Thailand Live Wednesday 28 March 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 27 Mar 2012

THAIVISA CONNECT

Thaivisa Forum Apps for your mobile or tablet

"Thaivisa Connect" for iPhone, iPad and iPod:

iTunes App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thaivisa-connect-thailand/id492600537

"Thaivisa Connect" for Android:

Android Market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkthaivisa.activity

OR

For QR code just go here with your desktop or mobile:

http://apps.thaivisa.com

Blasts, fire at Saraburi fireworks factory spark evacuation

SARABURI: -- Explosions erupted late yesterday evening at a fireworks factory in Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district, causing no casualties but prompting an evacuation of residents within a five-kilometre radius.

Full story:

Reconciliation report sparks House turmoil

Democrats put up strong resistance against early deliberation of 'peace' plan

BANGKOK: -- Turmoil rocked the House of Representatives yesterday as the opposition Democrats put up tough resistance to the controversial reconciliation report, which had been tabled for deliberation.

Full story:

Amnesty for Thaksin? - Prasong disputes Chavalit's account of 1980s amnesty

BANGKOK: -- Prasong Soonsiri, once known as a "security czar", warned yesterday that white washing certain people's wrongdoings for the sake of national reconciliation could lead to an even worse political conflict.

Full story:

TELECOMS

True vows to continue partnership with CAT

Supachai

CEO unfazed by ministry's investigation of firms' 3G deals

Full story:

Ministerial action urged over Vice TV message 'Thailand is the world's brothel'

Nathee

BANGKOK: -- Gay rights defender Nathee Theerarojanapong yesterday urged Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome to act against writer/TV host Lakkhana "Kham Phaka" Panwichai whose television show claimed Thailand was the world's brothel.

Full story:

COLD PILLS

7 million pseudoephedrine pills unaccounted for at Udon Thani hospital

UDON THANI: -- More than seven million pseudoephedrinecontaining tablets, one of which can reportedly make three amphetamine pills, have gone missing over the past three years from an Udon Thani hospital that is currently under investigation, a senior resident pharmacist said yesterday.

Full story:

Royal cremation ceremony details

The Nation

Photo: Sakol Sandhiratne

BANGKOK: -- His Eminence Somdej Phra Vannarat of Wat Bovornniwet Viharn will lead the procession on the Lotus Petal Royal Palanquin, chanting Abhidharma, into the ceremonial ground at Sanam Luang, as part of the HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda's royal cremation on April 9, Religious Affairs Department chief Preecha Kantiya yesterday.

Culture Minister Sukumon Kunpluem said that, at 4pm on April 9, the public can offer scentedwood flowers for cremation at five spots around Sanam Luang - three in the North of Sanam Luang, one at Chang Pier and one opposite the Statue of Mother Earth Squeezing Her Hair - as well as 46 Bangkok temples and at 736 temples upcountry.

She said the Department of Fine Arts has published two million leaflets on the princess's biography, works and the royal crematorium information to hand out to the public at the floweroffering pavilions nationwide on April 9, as well as to those visiting the crematorium on April 11-17.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

STOPPAGE TIME

Thailand - The plot thickens

Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- With the reconciliation juggernaut approaching full tilt, it's probably time to stock up on instant noodles and map out contingency traffic plans to avoid places that protesters love.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-plot-thickens/

In desperate need of role models in national politics: Thai opinion

Full story:

Tablets to be given to 7thgraders in November

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In November, when the second semester of the next school years begins, around 700,000 computer tablets will be distributed to seventhgraders across the country, with cash being be provided to parents who wish to buy a preferred model, Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvej said yesterday.

It has not been decided if the tablet model will be the same as that to be distributed to firstgraders in the first semester next year starting in midMay, or a different model with specifications tailored to seventhgraders' instructional needs, he said.

Suchart was speaking at a seminar at the Kurusapa Business Organisation in Bangkok, at which he also proposed that college and university graduates who have not yet earned a separate teaching credential be allowed to work as teachers.

He also said that a communal server would be set up to store school lessons and relevant applications through cloud computing, while schools would be given budgets to purchase or secure additional applications of their choice.

Of the approximately 20,000 new teachers who replace teachers leaving the system each year, around 30 per cent - to be dubbed "newbreed teachers" - would be given additional training or selected from among new graduates without teaching credentials, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

Tyre blowout causes fatality

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Toyota Vigo pickup truck's tyre explosion on Bangkok's tollway 100 metres from the THAIS headquarters yesterday morning led to the death of a passenger.

The accident took place at 11am on the inbound tollway lane and killed Saraburi-native Saiyud Phasuk, 43, instantly.

Saiyud's body was found at the Vibhavadi Road concrete barrier near the wreckage of the truck.

Truck driver Supajit Saimaya, 43, and front-seat passenger Sumet Nammeun, 40, were slightly injured.

Police say the three men worked as NGV-tank installation mechanics and were on their way to a job at Din Daeng. The truck was travelling at high speed when the right rear tire exploded sending it crashing into the concrete barrier.

Saiyud was hanging on to the truck's canopy when it flew off in the impact, throwing him on to the Vibhavadi Road below.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

Jobs in Israel scheme under investigation: Thailand

BANGKOK: -- A deputy Department of Employment directorgeneral has been under investigation for launching - while his superior was away - an urgent employment scheme to seek Thai workers for jobs in Israel.

Full story:

Private Thai Hospitals defiant on medical plan

Major private ones say policy on free emergency services still not clear

BANGKOK: -- With more than 10 leading private hospitals still holding out over murky guidelines, the government’s policy to allow citizens free access to emergency medical services from any provider is not going to happen by April 1.

Full story:

NMG offers iPads, deals at book fair

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Nation Multimedia Group will present not just a great selection of quality books, but also tempting promotions, including a chance to win the latest version of the iPad, at the upcoming national book fair.

Discounts on books at NMG's booth, M17 in Zone C1, run from 15 per cent to 90 per cent during the "40th National Book Fair & 10th Bangkok International Book Fair 2012", to be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from tomorrow through April 8. Publishers under NMG will bring along their new books, as well as their famous authors.

NMG chairman Suthichai Yoon, who is editor of the Thai version of Walter Isaacson's "Steve Jobs", will be there on Saturday. He is scheduled to join a seminar on the megahit book between 3pm and 4pm alongside the book's lead translator, Nonglak Charuwat.

In the evening, Suthichai will take part in a ceremony to launch emagazine versions of Nation Weekend and Nation Junior. Copies of "Steve Jobs" signed by Suthichai will be available during the fair, too.

On April 4, prominent TV news anchorman Kanok Ratwongsakul will be on hand between 6pm and 7pm to promote his new book, "Kanok Kod Like" (Kanok Clicks Like).

The great selection of books at the NMG booth will cover topics including health, marketing, financial management and dhamma. Apart from books published by NMG, the booth will also have items from other publishers on sale. Moreover, anyone buying at least Bt400 worth of books at the booth will get a chance to win one of two Apple iPad3 tablets by participating in an NMG lucky draw.

There are special deals for potential readers of The Nation, as well. They can get a oneyear subscription of The Nation for just Bt4,900 at the NMG booth during the event, besides getting the newspaper free for 30 days plus a Foodland voucher worth Bt500. Current subscribers can renew their subscription for one year at Bt4,900 and get 45 days of The Nation free, plus a Foodland voucher worth Bt500.

If they subscribe to both The Nation and Newsweek for one year for just Bt5,500, they will get the newspaper free for 30 days plus a Bt500 Foodland voucher. For renewals of the combined oneyear subscription, they will get 45 days of The Nation free plus a Bt500 Foodland voucher.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

Panita invited to hear charges on Friday

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrang

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Prime Minister's Office permanent secretary Tongthong Chandrangsu will invite the Social Development and Human Security Ministry's former permanent secretary Panita Kambhu Na Ayutthaya to listen to charges against her on Friday (March 30) afternoon at the Office of the AuditorGeneral (OAG).

Panita was transferred to an inactive post after a sixmember disciplinary committee probed allegations that she misspent state funds while travelling abroad.

Tongthong, who led the probe, commented after the committee's meeting yesterday that Panita's invitation to hear charges on Friday was within the 15day period after the probe order was issued on March 6.

The OAG says the expenditure of donation money or income from statesponsored charity homes in 200809 was not according to regulations, and the OAG wants the money to be repaid and the officials involved to face punishment.

Besides notifying Panita of the charges, the committee would get more details. It will ask the Social Development and Human Security Ministry for information about each trip made and whether there was similar spending before 200809, and whether the OAG had objected to it, Tongthong said. He said he was confident that Panita would show up because if she didn't the probe couldn't commence and wouldn't benefit her.

Commenting about Panita's appeal for the PM's Office to review her transfer and investigation orders, Tongthong said it was within the authority of Social Development and Human Security Minister to decide to review the disciplinary probe or not. So as long as the order remains, the committee was dutybound and will report the probe result back to the minister.

Tongthong said he didn't feel uneasy about investigating the politically sensitive case, because the probe committee will simply consider the evidence and maintain the principles of transparency according to the law.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

Thai, Australia police bust human trafficking ring

BANGKOK (AP) - Police in Thailand and Australia have arrested six people in a multi-nation operation against human trafficking networks.

Full story:

AFP: Thai man arrested in South Africa over alleged rhino poaching

JOHANNESBURG, March 28, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai man has been arrested at a Johannesburg casino in connection with a rhino poaching syndicate accused of hiring prostitutes to smuggle rhino horns, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Full story:

16 vehicle pileup on Mittraphap Road, in Saraburi trailer truck brake failure; three killed, 20 injured; reopened for traffic as normal /MCOT

Green light for House debate on reconciliation

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tuesday's House-Senate session has given a green light for the House to debate reconciliation measures following an exchange of barbs from afternoon to midnight.

The Democrats walked out to boycott the vote which they saw as a push to rescue fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra instead of bringing about a genuine reconciliation.

Parliament approved the activation of reconciliation debate by the 346-to-17 vote. Seven abstained from voting.

As the current session is authorised to only enact laws, the House needs the parliamentary approval if it wants to debate a non-legislative issue like reconciliation.

The House is expected on April 4 to kick off the debate based on the report of the Sonthi Boonyaratglin committee on reconciliation.

The Sonthi report has cited a study done by the King Prajadhipok's Institute to outline recommendations on fence-mending measures, including the controversial proposal to repeal the work of the Asset Examination Committee.

The AEC was the main agency set up in the wake of the 2006 coup to take charge of targetting Thaksin for graft proceedings.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

Thai Immigration releases promotional video

Full story:

Bangkok Motor Show Kicks Off, Record Orders Expected

Phantom Drophead Coupe

Eco-cars likely to get lion's share

BANGKOK: -- A record number of orders are expected to be placed at this year's Bangkok International Motor Show, which officially kicks off today at the Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....rders-expected/

Air Show Held to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Thai Aviation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Air Force will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Thai aviation with an air show from the Blue Phoenix, Thailand's first aerobatics team.

Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, or RTAF, Air Chief Marshal Ittiporn Supawong yesterday presided over the ceremony to kick off the celebration of the Centennial of RTAF Forefathers' Aviation at the Flying Training School in Nakhon Pathom's Kamphaeng Saen District.

Ittiporn said that an air show will be performed by the Blue Phoenix aerobatics team at Don Muang Airport on July 2 with the prime minister to be invited to preside over the ceremony.

To mark the occasion, several special activities were held yesterday, including the shows of Gripen 39C and F-16A fighter jets.

Blue Phoenix will perform an air show at three venues, the first being at the RTAF's Wing 41 in Chiang Mai Province during April 17 and 20, the second at RTAF's Wing 23 in Surat Thani Province during May 15 and 18, and the last at the RTAF museum in Bangkok's Don Muang District during June 29 and July 2.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-28

Air Force Chief Requests Unconditional Reconciliation Measures

The Air Force Chief says the restoration of national unity must be free from any condition to avoid potential problems.

Air Force Commander-in-Chief Ittiporn Supawong said all parties support national reconciliation, but they still have different viewpoints over the way to achieve it.

Ittiporn said the unity rebuilding process needs cooperation and openness to all viewpoints while suggesting no condition be set for the reconciliation given it could jeopardize the effort.

He then suggested the revival of the 66/23 policy implemented in 1980 that granted amnesty for people convicted of serious crimes, which has been not in use for long time. Therefore, it should be adapted to meet the present conditions.

However, Ittiporn declined to comment about the House committee on reconciliation's resolution in using a majority vote to apply the King Prachatipok's Institute's recommended abolition of the legal actions proceeded by the defunct Assets Examination Committee.

Regrading the planned return of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinwatra to the country before the end of this year, he said the decision solely relies on the latter, but he must comply with the country's judicial system.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-28

Phuket Andaman News: Police raid illegal Phang Nga logging camp

Phang Nga Governor Thumrong Charoenkul suspects a local village chief is involved in the illegal logging operation and is pushing for the maximum penalty for the offenders. Photo: Warisa Temram

PHUKET: -- A mass raid on an illegal logging camp on Monday by more than 20 Border Patrol Police officers resulted in 13 felled trees and more than 100 logs being seized.

Full story:

Khao San business operators expect 20% growth during 2012 Songkran

BANGKOK, 28 March 2012 (NNT) – Business operators on the famous Khao San Road are hopeful that tourist growth during the upcoming Songkran holidays will be as high as 20 percent.

President of the Khao San Business Association, Prasit Singdamrong, said on Tuesday that, he expects the number of Thai and foreign tourists on Khao San Road during the Songkran holidays to surge between 20 and 30 percent, when compared with the same time of last year.

This year, the Thai New Year festival runs from April 13th to 16th.

Mr. Prasit said that, with some 200,000 tourists forecast on this famous strip during the 4-day holidays, the revenue growth target is set at 20 percent from last year, to around 100 million baht.

However, he conceded that the number of European visitors to Khao San has fallen slightly, as many decided to visit other parts of the country, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phang Nga and Samui.

At the same time, the street has recently seen more tourists from within the country and from other Asian nations, including Taiwan, Japan, India and Indonesia.

-- NNT 2012-03-28

Phuket Immigration to close for holidays

The Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town will be closed for five days in April to observe public holidays. Photo: Gazette file

Full story:

RT @RichardBarrow: Another tragic accident - RT @191Thailand: Pick-up truck crashed into a canal in Ayutthaya. 7 dead & 12 injured

Motorcycle passengers urged to wear helmets

BANGKOK, 28 March 2012 (NNT) – The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has launched a campaign to encourage pillion riders to wear safety helmets in order to reduce injuries and death from motorcycle accidents.

The OIC has sets a target to increase the number of people wearing helmet by 60 percent this year. The OIC and several insurance associations and organizations have together held a campaign to encourage helmet wearing.

This year, the campaign is placing an emphasis on scooter passengers, both on personal motorcycles and on motorcycle taxis. A recent survey has found that 54% of motorcycle pillion riders in Bangkok wear a helmet, while only 19-24% of passengers in other provinces do the same.

As the Songkran Festival is approaching, the organizer has also advised riders to check their motorbikes before use and renew their car registrations and insurances.

-- NNT 2012-03-28