flood in Ayutthaya, which is located in a low-lying area.

He explained that the incident is not a flood disaster and added that the authorities have been told to give residents a warning at least one day in advance before releasing the water. The two state agencies have been berated for not integrating their works.

Meanwhile, the Ayutthaya governor has visited the flood-affected areas in Sena district to take care of the victims. He has also inspected the sluice gates, which are worn out, and ordered officials to repair them so they are ready for use in two months.

-- NNT 2012-02-10

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RT @mpoppel: A 5.9 magnitude earthquake has struck the Irian Jaya Region of Indonesia; struck 6 minutes ago

RT @mpoppel: 5.9 quake in Indonesia struck just east of Warmandi village in West Papua; 10 km deep - preliminary

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Leopard kills fifth girl in western Nepal

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-western-nepal/

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Police Arrest Four Suspects in Murder of Nakhon Pathom News Reporter

NAKHON PATHOM: -- The police have arrested four suspects they believe are responsible for the murder of a 23-year old receptionist/reporter of Nakhon Pathom Cable TV. One of the suspect confessed he killed the victim after she refused to have sex with him.

Picture from Khaosod.co.th

23-year old receptionist, who occasionally took on the role of a reporter for Nakhon Pathom Cable TV, Nichamon Nimdej was murdered in her apartment room on Feb 8, 2012. Her charred remain was discovered on the sofa. Police believe she was strangled then her body was torched in an attempt to conceal the crime.

Just days after the police were alerted of the crime, the victim's parents pleaded with the authorities to bring the culprits to justice. They also feared the case would go cold before any progress was made.

In an unexpected twist, Nichamon's long time friend was arrested in connection to her murder. Initially the police had their eyes on a married man Nichamon was romantically involved with. For a time, the police also regarded one of her neighbors, who admitted he harbors a not-so -ecret crush on Nichamon, as one of the main suspects.

On Thursday night, the police raided a southbound Bangkok-Yala train at Ratchaburi Train Station. They arrested 24-year old Nakhon Pathom resident Weerapong Satienteerapap.

Weerapong denied any involvement to the killing of Nichamon. The police had received information that Weerapong was in possession of Nichamon's mobile phone. Based on Nichamon's time of death, the investigators found that Weerapong had sold the victim's phone at Bic C Nakhon Pathom after she was killed.

After a short while, Weerapong confessed to the police that he killed Nichamon. He told the police that the victim had telephoned him on Feb 7 to tell him, an old school friend, that she had received a death threat. Fearing for her own safety, the victim had asked Weerapong to spend the night with her. Alone in the victim's apartment, Weerapong made sexual advances towards Nichamon. He admitted he killed the victim when she refused to have sex with him.

Weerapong told the police he strangled Nichamon with the electrical cord of an iron. He then stole her phone and locked her apartment door from the outside. Later that night, Weerapong returned with 4 other friends to dispose of Nichamon's body. They burned her body and torched the victim's apartment.

The Provincial Police Region 7 have arrested Weerapong and 3 other suspects in connection to the murder of Nichamon.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-10

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AirAsia X Launches Empty Seat Option

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BMA Disagrees on Separating Western Site of Chao Phraya River as New Province

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Two Thais, six Cambodians killed in van crash

Samut Prakan - A van transporting foreign labourers crashed into the rear of a parked six-wheel truck, killing eight people and injuring five others.

The accident happened at 7 am on the outbound Bang Na highway at the kilometre marker 59.

The dead victims were two Thais and eight Cambodians, police said.

The injured were two Burmese women and three Cambodian women.

Police said the van driver, Natthapong Phothong, fled the scene.

The van was hired to transport the workers form Pathum Thani to Sa Kaew.

-- The Nation 2012-02-10

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SMES

Majority SMEs irresponsive to minimum wage policy

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Over half of small and medium-sized enterprises, 56.9 per cent, are irresponsive to the government's policy to raise the minimum wage to Bt300, according to a poll.

In the poll conducted during Feb 6-9 by Assumption University, 38.7 per cent said that they would raise the minimum wage without having to lay off any worker. The remaining 4.4 per cent is also ready to follow the policy, but they will need to lay off workers.

Of total 700 respondents, 67.8 per cent believed that the higher wages would increase the productivity.

Yet, among negative factors that would be induced by the policy, they highlighted an increase of foreign workers, relocation to neighbouring countries, a possible drop in foreign investor confidence, lower exports, and a possible drop in economic growth.

Nearly three fourths of the respondents, 72.3 per cent, see the need in boosting efficiency. As measures to cope with higher wage, they also plan to look for new markets and come up with productivity-enhancement programmes. Notably, 48.4 per cent plans to replace workers with machine, 18 per cent to hire more foreign workers, 12.2 per cent to relocate plants to neighbouring countries, 8.4 per cent to introduce new business, and 3.2 per cent to close business.

Most of them, 64.9 per cent, urge the government to implement the policy gradually, starting with companies which are financially ready.

Of all respondents, 62 per cent is in the manufacturing industry.

-- The Nation 2012-02-10

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4 Pit Bulls bit an elderly man to death in Chacheongsao; police are holding the owner for an interrogation/TAN_Network

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RT@veen_NT: Health Ministry will give free condoms and lubricant on Valentine's Day at MBK Avenue on 1st Fl of MBK Centre.via @phassapholRT

RT@veen_NT: Curfew for kids after 10am and free condoms..... umm the message must be .. C'mon kids, do it before your deadline!!

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NBTC: Master plans regulating broadcasting and telecommunication frequencies to be enforced by March 2012

BANGKOK, 10 February 2012 (NNT)-The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission, or NBTC, is holding a hearing today to gauge public opinions over three draft master plans on frequency allocations in the country.

NBTC Chairman Air Chief Marshal Thares Punsri said the three drafts separately govern the management of radio and television frequencies as well as telecommunication businesses in Thailand.

Before the master plans are enforced, public opinions must be sought, as required by law, to make sure they are acceptable to Thai people. In Bangkok, the public hearing is held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani while provincial hearings are held in Chiang Rai in the North, Udon Thani in the Northeast and Phuket in the South. Over 1,400 people have been sharing their thoughts via a video conference which is being relayed from Impact Arena. Participants consist of a broad spectrum of people. Many of them come from the private sector, consumer protection groups, the media, state enterprises, and government units.

According to ACM Thares, the three draft master plans cover regulations concerning consumer protection, radio and television frequency allocations, free competition, telecommunication development and services and the broadcasting and telecommunication sectors' preparations for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. ACM Thares said the master plans are expected to be announced in the Royal Gazette and come into effect in the first quarter of this year.

-- NNT 2012-02-10

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Man mauled to death by four pitbulls

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Prison Raid Yields No Illicit Items

BANGKOK: -- Officials from the Corrections Department, the Metropolitan Police Bureau 9, and the Narcotics Control Technology Center have raided Thonburi Special Prison but no narcotics or cell phones were found, while the prison commander was ordered to keep a close watch on 60 inmates, who are suspected to have connections with drug gangs.

Nearly 500 officials from the Corrections Department, the Metropolitan Police Bureau 9, and the Narcotics Control Technology Center have raided Thonburi Special Prison to search for narcotics, cell phones, and illicit items as part of the government’s anti-narcotics suppression drive.

All dormitories in six zones of the prison have been searched. The prison houses a total of 5,350 inmates, while 70 percent of the inmates are charged with drug-related offenses and serving sentences of less than 15 years.

The search particularly focused on Zone 2, where prisoners convicted of national security violation and severe offenses are being held, while zone 3 houses major drug convicts.

However, no cell phones or narcotics have been found but prohibited objects, including tobacco, cigarettes, lighters, pornographic magazines, and modified weapons, such as pens and spoons that were sharpened, were discovered.

Nevertheless, mobile phone chargers have been found. The prison commander believes that the cell phones must be hidden somewhere in the prison and officials will continue to search for them.

Furthermore, around 60 inmates will be closely watched as they are suspected of having connections with the outside drug trade. These inmates have been isolated in solitary cells.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-10

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Anti-Thaksin group led by former industry minister Chaiwat Sinsuwong shows up at Govt House to try to disrupt gala dinner /TANN

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SET index closed at 1112.91, down 4.26; Bt/USD30.71; GBP48.37; AUD32.71; EUR40.58; CAD30.63; HKD3.95; SGD24.28; JPY39.32

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German Tourist stabbed after refusal to pay for Pattaya prostitute

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532564-german-tourist-stabbed-after-refusal-to-pay-for-pattaya-prostitute/

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Israeli suspected of shoplifting from Central Pattaya Shopping Center

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Meteorological Department forecasts abundant rains but less than last year

BANGKOK, 10 February 2012 (NNT)-Deputy Director General of the Meteorological Department Somchai Baimuang said as global warming begins to take its toll, Thailand could either be experiencing cooler temperature or more rains this year.

Mr. Somchai cited the unusually cold weather in Europe when it should have been the beginning of a warmer season. He added that over the past two years the ice in the North Pole had started melting which readily affects how the earth insulates heat from the ground.

The Deputy Director-General said his department will monitor whether there would be direct impact on Thailand. If the phenomenon expanded lower, he further explained that Thailand could expect lower temperatures or more rains.

He also mentioned the unusual weather in northern and northeastern parts of Thailand which remain cold despite the transition to summer at this time of the year. Taking into account the influence of La Nina which still remains in this region, Mr. Somchai said Thailand could experience more rains similar to the situation in 2011 although a lower volume of rains has been anticipated.

-- NNT 2012-02-10

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Phuket murder suspect prepared to surrender: police

Maj Gen Pisan Chuldilok, deputy commissioner of the Region 8 Police, is negotiating the terms of the surrender. Photo: Phuket Gazette file.

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RT @tulsathit: A handsome Prem has arrived at Govt House. He and Yingluck will be most-watched pair since the UK royal wedding.

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Privy Council President Gen Prem and PM Yingluck attend Government House function to thank all sectors in flood relief effort, revive investor confidence in Thai economy/MCOT

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Phuket Civil Defense Volunteer dead at the wheel

Phuket Gazette –

PHUKET: A Phuket City Civil Defense Volunteer died at the wheel of his car yesterday, possibly even before he crashed the car into a metalworks shop in Chalong at 3am.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532626-phuket-civil-defense-volunteer-dead-at-the-wheel/page__view__findpost__p__5045207

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Thailand Live Saturday 11 Feb 2012

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