Thailand Live Wednesday 2 May 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 2 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 1 May 2012

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SURVEY

Experts give poor rating to Thai govt's economic solutions

Administration achieves average 3.83 out of 10, according to Bangkok Poll

BANGKOK: -- Economists at the country's leading organisations give poor scores to the government's performance in dealing with the country's economic problems, a survey has found.

Full story:

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ENVIRONMENTAL WATCHDOG

Dams in Thailand 'fail to meet irrigation needs'

Group fears Mae Wong project will repeat errors made in other provinces

BANGKOK: -- An environmental watchdog agency yesterday revealed that a major dam in Uthai Thani province has been unable to deliver sufficient water to farmers during the 10 years it has been in operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....rigation-needs/

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Yingluck vows to meet minimum wage deadline

A model of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is shown at the Labour Day rally organised by workers of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee and State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation. Nationphoto /by Sakol Sandhiratne

BANGKOK: -- The government insisted yesterday it would roll out the Bt300 daily minimum wage to the remaining 70 provinces as scheduled following its launch in seven provinces including Bangkok on April 7, despite employers' complaints and threats of non-compliance.

Full story:

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TRIAL

Jakrapob wrote the articles, lese majeste trial told

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Jakrapob

BANGKOK: -- Jakrapob Penkair, a fugitive former PM's Office minister, was the author of the two articles in Voice of Taksin two years ago that allegedly defamed His Majesty the King, the magazine's editor Somyos Prueksakasem-suk testified yesterday.

Somyos is facing trial for lese majeste for the two articles written under the pen name "Jit Polachan", which he now claims was used by Jakrapob, a close aide of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Somyos later confirmed to The Nation that Jakrapob was also the real person in charge

of the now banned Voice of Taksin magazine as well as the Red Power magazine, which is still being published.

Somyos denied that the two articles that got him arrested should be interpreted as an attack on His Majesty. He said it was more of a criticism of the aristocratic-bureaucratic elite or "amataya", and that the people criticised in the articles were referred to as fictitious plural characters.

'Writing for some time'

He also said he didn't spend much time reviewing the two articles since they were written by Jakrapob, who had been doing his column for some time.

"I trusted him to continue writing," Somyos told the judges.

The two articles published in February 2010 merely warned of an impending violent crackdown on the red shirts, he said.

In his defence, Somyos said the lese majeste law is too draconian with its heavy penalty. It violates the rights of citizens to express themselves and was used by some to crush its

opponents, he said.

The yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy has invoked the monarchy in advancing its own political agenda, he said.

Later Somyos talked briefly with a representative from the Reporters Without Borders organisation who came to observe the trial.

"My duty is to say everything truthfully. If I'm punished, that's okay," Somyos said.

The representative later told The Nation that in France, "It's not a crime to write an article." An observer from the EU delegation to Thailand was also present at Somyos' trial yesterday.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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Pheu Thai role for Newin?

Newin

BANGKOK: -- A key government figure yesterday refused to rule out the possibility of banned politicians linked to the opposition joining the ruling Pheu Thai Party once their five-year political ban ends on May 30.

Full story:

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PRISON

More drugs, phones found in jail

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- Although 470 cellphones used by inmates have been retrieved in the past month from multiple searches of the Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial prison, 11 more were discovered yesterday hidden in plastic water bottles, along with crystalline meth dissolved in soft drinks.

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

Inside job suspected as three army rangers killed in Pattani

The Nation

THE WRECKAGE of an explosives-packed motorcycle is pictured at the scene of a blast on Route 418 in Pattani that killed three Army paramilitary rangers and wounded seven others yesterday. They were travelling in a four-truck convoy carrying 50 rangers.

PATTANI: -- A motorcycle bomb targeting a military convoy in Pattani province killed three Army paramilitary rangers and wounded seven others yesterday morning.

Security sources said the blast, which was directed at a convoy of the 2204th Ranger Company, was a time-sensitive attack and likely resulted from an inside job, as the company had been newly ordered to relocate and the schedule for the trip was confidential.

Two rangers were killed instantly at the scene, on Route 418 linking Pattani and Yala, while another was later pronounced dead at hospital.

The blast from the parked explosives-packed motorcycle hit the last vehicle of the four-truck convoy, which was carrying 50 rangers in total.

The motorcycle, a Honda Wave with a fake licence plate, is believed to have been reported stolen last month in Mae Lan district. It was one of many on a vehicles-to-watch list made public by the provincial police headquarters.

A detailed auto-registration check later showed that the motorcycle had originally been reported stolen in July 2009 from Muang Pattani district.

The detonation method used was not known in incident reports given as of press time yesterday evening.

A manhunt was launched for the perpetrators after a camp was found near the scene of the attack.

A meeting of intelligence services was later held to establish how the confidential details over the relocation of the Ranger company and the convoy's schedule had apparently been leaked to insurgents.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha yesterday restated the policy laid down by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for the immediate and efficient integration of all security measures in the deep South.

He said a workshop on the issue comprising 17 ministries and other agencies would take place from May 17 at Government House.

The integration of security measures is an essential objective of a new strategic national plan to turn new policies into action, one of which focuses on deploying more troops and rangers in the deep South to take over full control from military units from other areas, he said.

"The three-year time frame expects to see up to 30-per-cent completion by this year's end, reaching 100 per cent by the end of the period," the deputy PM added.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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BURNING ISSUE

Foreigners might help us see the truth

Pravit Rojanaphruk

There is something peculiar about the case against Chiranuch Premchaiporn, webmaster of the prachatai.com news portal.

BANGKOK: -- For starters, Chiranuch seems to only have been lauded overseas instead of at home. This is not to downplay the many Thai supporters she has, but the fact that Chiranuch is mentioned more in the international media and that she chose to write a letter in English thanking her supporters in the early hours of Monday is telling. Earlier this year, the US-based Newsweek magazine named Chiranuch as one of the 150 fearless women in the world.

On Monday, when the ruling on her case was to be handed down but then referred to the end of May, many foreign observers from embassies and media-related organisations were present. However, Chiranuch said she saw nobody from the Thai Journalists Association.

Could it be that foreigners see something that most Thais don't in Chiranuch's trial?

The issue of intermediary liability is at the heart of Chiranuch's case, because as per the Computer Crimes Act, she allegedly committed a crime by not deleting 10 postings that were supposedly defamatory to the monarchy quickly enough from the now defunct prachatai webboard.

The case is important not because of who Chiranuch is, but for the impact it will have on the mass media, which already faces restrictions in relation to the monarchy.

Even without the Computer Crimes Act, the climate of fear is all pervasive thanks to the draconian lese majeste law, which comes with 15 years' maximum imprisonment. And if Chiranuch is eventually found guilty, webboards and websites will need to practice even more self-censorship.

The reason why foreigners are keeping an eye on Chiranuch's legal struggle is because she could be in jail for 20 years over comments she had not written, even though postings like these would not raise an eyebrow in countries with a monarchy such as the United Kingdom or Spain.

Here in Thailand, however, many are used self-censorship for anything mildly critical of the Royal Family. Many Thais believe that anybody breaking the lese majeste law deserves no sympathy. They refuse to even consider that this law is undemocratic or limits the freedom of expression.

This could help explain why many Thais do not feel any anger or sense of injustice over Chiranuch's trial, while many foreigners, especially those from democratic countries, find the case disturbing.

What foreigners find abnormal, undemocratic and appalling, many Thais see it as normal and legal. Many Thais are satisfied with the one-sided information they are given about the monarchy, and find anything even mildly critical of the institution as abnormal or even illegal.

Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, Voice of Taksin editor, is being tried for lese majeste just because he allowed two defamatory articles written by someone else to appear in the magazine. In this case, Thai media associations have said nothing, while the International Federation of Journalists has been demanding that he be released immediately. Somyos has been denied bail eight times over the past year, while countries like Sweden, Finland and the European Union have sent observers to monitor his trial.

Perhaps the overwhelming international attention being given to Chiranuch's case, and to a lesser extent to Somyos' case, may serves as an eye-opener to Thais who think there is nothing wrong with the Computer Crimes Act or the lese majeste law.

Sometimes it takes a (foreign) mirror to help us see how normal or abnormal our society has become.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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STOPPAGE TIME

It's gone far beyond Yingluck and Prem: Thai opinion

Imagine if Sir Alex Ferguson hugged Roberto Mancini wholeheartedly and invited him to dinner.

BANGKOK: -- Fergie could even make Mancini the first name on his will. Or Mancini could kiss Fergie's hand and tearfully declare that the Scotsman was in fact his long-lost father. To go to the extreme, either man could plead on his deathbed for fans of Manchester United and Manchester City to reconcile. Try to imagine anything that either manager of the rival football clubs could possibly do to bring both sets of fans together.

Full story:

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Pay rise for private school teachers: Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday agreed in principle to increase the monthly incomes of teachers at private schools to Bt15,000.

Also, the Cabinet gave a green light to the resumption of the Income Contingent Loan (ICL) programme and agreed with the Education Ministry's proposal to change the name of the New-Breed Teacher project, Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvej said yesterday.

Full story:

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Residents demand answers on Xayaburi

PHUKET: -- The topic of Laos's controversial Xayaburi dam yesterday warmed up an international conference here on transboundary river management as dozens of Mekong residents and conservationists demanded a halt to its construction.

Full story:

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Dr moved in wake of hospital scandal

Manoon Mungchoo

The Nation

SI SA KET: -- A panel has ordered the transfer of a hospital director in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket to an inactive position in the Public Health Ministry following the pseudoephedrine scandal.

Dr Sophon Mekthon, a deputy permanent secretary for public health who chaired the panel investigating the scandal, said it issued the order to move Phu Sing Hospital director Dr Kitiphoom Juthasamit after officials at his hospital had allegedly been involved in smuggling pseudoephedrine pills.

Kitiphoom had not been directly involved in the scandal, but because of his role in the hospital's administration, he had to be moved away from the centre until the investigation was complete, Sophon said.

Kitiphoom filed a complaint with Phu Sing Police Station in March that 200,000 tablets were missing from the hospital.

He said as head of the hospital, it was unavoidable he take responsibility.

"I've not done anything related to the smuggling of such tablets. I've not even thought of it."

"I've been working in Si Sa Ket since I graduated. I intended to help people in remote areas. I've been working for Phu Sing Hospital for 16 years," he said.

Kitiphoom said local people, on hearing of his news, had called to cheer him up. He told them he would come back after the investigation finished.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it will burn illegal drug, food, cosmetics and medical equipment seized by it over the past three years.

FDA secretary-general Dr Pipat Yingseri said it would destroy those illegal items - weighing 30 tonnes and worth Bt221 million - on Friday at 10am.

He said 88 kilograms of pseudoephedrine pills were among illegal drugs to be burned.

Reports said the FDA allowed pseudoephedrine manufacturers and importers to hand in the drugs yesterday and today. One company surrendered 29 boxes and 68 pills.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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House speaker pushes for TV coverage of Thai charter-change debate

BANGKOK: -- House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont yesterday insisted that the House-Senate meeting on Constitution amendment be broadcast live on NBT channel despite MPs being against it.

Full story:

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Rotary convention

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn, on behalf of His Majesty the King, will preside over the Rotary convention's opening ceremony on Sunday.

The humanitarian service organisation's annual convention, which wraps up next Wednesday, is expected to bring more than 35,000 Rotary club members from over 160 countries. Often described as a "mini-United Nations" because of its global scope and cultural diversity, the always colourful Rotary convention is expected to inject more than US$100 million (Bt3 billion) into the economy.

Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of energy, colour and excitement as Rotary members participate in a broad agenda of plenary sessions, workshops and other activities focused on how Rotary clubs can help improve communities through volunteer service.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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Karen settler sues

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Karen settler is suing the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Department of National Parks (DNP) for Bt2.6 million in compensation for driving him out of his home and making false accusations in a crackdown last year.

Nor-ea Memi's house, located at the Thai-Myanmar border overlapping the Kaeng Krachan National Park, was burned down and he was arrested over accusations of being a member of the KNU Karen terrorist group.

This was despite the fact that Nor-ea is a Thai citizen.

Chiwat Limlikitaksorn, the park's chief, had ordered officials to crackdown on a Karen village in the area on May 5-9 last year and arrest the residents.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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Extension of free bus, rail rides

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved the extension of free bus and train services until October to help reduce people's living costs.

The Cabinet agreed to extend the period of free bus and train services from yesterday to October 31.

The government will allocate a total budget of around Bt1.6 billion for the extension.

The free bus and third-class train service policy was implemented on August 1, 2008 under Samak Sundaravej's government.

Yingluck Shinawatra's government decided to extend the project until October 31.

The Cabinet also assigned the Transport Ministry to survey how many people use the free buses on 70 routes.

The Finance Ministry has requested the Transport Ministry find an effective way to reduce transportation prices.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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Push for faster mobile phone number portability: Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will meet with five telecom operators and Clearinghouse Co this week to urge them gradually to expand the capacity of mobile-phone-number portability.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ility-thailand/

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Energy Ministry: State power conservation to save THB1.6Bil in energy spending

BANGKOK, 2 May 2012 (NNT) – The Energy Ministry is confident that the state-initiated power conservation plan will drastically save the government’s energy spending and effectively cut down on Thailand’s carbon emission.

Mr. Suthep Liumsirijarern, Director-General of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), said that EPPO has prepared a state energy conservation project for the fiscal year of 2012 to help execute the Cabinet’s plan to cut down on power uses at all state offices.

The Cabinet, earlier, issued a resolution, which instructed all state offices to save at least 10 percent of power utilization.

Mr. Suthep said that the project has received a financial support of 40 million baht from the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund Committee, as the entire power saving campaign is believed to ease the government’s energy spending burden by 1.61 billion baht.

It is also estimated that the campaign will reduce Thailand’s carbon emission by 227 kilotons.

The EPPO chief went on to say that, in order to effectively execute the conservation program, an educational seminar has been planned for all state offices and universities across the country. There will also be a media campaign that is aimed to help educate the public on the issue.

-- NNT 2012-05-02

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,233.77, up 5.28 points /MCOT

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Blind Thai Saxophonist Wins International Award

BANGKOK: -- A Thai saxophonist who is visually impaired has been chosen to receive the VSA International Young Soloists Award 2012.

Composed by His Majesty the King, the song entitled “Chata Cheewit” or “Fate”, is passed on through feelings of Yongsit Yongkamol, a Thai saxophonist with vision disabilities.

Yongsit, a master's degree student from the College of Music at Mahidol University recently won the “VSA International Young Soloist Award 2012”.

The VSA International Young Soloists Award annually recognizes outstanding young musicians with disabilities and supports them in their career pursuits. All types of music are accepted, including country, classical, jazz, rap, rock, bluegrass, and world music.

Yongsit said the award helps promote the value of disabled people and proves that they can do beneficial things and build up the country's reputation just as normal people can.

As one of the four winners from international applicants, he will receive a 5,000 dollar cash award as well as a trip to Washington D.C. for a performance on the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 17.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-02

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Fire Destroys Cars in Pathum Thani Province

PATHUM THANI: -- A fire in Pathum Thani Province had spread into an antique store and auto repair shop, destroying 28 cars.

A fire broke out at an antique store and auto repair shop in Lumlukka District of Pathum Thani Province. It took the emergency workers about an hour to contain the fire.

From an initial inspection, the antique shop was left totally scorched while 28 cars parked inside the auto shop were completely destroyed.

The auto repair shop manager said that the damage value cannot yet be determined, pending an ongoing investigation.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-02

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Weather Bureau Predicts Continuing Hot Weather with Possible Rainstorms

BANGKOK: -- The weather bureau has predicted hot weather with rainstorms and gusty winds in certain parts of Thailand.

The Meteorological Department has reported a westerly wind passing over the country, which will likely cause rainstorms and gusty winds in some parts of the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions.

Scattered rains are also expected in the South.Bangkok and its neighboring provinces will be hot with a dim sky during the day. There could be intermittent rains and gusty winds in certain areas. Minimum temperature is predicted at 27 to 28 degrees Celsius while maximum temperature will be at 37 to 39 degrees.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-02

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Police find 1 mn speed pills believed to be distributed in BKK at a raid of a house in Nawamin area, 2 suspects being interrogated /TANN

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3 Arrested in Human Skull Case

BANGKOK: -- Police have arrested three men suspected of stealing human skulls from a temple in Pathum Thani Province for black magic.

Full story:

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BMA works with police to facilitate traffic during school term

BANGKOK, 2 May 2012 (NNT) - The Metropolitan Police Bureau is coordinating with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in preparing for traffic management once schools are open.

Pamphlets on school safety will be distributed to all schools under the BMA’s jurisdiction. The Metropolitan Police Bureau has ordered all schools to check and set up their CCTVs to ensure safety for students. In adsdition, schools that were flooded last year will have to inspect all of its electricity systems and underground wires to prevent electrical leakage.

Most schools in Bangkok will begin on May 23rd. Schools are told to make sure student safety is their priority and coordinate with local community and parents on the safety issue.

-- NNT 2012-05-02

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Sisaket police find drugs, weapons, cell phones during raid of Kantaraluck prison, 37 inmates tested positive for drugs /TANN

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SET ends morning break up by 8.14 points at 1,236.63 with value of Bt20.41 bn /TANN