Thailand Live Monday 30 Apr 2012

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DSC: All Members Completed Pseudoephedrine Recall

BANGKOK, 30 April 2012 (NNT) - The Drug Stores Club of Thailand announced yesterday that all of its affiliated drug stores have completed the recall of pseudoephedrine-based cold medicine.

During the Drug Stores Club of Thailand’s annual meeting held yesterday at Impact Arena, president of the club, Kritchapoj Thananuprawat, said that since pseudoephedrine-containing pills have been listed as controlled substances beginning on April 4, all 7,000 members of the club have followed the protocol and delivered the packets of medicines to the Food and Drug Administration since late last year.

After the deadline on May 3, any pharmacies or clinics found to have pseudoephedrine-based medicines in their possession will be guilty of a felony, punishable by a sentence of 5-20 years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000-400,000 baht if found guilty.

Mr Kritchapoj said that following the ban, most pharmacies have opted to supply customers with phenylephrine-based cold pills instead. He noted that a number of consumers have complained that phenylephrine proved ineffective for the relief of cold symptoms. The club is now considering another alternative medication to replace pseudoephedrine.

He elaborated at the meeting that the rampant abuse of cough syrups in the South of Thailand is also becoming a nationwide concern, and that the country’s medicine distribution system needed an overhaul.

-- NNT 2012-04-30

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LESE MAJESTY LAW

Court adjourns verdict against Prachatai webmaster

BANGKOK:-- The Criminal Court Monday adjourned its reading of the verdict in the case against the webmaster of Prachatai news website to May 30.

The webmaster, Jiranuch Premchaiporn, was accused of violating Articles 14 and 15 for failing to prevent Internet users posting messages deemed as insulting to the monarchy on her website.

The court reasoned that the presiding judges needed to study a lot of documents.

Several foreign reporters turned up at the Criminal Court to hear the verdict and several friends also came to provide moral support to Jiranuch.

She said she was not worried because she produced all needed evidences to defend herself.

Public prosecutors alleged that Jiranuch as the webmaster intentionally supported or allowed some persons with malicious intent to post messages attacking the monarchy on her website between April 15 and May 3 2008.

Public prosecutors alleged that the violations took place at the Royal Thai Police head office, in Chatuchak district, Wang Mai district, Pathumwan district and around the country.

Jiranuch's lawyer, Saengchai Ratanaseriwong, said the defendant team tried to prove that the webmaster had no intention of supporting anyone to post messages to attack the monarchy.

The lawyer said if the court hands down a guilty verdict, the defendant will appeal against the ruling.

-- The Nation 2012-04-30

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Thawil seeks help from Administrative Court

BANGKOK: Thawil Pliensri, an advisor for the prime minister, Monday filed a complaint with the Central Administrative Court, seeking an order to reinstate himself as the secretary-general of the National Security Council.

Thawil filed the complaint after the Merit System Protection Committee resolved to reject his complaint against his transfer from the position of the NSC secretary-general to the position of a PM's advisor.

Thawil told reporters that he told the court that his transfer was unfair because he was moved to pave way for former police chief Pol Gen Wichien Photephosri to be appointed to the position and Pol Gen Priewphan Damapong could be promoted as the police commissioner-general. Thawil said in the complaint that he was not removed because of inefficiency in his work.

-- The Nation 2012-04-30

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Myanmar to start providing visas on arrival to South-East Asians

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....th-east-asians/

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Illegal logging leads to Thai-Cambodian border clash: Thai Deputy PM

BANGKOK, April 30 - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa clarified Monday that Sunday’s clash at the Thai-Cambodian border was the exchange of gunfire between military and illegal loggers, not between the two countries military forces.

The Thai deputy premier commented after the deputy military commander of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, Lt-Col Men Ly, said Cambodian troops on patrol were attacked by Thai troops Sunday at noon.

"As I have been informed", Gen Yuthasak said, "it was the clash between Thai [soldiers] and illegal loggers. I hope Cambodia will understand this."

Senior officials of both sides could talk to clear any misunderstanding, he said.

Gen Yuthasak also said he has not yet telephoned Cambodian authorities as he believes Thailand’s Region 2 army commander, who supervises the Thai-Cambodian area, will be able to directly coordinate with his Cambodian counterpart.

“I can talk with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tea Banh as well but, at this stage, the army and operational level military officials should coordinate with each other first,” Gen Yuthasak said.

Meanwhile, Thai army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd denied any clash between Thai and Cambodian troops. He explained that Thai paramilitary rangers and forestry department personnel on patrol to prevent illegal logging fired warning shots when they saw a gang of illegal loggers felling rosewood trees in Thai territory about 500 metres from the border.

Col Sansern said the illegal loggers then fired at the Thai government personnel and then fled the scene.

Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Monday insisted that Sunday’s clash was not a conflict between the two neighbouring countries, but said that such incidents are common in the border areas.

Mr Surapong said there were talks on the issues at both prime ministerial and ministerial levels and that both countries clearly understood that the illegal loggers are armed.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had discussed the illegal logging issue with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen who reaffirmed that he would help prevent the illegal logging along the border. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-30

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Similan Island to close May 1–Oct 31 for rehabilitation

PHANG NGA, 30 April 2012 (NNT) – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced the closure of the Surin and Similan islands in Phang Nga province during May 1-October 31 for the purpose of natural rehabilitation as well as natural disaster risk prevention.

Full story:

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Thai Air Force plane carrying 15 people skids off airport runway in Dhaka, Bangladeshi capital; 3 passengers suffer minor injuries /MCOT

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Politics to Be Used in Quelling Southern Unrest

BANGKOK: -- The deputy PM overseeing national security says the government will use politics in quelling the ongoing southern unrest, adding that the new unrest-solving panel will be working with more integration alongside other relevant units.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security, General Yutthasak Sasiprapa commented on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to the three southernmost provinces yesterday that the trip was aimed at updating on the government's operational policies and offer moral support to local officials.

The deputy PM stated that the newly-set up southern unrest-solving committee, which comprises 17 ministries with 66 agencies, will soon hold a meeting to map out annual operational plans, initially until the year 2014, as time is needed to put an end to the violence there.

Yutthasak went on to say that the government will use politics-oriented policies in quelling the southern unrest, instead of focusing on military operations.

Each ministry will educate and promote participation among local villagers in helping solving the unrest.

He asserted that the national security work there is currently efficient. However, more troop deployment is ready should it be necessary.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-30

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Yuttasak asks Region 2 Army chief to clarify border clash with Cambodian troops that it was crackdown on illegal loggers /TANN

BMA joins hand with True in launching Green Bangkok Wi-Fi across 20,000 spots around capital /TANN

Thaksin's son confirms on FB Thaksin is in England and will be watching Manchester City match tonight with his 2 daughters /TANN

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Extension Eyed for Free Bus, Train Services

BANGKOK: -- The finance permanent secretary will propose the Cabinet to extend the free bus and train services by five months to help ease the present spike in the people's spending.

Permanent Secretary of Finance Areepong Bhoocha-um said the Cabinet's approval will be sought on the extension of the free city bus and railway services by another five months to September to help the public cope with the higher cost of living.

Areepong went on to say the goods, oil and electricity price hike should not depress domestic consumption given the daily minimum wage and the state sector salary have been raised accordingly.

He expressed confidence inflation this year will not exceed the projected rate of 3.5 percent.

Areepong maintained the fortnightly lottery draw on May 2 will go ahead as usual given he has already reached an understanding with the labor union of the Government Lottery Office, or GLO, over its demand that the dismissal of its director Somchart Wongwattanasarn be reconsidered.

Areepong said he believed the union will be satisfied with the proposal from Deputy Finance Minister Thanusak Lek-uthai, who supervises the GLO, to provide Somchart with a new appropriate position.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-30

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Two injured in Thai Air Force plane's landing accident in Bangladesh

BANGKOK: -- Two crew members were injured when a Thai Air Force plane lost control ad skidded from the runway while landing at an airport in Bangladesh Monday morning, the Air Force spokesman said.

AM Monthon Satchanukorn said the accident occurred at 9 am when the 16 ATR 72-500 plane landed at an airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

When plane touched down, the pilot could not control it and it skidded out of the runway, causing damages to the planes.

The spokesman said the plane was on a flight training mission.

-- The Nation 2012-04-30

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Race to repair Patong Hill road

Patong Hill Road torn asunder in October last year. Photo: Ulf Mikaelsson

PHUKET: -- The Highways Department hopes to begin shoring up one landslide-prone section of the road over Patong Hill in June, but work on another section of the same road will have to wait until at least next year.

Full story:

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Russian language warning sought for Phuket tsunami sirens

‘So, just what are we meant to be doing?’ was a question on many people’s mind following the tsunami warning alert on April 11. Photo Atchaa Khamlo

A team of officials from Bangkok and Phuket tests the tsunami warning tower on Patong Beach following the confusion among tourists during the April 11 tsunami scare. Photo: Sampawat Wannasangkam

PHUKET: Phuket officials will ask the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) to add Russian language to the spoken messages played by its 19 warning towers along Phuket’s coast.

Full story:

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Army Clarifies Gunfight at Thai-Cambodian Border

BANGKOK: -- A Thai border security unit maintains yesterday's gunfight with a group of Cambodian soldiers was part of a crackdown on an illegal logging gang.

Thai soldiers claim the Cambodian troops were providing escort for illegal loggers to enter Thai territory.

A gunfight broke out yesterday afternoon when a forest patrol unit and a paramilitary ranger squad found a group of eight Cambodian soldiers escorting illegal loggers into Ubon Ratchathani's Nam Kun District, just 500 meters from the Thai-Cambodian border.

The clash lasted for five minutes before the Cambodian soldiers retreated.

The Thai authorities then inspected the area and discovered four AK assault rifles, a dozen ammunition magazines and blood stains.

None of the Thai officers were killed or injured in the incident.

The Thai officers taking part in the clash said they spotted Cambodian soldiers resting from their job of escorting illegal loggers to cut preserved payung trees on Thai soil.

Shortly after the clash, Thai authorities received a petition from a Cambodian military agency asking for the return of the seized firearms, but they have not done so yet, given their commanding unit still has not given the order to do so.

The Cambodian side claimed one of its soldiers was injured in the clash.

The special task force of the 23rd Paramilitary Division which oversees security at the Thai-Cambodian border area said no fighting has re-emerged around the Preah Vihear disputed area and the border situation remains normal.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security General Yutthasak Sasiprapa confirmed yesterday's clash was a crackdown on an illegal logging gang.

The general remarked the Region 2 Army chief will take charge of clarifying the issue with Cambodia.

He maintained the incident will not escalate into a serious issue, although Cambodian military leaders claimed the Cambodian soldiers were on patrol when the clash took place.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-30

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RT @RichardBarrow: Tomorrow is May Day holiday in Thailand. Places like banks & the post office are closed. But Immigration is open.

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SOUTH CRISIS

Five acquitted in southern murder trial

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court on Monday acquitted five Thai Muslims of involvement in murders in the south due to lack of evidence.

The five Mustorpa Jehya, Isaya Munwang, Usman Pachee, Yulai Sohpanae and Maasi Boonpon were believed to be members of Bersatu separatist movement.

The public prosecutor brought a case against them for alleged involvement in a series of insurgency attacks in the southern province of Pattani between November and December 2004, for separatist objectives and for creating fear among the public.

They were also accused of being behind the murder of Pol Sgt Mohammad Benyakart in Pattani's Muang district on December 27, 2004.

They pledged not guilty to all the charges.

The court dismissed the trial after the prosecution's weak evidence failed to convince the court that they involved in the attacks. The initial confessions of the defendants were obtained in a series of consecutive interrogations in conditions and at periods normal people could not tolerate.

Moreover, police failed to locate a weapon used in the murder of the sergeant or produce a witness who actually saw the shooting.

However, the court ordered the detention of the five pending appeal.

-- The Nation 2012-04-30

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SET index closed at 1228.49, up 16.71; Bt/USD30.56; GBP49.64; AUD31.80; EUR40.35; CAD30.98; HKD3.93; SGD24.55; JPY37.92

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Govt Plans Rail Expansion in Deep South

BANGKOK: -- A deputy premier says the rail transport system and border crossing process must be enhanced in the South to support the region's development, particularly its southernmost provinces.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Nranong said he will propose to the Transport Ministry the enhancement of the logistical system in the South, which will include the expansion of the region's rail network to broaden access to its three southern border provinces.

Kittirat remarked a rail cargo center must be set up to facilitate the goods transport between provinces in the region.

The minister went on to say the government has to improve the efficiency of border crossing stations along the Thai-Malaysian frontier given they still don't work to their potential yet.

He said Malaysia has already enhanced its own process, so if Thailand fails to keep up with the former's development pace, the border crossing procedures including the examination of goods imported through the border will be congested and delayed.

Kittirat said the country's border crossing process must be in line with international standards. He said he will consult the prime minister on the matter and revisit the South in June.

The deputy premier suggested business operators and chambers of commerce in southern border provinces campaign to help bring more investment into the region.

He commented the government previously has approved tax incentives for investment and launched several development projects in the area, but they have still not shown any concrete benefits yet.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-30

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Special Report: Thai Airways launches a sister carrier THAI Smile

BANGKOK: - Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is organizing the ‘Rak Khun Tao Fah 2012’ event in celebration of its 52nd anniversary. Held during April 27-May 1, the fair is aimed to thank customers for their loyalty to the brand and also to introduce THAI’s new service, THAI Smile.

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 1 May 2012