Thailand Live Wednesday 13 Jun 2012

[webfact]

Chief coalition whip demands Chart Thai Pattana's explanation over absence of 8 MPs

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The chief coalition whip Wednesday demanded the Chart Thai Pattana Party to explain why eight of its MPs failed to vote in support of a debate on a Constitution Court injunction.

Pheu Thai MP Udomdej Ratanasathien, the chairman of the coalition coordination committee on parliamentary affairs, said the Chart Thai Pattana had to explain why its eight MPs failed to vote in support for the debate on the court injunction.

The court issued an injunction to have Parliament delay the third reading of charter amendment bill pending a court ruling on the bill as to whether it was unconstitutional or not.

The Parliament president on Tuesday called for a voting as to whether Parliament should debate on the injunction to find out whether the order had legal biding on the legislature or not.

But the voting found that it lacked enough support from MPs and senators to proceed with the debate. Among those who did not cast votes were eight Chart Thai Pattana MPs.

-- The Nation 2012-06-13

[webfact]

Two paramilitary ranger volunteers, two village protection unit members, wounded in bomb ambush in Narathiwat /MCOT

[webfact]

Police search for American student missing in Phuket surf

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A search party of 20 Phuket Marine Police officers are scouring Patong Bay this morning in search of an American student who disappeared in the surf while swimming late last night.

Full story:

[webfact]

NACC: Deputy PM Yongyuth commits severe disciplinary wrongdoing in connection with Alpine land ownership scandal when he was deputy permanent secretary for Interior /MCOT

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: [13 June 2:30am] Early this morning, a train in Lamlukka district of Pathum Thani hit and killed a pedestrian.

[webfact]

PM orders economic ministries to cope with impact from European crisis

BANGKOK, 13 June 2012 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed worries over the Eurozone economic crisis and assigned relevant ministries to monitor the problem closely, given its possible impact on the Thai economy.

Ms. Sansanee Nakphong, Government Spokesperson, disclosed that PM Yingluck gave an opinion regarding the current economic situation before the cabinet meeting on June 12, saying she was concerned by the crisis in Europe which could affect Thailand’s economy in the future.

Mr. Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, explained in the cabinet meeting that the Euro currency is depreciating and will have an impact on Thailand’s export. Therefore, Prime Minister Yingluck instructed 7 economic ministries and related institutions to closely monitor the situation and be ready to cope with upcoming problems.

On the same day, Mr. Surasak Riangkrul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, revealed that Thailand’s exports under various free trade agreements (FTAs) made with other countries were valued at 9.42 billion US dollars in the first quarter of 2012, which is a 5.98 percent drop compared to the same quarter last year.

-- NNT 2012-06-13

[webfact]

Heavy rain, swollen river trigger continuing floods in North

SUKHOTHAI, June 13 - Flooding in Thailand's northern provinces continues due to heavy rain and the overflowing Yom River.

The Yom River has overflowed into a number of villages and damaged about 4,000 acres of farmland in Sukhothai. Overnight heavy rain forced local residents in Pakpra subdistrict in the provincial seat to evacuate to temporary shelter in tents on higher ground beside a roadway Tuesday night.

However, the water level in the Yom River dropped slowly from 7.20 to 6.15 metres, measured at a station near the governor's residence, resulting in eased flooding in some areas.

The municipality has completed repairs of a damaged sluice gate eroded by flood water, causing flooding at Kuhasawan community for the past two days. Workers are pumping out water from flooded areas into the Yom River.

Sukhothai meteorological station director Praphruet Yodpaiboon said that the southwest monsoon triggered rainfall in Sukhothai, and that the Yom River must be closely monitored and local residents should pay attention to weather forecasts.

In Phichit, flooding is still critical after waters from swollen Yom River, combined with flash flood in canals flowing from Kamphaeng Phet, deluged Samngam district.

Some areas are under one metre of water. The local irrigation office is working to divert water from the Yom River into a canal outlet, connecting with the Nan River, to ease the current flooding. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-13

[webfact]

Police arrest 2 drug dealers who confess receiving drugs from Taiwan national; 800,000 meth pills, 1.5 kg ice worth more than Bt200 million seized /MCOT

[webfact]

RT @veen_NT: Urgent!! GMM presents UEFA letter at the press con, denying TrueVisions to rebroadcast the #Euro2012. via @Pat_ThaiPBS

[Lite Beer]

4 defence volunteers hurt in Narathiwat bomb ambush

NARATHIWAT, June 13 - Two paramilitary rangers and two village defence volunteers were wounded today in a bomb ambush in Narathiwat’s Chanae district, according to local police.

The casualties were identified as paramilitary ranger volunteers Adul Rattanasuanjit and Artit Kamjan and two members of a village protection unit--Arring Dasaw and Usree Uma, said Pol Sub-Lt Thanin Kanthai of Chanae police station.

All the victims were taken to Chanae Hospital for medical treatment.

Paramilitary Ranger Adul was severely injured and was later transferred to Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital.

According to the initial investigation, while six rangers and a group of village volunteers were on patrol, providing security in the area, they were directed to inspect a suspicious object later identified as a decoy explosive device, at the home of the Dusongyo village head.

On the way a bomb hidden at a roadside area was triggered by remote control, wounding the four men.

The explosion caused a two-foot deep and three-foot wide hole in the roadway with bomb fragments scattered around the area.

Police believed that insurgents intended to ambush the security team. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-13

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: #Euro2012: GMM Grammy and TrueVisions have NOT agreed. Both will have press conferences today, GMM at 1pm and True at 3pm. via @Pat_ThaiPBS

​RT@veen_NT: GMM Grammy is expected to inform TrueVisions & public at its press con at 1pm that UEFA doesn't allow True to rebroadcast #Euro2012.

​RT@veen_NT: Urgent!! GMM presents UEFA letter at the press con, denying TrueVisions to rebroadcast the #Euro2012. via @Pat_ThaiPBS

​RT@veen_NT: UEFA: TrueVisions did not take its chance to negotiate and UEFA is now pleases that GMM also airs #Euro2012 on free TV #Ch3. via @padungsak

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT GMM executive presents the letter from UEFA: http://t.co/m4DfQ4Me via @Danai_tnn24 @aunonline

[Lite Beer]

GSB to offer soft loans to flood victims buying new homes

BANGKOK, 13 June 2012 (NNT) – The Government Savings Bank (GSB) has prepared 34 billion baht to be offered as soft loans to flood victims seeking to buy new homes and rehabilitate their businesses.

GSB President and CEO Lersuk Chuladesa revealed that the bank will offer soft loans to flood victims under two categories: those seeking new homes and small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who need financial assistance.

For homebuyers to be eligible for the soft loans, their loan request must be worth not more than 3 million baht. The interest will be fixed at 3% for five years.

For SME entrepreneurs, the loans will be offered at a maximum of 30 million baht with a 3% fixed interest rate for five years as well.

Mr Lersuk said the move is a response to the Bank of Thailand (BoT)’s request for banks to help those affected by the 2011 flood devastation. He indicated that out of the 34 billion baht prepared for the soft loan scheme, 25 billion baht comes from the BoT while the other 9 billion baht comes from the GSB.

-- NNT 2012-06-13

[Lite Beer]

Bangkok Governor encourages students to read more

BANGKOK, 13 June 2012 (NNT) – The Bangkok Governor has delivered a policy to schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s jurisdiction, emphasizing on encouraging students to read more.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra has delivered a policy statement to 436 schools through online communication. He told teachers and academic personnel to encourage students to read more, so that they will be more knowledgeable, in order to prepare them for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

According to the governor, teaching must go alongside self-studying. Activities that promote reading should be strongly encouraged. Besides, he said students must learn to understand the languages, technologies, and cultures of other ASEAN nations. English camps, tablet class, and ASEAN studies are some of the examples to prepare Thai students for the ASEAN integration.

-- NNT 2012-06-13

[Lite Beer]

EURO 2012

No rebroadcasting signal for TrueVisions: GMM

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It is final that TrueVisions subscribers would not get the Euro 2012 re-broadcasting signal, as Uefa resolved not to amend any part of the broadcasting contract.

http://www.thaivisa....m/#entry5386545

[Lite Beer]

INUNDATION

Flooding in the north continues

Sukhothai has been under water.

SUKHOTHAI: Flooding in several northern provinces continues due to heavy rain and the overflowing Yom River. The Yom River has overflowed into a number of villages and damaged about 4,000 acres of farmland in Sukhothai.

Overnight heavy rain forced local residents in Pakpra subdistrict in the provincial seat to evacuate to temporary shelter in tents on higher ground beside a roadway Tuesday night.

However, the water level in the Yom River dropped slowly from 7.20 to 6.15 metres, measured at a station near the governor’s residence, resulting in eased flooding in some areas.

The municipality has completed repairs of a damaged sluice gate eroded by flood water, causing flooding at Kuhasawan community for the past two days. Workers are pumping out water from flooded areas into the Yom River.

Sukhothai meteorological station director Praphruet Yodpaiboon said that the southwest monsoon triggered rainfall in Sukhothai, and that the Yom River must be closely monitored and local residents should pay attention to weather forecasts.

In Phichit, flooding is still critical after waters from swollen Yom River, combined with flash flood in canals flowing from Kamphaeng Phet, deluged Samngam district.

Some areas are under one metre of water. The local irrigation office is working to divert water from the Yom River into a canal outlet, connecting with the Nan River, to ease the current flooding.

-- The Nation 2012-06-13

[Lite Beer]

PM ON TOUR

Yingluck continues third day of flood inspection

Photo : Vorawit Pumpuang

NAKHON SAWAN: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday continued on the third day of her flood trail excursion scheduled to inspect flood prevention measures in Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok and Sukhothai.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/562290-pm-yingluck-promises-no-severe-flooding-in-thailand-in-2012/page__st__25#entry5386576

[Lite Beer]

61-year-old man, believed to have fainted, drowns in Sukhothai flood-related death /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Bank of Thailand keeps key interest rate unchanged at 3% amid concerns over worsening eurozone debt crisis /MCOT

[webfact]

RT @tukky_nt: TrueVisions is preparing for a press conference on #Euro2012 at 3pm: http://a.yfrog.com/img644/8752/hxtiw.jpgvia @nikhon_ @aunonline

[webfact]

Public Health Ministry: 300,000 drug addicts have been rehabilitated

BANGKOK, 13 June 2012 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry has announced that over 300,000 drug addicts nationwide have so far undergone drug rehabilitation while it aims to achieve an annual target of 400,000.

Deputy Public Health Minister Dr. Surawit Khonsomboon has revealed that the ministry is targeting to treat and rehabilitate 400,000 drug addicts nationwide this year. It is highly expected that the target will be achieved within 4 months.

The rehabilitation program during the past 8 months has seen an 80% progress. Since 1 October 2011, over 300,000 drug addicts have participated in the rehabilitation program at medical centers nationwide.

Dr. Surawit stated that 80% of the rehabilitated drug addicts were amphetamine users. Other addictions involved ICE and marijuana, among others.

-- NNT 2012-06-13

[webfact]

@RichardBarrow: Letter from UEFA to GMM-Z about allowing TrueVisions to show Euro matches: “Sorry you are too late” http://pic.twitter.com/uHImYfZs - TR @Pat_ThaiPBS

[webfact]

SURVEY

Half of household TVs use antennas

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Of 22 million households with a television set in Thailand, 49 per cent are watching terrestrial programmes (via traditional TV antennas), whilst 6.8 million (31 per cent) are equipped with satellite dishes.

Full story:

[webfact]

DEFAMATION SUIT

Thaksin wins appellate review to sue Kaewsun

The Nation

Kaewsun

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has won an appellate review and will get his day in court suing a former graft buster Kaewsun Atibodhi for libel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....gainst-kaewsun/

[webfact]

RT @Reuters: UK's Finance Minister Osborne says Greece may have to quit euro http://reut.rs/KE451T

[webfact]

Pattaya set to accommodate over 8mn hotel guests in 2012,highest ever for any local resort destination due to growing domestic market /The Nation

[webfact]

POLICY RATE

MPC keeps policy rate on hold

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee today unanimously decided to maintain the policy rate at 3 per cent, chiefly because of greater external factors led by the deepening of the eurozone crisis.

Full story:

[webfact]

Thai workers to be given classes of English and ASEAN languages

BANGKOK, 13 June 2012 (NNT) – The Department of Skill Development, Ministry of Labor, is opening special classes of English and other languages used in ASEAN for Thai workers to boost their competitive edge once the ASEAN Economic Community occurs in 2015.

Director-General of the Department Praphan Montakarntiwong says the training program is divided into two categories – English and ASEAN languages. English language classes are arragned for those who already have some basic skills. Those classes vary from 30, 60 to 90 hours depending on their proficiency levels.

Anyone with no English skill at all will be given a training program of 1,200 hours. As for other languages spoken by ASEAN nations, the class will be held for 30 and 60 hours, also according to the needs.

Handbooks on how to use these languages will be published. They will contain phrases and expressions necessary for daily communication. Vocabulary and technical terms used in various occupations will be included along the basic conversations.

At the initial stage, the handbooks will come in 3 ASEAN languages namely Burmese, Malay and Cambodian. They are expected to be ready for distribution by September, free of charge.

-- NNT 2012-06-13

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1158.22, down 4.71; Bt/USD31.45; GBP48.86; AUD31.24; EUR39.30; CAD30.49; HKD4.05; SGD24.41; JPY39.29

[webfact]

Thailand to urge US to lift sanctions on Myanmar: Surapong

WASHINGTON, June 13 - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he would urge the US government to lift all sanctions imposed against Myanmar as he meets with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today.

Full story: