Thailand Live Tuesday 21 Feb 2012

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Progress Made for the Investigation of Bangkok's Triple Blast Incident

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AMLO: Thailand Not on Money Laundering Blacklist

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Four Seasons Hotel refuses to allow Pheu Thai MP Pracha to bring press to view 7th floor where PM's private meeting took place /TANN

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Police Chief Forbids Officers to Speak on Bombings

BANGKOK: -- National Police chief Police General Priewpan Damapong forbids his subordinates to speak to the press on the triple Bangkok blasts. He says it may affect the case's outcome and international relations.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-21

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Hotel Doesn't Allow Press to View PM's Meeting Room

BANGKOK: -- The Four Seasons Hotel didn't allow Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasopdee to bring the press to the 7th floor to view the room used by PM Yingluck Shinawatra for a private meeting. The hotel said Pracha didn't coordinate with it.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-21

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Thailand Aims to Be ASEAN Synchrotron Research Hub

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Researchers from four ASEAN countries participated in a synchrotron light workshop in Nakhon Ratchasima to promote cooperation and exchange of knowledge.

The Synchrotron Light Research Institute organized an ASEAN workshop in Nakhon Ratchasima Province to promote cooperation on synchrotron light research in the lead-up to the ASEAN Community in 2015.

The workshop, which was participated by representatives from Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, aims to strengthen technological and scientific collaboration among ASEAN countries by encouraging researchers and scholars to use the Siam Photon research station in Thailand.

The Siam Photon research station in Nakhon Ratchasima is the largest synchrotron facility in Southeast Asia. Foreign researchers account for only two percent of total researchers there, including some from Germany, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The increased cooperation is expected to help attract researchers from ASEAN countries, increasing the number of international researchers by ten to fifteen percent, in the hopes of making Thailand the ASEAN center for synchrotron research.

The meeting results will also be presented at the next ASEAN ministerial meeting on science and technology.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-21

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Thai Masseuses in Demand

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'8 ½ Inches' gay health spa in Bangkok raided for narcotics

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-for-narcotics/

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PM, ministers en route to Udon Thani for cabinet meeting

BANGKOK, Feb 21 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her ministers were heading to the northeastern province of Udon Thani Tuesday morning for their second 'retreat' cabinet meeting today and tomorrow (Feb 21-22).

Ms Yingluck has left Bangkok at noon for the northeastern province of Loei as the first stop before proceeding by helicopter to Udon Thani to meet with the Regional Joint Public/Private Sector Consultative Committee and for the cabinet meeting.

In Loei, the prime minister is meeting with women's groups and is travelling by helicopter to Phukradung National Park before flying on to Udon Thani to inspect the Huay Klai Reservoir Sustainable Water Management Royal Project in Nong Wua Sor district.

Ms Yingluck will chair a meeting of the Regional Joint Public/Private Sector Consultative Committee in which the private sector will propose various development projects for cabinet consideration.

After staying overnight in Udon Thani, the prime minister will convene her second cabinet meeting Wednesday at Udon Thani Rajabhat University auditorium in the provincial seat.

The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) will propose a schedule of projects for cabinet consideration at its meeting.

The projects relate to the 12 northeastern provinces -- Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Loei, Bueng Kan, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, and Kalasin.

The premier has expressed her wish to hold monthly cabinet meetings in provinces. The first such meeting was held in Chiang Mai on Jan 14-15. After the second meeting in Udon Thani, the third is scheduled for March 19-20 in the southern province of Phuket, and the fourth is April 23-24 in the central region. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-21

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Procurement of Washing Machines at Wachira Phayaban Hospital Under Scrutiny

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, spokesman disclosed that the BMA is ready to coordinate with the Department of Special Investigation to investigate into the procurement of washing machines, worth 34 million baht, of Wachira Phayaban Hospital.

BMA spokesman Wason Meewong talked about teams of physicians from the Wachira Phayaban's Faculty of Medicine of Nawamin Trathirat University making complaints to the Department of Special Investigation, or DSI, in the procurement of washing machines, worth 34 million baht.

He said that the DSI will spearhead the issue, while the BMA is also ready to coordinate with the DSI to examine the case. The case has received a lot of complaints for the past seven years before Mom Ratchawongse Sukhumbhand Paribatra became the Bangkok governor.

The case has been put on hold as the price bidding process for the washing machine procurement has not been completed. Companies have also requested the government to lower the specifications, which had led to complaints and conflicts. This matter must be investigated to ensure justice for all parties.

However, the BMA is also ready to coordinate with the DSI, the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission Office, while insisting that the Bangkok governor will not condone any kind of corruptions, either big or small.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-21

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Human Traffickers Force 11 Boys To Pose As Novice Monks: Sattahip

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SET index midday

BANGKOK: -- Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Tuesday stood at 1,142.25, up 6.33 points, or 0.56 per cent amid Bt 17.44 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 805.11, up 4.89 points, or 0.61 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: PTT, PTTGC, IVL, PTTEP, RAIMON.

-- The Nation 2012-02-21

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Insurgents opened fire at defense volunteers at Ban Na Prao in Panarae,Pattani;gunfight resulted in death of 2 insurgents,3 officers injured /TANN

Charter amendment deliberation on Thurs-Fri for 25 hours; govt,opposition,Senate given 8 hours each /TANN

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109 districts in 15 provinces hit by drought

BANGKOK: -- The long period of no rains has affected 6,768 villages in 109 districts of 15 provinces, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Director-General Wibul Sanguanpong said Tuesday.

Wibul said the 15 provinces include ten northern ones - Kampaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Nan, Phayao, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Uttaradit, and Chiang Rai.

The rest are northeastern Loei, two central provicnes - Phetchaburi and Suphan Buri - and two eastern provices - Chanthaburi and Chachoengsao.

-- The Nation 2012-02-21

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Ex-PULO insurgent shot dead in Narathiwat, village head killed in Pattani

NARATHIWAT, Feb 21 – A former insurgent in the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO) was shot to death in a rubber plantation in Narathiwat’s Ruso district hours after a village head was gunned down in the neighbouring province of Pattani.

The bullet-ridden body of Tore Jewaemueror, 53, was found on Tuesday morning.

Police initially believed the motive for the killing was to silence the victim after he refused to join the Runda Kumputlan Kecil (RKK) insurgent movement.

The victim was invited to join the group after several leading RKK members lost their lives in extrajudicial killings.

Last night in Pattani’s Saiburi district, a village head was shot dead while he was going home.

Ma Jeha, 49 was ambushed 500 metres from his home by a gunman armed with an AK47 assault rifle. Two spent bullet cases were collected at the scene. Investigation is under way to find the cause—where the killing is related to the southern violence or a personal conflict.

Mr Jeha, a developer who worked in the civil society network, had cooperated with the authorities. His body was buried Tuesday morning. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-21

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RT @RichardBarrow: 2pm The big fire is near The Mall Tha Phra - RT @cherieetpeds: มีไฟไหม้แถวเดอะมอลท่าพระ ควันแรงมาก http://lockerz.com/s/185800802

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Village head killed Pattani

PATTANI: -- A village head was shot dead while he was going home Monday night in Pattani's Saiburi district.

Ma Jeha, 49, was ambushed 500 metres from his home by a gunman armed with an AK47 assault rifle. Two spent bullet cases were collected at the scene. An investigation is under way to find the cause — whether the killing is related to the southern violence or a personal conflict.

Jeha, a developer who worked in the civil society network, had cooperated with the authorities. His body was buried Tuesday morning.

-- The Nation 2012-02-21

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RT @RichardBarrow: 2pm Many people tweeting pics of a big fire in the Rong Jay Community on Soi Thoet Thai 23. Smoke can be seen for miles.

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RT @TAN_Network: RT @fm91trafficpro Fire at Rong Jay Community in Soi Terdthai 23 damages 20 houses already and blaze still out of control

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Red-shirt People to Show Up for Mobile Cabinet Meeting

BANGKOK: -- The chairman of the pro-Thaksin Love Udon group will lead around 2,000 red-shirt people to welcome and show their support to the prime minister during the mobile Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani Province tomorrow.

Chairman of the Love Udon group, Kwanchai Praipana, revealed more than 100 red-shirt supporters will gather at Thoong Sri Muang in Udon Thani.

The Love Udon group will use the location to declare Udon Thani Province as a drug-free zone.

At the event, more than 100 red-shirt representatives from 20 north-eastern provinces are expected to join Kwanchai to show their support for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The prime minister and her Cabinet travel to Udon Thani Province for her second mobile Cabinet meeting outside of Bangkok.

Kwanchai will also use the stage at Thoong Sri Muang to coordinate with leaders of various movements to submit any requests they may have for the premier through the Love Udon group.

The stage at Thoong Sri Muang will also display signs calling for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return home to Thailand. However, there'll not no be any VDO link from Thaksin at the gathering.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 red-shirt people will act as 'security guards' for the visiting prime minister in front of the Udon Thani Rajabhat University, the location of tomorrow's mobile Cabinet meeting.

Regarding the amendment of the lese majeste-related law, Kwanchai said the matter is not the responsibility of the Love Udon group. Kwanchai explained the Love Udon group will focus more on spearheading initiatives to develop Udon Thani Province.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-21

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RT @RichardBarrow: 3:27pm Fire at Soi Thoet Thai 23 now under control. About 15 houses destroyed. No reports of injuries /via @js100radio

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Foreign diplomats to meet with Thai Tourism Minister to find solutions to tourist scams

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Tablets to be distributed to Pathom 1 students in May

BANGKOK, 21 February 2012 (NNT) - The committee overseeing the purchase of tablet computers has agreed to acquire the tablets through a government-to-government (G2G) purchase, hoping they will be in the hands of Pathom one students when the first semester starts in May.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Anudith Nakornthap said the committee led by the Education Minister will propose to the Cabinet a G2G method seeking tablets for first grade students.

Under the plan, the Chinese government will prepare 560,000 tablets at 3,400 baht each.

A committee to inspect the tablet will be set up. The tablets to be ordered will have a seven-inch touch screen, 16-gigabyte memory, and dual-core CPU; they will operate under the Android 3.2 Honeycomb system.

-- NNT 2012-02-21

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Thailand thriving as filming location

File photo: Railay Beach. Source: wikimedia

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Over 100 pangolins seized in Trang

TRANG, Feb 21 --- The Thai authorities on Tuesday seized 111 endangered pangolins in a crackdown on a wildlife smuggling syndicate and arrested two suspects in Thailand’s southern province of Trang.

The 111 confiscated scaly ant-eaters, contained in 36 nets, were valued at about Bt1.25 million (about US$42,000), said Pol Col Thammanoon Traitippong, deputy commander of Trang provincial police.

The police also detained two suspects--Chon Wongfai, 33, and Thapanat Tanongbunditsakul, 45— while the two others escaped arrest.

Pol Col Thammanoon with a squad of 30 officials on Tuesday brought a court writ to investigate a 10-rai deserted restaurant and plot of land in Trang’s provincial seat after being tipped off that the place was used as a trading venue by a pangolin smuggling ring.

Apart from the pangolins, the police also seized a customer list book, two sets of scales and a pickup truck.

According to the initial investigation, the detainees said that they were employed to run the pangolin trading business, and that the trading activity has run for one year.

Most customers were dealers in Satun and Songkhla provinces and nearby provinces, aiming to export and trade the endangered wildlife species to a neigbouring country at a price of Bt3,000-4,000 (approximate $100-133) per kilogramme.

Mr Chon and Mrs Thapanat said they did not know where their employers bought the pangolins. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-21

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SET index closed at 1140.39, up 4.47; Bt/USD30.60; GBP48.39; AUD32.74; EUR40.55; CAD30.65; HKD3.94; SGD24.27; JPY38.20

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Phuket Update: Phi Phi stabbing suspect pleads not guilty

Stabbing victim Nicholas Palmer in his bed at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, where he was treated after a knife attack on Phi Phi Island in Krabi. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo.

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Hotel Bars Press' Viewing of PM's Private Meeting Room

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Court Upholds Life Sentence against Serial Killer

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court has upheld a life sentence against serial killer, Somkid Pumpuang, and ordered him to pay 50,000 baht in compensation for the victim's family.

The Criminal Court read the Appeals Court's verdict in charges against infamous serial killer, Somkid Pumpuang, including aggravated robbery and premeditated murder.

The incident took place between January 30 and 31, 2005, when Somkid killed cafe singer, Warunee Pimpabut, in a hotel room in Mukdahan Province and got away with 50,000 baht cash from the victim.

The Appeals Court based its decision on the testimonies from the witnesses provided by the state prosecutor.

The witnesses testified with the lower court that they saw the suspect and the victim meeting at a local restaurant before the victim was found dead in a hotel room.

The testimonies had put the defendant with the victim at both the Saeng Tawan Restaurant and Ploy Palace Hotel.

Dismissing Somkid's appeal, the court upheld the lower court's life sentence ruling and ordered the defendant to return 50,000 baht cash to the victim's family.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-21

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Thailand Live Wednesday 22 Feb 2012

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