Thailand Live Thursday 3 May 2012

[Lite Beer]

Hydroplanes to land on Chao Phraya as offering to King

Thanapat Kitjakosol

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Four Thailandmade hydroplanes will soon land on Chao Phraya River right next to Siriraj Hospital as an offering to His Majesty the King if a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) plan goes as planned.

The Navy team is hoping to present the twoseat vehicles to the muchbeloved monarch, who has been undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Vice Admiral Sommai Prakarnsamut, who heads the naval hydroplanedevelopment project, disclosed that he looked up to His Majesty every time he ran into problems and felt discouraged.

"Now that we have successfully created these efficient hydroplanes, we really wish to present them to His Majesty," Sommai said.

He said Thailand was awarded the right to conduct research on the twoseat hydroplanes in 2007 under a multinational effort. Other countries are engaged in the project for different sizes of hydroplanes.

"We started this research project with an initial budget of Bt500,000," he said. "The project was progressing quite well until we found out that no pilot wanted to steer our prototype for test flights".

In 2008, Sommai decided to take a pilot course himself even though he was already 57 at that time. "I spent Bt500,000 from my own pocket on the course," he said.

Sommai was the first pilot to conduct test flights for this project.

With his fierce determination, the project has finally taken off. Now, the project has attracted three more willing pilots. The Thailand Research Fund and the Defence Ministry have also allocated Bt12 million and Bt15 million to the project respectively.

"His Majesty's selfreliance philosophy inspired me to join this project," Captain Kritchaphon Rianglekjamnong said.

His Majesty has encouraged the Navy to develop patrol boats and more equipment on its own instead of importing the supplies. "I'm so proud that this hydroplane has been completely invented by Thais," Kritchaphon said.

The research team has named its invention, Naval Aircraft Experimental or NAX.

Each NAX hydroplane weighs 360kg, with the maximum test load of 600kg. It flies at a maximum speed of 90 knots and up to 10,000 feet above ground. It can take off and land on either ground or water surface.

The NAX 01 and the NAX 03 have already been flown with great efficiency.

On May 19, they will carry out their first mission to survey seatransport spots for the Transport Ministry.

"These Thailandmade vehicles can be used for coastal patrols and rescue operations, too," Sommai said.

The construction of NAX 2 will be completed in less than two weeks, while NAX 4 will be ready to take off before the end of 2012.

Although the construction cost of each hydroplane is now about Bt5 million, the cost will drop if more hydroplanes are manufactured.

"If we have adequate budget for research and development, we won't have to spend a lot of money on importing boats and aircraft anymore. Please don't think that Thais won't be able to provide quality products," Sommai said.

Kritchaphon said he had flown many types of aircraft before, including those made by foreign countries. "I can tell you that the Thailandmade hydroplane is second to none. It is even better in terms of durability, easytouse functions and maintenance, and also lower production cost."

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

[Lite Beer]

Panel to check if wages affecting inflation

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- The Central Wage Committee met yesterday to determine if increasing the daily minimum wage to Bt300 in seven provinces had affected the rate of inflation.

So far, the Bt300 minimum daily wage rate is already in effect in seven provinces, while wages in the remaining 70 provinces have been increased by 40 per cent and should hit the Bt300 level on January 1, 2013.

Dr Somkiat Chayasriwong, permanent secretary of the Labour Ministry and president of the Central Wage Committee, revealed that the panel discussed the cost of living and inflation at yesterday's meeting.

He added that the committee was waiting for proper figures from the Commerce Ministry, and if it discovers that raising the minimum daily wage is indeed affecting the rate of inflation, it would start seeking remedial measures.

Dr Somkiat also said that the committee would listen to employers who are or will be affected from the wage increase. Employers have been pushing for the implementation of the new wage rate to be delayed, but he said he does not think postponing the wage rise is necessary, especially if nothing disastrous like last year's flood crisis happens

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

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BURNING ISSUE

Newin hopes for Thaksin's forgiveness

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Now that the 111 former Thai Rak Thai executives are coming close to the end of their five-year political ban, Bhum Jai Thai Party's de facto leader Newin Chidchob is looking to make manoeuvres that will ensure his party's survival.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/552326-newin-hopes-for-thaksins-forgiveness/#entry5270292

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SOUTH CRISIS

Narathiwat outpost raided as part of new insurgent strategy

The Nation

NARATHIWAT:-- Two defence volunteers were killed and four assault rifles stolen in an attack on a security outpost in Narathiwat last night.

It is believed that insurgents have been ordered to target armed security officials and seize their weapons.

The two victims, who had stayed behind after two of their companions had gone for nightly prayers, were attacked by four men on two motorcycles who opened fire at them, killing one immediately and fatally wounding another. The second victim was pronounced dead later in hospital.

The attackers then snatched four assault rifles and fled, in what is believed to be a new strategy among insurgent groups.

A team of police officers inspecting the site found and neutralised two homemade bombs housed in pesticide cans. Authorities are warning people to look out for suspicious looking cans, fire extinguishers and water pipes because insurgents are using these inconspicuous objects to hide bombs and landmines.

Military spokesman Colonel Pramote Phromin said security has been boosted further, especially since the latest attack took place in an area regarded as being of low interest to insurgents.

Meanwhile, paramilitary ranger Chakhrit Oenewngarm, who was pronounced dead after a motorcycle bomb attack in Pattani on Monday, has been resuscitated, doctors at the Yala hospital said. Though initial medical records show that Chakhrit did not have a pulse when he was brought to the emergency room, the hospital has not provided details about how he was brought back to life.

In separate news, a group of Muslim lawyers based in Yala yesterday petitioned Southern Border Province Administrative Centre to look into the deaths of three Muslim men who were shot dead by security officials on April 19. They said that this is because judging from new evidence and their parents' testimony, the three men were not insurgents.

Saroj Maming, leader of the lawyers’ group, said a fair and transparent probe into the deaths could be useful in the reconciliation process and the efforts to bring peace and justice to the deep South.

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

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SET index midday up 2.78 pts, 0.22 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Thursday stood at 1,241.84,

up 2.78 points, or 0.22 per cent in line with regional shares amid Bt19.30 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 874.12, up 2.18 points, or 0.25 per cent.

Top five most active (value) stocks: CPALL (XD), PTTGC, IVL, JAS, BANPU

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

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BOT

BOT wary of inflation : Paiboon

Seetalavajit Sabayjai

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Having decided to maintain the policy rate at 3 per cent yesterday, the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) continues to see risks from inflationary pressure and external factors.

Full story:

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INTERVIEW

PM's Germany trip expected to give momentum to bilateral trade

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- The German-Thai Chamber of Commerce foresees a bigger window of opportunity to boost bilateral trade after the visit in July of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the world's fourth-largest economy.

Full story:

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Suspected killer of protester who struggled against Samut Sakhon coal project shot dead in downtown Mahachai while travelling to court /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

PM confident product prices declining

BANGKOK, 3 May 2012 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted that commodity prices have been declining, while assuring people that the government will continue to monitor goods prices and the cost of living for Thai people.

The Prime Minister said prices of household items are now cheaper even though consumers may feel that they remain pricy. Ms. Yingluck explained that they might have felt that prices remain the same because their spending was high particularly last month.

However, the Prime Minister said, the government will continue to keep prices affordable for every one especially those running SME businesses. She added the government wants to make sure that its relief campaign is accessible to all people.

The first few steps taken so far, she said, are wage and salary rises while she was hoping that the cost of living would decrease in the latter half of this year when the supply of necessary goods to the market returns to normal, prompting prices to decline.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister stressed that the Ministry of Commerce will always check movement of prices in order to prevent vendors from taking advantage of consumers.

-- NNT 2012-05-03

[Lite Beer]

Investigation into 42 burned cars underway

The Nation

PATHUM THANI:-- Police investigators yesterday collected more evidence at the Nissan showroom in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district, which was burned out during a reported fieldclearing fire along with 42 vehicles - mostly customers' cars booked in for repair. Total damage has been put at Bt40 million.

After the fire on May 1 on Lam Luk KaNimit Mai Road, police collected evidence and took pictures of the source of fire that spread from a 10rai rice field to a garbage recycling factory and into the showroom. Results should be complete in a week.

Showroom manager Den Nilpat said most cars would get insurance compensation. However Nissan would help pay the amount of damage not covered by insurance and also help those without any insurance, he added.

An Office of Insurance Commission official said insurance companies would pay compensation to affected car owners with First Class policies as this case was a legal violation. But second and third class insurance wouldn't include such a provision and insurance companies would need to sue whoever caused the fire.

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

[Lite Beer]

Police death said to be suicide

The Nation

LAMPANG:-- A police officer has shot himself dead - reportedly over stress from illness and debts - in Lampang's Muang district yesterday.

Police found the body of uniformed Pol Senior Sergeant Major Kasidit Chaiboonreung, 43, behind the Hor Nalika fivefork intersection police booth. He had a gunshot wound in the head and his pistol was nearby. Police investigation found he had suffered from neurosis and Meneire’s disease for years and was stressed about it.

His police partner, Pol Senior Sergeant Major Thawil Somana, said Kasidit had asked the supervisor for a day off on grounds he was ill and Thawil suspected he killed himself over his chronic illness and many debts.

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

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Thailand To Host Motocross World Championship Next Year

Philippe Rahmani

BANGKOK: -- After more than a decade of involvement in the Thai motocross scene, former rider Phillipe Rahmani has finally realised his dream of introducing the first ever MotorCross World Championship here next year.

Full story:

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ENVIRONMENT

Mae Wong Area should be protected as wildlife sanctuary

Building a dam would waste precious forestland, drive away wildlife

NAKHON SAWAN: -- An environmental agency is urging the government to ask the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to include Mae Wong National Park in the list of the Thung YaiHuai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, which have been recognised as one of Thailand's natural heritage sites.

Full story:

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Airports of Thailand denies using violent measures in red shirts parking fees dispute

BANGKOK: - Sumet Phomanee, chairman of Airports of Thailand Plc, yesterday denied that brutal measures were taken against the red-shirt group at Suvarnabhumi Airport even though he regarded that they were involved in the illegal collection of extra parking fees.

Full story:

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Rak Thailand Party leader Chuwit reveals clip of 8 night entertainment venues which he claims closes later than the law allows /TANN

Region 2 Army: Thai soldier stepped on landmine and had right leg blown off while patrolling near Preah Vihear Temple /TANN

DSI to file suit against 11 hospitals and its staff for disappearance of pseudoephedrine-based cold meds /TANN

Election Commission: 111 TRT executives can be appointed ministers after 5-yr political ban ends on May 30 /TANN

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SI SA KET

Soldier loses legs after stepping on landmine at border

SI SA KET: -- A soldier lost both legs when he stepped on a landmine while patrolling near Preah Vihear Temple in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district late Wednesday night.

The injured soldier was identified as Sgt Chatree Kaewprasarn, 28, a commander of the unit from 16th Company of the Third battalion of the Bodiddecha camp.

Military officials said Chatree stepped on an anti-personnel mine while patrolling on the Thai side in the Plaiyao area west of the Phumakua Mountain in the area of Khao Prawiharn National Park.

The explosive was about 400 metres away from the unit's operation outpost in Don-aoh village in Tambon Rung of Kantharalak district.

The mine damaged both legs below his knees. He was rushed to the Suppasit Prasong Army Base's Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani.

There was no clash between the two sides after the explosion, which prompted the patrol unit to call for a reinforcement of troops to the area.

The military officials believe the mine had just been planted, as it was not far from the operation base of Thai troops, who frequently patrol the area and had not encountered any mines.

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

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COLD PILLS

DSI warns pharmacies still stocking pseudo-ephedrine drugs to turn them in

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation on Thursday warned pharmacies still stocking pseudo-ephidrine medicines in any form to return them to the pharmaceutical companies or face criminal charges.

The deadline for return was Wednesday at 4.30pm.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said the medicine would now be available only at hospitals and medical clinics.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported Thursday that 18,150,000 tablets and 11,260,000 millilitres of medicines had been returned and the FDA would call a meeting of pharmacy business operators on May 25 to set a new system of drug-ordering called "FDA Reporter". This would record the purchase of medicine from its original point to the destination point with the FDA acting as mediator.

Those found in possession of this Psychotropic Substance Schedule 2 without permission could face one to five years in prison and a fine of Bt20,000-Bt100,000, while those possessing more than five grams of the medicine could face five to 20 years in jail.

Tharit said the pharmaceutical companies had manufactured 60 million tablets containing pseudo-ephidrine, about 20 million of which were possessed by authorised medical facilities. He said the medicine returned from pharmacies via companies would be destroyed along with illegal cosmetic products at Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya.

Tharit also reported the probe into the smuggling of the medicine into Thailand showed that it was likely carried out by large criminal organisations backed by influential figures,

Tharit said he would led DSI investigators to inspect Suvarnabhumi Airport's Duty Free Zone cargo terminal, where the medicine was smuggled through on faulty declarations and would consider filing charges against state officials and others involved.

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

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Australia wants Thai workers to work in its construction industry

BANGKOK, 3 May 2012 (NNT) - Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor Mrs. Songsri Boonba has revealed Australia is seeking skilled labor from Thailand to work in that country’s construction industry under a government-to-government contract.

Full story:

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RT @tulsathit: Yingluck: Floods and hot weather are prime causes of people's increasing expenses.

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Chiang Mai state pawnshops prepare THB120 mil for new school year

CHIANG MAI, 3 May 2012 (NNT) The Chiang Mai Pawnshop Office has prepared a 120 million-baht cash reserve for locals who will be depositing their belongings in exchange for money during the start of the new school year.

Full story:

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Eight Arrested for Link to Prison Drug Case

BANGKOK: -- Police in Surat Thani have arrested eight people suspected to have connection with the drug ring at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Prison.

Surat Thani police apprehended five men and three women, aged 23 to 38, suspected to be members of a drug ring and seized a.

38-caliber handgun and about half kilogram of crystal methamphetamine worth almost three million baht.

The suspects are believed to be linked to inmates found involved in drug activities at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Prison.

Meanwhile, Buri Ram police raided the provincial prison and seized many illegal items, including drug kits and makeshift weapons. Urine tests showed 58 of some 400 inmates used drugs.

Prior to the raid, prison staff found a number of cell phones on the jail grounds. The phones were believed to have been unsuccessfully thrown inside for inmates to pick up.

In Pichit, police confiscated a mobile phone with a charger and 17 methamphetamine pills from the provincial prison.

Commander of the prison, Sujitra Leungwattananan, said no drugs have been found in the prison before, so more stringent measures must be taken to keep it free from narcotics.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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Former Fisheries Official Hits 18 Million Baht Lottery Jackpot

BANGKOK: -- A former Department of Fisheries official has won 18 million baht in a lottery jackpot.

Fifty-eight-year-old Samphan Kansukul, a former official at the Department of Fisheries has won 18 million baht in a lottery jackpot.

Samphan who is currently disabled, single and still living with his parents and his brother's family, bought six lottery tickets, each with three million baht jackpot.

Samphan said that he has been a regular lottery buyer, and this time, he bought the winning tickets from a vendor at a gas station in Sichon District of Nakhon Si Thammarat province for the total of 330 baht.

He ecstatically added that he was only hoping for two and three-digit prizes but won the 18 million baht jackpot instead.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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Storm Hits Ratchaburi, Petchaburi

RATCHABURI: -- A freak summer storm has damaged homes and properties in Ratchaburi and Petchaburi provinces.

A storm hit a temple in Petchaburi Province's Ban Laem District, causing damage to Buddha images and properties as well as injuring two Buddhist monks. The damage is estimated at two million baht.

In Ratchaburi Province, a dramatic storm swept through Muang and Ban Pong districts.

A 40-meter high community radio tower was toppled and fell on homes and a car.

Hailstorms also struck villages in Suan Phueng District, ravaging more than 400 homes. High winds caused trees to fall and block roads in many areas.

Governor Chonchuen Boonyanusart has inspected the damage and coordinated with responsible agencies to help affected residents.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department reported that a heat low was covering upper Thailand.

Provinces in the North, the Northeast, the Central Region and the East will experience hot weather and widely-scattered thundershowers.

The weather bureau also urged people to beware of gusts during this period. Southwesterly winds prevail over the South and the Gulf of Thailand.

Increase in rainfall and isolated heavy rain are likely in the region. People, especially in the western part of the South, should beware of heavy rain during this period.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-03

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Xayaburi Dam protesters in Phuket maintain threat of closing Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge

The protesters told the ‘Mekong 2 Rio’ delegates in Phuket that their threat stands of closing the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge if their demands are not met. Photo: Kritsada Meuanhawong

PHUKET: -- Residents of eight Thai provinces along the Mekong River traveled to Phuket to protest construction of the Xayaburi Dam in Laos during a three-day of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) that ends today in Phuket.

Full story:

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SET index closed at 1240.03, up 0.97; Bt/USD30.77; GBP49.69; AUD31.56; EUR40.39; CAD31.07; HKD3.96; SGD24.65; JPY38.13

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Tambon leader, three assistants killed in drive-by shooting in Pattani

PATTANI: -- Insurgents shot dead a tambon leader and three assistants before making off with their guns and salaries of local officials of the tambon.

The shooting occurred at 1 pm on the Narathiwat-Pattani Road in Bango Mulong village in Tambon Trohbon in Saiburi district.

Police said Sangworn Suwanrat, 57, leader of Tambon Thungkla in Saiburi, was shot dead along with three assistants - Preecha Thong-iad, 48, Supaporn Charoensuk, 45, and Porntip Phongern, 34.

Police said the four took part in the monthly meeting at the district office and were returning home with salaries of village heads and defence volunteers in their tambon.

About 10 minutes after they left the district office, they were chased after by a pick-up truck with five people on the back. The five assailants opened fire at the kamnan and assistants, causing his truck to crash into a tree and stop. The insurgents then shot them at pointblank before taking their guns and the cash.

-- The Nation 2012-05-03

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Chiang Mai ranks 24th as world’s best destination in 2012

BANGKOK, 3 May 2012 (NNT) – An internationally well-known travel website, TripAdvisor, has ranked Chiang Mai province 24th in the world’s best destination list in 2012.

According to TripAdvisor, Chiang Mai offers historic sites, delicious street food, and a good place to bathe and feed an elephant. Destinations in Chiang Mai that it recommends include Elephant Nature Park, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and Wat Chedi Luang.

TripAdvisor said London in England is the best destination to travel, followed by New York and Rome. Siem Reap in Cambodia is ranked ninth and is the only other ASEAN destination on the list.

TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors, and over 60 million reviews and opinions.

-- NNT 2012-05-03

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TOURISM

Chiang Mai among top global destinations

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chiang Mai becomes the only Thai tourist destination that is voted one of top 25 global destinations by worldwide travellers.

Full story:

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Thailand Live Friday 4 May 2012