Thailand Live Saturday 10 Mar 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 10 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 Friday 9 Mar 2012

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Govt raps WSJ criticism of PM Yingluck's Thai-language speech

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the prime minister's personal spokesman yesterday defended her giving a speech in Thai during her visit to Japan, after an article in The Wall Street Journal criticised Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's decision not to address the audience in English.

Full story:

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High Level Of Toxins Found In Residents Of Northern Thailand

CHIANG MAI: -- High levels of a toxin contained in the harmful haze that is currently blanketing nine upper northern provinces have been found in the urine of people who live near areas where burning and forestfires are common.

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

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Action sought on Shinawatra family case

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party yesterday petitioned relevant state agencies asking them to expedite a criminal case relating to the securities law against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her relatives, involving alleged false certification of documents.

Full story:

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Thai govt's payout package to be reviewed by court

BANGKOK: -- Though the Administrative Court will not issue an injunction for the compensation of people affected by political disturbances between 2005 and 2010, it will launch a judicial review into the matter, Democrat MP Sathit Pitutecha said yesterday.

Full story:

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Bangkok's Grand Park Avenue Hotel did not have an 'adequate' sprinkler system: Fire

BANGKOK: -- In the wake of a recent deadly hotel fire, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will complete the inspection of all big buildings in the capital by yearend.

Full story:

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Emergency law extended by another 3 months

Piyanart Srivalo

Narong Nualsakul

The Nation

12 soldiers wounded in well-planned attack in Narathiwat

BANGKOK: -- In the wake of frequent insurgent attacks, the emergency decree will be extended for the 27th time in the deep South by another three months from March 20 to June 19.

Meanwhile, insurgents in Narathiwat launched raids on two security outposts, wounding 12 soldiers. These attacks were well planned, similar to a successful raid on an outpost in January 2011, which killed a captain and two other soldiers.

The Cabinet is scheduled to review the extension next Tuesday and is likely to approve it, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said yesterday.

One district in Pattani and four Yawi-speaking districts in Songkhla will also remain under a special security law.

"Although the number of incidents has dropped, the level of violence remains high," he explained.

After June 19, an evaluation of the military's success and the number of violent incidents will be used to determine if the security measures should be further extended or lifted in some areas, he said.

In the latest attacks in Narathiwat, the first was launched on a Marine base at around 12.30am on Thursday and the second nearby on a command post located in a waterworks office. The attackers used assault rifles and M-79 launchers in both attacks.

A relief force assigned to both outposts spent two hours clearing spikes and trees felled to block entrances. The force also wasted time trying to destroy two home-made bombs left tied to power poles. The insurgents had already destroyed the power poles and streetlights to darken the area between the two outposts.

Narathiwat's deputy police chief Pol Colonel Nanthadej Yoinual said the attacks were well planned and coordinated in a manner similar to the raid on January 19, 2011, on an outpost of Narathiwat Taskforce 38 - which saw four soldiers, including Captain Krit Khampheerayan, being killed and many assault rifles stolen.

There were no details about which outposts the 12 wounded soldiers belong to, though Yuthasak said the insurgents had attacked the first outpost because they wanted to steal the Marines' assault rifles.

Asked if such well-coordinated attacks had become frequent recently because the insurgents wanted the deep South to become a special administrative area, Yuthasak said it was possible though he did not know how long the process would take. He had ordered a study into it last week.

-- The Nation 2012-03-10

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Bank of Thailand seeks balance in capital flows

Listed companies to be freed from need for central bank approval for overseas investment

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand is drafting strategies to deal with capital flows, amid anticipated global volatility in light of economic imbalances.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

How many more victims must die on Thailand's public buses?

BANGKOK: -- Dangerous driving, poor training, badly maintained vehicles and few safety checks; it's time for a complete overhaul of the road transport system

Full story:

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Senator disqualified over break

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) agreed unanimously yesterday to disqualify senator Sak Korsaengruang on the basis that he had failed to observe the five-year break in between political appointments.

The EC ruling is subject to a review from the Supreme Court's Elections Division.

Meanwhile, EC chairman Suchart Sukhagganond chose to abstain from voting, citing a conflict of interest. Suchart was a member of the selection committee that nominated Sak for the senatorial seat.

Should the high court endorse the ruling, the EC will launch criminal proceedings against Sak and his professional affiliation Law Society of Thailand for filing false information on qualifications.

Activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, who said Sak was nominated on March 6, 2011, initiated the legal proceedings. Sak's previous senatorial term was completed on March 21, 2006, which means he failed to meet the mandatory five-year break required by a few days before accepting the new appointment.

-- The Nation 2012-03-10

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K1 boxing champ Buakhao goes missing in Thailand

Buakhao Por Pramuk. File photo, source wikimedia

CHAOCHEONGSAO: -- Buakhao Por Pramuk, the renowned K1 boxing champ, has been missing from his home and training camp in Chaocheongsao province since early this month, forcing his manager to cancel his exhibition fights in France and United Kingdom.

Full story:

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Suicide suspected in hospital director's death

The Nation

ANG THONG: -- The director of Ang Thong hospital yesterday died of a seeming selfinflicted gunshot wound to the head, just three days after being promoted to the post.

Police have not yet ruled the incident was a suicide. Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Phaijit Warachit said Dr Suwat Ngarmphoophant did not have any problems with his staff, or during his previous work at the hospital at a gynaecologist.

Pol Colonel Trairong Phewphan said a crime scene investigation and forensic examination were not complete, but he was personally 80percent sure that Suwat shot himself.

Suwat was promoted to hospital director three days prior to the shooting, and a party had been planned for today(March 10) to celebrate his appointment.

Phaijit said the incident had nothing to do with a ministry investigation into the illegal trade of pseudoephedrine taken from government hospitals' inventories. The cold medicine pseudoephidrine is also used in methamphetamine production.

-- The Nation 2012-03-10

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Agency: 2 suspects in Phuket land case

The Nation

BANGKOK: - A former deputy governor of Phuket and a daughter of a former permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry have illegally acquired land plots in a forest reserve in the province, the Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission (PACC) said yesterday.

Between them, the two unnamed persons now own three land plots totalling 45 rai in areas adjacent to the Kamala mountain range. Another 260 rai in 18 plots were to be given to them at a future date under various documents, PACC directorgeneral Dussadee Arayawuth told a Phuket press conference.

Land encroachment and illegal land acquisition in Phuket have been widespread and often assisted by corrupt land and forestry officials, he said. The 2004 tsunami caused high demand for land on mountainside areas for use as tourist resorts, he explained.

The land law forbids the full transfer of ownership of land on an island, and another law requires occupants of such land to engage in farming. Both legal conditions were violated in this case, Dussadee said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-10

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PM assigns PM's Office Minister Nalinee to host her weekly talkshow and clarify women's development fund /TANN

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Olympic boxing medalist Manas Boonchamnong announces his retirement stating he can't handle pressure /TANN

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Phuket Heroines honored at 'Battle of Thalang' re-enactment

Performers re-enact the Battle of Thalang at the festival last year. This year the 'must see' performance will be played on stage each night from on March 13-15. Photo: Gazette file

Full story:

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Bus carrying foreign tourists from Chiang Mai bound for Khao San Rd hit toll booth on Asia Highway, 1 dead, 28 injured /TANN

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RT @Aim_NT: The Yellow Shirts' meeting at Lumpini Sthan will start at 10am today to discuss movement direction and charter amendment. Via @Jeepvoicetv

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Thunderstorms forecast for North, Northeast, Central and East

BANGKOK, 10 March 2012 (NNT) – The Meteorological Department has forecast a high pressure area from South China to cover Northeastern Thailand and the South China Sea.

The effect of the high pressure area is likely to bring about hot weather in the upper part of the country, which would lead to thunderstorms in the North, Northeast, East and the central region including Bangkok between March 9 and 11. Hailstorms are also likely in some areas.

Meanwhile, an easterly wave has reached the South and the Gulf of Thailand. Heavy rains are expected in some areas during these few days.

-- NNT 2012-03-10

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Oil exploration begins at Taweewattana District

BANGKOK, 10 March 2012 (NNT) - Oil drilling at Taweewattana District has now begun following the confirmation of environmental safety by the Mineral Fuels Department.

According to the concessionaire, Mitra Energy Limited, the company needs to drill a hole of 16 inches in width and 2.5 kilometers in depth to see whether the area contains fuel as speculated. The process may take about 20 days.

Mitra Energy Limited will have to give the land back to the Mineral Fuels Department if no petroleum is found. The concessionaire has admitted that the chance of energy discovery may be less than 10 percent. However, if oil is found, the company will still need to complete a series of procedure before it is allowed to commercialize the energy.

The company will also have to discuss the issue with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) which is in charge of Taweewattana District. It has ruled out the possibility of building an oil refinery in the area, citing legal conditions. However, it might transfer the petroleum to existing refineries elsewhere. Environmental Impact Assessment must be conducted in this case.

Meanwhile, the Mineral Fuels Department Director-General Songpob Polchan has confirmed that the oil drilling has posed no environmental impact so far, adding that the locals have already been briefed on the project.

-- NNT 2012-03-10

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Northern haze costs Thai tourism more than THB50bil in revenue loss

BANGKOK, 10 March 2012 (NNT) – The haze crisis in Thailand's North has cost the tourism industry tens of billions of baht in lost revenue, according to the Thai Tourism Authority.

Accrding to Mr. Suphakit Polachan, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s northern office, the haze crisis that has hit 8 provinces in the North for many weeks have taken its toll on the travel industry.

He stated that the unresolved air pollution has led more than 10 percent of travelers, both local and foreign, to cancel their bookings. As a result, around THB50 billion of expected tourism revenue has been lost.

Mr. Suphakit is worried that unless the crisis is resolved before the beginning of April, when holiday-makers are expected to visit the region to enjoy the annual Songkran festival, more damage will be done to the travel business.

The TAT's northern office director went on to say that a number of travel agencies have cancelled their organized trip schedules to Chiang Rai, the move that is hitting local hotels and accommodations considerably.

-- NNT 2012-03-10

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Thai Army prompted for advent of ASEAN Community

BANGKOK, 10 March 2012 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Army is prompting itself for the realization of the ASEAN Community in 2015.

The Royal Thai Army's Deputy Spokesperson, Colonel Sirichan Ngathong, said on Friday that during the meeting of senior army chiefs, Commander-in-Chief, General Prayut Chan-o-cha urged all attending military personnel to put an emphasis on helping Thailand ready to join the ASEAN Community, scheduled to materialize in 2015.

General Prayut also asked all army unit chiefs at the meeting to prepare their personnel in such a way that will enable the Royal Thai Army to cope with any change that may occur in the next 3 years.

In doing so, the Commander-in-Chief stressed that all units under the Royal Thai Amy are to commence a study on ASEAN Community and look at the actions needed to be implemented, including education, languages and the improvement of military works to be in line with international practices, particularly in the areas that are related to Thailand's security and stability.

-- NNT 2012-03-10

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Rural Roads Dept to speed up flood dike improvement

BANGKOK, 10 March 2012 (NNT) – The Department of Rural Roads is to speed up the improvement of flood dikes, as instructed by the Cabinet.

Department of Rural Roads Director-General Chartchai Tipsunave said that Deputy Minister of Transport Chadchart Sittipunt has instructed the department to speed up the improvement plan for flood dikes on both the eastern and the western sides of Chao Phraya River.

The improvement work was approved by the Cabinet during its meeting on March 6th, in its bid to protect the country's key economic area from falling prey to future flooding.

Mr. Chartchai said that the department has been assigned to build a new flood barrier along the King Dike, which is 11.50 kilometers long and costs around THB230 million to complete, and another barrier along the Rapeepat Canal that is 42.50 kilometers long and set to cost another THB850 million to build.

There are 7 other dikes it has to work on, with the combined length of around 150 kilometers and an estimated budget of more than THB3.6 billion to complete.

He went on to elaborate that, under the improvement plan, existing earthen dikes will be reinforced and new concrete barriers will be built.

In addition, an urgent construction project is schduled to be completed within 6 months in order to cope with possible flooding that may occur with the early arrival of the rainy season.

The Department of Rural Roads Director-General has affirmed that all the works will take into consideration the impact on the communities residing along related barriers while maximizing the benefits of the project for the general public.

-- NNT 2012-03-10

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HM the King asked new judges to sacrifice for Thais and Thailand

BANGKOK, 10 March 2012 (NNT) - His Majesty the King has asked newly-appointed judges to stay true to their oaths and perform their duties for the people of Thailand and the nation.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on Friday, granted a royal audience to a group of newly-appointed judges at Siriraj Hospital.

Supreme Court President Phairoj Wayuparp led all new judges to take the oath before Thailand's revered King Bhumibol.

After the oath-taking, His Majesty asked all the judges to perform their works with dignity both inside and outside the courtroom.

His Majesty has stressed that any individual who has responsibilities in the court is a person of utmost importance for the country as the public always expects nothing less than justice from the judges. He has also reminded all newly-appointed judges to work with honesty in order that the public will always be able to count on them.

Moreover, the judges have been asked to keep their promises in the oath to help maintain peace in Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-03-10

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PAD "Yellow Shirt" movement gather at Lumpini Park expressing opposition to amendments to Constitution, Criminal Code Section 112 /MCOT

PM travels to Kalasin, presides over "International Phu Thai," visits royally initiated Lampayang Diversion Tunnel Project /MCOT

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Narathiwat former village head assistant shot dead by presumed insurgents in pick up truck while he was buying rubber sheets from neighbours /MCOT

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Russian man receiving treatment for smoke inhalation and lack of oxygen due to hotel blaze at Kluaynamthai Hospital ICU has passed away /TANN

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Yala Governor orders reinforcement at military base after attack

YALA, March 10 - Yala Governor Decharat Simsiri on Saturday ordered defensive reinforcements at Raman district's defense volunteer base after presumed insurgents attacked the base Friday night, killing two defense volunteers and robbing seven guns from the camp.

The governor and Raman district chief officer Somkiat Srisanet visited the site after the violent attack. Mr Decharat expressed his condolences and gave moral support to volunteers.

Forces should be more focused during weekly Muslim prayer sessions on Fridays when there are usually less people at the base, he noted, while adding security agencies had been asked for cooperating, informing local patrol units in advance and clearly displaying badges of their departments for safety reasons.

According to footage from a close-circuited camera, gunmen dressed in police uniforms with bulletproof vests came to the base for the attack and robbery in three pickup trucks with wording on the side of the vehicles indicating they belonged to a local police station.

The governor said he has told the local forces to be more alert and step up security measures to protect their bases because insurgents were likely to take the opportunity to attack when security measures were lax, particularly when there were fewer soldiers on base during Friday praying time.

Meanwhile, in nearby Narathiwat province, a former assistant village head was shot dead at Yi-ngo district by presumed insurgents in a pickup truck while buying rubber sheets from neighbours.

Asha Ta-ye, 29, was severely wounded before passing away.

An initial investigation reported that one of the gunmen shot the victim twice with a shotgun. Mr Asha's friends escaped into rubber plantations.

Local authorities believed the incident was one of the daily situations created by local presumed insurgents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-10

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Pattani local politician shot dead by assailants dress like govt officials in black sedan, M-16 assault rifle & 9mm pistol are stolen /MCOT