Thailand Live Sunday 29 Jul 2012

[webfact]

Thailand Live Sunday 29 July 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 28 Jul 2012

[webfact]

THAIVISA CONNECT

Thaivisa Forum Apps for your mobile or tablet

"Thaivisa Connect" for iPhone, iPad and iPod:

iTunes App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thaivisa-connect-thailand/id492600537

"Thaivisa Connect" for Android:

Android Market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkthaivisa.activity

OR

For QR code just go here with your desktop or mobile:

http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Lite Beer]

Reds, MPs face legal action for 'intimidation'

Chanikarn Poomhiran

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court has lodged another complaint against red-shirt leaders and Pheu Thai MPs for contempt of court and threatening the court judges, a source said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573280-reds-mps-face-legal-action-for-intimidation/#entry5527207

[Lite Beer]

Chalerm denies knowledge of son's move

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- ​Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday he disagreed with his son Duang, who has switched from the military to become a police officer.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573281-chalerm-denies-knowledge-of-sons-move/#entry5527213

[Lite Beer]

EXPORTS

Thai rice losing on world market: TDRI

The Nation on Sunday

TDRI president Nipon Poapongsakorn

BANGKOK: -- Govt should pay farmers directly; turn pledging scheme to price guarantee

Rice exports plunged by half to a mere 4.7 million tonnes between October last year and this month, mainly because of the government's rice-mortgage policy, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573282-thai-rice-losing-on-world-market-tdri/#entry5527219

[Lite Beer]

Graft group: former officials encroached on Chiang Rai land

Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation on Sunday

Ban Talae Mok Resort, worth Bt200 million, was flattened as it was one of many homes and hotels that encroached on Thap Lan National Park.

CHIANG RAI: -- The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) yesterday accused a group of former officials of encroaching on 2,000 rai of mountainous land in Chiang Rai's Muang district and using illegally issued title deeds as collateral to obtain a Bt100-million bank loan that later went bad.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573283-graft-group-former-officials-encroached-on-chiang-rai-land/#entry5527227

[Lite Beer]

Nasa climate research move may go to Parliament

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Plodprasob visited Washington DC recently and was interviewed by VOA's Thai-language service. He said officials at the US space agency understood the situation and told him that if Thailand gave the green light, about 100 NASA staff were ready to go to Thailand to conduct research.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573284-nasa-climate-research-move-may-go-to-parliament/#entry5527234

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin's niece to wed son of Cambodian MP

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Former premier Somchai Wongsawat's family plans to hold an extravagant wedding party for daughter Chayapa, who will tie the knot with a son of Cambodian MP Sieng Nam, who is a close friend of Cambodian premier Hun Sen.

Chayapa's mother Yaowapa is a younger sister of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who may also attend the wedding ceremony, which will take place some time next year, according to people close to the Wongsawat family. Chayapa has reportedly known the son of Sieng Nam for some time. The Cambodian MP is also an acquaintance of Thaksin.

[Lite Beer]

4 soldiers killed, one hurt in Pattani

The Nation on Sunday

PATTANI:-- Four soldiers were killed and one injured early yesterday when 18 insurgents in three pickup trucks opened fire on them in Pattani's Ma-Yor district.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573329-ambush-in-pattani/#entry5528161

[Lite Beer]

700 dogs rescued from smugglers

The Nation on Sunday

NAKHON PHANOM: -- Authorities transferred 700 dogs to Nakhon Phanom Animal Quarantine Centre yesterday that were believed destined for dining tables in Vietnam following the arrest of a Thai truckdriver in Ban Phaeng district on Friday night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....d/#entry5527250

[Lite Beer]

Disease 'threat will ease'

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Premier Yingluck Shinawatra reassured parents on her weekly TV show that the threat of children catching Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, which has spread for over two weeks, would ease by the end of next month.

She also instructed the Health and Education ministries to educate and speedily cure patients to prevent further outbreaks.

Yingluck also invited people to express their good wishes for HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on his 60th birthday. She presided over ceremonies paying tribute to the Crown Prince at Sanam Luang before leading a candle-lit function to offer felicitations yesterday evening

-- The Nation 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

Website will reveal flood prevention work, PM says

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The government will set up a website in three to four weeks so people can follow updates on flood prevention moves, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said at a Pheu Thai MPs' seminar yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573285-website-will-reveal-flood-prevention-work-yingluck-says/#entry5527257

[Lite Beer]

SRT organized special event to commemorate HRH Crown Prince’s 60th Birthday Anniversary

BANGKOK, 29 July 2012 (NNT) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has organized a special event to commemorate HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday anniversary.

Permanent Secretary for Transport Silpachai Jarukasemratana said that the SRT organized the special exhibition to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn on July 28th at Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok.

Mr. Silpachai said that the event was designed to allow members of the public, who visited the station, an opportunity to learn more about rare pictures and accounts of numerous royal activities HRH Crown Prince has been engaged in.

He added that the public were also invited to sign their names in a book of birthday wishes for HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Before the event came to an end on Saturday, Mr. Silpachai said that the exhibition, which was accompanied by cultural and music performances from 4 regions of Thailand, was well received by those who visited the station.

-- NNT 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

Surin Police Chief confident in security program during upcoming Cabinet Retreat

SURIN, 29 July 2012 (NNT) – The Surin Police Chief has expressed confidence in the security plan prepared for the upcoming Cabinet Retreat.

Police Major General Chaitat Rungjang, Commander of the Surin Provincial Police said on Saturday that the security measures planned during the Cabinet Retreat from July 29th to 30th will incorporate officers from the Provincial Police Department, the Border Patrol, the Riot Police, the Army and volunteers, who will be stationed at all key locations throughout the whole period of the visit to the region by the Cabinet ministers.

Police Major General Chaitat stated that around 2,000 police and military officers as well as volunteers are required to carry out the operation.

He added that all officers have taken part in the exercises of all security programs, which help make sure that there will not be any hiccup in the operation.

Moreover, the Surin Provincial Police has informed locals about the change in the traffic conditions in the area, especially the roads that will be closed during July 29th and 30th, to avoid any confusion and congestion.

-- NNT 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

Phuket's Big Buddha project cleared of wrong doing

Phuket Gazette –

The support buildings around the base of the Big Buddha image, one of Phuket's most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions, will remain for at least another four years. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: An internal inquiry by the Royal Forestry Department’s Community Forestry Management Bureau has found no wrong doing by any parties involved in the Phuket Big Buddha project.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573291-phukets-big-buddha-project-cleared-of-wrong-doing/#entry5527394

[Lite Beer]

EGAT has assured major dams can take in more water

BANGKOK, 29 July 2012 (NNT) – The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has assured that there is more room at the country’s major dams to take in more water.

EGAT’s Assistant Governor for Hydro Power Plants Kitti Tancharoen said that the now-dissipated Typhoon Vicente has recently brought more rainfall and heavy downpour to many parts of Thailand, especially the North and the upper part of the Northeast.

Mr. Kitti stated that the amount of water behind the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit Province has increased due to continued rain in nearby Nan Province since July 24th.

For the Bhumibol Dam, the impact of Typhoon Vicente has not been significant and left the dam with more room to take in more water.

The EGAT Assistant Governor expects more rain water, of about 300 million cubic meters, will flow into the Sirikit Dam during the next couple of days, while another 100 million cubic meters of water are forecast for the Bhumibol Dam.

While assuring that the capacity of both major dams will still be able to accommodate more water, Mr. Kitti said that there is little risk in the discharge of large volume of water, if needed.

-- NNT 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

BoT signaling further interest rate cuts

BANGKOK, 29 July 2012 (NNT) – The Thai central bank has signaled further interest rate cuts amidst continued crisis in the west.

Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said that the latest decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to maintain the benchmark interest rate at 3 percent is a signal that the central bank will be pursuing a more relaxed monetary policy from now.

Mr. Prasarn stated that such an approach is needed to allow the BoT to follow up on the impact of the crisis in Europe and the US on Thailand, as such problems take time to be solved.

Regarding the interest rate hike by commercial banks, Mr. Prasarn reckoned that such a policy is only to help them compete and will not distort market mechanism.

And despite continued growth in the banking industry, the BoT chief stated that there is nothing to worry about and the central bank will be keeping a close eye on all involved.

-- NNT 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

Three villagers shot dead in Pattani, officials gathering evidence to hunt for suspects /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Gunman on motorcycle fires at pick-up truck on Ratchadaphisek Road, one killed, one injured, traffic congested. /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: New 'guide-lines' needed for tourism

Phuket Gazette –

Foreigners working as tour guides has long been one of the many “illegal-yet-common” practices in Phuket. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: One chronic tourism-related problem that periodically bubbles to the surface of the local media here in Phuket is that of illegal foreign guides conducting tours for fellow countrymen.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573304-phuket-opinion-new-guide-lines-needed-for-tourism/#entry5527785

[Lite Beer]

Three villagers shot dead in Pattani

PATTANI, July 29 - Three villagers were shot dead in Pattani on Saturday night by suspected insurgents.

Officials are gathering evidence to hunt down suspects.

Meanwhile, the police on Sunday detained three suspects in the killing of four officials in the same province in a raid at Mayo district on Saturday following a tip-off.

Suspected insurgents on three pick-up trucks killed four soldiers while they were returning to base from patrol on motorcycle on Mayo-Pattani Road Saturday morning.

A combined force of about 50 police and soldiers raided an area in Namsai subdistrict and detained three people for questioning.

The raid came after police inspected footage from surveillance cameras and found that some of them were suspected insurgents active in the area who had earlier robbed guns from local leaders in Pattani’s Yaring and Kapho and Yaring districts. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

Prime Minister to launch Credit Cards for northeastern farmers

BANGKOK, 29 July 2012 (NNT) – The mobile cabinet meeting in Suring during July 29-31 will focus on development projects in eight lower northeastern provinces. It will also be an opportunity for the government to distribute credit cards to farmers, one of the major campaign promises that the Pheu Thai Party made to win the election last July.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573307-prime-minister-to-launch-credit-cards-for-northeastern-farmers/#entry5527832

[Lite Beer]

Surin Vocational College to cater cabinet meeting with well-known local dishes

SURIN, 29 July 2012 (NNT) - Ms. Chamaiporn Tumpong, director of the Surin Vocational College, the caterer for the Cabinet retreat in Surin, has expressed confidence that local healthy menu will impress the visiting ministerial council.

According to her, the menu for the Monday meeting will be focused on healthy foods, such as sprouted brown rice juice, mulberry juice, and well-known foods of the province. These include northeastern-style sausages, three types of fermented mushroom sausages, and coconut based shrimp dip served with fresh vegetables. The star dish will be a mixed soup made by boiling together pork, chicken, and shrimp along with dried radish and carved turnip. Dessert will be seasonal fruits, and dishes made of seasonal fruits such as stuffed longan.

The vocational college director said she guaranteed the fine flavor of the food which will be livened up by exquisite decorating techniques to make the food more appetizing. She believes the meals will help promote the good name of Surin province.

-- NNT 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

Smog from forest fire in Sumatra blankets Songkhla over weekend

SONGKHLA, July 29 - Smog from a forest fire in Indonesia’s Sumatra blanketed Songkhla over the weekend, but particle dust levels are within the safety standard.

Smog from the forest fire covered Thailand’s southern provinces and affected visibility in the morning.

The southern meteorological centre inspected satellite images and detected 194 hotspots on Sumatra island, dropping from 681 hot spots. Winds from a southwest monsoon drove the smog over the area, while absence of rainfall has prolonged the smog's presence.

Although dust particles measured in the atmosphere by the pollution control department was still within the safety standard, children and the elderly were advised to avoid outdoor activities.

In Trang's ten districts, all road lights have been turned on to facilitate motorists driving in poor visibility. The local disaster prevention and mitigation office have also requested health masks from the Public Health Ministry to distribute to affected residents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-07-29

[Lite Beer]

RT@AsifAAhmad: Welcomed HRH Princess Sirindhorn this morning on her return from #London2012. She said the opening ceremony was wonderful.

RT@AsifAAhmad: Calling on HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn this afternoon. British education one area of interest.

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: Scene of this morning’s shooting on Ratchadapisek Rd just before the Ratchada-Ladphrao intersection pic.twitter.com/ACYPyM0h TR

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: The driver of the pick-up truck who was shot dead by a man on a motorcycle in Bangkok this morning pic.twitter.com/F2AMi173 - RT @Reporter_js4

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Mid Year Sale of up to 70% at iStudio CentralWorld & .life CentralPlaza Lad Phrao until 5th August pic.twitter.com/FXPPOV02

[Lite Beer]

Police detain 3 suspects in killing of four soldiers in Pattani yesterday following investigation of CCTV footage /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Computer Vision Syndrome, new threat to Thai children age 10-15 due to prolonged staring at computers, digital gadgets: ophthalmologist /MCOT