Thailand Live Friday 2 Mar 2012

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Transport Minister to Supervise Thai Airways

BANGKOK: -- The transport minister calls on the national carrier Thai Airways to cut unnecessary spending and manage business risks to see profit this year.

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Floating Homes to Be Handed over to Flood Victims

PHITSANULOK: -- Students from the Phitsanulok Technical College and the public have joined to build floating homes for flood victims in Bang Rakam District in Phitsanulok Province. The floating homes will be handed over on March 11.

Students from the Phitsanulok Technical College have gathered to build five floating homes, which will be handed over to flood victims in Klong Prakrai Village in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam District. The project has received overwhelming support from the public sector.

Twenty plastic tanks have been attached to each house to make them float in the event of a flood. Air will be filled into the tanks to increase the weight that they can carry. Roofs and walls will be installed soon, followed by a paint job.

Phitsanulok Governor Preecha Ruengchan said when there is no flooding, these homes will sit on a foundation structure. Once flooding hits, the homes will float due to the air-filled plastic tanks while stakes attached to the ground and connected to the houses will prevent them from floating away. These floating homes will be handed over to flood victims on March 11.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

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DSI to Investigate Online Football Betting

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation promises to probe into publications which advertise online football betting after the Anti-Gambling Network filed a complaint on the matter.

The Anti-Gambling Network, the Media for Youth Foundation, and 40 teenagers submitted a complaint to Department of Special Investigation or DSI Director General, Tharit Pengdit, about websites offering online football betting.

Furthermore, they also demanded the DSI prosecute publications that advertise online football betting.

Anti-Gambling Network coordinator Imron Chetawat disclosed that nearly 400 billion baht in cash is circulated in gambling. Moreover, the 2010 survey of Chulalongkorn University's research institute found that children as young as seven-years-old have taken up gambling.

The DSI director general promised to crackdown on online football betting and advertisements for such service in publications.

Tharit added that the DSI yesterday approved the launch of investigations into a soft loan corruption case, rice pledging fraud in Kanchanaburi Province, cases which violate the computer act, cases pertaining to websites with lese majeste content, and cases about counterfeit lottery.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

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Drought Crisis Affecting Many Provinces

BANGKOK: -- Many provinces are now facing a dry spell with the situation particularly severe for areas bordering the Mekong River.

The Mekong River has dried up in several areas, particularly along the stretch that runs parallel to the Nakhon Phanom Highway and That Phanom District in Nakhon Phanom Province.

The phenomenon has affected local fishermen and fish farms. The Nakhon Phanom Meteorological Department has measured the water level of the Mekong River at 1.19 meters.

In Nan Province, cattle breeders have faced a water and food shortage because most water sources have dried up. Cattle herders have had to bring their flock to other areas to find water and grass. Some resort to buying straw to feed their animals which increases their cost.

Water at dams and reservoirs in many areas is said to be insufficient for consumption. The Huay Ta Pad Reservoir in Cha-Am District of Petchaburi Province has water at only nine percent of its capacity, which is not enough to irrigate the 2,000 rai of farmland nearby.

This has impacted the Princess Mother's Orchard, located nearby, and its manager Nattapong Larbmee said he has brought in water trucks for irrigation.

He has also devised a method to slow the water flow through the orchard and planted large trees and vetiver grass inside large holes to store water.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

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Chiang Rai police, military, in joint operation, seize 4 million meth pills, search for assistant village head maybe linked with drug ring /MCOT

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NACC to Question Democrat Leader on 91 Red Shirt Unrest Deaths

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission is looking to summon the Democrat Party leader for questioning on the case of the 91 deaths during the red shirt unrest in 2010.

Director General of the Department of Special Investigation or DSI Tharit Pengdit has commented that the Nation Anti-Corruption Commission or NACC is planing to summon former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is also the Opposition leader, for questioning on the case of 91 deaths during the red shirt unrest in 2010.

Up to this point, the DSI has named three groups which may be responsible for the deaths: unknown armed assailants dressed in black, an unidentified armed group and law enforcement officers.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has been ordered to redo autopsy of the bodies to investigate whether state authorities are responsible for the deaths.

Moreover, relatives of four of those killed have asked the authorities to re-investigate the case. If it is found that any government official is involved, the prosecutor will ask the court to probe into the motive and cause of deaths.

The DSI director general has pledged that the investigation will be conducted based on facts and cooperation between the department, the Metropolitan Police, and the prosecutors' office.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

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US ambassador meets anti-corruption agency (NACC) to discuss corruption crackdown cooperation /MCOT

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Inflation Predicted to Top 4% in Second Half of Year

BANGKOK: -- The Kasikorn Research Center expects inflation in the first half of 2012 to remain at the current level but said it could surpass four percent in the latter half of the year due to rising production and logistics costs in light of more expensive oil.

The Kasikorn Research Center expects headline inflation in February to remain at the current level despite pressure from rising prices of goods.

The center noted that the impact on the prices of basic commodities, from rising manufacturing and logistics costs and increased Oil Fund contributions from petrol sales, was quite significant in the month.

It estimated that inflation during the first half of the year will stand at around 3.3 to 3.4 percent, with a chance of exceeding four percent due to pressure from rising production costs.

Headline inflation is projected to average at 3.9 percent this year, which is within the target range of 3.5 to 4.5 percent, while core inflation could rise from the previous year to three percent, also within the target range of 2.6 to 3.6 percent.

The center, meanwhile, suggested investors keep an eye on the movement of the core inflation rate which is likely to inch toward the upper end of the current target range of 0.5 to three percent during the second half of the year.

Investors are also advised to keep watch on economic growth momentum as it might influence the central bank's policies.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

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New Lotto Millionaire: "He Begged Me to Buy Them"

BANGKOK: -- A middleage civil servant has become a millionaire over night when she bought the winning 6-number combination of the state lottery. The winner said she wasn't even interested in the winning numbers until her colleagues insisted she check them.

The winner who'll be referred to as "Mrs. S," to keep her identity private, is a civil servant who works at a government agency in Samut Prakarn Province. She's married and is well liked by her friends and colleagues.

Mrs. S bought a pair of lottery tickets just a day before the winning numbers were drawn (Feb 29). She went out to lunch at a nearby noodles stall near her work place with a group of friends. During lunch, an old man, wearing tattered clothes, had begged her to buy the lottery tickets. Mrs. S bought the tickets to help the old man out and did not pay any particular attention to the ticket numbers.

That afternoon, the Government Lottery Office announced the winning numbers as followed:

First Prize: 222518

Last Two Digit: 79

Last Three Digits: 135, 199, 295 and 711

Mrs. S did not pay any attention to the winning numbers since she didn't expect to win. Her close friend insisted she check the lottery tickets against the winning numbers. That's when she found out she won the first prize of 4,000,000 baht (approximately 130,000USD).

It was also reported that just a few days before Mrs. S bought the winning lottery tickets, she discovered a large snake in her family home. No one in the family was hurt and the animal was safely recovered by the authorities. Some Thais believe that discovering a snake will bring luck. Mrs. S was told that she may soon receive a windfall but she claimed she thought nothing about it.

Mrs. S is described by her friends as diligent, kind-hearted and honest. She often use her free time to give alms and meditate.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

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Royal Anthem reaches 100 years

BANGKOK, 2 March 2012 (NNT) - The Thai Flag Museum has held an activity to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Royal Anthem.

The activity was held to tell people of the origin of the song, which will reach its 100th year on March 1st this year. Thai Flag Museum is urging Thai people to commemorate His Majesty King Vajiravudh, who composed the music.

The Museum also wants Thai people to pay interests in the songs written to honor the monarchy of Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-03-02

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Military to finish Bangkok’s canal dredging in May

BANGKOK, 2 March 2012 (NNT) – Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-Ocha said that the canal dredging operation undertaken by military personnel in Bangkok is schedule to finish by May, in time for the rainy season.

General Prayuth yesterday was on hand to welcome Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the canal dredging site in Bang Khae District, Bangkok, where she was to preside over the canal dredging operation. The area is one of the 27 districts in Bangkok under the responsibility of the army to dredge canals.

Under the 770-million baht flood prevention plan for the capital, 277 canals, altogether 563 kilometers long, are being dredged.

The Prime Minister said the government will do its best to prevent the recurrence of flood.

-- NNT 2012-03-02

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Cha-am International Kite Festival to take place from March 9-11

BANGKOK, 2 March 2012 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that the Cha-am International Kite Festival will take place from March 9-11.

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said the event will be a fun-filled activity for all family members. The kite festival is set to welcome the summer season, when the wind is suitable for kite-flying activities.

Kite runners from various countries will join the event in competitions and performances. Both Thai and international kites will be on display. Thai traditional music will also be a big part of the event. Children and interested people could enjoy kite-making and other activities as well.

-- NNT 2012-03-02

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iPhone autocorrect error puts two US schools on lockdown

SAN FRANCISCO: -- Maybe the smartphone is getting too smart for our own good.

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Thailand-Myanmar coordinate fight against drugs

CHIANG RAI, March 2 - Thai and Myanmarese narcotics control agencies, plus a related foundation, are joining together to develop their peoples’ quality of life by fighting against drugs at the root cause of the problem by replacing crops in opium farming areas.

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SET closed up 6.42 points at 1,171.40 with value at Bt17.84 bn during midday Friday break /TANN

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Four Democrats to deny defaming PM

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- The four Democrats accused of defaming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will on Tuesday give their statements at Lumpini police station denying any malicious remarks related to Yingluck's private meeting at Four Seasons Hotel last month.

"I will not invoke my parliamentary immunity as shield," Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong said on Friday.

Thepthai is one of the accsued. The other three are Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha, Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut and his deputy Mallika Boonmeetrakul.

Lumpini police have summoned the four to acknowledge the libel complaint filed against them and give their rebuttals so as to enable investigators to draw conclusion whether to indict or drop the case.

Thepthai said the four did not defame Yingluck but raised an honest query why she had failed to explain her conduct. The allegation was politically-motivated to gag the opposition, he said.

He also made snide comments, saying the Democrats would not try to elude the law like former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- The Nation 2012-03-02

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Fire broke out at an electricity control room of Building 3 in Parliament. The blaze is now under control and there are no reports of any injuries./TAN_Network

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CONFIDENCE

Consumer confidence at 5-month high

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Thai consumers in February showed higher confidence in the economic outlook, thanks to the Constitution Court's greenlight to the government's two executive decrees and signs of economic recovery.

Despite widely-reported bombs in Bangkok, the consumer confidence index rose to 75.5 points in the month, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in February rose for the third straight month, from 74.2 points in January. After the floods, the index level has risen to the highest figure in five months.

Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the UTCC’s Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, said the court’s verdict to support the government’s spending is a major reason of higher confidence.

The court on Feb 22 ruled that the government’s executive decrees to borrow Bt350 billion and transfer of Financial Institutions Development Fund’s debt to Bank of Thailand do not violate the Constitution.

Consumers also gained more confidence due to greater political stability.

Their confidence increased despite several negative factors, including the bomb and Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering’s blacklisting of Thailand.

-- The Nation 2012-03-02

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Muslim couple killed in Pattani

Pattani - A Muslim couple were shot dead at their house in Pattani's Sai Buri district late Thursday night, police said.

Police said Malee Jehmu, 54, and his wife, Bungo Jehmu, 51, were killed at their house at 11 pm Thursday.

Police quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the couple were sitting in front of their home when two men arrived on a motorcycle and started firing at them.

The husband was killed in front of the house while his wife fled inside but a gunman shot her in the house.

Police said the couple's son, who was a defence volunteer for the Sai Buri district, was killed by insurgents in 2010.

-- The Nation 2012-03-02

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4 million speed pills seized in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI, March 2 - A joint drug suppression operation of policed and military personnel confiscated over 4 million methamphetamine pills smuggled into Thailand’s northern border province of Chiang Rai from neighbouring Myanmar.

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Teacher protection unit soldier killed, another seriously wounded in bomb ambush in Pattani's Mayo district /MCOT

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Phuket driver plows into 7-Eleven store

A shopper inspects the damage to the 7-Eleven store in Cherng Talay, Phuket. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

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Suvarnabhumi Airport Remains under Tight Security

BANGKOK: -- High security is still maintained at Suvarnabhumi International Airport following last month's triple blasts in Bangkok.

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Teacher protection unit soldier killed, another seriously wounded in bomb ambush in Pattani's Mayo district /MCOT

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Four Democrats to deny defaming PM

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The four Democrats accused of defaming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will on Tuesday give their statements at Lumpini police station denying any malicious remarks related to Yingluck's private meeting at Four Seasons Hotel last month.

"I will not invoke my parliamentary immunity as shield," Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong said on Friday.

Thepthai is one of the accsued. The other three are Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha, Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut and his deputy Mallika Boonmeetrakul.

Lumpini police have summoned the four to acknowledge the libel complaint filed against them and give their rebuttals so as to enable investigators to draw conclusion whether to indict or drop the case.

Thepthai said the four did not defame Yingluck but raised an honest query why she had failed to explain her conduct. The allegation was politically-motivated to gag the opposition, he said.

He also made snide comments, saying the Democrats would not try to elude the law like former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- The Nation 2012-03-02

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Ex-Thai PM Abhisit eyes economic rebound after floods

TOKYO, March 2, 2012 (AFP) - Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday he expects the kingdom's economy to rebound in the first quarter of 2012 as firms increase output following last year's devastating floods.

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Police Arrest Robbery Gang Leader

BANGKOK: -- Provincial Police Bureau 3 arrested the leader of a gang they believed robbed a guitar shop in Sri Racha District in Chonburi Province and escaped to Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Provincial Police Bureau 3 arrested 37-year-old Chirawat Chuangchot, one of the suspects who allegedly robbed the Deluxe Music guitar shop in the center of Sri Racha District in Chonburi Province on February 28.

Chirawat hired three men to assault an employee in the shop and steal three guitars, worth 300,000 baht. A surveillance camera has clearly captured the incident.

Police said Chirawat escaped to his girlfriend's home in Ban Prang Subdistrict of Nakhon Ratchasima's Kong District. He confessed that his ex-girlfriend hired him 20,000 bah to assault an employee at the Deluxe Music shop because the employee owed her money.

Chirawat said he decided to accept the work because he is currently unemployed and needs money. He contacted associates named Yodruk, Narong Sukthanom, and Chob Poommarin and hired them to assault the employee.

However, since the shop sells expensive guitars, Chirawat also ordered them to steal some guitars to resell. After the robbery, each of the accomplices was paid 20,000 baht before they went their separate way.

Chirawat said he sold the three guitars for 140,000 baht and escaped to his girlfriend's house in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Police will pursue the three other suspects, who are still on the run.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-02

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US Ambassador Kristie Kenney discusses anti-corruption cooperation with NACC

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New social security system to include all hospitals

BANGKOK, 2 March 2012 (NNT)-Permanent Secretary for Labor Mr. Somkiat Chayasriwong said every Thai national would be able to avail himself to the emergency service at any hospital in the country without charges.

While the new service may appeal to all Thai citizens, Mr. Somkiat said the matter would be finalized on March 13th, 2012. According to him, it has been concluded from the meeting between the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Labor, the Office of National Health Security Office (NHSO), the Social Security Office (SSO) and those overseeing the medical treatments for civil servants, that all systems should be merged and simplified for public convenience.

Under the current social security requirements, although patients are entitled emergency treatments at any hospitals not covered by the social security scheme within 72 hours without paying, he must notify the hospital he has been assigned to by the SSO and receive further treatment at the latter.

The Permanent Secretary said it would be less of a trouble for patients if they could only make one stop for their treatment. He added, the SSO would be responsible for the expenses according to the degree of conditions. All 3 existing social security systems will adopt the same approach. It will be applicable within this year to patients with chronic diseases such as AIDS and renal problems.

-- NNT 2012-03-02

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One soldier killed in Pattani bomb ambush

PATTANI, March 2 – One Thai Army soldier assigned to a teacher protection unit was killed Friday and another was severely wounded in a bomb ambush in the southern province of Pattani, according to local police.

The two victims were identified as Pvt Chakrarit Jinarat and Pvt Jeerasak Boonruang, Pol Col Adul Pinaeba-ngo, superintendent of Mayo police station said, explaining that Pvt Chakrarit was pronounced dead at Pattani Hospital after succumbing to severe wounds.

The roadside explosion occurred as the 12-member teacher protection squad from Pattani Special Task Force Unit 25 were on a foot patrol to escort teachers in Mayo district’s Jakwa subdistrict.

When the soldiers approached the scene of the incident, a homemade explosive device hidden in a roadside area was detonated by a remote-controlled cell phone.

The authorities said the bombing was likely to have been carried out by local insurgents.

The resurgence of violence in the southernmost provinces since January 2004 has claimed over 5,000 lives, including civilians, security forces, monks, teachers and insurgents themselves. Suspected insurgent attacks often target government officials, civil servants and teachers as they are considered representatives of the government. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-02