Thailand Live Monday 18 Jun 2012

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Thailand Live Monday 18 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 Sunday 17 Jun 2012

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Cabinet to debate Bt6.8 bn in bonuses for officials

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet will tomorrow consider a Bt6.8-billion budget to pay bonuses to civil servants in the 2013 fiscal year.

Full story:

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Poll: People believe it's time for Cabinet changes

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Commerce, Education and Interior portfolios could be in line for a change should a Cabinet reshuffle - which is desirable - take place, an Abac Poll said in a survey released yesterday.

Full story:

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Student admits fatal bus shooting, police say

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A 17-year-old student who police say admits shooting at a public bus in Don Muang last week expressed remorse yesterday for the death of two passengers but denied intending to murder anyone.

Full story:

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PM calls for green plan for Rayong and pollution clampdown

Anapat Deechuay

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday instructed authorities to turn now-polluted Rayong into a role model for environmental-quality management.

Full story:

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CHARITY

A feast fit for royalty

Manote Tripathi

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Twenty-two top chefs team up to create a lavish meal to benefit underprivileged kids

Last year, the Bangkok Chefs' Charity Gala Dinner raised more than Bt12 million to support the education of underprivileged youngsters in Phetchaburi and Nonthaburi.

This year's event, scheduled for August 17, sets out to raise even more money, as chefs from 21 of Thailand's most prestigious five-star hotels and Thai Airways International join up to cook up another grand feast to be

served in Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok's Royal Ballroom in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha

Chakri Sirindhorn.

As in previous years, the bulk of the funds will benefit Border Patrol Police Schools under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness. The balance goes to charities to improve the livelihood and education of

underprivileged children in the remote district of Om Koi of Chiang Mai.

The gala dinner is the brainchild of the sisters Nuntiya and Patcharin Hame-ung-gull of Gourmet One, Bangkok's leading supplier of fine food and imported ingredients. They came up with the idea of a fundraiser event as a way of paying back to society and at the same time showcasing the high quality of Thailand's professionals in the food and beverage industry.

The Bangkok Chefs' Charity was launched in 2009 with the proceeds going to the Princess's Sai Jai Thai Foundation and needy children and schools in northern Thailand.

More than Bt5 million, raised from auctions and ticket sales at the 2010 charity gala, benefitted the Border Patrol Police Schools. In addition to their fund-raising efforts last year, in October the Bangkok Chefs'

Charity committee donated four motor boats to Provincial Police Legion 1 for use to help flood victims in Angthong province; and gave 10,000 flood relief supply bags to those affected in Bangyai district, Nonthaburi province as well as Bangkok's Thawee Wattana District in Bangkok.

For this year's dinner, the 22 culinary gurus are pairing up by nationality to create the finest signature dish of their particular country. Each dish will be partnered with some of the finest wines provided free of charge by suppliers with a charitable heart: Wine Dee Dee, Wine Gallery, G Four,

Italthai, Vanichwathana (Bangkok) Co Ltd, Italasia, Canpac Beverages and Siam Winery. Siam Winery, represented by its business development director Kim Wachtveitl, has added the wow factor to the event by inviting celebrity and socialite MR Srikamrung Yukol as act as guest artist. Her "Harmony"- themed drawing for the Monsoon Valley Wine Muscat label specially bottled and labelled for the 2012 Charity Dinner, comprises multi-coloured, little hands depicting the freshness and happiness of children.

Other generous sponsors include The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Rougie (Foie Gras and Gastronomy since 1875), Valrhona, Kobe Cuisine, De Cecco, TWG and Lavazza coffee.

This year's honorary emcee will be actor and celebrity host of several culinary shows on television Shahkrit Yamnarm. Entertainment will be provided by the Krungthep Light Orchestra.

EATING OUT IN STYLE

Tickets are Bt10,000 net per seat (for tables of 10). Make reservations via Gourmet One at (02) 403 3388 extension 508 or (081) 838 1906, or via e-mail at [email protected]. Or contact Rachanee (F&B Dept.) of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok at (02) 659 0302.

THE MENU

Canape

Hokkaido scallop tartare with kalamata olives served with mascarpone mango sauce

Cauliflower puree served with rougie smoked magret de canard

Brandade de morue with citrus flavour, coriander, tomatoes confit

Foie gras egg royal with tofu and shiitake mushroom,

Spicy meringue with green mango and crispy lemongrass

Modern Mieng Karm,

Leek and potato mousse in black truffle jelly on sour toast

Chilled duck liver soup in red Porto bonbon

The chefs: Santos Zoppis, Freddy Schmidt, Vladimir Siljegovic and Dominique Bugnand)

Starter

Sweetcorn panna cotta, gazpacho mirror with crab escabeche

The chefs: Mark Hagenbach and Leslie Stronach

Served with: Sauvignon Blanc, Discovery Point 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand

First course

Atlantic lobster, Hass avocado, macadamia nut pillar, coral lobster mayonnaise with Australian bush lime salad and brown miso vinaigrette

The chefs: Paul Hoeps and Michael Hogan

Served with: Pouilly-Fume , Domaine Blondelet 2007, Loire Valley, France

Second course

Slow cooked Les Dombes quail supreme pistachio and fleur de sel financier, red grapes and flax seed bonbon, simple jus with pistachio oil La Tourangelle

The chefs: Philippe Gaudal and Pierre Andre Hauss

Served with: Tavel Rose, E Guigal 2009, Rhone Valley, France

Third course

Pan seared foie gras, rhubarb and apple compote, Port jus, citrus brioche

The chefs: Nicolas Schneller and Frank Bohdan

Served with: Pinot Gris, Omaka Springs 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand

Fourth course

Porcini and chestnut cappuccino soup with roasted chicken oyster and wild mushroom mousse on crispy sunflower bread

The chefs: Aurelien Poirot and Thibault Chiumenti

Fifth course

River prawns and pumpkin ravioli, red curry and coconut foam, hot coriander jelly, De Cecco organic extra virgin olive oil

The chefs: Michael Gremer and Jose Martin Ruiz Borja

Served with: Gewurztraminer, Leon Beyer 2010, Alsace, France

Intermezzo

Refreshing pomegranate and fresh summer raspberry sorbet

The chefs: Adrian W O'Herlihy and Spencer Kells

Sixth course

A president's lamb duo

The shoulder slowly braised with a hint of smoke and Burgundy red wine and the loin roasted in aromatic herbs, natural pan-jus, confit Nicois, plum tomatoes, new potatoes gratin

The chefs: Norbert Kostner and Erwin Eberharter

Served with: Chateau Fonroque 2006, Bordeaux, France

Pre dessert

Manjari chocolate emulsion, verbena scented

Dessert

The 'P.P.T' from Provence, Piedmont to Bangkok

Chocolate degustation with the seasonal western specialities and a dash of Thailand

The chefs: Leonardo Concezzi and Nicolas Vienne

Served with Muscat Late Harvest, Monsoon Wines special label Bangkok Chef Charity 2011, Hua Hin, Thailand

Selection of fine teas and coffee

Petits fours and mignardises

Moyet Fins Bois Cognac, France

Participating Chefs

Paul Hoeps, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World

Freddy Schmidt, Conrad Bangkok

Erwin Eberharter, Dusit Thani Bangkok

Adrian W O'Herlihy, Dusit Thani Pattaya

Nicolas Schneller, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

Mark Hagenbach, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok

Pierre Andre Hauss, Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok

Leslie Stronach, Intercontinental Bangkok

Michael Hogan, JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok

Norbert Kostner, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Dominique Bugnand, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai

Thibault Chiumenti, Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel

Jose Martin Ruiz Borja, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel

Frank Bohdan, Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok

Michael Gremer, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

Spencer Kells, Sheraton Pattaya Resort

Vladimir Siljegovic, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

Aurelien Poirot, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

Nicolas Vienne, Sofitel So Bangkok

Santos Zoppis, Thai Airways International

Philippe Gaudal, The Landmark Bangkok

Leonardo Concezzi, The St. Regis Bangkok

-- The Nation 2012-06-18

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Help all cancer patients, experts urge government

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

They want those under NHSO, SSO, CSMB to receive equal treatment

BANGKOK: -- Health experts want over 200,000 patients suffering from all types of cancer to be covered by the government's three healthcare funds with the same medical benefits.

Full story:

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EDUCATION

Schools and companies should work together

Achara Deboonme,

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

Mechai calls for private sector to help boost education

BANGKOK: -- To Mechai Viravaidya, a man who has spent over three decades on community development, Thailand's schools are under-utilised when they should be exploited to strengthen communities and society as a whole.

Full story:

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STREET WISE

The connection of two unconnected events

Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Last week, two events happened. At a glance, they are not connected, as they involved different groups of people.

Full story:

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Move by watchdog means set-top box business faces an uncertain future

Usanee Mongkolporn

Watchiranont Thongtep

The Nation

NBTC says boxes considered radio devices

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's recent decision to expand its mandate to cover all aspects of the pay-TV set-top-box business has caused some uncertainty among players in that segment.

Full story:

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Most doubt govt can deal with new floods: poll

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fewer than half the people surveyed by a recent Abac poll were confident the government could handle the flood situation this year and had no idea if flood prevention plans were in place.

Full story:

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'Good students' programme to be expanded

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A programme that earmarks "good students" for admission at universities will be expanded, thanks to a memorandum of understanding by government and educational agencies.

Full story:

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Scholarships for English teachers in New Zealand

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four scholarships are on offer to Thais teaching English for a further postgraduate diploma in teaching English as a second language in New Zealand.

Full story:

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Contest for young storytellers

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Children younger than nine years with story-telling talent are invited to showcase their skills in a national story-telling contest.

The contest aims at finding young people who are natural storytellers. Each story will be no longer than five minutes.

Winners will be presented with cash prizes worth Bt200,000 in total and a trophy.

There are three categories - single contestants aged from four to younger than six years old; single contestants aged from six to younger than nine years; and a family team.

Applications are open until July 15.

For applications: www.motherand-care.in.th or www.tkpark.or.th or call 0-2241-8000 ext. 341 or visit www.facebook.com/motherandcare or www.twitter.com/motherandcare or www.facebook.com/tkparkclub for more information.

Suangmon Sitthisamarn, managing editor of Mother&Care Magazine, the contest's founder, said it opened an opportunity for children to show their talent after their parents had encouraged them to read stories and instil a reading habit in them.

-- The Nation 2012-06-18

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PM confident tourism income will reach Bt2 trillion within 5 years

CHON BURI, June 18 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Sunday that she was confident that tourism income will increase to Bt2 trillion as targeted while chairing a workshop on driving tourism policies in this eastern province.

Full story:

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Ex-Pheu Thai MP leads Udon Thani PAO race

The Nation

UDON THANI: -- Wichien Khaokham was poised to take the chairmanship of Udon Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), according to unofficial tallies last night.

The election took place yesterday.

Unofficial tallies showed Wichien received 92,165 votes.

Coming second was Hanchai Teekathananon, who pocketed 61,385 votes. He is a former chairman of the Udon Thani PAO.

Wichien quit his post as a party-list Pheu Thai MP to contest the provincial election.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) received six complaints of electoral irregularities in the Udon Thani PAO election.

Election Commissioner Prapan Naiyowit said the EC reported that during the election, two people were alleged to have committed electoral offences: one tore up a voting paper, while the other sold alcohol during election hours.

He said that prior to voting day, the EC had received four other complaints, one of which accused officials of being biased. A candidate was also accused of duping voters while carrying out an election campaign.

-- The Nation 2012-06-18

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Thailand's yellow shirts regroup, seek comeback

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre

BANGKOK: (Reuters) -- The elderly man dressed in homespun cotton looks like a kind-hearted grandfather from a rural Thai soap opera.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-seek-comeback/

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RT @AP: BREAKING: Muslim Brotherhood declares its candidate has won Egypt's presidential election -RJJ

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Pattaya: Two Fake Cops & Women Trick Briton and Thai Wife

A British man reported to the police that he was tricked by two fake cops and a Thai woman who stole 12,000 THB

PATTAYA – June 16, 2012 [PDN]; Miss Prakay Janpo 40 years-old and Mr Mr.Paul Denaam 59 years-old reported to Pol.Capt. Chaleaw Boonkum, that they had been tricked by two men saying that they were police officers, the fake cops took 12,000 THB, a mobile phone and Mister Denaam’s passport before disappearing.

Full story:

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Strong earthquake shakes northeastern Japan, no damage

Full story:

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Samsung, Apple dominate smartphone markets

Full story:

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Police defuse suspicious object opposite Fashion Island department store; found to be hoax bomb /MCOT

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RT @ACSBKK: ACSBKK will be in Phuket Tuesday June 19 for passport renewals, add pages, etc. http://1.usa.gov/P7N2db

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,179.55, up 13.82 points /MCOT

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EURO 2012: Telecast schedule for Tuesday morning: Italy vs. Ireland at 1:45am on CH5; Croatia vs. Spain at 1:45am on CH3 (Thai time)

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More measures introduced to curb illegal street racing

BANGKOK, 18 June 2012 (NNT) - In addition to launching the ‘Street Hawk center’ last week, the Metropolitan Police Bureau has instructed seven police stations to conduct more raids on illegal motorcycle racing.

On June 13, the Metropolitan Police Bureau unveiled a Street Hawk center where members of the public can report information about illegal activities or suspected criminals relating to street racing and speed trials to their 1197 hotline or via their website, www.trafficpolice.go.th.

As an additional measure, Sai Mai, Thung Song Hong, Min Buri, Bang Khunnont, Phra Khanong, Bang Sue and Jorakhae Noi police stations have been ordered to deploy 300 officers on a nightly basis to patrol public areas and arrest those participating in illegal motorcycle racing on public roads.

Since a number of speed racers have been reported over weekends, more raids will be conducted during these three-day periods.

The public has been urged to come forward with more information in order to curb the problem of juvenile delinquency.

-- NNT 2012-06-18

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Each mobile Cabinet meeting focuses on rapid provincial development

BANGKOK, 18 June 2012 (NNT) -Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan states that each mobile Cabinet meeting emphasizes rapid provincial development of high quality.

Mr. Niwattumrong indicates that the Government has allocated funds for each province to carry out projects, aimed at improving the quality of life of local people and easing economic and drug problems.

In fact, he says, each province has its own budget for local development, but the mobile Cabinet meeting will push for the rapid implementation of projects in respond to the local needs. This effort requires cooperation from all sectors concerned.

-- NNT 2012-06-18

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Secrets Bar & Hotel Raid Leads to Foreign Manager’s Arrest

WITTAYA YENSABAI

Bangkok Crime Suppression Police Lieutenant Colonel Kwanphichai Manojaroensub files criminal charges at the Pattaya Police station on Soi 9, against Larry Grayhart after a sting operation revealed he participated in selling prostitution services.

Full story:

[Lite Beer]

Accelerating the Development of Seven Eastern Provinces

BANGKOK, 18 June 2012 (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries proposes the acceleration of the development of seven eastern provinces, especially the Map Ta Phut area in Rayong.

The proposal will be submitted to the Regional Joint Public/Private Sector Consultative Committee at the mobile Cabinet meeting in Pattaya, Chon Buri, on 18-19 June 2012.

The Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, Mr. Payungsak Chartsutipol, says that the seven eastern provinces include Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, and Sa Kaeo, which are an important economic zone and generate sizable income for Thailand.

Among the projects under this proposal is the development of the U-Tapao Airport for commercial and tourism purposes. Another project involves the construction of a transport network for the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed train project, to be completed by 2017, in order to increase the export value.

Mr. Payungsak says that the Government will be asked to speed up water management projects to ease the drought problem, which has adversely affected the tourism industry in the East. A budget of 50 million baht will be sought for the establishment of an eastern water management operation center to provide sufficient water for local consumption.

Moreover, he says, a project will be proposed for the new Map Ta Phut town planning, in line with industrial development jointly carried out by the public and private sectors, as well as local communities.

-- NNT 2012-06-18