Thailand Live Sunday 8 Apr 2012

[webfact]

Thailand Live Sunday 8 April 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 Saturday 7 Apr 2012

[webfact]

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

[Lite Beer]

Dialogue would be a waste of time, Yongyuth says

The Nation on Sunday

Yongyuth

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5199840

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck promises to help remedy South problems as she offers condolences

KESINEE TANGKHIEO,

THORANIT PIRUNLAONG

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

BANGKOK:-- Yongyuth insists there will be no chance of negotiating with insurgents as PM orders tighter security measures

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5199844

[Lite Beer]

Small Thai firms should eye opportunities around the region, Surin says

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- Dr Surin Pitsuwan, the secretary-general of Asean, yesterday urged small and medium-sized Thai enterprises (SMEs) to invest overseas and tap new opportunities within the region.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/546383-small-thai-firms-should-eye-opportunities-around-the-region-surin-says/page__view__findpost__p__5199850

[Lite Beer]

Small firms will struggle with wage hike: TDRI

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- TDRI researcher Dilaka Lathapipat said the wage hike could help cut income inequality, and boost workers’ quality of life. But the measure threatened to have a serious negative impact on SMEs that weren’t ready to pay their workers more, he said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/546384-small-firms-will-struggle-with-wage-hike-tdri/page__view__findpost__p__5199856

[Lite Beer]

Producer seeks to overturn ban on Macbeth film

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- A co-producer of the banned Thai film "Shakespeare Must Die", which has been construed as a criticism of Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirts, said he will launch a petition campaign to overturn the Film Board's April 3 decision to outlaw screenings of the work.

"Most people cry for [freedom of expression] when they have no power. Once they have power they don't want give the freedom to others. Every government and every political group is like that," Manit Sriwanithpoom told The Nation by phone yesterday, adding that if the red shirts can't handle criticism, they should stop calling their movement democratic.

The film is set in a fictitious kingdom in which a power-mad politician eventually commits regicide. Supporters of this autocratic leader then lynch the director of an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth", who tries to expose the fraudulent leader.

The Film Board simply informed 50-year-old Manit that the film was banned from being screened, sold or distributed in the Kingdom because it would "cause disunity among people in the country", with no further explanation offered to the producer.

"There was no justification," said Manit, who added that the board told him to alter the film - without saying which parts should be changed - if he wanted the film to be cleared for screening. "They said they're worried about it because the country is in a reconciliatory mode."

Manit believes the film was banned because it can be interpreted as being critical of Thaksin and the red shirts. In the film, which contains no direct references to Thailand, Siam or the like, the power-hungry politician eventually usurps power from the king, while supporters of "Excellency the Leader" want him to rule the country in a dictatorial fashion.

"Red shirts may think I'm defaming Thaksin and the reds but I am not. Is the lese majeste law now expanded to protect Thaksin and the red shirts? They must listen [to criticism] and have no right to ban things. Whether they agree or disagree, they must be open-minded. If they think [the film] should be banned, then they should change their name [from that of a pro-democracy movement]," said Manit, who's also a well-known artist and art photographer.

Manit said one of the seven members of the Film Board insisted to him that the film had to be banned because Thais can't separate reality from fiction when they see a film. Manit thinks differently, saying Thai society is divided anyhow, with or without the film - which is directed by his partner, Ing Kanjanavanit - between staunch critics of Thaksin on one side, and red shirts on the other. He plans to submit a petition to the Culture Ministry, which has oversight of the Film Board, on April 17.

Manit said film is arguably the country's most heavily censored medium, being more tightly controlled than newspapers, television, radio and the Internet. Under the Film Act, those who violate bans can face up to a year in prison and be fined up to Bt100,000, or both. Manit said he is contemplating defying the ban and screening it in a public venue, braving arrest in order to demonstrate that there's no freedom or democracy in this country.

"Why don't they let the people exercise their own judgement?" asked Manit. "I told them please don't ban [the film], because it will become news all over the world, but they didn't say anything."

-- The Nation 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Free shuttles to Royal Cremation

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will arrange free buses for those wanting to attend the Royal Cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana at Sanam Luang on April 9.

BMTA director Opas Petchmunee said the agency would provide free shuttle buses along six routes around the city, including Line 1 from Victory Monument to Banglamphu and Line 2 from Nanglerng to Banglamphu. Ten free shuttles will operate on each route, he said, and another 10 buses would be kept as back ups on each route.

-- The Nation 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Illegal petrol warehouse burns down

The Nation on Sunday

NARATHIWAT:-- A warehouse used to store illegal petrol in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district caught fire yesterday morning, causing damage worth Bt10 million, police said.

At 5am, police and six fire engines went to the warehouse, belonging to Sae Yanya, on Sai Thong Road in Tambon Pasemus. It took two hours to put out the fire, which started when an electrical motor short-circuited while Sae's employees were loading illegal petrol from a large tank on a pick-up truck to a storage tank. The petrol was to be distributed to Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. Both the truck and the warehouse were consumed by fire.

-- The Nation 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

100 families forced off land, huts demolished

The Nation on Sunday

AMNAT CHAROEN:-- Some 100 people and five tractors sent by a land investor yesterday demolished shacks on 100 rai in Ban Pakdi Charoen-Ban Khok Jakjan Road in Amnat Charoen's Muang district. The shacks were built by 100 families belonging to the Four Region People Network.

The plot, which became the property of the Thai Asset Management Corporation (TAMC) when it assumed a non-performing loan from a bank, had been occupied by network members seeking to prevent the TAMC from re-selling it. Businessman Surapong Thongdee and relatives bought the land and asserted their rights to it before leading 100 people and five tractors to demolish the shacks. The network members went to file a police complaint at Muang Amnat Charoen police station but the demolition went ahead and the network members left the land.

-- The Nation 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Drug suspect killed in shootout: police

The Nation on Sunday

Police shot dead drug suspect Nattapong Srisasywan, 31, yesterday in what they said was a gunfight at the mouth of Soi Watcharapol in Bangkok's Bang Khen and seized 140,000 yaba tablets and 3 kilograms of crystal meth. Police Sergeant Kreunarong Manpolsri was shot in the leg during the incident, they said.

The body of Nattapong was found in the driver's seat of a bullet-ridden Toyota Camri sedan. Police claimed he had a .11 pistol in his lap with two spent .11 bullet casings nearby. The gunfight reportedly erupted when police attempted to arrest drug gang members they had been following for months. Yesterday, the gang was seen travelling in three cars on Watcharapol Road. While two cars fled, the third was stopped and Nattapong reportedly fired at police, injuring Kreunarong and triggering the fatal shootout.

-- The Nation 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Songkran Festival at City Hall

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK:-- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will hold a Songkran Festival from April 12-15 at Lan Khon Muang Plaza in front of City Hall. The festival, over whose opening ceremony Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra will preside, will stress the traditional aspects of the festival and encourage Thais to pay respects to parents and senior citizens.

The BMA will take the Phra Buddha Sihing statue from Bangkok's National Museum to Lan Khon Muang Plaza so people can worship it on April 12-15.

-- The Nation 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai to discuss plans for charter

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: Pheu Thai Party will meet tomorrow to discuss its stance in the upcoming parliamentary debate on amending the Constitution, deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said yesterday.

The debate is due to start on Tuesday.

Jirayu said the party would hold meetings at both the regional and national levels.

The meetings would discuss how many members the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) should have - 99, 150 or 200, he said.

Democrat MP Thepthai Senapong, meanwhile, asked the government to allow members of Parliament to debate the issue freely. If a third reading could not be held in the current session, the session should not simply be extended, should wait until the next session, Thepthai said.

The current parliamentary session was originally scheduled to end on April 18, but Cabinet resolved last week to extend it indefinitely. The Democrats accused the government of trying to rush a charter amendment to help fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

A joint House-Senate meeting to consider the second reading of changes to Article 291 of the Constitution is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Changes to the Article would allow the establishment of a CDA.

According to the law, the third reading cannot begin until 15 days after the second reading is passed.

-- The Nation 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Thaksin to drown out reconciliation this Songkran

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Fugitive former premier to celebrate New Year by opening old wounds

Thailand will have a split focus this Songkran. One eye will certainly be on neighbouring Laos and Cambodia where Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to meet thousands of Thai supporters. It will be a historic coming together for the former PM and the red shirts after years of long-distance contact through phone-ins and video links.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/546386-thaksin-to-drown-out-reconciliation-this-songkran/page__view__findpost__p__5199891

[Lite Beer]

Full mourning starts today and continues until Tuesday for royal cremation of HRH Princess Bejaratana /TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Disease Control Dept warns public of food poisoning risk during summertime

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) – Health experts are warning Thailand to beware of the spread of food poisoning during this year's hot summertime.

The Department of Disease Control’s Nakhon Ratchasima office Director, Doctor Theerawat Walaisathien said on Saturday that the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has declared the week of April 8th-14th, the “Anti-Food Poisoning Awareness” week.

Doctor Theerawat said that the DDC is worried that the hot and humid weather in summer will allow bacteria to grow easily and lead to the spread of diarrhea and food poisoning.

He explained that contaminated foods and drinks can sicken people and cause headache, body aches, vomiting and frequent visits to the toilet. In more severe cases, patients can suffer serious dehydration.

In order to prevent such undesirable conditions, Doctor Theerawat urged the public to regularly wash hands, eat only clean and newly-cooked foods and reheat everything before eating.

In addition, he suggested those who might have suffered such infections and pass a stool too often should drink Oral Dehydration Solution (ORS) and opt for liquid food. If the conditions persist, he advised the patients to seek medical attention immediately.

-- NNT 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin voices support for negotiations with southern insurgent groups; he denies doing so with PULO /TAN_Network

[Lite Beer]

Commerce Ministry: More than THB190mil generated during first 3 days of Blue Flag fair

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has been satisfied with better-than-expected interest in the state-initiated “Blue Flag” fair during the first 3 days of the five-day event.

Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Yanyong Phuangrach said on Saturday that the Cost-of-Living Reduction Fair, or commonly known as the Blue Flag fair at Impact Exhibition Center, Muang Thong Thani, has attracted around 200,000 visitors during the first 3 days of the fair.

Mr. Yanyong said that, so far, the fair has generated approximately 190 million baht.

By the time the fair comes to an end on Sunday, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce expects the total number of visitors at more than 400,000 and a total spending of over 350 million baht.

He stated that the 5-day event is likely help reduce the cost of living by more than 150 million baht.

Official records show that the most popular items at the fair include eggs, vegetable oil, pork and sugar.

-- NNT 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai Party: Survey shows the public believes reconciliation is possible

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) – The ruling Pheu Thai Party is confident that the public still believes that the country will still be able to achieve the ambitious goal of national reconciliation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/546396-pheu-thai-party-survey-shows-the-public-believes-reconciliation-is-possible/page__view__findpost__p__5200123

[Lite Beer]

Commerce Ministry confirms no price rise on the horizon

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry has assured consumers that there will not be any upward price adjustment anytime soon, while suggesting that Thailand's inflation is the fairest in Southeast Asia.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce Yanyong Phuangrach said that the Ministry has not agreed to allow any business adjusting up prices since the new daily minimum wage of 300 baht was put into effect on April 1st.

Mr. Yanyong said that the higher labor cost has not proven to pose direct impact on goods prices even though some labor-intensive businesses, such as student uniform manufacturers and electrical appliance producers, are inevitably feeling the pinch.

He added that the Ministry has also not green-lighted a price increase by seafood and chicken meat producers, because their products are intended for exports and price adjustment should be able to delay for some time.

The Permanent Secretary for Commerce went on to say that the latest inspection of prices found that there has been an on-year increase of 5.39 percent for fresh food items and of 4.7 percent for energy, both of which are lower than last year's records of 8.6 percent and 5.59 percent, respectively.

Mr. Yanyong said that the Commerce Ministry is maintaining the 2012 inflationary target at 3.8 percent, which shows that Thailand's inflation is the best in the Southeast Asian region.

-- NNT 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

National Police Chief orders heightened security measures over Songkran

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) - The National Police Chief has instructed heightened security measures across the nation during the Songkran festival.

National Police Chief, Police General Prewpan Dhamapong, revealed that all police units have been ordered to step up their security programs to assure the public of their safety during the upcoming Thai New Year holidays.

Heightened security measures have been decided after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra earlier called for more police surveillance throughout the festival period.

Police General Prewpan said that more patrol teams and checkpoints will be set up in Bangkok.

For the unrest-plagued southern provinces, the National Police Chief will travel to the region after April 11th and take charge of the command center until the holidays are over.

He stated that, preliminarily, 46 checkpoints will be set up around Hat Yai district of Songkhla Province, in a move to intercept suspicious vehicles that will head down to the 3 southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

The National Police Chief has also asked the public not to worry and put their trust in the police force, which will be doing their best to prevent any undesirable situation.

-- NNT 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Free bus, ferry services provided to public travelling to Sanam Luang for HRH Princess Bejaratana royal cremation /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Free shuttle buses available to public during royal cremation ceremony

BANGKOK, April 8 - Free public buses will be provided to people traveling to Sanam Luang for the royal cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi to pay tribute and bid a final farewell to the late princess.

The public is allowed to view the royal procession along the Sanam Chai Road. They are advised to prepare a candle and a joss stick to pay tribute to the remains of the late princess, said Thongthong Chandarangsu, permanent secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office.

Six processions comprise 3,500 participants including soldiers, police and students from Vajiravudh College, established by King Vajiravudh, the Princess’s father.

Several roads around Sanam Luang ceremonial ground will close from 6 pm Sunday until the end of the royal cremation on Monday.

The bus service will run in six routes from 6am to midnight. Passengers may get on the buses at Victory Monument, the Royal Turf Club, the Suphachalasai National Stadium, the Hua Lumphong Railway Station, Wong Wian Yai and the Southern Bus Terminal.

Meanwhile, Chao Phraya Express Boat Company will offer a free ferry service from Wang Lang to Tha Chang and Wat Mahathat piers from 5am to 9pm.

The ancient rites of the royal cremation ceremony is scheduled for April 9 when the royal urn containing the remains of Princess Bejaratana will be transferred from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace to the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang ceremonial site at 7am before a symbolic royal cremation held at 4.30pm, followed by the actual royal cremation at 10pm.

Public performances including Khon traditional Thai drama, great shadow plays, and puppet shows will be held on three open-air stages at Sanam Luang from 7pm on Monday to 6am on Tuesday.

Their Majesties the King and Queen will preside over a royal merit-making ceremony at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at 5.30pm on Sunday in preparation for transporting the royal urn to the Royal Crematorium.

HRH Princess Bejaratana, the first cousin of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was admitted to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital on July 13 for bloodstream infection. Her condition worsened and she passed away on July 27, 2011.

She was born Nov 24, 1925 at the Grand Palace and was the only child of King Rama VI and Princess Suvadhana. The King died one day after her birth.

Her main duties included continuing the legacy of her father in boy and girl scout matters, giving out scholarships and partaking in school activities following the inheritance of her grandmother Queen Prasripatcharindara of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V), as well as being a patron of public social welfare, religion, and the military services. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Opposition leader Abhisit says he has evidence ex-premier Thaksin held secret talks with southern insurgent leaders /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Royal Cremation media centre set to broadcast ceremony in Thai and English

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) – The special media center set up for the occasion of the Royal Cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana is ready to broadcast news and images of the ceremony in both Thai and English, starting on 8 April until 12 April.

Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal has disclosed that the Royal Cremation media center is currently ready to spearhead the live broadcast of the ceremony. The media center has received cooperation from all television stations, using 13 broadcasting vans and 1,000 staff in the task of transmitting news and images of this occasion both locally and overseas.

Mr. Nivatthamrong added that the Royal Cremation ceremony will showcase the nation’s beautiful culture and traditions to the world.

-- NNT 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

BMA invites public to lay sandalwood flower at royal cremation

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) – The Deputy Bangkok Governor has encouraged the public to lay sandalwood flowers to mourn for Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana at Sanam Luang and 46 temples across Bangkok.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Piengjai Visrutaratna has disclosed that on the occasion of the royal cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana on 9 April, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has invited the public to participate in laying sandalwood flowers. The public can participate in the act of mourning at the different venues prepared by the BMA, which include three sites in the Sanam Luang area (North side), one at the Tha Chang Pier, and one on the pedestrian walk opposite the statue of Mother Earth Squeezing Her Hair. Sandalwood flower laying is open to the public during two periods of the day, which are 12.30-15.30 hrs and 18.00-21.00 hrs.

Additionally, Thai people will also be able to lay sandalwood flowers at 46 other temples across the Thai capital.

-- NNT 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Thai Travel News: The Grand Palace will be CLOSED during the Royal Funeral http://t.co/U2baHkq6

[Lite Beer]

Thai people gathering at Sanam Luang for Royal Cremation

BANGKOK, 8 April 2012 (NNT) – People from across the nation are starting to gather at Sanam Luang to witness the beauty of the Royal Crematorium site.

As the Royal Cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana is approaching, people are traveling from all corners of the country to Sanam Luang to mourn as well as admire the beauty of the Royal Crematorium. The three stage performances where entertainment programs will be taking place in accordance with royal traditions to honor the Princess have also caught the attention of the general public. The three stages include the main stage at the foot of Pinklao Bridge showing "Khon" or traditional Thai masked dance and shadow puppet plays; the stage in front of the Supreme Court showing traditional puppetry; and the stage in front of Thammasat University featuring performances by three orchestras.

Traffic police have announced a no stopping/parking zone in the entire Rattanakosin Island and nearby roads, starting from 18.00h of 8 April, in order to facilitate the Royal Cremation processions, which will take place tomorrow (9 April). Roads scheduled to be closed off include Ratchadamnoen Nai Road, Na Phra Lan Road, Na Phra That Road, Maharat Road, Thai Wang Road, Chetupon Road, Sanam Chai Road, Hap Phoei Road, Lak Muang Road, Kalayanamaitree Road, Saranrom Road, Charoen Krung Road (Sanam Chai-Rachini), Rachini Road, Phra Chan Road and Soi Setthakarn.

-- NNT 2012-04-08

[Lite Beer]

Pichai Vasanasong, international news analyst, dies of brain hemorrhage at age of 82 at King Mongkut Hospital /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Lawsuit filed against 5 Iranian suspects in Bangkok's Sukhumvit bombings

Lawsuit filed against 5 Iranian suspects in Bangkok's Sukhumvit bombings; extradition ruling for one suspect by Malaysian authorities set on Apr 16

-- TNA 2012-04-08