Thailand Live Saturday 3 Mar 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 3 March 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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Bangkok Traffic Police to Get Tough on Cabs

BANGKOK: -- The Traffic Police has launched a new campaign passenger and road safety. They are calling for taxi drivers to observe the official dress code for taxi drivers and obey traffic laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-tough-on-cabs/

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UPDATE

Dokset blames jealousy: Phuket Police

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Chonasit Wattanavrangkul (right) carried a grave face throughout the press conference. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

Rungnapa Suktong, as pictured on her Thai ID card. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

PHUKET: -- Stein Dokset, the long-term Phuket expat Norwegian charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Rungnapa Suktong, has told police that he accidentally killed his girlfriend in a jealousy-fueled rage, police said today.

Full story:

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Chalerm calls on Abhisit to wait for CDA to be set up: Thailand constitution

BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has been far too quick in proposing constraints for the yet to be established Constitution Drafting Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said.

Full story:

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Emergency rooms to be open to all regardless of health scheme: Thailand

State, private hospitals to treat anyone, regardless of health scheme, from April 1

BANGKOK: -- The government is planning to allow people to seek immediate and continued treatment from any medical facility in the event of an emergency, regardless of the health scheme they belong to.

Full story:

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Thai govt awaits legal study on 'Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre' set up

Commander denies Yingluck opposes move

BANGKOK: -- The government is holding back on approving the new structure of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre because it is still awaiting a legal study and not because it would give the military more power, Fourth Army Area commander Lt-General Udomchai Thammasarojrat said yesterday.

Full story:

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ICT ministry aims to provide broadband to 90% of people: Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The Information and Communi-cations Technology Ministry expects to lay down broadband infrastructure that would cover 95 per cent of the country within the next eight years to improve the Kingdom's ICT competitiveness ranking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....eople-thailand/

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Chiang Rai smog reaches critical level

The Chiang Rai Public Health Office has handed out more than 500,000 masks for residents to protect themselves from the dangerous smog.

CHIANG RAI: -- "The problem has reached a critical level," Chiang Rai Governor Thanin Supasaeng said yesterday, adding that many people were suffering from respiratory diseases.

Full story:

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Princess Bejaratana to get seven-tiered umbrella

Pakamas Jaichalard

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The white umbrella atop the royal crematorium for HRH Princess Bejaratana, the only daughter of King Rama VI, will have seven tiers in line with the current monarch's command to bestow the highest honour on his late cousin.

By tradition, the princess is entitled to a five-tiered umbrella.

The Princess passed away on July 27, 2011, at the age of 85.

The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary has informed relevant authorities that HM the King has commanded that the seven-tiered umbrella be used for Princess Bejaratana, according to Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome.

She said yesterday that construction of the royal crematorium and related structures on Sanam Luang was now more than 70 per cent complete.

"We believe the construction and landscape decoration will be completed late this month," Sukumol said.

The royal cremation for Princess Bejaratana will take place on April 9 at Sanam Luang. Traditional performances will run in the same area from 6pm on April 9 until the following morning.

Sukumol added that royal chariots had already been renovated for use as parts of the royal cremation. Royal-procession rehearsals would take place on March 18, March 25 and March 31, she said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-03

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Senators 'worried' about Phuket beating, cheating, intimidating tourists

Phuket Senator and former Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop (center) was among the senators at the meeting. Photo: Warisa Temram

PHUKET: -- A delegation of senators from Bangkok yesterday were treated to a grave description of the problems plaguing Phuket’s tourism industry, including jet-ski ripoffs.

Full story:

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Hookah bars targeting Phuket youth

HOOKAHS AWAY! A collection of makeshift hookahs found at an establishment in Phuket recently.

PHUKET: - The Phuket Provincial Office is planning to crack down on hookah bars and other businesses catering to a growing demand among island youths to smoke flavored tobacco known as shisha.

Full story:

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Island-wide alcohol ban: Phuket goes to the polls March 25, April 7

Phuket Provincial Election Commission Director Kitipong has set April 7 as the date for the OrBorJor presidential election. Photo: Warisa Temram

PHUKET: -- An island-wide ban on the sale of alcohol will go into effect from 6pm on April 6 through to midnight of April 7 so island residents can vote in the upcoming Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) presidential election.

Full story:

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VENUS' VISION

Don't cry for her, Thailand

BANGKOK: -- "Being a woman won't affect my work as prime minister," said Yingluck Shinawatra shortly after she was named the first female prime minister of Thailand.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Give Thai people a chance to work, not free handouts

BANGKOK: -- While the government must help workers left jobless as a result of flooding, long-term policies must focus on training and opportunities

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-free-handouts/

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Herbal medicines found contaminated with steroids

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

SAMUT SAKHON: -- A study has found that many herbal medication products sold in Samut Sakhon province are laced with steroids

Panuchote Tongyang, chairman of the Rural Pharmacist Society, said he conducted the study by collecting samples in the province between 2005 and 2009 and then testing them at the Department of Medical Science.

Speaking at a news conference held to release a report on the 2011 drug situation in the country, Panuchote said he had discovered that many herbal medicines used to treat diabetes, arthritis, blood pressure and muscle strain contained high levels of steroid substances. The study also discovered that many pharmaceutical companies were violating the law by sending steroids - a controlled drug - directly to drugstores and clinics in Samut Sakhon.

"There was no information available about buyers who ordered steroid substances in the receipts issued by the pharmaceutical companies. This data need to be sent to the Food and Drug Administration," he said.

Panuchote added that provincial public health offices only looked into orders of more than 10,000 tablets of steroids. Besides, when officials asked drugstore owners to present receipts from pharmaceutical companies about a steroid order, they usually said they had lost the papers.

"We need to develop a system to monitor the distribution of steroids to protect people's health, because these drugs are very dangerous if consumed for an extended period," he said.

Meanwhile, Kotchanuch Sangtaland of the Foundation for Consumers said studies showed that one in five patients admitted to hospitals was suffering from the side effects of drugs.

-- The Nation 2012-03-03

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SRT, BMA to inspect unfinished Hopewell project

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The State Railways of Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will conduct an inspection of the unfinished Hopewell project for stability and to prevent further collapses, deputy Bangkok governor Theerachon Manomaiphibool said yesterday.

The BMA will also inspect large signboards across the city to ensure they are stable, he added.

Asked whether the collapse of a section of the unfinished Hopewell project on Thursday would affect the Bang SueRangsit commuter train scheme, which was expected to rely on the pillars, Theerachon said a number of the pillars had already been used in building the airport link.

Theoretically, a concrete structure that is reinforced with steel and is not exposed to rain and sunlight for long periods can still be useable, he added.

"However, close inspection is still needed to find out if they need to be further reinforced. If the pillars are strong enough then there should be no problems, like the pillars that were used in the airportlink project," he added.

-- The Nation 2012-03-03

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Short circuit seen as cause of fire in Parliament

The Nation

A building in the Parliament complex accidentally caught fire yesterday, causing slight damage to property but no casualties.

BANGKOK: -- Police said the fire at Building 3 could have been caused by a short circuit, after burn marks were found on the wires, which resulted in an explosion and fire near the Wiman Mek Throne Hall.

There was chaos when Throne Hall officials used water hoses to try to put out the fire, but Parliament officials shouted to them to stop, as the fires were caused by an electrical short circuit and using water would have aggravated the situation.

Firemen arrived at the scene later, after the fire had been put out by Parliament officials using fire extinguishers. Technicians from the electricity office later inspected the circuitcontrol boards but found nothing wrong.

They said the shortcircuit could have been caused by the high room temperature and a damaged wire, while sparks seen at the back of a room where the circuitcontrol boards are located could have been caused by wires exposed to dripping water, possibly from airconditioners. A thorough inspection into all the causes will begin soon, they added.

Building 3 consists of Parliament's library, a storage room for parliamentarians' documents, an office of Parliament's Secretariat, an office used by a deputy prime minister, and a control room where WiFi operation is housed.

-- The Nation 2012-03-03

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US Ambassador Kristie Kenney Discusses Anti-Corruption Cooperation With NACC

Full story:

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King concerned about northern haze

BANGKOK, 3 March 2012 (NNT) - His Majesty the King has expressed concern over the problem of smog in the North. The chairman of the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation will soon visit the region to follow up on the rainmaking operations.

Director of the Northern Royal Rainmaking Center Song Klinprathum said the ongoing smog problem in eight northern provinces was worrying His Majesty the King. He added that Rajaprajanugroh Foundation Chairman Distorn Vajarodaya would soon travel up north to acknowledge problems occurring during rainmaking operations and give technical advice for effective results.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Public Health MD Surawit Khonsomboon on Friday called a meeting with the governors of the eight provinces in Chiang Mai, one of the affected areas, to monitor progress and set up measures to fight the smog. The meeting found that the dust levels in many of the provinces, especially Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang, were still higher than the safe standard.

The smog situation this year in the North is worse than the previous year’s due to a lack of rain and continuous burning. Some farmers in the region have protested against artificial rain since they feared that it would affect their growing crops.

The deputy minister said the government had asked neighboring countries to help prevent forest fires, one of the causes of the northern smog problem.

-- NNT 2012-03-03

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Mars approaches Earth on Saturday night

BANGKOK, 3 March 2012 (NNT) - National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand has urged astronomers to be ready for a spectacular phenomenon in which the Sun, Earth and Mars are in alignment.

Mars will reportedly be opposite to the Sun this Saturday and will be closest to Earth on Monday. This phenomenon, which occurs every two years, enables people to see Mars brighter than ever throughout the night.

On March 5, Mars will rise in the northeast direction at 18.16 hours and will fall in the northwest direction at 6.41 hours on March 6.

The latest close approach of Mars to Earth was reported on January 28, 2010. Such an orbit is forecast to recur on April 14, 2014.

Those interested in witnessing the phenomenon are welcome to join the star-gazing activities at the Thai Astronomical Society, starting on March 3.

-- NNT 2012-03-03

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Swede falls victim to Russian snatch thieves in Phuket

Swedish tourist Peter Wentzel said the Russian ladies snatched his gold necklace and mobile phone while he was walking along the Karon beach road (pictured) late last night. Photo: Gazette file

Full story:

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Bangkok city hall conducts ditch dredging to prepare for future flooding

BANGKOK, March 3 - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Saturday conducted ditch dredging in Soi Chaengwattana 14 to prepare for possible renewed floods.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra inaugurated the canal and ditch dredging project at Soi Chaengwattana 14, home to 5,490 households, which had been under floodwater from October 20 -December 3, 2011. Although the situation has returned to normal, the ditches were still filled with garbage and mud.

The project is a cooperation between the army and the seven northern districts in the capital which were hit by last year's flooding including Ladprao, Chatuchak, Bang Sue, Bang Khen, Don Mueang, Sai Mai and Laksi.

The BMA operation in Soi Chaengwattana 14 which was under 1.80 metres of floodwater last year covers eight kilometres of ditches.

Deputy Bangkok governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon said that city hall has heard complaints from the residents of Soi Chaengwattana 14 about the clogged ditches and public encroachment of aqueduct areas, disrupting the dredging operations.

The deputy governor gave assurances that the BMA will speed up the dredging operations and investigation of the trespassed aqueduct areas in seven northern districts.

Mr Teeerachon said it would take about one week to complete the ditch and canal dredging in Soi Chaengwattana 14.

The deputy governor reasserted that the BMA will not allow any objects which can disrupt water drainage of Rapeepat canal, while also urging local politicians to help monitor trespassing of aqueduct areas. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-03

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Rice exporters worried about fierce price competition between India and Vietnam

BANGKOK, 3 March 2012 (NNT) - Thai rice exporters have been worried about the fierce price competition between Indian and Vietnamese exporters, which may undermine the country's export of this main agricultural crop.

Thai Rice Exporters Association President Korbsook Iamsuri said that the Association expects Thai rice export during the first half of 2012 to be quite slow because of the impact of stronger competition among rivaling producers.

Such an effect is particularly felt from India, where the government has lifted the rice export ceiling from 2 million to 4 million tons.

Mrs. Korbsook noted that a bigger volume of Indian rice in the market could be problematic for Thai rice, due to its cheaper price and Thailand's inability to lower prices to compete.

At the same time, Vietnam's export of Jasmine rice has been up and coming and started to take away some Asian markets that were once dominated by Thai exporters.

She also warned that Myanmar rice may soon become another key rival of Thai rice when the country becomes more open in 5 years' time.

Accordingly, the Thai Rice Exporters Association President is urging local business operators to closely monitor the international trade environment, which can change very swiftly these days.

In terms of this year's rice export target of Thailand, Mrs. Korbsook said that the number remains at 6.5 million tons, pending a possible revision at the end of the first quarter.

For the month of February, while the actual figures are yet to be confirmed, Thai rice exports are initially expected to total 500,000 tons.

-- NNT 2012-03-03

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City waterworks agency speeding up repair of water supply tunnel

BANGKOK, 3 March 2012 (NNT) - The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) will soon complete its years-long improvement of the water supply tunnel, which will enable it to cope with a rise in water demand during the approaching summertime.

MWA Deputy Governor Luechai Deethawon said on Friday that the water-supplying tunnel improvement project, which began at the end of 2010 and is scheduled to complete in 2013, has made significant progress.

Mr. Luechai elaborated that the improvement of the tunnel between the Si Phraya intersection and Lumpini Park, has been completed.

This means the pressure and the volume of water supply under the supervision of its Sukhumvit, Phra Khanong and Samut Prakan branch offices will be higher and residents in the areas can rest assured that they will have more than enough water to consume during the upcoming hot summer days.

Meanwhile, the improvement work for the section of the tunnel on the Thonburi side of the city, from the Khlong San District Office to the Tha Phra intersection, is to undergo further tests before it can be operational at the end of March.

The MWA Deputy Governor added that the work on the remaining parts of the tunnel will commence before the middle of this year and is expected to finish within its 2013 deadline.

-- NNT 2012-03-03

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Japan announces PM Yingluck's official visit there from Mar 6-9; affirms strong ties pulling through natural disaster together/TAN_Network

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Police discover large number of money bands dumped at trash site in Muang, Rayong; they believe they belong to drug gangs/TAN_Network

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A group of Chatuchak vendors gather to protest rental fee hike at entrance in front of Or Tor Kor Market/TAN_Network

RT@RichardBarrow: 1:35pm 300 protesters from Chatuchak Market have spilled out onto the road at Gate 3 /via @fm91trafficpro

RT@RichardBarrow: 1:40pm Chatuchak Market vendors protesting rental fees blocking the road. Picture via @Pat_ThaiPBS http://t.co/SgeUg8aQ

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RT @RichardBarrow: 2:53pm Picture of the fire at the FICO building in Bangkok - RT @Buapuan: ไฟไหม้อาคาร FICO http://bit.ly/xWC0aP

RT @RichardBarrow: 3pm Pic of the fire in the FICO building on Asok. Looks to be on the 7th floor - RT @soolloos: http://bit.ly/AhqLkH

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Fire at 7th floor of Fico building on Asoke Rd near Siam Society; fire trucks blocking road as blaze spreads to 8th floor /TANN