Thailand Live Sunday 26 Feb 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 26 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 25 Feb 2012

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[Lite Beer]

Rangsima wants alcohol tests for MPs in House

The Nation on Sunday

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536398-rangsima-wants-alcohol-tests-for-mps-in-house/page__view__findpost__p__5088044

[Lite Beer]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Khon Rak Udon leader Kwanchai says no conflict with red shirt leadership

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536399-khon-rak-udon-leader-kwanchai-says-no-conflict-with-red-shirt-leadership/page__view__findpost__p__5088047

[Lite Beer]

Govt 'to heed HM on floods'

The Nation on Sunday

Yingluck also vows to tackle pork, egg prices; Commerce Ministry plans 'Blue Flag' shops in communities

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536400-govt-to-heed-hm-on-floods/page__view__findpost__p__5088051

[Lite Beer]

UPPER NORTH

Dangerous haze in six provinces: PCD

The Nation on Sunday

Smog levels soar in Phayao; plane delayed by poor visibility in Lampang

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536401-dangerous-haze-in-six-provinces-pcd/page__view__findpost__p__5088059

[Lite Beer]

Red shirts stage anti-coup rally in Khao Yai

The Nation on Sunday

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536402-red-shirts-stage-anti-coup-rally-in-khao-yai/page__view__findpost__p__5088063

[Lite Beer]

Joint sitting backs draft bills on charter change

Kittipong Thavevong

Khanittha Theppajon

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- After two days of heated and emotion-charged debate, a joint parliamentary sitting late on Friday night voted in support of the three bills seeking to amend the Constitution.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536404-joint-house-sitting-backs-draft-bills-on-charter-change/page__view__findpost__p__5088073

[Lite Beer]

Police discuss developments in Feb 14 blasts

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- Deputy National Police chief Pansiri Prapawat yesterday morning presided over a meeting at Khlong Ton precinct to discuss the February 14 bombings in Sukhumvit Soi 71, while a motorcycle linked to the suspects found parked near the Office of the Narcotics Control Board was brought in for police inspection.

Also yesterday, starting at noon, police interviewed Nasa Vegas Hotel maid Saisunee Pudpor for 30 minutes. She had cleaned the room at the building used by Leila Rohani, an Iranian suspect believed to have returned to her home country. Saisunee reportedly said she only saw Rohani alone in the room.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdee said yesterday Iran had confirmed the two male suspects arrested in Bangkok were Iranians, and that the suspects acted alone and had no ties with the Iranian government or any Iranian organisation. Iranian Embassy officials would provide consular assistance to the two suspects. Thailand sent a formal request for the extradition of a third suspect in Malaysian police custody on Thursday, Thani said, adding that the Thai police investigation had not yet determined whether the Bangkok bombings were linked to similar earlier incidents in India and Georgia.

-- The Nation 2012-02-26

[Lite Beer]

Dealer 'selling drugs while on bail'

The Nation on Sunday

CHAIYAPHUM:--Police in Chaiyaphum's Muang district yesterday announced the arrest of a suspected drug dealer in a sting operation, along with 2,746 "ya ba" tablets.

Krisada Phumborirak, 31, who at the time of the sting was out on bail after being arrested for dealing ya ba just a week earlier, claimed that he needed money to fight the court battle in the original drug case.

-- The Nation 2012-02-26

[Lite Beer]

Noose tightens on mass-killer

The Nation on Sunday

Sa Kaew police continued to hunt for Veera Wanjungreed, 26, who shot dead a male nurse and four karaoke bar workers on Thursday, after Winai Saengpakdi, who drove a truck for Veera on the night of the killings, said Veera had been hiding at a Khlong Hat village.

Earlier, a villager tipped off police that Veera had been seen riding a motorcycle and carrying a backpack in Ban Pak Khum, Wattana Nakhon district, before heading to nearby Ban Chik.

The 100-strong police team, including a sniffer-dog unit, yesterday surrounded the two villages and nearby forest and found the suspect's backpack but had yet to find Veera. His cell-phone signal indicated he was still in the cordoned-off area.

Meanwhile, Public Health Ministry inspector-general Thawatchai Kamoltham on Friday attended the funeral of nurse Nipon Montri, 22, and said the family would be entitled to assistance money, insurance payments and a posthumous raise totalling Bt1.37 million.

-- The Nation 20121-02-26

[Lite Beer]

Aid for fire-hit Burmese refugees

The Nation on Sunday

MAE SOT:-- Officials of the 346th Border Patrol Police unit in Tak's Mae Sot district yesterday delivered relief to Burmese refugees at the Umpiem refugee camp after a fire in the camp on Thursday burned down some 1,000 bamboo shacks, leaving about 3,000 refugees homeless.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has dispatched officials to inspect the damage and look for places to set up tents for the affected refugees.

-- The Nation 2012-02-26

[Lite Beer]

House committee meeting on taxi safety set for March 1

BANGKOK, 25 February 2012 (NNT) - The House Committee on Transport will call a meeting to discuss safety measures for taxi passengers next week.

The move follows a complaint by the Foundation for Taxi Drivers that the increasing number of rogue people in the guise of taxi drivers has stirred fears among passengers many whom have decided to turn to other types of transport for their own safety, leading to a drop in incomes of taxi drivers.

The Committee on Transport will invite related agencies including the Land Transport Department, the Royal Thai Police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Public Health Ministry to discuss ways to solve the problems.

The meeting is scheduled for March 1. If no resolution is finalized, the committee will assign its sub-committee scrutinizing the Land Transport Department’s operations to carry further studies, which include the safety plan for the public.

-- NNT 2012-02-25

[Lite Beer]

Police discover motorbike suspected to be in connection with Bangkok blasts

BANGKOK, 25 February 2012 (NNT) - The police have identified a motorbike believed to be used by the suspects in the recent Bangkok explosions.

Investigators have identified a Yamaha motorbike, carrying an Angthong license plate, which is believed to have been involved in recent explosions in central Bangkok.

Five people, including the bomber, have been wounded in the February 14 incidents. Two of the suspects are under the police detention in Bangkok, while another has been arrested by Malaysian authorities. Two more suspects are being wanted by Thai investigators.

The police said that the suspected motorbike, found by the city police in Din Daeng area a day after the blast day, belongs to Mr. Somporn Kla-harn, an Angthong resident.

Witnesses said a Middle-Eastern-looking man was seen driving the suspected bike along with the one retrieved from the explosion site.

Metropolitan Police Bureau Chief, Police Lieutenant General Winai Thongsong, revealed that the suspected motorbike was driven by Mohammad Hazaei, who was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the explosion day, after he bought it from Mr. Somporn.

-- NNT 2012-02-25

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Charter debate heralds period of renewed turbulence

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Ultimately, any drafting assembly will have to deal with the 2006 coup

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536411-charter-debate-heralds-period-of-renewed-turbulence/page__view__findpost__p__5088171

[Lite Beer]

Experts: Thai retail fuel could reach THB50 per litre if global crude price rises unstoppably

BANGKOK, 26 February 2012 (NNT) - The continued increase in global oil prices may soon drive Thailand's retail fuel prices to hit the THB50-a-liter level, according to the country's energy planning agency.

Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) Director-General Suthep Liumsirijarern commented that global oil prices are expected to reach a new high of US$150 a barrel this year, compared with the 2011 record high of US$147.

EPPO's forecast of more expensive oils was made, even after it has taken into account the likelihood that no war will break out in the Middle East in 2012.

However, other factors, including the halt at Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant as a result of the March 2011 massive quake and tsunami, the easing unemployment problem in the US and a likely rise in the US demand for fuel during the summer holiday, can still force global oil prices up.

Mr. Suthep stated that EPPO believes local fuel prices may surge to as high as US$50 per liter soon.

He went on to say that, in order to cushion the impact from surging global oil prices, the government's Oil Fund may need to increase the oil-sales contribution from the current levels of THB2 a liter for benzene and THB0.60 for diesel.

When asked about the revision of the country's Fuel Tariff (FT) charge for electricity charge, the EPPO Director-General said that the next revision for the period of May to August will be up to the Energy Regulatory Commission to decide.

-- NNT 2012-02-26

[Lite Beer]

Dusit Poll: respondents worry charter amendment will lead to conflicts; tired of politicians' conduct/TAN_Network

ABAC Poll: respondents support govt staying full term; question PM's private meeting at Four Seasons; not happy with high cost of living/TAN_Network

8,000 to take part in police exams at Ramkamhaeng Univ at 1pm/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Singhburi, Sakaew, Chaiyabhum, Buriram hold election for provincial administration organization chairman today/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

6.1-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HITS SOUTHERN TAIWAN

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5088364

[Lite Beer]

Asia Univ's graduation until 7pm; avoid Petchkasem Rd/TAN_Network

Avoid Rangsit-Pathum Thani Rd bound for Pathum Thani as road repair leaves only 1 lane opened in front of Krung Siam Saint Carlos Hospital/TAN_Network

Oil spill on Industrial Ring Rd at curve before Bhumibol 2 Bridge/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Truth not optional in the media or in public relations

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket tourism: The truth about spilled milk is inevitably less damaging than modification or sensationalism.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536458-phuket-opinion-truth-not-optional-in-the-media-or-in-public-relations/page__view__findpost__p__5088799

[Lite Beer]

EC will introduce electronic voting system to elimiate corruption

BANGKOK, 26 February 2012 (NNT)-The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) is preparing to propose to Parliament a legislative amendment to allow the use of electronic voting system which has already been put on trial at various educational institutions.

According to an Election Commissioner, Mrs. Sodsri Satayathum, the development of the electronic voting system was meant to eliminate the problem in the current voting system in which voters often marked outside ballot boxes making the ballots invalid. She added that several cases of vote cheating were also found in the past.

The EC has, therefore, decided to study the new technology since 2004. A group of engineers at the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand has reportedly developed the first set of 100 voting machines for the EC.

The machines are in two types, one designed specifically for voters’ use and the other for vote counting and tallying. The EC is now trying to raise awareness about the use of such technology in the country.

-- NNT 2012-02-16

[Lite Beer]

People worried constitutional amendment may cause conflicts: Dusit Poll

BANGKOK, Feb 26 - A plurality of poll respondents, or 38 per cent are afraid constitutional amendment may result in conflicts among many parties, according to the Suan Dusit Poll, conducted on Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536464-people-worried-constitutional-amendment-may-cause-conflicts-dusit-poll/page__view__findpost__p__5088888

[Lite Beer]

Ombudsman expects to complete investigation of PM's Four Seasons visit in 1-2 months; if PM found guilty, case to be forwarded to NACC/TAN_Network

Pheu Thai not to probe conduct of DPM Chalerm following Democrat's allegation of being drunk in Parliament; pondering defamation suit/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Police to investigate alleged abortion clinic in Sukhumvit 12 following revelation by singer Howard Wang that he took his girlfriend there/TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

PM to lead roadshow in Japan to create investor confidence

BANGKOK, 26 February 2012 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to lead a roadshow to Japan in March to ensure Japanese investors of the government's water management plans.

Industry Minister M.R. Phongsawat Svastiwat revealed that he has discussed the itinerary of the upcoming roadshow with the JETRO Bangkok President, Mr. Setsuo Iuchi. The roadshow, which will be held during 6-9 March, will see the Thai Prime Minister creating confidence among Japanese entrepreneurs by ensuring them of the Thai government’s water management plan. The roadshow will also be joined by a Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) delegation, who will be holding a seminar in Tokyo and Nagoya to encourage investment as well as to clarify investment promotions and assistance measures for flood-affected entrepreneurs, such as corporate income tax exemption.

The Industry Minister insisted that it is essential to restore investors’ confidence as Japanese companies located in the Rojana Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya are considering relocating their production bases elsewhere.

Meanwhile, surveys conducted on Japanese investments in Thailand have revealed that investor’s confidence during the first quarter of 2012 has grown higher than the same period of last year. Almost 100% of Japanese investors agree to remain in Thailand, while only 2-5% are reconsidering their investment plans. However, Japanese investors are still concerned about possible impact from political factors on the economy. Additionally, they wish to see greater details of the government’s water management measures to be used in the mapping out of their business strategies.

-- NNT 2012-02-26

[Lite Beer]

AoT hoping to raise airport tax in 2013

BANGKOK, 26 February 2012 (NNT) – The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AoT) is set to adjust the airport tax up to THB800 for international flights and THB150 for domestic flights.

AoT Chairman ACM Sumet Phomanee disclosed that the board meeting, held on February 23, approved the new rates of passenger service charge (PSC), or airport tax, which see an increase of THB100 from the current THB700 per person on international flights, and THB50 from the current rate of THB100 per person on domestic flights.

The project will be forwarded to the Civil Aviation Board for approval. ACM Sumet said the green light for the adjustment is expected by May. If all goes according to plans, the AOT will announce the new rates to all airlines worldwide 12 months ahead of the enforcement in June 2013.

The current PSC rate has been in effect since the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006. Thus, the adjustment is intended to keep the rate compatible with the increased capital costs and expenses.

-- NNT 2012-02-26

[Lite Beer]

Haze in Lampang causes flight delays from low visibility, Chiang Rai Airport turns on runway lights/MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Phuket police detain 65 ethnic Rohingyas from Myanmar after their boat was damaged by strong waves./MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Phuket beer garden fire not arson: owners

Phuket Gazette –

A regular customer of the Kamala Beer Garden in Phuket pulls up hoping to catch a morning football match, only to find the venue burned to the ground hours earlier. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo.

Owners Chollada Nakballang and her Canadian boyfriend Greg Layton survey the damage to the Kamala Beer Garden, a well-known expat hangout in Phuket. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536516-phuket-beer-garden-fire-not-arson-owners/page__view__findpost__p__5089406