Thailand Live Thursday 19 Apr 2012

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Bangkok Governor inspects road sinkhole repair

BANGKOK, 19 April 2012 (NNT) - The Bangkok Governor has inspected the maintenance of a sinkhole on Charoenkrung Road while disclosing that 21 roads, 42 overpasses and 12 tunnels in the capital are at risk of sinkholes.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra has inspected the progress of a sinkhole maintenance on Charoenkrung Road, which occurred in front of Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital in Bang Kho Laem district on 5 April due to disconnected sewer pipelines causing an underground hole. The Public Works Department has finalized the process of soil compaction before strengthening the structure with reinforcement steels and concrete. It is expected that the road will be back in service within 24 hours.

Additionally, the Bangkok Governor has revealed the results of the inspection on various locations throughout Bangkok's 50 districts, deemed vulnerable to sinkholes due to the previous flood disaster, so that repair works could be conducted in a timely manner. The Public Works Department has found that 21 roads, 42 flyovers and 12 tunnels are at risk. The public are urged to contact the department at 02-246-0295 for any irregularities found on roads or bridges.

-- NNT 2012-04-19

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Porn Picture During Parliamentary Session Makes a Splash on World Media

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Thai Army Chief Denies Tie between PAD and Military

BANGKOK: -- The army chief has denied the report that the People's Alliance for Democracy has asked to stage its next rally at the Thai Army Club.

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AOT Affirms Phuket Airport Not Affected by Earthquake

BANGKOK: -- The Airport of Thailand or AOT insists that the airport terminal and runways of Phuket International Airport remain strong after the earthquake struck those areas.

Airport of Thailand Director-General Flying Officer Aniruth Thanomkulbutr gave an interview to INN news that airport officials have not found any damages on the runways and terminal structure of Phuket Airport after a 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck Thalang District in Phuket Province.

However, the AOT has been continuing to monitor the situation closely.

The AOT director-general also affirmed that all airlines will still provide regular services at Phuket International Airport.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-19

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Thai PM Thanks China for Continuous Support to Thailand

BEIJING: -- The Thai Prime Minister thanks China for its continuous support of Thai investments and tourism, as well as for the aid given to Thailand during last year's flood crisis.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Chinese Hu Jintao and National People's Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo during her three-day official visit to China, the first since assuming office in August.

The Thai premier thanked China for supporting imports of agricultural products from Thailand, assisting Thai investors and encouraging the Chinese to travel to Thailand.

Yingluck also expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and all Chinese people for their help and relief efforts offered to Thailand during last year's nationwide flooding.

In addition, she appreciated China's decision to extend the stay of the popular panda cub Lin Ping until 2013, when the baby panda and her parents, Shung Shung and Lin Hui, will return to their home soil together.

The Thai prime minister also pledges to enhance ties between the Thai and Chinese parliaments, especially on bilateral exchange of visits by parliamentary members and youth representatives.

In the evening, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping hosted a welcome dinner for the Thai leader and delegates at the Tiew Yoo Tai banquet room in Beijing.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-19

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Foreigner and 2 Thais, Randomly Shot by Pattaya Teenager

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Democrat MP admits 'accidentally' watching porno photo during charter debate

A red-faced Democrat Party MP, a son of former party leader Banyat Bantadtan, Thursday admitted that he accidentally viewed a porno picture during a parliamentary meeting Wednesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....50#entry5232113

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Industries Sentiment Index in March rises for four consecutive months to 102.1 /MCOT

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China ready to sign MOU on tablet PC acquisition with Thailand

BANGKOK, 19 April 2012 (NNT) – Chinese investors have expressed their readiness to sign an MOU on tablet PC acquisition with Thailand while the investment value from this cooperation is expected to be worth no less than 67 billion baht.

Acting Government Spokesperson Anusorn Iamsa-ard has indicated that the government’s One Tablet PC per Child policy is seeing much progress as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held discussions with executives from top Chinese companies during her official visit to China, in order to build confidence and hear out their opinions on investment in Thailand. The meeting was successful given a great number of Chinese entrepreneurs have shown enthusiasm in collaborating with Thailand. It is expected that no less than 67 billion baht will be generated as a result of the signing of the MOU on tablet PC acquisition.

Mr. Anusorn added that the manufacturer of tablet PCs for Thai first graders, Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development Co. Ltd, has allowed the Thai delegation to test a ready-to-use sample of the tablet PC. Confident that the devices will be ready for the beginning of the new school year, he told students, teachers and parents to be prepared for the use of tablet PCs as part of a child’s learning process.

-- NNT 2012-04-19

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SOUTH CRISIS

Bomb explodes in Narathiwat as school set ablaze

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- A school in Narathiwat province was set on fire Wednesday night and a bomb targeting government personnel exploded nearby, but no one was wounded.

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Phuket Police seek help in identifying dead hospital patient

PHUKET: Phuket -- Police are trying identify the body of a woman, thought to be from Myanmar, who died in the emergency ward of Thalang Hospital yesterday.

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Bt50 Mln Sought to Cover School Tablet PCs Distribution Cost

BANGKOK: -- A committee overseeing the school tablet PCs program is seeking additional 50 billion baht from the government's central budget to pay for the distribution of the devices.

Meanwhile, the ICT minister has met with the Chinese contractor to wrap up pending issues.

The committee overseeing the free tablet PCs scheme, chaired by Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Ministry Worapat Tewthanom, held several meetings last week to deliberate pending issues in the procurement process, including the cost of distributing the devices to eligible schools nationwide.

Recently, the committee resolved to seek the Cabinet's approval of 50 million baht from the central budget to pay for the distribution cost.

It was also agreed that Thailand Post will handle the distribution.

ICT Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, who is part of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's delegation on a three-day official visit to China, has met with senior executives of ShenZhen Scope Scientific Development to discuss details about the purchase of one million tablet PCs for first-grade students in the upcoming school semester.

Anudith said the government is currently awaiting the Office of Attorney-General's review of a draft procurement contract which was sent last week.

He noted that normally the review takes around 45 days, but the process could be completed by next week due to the urgency of the matter.

The minister added the signing could take place as soon as the contract is reviewed and endorsed by the OAG.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-19

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3.7 Million Thais Admit To Using Illegal Drugs: Survey

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....l-drugs-survey/

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Thai bourse set to reach 10 trillion baht market capitalisation this year following healthy Q1 performance /MCOT

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PAD Discusses Ways to Reform Country

The People's Alliance for Democracy states a reform for the country must begin with change in politics and education.

Core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, today met members of its ally Siam Prachaphiwat group to exchange their viewpoints on the reform for the country.

They agreed that the reform can be archived via true democracy, not vicious capitalism which currently dominates the country.

PAD core leader Pipob Thongchai said a structural change is needed to carry the country towards a learning society which is crucial for the reform .

He said libraries of education institutes must open 24 hours for the people to improve their knowledge.

Member of Siam Prachaphiwat group Thaweesak Suthokwathin said a major reform for the country needs participation from politicians and the people.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-19

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SET index closed at 1185.34, up 17.29; Bt/USD30.74; GBP49.18; AUD31.75; EUR40.25; CAD30.85; HKD3.95; SGD24.42; JPY37.53

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Schools May Not Get Tablet PCs Next Month

BANGKK: -- The information and communication technology minister would not confirm whether the free tablet PCs would be distributed to schools by the beginning of the new academic year next month, pointing out the procurement contract is being drafted and has yet to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

Information and Communication Technology Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap has reported the progress of the free tablet PCs project for students, saying that the procurement contract is being drafted. Once completed, it will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

The signing will take place once the contracted supplier receives all of the documents. Anudith would not specify the project's exact time frame, saying once the contract is signed, the first batch of 400,000 tablet PCs must be delivered in 60 days and the other 500,000 will be shipped in 90 days or sooner.

The ICT minister said students may have to take about one month to adjust to the new academic year. Because of this, they are expected to actually use the tablet PCs sometime in July.

Anudith stressed that the tablet PCs are only supplemental tool to the lessons taught in class. He also denied a news report that there is disagreement between the ICT and Education ministries on what applications should be installed in the tablet PCs.

He said the project is nearly complete and the students will certainly receive their tablet PCs by the first semester of the new school year.

Meanwhile, acting Government Spokesperson Anusorn Iamsa-ard reported that during the visit to China, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met with executives of Shen Zhen Scope Scientific Development, the contracted tablet PC supplier, and got a chance to ask questions and try out the actual tablet PCs.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-19

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TOT in Thailand upgrades to HSPA+ for faster speed, better service

Nokia Siemens Networks helps operator improve 3G mobile broadband, prepare for LTE

BANGKOK: -- TOT, Thailand's state-owned telecom operator, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its 3G network to HSPA+. This upgrade will improve mobile broadband services for the 7.2 million TOT customers and increase download speeds to even 42 megabits per second (Mbps) compared to the current 7.2 Mbps. The upgrade will be ready by April 2012.

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World's oldest man celebrates 115th birthday in Japan

TOKYO: -- Jirouemon Kimura, Japan’s oldest person and the world’s oldest man, celebrated his 115th birthday at home Thursday,local media reported.

Kimura, who lives in Kyotango city in western Japan, spends more time on his bed these days, but eats three meals a day with his family, Mainichi daily reported.

Born April 19, 1897, Kimura worked at a local post office for 38years. He turned to farming after his retirement and continued until the age of 90.

Kimura has seven children, of whom five are still alive, 14grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13great-great-grandchildren, the paper said.

The previous oldest living man was Walter Breuning of the United States, who was born on September 21, 1896. Breuning passed away on April 14, 2011.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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Chavalit to form people's assembly

The Nation

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh plans to end his retirement by spearheading a grassroots campaign to form the People's Assembly to pave way for the public control over natural resources, including broadcasting rights.

A network of civic and media groups Thursday distribued leaflets at Parliament calling attention to the Saturday's public discussion designed to demand for the people to having control over their sovereignty.

The discussion is scheduled to take place at the Army Officer's Club on VibhavadiRangsit Road. It is expected to kickstart the assembly, led by Chavalit, to bring about full-fledged democracy with the King as head of state, in which the people have the control over state power and natural resources.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

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MRT Pink line to open for turnkey bids this year

BANGKOK, 19 April 2012 (NNT) - The meeting of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) executive board today considers the progress of the elevated MRT Pink line project.

The MRT Pink line, scheduled to run from Khae Rai to Minburi, is proposed to be converted into a monorail system, covering a distance of 34.5 kilometers. Six more stations will be added on the route to link people to new trading centers and condominiums.

A larger area of land is also planned to be expropriated, particularly that surrounding Pak-kret intersection and Minburi market.

The project, estimated to be worth 50 billion baht, will be open for turnkey bids this year. The construction of the Pink line is expected to take 4 years.

The project is one of the Pheu Thai party's election campaign pledges. When it is completed, the MRTA aims to collect a flat-rate fare of 20 baht for the entire route.

-- NNT 2012-04-19

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Thailand Live Friday 20 Apr 2012