Thailand Live Friday 27 Jul 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 27 July 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 Thursday 26 Jul 2012

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DISEASE OUTBREAK

Second HFMD fatality reported

THE NATION

Cambodian boy, 2, dies in Rayong; public hygiene campaigns ordered

RAYONG: -- Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is believed to have claimed its second life in Thailand - a young Cambodian boy living in Rayong.

Full story:

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THAI-MYANMAR TIES

Govt says only so much it can do for 92 held in Myanmar

ANAPAT DEECHUAY,

PANYA THIEWSANGWAL,

BOONLEUN PROMPRATHANKUL

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Authorities are seeking ways to assist 92 Thais sentenced to jail terms for illegal entry and encroaching on forestland in Myanmar.

Full story:

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NEW SENATE SPEAKER

Elected senators fight with appointees over new speaker: Singchai

Olarn Lertrattanadamrongkul

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The race to become new Senate speaker on August 6 will be an intense affair, with appointed senators and their elected counterparts wrestling for control of the upper chamber, said Senator Singchai Thungthong yesterday.

Full story:

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ALLEGED ASSAULT

Cleaner accuses 17-yr-old of assault

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A female cleaner yesterday filed a complaint with police against a 17-year-old schoolboy who allegedly hit her in the face with a plastic chair.

Full story:

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Insurgents may have changed tactics, Yala governor says

THE NATION

YALA: -- The latest bomb attacks in the deep South - in areas distant from towns where there are regular patrols - have been interpreted in two ways.

Full story:

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Man killed by electric power pole after torrential rain, strong winds

BANGKOK, July 27 - One man was killed and another injured on Thursday when unusually strong winds toppled an electric power pole in a blast of torrential rain and wind at the capital's Ramkhamhaeng Soi 130.

Saphan Sung district deputy director Jirasak Setanan said the injured man was sent to Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital. He said the district's civil engineers were sent to inspect for damage related to the pole incident.

According to the capital's flood prevention and operation centre, rainfall covered all areas of Bangkok for two hours in the afternoon.

The quantity of rainfall was measured at 15-25mm on average. The highest measurement was at 28mm at a pumping station in Phra Khanong district, followed by Taling Chan at 26mm.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned that heavy rain will continue until tomorrow. There was no reported flooding on any main roads or sois. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-07-27

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41 students detained in anti-brawl measure

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- City police yesterday rounded up 41 students at Krungthon Technology School from a crowded bus in front of the Dao Khanong Market in Bangkok's Thon Buri area. A search found 25 students were carrying knives, which they claimed was for self-defence against rival students who often ambushed them.

Full story:

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Constitution 'overrides old coup law'

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is continuing its fight against the Department of Special Investigation's effort to criminally probe its extension of the Skytrain contract, with a query to the Interior Ministry to state clearly whether many laws permit the Bangkok governor to make a decision independent of the ministry's supervisory capacity.

The BMA inquiry, to be sent on behalf of incumbent Sukhumbhand Paribatra, cites a mandate in the 2007 Constitution that authorises local authorities like the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to provide service to the public.

Assawat Abhaiwongse, an adviser to the BMA who submitted the written inquiry to BMA chiefs, said the Constitution was the country's supreme law and that it overrides the 1972 coup-enabled regulation cited by the DSI, which said a rail-based commuter service could only be approved by an Interior minister.

Assawat, also a personal aide to deputy governor Theerachon Manomaiphiboon, said the DSI had clung unfairly to a draconian rule in its replies to the ministry, without citing the Constitution. His note cites many regulations and laws to support its stance on the charter overriding all other laws.

-- The Nation 2012-07-27

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Man charged with assault

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police have filed charges against a traffic volunteer who was caught in an Internet video clip kicking another person's motorbike after it failed to stop at a checkpoint in Bangkok's Bang Kho Laem district, injuring the driver.

Full story:

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Rehab officials 'killed youth'

The Nation

KRABI: -- Some 200 youths broke out of a drug rehabilitation centre in Krabi's Muang district yesterday, claiming that officials had beaten one inmate to death and badly injured others.

Full story:

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Abhisit review 'not linked to libel case'

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Promphan told a court yesterday the Defence Ministry move to review former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva's alleged evasion of conscription into the army had nothing to do with the defamation lawsuit lodged against him by the opposition leader.

Full story:

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ANTI-GRAFT AGENCY

NACC calls for Suthep to be impeached

The Nation

Senate to take up claim that senior Democrat sought Culture Ministry appointments in 2009

BANGKOK: -- The national anti-graft agency yesterday resolved to seek the impeachment of Suthep Thaugsuban, a heavyweight in the opposition Democrat Party, for interfering with the Culture Ministry while serving as deputy prime minister in the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Full story:

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Democrats plan Priewpan complaint

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party is preparing a malfeasance complaint against National Police chief Priewpan Damapong for failing to arrest Thaksin Shinawatra when he allegedly met the fugitive former premier in Hong Kong.

"As the police chief, he could have informed Hong Kong's government to notify the Thai government," Democrat MP Satit Pitutecha said. He said Priewpan may have breached the law or seriously violated professional ethics, so he is gathering information to file the charge.

The police general reportedly took one day of leave to visit Hong Kong on Tuesday to wish his former brother-in-law a happy birthday.

-- The Nation 2012-07-27

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'Cut court out of any rewrite'

Piyanart Srivalo,

Praphan Jindalertudomdee,

Khanittha Thepphajorn

The Nation

Pheu Thai lawyer says article needs change to stop 'interference'

BANGKOK: -- As the Constitution Court published its official verdict yesterday in the case against the proponents of constitutional amendment, a key legal expert from the ruling Pheu Thai Party floated the idea of gagging the judiciary before moving on to write a new charter.

Full story:

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British Ambassador calls for 'safety first' when travelling

Phuket Gazette

In recent years Thailand has maintained an average of 12,000 deaths per year from road traffic accidents; most involve motorbikes. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

Make sure you read the small print: riding a motorbike or other activities could invalidate the insurance policy, cautioned British Ambassador to Thailand Asif Ahmad. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- British Ambassador to Thailand Asif Ahamd has repeated his call for UK nationals to exercise caution when travelling to Thailand and to make sure they have adequate insurance coverage when they do visit.

Full story:

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RT @USEmbassyBKK: US Citizens: Effective Mon July 30, Embassy will strictly enforce an appt-only system for all non-emergency services. http://goo.gl/uv8t1

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PM asks officials to build understanding with southern Muslims

BANGKOK, July 27 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday she ordered army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to visit Thailand’s southern border provinces and have officials build more understanding as well as find more channels to communicate with local residents in parallel with providing security measures in the area.

Full story:

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Ex-deputy PM Suthep acknowledges anti-graft agency resolution that he is guilty of overreaching authority; says he'll quit politics if banned for 5 years /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,188.32, up 15.40 points /MCOT

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Alcohol linked to Phuket vegetable dealer's death

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Police believe Mr Srisawat died of cardiac arrest, possibly triggered by excessive alcohol consumption. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police believe that cardiac arrest, possibly triggered by excessive alcohol intake, may have caused the death of a man whose body was found by the side of a road in Sakoo yesterday afternoon.

Full story:

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Public Health Ministry: Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak now under control

BANGKOK, 27 July 2012 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry has reaffirmed that the Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak in the country is now under control.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said on Thursday that the Ministry has been working hard in the speedy dissemination of information related to the Foot-and-Mouth disease to the public, especially all parents.

Mr. Witthaya stated that more parents have been taking their children to see physicians.

The Public Health Minister stated that, in order to tackle the Food-and-Mouth disease, parents are to teach their children all about basic personal hygiene and the immediacy of medical attention, when needed.

In addition, Mr. Witthaya has assured the public that the outbreak has been under control and that no one should worry about it.

-- NNT 2012-07-27

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Government-sponsored trade fair planned to help Thais battle rising cost of living

BANGKOK, 27 July 2012 (NNT) – More government-sponsored events to help Thai consumers battle the rising cost of living have been planned across the country.

Vice Minister for Industry Suparp Kleekhajai said on Thursday that the “Outlet for the People” fair, which will see a variety of ex-factory priced products made available for consumers, is scheduled during August 3rd and 5th in Chiang Mai Province.

Mr. Suparp said that products that will be on offer include such basic items as rice, sugar, eggs and other necessities.

He assured that the all items are economically-priced, of quality and new, and that the stock will last the entire period of the fair.

The Industry Ministry first organized the “Outlet for the People” fair in Bangkok during June 2nd and 4th, in which more than 400 shops were showcased and sales totaled over 19 million baht. The second fair was held in Nakhon Ratchasima during July 6th and 8th, when some 300 shops were present and more than 10 million baht worth of sales was recorded.

-- NNT 2012-07-27

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Defence Minister presents evidence that Democrat party leader Abhisit dodged military conscription, using falsified documents /MCOT

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Government speeds up measures to ease Suvarnabhumi congestion

BANGKOK, July 27 – Thailand’s air transport-related agencies are speeding up measures to reduce congestion at the capital’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Civil Aviation Department (CAD) Director-General Voradech Hanprasert said today.

Full story:

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Thai Health launches caravan to promote drinking abstention during Buddhist Lent

Bangkok, July 25 2012 (NNT) – Thai Health Promotion Foundation has launched a campaign to encourage Thai people to abstain from alcohol during Buddhist Lent on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti’s 2,600th anniversary.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation or ThaiHealth together with Stopdrink Network launched a campaign on drinking abstention during Buddhist Lent on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti’s 2,600th anniversary. The campaign is also held in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. It was held at Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives in Bangkok.

Thai Health Promotion Foundation deputy manager Krisada Ruang Areerat said that the ThaiHealth has joined hands with 7 other agencies organizing the campaign. This is the the tenth time ThaiHealth has organized the event.

According to ABAC Poll, for the past 9 years, up to 81.1 percent of the population support the campaign and 50.6 percent of those actually realize the danger of drinking and try to quit or abstain from drinking. In the first year of the “Drinking Abstention during Buddhist Lent” campaign, 40.6 percent of Buddhists enrolled in the program; the percentage has increased to 53.3 percent in 2011.

Mr. Krisada added that this campaign also helps Thai people save money and family can spend more time with each other. Additionally, it reduces crimes in the Thai society as well. This year campaign is aimed at reducing the number of drinkers by 60-70 percent.

-- NNT 2012-07-27

[Lite Beer]

Special stamp collection made to honor Crown Prince

BANGKOK, 27 July 2012 (NNT) - Thailand Post has introduced a new stamp collection, made especially to honor His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralonkorn’s 60th birthday anniversary on July 28th, 2012.

The Thailand Post said the commemorative stamp shows His Royal Highness in an air force uniform. The Crown Prince is well-recognized for his talent in aviation. The stamp collection was introduced during an exhibition to honor His Royal Highness at Government Complex.

Interested people who would like to purchase the stamp can contact Thailand Post at 0 2831 3853 and 0 2831 3816.

Besides, Thailand Post is also cooperating with the Information and Communication Technology Ministry in launching a website for people to express their well wishes to the Crown Prince; they can do so on www.crownprince60.com. People can also write their wishes on a postcard to His Royal Highness. The postcards are being distributed for free at post offices across the nation.

-- NNT 2012-07-27

[Lite Beer]

Representative of English Premier League begins his tour to Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Officials from the English Premier League [EPL] on Friday visited Thailand to give a presentation for prospective bidders for the rights to broadcast EPL 2013-2015 seasons.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....d/#entry5522875

[Lite Beer]

Train station cleaned to prevent hand, foot, mouth disease

BANGKOK, 27 July 2012 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry and the Transport Ministry have together campaigned for clean public transportation to prevent the hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) infection.

During the cleaning activity at Hua Lampong Train Station, Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke said the campaign is aimed at preventing not only the HFMD but also tuberculosis and other diseases that could be found in public transport vehicles.

Toilets, handrails, windows, and chairs are being cleaned, while more washing spots are set up to service passengers.

More cleaning activities will be conducted on the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, BTS, and MRT.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disease Control stated that cleaning projects are fundamental in preventing disease outbreaks. It explained that the cleaning is emphasized on public restrooms because they are the sources of bacteria.

The department expected that the hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak will die down by the end of August or the beginning of September.

-- NNT 2012-07-27