Thailand Live Friday 11 May 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 11 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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ROAD SAFETY

Crackdown on people who watch movies or use mobile phones while driving

BANGKOK: -- People who watch movies or talk on their mobile phones while driving may face negligence charges, polie said yesterday.

Full story:

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Thailand Buys Chinese Tablet Computers For Schools

Full story:

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THAI-KHMER TIES

Thailand advised to play the 'good child' in border dispute

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's legal advisers in a boundary dispute with Cambodia have advised the Kingdom to "act as a good child" to convince the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the country is cooperative, a senior government figure said yesterday.

Full story:

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Xayaburi Dam on hold

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Laos has postponed the construction of Xayaburi Dam amid concerns from neighbouring countries, a Laotian official said.

Despite the Ch Karnchang's recent announcement that it had signed a Bt51.8-billion contract with Xayaburi Power Co, Viraphonh Viravong, director-general of the Ministry of Energy and Mines' department of electricity, said there was no construction being done on the Mekong River.

He said only preparatory work is being done. "Preliminary work like roads, accommodation and preparing for the power plant when the Lao government approves the project have been under way for a while now.

The Lao government will wait for approval from the concerned countries," Viraphonh told AFP in a telephone interview, adding that a new report on the expected impact had been submitted to Laos' neighbours.

According to The Diplomat website, Viraphonh had reassured neighbouring countries at a recent conference in Phuket that Laos was taking the December agreement very seriously and would halt construction until a full independent environmental impact study is completed.

The project is expected to require a total investment of $3.5 billion. Set to generate 1,26-megawatts of power, this will be the biggest hydropower plant in the river. The plan has sparked worries over the ecological system of countries lower down the river.

In December, the Mekong River Commission - comprised of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam - said the dam project should not proceed until further studies on its impact were carried out.

Cash-strapped Laos plans to build up to 11 dams and become "the battery of Asia" by supplying hydropower electricity to neighbouring countries, initially Thailand. Xayaburi is one of these dams, located 150-kilometres downstream from Luang Prabang.

-- The Nation 2012-05-11

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Amphon's death challenges both red shirts and the govt

Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- The death of lese majeste detainee Amphon "Akong" Tangnoppakul, also known as "Uncle SMS", inside Bangkok Remand Prison Hospital on Monday has re-ignited hopes of amending the draconian lese majeste law.

Some 300 people attended the controversial placing of his body in front of the Bangkok Criminal Court on Wednesday and vented their anger against the law they perceived as an obstacle preventing them from attaining a basic right to freedom of expression.

Well-known red-shirt writer Wat Wayangoon asked the gathering if Thais were not being treated like humans when it came to freedom of expression about anything critical of the monarchy.

At the same venue, red-shirt Pheu Thai MP Jaruphan Kuldiloke talked about legally protected rights in England and how Thailand has yet to achieve anything similar. And political scientist Paungthong Pawakapan, a key member of the Public Campaign Committee to Amend the lese majeste law, announced in front of Amphon's body that enough signatures had been collected to push the proposed amendment before Parliament.

It must not be forgotten, however, that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has insisted repeatedly her administration will not touch the lese majeste law.

Even Jaruphan was soft, almost apologetic on Wednesday, in front of the crowd of angry mourners wondering why this government was not doing anything - meekly suggesting they should try again to convince government MPs.

It's no secret a large percentage of the red-shirt movement is opposed to the draconian law, ever since the military coup on September 19, 2006, which ousted Thaksin Shinawatra. Many Thaksin supporters who subsequently became red shirts question the role of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanond in the coup, and more.

In private conversations, some-red shirt leaders try to defend Yingluck's position that the government won't touch the law - saying the government can't start a war on too many fronts, or by saying the government doesn't really have the power to push for such change and it could risk a military coup by insisting on it.

In public,however, there's a visible attempt to forge a truce between the old and new elites as well.

Nevertheless, yesterday, the red-shirt movement, the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, sponsored the first night of the funeral rite for Amphon at Wat Dan Samrong in Samut Prakarn province. And at least two key red-shirt members, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Surachai Sae-Dan, remain in prison under the lese majeste law.

The continued vocal opposition to the law by a small but significant and active section of the red-shirt movement could be used by the Yingluck administration to remind the established elites that some form of accommodation might be needed.

But if the government will not touch the law, the loyalty of progressive red shirts to Yingluck (and Thaksin) - and the loyalty of Yingluck and Thaksin to these red shirts - will be severely tested.

The government cannot indefinitely buy time and expect no backlash or a meltdown in trust and expectation among the so-called progressive reds who oppose the law.

If no progress is seen in the near future, the time will come when these progressive red shirts must choose whether to continue to accommodate a government which does nothing to make the law less draconian.

Many reds will face the question whether they continue to support a government that allowed to Amphon die under their watch, a government privately telling them it would have loved to do more but just simply couldn't afford to.

With prisoners of conscience like Somyos and Surachai still in jail and the Public Campaign to Amend the law seemingly ready, that time is approaching sooner than later. And if the death of Amphon cannot make a difference, nothing will.

-- The Nation 2012-05-11

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Call on Thai govt to address urban-rural imbalance

BANGKOK: - The government should allocate more funds to poorer provinces to ensure that residents can access public services including health, education and other infrastructure at a level that is comparable to that enjoyed by their counterparts in Bangkok, the World Bank said.

Full story:

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Lady Gaga in Bangkok - Gaga goes gargantuan

Concert organiser Bec-Tero reveals the logistics and costs behind the concert of the year

BANGKOK: -- In just two weeks, Thai fans will finally get to see Lady Gaga in Bangkok as her "Born This Way Ball World Tour" rolls into the City of Smiles. The biggest concert Thailand will ever have seen is being held at Rajamangala Stadium and promises extravagant, bold and mesmerising elements that will take up to eight days to set up at a cost of a staggering Bt140 million.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

A warning from voters in Europe to Thai populists

BANGKOK: -- France and Greece have said no to austerity, but their problems are a result of the kind of spending policies we are seeing now in this country

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Motorcycle taxis seek help over gangsters

BANGKOK: -- Motorcycle taxi association president Chalerm Changthongmadan yesterday led 20 members to file a complaint with the Metropolitan Police Bureau over gangsters extorting fees from them.

Full story:

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Lese majeste charges against Jatuporn lifted

The Nation

Observers believe this might be related to the possibility of him getting a Cabinet seat

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation has found no cause to invoke the lese majeste law against Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan, DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

Full story:

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PM to visit Bahrain and Qatar

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will leave on Sunday for a three-day official visit to Bahrain before proceeding to neighbouring Qatar to attend to state duties.

Upon arrival in Bahrain on Sunday, Yingluck will be greeted by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, then she will join the royal family for dinner.

She will call on Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Monday to witness the signing of a tourism agreement between the two countries.

On Tuesday she will stop by the Bahrain navy's headquarters then fly to Qatar to meet with Qatar's cabinet and witness the inking of an agreement between the two countries.

Her return to Thailand will be on Wednesday.

-- The Nation 2012-05-11

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Tickets for 79,500 red-light runners

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police's traffic police division yesterday reported 79,500 red-light runners were each issued a Bt500 ticket from January to March. They urged law-violators to pay their fines soon or risk their cars' tax payment and registration plate renewal next year.

Since red-light cameras were set up in December 2008 at 30 Bangkok intersections, the number of red-light runners has fallen from the first phase, which saw up to 60,000 red-light runners per month, or 2,000 cases per day, the division said. Citing the first three months of 2012 - 27,000 cases in January, 26,700 in February and 25,800 in March - and 5,900 cases from April 1-10, the average totalled 800-900 cases per day.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) also approved Bt10 million to fund the Traffic Police division's maintenance and operation of red-light cameras at the 30 intersections.

-- The Nation 2012-05-11

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Thailand, Taiwan cooperate to bust cold-pill ring

BANGKOK: -- Civilian special investigation units from Thailand and Taiwan have begun working together to combat drug dealing in the wake of the widespread abuse of pseudoephedrine.

Full story:

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Tears mix with triumph at lottery for school places

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday was a day that dictated the fate of students across the country. Many jumped or cried with joy, others burst into tears with disappointment, after drawing lots for places at top state schools.

Full story:

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Coal activist's murder trial opens

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The trial over the death of activist Thongnak Sawekchinda, who led the protest against coal transport in Tambon Tha Sai of Samut Sakhon's Muang district, opened yesterday with all defendants present, except recently murdered suspect Sutchadech Thabkrai.

The five defendants to testify about the July 28, 2011 murder were Thanayos Wongpim, 53, a transport operator accused of being a hirer; Nipon Yantalapa, 34; Jakkapong Kwanphan-ngam, 22; Yothin Thep-rian, 25; and village headman Sittichok Nopnom. The alleged target-identifier Sutchadech, 28, was listed as a deceased suspect. On the other side, Thongnak's wife Jomkwan produced four witnesses to testify, including Thongnak's sister Wandee.

A police probe has found Sutchadech was involved with drug-dealing and gunman-for-hire gangs, including a drug network in Samut Sakhon prison. Police said security cameras at nine locations, which could have helped identify Sutchadech's killers, were broken. Also the pick-up truck the shooters used had disappeared in Krathum Ban district, police said. The province has allocated Bt4.5 million to fix the broken cameras and install more at the nine locations, which should be complete in two months.

-- The Nation 2012-05-11

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Karen general offers to host Thai drug busters

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The leader of an armed Karen group yesterday repeated his denial that he was involved in drug production and dealing, and said he would guarantee the safety of Thai anti-narcotics agents who entered areas of Myanmar under his influence for the purpose of verifying his claims.

Full story:

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UPDATE

Jealous German Skinhead Knife Killer Caught in Khon Kaen

Udon Thani police arrested a jealous German who fatally stabbed his Thai girl friend 17 times. The German confessed that he did it out of jealousy because his girlfriend chatted with another man on Facebook in front of him.

UDON THANI – May 9, 2012 [PDN]; Pol. Col. Taweesak Sukkasem, Udon Thani police reported that Mr. Michael Kristien Ditrish age 29, German national had been arrested charged with murder.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,186.93, down 3.72 points /MCOT

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One Tourist Killed in Capsized Boat near Ratchaprapa Dam

SURAT THANI: -- A tourist boat has capsized in Ratchaprapa Reservoir in Surat Thani Province, killing a foreign tourist.

A tourist boat has capsized in Ratchaprapa Reservoir inside Khao Sok National Park in Ban Ta Khun District of Surat Thani Province. One foreign tourist was killed in the accident, while the boat driver was injured and taken to a nearby hospital.

According to Surat Thani Tourist Police, the dead tourist was a 47-year-old airline pilot from Taiwan who was on a vacation with his friends.

Initially after the accident, the victim was missing. The search was conducted with difficulty because the site is located about an hour away from the shore by boat, and the incident took place during the nightfall at about 20 meter deep water. Eventually, the body was found.

Governor of Surat Thani Province, Cherdsak Chusak, has ordered the national park officials and tourist police to assist other victims.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-11

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Army Chief Vows to Protect National Sovereignty

BANGKOK: -- The army chief has reassured Thais that the army will do its best to protect the country's sovereignty.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha disclosed that the focus of yesterday's meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the Foreign Ministry and security-related agencies is on the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.

General Prayuth noted that the overall situation along the border remains peaceful and there has been no invasion from both sides so far.

Thailand will be hosting a joint meeting with Cambodian authorities to discuss troop withdrawal of both sides from the disputed area near Preah Vihear Temple, in accordance with the International Court of Justice's ruling.

The army chief admits that such an order will not be easy to comply with, while assuring Thai people that the army will do its best to protect the country's sovereignty.

As for the Cambodia's road construction in the border area near Preah Vihear Temple, General Prayuth explained that the road was constructed a long time ago, but it has just been found that there is an extension into the disputed area, and that the matter has already been addressed with Cambodian authorities.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-11

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Phuket earthquake victims receive government payout

Phuket Gazette

Thalang District Chief Naruenart Supattaraprateep (2nd from left) and Srisoonthorn Mayor Worawut Songyot (in pink shirt) led the proceedings yesterday in handing out more than 1.3 million baht in cash cheques to residents whose homes were damaged by the April 16 earthquake in Phuket. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

More residents register their claims for damage caused by the Phuket earthquake as Srisoonthorn Municipality has re-opened its center for filing claims until May 16. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Residents in Phuket’s Srisoonthorn subdistrict whose homes were damaged by the April 16 earthquake received payouts from the government yesterday to assist in repairing their living quarters.

Full story:

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Commerce Min Unfazed by Negative Poll Result

BANGKOK: -- The commerce minister has accepted the poll result which flunked him in his handling of the high price problem, but remains confident that it will not affect his party's popularity.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom has acknowledged an opinion survey result, in which respondents flunked him in addressing the high price problem, saying that he will work harder and will keep the public updated on what his ministry is doing to tackle the problem.

Boonsong is unfazed by the possibility of being removed from the Cabinet, while remaining convinced that the poll result will not affect the popularity of Pheu Thai Party.

Responding to reports of major manufacturers Sahapat Group and CP Group's plan to review their product prices, the commerce minister said he will hold talks with the companies to seek their cooperation in freezing the prices for another four months to help consumers.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-11

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Thailand's economic growth projected at 5.5% this year: IMF

BANGKOK, May 11 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that Thailand's economic growth in 2012 will be 5.5 per cent, but warned that significant downside risks still remain due to uncertainties from the global economy and the progress of flood-prevention measures, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT).

Full story:

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Fire on 1st floor of Le Concorde building on Ratchadapisek Rd; evacuation being carried out /TANN

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BTS: 30 Year Concession is Lawfully Approved

The Bangkok Mass Transit System has insisted upon the legality of its 30-year concession to operate the capital's skytrain lines, while asking all sides not to politicize the issue.

President of the Bangkok Mass Transit System, or BTS, Keeree Kanjanapas, has remarked on the company's recent signing of a 30-year concession agreement to operate the capital's skytrain lines, reaffirming that the agreement was legally approved, and that the issue is a matter of a private firm's operation, not a political one.

The BTS president explained that the contract signing is not an extension to the existing agreement, but it is rather an undertake to upgrade the service in order to accommodate the growing number of passengers.

He added that the company will be purchasing more trains and expanding the service capacity.

According to the latest report, BTS has consulted with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in offering passengers aged at least 60 years old 50% off on their fares.

The discount will be offered on holidays, weekends and weekdays from 9 AM to 4 PM and 8 PM to midnight, to promote ridership among senior citizens. The trial is expected to last a year and start in June.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-11

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Fire rages Swissotel Le Concorde Hotel, Ratchada, tourists evacuated; firefighters rush to put out fire /MCOT

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A rare transit of Venus to occur on June 6

BANGKOK, 11 May 2012 (NNT) - According to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), a rare planetary event, the transit of Venus, is due to occur on June 6 this year. The next transit is expected 122 years from now.

NARIT’s Director, Boonrucksar Soonthornthum, said that on June 6, the planet Venus will pass directly between the Sun and the Earth from 8.32AM to 11AM, becoming visible against the solar disk. The event can be viewed from most corners of the globe, except for West Africa and the West coast of South America.

The last visible transit of Venus took place on June 8, 2004. Sequences of transits occur in a pattern that repeats every 243 years, with transits occurring eight years apart followed by a gap of 122 years, then a gap of eight years and then another long gap of 106 years. Nobody can witness the event no more than twice in his lifetime.

Mr Boonrucksar added that the transit, similar to a solar eclipse by the Moon, can be observed with the naked eye using filters designed specifically for the purpose such as eclipse-viewing glasses.

-- NNT 2012-05-11

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Deputy PM to Propose Mobile Disaster Alert

BANGKOK: -- The deputy prime minister for economic affairs is planning to propose the use of mobile alert for faster disaster warning to the Information and Communication Technology Ministry.

During his official visit to Japan, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong visited the Japanese National Disaster Prevention Center and said that he was impressed by its disaster response management, especially the alert system which sends warnings promptly to individuals' cellphones.

Kittirat said he will propose useful guidelines he learned from the center in Japan to the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management and the Information and Communication Technology Ministry in Thailand.

The deputy prime minister is scheduled to attend the Thai Festival in Japan tomorrow, which showcases Thai food, fruits and other products from Thailand.

The event, which aims to help expand markets for Thai food and fruits, is expected to attract 30,000 Japanese visitors

-- Tan Network 2012-05-11