Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Jul 2012

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Ten dead, 17 injured in Surat Thani bus accident

SURAT THANI, July 3 – Ten persons died and 17 others were injured when an inter-provincial bus carrying Thais and foreign tourists left the road and crashed into an electric power transmission pole Tuesday at dawn.

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Trang monitors smog from Indonesian forest fires

TRANG, July 3 – Thai authorities in the southern province of Trang are closely monitoring the impact of smog from Indonesian forest fires is again blanketing the region, a seasonal occurrence.

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Five soldiers wounded in Yala bicycle bomb, drive-by shooting attack

YALA, July 3 -- Five Thai army soldiers in a military transport vehicle were wounded by a bicycle bomb in the southern province of Yala on Tuesday they were leaving their base at Wat Lam Mai in Lam Mai subdistrict for their daily duties.

After the explosion, a white pick up truck has passed by and 3-4 men on the truck have spray bullets to solders before fled the scene.

Five solders were wounded, two seriously. All were sent to hospital for treatment in Yala.

The six-wheel M35 military truck was targeted on Ban Niang-Pi Sad road in the Yala provincial seat’s Lam Mai subdistrict. The vehicle was seriously damaged on the road side.

Fragments of a home made bomb estimated to have carried 3-5 kilogrammes of explosive material were scattered in the area.

The authorities believed the bomb was built into a bicycle and triggered by radio signal or mobile phone. The twisted remains of a bicycle was found nearby. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-07-03

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Red-shirt supporters will not rally at Constitution Court July 5-6, just monitor proceedings from Imperial Lat Phrao dept store /The Nation

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Phuket Simon Cabaret van slams into parked cars to avoid head-on

Phuket Gazette

The Phuket garage owner (foreground) surveys the damage to the old Mercedes-Benz that was sent to him for repairs. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

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RT @KristieKenney: Want to celebrate US independence day in BKK? Come hear US Marine band play at Central World, July 5 at 5 pm. No charge!

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Red shirts not to rally at high court

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts will not rally on Thursday and Friday coinciding with the Constitution Court's inquiry on the charter amendment bill, Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua said on Tuesday.

"The red shirts will not pressure the court," he said.

Natthawut said he believed the majority of the people backed the government in pushing for charter change.

To defend the rewriting of the charter, the relevant parties would outline factual evidence that proposed charter amendments were within the legal limits and in accordance with the government pledge in Parliament, he said.

If opponents tried to exercise the extra-constitutional power in order to oust the government, then the ongoing political crisis would be insolvable, he said.

Should the high court hand down an infavourable verdict, the government would fight for an overturn, he said, adding he believed such verdict would backfire to rally a stronger support for the government.

He also said he was disappointed at seeing the same opponents, such as Kaewsun Atibodhi and Surapon Nitikraipot, on the list of witnesses to testify against charter change.

-- The Nation 2012-07-03

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DSI summons son of former deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban to acknowledge charges over obtaining state land on Samui Island without official permission /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Democrats to hold 10 public meetings

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party will this month organise a public dialogue spreaded over 10 venues to clarify issues related to reconciliation and charter change, party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said on Tuesday.

The designated venues for dialogue will locate in Saraburi, Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Phuket, two provinces in the Northeast and Bangkok.

Democrat leaders will fan out to talk directly to the people in order to explain contentions issues as well as solicit the public opinions on government projects, such as the pledging scheme to shore up paddy price.

-- The Nation 2012-07-03

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SURAT THANI'S FATAL ACCIDENT

Names of injured passengers released

The Nation

Those injured are being treated at Surat Thani Hospital (Tel 66 77) 272 231 and (66 77) 284 23; and Kanjanadit Hospital (66 77) 244518-9

Six of the 10 passengers killed in the bus accident in Surat Thani province on Tuesday were foreigners, Surat Thani's bus operator chief Pornpimon Klinhom said. Names and their names and nationality are still unknown, she said.

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BoT: Inflation in 2nd half of this year likely to drop due to global economic slowdown, falling oil prices /MCOT

Average inflation this year revised down to 3.3% /MCOT

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HM to take boat trip to open new irrigation projects

BANGKOK, 3 July 2012 (NNT) - His Majesty the King will travel by boat on 7 July 2012 from Siriraj Hospital to the Royal Irrigation Department in Samsen to preside over the opening ceremony of five irrigation projects.

According to Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department Lertviroj Kowattana, that HM the King will travel on royal boat Atsana from the Siriraj Hospital pier to the department’s Samsen office on 7 July at 6.30 pm. The ceremony is similar to the opening ceremony of Lat Po canal in 2009.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will report the projects’ backgrounds to HM the King, with video links from the provincial governors of the provinces where the projects are located. After that, HM the King will inaugurate the projects from the royal boat.

The five projects include the Khun Dan Prakan Chon dam in Nakhon Nayok, the Kwae Noi Bamrung Daen dam in Phitsanulok, the Thoranit Narumit sluice gate in Nakhon Phanom, the Uthok Wiphat Prasit sluice gate in Nakhon Si Thammarat and the Lam Phayang Phummiphat diversion tunnel in Kalasin province.

-- NNT 2012-07-03

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Dengue fever on a rise in Thai adults

BANGKOK, 3 July 2012 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has reported over 17,000 cases of dengue fever in Thailand this year, resulting in 18 deaths from the illness.

Deputy Director-General of Disease Control Department, Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, said this year dengue fever affected more adults than children.

In Amnaj Charoen province, a 48-year-old woman recently died from dengue fever after visiting three hospitals in the area. Initial investigations indicated that she had experienced flu-like symptoms for three days before going to hospital.

Dr Suwanchai urged members of the public to consult a doctor if flu-like symptoms persist beyond 48 hours and to avoid taking aspirin tablets.

He added that sudden deaths often occur in second infections with dengue virus.

-- NNT 2012-07-03

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DDPM issues flash flood alerts in 16 provinces

BANGKOK, 3 July 2012 (NNT) -The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for residents in 16 provinces nationwide to brace for heavy rains and flash floods today and tomorrow.

DDPM’s Director-General, Wiboon Sanguanpong, has said a strong monsoon trough prevailing over the Northern and upper Northeastern part of Thailand has caused torrential rainfall and severe storms, which could later trigger flash-flooding in flood-prone areas.

Residents living near hillsides and waterways in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani have been urged to be prepared for widespread scattered heavy rain and flash floods on July 3-4.

Affected residents have been advised to closely follow the weather updates and to keep alert for natural warning signs of flash flooding.

Mr Wiboon said the department has instructed provincial authorities and local DDPM offices in 16 affected provinces to closely monitor the situation.

Flood victims are urged to contact their local DDPM office or to call their 1784 hotline for further assistance.

-- NNT 2012-07-03

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UPDATE

Indian tourist among ten dead in Thai bus crash

Bangkok, July 3, 2012 (AFP) - An Indian tourist was among ten passengers who died and several other foreigners were seriously injured after a bus ploughed into an electricity pylon in southern Thailand on Tuesday, police said.

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Justice to post Bt9 million bail for red shirts

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Justice Ministry Fund will earmark B9 million for the temporary release of nine red shirts fighting arson charges in Maha Sarakham following the bail approval by the provincial court, Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said on Tuesday.

The nine, expected to be released by Monday pending the appellate review, have been sentenced to serve five years and eight months each for torching the provincial hall in the wake of the crowd dispersal at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on May 19, 2010.

Pracha said his ministry was prepared to post bail for other 30 red shirts awaiting the appellate review on arson charges at various provinces in the Northeast.

Lawyer's Association of Thailand president Narinpong Jinapak said the Bt43 million fund allocated by the government to bail the red shirts had dried up.

Narinpong said he was in the process of securing the release of two red shirts in Bangkok and another five upcountry. The bail for the seven would hinge on the speedy allocation of additional funds, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-07-03

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SET index closed at 1198.07, up 9.33; Bt/USD31.36; GBP49.09; AUD32.06; EUR39.39; CAD30.73; HKD4.04; SGD24.69; JPY39.05

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Central bank unveils banknote marking Queen’s 80th birthday

BANGKOK, July 3- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) on Tuesday introduced a Bt80 commemorative banknote to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday anniversary and a Bt100 commemorative banknote to mark His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 5th Cycle Birthday.

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Oil slick endangers Krabi mangroves, clean-up ordered

Phuket Gazette

One local villager says the oil spill affected an estimated 1,000 rai of protected mangrove forest. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Krabi authorities are struggling to clean up the oil spill, as one expert said that using chemical agents to break down the oil could adversely affect the local wildlife. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Krabi authorities have launched a massive cleanup operation after a boat struck rocks and spilled a large volume of oil into the sea, resulting in extensive damage to protected mangrove forests in Neua Khlong District, about 130 kilometers east of Phuket across Phang Nga Bay.

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Culture ministry to nominate a Southern Buddhist Shrine as a World Heritage site

BANGKOK, 3 July 2012 (NNT) - The Ministry of Culture is planning to submit a nomination proposal requesting UNESCO to consider including Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat in its World Heritage List.

During today’s cabinet meeting, the National Committee on the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage proposed that the Buddhist shrine be nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List. The cabinet agreed to approve the agency’s planned nomination.

The Ministry is currently making an inventory of the temple’s important natural and cultural heritage sites to be submitted to the UNESCO’s World Heritage center for further consideration.

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem said the 700-year-old Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is a masterpiece of human ingenuity befitting the selection criteria; it is directly associated with local beliefs and of outstanding architectural and historical value.

-- NNT 2012-07-03

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NACC queries Arisman's wife on TV shares

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The wife of redshirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong is being investigated by the anti-graft agency for failure to report her husband's share-holding in the company that runs the red shirts' Asia Update satellite-TV station.

Rapipan Pongruangrong, who is a party-list MP of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, told The Nation she was unaware that Arisman was holding 200,000 shares worth Bt2 million in D Station Co Ltd. She said he did not tell her about his shareholding after while on the run abroad following the 2010 unrest.

-- The Nation 2012-07-03

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Pansak named PM's chief policy adviser

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the appointment of Pansak Vinyaratn as chief policy adviser to the prime minister.

Pansak will report to PM Yingluck Shinawatra. His is tasked to advise on administrative affairs and law reforms in order to ensure an efficient implementation of policies.

Yingluck has given him the mandate to summon government officials and to form panels to undertake studies as deemed necessary.

Pansak once served as adviser under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

-- The Nation 2012-07-03

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Young couple caught in Phuket meth bust

Phuket Gazette

Ms Ketkaew and Mr Weerasak look on as a police officer examines evidence recovered from the raid. Photo: Golf Thairath

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police last night arrested a man and a woman in their 20s in possession of category one drugs at their home in Thalang. The couple are suspected of selling drugs to teenagers in the area.

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Thaksin to heed verdict on charter change: Pheu Thai MP

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has urged the ruling party to comply with the outcome of the judicial decision on the charter amendment bill, Pheu Thai MP Griangsak Saysreengam said on Tuesday.

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Thailand Live Wednesday 4 Jul 2012