Thailand Live Sunday 3 Jun 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 3 June 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 2 Jun 2012

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[Lite Beer]

Red shirts told to fight 'attempts to unseat govt'

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of red-shirt supporters, who helped install Yingluck Shinwatra as prime minister in the July 2011 election, were told during yesterday's gathering at Muang Thong Thani to oppose attempts to unseat the government.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....t/#entry5356335

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet could cancel parliamentary meetings this week and end protests

Praphan Jindalertudomdee,

Thanatpong Kongsai

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: - Pheu Thai MP who moved one reconciliation bill ready to review his draft

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry5356342

[Lite Beer]

Bills not aimed at getting Thaksin his money back: PM

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday affirmed that the reconciliation bills are not aimed at returning her brother Thaksin's confiscated money.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/559872-bills-not-aimed-at-getting-thaksin-his-money-back-pm/#entry5356344

[Lite Beer]

City police chief moved 'to keep hands clean'

PRAPASRI OSATHANON,

KHANATHIT SRIHIRUNDAJ

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

BANGKOK: -- National police chief Priewpan Damapong's abrupt transfer of Bangkok police boss Pol Lt-General Winai Thongsong to an inactive post at the Royal Thai Police headquarters for 30 days was an attempt to prevent Winai from "getting blood on his hands", Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut claimed yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/559874-city-police-chief-moved-to-keep-hands-clean/#entry5356353

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai may be set for win in Chiang Mai

Warattaya Chhailangka

The Nation on Sunday

The Pheu Thai Party candidate appeared to have won the MP by-election in Chiang Mai's Constituency 3, according to preliminary results.

Chiang Mai election director Suchart Jaipakdee said the vote count in all 293 voting stations was finished. Initial results found that Pheu Thai's Kasem Nimmolrat beat the Democrat Party's Kalyakorn Jiamkitwattana by a wide margin.

Police radio reported 71,365 votes for Kasem, 18,682 votes for Kalyakorn and over 1,100 votes for Pheu Pandin candidate Anucha Roontranon. While 98,245 people came to vote, 1,011 ballots were invalid.

The by-election was held to replace Pheu Thai's Chinnicha Wongsawat, whose voting right was revoked for filing a false financial statement.

-- The Nation 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Tiger's death accidental: temple vet

The Nation on Sunday

KANCHANABURI: -- The veterinarian at the "Tiger Temple" - Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, in Kanchanaburi's Sai Yok district - said yesterday that the death of a tiger on May 26 resulted from a freak accident, but the temple treated its tigers well and cooperated with Thai authorities.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/559875-tigers-death-accidental-temple-vet/#entry5356374

[Lite Beer]

His Majesty to preside at Rama VIII monument dedication

The Nation on Sunday

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has invited members of the public to welcome His Majesty the King on June 9 at 5.30pm, as the beloved monarch presides over the King Rama VIII Monument dedication ceremony and performs meritorious actions on behalf of King Rama VIII at the Rama VIII Bridge Park in Bang Phlad.

Sukhumbhand said this was a good opportunity for Thais to welcome the King along the route from Siriraj Hospital to the Rama VIII Bridge, while the city would provide mobile medical teams and drinking water for the public. He said the monument would consist of a three-times-life-size statue of King Rama VIII standing on a platform that is the same height as the bridge's handrail.

-- The Nation 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Flu laid soldiers low, governor says

The Nation on Sunday

Uttaradit Governor Yothin Samutkhiri said yesterday that initial reports suggest the mysterious disease that broke out among conscripts at the 7th Cavalry Battalion was an unidentified strain of flu. It was under control and wouldn't spread outside the battalion's base.

The outbreak infected seven privates, one of whom lost a lung to a bacterial infection. Some 140 soldiers were now quarantined at Khai Pichai Darphak Hospital, under the supervision of Phra Mongkut Hospital medical staff

-- The Nation 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Leptospirosis sickens 184 in Northeast

The Nation on Sunday

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- A leptospirosis outbreak in the lower Northeast affected 184 people from January 1-June 1, seven of whom died, Nakhon Ratchasima's Disease Control Office 5 director Dr Somchai Tangsupachai reported yesterday.

Surin had seen the severest situation with 78 Leptospirosis patients, four of whom died, followed by Nakhon Ratchasima's 39 patients (three fatalities), Buri Ram's 57 patients and Chaiyaphum's 10 patients, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

PM to check on water problems in Phayao

The Nation on Sunday

PHAYAO: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit Phayao to inspect Royal development projects at Kwan Payao Lake today to deal with water problems. The news prompted local authorities to hurriedly prepare a welcoming ceremony for her.

Kwan Payao Lake fisherman Chantib Fufuain said the community would ask the premier to push forward a "monkey cheeks" project around Khun Dech Bridge and help get rid of dead hyacinth, which caused the lake to be shallower. He said he had asked many provincial governors to do these things previously, but to no avail, but hoped the premier would help the local fishing community this time.

Yingluck will also attend the opening ceremony of a new canteen at Wat Chiang Ban Temple in Chiang Kham district.

[Lite Beer]

HEADLINE MAKER

Sailing into the political wind

Chularat Saengpassa

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation on Sunday

Once reviled by the red shirts as a supporter of the Democrats, Department of Special Investigation chief Tharit Pengdit appears to be firmly on the side of Pheu Thai. He says it's all part of his job

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/559877-sailing-into-the-political-wind/#entry5356403

[Lite Beer]

Refugees not forgotten: Suu Kyi

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation on Sunday

Mae Sot, Tak

Aung San Suu Kyi reaches out to greet Myanmar refugees at Mae La camp in Tak province yesterday.

MAE SOT: -- Myanmar icon tours Mae La camp, urges donors not to cut funding

Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday won the hearts and minds of nearly 50,000 Myanmar refugees during her visit to the Mae La camp in Tak province.

Suu Kyi, Myanmar's opposition leader, pledged to help remedy healthcare and education problems inside the huge camp, while urging sponsors of the facility to review their plans to cut its funding.

Withdrawing financial support would adversely affect the welfare and quality of life of the 49,000 Myanmar refugees, who come from various ethnic groups, she said.

Financial backers should reconsider their budget-cutting plans, as the European Union is moving to reduce financial support for the camp due to the euro-zone crisis.

During her visit to Mae La camp, which is in Mae Sot district about 10 km from the border with Myanmar, several thousand refugees continuously shouted "Mae Suu, Mae Suu" (Mother Suu).

Suu Kyi said after visiting the shelters that she will discuss ways of increasing quality of life and boosting support to refugees with organisations in her country involved with their welfare, as well as with international organisations.

Leader thanks Thailand

However, she said she had no plan to discuss the issue with the Myanmar government yet. She said that the plan to visit refugees was her initiative and that her party has put the issue on its agenda.

Suu Kyi thanked Thailand for helping the Myanmar refugees.

"The major concern of refugees is that they want to ensure that they would not be forgotten by their home country," Suu Kyi said, adding that she hopes these refugees will someday have a chance to go home.

When asked about Myanmar President Thein Sein's decision to cancel his plan to visit Thailand, Suu Kyi said she didn't know the reason for the cancellation.

Suu Kyi's visit to Bangkok to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia on Thursday and Friday was her first overseas trip in 24 years.

This month she will travel to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize she won while she was under house arrest in 1991.

Ali Mohamad, a Hmong refugee in the camp in Tha Song Yang district, said he was really glad that "Mae Suu" had come to visit. Suu Kyi is the first high-profile figure from Myanmar to visit the shelter, he said, adding that he hoped she would help bring him and his family home when the economy and political situation improved.

Tan Ay, a 17-year-old refugee, said she wanted to see Suu Kyi become her country's leader some day, expecting she would bring development and fairness to all minority people.

James Lum Dau, Bangkok-based deputy chief of foreign affairs for the Kachin Independence Organisation, said he hoped Suu Kyi would go on to fulfil the promise of her father - independence hero Aung San - to make Myanmar a union in which the country's various ethnic groups live peacefully together.

He said the fighting between the Myanmar government and rebels continued in Kachin State, and he hoped Suu Kyi would help solve the problem by facilitating political dialogue and peace talks.

-- The Nation 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Democrats rally against reconciliation bills

Phuket Gazette –

Trairong Suwankiri encouraged those who disagree with the reconciliation bills to go to Bangkok and protest. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Over 2,000 people joined the rally in Phuket Town. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Democrat Party members staged a protest in Phuket on Friday to denounce the reconciliation bills set to be discussed in Parliament. The gathering made Phuket the first province to rally against the bill, said Democrat MP Sathit Wongnongtoey.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/559885-phuket-democrats-rally-against-reconciliation-bills/#entry5356572

[Lite Beer]

Government: Parliament session remains opened until 2 crucial laws get approval

BANGKOK, 3 June 2012 (NNT) – The government has confirmed that the current Parliamentary session will remain opened until 2 of its proposed laws have sailed through it.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry5356662

[Lite Beer]

Abhisit tweets thanks to reconciliation bill opponents

BANGKOK, 3 June 2012 (INN) - Leader of the Democrat Party, Abhisit Vejjajiva posted a message of thanks to the social media site Twitter. He posted under his handle of “Abhisit Vejjajiva ”. The message, or tweet, was directed towards citizens who opposed the reconciliation bill. The message expressed appreciation for the opponents’ stalwart fight against injustice.

The leader of the Democrat Party further added he understood the frustration some citizens have with the prime minister, but it is his opinion that since Ms Yingluck has been selected to the post, she should be allowed to continue to do her job.

The party leader also disputed assertions that the Democrats opposed all issues, stating that in the past year, they supported a number of government-sponsored foreign relations laws. Any laws deemed useful received their approval.

-- NNT 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

BMA invites all Thais to the official opening of King Rama VIII monument

BANGKOK, 3 June 2012 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is inviting all Thais to join in next weekend’s official opening of the monument of King Rama VIII.

M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the governor of Bangkok has chaired a meeting of the committee in charge of the official opening of King Rama VIII monument, during which all members discussed the reception ceremony for His Majesty King Bhumibol who will officiate at the function.

His Majesty the King will preside over the opening ceremony next Saturday, June 9th.

According to the committee, His Majesty will also perform the merit making rite for King Ananda Mahidol at the monument site, which is at the foot of Rama 8 Bridge in Bang Phlat District of Bangkok.

M.R. Sukhumbhand stated that the opening ceremony will be a prime opportunity for all Thais to show their loyalty to His Majesty along the route from Siriraj Hospital to King Rama VIII monument site before the opening ceremony at 5.30 pm of June 9th.

-- NNT 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Thai government approves THB900 million for Laotian infrastructure development

BANGKOK, 3 June 2012 (INN) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has signed a 900 million baht loan agreement to help develop infrastructure in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The prime minister also indicated readiness to forge ahead with the construction of a railway linking the two countries.

The prime minster, along with her Lao counterpart Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, held a joint press conference after their discussion on a number of issues.

Prime Minister Yingluck revealed that the discussion led to the signing of a loan agreement earmarked for the development of infrastructure in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. To be constructed are a road from Thailand’s Uttaradit province to Xayaburi in Laos, and an airport in the Lao city of Pakse. The discussion also covered other aspects of cooperation, such as construction of more Thai-Lao bridges across the Mekong, and the suppression of cross-border crime, drugs and human trafficking.

The two prime ministers also inspected guard of honour and joined in a dinner reception held in honour of the Lao Prime Minister. The Lao leader returns home today after a three-day official visit.

-- NNT 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

PM flies to inspect Phayao lake, water retention area, considering setting up a budget to revive environment /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

RT@terryfrd: Possible answer to whether PT push of reconciliation bills was grand strategy or a miscalculation: https://t.co/eINVswlP

[Lite Beer]

Police defuse grenade found at condominium in Nonthaburi, initially believed to stem from personal conflict /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

PM flies to inspect Phayao lake, water retention area

BANGKOK, June 3 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday travelled to the northern province of Phayao to inspect a proposed water retention area.

Ms Yingluck, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, left Bangkok on a mission to inspect a northern area of Phayao lake proposed as a water retention area.

Giving an interview before departing from a military airport, the prime minister said she will see progress of work adjusting the lake area to be able to absorb more water as well as improving the environment.

Regarding follow-up inspections of water management schemes in other provinces, she said the government has started planning trips for ministers to review operations of each project. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Suu Kyi returns to Myanmar after historic trip

YANGON, June 3, 2012 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned to her homeland on Sunday after testing the boundaries of the country's political reform with her first foreign trip in over two decades.

Suu Kyi said her visit to Thailand was "very satisfactory" as she strode through Yangon airport flanked by local journalists and photographers after being readmitted to Myanmar.

The democracy champion had previously refused to leave the country, even to visit her dying husband, because of fears the former junta would never allow her to return.

Her six-day Thai visit, the first time she had ventured abroad since she was thrust into the spotlight during protests against the generals in 1988, comes amid sweeping reforms by a new regime in Myanmar that include her election to parliament in April by-elections.

The Nobel laureate charmed global business leaders in Bangkok and draw large crowds on visits to Myanmar communities in Thailand during a packed schedule in the kingdom.

After her Thai trip, Suu Kyi will next leave Yangon for Europe, where she will deliver an address in Geneva and head to Oslo to finally accept her Nobel Prize.

She also intends to travel to Britain, where she lived for years with her family, and will address parliament in London.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Visakha Bucha Festival at Sanam Luang from now until 4th June. Tomorrow night, candlelight procession at most temples.

[Lite Beer]

Man seriously wounded in Pattani shooting by 2 attackers on motorcycle while riding own motorcycle back home; investigation is underway /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Ministry of Commerce holds 4-day product fair to relieve cost of living

BANGKOK, 3 June 2012 (NNT) - Permanent Secretary for Commerce Yanyong Phuangrach revealed that a major product fair is being held at Central Plaza Chaeng Watthana until June 6, to ease pressure from the high cost of living.

The event is organized on the first floor of Central Plaza Chaeng Watthana. Once the fair is concluded on June 6, similar events will be held in other regions of the kingdom. The goal of the fair is to help households with the cost of living. The fair has drawn great public interest with a large number of citizens continually turning up to purchase goods.

According to the permanent secretary, major products at the fair are packs of white rice and sticky rice sold at 70 baht each in order to help bring down prices of rice in the general market. This event also features OTOP products from various localities available at special prices.

Mr. Yanyong added that citizens are still facing high cost of living. Many goods are at high prices because retailers assert that their initial costs have risen. This prompts the Ministry of Commerce to conduct a survey to find out the true cost of production, and the finding will be reported to the Cabinet for consideration.

-- NNT 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Man seriously hurt in Pattani shooting

PATTANI, June 3--- A man was severely wounded in a shooting early Sunday morning while he was riding a motorcycle back home in the restive province of Pattani, according to local police.

Topa Dukae, 45, was attacked by two assailants armed with a pistol while he was riding his own Pattani-registered motorcycle home in Sai Buri district, according to Pol Col Aziz Umayi, superintendent of Sai Buri police station.

A preliminary investigation found that the two attackers on a motorcycle followed and shot Mr Topa while he was en route from a tea shop back to his home.

The victim sustained serious abdominal and chin injuries and has been taken to Yupparaj Sai Buri Hospital for medical treatment.

A police investigation is underway. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-03

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Romanticizing our history dishonors ancestors

Phuket Gazette –

The small numbers of visitors to Phuket's Tin Mining Museum might wonder what the majority see as the attraction of our beaches. Image: Gazette Graphics

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry5357266

[Lite Beer]

Flash flood warning for several areas

BANGKOK, 3 June 2012 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has issued a nationwide flashflood warning saying many areas of the kingdom will see widespread rain, with heavy precipitation in certain parts.

With a monsoon trough still present over the upper areas of the North and the Northeast, in combination with the southwest monsoons covering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, rain is predicted for most of the country.

Citizens in risk-prone areas, such as those near waterways, are asked to be cautious. Flash flood warnings have been issued for the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, and Phang-nga. These provinces are also put on alert for forest runoff.

Winds in the Andaman Sea and the upper portion of the Gulf of Thailand are still strong, and people venturing out in boats are asked to exercise caution.

-- NNT 2012-06-03