Thailand Live Friday 30 Mar 2012

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RT @mpoppel: Kyodo: Japan orders SDF to intercept N. Korea rocket when necessary

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Nakhon Si Thammarat Forest Severely Encroached by Illegal Loggers

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- A large number of trees in a forest within Lansaka District have been illegally felled. Officers have arrested seven suspects.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Lansaka District Chief, Apinan Puekpong, and forest rangers inspected the Khao Pluang-Ban Nai Pud forest reserve area after they received a report that a lot of trees were being felled illegally.

Wood processing plants have been set up in the area. A total of seven suspects were arrested by the officers. The suspects claimed they were cutting trees on private property. Officers seized wood cutting and processing equipments and more than 50 hopea and shorea gratissima logs.

Meanwhile, a group of administrative officials and forest rangers surveyed the Khao Luang National Park via helicopter. It was found that many large trees were felled. They also noticed illegal loggers trying to hide in the forest.

llegal logging in Lansaka District increased after the rainy season, leading to environmental concerns and volatile weather changes within the area. The district, which was once recognized as having the cleanest air, would become more polluted due to the lack of trees.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Failing to compete w/ iPhones, Android smart phones, BlackBerry to exit most consumer markets, focus on business clients /The Nation

Prov Police Region 5,narcotics officers seize 6,000 bottles of liquid pseudoephedrine-based cold medication at warehouse in Chiang Mai /TANN

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BlackBerry maker to focus on business users after losses grow

SAN FRANCISCO: -- BlackBerry maker RIM said Thursday that it will refocus on business users after its long bid to battle Apple and Google resulted in another quarter of mounting losses.

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Govt to Compensate Violence Victims in Deep South

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet meeting approved a special budget for those affected in the Deep South unrest.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chaired yesterday's Cabinet meeting after returning from South Korea.

The Cabinet approved compensation for victims of the southern insurgency with a financial amount of two billion baht.

Initially, there are four groups of victims eligible for the scheme.

The first group includes ordinary people injured or killed during the unrest.

The Cabinet has prepared a budget of 500 million baht for this group.

Another 200 million baht is allocated for the second group of victims who are civil servants.

The third group includes those who were killed during the massacre at Krue Se Mosque and the Tak Bai tragedy.

A one billion baht budget will be set aside for this group. Families of victims will receive compensation up to 7.5 million baht.

Lastly, the fourth type of victims are people who lost their freedom and were wrongfully detained. The budget for compensation for this group is estimated at around 300 million baht.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry proposed a solution to the drop in potato prices.

The Cabinet was suggested to increase the pledging price for potatoes containing 25 percent starch content, from 2.85 to three baht a kilogram in April and from 2.90 to 3.20 baht per kilogram in May.

The Finance Ministry proposed the Excise Department's legal development draft concerning tax exemption and tax refund for liquor export.

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry reported the progress of the one tablet per child program.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Central to expand branches to ASEAN

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT) - The Central Retail Corporation (CRC) has aimed to make itself an international brand by focusing on the expansion to ASEAN countries.

CRC Chief Executive Officer Tos Chirathivat said the company will be transformed into an international brand, setting the target to increase the international sales ratio to 50% of its overall income in five years.

The Thai retail giant began its overseas business venture in 2010, with the international sales accounting for only 0.2%. Last year, its overseas income has increased to 7% of overall income.

New executives have been appointed to improve the company’s international image. The CRC will expand its branches to other countries in the ASEAN region such as Myanmar, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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Want a fun place to stay in Pattaya, Try: http://bit.ly/penthousehotel

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Thailand may give kids book coupons for free

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Revenue Department to Give Phone Calls over Weekends Regarding Tax Deduction

BANGKOK: -- The Revenue Department announces that taxpayers may receive calls from officials during the weekend to seek additional documents for their tax payment as they are now working seven days a week during the tax season.

Revenue Department Deputy Director-General Jitmanee Suwannapoon disclosed that officials are currently rushing to review documents of taxpayers who are eligible for tax refunds, and that they are working seven days a week at this time.

For this reason, Jitmanee asked residents not to panic if they receive calls from Revenue Department officials during the weekend, asking for additional documents.

She further said that officials will only ask for documents and will not seek information about bank details.

The Revenue Department will refund tax as cheques only to the address of taxpayers.

Taxpayers who have not submitted their income tax documents should do so as soon as possible.

Tax forms can be submitted electronically until April 10 while those who want to submit hard documents can do so at all tax offices before April 2.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Health experts urge govt to increase tobacco tax

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT) – Health experts have asked the Thai government to raise the tax on tobacco to reduce the number of new smokers.

Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TRC), government agencies, and the WHO have revealed a research finding, which says Thailand should increase tobacco tax to prevent smokers switching to smoking cheaper cigarettes instead of kicking the habit.

The TRC, thus, suggested that the government raise all types of tobacco tax at once, making cigarettes more expensive and decreasing smokers' purchasing power; the factors which, eventually, will lead to a reduction in the number of smokers, particularly among youths.

Meanwhile, Prakit Vathesatogkit from the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation said that the government could at the same time earn more from tobacco tax if cigarettes are made more expensive; while the move could also reduce the number of new smokers.

A representative from the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that new tax adjustment should be implemented, indicating that countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia have successfully reduced the number of smokers by raising cigarettes prices.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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Angry pineapple farmers may block southern route

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT) - Thousands of pineapple farmers have threatened to block a southern-bound road on Friday, demanding solutions to oversupply and price drops.

According to Somchit Nguikai, a leader of the protesting farmers, pineapple farmers have gathered since 8 am this morning to close off two lanes of south-bound Phetchakasem road in Prachuab Khiri Khan province. The farmers have also threatened to intensify their protest if the upshot of today's National Pineapple meeting is not satisfying.

The farmers, prior to this protest, requested that the government assist them by earmarking over 800 million baht to buy an excess of 200,000 tons of pineapple at four baht a kilogram, taking them out of the system in order to prop up the price.

More than 10,000 farmers have shown up in the protest today. Mr.Somchit said they would dump pineapples on the road if their demand was not met.

Meanwhile, Pol.Maj.Gen.Wichian Tantiya, chief of Prachuab Khirikhan Provincial Police, has deployed thousands of riot control officers and plainclothes police to maintain order; vowing that no road blockage will be allowed as the closure of Phetchakasem road will affect transportation to the South.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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Flood Victims Not Getting 5,000 Baht Compensation

BANGKOK: -- The distribution of a 5,000 baht flood compensation still has not been completed with almost 100 flood-affected households in Lampang Province which have yet to receive the cash.

More than a hundred residents of Ban Wang Chai Pattana in Lampang's Pichai Subdistrict, led by former village headman Kittipol Techakant, gathered to protest at how about 100 flood-affected households still have yet to receive the 5,000 baht flood recovery compensation provided by the government.

Kittipol said the current village headman and the Pichai Subdistrict Administrative Organization chief claimed those 100 locals failed to register for the compensation in time and now the office has run out of money to make the payment.

Kittipol added the subdistrict administrative organization instructed each village headman to inform households under their jurisdiction to register for financial assistance.

He claimed, however, that the Ban Wang Chai Pattana village headman told only 48 households out of 150 households eligible for compensation.

Deputy Governor Suwat Promsuwan received the complaint on behalf of the governor.

He advised those locals to register for flood compensation with their subdistrict administrative organization so their names can be sent to the government for additional assistance.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Cold Pills Dumped in Chiang Mai to Be Probed

CHIANG MAI: -- The Chiang Mai governor has set up a taskforce to investigate the dumping of cold pill packs with pseudoephedrine as their ingredient.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5176663

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Democrat Party Slams Panel for Overturning Charter Change Drafts

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party slams the joint committee on charter change for overturning Wednesday's vote which saw the approval of the draft proposed by the Opposition Democrat Party.

Democrat MP for Songkhla Wirat Kalayasiri criticized the joint committee vetting the Constitution amendment for overturning Wednesday's vote which approved the draft proposed by the Democrat Party.

The Democrat draft won the vote, as a number of committee members from the ruling coalition were absent.

The panel also proposed that the Pheu Thai Party and Chart Thai Pattana Party drafts be taken into consideration. Wirat, who is also a committee member, said the panel did not respect the minority voice.

The Democrat went on to clarify that yesterday's walk-out by the Democrats was the only way to show the public that his party did not agree with the panel's approach and that the method is in accordance with democratic principles.

He insisted that the party does not want conflicts and it is not attempting to politicize the matter.

Meanwhile, a proposal on national reconciliation will be tabled in the Lower House next week.

Wirat reiterated that his party will protest any attempt to wipe the slate clean for convicted individuals.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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No Meeting Planned for Privy Council President and Fugitive Ex-PM Thaksin

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Pineapple farmers block Phetkasem Road at Prachuap Khiri Khan to protest against falling price, dump pineapples on road causing heavy traffic jam /MCOT

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Thai Hotel Association adamant minimum wage rise poses no serious impact on employment

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT) – A Thai labor agency has cited an affirmation from hotel operators in assuring that the country’s new minimum wage will not cause widespread lay-off as some have feared.

Department of Labor Protection and Welfare Director-General Athit Issamo said on Thursday that he has recently held a meeting with the House Committee on tourism and sports and the chairman of the Thai Hotel Association regarding the looming increase in the country’s daily minimum wage to 300 baht.

Mr. Athit said that the Thai Hotel Association is confident that the higher wage will not force large hotels to consider laying off their employees, although smaller hotel businesses may have to feel the pinch of the wage rise.

Citing opinions from the Association, Mr. Athit said that it is speculated that affected hotel operators will decide to merge their businesses with those large rivals, which may be planning to expand their presence in the country.

In any case, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare chief conceded that some businesses may let go of some of their employees, who they believe possess lower qualifications than required.

Moreover, he has opined that a number of SME businesses may close down if they believe that the higher wage will make them less competitive or cost them market share.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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TV reporter to sue a red shirt for intimidation

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- A television news reporter on Friday vowed to sue a red-shirt leader for intimidation after the public prosecutors decided not to try the case.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5176932

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Group calls for ban on betting ads

The Nation

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

Thanakorn Komkris, a coordinator for the Yoot Phanan (Stop Gambling) campaign, led 30 people, including children's rights activists and representatives of parents and families, in submitting an open letter to Sukumol through her adviser Sura Techathat at the ministry. Thanakorn accused five sports dailies of betraying public morals and seducing young people into committing vice by allowing adverts for soccer gambling. He called on the public to boycott publications that carry such adverts.

The ministry should set up a committee to probe sports newspapers for possibly violating the law in advertising soccer gambling websites and to make them stop running the adverts, he said.

The group said a survey found that 37.9 per cent of people under 25, including primary-school students, had downloaded porn videos or "provocative" materials advertised in entertainment magazines.

The group said they reported alleged violation of media law to the Department of Special Investigation but no headway had been made.

It says its latest call for action is out of concern for the fast-approaching Songkran water-throwing festival, when features of celebrities of both sexes in skimpy bathing suits are published widely in magazines. Sura said some aspects of the group's complaints were out of the ministry's hands but he would work on them with other agencies, and promised to report back on the progress in resolving the issues.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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FM to discuss options for helping 2 Thai activists jailed in Cambodia when he meets Cambodian counterpart on sidelines of ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh /MCOT

Cambodian court temporarily releases 4 Thai miners charged with illegal entry pending court verdict /MCOT

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DSI poised to drop lese majeste conspiracy

BANGKOK:-- The Department of Special Investigation is expected before Songkran to conclude its report on an alleged conspiracy to topple the monarchy, recommending the case be dropped for lack of evidence.

"Evidence is unclear and insufficient to identify culprits," DSI deputy director general Pravesana Mulpramook said on Friday, in reference to the case known in Thai as "lom chao" plot.

Pravesana was speaking after a meeting with a legal adviser of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), which initiated the legal proceedings in 2010 coinciding with the political disturbences involving the red shirts.

-- The Nation 2012-03-30

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Online Lottery Vendors Petition against Back Taxes

BANGKOK: -- Lottery vendors have lodged a complaint with the government, claiming that they are forced unfairly to pay back taxes.

President of Online Lottery Association Chaiwat Raveesaengsoon has submitted a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Na Ranong, complaining that the lottery vendors are being forced unfairly to pay back taxes from 2004 to 2006 despite having been earlier told that they were eligible for tax exemption.

However, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders has ruled that the online lottery program was unlawful, thus forcing the Cabinet to rescind the tax exemption.

As a result, all lottery sellers are now subjected to back taxes.

Chaiwat added that only the vendors are required to pay back taxes, not the lottery winners who have taken between 25 to 100 million baht in cash prizes.

He said that the Democrat-led government had promised to reinstate the exemption but the issue has now been abandoned by the current government, who has approved the collection.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Thai Democrats set sights on 2015 victory

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Red Cross fair on from today-Apr 7 from 2-11pm; roads around Amporn Garden closed for fair /TANN

Red-shirts hold press conference accusing Democrats of trying to derail reconciliation /TANN

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Abhisit claims Pheu Thai is masking amnesty under the guise of reconciliation;worries Parliamentary tyranny will cause rallies /TANN

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Thailand to draw regional attention to haze crisis during ASEAN summit

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT)-Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul indicated that several countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have shown support to Thailand’s decision to bring the haze crisis to the ASEAN summit in Cambodia next month.

Mr. Surapong said the move is meant to draw regional attention to the problem which needs solutions at a regional level. A joint communiqué on haze solutions is expected to be issued at the end of the summit. Among countries which have supported Thailand’s move are the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Indonesia and Myanmar.

Mr. Surapong also said that when he attends the ASEAN summit from April 2nd-4th, he will sign two declarations, one of which is on the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). The other declaration is for the establishment and protection of the permanent office of ASEAN Secretariat.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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MFA organizes English camp for students free of charge

BANGKOK, 30 March 2012 (NNT)-Foreign Minister Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul said since Thailand is becoming part of the ASEAN Economic Community in the next 3 years, it is important for younger generations to be able to use English effectively and have a better understanding about ASEAN.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will be organizing an English language training program called "MFA Camp: Beyond English" from April 30th- May 3rd for 100 students from grade 9th -12th who are studying in schools located in Bangkok and its vicinity without any charges. Any interested individuals can call MFA at 02-203-5000 ext 47012 or visit www.mfa.go.th for more information.

-- NNT 2012-03-30

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Cambodian court temporarily releases 4 Thai miners charged with illegal entry

SA KAEO, March 30 – A Cambodian court on Friday temporarily released four Thai miners charged with illegal entry pending a court verdict.

The four are two couples, Saran and Suriya Panphet, both 43, Sa Kaeo natives and the mining contractors, and their assistants, Bai Sodachan and his wife, Ms Wanwisa, both 24.

Cambodian border officials handed over the four to senior Thai officials at the Bantaphraya-Buengtakuan border crossing after they were temporarily released Thursday evening. They were fined Bt1,600 each for leaving the country without permission.

Pol Lt-Col Benchaphon Rodsawat, deputy superintendent of the Sa Kaeo immigration police said the four were released on bail and their Cambodian lawyer is now fighting the case.

The court in Sisophon, the Banteay Meanchet provincial seat, is awaiting relevant documents from their employer before delivering the verdict.

The four Thais were en route to work at a gold mine in Cambodia’s Udon Meechai province and were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on March 23 for illegal entry. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-30

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Labor Minister Assures Wage Hike on April 1

BANGKOK: -- The labor minister affirms the daily minimum wage hike will become effective on April 1.

Employers who fail to comply with the policy will face legal action.

Labor Minister Padernchai Sasomsap said the daily minimum wage hike will be implemented nationwide on April 1.

Employers who fail to comply with the policy will face a fine of up to 100,000 baht or a six-month jail term as published in the Royal Gazette.

Padernchai pointed out that provinces across the country will see a range of 35 to 40 percent daily wage increase.

Only seven provinces will increase their daily minimum wage to 300 baht, namely Bangkok, Phuket, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Nonthaburi.

The wage increase will be applied on top of the current minimum wage rate in each province.

Currently, the minimum wage is at 221 baht per day in Phuket while the lowest daily minimum wage is 159 baht in Phayao Province. With 40-percent rise, the new minimum wage in Phayao will increase to 223 baht per day.

He added that the ministry will open centers nationwide to receive complaints on the wage policy following its implementation.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

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Phuket's Tiger Group roars back at MP Chuwit's allegations

Thamrongsak Boonrak, legal counsel to the Tiger Group that operates numerous tourist-oriented entertainment venues in Patong, Phuket. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Patong Police Superintendent Arayapan Pukbuakhao. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- A representative of Phuket’s Tiger Group of entertainment and nightlife venues has publicly lashed out against the allegations made by controversial MP Chuwit Kamolvisit.

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