Thailand Live Thursday 10 May 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 10 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 Wednesday 9 May 2012

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PM Yingluck faces joint push on money-laundering laws

BANGKOK: -- The Joint Private Standing Committee, which groups together three key business associations, will discuss with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Joint Public-Private Committee meeting on May 19 the need to rush through a revised anti-money-laundering law. The discussion will take place during a mobile Cabinet meeting in Kanchanaburi.

Full story:

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Bank of Thailand not worried by all-time high foreign currency debt

Thailand's foreign debt rose to a record high of US$119 billion or Bt3.6 trillion in March, but the Bank of Thailand insists the country's external exposure is balanced by asset holdings.

BANGKOK: -- The central bank's data revealed that the outstanding foreign-currency debt of all sectors, except its own, showed an increase from the previous month. It attributed the increase mainly to burgeoning Thai investment overseas as well as international trade

Full story:

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111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives wait to plan their future

BANGKOK: -- The 111 former executives of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, who have got together to form a group known as House No 111, are scheduled to meet next Wednesday to discuss their future activities once their political ban is lifted on May 30.

Full story:

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Islamic Conference delegation leader condemns violence in Thailand's South

YALA: -- The head of a delegation of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference yesterday condemned the violence in the Muslim-majority South and urged the government to lift the controversial Emergency Law.

Full story:

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Group steps up bid to change Article 112

The Nation

Members aim to submit a draft amendment to Parliament on June 27

BANGKOK: -- A group seeking amendment to the lese majeste law is stepping up its campaign following the death of an elderly man detained in a case in which he was found guilty of sending text messages deemed offensive to the monarchy.

The Campaign Committee for the Amendment of Article 112 plans to hold activities aimed at "stopping more loss and damage" stemming from Article 112 of the Penal Code regarding lese majeste, academic Suthachai Yimprasert, a member of the group, said yesterday.

He said the group's members would later discuss their campaign activities in detail.

His remarks came after Ampon Tangnoppakul, 61, died from cancer on Tuesday at a prison hospital.

Suthachai, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts, said his group would hold its campaign activities before submitting a draft amendment to the House of Representatives on June 27.

He added that over the prior 112 days of its campaign, the group had by May 5 managed to collect sufficient signatures to support its draft law. The Constitution allows a minimum of 10,000 eligible voters to seek law amendment through Parliament.

However, the charter permits people-sponsored bills only in regard to matters of basic rights, in its Chapter 3, and of state policy, in Chapter 5.

Article 112 of the Penal Code contains criminal law concerning matters of state security.

In a highly publicised case, Ampon - also known as "Akong" (Granddad) - was convicted last year and sentenced to 20 years in jail for lese majeste, although it remained a mystery whether he had actually sent the four SMS messages in question.

Some members of his family are reportedly linked to the red shirts.

Ampon's defence team withdrew their bail application in March after he decided to seek a royal pardon.

Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, a coordinator of the Green Politics Group, yesterday said he believed the red-shirt movement was using Ampon's death in a one-sided attack against the monarchy and the justice system.

"One question is whether Akong's lawyers had raised all the available legal aspects in his defence. Was there any intention to use him as a political tool?" said Suriyasai, who is a key figure among the yellow shirts.

He also said the "the progressives" among the red shirts should have raised the question of who is benefiting from the "untiring fight" of the movement.

"They have to dare to raise questions when the situation has changed. The [leading] red shirts have now taken over state power at almost all levels. What progress has been made regarding the rhetoric about class war and the fight for social equality? What has your government done about those issues?" Suriyasai said. The activist added that there were always politicians ready take advantage of the deaths of supporters who had sincerely fought for their ideology.

He also noted that the government had made it clear that it would not support amendment of Article 112.

"The red shirts who support amendment of Article 112 should be aware that it is the government they support that opposes amendment of the article," Suriyasai said.

Also yesterday, Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he did not want Ampon's death to be used for political gain.

"There are attempts to use Ampon's issue for political purposes. Some people advised his family not to seek a royal pardon, and that explains why the process was slow [when Ampon later decided to follow such a path]," Abhisit said.

The Democrat Party leader said the government should ensure that all the questions about Ampon's death are answered. "It's the government's duty to explain what happened and to ensure justice," he added.

The former prime minister also said the government should assure the public over its stance regarding Article 112.

He said the government had announced that it would not support amendment of the lese majeste law, but some people in the government were campaigning for changes to be made.

-- The Nation 2012-05-10

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SKYTRAIN OPERATION

Pheu Thai questions 'rushed' Skytrain operation contract

Ruling party to have DSI investigate 'questionable and illegitmate' deal

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party will today ask the Department of Special Investigation to investigate the Bt190-billion, 30-year contract that the city recently "rushed" to give to a company to continue operating the Skytrain system.

Full story:

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The Nation and Myanmar's Eleven Media sign a joint publishing venture pact

The Nation

Yangon

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Nation Multimedia Group Plc has signed a comprehensive agreement of cooperation with Myanmar's Eleven Media Group Co Ltd that will lead to the formation of a joint venture in a wide range of English-language publications in the near future.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Yangon last Friday by Nation Multimedia Group chairman Suthichai Yoon and Eleven Media Group chairman and CEO Dr Than Htut Aung.

Both pledged to combine their editorial and business efforts to benefit the peoples of both countries and the Asean region with high professional standards and ethics.

"The Eleven Media Group is Myanmar's No 1 private publishing group with a highly impressive record of independent and hard-hitting coverage against corruption and undemocratic activities in Myanmar. I have great respect for Dr Than Htut Aung's crusade against dictatorship and corruption," Suthichai said after the signing ceremony.

"This is a landmark agreement with both media organisations sharing similar histories in independent and impartial news reporting, as well as supporting democracy," said Aung.

Both sides also announced an immediate set-up of editorial offices in Yangon and Bangkok with immediate effect. The initiative will intensify news coverage of Myanmar and Asean affairs out of Thailand and Thai and Asean affairs out of Myanmar at a time of significant international interest in Myanmar.

Eleven Media publishes the largest-circulation newspaper, operates websites in local and English languages, and is the pioneer and leader in SMS English-language news. Nation Multimedia publishes Thailand's leading newspaper The Nation, which is also co-founder of Asia News Network, an alliance of 21 leading newspapers in 18 Asian countries.

Aung founded Eleven Media 11 years ago as a sports weekly. The group has since expanded to general news publishing with an aim of promoting democracy for the people and adhering to a public interest agenda in Myanmar. Eleven Media is also preparing for Myanmar's further integration into Asean and the international arena as the country opens up.

"We share the same mission in freedom of the press, public interest agenda and democracy as well as regional outlook. Nation Multimedia Group and Eleven Media will utilise and optimise existing assets with minimal new investment in our various aspects of close cooperation," said Suthichai.

Both sides will proceed to form a joint venture for an English-language website as soon as possible and to set up a daily English-language newspaper at an appropriate time. Eleven Media will have a majority in the partnership. The joint venture hopes to be listed as a public company when Myanmar sets up a stock exchange scheduled in 2016.

Eleven Media has also entered into a broad professional cooperation with NMG in the areas of editorial staff exchange, training, new media, English-language training and editing. The Nation and Eleven Media local and English-language websites will exchange news on a daily basis.

Eleven Media will represent distribution of NMG publications in Myanmar and NMG can represent distribution of EMG publication in Thailand. Both will also work together on organising conferences and events. In advertising and commercial areas, NMG will act as media representative for EMG in Thailand and EMG will act as NMG's media representative in Myanmar.

-- The Nation 2012-05-10

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THAI TALK

Return of 111 will be a test of the PM's management skill

BANGKOK: -- Last week, reporters asked Premier Yingluck Shinawatra whether a Cabinet reshuffle, her second since taking office, was forthcoming. She smiled and said: "The weather is really very hot, isn't it?"

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Regulations are useless if they are not enforced

The weekend explosion at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate shows that safety concerns are still being taken too lightly by the govt and authorities

BANGKOK: -- The accident at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate last weekend is unfortunate indeed. The explosion should have been preventable but it happened because of industries' carelessness and lax enforcement by the responsible authorities.

Full story:

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Official denies graft in flood projects

BANGKOK: -- A deputy permanent secretary from the Interior Ministry denied yesterday that he had told an opposition MP that the ministry's flood-prevention projects were hounded by rampant corruption.

Full story:

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Seek help to nab Karen general: PM

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday suggested the police ask Myanmar for help to arrest General Na Kha Muay, leader of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), who is wanted in Thailand for allegedly producing and trafficking narcotics.

She said it was the police department's duty to take legal action against the general as well as strictly implement the government's anti-drug policy.

It was reported that Tong Seng, a Myanmar citizen and well-known Karen supporter, travelled to the DKBA base yesterday to discuss the issue with the general so clashes between Karen and the Thais could be avoided. Meanwhile, the general will be sending armed Karen soldiers to escort journalists from the Kawkareik Township to a press conference today.

The atmosphere at Tak's border districts of Umphang and Phob Phra remained unusually tense.

-- The Nation 2012-05-10

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Seven hurt in Bangkok steak house gas explosion

Photo : Thanachai Pramarnpanich

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

BANGKOK: -- 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.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-gas-explosion/

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Thai wildlife officials to visit Kenyan parks

BANGKOK: -- The Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department is spending over Bt25 million to send 300 of its staff on a study jaunt to Kenya.

Full story:

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New standard set for processed food

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri yesterday announced that all manufacturers of packaged processed food must meet the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standard as part of the country's policy to become the world's kitchen and prepare for the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

According to the ministry's order, all foods, including OTOP products, must meet the GMP standard in terms of methods and tools used in production and packaging. It has also ordered that manufacturers of products that meet the GMP standard apply for a registration code from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Wittaya said the orders will soon be published in the Royal Gazette, requiring all existing processed food manufacturers and importers to follow the regulation within three years. New food businesses will need to comply with the order 180 days after being published in the Royal Gazette.

-- The Nation 2012-05-10

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Pheu Thai denies trying to escape censure debate

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday denied Democrat MP Thepthai Seanapong's claim that the Pheu Thai Party and the government sought to extend the present legislative session in order to avoid a censure debate.

Full story:

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Omens good for food, water in coming year

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, held yesterday at Sanam Luang and graciously presided over by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, yielded a prediction for an abundance of food production and average water supply in the coming rice-growing season.

This Brahmanical ceremony, conducted from 8.19am to 8.59am, had the sacred oxen plough a furrow in the ceremonial ground. Four consecrated ladies, carrying gold and silver baskets filled with rice seeds, scattered the seeds into the newly ploughed furrow, while Brahmins walking alongside chanted and blew on conch shells.

The sacred oxen were presented with offerings and chose to eat grass, which the Brahmin said indicated an abundance of food and sufficient water.

Supachai Baanthubthong, deputy permanent secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, who served as Lord of the Plough, was offered three pieces of folded cloth of different lengths. He selected one with six palm spans - equivalent to 183 centimetres. Based on his selection, it was predicted there would be less water this coming year. The yield would be plentiful in low-lying farming areas but some damage would occur in highland rice fields.

A large crowd observed the ceremony, after which they were allowed to collect the rice seeds, regarded as an auspicious item to bring good luck and abundance.

As every year, hundreds rushed in to collect the seeds, while some even took sand, grass, flowers and shrubs used to decorate the site.

Those who collected the rice seeds said they would keep most of them at home and worship them since they believed the auspicious seeds would bring them luck and wealth. The rest of the seeds would be scattered in their paddy fields.

In Uttaradit's Muang and Phichai districts, farmers also ploughed their own paddy fields yesterday, considered an auspicious day, to prepare soil for plantingrice.

Ayutthaya's governor and farmers in the province made merit, while monks chanted and sprinkled holy water on rice seeds before scattering them on fields and distributed the rest to farmers in every district of the province.

-- The Nation 2012-05-10

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BURNING ISSUE

Prem accord leaves the red shirts simmering

BANGKOK: -- Although Wichian Khaokham emerged as the election candidate for president of the Udon Thani Provincial Administration Organisation, conflicts between factions in the ruling Pheu Thai Party and red-shirt groups are still far from over.

Full story:

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Finland with New Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- Mr. Narong Kongpraser is Finland's new Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai. He took up his duties in May after both countries, Thailand and Finland, had accepted his nomination. His Predecessor Dr Supavat Poovakul retired from the position after having nurtured Thai-Finnish relations for 15 years.

Full story:

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Most Women In Isaan Drink: Poll

Full story:

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PM Yingluck expects goods prices to fall within few months

BANGKOK, 10 May 2012 (NNT) – The prime minister has forecast that local goods prices will fall considerably within the next few months.

Full story:

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Srinakarin Dam unaffected by earthquake in Myanmar – Official

KANCHANABURI, 10 May 2012 (NNT) – The director of Srinakarin Dam has assured the country that a recent earthquake in Myanmar has not posed any effect on the dam’s structure.

Srinakarin Dam Director Boon-in Chuenchavalit said that the early morning 4.2-magnitude quake in Myanmar on Wednesday has not affected the dam in any way, as the epicenter is as far as 663 kilometers from its location.

Mr. Boon-in asserted that officials have performed a thorough inspection after the quake was reported and that the structure of Srinakarin Dam remains strong and intact.

He added that, at present, Srinakarin Dam is holding 12.96 billion cubic meters of water, or 73.06 percent of its capacity.

The Srinakarin Dam Director has expressed confidence that there will be sufficient water supply to ease the drought crisis, which has been hitting farms downstream from the dam.

-- NNT 2012-05-10

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ICT Ministry to sign tablet PC purchase deal on Thursday

BANGKOK, 10 May 2012 (NNT) – The Information and Communication Technology Ministry is ready to ink a purchase deal that will help it procure tablet PCs for students nationwide.

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Permanent Secretary Jeerawan Boonperm said that the ICT Ministry will, on Thursday, sign a deal to purchase table PCs from China’s Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development.

The widely-followed purchase deal is one of the Pheu Thai-led government’s election campaigns, which has been fine-tuned into the One Tablet PC Per Child project.

After months of delay, the Cabinet approved in early April the purchase of 1 million tablet computers for elementary students, under the budget of 2.4 billion baht.

The deal signing ceremony, scheduled at the ICT Ministry, will be chaired by ICT Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, who will later hold a press conference on the issue.

-- NNT 2012-05-10

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,201.57, down 5.68 points /MCOT

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Pile-driving tower crushes three homes in Krabi

Lt Col Prasan Khongkaew of the Ao Leuk Police surveys the damage at the site as part of the preliminary investigation. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Residents of a small community in Khlong Hin subdistrict, Krabi, got a rude awakening yesterday morning when a 15-meter-high pile-driving tower came crashing down onto their homes.

Full story:

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PM won't comment on possible Cabinet reshuffle in August, says priority now is solving higher consumer prices /MCOT

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Phuket go-go dancer survives suicide plunge

Full story:

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German Stabs Udon Thani Girlfriend 17 Times to death

A German national found that his Thai girlfriend dated a Frenchman behind his back. The German lost his temper and stabbed his girl friend to death.

Full story:

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ICT Minister: Tablet PCs to be Handed Out by July

BANGKOK: -- The information and communication technology minister has confirmed that tablet PCs will be distributed for free to first graders across the country by this upcoming academic semester, with the procurement contract expected to be signed today, and the delivery expected by July.

Information and Communication Technology Anudith Nakornthap has reported that the ministry is set to sign the procurement contract with Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development, the supplier of the free tablet PC project, today, after the project's details have already been reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General.

Anudith has reaffirmed that no change has been made to the original term of reference given to the bidders, while voicing his confidence that the supplier will be able to deliver the tablet PCs on time.

The ICT minister added that the first batch of tablet PCs will be delivered within 60 days after the contract signing, with all one million units being delivered within 90 days.

He is confident that the students will receive their new tablet PCs by July, while revealing that the accommodating Wi-Fi network is nearly complete.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-10