Thailand Live Saturday 24 Mar 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 24 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 23 Mar 2012

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UPDATE

LPG tanker accident revives memories of 1990

Plume of fire shot up high in the sky on New Pattanakarn Road from an LPG tanker at dawn yesterday. The vehicle hit into the railing of a concrete bridge and leaked the inflammable gas./ Khanathit Srihirundaj

BANGKOK: -- Many Bangkok residents ran for their lives yesterday morning after an LPG tanker rammed into the railing of a bridge, reminding them of the horrific inferno in 1990 on New Phetchaburi Road that was triggered by a similar accident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5160207

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Thailand version of Google Street View launched

BANGKOK: -- Six months after starting work on the project, Google Thailand yesterday officially launched the Google Street View service in the Kingdom - the second country in Southeast Asia in which it is available, following Singapore.

Full story:

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Prem sought answers from Sonthi about coup: general

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A retired general stepped forward yesterday to confirm that chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda had urged General Sonthi Boonyaratglin to explain his motives behind the 2006 coup.

Prem instructed his former aide General Mongkol Ampornpisit to tell Sonthi to outline the truth behind the coup, General Banchorn Chawalsilp said, adding that he arranged the telephone call between Mongkol and Sonthi.

"Prem was concerned that he was being perceived as the mastermind behind the coup," Banchorn said.

Mongkol told his military classmate Sonthi that he should reveal the truth, but his advice went unheeded, he said.

The Mongkol-Sonthi talk coincided with red-shirt rallies in 2007, during which Prem was being blamed for the coup and protesters even surrounded his house for several hours.

After taking over as junta leader, Sonthi projected himself as a royalist and tried to justify the coup as a move to safeguard the monarchy.

The issue resurfaced on Wednesday after Chart Thai Pattana MP Sanan Kachornprasart bluntly asked Sonthi whether Mongkol had spoken to him. Sonthi initially refused to shed any light on the issue, though he subsequently conceded that Prem was not involved in the coup.

Banchorn said he sympathised with Sonthi because he was caught off guard by Sanan's question, and by the time he had collected himself and explained Prem's role, the public had already seen him as a bad guy for withholding secrets.

Sonthi reportedly completed writing six books, including his biography, before he entered politics as leader of the Matubhum Party last year. It is believed that these books will be published after his death to avoid unintended repercussions on leading figures.

Sanan said he had no ill intentions towards Sonthi, but wanted the public to learn the truth about the coup. Over the past five years, Sonthi has been deflecting the blame on others and the coup remains a mystery, he said, arguing that fences could not be mended if people were misled to believe that Prem was behind it all.

"If all the facts are laid out, then the country can move forward," he said, adding that he also wanted to know more about the royal audience that Sonthi received on September 19, 2006 - the night of the coup.

He said many believed that Prem summoned Sonthi to see the King, hence Sonthi should clarify this meeting because Prem was seen arriving at the Palace after arrangements for the royal audience had been completed.

Meanwhile, both Sanan and Sonthi have denied being paid by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Sonthi said he wanted to rectify the damage caused by the coup, not rescue Thaksin, while Sanan said he wanted to clear up any misunderstandings and was not acting on Thaksin's behalf to take revenge on Sonthi.

-- The Nation 2012-03-24

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Deal finalised for one million computer tablets

BANGKOK: -- The government will increase the number of tablets it purchases to a million and they will be bought at US$82 (Bt2,520) apiece, it was decided at a discussion between Thai representatives and the Chinese supplier yesterday.

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

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Nod to Bt35-bn energy plan

WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Energy Policy Council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, yesterday approved a five-year expenditure plan for the fund for energy-conservation promotion totalling Bt35 billion, or Bt7 billion a year.

Under the plan, 50 per cent of the funds will be allocated to cut energy consumption, 45 per cent for alternative energy and 5 per cent for strategic management.

The council also agreed to authorise the fund's board of directors to revise guidelines and regulations of its expenditure plan.

Kittiratt said the council also agreed with the Energy Ministry's plan to proceed with the project to save energy in government buildings by way of an energy service panel. The body will provide a one-stop service for inspecting energy usage, setting conservation measures, and designing systems and helping secure sources of funds as well as assessing the project.

The council also agreed on bank loans or bond issuance for Bt20 billion to increase liquidity of the Fund Oil, which is used to subsidise prices for liquefied petroleum gas. The repayment period will be three years. In combination with an approved credit line of Bt10 billion, the fund totals Bt30 billion.

-- The Nation 2012-03-24

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Conflicts blamed on populist policies in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will only become a true democracy if there is a strong sense of community and people should stop waiting for populist policies, because that will make them weak, academic and former activist Thirayuth Boonmi said yesterday.

Full story:

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Panel eases stand on KPI report

The Nation

Woothisarn

BANGKOK: -- Institute's warning that it could withdraw report if misused by House committee draws conciliatory gesture

In a major political twist, the under-fire King Prajadhipok's Institute yesterday threatened to withdraw its report on reconciliation measures, which it suggested has been misused by the ad-hoc House committee led by former coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

The big change in the institute's attitude led to immediate repercussions. A member of the ad-hoc committee led by Sonthi indicated that the panel was willing to compromise. Instead of advocating a controversial option of completely absolving Thaksin Shinawatra, the committee now will present all options proposed by the institute's researchers, said Pheu Thai MP Chaowalit Witchayasut, secretary to the House committee.

The ad-hoc House committee voted last week to favour the total absolution option, putting itself along with the institute on the spot. Critics deemed both the ad-hoc House panel and the institute part of a plan to whitewash Thaksin.

"Our report to Parliament won't include any vote," said Chaowalit.

The softening of the House committee's stand followed a stern warning by KPI deputy secretary-general Woothisarn Tanchai. He said if the House will rely on a majority vote to bring about mending fences, the institute was ready to pull back its study, which had been commissioned by the Sonthi committee.

"A majority vote is not a solution to the political conflict," he said.

Woothisarn said the House committee on reconciliation chaired by Sonthi should try to form a consensus on reconciliation measures as per the KPI report.

The KPI report should be viewed and implemented together with the work by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT), he said, pointing out that the truth about the root cause of the conflict should be established before the House committee chose the reconciliation measures.

He was reacting to Sonthi's earlier remarks that hinted at adopting the measures without awaiting the completion of the TRCT's work, which is expected in July.

He warned that if Sonthi acted in haste before uncovering the truth behind the conflict, the country might plunge into deeper social divisions.

He said he would not allow the KPI report to become a political tool for vested interests.

The reconciliation measures will work only after all sides have managed to ensure there is a fence-mending climate by engaging in a dialogue, he said, arguing that such climate has not prevailed because the opposition camps are still confronting one another through their respective stands.

He said all sides, not just political parties, should be convinced to enter into a dialogue in order to form a consensus on conflict resolution.

The House committee will likely trigger a new round of turmoil if it pushes through two controversial measures - a blanket amnesty for those involved in the political disturbances, and a repeal of the work of the Asset Examination Committee seen as a pretext to rescue fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said.

Under preliminary checks, the committee has the majority of 23 votes to support the blanket amnesty, followed by 22 votes for the repeal of the AEC work.

TRCT chairman Kanit na Nakorn said he had no comments on the House committee and its push for reconciliation measures.

Kanit said he was puzzled why the committee had completely ignored the TRCT. He said he was sceptical whether reconciliation would prevail as mending of fences was based on the views of some 40 KPI researchers and not a consensus within society.

He also voiced disappointment that a number of TRCT recommendations had not been implemented.

For example, all suspects involved in the political disturbances should be granted a temporary release pending trial but some 100 red shirts remained in remand cells, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-24

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Thailand, Canada hail 50th anniversary of close ties

BANGKOK, March 24 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday welcomed her Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, now on three-day official visit, to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Full story:

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Thaksin's Italy detention just a 'rumour': Thai FM Surapong

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday that he was not aware of Thaksin Shinawatra being detained in Italy as reported by the Democrat Party, adding that the opposition party was only spreading rumours to discredit the former prime minister.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Chalerm's Draconian bill ignores the cause of the drug issue

BANGKOK: -- The deputy PM wants to execute drug convicts on death row, thus completely missing the point that this is a social problem, not just a legal one

Full story:

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Teachers must adapt to changes

BANGKOK: -- The world is changing very quickly in the 21st century. With information technology, people's lives and business trends have changed. IT is playing a bigger role in daily life, while tourism and hospitality, art and design businesses are growing in importance. Thai teachers can no longer ignore the changes, but should equip their students with the necessary skills for this fast changing century, a seminar was told yesterday.

Full story:

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Chalerm: DSI to handle drug-precursor cases

BANGKOK: -- Moves are underway to make cases involving the acquisition of medications used in the production of illegal narcotics the automatic responsibility of the Department of Special Investigation, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday.

Full story:

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Terms upheld for men who tried to kill Charnchai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court yesterday upheld a lower court's verdict against five suspects in the assassination attempt on former Supreme Court president Charnchai Likhitjittha three years ago.

Gunman Phanuphong Rattanaphaibool, who confessed and named four other defendants as organisers of the hit, leading to their conviction, will still be imprisoned for six months. Meanwhile, the other four will still have to serve their sentence of 16 years and eight months, which was reduced from the original 25 years. A fifth defendant, Sakchai sae Lim, was acquitted because of insufficient evidence.

The defendants, Khamik Sukkhakanjanaphas, Major Thianchai Muangjanthuek, Suchart Sabmanee and junior naval officer Sukree Khaophong, were convicted and sentenced by Samut Prakan Court last year.

Speaking via teleconferencing to the defendants detained at the Samut Prakan Court, the threemember Appeals Court quorum said the defence had no grounds and sentences could not be commuted. They said the defendants' motive was politically influenced but did not provide details on why the four wanted Charnchai dead before April 7, 2009, when a key political rally was scheduled the next day. Charnchai is privy councillor now.

-- The Nation 2012-03-24

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Outposts may be dismantled if poaching continues: RFD chief

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Forest outposts where rangers turn a blind eye to poachers or people encroaching on land might end up being disbanded, Royal Forest Department director general Suwit Rattanamanee said yesterday.

If the outposts are found be inactive or useless they should be disbanded and the budget earmarked for them should be given to other agencies such as the military or police who can take over the job, Suwit said at a Chiang Rai seminar of forestry officials and rangers.

"As the guardians of forests, we have not been very effective in controlling encroachment, and every time someone is caught, everybody turns against the department, which has been dubbed the tree stumps department. We need to regard ourselves more highly and take full action as we have what it takes to perform our duties, with authority, personnel and equipment as well as within clear jurisdiction," he said.

Suwit was responding to a report that forestry officials were doing little to control encroachment or poaching, citing many cases in which the crime had been committed openly. He also instructed officers overseeing the outposts, especially those in Phayao, Nan and Chiang Rai, to submit monthly reports on patrols and arrest wrongdoers.

A nationwide survey of forest areas would be conducted every five years, after the latest one in 2008 detected extensive encroaching in the North. Aerial surveys also showed that vast areas of forests had been cut down and replaced by corn or parawood plantations.

He said extensive encroachment of forests had been reported the most in the North, especially in areas located in the Nan River basin, but the number of arrests had been low compared to the rate of encroachment. Suwit also blamed budget cuts on massive flooding last year, which resulted in the purchase of 70 fourwheeldrive trucks being postponed to next year.

-- The Nation 2012-03-24

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Thai AirAsia to fly to Macau from Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- Low-cost airline Thai AirAsia has launched a new route from Chiang Mai to Macau as part of its plan to strengthen the northern city as a provincial flight base.

Full story:

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Irish Tourist Found Dead In Pattaya Hotel

Full story:

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RT @suthichai: PM Yingluck told FCCT last night: "Time will prove I can run the country."

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PM leaves for nuclear summit in South Korea and will be back on Monday /TANN

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Major roads to be closed during royal funeral rehearsal

BANGKOK, 24 March 2012 (NNT) – Sixteen routes around Rattanakosin area will be closed from Saturday midnight for the rehearsal of funeral procession for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana.

The 16 roads which will be off limit to the public are Ratchadamnoen Nai, Rachini, Na Phrathat, Phra Chan, Maharat, Na Phra Lan, Na Hap Phoei, Lak Muang, Sanam Chai, Kalayanamaitree, Saranrom, Thai Wang, Phra Phi Phit , Charoen Krung (Sanam Chai - Assadang), Chetupon and Soi Setthakarn.

The procession will be held at the royal palace and Sanam Luang on Sunday, March 25 and will end at 1 pm. Tourists are advised to visit the royal palace after the rehearsal. The next rehearsal is scheduled for Saturday, March 31. The royal cremation is scheduled for April 9.

HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannawadi who died from a blood infection on July 27 last year is the only child of King Rama VI.

The metropolitan police has also informed of another traffic closure around Suan Amporn from 2 pm to 11 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 11 pm at weekends during the March 30-April 7 Red Cross Fair.

-- NNT 2012-03-24

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Pad See Ew voted most popular street food of Bangkok

BANGKOK, 24 March 2012 (NNT) – Thai food has again made a global name for itself. This time, it is the common stir fried soy sauce noodles locally known as Pad See Ew.

Full story:

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Culture Minister led international diplomats to visit World Heritage Sites in Ayutthaya

BANGKOK, 24 March 2012 – The Culture Ministry has led a group of international diplomats to inspect World Heritage sites in Ayutthaya Province.

Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said that last year's severe flooding has apparently affected and caused serious damages to World Heritage sites and various ancient ruins in Ayutthaya Province.

Mrs. Sukumol stated that UNESCO and several governments have expressed their concern and offered support for the restoration of all damaged historical sites, in the forms of grant, specialists and public donation.

In order to convince tourists about the ongoing restoration work, the Culture Ministry has led an international delegation, comprising ambassadors and their spouses from 23 countries as well as local and international media, on an inspection trip to all major sites in Ayutthaya.

The 2-day trip, which began on Friday, was also intended to strengthen diplomatic ties and boost confidence among foreign tourists.

Regarding the progress in the restoration of damaged ancient sites, Fine Arts Department Deputy Director-General Anek Seehamart said that the department is now in the process of finding contractors to restore more than 10 major historical attractions, including Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet.

Mr. Anek expects the actual work to commence at the beginning of April.

-- NNT 2012-03-24

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Europe Starts Daylight Saving on March 25, 2012

File photo. Source: wikimedia

Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin in most of Europe in the early morning of Sunday March 25, 2012, when clocks move 1 hour forward. The precise time of the switch differs from country to country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-march-25-2012/

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Phuket 'Mobile Cabinet' budget breakdown, by province

PM Yingluck Shinawatra addresses the crowd at the OTOP Fair at Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town on Monday. Some observers complained that a high-profile 'mobile cabinet' meeting was not really necessary to announce funding for a handful of long-overdue tourism development projects. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Full story:

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Phuket elections: no alcohol sales in Chalong, Rassada

Major retailers including the Phuket Tesco-Lotus Mall on the bypass road and Super Cheap will be affected by this weekend's alcohol sales ban.

PHUKET: -- Alcohol sales will be banned in Chalong and Rassada from 6pm today till midnight on tomorrow due to local elections to be held tomorrow in those Phuket subdistricts.

Full story:

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Govt to compensate violence victims in Deep South

BANGKOK, 24 March 2012 (NNT) – The committee tasked with studying compensation plan for people affected in the Deep South unrest have approved of a special budget for four groups of victims.

According to Prime Minister's Office Permanent Secretary Thongthong Chandrangsu, those who are eligible for the scheme include ordinary people who lost their lives during the unrest. Their family will receive a compensation of THB100,000.

The second group of victims is civil servants, including police and soldiers. Their children will be offered a job at a state agency in addition to the prior assistance package.

The third group of victims consists of those who were killed during the massacre at Krue Sae mosque and the Tak Bai tragedy on April 28 and October 25, 2004 respectively. Families of the dead will receive a compensation of THB7.5 million for state officials are accountable for the two incidents.

The fourth type of victims is those who were detained without charges and those who were acquitted by the court.

Mr. Thongthong said the program may require a budget of THB2 billion. The allocation of the cash will be carefully examined to ensure transparency. The compensation plan will be proposed at the cabinet meeting early next month.

-- NNT 2012-03-24

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Over 100,000 meth pills worth Bt30m seized in Ubon Ratchathani; Surat Thani police bust major drug ring with illicit drugs, weapons /MCOT

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Thailand plans US$70 bln infrastructure investment: PM

Bangkok, March 24, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand will spend more than $70 billion on infrastructure over the next five years, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said as he outlined the challenges facing the country after last year's floods.

Full story:

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Three Congolese suspected fraudsters arrested by Pattaya Police

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