Thailand Live Sunday 17 Jun 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 17 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 16 Jun 2012

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[george]

UPDATE ON PHI PHI ISLAND DEATHS:

Canadian sisters found dead in Phi Phi Island hotel room

BANGKOK: -- Two sisters from Quebec found dead in a Thai hotel room have been identified.

A cousin of the family says the sisters are Audrey Belanger, 20, and Noemi Belanger, 26, both of Pohenegamook, Quebeq.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-in-thai-resort

Latest updates: http://www.thaivisa....75#entry5396852

[Lite Beer]

Remove the Democrats, reds told

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn yesterday called on fellow red shirts to eradicate the Democrat Party.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563152-remove-the-democrats-reds-told/#entry5396917

[Lite Beer]

EURO-ZONE CRISIS

PM: economic agencies should take steps now

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Measures needed to mitigate impact on tourism and export industries

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has told economic and related ministries to prepare measures to cope with potential negative consequences of the ongoing euro-zone crisis, because it could affect Thailand's export and tourism revenue.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563153-pm-economic-agencies-should-take-steps-now/#entry5396926

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck 'failed victims of last year's flood crisis'

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut yesterday accused Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of failing to fulfil her promise to compensate flood victims, adding that allegations of corruption in the government's flood-rehabilitation scheme are rife.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry5396931

[Lite Beer]

Exam-cheat suspect helped 73 applicants, police say

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

NACHON RATCHASIMA: -- An investigation into police entrance-exam cheating at the Nakhon Ratchasima test site found that a key suspect, teacher Tuanjai Pongpan, kept a record of 73 people whom she had helped to cheat and pass the exams.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563157-exam-cheat-suspect-helped-73-applicants-police-say/#entry5396939

[george]

A foreigner, using a gun, robbed 2.5 million Baht from a Siam Commercial Bank on the holiday island of Koh Tao

Full story:

[Lite Beer]

Canadian sisters found dead on Phi Phi Island

The Nation

PHI PHI: -- The bodies of two Canadian sisters have been found in a hotel room on the popular resort island of Phi Phi, police said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/562984-canadian-sisters-found-dead-in-thai-resort/page__st__200#entry5396944

[Lite Beer]

Panel to discuss use of U-Tapao

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation on Sunday

Los Angeles

BANGKOK: -- US military personnel arrive at U-Tapao airport for the Cobra Gold joint military exercise with Thailand and other countries.

US keen to set up humanitarian centre but Surapong says China may be invited to help

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563159-panel-to-discuss-use-of-u-tapao/#entry5396951

[Lite Beer]

Men arrested for restaurant shooting

The Nation on Sunday

RATCHABURI: -- Two groups of young men involved in a shooting on Friday at a restaurant in Ratchaburi's Photharam district, that led to one bystander being killed and three others injured were now in custody, the head of Provincial Police Region 7 told a press conference yesterday. They had also obtained four guns and four motorbikes,

Pol Maj Gen Harnpol Nitwibul said Sanit Jangwang, 24, and Nirut Aimsawat, 32, ran into rivals at Thesabal Photharam Market while on a motorbike. They chased the other group, led by Thanawat Khamyoon, 21, and shot at them.

Thanawat's group, aged 18-21, fired back and chased the duo, who left their motorbike in front of the restaurant and fled on foot. Thanawat's group then opened fire at the restaurant, killing Rattanporn Santiparapop, 29, a guest, and injuring three others.

The six were charged with murder, having guns in possession without permission and carrying guns in public places. Sanit also faces three years jail for a drug offence, while Thanawat was also wanted for another drug case.

-- The Nation 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

Warrant issued for boy accused of bus shootings

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- An arrest warrant has been issued for a 17-year-old student of Don Mueang Technical School identified as the gunman in a shooting on a public bus in Bangkok's Don Muang district on Wednesday, police said yesterday. The drama ended with two deaths and two injuries.

Don Mueang deputy superintendent Wutthichai Sukhonthawit said that parents of the suspect's five to six school mates, who claimed to be at the scene but not involved in the fight, contacted police to saying their children would surrender later yesterday to give information.

Wanchai Thongsongkaew, 21, a first-year student at Thaivichitsilp Art School, and passenger Yupa Plai-ngam, 48, were killed after being shot on the No 59 bus, which was on the outbound Vibhavadi-Rangsit highway.

-- The Nation 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

Facebook the most popular online: poll

The Nation on Sunday June 17, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- Facebook is the favourite online activity among Thai youths at 47 per cent while slightly over half of Thai parents (51 per cent) said they oversee children's activity by limiting the amount of time they're online, a poll by the National Institution of Development Administration (Nida) reported yesterday.

The poll questioned 1,189 people nation-wide from June 8-11 about online media. Nida said 44 per cent of Thai youths preferred online games while the Twitter program was much less popular at only 7 per cent.

-- The Nation 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

French robber slow on the getaway

The Nation on Sunday

KOH TAO: -- A French tourist was arrested for stealing Bt2.5 million in cash from a Siam Commercial Bank on Koh Tao in Surat Thani on Friday morning, police said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563154-a-foreigner-robs-bank-of-25m-baht/#entry5396967

[Lite Beer]

DRUGS AND BULLETS INTERCEPTED

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

HAT YAI: -- Thai authorities yesterday seized 200 kilograms of kratom leaves, 500 bottles of cough syrup and 3,200 Alprazolam tablets hidden in 41 post packages sent to the South.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563160-drugs-and-bullets-intercepted/#entry5396978

[Lite Beer]

-- The Nation 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

Royal Thai Army ready to lend hand in delayed canal dredging works

BANGKOK, 17 June 2012 (NNT) – The Thai Army Commander has offered help to the government’s flood prevention measures, particularly the dredging of a number of canals that has been behind schedule.

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) Commander-in-Chief, General Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on Saturday that the RTA has almost completed the dredging of upstream, midstream and downstream canals, which it was asked to help complete by June.

To date, around 70 percent of all the works have been finished, the rate that General Prayut said is faster than expected.

However, he conceded that all projects may be completely accomplished by early July.

When asked about the government’s request for the army to help speed up the dredging in some areas, the Commander-in-Chief said that the RTA is ready to lend a hand although more discussions are to be held to determine the exact locations and the additional budgets.

-- NNT 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

Over 100 Satun students with dengue fever

SATUN, 17 June 2012 (NNT) - Dr Somkiat Khumnurak of the Satun Provincial Health Office made public that numerous measures are in place to prevent dengue fever in Satun province, following an outbreak in April and May.

There are currently 119 students afflicted with dengue fever, spread throughout the province. Public campaigns have been initiated and the aid of educational institutions has been sought to help prevent the spread of the disease. Preventive measures include making certain that water containers are tightly closed and that residential areas are clean, so as to curb the breeding of infectious mosquitoes.

Measures are, however, in place if there are suspected dengue fever patients. If anyone believes themselves to be suffering from dengue fever, they should seek immediate medical attention.

-- NNT 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

Sirikit Dam to lower amount of water discharged per day

UTTARADIT, 17 June 2012 (NNT) – One of the country’s major dams has decided to lower the amount of water to be discharged daily, as suggested by the state-appointed committee in charge of water management.

Sirikit Dam director Thanarat Pumimakasikorn said that there are currently 4.53 billion cubic meters of water behind Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit Province, with 1.68 billion cubic meters or 25.28 percent of the stored volume ready for use. He added that the dam can take in around 4.97 billion cubic meters of water.

Mr. Thanarat stated that, originally, during June 11th and 17th, Sirikit Dam should be releasing 32 million cubic meters of water each day, due to heavy rain above the dam and in the Yom River.

However, the government-appointed subcommittee in charge of the follow-up and analysis of water has suggested that the amount of water discharged be lowered to 17 million cubic meters until June 18th, while the issue will be reviewed again for the following week.

The Sirikit Dam director asserted that the structure of the dam remains strong and highly safe, with a team of experts on duty to check on all details around the clock.

He said that public queries on all facts, in case of rumors, can be made to Sirikit Dam at 055-441840 to clarify any doubts.

-- NNT 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

Amazing OTOP remains as popular as ever

BANGKOK, 17 June 2012 (NNT) - Citizens continue to shop at the Amazing OTOP event, which is being held to help OTOP entrepreneurs affected by the flooding. The event is being organized by the Community Development Department, Ministry of the Interior, at Impact Challenger, Buildings 1 and 2, Muang Thong Thani.

Many citizens have given interest to the product exhibition, coming to purchase a wide range of One Tambon One Product items, presented by flood-affected entrepreneurs from across the country. The event also has cultural shows and product demonstrations. Halal foods are also available.

Mr. Pison Prathanchawano, Deputy Director-General of the Community Development Department, revealed that the event is being held not only to assist those affected by the flooding, but in deep appreciation of the Queen and Her Majesty's contributions to the OTOP project as well.

The event will run until June 19.

-- NNT 2012-06-17

[Lite Beer]

Health Ministry: 2 Thais suffer Ischemic Heart Disease every hour

BANGKOK, 17 June 2012 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has revealed that more and more Thais are currently suffering heart disease due to obesity.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563162-health-ministry-2-thais-suffer-ischemic-heart-disease-every-hour/#entry5397023

[Lite Beer]

Royal decree announced for parliamentary recess

BANGKOK, 17 June 2012 (NNT) - A royal decree has been issued for the closure of the legislative ordinary session of Parliament on June 19.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563164-royal-decree-announced-for-parliamentary-recess/#entry5397116

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Schedule of #Euro2012 tonight Thai time: Portugal vs. Netherlands at 1:45am on CH.3 | Denmark vs. Germany at 1:45am on CH.9

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Farmer's Market offering organic produce at Shama Sukhumwit, Soi 2, today 9am-2pm. Cooking demo at 11am

[Lite Beer]

Deputy Director General of Royal Irrigation Dept confident no mega flood this year if rainfall normal; dams can retain water, won't overflow /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Farmers in Phitsanulok reinforce sand embankment to protect paddy fields from floods originating from upstream North /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Commerce minister not worried about impact of economic crisis in Europe; confident 2012 Thai exports will grow by around 15% as targeted /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Irrigation Dept confident of no mega flood if rainfall normal

BANGKOK, June 17 – There is no risk of a mega flood this year if the rainfall level is normal, according to a meteorological department forecast, while two major dams will not overflow, said a senior official of the Royal Irrigation Department.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563185-irrigation-dept-confident-of-no-mega-flood-if-rainfall-normal/#entry5397786

[Lite Beer]

Sisters died of 'food poisoning' in Thailand hotel

Bangkok, June 17, 2012 (AFP) - Two Canadian sisters found dead in their hotel room on a popular Thai resort island may have been the victims of "serious food poisoning", police said Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563192-canadian-sisters-died-of-food-poisoning-in-thailand-hotel/#entry5397896

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Corruption and the duality of man

Phuket Gazette –

When corruption rides high, sustainable tourism rides low.

PHUKET: Every now and then, local officials do things that either stun Phuket Gazette’s readers or slide right past them. The news stories this week about the push to establish a “Chalong Hospital” and the projected opening of the Patong Tunnel both highlight a phenomenon often overlooked – that sometimes officials have the public interest at heart.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563193-phuket-opinion-corruption-and-the-duality-of-man/#entry5397946