Thailand Live Monday 26 Mar 2012

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Metropolitan 1 police arrest 2 drug dealers in Intamara area in BKK with 3,000 speed pills /TANN

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SET index flat at midday

BANGKOK: -- The composite stocks index (SET) at midday Monday stood at 1,193.54, down 0.90 point, or 0.08 per cent in line with regional shares.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 840.31, down 1.45 points, or 0.17 per cent.

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

-- The Nation 2012-03-26

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Cash delivery truck robbery at Kasikorn Bank, Inburi branch, Singburi; one staff wounded by gunman; more than Bt4 million cash stolen /MCOT

RT @tulsathit: 9 Democrats have quit ad hoc House committee on reconciliation in bid to further weaken the panel's pro-amnesty stand.

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Thai PM invites South Korean investors for value-added business in Thailand

SEOUL, March 26 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday invited South Korean investors to make investments in Thailand’s value-added industries and services.

Speaking to representatives of the Thai and Korean private sectors, the premier said such Thai opportunities include electronics, electrical appliances, automobile and automobile spare parts producion, machinery, alternative energy, processing agriculture produce, and other value-added services: for instance, research and development, and the entertainment and software industries.

The Thai premier gave a keynote speech at a discussion forum of the Thai and South Korean business communities during a luncheon at Crystal Ballroom organised by Thailand's Board of Investment and the Federation of Korean Industries.

Leading companies from varied businesses participating in the luncheon included LG Electronics, Samsung Group, Hyundai Motor, K-Water, SM Entertainment, and Korail Korea Railroad, some of whom Ms Yingluck met privately after her speech.

According to the Thai prime minister, Thailand and South Korea have been close partners since the Korean War period. She said that the South Korean private sector has been an important part of the country's economic success and sustainable democracy.

For the past decade, over 500 South Korean companies have invested in Thailand. During the past year alone, trade between the two nations increased 12 per cent year-on-year, worth some 15.1 billion South Korean won in value, while investment volume also increased 51 per cent. In regard to tourism, over one million South Korean travellers visit Thailand last year, while about 310,000 Thais entering South Korea. The expansion of trade, investment, and tourism needs to be promoted continually, Ms Yingluck said.

She also affirmed to the investors that her government is investing abot Bt350 billion for water management and flood prevention in the country, including management of water retention of dams, flood embankments at industrial estates, and setting up a 'Single Command' for fast and efficient one-stop water management.

Ms Yingluck said despite last year's flood crisis, Thailand has a strong economic foundation. The quick recovery resulted from strong exports, water management project spending, and the government's policy to boost domestic economy.

The premier noted that Thailand's economy is expected to grow 5.5-6.5 per cent this year, while its strong financial position is a factor to further drive investment expansion. She said her administration has a friendly policy toward investments. Corporate income taxes are to be reduced to 23 per cent this year, and lessened to 20 per cent next year. A regional office in Thailand will also promote trade and investment.

To add value in itself as a centre in the region, Thailand has invested some US$72 billion to develop its infrastructure in the next five years--including a high-speed Bangkok-Chiang Mai train, and the Dawai Deep Sea Port in Myanmar to link with countries in South and South East Asian countries.

Meanwhile, a Thai singer in the South Korean band '2PM', Nichkhun Horvejkul, was at the luncheon to welcome the Thai premier. Ms Yingluck introduced business participants there that the singer is a good example for all Thai youth for his success in South Korea.

Ms Yingluck arrived in Seoul on Saturday and attend the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit today and tomorrow. Her official visit to South Korea is aimed at building trust and bolster cooperation after the flood crisis last year. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-26

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Over 50,000 Thais die of cancer each year

BANGKOK, 26 March 2012 (NNT) – According to the Public Health Ministry, over 50,000 Thais die of cancer each year.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri has revealed that cancer is now the world's number-one killer, claiming 7.6 million lives each year and the number is increasing.

According to the Minister, cancer is also the leading cause of death in Thailand, which killed over 58,000 people in 2010.

At the moment, the Ministry has been campaigning to urge people to change their eating habits, suggesting that they reduce sweet, salty, and oily food, and eat more vegetables. It also encourages people to exercise regularly and refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking.

-- NNT 2012-03-26

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TAT spends THB220 mil in overseas promotion

BANGKOK, 26 March 2012 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to boost Thailand's tourism in overseas markets with a budget of over 220 million baht, while estimating this year's foreign tourist count at 21 million.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/543464-tat-to-officially-unveil-miracle-year-of-amazing-thailand-campaign-next-week/page__view__findpost__p__5165892Full Story:

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Deputy PM Yuthasak dismisses coup speculation

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/543502-deputy-pm-yuthasak-dismisses-coup-speculation/page__view__findpost__p__5165906

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CONTROVERSIAL RECONCILIATION

Democrats resign to protest KPI report

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Nine Democrat Party MPs Monday resigned from the House special committee on national reconciliation to protest against the chairman's refusal to review the report of the King Prajadipok's Institute.

The resignations were announced by Phatthalung MP Nipit Intharasombat. Nipit said that the government has shown that it does not attach importance to coming up with reconciliatory measures for the entire country but was giving priority to the red-shirt people.

"Thus, we will leave the government to reconcile with the red shirts on their own," Nipit said.

Nipit told Thai Rath Online that the resignations were in protest at panel chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin's refusal to review or modify the reconciliation proposals of the KPI.

Nipit said the Democrats, who were minority members of the ad hoc panel, submitted a request to Sonthi on Thursday, asking him to review the proposals of the KPI on national reconciliation but Sonthi would not listen to the demands of the minority side on the panel.

Among other things, the KPI proposed the undoing of all legal cases of the Assets Examination Committee. Sonthi decided to submit the report and proposals of the KPI to the House for endorsement.

Nipit said the KPI itself has backed down from its proposals, asking the panel to first review the pros and cons of its three proposals before rushing them to the House. But Sonthi was still determined to submit the KPI's proposals to the House for a majority vote.

Democrat leader and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has written three open letters to the KPI and Sonthi asking for a review of the report and the proposals but his requests have gone unheeded.

"The nine Democrats decided to resign from the reconciliation panel so that their names would not be used as references in the KPI's report," Nipit said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-26

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YINGLUCK'S VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA

PM discusses women's role with UN chief

SEOUL:-- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and exchanged views on the development of women's roles. Ban showed his support for this, both in Thailand and in the region.

Yingluck said that the development of women's roles is one of her urgent policies and that she brought it to Parliament when her government took office last year, according to Thai News Agency.

She said the Thai government was determined the address women's problems and boost equality between men and women.

A fund to develop women's roles was set up to prevent infringement on women’s rights and to bolster their participation in the country’s development. The government has policies to revise the law, increasing protection for women from domestic violence and to give them more opportunities to access education, scholarships and public health facilities in order to ensure their security and an improved quality of life.

The government also supports the establishment of daycare centres in workplaces and upgrading of shelters for children and women who are victims of domestic violence.

The UN chief praised the first female Thai prime minister, saying the UN also gave importance to improving the roles of women and underprivileged children. It had set up the "Every Women, Every Child" project and also created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

UN Women has opened an office in Bangkok to empower women and underprivileged children in Asia and Southeast Asia.

Yingluck said this would be a good opportunity for the Thai government and UN Women to cooperate in accelerating and improving women's roles in Thailand and in the region, as well as to exchange relevant information in the future.

After the meeting with UN chief, Yingluck had a working dinner with Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Eui Kyun Su, Chairman of Dong-Ah Eleccomm Company at the Lotte Hotel, as well as holding discussion about trade between Thailand and South Korea.

Yingluck was scheduled to give a keynote speech at a discussion forum between Thai and South Korean businesspeople during a luncheon at Crystal Ballroom organised by BOI and the Federation of Korean Industries on Monday

-- The Nation 2012-02-26

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BoT: Minimum wage hike and soaring fuel price might cause inflation

BANGKOK, 26 March 2012 (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has tasked itself with monitoring the impacts which may arise from the entry into force of the minimum wage hike policy as well as the upward adjustment of fuel price in fear of a possible inflation.

BoT Assistant Governor for Monetary Stability Suchada Kirakul has disclosed that the central bank will closely assess the result of the implementation of the 300-baht minimum wage hike policy and the increased fuel price in order to determine how much pressure these two factors will put on inflation. She explained that both entrepreneurs and consumers will likely suffer from the minimum wage increase as it will add to the initial production costs while also limiting the people's purchasing power.

Thus, the BoT is determined to keep a close eye on these two factors to brace the country for a possible resurface of inflation.

-- The Nation 2012-03-26

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Four Thais detained in Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia, for alleged illegal entry; case being filed to court late today/MCOT

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3 armed men robbed Kasikorn money truck in Singhburi, killed security guard and got away with Bt4.1 mn in cash /MCOT

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DSI accepts missing pseudoephedrine pills as special case and will probe 22 hospitals with results expected in 6 months TAN_Network

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Four Thais arrested in Cambodia

The Nation

SA KAEW: -- Four Thais have been arrested in Cambodia's Banteay Meancheay province on charges of illegal entry, Thai police said.

Sa Kaew Immigration Police deputy commander Pol Lt Col Benjapol Rodsawad said Thai police were coordinating with their Cambodian counterparts to try to urgently help the four, who were arrested Sunday night.

Col Kukiart Srinakha, deputy commander of the Burapha Taskforce, said the ThaiCambodian Coordination Office in Sa Kaew's Aranyaprathet district was informed by Cambodian officials in Poipet that four Thais had been arrested by troops of the Cambodian Infantry 51st Division.

The four Thais were travelling in two pickup trucks and have been sent to the military base in Banteay Meancheay for interrogation.

Ta Phraya district chief Yutthana Nutchanart said the four Thais were identified as Saran Parnphet, 42, Suriya Parnphet 42, Bai Sodachan, 24, and Wanwisa Sodachan, 24.

-- The Nation 2012-03-26

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Phuket Gazette 'Green Report': Regional mangrove restoration project receives green light

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET KINDRED SPIRIT: Jaruwan Kaewmahanin (pictured), MAP’s Thailand Field Coordinator, is organizing the Krabi meeting with MAP Asia Coordinator Jim Enright. Photo: MAP

Jaruwan Kaewmahanin (back right) with schoolchildren and their teacher re-planting mangroves. Photo: MAP

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Man survives high-tension drama in Phuket

Phuket Gazette

The homeless man finally ends his search for fruit and lowers himself to the ground after being offered some rice by a concerned Phuket resident. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

Items acquired by the man and stored at his temporary home: the bus stop in front of the TOT office in Thepkrasattri subdistrict, Phuket. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....rama-in-phuket/

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Two Arrested for Drug Dealing

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police have arrested two drug dealers and seized drug worth over one million baht.

A further investigation will be launched soon.

Two drug suspects identified as 20 year-old Ball Ploymad, and 20 year-old Mongkol Rumewej, have been arrested with 3,000 amphetamine pills in their apartment in Soi Intamara 19.

The police received a tip the suspects hid their amphetamine pills inside their apartment before they sell to their clients. Both suspects were charged with possessing narcotics with itent to sell.

The police also seized one car, two motorcycles, 12,000 baht in cash, a list of 45 customers, and one bank passbook which has more than 600,000 baht.

The passbook belongs to Jetima Sornwilaiwan, the girlfriend of Ball.

Furthermore, many items were seized, worth over one million baht.

Both suspects confessed that they picked up drugs from a Laotian woman, named Tan near Saint John University on Vibhavadi Road.

They were able to make profit as high as 20,000 baht for every 2,000 amphetamine pills.

The money was then transferred to Sudjai Palapol's bank account.

The police will launch further investigation.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-26

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Thai police arrest suspected arms smuggler

BANGKOK, March 26, 2012 (AFP) - Thai police said Monday they had discovered 10 rocket launchers and grenades they believed were to be smuggled to ethnic minority rebels across the border in Myanmar in exchange for drugs.

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Yingluck dresses in a Hanbok

The Nation

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra apparently tried to impress the host country by dressing in the traditional South Korean Hanbok.

Posted on her Facebook page were three photos of Yingluck in a pink-and-turquoise Hanbok. The caption says; "PM Yingluck in South Korean traditional dress to honour the Host."

The Thai premier is in Seoul on a three-day official visit at the invitation of the South Korean government.

-- The Nation 2012-03-26

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Thailand, South Korea Look to Strategic Partnership

The prime minister has discussed with private sector representatives to highlight the importance of the private sector in economic coordination between Thailand and South Korea and bilateral cooperation, to upgrade their relations to a "strategic partnership" in the near future.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who started her official visit to South Korea on Saturday, will attend a meeting with leaders of South Korea today to discuss nuclear security.

In the morning, Yingluck held a discussion at Lotte Hotel with Thai private sector representatives and ministers of foreign affairs, commerce, and industry.

During the discussion, Yingluck highlighted the importance of the Thai private sector in reinforcing economic coordination between Thailand and South Korea and bilateral cooperation, to upgrade their relations to a "strategic partnership" in the near future.

The issues discussed included trade and investment, agriculture, labor, tourism, nuclear energy, and environmental cooperation.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has also agreed to the trade expansion between Thailand and South Korea within the next five years, to boost trade volume to 30 billion US dollars.

The South Korean president has also agreed to allow Thailand to import more products, such as frozen fresh chicken, and urged for more investment between the two countries.

Furthermore, Yingluck has exchanged views with Thai businesspeople on trade between Thailand and South Korea.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-26

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Tropical storm warning issued for North, Northeast and Central region

BANGKOK, 26 March 2012 (NNT) - The weather bureau has warned residents in Thailand's North, Northeast and the Central regions to be prepared for the arrival of summer storm. Locals should brace for thunderstorms, gusty winds and hails that may occur in some areas.

According to the Meteorological Department, a moderately-high pressure cell from China is expected to cover Thailand's upper part and the South China sea. When mixed with hot weather in the country, the cold front is expected to turn into a summer storm, bringing precipitations, thunder storms, strong winds and hails.

Today and tomorrow, the easterly wave will also create scattered thundershowers, isolated heavy rain, and gust over the South of Thailand.

Somsak Khaosuwan, chief of the National Disaster Warning Centre, told residents in the affected regions to reinforce their homes in preparation for the summer storms and to take precaution to prevent possible weather-induced accidents.

-- NNT 2012-03-26

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200 autoparts plants hit by 2011 flood resume 60% production, expected to resume 100% operating levels in Q2: Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association /MCOT

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Weekly Cabinet meeting postponed to Thursday

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The weekly Cabinet meeting will be postponed from Tuesday to Thursday because Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is on an official trip to South Korea.

The prime minister is scheduled to return to Thailand later Tuesday but not in time for the morning Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2012-03-26

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Check out Thaivisa New Facebook Page!

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Driver of Wrecked Gas Truck Yet to Report to Police

BANGKOK: -- Investigators are planning to seek arrest warrant for the driver of the gas tanker truck that crashed and caught fire in Bangkok's Pattanakan area last week after he failed to show up to face charges.

Klongton police station's investigator Police Lieutenant Colonel Krissada Khansoda said he has completed interrogating almost every witness except Buapan Suwansaeng, who is still in the incentive care unit of Petcharavej Hospital.

Krissada said driver of the gas tanker truck Anant Kaewma has already been summonsed since March 24 , but he has not shown up yet.

The investigator said if Anant fails to report to police in one day or two, he will be considered attempting to flee and an arrest warrant must be sought against him.

Meanwhile, officials from the Land Transport Department and the Scientific Crime Detection Division inspected the scene on Pattanakan Road where the gas tanker truck crashed into a bridge railing and caught fire.

Truck owner Pilatus Land and Transport Company today sent its representative to meet investigators to provide information, including its safety standards.

The investigation will also cover the truck's safety while the charges against its owner are being considered.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-26

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Four Thais detained in Cambodia for alleged illegal entry

SA KAEO, March 26 – Four Thais have been detained in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey for alleged illegal entering into the neighbouring country. The case is due to be filed in court late Monday.

The four are identified as Saran Panphet and Suriya Panphet, both 42, who are Sa Kaeo natives, as well as their mining contractors and assistants-- Bai Sodachan and his wife, Ms Wanwisa, both aged 24.

The four were detained while driving two pick-up trucks to survey a mine in Cambodian territory, nine kilometres from the Thai-Cambodian border.

Pol Lt-Col Benchapol Rodsawat, deputy superintendent of immigration police in Sa Kaeo, said he learned from Cambodian officials that on March 24, the four contacted Cambodian border police to bring mining equipment and power generator to enter Cambodia at the Bungtakuan-Taphraya border crossing for mining survey in Cambodia’s Udon Meechai province.

They were later detained by Cambodian soldiers as they carried no travel documents and charged with illegal entry.

Pol Lt-Col Benchapol said that he was informed by Cambodian officials that the case of the four Thai nationals is being filed to the Sisophon court late Monday.

The Thai authorities are working with their Cambodian counterparts to quickly help the four detainees, according to Pol Lt-Col Benchapol. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-26

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Provinces Rushing to Resolve Smog Crisis

THAILAND: -- Many provinces in the North are rushing to resolve the smog crisis after dust density has worsened beyond the safety standard.

The smog and wildfire situation in northern provinces has been continuing over a month.

The intensity of smoke and dust has risen above the safety standard and is affecting the public health.

Her Majesty the Queen has voiced concern over the smog issue and asked the military to cooperate with each province to resolve the problem.

Payao Governor Maitri Intusoot and military units in Payao Province brought 20 trucks to spray water into the air around Chai Kwan Payao Road and Muang Payao District to ease the smog intensity and increase the air humidity.

The level of dust was measured between 130 and 150 micrograms per cubic meter which was higher than the standard.

The governor joined hands with provincial officials, and more than 300 local residents to build a barricade to prevent wildfire at the entrance of Jumpathong waterfall in Bann Tum Subdistrict of Muang Payao District.

Furthermore, the participants also campaigned for locals to dispose of stumps without burning them.

Meanwhile, soldiers from Surasakmontri military base brought a water truck and one fire truck to spray water in Muang and Mae Moh districts to raise humidity during the day to reduce the dust density in the air.

According to the air quality measurement in the North by the Pollution Control Department, the dust density or MP-10 level has reached between 92.6 and 221.8 micrograms per cubic meter.

The air pollution was at the medium to high level which was able to harm locals' health.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-26

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Drought Worsens in North, Northeast

THAILAND: -- The drought crisis in the northern and northeastern parts of the country is spreading as more provinces and their farmland are now being affected.

The drought situation in Sukhothai Province is deteriorating. In addition about 200,000 people from nine districts being affected, 22 elephants in Si Satchanalai District are also facing food shortage.

A livestock official has reported that the elephant owner is left to shoulder a high cost because the drought has killed all the plants used to feed the elephants.

At the same time, the natural habitat has been turned into rubber plantations.

The elephants are now being fed with cheap bananas to save cost. Those who would like to offer assistance, could contact the Si Satchanalai Elephant Camp.

The drought situation is also getting worse in Nakhon Sawan Province, as many plots of farmland are facing water shortage.

A local farmer has to pump up water from a well located a half-kilometer away for a whole week to irrigate his land.

This has already cost him 10,000 baht while the public water sources are going dry.

The drought is also spreading in Maha Sarakham Province, causing drinking water shortage in many villages.

The provincial authority has designated three districts as drought zones.

The Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in the province expects the drought to be more severe. Local farmers are urged to plant dry-land crops which will be ready for harvest within a short time.

Meanwhile, in Ubon Ratchathani Province, cassava farmers are selling their crops to the processing facilities.

The recent continuous rainfall has increased the production volume, causing the fresh cassava price to drop to 1.60 baht per kilogram and shredded or dried cassava price to fall to five baht per kilogram .

The Meteorological Department forecasts precipitation in 30 to 40 percent of the province with strong winds and possible hailstorms, from now till March 29.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-26

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PRESS RELEASE

WD ships first 2 TB portable hard drive

World's top-selling external storage solution gets capacity boost, premium new design, improved signature features of security and automatic backup

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SET index closed at 1188.32, down 6.12; Bt/USD30.65; GBP48.53; AUD31.94; EUR40.55; CAD30.56; HKD3.94; SGD24.13; JPY36.88