Thailand Live Tuesday 1 May 2012

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Thailand Live Tuesday 1 May 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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Thaksin free to travel to many countries: FM Suarpong

Combo photo shows Thaksin posing for photos with his daughters and son-in-law in London, UK.

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was free to travel to many countries because they were aware court cases against him were politically motivated, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday.

Full story:

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PRISON

Corrupt Thai guards helped inmates get drugs for parties: DG

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- Parties were held by inmates of the central Nakhon Si Thammarat prison in violation of prison regulations, made possible by corrupt guards allowing in narcotics and contraband items, deputy Corrections Department director general Kobkiat Kasiwiwat admitted yesterday.

Full story:

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INUNDATION

PM Yingluck wants Bangkok to speed up work to repair flood protection systems

Concern over unfinished work on dykes, canals

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has asked Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to accelerate its work to repair flood protection systems including dykes along the Chao Phraya River, according to Cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kittiampon.

Full story:

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PAY HIKE

Higher living costs eat up hike in daily wage: Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The Labour Ministry will monitor the cost of living over the next three months to determine if any additional adjustment is needed to the minimum daily wage.

Full story:

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111

Grand celebration to mark end of political ban: Thai Rak Thai 111 Foundation

Vichit

BANGKOK: -- Former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party plan a grand celebration to mark the end of their five-year ban from politics on May 30, one of them said yesterday.

Full story:

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BTS

Silom line's extension faces delay

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Service on an extension of the Skytrain's Silom line, covering four stations from Wong Wian Yai to Bang Wa, is likely to be postponed from the original schedule in December till next year, Krungthep Thanakom (KT), operator of the Bangkok Transit System (BTS), said yesterday.

Progress depends on an agreement pending between two agencies responsible for structure connected to the BTS stations - the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand and the Department Of Rural Roads.

Details have yet to be concluded on the building of MRT stations and structures linked to them, in addition to an 800-metre skywalk link to Wong Wian Yai BTS station requested by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and approved by the department, KT manager Amorn Kijchawengkul said.

Unlike operations at other BTS routes, which circulate trains to serve on different lines, the Bang Wa extension will use the same trains shuttling between both destinations. It has no facilities or garages to park and rest trains like elsewhere, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-01

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Dull Thai charter debate is actually a good thing: Burning issue

BANGKOK: -- The charter change debate appears boring although it is proof of democracy at work and a litmus test on whether reconciliation will prevail.

Full story:

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Minimum wage is not the only issue for workers: Thai editorial

A decent living wage is essential, but our workforce also needs protection of rights and training to increase productivity and capacity

BANGKOK: -- Workers nationwide should celebrate this Labour Day with pride, for the occasion should remind us of the contribution needed for the betterment of society. Every worker plays his or her role in building this country by fulfilling an individual role. Salaried professionals or blue-collar workers all play an indispensable part in furthering the country's development.

Full story:

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'Harassed' airport red shirts pressure Pheu Thai for help

BANGKOK: -- A group of 30 red shirts rallied yesterday for three hours in front of Pheu Thai Party headquarters to demand an end to harassment by Suvarnabhumi Airport officials over parking revenue.

Full story:

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CHARTER AMENDMENT

2nd reading of charter bill resumes today

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The second reading of the Constitution amendment bill will resume today and continue for three days, but many expect it is unlikely to finish this week.

The government whip said the opposition should stop delaying the legislation, while the Democrats called for four-party talks. Otherwise, the process could be delayed for months.

Chairman of the ad-hoc panel on charter amendment, Samart Kaewmeechai, said the second reading was unlikely to be finished this week but should be finalised by mid-May.

"If the government whip agrees and extends the meeting time, we (the panel) are ready to let all registered speakers to speak just as they had said while registered to speak. I'd also like to ask the Speakers to control the debate so it's only on different issues from what was debated during the first reading. Otherwise, protests will keep prolonging the debate," Samart said.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party would propose at the House-Senate meeting on charter amendment today that broadcasts of the debate be cancelled.

"The more broadcasting the more delay. The Democrats always attack the government instead talking about the amendment issue," he claimed.

A joint House-Senate meeting for deliberation on this was halted last Wednesday. Today is the ninth day of the second reading. A third reading of the law change must take place at least 15 days after the second reading is finished.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasatien said they had invited representatives from the Election Commission to express concerns about holding a national referendum about the charter amendment.

"Ask the opposition what their intention is and if they intend to exhaust the senators and are looking for a chance [to delay the bill further] when the meeting lacks quorum," he said.

The opposition should be considerate and care about MPs and senators, who have schedules to visit local people or trips abroad planned, he said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said deliberation on the draft would be finished unnecessarily within three days, as proposed by government MPs.

"The government refused four-party talks but want to push only what they want, so the Democrats must do their best to show [our] opposition to the rules that the government proposed and abuse of power to force things like that," he explained.

Democrat MP Nipit Intarasombat said the opposition would keep debating against the law, as that was the way a minority fights against laws it disagrees with - even though it knows the government will win the votes in the end.

He said the controversial issues include the authority of the House Speaker, such as in identifying groups of people who can be nominate to be candidates of the drafting assembly.

"If five-party talk happens, the (second reading) deliberation can be finished within this week," Nipit said. Otherwise, it was uncertain whether the deliberation must drag on into the next parliamentary session.

The current legislative session has been extended indefinitely. But the next is not scheduled to start till August.

Senator Surachai Liengboon-lerschai said the government would not be able to limit the time for deliberation.

It would be a good sign if one article was passed each day. The second reading might finish next week then, he said.

He said the issues that may be heavily discussed would be whether a national referendum should be held before establishing a drafting assembly, and whether the drafting assembly's draft charter should be scrutinised by Parliament before it is submitted for royal endorsement.

-- The Nation 2012-05-01

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Vote-scandal hearing postponed

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A parliamentary committee investigating the absentee-voting scandal postponed its meeting yesterday because one of the main accusers failed to show up.

Deputy Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich, who heads the fact-finding committee, said he decided to postpone until Thursday yesterday's meeting to investigate the scandal after Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul was unable to attend. Nikhom said he also had to chair a Senate meeting yesterday.

Rosana last week showed a photo of an MP she said was voting on behalf of a colleague during a recent debate on constitutional amendment. MP Chuwit Kamolvisit, leader of the Rak Prathet Thai Party, later released several video clips to support his claim that some Pheu Thai MPs voted for absent colleagues.

Critics say that since the voting for other MPs violates the Constitution, if the allegation is proven true, the voting in support of the government’s amendment bill may be voided.

Nikhom said the investigation would be considered based on the photos Rosana presented in the Parliament on April 24. However, he stated that the committee would discuss later whether to use Chuwit's video clips.

Asked why the Bangkok senator did not make a statement over her allegation, Nikhom simply said, "I haven't received her notification yet."

Rosana could not be reached by phone for comment yesterday.

-- The Nation 2012-05-01

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Crackdown on payments fraud

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Interior Ministry has warned against any corruption or profiteering related to payment of compensation to victims of insurgent violence or extrajudicial measures instigated by the state.

It said any official found to have made up names of victims or sought a commission from anyone would face disciplinary and criminal action.

Eight panels are investigating applications and verifying the status of victims in various conditions. One panel will conduct public relations work with local and foreign media to promote the payments and relevant activities, deputy permanent secretary Pracha Terat said.

The government has categorised four groups of people entitled to payments. They are members of the public in the deep South (Bt500-million); security or government officials who suffered violence (Bt200 million); people who suffered violence or extrajudicial moves (Bt1 billion); and people wrongfully arrested, detained, prosecuted or convicted (Bt300 million).

Pracha said some applicants had complained of people claiming to be middlemen, who demanded 20 per cent of payouts for mediation or help with lodging applications. Complaints about such middlemen or officials seeking a commission on payments can be made to the 1567 call centre.

-- The Nation 2012-05-01

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Flood-aid cash

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- More than 18,000 Bangkok households entitled to flood-aid money of Bt5,000 each have not yet received the money. They will be notified about the due payment in letters to be sent out soon by the city administration, a spokesman said yesterday.

Of all 579,188 households qualified for the payment, 18,576 - or about 3 per cent - have not contacted district offices to identify themselves or received the money, said Wasan Meewong.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has paid additional amounts in answer to: special requests for repairs to 47,656 homes; construction materials and costs of building two entire homes; 84 requests for rent; 1,612 requests for equipment needed in making a living; and organising costs for 64 funerals. Total of pay-outs: Bt441,181,458.

-- The Nation 2012-05-01

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Thai Air Force plane skids off Bangladesh runway

DHAKA: -- A Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) transport aircraft carrying 15 people skidded off airport runway in Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka on Monday while it was landing, with two passengers reportedly suffering minor injuries, according to an RTAF spokesperson.

Full story:

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Tourist, 25, survives six-storey fall from Phuket hotel balcony

The woman was rushed to hospital by Phuket rescue workers after falling from the sixth-floor blacony at the Patong Pearl Resortel. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- A 25-year-old woman from the Philippines has escaped serious injury after falling from the balcony of her sixth-floor Phuket hotel room late last night.

Full story:

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Phuket currency exchange robbery key witness refutes prime suspect

The man robbed the currency exchange booth at gunpoint just before 10pm, said Phuket Police. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

An artist’s impression of the man wanted for robbing the Phuket currency exchange booth on Saturday.

PHUKET: -- A key witness in the investigation into the 48,000-baht robbery of a Phuket currency exchange kiosk on Saturday night today told police that their prime suspect was not the man who committed the robbery.

Full story:

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A Phuket Star is born

A screenshot of Phuket’s 21-year-old Jaruwat 'Dome' Cheawaram as he is declared the winner of the nationally televised talent show, The Star. Photo: MCOT

PHUKET: -- Phuket-born Jaruwat “Dome” Cheawaram has won the eighth season of the nationally televised singing talent quest The Star.

Full story:

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In Thailand, Killings of Lesbians Go Unpunished

THAILAND: -- Back in December, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published a landmark report identifying that violence against LGBT people “tends to be especially vicious compared to other bias-motivated crimes.” It said that states have an “obligation to exercise due diligence” to investigate and prosecute such crimes.

Full story:

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Pattaya Trannies Caught Pickpocketing S’porean

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/551831-pattaya-trannies-caught-pickpocketing-sporean/

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2 paramilitary rangers killed, others wounded in Pattani motorcycle bombing while patrolling to provide security in Mae Lan district /MCOT

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Workers gather to mark Labour Day, submit 9-point petition to PM

BANGKOK, May 1 – Hundreds of Thai workers gathered at Royal Plaza in Bangkok this morning to mark Labour Day before proceeding to Sanam Luang for the annual rally, when plan to submit a nine-point petition to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra demanding an improved standard of living.

Workers from 13 labour organisation members in the Employees Council of Thailand and two state enterprise labour unions attended a religious ceremony held at the Royal Plaza, chaired by Minister of Labour Phadermchai Sasomsab.

After the ceremony, the group is to march to Sanam Luang where the main event will be held to mark both the international and Thai national Labour Day.

Jaiyaporn Chantana, chairman of Labour Congress Freedom of Thailand (LCFT), who also chairs the organising committee for the Labour Day celebrations, said that the labour group would this year submit a nine-point petition to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is scheduled to preside at the opening ceremony at noon.

The petition includes a demand that the government speed up Thailand’s process of adopting the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise; to establish an unemployment insurance fund, and to set up an institute to ensure safety, occupational health and environment in the workplace.

Meanwhile, another group of workers called the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee and State Enterprise Labour Relations gathered outside Parliament before marching to the Democracy Monument and to hold activities at the 14 October 1973 Memorial on Rajdamnoen Road. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-01

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Thai Commerce Ministry: Business closure in Q1/2012 nearly doubled from 2011

BANGKOK, 1 May 2012 (NNT) – According to the Commerce Ministry, the number of businesses closed down in the first quarter this year is nearly twice as many of that of the same period in 2011 due to the rise in minimum wage. The government is trying to do all it could to assist the SMEs.

Full story:

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Asia Pacific Military Medicine Conference held in Thailand

BANGKOK, 1 May 2012 (NNT) - The 22nd Asia Pacific Military Medicine Conference kicks off in Thailand with the focus on cooperation to prevent diseases and assistance to disaster victims.

Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa presided over the opening ceremony of the 22nd Asia Pacific Military Medicine Conference (APMMC), which is held at Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok from April 30th – May 4th.

United States Army and the Royal Thai Army are co-hosting the event, which is attended by Delegate from 46 countries, mostly in Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

Royal Thai Army Medical Department chief Thawatchai Sasiprapa has revealed that both Thai and US committees have been working together in disease prevention. He added that this meeting is set as a forum to exchange knowledge on contagious disease and pandemic control, as well as medical assistance to disaster victims.

Commander of the Pacific Regional Medical Command, Brigadier General Keith W. Gallagher, said the event brings professionals from around the world to discuss strengths and challenges each nation is facing to gain greater understanding in military medical issues.

The theme of the 22nd APMMC is "Diversity is Our Strength: Regional Security through Collaboration.” Topics have been conducted in lecture forum, small group sessions, and poster-board presentations.

-- NNT 2012-05-01

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Poll: 1/3 of employers may lay off workers due to Thai govt's minimum wage hike

BANGKOK, 1 May 2012 (NNT) – Durakij Pundit University's Research Center (DPU Poll) has revealed that the government's minimum wage increase in 7 pilot provinces could prompt around 1/3 of employers to dismiss workers in the next 12-18 months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....imum-wage-hike/

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PM promises Bt300 minimum wage nationwide next year

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra promised Tuesday to raise the daily minimum wage for unskilled workers to Bt300 nationwide within next year.

In her special speech to mark the Labour Day, Yingluck also promised that her government would support workers to develop the skills so that they would be ready to face tough competitions from workers from other Asean countries when Thailand joins the Asean Economic Cooperation. The speech was broadcast on TV pool.

Yingluck said the government would also provide language training to the workers so that they would be prepared for the AEC.

Yingluck thanked workers for their contribution to the economic and social developments of the country. She said her government was trying to increase the quality of living for workers through various means, including the wage increase. She said Bt300 daily minimum wage has been enforced in seven provinces and will be implemented nationwide by next year. But employers have called on the government to delay the Bt300 rate for at least two years or else they would have to cease their operations.

-- The Nation 2012-05-01

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RT@danwaites: Two monks defrocked for getting drunk and fighting over whether monks from their temple were "cooler" than other monks. http://t.co/mr6Jm01G

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Cabinet extends measures to subsidise cost of living for low income earners for six more months to Oct 31 with free non-air conditioned bus, 3rd-class train service /MCOT

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Thai inflation grows 2.47% in April year-on-year, lowest in 29 months; 2012 inflation projected not to exceed 3.9% overall: Commerce Ministry /MCOT