Thailand Live Thursday 24 May 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 24 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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His Majesty the King takes 50 steps without his cane

Samrit Jiamjarernporn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King is on his way to full recovery and was able to take 50 steps without needing his cane, Privy Council member Chalit Phupasuk revealed yesterday.

He added that His Majesty should be moving out of Siriraj Hospital soon.

Full story:

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GDP GROWTH

Central bank says 2012 GDP expansion could surpass 6%

Seetalavajit Sabayjai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand now expects gross domestic product to expand this year by more than the 6 per cent it estimated in early May, after the country saw first-quarter growth of 0.3 per cent year on year, although uncertainties from the European sovereign debt problem pose risks.

Full story:

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King to be presented historic Ayutthaya land by Yingluck

Samrit Jiamjarernporn

The Nation

An elephant was painted white during a rehearsal of a show to be staged before Their Majesties the King and the Queen during their visit to Ayutthaya

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her family are planning to present a historic field in Ayutthaya's Thung Makham Yong to His Majesty the King because it is where he himself harvested a rice crop in 1996.

Full story:

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Expand good schools, panel says

Supinda Na Mahachai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The panel tasked with coming up with remedial measures for former Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) School students who were stripped of their right to continue with Matthayom 4 studies there, yesterday ordered the Bangkok Education Service Area Office 2 to have 12 schools make space for these pupils.

Full story:

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Suphoth's resignation will not affect probe

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The day of reckoning has arrived for Suphoth Sublom as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) prepares for a hearing today, now that its subpanel has handed over the results of its investigation.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Invest in teachers to make education more equitable

The Nation

Our students deserve good schooling but authorities are more concerned about numbers in classrooms and spending on questionable facilities

BANGKOK: -- The protest by Bodindecha students and their parents urging the school to take previously rejected students into classes illustrates a major flaw in the education system. The students and parents have been desperately trying to get accepted at this well-recognised school because of the wider disparity in the quality of our schools.

Full story:

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THAI TALK

Don't expect a chairman-governor war at the BOT

Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With Dr Virabongsa Ramangkura having been named as new chairman of the board of directors of the Bank of Thailand, some observers have predicted a clash of the titans at the central bank. Central bank governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul, considered by some veteran analysts as Virabongsa's nemesis, has publicly tried to calm anxious souls.

Full story:

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Gang member surrenders, 2 'rogue' policemen still at large

Noppadol Sritwikas, Mongkolchaowarat Tungmungmee

The Nation

NAKHON SAWAN: -- One member of a gang suspected of pulling off a daring heist on a cashdelivery van in Sing Buri in March yesterday surrendered to police.

Suspect Sivath "Mai" Waree, 32, wanted in connection with the March 26 robbery in which Bt2 million from KasikornBank's In Buri branch was stolen, turned himself in yesterday. Three other members of the gang, including two alleged "rogue" policemen, remain at large.

The three suspects still at large have been named as Pol Col Pichit Gromprasit, a former superintendent in Kamphaeng Phet's SaiNgam, Pol Sgt Narai Tipprichatorn of the Investigation Division in Nakhon Sawan, and Montorn "Man" Hawang, 18.

Detailing the results of the investigation so far, Pol MajGeneral Kamronvit Toopgrajang, acting commissioner of Provincial Police Bureau 1, said Sivath had withdrawn from the gang led by Pichit after realising the car he was using in the heist had already been used in the Somjeed Namgnernsakulna murder case.

"The investigation has revealed that Pichit is still in Thailand, but his police experience means he is skilled in staying hidden. However, we hope that the others will surrender, knowing that they can't evade capture," said Kamronvit.

Police said Sivath had confessed to being a conspirator in the heist and using the gun of Niruth Petcharat, a gang member already apprehended. But he denied knowing Pichit or taking part in Somjeet's murder and said he knew nothing about the whereabouts of the money from the robbery.

Police have so far charged Sivath with being an accomplice in the robbery, using an illegal gun in public, and intent to cause others harm with it.

Pol LtGeneral Wanchai Tanadkij, commissioner of P6, said no progress had been made in tracing Pichit. He added that a team of investigators were checking older cases that may be linked to this one, as well going through CCTV camera footage and other evidence.

Wanchai called on Pichit, Narai and Montorn to surrender to the police and face justice.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Flood revival plan targets five provinces

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry (MOAC) yesterday presented the "Flood Countermeasures for Thailand Agricultural Sector" project designed to help fiveflood hit provinces revive from last year's crisis.

Eight model areas in the five provinces have been selected for the project.

Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) secretarygeneral Apichart Jongsakul, said MOAC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would select eight areas by June. They will be in Phitsanulok, Chai Nat, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nakon Pathom where the government will consider floodways and "monkey cheek" areas. The project will plan to revive pasture lands, rehabilitate irrigation buildings, and rehabilitate the agricultural community from the flood crisis.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Workers continue rally for laid off colleagues

The Nation

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Some 300 workers from an aluminiumprocessing company in Nakhon Ratchasima continued rallying for a third day yesterday as they demanded that their 400 colleagues who had been laid off get rehired or they all be sacked with full compensation.

Shin A HiTech Co Ltd laid off 400 workers, including the 176 members of the labour union, who were instrumental in demanding more rights for workers.

Arthit Issamo, directorgeneral of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, who has been mediating between the workers and the management, said yesterday that all the workers would be rehired with the exception of the 176 union members, who would need to be interviewed again.

A source from the department said the protesters were at a disadvantage for demanding that the 176 be rehired, because the unionists' demand for the management to comply with 35 conditions would be regarded as a separate issue.

Meanwhile, Evason Phuket Resort and Six Senses Spa has laid off 400 workers over claims that the hotel has been operating at a loss for three years. The termination was announced on Tuesday and all the workers have been promised full severance pay.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Some terminal patients left with few choices

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A former sex worker, battling for life at the terminal stage of Aids, was discharged by a private hospital two months ago and told to go die at home.

Full story:

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DSI to issue warrants for four 'big guys'

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said it will issue arrest warrants today for four big guys found to be allegedly involved in the smuggling of pseudoephedrinebased pills from state hospitals.

These four people will be the first group of wrongdoers to face arrest in this case, DSI chief Tarit Pendith said yesterday.

Of the four, two were found involved in the smuggling of pseudoephedrine tablets and the other two were involved in the disappearance of cough medicine from state hospitals. Pseudoephedrine, which is widely used to treat patients suffering from colds, is also the precursor chemical used in the production methamphetamine.

"The four suspects are really, really big people and have the power to mediate and be behind the smuggling," Tarit said, though he refused to name the wrongdoers for fear they might disappear.

However, Tarit did say that the department would issue a summonses for the director of Thong Sang Khan Hospital, because he is not expected to flee.

"We will issue an arrest warrant one by one in the near future," Tarit said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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HFMD fear closes school

The Nation

KANCHANABURI: -- Thesaban 2 School in Kanchanaburi's Muang district will reopen next Monday after being closed for a week because a fiveyearold pupil had symptoms similar to hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).

School director Sermrit Samdaengdech said after finding the kindergartener with rash and blisters on the palms, the school urged the parent to take the pupil to a doctor. The child's illness has yet to be confirmed as HFMD but the school was closed as a precaution.

Sermrit notified parents of the schools' 300 pupils about the closure and contacted health officials to disinfect the school on Tuesday.

An informed source reported the school was near Anuban Kanchanaburi School, which had some 2,000 students and is located next to a slaughter house.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Budget bill easily passes first reading

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government's Budget Bill for fiscal year 2013 easily passed the first reading by the House of Representatives yesterday.

After three days of debate, the Lower House voted 274-1 to support the bill, with 177 abstentions.

A 63-member vetting committee was set up, consisting of 15 Cabinet members, 25 MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, 16 MPs from the opposition Democrat Party and seven from smaller parties. The panel is to complete its task in 45 days before the budget has a second House reading.

During yesterday's debate, Democrat MPs complained about "double standards" in allocating state funds, saying that large amounts of money were going to constituencies of politicians in power while only small amounts were allocated to the South.

None of the government-coalition MPs are from the South, which is dominated by the opposition Democrat Party.

Apichart Sakdiseth, a Democrat MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat, said a request of funds for a road link to the province's Pak Phanang district had been made for 10 years and there was still no approval.

He said that it was "painful" to learn that the Interior Ministry got Bt700 million to build new provincial halls in the northeastern provinces of Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen and Mukdahan to replace those that were burned down during the red-shirt protests in 2010.

"It is very painful. The cost of construction is funded by taxpayer's money that could otherwise be used to build hospitals or schools," Apichart said.

Warong Dejkitwikrom, a Democrat MP from Phitsanulok, criticised the government's price-pledging programme for rice, which he said was a waste of taxpayers' money and a failure due to rife corruption.

House Speaker Somsak Kiart-suranond, from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, reminded Warong that it was a debate on the Budget Bill, and not a censure debate against the Cabinet.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong told the House that although the government would borrow Bt1.1 trillion during fiscal 2013, he did not think the debt burden would be a big problem.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that the government had made fair allocations of state budgets by carefully considering the benefits for the public and private sectors.

"The government prepares the budget bill with the goal of laying a strong foundation for Thailand in preparation for the Asean Economic Community in 2015 and strengthening the national economy," Yingluck said.

She also thanked the MPs for offering useful information and advice to the government during the Budget Bill debate.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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BURNING ISSUE

DSI chief is proving to be a powerful political tool

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- During the time of the Democrat-led government, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith was seen as a lackey of then-deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban for his role in helping the government fight against the red shirts.

Full story:

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Sonthi tipped to join House committee for budget vetting

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- There was no hidden agenda behind the nomination of Matubhum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin to vet the 2013 Budget Bill, insisted Rak Santi Party leader Purachai Piumsomboon yesterday.

Purachai dismissed speculation that the Pheu Thai Party had lobbied him and other small parties to endorse the nomination because the ruling party wanted to show gratitude for Sonthi's push for reconciliation.

"The small parties made a joint decision in a straightforward manner; there is no conspiracy behind this," Purachai said.

Rak Prathet Thai Party leader Chuvit Kamolvisit alleged that the ruling party had departed from precedent and allocated one seat in the 63-member House committee in charge of vetting the budget as a favour to Sonthi.

Chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanawisit said he would leave it to the small parties to form a consensus on the nomination.

Before entering politics, Sonthi was the leader of the 2006 coup that ousted then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Many regard his current activity in leading moves for reconciliation and granting amnesty to Thaksin as a political about-turn.

The House committee is scheduled to be formed this afternoon and will scrutinise the Bt2.44-trillion spending plans before the final passage of the bill.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Democrats accuse DSI boss and his deputy of lapse of duty

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MPs, led by Suthep Thaugsuban, yesterday called for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to look into the dropping of royal insult charges in connection with a probe into an alleged conspiracy to topple the monarchy.

The Democrat petition singled out the top two officials of the Department of Special Investigation, director-general Tarit Pengdith and his deputy Pravesana Mulpramook, for lapse of duty in their enforcement of the lese majeste law.

Suthep said he wanted the NACC to probe the two officials on two separate cases.

In the first case, Tarit had made several comments in the media about the existence of a conspiracy to topple the monarchy. But after a change of government, he abruptly submitted the DSI report to the public prosecutors recommending the charges be dropped.

Suthep said he suspected Tarit and Pravesana had drawn an unlawful conclusion because the two did not make reasonable efforts to collect evidence.

In the second case, Tarit spearheaded the DSI investigation on royal insult involving red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan in connection with his rally speech in April 2011.

The investigative work had progressed to the point the Criminal Court agreed to revoke Jatuporn's bail last May.

The bail was previously granted to Jatuporn after terrorism charges were laid in connection with the 2010 political mayhem.

Due to suspicion of an alleged royal insult, the DSI managed to hold Jatuporn in the remand cell until his release last August following the general election in which he won a House seat.

Suthep said Tarit made an about-turn on May 10 to drop the royal insult charges against Jatuporn. He added that the DSI chief appeared to have made two conflicting conclusions on

the Jatuporn case, one of which was definitely wrongful because an individual suspect could not be guilty and not guilty in the same case.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Sukhumbhand to testify before house

The Nation

Governor will have to clarify why BMA granted 30year concession to BTSC

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has been summoned to testify today before the House committee on suppression of corruption as the Pheu Thai party continues to hammer away at the Democratruled Bangkok Metropolitan Administration over the handling of concessions for the BTS Skytrain.

Full story:

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Workers warned of renovating risks

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Workers renovating workspaces could develop dizziness, nausea, and vomiting and place themselves at risk of nervous system damage from inhaling paint, a Disease Control Department official said yesterday.

Safety Occupational Health and Environment Division deputy director Dr Pibul Issarapan urged affected employees to find work elsewhere, as wearing facemasks would not help protect them. He said oilbased paint used in some office decoration consisted of harmful substances such as toluene which could affect the nervous system and lead to the above symptoms. Illness could develop after inhaling paint for only 30 minutes but would go away if workers left the area rapidly. However, constant exposure could cause chronic symptoms and affect a person's memory, he added. Inhaling dust during renovation also caused allergy, rash, eye irritation and worsening lung conditions, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Bomb suspect verdict delayed

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Malaysian Court postponed a verdict on the extradition of Bangkok bomb suspect Masoud Sedaghatzadeh from yesterday until May 28, police spokesman Pol MajGeneral Piya Uthayo said.

Piya confirmed the procedure would be according to the extradition treaty between the UK and the Kingdom of Thailand drawn up during the reign of King Rama V1.

Sedaghatzadeh was arrested at Kuala Lumpur airport after three bombs exploded on February 14 in Bangkok but extradition was challenged on the grounds Thailand and Malaysia had no formal treaty.

Sedaghatzadeh’s extradition has been requested by Thailand, India and Georgia, as he was suspected being involved in bomb attacks affecting all three countries.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

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Preparing our students for the fresh challenges ahead

Patcharee Lueng-uthai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangpakok Wittayakom, a state secondary school in Thon Buri, is eagerly implementing its development plan for learning and teaching in preparation for the huge changes the Asean Economic Community (AEC) will bring.

Full story:

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Meteorological Dept forecasts heavy rain throughout Thailand /TANN

ASTV: Fans of Lady Gaga have started to camp out at Rajamangala Stadium for tomorrow's concert /TANN

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Suu Kyi To Visit Bangkok Next Week: Party

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ext-week-party/

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Thai PM to visit Australia this week

BANGKOK, May 24 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will officially visit Australia May 26-29 to strengthen bilateral relations in the fields of trade, investment and educational development.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,114.14, up 3.44 points /MCOT

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Hi-tech Up-country Cops Use Google Map To Catch Female iPhone Thief

Thai police goes hi-tech and uses google map to hunt a woman who snatched an iPhone. The police located her house and found the suspect plus seven more stolen mobile phones.

Full story:

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Warning! Fake 1,000 and 100 THB Banknotes Circulating in the South & the North

Full story:

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ICT Ministry to complete checking of specification of tablets for 1st graders on Monday /TANN

PM leaves for Chiang Mai and has Deputy PM Yongyuth hand out compensation to political rally victims instead /TANN