Thailand Live Sunday 12 Feb 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 12 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 Saturday 11 Feb 2012

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[Lite Beer]

Govt seeks 2 million rai to hold flood water

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government is looking for 2 million rai of land to use as areas to hold flood water - given the likelihood that wet-season flooding this year could be as severe as last year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5048073

[Lite Beer]

EC to decide on Chuwit's MP status on February 25

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- The Election Commission (EC) will decide on February 25 whether Rak Thailand Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit is qualified to be a member of Parliament.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5048076

[Lite Beer]

Millions in assets linked to drug gang

Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation on Sunday

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532931-millions-in-assets-linked-to-drug-gang/page__view__findpost__p__5048080

[Lite Beer]

Detainee's son starts hunger strike

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- After his father - lese-majeste detainee Somyos Prueksakasemsuk - was denied bail seven times, his 24-year-old son Panithan decided he had to do something.

Yesterday, Panithan began a four-day hunger strike in front of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in what he said was a bid to raise awareness of the importance of a detainee's right to bail.

Panithan, a second-year law student at Thammasat University, said he decided to go on a hunger strike because he believes his father, the editor of Red Power magazine and the now-defunct Voice of Taksin magazine, ought to be granted bail if he is to have a fair chance of fighting the lese-majeste charge.

He pointed out that even those charged with terrorism, which carries a maximum penalty of death, are frequently granted bail. Asked why his father, a key red-shirt member, had been denied bail seven times since his arrest in April last year, Panithan said the court cited national security and concerns that Somyos might try to leave the Kingdom. Panithan said he thinks both explanations are unsound.

Speaking hours before he planned to begin his protest, Panithan said the hunger strike "is a declaration that I won't give up demanding the right to bail".

He said he had waited long enough to see if his father would be granted bail and is now convinced that the only way to raise the awareness about the issue is a hunger strike.

"I want society to know about it," said Panithan, who added that he has consulted a doctor about his plan and would only be drinking tea during the period.

-- The Nation 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

Govt plans joint bill on charter

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- Cabinet to consider draft tomorrow; unified proposal gets nod from Thaksin: source

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532932-thai-govt-plans-joint-bill-on-charter/page__view__findpost__p__5048088

[Lite Beer]

Ex-con, friend confess to attack on Chinese tourist

By Ekkapong Praditpong

The Nation on Sunday

CHIANG MAI - Police have arrested a former convict and his girlfriend on suspicion of assaulting and robbing a Chinese tourist at Chiang Mai's famous Wat Chedi Luang on January 25, an attack that prompted China to warn its citizens to avoid travelling to the northern city.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532933-ex-con-friend-confess-to-attack-on-chinese-tourist/page__view__findpost__p__5048092

[Lite Beer]

Valentine's Day poll

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- On Valentine's Day (Tuesday), most Thai youths want to give roses to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (44%), followed by outspoken MP Chuwit Kamolvisit (24%) and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (21%), a poll by Bangkok University revealed yesterday.

Some 1,161 youths aged 15 to 25 years in Greater Bangkok were interviewed for the poll. It also found that 64 per cent of youths view their parents as a model couple. Many youths said they plan to go to the cinema (32%), to profess love to their crush (31%) or give flowers as a gift (30%). About 54 per cent said they don't want people to express sexuality inappropriately on Valentine's Day, and don't want youths drinking alcohol (28%) or adults being divided, or conflict in society (15%).

Meanwhile, Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection chief Thawatchai Thaikhiew backed a police proposal to seek parental cooperation to impose a 10pm curfew for people under 18 on Valentine's Day, as the move would protect youths, not violate their rights. He said sex crimes usually took place at venues where alcohol was drunk and the Valentine festivity was just the beginning of youth crime.

-- The Nation 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

Fatal escalator fall

The Nation on Sunday February 12, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK:-- A 31-year-old man who fell off an escalator yesterday afternoon in Bangkok's Central Pin Klao Mall died shortly after.

Pongsathorn Suwannakhon, from Nonthaburi, was rushed to Chao Phraya Hospital at 1pm but succumbed to his injuries - a broken neck and two broken legs. Mall employees told police the man was using the third floor escalator. He fell to the ground after bending forward to look down. Police suspect he may have fainted before falling.

-- The Nation 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

Dam compensation

The Nation on Sunday

Sakhon Nakhon

Some 1,000 residents from five districts affected by the Nam Un Dam construction held a protest yesterday to call for compensation.

This comes as a team of advisers to the prime minister consider asking the mobile Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani for compensation of Bt50,000 per rai for those affected.

Villagers from Nikhom Nam Un, Phang Khon, Phanna Nikhom, Waritchaphum and Kut Bak districts gathered outside the Nikhom Nam Un District Office to call for compensation - an issue that has dragged on for 40 years. Meanwhile party-list MP Surathin Pijarn, part of PM's Adviser Suchon Chaleekrue's team, said he would talk to Suchon about the issue and

suggest Cabinet approve immediate compensation of Bt40,000 -Bt50,000 per rai - up from Bt30,000 - at the Cabinet meet in Udon. On hearing this, protesters ended the rally.

-- The Nation 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

PRISON RAID

Khao Bin search turns up more objects

THE NATION February 11, 2012 1:00 am

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

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532935-khao-bin-search-turns-up-more-objects/page__view__findpost__p__5048110

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

NSC blueprint for peace in deep South has some merits

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Proposal for a 'safe zone' where people can talk frankly should be pursued

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5048114

[Lite Beer]

EXAT to invest THB15Mil in accident prevention system on expressways

BANGKOK, 12 February 2012 (NNT) - The expressway operator is set to spend big in a new accident prevention program, which is expected to complete before the year's end.

Mr. Aiyanat Tinapai, Governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), said that the expressway operator is now making some progress in its accident prevention program.

One of the systems in the program is the installation of extra buffers in 4 sections of Bangkok's expressways, including the Rama 6 exit, the grade separation and interchange in Phyathai area, the Chalongrat Expressway's Ramindra tollbooth and the Burapha Withi Expressway's tollbooth which connects with Kanchanaphisek Road.

Mr. Aiyanat said that all these four sections have seen the highest cases of serious accidents and EXAT believes that the extra, flexible buffers will help lessen the seriousness of this issue.

In addition, the Land Transport Department will be using the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices to solve the problem of speeding among passenger vans. The new equipment will be installed along the Kanchanaphisek (Outer Ring) Road as well as on the Chalongrat Expressway and the Burapha Withi Expressway.

According to Mr. Aiyarat, the total cost of this project is set at THB15 million, which will come from the 2012 fiscal budget. The installation of all devices is believed to complete before the end of the year

-- NNT 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

Phuket resort worker, 20, dies in 4-vehicle hit-and-run

Phuket Gazette –

None of the Chinese tourists in the van heading toward Phuket Airport were critically injured, but all were traumatized. Photo: Warisa Temram.

The crumple remains of the Honda Click motorbike that belonged to 20-year-old Jaturaporn Chuthanom, Phuket's latest road accident fatality. Photo: Warisa Temram.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532937-phuket-resort-worker-20-dies-in-4-vehicle-hit-and-run/page__view__findpost__p__5048132

[Lite Beer]

Govt reaffirms determination to rein in flood problems

BANGKOK, 12 February 2012 (NNT) - The government has reiterated its determination to solve the problem of severe flooding in Thailand, in order to boost confidence among local and foreign investors.

Mr. Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, said that the Cabinet's planned visit to upstream dams, midstream and downstream rivers during February 13th -17th is showing that the government is serious about its plan to prevent the repeat of last year's flood crisis.

The PM's Office Minister said that, during the upcoming trip, the Cabinet will not only try to speed up the preparation for the approaching rainy season, but also to work on the boosting of local and overseas investor confidence in order to make sure that no foreign companies will move their production base out of Thailand.

He went on to say that the "Love Thailand, Move Thailand Forward" event, held at Government House on Friday also reflects the current administration's sincerity and readiness in working with all parties to solve the flood problems.

Mr. Nivatthamrong is confident that all measures the government has planned will effectively tackle future flood crisis.

-- NNT 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

RT@BreakingNews: Pop music vocalist, film star Whitney Houston dies at age 48 http://t.co/Wki7V19N

RT@mpoppel: For those asking, the death of Whitney Houston was confirmed by her publicist Kristen Foster

RT@BreakingNews: More: Cause and location of Whitney Houston's death unclear - @AP

[Lite Beer]

Juvenile Observation & Protection Dept supports teen curfew plan

BANGKOK, 12 February 2012 (NNT) - There has been more support to the imposition of a curfew on local teens on the Valentine's Day.

Mr. Thawatchai Thaikiew, Director General of the Juvenile Observation and Protection Department, has come out to support the Royal Thai Police Department's imposition of a curfew after 10 pm for people aged below 18.

Mr. Thawatchai stated that he is not in favor of the rounding up of kids who still stray on the street at night, but his support is out of concerns over their well-being.

On February 14th, the Valentine's Day, police across the country will bring anyone under 18 outside after 10 pm to police stations for their parents to pick them up.

The Juvenile Observation and Protection Department chief also said that a recent survey among parents found that most of the respondents agree with the curfew plan but are reluctant to make it concrete due to the opposition from NGOs.

He is worried that if no one pays more serious attention to kids and look out for them, more social problems, such as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) and underage pregnancy, may emerge and become rampant.

Mr. Thawatchai added that while some have pointed out that the curfew plan may violate the rights of young kids, the US government has made it clear that this is not the case because the restriction of this type is intended to promote safety in the society.

-- NNT 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

KRC expects a rise in Korean travelers to Thailand in 2012

BANGKOK, 12 February 2012 (NNT) - A leading research agency believes that more Korean travelers will visit Thailand in 2012.

Kasikorn Research Center (KRC) said that, currently, Korean travelers are among the top-5 visitors to Thailand, with more than 1 million tourists descending here each year.

KRC stated that the Korean market has been growing rapidly in recent years, and it is now after only Malaysia, China, Japan and Russia.

And if there is no violent incident to drive travelers away in 2012, the Center expects a 20% growth in the number of Korean visitors, from the 1.22 million recorded in 2011. Moreover, if this prediction is accurate, Thailand will enjoy around THB40 billion in tourist revenue from this market, or a 25% year-on-year rise.

KRC added that the windfall from the growth in Korean market will be evident among hotel business operators, souvenir businesses, food and beverage industries as well as entertainment and transport sectors.

Since 2011, tourism-related agencies have been launching aggressive campaigns to attract Korean visitors to Thailand, particularly those who travel on incentive plans, golf lovers and honeymooners, because of their high spending power.

-- NNT 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

North and Upper Northeast still face cool weather; Lower Northeast, East, BKK to see scattered thunderstorm/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

RT@BreakingNews: Update: Whitney Houston died in Beverly Hills hotel room; authorities trying to determine a cause of death - @latimeshttp://t.co/ISbzPRHc

[Lite Beer]

Prasarnmit Demonstration School to see entrance exam for 7th grade will 2,000 participants; traffic on Asokemontri Rd expected to be busy/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Dusit Poll: respondents give PM 5.95 out of 10 after 6 months in office; they like drug crackdown best and flood management worst/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

RT@Aim_NT: Graduation Ceremony for Bangkok University at Queen Sirikit NCC today. Avoid the traffic.

[Lite Beer]

Committee to look into southern violence compensation to pay Bt7.5 mn for southern violence victims, including Krue Se and Takbai incidents/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

BREAKING NEWS: Phuket Beach body thought to be Mark Robson's

Phuket Gazette –

The image of Mark Robson distributed to the media by Phuket Tourist Police Foreign Volunteers yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532491-27-year-old-english-teacher-reported-missing-in-phuket/page__view__findpost__p__5048577

[Lite Beer]

KResearch: Rose prices rising ahead of Valentine's Day; avg budget to buy flowers this year is 355 baht/person, 9.6% higher than last year/MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Why the muddle with maps?

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket Conundrum: A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma about to get lost. Would Churchill have ridden in a tuk-tuk?

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532988-phuket-opinion-why-the-muddle-with-maps/page__view__findpost__p__5048847

[Lite Beer]

Robust sales of roses for Valentine’s Day

BANGKOK, Feb 12 – Rose sales are forecast to be lucrative during the week of Valentine’s Day when prices are normally hiked in response to high demand.

Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch) conducted a survey on consumer habits in the capital of Bangkok for Valentine’s Day 2012 from February 1-7 among 400 persons - mostly students as they were the target group - paying attention to this festival.

The survey found that most students will buy less expensive roses at the price of 50-100 baht, while university students and office workers tend to buy a bouquet of 5-20 flowers worth around 500-1,500 baht. The budget to buy flowers this year is about 355 baht per person on average, about 9.6 per cent higher than that of last year.

The price of roses normally rises one week gradually before the Valentine’s Day to reach a peak of several times their normal price on February 13-14.

This year, however, rose prices at the Pak Klong Talad, Bangkok’s most popular flower market increased earlier than usual. A rose from Netherlands increased from 700-800 baht to 1,000-1,200 baht per stem, while a rose from China increased from 100-150 baht to 150-200 baht while a Thai-grown rosebud from 15-20 baht to 25-50 baht each. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-12

[Lite Beer]

Tough love: Valentine’s crackdown underway on Phuket youth

Phuket Gazette –

These hookahs were among the evidence seized during the raid on a bar in Wichit subdistrict in Phuket. Photo: Warisa Temram.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/532994-tough-love-valentines-crackdown-underway-on-phuket-youth/page__view__findpost__p__5048980