Thailand Live Thursday 19 Apr 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 19 April 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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7.2m pseudoephedrine based tablets found missing in Udon Thani

Hospital director transferred; two pharmacy officials held in Chiang Mai

UDON THANI: -- Dr Pichat Chalermdolyuthana, director of the Central Udon Thani Hospital, was transferred to the provincial public health office on April 12, as the Public Health Ministry prepares to set up a factfinding panel to look into missing pseudoephedrine based tablets, Udon Thani Public Health official Dr Sanchai Piyapongkul said yesterday.

Full story:

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Thai Parliament Flashed By Pornographic Picture

Full story:

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TAX

Thai Revenue Dept seeks to increase number of personal income tax bands

BANGKOK: -- The Revenue Department wants to expand the number of personal-income-tax bands, but says it is confident that no one will be greatly affected one way or the other if the proposed changes are implemented.

Full story:

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Reconciliation push will wait for Thai charter change

Pheu Thai MP Kokaew Pikulthong

Pheu Thai MPs are still far from a consensus, Kokaew says; party has come up with a rough draft: Pracha

Full story:

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House-Senate meeting hears proposals on CDA composition

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An increase in the number of members to the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) and changes to regulations were proposed at a House-Senate meeting yesterday to prevent political parties from dominating the charter rewrite process.

Yesterday was the third day of the second reading of the amendment to Article 291, which would allow the setting up of a CDA.

Democrat MPs and senators proposed that CDA members be elected according to the size of each province's population.

Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thepthai Senpong, proposed that one CDA member be elected to represent every 500,000 people, while Narisara Atithepvorapan from the same province proposed that each CDA member represent 300,000 citizens.

Thepthai's formula would result in a total of 130 elected CDA members. However, instead of letting Parliament choose 22 experts, he proposed that academic institutions nominate qualified candidates and let the people vote to select experts.

MPs Nipon Boonyamanee and Sutas Ngernmune as well as Senator Jate Siratharanon proposed that the CDA be made up of 200 members.

Nipon said that electing CDA members according to population size would help prevent block voting and interference by political parties.

As per the Cabinet, the CDA should comprise 99 members, of whom 77 are elected to represent each province and 22 are selected by Parliament. Of the 22, six will be experts in public law, six will be knowledgeable in political science or public administration, while the remainder will be experienced in politics, public administration or charter drafting.

According to the Cabinet's draft, the law on local administration election would be used as a reference in the election process.

However, Democrats say that if only one CDA member is elected to represent a province, then the CDA could be dominated by the ruling Pheu Thai Party. In fact, some proposed that there be two CDA members representing each province, even though a voter can only cast one vote. Democrat MP Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, a former justice minister, proposed that there be one or two elected CDA members depending on the size of each province.

He also proposed that there be a higher number of CDA members nominated by state and private universities. He said these nominees can be lecturers from the law, political science, economics and social science faculties, people experienced in public administration and charter drafting, as well as representatives from non-profit organisations.

Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojirakarn, however, swam against the tide by proposing that the CDA be comprised of 100 members, all of whom are elected.

Democrat Satit Pitutecha, meanwhile, accused the government of wanting to dominate the CDA.

"I just learnt why [government MPs] are trying so hard to keep the 77 plus 22 formula. A university lecturer told me that he was confident he would become one of the charter drafters. I don't know how, but he was certain," Satit said.

Democrat MP Warong Dechkitvigrom also voiced opposition to CDA members being selected, saying that these people could be assigned by the government to rewrite the charter and would interfere in the justice system and agencies. He and other Democrats repeatedly attacked the ad-hoc panel on charter amendment for reversing the vote result on Article 291/1 regarding CDA members earlier.

Wirat Romyen, a panel member from the Democrat Party, said that at a meeting on March 28, the panel voted 12:10 in support of the changes. However, on the following day, panel chairman Samart Kaewmeechai, who is a member of the Pheu Thai Party, recruited other MPs from his party and asked for a re-vote, which reversed the voting result of the previous day.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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Thai Charter debate may be extended

Second reading could be given three extra days if debate not completed today; ruling party MPs urged to be patient

BANGKOK: -- The parliamentary debate on the second reading of the constitutional amendment could be extended by another three days if it is not completed by today as scheduled, the chief government whip said yesterday.

Full story:

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PACC panel to probe illegal land grabbing in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission is now delving into five major landgrabbing schemes involving officials and national politicians after setting up an investigating committee recently.

Full story:

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Ayutthaya farmers worried dykes would affect their operations

AYUTTHAYA: -- A group of 17 farmers in Ayutthaya province is demanding compensation from the government as the dykes being built around industrial parks in the province to protect against flooding would inundate their rice farms.

Full story:

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THAI TALK

The post-Songkran timeline to a political tsunami

BANGKOK: -- You can never tell whether it's just a bluff or not that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra knows something we don't about his own political future. For example, last week in Laos he said was coming home in "three to four months".

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

Populist policies boomerang on Yingluck govt

BANGKOK: -- Perhaps populism politics worked only during Thaksin Shinawatra's administration, as his younger sister Yingluck, who copied everything from him, is struggling to get anything going.

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Yingluck's China trip upgrades bilateral ties

The Nation

BEIJING: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to China this week has upgraded bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

In a speech delivered to a Chinese Communist Party political school yesterday, Yingluck said the strategic partnership ties comprised development cooperation in all sectors, such as high-speed trains, renewable energy and water management.

Chinese technology in a number of sectors is extremely helpful for Thailand's development, she said.

The fact that both countries are engaging each other within the Asean framework - Thailand as a founding member of Asean and China as a long-time dialogue partner of the grouping - should lead to further cooperation to cope with all regional challenges, she said.

These challenges include maritime security, natural disasters and drug trafficking, the PM added.

China has also played a crucial role in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, which is a sub-regional development scheme to upgrade infrastructure and reduce poverty, she said.

"Under this development scheme, it is my pleasure to inform you that a Mekong bridge between Thailand's Chiang Rai and Laos's Huay Xaiwhich provinces, connecting Yunnan [in China] to Thailand, will be opened on the 12th day of the 12th month of the year 2012," she said.

Thailand is a good strategic point for China's "Southward and Go Global" policy, as the country is the closest market and source of material supply for China, Yingluck said.

The prime minister is leading a huge delegation of Thai officials and private-sector representatives to forge closer ties with China during a four-day visit lasting until tomorrow.

Beijing likely gave a high priority to her visit, Yingluck said, as well as agreeing to extend the stay of the giant-panda family in Chiang Mai Zoo for three years beyond the original scheduled expiry at the end of next year.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told his opposite number during a meeting on Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People that "establishing the China-Thailand strategic cooperative partnership is of great significance for both countries and the peaceful development of East Asia".

"China hopes to enhance strategic communication with Thailand, jointly face challenges and boost cooperation in diversified areas," he added.

The Chinese premier proposed expanding bilateral trade to US$100 billion (about Bt3 trillion) before 2015, and enhancing cooperation in ocean research, telecommunications, technology, energy and agriculture.

Xinhua news agency said Wen had pledged continuous support for Thailand in its post-disaster reconstruction and water-conservancy programme following last year's devastating floods, the worst to hit the country in nearly 50 years.

The two premiers also agreed to boost joint patrols on the China, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar borders along the Mekong River, and to jointly safeguard peace and stability on the South China Sea, the agency said.

Yingluck also said Thailand would conclude as soon as possible judicial proceedings regarding the murder of 13 Chinese crewmen on the Mekong last October, and punish those found guilty in accordance with the law.

After their talks, Yingluck and Wen witnessed the sealing of seven bilateral cooperation agreements on issues ranging from trade, agriculture and railways to flood and drought prevention and ocean research.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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PAD will go to court on constitution

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The yellow shirts will go to court to stop the Cabinet and 416 lawmakers from trashing the Constitution.

"What they are doing will result in the complete tearing-up of the charter," Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), said yesterday.

There might be a hidden agenda behind the government's campaign for a charter change, he said.

The PAD's opposition to annulling the charter would be via the judicial process, not by taking part in a rally on Saturday. The yellow shirts would hit the streets again to protest only if there was a move to encroach on the monarchy or grant immunity to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The group would today hold a meeting with Siam Prachapiwat academics to exchange views on the political system.

The PAD plans to cite Article 68 of the Constitution when petitioning the Office of the Attorney-General to check into the constitutionality of the charter amendment bill.

The bill has been designed to scrap the entire charter, but Parliament has the constitutional mandate to amend the charter and not write a whole new replacement.

Should the prosecutors find cause to suspect a charter repeal, they are obliged to petition the Constitution Court to intervene and issue an injunction against the drafting.

Any political parties involved in ripping up the charter would face punishment by party dissolution.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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Lese Majeste case comes to Bangkok

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The lese-majeste trial of Voice of Taksin magazine editor and key red-shirt member Somyos Prueksakasemsuk began in Bangkok yesterday, following months of the proceedings being held in different provinces.

Defence lawyers tried to explain to the judges that the two articles, written by an anonymous person under the pen name of Jit Polachan - which led to the filing of charges against Somyos - were not directly defamatory of HM the King. Any such conclusion, they said, could only be made through interpretation of the text, and this varied.

Prosecution witness Col Vijarn Jodtaeng, director of the legal division of the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc), testified that there was no direct mention of the King, although after reading the articles one could come to a conclusion.

Defence lawyer Karom Polpornklang insisted, however, that this was just an "interpretation" and others might interpret it differently. The articles, penned in February and March 2010 just before the deadly clashes with the red shirts, refer to a mastermind with the name "Luang Naruebarn" who wanted to launch a bloody crackdown on protesters.

At one point, Vijarn was asked by Karom if he was aware that HM the King had once stated that the King was not above criticism. The colonel refused to answer but added that the law would take care of it.

Two other prosecutors' witnesses yesterday gave similar testimonies - that they could come to the same conclusion after reading the texts.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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Security tightened as Krue Se anniversary looms

The Nation

PATTANI: -- Security in the deep South has been heightened against possible insurgent attacks to mark the eighth anniversary of the Krue Se Mosque incident on April 28. An Organisation of Islamic Conference meeting next month is also a concern, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said yesterday.

He said insurgents had carried out attacks in the past to mark such events. Citing an intelligence tipoff, Yuthasak said insurgents were being offered a reward of Bt500,000 per attack, but he did not say by whom.

Photos of the 37 "mostwanted" insurgent leaders have been distributed among security agencies in the deep South, said Yuthasak. Security officials were looking for five stolen cars amid concern they could be used in bomb attacks.

Yuthasak said that improved safety measures enforced since the deep South carbomb attacks on March 31 had resulted in a drop in insurgent activity.

Yuthasak said he and Army commander General Prayuth Chanocha would visit the region today, and that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had given orders on certain measures, though a new set of strategies for the deep South was still in the pipeline and waiting for the inauguration of a new committee to oversee them.

Islamic scholar and humanrights activist Ahmad Somboonbualuang called on the public to accept negotiations with insurgents as a means to eventual peace.

"It is useless to hold the opinion that those who initiate talks are losers, while those refusing to talk are winners. Those facing daily violence in the South are still losers because they suffer most. Any means which result in [deep South] villagers being able to smile again after the violence ends can be upheld as a victory by all sides," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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Accused serial poisoner hangs himself

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- A man accused of fatally poisoning four people committed suicide at a police station in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Muang district yesterday morning.

Full story:

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Zoo seeks longer stay for Lin Ping

The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- The Chiang Mai Zoo will soon raise with Zoological Park Organisation executives a proposal that China allow giant panda Lin Ping to remain in Thailand for another three years, zoo director Thanapat Pongpamorn said yesterday.

After that, the zoo would contact China for further arrangements over Lin Ping's extended stay, he added.

The Panda Research Project head, Prasertsak Boontrakulthavee, said his team was ready to continue taking care of Lin Ping.

The panda was born in Thailand but belongs to China, and was originally scheduled to be sent there when it becomes four years old in 2013.

The zoo's panda display comprises one outdoor and two indoor sections. It displayed three giant pandas, Chuang Chuang, Lin Hui and their female offspring Lin Ping, and attracted 1,0002,000 visitors a day.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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320 killed in road accidents during Songkran

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A total of 3,129 road accidents occurred during the seven "dangerous days" of Songkran, killing 320 people, Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said yesterday.

Full story:

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Experts seek to calm Phuket quake fears

PHUKET: -- Experts yesterday sought to allay concerns about repeat quakes in Phuket, saying that dozens, and perhaps hundreds, of aftershocks could follow but their magnitude should not pose any serious threat.

Full story:

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TV host Panya's house burns

The Nation

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- A fire early yesterday in the teakwood vacation home of Thai TV host Panya Nirankul caused damage estimated at Bt10 million, according to Pol Major Nopporn Pratkrathok, inspector at Mu Si police station in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima.

The twostorey house is on a 5rai (8,000squaremetre) plot in the Moon Dance Khao Yai Residence housing estate on Pak Chong Khao Yai Road in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The fire started in the second storey and quickly spread to the roof at 1.30am. Two fire engines fought for two hours to put the blaze out.

House caretaker Akhom Somchok said he, his wife and two children were asleep on the ground floor when the fire broke out. They felt the heat, found the second floor was on fire and raised the alarm.

Police will determine the cause of the fire later but initially suspect a short circuit.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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Stay calm and enjoy your holiday, says Phuket tourism chief

Tourists enjoy the sunset at Patong Beach in Phuket, which has been the site of two recent tsunami evacuations – one officially ordered, the other panic-led. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket tourism industry leaders are calling on the local media not to exaggerate in their reporting of the recent seismic activity in Phuket, as doing so could adversely affect the local economy.

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Phuket Songkran road toll ends: 3 dead, 43 injured

Phuket City Police stop two young women riding without helmets at a checkpoint near the Phuket Gazette offices in Koh Kaew. Photo; Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- The “Seven Days of Danger” Songkran road-safety campaign ended in Phuket yesterday with no road fatalities over the final four days, resulting in a final tally of three dead and 43 injured in 44 reported accidents.

Full story:

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US TV presenter Dick Clark dies: American Bandstand

Dick Clark 1961. File photo, source: wikimedia

One of America's best-known veteran television personalities, Dick Clark, has died aged 82.

Full story:

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Thai-Cambodian border cooperation is set to heighten

BANGKOK, 19 April 2012 (NNT) – Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to elevate the two neighbors' cooperation around border area in order to effectively tackle the problem of illegal logging.

Mr. Julapong Nonsichai, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that his recent meeting with Mr. Long Visalo, Cambodia's Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation focused on the follow-up on various talks Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul had discussed in Phnom Penh during their visit to Cambodia at the end of 2011, particularly the two countries' cooperation along the border area.

At the latest meeting, Mr. Julapong also expressed Thailand's worries over illegal logging activities in the border area while Cambodia also said they were worried about the deaths of Cambodians, believed to be related to the same problem.

The Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs went on to say that both Southeast Asian neighbors have stated strong political will to strengthen ties and agreed to make more commitments to solve all problems they have been facing.

In doing so, Thailand and Cambodia have pledged to promote closer collaboration and exchange of information, which are believed to help both solve and prevent all illegal activities in a more sustainable manner.

-- NNT 2012-04-19

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Chonburi and Nong Khai Provinces Celebrate Wan Lai Festival

CHONBURI: -- Even though the Songkran celebration is over in most areas, people living in Chonburi and Nong Khai provinces are still celebrating it.

A large number of locals and tourists are taking part in the water play in celebration of the Wan Lai Festival in Chonburi Province, causing a five kilometer long traffic backlog on the Pattaya-Naklua Road.

Revelers are ignoring the local authorities' plea for them not to wear spaghetti strap tops or take part in powder play and wear helmets while riding motorcycles. The celebration will continue on for another day tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Sichang Island will host the traditional ritual of carrying young women out to sea, a ceremony that was introduced since the time of King Rama V. Under this tradition, men would carry the woman they have their eyes on to the sea and bless each other afterward.

This rite attracts a high turnout every year.

At a temple in Nong Khai Province, locals paraded a Buddha statue around the chapel three times before installing it back to its original place.

From April 13 to 18 of every year, the statue would be placed outdoors to be bathed by thousands of festival goers for good luck.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-19

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MRT back to normal service for every station from 9.34 A.M. following maintenance work which was delayed earlier this morning /TANN

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RT @AP: BREAKING NEWS: Indian government says test launch of missile able to reach major Chinese cities was a success

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42 Thai provinces declared emergency drought-hit areas

BANGKOK, 19 April 2012 (NNT) – More than half of Thailand's provinces have been declared drought-hit areas, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD)'s Deputy Director-General Anusorn Kaewkangwa said that there are now 42 provinces across the country, which have been hit hard by drought.

He said that the situation in drought-hit North and Northeast is to be closely monitored due to the lack of rainfall.

However, Mr. Anusorn stated that the overall situation remains under control as the water storage at Queen Sirikit Dam is now high enough for people in these areas to consume and use.

He added that the Local Administrative Organizations in all drought-affected provinces have been instructed to extend necessary assistance to victims of the severe dry weather condition.

Mr. Anusorn also said that all drought-disaster provinces are now eligible for financial help from the government's 50-million-baht emergency budget.

He went on to say that Thailand's upper part is to beware of summer storm, which may hit the region soon.

The DPMD's Deputy Director-General said that people in Thailand's South are also to be ready for the impact of the approaching summer storm while stating that all related agencies have been instructed to be on stand-by around the clock to help those in need.

He said that people who are hit by drought can seek state assistance from the nearest Local Administrative Organization office or call the DPMD hotline number at 1784.

-- NNT 2012-04-19

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Poll : Govt Scores 6 from 10

BANGKOK: -- The public has given the government six out of ten on its performance with its drug eradication campaign hailed as its best achievement.

An opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or NIDA, showed the government has earned 6.23 out of ten for its performance in addressing problems besetting the country.

The survey found that 67.9 percent of 1,245 respondents see narcotics crackdown as the government's most satisfactory work, followed by its resolution on the high cost of living at 48.8 percent, corruption fight at 29.1 percent, restoration of national unity at 28.6 percent, with rebuilding peace in the southern border region coming last.

The poll also suggested Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra still enjoys a high approval rating in the Northeast at 79.90 percent and the North at 78.60 percent.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-19