Thailand Live Friday 24 Feb 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 24 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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Husband Kills Nurse, 4 Others After Wife Assaulted: Sa Kaew

SA KAEW: -- A male nurse was shot dead at Sa Kaew's Khao Chakan Hospital early yesterday morning for allegedly asking too many questions, before four others were killed and one seriously injured at a karaoke bar nearby.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....aulted-sa-kaew/

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POLITICS

Thai PM slams 'nonsense' attacks, sues rivals

BANGKOK: -- In Facebook message, Yingluck defends her meeting with businessmen at hotel; files libel complaint against four Democrats

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POLITICS

Groups question Yingluck's conduct, demand investigation

BANGKOK: -- Some 30 female members of the multicoloured-shirts lodged a petition with the Office of Ombudsman demanding that it investigate Prime Minister Yinglunk Shinawatra's conduct.

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Police find clues about 6th suspect

Suparat Iamtan,

Noppadol Srithaweekard

The Nation

Footage found of man putting up 'Sejeal' stickers near embassies

BANGKOK: -- Trying to solve the mysterious "Sejeal" stickers’ link to the February 14 bombs’ Iranian suspects, Thai police investigation found a suspicious man, captured by a security camera while posing the stickers near a Sukhumvit bank at night time.

Meanwhile the detained Iranian bomb suspect Mohammad Kharzei called for the holding cell change on ground of stress, while the recent Abac poll reported 64.7 per cent of people were worried about terrorist attacks.

Following the latest discovery of the "Sejeal" stickers in front of CTI Tower near the Sirikit Convention Hall and in Soi Sukhumvit 11 that was only one kilometer away from the Isaeli and Iran embassies, Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Pansiri Prapawat said police was investigating if the stickers linked to the Iranian bomb suspects and their checking on security cameras in the areas found a male suspect posting the stickers in Sukhunvit area at might time. Police was looking fir more information about this suspect and should get clarity soon, he added.

Police investigators also traced for the sticker maker in Sukhumvit and nearby areas focusing on sticker shops with large machines to produce the stickers in large amount, while urging people and sticker shops to alert police about suspicious persons hiring them to make the "Sejeal" stickers, he said, it should take two days to find out.

Pansiri had presided over the twohour meeting at Khlong Ton police station about the case investigation progress on the stickers and the hunting for the sixth suspect.

Meanwhile, the Jewish church in Soi Sukhumvit 22 and surrounding areas were guarded by police for fear of attack, an informed source reported yesterday.

Metropolitan Police chief Winai Thongsong urged police officers to provide security and order, find intelligence information to prevent attacks, watch out for suspicious activities of foreigners especially Middle Easterners, as well as urging guesthouse and condominiums to list the names and information of their foreign guests or tenants.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Remand Prison director Sopon Teuthampreuk said the 42yearold Iranian bomb suspect Mohammad Kharzei, who was detained at the prison's newcomer zone under close watch to prevent suicide, told him yesterday morning that he was stressful, couldn't sleep and wanted the detention cell change. But the prison didn't allow because the current cell was safe and had a security camera so officials could keep an eye on him 24 hours a day. Two weeks after this the prison committee would consider placing the persons held at the newcomer zone to other zones appropriately, Sopon explained, Kharzai would be moved to a safe cell with security camera but wouldn't be in the same zone as the 48 yearold detained Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist suspect, Atris Hussein, who was kept at the Zone 8.

In related news, as the recent Assumption University's Abac poll revealed 64.7 per cent of people were worried about terrorist attacks which mostly stemmed from political conflicts and target innocent civilians, Puntaree Issarangkul Na Ayuttaya, the assistant director for the university's Analysis of Polling, Policy, Law, and Economics (APPLE) program said the program and leading academics from other countries had recommended some solutions. They urged for a fast and effective strategy to restore public's confidence in the country and other countries, which also had to get most of the public agreed that the speedy solutions against terrorist issues might affect their convenience and some of their freedoms, she said.

The great success in battling terrorism and crimes was in preventing the attacks and arresting the terrorists before they launched the attacks, she said, hence the government must be expert in gathering intelligence, get cooperation from the public members as its eye and ear, while security agencies and police were attentive, act fast and didn't ignore the public's reports of suspicion. They urged for the establishment of the central war room and nine war rooms at nine metropolitan police areas to work on this mission during the highrisk period while officials shouldn't talk much to press and media shouldn't present news in the way that the terrorists wanted. CCTV cameras should be installed, suspects' phones tapped, money transactions or moneylaundering activity that might fund terrorism traced while modern technology to scan for explosives and bomb ingredients should be used, she added. Sniffer dogs and officials should be dispatched at airport, tourist sites and business centers, she said, the immigration system should be reformed to online all over the country and to cover photos, fingerprints and DNA.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

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O-NET EXAM

Answer for sexual relief is football: Thai NIETS chief

BANGKOK: -- National Institute of Educational Testing Services (NIETS) director Dr Samphan Phanphrut yesterday defended questions included in the recent national test that have been widely criticised.

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CHARTER REVIEW

Thai govt will not delay charter debate

Setting up of CDA to be deliberated on next; Democrats want to wait for drafts from civic groups

Full story:

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FIDF debt of Bt1.14 trillion to be cleared in 24 years: Bank of Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul sets the preliminary goal to clear the Financial Institutions Development Fund's Bt1.14 trillion debt within 24 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....nk-of-thailand/

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EDITORIAL

The Thai government and farmers need to clear the air

BANGKOK: -- Bushfires in the North are a perennial problem that causes pollution and health problems; they are also putting the region's development at risk

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Bangers bike riders hightail it to Phuket

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Bangers cyclists are only a day away from Phuket after nearly 800km of pedaling for charity.

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Bt30 billion to construct riverside flood walls: Thai Deputy PM Kittiratt

BANGKOK, Feb 24 – Following the Constitution Court ruling on Wednesday in favour of the legality of two executive financial decrees, one urgent task is to construct riverside flood prevention walls with a budget of at least Bt30 billion, said Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong.

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AFP: Major Fire At Myanmar Refugee Camp In Thailand

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Thai PM Yingluck urges agencies to only invest in beneficial projects

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told top bureaucrats yesterday that their proposals for the 2013 budget should focus on stimulating the country's economy in the midst of economic problems in America and Europe.

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Proponents and opponents of Thai charter changes clash on first day of debate

BANGKOK: -- Opposition MPs and some senators on Thursday expressed concern that constitutional clauses involving the monarchy may be written in a way to reduce the power of the head of state.

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HM to be briefed about water management plans

Piyanart Srivalo

Wichit Chaitrong

BANGKOK: -- In an evening audience granted by His Majesty the King today, two government committees on flood and water management will brief the monarch on the solutions and findings of a brief inspection tour across the country last week, led by the prime minister.

During the twohour meeting beginning at 5.30pm, a number of shortterm solutions and eight longterm solutions, whose details are still undisclosed, will be explained to His Majesty. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will lead a number of academics serving on both panels during the briefing, with Sumej Tantivejkul, secretarygeneral of Chaipattana Foundation, also present.

The two key speakers will be Anont Sanitwong na Ayutthaya and Royol Jitdon, who serve on the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) and the Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development (SCRF). At yesterday's meeting of SCWRM, Yingluck was reportedly unhappy with updates on many projects, which she said had shown little progress.

Peetiphong Phuengbun na Ayutthaya, an SCWRM member, said yesterday's discussion topics included prioritisation of projects, four of which must be completed by June; and a water volume pattern to determine how solutions should be adopted to minimise changes in flooding.

When asked how Bt350 billion earmarked for the projects would be spent, Peetiphong said no details were to be discussed until various projects were prioritised on their importance and progress.

Speaking of projects to be completed by June, he said they included:

- management of how 2 million rai would be used as catchment areas;

- construction of embankment walls to prevent urban or important areas from being flooded;

- dredging of waterways and building of the mechanisms to redirect them;

- floodways to accommodate and redirect main currents.

As the Finance Ministry plans to borrow the first tranche of Bt90 billion to finance flood prevention, some foreign investors are reportedly nervous about renewed flood threats, and are questioning the professional qualifications of those handling the flood prevention.

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt NaRanong said the Finance Ministry will borrow about Bt 90 billion to fund floodbarrier construction and catchment areas following the Constitution Court's ruling on the Bt350 billion borrowing decree. " We'll not borrow Bt350 billion at one go - but we'll borrow in several lots, according to progress of the water management projects," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Post forum yesterday.

He said the government must build a concrete water barrier along rivers to replace sandbag barriers, costing about Bt30 billion. As the rainy season begins in May or June, the government must find catchment areas to temporarily hold rainwater at a cost of about Bt 60 billion, he said. Part of the expense will be compensation for people affected by the projects. Farmers are being advised to grow short lifespan crops.

So far, the government has earmarked 1.5 million rai of land for holding water from a target of 2 million rai, according to Kittiratt.

He said the Bt350billion fund, plus some current fiscalyear spending, will be adequate to deal with flood disaster prevention. He said governments in the past usually spent about Bt20 billion for water management annually, but the current government will not need to earmark water management funds under the budget bill for fiscal 2013.

"However, we will focus on reducing the budget deficit in 2013 as we plan to run a budget deficit of Bt300 billion - down from a deficit of Bt400 billion - this current fiscal year," said Kittiratt, referring to the expenditure plan of Bt2.4 trillion for next fiscal year beginning in October.

He said the government would save about Bt 80 billion for the next fiscal year as it need not earmark Bt20 billion for water management or Bt60 billion for interest on the debt of the Financial Institutions Development Fund as the debt will be transferred to the central bank.

He said the government does not need to plan in advance when the budget will be balanced, but it must manage public spending to match economic conditions.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

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DSI uncovers mystery arms cache in Surin

The Nation

SURIN: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday announced the seizure of a large quantity of firearms and ammunition in the northeastern border province of Surin.

The authority would speedily investigate the case and arrest the influential group behind the cache, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit told a press conference.

Following an Army Region 2 and a BorderPatrol Police investigation into an exchange of weapons in Prasat district last December, officials searched the Muang Mai Market. Hidden among high grass they found - 36 antitank rocketpropelled grenades (RPG7), 36 RPG7 propellant sticks, 64 rounds of 60mm mortar shells, 144 M79 and M203 grenades, and 1,437 rounds of ammunition for SKS rifles.

The authority was investigating if the weapons were for violent attacks within Thailand or for sale to a third country. Tharit said this case had nothing to do with the Iranian suspects' Sukhumvit area bombs or the political turmoil in 2010.

He declined to comment further on the investigation, except to reveal the seller and the buyer were both Thais.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

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Bombs near school injure 4 soldiers

The Nation

YALA: -- Three homemade bombs, hidden in a shelter near a school, blew up yesterday in Yala while troops on foot patrol passed by, wounding four of them.

In Pattani, an M79 grenade launcher was used to attack a police station in Nong Chik district, slightly wounding a child.

The triple blasts near Samakkhee School in Yala's Yaha district did not hurt any students, who were led away to gather at another building.

The roadside community shelter is a regular resting place for armed soldiers who escort teachers and students to and from the school. The four wounded infantrymen, belonging to the sixman squad, were treated at a hospital and were in safe condition.

Her Majesty the Queen, through a close aide, later donated money and supplies to the four victims at the hospital.

About 10 kilograms of explosives were stuffed into three cooking gas tanks. Ordinance police are looking into how they were detonated.

At Nong Chik Police Station, two M79 rounds fell wide of the target but landed at a nearby officers quarters, cutting the wrist of an 8yearold girl and throwing the family into panic.

The police station came under an M79 attack two years ago that also failed to hit the target.

An intelligence source said insurgents would have not have missed a static target if they really wanted to damage the station. The two attacks could have been carried out by noninsurgents who would gain from the violence, the source added.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

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University staff face legal action

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is set to take criminal action against a number of university staffers who allegedly induced students into signing up for loans from two government funds, which they never received, or even enrolled for.

Although the staffers, of an unspecified university, had returned the money to the funds on behalf of the duped students, the crimes had been committed and they must face criminal action, directorgeneral Tharit Phengdit said yesterday.

The DSI is also looking into similar complaints or occurrences reported at 32 government and private universities, mostly located in Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast. Complaints were made by 47 students claiming to have been duped but were still required by the funds to repay the loans, which they never received or applied for.

According to the complaints, lecturers and staffers of universities in both provinces had offered loans and studies to students in 2006. They agreed to enrol and sign loan papers, but were never contacted. The students began making complaints to police and both funds after they were required to repay the loans in 2010.

The Krung Thai Bank, which offered the loans through the two funds, is demanding a total of Bt3,721,340 from the 47 students, who were given certain sums by the staffers, and then told they would have to repay the balance to the bank.

The first Bt4.8 billion in loans was offered through the two funds in 2006 to students at 903 colleges and universities. A new offer made a few years later brought the number of students obtaining loans to 315,000.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

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More evidence urged in hotel row

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul yesterday urged the developer of a hotel on Soi Ruamrudee that a court found in violation of the building code to gather evidence to launch an appeal.

A source at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) also said the Pathum Wan District Office wouldn't raze the hotel yet pending the appeal.

Theerachon said the hotel owner had 30 days to find more proof that the hotel was constructed legally besides the letter in its possession dated September 8, 2005, from the assistant district director that confirmed that the soi was 10 metres wide.

The court decided in favour of Soi Ruamrudee residents who had complained that the hotel's construction was unlawful because the soi wasn't at least 10 metres wide as required for a building that size.

Theerachon said the district director had ordered Larpprathan Co to tear down its hotel within 60 days while Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra urged city officials to look up laws to protect the administration.

The BMA source said the district office hadn't yet issued the demolition order, pending the company's appeal and the Appeals Court's verdict.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

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Chiang Mai Airport, the 4th best in the world

File photo, source: wikimedia

BANGKOK, 24 February 2012 (NNT) - The Chiang Mai International Airport has been named one of the top-5 airports in the world.

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Excrement Vacuum Truck Of Pheu Thai MP's Relative Stolen

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Deputy chief of Narathiwat's Sungai Padi Subdistrict Administrative Org shot dead by presumed insurgent as he's riding motorcycle to perform religious rites /MCOT

To free CDA from politicians, Charter drafter must not be political party member n cannot be MP candidate for the next 5 yrs: Democrat Akom. /via@Aim_NT

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Loan Shark Gang Apprehended

BANGKOK: -- The police have apprehended a gang of loan sharks believed to have loaned a total of 10 million baht.

The Consumer Protection Police Division arrested Witsanuwat Sitthiyuth and 12 accomplices are believed to be a part of an illegal loan-shark gang.

Authorities confiscated evidence, including loan contracts worth about 10 million baht, accounting books, a motor bike, and a number of business cards introducing informal loan services.

Earlier, residents from Nonthaburi province notified the police that the lenders were offering informal high-interest loans. Moreover, borrowers have been threatened if they fail to pay the interest.

The gang offers informal loans at a rate of 60 percent per month, or 2 percent a day. The gang possessed a 10-million baht circulating fund. Most clients are flood victims.

In the meantime, the suspects explained that they are debt-collectors for loan sharks in the province, and they get 5,000 baht per month. They insisted that they do not know the people behind the scenes.

The police charged them with offering loans at higher interest rates than the law stipulates. They could face a one year imprisonment, a 1,000 baht fine, or both.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-24

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Defense Min Apologizes for Disparaging Bomb Suspects

BANGKOK: -- The Defense Minister has apologized for calling the Bangkok blast suspects street thugs. Meanwhile, he gives assurance that security and intelligence agencies are working hard on the issue.

Defense Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat said regarding last week's triple bomb blasts on Sukhumvit Soi 71 that intelligence agencies have gathered various pieces of information related to the incident but they cannot yet be disclosed.

He called on the media not to magnify the issue so that it could create a panic and affect national stability and in particular the tourism sector.

The Defense Minister also admitted to using the wrong words calling the bomb suspects as street thugs, as he actually meant to say that the attackers are not professionals. He added that this represents how an inaccurate reporting could lead to misunderstandings and damage.

Sukumpol reiterated that Thailand is not siding with any parties and will remain neutral because it does not want to make enemies.

Meanwhile, Deputy Police Chief Police General Pansiri Prapawat convened a meeting of the team investigating the bombings yesterday. He refused to give an interview or answer the media's questions, unlike on previous days.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-24

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Smoke from Forest Fire in Myanmar Diverts Flights

Thick smoke from forest fire caused flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Mae Sot Airport to be diverted to Phitsanulok airport.

Officials at Mae Sot Airport in Tak Province announced that flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Mae Sot Airport in Tak Province have to be diverted to Phitsanulok Airport after dense smoke from a forest fire reduced visibility and made them unsafe to land.

A forest fire has been burning at the Thai-Burmese border, especially in Mae Sot District of Tak Province. The smoke that covers Mae Sot District has been very thick. It has caused air pollution and affected both air and land transportation. The situation is expected to intensify as the forest fire continues to expand.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-24

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,143.91, up 3.84 points /MCOT

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Nakhon Nayok to be model for water management

NAKHON NAYOK, 24 February 2012 (NNT) - Nakhon Nayok has been chosen to be developed as the model for water management system. Called "Smart Province", the system will incorporate information and communication technology (ICT) in the public administration.

The private sector in the province has joined hands with the Interior, ICT, and Science and Technology Ministries in integrating their works to serve the people more effectively. The works of four main organizations including central administration, regional administration, local administration, and the private sector will be integrated for better development.

It is hoped that the project will be a good model for others to follow and that the government would push this matter on a national agenda.

-- NNT 2012-02-24

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Senate speaker expects charter amendment vote at 2am tonight /TANN

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TAT to unveil Miracle Thailand 2012 campaign

BANGKOK, 24 February 2012 (NNT) - The Thai tourism authority is set to unveil a new campaign to promote the country's tourism in the southern region.

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