Thailand Live Friday 30 Mar 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 30 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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SURVEY

Many turning to loan sharks: TCC

BANGKOK: -- The rising cost of living will force consumers whose income is lower than Bt10,000 per month to borrow more from loan sharks, while the Kingdom's public debt will also go up, says the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Full story:

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Pattanakarn left without power as garbage truck goes on rampage

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A garbage truck caused a blackout along Pattanakarn Road after it rammed into roadside trees, overturned and toppled six power poles shortly after 3am yesterday.

Its allegedly drunk driver, Boonleu Montasuk, was not hurt, but the awnings of many roadside shops were ripped off and their signs knocked down.

Since the poles and trees blocked all outbound lanes and garbage from the truck was strewn all around, police had to use an inbound lane from Pattanakarn Soi 55 to 61 for outbound traffic.

Utility officials said it would take about a day to restore electricity for the community.

Boonleu, 41, a permanent employee of the Pathum Wan District Office, claimed a car suddenly cut in front of him, forcing him to swerve into the trees to avoid a collision.

"I am not drunk or anything," he said.

When Boonleu was taken to Prawet Police Station and tested with a breathalyser, the results showed he had 219 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, well over the legal maximum of 50 milligrams, police said. Boonleu was charged with driving under the influence and causing property damage.

The accident took place while he was driving the truck from the Pathum Wan District Office to the On Nut Garbage Disposal Centre.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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ENVIRONMENT

Thai Govt called for moving 2 million people from mountain zones

BANGKOK: -- Forestry experts and environmental activists yesterday called on the government to move more than 2 million people out of mountainous areas, especially those in headwater forests, to protect forests from encroachment and prevent floods.

Full story:

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CHARTER AMENDMENT

Panel votes to revive Thai govt draft

Nipit Intarasombat, second left, and other Democrat MPs who are members of the parliamentary committee vetting the constitutional amendment bills call a press conference at the Parliament building yesterday to explain their walkout during the panel

Coalition whips to seek extension of parliamentary session

BANGKOK: -- The government camp in the parliamentary committee vetting the constitutional-amendment bills yesterday cast a new vote to change the Constitution Drafting Assembly's composition and retain the government draft.

Full story:

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DSI Closes Case Against PM Yingluck On Alleged Concealment Of Shin Corp Shareholding

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....p-shareholding/

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VALENTINE'S DAY BLASTS

Thai Police in Malaysia for custody of Iranian

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police investigators and public prosecutors have travelled to Malaysia to take custody of Iranian suspect Masoud Sedaghatzadeh, who faces prosecution over his alleged involvement in the February 14 attacks in Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road area.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police deputy commander Pol Maj Gen Anuchai Lekbumrung, who leads the investigation, said Malaysian authorities requested more documents related to the bombings and investigation, which police would forward soon.

Anuchai said the legal procedures against Sedaghatzadeh should not be complicated as Thai authorities had received solid co-operation from Malaysia. He could not say when Thai police would take custody of Sedaghatzadeh.

The Iranian fled to Malaysia on the day of the bombings but was arrested by authorities at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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ANALYSIS

'Maybe they all must die first'

Wasant

Constitution Court chief's gloomy analysis of reconciliation process coincides with new setbacks and controversies

BANGKOK: -- Constitution Court President Wasant Soipisut was probably only echoing many people's opinions, but his verdict on the prospect of the ongoing "reconciliation" process appeared damning nonetheless. "I can't see how we can achieve peace," he said, while giving a speech marking the court's anniversary. "Maybe this generation of political rivals have to die first."

Full story:

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Police transfers linked to Pheu Thai

The Nation

BANGKOK; -- Police officers with ties to the Pheu Thai Party's leadership have been assigned to important positions or precincts in a reshuffle of Bangkok-based officers at the sub-division and station chief levels.

The transferred chiefs of three police stations in areas where gambling dens were alleged by the Rak Thailand Party to be operating are unlikely to return to their posts.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Winai Thongsong said the Bangkok transfers were based on performance and the "virtue of [officers'] good deeds".

Pol Colonel Suwitcha Jindakham, an officer assigned to former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, the secretary-general of the Opposition-leading Democrat Party, a rival of Pheu Thai, has been transferred away from the post.

The mid-year reshuffle will take effect in April after it is approved by the Royal Thai Police.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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Five promoted to general in Thai army reshuffle

BANGKOK: -- The midyear military reshuffle sees the elevation of five classmates of Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha to the rank of full general to fill advisory positions.

Full story:

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Thai group calls for ban on betting ads

BANGKOK: -- A youth advocacy group yesterday urged Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome to ban advertisements for soccer gambling and pornographic videos in print media.

Full story:

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Thai govt vows strict quality control for computer tablets

BANGKOK: -- The government is ensuring strict quality control in the production of the first batch of tablet computers for its One Tablet Per Child scheme.

Full story:

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Airports Of Thailand (AoT) Urged To Boost Don Mueang Airport Use

Full story:

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Thaksin's Songkran Cost At Bt6,500 Per Head

Full story:

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Ombudsman: Royal Thai Police Found To Be Most Corrupt

Full story:

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Two killed in drug sting operation in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Two drug suspects were killed and another wounded after a sting operation in Kamphaeng Phet, which ended in their vehicle hitting a tree while they tried to escape.

Full story:

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American accused of sexually assaulting 13 year old girl, arrested by Pattaya Police

Full story:

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'Powerful figure' implicated in scandal over stolen cold pills

BANGKOK: -- At least one very powerful figure has been implicated in the embezzlement of pills containing pseudoephedrine from state hospitals, the public health minister's adviser, Pasit Sakdanarong, said yesterday.

Full story:

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Villagers want truck ban, road repairs

The Nation

AYUTTHAYA: -- Surachet Chaikosol, secretary to the deputy transport minister, yesterday negotiated with 300 angry residents of Tambon Bang Rakham in Ayutthaya's Nakhon Luang district who had blocked the Nakhon Luang-Tha Reu Road with burning tyres since Wednesday night to prevent big trucks from passing.

The residents said a 10km-long stretch of road through their neighbourhood was crammed with trucks passing day and night to and from a nearby port used to ship coal, minerals and fertilisers. They said the road had deteriorated badly due to the heavy usage, combined with flood damage, resulting in clouds of dust that covered homes and caused respiratory problems.

Nakhon Luang district officials said they had requested road-repair funds, and that the trucking and port-operating companies had agreed to pay for asphalt paving to mitigate the problem until the repairs were complete. The residents want the road repaired within three months, and big trucks barred from using it until repairs are finished. Further talks with truck operators were scheduled for today.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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Bt2,000 flood coupons for Bt300

The Nation

AYUTTHAYA: -- Flood-affected Ayutthaya residents have resorted to selling Energy Ministry-issued Bt2,000 coupons, which expire tomorrow(March 31), to a merchant who offered to buy them for Bt300 each.

Bang Pa-in resident Anupong Khongklom, said many friends had sold their coupons to a merchant for Bt300 because they didn't know what to buy and suspected the merchant was an appliance trader wishing to cash them. Anupong was among many residents who went to Charoen Paibul, the province's largest electrical-appliance shop and the only place in Ayutthaya's Koh Muang area that still accepted the coupons, to buy appliances.

However, they found that there were no expensive appliances for sale. Ayutthaya Charoen Paibul executive Narongsak Sriphotsomboon said most people mistakenly thought they could just exchange the coupons for appliances.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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Phuket scam artists boost another 14 cars

DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR? Phuket resident Anan Jutamas holds up a photo taken by Customs officers on the border checkpoint at Mae Sai showing the three men who tried to take his car out of the country and into Myanmar (inset). Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

Also taken advantage of was Lakana Omchompu, owner of Ice Fashion car rental in front of Surakul Stadium. She said she lost eight cars to the pair. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

Full story:

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Phuket pyre flames B182mn of pirated goods

Pirated goods valued at more than 182 million baht were shoveled into the Phuket Town incinerator. Photo: Orawin Narabal

POUND FOR POUND: Deputy Commerce Minister Bhumi Saraphol hammers his ‘Stop Piracy’ campaign slogan home – Buy original! Photo: Orawin Narabal

Full story:

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US Embassy calls for American expats in Phuket to register to vote

The US Embassy in Bangkok, headed by Ambassador Kristie Kenney (pictured), is calling for all American citizens in Phuket to register to ensure they can vote in the US Presidential Election. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Expat Americans in Phuket and the rest of the world are reminded that it is necessary to re-register for their voting rights.

Full story:

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UTCC: THB300 minimum wage to boost GDP by 0.5-0.6%

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT) - A leading researcher has predicted that the new daily minimum wage will help boost the economic growth by at least 0.5%.

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)'s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting Director Thanavath Pholvichai said that the new 300-baht minimum wage, which will come into effect on April 1st, will benefit 3.5-5 million wage earners nationwide.

He said that the higher rate is translated into an average revenue rise of 60 baht per day or 1,800 baht per month. Accordingly, there should be an addition of 7-9 billion baht of cash circulating in the economy each month, or around 70 billion baht each year.

Under such circumstances, Mr. Thanavath forecasted that Thai GDP will consequently grow by 0.5-0.6 percent.

However, he conceded that the higher labor cost will drive production costs of goods and, eventually, retail prices up by 5-10 percent during the second half of this year. Moreover, he predicted that new employment will also be limited while some businesses may decide to move their production bases to neighboring countries, where wages are lower.

In any case, as Thailand is still in demand for another 3 million workers, Mr. Thanavath believes that more significant impact of the minimum wage rise will be more substantial in 3 years' time.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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PM urges all agencies to prepare Thailand for AEC in 2015

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT) – The prime minister has urged all state agencies to help prepare the country for ASEAN Community that will be realized in 2015.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Anusorn Iamsa-ard said on Thursday that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged all state agencies, whose work is related to the emergence of ASEAN Community, to speedily conduct studies to identify Thailand's strengths and weaknesses.

Mr. Anusorn added that the conclusions from these studies will be used in the formulation of an action plan to prepare the country for a freer and more inter-connected regional community.

In addition, the Premier has also instructed officials involved to devise approaches to invite the private sector to play more parts in prompting Thailand for the ASEAN Community.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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Greater Phuket healthcare advances with Krabi's first international hospital

With the nearest ‘international hospitals’ being in Phuket, some two hours’ drive away, the opening of the Krabi Nakharin International Hospital later his year is expected to be well received by the Krabi bayside expat community. Photo: Ton Company Ltd

PHUKET: -- Phuket’s Andaman neighbors in Krabi province will soon be able to take advantage of superior healthcare facilities when the long-awaited Krabi Nakharin International Hospital finally opens its doors later this year.

Full story:

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Thai PM Yingluck targets tourism revenue to reach 2 trillion Baht in 5 years

BANGKOK, March 30 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday that Thailand is one of the best tourism destinations in the world and that her government has targeted generating tourism industry revenues at two trillion baht within the next five years.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,205.25, up 1.34 points /MCOT

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Democrat Party leader Abhisit presided over general assembly to select party's executive board members at Miracle Grand Hotel /TANN