Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Apr 2012

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Democrat MP Korn leads his party's MPs in placing wreath at Kokwua intersection on 2nd anniversary of crackdown on red-shirt rally /TANN

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Thailand, Cambodia agree to follow court decision

BANGKOK, 10 April 2012 (NNT) - Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to assign respective secretaries in their joint working group to work together in ensuring both sides’ compliance with the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the Preah Vihear land dispute.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Thani Thongphakdi disclosed the stance after Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul chaired a meeting of the Thailand team for the Preah Vihear case.

Mr Thani said the meeting reported the outcome of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Working Group meeting held in Thailand on April 3-5. He said the meeting was satisfactory, and both sides agreed to implement ICJ’s decision, which orders temporary withdrawal of both Thai and Cambodian troops from disputed areas around the ancient temple.

The Spokesperson stated that secretaries from both nations will work together in disposing of bombs in the designated demilitarized zones.

Another meeting of the joint working group will be held in Cambodia to discuss further implementations as the follow up to the ICJ’s decision.

-- NNT 2012-04-10

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Russian tourist, 41, drowns while diving off Koh Rin in eastern province of Chon Buri; body retrieved for autopsy /MCOT

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Officials Rush to Repair Water Gate of Naresuan Dam

PHITSANULOK: -- Officials have been rushing to repair the broken water gate of Naresuan Dam in Phitsanulok Province, as locals have been worrying about possible flooding.

Local residents of Phrom Phiram District in Phitsanulok Province came out to inspect the damage of the 28-ton water gate of the Naresuan Dam after it collapsed, causing a large amount of water to flow down the areas.

Narasuan Dam Maintenance Department Engineering Chief, Satit Bootsarajant, disclosed that a large tree fell down and powerfully struck the water gate, which caused the wire rope holding the gate to be ripped off.

The chief estimated that the water gate repair should be done by today.

Currently, the officials are using the “Stop Lock” system to stabilize the water level.

Furthermore, the community leader also announced to the residents to reserve water for consumption because the local irrigation system is temporarily out of service.

In the meantime, the locals who reside in the lower areas of the dam have been warned to be aware of possible flooding due to water level fluctuations resulting from the water gate's collapse.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-10

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EGAT to provide sufficient power during Yetagun pipeline maintenance

BANGKOK, 10 April 2012 (NNT) – The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has planned to use fuel oil, diesel oil and other power plants in order to supply sufficient power to the country as Myanmar’s planned pipeline maintenance is approaching during the Songkran festival.

EGAT Assistant Governor for System Control Piboon Buacham has disclosed that the scheduled maintenance of the Yetagun pipeline in Myanmar during 8-18 April, which coincides with the Songkran festival, will result in a lower quantity of natural gas for electricity generation. However, EGAT stands firm that it will do its best to provide sufficient power supply to the public. It has also expressed confidence in the efficiency of its plan to compensate the loss of natural gas with fuel and diesel oil while also collaborating with other power plants in order to maintain the stability of Thailand's electricity system.

Mr. Piboon added that Thailand's record of electricity usage saw a sharp spike on 13 and 23 March due to the extremely hot weather.

-- NNT 2012-04-10

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SET index midday down 15.91 pts,1.35 pct

BANGKOK: -- Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Tuesday stood at 1,166.50, down 15.91 points, or 1.35 per cent amid Bt11.31 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 820.36, down 11.38 points, or 1.37 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: SCB, BANPU, PTTGC, ADVANC, JAS, PTT.

-- The Nation 2012-04-10

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Russian tourist drowns in Chon Buri

CHON BURI, April 10 -- A Russian tourist drowned Tuesday morning while he was diving off Rin Island (Koh Rin) in the eastern seaside of Chon Buri, according to local police.

Full story:

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MYANMAR FORUM LAUNCHED

Thaivisa expands services to Myanmar and Cambodia

BANGKOK: -- Thaivisa.com, the leading English language social networking website about Thailand, is expanding its operations to other countries in South-East Asia.

Full story:

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Thaksin met with PULO leader: Thaworn

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra met with a PULO leader in Kuala Lumpur despite his denial, Democrat MP Thaworn Senneam said on Tuesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/546600-no-i-did-not-fugitive-ex-premier-thaksin/page__view__findpost__p__5206016

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HRW

Rights group calls for justice two years after Bangkok violence

BANGKOK:-- Thai governments have failed to hold accountable those involved in street fighting between government forces and protestors in 2010, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

Full story:

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Information center established for road safety during Songkran 2012

BANGKOK, 10 April 2012 (NNT) – The Road Safety Directing Center has launched the Songkran 2012 Road Safety Information Center with the objective of providing information to prevent road accidents for car users.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, in his capacity as Chairman of the Road Safety Directing Center, said that in the government's effort to reduce road accidents during Songkran, the main focus has been placed on supplying road users with information in order to raise awareness and establish a network for the safety use of roads. Therefore, the center has set up the Songkran 2012 Road Safety Information Center which will operate during 10-18 April at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in order to provide useful information to road users relating to the prevention of road accidents.

At the same time, it will take a proactive approach to solving the problem by launching a website: www.roadsafety.com, which provides information on road safety, as well as www.facebook.com/thailandroadsafety in order to establish a direct communication network with road users. Additionally, Hotline 1784 has been in operation to receive complaints about risky road activities and routes.

-- NNT 2012-04-10

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Bt140 billion expected to circulate during Songkran: Survey

BANGKOK, April 10 - Thais are expected to spend over Bt144 billion during this year’s Songkran traditional new year festival, while Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was voted as the most popular person from whom most Thais wish to be blessed to celebrate the Thai New Year, according to a survey.

The latest ABAC poll from Assumption University released on Tuesday projected money use, adventurous but quite risky activities on the day, and the person Thais wish most to ask for a blessing on the traditional New Year. The poll was conducted from March 10-April 9 with 2,149 respondents from 12 years old upwards in 28 provinces countrywide.

Over half the respondents said they would stay in their hometowns during the holiday season, while 41 per cent will travel upcountry.

Comparing Songkran expenses with those of last year, 53 per cent of those surveyed said they would spend more, 38 per cent said the same, and 7 per cent said lower.

Forty-eight per cent said their expenses will be for travel costs including petrol and bus/airfares (Bt69 billion), followed by 43 per cent for food and beverages (Bt62 billion), 4 per cent for accommodation (Bt6 billion), 1.8 per cent to buy souvenirs (Bt2.5 billion), 1.6 per cent to participate in shows and activities (Bt2.3 billion), and 0.8 per cent for merit-making or giving money to parents and children (Bt1.1 billion).

Asked about adventurous but inadvisable activities that they wished to do during Songkran, 62 per cent of those under age 24 said they want splash water while driving, while 44 per cent of those over 25 said they wanted to do the same.

Over half (54 per cent) the youth and one-third (32 per cent) of adults want to watch provocative dances by young women in wet clothes during Songkran. Some 38 per cent of the young and 34 per cent of grown-ups expected to drink alcohol during the festival, while 34 per cent of youth and 33 per cent of adults want to gamble. About 14 per cent of youth and 4 per cent of grown-ups said they intend to use drugs during the holiday.

Concerning the most coveted person from whom Thais wish to pour water and receive his/her blessing on the occasion of Thai New Year, 43 per cent named Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, followed by former prime minister and opposition Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (26 per cent), as well as former premier and Democrat party leader Chuan Leekpai (11 per cent).

Of all former prime ministers, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra was voted the most desired person Thais wish to pour water in seeking a blessing, followed by Gen Prem Tinsulanonda and Chuan Leekpai, respectively. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-10

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Tempers frayed over Hasty Constitution for Thaksin

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Coalition and opposition lawmakers on Tuesday needed two 30-minute recesses to cool down from their exchange of snide remarks before kicking off the session for the final two readings of the charter amendment bill.

House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont convened the morning's session as a consultation on whether to shuffle the legislative agendas, paving way for the debate on the bill designed to form the Constitution Drafting Assembly.

The Democrats took the floor to air their opposition views, citing two main reasons - the hasty manner which the bill was designated the legislative agenda despite the long weekend and the questionable vetting process done by the Sonthi Boonyaratglin committee.

Democrat MP Suthas Ngernmuen lashed out at the coalition for pushing for a hasty passage of the bill this month simply because MPs and senators have scheduled to travel abroad next month.

As the Democrats began to question the intent behind the rush for the bill passage as a pretext to rescue fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, referring to the charter as Hasty Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand for Thaksin, this prompted the exchange of sharp words and protests between the coalition and opposition benches.

Somsak ordered the first break before reconvening before noon.

The reconvened session saw MPs still trading barbs. The Democrats tried to delay putting the bill on the House agenda while the coalition MPs wanted the consultation session to end in order to force a vote.

Somsak again had to call for recess.

In the afternoon, the House finally cast the 337-to-91 vote to designate the bill as a legislative priority, activating the charter debate.

The Democrats and Pheu Thai MPs then spent hours bickering over the name of the new charter as per the motion moved by Democrat MP Thepthai Sennapong who dubbed the charter as the "Hasty Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand for Thaksin.

-- The Nation 2012-04-10

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PUBLIC DEBT

Public debt at 41.06% of GDP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's public debt stood at Bt4.36 trillion or 41.06 per cent of gross domestic product at the end of January, when the government's four borrowing decrees to finance post-flood investment were not yet endorsed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....at-4106-of-gdp/

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Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya welcomes Songkran revelers

CHONBURI, 10 April 2012 (NNT) - The Sanctuary of Truth or Prasart Satchatham in Pattaya is welcoming Songkran revelers to enjoy the festivities at the backdrop of the magnificent wooden castle.

'Anywhere', a well-known travel magazine, has taken the media on a trip to Pattaya. Besides beautiful beaches, night clubs, and shopping venues, Pattaya also offers traditional Thai attractions; one of them is the Sanctuary of Truth.

The gigantic wooden construction is 105 meters high. It was constructed to withstand the wind and sunshine on the seashore in Chonburi Province.

Almost the entire wooden building is carved in a traditional Thai style. Other than preserving the art of Thai carving, the owner of the building wants to offer jobs to the locals. The construction process is set to be prolonged for as long as possible. More works and more carving are expected to give the locals a long-term income.

This Songkran holidays, the Sanctuary of truth will hold the Thai traditional-water festival from April 13-17. Visitors can enjoy Thai cultural shows, dances and plays, shopping for Thai OTOP products, and other fun activities. Merit-making ceremony will also take place for blessing.

For more information, please visit www.sanctuaryoftruth.com.

-- NNT 2012-04-10

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Provinces Step Up Songkran Road Safety

BANGKOK: -- Security officials are monitoring the situation before Songkran holiday closely after four cars were stolen in Pattani Province.

They fear that the stolen cars may be used for car bomb plots.

Meanwhile, many provinces have launched a road safety campaign during Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran festival in an attempt to cut down the number of road accidents.

Payao provincial officials gathered to open the road safety and accident prevention center during the Songkran holiday.

A total of 225 traffic warning signs were given to police to install around the provincial town.

Furthermore, police will work around the clock from tomorrow until April 17. This year, Payao plans to reduce deaths from traffic accidents to less than five.

Meanwhile, the road safety center in Mae Hong Son Province reported that officials have been working by following His Majesty the King's advices strictly.

In the past year, there were 29 road accidents, but no death occurred. Most of the accidents were caused by drunk driving.

At the Chanthaburi provincial bus station, related agencies handed alcohol measurement tools to police for conducting alcohol tests during the Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran festival from tomorrow until April 17.

In Pattani Province, police met with military and administrative officials to discuss measures to prevent insurgency.

A special center will be set up among 12 districts in order to prevent any possible untoward incidents.

Police and military forces will conduct search operations to prevent possible car bomb attacks during the holidays, especially in Pattani municipality areas.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-10

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PM Yingluck's human errors not important: spokesman

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should not be faulted over her human errors and critics of the government should focus on substance rather than petty issues, PM's spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva said on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....tant-spokesman/

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NEW UPDATE!!

Re-entry Permit services will be closed on Saturday 14 April, 2012 at SuanPlu Office

As Saturday the 14th is a holiday, they will be closed that day for a re-entry permit at Suan Plu office.

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POLITICS

PM saying 'Malaysian president' is human errors not important: spokesman

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should not be faulted over her human errors and critics of the government should focus on substance rather than petty issues, PM's spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva said on Tuesday.

Full story:

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No justice for victims of Thai political unrest: HRW

BANGKOK, April 10, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand has failed to provide justice for victims of bloody political protests, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday, as the government debates plans to offer a sweeping amnesty for the violence.

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Democrats Mark 2nd Anniversary of Political Violence: Thailand

BANGKOK: - The opposition Democrat Party today marks the second anniversary of political violence at the Khok Wua intersection saying the society needs the truth about the event rather than an amnesty.

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Ministry Puts Off First-home Plan

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry has decided to delay extending the First-home Program to cover housing units priced under two million baht, pending the ongoing study on other alternatives.

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SET index closed at 1165.61, down 16.80; Bt/USD30.82; GBP48.79; AUD31.63; EUR40.22; CAD30.71; HKD3.96; SGD24.31; JPY37.7

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Australian accused of stabbing Thai man in the face on Pattaya Beach

PATTAYA: -- An Australian tourist was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on Pattaya Beach following an altercation with a Thai man which resulted in the Thai being stabbed in his face, allegedly by the Australian.

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Australian victim of Pattaya Beach Necklace snatch by two transsexuals

PATTAYA: -- An Australian tourist was involved in a necklace snatch by two transsexuals on Pattaya Beach in the early hours of Tuesday.

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'Mute' Thai man accused of indecent assault of 4 year old girl on Pattaya Island

PATTAYA: -- Allegations of an indecent assault of a 4 year old girl at a beach in Larn Island off the coast of Pattaya were made against a 22 year old man at Pattaya Police Station on Monday.

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RT @BBCBreaking:Psychiatrists declare Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik is sane,days before his trial begins http://bbc.in/HxgSWI

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Ombudsman's warning on constitutionality of charter amendment bill

The Nation

BANGKOK: The Office of Ombudsman has alerted the government and the House about three potential flaws impacting on the constitutionality of the charter amendment bill.

"The three flaws should be rectified in order to avoid the dispute on the bill's constitutionality," ombudsman Sriracha Charoenpanij said on Tuesday, coinciding with the charter debate on the final passage of the bill.

To preempt the first flaw, the draft provison should be revised to designate the prime minister to countersign the royal command on the promulgation of the new charter. The original draft has named the Parliament president for the countersign,

In rectifying the second flaw, the Constitution Court should be designated to launch a judicial review should the question of constitutionality arise in connection with the political system as will be prescribed by the new charter. Under the draft provision, the Parliament president is the designated authority to rule on the issue.

Opponents of the charter rewrite have planned to question the constitutionality of the new charter on suspicion that the ruling Pheu Thai Party has the ulterior motive to change or undermine the democratic rule with the King as head of state.

In regard to the third and final flaw, the draft provision should designate the Parliament president for submitting the referendum-approved charter draft for royal endorsement.

In the original version, the draft spells out a scenario in which the Parliament will invoke a two-thirds majority to override the King's veto.

-- The Nation 2012-04-10

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Thailand Live Wednesday 11 Apr 2012