Thailand Live Friday 27 Apr 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 27 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 26 Apr 2012

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FUGITIVE EX-PREMIER

Thaksin flying to England for Manchester derby

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visits Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda at his residence for the first time. Yingluck, accompanied by some Cabinet members, greeted Prem on the occasion of the Thai New Year.

PM Yingluck meets Prem, requests the permission of Privy Council chief to consult him on affairs of state

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to return to England for the first time since 2008 to watch Monday's crucial soccer game between Manchester United and Manchester City, his legal aide Noppadon Pattama confirmed yesterday.

Full story:

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COST OF LIVING

Thai workers 'unable to pay bills' despite pay rise

BANGKOK: -- Despite the increase in the daily minimum wage to Bt300, blue-collar workers' debts have risen this year due to the effects of last year's floods and the rising cost of living, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Full story:

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NEW SEMESTER

Parents worry about cost of school uniforms: Thai poll

Rising demands for 'tea money' and kids' circle of friends also a concern

BANGKOK: -- Parents are having to pay more for their children’s student uniforms, meals, transportation and textbooks, while some also have to pay "tea money" of as much as Bt400,000, according to an ABAC Poll released yesterday.

Full story:

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CONSTITUTION REVIEW

Charter debate needs rescheduling: Jurin

The Nation

Jurin

BANGKOK: -- The Parliament should limit the charter amendment debate to one day a week so it can focus on other legislative agendas, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.

"I propose that the debate take place every Tuesday," he said.

Very slow progress has been made on the second reading of the charter amendment bill over the past eight days, with some 100 opposition MPs reserving their right to discuss each clause.

The debate has been suspended until next Tuesday to allow the lower and upper chambers to conduct respective legislative sessions.

Jurin said the debate should be rescheduled so as not to interfere with legislative work. He also suggested that parliamentary whips should meet and thrash out differences before the debate on each draft provision.

The Opposition is seen as using filibuster tactics to challenge the government's majority. Thus far, the government has conceded to the Opposition's demand for using senatorial rules for the election of the Constitution Drafting Assembly. The coalition and the Opposition have yet to strike a deal on two remaining issues - the rules to pick 22 charter writers from a pool of academics and professionals and whether the charter draft should be vetted by Parliament before the referendum vote.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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NMG chief Suthichai outlines ambitious growth strategy

The Nation

Nation Multimedia Group chairman Suthichai Yoon addresses shareholders on the company

BANGKOK: -- Shareholders of Nation Multimedia Group yesterday overwhelmingly approved a capital write-down to eliminate accumulated losses, which will enable the company to start paying dividends.

The shareholders' meeting took place at lebua Hotel, followed by a meeting with a group of financial analysts. They were introduced to the new management team led by new chairman Suthichai Yoon, vice chairman Sermsin Samalapa and chief executive officer Duangkamol Chotana.

The shareholders were presented with NMG's growth strategy on broadcasting, education and international businesses.

NMG wrote down capital from Bt2.5 billion to Bt873.3 million, with a new share par value of Bt0.53. The strategy will slash the group's accumulated losses to only Bt2.01 million.

The company declared net profit of Bt104.28 million for 2011 despite the floods in the last quarter of the year.

NMG is publisher of The Nation, Krungthep Turakij and Kom Chad Luek newspapers. It also operates broadcasting businesses and publishes books. The company recently took over a university to enter the education field.

Under the new-blood executive structure, the group will march forward with its C=ME3 strategy, concentrating on consumer and content through a multi-platform, multi-content and multi-region concept as well as edutainment, entertainment and e-business, to drive its business growth.

Suthichai added that the group had been approached by Eleven Media, a private local media company in Myanmar, to publish newspapers in both the Burmese and English languages, which would support the company's business expansion.

"We have a strong foreign media network - Asia News Network - which comprises 21 media in 18 countries to support us, while our news will reach 15 million people in Asia. This is our strength," Suthichai said.

It is forecast that the group's media reach will double to reach 70 million people in the next five years.

Group president Duangkamol added that the strategy would allow the company to achieve sustainable growth through the next five years. It will help the group achieve balanced income and reduced risk. The plan aims to increase income from digital and broadcast media to 40 per cent of total revenue, and education to 20 per cent, while print-media income will go down from 60 per cent to 40 per cent in the next five years.

She said the group would also launch two new satellite TV stations - Krungthep Turakij Television targeted at businesspeople, and Kid Zone to capture more youngsters.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Mother-son duo to 'keep fighting'

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Red-shirt supporters pour lustral water on the remains of Kamolkaed Akhad, a paramedic volunteer who was killed in the 2010 crackdown. The event, organised by her mother and relatives outside CentralWorld yesterday, was held to mark her 27th birthday.

Relatives of slain volunteer will continue their quest for justice

BANGKOK: -- Since May 19, 2010, when the bloody crackdown on red-shirt protesters came to an end, the mother and son duo, Payao and Nattapat Akhad, has emerged as the loudest voice calling for truth and justice for the 91 people who lost their lives.

Payao lost her daughter, Kamolkaed Akhad, who was working as a medic volunteer at Wat Pathumwannaram Temple. Even though she had a Red Cross logo marked clearly on her apron, the volunteer nurse was shot seven times on the eve of May 19.

Payao used to sell garlands, while her son did gigs as a drummer and singer. Yet, over the past two years, they have been preoccupied seeking the truth and justice for those killed in the crackdown. And former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's recent call, urging the red shirts to "forget" what happened and move on for "national reconciliation", did not sway them.

"We have sacrificed enough. It cost the life of a child," Payao said.

Her son went on to say that Thaksin should not be using people's lives as a bargaining chip for his amnesty.

When asked what they would like to say to those who might be responsible for Kamolkaed's death, Payao said she had one message for then-premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban and the Army: "Politicians make mistakes. When they have made a mistake and it led to the loss of lives, they should take responsibility like a man … they are already suspects in society."

Nattapat said: "I am a fair person. The past cannot be undone. Please apologise to people. Confess and enter the justice system and I will forgive."

The 23-year-old now works as a personal secretary to Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit.

Most of the relatives of those killed have quietened down since the government promised to give them Bt7.75 million in compensation. However, Nattapat said that if he and his mother did not continue pushing for truth and justice, nobody else will.

Payao admitted that only three families of red-shirt supporters - including Pansak Srithep, who lost his son Cher - are still actively pursuing justice. She went on to say that she had gone to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) "countless times" to ask for facts, only to find that they are good at "concealing everything". The DSI has been given the job of looking into the deaths, including that of her daughter.

"Our fight is about setting a precedent. Those who ordered the killings must be taken to justice and serve their penalties. The truth can reveal who the mastermind was and who had carried out [the killings]. If you ask me if the country would move forward once the truth is uncovered, I would say yes! Nobody has been punished [for killing protesters in the past], but this time they must be punished," she said.

Meanwhile, her son said that he was not against national reconciliation as such. "I will not obstruct national reconciliation, but I will obstruct amnesty [for killers]. The justice process must proceed, otherwise there won't be any need for it. They can just kill and seek amnesty. Kill and seek amnesty."

Nattapat no longer plays with the band after the pub owner fired them. He believes they lost the gig because he had become publicly visible.

As for his mother, she says her brand of red shirt is not for Thaksin, but for democracy and justice for those who were killed.

"Is that wrong?" she asked, before adding that over the years, Thais of all political colours have become political victims in one way or another.

Though the red shirts have elected the current Yingluck Shinawatra government, Payao said that she and her son would keep a watchful eye on the issue and be ready to stand in opposition if the administration fails to find justice for those killed in 2010.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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Compensation graft claim sparks probe in Thailand's deep South

In the wake of repeated violent incidents in Pattani

BANGKOK: - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday instructed officials to investigate allegations that some officials planned to skim 20 per cent off the Bt2 billion in compensation payments promised to those affected by the violence in the deep South.

Full story:

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OVERDRIVE

Central bank in danger from Thai government meddling

Dr Virabongsa

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand will be at further risk of losing its independent clout if Dr Virabongsa Ramangkura were to be appointed as its chairman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....nment-meddling/

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'Phuket Lovers' to rally on Doomsday Saturday

PATONG TO PARTY LIKE IT'S 2012: Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukbal, pictured here (center) during the recent Phuket Bike Week festivities, dismissed the 'doomsday rumors' as 'idiotic'. Photo: Khanitta Rodpasa

PHUKET: -- Phuket Provincial Office will hold several special events this Saturday, April 28, to restore confidence among residents and tourists alike and to quash rumors that the island will sink into the sea.

Full story:

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Bangkok Immigration police arrest Italian man for porno production

BANGKOK: -- An Italian man was arrested in Bangkok's Bang Kho Laem district for allegedly making pornographic films, Immigration Police deputy chief Pol Maj-General Warin Boonyakiat told a press conference yesterday. The suspect denied the charge.

Full story:

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Couple arrested, one sought in jewellery scam

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) have arrested a couple for involvement in a jewellery scam alleged to have duped people in Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok out of Bt400 million, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit told a press conference yesterday.

The arrests, made at the couple's Nakhon Pathom home after the criminal court issued warrants for them, followed a complaint filed to the DSI by Poonyavee Rangsi-athiwat and others. The complaint alleged that Chuangchote Akharapanyawat and his wife Thanalak, along with Chuangchote's niece, Sriwarin Poonthanarom (also known as Sansanee Wanichkirati), duped 17 people into investing in a fake diamond/jewellery scheme between March 1, 2010 and January 6 this year.

Police are looking for Sriwarin.

Tharit said Sriwarin had the couple invite acquaintances to invest with Sriwarin in the scheme, promising high returns of around 10 per cent per month, or 120 per cent per year. The victims were told that Sriwarin had a jewellery business called Hor Heng Heng in the Silom area and was a member of the "national diamond auction committee", which purportedly imported diamonds from other countries and auctioned them. To get them interested in investing, victims were told that Chuangchote and Thanalak had invested with Sriwarin and earned 18 per cent profit a month.

The DSI found documentary evidence of financial transactions between the victims and Sriwarin or the couple's son, Pattanapong Santiparapop. It also determined that neither Sriwarin nor her shop were registered as an importer-exporter with the Customs Department, and that the Hor Heng Heng shop in Silom existed but belonged to another person who didn't know of Sriwarin or her claims.

The DSI was told by Somchai Pornjindarak, president of the Thai Gems and Jewellery Traders Association, that he didn't know Sriwarin, that Thailand didn't have such a committee and that the last diamond auction here was held a decade ago.

The DSI is hunting for Sriwarin, who withdrew nearly all her money and fled, while her house in Samut Prakan has reportedly been locked and empty since last December.

Denying any wrongdoing, Chuangchote said he should be considered a victim, because he and his wife invested Bt10 million with Sriwarin. He insisted he didn't deceive the affected persons, and that the victims invested willingly because they saw what he described as huge profits earned by him and his wife.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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Student shot, knifed by gang in Bukkhalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A fourth-year Pohchang College student was wounded by rival students of another college while travelling to school on a No 82 bus in Bangkok's Bukkhalo subdistrict yesterday, police said.

Responding to an assault report at 9am, police rushed to the mouth of Soi Suksawat 12 to find Yutthapong Nianhom, 25, with knife wounds to his arms and a gunshot wound to the chest. He was sent to Bang Pakok 1 Hospital.

Initial reports say eight students of a vocational college in the Tha Phra area were on the bus when Yutthapong, in his school uniform, got on at Soi Suksawat 10.

The group picked on him, then followed Yutthapong to the front of the bus and attacked him.

After a cry of "police!" the students reportedly shot Yutthapong and then fled towards Soi Suksawat 10.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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Officials raid more illegal Thap Lan resorts

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Officials from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department yesterday raided the four-rai Ban Suan Sukkho resort in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow district, the latest of nine resorts found to have encroached on Thap Lan National Park.

Park assistant chief Nuwat Leelapata led 10 officials in the raid who, after failing to locate the resort's owner, measured the area and identified buildings for legal procedures and demolition by Wang Nam Kheow police.

Since April 17, department officials have taken action against 72 sites of land-encroachment comprising 462 buildings, and captured one suspect, while Thap Lan Park officials have raided five locations. Hence, 77 of the 113 targeted cases have now been acted upon.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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China to help draw up plan for Chao Phraya basin

BANGKOK: -- China will help Thailand develop an efficient management plan for the Chao Phraya River basin.

The assistance will be provided under an agreement signed with China during Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to the country earlier this month.

Full story:

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Ombudsman to check case first

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chief Ombudsman Panit Nitithanprapas said yesterday that she would look into the case of MPs voting on the behalf of others before the case is taken to the Constitution Court.

She urged MP Chuwit Kamolvisit to hand the case over to her, because according to law, an individual is not allowed to take a case directly to the court.

"We have to first see if the case is under the Ombudsman's mandate and whether it can be taken to the Constitution Court. The court could reject the case if it finds it presumptive, therefore the Ombudsman needs to examine it first," Panit explained.

On Wednesday, Chuwit said he had six videos proving that MPs voted on behalf of others and that he would take the complaint to the Constitution Court.

Meanwhile, Democrat MP Boonyod Suktinthai said the panel set up by House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont to look into a similar case would listen to Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositra-kul's testimony on Monday.

Earlier this week, Rosana accused certain MPs of voting on behalf of absent colleagues during the deliberation on charter amendment. She backed this with a photograph she had taken with her tablet PC.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasopdee yesterday told the press that he had evidence to prove that Abhisit Vejjajiva was not in the chamber at the time voting was held on March 14, but was recorded as being present. A man, who claimed to be Abhisit's supporter, was shown out after being caught recording Pracha yesterday.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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PAD questions constitutionality of charter change bill

The Nation

The People

BANGKOK: -- The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday petitioned the Office of the Attorney-General to launch an inquiry into the constitutionality of the charter amendment bill.

The petition contends that the charter amendment bill is unconstitutional as it seeks to repeal the Constitution. It further charges that the 36-member Cabinet, 305 MPs and 76 senators have wrongfully endorsed the bill because they only have the mandate to amend the charter. It also demanded action from the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Under the Constitution, should there be cause to suspect any attempts to tear up the charter, the attorney-general is obliged to seek a Constitution Court injunction to suspend the unconstitutional legislative process.

Those involved in the charter repeal will subsequently face legal proceedings, which can lead to impeachment, a ban on holding office and party dissolution.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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Pheu Thai upbeat to win Chiang Mai by-election

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party is confident about winning in the Chiang Mai by-election, PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said yesterday, allaying concerns about a repeat of the Pathum Thani defeat last week.

"I believe people continue to support and trust Pheu Thai Party," he said.

Woravat explained that the red shirts and local residents would rally behind the Pheu Thai candidate should the ruling party decide to nominate Kasem Nimmolrat for the race.

He dismissed speculation that the red shirts were displeased with the Kasem candidacy even though former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's sister, Yaowapha Wongsawat, had given the candidate her blessing.

He said the Pheu Thai executive board was still open to suggestions from all sides before finalising the decision next week. Woravat added that the defeat in Pathum Thani could be attributed to a miscommunication between the ruling party and its red-shirt allies, saying it would not happen again.

-- The Nation 2012-04-27

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Heat kills Chiang Mai lychee crop

Tong, a seven-year-old chimpanzee, drinks water from a pipe that an official sprayed to cool him off as temperatures rose to nearly 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, April 26, 2012

CHIANG MAI: -- Scorching heat has damaged more than 70 per cent of Chiang Mai's lychee crop.

"The damages are huge, even though farmers have tried to battle the heat using water sprinklers," Chiang Mai Longan Farmers Cooperative chairman Adulchai Intakhao said yesterday.

Full story:

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Ukraine begins work on shelter to cover Chernobyl reactor

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....rnobyl-reactor/

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Yingluck asks for Prem's help

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visits Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda at his residence for the first time. Yingluck, accompanied by some Cabinet members, greeted Prem on the occasion of the Thai New Year.

PM Yingluck meets Prem, requests the permission of Privy Council chief to consult him on affairs of state

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday requested permission to consult Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda in the future on affairs of state, when the two met at Prem's residence, according to a Cabinet member.

Full story:

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Man takes woman hostage at knife point on no. 13 bus now parked in front of Dindaeng police station; police negotiating /TANN

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,212.41, up 3.14 points /MCOT

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House Prices Expected to Rise 3-5% in Second Half of the Year

BANGKOK: -- Potential home buyers are advised to make purchasing decisions now, as estate prices could go up by at least three to five percent in the second half of the year due to rising production costs.

Churat Chakarakul, Director of SBU2 at Lalin Property, said property prices are set to rise in line with higher production costs. Changes will be evident in the second half year, where house prices could increase at least three to five percent.

He advised potential home buyers to act now before prices go up, as some estate developers can still maintain current prices for fully completed units.

Churat said the overall Thai property sector has been picking up since the start of the year after being crippled by last year's flood crisis.

Churat disclosed that his company's first-quarter sales is on target, a good start to hopefully achieving the annual target of 2.5 billion baht, or a growth of 15 percent from last year.

He added that his company plans to expand its products to cover all market segments and branch out to emerging and promising areas.

Lalin Property has planned to launch six to eight residential projects this year with a combined investment value of 3.5 billion baht. Most of them are single-detached houses and will be marketed under the brand name Lanceo.

The company currently has housing projects in seven areas such as the Watcharapol and Ramindra-Artnarong Expressway areas.

Lalin Property's homes are located in prime locations and built with a modern and environmentally sustainable design, with starting prices ranging from three to six million baht.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-27

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Thai Deputy PM attends meeting of governors of Thai-Cambodian border provinces

BANGKOK, April 27 -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit left Friday for Phnom Penh to attend the fourth meeting of Thai and Cambodian governors of the two countries border provinces.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Mr Yongyuth and Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng and aims to discuss border trade, border entry-exit policies and transborder drug trafficking.

Participating Thai governors in this year's meeting, which opened Tuesday and ends today, are from Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Trat and Buriram.

Thai Interior Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Surapol Pongtadsirikul co-chaired the Senior Official Meeting with Sak Setha, Secretary of State of the Cambodian Interior Ministry. He said that the meeting followed up development of cooperation along the Thai-Cambodian border, particularly economic cooperation resulting from a pilot project on border management at the Khlong Leuk-Poi Pet border checkpoint.

The experience of success of the border management there could be expanded to other permanent border checkpoints, he said.

Meanwhile, he said, Thailand will seek more cooperation in illegal operations prevention and suppression along border especially transnational crime.

The two countries will in future consider establishing ‘twin’ relationships between Thai and Cambodia's border provinces under the strategic framework of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya- Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).

-- TNA 2012-04-27

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EGAT: Thai power consumption peaks for 7th time on April 26

BANGKOK, 27 April 2012 (NNT) – Thailand's power consumption has hit a new high on Thursday, when the scorching summer heat drove people across the country to turn on air-conditioners.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Governor Sutat Patmasiriwat said that the country's power consumption peaked again for the seventh time this year at 2.30 pm of Thursday to 26,121 megawatts, beating the previous high of 25,682 megawatts seen on Wednesday.

Mr. Sutat blamed this summer's scorching heat, which measured 38.5 degrees Celsius on average, for the power use surge.

And even though the new record has exceeded EGAT's initial 2012 peak prediction of 25,734 megawatts, Mr. Sutat has assured that the country's major power producer will be able to cope with rising demand until the situation eases.

However, he still asked the public to try to conserve power when possible, in order to help the country save energy.

-- NNT 2012-04-27

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Thailand Energy Academy opens to spread knowledge on energy

BANGKOK, 27 April 2012 (NNT) - The Energy Ministry has opened the Thailand Energy Academy, in the hope of drawing in executives from various organizations to learn about energy and get complete understanding about energy-saving methods.

Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon presided over the opening ceremony of the Thailand Energy Academy (TEA). It is set up to educate personnel from the public and private sectors, the media and general public on energy. He said the knowledge could be applied in improving the energy plans of each organization.

Two Training courses will be offered each year to executives. The content will consist of overall energy business, Thai and global energy situations, and roles of social leaders in developing sustainable energy in Thailand. The courses will run for four months, with 60-70 executives expected to participate. The first course will be held from May 17th-September 16th at the Thailand Energy Academy at the Energy Complex Building on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd.

-- NNT 2012-04-27

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Thailand hopeful to boost auto parts & accessories exports in 2012

BANGKOK, 27 April 2012 (NNT) – Thailand is eyeing to push for further growth in the auto parts and accessories exports after most factories have emerged from last year's severe flood crisis.

Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol commented that the Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories (TAPA) 2012 event, which opened on Thursday, will likely draw more than 470 million baht in revenue to the country.

The Deputy Commerce Minister said that a number of new potential buyers from ASEAN, South Asia, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Africa and EU are expected to make a visit and meet with participating Thai and foreign entrepreneurs at TAPA 2012, which will run until April 29th.

He said that, in 2012, the Commerce Ministry hopes to boost auto parts and accessories exports to more than 13 billion dollars and over 10 billion dollars, which represent an on-year growth of 8.9 and 10 percent, respectively.

Last year, Thai auto parts and accessories exports registered a combined value of 22 billion dollars, or around 12.3 billion dollars for parts and about 9.7 billion dollars for accessories, according to Mr. Poom.

The Deputy Commerce Minister went on to say that the target growth rate for these exports will likely be achieved as the government is working hard to boost the efficiency of SME operators and to help business operators that are struggling with the problems of rising costs.

Moreover, he believes that Thai auto parts and accessories sector will continue to grow, now that the industry, which has been hit hard by the worst flood crisis Thailand has seen in decades, is getting back on its feet.

-- NNT 2012-04-27

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Fatal Car Crash Kills Two, Injures One

BANGKOK: -- A fatal car crash took place on the Don Muang Tollway flyover bridge last night. Two victims were reported dead on the scene while one was seriously injured.

Last night at 00.45 A.M., a fatal car crash took place at the outbound road of Don Muang Tollway flyover bridge near the headquarters of the Daily News newspaper. The accident involved three cars in a serious collision.

Police found a bronze Porsche GT2 wrecked in the middle of the road.

The crash victim was identified as Taifah Chayavoraprapa, the managing director of Buddy Group Company and also the owner of the Buddy Village on Kao San Road.

He sat on the passenger seat and was pronounced dead on the scene.

On the other side, a bronze Toyota Fortuner was also found in a wrecked condition.

The second crash victim was identified as the former executive director of Thai Rak Thai Party Major Sakdiphat Patummarak, and he was also reported dead on the scene.

Lastly, a Mazda 2 was found on the other side. The third crash victim was identified as 30-year-old Amnard Klinyoo and was found seriously injured. Rescue officials have transferred him to Vibhavadi 1 Hospital.

Police from the Vibhavadi police station have interrogated the injured victim about the cause of the actual accident and also requested a clip from a surveillance camera on the tollway.

The police have also contacted the victims' relatives to pick up their bodies for funeral rites.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-27