Thailand Live Tuesday 31 Jul 2012

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Thailand Live Tuesday 31 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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POLITICS

Govt won't drop unity bills, Thaksin aide

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government will never withdraw the reconciliation bills despite demands from the opposition Democrat Party and the People's Alliance for Democracy to abandon them, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's local spokesman said yesterday.

Full story:

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Democrats to take aim at rice-mortgage scheme: Korn

Somroutai Sapsomboon,

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition plans to file a motion for censure debate in Parliament's next 120-day session starting tomorrow (Wednesday), with the government's rice-mortgage scheme likely to be one of the main issues, says Democrat Party deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij.

Full story:

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CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

Govt's decision day on charter change, reconciliation bills

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Coalition leaders will decide today whether the government will push ahead with the constitutional amendment and the controversial reconciliation bills, the coalition chief whip said yesterday.

Full story:

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'HMFD cases not that bad'

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Scientists yesterday quelled fears over the outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HMFD), revealing that almost half of the cases in Thailand were caused by a less dangerous strain of the virus and only 10 per cent by the potentially deadly Enterovirus type 71 (EV71).

Full story:

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Yingluck puts Chalerm in charge of South

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Despite her recent apathy toward the surge in terror attacks in the deep South, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday instructed Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung to handle the problem by closely coordinating with the National Security Council.

Full story:

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Kids warned on too much computer use

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Children aged between 10-15 years are at risk from computer vision syndrome due to heavy computer use, causing eyestrain, fatigue, and headache, blurred near vision, and other associated symptoms like neck and backache, an ophthalmologist warned yesterday.

Full story:

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Teen driver meets victims' families

Kesinee Tangkhieo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Central Juvenile and Family Court yesterday had the underage driver meet the families of the people killed or injured in the 2010 tollway accident in Bangkok. The crash, which claimed nine lives and left several others seriously injured, is believed to have happened because the youngster was using a cellphone while driving.

Yesterday was the first time that the 18yearold girl has met the victims' families. After the accident, the teenager became the subject of public outrage because many felt that she showed no remorse for her action.

"The meeting is arranged under the Central Juvenile and Family Court Act as well as the Convention on the Rights of Child," chief judge Jiraniti Hawanont said.

He reckoned that this was the first time that a defendant, accused of killing and injuring others due to a reckless act, was given a chance to negotiate with families under the new law, which went into effect last May.

"It may be best to let them decide what to do," Jiraniti said.

According to him, the damaged parties want the girl to admit her guilt and the Criminal Court to read out a verdict in the case. The trials have already concluded and the judges will deliver a verdict if the remedialaction process does not work.

"We will hold more meetings but the negotiation process should not take more than two months," the judge said, adding that this was only related to the criminal litigation.

"No matter what they agree on here, it will not affect the compensation lawsuits filed with the Civil Court," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-07-31

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New probe team questioning Thais over weapons, drugs

Boonleun Promprathankul

The Nation

RANONG: -- Myanmar has sent a new team of investigators from the capital Nay Pyi Taw to probe claims that some of 92 Thais detained near Ranong possessed war weapons, an informed source said yesterday.

Full story:

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Too many monks too heavy, survey finds

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fortyfive per cent of Thai monks were overweight and many suffered from chronic illnesses such as septic ulcers, high blood pressure, and diabetes, a study said yesterday. As a result, researchers will distribute material for monks and laymen about healthy and clean food offerings.

The research was conducted ahead of the Buddhist Lent on 246 monks in 11 provinces by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), Chulalongkorn University and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.

A further diet study involving 29 monks at four urban temples and laymen found the monks’ consumption of over two glasses of highsugared drinks in the evening could lead to overweight and diabetes, while food offerings had too much carbohydrate and too small protein. Fifty per cent of the cooked food samples from alms offerings were found to be contaminated with coliform bacteria, the study found.

-- The Nation 2012-07-31

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Remove barriers to local firms, govt told

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Engineers say they're unable to help 'brainstorm' on mega projects

BANGKOK: -- The Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) and allies called on the government yesterday to eliminate obstacles for local firms and civic groups to join major water management and construction projects, worth about Bt350 billion.

Full story:

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More time for flood help requests

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has allowed the city an extension until August 10 to take up flood assistance money applications. Meanwhile, the city's 644canal dredging projects in 18 districts have progressed by 91 per cent, in time to counter this year's floods, BMA spokesman Wasan Meewong said yesterday.

As of July 25, the BMA had received 17,889 applications for more flood aid payment, and another 26,446 firsttime applications for flood assistance, he said. With the new deadline of August 10, the city should be able to pay the eligible residents with cashier cheques by August 31.Flood assistance payment has been made to 2011 flood victims in 36 districts, Wasan said. The city had paid Bt1,184,297,359.34 and approved an additional Bt63,045,518.46 for 14,440 victims whose requests for more aid money were approved, and for 2,029 victims overlooked in the previous headcount.

-- The Nation 2012-07-31

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Court names 81 red shirts in judges' intimida

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Constitution Court yesterday filed six separate police complaints naming some 81 red shirts as suspects on charges related to offending and intimidating the high court in connection with the verdict on the charter-amendment bill.

Full story:

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Political ploy puts pressure on Prayuth

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Various scenarios for this year's military reshuffle are actually a smokescreen hatched by the government to try and kick Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha upstairs by next year.

Full story:

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Former PM Tanin backs Ayutthaya's bid for World Expo

WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP

THE NATION

Ayutthaya

AYUTTHAYA: -- Former prime minister Tanin Krivixian has urged the government to support Thailand's bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Ayutthaya, saying the event could bring huge opportunities not just to the province, but to the country.

Full story:

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RT @RichardBarrow: A 66 year old man was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants on a plantation in Chachoengsao (Bangkok Post)

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,196.58, up 3.26 points /MCOT

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Election alcohol bans to cost Patong venues B5mn a night

Phuket Gazette

The island-wide alcohol ban in August will be followed by a ban in Patong on September 2.

PHUKET: -- The mandatory ban on the sale of alcohol for upcoming elections at the end of this month will cost Patong’s nightlife industry at least 5 million baht a night, the Phuket Gazette has been told.

Full story:

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Belgian 'Most Wanted' arrested in Phuket

Phuket Gazette

Thai National Police chief Damapong Priewpan, who ordered the investigation that led to the arrest of Marc de Schutter in Phuket yesterday. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- A top-secret investigation has led to the arrest of one of Belgium’s most-wanted criminals in Phuket.

Full story:

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Nationwide ID card issuing system collapses, service suspended; Interior Ministry technicians fixing software failure /MCOT

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Private sector urges govt to integrate works of different agencies

BANGKOK, 31 July 2012 (NNT) – The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has revealed that the private sector wants different government agencies to integrate their works for more effective results.

According to Director of the UTCC Center for Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF) Thanawat Polvichai, the people rated 7 out of 10 points on the Commerce Ministry’s product promotions; while the private sector rated only 4.7 points on the matter.

He cited that the private sector complained that the government did not pay much attention on the production factor. It also suggested that the government integrate the works of the Agriculture and Cooperatives, Commerce, and Transport Ministries in order to reduce the sector's production costs and in adjusting down the economic figures.

Dr Thanawat said many economic institutions and agencies such as the UTCC and the Bank of Thailand have scaled down their economic speculation of the GDP growth rate of 6% to 5.7%, adding that the Thai economic expansion, which was earlier predicted at 5.4%, has also been lowered to 5%, indicating a slower-than-expected economic recovery. He also stated that product price control is necessary at the moment.

-- NNT 2012-07-31

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RT @RichardBarrow: If you haven’t already, take a look at the sun now. Strange - RT @wootty_mw: ท้องฟ้าเที่ยงนี้ครับ http://bit.ly/QbDQpG

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Pheu Thai MPs get one year jail terms for insulting Constitution Court president

BANGKOK, July 31 - Thailand's Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced ruling Pheu Thai Party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit and a fellow Pheu Thai MP Kiatudom Menasawas to one year in prison for insulting the president of the Constitution Court.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573821-pheu-thai-mps-get-one-year-jail-terms-for-insulting-constitution-court-president/#entry5533275

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Thailand wins first medal in Olympic Games

BANGKOK, 31 July 2012 (NNT)- Thailand has won its first Olympic medal from women's weightlifting competition on Monday, while men's doubles badminton players qualified for quarter finals.

Pimsiri Sirikaew, Thai weightlifter in women's 58 kilogram division has claimed the first Olympic Games medal for Thailand after winning a silver medal. She snatched 100 kilograms and went on to clean & jerk 136 kilograms for a total of 236 kilograms. Meanwhile, gold medal winner, Li Xueying from China set a new Olympics record at 246 kilograms. Another lifter Rattikan Kulnoi who was also in the 58 kilogram division as Pimsiri came up fourth. She lifted a total of 234 kilograms, 1 kilogram behind the bronze medalist from Ukraine.

However,Natthanan Chankrajang, Thai 200 meter freestyle swimmer failed to deliver. She did not qualify for the round of last 16 even though she was the first swimmer who touched the final wall in the first heat. But her total score for all 5 heats was too far behind to qualify her for the next round.

Thai 52-kilogram division boxer Chatchai Butdee has advanced to the round of last 16 after an easy bout against Turkish boxer Selcuk Eker. Chatchai won 24-10. He will face Cuban boxer in the next bout.

Meanwhile, Bodin Isara and Maneepong Jongjit, Thai men's doubles badminton players took a competitive fight with Polish players and won the match by 2-1 sets to qualify for quarter finals round as the leader of Group B. One of the Polish players was injured during the final set and had to leave the competition.

-- NNT 2012-07-31

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BMA stages a flood drill to cope with future disasters

BANGKOK, 31 July 2012 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, in collaboration with 25 other related agencies, has staged a flood emergency drill in the capital as part of the flood response measures.

Bangkok governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday presided over a flood drill, held in order to ensure that a real-life emergency evacuation will be conducted smoothly and successfully.

The emergency drill was held in Bang Plat district which is one of the areas severely affected by last year’s flood crisis.

The drill consists of four parts, namely an alert system, an evacuation to temporary shelters, an emergency relief programme, and a scenario-based demonstration of flood control operations.

During the drill, sandbags were lined under Rama VIII bridge along the Chaopraya river. District officers and policemen were at the site to offer hands-on advice to residents in case the sandbags were removed from the river banks.

-- NNT 2012-07-31

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Murder suspect arrested in Phuket flown back to Belgium

Phuket Gazette –

Marc De Schutter. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: A murder suspect arrested in Phuket yesterday was extradited to his native Belgium last night, flying out of Bangkok at 9pm.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573775-belgian-most-wanted-arrested-in-phuket/#entry5533368

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RT@RichardBarrow: All government offices and places like Immigration & the Post Office will be closed on Thursday AND Friday

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POLITICS

Govt not in hurry to rewrite charter: PM Office Minister

The Nation

Woravat

BANGKOK: The government will not rush to finalise its decision on the format to rewrite the charter, PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said on Tuesday.

The government will not rush to finalise its decision on the format for rewriting the charter, PM’s Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said on Tuesday.

"We are not in a hurry and will strive to increase public participation in the matter," he said.

Woravat said the prime minister had instructed Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to organise a series of public hearings in order to gauge sentiment before deciding how to proceed with the next move on charter change.

He said coalition lawmakers would tonight attend a dinner to kickstart the new session of the House.

The coalition parties will not adopt a stand on the charter rewriting format at this juncture, he added.

The government and coalition allies are still determined to rewrite the charter but need time to choose the right format, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-07-31

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Michelle Smith ‘killers’ reject confession

Phuket Gazette –

Surasak had confessed to stabbing Mrs Smith, resulting in her death on June 20, but said he did not intend to kill her. Now he denies the charge. Photo: Orawin Narabal

PHUKET: The two men charged with the death of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith, who died from a stab wound inflicted in a bag-snatch in June, yesterday denied all charges against them.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/573840-michelle-smith-killers-reject-confession/#entry5533399