Thailand Live Tuesday 20 Mar 2012

[webfact]

Public Urged Not to Panic Over Coup Speculation

BANGKOK: -- A deputy spokesman of the Army deputy has urged the public not to panic over a coup speculation made by an well-known academic.

Royal Thai Army Deputy Spokesman Colonel Winthai Suwaree commented on the remark made by Thirayuth Boonmi, director of the Sanya Dharmasakti Institute for Democracy.

Thirayuth said that there could be another military coup, if the amnesty bill is passed.

Winthai has urged the public not to panic and be concerned over the speculation, as it was only the academic's personal opinion.

Winthai noted that at this time, the Army is focusing its efforts on helping residents in dredging canals to prevent flooding, reduce smog problems, and tackle the drought crisis.

The Army deputy spokesman said the Army is also engaged in joint military exercises with both local and foreign units, supporting the work of the Internal Security Operations Command, and enforcing drug crackdowns in accordance with the government's policy.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Democrat to Gain More Popularity

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party claims that it gained more popularity, indicated by the recent provincial election results.

Democrat Party Spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut revealed that the party's executives agreed to name Kiattisak Songsaeng as the party's candidate in the by-election for Pathum Thani's constituency 5.

Chavanond claimed the party is seeing increased popularity, indicated from the victory of the Democrat candidate, Rangsan Rasamirerkset, over Pheu Thai candidate Ma Po-ngarm in the election for the head of the Kanchanaburi Provincial Administration Organization.

Chavanond added the Democrats have also defeated the Pheu Thai Party in other provincial-level elections.

He stated the vote results reflected that voters are disappointed with the government's flood mismanagement late last year, as well as its failure to tackle the consumer goods' price hike.

Chavanond went on to say supporters of the government would gradually become displeased with the Yingluck administration, saying most people want immediate solutions to the rising costs of living issue rather than a Constitution amendment.

In the meantime, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva suggested the government review its performance and dedicate more effort to solving the problems faced by the public.

He said the vote results of various recent provincial elections indicated that more and more people are becoming disenchanted with the government.

Additionally, Abhisit said the government must prioritize three main issues, namely the skyrocketing goods' prices, water management and political conflict.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Disneyland Park Construction Plot Proposed In Thailand To Draw Tourists

Full story:

[webfact]

Public Health Ministry: Heat might cause fatal heatstroke in children and elderly people

BANGKOK, 20 March 2012 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry has advised children and elderly people to stay from extreme heat which can cause them fatal heatstroke.

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Paijit Warachit said that overexposure to the hot weather could cause the body to keep perspiration from evaporating and, thus, not releasing heat. Thus, the ministry is asking children, elderly people, and patients with chronic diseases and obesity to take extra caution given they are especially prone to suffering from a high degree of hyperthermia, or commonly known as heatstroke. In order to prevent heatstroke, these groups of people are urged to stay in the shade and drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

The symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature, lack of perspiration, unconsciousness and dry skin. The primary steps for caring for heatstroke patients are to lay them on flat ground, lift both feet up high to allow more blood circulation to the brain, loosen their clothes, use cold water to lower their body temperature and send them to the hospital as quickly as possible.

-- NNT 2012-03-20

[webfact]

SET index midday up 7.94 pts, 0.67 pct

BANGKOK: -- Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Tuesday stood at 1,197.44, up 7.94 points, or 0.67 per cent in line with regional shares amid Bt14.87 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 844.18, up 6.25 points, or 0.75 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: SCB, TCAP, JAS, BBL, KBANK, ITD.

-- The Nation 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Anti-Corruption Network Launchs First "Watch Dog" Volunteers Project

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Corruption Network is officially launching the first “Watch Dog” project and aims to recruit 1,000 volunteers nationwide to help monitor corruption.

Anti-Corruption Network President Pramon Sutheewong unveiled the first “Watch Dog” project to train 1,000 volunteers across the country to monitor and report corruption activities to the network this year.

Officials at the network will then collect and pass on the information to relevant officials. The network will be holding regular meetings to review corruption complaints. It also assured that volunteers who receive threats will be offered protection.

Meanwhile, President of Toshiba Thailand and Thai Chamber of Commerce Deputy Secretary-General, Kobkarn Wattanawarangkul, disclosed that her company has refused to take part in providing IT support and parts for the free tablet distribution project, which is expected to be riddled with corruption, despite the fact that it needs large orders due to the disruption in sales and manufacturing from last year's floods.

Various officials from related agencies, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Auditor-General, will help train volunteers of the first “Watch Dog” program.

More than 130 volunteers have already signed up to participate in the program.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry promotes Thai food to the world

BANGKOK, 20 March 2012 (NNT) – Minister of Commerce Boonsong Teriyapirom has revealed that the strategy to promote Thai food to the world has been put in motion while targeting that agro-products and Thai food exports will increase by 15%.

According to the government’s policy to push for greater recognition of Thai food in the global market, the ministry has assigned the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) to establish an operation plan to elevate the standard and promote Thai food as well as restaurant businesses. The DITP is currently in the process of gathering information and will be inviting the private sector to discuss the framework of promoting Thai food to the global market, with the main focus on ready-to-eat food which draws several billion dollars worth of orders each year. Thus, the government has agreed to allow exporters of ready-to-eat food to use the ‘Thai Select’ stamp of approval on their products. The move is expected to help Thai food exports meet their growth target of no less than 15% this year. The Commerce Ministry has already allowed domestic restaurants to show the ‘Thai Select’ logo.

In the past, only overseas restaurants were eligible to apply for the Thai Select logo. However, with modifications made to its criteria, the Thai Select program in 2012 is open to restaurants in Thailand that meet specific quality standards.

Currently, there are 13,140 Thai restaurants in 93 countries across the world. However, only 1,241 restaurants have been granted the Thai Select logo.

-- NNT 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Authorities raid Narathiwat house; seize drugs, weapons

NARATHIWAT, March 20 – Thai authorities combined police, military and administrative workers to raided a house in this restive southern border province, confiscating 132 methamphetamine pills and some heavy weapons.

The 20-strong team launched their operation after being informed of irregular visits of teenagers to the house in Sungai Padi district.

Two suspects identified as Pawi Da-o, 20, and Hasem Yapa, 19, were detained during the raid.

Over a hundred methamphetamine pills, one carbine with 21 cartridges, a .38 pistol with 7 cartridges and three mobile phones were found in the house.

Mr Pawi admitted owning the drugs and weapons. He was charged with possessing unauthorised weapons and illegally possessing drugs for sale.

An investigation is underway to conclude whether the seized weapons are connected to the regional insurgency movement.

Meanwhile, in Rangae district, a bomb squad unit defused a 5-kilogramme homemade bomb before it would be used in a new attack.

The initial investigation learned that villagers saw two men behaving suspiciously, burying a fertiliser sack under a tree in an orchard.

When the authorities retrieved the sack, they found a homemade bomb inside.

Col Chalermchai Sutthinuan, commander of Ranger Force Regiment 45, said he believed that insurgents buried the sack there for others to use.

He said it was fortunate that local residents noticed the irregularities and alerted the authorities. This is considered a success of officials who carried out mass psychological operations until villagers trusted state officials and co-operate with the authorities. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Cracks detected on surface edge of Pasak Chollasidh Dam but director says it's normal occurrence and doesn't affect dam's structure /TANN

Foreign Ministry to discuss prisoner exchange with Cambodia during ASEAN Summit in April to bring back the jailed Thai activists /TANN

[webfact]

Foreign Minister to visit Cambodia to help two imprisoned Thais

BANGKOK, 20 March 2012 (NNT)-Foreign Minister Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he would travel to Cambodia in April to discuss the possibility of exchanging criminals between the two countries with his Cambodian counterpart to help the two Thai nationals incarcerated for espionage.

Mr. Surapong said even though his trip to Cambodia was for him to attend an ASEAN meeting, he was hoping to have an individual conversation with Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong about the possibility of establishing a prisoner exchange accord between the two nations.

The two Thais - Mr. Veera Somkwamkid and Mrs. Ratree Pipattanapaibun - have been imprisoned in Cambodia on trespassing charges. They were arrested by Cambodian soldiers when they were surveying the border. Both of them claimed they remained on the Thai soil in their defense. However, despite the case, Mr. Surapong said Thailand and Cambodia continue to have strong relationship.

Asked about a report on a red-shirt people's effort to bring Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra back to Thailand, the Foreign Minister said if Mr. Thaksin were to return, he would do so lawfully. Mr. Surapong also said it was time for Thai people to let go of their spite against the former Prime Minister in order for the country to move forward.

-- NNT 2012-03-20

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet to consider development projects for Phuket

The Nation

PHUKET:-- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will chair Tuesday's cabinet meeting in Phuket, during which a provincial agenda of development projects totalling Bt48 billion are likely to be considered.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/542053-pm-yingluck-in-phuket-senators-pitch-special-economic-zone-plan/page__view__findpost__p__5149645

[Lite Beer]

PTT promises to keep diesel price at Bt33/l as proposed by govt; Cabinet approves diesel excise tax cut extension to April 30 /TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow:-- 2pm RT @qandrew: Rama IV road is a mess both ways. Inbound backed-up to where it joins Sukhumvit near Soi 71

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet approves Bt1.62 billion for projects to reduce cost of living; supports 10,000 grocery stores selling 20 necessities at lower than market price

/MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Southern insurgency death toll rises to 5,086 after eight years

YALA:-- A total of 5,086 people were killed and 8,485 others injured after the insurgency in the deep South flared up eight years ago, a university announced Tuesday.

The Deep South Watch of Songkhla University told a press conference that the southern insurgency had been going on for over eight years since it flared up with guns robbery from a military camp in January 2004.

During the 98 months period or from January 2004 to February 2012, a total of 11,542 violent incidents related to insurgency happened in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla, causing 5,086 deaths and 8,485 injuries.

-- The Nation 2012-03-20

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 2:30pm Rama IV Road is now open but best to avoid as it will take time to clear the traffic. Expect a repeat tomorrow.

[webfact]

DSI claims 22 hospitals are under suspicion for ordering large amounts of pseudoephedrine, 44 mn pills missing /TANN

[webfact]

Death toll in Thailand's deep South rises to 5,086 after eight years insurgency

BANGKOK: -- A total of 5,086 people have been killed and 8,485 others have been injured since the insurgency in the deep South flared up eight years ago, a university announced Tuesday.

Full story:

[webfact]

Govt cancels plan to buy tablet PCs in G-to-G method

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday allowed the Information and Communications Technology to buy tablet computers from China, using a memorandum of understanding method instead of government-to-government method.

ICT minister Anudit Nakhonthap said the G-to-G procurement method had too many red-tape procedures so he asked the Cabinet to approve the procurement in an MoU method instead.

Anudit said the government will buy the tablet computers from Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development Co. Ltd, which will be certified by the Chinese government.

He said the drafting of purchasing contract would be done before the end of the month and the contract would be checked by the Office of Attorney General.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra confirmed that her Cabinet had approved the ICT Ministry's request to make the purchase in MoU method instead of G-to-G method.

-- The Nation 2012-03-20

[webfact]

CABINET RESOLUTION

Paid paternity leave approved

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet has approved paid leave of up to 15 days for state officials or employees whose wives have given birth to take care of the new mothers and babies, acting government spokesman Anusorn Eiumsaard said Tuesday.

The Cabinet had approved the royal decree draft for state officials' salary and other payments as well as the regulation draft for state employees' payments.

Anusorn explained that the former draft included permission for state officials to take up to 15 days off at full salary within 30 days of the child's birth.

However if state officials wanted to take days off to take care of their wives after that 30-day period, it would be up to their supervisor, the director general or equivalent position, if the officials would receive payment during the leave period.

The officials taking extra days off to take care of their newborns would not be entitled to the salary payment, he added.

The royal decree draft also allowed state officials who hadn't been ordained as Buddhist monk or on a pilgrimage to Mecca to take a religious leave with salary payment for up to 120 days, while officials wishing to take leave for vocational rehabilitation were entitled to leave with salary payment for up to 12 months.

The regulation draft for state employees' payments covered the same terms and the rules were thus applicable to state employees too, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Court Dismisses Senator's Suit against MP

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul against Phuea Thai MP Police Captain Chaowarin Lattasaksiri.

Chaowarin was accused of slandering the senator when he said Rosana violated Senate rules by bringing an unauthorized individual into an official Upper House meeting.

The Criminal Court dismissed a libel suit filed by Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul and Santisuk Sophonsiri against Police Captain Chaowarin Lattasaksiri.

Chaowarin was accused of giving false information to reporters from Daily News and Khao Sod newspapers that the senator violated the rules by bringing in an unauthorized person with her to an official Upper House meeting.

The court cited inadequate evidence for its decision, saying that the plaintiffs did not provide it with any other materials apart from newspaper articles in question. The court added that there's no proof that what was written in the papers was really spoken by the defendant.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Minister Defends Transfer of Top Official

BANGKOK: -- The social development minister says he believes the transfer of the ministry's permanent secretary to an advisory position will not spark conflicts within the Pheu Thai Party.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Promphat said the transfer order for the ministry's Permanent Secretary Panita Kampu Na Ayutthaya to an advisory post in the Prime Minister's Office will not cause rifts within the Pheu Thai Party.

He explained that a committee had to be set up to investigate Panita's conduct due to an allegation of state fund abuse by the Office of Auditor General,or OAG.

Panita is an elder sister of senior Pheu Thai party-list MP Prawat Uttamote. The minister said he believes Prawat understands his decision to transfer Panita to the advisory position.

Santi added that Panita may choose to submit a petition against the transfer order with the Criminal Court or the Office of the Civil Service Commission.

Santi reiterated he is not worried if Pheu Thai MPs will ask him to explain the transfer during a parliamentary meeting. However, Santi does not believe the issue will be discussed during the party's meeting today.

Panita and her brother Prawat today planned to file a malfeasance charge against the minister with the Criminal Court and submit a petition with the Office of the Civil Service Commission to review the transfer order.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-20

[webfact]

AFP: Lebanese to appear in Thai court on weapons charge

Full story:

[webfact]

Americans are being asked for their Facebook passwords at job interviews

Robert Collins

Full story:

[webfact]

Dust particles in North as high as 400 microgram/cubic meter

CHIANG RAI, 20 March 2012 (NNT) – The smoke problems in the North has become increasingly critical. The amount of dust particles in some area has gone above 400 microgram per cubic meter.

The amount of dust considered safe is 120 microgram per cubic meter; however, the amount of dust particles in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, is over 430 micrograms on Tuesday.

Not only is the visibility unclear, people are also experiencing eye irritation and breathing problems. They have to wear a facemask and a pair of goggles whenever they are leaving their houses. As if to rub salt into the wound, local officials said the situation is expected to get even worse.

The local municipality authorities have been spraying water into the air to wash away the smoke. Any burning activity in an open field is forbidden. The elderly, children, and people with respiratory conditions are strongly advised to avoid outdoor activities. The Royal Thai Air Force has also been spraying water over the foggy area to help alleviate the crisis.

Meanwhile, in Mae Hong Son province, the dust amount is around 370 microgram per cubic meter. Visibility is reduced to only 800 meters. As no plane could safely land at Mae Hong Son Airport, all flights have been diverted to Mae Sariang Airport instead.

-- NNT 2012-03-20

[webfact]

Thailand Aims to Be A Hub for Health & Beauty Products

BANGKOK: -- The private sector aims to turn Thailand into a hub for health and beauty products in the next three years thanks to increasing demand in overseas markets.

Full story:

[webfact]

Chalerm in Phuket: Police to focus on drugs, not closing times

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung told top-ranking officers from across the South that nightlife was 'not a top priority' for tourists. Photo: Warisa Temram

More than 260 officers assembled at Satree Phuket School yesterday to take policy orders from Deputy PM Chalerm Yoobamrung, himself a police captain.

Full story:

[webfact]

Italian motorbike driver killed in high speed road crash in North Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-north-pattaya/

[webfact]

Belgian resident caught-up in near-fatal road accident in South Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-south-pattaya/

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1196.6, up 7.10; Bt/USD30.62; GBP48.53; AUD32.26; EUR40.40; CAD30.80; HKD3.94; SGD24.22; JPY36.49