Thailand Live Thursday 2 Aug 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 2 August 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 Wednesday 1 Aug 2012

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Behave or go to jail, court warns reds

The Nation

Misbheaviour during hearing on Jatuporn's bail would be deemed contempt of court

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday set iron rules of practice for the red-shirt group who plan to attend the court proceedings dealing with their leader Jatuporn Promphan’s case on August 9.

Full story:

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Parliament prioritises 10 bills before putting up reconciliation draft

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The House will keep the Reconciliation Bill on its agenda but it will only be considered after 10 other bills have been debated upon, it was resolved at the first parliamentary session yesterday. The Opposition chief whip called on the government to withdraw the draft, saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should first clarify her stance on what he called the "whitewash" law.

Full story:

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Duang reports as shooting instructor at police training centre

KWANHATHAI MALAKAN,

PATINYA IAMTAN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The youngest son of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, Pol Lieutenant Duang Yoobamrung, reported to his new job yesterday as a shooting instructor at the Metropolitan Police Bureau's training centre. It was also revealed yesterday that late Pol Senior Sgt-Major Suwichai Rodwimud's son had entered civil service as an officer at the Police General Hospital in May.

Full story:

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Graft watchdog urges govt to look into flood projects

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Corruption Network is calling on the government to look into the water-management projects in Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya, after it received information about certain officials benefiting from them.

Full story:

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Two varsity profs named outstanding

KANDA BOONTEUN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Prof Dr Nipon Chattipakorn from Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine and Prof Piyarat Govitrapong of Mahidol University's Institute of Molecular Biosciences have been named Outstanding Scientists for 2012.

The Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of HM the King released its list of outstanding scientists yesterday. Nipon and Piyarat will each receive a Bt400,000 cash reward and a plaque of honour from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Nipon is accorded the honour for his decades-long cardiac electrophysiology researches. The findings have led to better treatment techniques for heart-disease patients.

Piyarat has claimed the award because of her three decades long researches on melatonin. The findings are crucial in improving treatments for patients with brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The foundation has also named |Dr Wiwat Meewassana of the Suranaree University of Technology, Dr Sithichoke Tangphatsornruang of the National Centre for Genetic Engineer-ing and Biotechnology, and Asst Prof Dr Sumrit Wacharasindhu of Chula-longkorn University. They will each get Bt100,000 and a plaque of honour.

-- The Nation 2012-08-02

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New military tactics for South

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Armed aerial reconnaissance and tighter security to tackle spurt in violence, bomb attacks: Sukampol Curfew could be imposed in some areas after Ramadan to keep insurgents from carrying out strikes at night

Full story:

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Ex-senator faces indictment over lottery scam

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has indicted former senator Srisuk Rungwisai and 13 others in relation to the lottery pyramid scheme, which caused damages worth Bt25 billion to savings cooperatives nationwide.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said investigation showed that Thewasit Phikhanet, Srisopa Marketing and Jumbo Supply and Service had signed 18 contracts with several cooperatives to provide them with lottery tickets at a cheaper price. However, in reality, these firms did not have contracts with the Government Lottery Office as claimed and failed to deliver any lotteries to the cooperatives.

The DSI initially wanted to sue 87 suspects, but it remained unclear if the coop executives had any hand in the corruption and several also suffered losses themselves. Hence, DSI agreed to use them as witnesses and decided to indict Srisuk and 13 others.

-- The Nation 2012-08-02

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Rayong bank robber identified

The Nation

RAYONG: -- The police have issued an arrest warrant for a man who allegedly robbed a Bangkok Bank branch in Rayong's Muang district on Tuesday evening and got away with Bt430,000 in cash.

Police are also hunting for his accomplice, who rode the getaway motorcycle.

Police said investigation and circumstantial evidence pointed to Siripong Towang, 23, who is wanted for several other previous crimes in Rayong.

-- The Nation 2012-08-02

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Parents told to watch for symptoms

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Parents are advised to watch out for pneumonia and acute otitis media (middle-ear infection) symptoms in young children because these conditions could be further complicated by the ongoing spread of the hand, foot and mouth disease.

Speaking at a Bangkok seminar yesterday, Prof Dr Somsak Lohlekha, chairman of the Paediatric Society of Thailand, said pneumonia could be fatal for infants, while acute otitis media was found in 80 per cent of children under three and could kill if it developed into meningitis, brain abscess or septicaemia.

He said parents might overlook symptoms like earache or itchy ears if their toddler already has a cold. However, this could lead to severe ear infection and a ruptured eardrum, or even spread to the lungs leading to potentially fatal respiratory failure. The infection could also spread to the brain, leading to meningitis or brain abscess, he said.

The doctor advised parents to take action if their toddler is touching the earlobes frequently or constantly crying. As for pneumonia, parents should consult with doctors immediately if their children have any flu or cold symptoms like wheezing, heavy coughing or high fever. He said pneumonia was not curable through vaccines or over-the-counter medication.

In Si Sa Ket, there have been 260 confirmed cases of hand, foot, mouth disease, and six of them were children between the ages of 10 and 14, which is rare, chief of public health office, Dr Prawi Amphan, said.

-- The Nation 2012-08-02

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NATIONAL PARKS

Chief faces probe over demolitions

JANJIRA PONGRAI

THE NATION

Two committees set up to investigate Damrong's action after complaints

BANGKOK: -- The chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will face investigation by two government-appointed committees for his strong action of leading some 5,000 department staff to demolish nine big resorts located at Thab Lan National Park last week.

Full story:

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Rural doctor inspires local people in Phrae

THE NATION

NONG MUANG Khai Hospital director Dr Somsak Soroslikhit and his rice crop harvested from a field in the hospital compound. Under his initiative, the flourishing paddy field is cutting the hospital

PHRAE: -- A doctor who has made a big difference at a Phrae Hospital through the use of Dhamma and His Majesty's sufficiency-economy principle has been named the Outstanding Rural Doctor of Year 2011.

Full story:

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Wage hike not hurting job sector

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Central Wage Committee yesterday revealed that more jobs were becoming available and that the government was doing a good job at controlling inflation and the price of goods.

Permanent secretary for Labour Dr Somkiat Chayasriwong, in his capacity as panel member, said the committee met yesterday to discuss the impact the minimum wage hike and the European economic crisis was having on the job situation in the country. They found that the rate of available jobs in April stood at 0.6 per cent, rose to 1.33 per cent in May and then to 1.9 per cent in June, he said, adding that this reflected business operators' growing confidence.

Since the government has been controlling inflation and the price of goods well, he said the European crisis should not affect the job market very much.

However, he added that the agency would continue monitoring the situation because the impacts on this sector are visible a lot later compared to the production and export sectors.

He said officials were still collecting information for the board to consider when wages in the remaining 70 provinces should be hiked. The report is expected to be ready by October.

-- The Nation 2012-08-02

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Amsterdam tells Us congress his firm no longer Thaksin's lobbyist

The Nation

WASHINGTON: -- The international law firm Amsterdam and Partners has notified the US Congress that it has terminated its lobbying relationship with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Full story:

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Govt bracing for censure debate challenges

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With the new parliamentary session starting yesterday, the government is bracing for headaches not only over the constitutional amendment bill and the proposed reconciliation law, but also a possible opposition grilling in an expected censure debate.

Full story:

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TAT to promote medical and wellness tourism

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand is promoting the country as the medical and wellness hub in Asia, against head-on competition from Hong Kong and South Korea, by organising the Medical and Wellness Tourism Trade Fam Trip.

Full story:

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Thailand mulls curfew in unrest hotspots: minister

Bangkok, Aug 2, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand is considering imposing curfews in parts of its Muslim-dominated deep south in an attempt to quell an eight-year-old insurgency, the deputy prime minister said Wednesday.

The remarks came a day after suspected militants detonated a car bomb outside a hotel in the restive region, slightly injuring four staff.

"We have to assess the situation," Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa told reporters. "If a curfew is necessary we will impose it in certain area."

Yutthasak, who heads a new taskforce set up to deal with the southern unrest, said the authorities would reinforce police forces in the area.

A complex insurgency, without clearly stated aims, has plagued Thailand's far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming thousands of lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, with near-daily bomb or gun attacks.

The insurgents are not thought to be part of a global jihad movement but are instead rebelling against a long history of perceived discrimination against ethnic Malay Muslims by successive Thai governments.

The authorities have imposed emergency rule in the worst-affected parts of the region, which rights campaigners say effectively gives the army legal immunity.

The area sees an annual spike in unrest during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Two Muslim civilians were shot dead and four other men were wounded by suspected militants on a motorcycle who fired into a crowded tea shop in Pattani province on Tuesday, police said.

A Muslim deputy village headman was shot dead as he drove home in Pattani early Wednesday.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-08-02

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Buddhists nationwide make merit, offering food to monks to mark Asanha Bucha Day; Ratchaprasong holds ceremony giving alms to 199 monks /MCOT

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Defense Ministry: Air patrol to aid military operations in Deep South

BANGKOK, 2 August 2012 (NNT) – The Defense Ministry has acquired assistance from the Air Force to help the Army’s operation in Thailand’s Deep South.

Defense Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat said that C.S. Pattani Hotel has been the target of terror attack once in 2008 and that the recent bomb attack was intended to manifest the ability of the separatist group in causing damages and losses.

Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol stated that, after the blast on Tuesday, he has held discussions with the commanders of all forces. He said all agreed that the weakness in the Army’s operation in the violence-plagued southern border region is the fact that the number of military officers on duty is less than the amount of tasks there.

The Defense Minister said that the Army is to be responsible for the peace-keeping operation in the Deep South and the clampdown on drugs and smuggling.

Therefore, in order to assist the military operations, the Defense Minister has asked the Air Force chief to provide an air patrol service to provide security to officers in the region.

In addition, Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol affirmed that the involvement of Deputy PMs Yongyoot Wichaidit and Chalerm Yubumrung in handling the southern border violence, as instructed by the Prime Minister, will not be overlapping with his responsibilities.

-- NNT 2012-08-02

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PM Yingluck: Restoration of peace in southern border provinces is complicated & time-consuming

BANGKOK, 2 August 2012 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has conceded that the restoration of peace in Thailand’s southern border provinces is a complicated and time-consuming mission.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that the government is looking at the years-long separatist insurgency in the southern border area as a complicated affair, which requires understanding and more offensive measures, as the situation there appeared to be more violent.

While stating that the authorities will continue to work under the initially-formulated strategies, the Prime Minister said there will be more and closer collaborations among related agencies to achieve the unity under the lead of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center.

The PM said that the central command center in Bangkok will be responsible for the planning and the communication with officials in the South.

Concerning the recent case of blast attack in Pattani, the Prime Minister has denied that the incident took place because of failed state intelligence.

The PM also conceded that solving the southern conflicts takes time while stating that the government is willing to hear suggestions from the Opposition to help it achieve the restoration of peace in the violence-torn South.

-- NNT 2012-08-02

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Government assured Thai economy remains strong while eyeing to further boost tourism revenue

BANGKOK, 2 August 2012 (NNT) – The government has assured that the local economy remains sound and strong, while expressing confidence in boosting tourism revenue further.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said that the Economic Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday, agreed that the outlook of Thai economy remains strong and stable, despite persisting threats from inside and outside the country.

Mr. Kittiratt said the meeting noted that the government will step up its boost for the tourism industry. And after tourist arrivals during the first 7 months of this year totaled 12.9 million, he is confident that the total number of tourist arrivals in 2012 will exceed the initial target of 21 million.

He went on to say that, after the Donmuang Airport is fully operational in October, the crowdedness at the Suvarnabhumi Airport will be eased, especially after it reached its capacity in July during which it boasted 1.2 million arrivals and departures.

The Deputy PM has also expressed confidence that the tourism sector will continue to be a major engine to drive the Thai economy forward and bring in more income for Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-08-02

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BOI extended tax exempt on imported machinery for flood-hit businesses

BANGKOK, 2 August 2012 (NNT) – The Board of Investment (BOI) has agreed to extend tax privileges for flood-affected business until the end of the year.

Industry Minister Pongsvas Svastiwat said on Wednesday that the latest BOI meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, resolved to extend the expiration of tax exempt on imported machinery for flood-hit entrepreneurs, from the original date of June 30th to December 31st, 2012.

Mr. Pongsvas said that the deadline extension is needed as a number of business operators are in the middle of preparation for the import of new machinery to replace the damaged ones or are deciding whether they should apply for some tax privileges from the BOI.

According to BOI data, more than 150 projects located in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani are preparing all documents to apply for tax incentives.

As of June 30th, 490 projects have imported machinery worth 108.65 billion baht to replace those that were submerged late last year.

-- NNT 2012-08-02

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Transport Ministry warns public of fake license plates

BANGKOK, 2 August 2012 (NNT) – Transport Ministry has warns people not to use fake license plates for new cars and has assured that the ministry will speed up the making of license plates to meet the rising demand.

According to Deputy Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, the Department of Land Transport or DLT is working at full capacity to make 8 million new license plates needed for all types of vehicles. However, the DLT has to revise the terms of references or ToR first in order to make those licenses free of defects. Another reason behind the delay in delivering plates is the government’s “First-Car Buyer” policy, which has so far resulted in the increase of up to 50,000 newly purchased cars.

Mr. Chadchart is confident that the DLT will be able to distribute license plates to those registered car buyers by September. Additionally, he has warned the public not to use counterfeit license plates as they are in violation of the traffic law.

-- NNT 2012-08-02

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Metropolitan Electricity Authority launches 1st Electric Vehicle Charging Station for public at its headquarters, 10 more stations to open by 2013 in response to eco car trend /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: Today, California Wow! at Paragon is closing down - RT @Khaow_PRz: วันนี้ California Wow! --> ที่พารากอนจะปิด

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Flood of candidates register for OrBorJor election

Phuket Gazette –

Scores of people turned out to support their candidates in the August 26 Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) council election. Photo: Kritsada Meuanhawong

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574330-flood-of-candidates-register-for-orborjor-election/#entry5538675

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Man found dead in tin mine lagoon

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket Ruamjai Foundation rescue workers transported the body to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, where police hope a medical examination will reveal the cause of death. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Police are attempting to identify the body of a man found floating in an old tin mine lagoon in Chalong yesterday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574333-man-found-dead-in-tin-mine-lagoon/#entry5538691

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Foreigners urged to give blood at Phuket Immigration

Phuket Gazette –

The Phuket Immigration event is intended to help recruit new donors with Rh-negative blood types. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) will host a special blood donation drive at Phuket Immigration Headquarters on August 9 to honor the 80th birthday of HM The Queen three days later.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574336-foreigners-urged-to-give-blood-at-phuket-immigration/#entry5538714

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Malaysian arrested at Narathiwat's Su-ngai Kolok checkpoint with 626 packs of kratom leaves weighing 67kg worth Bt60,000 /MCOT