Thailand Live Thursday 7 Jun 2012

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RT @newley: Interesting: LinkedIn home page shows external news stories about password leak, but I don't see any official announcement.

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Two killed, five injured in Narathiwat shooting

NARATHIWAT, June 7 - Two villagers were killed and five were wounded in a shooting in a home in violence-plagued Narathiwat province Wednesday night.

Suchart Chaisuwan, a security guard at Sungai Padi secondary school, and Jarunee Sukpin were killed when six gunmen on three motorcycles fired AK-47 assault rifles at the group sitting outside a house of Paiboon Kaewharn.

Five people, including Mr Paiboon and three defence voluteers were wounded in the incident.

A defence volunteer shot back at the gunmen, who fled the scene, but it is not known if any of the assailants were hit. Local authorities are investigating. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-07

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Windows Phone Will Pass Iphone By 2016: Report

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Commerce Ministry expands online trade to boost export

BANGKOK, 7 June 2012 (NNT) – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Commerce Ministry is determined to expand online trade to boost the country's export, while targeting to transform thaitrade.com into the hub of online trading in the ASEAN region in 2015.

Director-General of the International Trade Information Center Ampawan Pichalai chaired the opening of a seminar on thaitrade.com, Thailand’s official Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Marketplace, in order to encourage the full use of the online platform among Thai exporters. Meanwhile, the website allows overseas importers to receive news and information on Thai export products and gain easy access to the goods.

While working to meet the demands of buyers across the globe via modern technology, thaitrade.com will also contribute to boosting the country’s export situation. The DITP plans to turn thaitrade.com into the center of Thai electronics trade as well as the hub of online trade of the ASEAN region within 2015.

Currently, thaitrade.com has over 3,300 members. The website has been visited by over 557,000 viewers; among this number 12,000 are international buyers. Within 2012, the DITP aims to increase the number of sellers subscribed to this online platform to 7,000.

-- NNT 2012-06-07

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Classical Choral Concert On Chula Campus June 7-8

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....th-8th-of-june/

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RT @HuffingtonPost: 70-foot dock on Oregon beach is definitely tsunami debris from Japan http://huff.to/MlGTpO

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Phuket bar operators fined for holiday trading

Phuket Gazette

Several Phuket bar owners on Soi Bangla, Patong, complained that they were unaware of the legal requirement of not selling alcohol on Buddhist holidays. Photo: Gazette file

PATONG: -- Police arrested and fined some 12 bar operators for selling alcohol on the Buddhist holiday, Visakha Bucha Day, on June 4.

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Phuket update: Krabi footballer accused of sexual assault released on bail

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Phuket mother questions mental health care after screwdriver attack on 7-year-old son

Phuket Gazette

Best is still having trouble coming to terms with the random stabbing by a mentally disturbed man he suffered while playing in Phuket Town. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The 7-year-old victim of a screwdriver attack by a mentally ill man in Phuket Town has recovered from his physical injuries, but his mother fears that the psychological trauma caused may take much longer to heal.

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SET index midday up 5.80 pts,0.52 pct

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Thursday stood at 1,123.75, up 5.80 points, or 0.52 per cent in line with regional shares.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 780.91, up 5.31 points, or 0.68 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: PTTGC, ADVANC, TOP, PTT, IVL.

-- The Nation 2012-06-07

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Commerce Ministry expands online trade to boost export

BANGKOK, 7 June 2012 (NNT) – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Commerce Ministry is determined to expand online trade to boost the country's export, while targeting to transform thaitrade.com into the hub of online trading in the ASEAN region in 2015.

Director-General of the International Trade Information Center Ampawan Pichalai chaired the opening of a seminar on thaitrade.com, Thailand’s official Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Marketplace, in order to encourage the full use of the online platform among Thai exporters. Meanwhile, the website allows overseas importers to receive news and information on Thai export products and gain easy access to the goods.

While working to meet the demands of buyers across the globe via modern technology, thaitrade.com will also contribute to boosting the country’s export situation. The DITP plans to turn thaitrade.com into the center of Thai electronics trade as well as the hub of online trade of the ASEAN region within 2015.

Currently, thaitrade.com has over 3,300 members. The website has been visited by over 557,000 viewers; among this number 12,000 are international buyers. Within 2012, the DITP aims to increase the number of sellers subscribed to this online platform to 7,000.

-- NNT 2012-06-07

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Thai Cooperative Education Day event held at IMPACT

BANGKOK, 7 June 2012 (NNT) – The Education Ministry on Wednesday marked the Thai Cooperative Education Day with a seminar, preparing Thai students for employment opportuny in the future.

Education Minister Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech yesterday presided over the Thai Cooperative Education Day seminar at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. Federation of Thai Industries Chairman Payungsak Chartsutthipol, Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Pongsak Assakul, and President of the Association of University Presidents Somkid Lertpaitoon also participated in a discussion with the cooperative education members.

Mr Suchart said he is glad industry representatives and related organizations are placing an emphasis on factory-in-school and school-in-factory projects. He said the ministry is willing to support entrepreneurs and the industrial sector to take part in improving Thai students for better job opportunity.

The projects allow students to serve internships and work in real workplace before finishing school. The minister urged students to commit to their jobs, love their companies or industries, and be good colleagues. He also asked education institutions to teach students to be honest and punish those who are dishonest or corrupt.

-- NNT 2012-06-07

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Phuket lashed by storm, flash floods

Phuket Gazette –

Strong winds yesterday brought down trees and power cables across Phuket. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Heavy rain across Phuket is causing long traffic tailbacks across the island. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Driving rain and strong winds continue to lash Phuket today as small flash floods blocked roads this morning, causing long traffic tailbacks across the island.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/560889-phuket-lashed-by-storm-flash-floods/#entry5368663

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RT@tulsathit: RT @Aim_NT: At 2pm, red shirts will submit 20,000 signatures to Senate Speaker in bid to impeach Constitution Court judges. Via @olan_nna

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Insurgents burn school in Pattani

June 7, 2012 1:42 pm

Insurgents set fire to a school in Pattani's Yarang district on Thursday night but while the building was totally destroyed, there were no reports of injuries.

It took firefighters to bring the blaze under control and an initial investigation revealed that the school building, which consisted of six classrooms, was totally destroyed. The school provided kindergarten to Grade 6 classes.

The fire started at the Baan Bue Nae Pinae school at about 8pm, the time local volunteers and janitors went out to pray.

Police quoted witnesses as saying four men arrived at the school in a pickup and broke into the premises. They piled up books from the classrooms, poured oil on them and set them alight.

-- The Nation 2012-06-07

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Malaysian arrested for drugs trafficking in Bangkok

Bangkok, June 7, 2012 (AFP) - A Malaysian woman has been charged with drugs trafficking after one of the biggest seizures of crystal methamphetamine at Bangkok's main airport, Thai customs said Thursday.

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RT@RichardBarrow: 2pm Ms. Thida on the Red Shirt stage in front of Parliament http://t.co/EY8tgHrv (Pic @iPattt)

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Thida says judges should be impeached

The Nation June 7, 2012 2:12 pm

BANGKOK: -- Reds chairwoman Thida Thawornseth on Thursday's afternoon delivered a passionate speech to kickstart the rally at Parliament aiming to impeach Constitution Court judges.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/560551-thai-democracy-tested-as-judges-battle-thaksin/page__st__50#entry5368746

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Democrats distributing anti-amnesty books

The Nation

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday led his party MPs to distribute books opposing the amnesty for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The books distribution took place at Silom Road. And the Democrats will on Sunday hold a rally at King Taksin's Circle under the theme "Oppose legislation designed to whitewash a cheater".

The main opposition party is spearheading an awareness campaign on the reconciliation bill, seen as a pretext to grant amnesty for Thaksin.

The coalition whips and government leaders say, meanwhile, the deliberation of the bill would be postponed to the next House session, expected in August.

-- The Nation 2012-06-07

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THAI-LAO TIES

Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship bridge to open in December

The Nation

Thongsing

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Laos expect to open the fourth Thai-Lao Friendship bridge linking Chiang Rai's Chiang Kong district with Huay Sai in Laos in December, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul said on Thursday.

The construction of the Bt1.4-billion bridge straddling the Mekong River is about 64 per cent complete, the minister said.

The bridge was discussed when Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong met his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra during an official visit last week in Bangkok.

The leaders agreed that the bridge would open on December 12, he said.

Thailand allocated half the construction expenses, the minister said, while Laos obtained a loan from China. However, construction was delayed while China considered the loan request.

The first Thai-Lao Friendship bridge links Nong Khai with Vientiane, while the second connects Mukdahan province with Savannakhet. The third links Nakhon Phanom with Kammouane.

-- The Nation 2012-06-07

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Apple sues Samsung over Galaxy S III

SAN FRANCISCO: -- Apple has filed a motion in a California court to prevent Samsung selling its latest smartphone, the Galaxy SIII in the US, according to court papers publicized Wednesday.

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POLL

Thailand gets moderate score for economy, fails on politics

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some Asian businesspeople have rated the Thai government's economic performance as moderate but ranked its political performance below the passing mark, while rising wages are the highest concern.

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Suvarnabhumi Airport Eastern runway will be closed 60 days for maintenance

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DSI complaint filed against Abhisit and Suthep

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two Pheu Thai MPs on Thursday filed a complaint accusing two Democrat leaders, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thuagsuban of obstructing the legislature in connection with unruly incients inside the House chamber last week.

As complainants, Warachai Hama and Prasit Chaisrisa said they wanted the Department of Special Investigation to look into the case as per Article 116 of the Criminal Code.

The provision prescribes for offence on interrupting the House session.

The two said the unruly incidents were meant to force the House to postpone the deliberation on the reconciliation bill.

-- The Nation 2012-06-07

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RT @tulsathit: Red shirt leaders have publicized phone numbers of Constitution Court judges to encourage hate calls, reports.

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Phuket storm rips open school roof, children evacuated

Phuket Gazette

With flood waters entering the building, teachers were also concerned that children would slip and hurt themselves. Photo: Gazette source

Some of the broken roof tiles fell inside the building, prompting concern from teachers at the Phuket school. Photo: Gazette source

PHUKET: -- Children at Phuket's Kajonkietsuksa School on Chao Fa West Road, Wichit, were evacuated from the school this afternoon after strong winds tore open a section of roof, allowing the driving rain inside.

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DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

Skytrain deal could be made void : DSI chief

The Nation

Tharit

BANGKOK: -- The Bt190-billion contract awarded to the operator of the Skytrain may become void if evidence shows the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had no right to seal the deal, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tharit Pengdit said Thursday.

"The Interior minister has explained that the mandate for the rail system in Bangkok lies with the ministry, not the BMA," Tharit said. Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit provided the explanation in response to a request for clarification from the DSI, he said.

A preliminary DSI probe into the case started after Pheu Thai MP Prompong Nopparit lodged a complaint with Tharit last month.

DSI investigators resolved Thursday that the BMA, its legal investment arm Krungthep Thanakom (KT), and Skytrain operator BTSC should provide explanations too.

"They have till June 18 to respond," Tharit said.

The BMA landed in hot water after it awarded the 30year extension to BTSC via KT earlier this year. Under the deal, BTSC will receive about Bt190 billion for operating and maintaining Bangkok's Skytrain system.

The contract can be divided into two parts: 30 years of services for two Skytrain extension routes that the BMA has invested in itself, and 13 years of services for the original network of Skytrain that BTSC developed as sole concessionaire.

The BTSC concession for the original network will expire in 2029, after which the firm will continue to maintain and operate the system under the Bt190billion contract awarded by the BMA. When the concession expires, the original network property will belong to the BMA.

-- The Nation 2012-06-07

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SET index closed at 1118.53, up 0.58; Bt/USD31.37; GBP48.36; AUD31.08; EUR39.28; CAD30.34; HKD4.04; SGD24.49; JPY39.31

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Phuket woman loses husband, then killed in hit-and-run

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A Phuket woman was killed instantly while trying to cross Thepkrasattri Road in Srisoonthorn last night when she was struck by an unidentified car traveling at high speed.

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Mega Bangna Swedish Festival 2012

BANGKOK: -- The Swedish Festival 2012 will be held at the Fashion Galleria, Level 1 at Mega Bangna to celebrate the 144th anniversary of Thai-Sweden relations. Throughout the festival from 1 to 10 June there will be different festivities to look forward to.

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