Thailand Live Thursday 22 Mar 2012

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Budget breakdown; Phuket to get speed cameras, 'monkey cheeks'

Phuket Gazette

A billboard posted in 2010 announces the ‘speed limits zone’ set by the National Highway Police along Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew. Speeding is seldom an option for motorists making rush-hour commute through the notorious bottleneck. Photo: Stephen Michael Fein

Prime Minister’s Office deputy spokesperson Chalitrat Chandarubeksa announces the budget breakdown in Phuket on Tuesday.

PHUKET: -- The mobile Cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved 23 projects worth 628 million baht that can be developed immediately in five provinces along the Andaman coast, including a network of speed cameras in Phuket.

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SET closed up by 5.11 points at 1,212.78 with value at Bt18.26 bn during midday Thursday break /TANN

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Foreigner assaulted at Bangkok BTS station by security guard - Police launch investigation

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Bangkok and Ankara become sister cities

BANGKOK, 22 March 2012 (NNT) - Following the signing of an agreement on friendship and cooperation between Bangkok and Ankara, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to send its officials to the Turkish capital in order to study its urban improvement plans.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra and his Turkish counterpart, Mr. Melih Gökçek, have signed a friendship and cooperation agreement between the cities of Bangkok and Ankara. M.R. Sukhumbhand disclosed that the BMA will be sending a team of officials to Turkey in order to acquire knowledge and understanding about Ankara's urban renewal strategy, which could later be adapted to the city planning of Bangkok in an efficient manner.

The Bangkok Governor viewed that Thailand should adopt Ankara's successful city plan as a model to modify the Thai capital, which still consists of slums leading to a number of problems in public utilities, crime, drug and public area trespassing. Ankara's urban renewal plan highlights the increase of green zones in the capital. At present, the Turkish city has a total number of 28 public parks.

Following the recent establishment of friendship and cooperation, officials from both cities will hold discussions aimed at improving the quality of life for the elderly, disabled, women and homeless children.

-- NNT 2012-03-22

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Tropical storm warning for Fri-Mon in North, Northeast, Central, and East /TAN_Network

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Student sentenced for racial abuse on Twitter

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BURMA'S BY-ELECTION

Thailand welcomes Burma's decision to have int'l observers

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has welcomed the Burmese government's invitations for international representatives as observers for the parliamentary by-election on April 1.

Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said that the move demonstrates Burma's efforts to promote credibility of the upcoming poll.

Surapong said in a statement issued Wednesday that Thailand welcomes the Burmese invitation for international representatives from the Asean Secretariat, Asean member states, together with the accompanying media, as well as representatives from all diplomatic missions, United Nations and international organisations in Rangoon to observe the April 1 by-election.

Opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is contesting the by-election, which will be held in 48 constituencies.

He said the move was considered an effort by the Burmese government to demonstrate to the international community its strong commitment to promoting the transparency, accountability, and credibility of the by-elections.

The minister said Thailand was very encouraged by the on-going progress in Burma's democratisation and national reconciliation process and reaffirmed Thailand's strong support for Burma's reforms and development efforts for the benefit of the Burmese people and the successful future of the country.

Surapong said he encouraged the international community to provide more support in concrete terms to Burma's efforts in its democratisation and national reconciliation as well as its economic reforms.

The international media reported that Burma's President Thein Sein confirmed on Wednesday that his country would allow some foreign election observers to monitor next month’s polls, considered a crucial test of reforms in the country.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith was quoted as saying that Thein Sein, now making an official visit to Cambodia, had said each of the 10 member countries of the Asean would be allowed to send two official delegates to watch the April 1 by-elections.

-- The Nation 2012-03-22

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PM Denies Rift over Top Official Transfer

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister affirms no rift should arise within the Pheu Thai Party from the dispute between the Social Development and Human Security minister and his permanent secretary.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the ongoing conflict between Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Prompat and former permanent secretary Panita Kamphu Na Ayutthaya will not create an internal rift in the Pheu Thai Party.

The minister previously proposed the transfer of Panita to the post of adviser to the prime minister.

Panita's brother and Pheu Thai party-list MP Prawat Uttamot is still fuming over what he says is an unfair transfer and is contemplating filing a complaint against the minister.

Yingluck added she has asked Santi to clear the air and report to her about development on the issue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, as the Pheu Thai Party leader, said there has to be a mediation session between the two and party-list MP Colonel Apiwan Wiriyachai has offered to be the mediator.

Yongyuth affirmed that there is no rift within his party despite some disagreements. He added when a decision is made, everyone is on the same page.

He added the transfer is now effective with the Cabinet's resolution, but a committee could be set up to look into the issue.

In the meantime, Panita will serve as the prime minister's adviser.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-22

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Locals in North and Northeast still suffering from drought crisis

NAKHON SAWAN, 22 March 2012 (NNT) – The residents in the North and Northeast of Thailand are facing great impact from the drought crisis as crops and fields begin to wither due to the lack of water.

The drought crisis in Nakhon Sawan province has become even more critical, especially in Don Kha area, Tha Tako district, where rice fields extending over 1,000 rai of land are dying from lack of water. As most of the rice fields in the district are situated outside irrigation zones, rice cultivation in this area must rely mainly on rainwater and man-made ponds. However, the lack of rain at present and the dried-up ponds have resulted in insufficient water for agriculture.

In the province of Phichit, corn farmers are urgently pumping water into their fields as the hot weather has prevented the seeds from sprouting. Many farmers have expressed concerns that their crops will be damaged by the extreme heat while the scarce rain will send many areas of the province into a drought crisis.

Meanwhile, residents on both side of the Chi River in Yasothorn and Roi Et provinces are not able to catch fish for sale given that the water level in the river is quickly declining as a result of the closure of the Yasothorn sluice gate to reserve water for the drought season.

-- NNT 2012-03-22

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Australia's 'most wanted man' arrested

Murder suspect, charged over 2005 death of his cousin, apprehended by police after more than seven years on the run.

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TELECOM

Dtac to invest Bt8/9bn to improve 3G network

BANGKOK: -- Total Access Communication Plc (Dtac) is expanding its 3G network to cover additional 3,000 base stations nationwide by the end of 2012, in its bid to create the best data network.

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Motorbike taxi driver dies in Phuket u-turn collision

The wreckage of Mr Sansern's Honda Wave after last night's fatal collision with a Honda Jazz on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket. Photo: Wichai Witthawat.

A pregnant woman was among the relatives of the late Mr Sanserm who arrived at the scene of his death in Phuket last night. Photo: Wichai Witthawat.

PHUKET: -- A Phuket motorcycle taxi driver was killed instantly last night when he was hit full force by an oncoming car while trying to make a u-turn on Thepkrasattri Road.

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Kasikorn Research Center expects inflation at 3.9%, GDP at 5%, baht at Bt29.50-32.50 to the dollar this year /TANN

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BTS file complaints against foreign passenger

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), the operator the Skytrain, has lodged a complaint against a foreign passenger who allegedly quarrelled and fought with BTS security guards over his attempt to bring along four floating balloons into a train.

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Chalerm seeks legal amendments to hasten execution of drug convicts

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Thursday vowed to push for law amendments to have the drug convicts executed in 15 days after the Appeal Court's verdict.

Chalerm said he would propose for the criminal procedure code for drug offences' amendment to have drug convicts appeal the lower court's sentences at the Central Appeal Court and to execute drug convicts within 15 days after the Appeal court verdict upheld a death sentence, because if the drug convicts were jailed they could deal drugs from behind bars and mingle with other criminals. "Criminal meets criminal equal arch-criminals. I won't listen to National Human Right Commission or NGOs, because I answer to the country and the public," Chalerm said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-22

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Capital punishment: Chalerm pushes for 15 day execution of drug convicts

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm on Thursday vowed to push for law amendments to have drug convicts executed 15 days after the Appeal Court's verdict upholds the death sentence.

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SET index closed at 1191, down 16.67; Bt/USD30.68; GBP48.58; AUD31.76; EUR40.33; CAD30.70; HKD3.95; SGD24.10; JPY36.68

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PM Reserved on National Reconciliation Direction

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister declines to express her opinion about the way to rebuild national reconciliation given the matter is under the responsibility of the House committee on national reconciliation.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she cannot determine which method will be used to rebuild national reconciliation given the matter will be decided by the House committee on national reconciliation.

Yingluck noted that she wants to see the country move forward in a peaceful atmosphere.

When asked if the proceedings for reconciliation would spark conflict, the premier said all sides should have a chance to discuss and exchange opinions on the matter.

She believes that the committee will take all opinions into consideration in finalizing its decision.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-22

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Thunderstorms expected countrywide

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department warned of summer thunderstorms in the coming five days countrywide, first in the northeastern and eastern regions as a moderate high-pressure system is forecast to extend into Thailand from tonight with northeasterly winds.

Thunderstorms, thundershowers, gusty winds and hail are expected from Friday through Tuesday.

Meanwhile, easterly winds over southern Thailand are likely to cause isolated heavy rain with gusty winds. Scattered thundershowers are expected in 4060 per cent of Bangkok and the metropolitan region.

-- The Nation 2012-03-22

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CURRENCY

Thai baht on upward trend

BANGKOK: -- Thai baht could strengthen upto 29.50 per US dollar thanks to the capital inflows, which have amounted to nearly Bt180 billion so far this year, said Kasikorn Research Centre.

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Eerie silence cloaks the Phuket death of a Swedish tourist

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket Riddle: Why the official silence over the death of a Swedish tourist last week? Image: US Office of War Information (1945)

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5156456

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Memorabilia of Royal Cremation Ceremony now up for grabs

BANGKOK, 22 March 2012 (NNT) - The Committee on the Organizing of the Royal Cremation Ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana invites the public to purchase commemorative pins of this royal event.

The committee has announced that purchasing orders for the commemorative pins can be sent to the Office of the Prime Minister, the government unit responsible for the production of the memorabilia. The committee said the pins would remind the public of HRH’s generosity and symbolize loyalty for the late princess.

Proceeds will go to the Bejaratana-Suvadhana Foundation. Apart from the Office of the Prime Minister, the public can purchase the commemorative pins at all branches of Siam Commercial Bank and Krung Thai Bank from now on and receive them from 2 April onwards. The price is 150 baht.

For more information, please contact 0 2281 7224 and 0 2281 7233.

-- NNT 2012-02-22

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NESAC proposes establishment of anonymous rehabs for drug addicts

BANGKOK, 22 March 2012 (NNT) - Chairman of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) Mr. Okas Teparagul has proposed that the government set up anonymous rehabs across Thailand to reduce the number of drug addicts.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/542720-nesac-proposes-establishment-of-anonymous-rehabs-for-drug-addicts/page__view__findpost__p__5156597

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Thailand Live Friday 23 Mar 2012