Thailand Live Wednesday 6 Jun 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 6 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 Tuesday 5 Jun 2012

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POLITICS

Democrats to continue fight against charter change bill

Somroutai Sapsomboon,

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Party threatens legal challenge if govt continues to push for vote on the bill on Friday

BANGKOK: - Wiratana Kalayasiri, leader of the Democrat Party's legal team, said that if the government continued trying to push through the charter-amendment bill, the Democrat Party would file a complaint with the Constitution Court under Articles 154 and 7.

Full story:

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CHARTER REVIEW

Controversial bills, charter change vote off the agenda, speaker

The Nation

Somsak

BANGKOK: -- The House Speaker decided yesterday to withdraw voting on the constitutional-amendment bill and debate on the controversial reconciliation bills from parliamentary session agendas.

Full story:

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US navy seeks use of U-Tapao

THE NATION

Permanent centre for disaster, humanitarian operations sought, with no combat role, US Joint Chiefs head says; plans separate from Nasa's request to set up meteorological centre

PATTAYA: -- Apart from Nasa's proposal to use U-Tapao airport, the US Navy is also interested in using the Royal Thai Navy airfield as a multipurpose facility for humanitarian and disaster-relief operations.

Full story:

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Fearful court to go public on charter

The Nation

Nuttawut

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court will hold a media conference later this week to explain to the public about its controversial order for Parliament to halt the third reading of the charter amendment bill, the Court's spokesperson Somrith Chaiwong said yesterday.

Full story:

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NEW PM'S SECRETARY GENERAL

Suranand: man with the PM's ear

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Suranand Vejjajiva is the first of the 111 former Thai Rak Thai executives to land a political post after their five-year ban ended on May 30.

Full story:

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MONEY-LAUNDERING/TERRORIST FUNDING

Abhisit, private sector push for passage of laws

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Special House session urged to pave the way for exit from financial 'dark grey list'

BANGKOK: -- The private sector and the opposition leader yesterday proposed that the government open a special session of the House of Representatives to pass anti-money-laundering laws urgently to ensure that Thailand moves off the international "dark grey list" next year.

Full story:

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Japan relaxes visa rules for Thai citizens

BANGKOK, June 6 – Japan has eased regulations in issuing three-year visas with multiple entries for Thai citizens, said Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda had earlier informed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her recent official visit to Japan between March 6-9 that his government would relax visa regulations to allow multiple entries for Thai citizens, Mr Surapong said.

The Japanese government began applying the new regulations June 1 to facilitate Thai people travelling to Japan for holidays or business trips. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-06

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Senator seeks Democrats' dissolution

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana yesterday petitioned the Constitution Court seeking dissolution of the Democrat Party and a political ban on its executives for allegedly gaining power to govern unconstitutionally.

Ruangkrai said that in December 2008, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva became prime minister despite being technically supported by less than half the MPs in the House of Representatives.

Among the 219 MPs who voted to back Abhisit as new prime minister, he said, 46 were from three political parties that had just been dissolved and were still not affiliated with any political party. Ruangkrai said that with those MPs excluded, it meant Abhisit and his Democrat Party rose to power with support from less than half the Lower House.

The ex-senator accused Abhisit and the Democrat Party of gaining power to govern unconstitutionally.

Ruangkrai's move came after the Constitution Court's decision last week to accept for judicial review petitions filed by opponents of constitutional amendment bills against the government and coalition parties. The court explained that Article 68 empowers individuals to file such a case directly with the court.

Ruangkrai said yesterday that he took the advantage of that decision by the court. He said he had filed his case in 2009 with the Attorney-General's Office but there had been no progress, so he decided to file the case directly with the court after last week's decision.

Although Abhisit's government no longer exists, he said there was still ground for the court to order the Democrat Party dissolved and its executives banned from politics.

In 2008, Ruangkrai's petition led to the Constitution Court verdict that then-prime minister Samak Sundaravej violated the charter for being hired to host a cooking television programme.

Article 267 of the Constitution prohibits members of the Cabinet from "being an employee of any person, or holding any position in a partnership, a company or an organisation carrying out business with a view to sharing profits or incomes".

-- The Nation 2012-06-06

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Four of TRT 111 return to govt

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four of the 111 former Thai Rak Thai executives whose ban from political activity ended last week have returned to government office.

Acting Government Spokesperson Anusorn Iamsa-ard yesterday announced a cabinet meeting's decision to appoint four of the former TRT executives to office.

The appointments made were Suranan Vejjajiva as secretary-general to the prime minister, Sansanee Nakpong as government spokesperson, Pratuan Kiewrit as deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, and Krit Srifa as secretary to PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul.

Earlier, Anusorn had been criticised for his performance. His replacement, Sansanee, was deputy government spokesperson in Thaksin's cabinet, where she won a reputation for good relations with the press.

-- The Nation 2012-06-06

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Underage girls rescued from prostitution

The Nation

SATUN: - Police raided a karaoke bar in Satun late on Monday night, apprehending the woman who runs the place and rescuing two underage girls. The bar allegedly also offered prostitution services.

The two 17-year-old girls said Phimol Khongphet forced them to provide sexual services to patrons of the bar.

Phimol faces the charges of running a |business that hires |women under the age of 18, providing prostitution services and being involved in human trafficking.

The two unnamed victims are now under care of the provincial welfare service.

-- The Nation 2012-06-06

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Bt15 compensation becomes Bt15,000

THE NATION

PATHUM THANI: -- Bancha Bunprasom was dumbstruck when he received just Bt15 as compensation payment for damage to his Pathum Thani house caused in last year's heavy flooding.

Now he is even more puzzled after three zeros were added to the amount on his form, making the amount Bt15,000, after he submitted a complaint and brought the matter up with the media.

Speaking after the change was made, Bancha said he wondered how the payment amount was increased so quickly and easily, through a normally slow bureaucratic process. The correction followed a phone call from a village head, Sukjaras Rattanamuang, who explained that only Bt15 was originally stated because three zeros had been left out due to an administrative error.

Bancha said he did not know on what basis damage estimates were made, as no officials from Bueng Kham Phroi tambon administration organisation had ever visited his home or shown up anywhere nearby to estimate the damage.

He said he had asked for nearly Bt20,000 in his request and did not include damage to his tractors and other farm tools after he learned that no compensation on such items would be permitted.

Bancha said many people he knew were informed they would get compensation but no figures were provided, which could potentially indicate corruption.

Meanwhile in Ranong, a school in La Un district closed indefinitely after it was inundated in a flash flood last night.

The director of Thung Taphol Witthayakharn school, Sakhon Heebphet, said the school was regularly flooded as it was located in a headwater area and initial assistance had been provided.

A number of homes and more than 10 rai of rubber and palm trees in the village where the school was located had been damaged in the flood.

-- The Nation 2012-06-06

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GREEN INITIATIVE

Over 70,000 factories to be converted

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

Members of the Students

Industry Ministry campaigns for pollution free manufacturing

BANGKOK: -- The Industry Ministry recently found over 20,000 factories across the country are generating pollution and environmental problems.

Full story:

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Mechai urges Thais to push for good education

CHULEEPORN ARAMNET

THE NATION

BANGKOK: - Every Thai citizen should take part in improving the country's education system instead of just waiting for the government to do something about it, a key speaker at an education event said yesterday.

Full story:

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Hit-run driver surrenders

JESSADA JANTARAK

THE NATION

AN 18-YEAR-OLD boy apologises yesterday to relatives of victims injured by the car he was driving in a hit-and-run accident last month. His victims were Good Samaritans who got out of their car to help others injured in an earlier crash on the Rama IX Bridge

BANGKOK: -- A teenager turned himself in to police yesterday to face charges over a hit-and-run accident that left two victims seriously injured.

Full story:

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IKEA products make Thai shoppers blush

Full story:

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Ghanaian arrested with 1 kg of 'ice' at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Full story:

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Village headman shot dead in Pattani

The Nation

PATTANI: -- A village headman was shot dead while returning home from a meeting in Pattani's Muang district yesterday afternoon.

Muang district police chief, Pol Colonel Somporn Meesuk, said the attack took place at 1pm on a road at Ban Kuya in Tambon Paka Harang.

Ya Waeni, 58, head of Village No 6 in Paka Harang, was returning in his pick-up when he was attacked by men armed with AK-47 and M16 rifles. Ya sustained several gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

Police said the attackers made off with the victim's pistol and that they found many spent M16 and AK-47 cartridges around the bullet-riddled pick-up. Insurgents were believed to have carried out the attack.

-- The Nation 2012-06-06

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Thai Democracy Tested As Judges Battle Thaksin: Southeast Asia

By Daniel Ten Kate

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s ruling party warned democracy is under threat as its highest court moves to stop lawmakers from changing the constitution in a country that has suffered 18 coup attempts in the past eight decades.

Full story:

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RT @RichardBarrow: Two major bus crashes in Thailand overnight with at least 8 dead. Numbers could rise. Follow @191Thailand for details.

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RT @mpoppel: 5.9-magnitude earthquake strikes off southern Taiwan - Central Weather Bureau

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Stargazers nationwide witness rare planetary spectacle of Venus passing in front of the sun between 5.49-11.49am /MCOT

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Cabinet: First-car tax rebate exempt from personal tax calculation

BANGKOK, 6 June 2012 (NNT) – Consumers, who have been eligible for the state-initiated First Car program, will now be exempt from paying personal tax on the purchase rebate

Deputy government spokesperson Pakdihan Himathongkham said on Tuesday that the weekly Cabinet meeting has resolved to agree with the proposal to exclude purchase tax refund under the government’s First Car program from this year’s personal tax calculation.

Mr. Pakdihan said that the amount exempt must not exceed 100,000 baht for the taxpayer’s first car purchased during September 16th, 2011 and December 31st, 2012.

He stated that the Cabinet’s resolution on the issue restates the government’s original intention to boost the automotive industry while raising the people’s standard of living by enhancing domestic purchasing power.

-- NNT 2012-06-06

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NDWC: North, East and South of Thailand to beware of mudslide and flash flood

BANGKOK, 6 June 2012 (NNT) – A number of provinces throughout Thailand are being warned to brace themselves against possible natural calamities as heavy rain continues in various areas.

National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) director, Group Captain Somsak Khaosuwan, said that various areas in Thailand’s upper North, eastern coasts and southern provinces of Ranong, Chumporn, Surat Thani and Phang Nga are at risk of mudslide and flash flood in coming days.

The risk of such natural threats persists as heavy rain still continues in those areas.

Group Captain Somsak added that residents who reside near the foot of the hill should pay close attention to the weather conditions and get regular updates on news.

He recommended that when heavy rain drags on and water in the neighborhood becomes unusually murky or roaring sound can be heard from water sources on a higher ground, locals immediately evacuate to safer areas.

The National Disaster Warning Center director also urged at-risk residents to monitor news from all related agencies or at the NDWC hotline number 192 or at www.ndwc.go.th until the warning is lifted.

-- NNT 2012-06-06

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Stargazers nationwide witness rare spectacle of Venus passing in front of sun

Full story:

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Rayong Ladyboy Arrested Tricked Children Into Prostitution

Police arrested a ladyboy and mamasan who were tricking children into prostitution and selling sexual services at many hotels in Klaeng area, Rayong

Full story:

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Health Ministry ordered hospitals in 8 flash flood risk provinces to be fully prepared

Weather Warning: Landslides And Flash Floods Wreak Havoc

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ds-wreak-havoc/

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PM follows up on flood compensation discrepancy

PATHUM THANI, 6 June 2012 (NNT) - The Prime Minister visited Pathum Thani province to follow up on the payment of flood compensation money after a number of residents have filed complaints of payment discrepancy.

Accompanied by relevant ministers, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday visited Khlong Wai and Laad Sawai sub-district in Pathum Thani province to follow up on villagers' complaints of tardiness and inequality in the process of compensation money payment to flood victims despite their living in the same locality.

The PM has assured that the government will not abandon the people and will provide the best of care to the residents of every province fairly and equally. All provincial governors have also been instructed to provide accessible assistance to the citizens. Additionally, 31 ministers have been assigned to visit 31 provinces hit by floods, where they are to spend ten days in those provinces assisting residents and collecting information and report the results of their task to the cabinet.

The PM also visited the Annex Community in Soi Phaholyothin 58 in Sai Mai district and ordered Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichadit to call a meeting with all Bangkok district directors to accelerate the process of compensation payment to eligible flood victims.

-- NNT 2012-06-06

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,111.67, up 12.52 points /MCOT