Thailand Live Wednesday 15 Feb 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 15 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 Tuesday 14 Feb 2012

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Blasts rattle Bangkok as Israel accuses Iran

Full story:

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ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGNS

Chalerm seeks speedy killing of drug convicts

Full story:

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Iranian suspect held as blasts rattle Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5056419

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PM's adviser seeks to build tunnel linking river, Tak dam

The Nation

Full story:

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POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Riot victims not facing legal action to be paid first: Thailand

The Nation

Full story:

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Thai gay couple sets world record for longest kiss

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Enforce the law or join pariahs on the blacklist: Thailand

Full story:

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STOPPAGE TIME

Thai charter reform: More tightropes to walk

Full story:

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Cash/barter for Chinese tablets

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will buy up to 900,000 tablet computers from China via a government-to-government contract with payment made in cash and produce.

Information and Comm-unications Technology (ICT) Minister Gp Captain Anudith Nakornthap yesterday said the two countries had signed a memorandum of understanding on the planned procurement.

"We are negotiating the price and payment options with China," he said. He expected the negotiations to conclude this month.

Anudith said the negotiations would be based on mutual benefit. He denied reports that the government would trade rice at a low price for the tablets.

"The negotiations will be fair to both sides. China is a big manufacturer. It can offer tablets at a competitive price," he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wants to see the handout of tablets under the One Tablet PC Per Child project - a brainchild of her Pheu Thai Party - take place next month, according to her deputy secretary-general, Thitima Chaisang.

Anudith said the government had already approved a Bt1.9-billion budget for the procurement of 560,000 tablets. However, he said more funds would be needed because the Education Ministry plans to distribute the devices to all 860,000 Prathom 1 students before the start of the upcoming semester. With some tablets to be given to children in other grades, the ministry will need up to 900,000 of them. "The Cabinet will be asked to approve the additional budget and purchase of tablets at its meeting next Tuesday," he said.

Huawei Thailand’s chief technology officer, Michael MacDonald, said yesterday that the firm is interested in taking part in the tablet project. However, meeting some project requirements, such as the number of tablets and delivery times, might be difficult, he said.

MacDonald said the company’s tablet PC production capacity is between 5,000 and 10,000 units per 50 days.

-- The Nation 2012-02-15

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DAY OF LOVE

Roses mark end to school feuds

THEERAPOL KHUMSUK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- To mark Valentine's Day yesterday, 50 teachers and students of Kanchanapisek Samutprakan Technical College presented roses to representatives from the Eastern College of Technology (E-tech) in Chon Buri's Phan Thong district to mark a new beginning of partnership and reconciliation.

The group, led by college director Dr Anant Ngamsa-ard, met with E-tech director Prasert Klinchu at the college to announce they would together promote a good image for technical colleges and stamp out student brawling. The two colleges' technical students then shook hands and handed each other roses.

Prasert said that E-tech had 10,000 students, 3,000 of whom stayed in Samut Prakan. In the past the students from the two colleges had brawled many times as they travelled to school on the same route.

The Valentine's Day rose-exchange campaign was planned as a sign to stop fighting and start working together academically. Anant said if a student of either college still caused problems leading to fighting, the student would face serious punishment.

-- The Nation 2012-02-15

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EDUCATION

Activist eyes court action over 'tea money' move

SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI,

SAOWANEE NIMPANPAYUNGWONG

THE NATION

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....tea-money-move/

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Thai officials: Attacks in Bangkok aimed at Israelis

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5056472

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Bangkok-Si Sa Ket bus collides with 18-wheel truck in Surin; 10 dead, 24 injured as NGV fuel leaks from cylinder /MCOT

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BANGKOK'S TRIPLE BLASTS

Americans alerted to maintain heightened awareness

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Emergency Message to U.S. Citizens: Explosions in the vicinity of Sukhumvit Soi 71 Bangkok

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PM Yingluck instructs 10 provincial governors to grow upstream forests within 3 months

BANGKOK, 15 February 2012 (NNT) - The prime minister has instructed the governors of 10 provinces, from upstream to downstream rivers, to finish the growing of water-retention forestland within 3 months.

Full story:

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Upset Asylum Seeker Threatens Self Immolation

BANGKOK: -- A Sri Lankan man threatened to set himself on fire in front of the United Nations office in Bangkok after officials did not respond immediately to his request for asylum in the US. Authorities spent over one hour talking the man down.

Thevanantham Thevakumar, a 37-year-old Sri Lankan man, together with his wife and four children, traveled to the United Nations, or UN, office to apply for asylum in the US, but UN officials postponed consideration of his request until next week.

The distraught man then poured petrol over himself and threatened to set himself on fire. He recounted that he and his family have been staying in Thailand for five years and their refugee certificates issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will expire on November 1 this year.

Thevakumar noted that his family wanted to seek asylum in the US as they did not want to be sent back to Sri Lanka, where a civil war continues and they are not yet certain of safety.

The Sri Lankan man showed scars on his left leg and abdominal surface, claiming they were caused by Sri Lanka's civil war.

UN's officials spent over one hour negotiating with him, saying they are in the process of considering if Thevakumar and his family are eligible for the transfer to a third country. If they are eligible, their request will be responded.

The Sri Lankan man was satisfied and was taken to hospital for a medical check before being transferred to the Immigration Detention Center in Soi Inthamara 39.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-15

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,115.18, up 8.77 points /MCOT

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Sukumpol rules out three explosions as terror attacks

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5056971

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Police set up 'war room' to probe Bangkok bomb blasts

Full story:

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AFP: Thai blasts linked to 'international tensions'

Full story:

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UK's Foreign Office issues travel advisory for its citizens for BKK, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani /TANN

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US State Dept Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland condemns blasts in BKK /TANN

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Home-made bombs meant for individual targets: NSC

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The explosive devices found at the rented house off Sukhumvit 71 were meant for individual targets, National Security Council secretary general Wichean Potephosree said on Wednesday.

Based on prelimanary checks by police, Iranian bomber suspects, one at large and two in police's custody, want to target individuals although it remains unclear about potential targets or organisations, Wichean said.

"The explosives devices were not for sabotage but further checks would be needed before drawing conclusion on terror attack," he said.

Police had no evidence to link the Tuesday's three explosions to Lebanese man Artris Hussein, held in custody since last month on suspicion of possessing explosives.

-- The Nation 2012-02-15

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Natl Security Council states bombings aren't a terrorist attack, investigation needed to see if Hezbollah is involved, Thais not target /TANN

Acting govt spokesperson Thitima also says bombings aren't a terrorist attack; PM will continue provincial tour as scheduled /TANN

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US Believes Iran and Hezbollah Behind Bomb Attack in Thailand

WASHINGTON: -- The United States has expressed concern regarding the bomb attack yesterday in Thailand, as this kind of violence seems to be on the rise, while it's thought that Iran has been involved in many incidents.

State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said there seems to be a rise in this kind of violence, and there is some concern that this comes on the heels of other incidents that clearly have been linked to Iran.

Nuland said Washington is awaiting the results of investigations in Thailand, as well as the investigation of the incidents in India and Georgia, while it has been believed that many recent attacks were linked to the Shia violence, and Hezbollah, with Iran backing up the attacks.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out that terrorist plans that were thwarted in Thailand were also cooperation between Iran and Hezbollah.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-15

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AFP: Bangkok bombers 'targeted Israeli diplomats'

Full story:

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Army Set to Tackle Possible Flooding

BANGKOK: -- The Army started dredging canals today until and will continue until May 30 to prevent possible future flooding.

Deputy Army Spokesperson Colonel Sirijant Ngatong along with Deputy Internal Security Operations Command Spokesperson Colonel Winnathai Suwaree announced that Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-Ocha has ordered the military to support the government's water management measures by growing trees at river origins, building dams to slowdown the water, and protecting the forests.

In the meantime, the Army has been preparing engineering soldiers to develop water sources. Engineer Regiment 1, 2, and 3 were assigned to dredge canals in the previous flooded areas to discharge the water easily. All of the procedures will begin today and last until May 30.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-15