Thailand Live Friday 3 Aug 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 3 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 Thursday 2 Aug 2012

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Thaksin gets ready for two-week US visit

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be flying to the United States next week for a fortnight, his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama announced yesterday.

Full story:

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Let CAT, TOT keep frequencies: ministry

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- To help TOT and CAT Telecom survive the loss of concession revenue while the market is liberalised, the Information and Communications Technology Ministry will ask the Council of State if the state-owned enterprises can be allowed to keep the frequencies of their private concession holders after the concessions end.

Full story:

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Panel to study verdict on charter change

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The coalition committee considering the constitution amendment verdict will focus on the underlying contentious issue - whether Parliament can vote on the third reading of the bill without triggering a new round of court battles on charter change.

Full story:

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

One year in the hot seat in Parliament

The Nation

Somsak Kiatsuranont addresses a parliamentary committee in this file photo. After a year in the hot seat as Parliament president and House speaker, Somsak says he will not change anything.

Full story:

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Buddhists celebrate Asarnha Bucha Day

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Buddhists nationwide flocked to temples on Thursday to offer alms to monks as they marked Asarnha Bucha Day.

In Nong Khai, Thais and Laotians gave alms to monks at the Phochai Temple, a temple under royal patronage in Muang district at 7am. Nong Khai Governor Wirat Limsuwat presided over the ceremony.

In Ubon Ratchathani, Buddhist Thais and Laotians visited Phrato Temple in Paksaeng village., Tambon Palan, Natan district to give alms to monks.

In Bangkok, Deputy Bangkok Governor Thaya Tipasuwan chaired the ceremony to give alms to 199 monks at the Amarin Plaza shopping mall.

Meanwhile in Kanchanaburi, Deputy Governor Cherdsak Jampathet chaired ceremony to offer alms to monks at the Chaichumpol Chana Songkram Temple in Muang district at 8am.

In Uttaradit, Buddhists flocked to several temples, including Thai Talad Temple in Muang district, to give alms to monks while their counterparts in Phitsanulok visited temples to make merit.

Asarnha Bucha Day is the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which this year falls on August 2. It commemorates the day on which the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon called "the Dhammachakapavattana Sutta" to his first five chief disciples more than 2,500 years ago.

-- The Nation 2012-08-03

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Security officials far too laid back: experts

The Nation

Govt's approach lacks courage, senior Democrat says

BANGKOK: -- There have been no intelligence breakthroughs for officials trying to identify those responsible for a recent spate of carbombings, as the perpetrators are believed to be new recruits from several insurgent strongholds in the deep South, intelligence sources said yesterday.

Full story:

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SPECIAL

Tweets shape national debate

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Platform allows more diverse discussion than conventional media, but can also be abused, experts say

Full story:

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SOOPSIP

Carabao story to be children's film

The Nation

Uncle Ad will be portrayed by his nephew Toon.

BANGKOK: -- It's not just long-time Carabao fans who are thrilled by Yuenyong "Ad Carabao" Opakul's announcement that a feature film is being made about the songs-for-life band.

Full story:

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Nine of 92 Thais jailed in Myanmar confess illegal holding of military weapons

RANONG, Aug 3 -- Myanmar's Township Border Committee (TBC) at Kawthaung province informed its Thai counterpart in Ranong that nine of the 92 Thais jailed in Myanmar have confessed to charges of illegal possession of military weapons.

Full story:

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PAD insists reconciliation bill be pulled

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The People's Alliance for Democracy is reiterating its demand for the withdrawal of the reconciliation bill, saying that the government's decision to suspend deliberation on it is just a ploy to push for the bill's passage at a later date.

Full story:

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Fearing more floods, Nakhon Pathom farmers make changes

Chularat Saengpassa

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Orpin Boonta, a 60yearold orchid farmer in Nakhon Pathon

NAKHON PATHOM: -- Farmers in Nakhon Pathom have changed their ways in anticipation of more flooding this year and are worried that that the government's floodprevention measures will likely not protect their farms from severe inundation.

Full story:

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Cloudseeding underway in drought-hit Nakhon Si Thammarat

The Nation

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- Cloudseeding operations are underway over the droughthit southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, with a fleet of aircraft operating on direct orders from His Majesty the King, provincial governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan said yesterday.

Full story:

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South gold shop owner takes AMLO to court

Narong Nuansakul

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- A gold shop owner in the southern province of Narathiwat will file a complaint in the Administrative Court against the AntiMoney Laundering Office for "unfairly" seizing his property on suspicion that he was involved in the unrest in the region.

Suriyan Pongmanuwut said AMLO agents raided his gold shop in Sungai Padi district on March 10 and took away valuables worth Bt16 million and Bt570,000 in cash. The agents told him that he was connected to the unrest and the drug trade in the southern border provinces.

He said a group of soldiers had arrested Suree Pohdaoh, one of the biggest drug dealers in Tak Bai, and Pateemoh, who brought Malaysian ringgit from Suree to exchange at his gold shop.

A few days later, operatives from the Narcotics Control Board, the Department of Special Investigation and military searched his shop. They asked him to be a state witness and pointed to a picture of the suspect. Sungai Padi police also issued an order to protect him as he might be in danger.

But AMLO's agents told Suriyan that his gold and money might have come from drug dealers and this money would support their efforts to create disturbances in the southern provinces.

An administrative committee had ordered its staff to investigate whether Suriyan was involved in the unrest and confiscated his property for 90 days. But now it was 135 days, which exceeded the committee's order, and he wanted his money and gold back.

"I cannot accept this process. I have to ask for justice for myself. I'm just an ordinary gold shop owner," he said.

His attorney, Winit Narathippapa, said Suriyan was so afraid that his family was in danger that he had taken them to live in another province. He also had to run away from both drug dealers and officials.

-- The Nation 2012-08-03

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Thailand's first EV charging station opens in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Aug 3 – The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) opened Thailand's first electric vehicle (EV) charging station for the public, with nine more stations to be launched by the end of next year, MEA Governor Atorn Sinsawat said Wednesday.

Full story:

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Justice Minister eyes new billion-baht Phuket Prison

Phuket Gazette

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok still needs to review and approve the 1 billion baht budget for the new prison. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Phuket Prison Chief Rapin (right) holds up the plans for the new prison, which has been designed to have a capacity of 3,000 inmates. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Justice Minister Pracha Promnok today reviewed plans to close the 115-year-old and heavily overcrowded Phuket Provincial Prison in Phuket Town and establish a 3,000-person capacity prison in Thalang.

Full story:

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Today is Wan Khao Phansa, the beginning of the 3 month Buddhist Lent. It is a holiday for state enterprises and govt agencies. However the banks are open

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AIRLINE INITIATIVE

THAI offers faster check-in facility

Jirapan Boonnoon

The Nation

Electronic boarding pass service will increase convenience for passengers

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) passengers will no longer have to endure long queues at the check-in counter, thanks to the Mobile Boarding Pass service which allows customers to check in at domestic airports and also at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport and Phuket International Airport.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,194.57, down 6.56 points /MCOT

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Disease Control Dept urged the public to beware of possible infection during long holiday

BANGKOK, 3 August 2012 (NNT) – The Disease Control Department has urged people who decided to travel back to their hometowns during this long holiday to be cautious about possible health threats while on the road.

Deputy Director-General of the Disease Control Department Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said on Thursday that travelers who get on the road during the Buddhist Lent holiday period should not check only the health of their vehicles but also their own, while reminding them to avoid alcohol consumption while traveling.

In addition to drivers, Dr. Suwannachai also urged passengers on the back of pick-up trucks to wear long-sleeve shirts and trousers as well as hats, sunglasses and sunblock lotion with SPF 15 as a minimum.

Moreover, he suggested that all travelers bring along common medicines, such as painkillers and antihistamines for allergies, for instance.

The Deputy Director-General of the Disease Control Department also called on people with health problems to avoid being in crowded areas in order to prevent the spread of any diseases to others and to keep themselves safe from possible health threats, such as influenza and pneumonia.

-- NNT 2012-08-03

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Labor Ministry to step up moves against human trafficking

BANGKOK, 3 August 2012 (NNT) – The Labor Ministry has joined forces with related agencies in stepping up their moves against human trafficking.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Labor Songsri Boonba said that the Ministry has recently drafted a new set of measures to clamp down and solve the problems of human-trafficking.

Ms. Songsri said that the Ministry has also asked a number of related agencies to join in an integrated move against this issue.

State agencies, which have taken part in this stepped-up move, include the Department of Employment, the Social Security Office and the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare.

And in order to make sure that the new strategy will be effective, Permanent Secretary for Labor Somkiat Chayasriwong will be asked to send an official memorandum to all units across the country to clarify the details of this policy.

Ms. Songsri added that the Labor Ministry’s plan to tackle human-trafficking will focus on Thai workers working abroad, labor in the fishery and related sectors, immigrant workers in Thailand and child labor.

The Ministry is set to hold another meeting to discuss a more detailed plan related to this move on August 7th.

-- NNT 2012-08-03

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Special Report: Buddhist Lent Day

Buddhist Lent, also called “Rains Retreat” or “Vassa,” starts on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month, which is one day after Asalaha Bucha Day. It is the traditional retreat lasting 3 lunar months during the rainy season, from July to October.

The tradition of Buddhist Lent or the annual three-month Rains Retreat, known in Thai as "Phansa", dates back to the time of early Buddhism in ancient India. It is the time for all holy men, mendicants, and sages to spend 3 months of the annual rainy season in permanent dwellings. The Buddhist Lent day is the day on which Buddhist monks take a vow to remain only at one particular place or temple, sheltering away from the sun and the rainstorms. Monks also suspend their traveling during this period when crops grow in order to avoid accidentally stepping on saplings.

For Buddhism and its followers, Buddhist Lent has the following important characteristics:

1. Buddhist monks who have been traveling from place to place have to take up shelter in a particular place.

2. Buddhist monks who stay at a particular place for a length of time shall teach young boys who wish to be ordained in order to study Buddhist Doctrine, and preach to lay followers.

3. During Buddhist Lent, lay followers should refrain from improper behaviors including drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or leading an immoral life in particular .

4. During that period, laymen are supposed to acquire merit, observe the 5 or the 8 precepts, listen to sermons, and sit in meditation at the temple.

The Buddhist Lent period covers almost the entire rainy season and lasts 3 lunar months. In Thailand, Buddhist monks resolve to stay in a temple of their choice and will not take abode in another temple until the Lent is over.

Some Buddhist followers consider the beginning of Buddhist Lent as a time for making resolutions such as observing the 5 precepts (Panjasila), reaffirming their spirituality by giving up certain pleasures such as consuming alcohol or smoking throughout the 3-month Rains Retreat.

On the Buddhist Lent day, Buddhists usually go to the temple, offer food and alms to monks, and participate in a candle procession going three times around the temple . They behave according to the rules of Buddhist Commandments, pray, and meditate.

The focus of celebration during the beginning of Buddhist Lent is marked by various institutions such as schools, universities, and both public and private sectors since the event is a collaborative work. Two main offerings given to monks during Buddhist Lent are candles and garments to be worn by monks, especially bathing robes. The candles are essential for holding ceremonies and studying scriptures during night time. Large candles are made and given to the temple to create illumination in the belief that such a gift will likewise illuminate the mind. The presentation of garments worn by monks is said to have originated from the methods of bathing in former times which were commonly conducted in community areas using streams, rivers, ponds, and other sources of water.

-- NNT 2012-08-03

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Thailand officially establishes diplomatic ties with Palestine

BANGKOK, Aug 3 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday signed the Announcement on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the State of Palestine.

Full story:

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RT @ReutersIndia: Samsung to unveil new Galaxy Note in late August http://reut.rs/QyNkOB

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Apology needed to pave way for reconciliation : Gothom

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All sides involved in the 2010 bloodshed should both step forward to apologise for the violence caused, paving way for reconciliation and forgiveness, instead of passing blame, peace advocate Gothom Arya said on Friday.

Gothom, also director of Mahidol University's Research Centre for Peace Building, said the country would be mired in animosity so long as the opposing sides refused to be held accountable for the political strife.

"None of us are strictly angels or devils; our actions are a mixture of good and bad," he said.

He said he believed, under the prevailing political climate, even if the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand issued a comprehensive and irrefutable report outlining what happened in 2010, the opposing sides would still insist on their version of truth.

The fact is deaths and injuries were inflicted on protesters as well as security forces, hence he suspects all sides involved in the violence had blood on their hands, he said.

He called for a stop to passing the blame. All sides should accept their respective responsibilities for triggering violence, he said.

The mutual apology would lessen the bitter feelings and allow the opposing sides to engage in a meaningful dialogue to sort out the legal wrangling, he said.

A first step might be to grant amnesty for protesters accused of violating the emergency decree and issue a pardon for those convicted for emergency violations, he said. Other issues should then be discussed and settled in accordance with the progression of the reconciliation process, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-08-03

[Lite Beer]

Democrats to target PM for censure

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party has launched the preparations to file a motion of no-confidence although it has not set a specific date to censure Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Democrat MP Theptai Seanapong said on Friday.

"We still have four months to pick a date for censure debate," he said.

Theptai said the censure would take place even if the government might reshuffle the Cabinet. The ministerial line-up would not change anything because PM Yingluck would be the main target for grilling, he added.

He said the censure motion would be filed as it was a consitutional duty for the opposition to check on the government performance.

-- The Nation 2012-08-03

[Lite Beer]

SET index midday down 11.13 pts, 0.93 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) midday Friday stood at 1,190 points, down 11.13 points, or 0.93 per cent in line with regional shares amid Bt12.97 billion turnover.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 819.80, down 9.30 points, or 1.12 per cent.

Top five most active (value) stocks: KTB, BBL, PTT, PTTGC, ADVANC.

-- The Nation 2012-08-03

[Lite Beer]

Thai ambassadors worldwide meet in annual gathering to hear new policies

BANGKOK, 3 August 2012 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding an annual meeting of Thai ambassadors and consuls-general from across the globe on August 3-8, to discuss the government’s foreign policy and Thailand’s position in the world arena.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the meeting is held for the first time since the current administration assumed office last year. The meeting will also be graced by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, in her capacity as Ambassador of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony on August 6, outlining key policies to the Thai envoys.

The meeting is aimed at defining Thailand’s roles on the global stage and addressing international and regional challenges affecting the country’s economy and politics. High on the agenda is a discussion on the roles of Thai ambassadors and consuls-general in their capacity as heads of ‘Team Thailand’ and Change leaders to bring about integrated collaboration among Thai offices abroad.

During the 6-day meeting, all the envoys will have an opportunity to exchange opinions with the Thai private sector. Those posted in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam will also hold talks with governors from the 20 northeastern provinces. To coincide with the annual gathering, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior will jointly organize a fair of OTOP products destined to be promoted by Thai diplomatic missions all over the world.

-- NNT 2012-08-03

[Lite Beer]

Everyone entitled to dress in red: Democrats

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij on Friday posted the picture of a red shirt inscribed with the words "Red Colour, Flag Colour" in his Facebook page.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574577-everyone-entitled-to-dress-in-red-democrats/#entry5541151