Thailand Live Saturday 23 Jun 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 23 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 Friday 22 Jun 2012

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Army to turn violent students into 'gentlemen'

Supinda na Mahachai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has agreed to help the Education Ministry arrange the "Vocational Gentlemen" programme to reform the behaviour of some 130 vocational students with histories of violence.

Full story:

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Govt 'needs to study Nasa plan'

The Nation

General Sirichai Dittakul, right, Royal Thai Army chief of staff, welcomes General Jing Zhiyuan, member of the Central Military Commission and commander of the Second Artillery Corps of the People

PM not commit to US's Tuesday deadline; proposal not raised at meet with Chinese official, says Sukampol

BANGKOK: -- The government will release all the details of a proposed Nasa research project to be based in Thailand, but needs time to study it before making a final decision, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

Full story:

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Chalerm Vows To Get Rid Of Mafia In Thai Tourism Businesses Within 3 Month

Full story:

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Court postpones verdict on teen driver

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Central Juvenile and Family Court yesterday postponed its ruling on the fate of the 18yearold girl, who was involved in the December 27, 2010 accident on Bangkok's Don Muang tollway that killed nine passengers of a public transport van.

Full story:

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Abhisit tells Sodsri off for explaining her vote

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday criticised Election Commission member Sodsri Satayathum for the remarks she made about the decision to disqualify Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul.

Full story:

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UPDATE

Suvarnabhumi's 'uninterruptible' power supply disrupted

Theerapol Khumsuk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The radar problem affecting Suvarnabhumi Airport's airtraffic control services on Thursday evening was caused by a malfunction of the airport's Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) said yesterday.

Full story:

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BROADCAST

Boost seen from switch to digital TV

Watchiranont Thongtep

The Nation

Transformation could inject Bt40 bn through supply chain investments

BANGKOK: -- The coming transformation from analog to digital terrestrial television broadcasting led by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) is estimated to boost the economy by more than Bt40 billion in the related supply chain, a forum was told.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Do people even care that they are being lied to?

The Nation

Controversy over breast painting on a TV talent show reveals deeper truths about how standards mean little in an age of cutthroat commercialism

Full story:

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3-day event marks Nation Channel's 12th birthday

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- To celebrate the 12th anniversary of Nation Channel, Thailand's first 24-hour television news outlet, Nation Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) is offering special events featuring exclusive activities with leading news anchors along with interesting seminars, talk shows and mini-concerts until tomorrow.

Under the theme "Nation Channel: Digital Media Landscape 2012", NBC yesterday held a forum where media-business experts and professionals gathered. The event aimed to provide understanding of coming developments in the broadcasting and telecommunication industries after the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission implements all of its new regulations.

During the three-day event, visitors will also be entertained with games and other presentations at exhibitions by Nation Channel, Mango TV, Rama Channel and Rawangpai.

Today highlighted events begin with the official launch of a book marking the 12th anniversary of Nation Channel. Hosts from the channel will also share about what happens behind the scenes via a variety talk show.

In the afternoon, Nation Channel’s news anchors led by Suthichai Yoon, chairman of Nation Multimedia Group, will share their experiences in the TV news business and trends in a talk show called "Ruam Pol Kon Lood Pung". During this show, everyone is eligible for a lucky draw for three Samsung Galaxy Tab IIIs.

Tomorrow, there will be presentations featuring many famous singers and stars from such shows as "Reya the Musical".

Another highlight in the afternoon session is a panel on the Krisana Luang Look style. Special guests include MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Choak Bulakul, owner of Farmchokchai. Attendees will also meet renowned TV news host Kanok Ratwongsakul and Nantakwang Sirisunthorn from Mango TV.

-- The Nation 2012-06-23

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NIELSEN REPORT

Smartphone ownership on the rise in Asia Pacific

Advertisers struggle to engage with consumers via mobile ads

Full story:

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Jatuporn threatens to sue Constitution Court

Full story:

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Men seen escorting sisters 'not suspects'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police said yesterday that the two Portuguese men seen on closedcircuit camera escorting Canadian sisters Noemi and Audrey Belanger back to their hotel room prior to their death on June 15 were not suspects because the case was not considered a homicide.

Full story:

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Brunei sultan to visit Kingdom

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah will be on an official visit to Thailand from June 29 to July 2.

The sultan will be granted royal audience at the Chakra Maha Prasart Throne Hall and the government will hold an official reception in his honour at Government House. The sultan will also be meeting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss ThaiBrunei trade in industries such as agriculture, education and halal food.

-- The Nation 2012-06-23

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Group seeks action against sports dailies

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The antigambling network, "Yud Phanan", yesterday called on Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to punish five sports dailies for advertising football betting websites.

Network coordinator Thanakorn Khomkrit, who led the 20strong group to submit a letter to Yongyuth at Government House, said the ministry should crackdown on Sport Poll, Sport Man, Hot Score, Jor Game and Talad Luk Nhang newspapers and punish the editors with up to two years in prison and/or Bt2,000 in fine.

The group also called for the Gambling Act 1935 to be amended to cover modern gambling outlets such as websites and make the punishments tougher.

-- The Nation 2012-06-23

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Asean health ministers to brainstorm ahead of AEC

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Health experts and officials from nations across Southeast Asia will gather at the 11th Asean Health Ministers' Meeting to discuss ways of handling chronic noncommunicable diseases, state healthcare funds and the spread of the Aids virus in urban areas. They will be meeting at the 11th Asean Health Ministers' Meeting from July 26 in Phuket.

The event will include three key forums - one among Asean health ministers, another with Asean+3 ministers (including those from China, Japan and South Korea), and a meeting among health ministers from Asean countries and China.

The theme of this year’s event is "Asean Community 2015: Opportunities and Challenges to Health".

About 200 health experts and highlevel officials from Asean nations will brainstorm and seek a resolution on health issues and the reduction of negative impacts. They will also seek cooperation from China, Japan and South Korea.

On the agenda are the top health issues, including noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and heart disease, cutting down on smoking, health insurance, Aids prevention in urban areas, and emergency preparedness.

-- The Nation 2012-06-23

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Constitution Court not your opponent, charter-change proponents told

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court chief on Friday said that the defendants in the case filed against proponents of constitutional amendment should focus on preparing to defend themselves in court rather than attacking the court.

Full story:

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Phuket yachting legend Rolly Tasker dies at 86

Phuket Gazette

Renowned as a 'gentleman entrepreneur', Rolly Tasker (center) is pictured here in 2009 handing land documents to then Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop as he donates land for a new road to Phuket Airport. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Australian yachting icon and long-term Phuket resident Rolly Tasker has died, age 86.

Full story:

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Phuket Election: Kata-Karon set for July 15 polls

Phuket Gazette

HAND IN HAND: Tawee Thongcham (left), running for re-election to his third term as Karon Mayor, and contender Narong Natang shake hands ahead of campaigning for the July 15 election. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Registration closed yesterday for candidates to enter the Karon Municipality mayoral and council election, to be held on July 15.

Full story:

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RT @Reuters: Jerry Sandusky found guilty on 45 out of 48 counts in his child sex abuse trial http://reut.rs/LntovN

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Royal Irrigation Dept assures nationwide flood prevention measures to be in place by Aug

BANGKOK, 23 June 2012 (NNT) – The Royal Irrigation Department has assured that all necessary flood prevention measures will be in place before the peak of the rainy season.

Royal Irrigation Department Director-General Lertviroj Kowattana said on Friday that all 123 flood prevention projects, initiated under the government’s emergency relief policy in fiscal 2012, are progressing well and will definitely be ready in 2 months’ time.

Mr. Lertviroj stated that all upstream projects are set to be finished by the end of this month, while those in the midstream areas will be ready in July and the remaining downstream measures will be functional by August.

The Royal Irrigation Department chief said that projects which have been completed include the dredging of the Khanom Jeen canal in Ayutthaya Province and the dredging of a 65-rai water retention area.

-- NNT 2012-06-23

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Commerce Ministry to expand Thai Select initiative to overseas restaurants

BANGKOK, 23 June 2012 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry is set to further endorse the quality of Thai food business, in hopes of turning it into a prime money-spinner for the country.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said on Friday that Thai exports have experienced a slow business during the past 3-4 months as some major industries are yet to fully recover from last year’s severe flooding.

Considering that, the Commerce Ministry has decided to give a boost to the Thai food industry, in a bid to expand its presence both in key and new markets.

Mr. Boonsong stated that Thai cuisine has been broadly accepted by global consumers and is the number-two money-making industry for the country.

The Commerce Minister expects the food industry to continue expanding and hopes to boost its export value to no less than 20 billion dollars this year, before striving to register a growth rate of 15 percent in 2013.

He went on to say that the Ministry has already requested a 300-million-baht budget from fiscal 2013 to further promote the “Thai Kitchen of the World” project and to expand the “Thai Select” project both in and out of the country.

Under the “Thai Select” Project, Thai restaurants that have met the Ministry’s standards will be endorsed by a certificate to ensure diners quality food and service.

Mr. Boonsong said that the Ministry is poised to expand its endorsement to Thai restaurants outside the country, by as many as 1,000.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry, on June 29th, is set to attend a workshop with the Prime Minister and related agencies as well as representatives from the private sector to discuss ways to boost Thai exports to grow no less than 15 percent, as planned.

-- NNT 2012-06-23

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Agriculture minister shows support for royal rain makers

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 23 June 2012 (NNT) - Mr. Theera Wongsamut, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with Nakhon Si Thammarat governor, Mr. Viroj Jivarangsan, went to visit and lend their support to the royal artificial rainmaking team who are currently working to extinguish forest fires in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The 21-member team arrived in the southern province on Thursday to inspect the area before beginning rainmaking operations.

Mr. Viroj said that the province had approached the Royal Rainmaking Operations Office via the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for its assistance to stop forest fires that had erupted in the peat swamp forest of Khuan Khreng since June 16. The fires caused a vast amount of damage to natural resources and the environment, as well as causing economic losses. Nearby agricultural areas were also adversely affected. Approximately 2,000 rai of land is expected to suffer damages.

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut said that royal rainmaking aircraft operated three flights yesterday and was successful in containing the fire in several areas. He said the operations will continue until the fires completely die down.

-- NNT 2012-06-23

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Metropolitan police to deploy four companies of forces at Democracy Monument on Sunday for Red Shirt mass rally; 50,000 expected to attend /MCOT

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RT @mpoppel: Earthquake in Northern Sumatra struck fairly deep at 103 kilometers (64 miles), but close to villages

RT @mpoppel: USGS puts magnitude of Northern Sumatra quake at 5.9; Indonesian agency puts magnitude at 6.6

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Nakhon Ratchasima closely observing H1N1 patients

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 23 June 2012 (NNT) - Patients afflicted with the 2009 influenza A or H1N1 virus have been put in quarantine for 14 days at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital.

Of the 41 infected patients, six are hospital personnel and are recovering at home, while 35 others are being quarantined on the hospital premises. No new cases have been found since the first flu victim was detected in this province on June 12.

Nakhon Ratchasima’s public health chief officer Doctor Wichai Kattiyawittayakul asserted that the spread of the virus is completely under control within the province. All hospitals in the area have put in place strict patient screening measures and are to measure the temperature of patients entering all buildings. Anyone found to have a fever or a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more will be sent immediately to the provincial Maharaj Hospital.

-- NNT 2012-06-23

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Democrat party wants clarification on NASA proposal

BANGKOK, 23 June 2012 (NNT) - Mr. Chawanon Intarakomalyasu, the Democrat Party spokesperson, revealed to the media that, in regards to the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) request to use the U-Tapao International Airport as a base for conducting studies on the atmosphere, that the opposition is not impeding operations, but is only asking that more details of the project be made public.

At present, the government has not offered any clarification regarding the project. Furthermore, the spokesperson noted there are a number of points that require explanation, such as why the NASA website states that project equipment was transported into Thailand on May 18, and the use of NASA ER 2 airplanes, which can fly as high as 21 kilometers from the ground, making it undetectable to certain types of radar. The Democrat Party spokesperson also noted that the project leader is a former nuclear explosives expert.

Mr. Chawanon asserted that these observations are being made to urge the government to provide clarification to the public.

-- NNT 2012-06-23

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Police step up security at Democracy Monument as about 50,000 red-shirts are expected to attend mass rally this Sunday /The Nation

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Vietnamese vice president visits Thailand

BANGKOK, June 22- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra welcomed Vietnam’s Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan at Government House on Friday, as both sides agreed to foster bilateral ties between the two countries and support greater roles for women at the regional level.

Madame Doan officially visit Thailand on June 20-24 as a guest of the Thai government to strengthen bilateral ties, as the two countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

After a welcoming ceremony, Ms Yingluck and Madame Doan held bilateral talks to exchange ideas and views on furthering bilateral relations, cooperation, and development as well as to foster strategic partnership in terms of politics, economies, society, culture, and education.

During her official trip to the kingdom, the vice president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will travel to Thailand’s northeastern provinces of Nakhon Phanom and Khon Kaen, where there are historical connections between Thailand and Indochina, and is to meet with provincial governors.

In addition, Madame Doan is set to visit the Thai-Vietnamese Friendship Village and meet with the large Vietnamese community in Nakhon Phanom where Ho Chi Minh, father and first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) from 1945 to 1969 and an iconic leader of the post-World War II anti-colonial movement in Asia, once resided.

Affectionately known to Vietnamese as Bac (Uncle) Ho, the Vietnamese independence leader visited Bangkok and lived in Nakhon Phanom in the late 1920s. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-23