Thailand Live Friday 17 Feb 2012

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Bomb Blasts Put Bangkok's Soi Nana Businesses on Edge

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Smog Crisis Lingers in North

CHIANG MAI: -- Smog has been widespread across the northern provinces, particularly Chiang Mai Province. The air quality is lower than the clean air standard index, and the public health department is now preparing masks.

Chiang Mai Province has been covered with heavy smog caused by fires for weeks. According a report from the Pollution Control Department, air pollution has measured at 129 points, which was higher than the pollution standard by 100 points.

Yesterday, the air quality index was at 109 points. Meanwhile, dust particle index should not exceed 10 micron or PM 10, but it has been gradually increasing.

Deputy Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Official, Surasing Wisarutrattana, said regarding the wildfire causing heavy smog and dust in Chiang Mai Province, that if there is no rainfall within 2 to 3 days, the dust density level may reach above the standard, at 120 micrograms per cubic meter. Furthermore, it may affect people with respiratory problems.

Surasing affirmed that officials are helping by preparing masks for local residents. All of the hospitals and related agencies have been ordered to prepare to relocate locals out of the areas if the situation worsens.

Meanwhile, Lampang, Lamphun, Phayao, and Phrae provinces are facing the same pollution problem. The dust density PM 10 was above the 120 micrograms per cubic meter, which is also higher than the standard index.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-17

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,131.63, up 11.38 points /MCOT

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PM Yingluck thanks Ayutthaya residents for sacrificing land for water retention project

BANGKOK, 17 February 2012 (NNT) - The prime minister has thanked the residents of Ayutthaya Province for their sacrifice of land to the Kaem Ling water retention project.

During the last leg of her 5-day trip to 10 flood-prone provinces, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, on Thursday, began the visit in the morning to Lopburi Province, where a number of preparations for the upcoming rainy season, including the dredging of canals and the installations of sluice gates, are underway.

Later, the PM continued the trip to Ayutthaya Province to discuss the flood prevention plan for the upper part of downstream rivers and for the industrial estates in the province.

She also visited Ayutthaya’s Bang Ban District, where the Kaem Ling or water retention project is being carried out. The area that is normally used for rice farming has been designed to accommodate upstream floodwater for three months, as suggested by the government.

The Premier has expressed her gratitude to the people of Bang Ban for allowing the water retention project to be implemented in the area. It is estimated that the Bang Ban – Kaem Ling project will be able to hold as much as 90 million cubic meters of water.

In return, the Bang Ban residents have asked the government to make it possible for them to grow off-season rice twice a year.

Mr. Theera Wongsamut, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said that the Bang Ban – Kaem Ling project will be used as a model for similar initiatives in other agricultural areas during the months of September and November, when rain and floodwater are usually abundant.

-- NNT 2012-02-17

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Authorities Continue Nationwide Campaign Against Drugs

TRANG: -- Provincial authorities continue their efforts in cracking down on drugs, especially in prisons.

Trang police officers arrested three drug suspects and seized around 67,000 amphetamine pills that were found hidden in a car along with other items worth a total of 19 million baht.

The trio, who were identified as Jirayut Saedan, Kluan Chuenchom, and Wannawat Chanmeesri, admitted to have been supplying drugs to a group of inmates at the Trang Provincial Prison and local teenagers for decades.

The police are expanding their investigation to find other accomplices.

In the Northern province of Phayao, authorities performed a prison shakedown at the provincial penitentiary and seized 50 contraband items including makeshift weapons, rice wine, and mobile SIM cards. The Phayao prison exceeds its maximum capacity of 800 detainees, and currently holds 1,102 detainees.

At the Buriram Prison, prison guards stepped up security check at the entrances and banned the entry of motorcycles. Visitors who bring their cars are required to exchange their driving license for a pass, while officers will take note of car license numbers. Prison visitors are also barred from giving anything from outside the prison to the inmates.

Details of visits and information about visitors will be kept on record to prevent the smuggling of drugs and other prohibit items.

In the Central province of Phichit, a new inmate used tied towels to climb over the back prison wall that is equipped with electrical wires. The man reportedly broke his leg upon descent and is believed to be hiding in a nearby village.

Down South, 20-year-old Theerapong Thongsuk was caught by the police while trying to throw two cellphones tucked in sandals into the Surat Thani central prison. The man said he had been paid 10,000 baht for the task.

Prison commander Suchin Dumkraden revealed that there are attempts to smuggle mobile phones into the prison everyday. He admitted that despite extensive monitoring, the prison is unable to stop all of them.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-17

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Police seek arrest warrant for 5th suspect in Sukhumvit blast

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Natthawut: Democrats slinging mud at PM

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PM seeks Bt5 billion budget from Cabinet for 100-plus water management projects, she says on last day of trip to provinces hit by 2011 floods /MCOT

One soldier on routine patrol wounded in Yala roadside bomb ambush /MCOT

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Thai Govt's First Time Home Incentives Receives Lukewarm Response

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Water Panel Ordered to Strengthen Flood Barrier for Industrial Parks

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister has visited the upstream areas in Ayutthaya Province yesterday. She instructed the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management or SCWRM to build a permanent flood embankment around the industrial estates to restore investor confidence.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attended the meeting of flood prevention plans for eight provinces including Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, Prachinburi, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Nayok provinces at the Bang Sai Royal Arts and Crafts Center in Ayutthaya province. Furthermore, the industry sector presented their flood prevention measures for the industrial estates.

The premier also explained the government's water management plans to regain investor confidence. She affirmed that the SCWRM has been assigned to inspect the flood embankments in every industrial estate.

All of the canals have been dredged to make the water flow easily. Each provincial governor has been negotiating with local farmers to allow government agencies to install water pumps in their farmlands as monkey cheek water retention areas.

The premier ordered industrial estate owners to do their best to restore international confidence since Thailand will be hosting the 2020 World Expo. After the industrial operators listened to the prime minister, they were satisfied with the government flood prevention plans.

The industrial operators insisted they will not relocate their manufacturing bases elsewhere. However, they asked the government to provide low interest loans and grants to help rehabilitate affected businesses.

Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri reported that most of the flood victims have received a 5,000 baht compensation per household. The total of 2,184 projects were approved with a 45 billion baht budget to recover the provinces located within the midstream areas.

More than 9 million rai will be used as monkey cheek water retention areas, which are mostly in Suphanburi Province. The farmers agreed to harvest their produce in August or before the flood water arrives.

Wittaya added that over a 770 million baht budget was approved to renovate the historical sites in every affected province.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-17

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Acting govt spokesperson Thitima says PM's trip has solved flooding by 80%; Bt5,000 compensation distributed at 96% /TANN

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RT @suthichai: Scottish words of wisdom: Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again!

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Phuket coral bounces back from bleaching blight

Bleached coral at Koh Payu at the Similan Islands Marine National Park. Photo: Marine National Park Operations Center.

Boonchob Sudthamanaswong, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Andaman Coast Group, addresses Monday's meeting.

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BoT unfazed by heavy capital inflow & impact on baht

BANGKOK, 17 February 2012 (NNT) - The central bank is not worried about reports of continued capital inflow into Thailand, which some fear will cause fluctuation to the value of the baht.

Mr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, conceded that there has been more foreign capital flowing into the country in recent days, as reflected in significant gains in the Thai stock market and bond market.

However, Mr. Prasarn is not worried about the continued capital inflow and stated that such an issue has not had any serious impact on the baht value yet.

He stated that, with the Thai economy still in the post-flood recovery stage, it is understandable that the private sector will be needing more foreign currencies for the imports of machinery and equipment to replace those damaged by last year's inundation.

Mr. Prasarn added that the inflow of capital fund is also acceptable because the export sector has yet to fully return to normal, the scenario that has also led to Thailand's trade deficit in recent months. ​

-- NNT 2012-02-17

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Myanmar to import 60,000-80,000 pickup trucks from Thailand each year

BANGKOK, 17 February 2012 (NNT) - Myanmar has revealed its plan to make an annual import of at least 60,000 pickup trucks from Thailand.

The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) Secretary-General Hla Maung Shwe said on Thursday that 90% of the cars in Myanmar are Japanese used cars imported from Japan, and currently, there are around 380,000 cars running on the streets.

According to the UMFCCI Secretary-General, around 90% of these cars are more than 5 years old now.

Maung Shwe disclosed the information of Myanmar's auto market during a meeting between 40 Myanmarese civil servants and businessmen and Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) in Bangkok.

He has noted that the visit to Thailand this time is the first of its kind and aims at studying the possibility of a plan to import 1-ton pickup trucks from Thailand.

Considering Myanmar's expectedly-high demand for automobile and its current situation, Maung Shwe has requested that the BOI make a suggestion on the planned annual import of 60,000-80,000 pickup trucks.

At present, Thailand is Myanmar's second-largest source of goods next to China, with an annual gross import value of US$800 million.

Meanwhile, BOI Deputy Secretary-General Chokedee Kaewsang said that his meeting with visiting Myanmarese entrepreneurs and Thai auto-part makers has reached a preliminary estimate that Thailand should be looking at an opportunity to export around THB1.8 billion worth of parts to Myanmar.

-- NNT 2012-02-17

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Military to Seek Solutions for Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict

BANGKOK: -- The Border Affairs Department has organized a meeting to discuss possible resolutions to the Thai-Cambodia border conflict, which will be concluded and reported to the prime minster to help in setting the policy on the issue.

The Border Affairs Department of the Supreme Command Headquarters has organized a meeting to discuss with units of the disputed area for possible resolutions to the Thai-Cambodia border conflict in Surin Province.

Government representatives from the Thailand-Neighboring Countries Border Coordinating Center, including the central and the regional Thai-Cambodian border attended the meeting.

Director of the Border Affairs Department, Lieutenant General Woravit Darunchu said when the meeting is concluded, the results will be reported to the prime minister to help in setting the policy to resolve conflicts with neighboring countries.

The Thailand-Neighboring Countries Border Coordinating Center is one of the important mechanisms of the government units, as it ensures peace and unity among residents in the disputed area.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-17

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PM Concludes 5-Day Tour of Flood-hit Areas

BANGKOK: -- The Prime Minister is discussing flood prevention plans for lower downstream provinces with senior officials from relevant agencies and will make a statement concluding her five-day inspection tour of flood-hit areas.

On the last day of her five-day tour to areas hit by the recent floods, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attended a meeting to discuss flood protection plans for lower downstream provinces in the morning and will hold a press conference to sum up the results of her inspection tour.

The premier is then scheduled to oversee the royally-initiated project to strengthen flood barriers and install water pumps at the Chulalongkorn sluice gate, after which she will head back to Bangkok.

The morning meeting took place at Kantary Hotel in Ayutthaya Province and was participated by a number of senior government officials including Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Police and military officers were deployed to ensure order at the venue and facilitate traffic around the hotel.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-17

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BMA to Organize Activities to Ease Global Warming

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or BMA will organize an activity to ease global warming, under the name 60+ Earth Hour 2012.

It will ask all sectors to cooperate by turning off lights that are unnecessary for one hour on Saturday, March 31 between 8.30 P.M. and 9.30 P.M.

Deputy of the BMA, Doctor Wanlop Suwannadee, disclosed that the BMA and the World Wildlife Fund or WWF of Thailand have prepared to organize an activity to ease global warming, under the name “I will… If you will”, where all sectors will be asked to turn off lights that are not necessary for one hour on Saturday, March 31, between 8.30 P.M. and 9.30 P.M local time.

Some other cities in the world and different region of Thailand will also participate in this campaign. All sectors will be encouraged to help ease global warming in other ways, such as biking instead of using a car, planting trees, and using stairs instead of an elevator.

The activity will be divided into three main categories. First is to organize a conference to announce the plan to turn off lights for one hour. The conference will be held at the Eden Zone on the first floor of Central World. The BMA director, along with artists and celebrities, will also attend to help in promoting public awareness.

Secondly, the campaign to turn off lights for one hour will be promoted on main roads, including Silom, Khao San, and Chinatown, as well as at the Central World and Siam Paragon Malls, from March 22-27.

The BMA director, and artists and celebrities will also attend to promote the campaign. The last activity will be turning lights off for one hour at Central World on Saturday, March 31, between 8.30 P.M. to 9.30 P.M to host the activities.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-17

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RT @mpoppel: 400 flights canceled as ground controllers strike at Frankfurt airport http://dlvr.it/1Cdn4N

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Police Finds 5th and 6th Suspects in Bombing

CCTV footage has led the police to seek an arrest warrant for a 5th foreign suspect in the Sukhumvit Soi 71 triple blasts. Police say they have received reports about a 6th suspect as well.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-17

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AFP: Bangkok bomb suspects 'partied in Pattaya'

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Phuket struggles to airlift stranded Air Australia tourists

The Phuket Airport departues hall this morning was flooded with tourists stranded by the Air Australia collapse. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Many of the stranded tourists spent the night at Phuket International Airport. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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400 flights canceled as ground controllers strike at Frankfurt airport

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

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SET index midday up 6.62 pts, 0.59 pct

Thai composite stocks index at midday Friday stood at 1,126.87, up 6.62 points, or 0.59 per cent in line with regional shares.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 792.22, up 5.09 points, or 0.65 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: IVL, PTTGC, BANPU, PTT, TOP.

-- The Nation 2012-02-17

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Int'l money-laundering watchdog FATF adds Thailand to its blacklist of nations that fail to meet int'l standards in legislating anti-money-laundering & anti-terrorist-financing laws/MCOT

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Flood committee to propose building of five new dams

BANGKOK, 17 February 2012 (NNT) - The Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) has prepared to propose to the Cabinet the construction of five new dams to contain 1.8 billion cubic meters of water.

If approved, the dams’ construction will require a 120-billion-baht budget and will be part of the government’s water management plan. The five dams include Mae Wong Dam to be built across the Sakae Krang River in Uthai Thani province, Mae Jam Dam on Mae Jam waterway, a tributary of the Ping river in Chiang Mai province, Kaeng Sua Ten Dam, which may be divided into two sections, on the Yom River, and Nam Tad Dam in Nan province. Six to seven medium and small reservoirs will be built north of the Pa Sak River in Phetchabun province as part of this plan.

All the five dams will have a combined capacity to hold 1.8 billion cubic meters of water.

-- NNT 2012-02-17

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Udon Thani getting ready for mobile Cabinet meeting

UDON THANI, 17 February 2012 (NNT) - Udon Thani province is getting ready to host the mobile Cabinet meeting early next week. The governor is calling all related agencies to report on their preparation progress.

Udon Thani governor Kanpetch Chuangrangsri chaired a meeting with related agencies taking care of security, traffic, events, facilities, transportation, and others to follow up on their progress in hosting the Cabinet meeting on February 21-22.

The Udon Thani Rajabhat University will be the meeting venue. Police forces from Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lampu, Udon Thani, Khon Kean, and Loei will be employed to ensure security.

-- NNT 2012-02-17

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British Ambassador Asif Ahmad extends his tour of service until August

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Qantas, Jetstar offer way home for stranded Air Australia tourists

Phuket Gazette

A Tourist Police officer offers assistance to one of the many Aussie tourists stranded at Phuket Airport. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Australian tourists Caley Wilkinson (left) and Trevor Moloney pass the time at Phuket Airport with a game of cards. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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Phuket alcohol ban ahead of local elections

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