Thailand Live Tuesday 28 Feb 2012

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EMPLOYMENT

Thousands of Thai jobs at risk as firms stay closed

Some flood-affected companies have not reopened, as others brace for wage hike

BANGKOK: -- About 164,500 employees of flood-affected enterprises are at risk of losing their jobs this year as 284 firms have not yet reopened after last year's inundation, while the upcoming increase in the daily minimum wage could aggravate the situation, according to a report by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

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Thai activist jailed for royal slurs

BANGKOK, February 28, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai political activist was sentenced Tuesday to seven and a half years in prison in the latest in a series of convictions under the kingdom's controversial royal defamation laws.

The Criminal Court in Bangkok found Surachai Danwattananusorn guilty of insulting the monarchy during several public speeches he gave to supporters of his "Red Siam" group in 2008 and 2010.

"This case is political motivated," his lawyer Karom Polpornklang told AFP, adding that he planned to appeal the verdict.

Red Siam is a hardcore offshoot of the Red Shirt movement, which is broadly loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by royalist generals in a 2006 coup.

Two months of mass anti-government protests by the Red Shirts in Bangkok in 2010 descended into the kingdom's worst political violence in decades, with more than 90 people killed in a military crackdown.

The royal family is an extremely sensitive subject in Thailand, but calls for reform of the strict lese majeste legislation have grown following several high-profile convictions.

A 61-year-old man was jailed in November for 20 years for sending text messages deemed insulting to the monarchy, while a US citizen in December was handed two-and-a-half years in prison for defaming the king.

Rights groups say the use of the rules to suppress free speech has worsened under the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra -- Thaksin's sister -- who rode a wave of support among Red Shirts in an election last year.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-02-28

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Phuket road victim identified as Aussie model

Lana O'Connell with long-term partner Ken Trivett. Photo: Facebook

PHUKET: -- The young woman who died in a motorbike accident in Phuket early on Saturday morning has been identified as Lana O’Connell, a successful young model from the Gold Coast, Australia.

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Separate shootings leave two dead in Phuket

Phuket Police interview the owners of the damaged pickup and prepare to transport Mr Pisut's motorbike to Thalang Police Station as evidence. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

A Toyota Tiger suffered collateral damage in the ambush attack, one of two shooting murders in Phuket last night. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

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Swedish Gripen jet fighters in tests over Phuket

Two Swedish Gripen fighter jets like these are taking part in the exercises over Phuket Town and Chalong today. Photo: Nation file

PHUKET: -- The Royal Thai Air Force is conducting high-speed aerial flyovers of Phuket Town today and tomorrow in order to test its radar installation at Khao Mai Thao Sip Song, the island's point in Chalong.

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SET closed up by 4.65 points at 1,139.69 with value of Bt11.56 bn during midday Tuesday break /TANN

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Police raided alleged abortion clinic in Sukhumvit Soi 12 said to have been frequented by a sexy model and her singer boyfriend /TANN

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Chatuchak Vendors Decline 50,000-baht Upfront Fee

BANGKOK: -- Chatuchak Market vendors have been given seven days to send in representatives to discuss lease rates and contract terms with the State Railway of Thailand.

Meanwhile, the Vendors Cooperative is insisting that the proposed upfront fee of 50,000 baht be omitted.

Chairman of the Chatuchak Market Vendors Cooperative Sa-nguan Damrongthai called on the State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, to appoint a committee consisting of representatives from each of the 27 zones at the market through an election.

In addition, he opposed an upfront fee of 50,000 baht to be paid upon signing the five-year contract and insisted that the appropriate lease rate remain at 650 baht per lot per month instead of the 3,157 baht as specified by the SRT because it does not have to pay land lease fees to any third party.

Sa-nguan also asked the SRT to extend the contract period to 30 years.

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Police Lieutenant General Chatt Kuldiloke, who oversees the SRT and Chatuchak Market, said vendors will have seven days to choose their representatives for discussions with the SRT.

He claimed that most vendors have agreed to the monthly rental rate of 3,157 baht, but think the 50,000-baht upfront fee is still too high.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-28

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RT @RichardBarrow: BTS will soon release a special "Rabbit Card" that you can use with the MRT: http://bit.ly/wYP6ap /via @ReadThaiTweets

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RT @jpana1: Liam Ayudhkij, one of Thailand's business leaders & chairman of Property Care Services Ltd, passed away this morning age 67.

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INSURANCE POOL

Govt to levy small amounts on SMEs

Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be subjected to a lower premium, once the national insurance pool takes effect, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.

At the sideline of Asean Business Forum 2012, he said that this is the decision of the government committee responsible for the insruance fund.

They recently had a meeting on the premiums of large and small companies for flood insurance coverage, he said.

"SMEs should pay a lower premium than large firms," he said.

He added that the rates for different regions would not differ much, given that the impacts in flood-prone areas in many provinces will be reduced by government measures.

The government is setting up a Bt50 billion insurance pool for companies which are denied flood protection coverage by their private insurers.

-- The Nation 2012-02-28

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Phuket’s Soi Dog Foundation expands into Bangkok

Phuket Gazette –

A Soi Dog volunteer with Luna, rescued from 'Dog Island' during the Bangkok Floods. Photo: Soi Dog Foundation

The new logo combining the Phuket's Soi Dog Foundation (SDF) and Bangkok's Soi Cats and Dogs organization (SCAD). Image: Soi Dog Foundation

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536931-phukets-soi-dog-foundation-expands-into-bangkok/

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ATTRACTION

First Cartoon Network-themed waterpark in Thailand

The Nation

Bang Saray will host the world's first Cartoon Network-themed waterpark which, once open in 2013, should further boost Chon Buri's attraction.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/536934-first-cartoon-network-themed-waterpark-in-thailand/page__view__findpost__p__5094514

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AoT confirms reopening of Don Mueang on March 6

BANGKOK, 28 February 2012 (NNT) - The Airport of Thailand Public Company Limited (AoT) has confirmed that Don Mueang Airport will resume its operation on March 6.

The Senate subcommittees on air transport and environment has called for the AoT to clarify Don Mueang Airport's readiness to resume its services on the scheduled date of March 6, as it is still concerned about germs in the air-conditioning system; as well as fungus on the flooded building structures. In response, AoT executives pointed out that the airport's interior and air-conditioning system have been revamped to prepare for the reopening. However, arguments on the standard of bacteria and fungus inspection are still ongoing.

A sanitary inspection of Don Mueang Airport was carried out on February 27 by representatives from the Public Health Ministry's Health Department, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Health Department, and academics from Mahidol University. The result of the inspection will be revealed on March 8. If the hygiene level proves to be lower than the standard, the subcommittees will notify the AoT to reconsider the date of Don Mueang Airport's reopening.

However, the AoT still stands firm that it will reopen the airport on March 6, given that the equipment of Nok Air airline has already been relocated to Don Mueang Airport and tickets have previously been sold to passengers.

-- NNT 2012-02-28

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Smoke haze in North critical

CHIANG MAI, 28 February 2012 (NNT) – The smoke haze situation in the North is critical. The Northern Royal Rainmaking Center has begun its operations in the upper north in order to reduce the haze problem.

Chiang Mai Governor M.L. Panadda Disakul has applied zoning measures in 25 districts, assigning local authorities to control the haze situation in their designated zones.

Meanwhile, the artificial rain making operations in the upper northern region have begun, hoping the rain would help reduce the smoke problem.

Patients with respiratory problem have increased by 70% since the smoke haze problem began last month. Patients are urged to avoid staying outdoors and encouraged to wear face masks.

Military personnel in Tak and the provincial forest fire control station have managed to put out the fire in the area between Mae Sod and Muang districts. The forest fire situation this year is more severe than recent years'. Around 500 rai of forest have already been burnt down by the fire.

-- NNT 2012-02-28

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Sumet urges people to adopt ten royal virtues for happiness

BANGKOK, 28 February 2012 (NNT) - Chaipattana Foundation Secretary-General Sumet Tantivejkul said that corruption practices have caused great damage to Thailand, urging Thais to adopt His Majesty the King's ten royal virtues to find peace.

During a seminar on righteous rules for the happiness of all people, Mr Sumet said Thailand is now like a person who has cancer but the person is unaware of its spread. The worst form of cancer is corruption, which has been degrading the nation and could ruin the country because nobody gets serious about resolving this problem.

The Chaipattana Foundation Secretary-General also warned that liberalism is depleting the world's resources, as people consume more than they need. He suggested that people adopt His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's moral principles and make every baht worth.

Mr Sumet said if everyone follows His Majesty's footsteps and applies his ten royal virtues, which, with strong intention, are not too difficult to follow, they will find happiness.

-- NNT 2012-02-28

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NACC seizes house and land of Transport Perm-Sec Supoj that he just transferred to his child /TANN

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OBITUARY

Business leader, Liam Ayudhkij, passes away

BANGKOK: -- Liam Ayudhkij, one of Thailand's long-time business leaders and chairman of Property Care Services (Thailand) Ltd, has passed away at the age of 67.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ij-passes-away/

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Anti-Graft Panel Seizes Supoj's Houses and Land Plots

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to seize 3 hours and 7 plots of land belonging to Transport Permanent-Secretary Supoj Saplom that he transferred ownership to his daughter as part of the probe into his unusual wealth.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-28

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GMM Grammy in talks with YouTube (Thailand) to start GMM YouTube

BANGKOK: -- GMM Grammy plans to add more digital music services to boost revenue and appeal to new-generation listeners while retaining existing ones.

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Google says 850,000 Android devices activated every day

BARCELONA: -- Google said Monday in Barcelona that 850,000 Android devices - mobile phones and tablet computers - were being activated every day as the software continued to dominate the smartphone market.

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Labor Ministry Plays Down Unemployment Fear

BANGKOK: -- The labor minister has called a meeting with ministry officials to prepare for the implementation of the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy. He has also played down concern of rising unemployment, saying that currently, there is actually a labor shortage.

Labor Minister Padermchai Sasomsap reported that he will call a meeting with ministry officials within the week to prepare for the implementation of the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy and annual pay raises.

He reiterated that the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy will not include other benefits.

Concerning workers who have been left unemployed due to the higher wage policies and the flood disaster, Padermchai pledged that they will be taken care of, with both severance packages and job placement assistance.

At any rate, the labor ministry has pointed out that currently there are 130,000 positions available and asked those without jobs not to be too picky.

Meanwhile, the Office of that National Economic and Social Development Board reported an unemployment rate of 0.6 percent for the fourth quarter of last year. That means, about 245,000 Thais are unemployed.

During the same period, the rate of employment rose by 0.9 percent. The rise in employment contradicts the direction of the overall economy which contracted by nine percent.

The construction, retail and wholesale industries are still hiring continuously while many businesses are still looking for more workers. For 2011, the overall hiring rate increased by 1.1 percent while the unemployment rate stood at 0.7 percent.

However, the employment situation is still to be closely watched in 2012, especially in the first quarter, as 122 flood-affected factories have already laid off 45,000 workers while another 284 have yet to restart their operations.

As a result, over 164,500 workers are still at risk of losing their jobs. Along with the 300 baht daily minimum wage hike, many businesses may shut down and relocate from Thailand.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-28

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Dry Mekong River affecting water supply

NAKHON PHANOM, 28 February 2012 (NNT) – Drought has taken over many provinces in the Northeast. The Mekong River, the lifeline for local farmers, has run dry, affecting transportation and water supply.

The water level in the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province has continued to drop dramatically, the fastest drop compared to those in recent years. Sand dunes are now visible in the middle of the river.

Besides making water transportation difficult, the drought has also disrupted water distribution system of the Provincial Waterworks Authority. Pumping stations cannot fully pump the water up into the system; the water production has been reduced by 30%. With high demand of water usage during the drought season, the water supply is sorely insufficient currently.

The Nakhon Phanom Provincial Waterworks Authority has urged people to save water to prevent shortage. If the river continues to dry out, the authority said it may have to lower the water supply pressure and distribute it during certain period of the day.

-- NNT 2012-02-28

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Thai court sentences Briton to 21 years for having sex with minors

Mother jailed for forcing underage daughters into prostitution

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ex-with-minors/

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SET index closed at 1146.26, up 11.22; Bt/USD30.25; GBP47.84; AUD32.51; EUR40.58; CAD30.23; HKD3.89; SGD24.03; JPY37.35

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AFP: Thai 'Yellow Shirt' founder Sondhi Limthongkul jailed for 20 years

BANGKOK, February 28, 2012 (AFP) - A court in Thailand on Tuesday sentenced one of the kingdom's most controversial political figures, media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, to 20 years in prison for corporate fraud.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....d-for-20-years/

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AFP: British man jailed for having sex with minors in Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5095404

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Iran diplomats see suspects in Thai bombings

TEHRAN, February 28, 2012 (AFP) - Iranian diplomats have visited three Iranian suspects implicated in a series of bomb explosions in Thailand, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday according to the Fars news agency.

Iran's deputy foreign minister in charge of Asia and Oceanic affairs, Abbas Araqchi, was quoted as saying of the February 14 explosions in Bangkok: "We still do not know who is behind this and why they have done it."

"The dimensions of this issue are not clear for us and there are ambiguities about this issue, and it seems that the scenario was devised by the Zionists (Israelis) to involve Iran in a new misdeed," he said.

Thai police have said the bombings were part of an alleged plot to kill Israeli diplomats, in a similar fashion to failed attempts on Israeli diplomats in India and Georgia.

Araqchi said Iranian diplomats in Asia were granted consular visits to two Iranians being held in Thailand and one being detained in Malaysia.

"We are aware of their physical conditions and we were assured that international regulations will be applied to them," he said.

The two suspects visited in Thailand by Iranian officials include a man who inadvertently blew his own legs off when he tried to throw a bomb at pursuing police.

The other suspect visited is a presumed accomplice who shared a rented Bangkok house where a bomb cache was discovered after an apparent accidental explosion.

Thai police on Monday said they were holding a third Iranian for questioning in the affair, but that he denied any involvement and for the moment he was being detained for overstaying his visa.

The other Iranian suspect seen by diplomats from his home country was being held in Malaysia, to where he flew straight after the blasts.

Thailand has issued arrest warrants for yet another two Iranians who were believed to have left the country.

Israel has blamed Iran over the Bangkok blasts, as well as the attacks in India and Georgia a day earlier.

Tehran has rejected the accusations. Last week, it said it was ready to help identify those responsible.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-02-28

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Pheu Thai decides on Samart Kaewmeechai as chairman of parliamentary committee to vet charter amendment with Cholanan Srikaew as spokesman/TAN_Network

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 29 Feb 2012