Thailand Live Friday 9 Mar 2012

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Pheu Thai Against Educational Requirement for Constitution Drafting Assembly Selection

BANGKOK: -- The chairman of the parliamentary constitution amendment committee says the selection of a constitution drafting assembly member from each province is appropriate, while opposing the minimum education requirement.

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UPDATE

2 Killed, 24 Injured in Grand Park Avenue Hotel Fire in Sukhumvit Soi 22

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4 Soldiers Killed in Narathiwat Bomb Attack Recognized

NARATHIWAT: -- The Fourth Army chief awarded a decoration for bravery and provided financial assistance to four soldiers who were killed in an insurgent bomb attack at Ruesoh District of Narathiwat Province, while returning from providing security for locals.

Fourth Army chief Lieutenant General Udomchai Thammasarotra presided over the funeral bathing ceremony of the three soldiers, namely Sergeant Dejapol Lowannee, Private Suwat Nilpak and Private Kamol Panthong. The ceremony was held at Suvannakorn Temple in Nong Jik District.

All of the soldiers were part of the Narathiwat Task Force, who were returning from providing security for locals at a religious ceremony on the occasion of Maka Bucha Day. A powerful blast ripped apart a military jeep, killing four soldiers and severely injuring one soldier in Ruesoh District.

Udomchai laid wreaths on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister, and the Army Chief Commander. The deceased soldiers were awarded a decoration for bravery and financial assistance.

Likewise, the provincial governor also provided initial financial assistance to the bereft families. The funeral was attended by their families, relatives, as well as large number of military personnel, police, and civil servants.

All of the bodies were escorted by a honor guard and have been sent to their homeland for a funeral ceremony. Dejapol's body was sent to Roi Et Province, while the bodies of Suwat and Kamol were flown to Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces, respectively.

In addition, relatives have taken the body of an Islamic soldier, Corporal Sompong Tae-sanan who died in the same incident back at Satun Province.

Another soldier, 23-year-old Lieutenant General Suriya Jachalee who sustained injuries has now been admitted at Naratiwat Rajanakarin Hospital. The doctor reported that he is gradually recovering.

Ruesoh Police Commander Police General Sathanfah Wamasingh said the Ror Pae Ing U-seng Group is behind the scene. The group was found to be involved in a daily bomb attack went off on March 1, injuring at least ten locals. He speculates that the bomber is hiding in his fellow accomplice's house. Officers are rushing to pursue them.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-09

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Japan investors 'still sceptical' of Thailand

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

The Nation

TOKYO: -- Despite Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to their country this week, Japanese investors remain doubtful whether Thailand can prevent a repeat of last year's severe floods as the government does not seem to have a clear time frame for its action plan, private enterprises said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....al-of-thailand/

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Transport Ministry expects Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel to gross more than THB700mil in 2012

BANGKOK, 9 March 2012 (NNT) - The Transport Minister is hopeful that the Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel will enjoy sizable revenue in 2012, based on satisfactory performance during the first 5 months of the current fiscal year.

Minister of Transport Charupong Ruangsuwan said on Thursday that during October 2011 and February 2012, Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel has recorded an average occupancy rate of 71%, the highest it has seen in 5 years.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is 60% owned by Airports of Thailand (AOT) PCL, with Thai Airways International PCL and Krung Thai Bank PCL respectively holding 30% and 10% shares in it.

The Transport Minister commented that the latest performance of Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is impressive, compared with that of the same period of last year, when the number was less than 50%

As a result, the hotel's management expects the current fiscal year, ending on September 30th, 2012, will record gross revenue of THB716 million and profit before interest at around THB100 million.

So far, during the first 4 months of fiscal 2012, the hotel has achieved a net profit of THB26.85 million.

Mr. Charupong Ruangsuwan added that, for the time being, Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is trying to sort out its unresolved internal conflicts and planning to ask the AOT to waive the annual rent and other benefits of approximately THB30 million or postpone it for some time.

-- NNT 2012-03-09

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Residents Warned of Unstable Weather

Officials warned residents about storms and heavy rainfalls during March 8-11 while many provinces are suffering from torrential downpours.

An hour of heavy rain has caused areas of Pattani City Municipality to deluge rapidly, forcing many routes to close, since the water was 30 centimeters high. Many local shops, petrol stations, and residents' homes were severely affected as they did not prepare for the flooding.

Pattani Mayor Pitak Korkietpitak deployed officials and water pumps to quickly drain out the water out of the roads and low-lying areas into Pattani River. Officials have also asked residents to closely follow the warning announcement.

The director of Nakhon Ratchasima's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center Region 5, Wanlop Theppakdee warned residents to watch for thunderstorms between March 8-11, since a medium high atmospheric pressure is moving from China to cover northeastern areas of Thailand and the South China Sea, which will create thunderstorms in the upper area of Thailand.

For this reason, the weather is expected to be unstable with heavy rainfalls, strong winds, and hailfall in some areas. This could seriously damage residents' properties or lead to loss of lives in northeastern, eastern, and central areas. For this reason, residents are urged to prepare for upcoming thunderstorms.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-09

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Body lotion bust uncovers Phuket motorbike, drug gang

A simple case of shoplifting led to much more serious charges for the gang of three. Photo: Warisa Temram

PHUKET: -- Two shoplifters apprehended at a Phuket 7-Eleven store were later found to be involved in the theft of seven motorbikes and were dealers of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), police announced yesterday.

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Russian tourist dies in Sukhumvit hotel fire

BANGKOK, March 9 - A foreign female tourist identified as Russian national died of smoke inhalation and lack of oxygen following a Bangkok hotel fire Thurday night, according to Erawan Emergency Centre director.

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RT @jonrussell: The saga ends tomorrow: Samsung Galaxy S II to get Ice Cream Sandwich on March 10 http://tnw.to/1DbJo

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Foreigner in Pattaya Jumps off Railroad Bridge Crossing

PATTAYA: -- Earlier this morning, a foreign national has reportedly jumped off a 6-meter railroad crossing in Banglamung District of Pattaya. He's sustained a serious head injury and is now being treated at the Pattaya Bangkok Hospital.

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SET index midday down 4.79 pts, 0.41 pct

BANGKOK: -- Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Friday stood at 1,153.16, down 4.79 points, or 0.41 per cent amid Bt31.42 bn turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 810.79, down 3.89 points, or 0.48 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: IVL, PTT (XD), BBL, SCB, BANPU, KBANK.

-- The Nation 2012-03-09

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Special Report: Century Poll on residential demand in Bangkok

Century 21 Affiliates Thailand, in collaboration with Thammasat University’s Faculty of Architecture and Planning (APTU), is launching Thailand’s first property poll, under the theme ‘Residential Demand after the Flood’.

The poll is aimed at exploring how Thailand’s historical flood affected new homebuyers and at informing the general public, property developers, and the government sectors of the aftermath of the flood crisis on the local property market.

According to the poll, 63% of the respondents stated the flooding did not affect their criteria for new homes, while 34% said flooding became a decision-making factor to consider when buying a house.

When asked about their expectation of the government’s post-flood assistance, over 51.20% of the respondents said the government needed to devise a long-term flood prevention measure. 48.30% said commercial banks should issue lower interest rates for mortgage loans. 33.8% said property tax rates and fees should be lowered following the flood. The government’s effectiveness in implementing supporting measures to prevent future floods is seen as a key concern for most of the respondents.

According to Chana Nanthachantule, Managing Director of Century 21 (Thailand), the public opinion poll reflected a variety of issues stemming from the flood crisis, including how the flooding affected new homebuyers’ criteria for property.

He said the company is planning to submit the data to related public agencies and hoped this data will raise the public sector’s awareness concerning the public’s altered perception of Thai property market.

When asked if the government’s future flood policy would be affected by the release of the poll, he said he hoped relevant governing bodies would keep this data in mind when planning and implementing changes in the city’s infrastructure and the flood protection system.

Century Poll asked 1,214 male and female residents from 3 provinces namely Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani whether last year’s floods were factored into their decisions when purchasing future property and what post-crisis measures are needed from public sectors.

Century 21 and APTU will join hands in launching new property polls on a monthly basis.

-- NNT 2012-03-09

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Stricter Law Enforcement to Bring Forest Fires and Haze Pollution Fully under Control

Provincial governors in the North have been instructed to be stricter about law enforcement in order to bring forest fires and haze pollution fully under control.

The Cabinet, during its meeting on 6 March 2012, acknowledged a report on the smoke haze and bushfire problem in northern Thailand and results of a meeting between governors of nine haze-hit provinces and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The nine provinces include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, and Tak. The governors of these provinces were told to push for the enforcement of community regulations on bushfire control areas and related community law. Forest fire control will become a compulsory mission for local administrative organizations in the upper northern region. District chiefs, community leaders, and village headmen were instructed to urge local residents to contact officials concerned at the hotline 1362 when they need help to stop forest fires.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the amount of tiny dust particles in the nine provinces was very high in late February and early March this year. It has been on the decline in Chiang Mai and Lamphun, since March 5. The level of dust particles in the air should not be higher than the safety standard of 120 micrograms per cubic meter. The burning of solid waste and agricultural materials in open areas has been cited as a major cause of forest fires. Another cause involves the slash-and-burn farming technique employed by farmers to clear land in forested areas.

From 1 October 2011 to 3 March 2012, a total of 1,049 forest fires took place, with 7,127 rai, or about 2,856 acres, of farmland in the nine provinces affected. When compared with the figures over the same period in 2011, the number of forest fires rose by 520 and the affected areas rose by 3,931 rai, or 1,572 acres.

The Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has been asked to launch rainmaking operations to reduce the severity of the problem. Provincial public health offices are also giving advice to local residents on how to protect themselves from health hazards caused by haze pollution.

Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said that if the situation worsened, affected people might have to be evacuated to safer areas on a temporary basis. A proactive campaign is being launched to encourage local residents to be aware of the dangers of haze pollution and to avoid any burning. Community networks will be asked to help in the surveillance of forest fires, while farmers will be required to register with the authorities if they need to burn agricultural fields.

Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department

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27,000 women receive medical care as result of violence against women in 2011

BANGKOK, 9 March 2012 (NNT) - The Friends of Women Foundation has revealed that up to 27,000 women received medical treatment as a result of sexual harassment or domestic violence in 2011.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/539508-27000-women-receive-medical-care-as-result-of-violence-against-women-in-2011/page__view__findpost__p__5120300

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Apple facing probe over book price-fixing

San Francisco - The US Justice Department has warned Apple that it plans to sue the company and five major US book publishers for colluding to fix the price of electronic books, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5120365

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POLITICS

Pakdee survives impeachment bid

Photo : Prasert Thepsri

BANGKOK:-- Pakdee Pothisiri, a member of the National AntiCorruption Commission on Friday survived a bid to impeach him by 84 to 56 votes.

Pakdee was accused by Pheu Thai's Bangkok MP and Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudit Nakhonthap of violating Article 248 of the Constitution for allegedly failing to resign from a private firm before accepting the NACC position.

However, 84 senators voted in his support while 56 senators voted for his impeachment.

The Constitution requires at least two thirds of the senators or 112 senators to impeach a member of any constitutionally sanctioned independent organisation.

In his complaint against Pakdee, Anudit alleged that Pakdee was a member of the board of directors of Thai Watana Pharmaceutical Dextrose when he was appointed to the NACC.

Anudit also accused Pakdee of having a conflict of interest when he took part in a graft probe against former public health minister Sudarat Keyuraphan because Pakdee used to be the permanent secretary for Public Health. Pakdee denied all the charges.

Political observers saw Pakdee's impeachment bid as Pheu Thai testing its strength in the upper chamber against senators who support independent organisations before the party moves to try to cripple the organisations.

However, the defeat would seem to show that the Pheu Thai still lacks sufficient support to move against the independent organisations.

-- The Nation 2012-03-09

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RT@BreakingNews: Indian test batsman Rahul Dravid announces his retirement from both international and domestic cricket - @AP

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Refiners told to build up oil stocks

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Energy Ministry has more measures in store if conflict breaks out in Middle East

Oil refiners in Thailand have been asked to increase inventories voluntarily, as the first among measures to be adopted in light of growing tensions in the Middle East.

Energy permanent secretary Norkun Sitthiphong said the ministry had several more measures in store, which could lead to a cut in consumption, a ban in crude- and refined-oil exports, and a relaxation in fuel standards. They would be implemented according to the tensions.

Hit by sanctions over its nuclear programme and amid the looming threat of a military strike, Iran has been threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. The closure could cut off access to 20 per cent of oil shipped around the world, which would send fuel prices skyrocketing. Economists and oil analysts foresee a barrel of crude soaring to US$200 (Bt6,000) or more if a military conflict erupts.

In 2011, Thailand's average daily crude-oil import exceeded 800,000 barrels. Thailand has sought voluntary cooperation from refiners in stocking up inventories of crude and refined oil, to protect itself against possible supply disruptions. Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon yesterday said refiners were capable of raising the inventory from 55 days of crude oil supply to 64 days.

Energy Business Department director-general Viraphol Jiraprad-itkul said that refiners were currently required to stock crude oil at 5 per cent of refining capacity, enough for 18 days of consumption. Excluding deadlock or dirty crude that needs extra refining, stocks ready for use would last only 12 days. But thanks to working reserves - or crude for refining - total crude-oil inventory would last about 23 days.

Meanwhile, refiners are required to stock refined oil for 19 days of consumption. This includes oil in transit, normally about 8.45 million barrels.

Viraphol noted that of the extra reserves for an additional nine days of consumption, refiners could build up working reserves of 1.4 million barrels, which is enough to cover two days of consumption. Meanwhile, some unused oil tanks would be cleaned and ready for 4.68 million barrels, to cover seven days of consumption.

Surong Bulakul, chief executive officer of Thai Oil, said the inventory build-up could be done immediately and refiners would prepare unused tanks and gradually fill them up. Thai Oil has also switched from spot purchases to long-term contracts.

"There is no specific time frame when inventory should be raised to cover 64 days of consumption. It depends on each refiner's capacity," he said. Higher oil prices are spiking the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). As Thailand has to import part of its LPG requirements at the global price for sale at a lower price, the Energy Policy Administrative Committee yesterday decided to raise the Oil Fund's three-year borrowing ceiling from Bt10 billion to Bt30 billion. This is to help cover the increasing subsidies of about Bt23 per kilo, Arak said.

LPG in February averaged $1,022 per tonne. As more vehicles are turning to LPG to save fuel costs, Thailand had to import more than 160,000 tonnes last month, above the 2011 monthly average of 120,000 tonnes. While the global LPG price is expected to rise further to $1,210 this month, the import volume is expected to hit 180,000-198,000 tonnes as the first and sixth gas-separation plants shut down for maintenance.

The committee yesterday also resolved to slap a higher levy on LPG users. From March 15 to April 15, for every kilo of LPG sold for transport use, the Oil Fund will receive Bt2.1027, up from Bt1.408 at present. The retail price will then rise by 75 satang per kilo to Bt20.38 or 41 satang per litre to Bt12.58. The Oil Fund subsidy for natural gas for vehicles will also be cut from Bt1 per kilo to 50 satang. This will push up the retail price of NGV by 50 satang per kilogram to Bt10.

-- The Nation 2012-03-09

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Female Thai Student Claims Lecturer Gives Attractive Students Better Grades

BANGKOK: -- The Sunandha Rajabhat University says it will only launch a sexual harassment probe against a Faculty of Education lecturer only when an official complaint has been submitted to the university. The dean says he'll do whatever it takes to protect the students.

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Three Hear Charges over Airport Protests

BANGKOK: -- Some yellow-shirt core elements meet with investigators today to hear the additional charge of violating the emergency rule during their airport protests.

Three supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, General Parnthep Phuwanartnurak, Air Chief Marshal Therdsak Sajjarak and Surapong Chaiyanam met with investigators to acknowledge the additional charge of violating the Emergency Decree in response to the group's sit-in protests at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.

This is on suggestion by the Office of the Attorney General's suggestion that investigators charge 46 PAD elements with the additional charge, apart from the alleged airport encroachment, of which 114 have been named suspects.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of the 30 remaining accused, Puangthip Bunsanong submitted a petition with investigators asking for the postponement of the meeting with the police to Monday, citing prior engagements.

Senior adviser to the National Police Office Police General Somyos Phumpanmuang, who oversees the investigation into the airport protest case against the PAD, said investigators agreed to put off their summons for the remaining suspects as petitioned.

Somyos said there are still five suspects who have not petitioned for a postponement yet so investigators will consult public prosecutors on Monday about how to take action over their absence.

He said investigators may issue a third summons or seek arrest warrants for them from the court.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-09

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Govt Claims Political Unrest Compensation Appropriate

BANGKOK: -- A deputy PM has stated that the government will be able to pay out compensation for political unrest victims in the next couple of weeks, while next week, the Cabinet will consider financial aid for businesses affected by the political violence.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit revealed that the government will start paying out compensation of a maximum of 7.75 million for all victims of political rally violence, starting from the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra protests in 2005 to the crackdown on the red-shirt movement in May 2010.

Yongyuth, who also chairs a coordination panel to follow up on the proposal from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand, went on to say that, of the 7.75 million baht, three million will be paid in cash as compensation for emotional trauma and the rest will be handed over either in the form of bonds or the Government Savings Bank's three-year deposit lottery.

Common-law spouses of victims are also eligible for the compensation if they could prove that they were living as husband and wife with the victims.

The deputy PM also expressed confidence that the consideration will be made fairly.

He added that the Cabinet meeting next week will consider financial aid for businesses affected by the political unrest and those who were injured in other politically-related violence.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-09

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Finn tourist killed in crash on Phuket's Big Buddha Hill

Phuket Gazette

Despite roadwork carried out following the devastating crash last year that killed six people, the road to Phuket's Big Buddha image remains dangerous for motorcyclists. Photo: Gazette file

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Assistant village head, defence volunteer killed by gunmen at Raman district checkpoint in Yala; killers take their guns /MCOT

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Earthquake hits off Vanuatu

WELLINGTON: -- A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the South Pacific island nation of Vaunatu Friday, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake hit at 6:10 pm (0710 GMT), 206 kilometres south-east of the capital Port Vila, the organisation said online.

No damage or injuries were reported, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not issue a Pacific tsunami warning.

The area is on the Pacific’s Ring of Fire, a join between tectonic plates where volcanic activity and earthquakes are relatively frequent.

-- The Nation 2012-03-09

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SET index closed at 1158.71, down 9.60; Bt/USD30.47; GBP48.05; AUD32.27; EUR40.19; CAD30.59; HKD3.92; SGD24.16; JPY37.07

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Police hunt suspects in Narathiwat military outpost attacks

NARATHIWAT, March 9 – Police on Friday are hunting two suspects believed to be linked to the attacks on two military outposts in Narathiwat’s Bacho district on Thursday night in which twelve soldiers were wounded.

Last night’s attacks are thought to have been carried out by Wae-alee Copter Waji, a leading suspected insurgent with a Bt1 million bounty and Maroso Chantharavadee, who has an outstanding arrest warrant in a security-related case as well as their supporters in Bacho and Saiburi districts, according to Capt Somkiat Phonprayoon, commander of Chulabhorn Naval Camp's Royal Thai Marine Task Force. The group is active in Bacho district.

Security personnel have been assigned to track the attackers.

In a related development, Pol Lt-Col Krachang Raknarong, chief of the provincial forensic science police unit, and his team inspected the scenes of the attacks and have collected evidence.

A megaphone, pliers and spent bullet cases collected at the scenes are being sent for DNA testing and fingerprint identification, aiming to compare with others on the police record, Col Krachang said.

The assaults on two military outposts took place in Narathiwat’s Bacho district on Thursday night and left 12 soldiers wounded, some criitically.

Assailants used M 79 grenade launchers and gunfire against the two outposts, setting fire to a building and damaging three motorcycles at the first outpost, while the other was only slightly damaged.

According to preliminary investigation, about 50 well-armed men divided into three groups attacked the two posts. The third group felled trees to block the roads and felled three electric poles to cut power at the targeted locations.

The soldiers exchanged gunfire with the suspected insurgents for about 20 minutes before the attackers retreated.

The 12 wounded military personnel are being treated in Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital in Narathiwat.

Four of them, including Petty Officer 2nd Class Phumpitak Kiew-ngern, Pvt Pramuan Boonsri, Pvt Narathorn Nittayasith and Pvt Sitthichai Dadsada, are in critical condition while eight others are in stable condition.

More than 5,000 local residents, security personnel, monks, teachers and insurgents have been killed since the renewed insurgency in Thailand’s mainly ethnic Malay Muslim far South erupted eight years ago. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-09

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Phuket Bus Terminal 2 to open 'after Songkran'

The new turning in front of Phuket Bus Terminal 2 in Rassada. The project in the foreground will be a car-care shop, joining many automotive shops already in the area.

A view of Phuket Bus Terminal 2, which was turned over to the PLTO in December, 2009.

PHUKET: -- The Administrative Court in Nakhon Sri Thammarat has thrown out a complaint against work on the new turning in front of Phuket Bus Terminal 2, which the Land Transport Office now hopes to have in operation shortly after the upcoming Songkran holiday.

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Jatuporn given 15 days to defend himself in Constitution Court

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court Friday gave Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Promphan to defend against allegation that he has lost his MP status.

Jatuporn was accused by the Election Commission of losing his status as a Pheu Thai Party member when he registered as a Pheu Thai candidate so he could not stand in an election.

-- The Nation 2012-03-09

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Thailand Live Saturday 10 Mar 2012