Thailand Live Saturday 11 Feb 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 11 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 Friday 10 Feb 2012

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Bangkok: BMA ready to demolish luxury Soi Ruamrudee hotel

Full story:

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PM Yingluck denies misconduct at Bangkok hotel

Full story:

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Prem, Yingluck seen side by side for second time

The Nation

Full story:

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PRISON RAID

Khao Bin search turns up more objects

THE NATION

Officials find cellphone buried in a wall said to be blind spot for signal jammer

RATCHABURI: -- In an impromptu raid on cells in Ratchaburi's Khao Bin Prison yesterday, officials found many prohibited items including a mobile phone hidden inside a wall, which is a blind spot for the prison's signal-jamming device.

Despite conducting previous searches to clear cells of banned materials before the arrival of another 200 inmates, the 300-strong force launched another early yesterday - this time with three sniffer dogs.

The raid, led by Ratchaburi Governor Chonchuen Boonyanusat, was conducted in Zone 5, which has 900 detainees facing sentences of 30 years and above. Though no drugs were found, the search team discovered 800 cigarette packets, pornographic magazines, cellphone chargers, gambling tools and spikes made from everyday objects.

Officials also found a Nokia phone embedded in a wall on the third |floor. The phone, which had a SIM card, could be used because that |particular area is a blind spot for |the signal-jamming device. Officials |plan to look for other blind spots |within the premises and check on all outgoing numbers to see who called out and for what purpose.

Thanawee Prawat, chief of the Khao Bin Prison, said fewer banned items were discovered this time than in earlier raids.

SNIFFING FOR PROHIBITED ITEMS

Meanwhile, in Bangkok's Bang Bon district, a 600-strong force armed with sniffer dogs searched the Thonburi Remand Prison's six zones at 6am yesterday and found 150 prohibited objects including razors, scissors, cigarettes, porn magazines and gambling tools, as well as an MP3 player and an iPhone charger. This prison houses about 5,354 inmates.

Thonburi Remand Prison chief Ayuth Sintoppant said the charger suggested that an iPhone might have been smuggled in or was on its way.

He said prison officials would start conducting strict searches of visiting relatives as well as launch impromptu searches every month to keep the facility free of drugs and banned items.

In Angthong province, a 70-strong force raided male prisoners' cells on Thursday night and discovered 23 mobile phones, dozens of chargers, some spikes made from everyday objects, three ya ba tablets and 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

In related news, border police in Sa Kaew's Aranyaphrathet district arrested a 22-year-old man named Sayan Somsri early yesterday for allegedly having 987 ya ba tablets and 3 grams of crystal meth in his possession. They said the drugs were hidden inside a milk carton that Sayan was pretending to drink from while riding a motorcycle.

-- The Nation 2012-02-11

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Thai Army chief: 100 targets in South 'need daily protection'

Full story:

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Transport operators to get Bt2 break on NGV price

WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Energy Ministry has approved a reduction of Bt2 per kilogram in the price of natural gas for vehicles (NGV) for public-transport operators, to be effective by Tuesday.

The ministry has also invited the Petroleum Institute of Thailand to provide information to public-transport entrepreneurs regarding the cost of NGV and its price structure.

Norkun Sitthiphong, permanent secretary of the Energy Ministry, said the committee assigned to review the adjustment of the NGV price for public-transport vehicles agreed to reduce the price by no more than Bt2. The decision applies to public-transport trucks and passenger buses with or without air-conditioning, which were severely hit by the previous price increase.

PTT will be in charge of discounting the NGV price for this group of public-transport entrepreneurs by Tuesday.

Another group of entrepreneurs has already been awarded a price reduction. These are operators of taxis, public vans, and public buses belonging to the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and its partners.

Also by Tuesday, the Petroleum Institute of Thailand, together with the Department of Mineral Fuels, is to explain the price structure of NGV to operators.

Suthep Liumsirijarern, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, yesterday said the ministry would propose to the Energy Policy Administration Committee on Wednesday an increase in NGV prices by 50 satang per kilogram and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 75 satang per kilo, according to a Cabinet resolution. In addition, the ministry will propose an increase in the contribution from petrol sales to the Oil Fund by Bt1 per litre.

Chatchai Phuaree, chairman of an association of private bus operators, said it had asked the Transport Ministry to consider an increase in bus fares to Bt7 from Bt5.50 per person in view of higher operating costs. The association wants the ministry to make a decision this month so the price increase can be effective in March.

Otherwise, the association will submit a petition to the court to increase the bus fares.

-- The Nation 2012-02-11

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EDITORIAL

PM Yingluck's upcountry tour is little more than a publicity stunt

Full story:

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Effective court under fire from those who see it as a threat: Thai watchdog

Full story:

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'No public route' to change Article 112

Samatcha Hoonsara

Opas Boonlom

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Experts, Chalerm say charter does not support petition on issues pertaining to the monarchy

BANGKOK: -- The shaky campaign to amend Article 112 of the Penal Code appeared all but dead yesterday when Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung backed legal opinions that it was constitutionally impossible to push for changes through a signature-gathering crusade.

With the Yingluck government and the House of Representatives baulking at sponsoring an Article 112 amendment bill, advocates of changes to what is known as the lese-majeste law have pinned their hopes on the possibility of getting at least 10,000 people to propose a bill.

The signature campaign, however, ran into a legal stumbling block when experts pointed out that the current charter does not allow people to co-sponsor changes that could affect the monarchy.

The Constitution does not sanction the signature campaign to amend the lese-majeste law, Siam University's law dean Jade Dhonavanik insisted yesterday. "I believe Article 112, unlike other defamation provisions in the Criminal Code, was designed to shield the head of state, hence it falls under Chapter 2 of the Constitution pertaining to the monarchy," he said.

Under the charter provisions, people's legislative drafts are allowed in regard to laws pertaining to rights and liberties (Chapter 3 of the charter) and state policies (Chapter 5), he said, arguing that Chapter 2 is off limits.

He said the campaign to amend Article 112 via a people's draft could not be debated due to the lack of a constitutional sanction, regardless of the campaign to solicit the support of 10,000 voters.

He further noted that the signature campaign was meant to sponsor a people's draft on a new piece of legislation, not an amendment to existing provisions.

Chalerm backed the legal views against the signature campaign. Yesterday, he cancelled his plan to seek a Cabinet resolution against the lese-majeste law amendment, saying the government had already made a firm stand on the issue.

"I think it is no longer necessary to issue the Cabinet resolution, since all sides oppose the amendment," he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had clearly stated that the government would not support the amendment, Chalerm said, urging media professionals to stop fuelling the debate on the issue.

Although the campaign to solicit 50,000 signatures supporting the people's draft on the amendment might be ongoing, this was not an issue anymore because there was no legislative backing for passage, he said.

He said he would not intervene in the red shirts' efforts to spearhead the signature campaign to push for the amendment, arguing he had no mandate to stop any lawful activities. "I don't condone the amendment, but have no authority to block the red shirts," he said.

Anti-Article 112 campaigners still held out hope that their move would be considered constitutional as it was based on concerns over civil rights and liberty.

Yukti Mukdavichit, a key member of the Campaign Committee to Amend Article 112 (CCAA), said he was certain the proposal to amend the law through the collection of at least 10,000 signatures is both constitutional and feasible. He said the Nitirat group of law lecturers who made the proposal that is now being championed by the CCAA have thoroughly considered aspects of the process.

Yukti, a lecturer of anthropology at Thammasat University, said that if Chalerm sees the campaign as unconstitutional, he should go to the Constitution Court. "Let the court decide, otherwise anyone would think they can make that decision," Yukti said. He said it's not for Chalerm or any individual to decide whether the campaign is constitutional.

-- The Nation 2012-02-11

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8 killed in Bangkok van crash, driver goes on the run

Full story:

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DSI wraps up probe into 2 scams

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation will submit the findings of its probe into a lottery quota scam targeting teacher cooperatives in Loei to public prosecutors on February 20, director-general Tharit Pengdit said yesterday.

The DSI will also submit the results of its probe into an iPhone5 pyramid scheme to public prosecutors next week.

The lottery quota scheme allegedly scammed more than Bt20 billion from more than 2,000 victims, mostly government teachers and officials at 18 major cooperatives, including the teacher cooperative and networks in 11 provinces. The DSI is still collecting information about the other cooperatives and will submit it later.

Srisuk Rungwichai, believed to have profited from this scheme, has surrendered without invoking his immunity as a senator.

The mobile-phone scam reportedly cost 20 victims, mostly university students, Bt300 million. The victims demanded that relevant agencies investigate the finances of the family of suspect Phruet Jarukokha-kul, to find more money gained from the scam, and return it to the victims.

-- The Nation 2012-02-11

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Fossils found

The Nation

UBON RATCHATHANI: -- Dinosaur fossils thought to be 110 million years old have been discovered in Si Muang Mai district of Ubon Ratchathani.

Teeth and bones of dinosaurs from the early Cretaceous period were found among other fossils of crocodiles, turtles, river sharks and bony fish in Khokphasuam forest in a community of tambon Nakham.

The Cretaceous period marked the end of the age of the dinosaurs in what is known as the Great Extinction.

According to a survey team comprising local and French experts that surveyed the forest in 1993, the area used to be a large lake. Some of the fossils have been kept at the Mineral Resources Department and others at Tambon Nakham Administrative Organisation.

-- The Nation 2012-02-11

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Thai rock star 'Sek Loso' apologizes for his drug use

Full story:

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Court verdict on Thawil's transfer due in one month

The Nation

Full story:

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SECURITIES TRADING

KBank links with Australian group

Full story:

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iPad 3 Announced in March Will Pack Retina Display

Full story:

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Thai woman sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug trafficking

Full story:

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In weekly TV programme, PM says water volume this year expected to be at 20 billion cubic metres, 3 storms forecast; measures being drafted /MCOT

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North and Northeast see cool weather; BKK sees scattered thunderstorm; Chiang Rai rocked by earthquake in Myanmar last night

PM discloses flood prevention plan during weekly TV show; says canals to be dredged, water discharged from dams. PM voices concern about Ayutthaya and pledges to protect econ areas from flooding

/TANN

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BKK Univ's graduation at QSNCC from 1-5pm; parking allowed on left inbound and outbound lanes on Ratchadapisek Rd /TANN

Open house at Chulalongkorn Univ from 9am-6pm; traffic expected to be congested /TANN

5-7.45am tomorrow charity walkathon-marathon via Pathumwan Demonstration School-Siam Paragon-Rama IV-Henri Dunant /TANN

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BMA to speedily prepare Sanam Luang for royal cremation of HRH Princess Bejaratana

BANGKOK, 11 February 2012 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is speeding up its work to prepare the city's Sanam Luang for the upcoming royal cremation of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda in early April.

The government has earlier scheduled April 9th as the day for the royal cremation of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi, the only daughter of the late King Rama VI.

Deputy BMA Governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul said that the land adjustment process of Sanam Luang in front of the Grand Palace is now underway, to prepare for the construction of the royal funeral pyre and related structures.

Mr. Teerachon affirmed that the progress of the preparation is commendable.

According to the Deputy BMA Governor, more work needs to be commenced after the royal cremation ceremony is completed.

On May 9th, the Sanam Luang will be used in the royal ploughing ceremony before the preparation for HM the Queen's 80th birthday anniversary on August 12th begins.

-- NNT 2012-02-11

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Thai Wife And Lover Face Court Over Murder of British Pensioner

'Murdered pensioner was dying anyway'

Full story:

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Dr Smith warns of Tsunami risk in Phuket, Andaman region

Dr Smith Dharmasaroja (inset) and the crowd of 2000 school administrators he addressed at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on Thursday. Photo: Warisa Temram.

Full story:

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Thai PM Yingluck concedes severe floods likely this year

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PM met with foreign, ICT, and education ministers at Ban Phitsanulok for an hour after hosting weekly TV show/TAN_Network

Democrats demand PM clarify visit to Four Seasons Hotel and usage of work hours on personal business; claims she may have brokered land deal/TAN_Network

Police to issue arrest warrant for Nattapong Pohthing,van driver who crashed into parked 6-wheeler on Eastern Ring Rd killing 8 Cambodians/TAN_Network

Man plunges to his death from 10-m mast of cargo ship at Klongtoey Port/TAN_Network

Locals tie monk's robes around trees at Rod Fai Park in Chatuchak area to prevent BMA from cutting them down/TAN_Network

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RT @js100radio 35-40 yr old man fell from 4th floor of within Central Pinklao to his death; police investigating if it was suicide/TAN_Network

11pm-5am tonight pedestrian flyover at Petchkasem Soi 34 to be removed for Blue Line electric train construction; motorists should avoid/TAN_Network

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Bangkok Poll: Parents are role models for true love

BANGKOK, 12 February 2012 (NNT) – Family bondage remains influential in shaping the youth’s definition of love, according to a recent opinion survey by Bangkok University.

The Bangkok Poll which was carried out with 1,200 young people aged between 15 and 25 has shown that as much as 64 percent of the respondents found their parents to be the role model of true love.

Sixty-five percent view Valentine’s Day this year as important as those in previous years. Fifty-three percent have prepared gifts for their special ones.

Some of them plan to take their lovers to the movies, or give them bouquets. Others plan to take this opportunity to confess their love to their special persons.

Twenty one percent of the respondents disagree with the idea of having pre-marital sex as a way to show true love while 17 percent are of the opinion that true love should be expressed through constructive deeds. Twelve percent think that true love should be based on conscience.

Fifty four percent of the respondents find the extreme public display of affection most obscene. Twenty eight percent find the abuse of drug and alcoholic drinks most offensive. Nearly 15 percent consider the conflict among adults in society unacceptable.

Asked which politicians deserve roses most, PM Yingluck Shinawatra is found to win the highest popular votes of 44 percent. Coming second and third are self-styled graft buster Chuwit Kamolvisit and Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva with 24 and 21 percent respectively.

-- NNT 2012-02-11

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Man who plunged to his death inside Central Pinklao identified a Pongsatorn Suwannakorn; family asked to contact Bangyeekan police /TANN