Thailand Live Tuesday 15 May 2012

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Royal rainmaking operation launched to alleviate drought

NAKHON SAWAN, 15 May 2012 (NNT) – With the collaboration of the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation and the Royal Thai Air Force, a royal rainmaking operation was officially launched in Nakhon Sawan province on Monday to relieve the drought crisis, which has struck many areas of the country.

Presiding over the launch of the royal rainmaking operation, Advisor to the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Banharn Silpa-archa said that Thailand will be seeing little rainfall this year. With the objective of assisting residents outside irrigation zones, royal rainmaking operation centers have been established to receive petition for rain and assist the public nationwide. Currently, there are five royal rainmaking operation centers located in the North, the Central Plain, the Northeast, the East and the South.

As of February 20, a total of 11 royal rainmaking operation units have been established while over 1,500 royal rainmaking operations have been carried out so far, producing rain to circulate in all 56 drought-hit provinces across the country.

All 11 royal rainmaking operation units will continue to provide assistance to the people until the end of the rainy season in October. The operation's main goal is to alleviate the lack of rainfall as well as to raise the water in reservoirs to a sufficient level to prepare for the next drought season.

-- NNT 2012-05-15

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Gender Equality Group Praises Army Chief for Proper Handling of Barrack Sexual Scandal

BANGKOK:-- The Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation has praised the Army Chief for his proper handling of the barrack sexual scandal.

Head of the gender equality department at the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation, Supensri Puengkoksoong, has praised Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha for properly handling the sex scandal, in which photographs showing a group of servicemen engaging in a sexual activity with a woman in public locations were recently circulated on the internet.

Supensri said that as this is a very sensitive issue, all sides should be careful with their words.

She is also urging the authority to consider when the incident took place and how old the people seen in the clips were at the time, in order to deal with them accordingly.

Also, the military authority must check whether the implicated soldiers are still in active duty to determine if they should be processed with martial or civilian laws.

She also expressed concern for the woman seen in the photos and urged everyone to handle the case with utmost care.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-15

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Thai Singers Perform Tribute Concert to Ailing Bee Gees Member

BANGKOK: -- A concert was organised over the weekend as a tribute to former Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who is battling colon cancer.

Ten Thai singers of yester-year including Billy Ogan, Chompoo and Ping of Fruity, Pom Autobahn and Pusacha Tonavanik performed a charity concert at Thammasat University main auditorium this past Sunday, in a tribute to Robin Gibb, a former singer of famous pop/rock group Bee Gees, who is suffering colon cancer.

Proceeds after expenses will go to Siriraj Hospital to support cancer patients.

Music guru and organizer of the event Thanet Sukawat said the Bee Gees has been his favorite band since his school years, and that the concert was held to send good will to Gibb.

Doctors discovered a tumor in his colon eighteen months ago when Gibb underwent an intestinal surgery.

The 62-year-old went into a coma after contracting pneumonia last month. He is still battling cancer which has spread to his liver.

Gibb is now out of coma and recovered from pneumonia. He remains under intensive care at a London hospital.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-15

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Joint interprovincial bus, minibus, passenger pickup trucks start higher fares today; passengers confused by new prices, complain of rising transport cost /MCOT

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Thai entrepreneurs urged to open restaurant business in Myanmar

BANGKOK, 15 May 2012 (NNT) - The National Food Institute (NFI) has advised Thai entrepreneurs to invest in the restaurant business in Myanmar as more tourists are expected to flow into the country.

The NFI has encouraged Thai entrepreneurs to seek opportunities in the restaurant business in Myanmar to accommodate the increasing number of tourists expected to be traveling to Thailand's neighbour after it has finally opened its door to the world. Due to its low production quality, lack of technology, and basic infrastructure, the Burmese government has allowed foreign investors to help develop the country's food industry.

The institute has pointed out that the most appropriate business to invest in Myanmar are SMEs, such as restaurants, tea shops, and distributors of low-priced product such as betel nuts.

The NFI has also found that investment in processed food production and distribution, agricultural products, machinery and technology for agriculture and food processing will benefit from the Burmese government's policy. Myanmar is currently undergoing a major development in its agricultural policy to encourage the expansion of the public irrigation system, agricultural terrains and foreign investment in the agricultural sector.

Myanmar is also reforming its policies to draw foreign investors into the country; for example, the drafting of a new investment law, which exempts investors from paying income tax for the first 8 years, and allows a 50% corporate income tax reduction for profits derived from exports.

-- NNT 2012-05-15

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Government to step up work to resolve insurgency

BANGKOK, May 15 - Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa said on Tuesday that the government will step up integrated work of all concerned agencies to tackle violence in Thailand's restive southern border region, while threatened to withdraw budget allocated to agencies in case of failed performance.

The deputy premier made the remark ahead of the first meeting of the newly-established strategic committee responsible for the strife-torn southern border provinces this afternoon to prepare for a workshop with all concerned agencies scheduled for Thursday.

He said, from now on, a politically-driven approach and development will lead the military operations.

"We will instruct concerned ministries, as it has been eight years now, but there is not much progress in tackling problems in the far South due to discontinuous policies towards the region and lack of integration of related bodies," the deputy premier stated.

Gen Yuthasak said there will be performance assessments every three months, and if any ministry cannot achieve the goal set in the strategic framework, the budget which has been allocated to it will be returned to the government.

The deputy premier added that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will be informed of the failed performance of the assigned ministry and this can also be considered as the personal failure of the minister.

Regarding the recent grenade attack at a Red Cross Fair in Narathiwat municipality which injured one soldier and five local residents, Gen Yuthasak said an investigation is underway but he believed the assailants were the same persons who had launched previous attacks to create daily disturbance in the region.

More than 5,000 people, including civilians, soldiers, government officials and insurgents were killed since violence erupted in the restive southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in 2004. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-15

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Activists petition at Govt House, urging full disclosure of facts on explosion, chemical leak at two Rayong plants, to resolve problems /MCOT

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TAXATION

Double tax treaty with Cambodia eyed

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Thailand is moving forward to strike a double tax treaty with Cambodia, to cope with increasing cross-border trade.

Sathit Rungkasiri, director-general of the Revenue Department, said that it is the first priority to expand the double tax treaty with all countries in Asean, in response to the Asean Economic Community.

"For now, the double tax treaties with 8 countries in Asean have come into force. Now, the Revenue Department would rush to discuss this issue with Cambodia. Then, we place our focus to extend the coverage to non-AEC countries," he said.

After parliamentary approval for double tax treaties with additional nine countries in March, the number of countries with such treaties has risen to 64. Thailand first concluded the double tax agreement with Sweden in 1963.

The treaties covers individuals and juristic persons, applying to only income taxes, namely personal income tax, corporate income tax and petroleum income tax. Other indirect taxes such as value added tax and specific business tax are not covered.

The resident country retains the right to tax the income which was already taxed in the source country. It calculates its tax on the basis of the taxpayer’s total income including income from the other country which according to the DTA is taxed in that other country. However, it allows a deduction from its own tax for the tax paid in the other country.

To Sathit, such treaties promise cooperation to tame tax evasion.

For details of countries with double tax treaties with Thailand, go to http://www.rd.go.th/...sh/21973.0.html

-- The Nation 2012-05-15

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Mama Instant Noodle to Freeze Prices for 4 Months

BANGKOK: -- The manufacturer of Mama instant noodle brand has assured that it will peg prices for four months to help ease consumers' high cost of living.

Full story:

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UPDATE

Mexican, Malaysian suspects named in Phuket gem heist

Phuket Gazette

Police escort Mexican national Ruben Gonzales (wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirt) into Phuket City Police Station this morning. Photo: Kristada Meuanhawong

Malaysian national Rosulina Binti Abu Bakar was also presented as one of the key suspects in yesterday’s gem heist in Phuket. Photo: Kristada Meuanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket City Police have released the names of two suspects arrested in connection with the theft of 30 million baht of jewelry, diamonds and other gems from a parked car in Phuket yesterday morning.

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

Government to step up work to resolve insurgency

The Nation

Yutthasak

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa said on Tuesday that the government would instruct all concerned agencies to integrate their efforts in tackling violence in the deep south border region, while threatening to withdraw the budget allocated to agencies if performance fails to meet the desired levels.

Full story:

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RT @CBSNews: BREAKING: Ex-newspaper exec and key manager for #RupertMurdoch, #RebekahBrooks, charged with crime in UK #hacking scandal

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Red Shirts petition PM seeking lese majeste law amendment

BANGKOK, May 15 – A group of red shirt activists on Tuesday petitioned Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, seeking amendment of Article 112 , the lese majeste law, and a political prisoner release.

The network of democratic society activists and relatives of political prisoners, led by the group’s coordinator Jitra Kachadej, submitted the letter to the premier at Government House.

They urged the government to release convicts under the Article 112 and to amend the law as proposed by the Nitirat scholars and the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT).

They also called for improvement of living conditions in prisons and to raise the quality of medical treatment to be equivalent to that provided in government hospitals.

Ms Chitra cited the case of Ampol Tangnopakul also known as 'Ah-kong', 61, who was sentenced to 20 years prison for lese majeste and died earlier this month. Despite several attempts to seek bail for him, the court did not grant bail for the cancer-fighting jailed convict until he died in prison, it was claimed, without proper medical treatment.

Upon receiving the letter, Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidith insisted that the government would not amend the law and an official statement on the matter would be released later. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-15

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Suspect in drugging and robbery case of Bangladesh Rotarians caught by Pattaya Police

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/554613-bangladeshi-dies-two-others-in-a-coma-following-drugging-and-robbery-in-central-pattaya/#entry5302623

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SET index closed at 1,184.55 up 19.04; Bt/USD31.22; GBP50.17; AUD31.03; EUR39.90; CAD31.04; HKD4.01; SGD24.72; JPY38.87

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HM the King seen in good health

BANGKOK, 15 May 2012 (NNT) – His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej left his residence on the 16th floor of Siriraj Hospital for the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace on Monday afternoon, appearing healthy.

HM the King traveled with his motorcade to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall amidst large crowds chanting “Long Live the King”. The people were pleased to see him in good health and able to travel outside of the hospital.

His Majesty the King took pictures of Her Majesty Queen Savang Vadhana, who was a royal consort to King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V. She was also the grandmother of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, hence the title of the Queen Grandmother.

His Majesty the King has remained at Siriraj Hospital for physical therapy since September 2009 after he was admitted with symptoms of fever, lung inflammation and fatigue.

-- NNT 2012-05-15

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Government urged to release facts about Rayong industrial estate accidents

BANGKOK, May 15 --- The Eastern People’s Network submitted a petition today demanding that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and relevant government agencies transparently release all information related to the two industrial estate chemical accidents at two factories in the eastern province of Rayong and to resolve the problems quickly.

Full story:

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Lady Gaga will have to cancel June 3 concert in Jakarta w/out police permit due to "too sexy, indulgent and erotic" outfits. /The Nation

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Irregularities Halt Anti-flood Projects in Pichit

The chief of Tapanhin District in Pichit Province has ordered a halt on flood prevention works in his area following the discovery of irregularities in the projects.

The move followed a finding that the total size of Nong Hun Ka swamp being dredged is 51 rai, far smaller than 152 rai reported to the government in the request for budget.

Meanwhile, the size of Nong Wong swamp actually dredged to build a water retention area is 60 rai, not 68 rai as required by the government.

Tapanhin District chief Tajpong Phaekwamdee stated he has asked the provincial administration to suspend construction works in which regularities were found, lower the budget and adjust details of those projects to physical conditions of the sites.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-15

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Parliament to Vote on Charter Rewrite on June 5

BANGKOK: -- Parliamentary whips have scheduled next month for the vote on the final reading of the draft amendment bill for the charter's Article 291.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said representatives of all three parliamentary blocs have agreed that the vote for the third reading of Article 291 amendment bill will be held on June 5.

Udomdej said Parliament has scheduled the debate on the 2013 Budget Bill between 21 and 24 May.

Meanwhile, director of Mahidol University's Center for Peacebuilding, Khotom Areeya, said he planned to submit the center's suggestions to the parliamentary panel on charter amendment after their meeting.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-15

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Red-shirt pavilion burnt down in Songkhla

SONGKHLA:-- The village pavilion of a new redshirt village in Songkhla province was burnt down early Tuesday, hours after its opening by redshirt leaders and supporters in the South.

On Monday evening redshirt leader Thida Tavornset Tojirakarn and supporters held an opening ceremony for a red-shirt village near the now-burnt-down pavilion in tambon Bangkae, in Songkhla's Jana district.

The police speculated that the incident took place around 2am. There were no eyewitnesses and the arsonist is not yet known.

Currently, police suspect the arson attack was done by political rivals, who were not happy with constant attempts by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to set up red-shirt villages in the South.

-- The Nation 2012-05-15

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Protesters demand legal action against Map Ta Phut factory

RAYONG:-- A group of protesters Tuesday gathered outside the Government House to call on the government to take action on a recent factory explosion in Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong province and provide more assistance to those affected by the chemical fire.

The head of Stop Global Warming Association, Sutthi Atchasai, who led the gathering, called for a government-commissioned chemical leak management and immediate imposition of industrial safety regulations, which he said had been lax, along with rehabiliation of areas near the factory.

Sutthi, who famously petitioned against lack of mandatory environmental study in the industrial estate which later resulted in most projects put on hold to this day, said the factory fire should be a precedent in establishing comprehensive indusrial hazard prevention and management, together with fair and quick compensation under government supervision and declaration of storage locations where chemical or toxic metarials were housed.

-- The Nation 2012-05-15

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RT@BBCBreaking: #Greece to hold fresh elections as talks fail to produce a coalition government - Greek socialist leader Venizelos says http://t.co/ns16xq1n

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40 Democrat MPs to question budget bill

The Democrat Party has allocated 40 MPs to question the government's projected spending for the 2013 fiscal year, chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanavisit said Tuesday.

Jurin said the Democrat has assigned 40 MPs to question the budget bill during its deliberation on May 21, 22 and 23.

-- The Nation 2012-05-15

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 16 May 2012