Thailand Live Friday 25 May 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 25 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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BORN THIS WAY BALL

Lady Gaga fans gush, critics blast fake-watch Tweet

Veena Thoopkrajae

The Nation, Agencies

Lady Gaga fans camp out in front of Rajamangala National Stadium, hoping to be the first inside to win the prize of meeting Lady Gaga in person at her concert tomorrow.

BANGKOK: -- From the moment she stepped off her chartered Boeing 747 at Don Mueang Airport, Lady Gaga became the talk of Bangkok, thanks to her fashion-magazine looks and an outrageous remark on Twitter that she wanted to buy counterfeit watches.

Full story:

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POLITICS

Red leader takes dig at 'egotistic' Thaksin

Attapoom Ongkulna,

Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation

Sombat ( c )

Sombat tells comrades ex-PM is just a 'station on way towards democracy'

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Sombat Boonngam-anong, one of those strongly critical of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's shifting stances, yesterday said Thaksin's remark that the red shirts had rowed the boat to send him to the other side of the river reflected the ex-premier's "egotistic attitude".

Full story:

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WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

Suu Kyi to meet PM during WEF event in Bangkok

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation, Agencies

BANGKOK: -- Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will meet with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Bangkok when she arrives here to deliver a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) during her first foreign trip in 24 years.

Full story:

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MYSTERIOUS CASH

Suphoth to lose Bt17.5m cash, gold

The Nation May 25, 2012 1:00 am

Suphoth

NACC orders seizure, suspecting ex-permanent secretary had gained them dishonestly

BANGKOK: -- The national anti-graft agency yesterday resolved to seize Bt17.5 million in cash and gold ornaments from former Transport permanent secretary Suphoth Sublom on suspicion that he gained them dishonestly.

Full story:

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COMMENT

Problems loom in wake of sacking at THAI

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Chairman Ampon Kittiampon owes explanation to the general public over the board's decision on Monday and leaving the press conference to acting president Chokchai Panyayong will only worsen the sentiment.

Full story:

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OVERDRIVE

Budget is all about plundering for a spending spree

Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck government has set the 2013 fiscal budget at Bt2.4 trillion, which will require a deficit of Bt300 billion because revenue collection is expected to reach only Bt2.1 trillion.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Creativity starts with a better education system

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is falling behind its neighbours when it comes to new ideas in the entertainment industry and more open-minded attitudes

Full story:

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Phuket expat restaurateur dies in motorbike crash

Phuket Gazette

Long-term Phuket expat Pascal Gradolato suffered the fatal head injury when his motorbike struck the large road sign on Saiyuan Road near his restaurant. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Well-known restaurant La Chaumiere, in the south of Phuket, closed today. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Long-term Phuket expat Pascal Gradolato, 54, owner of La Chaumiere restaurant on Saiyuan Road in Rawai, has died following a fatal head injury sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....otorbike-crash/

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Phuket youth snatch gang targeted holiday tourists

Phuket Gazette

All but one of the gang members arrested were juveniles. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Police suspect that all the members of the young bag-snatch gang had carp or devil face tattoos. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Police have arrested a juvenile gang of bag-snatchers responsible for at least 17 thefts targeting tourists on holiday in Phuket.

Full story:

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Yingluck explains absence

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she did not attend the ceremony held yesterday to present compensation to victims of political unrest, because she was tending to business outside Bangkok, and not because she was trying to avoid legal responsibility that comes with the payment as widely speculated.

Full story:

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111 in countdown mode

The Nation

Tossaporn Serirak, one of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives, stands in front of an electronic display, counting down to the end of the political ban, and a banner showing pictures of all 111 members.

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will phone in during the celebrations on Wednesday to mark the lifting of the five-year ban on 111 former members of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.

Full story:

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Man arrested with Bt14m of yaba, 'ice'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A 27-year-old man was arrested with 55,000 yaba tablets and 1.2 kilograms of crystal meth, or "ice", worth a total of Bt14 million, Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Pol MajGeneral Pisit Pisutsak told a press conference yesterday.

Police also found a pistol and 31 bullets at the home of suspect Somyos Piyathanawong in Bangkok's Thung Kru area. He reportedly told police the drugs belonged to an inmate of Khlong Prem Prison who had offered to pay him Bt50,000 per delivery to transport drugs to a customer. He said he had transported drugs for a year. Police initially charged him with possessing yaba and "ice" with intent to sell.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

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Hacker sentenced to 21 yrs; reduced to 10

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday sentenced a Thai man, who hacked information of Siam Commercial Bank's customers and transferred money to pay debts at Bt368,800, to a 21 years and nine months in prison.

Due to his useful confession, the man's jail term was reduced to 10 years, 10 months and 15 days. He was also ordered to repay the Bt Bt368,800 to the damged persons.

The lawsuit stated that from September 2227, 2009, Panupat Penpatreuksermsuk, 30, used ATM codes and passwords of four bank customers to apply for SCB Easy Net service, through which he transferred the damaged persons' money to buy online goods in four occasions totaling Bt368,800, after which Police Technology Crime Suppression Division's investigation led to his arrest.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

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Man shot by students on bus

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Teen students tried to shot their rival students but a banker was a stray bullet. Police urged to find all suspects.

The Police at Bang Na station was informed that students affrayed and one injured on Sukhumvit road, Bangkok.

At the scene, police found a bus 129 with license number 125877 whose front window fractured and the left one was hacked. There was a trace of bullet on the back window. Tossapol Jaikeu, 20, a banker and the stray bullet was delivered to the hospital and he was safe.

Teera Thammareung, 39, the driver told that he was driving to Bang Na intersection when the suspect students gathered on the road and used woods to block the bus.

The five students who were targets said that they were on the way to school orientation but found that The opponents waiting for them. They tried to flee by hiding on the back seats.

The rivals hacks and kick the door then they triggered three gunshots but the banker was injured. And they fled.

Tossapol said that at the incident he saw students rushed into the bus and fired. He knew he was shot and fell before someone sent him to the hospital.

The police knew criminal students' identities from the CCTV of BTS and would bring them to trial.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

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Excitement runs high as villagers prepare to greet Their Majesties on their visit to Ayutthaya paddy field

The Nation

AYUTTHAYA: -- National flags and yellow flags featuring His Majesty the King's initials have been selling fast in Ayutthaya ahead of the muchrevered monarch's visit to the province this evening.

"I've already sold more than 15,000 flags," Soros Kowsiripaiboon, 60, who runs the Sahaphan Ayutthaya shop, said yesterday.

She said people were eager to buy flags with which to greet His Majesty, who is scheduled to make his first trip outside Greater Bangkok in several years today. Since his admission to Siriraj Hospital for treatment in 2009, he has hardly left the medical facility's compound.

People across the country, particularly Ayutthaya residents, are eagerly awaiting the trip.

"Locals are buying pictures of Their Majesties the King and Queen, too. Most are looking for the picture that shows Their Majesties harvesting a rice crop," Soros said.

Their Majesties are scheduled to visit Thung Makham Yong in Ayutthaya from 5.20pm today. During a visit to the site in 1996, the King and Queen used a sickle to harvest rice from a paddy field there.

"I was and am still a farmer in the field where His Majesty harvested the rice," Tawee Phansua, 59, said yesterday.

He said he was so happy to hear that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the current owner of the paddy field, would present it to His Majesty.

"I am so glad that I will be a farmer on His Majesty's land plot," Tawee said. "I will work on the field to the utmost of my ability to give the crop to His Majesty."

Tawee plans to stay around the paddy field today to see if he can catch a glimpse of his beloved King.

Another farmer, Narong Mekpraphan, said the "monkeycheek" watercatchment project His Majesty initiated in the area had benefited local farmers.

"Now, we are able to harvest twice a year. We are so happy that our King has cared for his people, including farmers," the 66yearold rice farmer said.

In Ayutthaya's neighbouring province of Angthong, residents of Tambon Phong Pheng of Pa Moke district were also preparing for His Majesty's visit to Ayutthaya.

"We know we may not be able to get close to His Majesty because of the crowds. But we will be happy to be there. We want to welcome His Majesty," said Amnaj Klaisiri, kamnan of Tambon Phong Pheng.

Locals were preparing the "Foi Thong" (Gold EggYolk Thread) dessert for His Majesty, Amnaj said.

"The gold thread means we wish His Majesty a long and healthy life," said Ladda Sawangjaeng, 59.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

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Tablets to be delivered to schools from June 7

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tablet computers for schoolchildren are ready and will be handed over to provinces in alphabetical order from June 7 onwards, Chinnapat Bhumirat, secretarygeneral of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), said yesterday.

The first shipment of 2,000 units delivered on Wednesday have reportedly not met specifications and will undergo an inspection, he said. Once the inspection is completed, 1,000 units, regardless of whether they meet specifications or not, will be given to 183 trainers to study before they train teachers.

He said a 10page user manual was ready to be distributed to schools and the online version can be downloaded from the Obec website, www.obec.go.th.

"The tablets will be handed to Education Region 1 offices in each province and then on to other regional offices when the tablets are ready for other provinces. There will be four shipments of 100,000 each delivered every 10 days," he said.

Chinnapat would not give details of the exact delivery date, but said all firstgraders across the country would get tablet computers before the end of this semester in September.

He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had suggested that students in higher classes could act as teachers' assistants in the initial phase of the tablet allocation. He said Obec would soon launch a competition for people to come up with the best teaching media that can be used with tablet computers, as well as content.

Sasithara Phichaicharnnarong, the Education Ministry's permanent secretary, said a ministry committee was coordinating with the Customs Department to discuss a possible tariff exemption for the purchase of tablet computers.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

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Robbery suspect still at large

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung clarified Commissioner General gave wrong information and was certainly Pijit hiding in Myanmar.

After Chalerm had told that Pol Col Pijit Gromprasit had been caughted in Loa, he explained that the suspected who were caughted was not Pijit. There was some mistake about the information.

Pijit was one of suspects who involved in the March 26 cash delivery truck robbery in which Bt 2 million was stolen and his gang who robbed Bt 2 million from money bus.

"There was some misunderstanding, the suspects who were caught in Loa was arrested in charge of rob there" said Chalerm. He also confirmed that Pijit must hide in Muanmar.

The suspects in Loo named Ngiam Suthichart, 44, Anon Suthichart,23, Ngiam's son and Sanan Khemso,44. Pol. Maj General Kamronvit Toopgrajang told that Ngiam was look like Pijit which cause the misunderstanding.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

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EC looks into East Water donation to Democrats

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission is looking into the flood-relief funds that East Water provided to the Democrat Party last year, EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said yesterday.

A complaint against the Democrats was filed in January by former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, and the case was put in the hands of EC member Sodsri Satayathum, Apichart said.

"There is no deadline for the completion of the investigation and work has been progressing well," he said, denying allegations of unaccountable delays.

He said neither the EC nor he, in his capacity as political party registrar, had arrived at a conclusion on the case, adding that it remained unclear who would have a final say once the investigation is completed.

The outcome would hinge on whether the investigative report can establish whether the case falls into the category of an alleged campaigning offence or comes under the Political Parties Act, he said.

In his complaint, Ruangkrai said he suspected that the Bt1-million donation was actually intended for the Democrat Party's campaigns, but was disguised as flood-relief funds to skirt the ban on accepting campaign contributions from state-owned enterprises.

Apichart said that in his personal opinion, a political party or an elected representative was entitled to solicit public donations intended for flood relief or other natural calamities.

When Pheu Thai spokesman Promphong Nopparit said earlier that the case had come to an end because the Democrats could not prove that it had passed the donation on to the Flood Disaster Fund, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government was focusing on this case to divert the public's attention from problems such as the rising cost of living.

Abhisit insisted that his party had only acted as a middleman and had transferred the money to the fund, not used it for its own benefit.

"If a party receives donations, it has to appear in the party's account and be reported to the Election Commission. On the other hand, if the party acts as a middleman and passes the money on, it is the donor that receives the donation certificate, not the party," he said.

Abhisit further stated that he was not worried about the case because it was only the government's attempt to evade its own problems. "If we are not deemed guilty, then they will try to make a scene out of it, saying it is double standards. It is their formula, though I believe they should spend their time trying to help people."

When asked how the party's lawyers were preparing for the case, Abhisit said: "The party is ready for the investigation, but every time we have provided clarifications, they have not tried to understand."

He also said the government should not waste time on this case but should let the investigating panel do its job.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

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AP: A smoke-free country? New Zealand is raising taxes 40 percent by 2016 (that would make a pack about $15 U.S.)

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Phuket Town ultimate hotel guest Hans Maeter recovering well

Phuket Gazette

Tourist Police officers and medical staff prepare Mr Maeter for transfer to Patong Hospital. Photo: Courtesy of the Phuket Tourist Police

On On Hotel owner Anurak Tansiriroj flanked by Phuket Tourist Police officers Sen Sgt Maj Wichai Boonruen (left) and Sgt Payong Tipsombut. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police

PHUKET: -- Hans Maeter, the 88-year-old German expat who was moved from Phuket’s famed On On Hotel to Patong Hospital on May 8, is reportedly doing well.

Full story:

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Thailand’s first digital TV system to be launched this year

BANGKOK, 24 May 2012 (NNT) - The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has selected DVB-T2 as the standard for Thailand’s digital television broadcasting, expecting the system to be up and running within this year.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,118.72, down 7.06 points /MCOT

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Police Preps for Lady Gaga Concert

BANGKOK: -- The metropolitan police are ready to facilitate traffic flow and ensure security at Lady Gaga's concert tonight.

Some 100 police officers from Hua Maak Police Station and Traffic Police Division have been deployed to facilitate traffic flow on Ramkhamhaeng Road during Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way Ball' concert tonight.

Ramkhamhaeng Soi 26 Road will be open for one-way traffic from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M.

More that 2,000 parking spaces are also available at the Nine shopping complex on Rama 9 Road, Boonma Cargo on Ramkhamhaeng Soi 21 Road and Green Spot on Srinakarindra Road.

There are free shuttle bus services from the parking areas and Airport Link's Hua Maak Station to the venue.

Concert-goers are advised to take public transportation. Taxis and taxi vans are allowed to drop or pick up passengers at Gate 2 and Gate 4 of the Sport Authority of Thailand complex.

The public is advised to avoid traveling on Ramkhamhaeng Road and check with the hotline 1197 for traffic information.

More than a thousand police officers and private security guards will be stationed inside and outside Rajamangala Stadium.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-25

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Parts of Thailand Hit by Summer Storm

BANGKOK: -- Many parts of Thailand are being hit by a devastating summer storm, causing damages to more than 80 houses and leaving many other without power.

Disaster control officials have inspected the damages at Baan Kud Or community in Kalasin Province, after the province was hit by a summer storm that ravaged more than 80 houses in Lub, Lak Muang and Kamalasai subdistricts.

Kalasin Provincial Governor Somsak Suwansujarit has instructed local officials to repair houses and help affected residents.

In Phichit Province, officials have removed a fallen tree from a road, as several parts of the province were hit by a thunderstorm and heavy rain.

Northern rail services were disrupted for almost two hours after an electrical wire was broken by the storm and dangling over a section of the railway between Phichit and Baan Tha Or stations.

Nearly 100 high-voltage electricity poles along highway no.111 near Sak Lek District were pulled down by the storm, causing a power outage over a wide area. Officials are working to restore power supply.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-25

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Brit accident students mother call for Foreign Office to issue warnings on Thai dangerous roads

Tragic: Bruno Melling-Firth, left, Max Boomgaarden-Cook, centre, and Conrad Quashie, right, were killed in a coach crash in Thailand. Their parents want the Foreign Office to issue more warnings about bus travel in the country

The parents of three teenagers killed in a horrific coach crash during their gap year in Thailand have called for the Foreign Office to issue more warnings about the dangers of bus travel in the country.

Full story:

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Liberian Nabbed for Black Money Scam

BANGKOK: -- Immigration Police have arrested a Liberian con artist who deceived Thai and Japanese victims out of 1.5 million baht in a black money scam.

Full story:

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PTT cuts all gasohol prices by 40 satang/litre; gasoline, diesel unchanged, effective Saturday; Bangchak follows suit /MCOT

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Miss Universe Thailand Contestants Take Part in Swimsuit Preliminary

BANGKOK: -- 44 finalists of Miss Universe Thailand 2012 have participated in the preliminary swimsuit contest, ahead of the final round scheduled for June 2.

Yesterday, 44 finalists of Miss Universe Thailand 2012 showed off their confidence in swimsuits by a poolside in front the the judging panel led by the contest's leading organiser, Surang Prempree.

The contestants' scores from this round will be weighed in the judges' final decisions on the final stage.

Miss Thailand Universe 2006 I-ya-warin Osathanond, who will take up the duty of stage-side commentator during the final round, told the contestants that their confidence is the key to win over the judges.

From now on, the contestants will attend a training camp in Phitsanulok Province for one week before competing in the press round on June 1 and taking up the final stage on June 2 at Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theater in Siam Paragon, Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-25