Thailand Live Tuesday 13 Mar 2012

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Thailand Live Tuesday 13 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 Monday 12 Mar 2012

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Crackdown On Land Owned By Foreign Residents

Full story:

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Briton Arrested In 500.000 Baht Drug Bust In Pattaya

Full story:

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Bt100m for Thai teachers to brush up English skills abroad

BANGKOK: -- A Bt100-million budget has been set aside for about 1,100 teachers to take part in English language training in English-speaking countries during the upcoming summer vacation.

Full story:

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Committee rejects Agriculture Ministry plan for larger flood catchment, diversion zone

BANGKOK: -- Committee rejects Agriculture Ministry plan for larger catchment, diversion zone

Full story:

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Thailand's laws do not uphold human rights

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's laws do not uphold human rights, and fail to bridge the country's socio-economic and political divides, according to participants in a symposium organised by the government's Legal Reform Committee.

Full story:

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US, Chinese delegations vow to hike investment in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Leading American and Chinese investors told Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday they will increase their investment here, and urged the Thai government to eliminate trade barriers to promote more spending in the country.

Full story:

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US$40 billion needed yearly in Asia to to neutralise impacts of climate change

BANGKOK: -- Countries in the Asia Pacific will require an investment of about US$40 billion (Bt1.226 trillion) annually till 2050 - a period of nearly four decades - to neutralise the impacts of climate change. And that is many times the amount of available funds, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said.

Full story:

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Three rehearsals for HRH Princess Bejaratana's funeral scheduled

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three rehearsals of the April 9 funeral service for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana have been scheduled for later this month.

Two minor rehearsals are set for March 18 and March 25, before a grand rehearsal on March 31, it was announced after yesterday's meeting at Government House of a funeral-organising committee chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

A meeting on March 24 will be attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the chief adviser to the panel, at the suggestion of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is the executive chair of the panel.

As Yingluck is scheduled to visit South Korea on March 24, the princess has granted permission for Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to chair the meeting on that day.

Construction of the main pavilion and crematorium, and other preparations are 90-per-cent complete, officials told Yingluck and Cabinet members who visited the site at Sanam Luang yesterday. The entourage also visited the nearby National Museum to inspect the main chariot and a motorcade to be used in the funeral.

The main pavilion, crematorium and other buildings will be open for the public to visit on April 11-17. A permanent exhibition in honour of the late princess will be installed at Nakhon Pathom's Sanam Chandra Palace, which was built by King Rama VI. Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, who passed away on July 27 last year at the age of 85, was the only child of King Rama VI.

Paper flowers, known as Dokmai Chandra, for mourners to use in paying their last respects to the late princess, will be accepted at five pavilions - three on the grounds of Sanam Luang, one on the sidewalk opposite, and one at Chang Pier. The flowers will be accepted at 46 temples in Bangkok and possibly at temples across the country, with one temple being designated in each district. The names of the temples would be announced later.

Traditional performances will be held from 7pm on April 9 until dawn the following day at three locations: a Ramayana play and grand shadow play will be performed on a stage on the Pra Pin Klao Bridge side of Sanam Luang; a puppet show and a play will be performed on a stage on the Supreme Court side; and, on a stage on the Thammasat University side, performances will be held by the Public Relations Department's band, a Chulalongkorn University Band, and a choir from the Santirat Institute of Business Administration under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana.

The late princess' ashes will be collected on the morning after the April 9 cremation and escorted to Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall. On April 12, a ceremony will be held to mark the ashes' permanent placement in the Throne Hall.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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Phuket lifeguards vow to 'not let tourists down'

Phuket Gazette

A Phuket lifeguard watches over swimmers at Nai Harn Beach, a popular beach for tourists. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- A re-run of last year’s beach safety scare has emerged following the Phuket Lifeguard Club warning that their contract will terminate on April 2, and that they have not received any official notification of what is to happen next.

Full story:

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Chalerm: Push to bring Thaksin back is my idea

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister and foreign minister appeared to distance themselves yesterday from Deputy Premier Chalerm Yoobamrung's declared attempt to bring fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra back to Thailand as a free man.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ack-is-my-idea/

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Pheu Thai wants Democrats dissolved

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party will on Thursday petition the Election Commission, seeking dissolution of the Democrat Party in connection with the opposition's claim that Pheu Thai is seeking constitutional amendment to benefit its de-facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Full story:

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Veera ill in Cambodian jail, says senator

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn said in the Senate yesterday he had learned that the Thai Patriots Network's Veera Somkwamkid is seriously ill in a Cambodian prison with jaundice and legs so swollen he cannot walk.

Veera’s relatives had taken doctors from Bangkok Hospital in Phnom Penh to treat him at high cost, Somchai said.

He asked how the government could help Veera, who is coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, adding that the father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was currently having cancer treatment in Thailand.

"The Thai government should ask the Cambodians to take care of him as a Thai citizen, not as their government’s enemy," Somchai said.

Veera and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon are detained in Cambodia’s Prey Sar Prison. They were sentenced to eight and six years in jail respectively for spying.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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Sanan says he'll retire before next election

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart announced on Monday he would retire from politics before the next general election.

Sanan said he had decided to retire after working in politics for over 30 years.

He said the current political situation was deeply divided and much different from politics in the past. Sanan said he had become old and needed more time for himself - so he had decided to retire.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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Kamnan Poh jail term confirmed

The Nation

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

Since the two defendants failed to show up for the reading of the verdict yesterday, the Supreme Court read its ruling 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 jail term, after completing a five-year-and-four-month sentence given to him in another ruling for corruption in the purchase of public land in Tambon Khao Mai Kaew to build a garbage landfill.

The pair appealed for the case to be dismissed, claiming they were innocent and had no previous dispute with Prayoon. The Appeal Court on October 12, 2006 upheld the Criminal Court verdict, prompting the pair to appeal to the Supreme Court.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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First court hearings into riot deaths

Kesinee Taengkhieo

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A hearing into the death of red-shirt taxi driver Channarong Polsrila, 45, fatally shot during the May 2010 riots, will begin on June 18.

His will be the first of 16 deaths allegedly at the hand of state officials to be reviewed by the courts in coming months. Altogether 92 people, both civilians and soldiers, died during the unrest.

The Criminal Court yesterday approved the public prosecutor's plan for court interviews from June 18 to July 30 of 41 witnesses in seven sessions related to the shooting of Channarong in Soi Rang Nam on May 15, 2010.

The court also permitted Channarong's wife Suriyan and daughter Nipada to be co-plaintiffs, authorised to interview witnesses and to bring another 15 witnesses to testify before the hearing.

Public Prosecutor Wareunee Manyawut yesterday said four people scheduled to testify on June 18 included Suriyan and German photographer Nick Nostitz.

Suriyan said she still couldn't forget what happened to her husband whom she thought suffered a great deal before dying. She said it was so painful a memory that she still couldn't go to the Rang Nam area these days. She said life after her husband's death was difficult, as she was the breadwinner.

Nipada said the investigation into her dad's death was slow but she was confident of getting justice. Evidence included Nostitz's photos of Channarong carrying a slingshot and mooning soldiers at a gas station near Rajaprarop Intersection before he was shot and taken away.

At the court yesterday, red-shirt leader Thida Thavornsiri led 30 people to give moral support.

Out of the 16 cases named as unnatural deaths during the 2010 riots, according to the criminal code's article 150, police investigators have so far submitted five cases for prosecutors to file for hearings. The Criminal Court would consider hearings into four other deaths:

1. March 19: Private Narongrit Sala, killed on April 25, 2010, on Vibhavadi Road.

2. April 23: Phan Khamkong killed on May 15, 2010 in front of IDEO Condominium near the Airport Link station.

3. May 28: Khunakorn Srisuwan killed on May 15, 2010 at Soi OA on Rajaprarop Road.

4. May 21: Japanese cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto, killed on April 10, 2010 in front of Satriwittaya School on Din Sor Road.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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Power plant protest blocks major road

SONTHANAPORN INJAN,

SANTIPHAP RAMSUDH

THE NATION

CHACHOENGSAO: -- More than 500 protesters ended their blockage of Suwinthawong Road in Chachoengsao's Mueang district yesterday evening in response to a court order, which was issued right after affected motorists filed a complaint.

The protesters blocked the road since early yesterday in protest against the building of Nakhon Nuang Khet Power Plant.

The blockade initially paralysed traffic, causing a jam more than 10km long. The protesters vowed to block the road until the government clearly says the power-plant construction and environmental-impact assessment will stop.

But at 4.30pm, Chachoengsao Police Station superintendent Sanan Boonphuen led two crowd-control police companies to their protest site with the court order. It requires that protesters return the whole traffic surface to motorists immediately.

After the court order was posted, the protesters moved to the side of the road.

These residents blocked the road on January 29 in protest over construction of the same power plant. That day, they dispersed only after officials promised to look into their demands. Several meetings were held last month but were inconclusive as the power plant officials never showed up.

"The Construction of the power plant has started without any proper permit from any authority," Manas insisted. He said the owner simply cited "Alpha Tech" - Alpha Technopolis Industrial Estate - as arranging construction, but the estate went out of business more than a decade ago.

The Nakhon Nuang Khet Power Plant is a project of Chachoengsao Cogeneration Co Ltd, which expects the facility to generate 110 megawatts. According to its plan, it will start selling power to EGAT from February 2013.

In related news, a days-long blockade successfully forced the owner of Chana Natural-Gas separation plant, Trans Thai - Malaysia (Thailand) Co Ltd, to award Bt1.8 million in compensation to locals.

The cash will be handed over at the Chana District Office today.

According to talks chaired by Songkhla permanent secretary Surachai Chawalarat, 727 families in two villages have suffered from the plant's operations. So, the firm agreed to provide Bt700,000 to each village as a development fund. Each of the two villages will also get Bt200,000 for |medical treatment from the company.

Locals in Surat Thani's Chana district started blocking the road to the Chana Natural Gas Separation Plant last Friday. They blamed the plant's impact on their health and nearby environment, demanding Bt30,000 per family per year throughout the plant's operation.

On their demand that each affected family get Bt30,000 annual compensation from the company throughout the plant's operation period, it was agreed yesterday that officials, experts and local villagers' representatives jointly study impacts first. This will take two months. If the study shows the plant really polluted the local environment and hurt livelihoods, the company said it would pay the compensation.

The protesting locals were happy with the results. They ended their blockade at 5.30pm, making it possible for trucks to travel in and out of the plant once more.

During the past few days, the southern region faced a shortage of natural gas for vehicles because the road to this important plant was blocked.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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Irate flood victims demand answers on unfair compensation

ARITACH PORN-ASAVAYOTHIN

THE NATION

NAKHON PATHOM

NAKHON PATHOM: -- More than 150 flood victims gathered yesterday in front of Nakhon Pathom Provincial Hall to complain loudly about what they said was unfair compensation.

The protesters were residents of Preuksa 4, Preuksa 8 and Preuksa 31 housing estates in Nakhon Pathom.

"The owners of some houses were paid Bt10,000 compensation, while some other homeowners were compensated with just Bt1,000," said Kanyarat Dee-aim, 32. "So, I want an explanation. All residents of these estates have almost identical house plans, and we definitely faced the same scope of flooding for more than two months."

Another resident, Sang-arun Sunthornsalatool, said he had not received any compensation yet, while neighbours who submitted their request at the same time as him had received theirs.

"I can't find my name on the list of people eligible for flood compensation," he said. "How can this happen?"

Nopsawan Thongprasert, 55, said she arranged the gathering of upset flood victims because she believed the government should investigate the actions of the officials involved.

"Where's the standard? What criteria have the relevant officials used?" she asked.

Nakhon Pathom disaster prevention and mitigation chief Pongsathorn Sirisakhon said tambon administrative organisations were assigned to survey the damage to properties and submit information to relevant district offices.

"Then, there are panels to determine the amount of compensation," he said. "If you are not satisfied with the amount given, you can lodge a petition and the panel will review your case."

But Pongsathorn's explanation failed to impress the protesters, who dispersed only after Nakhon Pathom permanent secretary Kathon Tungsawas accepted their written complaint and promised to forward it to the provincial governor.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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Samui Island to be developed as low carbon society

Full story:

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RT @RichardBarrow: American Michael Right, 26, jumped to his death at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday from the 4th floor walkway (BkkPost)

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RT @RichardBarrow: Airport Immigration will deploy 70 female riot police from tomorrow to help speed up lines (BkkPost)

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,156.02, up 5.84 points /MCOT

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Jirayu to meet Thaksin in Hong Kong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap on Tuesday revealed he was in Hong Kong to meet former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"My talks with Thaksin will focus on seeking his advice about the upcoming race for the position of Bangkok governor," he said in an interview with INN online.

Jirayu said he wanted to consult Thaksin about a campaign strategy to meet specific needs of each locality in Bangkok.

The term of incumbent Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who is a Democrat, will end in January.

-- The Nation 2012-03-13

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Public Vans Urged to Abide by Traffic Law

BANGKOK: -- The Highway Police and the Highways Department instructed public passenger vans to comply with the traffic laws to ensure road safety.

The Highway Police met the Highways Department and a total of a hundred public bus operators who offer services in the provinces surrounding Bangkok to exchange views on preventive measures against possible car accidents.

The two agencies asked operators to strictly comply with the traffic law to ensure road safety. Moreover, bus drivers are encouraged to place importance on passengers' safety by regularly inspecting vehicles readiness.

Meanwhile, the Highway Department is set to install magnetic speedometers along the expressways linking provinces.

Violators found speeding will face disciplinary action by the law. For the first and second offenses, drivers may face 5,000 and 10,000 baht fines, respectively. Their driving license will be revoked if they commit a third time offense.

Bus operators pledged to cooperate with the police. They will instruct drivers to abide by the Traffic Land Act and the Highway Act.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-13

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Suvarnabhumi airport director Somchai Sawasdipol said fast-track immigration booths for first-class and business-class passengers would be removed so staff there could help handle regular passengers during peak hours. /Bangkok Post

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Angry New Zealand bodybuilder Stabs Canadian English Teacher In Pattaya

A big, tattooed new Zealander stabbed a Canadian English teacher resulting in blodshed at the South Pattaya beach road before running off and hiding in his rented room. The Kiwi man claimed that it was a revenge because the victim and his friends had insulted him.

Full story:

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Receding Mekong River Effecting Shipping

BANGKOK: -- The Mekong River is drying up, revealing riverbeds in many areas, which has adversely affected shipping between Thailand and Laos.

The water level of the Mekong River at the Khong Jiam District of Ubon Ratchathani Province has seen a huge drop, exposing sandbars to emerge across the river.

The declining water level adversely affected boats heading to Ban Mai Singh Sampan of Muang Chana Somboon at Champasak Province in Laos.

Shuttle boats also cannot pass across the river as usual. As a result, many water tour operators were forced to make detours, thus increasing travel distances. Moreover, the sharp decline in the water level has forced fish to migrate into deep river channels, affecting fishermen along the river.

In the meantime, the Mekong River's water level at Mukdahan Province was recently reported at a low 1.46 meters, while its high was measured at 13.35 meters. Around six kilometers of sandbars have emerged, obstructing shipping.

Shuttle boats linking the province's municipality and Savannakhet Province of Laos had to take circuitous routes. Many operators have been affected due to increasing transportation costs and are also facing shipment delays.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-13

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Corruption Probe into Rice Pledging Scheme Progressing

BURIRAM: -- The rice pledging scheme authorities of Buriram Province have been calling on farmers and other relevant authorities to give an interview after the Bank of Agriculture and Cooperatives halted payments to over 500 farmers.

The corruption probe into the rice pledging program in Buriram Province continues after the Bank of Agriculture and Cooperatives was ordered to delay the payment worth 84 million baht to 575 farmers in Chalerm Prakiet, Nang Rong, Nong Ki, Plubplachai and Kandong districts.

Currently, the rice pledging scheme authorities of Nong Ki Subdistrict of Buriram Province have been interviewing the farmers whose payments have been delayed and the officials who have been responsible for the rice pledging areas.

After the authorities found that the amount of pledged rice reported by the local officials is more than the amount that the local farmers reported to the officials.

Nong Ki Subdistrict Chief, Acting Rice Pledging Scheme Investigation President Chakorn Kunjanawatta disclosed that the authorities will ask the rice mills owners and the Public Warehouse Organization officials or PWO to give more information.

He expected to wrap up the case within 2 weeks. Then, the initial investigation report will be passed to the provincial rice pledging scheme committee to reconsider once.

Due to the National Rice Policy Committee consideration, it has not been confirmed when the affected farmers will be receive their payments from the Bank of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The investigation procedure should be completed in one month.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-13

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Public Health Ministry set to introduce 62 Thai herbs to ASEAN

BANGKOK, 13 March 2012 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is set to propose 62 kinds of herbs to the ASEAN stage in order to mutually establish their treatment standards.

According to Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Director-General Dr. Suphan Srithamma,the 62 kinds of Thai herbs occupied the topic of discussion in a recent meeting hosted by Thailand on the development of herbs to prepare for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community. The meeting saw an exchange of information among member countries of ASEAN and China, as well as an agreement to set up a guideline for the herbs' use and treatment standards. Dr. Suphan added that in the near future, Thailand will send its representatives to Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia in order to exchange knowledge on herbs with these countries.

Meanwhile, Dr. Suphan also commented on the case where the locals of Kamphaengphet province are harvesting a type of plant belonging to the Drosera indica family, believed to have cancer-curing properties, which has been selling at the inflate price of 200 baht per kilogram. According to the Doctor, although a number of academic researches have confirmed the plant's healing ability, there are so many varieties of plants in the Drosera family, each of which possesses a different attribute.

Dr. Suphan stated that a sample of the plant will be sent to a laboratory to be tested and screened for germs and chemicals, given that farmlands nowadays are filled with chemicals hazardous to the health. If the result of the study, which is due in a week's time, shows that the herb is safe and really possesses such medical qualities, the ministry will support its commercial use.

-- NNT 2012-03-13