Thailand Live Monday 12 Mar 2012

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PM states her brother Thaksin won't be returning to Thailand this year; she adds she's worried about high goods' prices /TANN

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Thai woman arrested allegedly smuggling cocaine across border from Cambodia

SA KAEW: -- A Thai woman was arrested a border checkpoint here while she was allegedly smuggling in 950 grams of cocaine Monday morning.

Rungruang Pimwongsa, 27, a resident of Prachuap Khiri Khan, was arrested at the Aranyaprathet checkpoint at 9 am when she crossed the border from Cambodia's Poi Pet.

Rangers manning the checkpoint found 950 grams of cocaine divided into small bags tied around her chest and waist. The drug was concealed under her jacket.

The woman told investigators that she bought the drug from Brazil and flew from Brazil to Phnom Penh before trying to cross the border the checkpoint.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12

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Kbank to upgrade ATMs nationwide on MAR 17-18, machines will become unusable during 9.30PM-5AM. Mobile banking also affected. /TANN

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Pickup Truck Crashes Into Mae Klong River

RATCHABURI: -- A pickup truck crashed into a bridge post before falling into the Mae Klong River. The driver was found dead at the scene.

Rescue divers from the Pathom Borom Rajanusorn Foundation in Ratchaburi Province, along with the Muang Ratchaburi municipality boat rescue team, retrieved a pickup truck from the Mae Klong River under the Chulalongkorn railroad track.

It took about 2 hours to find the pickup truck.

The 26 year-old driver, Sarunya Kedkeaw, was trapped in the drivers seat. The authorities also found her college student identification card from the Sukothai Thammathirat University.

According to the initial police investigation, the victim was driving her car from the Big C Department Store towards downtown during a heavy rainfall. The pickup truck slipped and crashed into the bridge post, falling off the bridge into the river below.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-12

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Disaster Warning Council Chief Dismisses Rumor that Dry Season will Reach 46 Degrees Celsius

BANGKOK: -- The Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council chairman advised the public to store water for use during the dry season. He believes the temperature in Thailand will not be as high as 46 degrees celsius.

Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council chairman Smith Thammasaroj forecasted that Thailand will continue to experience tropical storm conditions with winds gusting between 30 to 40 kilometers per hour at times for at least one week.

Smith noted that after the tropical storm ends, the country will enter the dry season with the temperature increasing until May, especially in the North and Northeast.

As for the rumor that the temperature in Thailand will reach as high as 46 degrees celsius during the dry season, Smith said he believes that it's impossible but if so, it will cause a large number of people to die.

He also advised the public to store water for use in the upcoming dry season while expressing confidence that the government will not discharge the total volume of water from dams to prepare for the upcoming rainy season.

Smith declined to comment on the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management's work, saying the prime minister will call a meeting with the committee today and a more concrete plan is expected to come out.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-12

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Chachoengsao people block road to protest against new power plant

CHACHOENGSAO: -- Some 500 protesters from five tambon staged a road blockade here Monday morning to oppose construction of a new power plant.

The villagers set up tents to block both outbound and inbound Suwinthawong Road the Kilometer Marker 72, causing several kilometres long of traffic congestion.

Traffic police tried in vain to ask the protesters to clear the road. Motorists were directed to use alternative roads.

The protesters came from Tambon Wang Takhian, Tambon Bangtoey, Tambon Klong Nakhon Nuangkhet, Tambon Bang Krahai, and Tambon Thakhai of Mueng district.

They protested against the construction of a 110-megawatts power plant of Chachoengsao Co-Generation in Tambon Nakhon Nuangkhet.

The protesters said the new power plant would affect the environment of local areas and no environment impact assessment has been carried out for the project.

Chachoengsao assistant governor Siwaroj Mungmaiphol tried in vain to ask the protesters to clear the road. The villagers vowed to stay put until the provincial administration or the central government promised that the project would be scrapped.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12

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SET closed up by 1.38 points at 1,160.09 with value of Bt11.87 bn during midday break /TANN

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Immigration Police Get Tough on Alien Beggars and Pickpockets at Weekend Market

BANGKOK: -- The Immigration Police have launched a crackdown on immigrant beggars and pickpockets who pray on distracted shoppers at a famous weekend open-air market. Thirteen suspects have been arrested, blacklisted and to be expatriated back to their home countries.

The Immigration Police raided the Jatujak (JJ) Weekend Market on Saturday. The police are getting tough on alien nationals who pose as beggars and pickpockets who pray on both Thai and international visitors at the weekend market.

According to the State Railway of Thailand, operator of the popular weekend market, there are more than one gangs of pickpockets and beggars who are operating out of the market.

The police have arrested 13 foreign nationals so far. They have been put on the immigration blacklist and will soon be expatriated back to their home countries. More raids are expected to ensure that shoppers are not bothered by these gangs in the future.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-12

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SRT confident Hopewell ruins to be cleared by Tuesday

BANGKOK, 12 March 2012 (NNT) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is confident that the authorities will be able to clear the collapsed section of the Hopewell project by Tuesday, while engineers are testing the unfinished project structural strength for its possible use in an electric train project now in the pipeline.

According to SRT Governor Yutthana Thapcharoen, after the collapsed section has been removed, engineers will inspect the integrity of the unused structure in order for it to be used as pillars for the red-line electric train project.

Mr Yutthana said the SRT has asked the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) to inspect and run safety tests over other pillars, to see if the they are stable enough for the planned Bang Sue-Rangsit electric train.

An engineer from the AIT has confirmed that the Hopewell concrete structure reaches the standard from the initial testing. Currently, the AIT has taken a sample of the concrete for a lab test for in-depth analysis. The result is expected in a week.

-- NNT 2012-03-12

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Yingluck rules out Thaksin returning to Thailand soon

BANGKOK:-- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Monday denied that the new charter would be drafted in a way that would allow her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to return to Thailand soon.

"No, he won't come back," Yingluck replied when reporters asked her if a new round of conflicts would flare up if Thaksin returns to the country.

Yingluck insisted that the on-going charter amendment would not aim at helping anyone in particular.

She said the amendments would seek to set up a new constitution drafting assembly and critics were worried too much.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12

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FTI eyes pay raise for skilled workers

BANGKOK, 12 March 2012 (NNT) – Industrial factories are planning to adjust the base salary of foremen, skilled workers and long-time workers by 15-20% to prevent possible conflicts stemming from the implementation of the government’s minimum wage hike policy.

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Vice Chairman Thanit Sorat has revealed that the industrial sector is currently considering a 15-20% pay raise for foremen, skilled workers and long-time workers in order to create a gap between the remuneration of this group of workers and that of low-level workers ahead of the nationwide 40% minimum wage hike and the pilot daily wage campaign of 300 baht in 7 provinces, due to start on April 1.

Mr. Thanit explained that without the planned salary adjustment, low-level workers in some factories could be paid nearly or as much as foremen and skilled workers, which could easily lead to a conflict within the factories. Additionally, skilled labour might feel obliged to quit and move to work in other high-paying factories. This group of workers accounts for 10-20% of the total industrial workforce, which now stands at 5.5 million.

With the implementation of the minimum wage hike policy, entrepreneurs will have to pay an additional 60 billion baht each year to their employees. This might also cause production cost and goods price to soar by 3-6%.

-- NNT 2012-03-12

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Two troops injured in Pattani explosion

Pattani - Two troops were severely injured when Muslim insurgents detonated a homemade bomb hidden inside a motorcycle to ambush a patrol unit in Pattani Monday morning.

The explosion occurred at 9 am on the Johkueyae - Sai Buri Road in Johkueyae village in Tambon Tabing in Sai Buri district.

Pvt Mayaki Yusoh, 25, and Pvt Thirapong Assaro, 22, from Pattani Taskforce 26, were severely injured with bomb shrapnel that hit their face and body. They were rushed to the district hospital.

-- The Nation 2012-03-23

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Farmers nationwide to begin using credit cards on 1 April

BANGKOK, 12 March 2012 (NNT) – Starting on April 1, farmers across Thailand will be able to start using credit cards to purchase production materials.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5127937

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Flood relief coupons for home appliances unpopular

BANGKOK, 12 March 2012 (NNT) - The government’s flood relief coupons distributed to flood victims for the purchase of energy-saving electrical appliances has been found to be unpopular, given less than 10 percent of the coupons have been used so far.

The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) initially expected that the discount coupons for number-5 label or energy-saving electrical appliances would help flood victims to buy new appliances at lower prices.

Nearly 900,000 coupons, worth two billion baht altogether in terms of value, have been distributed under the project, with the expectation that up to 1 billion baht's worth of them will be used. However, only 100-million baht's worth of coupons has so far been submitted to the government for redemption by participating shops. The coupon will expire at the end of March.

The shops participating in the scheme are allowed to submit documents for redemption until the end of May.

-- NNT 2012-03-12

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Fire-hit Grand Park Avenue Hotel ruled illegally modified. /MCOT

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Energy for Environment Center urges Thailand to brace for drought and flood

BANGKOK, 12 March 2012 (NNT) - The Energy for Environment Center has expressed concerns that Thailand will likely face a higher risk of drought than inundation this year.

Energy for Environment Director Seri Supharathit has pointed out that this year Thailand stands a greater chance of facing a drought crisis rather then a flood crisis like it did in the past year due to the small amount of rain predicted for 2012. However, measures to deal with a possible flood crisis must still be intact, especially in industrial areas and residential communities. He has also suggested that the country's transportation system should have both prevention and management plans to cope with the natural disaster.

Mr. Seri added that the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) must promptly establish a plan to manage the nation's main dams, restore and improve construction efficiency, develop a better warning system and database, and clearly specify a catchment area. Additionally, he commented that the public must be informed of the committee's progress every step of the way.

-- NNT 2012-03-12

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NRLC proposes establishment of panel to screen lese-majesty cases

BANGKOK:--The Independent National Rule of Law Commission (NRLC) has proposed that the Royal Thai Police set up a special panel to screen lese-majesty cases to prevent abusing of the lese-majesty law as a political tool.

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said the NRLC reported the proposal to the government during a meeting held following three-month study by the commission. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

Pracha said the NRLC proposed that the Royal Thai Police should set up a committee of academics and representative of government agencies to screen cases of violations of Article 112 of the Criminal Code.

The NRLC saw that that the screening by the panel would prevent the abusing of the Article 112 as a political tool.

The NRLC also proposed that government agencies concerned should find a way to allow suspects in lese-majesty cases to be freed temporarily pending court trials.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12

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POLITICS

Yingluck rules out Thaksin returning to Thailand soon

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Monday denied that the new charter would be drafted in a way that would allow her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to return to Thailand soon.

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Sanan Kajornprasart, former Deputy PM, announces decision to quit politics at end of current term as Chartthaipattana Party MP /MCOT

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More PAD Members Report to Police

BANGKOK: -- Additional members of the People's Alliance for Democracy have acknowledged their criminal charges for their roles in the occupation of both of Bangkok's main airports back in 2008.

Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities have threatened to issue arrest warrants for those who fail to report themselves.

Spokesperson for The People's Alliance for Democracy, Panthep Puapongpan, Saranyu Wongkrajang, Therdpoom Jaidee and a number of other group members have acknowledged the criminal charges against them for their role in the occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports during a protest back in 2008.

The prosecutors' office recently filed charges against 46 out of 114 suspects currently being indicted.

Special Adviser to the Police Chief Police General Somyot Pumpanmuang, who is heading the investigation team, said that more suspects will be summoned to acknowledge their charges on March 17. He expects that about 30 suspects will report themselves to the authorities.

The remaining suspects, including former Foreign Minister Kasit Piromy, have yet to ask to postpone their meeting with the police. If those summoned fail to show up, the police will ask the court to issue warrants for their arrest.

The PAD spokesperson claimed that the group has been contacted by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer, asking the yellow-shirt members to turn themselves in, in order to expedite the political amnesty process. He said the group has turned down the proposal.

Panthep insisted that the PAD will not yield to any attempt to absolve Thakin and his cronies of their crimes. He added that they will not be discouraged by the outstanding criminal charges and asked Thaksin and the red-shirt group to respect the judicial system.

The PAD suspects face many charges, ranging from unlawful assembly, assault, coercion, public disturbance, violating the Emergency Decree, resisting arrest, damaging airport properties to disrupting air traffic.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-12

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Students holidaying in Phuket survive Phang Nga crash

Phuket Gazette

LUCKY BREAK: All five med students are due to be released from hospital today. Photo: Warisa Temram

PHUKET: -- Five medical students on holiday in Phuket escaped with minor injuries when the car they were traveling in struck a tree in Phang Nga yesterday.

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Briton arrested in 500.000 Baht drug bust in Pattaya

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BMA Alleges Bangkok's Grand Park Avenue Illegally Modified

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has found the Grand Park Avenue Hotel, which had been ravaged by fire killing two tourists and injured some 20 others on the night of March 8, to illegally modify the building.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....gally-modified/

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SET index closed at 1150.18, down 8.53; Bt/USD30.49; GBP47.64; AUD31.99; EUR39.80; CAD30.57; HKD3.92; SGD24.08; JPY36.89

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Supreme Court upholds 25-year term against Kamnan Poh

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court Monday upheld the 25year jail term to Somchai "Kamnan Poh" Khunploem, 73, and former member of the Chon Buri's Saensuk Municipality Council Passakorn Homhuan, 44, for masterminding the murder of Tambon Tha Samet Kamnan Prayoon Sitthichoke at a wedding party on March 9, 2003.

Since the two defendants failed to show up at the Monday verdict reading, the Supreme Court read the verdict in their absence and issued arrest warrants for them.

On June 21, 2004, the Criminal Court sentenced the two men to 25 years each in jail after finding them guilty of hiring gunmen for Bt3 million to kill Prayoon. The Criminal Court ordered Somchai to serve the murder case’s jail term, after completion of the fiveyearandfourmonth jail term given to him in another ruling for the corruption over a purchase of public land in Tambon Khao Mai Kaew to build a garbage landfill. The duo then appealed for the lawsuit dismissal claiming they were innocent and had no previous dispute with Prayoon. The Appeal Court on Oct 12, 2006 upheld the Criminal Court’s verdict, prompting the duo to appeal to the Supreme Court.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12

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Opposition Leader Welcomes Ruling on Red-shirt Deaths

BANGKOK: -- The Opposition leader has expressed confidence in the judicial system regarding the court's ruling in the case of 16 red-shirt deaths. Meanwhile, a senator suspects that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is orchestrating the government's disbursement of the financial compensation to those who were affected in the recent political violence.

Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is also the Democrat Party leader, commented on the court's ruling in the case of 16 red-shirt deaths, expressing his confidence in the judicial system.

He said that it has also been determined that security officials were among the victims of the red-shirt unrest in 2010.

Abhisit believes that both the protesters and security force members should be given fair treatment.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, Tongthong Chantarang, who is also the head of the subcommittee on legal and other rehabilitation, reported that so far 862 people have filed claims to receive financial compensation for the recent political violence. People who were maimed could be granted financial compensation immediately.

However, authorities will begin their investigation into the death claims after April 12, as officials must first ascertain that the claimants are truly related to the deceased.

As for the Democrat MPs' request to the Administrative Court that the disbursement of the compensation packages be delayed, Tongthong said that the issue will be handled by the prosecutors' office. Unless the court rules otherwise, the government will distribute the money as originally planned.

Meanwhile, Appointed Senator Somchai Sawangkarn has inquired with the government about which laws it used as the basis for the financial compensation scheme. Somchai pointed out that the Cabinet's approval alone is not enough.

He claimed that the disbursement process is being rushed, especially after Thaksin made promises to his supporters through a video conference speech.

He also asked the government to provide an update on what progress is being made concerning rehabilitation efforts in the southernmost region of the country, asking whether those who have suffered in the violence there are also eligible to receive financial compensation.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-12

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Pheu Thai to file party-dissolution complaint against Democrat Thursday

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party will file a complaint with the Election Commission Thursday, seeking its dissolution on allegations that it was against the democratic ruling system.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the Pheu Thai would submit evidence to the EC to back up the allegations that the Democrat had violated Article 94 of the Political Parties Act.

The evidences include billboards that the Democrat set up to attack the Pheu Thai, audio records of some Democrats' attacking the Pheu Thai and the Hat Yai declaration that the Democrat has announced, Prompong said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12

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Illegal Beauty Clinic Shut Down by Police

NONTHABURI: -- The police raided and shut down an illegal beauty clinic at Supalai building in Nonthaburi Province. The clinic relies mostly on the internet to market its services, claiming to provide treatments with immediate results at affordable prices.

In an undercover sting operation, the police sent in an agent to pose as a potential client at the clinic. The agent pretended she wanted a Botox and a Vitamin C treatment. Each injection of the Vitamin C concentrate at the clinic cost 1,000 baht. Once the clinic agreed to perform the treatment, the police went in and shut down their operation. From the police's preliminary reports, the materials used at the clinic are found to be sub-standard and illegally imported into the country. These items include the infamous Glutathione substance. The substance is extremely popular in Thailand despite its potentially harmful side effects. It's often used at beauty clinics to lighten skin tone and produce the preferred 'porcelain' doll looks among Thai women.

Wiriyaporn Heetmuen, 33 years old, confessed to the police that she used to work as a nurse at an unnamed hospital. With some nursing experience, she turned her own apartment unit into a beauty clinic. Wiriyaporn admitted she bought her supplies from a friend who lives in the Sukhumvit area. The suspect claimed she's unaware the products and materials she bought and used on her customers are sub-standard or were illegally imported into the country.

Wiriyaporn has been arrested and charged with illegally operation a medical institute without a license nor official qualification.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-12

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Samui Island to be developed as low carbon society

BANGKOK, March 12 - The Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) has selected Thailand’s Samui Island as its first island to pioneer modelling a low carbon lifestyle to reduce the use of fossil fuel and boost efficient energy use, said Weerawat Chantanakome, energy policy planning councillor for the Ministry of Energy.

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Local land plots held by foreigners have risen to a total of 39.5 mn acres (100 mn rai),according to Land Dept /The Nation