Thailand Live Thursday 17 May 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 17 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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HIV may afflict almost half Asia-Pacific transgenders: UN

BANGKOK, May 17, 2012 (AFP) - Nearly half of transgender people in the Asia-Pacific region could have HIV as poor healthcare and high-risk lifestyles push infection rates to "critical levels", a UN report said Thursday.

Full story:

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FATF

Money-laundering grey list yet to hurt

Business reporters

The Nation

Money is still transferable as usual, veterans in tourism and other businesses say.

BANGKOK: -- They spoke after the Anti-Money-Laundering Office (AMLO) aired concerns that Thailand faces a high risk of being 'blacklisted' by global watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for lack of action in countering money-laundering.

Full story:

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Heavy rain hits the North

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Heavy downpours and gusting winds hit some provinces in the North last night, toppling over billboards and uprooting trees, many of which damaged houses and vehicles.

The weather department's office in Chiang Mai has warned of storms and strong winds through out the week.

Mae Hong Son's Pai district was hit by a summer storm, which damaged several houses and crops. The cost of the damage has not been assessed yet, and roads remain blocked by knocked over trees. However, civil servants and villagers are working to clear the roads.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau has warned of heavy rainfall and potential flash floods across much of the country. A high-pressure ridge is covering the upper Northeast and a moderate Southwest monsoon is prevailing over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and most of the land nationwide.

Heavy showers are expected in the North, Northeast, East and the Southwest coast, and people have been warned of possible flooding until Friday.

Ships have also been warned of strong winds and 2-metre high waves in the Andaman Sea.

-- The Nation 2012-05-17

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Unchanged loyalty

Tossaporn Wongwaikolayoot

The Nation

111 executives return to action with reaffirmed allegiance to Pheu Thai

BANGKOK: -- The ruling party yesterday re-embraced its banned political big guns, gladly receiving them to its fold and welcomed their encouraging show of unwavering loyalty, which is a boost to its ambition to remain Thailand's most dominant political force.

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Thailand number 6 in the world to suffer from high fuel price

Full story:

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Frozen Tiger Parts Among Thai Police Wildlife Haul

Full story:

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Crackdown on gambling ahead of Euro 2012: Thai Police spokesman

Full story:

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Focus on real work experience

CHULARAT SAENGPASSA

WANNAPA KHAOPA

The Nation

Nation U chief says English and internships will be key features for its students

BANGKOK: -- Nation University (Nation U) - this private university has been heard of for only 15 months, but its president has vowed to make changes in Thailand’s higher education as it produces graduates who will be professionals with strong working experience.

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Tight security on first day of school

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some 6,000 soldiers were deployed to guard 400 schools in the three southernmost provinces on the first day of semester yesterday, Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said.

However, he said, there were some problems: teachers and students had to be protected because insurgents could launch an attack at any time, but some people, especially teachers, chose to stay away from officials, because it is usually security officials who are the target. Yet, Prayuth said the soldiers would do their best to provide security and urged teachers not to go outside the guarded area.

Meanwhile, Yala Teacher's Federation president Manop Boonthawiroj said almost all the students had showed up on the first day of school and that no students had transferred out of the region to flee the violence because parents still had confidence in schools that were close by.

-- The Nation 2012-05-17

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Temple must pay if project is scrapped, company owner says

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The owner of an estate-development firm is demanding Bt289 million in compensation if opposition from the Leng Noei Ti Temple in Bangkok forces it to scrap the project, the temple's management said yesterday.

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Genetically modified papaya found in Kanchanaburi: Chula researcher

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Hawaiian genetically modified papayas have been found at a farmer's plantation in Kanchanaburi province, a study revealed yesterday.

Full story:

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THAI TALK

Why aren't you excited about a more 'democratic' charter?

Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Now that the second reading of a bill to pave the way for the drawing up of a new constitution has been passed, I should, as a law-abiding, democratically active citizen, get very excited. Why don't I feel that shot of adrenaline? What's wrong with me?

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

National energy plan requires more thought

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's economic development will see rising demand for power, but public understanding of supply options must be part of the equation

Full story:

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Police drug busts net large hauls of 'ice', yaba

Kwanhathai Malakan

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday announced two police drug busts that seized a total of 64.9 kilograms of crystal meth or "ice" and 40,000 yaba tablets worth Bt330 million.

Full story:

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DSI chief defends dropping of lese majeste charges against Jatuporn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation will not reply to criticism by a senior Democrat about the dropping of lese majeste charges against Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan, DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

Full story:

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Homophobia and prejudice: It's time to kil the hate

Paisarn Likhitpreechakul

Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- While LGBT Americans last week celebrated President Obama's statement of support for same-sex marriage, Thai lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders could only look on with envy, as Thailand is perhaps decades away from having a leader with such moral courage.

Full story:

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BMA names three sinking road locations

Thanatpong Khongsai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has found three road locations at risk of subsidence - at Wireless Road, Phayathai Road and Rama I Road - while the BMA Public Works Department will early next month begin to remove thousands of unauthorised telephone booths.

Full story:

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BMA report to 'clear any questions' on BTS deal

Attaphum Ongkullana

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing a report to clear any questions about its decision to award a Bt190billion contract to the current operator of Skytrain system, BTSC, without calling for any bidding or consulting with the central government.

"We will publish about 100,000 copies before the end of this month," Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon said yesterday.

BMA has awarded the 30-year contract via its legal investment arm, Krungthep Thanakhom.

On Tuesday, Pheu Thai MPs filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Thirachon, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, KT chairman Praphanpong Vejjajiva and KT president Amorn Kitchawengkul.

Yesterday, the MPs also called on the House committee on anti-corruption to look into the granting of this controversial contract. The committee's chairman is Pol Lt General Wiroj Pao-in, a Pheu Thai party-list MP.

"We have entered into the contract for the benefit of Bangkok people," Thirachon insisted yesterday.

He said regulations supporting the contract also came from the Bangkok Council, which is the legislative branch of the BMA.

"Many Pheu Thai members in the Bangkok Council have approved these regulations. What the Pheu Thai MPs have done is show contempt for the Pheu Thai Bangkok councillors," Thirachon said.

Under the Bt190-billion contract, BTSC will provide the operations and maintenance services for the new three Skytrain extension routes - in which the BMA itself invested - over the next three decades. Their combined length is 12.75kilometres. Under parts of the contract, BSTC will also provide the operations and maintenance services for the original network of Skytrain that has a combined stretch of 23.5kms for 13 years after its 30-year concession to this network expires in 2030.

Pheu Thai MP Jirayu Huangsap, who petitioned the House committee on anti-corruption yesterday, said he felt obliged to keep the BMA works in check the way an opposition party would keep the government in check.

Sukhumbhand, who has led the BMA, is a prominent member of the Democrat Party while the Pheu Thai Party leads the central government.

"How can BMA know that BTSC, in the next 17 years, is still the best company to provide the maintenance and operations services for the original network?" he asked.

Another Pheu Thai MP, Yutthapong Charassathien, said the BMA would be in a better position to negotiate for the services from the BTSC when its concession was about to expire.

Under the concession conditions, all BTSC facilities, including its depot, will become the property of BMA.

Yutthapong said the concession could be renewed during the period of three to five years preceding the expiration of the concession. "That means BMA can still wait until that time before it looks for the provider of the Skytrain operations and maintenance services," he said.

He also questioned why BMA agreed to allocate up to Bt6.47billion for compensating BTSC under the 30-year contract for the services it would give to the three extension routes.

"BTSC has complained the routes are too short to be viable and BMA has agreed to compensate it. But in fact over the next 17 years, these extension routes are going to bring many more passengers to the original network of Skytrain, which can give the profits to BTSC," Yutthapong said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-17

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Man held over false claims

The Nation

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- A man was arrested for claiming to be a municipality clerk and demanding Bt150,000 in bribes from a mother wishing to get her son admitted into Nakhon Ratchasima's Provincial Police Training School Region 3, police said yesterday.

Si Sa Ket police chief Pongwuth Pongsri said suspect Kritsanachai Khunsawang, 25, claiming to be Nong Khai's Ban Deu Municipality clerk, duped 45-year-old Ploy Phothisarn into believing that he could get her son Jennarong into the school provided she gave him Bt150,000.

Demanding an initial payment of Bt70,000, Kritsanachai managed to collect Bt27,000 on Saturday and said he wanted the remainder by Monday. This made Ploy suspicious, and she talked to the police, which led to a sting operation on Tuesday.

Kritsanachai confessed that he had fraudulently claimed to be a government official and admitted that he could not get Ploy's son into the police school. The police are urging people not to believe anyone claiming to have contacts at the police-training school as enrolment follows strict procedures.

-- The Nation 2012-05-17

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Democrats deny claims they backed arson attack

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party has rejected claims by red-shirt leaders that local MPs supported the burning of a red-shirt pavilion in Songkhla.

Full story:

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Phuket Lifeguards Likely Back On Duty 'By Monday'

Full story:

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Nonthaburi police raid Bangkwang Prison and found 200 inmates who tested positive for drugs, 28 mobile phones and weapons /TANN

PM arrives back home from trip to Bahrain,Qatar;Cabinet reshuffle depends on need while opening opportunity for 111 TRT to join govt /TANN

Forecast of rain throughout Thailand; BKK to see rain over 70% of area while North will see hottest temperature at 37 degrees Celsius /TANN

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,174.97, up 3.74 points /MCOT

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Meteorological Dept warns of heavy flood-induced risks until 20 May

BANGKOK, 17 May 2012 (NNT) – The Thai weather office has warned people in certain areas to beware of possible risks from heavy rain, expected until this Sunday.

The Meteorological Department’s Deputy Director General Somchai Baimoung said that heavy rain has continued to hit several parts of Thailand and the amount of rainfall is likely to increase until May 20th.

Mr. Somchai stated that heavier rain is particularly forecast on the western coast of Thailand’s South and in the lower part of the Northeast, the eastern seaboard, the northern region as well as the central plain.

However, he said that rain will scatter and be particularly heavy near hill slopes. Therefore, people living close to such areas are warned to watch out for possible flash flood.

On a brighter side, more rain will help increase water storage in upstream provinces, such as Sukhothai, Phetchabun and Tak, according to Mr. Somchai.

The Meteorological Department’s Deputy Director General stated that Bangkok will likely experience heavy rain and consequential flooding, as statistics showed that 4-5 hours of continued rain of more than 90 millimeters can overrun the city’s drainage system.

Still, he is confident that there will not be a repeat of severe flooding as Thailand has experienced late last year.

-- NNT 2012-05-17

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Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to attend Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebration

BANGKOK, 17 May 2012 (NNT) – His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit have assigned His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to represent them at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to be held in London.

The Bureau of the Royal Household announced yesterday that HRH the Crown Prince will join in the celebration to mark 60 years of the British Queen’s reign, on behalf of Their Majesties the King and Queen, at the invitation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The celebration will take place in London on May 18-19, 2012.

HRH the Crown Prince will be accompanied on this trip by HRH Princess Srirasmi, the royal consort.

-- NNT 2012-05-17

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Thai PM hails Qatar visit

DOHA, May 16 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Wednesday that she was satisfied with her official visit to Qatar with four agreements inked to boost ties between the two countries, while the Gulf state promised to lift a Thai chicken import ban within two weeks.

The Thai premier, now on a three-day official visit to Qatar, earlier held a full panel discussion with her Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al-Thani who is also foreign minister.

Ms Yingluck praised the close ties between the two countries and thanked the Gulf state for supporting Thailand's position on its strife-torn southern border region at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

On business talks, Qatar agreed to lift its ban on importing Thai poultry within two weeks, while Thailand pledged to extend stay period from 30 to 90 days for any Qatari seeking medical treatment in the kingdom to boost the domestic tourism industry.

The Thai premier hailed the bilateral talks as successful with the signing of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) including an agreement on public health cooperation, on employment in Qatar, cultural cooperation and on trade and investment cooperation in agricultural products, particularly halal food.

Thailand also agreed to purchase two million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG from Qatar for electricity production, according to the Thai prime minister.

Ms Yingluck said she has instructed the Board of Investment (BOI) to relax its regulations to facilitate foreign investors as Qatar is interested in investing in Thailand's several industries including the capital market.

"Qatar gives importance on food security and agreed to buy Thai agricultural produces and further talks will be held to finalise which products are needed by the Qataris," the premier said, "Both countries will also cooperate on public health issues.'

Ms Yingluck said that Thailand and Qatar have been named by the FIFA Medical and Research Centre (F-MARC) as FIFA Medical Center of Excellence. She said the two countries will work together on medical personnel exchange and joint investment as Qatar is scheduled to host the Wolrd Cup in 2022.

Earlier in the day, Ms Yingluck held talk with executives of ASPETAR, the Qatar Orthopedic and Sports Medical Center, which has been accredited as the first FIFA Medical Center of Excellence in the Middle East.

In Asia, only Japan, Thailand and Qatar have been named FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence.

The Thai premier said she was confident that the Thailand’s world-renowned Thai hospitals would be able to support the role of ASPETAR in the 2022 World Cup. Bangkok Hospital, a private institution, is designated as F-MARC's Medical Center of Excellence and, has begun work with ASPETAR.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to leave Qatar Wednesday night and arrive Bangkok Thursday at 7.20 am. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-17

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PHUKET GEM HEIST UPDATE: Turk to face drug charges first

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Chonasit Wattanavrangkul said Turkish national Riza Balkan will face drug possession charges in Trang province before he is handed over to Phuket police to face charges related to the gem and jewelry heist near Phuket Town on Monday. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Turkish national Riza Balkan was found in possession of ya ice (crystal meth) when he was arrested by Trang Highway Police on Monday. Image: Royal Thai Police

PHUKET: -- The Turkish national who was arrested in connection with the 30-million-baht gem and jewelry heist in Phuket on Monday will face drug possession charges before being handed over to the Phuket Police to face charges related to the gem heist.

Full story:

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Police Officer Accused of Armored Truck Robbery Failed to Turn Himself in for the Second Time

BANGKOK: -- The police superintendent implicated in an armored truck robbery has failed to turn himself in for the second time. The police have already assigned a team to search for him.

Full story: