Thailand Live Wednesday 27 Jun 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 27 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 Tuesday 26 Jun 2012

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THAI-US TIES

Nasa project may be delayed

The Nation

MPs, senators to debate operation as legislature 'consulted' under Article 179

BANGKOK: -- Time appeared to be running out on the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's weather-research project yesterday as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced that the Cabinet had decided to put it to a parliamentary debate.

Full story:

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POLITICS

Jatuporn wants court to clarify its move

PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan filed a letter with the Constitution Court yesterday seeking clarification on what he sees as an unfair and vindictive move against him by the court, which is seeking to revoke bail granted to him by the Criminal Court.

Full story:

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Col Sansern still Army's public face

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd is still leader of the Thai Army's public relations team despite widespread reports the Army had sidelined him to please the red shirts, an Army spokesperson confirmed yesterday.

Full story:

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POLLUTION

PCD may have to pay Bt3.87m

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

KANCHANABURI: -- Residents of Kanchanaburi province's Lower Klity village, affected by lead poisoning from a nearby mining operation for 14 years, could receive a total of Bt3.87 million in compensation from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) if a recommendation to the court is accepted.

The Supreme Administrative Court yesterday invited 22 villagers who filed a complaint with the court, and a lawyer representing the PCD, to attend a hearing. Statements were made for the consideration of the panel of judges hearing the case before they issue a final verdict.

Supreme Administrative Court Judge Panuphan Chairat, who was invited to speak by the panel, said he had studied the case and found that the PCD had neglected its responsibility to control contamination of Klity Creek by the nearby lead mine. Additionally, PCD failed to clean up the creek, the contamination of which affected the lives of hundreds, the judge said.

According to his finding, Panuphan said, the Supreme Administrative Court should order the PCD to pay Bt3,872,000 to 22 lead-contamination victims, or about Bt176,000 each.

The Administrative Court earlier ordered the PCD to pay only Bt33,783 to each of the villagers, or Bt743,226 in all. Panuphan said this amount did not reflect the real expenses faced by the villagers.

He added that all court fees should be returned to the 22 Klity villagers who filed a lawsuit.

Panuphan's statement was submitted for the panel's consideration, though it is not obliged to agree with him. However, if the verdict goes against Panuphan's views, the judges on the panel would be expected to state their reasons.

The Klity villagers have filed several complaints against state agencies and a private mining company with both the Civil and Administrative courts over the past 14 years. Two cases seeking compensation from the mining firm were filed with the Civil Court and one with the Administrative Court. Two civil cases are now before the Supreme Court.

Environmental lawyer Surachai Trong-ngam, who represents the villagers, said he was pleased with Panuphan's statement, but he also wanted the PCD to restore Klity Creek and remove the lead contamination.

Yaserh Nasuansuwan said the villagers wanted PCD to clean the contaminated creek by dredging all lead sediment from it.

"We don't just want compensation; we also want our clean river back," he said after hearing the statement.

Surapong Klongchantuek, director of the Karen Studies and Development Centre, said that since Klity Creek was first contaminated by lead, many villagers had suffered mysterious ailments and died, presumably from lead contamination of their bloodstream.

PCD director-general Wichien Jungrungruang said he could not comment, as he did not wish to affect the court's final verdict.

However, he insisted that the department had restored Klity Creek from lead contamination using natural recovery methods.

-- The Nation 2012-06-27

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Dad suggests coverup in daughters' Thailand deaths

PIERRE-OLIVIER ZAPPA, QMI AGENCY

Audrey and Noemi Belanger. (HANDOUT)

PHI PHI ISLAND: -- A small-town grocer who lost both of his daughters on a disastrous vacation to Thailand earlier this month has accused Thai authorities of covering up the true circumstances of their deaths.

Full story:

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EURO CRISIS

Kingdom 'must rely on own strengths' amid euro crisis

Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The European crisis could drag on for four or five years, driving down Thai exports and whipping up stock and bond markets, an academic said yesterday.

Full story:

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STOPPAGE TIME

Countdown to the Cabinet's big Nasa decision

Tulsathit Taptim

Friday, 1.40pm: The headline is no pun intended.

BANGKOK: -- At any given time in Thailand, a "countdown" is always in progress, and it's mostly related to a political show of force that provokes or is provoked by a court decision, which also is often preceded by a countdown of its own. That the US space agency, Nasa, has asked Thailand to make the U-tapao decision by next Tuesday is funny, but no eyebrow should be raised. We Thais live with deadlines, ultimatums and blatant threats. The Americans should know that.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Men have to accept women in non-traditional roles

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It's time for male cadets and officers in the police and armed services to get over their hang-ups and work with their female colleagues as equals

Full story:

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Mukdahan court grants bail to 13 red shirts

THE NATION

MUKDAHAN: - The Mukdahan Provincial Court yesterday approved bail for 13 red shirts at Bt2 million each, said Narinpong Jinaphak, president of the Lawyers Association of Thailand.

Full story:

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Surapong heads to Dubai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul is heading to Dubai to attend an anti-piracy conference today and tomorrow, ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said yesterday.

Full story:

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DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

DSI to take skytrain concession case today

PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI,

THANATPONG KONGSAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Special Case Committee will today assign the Department of Special Investigation to probe the extension of the Skytrain concession granted recently by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the DSI chief reiterated yesterday.

"We can assume that the case has been exploited by influential figures, who have been intimidating even DSI agents and the committee," DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith said.

The Democrat Party's constant aggravation, whether by its Bangkok-based MPs or Democrat-ruled BMA executives, would make the case even more suitable for DSI, he said.

The committee's meeting today at Government House will consider four cases for referral to the DSI besides the Skytrain concession - ive land encroachment on the Prachin Buri section of Khao Yai National Park, a government-regulated pawn scheme for rice husks, East Water's donation to a Democrat-run flood relief centre, and the disposal of chemical waste in Lop Buri's Nong Ree area.

Democrat MP Sakolthee Phatthi-yakul had said earlier that the DSI would not have jurisdiction over the BTS concession or the East Water issues. Many BMA officials have made similar statements while criticising the DSI for personally serving the Pheu Thai-led government to find fault with the opposition party.

Krungthep Tanakom (KT), the company in charge of the Skytrain operation and other BMA-hosted services, said it would today lodge a petition with PM Yingluck Shinawatra along with detailed documents showing transparency behind the Skytrain concession.

KT managing director Amorn Kijchawengkul said if the DSI takes on the Skytrain case, legal action would be brought against it and KT staff would dress in black in protest.

The BMA issued a paper defending its decision to extend the 30-year concession to BTSC with comprehensive explanations about several factors that would make the move lawful.

-- The Nation 2012-06-27

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Folk dancer Wang Te mourned

THE NATION

PATHUM THANI: -- The death of 1988 National Artist Wangdee "Wang Te" Nima - who died early on Monday - was a great loss for Thai culture.

His funeral was held at a mosque in Lat Lum Kaew in Pathum Thani. The late lam tad artist received royally granted soil as his body was buried yesterday.

Wangdee, the 1988 National Artist for performing arts (lam tad folk dance), passed away at the age of 87. He was hospitalised last July with liver cancer, lung cancer and heart disease.

The funeral was attended by Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome, government officials from Pathum Thani province and artist friends including female lam tad artists Kwanchit Sriprachan and Piras Sung-woributr.

As Wangdee was a National Artist, the Culture Minis-try allocated Bt20,000 for his funeral with additional funds of up to Bt150,000 allocated for publishing books about him.

Wang Te was a symbol of traditional lam tad and a major force for promoting the arts. He was known among fans for his talent in using the Thai language beautifully. His troupe "Lam tad Wang Te" entertained Thai people for generations, his wit bringing laughter for over 40 years.

The folk dance features impromptu antiphonal singing. Two groups perform with dual-meaning, often including obscene words to tease the audience.

Wang Te was recognised as a teacher who passed the art to a new generation of lam tad artists.

News about the artist's departure has been on social media since early yesterday morning. Fans have offered condolences on various sites including pantip.com. Some have expressed concern for the arts after Wang Te's death.

-- The Nation 2012-06-27

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BURNING ISSUE

OK, democracy's not perfect - but what's the alternative?

Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- Though Thai "democracy" turned 80 on Sunday, debate on whether the majority of Thai people are ready for democracy continues. It's still common to hear so-called well-educated and well-to-do Thais casting doubt as to the suitability of democracy for the Kingdom.

Full story:

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DSI board considers Dem-linked cases

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation will today seek approval from its board to accept four cases under its special investigation provisions, DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

Two of the four cases involve the Democrat Party. The first concerns a flood-relief donation from East Water channelled through the party when the Democrats were in power. Many suspect the donation violated the Political Party Law's ban on accepting campaign contributions from a state-controlled company.

The second case concerns allegedly suspicious circumstances surrounding the Democrat-led Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's extending the contract for the Bangkok Transit System to operate the Skytrain.

Tarit said the two cases would come under the DSI's jurisdiction pending board approval to commence the probes.

He dismissed remarks by Democrat Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who said the DSI had no mandate over the cases.

The fact that a powerful figure was trying to intimidate the DSI to stay away from the probes is proof that the cases should be handled under the Special Investigation Law, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-06-27

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Talk-show host's suspended term

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday sentenced talk-show host Chirmsak Pinthong to four-months imprisonment for libel before suspending the jail term for two years on grounds that it was his first offence.

The case revolved around Chirmsak's remarks portraying Apipol Kongchanakul, then adviser to Senate speaker Sanit Worapanya, as involved in demanding bribes for job appointments for telecom regulators.

Apipol died in 2005 and his widow, as his estate manager, sued Chirmsak last year.

The court found that Chirmsak had tarnished Apipol's reputation by not presenting factual evidence linking him to the kickbacks.

As part of his sentence, Chirmsak will still have to pay a fine of Bt100,000 and publish the verdict in two newspapers for two days.

-- The Nation 2012-06-27

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Vietnam hands death sentence to Thai drug trafficker

HANOI, June 27, 2012 (AFP) - A court in Vietnam on Tuesday sentenced a Thai design student to death for trafficking three kilos (6.6 pounds) of synthetic drugs into Vietnam, media reports said.

Full story:

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RT @WSJ: Breaking: Publisher: Nora Ephron, author of 'Sleepless in Seattle,' has died at age 71 http://on.wsj.com/LqLwyP

RT @mpoppel: Publishing house statement on death of Nora Ephron http://dlvr.it/1mgxCK

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Bomb explodes at explosives depot at Chantaburi's Chao Phraya Bodindecha military camp on Tuesday night; no casualties reported /MCOT

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EURO 2012 telecast schedule for Thursday morning: 1:45am (Thailand time) - Semi-final: Portugal vs Spain (Channel 3)

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,157.23, up 6.14 points /MCOT

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'When Harry Met Sally' screenwriter Nora Ephron dies at 71

Full story:

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Fire levels explosives depot at Chanthaburi Border Police camp

CHANTHABURI, June 27 -- Fire has gutted an explosives depot at Chao Phraya Bodindecha Border Patrol Police camp in the eastern province of Chanthaburi, damaging police housing.

Only minor injuries were reported.

The fire occurred at 10.45pm at the explosives depot in Chao Phraya Bodindecha camp, base of the Border Patrol Police Sub-Division 11, and explosions occurred five or six times as the flames touched off varied munitions stores.

Six fire engines rushed to the scene, but due to exploding ordnance had wait for their safety to douse the flames.

Initial reports said that the fire broke out at a small depot housing rocket-propelled grenades, mortar shells, landmines, and small arms ammunition retrieved by Border Patrol Police Sub-Division 11 and bomb squads along the Thai-Cambodia border during and after the Indochina war. Some of the explosive devices were wait-listed for being destroyed.

The cause of the fire was unknown. The Border Patrol Police gave no information to media who were not given access to cover the incident.

The fire damaged 11 or12 homes of police, while three or four police who sustained minor wounds from shrapnel on their arms and legs were hospitalised.

The explosions ended at 11.40pm, when firefighters and volunteers fully accessed the site, taking 20 minutes to end the fire. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-27

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RT @RichardBarrow: “The River Jazz Festival” at Asiatique this weekend. Tickets are from 1,500 Baht from Thai Ticket Major

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PROPERTY

Boom could bust in condo markets

Wichit Chaitrong

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A property bubble is forming in Bangkok and other Thai cities, as well as in Vietnam and Myanmar, partly because of euphoria over the forthcoming Asean Economic Community, an economist has warned, while a senior banking executive played down such fears, saying no bubble had been detected.

Full story:

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RT @jonrussell: @GoogleThailand has introduced a local Chrome Web Store - especially for developers (and Chrome users) http://goo.gl/tmnLh

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TAT: More foreign tourists become interested in Thai massage

BANGKOK, 27 June 2012 (NNT) – Foreign tourists have been most interested in Thai massage while visiting the country, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Full story:

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BREAKING NEWS: Phuket-bound tour bus crashes, 11 injured

Phuket Gazette

The location of the crash of the Phuket-bound bus in Prachuap Khiri Khan province last night.

Full story:

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Court of Appeals overturns Criminal Court death sentence against Sakarim, ex-PULO armed force leader; punishment commuted to life in prison /MCOT