Thailand Live Thursday 1 Mar 2012

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Car Sales In Thailand Expected to Reach One Million Units This Year

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Nine people, including 3-year-old boy, kindergarten teacher, policeman, wounded in grenade attack at tea shop in Narathiwat /MCOT

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Nitirat Leader's Assaulters Turn Themselves in

BANGKOK: -- Twin brothers who yesterday punched Nitirat leader Worachet Pakeerat in the face at Thammasat University have turned themselves in to Chanasongkram police. They have been identified as Supoj and Supat Silarat, 30.

The 2 confessed to having carried out the assault and said they acted alone on anger at Worachet's proposal for an amendment to the lese majeste law.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-01

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Transport Minister: Thailand to become a regional water transportation hub

BANGKOK, 1 March 2012 (NNT) – The Transport Minister believes that the Pak Bara Port will contribute to Thailand’s attempt to become a regional hub for water transportation. However, he admitted that Thailand is still inferior to neighboring countries in this field.

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RT @tulsathit: Opposition MPs walked out during today's House session after House speaker shot down new Four Seasons motion. via @jin_nation

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Two Con-Men Arrested for Allegedly Extorting Money from Abbot

BANGKOK: -- The police have set up an entrapment to arrest two alleged con men who extorted money from the abbot of Phra Borommathat Tung Yang Temple in exchange for keeping quiet about allegations against him.

Officers from the Dan Mae Kam Mun police station in Uttaradit's Laplae District set up a sting operation and apprehended 54-year-old Arin Khanjai and 50-year-old Amnuay Thongyoo, who purported to be local journalists and extorted money from the abbot of Phra Borommathat Tung Yang Temple.

According to the abbot, Phra Athikarnworakul, the men came to his residence on Tuesday to interview him about villagers' complaints alleging him of misdeeds, including swindling temple funds and having an affair with a nun.

The monk dismissed the allegations as false and said the suspects asked him to give 70,000 baht in cash to them in exchange of keeping the issue quiet so that the temple and his reputation remains intact.

Phra Athikarnworakul gave the con men 5,000 baht and told them to come back for the remaining amount the next day, in the presence of other monks and disciples. The monk then reported the police of the scam.

One of the suspects insisted that they went to find the truth behind allegations at the temple, but the abbot offered them the money himself to cover up the matter.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-01

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Uthai Thani Provincial Police Arrest Unlicensed Dentist

UTHAI THANI: -- Uthai Thani police have arrested an unlicensed dentist for performing illegal orthodontics work at a temple fair.

Uthai Thani Provincial Public Health officials and police have arrested a 38-year-old female, Somporn Monchom, as she was performing illegal orthodontics work for teens at the Sangkusrattanakiri Temple fair. The officials also seized dental equipment such as brackets, glue, and syringes.

The suspect was charged with practicing dentistry without a license, for having no legal permit on the premises, and for selling harmful products to the public. The suspect will be fined and serve jail time.

Before the suspect was arrested, she had been advertising low-cost orthodontics at the fair at Sangkusrattanakiri Temple. Public health officials received a complaint and led the police to arrest the suspect.

The Public Health Office warned the public to be aware of illegal health services because they pose serious risks to one's health and well-being.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-01

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Nine wounded in Narathiwat grenade attack

NARATHIWAT, March1 – Nine people including a three-year-old boy were wounded in a grenade attack at a tea shop in Narathiwat Thursday morning.

Two teachers and a policeman were also among the injured.

Two men, dressed in student uniforms of a religious school rode a motorcycle, passing the tea shop on Thursday, throwing an M26 grenade into the shop where customers were having breakfast.

Meanwhile, in an adjacent province of Pattani, an unknown number of arsonists set fire at five spots in three districts on Wednesday night.

In the provincial seat, areas behind two supermarkets were set ablaze. In Khok Pho district, buildings of a para rubber processing company and a minimart. In Saiburi district, a heavy duty machine was set alight but it was only slightly damaged.

It is initially believed that the series of arsons may be related to the southern insurgency. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-01

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Worachet's twin attackers surrender

The Nation

Two identical twins, Suphot and Suphat Silarat, on Thursday reported to Chana Songkhram police and confessed to attacking Nittirat leader Worachet Pakeerut.

Suphot and Suphat, 30 both, told police they had a grudge against Worachet because he was spearheading to amend the lese majeste law.

Police are holding the two for further questioning at the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

The incident happened on Wednesday's afternoon at the parking lot of Thammasat University, Tha Phrachan campus. Worachet susptained injuries after the two pummelled him in the face before fleeing by a motorcycle.

-- The Nation 2012-03-01

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UN tells Thailand to enforce law prohibiting children spanking

BANGKOK, 1 March 2012 (NNT) – The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) under the United Nations has proposed that Thailand implement more children’s rights protection laws, adding that children spanking should be prohibited.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Prompat has revealed that the CRC has said Thai children’s rights have not been fully protected by law, resulting in many of them being improperly raised. The Ministry will, therefore, initiate several projects to inform the public of children’s rights.

According to Mr Santi, the CRC, during its meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, at the end of January, has concluded that many laws concerning children’s rights protection in Thailand still have not been adopted. It cited hitting a child, be it for punishment or any other reason , should be illegal.

He added that the Ministry will, for the first phase, educate parents on the children’s rights for better understanding, and a new law will be imposed later. He said most of the rights violation occurred in the family.

Currently, it is illegal for teachers to hit students in school; however, the law still allows Thai parents to hit their children at home.

-- NNT 2012-03-01

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Democrat MP Rangsima ponders launching impeachment motion against House speaker for impartiality concerning her Four Seasons query on PM /TAN_Network

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FLOODS

Most Japanese companies to stay in Thailand despite floods

Most Japanese companies with subsidiaries in Thailand plan to stay in their current locations despite last year's devastating floods, a Japanese trade official said Thursday.

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Chalerm denies press intimidation

The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung on Thursday ruled out the concern that he was trying to gag the press in connection with reports on his alleged drunkenness at the last Friday's parliamentary session.

"I have targetted seven newspapers in order to enlist them as witnesses for libel involving three Democrats," he said.

Chalerm said the Thai Journalists Association should not construe his legal move as an attempt to intimidate the press. He said he was trying to protect his reputation without any intent to violate the press freedom.

The reason to target the seven newspapers in the legal proceedings was to seek a confirmation that the three Democrats had actually defamed him via their press interviews, he said.

"Without the testimonies from media professionals confirming the interviews, the three could just deny making the remarks," he said.

Last week Chalerm dispatched his lawyers to file a complaint at Samae Dam police station raising defamation charges against seven newspapers and three Democrats, Boonyod Sooktinthai, Rangsima Rodrasamee and Thepthai Senpong.

The Democrats made remarks on and off the House floor accusing Chalerm of being drunk during the charter debate. Chalerm initially singled out four newspapers for spreading libellous remarks. He subsequently targetted three additional newspapers.

The seven newspapers are Thai Rath, Thai Post, Naew Na, Siam Rath, Krungthep Turakij, Kom Chad Luek and ASTV Phujadkarn.

-- The Nation 2012-03-01

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DSI raid five targeted locations in Pattaya, seize copyright violating products worth Bt15 million; five detained /MCOT

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Thai Democrats staging walk-out at crucial debate

BANGKOK: -- The Democrats on Thursday staged a walk-out during a crucial debate on two financial decrees to protest an unrelated decision to drop their motion to query the prime minister about her private meeting at Four Seasons Hotel.

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Food shortages push up Thai consumer prices

BANGKOK, March 1, 2012 (AFP) - Thai consumer prices in February rose 3.35 percent from a year earlier, led by soaring food costs owing to drought in parts of the kingdom, the government said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....onsumer-prices/

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Toshiba to Keep Production Base in Thailand

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Swedish man's balcony fall 'accidental', say witnesses: Phuket

Mr Andersson died in hospital after falling from the ledge of the open window on the third floor. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- The Swedish tourist who died in hospital after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony last Friday night likely fell by accident, witnesses have told the Phuket Gazette.

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Phuket tourism high season draws annual blood-drive low

During the high season many regular donors to the blood bank are over-worked and do not get enough sleep to make donations. Photo: Phuket Blood Center

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Regional Blood Center is calling for blood donations to replenish stocks to counter the annual fall in donations during Phuket’s tourism high season.

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Police Impersonator Arrested

BANGKOK: -- The Phra Ratchawang Police arrested a 30 year-old man who posed as a police officer to set up a fake checkpoint to extort money from motorists.

The man confessed to impersonating a police officer but claimed it was his first offence.

The Phra Ratchawang Police received information about a man who posed as a police officer and set up a fake police checkpoint near Mon Bridge in Phra Barom Maha Ratchawang District. The police arrested 30 year-old Khemsant Tiemdham, a Patum Thani native. The police confiscated his black Kawazaki GTO bike with no license plate, 1 wrist watch, a helmet and 50 baht in cash.

Jirasak Sriwichien, the victim who had come forward with the information about Khemsant, said the suspect had posed as a police officer and forced him to give up his watch and 50 baht in cash. Jirasak said Khemsant was wearing a police motorcycle helmet bearing a gold stripe. The victim also claimed Khemsant had also tried to assault him.

Khemsant confessed to the crime, saying he posed as a police officer because it was easy to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Khemsant's father is a police officer. The suspect claimed it was his first offence and had never impersonated a police officer before. However, the police revealed there are 3 other victims who have filed a complain against Khemsant for a similar offence. They will soon travel to the police station where they'll be asked to identify Tiemdham from the lineup.

Khemsant has been charged with robbery and impersonation of a state officer.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-01

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POLITICS

Bt94 million earmarked for political parties

The Nation

BANGKOK: --The Election Commission on Thursday approved the Bt94 million funds earmarked for the development of political parties for the 2012 fiscal year.

The Pheu Thai Party is slated to receive Bt40 million, followed by the Democrat Party (Bt38 million), the Bhum Jai Thai Party (Bt 6.7 million, the Chart Thai Pattana Party (Bt3.5 million), the Chart Pattana (Bt2.5 million), the Rak Prathet Thai Party (Bt1.3 million and the Matubhum Party (Bt1 million).

Under provisions of the Political Parties Act, the EC has the jurisdiction over the Political Development Fund, set up to subsidise parties's activities. The allocation of funds hinges on House seats won and a minimum win of 0.5 per cent of proportionate votes cast in the general election.

-- The Nation 2012-03-01

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SET index closed at 1164.98, up 4.08; Bt/USD30.40; GBP48.29; AUD32.53; EUR40.46; CAD30.57; HKD3.91; SGD24.18; JPY37.28

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Dep PM Counters Drunk Allegation

BANGKOK: -- A deputy premier shows medical documents to prove his body balance problem which stemmed from his ear infection to counter an allegation that he was drunk during a parliamentary meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung today presented the press with a medical certificate to show his staggering gait during last Friday's parliamentary meeting was not because of drinking but because of an auditory neuropathy which causes him to feel dizzy.

Regarding the assault on Thammasat University law professor Worachet Pakeerat yesterday, the minister said he cannot determine if it was associated with the academic's campaign for the amendment of the lese majeste law.

However, Chalerm reiterated the government and his Pheu Thai Party will not amend the law, given its revision will never receive public support.

On the criticism the government is attempting to interfere with the judicial system via its charter amendment move, Chalerm suggests every court should be open to scrutiny and check and balance.

Chalerm then said he is assigned by the prime minister to oversee political protests and affirmed there will be no violence.

Meanwhile, Democrat MPs today walked out of the House meeting in protest against the House speaker's decision to shoot down the petition by their peer from Samut Songkram Rangsima Rodrasami, asking the prime minister to explain her personal meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel during office hours.

Rangsima said the House speaker violated the House's rule which stipulates such a petition is to be invalidated only when its petitioner is absent from the meeting. She is contemplating filing an impeachment suit against the House speaker for impartiality.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-01

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Arson Attacks Hit Pattani Stores

PATTANI: -- Late last night, insurgents carried out arson attacks in many areas of Pattani Province. Police have stepped up security.

The first blaze happened at a supermarket on Pipit Road in Anohru Sub-District in Pattani Province. Fire fighters took about 30 minutes to put out the blaze. Witnesses said they heard an explosion before the fire broke out.

The second blaze occurred inside the Big C department store on Nongjik Road in Ruesamilae Sub-District. Fire originated at the shelf displaying baby diaper and detergent. Fortunately, Big C employees were able to put out the fire before it spread to other areas.

Two more blazes gutted the first floor of KP mini mart in Kokpoh District and a warehouse of Thanun Para Wood company.

Pattani Police Commander Police Major General Pichet Pitisethapan, along with crime scene investigators and the bomb disposal unit, inspected the four blaze sites this morning to collect evidence. Officers found remnants of a digital clock at the site of the Big C department store blaze.

Officers believed that insurgents placed explosives inside cans which contained gasoline and detonated the bombs with an alarm clock. All of the bombs were believed to have been placed in those areas during the day before they were detonated later that night.

Police will review surveillance camera footage in the areas to find images of the insurgents. Furthermore, officers have stepped up security.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-01

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Phuket murder suspect Stein Dokset already on trial for fraud

Phuket Gazette –

Long-term Phuket expat Stein Havard Dokset, behind bars for murder and already on trial for fraud. Photo: Orawin Narabal

Police have yet to disclose what the safe (on right) contained. It was found in the same bathroom where the decomposing body of Mrs Rungnapa was for nearly three years. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5100833

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Phuket Police probe land titles as Norwegian Dokset’s motive for murder

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket expat murder suspect Stein Dokset from Norway being led away by Chalong Tourist Police Volunteer Garry Halpin. Dokset today denied to carry out the re-enactment in front of the main press, instead allowing only one reporter to photograph the staged sequences. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

The houses that Phuket expat murder suspect Stein Dokset collect rent from were owned by his ex-girlfriend Rungnapa Suktong, says Chalong Police Acting Superintendent Sirisak Warasiri. Photo: Nopparat Nambunyen

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5100927

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Thailand Live Friday 2 Mar 2012