Thailand Live Sunday 5 Aug 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 5 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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[Lite Beer]

PM, officials to discuss South measures on Wednesday

By Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation on Sunday

Bangkok: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will discuss measures to tackle the southern unrest, as well as gaps in the current security effort, with related agencies at a workshop on Wednesday, while Deputy Prime Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapha reiterated that a proposed curfew in the region had yet to be approved by the Army Region 4 chief.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574932-pm-officials-to-discuss-south-measures-on-wednesday/#entry5545612

[Lite Beer]

100,000 net access points by end of month

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The Information and Communica-tions Technology Ministry will expand its free Wi-Fi project to 100,000 access points countrywide by the end of this month, ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....h/#entry5545618

[Lite Beer]

LEGAL CLAIMS

Political conflict shifts to Hague court

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- War on drugs, 2010 crackdown targets of rival lawsuits

The opposition Democrat Party and the ruling Pheu Thai Party have intensified their political rivalry by taking domestic criminal and political cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....t/#entry5545627

[Lite Beer]

Workers try to get sinkhole sealed for holiday traffic

The Nation on Sunday

Highway Department workers repair the sinkhole area on Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan yesterday said repairs on a 3m-wide, 1.5m-deep sinkhole near the IT Square Mall on Bangkok's Chaeng Wattana Road would be complete by 12am this morning.

Traffic congestion around the area was reported after the road section from Bang Khen Roundabout to Phra Nakhon Rajabhat University was closed to facilitate the repairs.

Inspecting the Highway Department's progress in repairing the sinkhole - which first appeared Friday and later caused another 10-meter-long subsidence underneath the road - yesterday, Chatchart said it should be complete by midnight because many holiday-makers returning to work in Bangkok would use Chaeng Wattana Road. In a bid to prevent future subsidence, he instructed department officials to use radar to search for any underground cavities that needed to be filled in, starting from the Prem Prachakorn Bridge.

Lak Si Highway Office head Santi Traipayak, who led the repair work, said officials had opened the road surface on both lanes to fill the cavities before resealing the road surface. Motorists were advised to avoid the route. He suggested that the sinkhole was caused by the 2011 flood, which caused its soil base of sand and crushed rock to leak into a canal.

-- The Nation 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

King, Queen concerned about violence

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and Queen are concerned about the violence in the South and its impacts on the people there, including Buddhist monks in the region, Deputy Royal Aide-de-Camp General Naphol Boonthap said yesterday.

In addition, Her Majesty the Queen had graciously granted Bt20 million to help the 2,000 residents of Bangkok's Bon Kai area who were affected by the 2010 political riot, he said.

While giving a speech on the violence in the three southernmost provinces at Bangkok's First Hotel yesterday, Naphol said monks were being targeted for violence, leading to a decline in their number in the South. Another batch of 60 monks from the North and Northeast were sent to the area on July 27, he said, adding that insurgents were trying to drive the monks and people living near temples out of the area.

Naphol said the Queen was worried not only about residents of the deep South, but was also concerned about the wellbeing of people in all regions. She had graciously instructed him and his team to find solutions to the problems of people who wrote appeals to the Queen.

Her Majesty had also instructed him to check on residents of Bon Kai who were affected by the 2010 riot, and to provide seedling money for their small businesses as well as relief bags.

-- The Nation 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

Hotel becomes battleground again in ongoing conflict

Don Pathan,

The Nation on Sunday,

The damage at the back of CS Hotel in Pattani

PATTANI: -- One of the most popular hotels in Thailand's deep South, frequented by people from all walks of life, has once again been targeted in a car-bomb attack this past week.

But this time, the blast came from the back of the hotel. Several glass windowpanes were shattered, along with the brick wall next to which the vehicle was parked. Half of the town of Pattani plunged into darkness for several hours as the explosive took out a transformer nearby.

The message the insurgents seemed to want to convey from the previous attack on the CS Pattani Hotel, which took place in March 2008, was that there was no neutral ground. Two were killed and about 15 were injured in the latest incident, which was billed as a response to massive sweeping operations and shakedown in remote villages that resulted in hundreds of "vulnerable" young men coming on the military's watch list.

Prior to the March 2008 attack, the CS Pattani had a "Rick's Cafe" status, a term used by one foreign diplomat in reference to the hangout in the movie Casablanca, a neutral turf where all World War II warring parties mingled.

The March 2008 attack didn't totally shatter that notion as officials and customers continued to frequent the hotel. It continued to be the venue for some of the fiercest debates among top government officials, local elites, Muslim clerics, human-rights activists and local politicians. Authorities are currently on the lookout for 19 stolen vehicles - 14 pickup trucks, four cars and a van - that could potentially be used in bomb attacks.

Back in 2008, the head of Pattani's military task force had predicted that the militants would no longer enjoy the support of local residents for hitting soft targets.

Today, the militants are as strong as ever and continue to enjoy the support of local residents. The villagers have figured out that the conflict is not a religious one. Unfortunately, the Thai side hasn't.

-- The Nation 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

Bangkokians back weapons searches: poll

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Residents and police in Bangkok back a measure that would allow people to be searched and arrested if found to be illegally possessing guns, in a bid to reduce fear of crime in the capital, according to the results of a poll released yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574935-bangkokians-back-weapons-searches-poll/#entry5545650

[Lite Beer]

INVESTORS STAY AWAY FROM RESTIVE SOUTH

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

BANGKOK: -- The Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday said that investment in the three southernmost provinces had remained sluggish for several years now due to security concerns.

MCOT online quoted BOI secretary-general Atchaka Sriboonruang as saying that safety concerns were a major factor for stagnating investments in the restive region, as investors were scared to invest their money there, while existing industries in the area, including para rubber, oil palm, seafood processing and Halal food, were under-performing.

Atchaka said the region has three special industrial promotion zones and has been granted privileges such as eight-year exemption from corporate tax, followed by a further 50-per-cent reduction of tax for an additional five years. The Finance Ministry will have to decide if more privileges should be offered to further attract investors, but security agencies also have to create more confidence about safety measures for businesses, she said.

Atchaka said that investors in the restive provinces were not interested in investing overseas, which is in sharp contrast with those in other regions including Bangkok, who have been hit by rising minimum wage rates and are seeking to expand their businesses such as clothing, shoes and auto-parts manufacturing into neighbouring countries.

Last week, local entrepreneurs urged the BOI to provide additional privileges to encourage more investment in the area, including the setting-up of a special economic zone and extending the exemption of corporate income tax to 20 years from the current eight years.

Meanwhile, Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) secretary-general Thawee Sodsong joined a meeting yesterday with provincial Islamic committees in five southern border provinces (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun) and presented them some assistance money to aid their operations.

Thawee said the government had approved a Bt53.53-million budget to assist the committees, combined with SBPAC's fund of Bt10 million. The payment was based on the number of mosques at Bt7,000 per year per mosque, he explained. It included a special allowance hike from Bt3,500 to Bt7,000 for each committee chairman, a new special allowance payment of Bt5,000 to each committee member per month, and a special allowance hike from Bt1,200 to Bt3,000 per month for each imam.

-- The Nation 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

A SPECIAL REPORT

Lights, camera, action!

Don Pathan

The Nation on Sunday

Thai Muslims go about their daily lives despite stepped up security following a spate of attack by militants. About 3,000 devotees, including children, attend nightly worship at the Pattani Central Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574936-lights-camera-action/#entry5545661

[Lite Beer]

Three Pheu Thai candidates vie to join Bangkok gov race

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party will select one of three contenders as its candidate for the next Bangkok gubernatorial election.

Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said the party would reveal the identities of the three contenders within three weeks, after the Democrat Party decides whether or not incumbent Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra would seek re-election.

While Sukhumbhand appears eager for another term, the Democrat Party seems to be undecided due to an internal struggle, Jirayu said.

Survey results indicated that people's opinion of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's performance was poor, he said, adding that the Pheu Thai Party believes gubernatorial candidates under the banner of political parties stand a greater chance of winning than independent candidates.

Sukhumbhand's term ends on January 11.

-- The Nation 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

Censure motion to focus on five issues, Democrat MP says

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party MP Thepthai Senapong said the party planned to file a censure debate motion against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on five issues.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574818-yingluck-ready-to-clarify-in-no-confidence-debate/#entry5545673

[Lite Beer]

Accused child abuser, 93, caught fleeing into Burma

Am Sandford and Lindsay Murdoch

Brisbane Times

A 93-year-old Australian man attempted to escape charges that he raped four young Thai sisters by fleeing illegally into Burma, Thai police say.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574939-accused-child-abuser-93-caught-fleeing-into-burma/#entry5545746

[Lite Beer]

Thai Health Promotion Foundation to organize special event to promote food safety

BANGKOK, 5 August 2012 (NNT) – Thai Health Promotion Foundation has organized a special event to promote food safety awareness among the public.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....y/#entry5545821

[Lite Beer]

PM Yingluck to chair meeting with SBPAC on 8 August

BANGKOK, 5 August 2012 (NNT) – The Prime Minister is scheduled to chair a meeting with the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) next week.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....y/#entry5545829

[Lite Beer]

BMA confirms no case of rabies virus spread from pet rabbits to humans

BANGKOK, 5 August 2012 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has confirmed that there has been no spread of rabies virus from pet rabbits to humans.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry5545834

[Lite Beer]

RT@suthichai: 83% of Thais say they have never read the Constitution because it's too confusing: Abac Poll

[Lite Beer]

RT@ChadapornLin: 7 roads at risk of sinkholes following flooding last year: Chaengwattana, Ngamwongwan, Vibhavadi, Paholyodhin,Suwintawong,Petchkasem,Ra

[Lite Beer]

RT@ChadapornLin: Lumpinee boxing stadium to relocate to Ramintra in early 2014 as rental contract expires; new compound to be larger and more modern

[Lite Beer]

Policeman shot, severely wounded in Pattani while he was about to leave home for work /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Police intelligence, deeper ties to community key to cutting the murders

Phuket Gazette –

More, not less, invasion of privacy may be needed to trim Phuket's violent crime woes. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: The recent arrest of Belgian murder suspect Marc De Schutter is the latest in a series of events that have kept Phuket in the international spotlight.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/574992-phuket-opinion-police-intelligence-deeper-ties-to-community-key-to-cutting-the-murders/#entry5546268

[Lite Beer]

TAT governor opens Trang cake festival

TRANG, 5 August 2012 (NNT) - Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), presided over the opening ceremony of the 22nd Cake Festival in the southern coastal province of Trang.

At the ceremony, the TAT governor made a token cut on a giant Trang cake. The 40-kilogram cake was a three-flavor one, measuring one meter at its diameter. Mr. Theerayut Iamtrakoon, governor of Trang province and Mr. Surin Tohtubtiang, vice chairperson of the Thai Chamber of Commerce also joined in the opening ceremony.

Aside from the cake-cutting ceremony, the opening event saw a costume parade of Trang students and a procession of bikers that was over three kilometers long. The event drew the interests of both tourists and residents in the area.

Owners of over thirty cake businesses have brought their wares to sell. The cakes are sold at sixty THB a box while ten THB from the proceed of each box will be donated to support education in the province of Trang.

-- NNT 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

Policeman shot in Pattani

PATTANI, Aug 5 – A police officer was shot and severely wounded while he was about to leave his home for work Sunday morning.

Pol Sen Sgt Maj Abdulrosak Yuso, Squad Leader, was shot in a drive-by shooting by four attackers on motorcycles.

They managed to flee and the police officer was taken to hospital. Four spent bullet casings from AK-47 assault rifles were found at the scene.

The attack is the latest violent incident as the government is due to hold a meeting attended by security agencies this week to discuss measures to address the southern violence.

On a proposal to impose a curfew in the deep South, Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chanocha said on Sunday that it is one of measures to reduce losses as the banning of travelling during curfew hours can help cut risks and officials can work more effectively.

However, the Army chief said the curfew will definitely affect the private sector and needed to be carefully considered by all parties. He said he personally thought it was not the right time to impose the curfew. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

Prime Minister opens NOWT charity walk, talks women´s roles

BANGKOK, 5 July 2012 (NNT) - Ms. Benjamas Rujiwong, vice-chairperson of the the National Outstanding Thai Women Association (NOWT), activities division, made known that the NOWT is holding a charity walk in honor of Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th birthday at Lumpini Park on August 12.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presided over the opening ceremony, and stated that the event gives citizens the opportunity to show their loyalty to Her Majesty and also promotes walking for exercise.

Walking as an exercise will not only help to improve one’s health but also strengthen family ties, which will in turn positively affect the economy and help women gain equality with men.

The government has given support to women in four areas and has supported the role of women in the development of the nation. Laws regarding domestic violence have also been modified. The government is providing support for women in various areas in preparation for Thailand’s entry into the Asean Economic Community.

-- NNT 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

Army chief says King & Queen are concerned for 3 southernmost provinces; PM to discuss unrest with security, development agencies on Aug 8 /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Army Chief ready to step up surveillance in violence-torn Deep South

NAKHON NAYOK, 5 August 2012 (NNT) – The Army Chief has reckoned the need to revamp security work in Thailand’s southern border area, with plans to install more surveillance system in the violence-plague region.

Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on Sunday that Their Majesties the King and the Queen have expressed concerns over the situation in the Deep South, where they have been bestowing personal funds for local development projects for a long time.

Concerning the meeting with the Prime Minister on August 8th, General Prayut stated that the discussions, which will be joined by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) as well as other related agencies, will focus on a more integrative approach towards the restoration of peace in the Deep South and form a more efficient channel for the PM to make proper decisions for any relevant issue.

He went on to say that the imposition of the curfew rule is one of the measures to reduce losses in the conflict-ridden region, as it can separate the bad guys from the innocent people. However, General Prayut agreed that the curfew may hurt local business and, therefore, the matter still needs more deliberations before being activated.

The Army Chief also conceded that the number of security personnel in the Deep South is not sufficient to take total control of the situation, and constant adjustment will be needed to emphasize on risk areas.

He stated that more surveillance cameras will be installed in key locations, while asking for more cooperation from the public to inform the authorities about any movement by insurgents.

In addition, General Prayut is asking the media to discreetly report on southern violence in order not to give the insurgent groups chances to manifest their stories.

-- NNT 2012-08-05

[Lite Beer]

Pakistani held for ATM card scam

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- A Pakistani man was arrested for ATM card theft following the seizure of a skimmer device, a closed-circuit TV camera and 34 fake electronic cards from his apartment in Bangkok's Suan Luang district, police announced yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/575039-pakistani-held-for-atm-card-scam/#entry5546952

[Lite Beer]

Bangkok plans to install 20,000 additional surveillance cameras within this year, work to be completed first in 123 high-risk spots /MCOT

Bomb targeting soldiers on patrol explodes in Narathiwat's Tak Bai district, no one reported wounded /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

King, Queen concerned about insurgency in far South: Army chief

BANGKOK, Aug 5- Thai Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Sunday that Their Majesties the King and Queen are deeply concerned about unrest in the southernmost provinces.

Their Majesties the King and Queen have always been worried about people in far South and have supported them continuously since they began visiting the southern border region three decades ago, Gen Prayuth revealed.

The army chief added that Her Majesty the Queen has continued granting money to development projects and helping families in the Deep South earn more income from producing handicrafts under the royal initiative campaigns.

Gen Prayuth’s remarks came after Gen Naphon Buntap, deputy chief aide-de-camp general, addressed to an audience in a special lecture on the southern violence held by the Internal Security Operations Command on Saturday.

Gen Naphon, who serves on the Queen‘s personal staff, said that the Office of Her Majesty the Queen´s Private Secretary had received petitions and the Queen ordered him to visit the areas and report to her in order to find measures to help local residents.

He said since the insurgency escalated in 2004, only a few Buddhist monks have stayed in each of all 266 temples in the region.

In some areas where frequent attacks occur, local residents have difficulties earning a living in growing crop in plantation or selling goods. In Tanyongmas, located in Narathiwat’s Rangae district, 80 percent of shops have closed, he said.

In a related development, the army chief said that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on August 8 was set to call a meeting with security and development agencies, particularly the Internal Security Operations Command and the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), in order to discuss tackling the escalating regional unrest.

As the Internal Security Operations Command and the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) were the main organisations responsible for resolving the problems, Gen Prayuth explained that both organisations needed to adjust and improve in order to work harmoniously and effectively and to respond to the need of local people. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-05