Thailand Live Monday 16 Jul 2012

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Thailand considering new deployment around Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, 16 July 2012 (NNT)-Foreign Minister Mr. Surapong Torvichakchaikul said that the security units will propose its new military deployment on the Thai-Cambodian border and its decision to allow Indonesian observers in the disputing areas to parliament next month.

After meeting with Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn, Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat, the Foreign Minister said the Thai Army is now reviewing the Terms of Reference (TOR), which was written by Indonesia, to make sure that they are acceptable to Thailand.

The introduction of the observers, whose presence is hoped to help reduce the border tensions on the disputing areas between Thailand and Cambodia has been suggested by the International Court of Justice.

The Foreign Minister said the revision of the TOR will be completed by next week, and will be immediately submitted to the Council of State for consideration. The matter will then be handed to the Cabinet for approval before being forwarded to Parliament.

-- NNT 2012-07-16

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PM urges all to uphold peace amid charter conflict

BANGKOK, 16 July 2012 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has indicated that the Constitution Court’s recent ruling on the charter amendment bid is being studied by the Council of State while urging all sectors to help maintain a peaceful situation.

Following the Constitution Court’s ruling last Friday, Ms. Yingluck said that the Cabinet will decide what it will do with its attempt to amend the Constitution once the Council of State’s interpretation of the ruling is completed. The Cabinet is set to be acknowledged of the result in the weekly meeting tomorrow.

When asked whether she was concerned about violence, the Prime Minister only said she wanted everyone to express their political beliefs in peace and refrain from exacerbating the situation.

Ms. Yingluck also gave no comment as to who will become the next police chief, replacing Police General Priewpan Damapong who will retire in September this year. She added that it will be revealed after the Board of the Royal Thai Police has concluded its decision.

-- NNT 2012-07-16

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Yingluck urged speedy repair on Airport runway

BANGKOK, 16 July 2012 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra traveled to Suvarnabhumi Airport this morning to be briefed on the airport runway repair, which has been affecting the air traffic in the country since the closure of its eastern runway.

According to the Prime Minister, the closure has forced many flights to land at other airports across the country and many more to be delayed at Suvarnabhumi. The wear and tear of the western runway is caused by heavy usage, given an average of 800 flights land on it each day.

Ms. Yingluck stated later that in an attempt to alleviate this problem, a proposal to build the third runway is being considered by the cabinet . According to the report, the new runway proposal, which has been shelved once, will cost around 3.6 billion baht.

Transport Minister Mr. Jarupong Ruengsuwa, who accompanied Ms. Yingluck during her trip to the airport, revealed that the Prime Minister has urged for a speedy development of Suvarnabhumi airport, adding that she expects it to be completed within 5 years' time.

He also said that 50% of the runway space that has been closed for maintenance will be re-opened for use on July 18th, 2012 ;while full operation will commence at the end of the month.

-- NNT 2012-07-16

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Phuket Deep Sea Port 'not deep enough'

Phuket Gazette

Passengers want to come to Phuket, but the port facilities are struggling to keep up with the increasing size of the visiting ships. Photo: Gazette file

The current Phuket Deep Sea Port on the east coast of Cape Panwa. Photo: Stephen Fein

PHUKET: -- In an effort to kick-start the stalled Phuket Deep Sea Port expansion project, the head of the local Marine Department Office escorted representatives from two major cruise line companies to a meeting with Governor Tri Augkaradacha on July 12 to discuss the problems encountered by large ships using the facility.

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Abhisit Vejjajiva collects data for Phuket 'blueprint' at Simon Cabaret

Phuket Gazette

Democrat leader MP Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke to some one thousand Phuket residents as part of his project to design a “blueprint” of the problems faced here. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on the people of Phuket recently to help develop a “blueprint” to solve the problems facing the tourism industry on the island.

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Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew is named new chief of National Police Office, to replace retiring Pol Gen Priewphan Damapong /The Nation

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Court to summon Pheu Thai MP Korkaew for alleged bail violation

BANGKOK, July 16 - Thailand's Criminal Court on Wednesday said a summons will be issued for ruling Pheu Thai MP Korkaew Pikulthong, along with 19 other leading red shirts to a hearing next month on alleged violation of bail conditions following remarks deemed as instigating the public to create chaos.

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Chalerm to amend law to speed up exeuction of drug convicts

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung Monday presided over the opening of the "white mosque" project to promote drug-free communities in Bangkok's Nong Chok district and affirmed to push forwards the law amendment to have drug convicts executed in 15 days after final court verdict from the current 60 days.

-- The Nation 2012-07-16

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SET index closed at 1214.25, up 3.96; Bt/USD31.49; GBP48.90; AUD32.06; EUR38.43; CAD30.89; HKD4.05; SGD24.74; JPY39.56

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12 Thai items remain on US preference list

BANGKOK, July 16 – Twelve Thai produced goods still enjoy trade benefits under the United States' Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), according to Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom.

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Tawee Thongcham re-elected Karon Mayor

Phuket Gazette

Tawee Thongcham (left) was elected Karon Mayor for the third term running. Photo: Karon Municipality PR

PHUKET: -- The preliminary vote count in yesterday's Karon Municipality elections shows that Tawee Thongcham has been re-elected as Karon Mayor, with 2,388 votes from the 3,929 voters who showed at the polls.

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More parking, CCTV for Phuket Bus Terminal 2

Phuket Gazette

A view of Phuket Bus Terminal 2 from atop a nearby apartment block. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

The site of the new parking lot now under construction behind Phuket Bus Terminal 2. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

PHUKET: -- The committee responsible for operation of Phuket Bus Terminal 2 say the station will soon get additional parking and CCTV cameras. ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and ya bah (methamphetamine in tablet form) were intercepted at Bus Terminal 1 in Phuket Town.

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Thailand Live Tuesday 17 Jul 2012