Cabinet to consider Nasa's request to use U-Tapao Tuesday

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet will Tuesday consider the request of Nasa to use U-Tapao airbase for studying clouds, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul said Monday.

He said the Nasa project would begin in August and continue ot September.

Surapong said Council of State and the Foreign Treaties Department had studied the project and found that it did not need to be approved by Parliament in line with Article 190 of the Constitution.

-- The Nation 2012-06-18

Thailand vows fast probe into Canadian deaths

Bangkok, June 18, 2012 (AFP) - Thai police on Monday promised a swift investigation into the deaths of two Canadian sisters found in their hotel room on a popular resort island.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563192-canadian-sisters-died-of-food-poisoning-in-thailand-hotel/page__st__325#entry5401502

Senate forwards impeachment motion against Somsak to NACC

BANGKOK: -- The Senate has forwarded Democrat MPs' impeachment motion against Parliament President Somsak Kiartsuarnon to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatphanich said Monday.

The motion was filed by a group of Democrat MPs led by Thavorn Sennium.

Nikhom said the Senate had verified the names of sponsors of the motion so it forwarded the case to the NACC to conduct an investigation.

-- The Nation 2012-06-18

One-Stop Service Center to Accommodate Increasing Border Trade in Chanthaburi

BANGKOK, 18 June 2012 (NNT) – The Cabinet, during its mobile meeting in Pattaya on 19 June 2012, will be asked to approve the construction of a one-stop service center at Ban Phak Kat permanent border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province.

The project aims to accommodate increasing cross-border trade and the growing number of tourists in advance of the realization of the ASEAN Community in 2015.

A budget of 45 million baht is required for the construction of the one-stop service center, which is in line with the Government’s strategy of enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness.

When completed, the project is expected to stimulate border trade, boost local tourism, improve the living conditions of local residents, and promote better understanding between Thailand and Cambodia.

The Ban Phak Kat permanent border checkpoint is located in Khlong Yai subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron district, which shares a common border with Cambodia.

The population of Chanthaburi is more than 516,000 and the per capita income is about 75,600 baht, the 38th highest in Thailand. The province has set a vision to become a trading center for organic fruit and one of the world’s most important processing and trading centers for top-quality gemstones.

-- NNT 2012-06-18

BOT

Euro crisis - biggest risk to Thai economy

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The chronic crisis in the Euro Area is cited as the biggest downside risk for the Thai economy, as this could destabilise global financial markets and global economy, said two key committees of Bank of Thailand.

Full story:

Abhisit reiterates Democrat will never join Pheu Thai coalition

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva reiterated Monday that the Democrat Party would never join the Pheu Thai coalition government.

Abhisit said Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban informed him that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made an offer for the Democrat to join the Pheu Thai coalition on one condition. The Democrat must stop opposing the charter amendments and national reconciliation bills.

But Abhisit said the Democrat would never change its stand that it would not work with the Pheu Thai in a coalition government.

-- The Nation 2012-06-18

THAI-US RELATIONS

Cabinet to consider Nasa's request to use U-Tapao Tuesday

The Nation

Nation Graphic

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet will on Tuesday consider the request by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) to use UTapao airbase for studying clouds, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul said on Monday.

He said the Nasa project would begin in August and continue through September.

Surapong said the Council of State and the Foreign Treaties Department had studied the project and found that it did not need to be approved by Parliament in line with Article 190 of the Constitution.

The project aims to study the formation of clouds that have impact on climate in Southeast Asia.

Surapong was speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chaired a meeting of the science minister, the foreign minister, the defence minister and armed forces' commanders over the Nasa's request to use the airbase.

Surapong said the meeting supported the request and decided to send it to the Cabinet to approve.

He said three planes would get involved in the cloud study so the meeting decided to set up a working committee to study the cooperation with Nasa in detail as well as studying and approving the use of airspace by Nasa planes, which would fly to Cambodia and Singapore as well.

After the Cabinet approves the project, the foreign minister said he would explain the project to China.

Science Minister Plodprasop Surassawadi said he would chair the working committee to coordinate with Nasa.

He said the project would benefit Thailand greatly because the country would gain more knowledge about clouds and rains in the high atmosphere.

-- The Nation 2012-06-18

Google removes 149 YouTube videos at request of Thai Govt

Full story:

PHI PHI ISLAND

Cause of Canadian sisters' deaths still not known but contaminated food not ruled out

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public Health officials were dispatched to Phi Phi Island on Monday to cooperate with local officials in investigate the possible cause of death of the Canadian sisters who were found dead in their hotel room last week.

Full story:

Culture minister says TGT breast-painting show unacceptable

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5402056

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Democrats will never join Pheu Thai government: Former premier Abhisit

BANGKOK, June 18 - Thailand's opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday stood firm in his stance that his Democrat Party has no plan to join the Pheu Thai-led government as earlier proposed by ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra

Full story:

Pickup slams Heroines' Monument in Phuket, one dead

Phuket Gazette

After rolling three times, the Phang Nga-registered vehicle came to rest below a sign promoting a merit-making ceremony in Phuket Town next weekend. Photo: Thavit Bilabdullar.

Damage to the base of the Phuket Heroines’ Monument from yesterday’s crash. Photo: Thavit Bilabdullar.

PHUKET: -- Police believe that the driver of a pickup who died after slamming his vehicle into the Phuket Heroines’ Monument before dawn yesterday fell asleep at the wheel.

Full story:

Thai Ministry of Culture concerned over 'inappropriate' topless painting TV show

CHON BURI , June 18 -- Thailand’s Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem said Monday that she will seek an explanation from producers of a popular television show following a topless painting show aired on prime-time slot yesterday (June 17).

Full story:

Paul McCartney turns 70

Paul McCartney. File photo, source: Wikimedia

LONDON: -- Sir Paul McCartney turns 70 on Monday, a jubilee that is expected to be a low-key event which will see the former Beatle host a party for family and close friends in London later in the day.

Full story:

Bail for red-shirt leaders should be revoked, Democrats say

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party Monday asked the Department of Special Investigation and the Attorney-General's Office to get the Criminal Court to withdraw bail for red-shirt leaders who recently threatened Constitution Court judges.

Full story:

Topless painter causes stir on Thai talent show

BANGKOK, June 18, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand's Culture Ministry on Monday demanded an explanation from the producer of a talent show which broadcast a female contestant painting with her bare breasts on national television.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/563421-thailands-got-tts/page__st__50#entry5402670

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Thailand Live Tuesday 19 Jun 2012