Thailand Live Monday 5 Mar 2012

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Thailand Live Monday 5 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Sunday 4 Mar 2012

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Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport to resume normal service Tuesday

BANGKOK, March 5 - Don Mueang Airport is due to resume normal services on Tuesday after it was forced to close during last year’s flood crisis.

Full story:

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UPDATE

Hot spots inside burnt high-rise hosed down

BANGKOK: -- Hot white fumes broke out yesterday on three floors of Fico Place building which had already caught fire, prompting firemen to spray water to wet the areas and prevent them from developing into fires.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5108778

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Thai PM Yingluck urges kids to stay off drugs

BANGKOK: -- The government has upgraded its efforts to fight drug abuse and trafficking into a national priority, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

Full story:

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MCOT to be holding company

WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MCOT plans to strengthen its business units and transform itself into a holding company in the next three years.

Last week, the state-enterprise media outlet announced a new Modernine TV brand identity in keeping with its Bt600-million investments on revamping news programmes, including a new studio equipped with a cutting-edge-technology video wall and bird's-eye view news gathered by helicopter.

"We hope that this will improve the ratings and revenue of the channel as well as increase market share to 20 per cent of overall advertising spending via free-to-air television channels this year, from 18 per cent now," Kematat Paladesh, vice president for marketing, told The Nation.

He added that in the near future, the new identity would be representative of its television broadcasting unit - soon to be a new subsidiary of MCOT.

Modernine TV generates more than 60 per cent of total income. The company wants other business units like Thai News Agency (TNA), Modern Radio, 9 Entertainment and digital media to have their own strong points and attract new income to make each business sustainable.

He said this strategic approach towards cost management would lead to a "lean and mean" organisation.

Once the board of directors approves the new organisation restructuring, those business units might be registered as companies. MCOT will then become MCOT Holding company in the next three years, he added.

Chief financial officer Jessada Promjart said that this was the way to make the company ready both for terrestrial television and radio-spectrum auctions following the implementation of the spectrum-management, telecom and broadcasting master plans later this year by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

Jessada said that MCOT may establish as many as 43 subsidiaries to produce radio programmes at its stations both in Bangkok and other provinces.

-- The Nation 2012-03-05

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Dam management, drainage keys to flood prevention in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya, a flood and water management expert, gives Local News Desk editor Chularat Saengpassa his ideas to cope with the next flood season by August.

Full story:

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Polls reveal concerns over Thai charter change plan

BANGKOK: -- Thais are concerned about the Constitution amendment, according to Abac and Dusit polls which revealed their results yesterday.

Full story:

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ANALYSIS

After decree win, onus now on Thai govt

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court's February 22 verdict upholding the executive decree on the transfer of the Financial Institutions Development Fund's debt gave the government something to cheer about, but it will be seen as a true achievement only if the associated repercussions are properly addressed.

Full story:

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Ayutthaya villagers want court to halt flood barriers

Residents near Ayutthaya estates say dykes will raise water levels

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Thai Charter reform process starts to look sinister

Call to neuter respected courts raises questions on ruling party's real intent

Full story:

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Enjoyable Learning through hands-on Lessons: Thai opinion

BANGKOK: -- To students, a classroom is boring if they have to sit silently and listen only to their lecturers. To educational experts, such classrooms give little to students who otherwise could learn a lot if they were engaged in an active learning process and were exposed to problemsolving situations.

Full story:

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Plan to upgrade warning system

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Science Ministry will ask the Cabinet to approve a budget of Bt424 million this week to improve disaster warning systems, a well-informed Government House source said.

The source said the ministry would seek money from the emergency central fund for the 2012 fiscal year to upgrade the disaster warning system as proposed by the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM).

The SCWRM reasoned it would need reliable information on the water situation nationwide to constantly plan its water management strategies.

It wants the database on water in the warning system improved, so that it is

comprehensive and efficient.

The SCWRM wants the database linked to the water resources management database at the Science Ministry and with networks of all government agencies so they can cooperate when dealing with situations.

The ministry proposed that the terms of reference for improving the warning system be approved by the Science minister.

-- The Nation 2012-03-05

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Nation University's promotion in North

The Nation

LAMPANG: -- A corporate communication team from Nation University, Lampang campus, will visit 17 upper northern provinces to give out information about pursuing education courses at the university and offer scholarships to students.

Staff will meet with heads of local communities and provide information about its educational programmes for bachelor and master degrees. They will also offer scholarships for the 2012 academic year to students with good academic performances and independent minds.

Visit www.nation.ac.th, call |0 5426 51706 or fax 0 5426 5184 for more information.

-- The Nation 2012-03-05

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Classes on spending money wisely, financial management

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some vocational students will be educated on how to create basic financial management plans for themselves.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed by the Office of Vocational Education Commission and Bank of Ayudhya (BAY), students at vocational certificate and higher vocational certificate levels in pilot colleges will be trained to create the plan.

Students at Thonburi Commercial College and Chetupon Commercial College will receive five lessons on how to spend money wisely, how to get a job and be given a salary increase, how to become entrepreneurs, how to save money and make it grow, as well as how to survive when doing businesses and managing interests.

Mark John Arnold, president and CEO of BAY, said students who take part in the training would be able to apply the acquired knowledge to manage their money and it would help them prepare for job applications.

The training project will be run for three years.

-- The Nation 2012-03-05

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Chula institute to advise Japanese

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration at Chulalongkorn University has been chosen by Japanese companies to help Japanese business people and investors in Thailand.

Sasin Japan Centre (SJC) has been established to give them advice on doing business in Thailand, help them manage their businesses and solve problems.

The centre has provided training and seminars for them, as well as research on marketing and investing in every kind of business.

The centre has also provided opportunities to business people from Japan and Thailand to discuss and exchange opinions on investment through various activities.

Japan Management Association Consulting has supported the centre for research and development. Kyoto University has collaborated with the centre on research.

Around 7,000 Japanese companies run businesses in Thailand and 300 have shown interest in consulting with SJC.

Any businesses needing help can call 0 2218 40019 ext. 157.

-- The Nation 2012-03-05

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Hilton mulls Waldorf Astoria on Koh Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- Hilton Worldwide Hotels and Resorts, operator of the Hilton hotel chain, is considering opening a five-star Waldorf Astoria on Koh Samui, after the 2015 opening of the Bangkok Waldorf Astoria.

Full story:

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Four dead, five injured as pickup truck slams into Phuket tourist van

The van full of tourists was heading to Phuket when the accident occurred. Photo: Warisa Temram

The five Phuket tourists injured were rushed to Tai Muang Hospital. Photo: Warisa Temram

Full story:

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Putin wins third term as Russia's president

Full story:

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Phuket woman dies in motorbike accident

PHUKET: -- A motorbike passenger was killed last night when her driver swerved to avoid a fallen tree branch, putting the vehicle in the path of a fast-moving pick-up truck in the north of Phuket.

Full story:

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RT @EconBizFin: In Myanmar setting up an internet connection costs $850, and monthly packages range between $40 and $150 http://ow.ly/9pE8N

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,162.28, down 2.87 points /MCOT

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Govt Under Fire on Flood Management Plans

BANGKOK: -- The Opposition Party leader criticized the government regarding its ambiguous water mangement plans, saying that it is not priortizing the problems.

Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva blasted the government regarding its administration's inefficiency, saying that the government is not prioritizing the problems as the Opposition Party has suggested, particularily the water management plan.

Abhisit accused the government of failing to clarify which land areas would be used for water retention. Moreover, he reaffirmed that the government must guarantee fair compensation for people who stand to be affected by the water retention area plan.

Abhisit pointed out that an ambiguous plan would lead to conflicts between the government and communities. In addition, the government must vet land owners thoroughly to ensure that no one is just seeking to benefit from the plan.

Additionally, the Opposition party leader also voiced concern that the government has established too many committees to work on water management, saying that this could cause a conflict and create confusion.

At the same time, Abhisit suggested Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra be well prepared for her official visit to Japan, especially regarding the implementation of the flood prevention program.

Meanwhile, he said Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong must clarify the details in-depth in order to boost Japanese investor confidence.

Abhisit said although most business operators will keep their production bases in Thailand, they will also start expanding their production bases into other neighboring countries outside of Thailand as well.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-05

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Fire Engulfs Huts in Refugee Camp Again

BANGKOK: -- Authorities in Tak Province have been deployed to investigate the cause of a fire that broke out in Ban Um Piam Refugee Camp after a second fire engulfs the camp.

In Tak Province, Pob Phra Marshal Poj Rhuworanun gave orders to dispatch officials to investigate the fire-ravaged zone 14 of the Ban Um Piam Refugee Camp in Kirirath Subdistrict of Tak's Pob Phra District, after a fire has engulfed homes at the camp for a second time.

Officials from the Disaster Prevention Department pointed out that the cause of the fire was dry weather, along with strong winds, and that the residents' homes were made from banana leaves, grasses, and bamboo, which are all highly flammable.

One resident's home was destroyed, while officials put out the blaze before it was able to reach other residents' homes. More than 1,000 huts are being reconstructed since a fire engulfed the Ban Um Piam Refugee Camp and destroyed a number of huts on February 23, 2012.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-05

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Thai PM Yingluck to visit Japan to rebuild investor confidence after flood crisis

BANGKOK, March 5 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit Japan on Tuesday to strengthen bilateral ties and revive Japanese investor confidence in Thailand after last year’s flood crisis.

Full story:

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German tourists severely injured in fall from 4th of Pattaya hotel

The Nation

PATTAYA, CHON BURI: -- A partially paralysed German tourist fell from his room on the fourth floor of a Pattaya hotel early Monday and was severely injured, police said.

Martin Theuniben, 49, fell from the balcony of his room of a hotel on the Khao Phra Tamnak road at 3:45 am, police said.

He suffered head injuries and broken right arm and was rushed to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital.

It was believed the man accidently fell while he was drinking on the balcony.

-- The Nation 2012-03-05

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600 Chatuchak vendors protest at Government House

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some 600 vendors from the Chatuchak Weekend Market rallied in front of the Government House Monday to protest against the increase of stall rental fee.

Initially about 100 vendors gathered in front of Gate 4 at 9:30 am. Later on, their number grew to over 600.

They called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to intervene in the decision of the State Railway of Thailand to collect the stall rent of Bt3,562 per month. They demanded that they could lease the stalls at the rate of Bt1,000 a month under 30-year contracts.

The vendors threatened to file a suit against the SRT with the Central Administrative Court if their demand is not met by Wednesday.

-- The Nation 2012-03-05

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Tourism Fair Sees Strong Sales

BANGKOK: -- The travel fair that was held in Bangkok over the weekend turned out to be a great success, with most people purchasing travel packages, saying they were mostly buying super-discounted packages due to higher costs of living.

The ‘Thai Tiew Thai’ travel fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center closed yesterday after having seen a huge turnout of people looking for travel packages for vacations during the summer school break.

The most popular packages were for the beach or southern islands, rather than packages to travel abroad. Consumers said with the higher cost of living, they have had to cut down on vacation spending.

Some chose destinations close to Bangkok, like Pattaya and Hua Hin, due to the shorter drive and lower cost. The amount spent on the three-day, two-night packages ranged from 10,000 to 40,000 baht, with the average being 5,000 baht per person.

A travel operator from Krabi said beach destinations are usually favored for summer vacations. She estimated that her company would generate a targeted revenue of 500,000 baht in selling travel packages during the fair.

However, her sales have been bustling and exceeded her earlier target, thanks to the huge 50 percent package promotion deals she was offering to her customers. She expects that during the four day event, she will net a total of one million baht in sales.

Foreign tour operators said they have also been seeing strong sales, although customers have shied away from far-off destinations like Europe, Japan, or South Korea to countries closer to Thailand such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Hong Kong.

Some consumers said that the higher cost of living has put a dent in their vacation budget, while others see these destinations as more attractive for the summer.

P.K. Exhibition Management, the fair organizer, estimated a turnout of around 400,000 people during the four-day event and generate a revenue of 500 million baht.

This is the 24th time the company has hosted the fair. Four travel fairs are held annually, one in March and one in July for the green season. The other two are held in September for winter vacations and in November for the high season.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-05

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Govt Pushes Ahead with Skill Enhancement for Thai Workers

BANGKOK: -- The Labor Ministry moves forward with projects to enhance the skill level of the Thai workforce, keeping with the government's policy to increase the daily minimum wage and to be better prepared for the increased competition that will be brought on by the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Full story:

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Democrat Urged to Report Themselves on Defaming Charge

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat spokesperson and his deputy are under fire because they have refused to report themselves to the police.

Government spokesman Prompong Nopparit blasted Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut and his deputy Mallika Boonmeetrakoon for declining to provide testimony to the Lumphini police after Prompong and the Pheu Thai legal team, on behalf of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, filed complaints charging the Democrat MPs of defaming her in connection to a private meeting she attended at the Four Seasons hotel.

In response, the Democrat MPs claimed they are afraid that they will not have fair access to the justice system. Consequently, they would prefer to testify before the Court.

Prompong reaffirmed that the Democrats always urge every party to adhere to the justice system.

However, some Democrats are trying to escape the system. Meanwhile, Mallika pledged to counter-sue Prompong for making false accusations.

In addition, Mallika will go to Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission at 10.30 a.m. today in order to file a lawsuit against the Prime Minister as well as Information and Communications Technology Minister, Anudit Nakorntap, charging them with ignoring their duties in blocking lese majeste websites.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-05