Thailand Live Wednesday 9 May 2012

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Man Arrested for Smuggling Cell Phone Accessories into Prison

CHIANG RAI: -- A 19 year-old man was arrested while trying to smuggle a cell phone into Chiang Rai Prison.

Nineteen year-old Kietkul Cheurmur, a native of Chiang Rai Province, was arrested while trying to throw ten cellphone headsets across the wall of Chiang Rai Central Prison.

During the interrogation, Kietkul confessed that he was hired by an inmate at the prison to smuggle the cellphone accessories into the compound.

He has already received 5,000 baht and promised another 20,000 baht, once the job is completed.

Kietkul also admitted having done this 11th times, and in each time, he would pretend to visit his cousin at the prison before slinging the contraband over the prison's wall.

Out of those attempts, he successfully got the goods across the wall six times.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-09

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More than 120 Homes Flooded in Lampang

LAMPANG: -- After several days of heavy rainfalls, more than 120 homes in a village in Muang District of Lampang Province have been flooded.

After days of continuous rainfalls, a flash flood has deluged Bang Nong Lakhon Community in Muang District of Lampang Province, leaving more than 120 homes flooded.

The water is still flowing into the area even the the rain has already stopped. So far, no state agency has been dispatched to provide assistance to the victims.

Meanwhile, the Department of Mineral Resources has rushed to a section of Lampang-Den Chai-Phrae Highway blocked by a mudslide.

The authority has deemed the area at risk of repeated landslides

-- Tan Network 2012-05-09

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India Set to Pass Thailand, Rival Vietnam as Top Rice Exporter

By Pratik Parija and Prabhudatta Mishra

BANGKOK: -- India, the largest rice grower after China, is set to surpass Thailand to match Vietnam as the world’s biggest shipper after favorable weather and higher government prices boosted the harvest to a record.

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Phone call prices too high: Thailand Development Research Institute

BANGKOK, 9 May 2012 (NNT) – The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has commented that the Thai communication business has not been fully liberalized, making the costs of the call as well as the phone too expensive.

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Over 470,000 Traffic Tickets Issued in First 4 Months

BANGKOK: -- More than 470,000 traffic tickets were issued between January and April, but only one-third of them got paid.

The Traffic Police Bureau has reported that more than 478,000 traffic tickets were issued in the first four months of this year, but the police managed to collect fines on less than 150,000 tickets.

Around 380,000 tickets were issued directly to offenders who had their driver licenses seized, while the rest were left on the vehicle windshields.

Some 16,000 people being issued the tickets have failed to report to the police.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-09

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Govt set to make Thailand largest food trade hub in Asia

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RT@RichardBarrow: At least 5 people injured, incl customers, when a gas tank exploded at Bangkok Grill on Soi Rangnam /via@191Thailand

5 injured in gas explosion at Soi Rangnam steakhouse, near Victory Monument; Fire now under control /MCOT

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PAD to hold political talk show

BANGKOK:-- The People's Alliance for Democracy has scheduled May 26 for holding a political concert and talk show at Lumpini Park to raise awareness on the political reforms, PAD spokesman Panthep Pourpongpan said on Wednesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/553695-pad-to-hold-political-talk-show/#entry5285582

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PM projects consumer product prices, particularly agricultural produce, to decline in coming 1-2 months /MCOT

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PM: Govt can manage water situation

BANGKOK, 9 May 2012 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assured that the government can handle the water situation this year, adding that people will be able to see a clearer picture of the water management plans in all areas by the end of this month.

After several areas in Thailand have experienced rain over the week, many people are expressing concerns over possible floods later in the year. Ms Yingluck said that related agencies are keeping an eye on the water levels.

In the meantime, she has followed up flood-control projects of various ministries and assigned Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to inspect their progress in different areas, while urging the authorities concerned to speed up operations.

The Prime Minister said she will visit areas where flood prevention plans are being implemented at the end of this month, to check for their readiness. She insisted that the government will be able to cope with possible flooding in most areas this year. She admitted however that in certain areas, authorities are still waiting for satellite information to provide them with comprehensive soil conditions. She expects all flood prevention plans to become concrete by the end of May 2012.

-- NNT 2012-05-09

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Phuket offers new twist in War on Drugs

Phuket Gazette –

Drug users can volunteer to join a rehabilitation camp to avoid charges being pressed against them. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/553697-phuket-offers-new-twist-in-war-on-drugs/#entry5285652

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Fire ravages over 10 commercial buildings in Dusit District

BANGKOK, 9 May 2012 (NNT) - A fire broke out in Dusit District, burning over 10 commercial buildings on Wednesday morning. Fire-fighters rushed to the scene and were successful in putting out the blaze.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....t/#entry5285700

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Police suspect arson in Phuket government building blaze

The charred remains of the sala next to the old Community Hall at Thalang District Office in Phuket. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police are seeking a man seen running from the site of a pre-dawn arson attack at the Thalang District Office compound earlier today.

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Parliament approves 240-day deadline for charter change

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Assembly will have 240 days to complete the charter rewrite and the new charter will be drafted under the two conditions - keeping provisions on the monarchy intact and upholding democracy with the King as head of state.

The Wednesday's charter change debate saw the passage of two more provisions of the charter amendment bill related to the rewriting deadline and the rewriting procedures.

On the deadline provision, known as clause No 291/11, Parliament approved the draft by the 337-to-62 vote.

For the procedural provision, known as clause No291/12, no lawmakers reserved the right to speak on the floor and the draft was passed by the 339-to-55 vote.

The debate will resume Thursday before voting on the remaing five clauses, No 291/13 to No29117.

Parliament is conducting a second reading of the bill, designed to form the CDA to take charge of charter change.

-- The Nation 2012-05-09

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PM points police as key players in drug eradication

BANGKOK, 9 May 2012 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has indicated that police play an important part in drug eradication, while suggesting that Thailand must enlist the help of its neighbours to resolve drug problems along the border.

The premier has stressed that the police must strictly abide by the law in their efforts to eradicate the problem of drugs from the country. Meanwhile, all relevant agencies must do their best to fulfill their assigned responsibilities. Not only must they focus on suppressing drugs, they must also keep a close eye on the situation in the local areas as well.

The PM also added that Thailand must ask for cooperation from their neighbours in order to mutually put an end to drug problems along the border.

-- NNT 2012-05-09

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Ex-minister Denies Being Offered Cabinet Post

BANGKOK: -- A banned politician maintains he has received no contact to take a post in the Cabinet.

One of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives Pongthep Thepkanchana said he wondered why he was speculated to assume a ministerial post after his political ban penalty comes to an end.

Pongthep remarked he has not been approached to take a post in the Cabinet.

Another banned Thai Rak Thai executive Preecha Laohaponghcana said he will not re-assume any ministerial post while saying he believed a Cabinet reshuffle will not take place soon.

Another banned Thai Rak Thai executive Prommin Lerdsuridej said he will not apply for membership of the Pheu Thai Party or take any political post after his penalty ends, but pledged he will continue working for the people.

Meanwhile, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva suggested the prime minister exercise her judgement on the reshffule with caution particularly the appointment of Pheu Thai's party-list MP Jatuporn Prompan, also a red-shirt core leader, as deputy interior minister.

He said the ombudsman earlier urged the premier to review the appointment of another red-shirt leader Nutthawut Saikua as minister because he is defendant in many lawsuits.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-09

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Thai lese majeste convict 'died of liver cancer'

Bangkok, May 9, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai grandfather who passed away just months into a 20-year prison sentence for defaming the monarchy is believed to have died from liver cancer, preliminary autopsy results showed Wednesday.

Ampon Tangnoppakul, 62, who was considered a "prisoner of conscience" by Amnesty International, was convicted in November for sending text messages deemed insulting to the royal family in 2010. He was found dead in his cell on Tuesday.

"I have received an initial autopsy result that he had liver cancer and it spread to many other organs," Jongjet Aoajenpong, director of Police General Hospital where the examination was conducted, told AFP.

He said a tissue sample would be sent to a laboratory for confirmation.

Ampon, who became known in Thailand as "Uncle SMS", pleaded not guilty during his trial, one in a series under the kingdom's controversial lese majeste legislation, which critics say is used to stifle free speech.

His wife and political activists on Wednesday paraded the coffin containing his body through central Bangkok to the Criminal Court in the northern outskirts of the city.

The royal family is a very sensitive subject in the politically turbulent kingdom. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 84, has reigned for 66 years but has been in hospital since September 2009.

Under the Thai law, anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count. Police are duty-bound to investigate complaints, which anyone in the country can lodge.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-05-09

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Most Women in Isaan Drink: Poll

BANGKOK: -- A research by a non-governmental organization shows most of women in the Northeast are alcohol drinkers because of social reasons.

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Gas explosion rips through restaurant

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An explosion from a cookinggas leak at a steak restaurant in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district injured seven people Wednesday.

Police and 10 fire engines answering an emergency call arrived at 12pm at the Bangkok Grill, in Soi Rang Nam, to find the restaurant on fire, its glass frontage shattered by the explosion and the kitchen gutted. Four men, two women and a small child were rushed to Rajvithi Hospital.

A Cambodian cook identified only as Tomy, 30, told police the kitchen crew had panicked after a 15kg cooking gas canister they were changing sprang a leak while ovens were operating. The owner of a noodle shop next door said the explosion had also damaged his shop.

-- The Nation 2012-05-09

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SET index closed at 1207.25, down 23.79; Bt/USD30.90; GBP49.76; AUD31.01; EUR40.02; CAD30.70; HKD3.97; SGD24.56; JPY38.4

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Blaze razed to the ground 15 houses in Wat Yuan, no injuries

The Nation

Photo : Khanathit Srihirundaj

BANGKOK: -- A blaze destroyed 15 houses in Bangkok's Wat Yuan community Wednesday, leaving five people suffering smoke inhalation and burns.

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ACCIDENT

Gas explosion rips through restaurant

Worapan Sukkaew

The Nation

Photo : Thanachai Pramarnpanich

BANGKOK: -- An explosion from a cooking gas leak at a steak restaurant in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district injured seven people Wednesday.

Police and 10 fire engines answering an emergency call arrived at 12pm at the Bangkok Grill, in Soi Rang Nam, to find the restaurant on fire, its glass frontage shattered by the explosion and the kitchen gutted.

Four men, two women and a small child were rushed to Rajvithi Hospital. A Cambodian cook identified only as Tomy, 30, told police the kitchen crew had panicked after a 15kg cooking gas canister they were changing sprang a leak while ovens were operating. The owner of a noodle shop next door said the explosion had also damaged his shop.

-- The Nation 2012-05-09

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Banned Politicians Claim No Plan to See Thaksin in China

BANGKOK: -- A representative of banned Thai Rak Thai executives said eight of them who will fly to China next week have no plan to meet ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Secretary General for the 111 Thai Rak Thai Foundation Wichit Plangsrisakul said the planned golf tour to China of eight banned Thai Rak Thai executives has nothing to do with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

However , Wichit stated the group could meet Thaksin there by chance.

He went on to say his foundation has extended invitation to all of the banned Thai Rak Thai executives including founder of Bhum Jai Thai Party, Newin Chidchob, to discuss if they should hold a party to mark the end of their political ban and determine how many of them will apply for membership of the Pheu Thai Party.

He said the appointment of some banned politicians as ministers rests with the prime minister while maintaining their return to politics will not spark rift in Pheu Thai given they will not take key posts in the party to avoid having conflicts with its current members.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-09

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Thailand Live Thursday 10 May 2012