Thailand Live Monday 6 Aug 2012

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Pimsiri arrives in Bangkok, while Kaeo qualifies for semi-finals

BANGKOK, 6 August 2012 (NNT) - Olympic weightlifting silver medalist Pimsiri Sirikaew arrived in Bangkok yesterday, while light-flyweight boxer Kaeo Pongprayoon has qualified for the semi-finals in London

Thai weightlifter Pimsiri who won the olympic silver medal has returned home from London to a warm welcome of her family and fans.

She said she dedicated the medal to all Thai people and it is a gift to her mother on the occasion of the National Mother's Day on August 12. Pimsiri also expressed her appreciation to the government for the support and assured that she would train harder for the 2016 Olympics.

Meanwhile, Kaeo Pongprayoon, the 49kg-division or light-flyweight boxer, who is Thailand's last hope in boxing, booked his way into the Olympics semi-final after beating Ecuadorian Carlos Quipo 10-6 in the quarter-finals. He is now only one win away from an Olympic medal. He will fight a Bulgarian boxer Aleksandar Aleksandrov on Wednesday.

Thai men's 50 meter rifle three positions Jakrit Panichpatikam has been eliminated from the Olympics. His total score was 558 points, which was 11 points behind the leader of the group. Jakrit came up 14th of all shooters, but only the first 8 were qualified for the next round.

-- NNT 2012-08-06

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RT@191Thailand: Picture of the bus carrying factory workers that crashed this morning into a canal - TR @faajung_Galz pic.twitter.com/Ssu00Vx4

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RT@RichardBarrow: Khun @Abhisit_DP is back in the deep south visiting people affected by recent bomb attacks. This picture from Pattani: lockerz.com/s/231721093

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Phuket Customs seize B8mn of smuggled fuel in Krabi

Phuket Gazette –

Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command Assistant Chief of Staff Capt Natapol Malarat (front, in tan-colored uniform) explains how the oil was transported in the hold of the converted fishing boat. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Customs and Royal Thai Navy officers pose in front of the fuel tanker truck seized in the raid. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/575225-phuket-customs-seize-b8mn-of-smuggled-fuel-in-krabi/#entry5548845

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Michelle Smith attacker pleads guilty to 'gang robbery causing death'

Phuket Gazette –

Surasak Suwannachote, pictured here holding a replica of the knife used in the attack, today confessed in court to gang robbery resulting in the death of Michelle Smith of Australia. Photo: Orawin Narabal

Surin Tadthong (seated as the driver of the motorbike) denied all charges against him. Photo: Orawin Narabal

PHUKET: Surasak Suwannachote, the man on trial for stabbing Australian tourist Michelle Smith in a bungled bag snatch on June 20, appeared at Phuket Provincial Court this morning and confessed to gang robbery resulting in death.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....h/#entry5548870

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Criminal Court, Police, Corrections Dept discuss response to mass public gathering Thursday when court begins hearings on revoking bail for 24 UDD members /MCOT

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POLITICS

Chief coalition whip allays fear of unity bills deliberation

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The chief coalition whip Monday set out to allay opponents' fears that the four national reconciliation bills would be deliberated, saying the bills would be indefinitely put on hold.

Full story:

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AoT holding exhibition to raise safety awareness of flight operations

BANGKOK, 6 August 2012 (NNT)-The Aiports of Thailand (AoT) is holding an exhibition to raise awareness of safety measures taken by the AoT to ensure smooth operation during adverse weather conditions.

The objective of this event is also to raise airline companies’ and passengers’ confidence in the AoT’s management of flight operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport. According to AoT President Somchai Sawasdipol, the measures are to be strictly followed by airport employees who are dealing with air traffics and working on or near the runway.

According to him, rough weather conditions during the rainy season not only render poor visibility in the air but could also potentially become harmful to airport staff working in open space on the ground as they could be struck by lighting. The exhibition will be held until this Friday as part of the AoT's safety campaign.

Every year, airport staff members undergo training to prepare for any unprecedented events caused by severe weather. The training focuses on communication, first aid, and warning procedures. All personnel will have a hands-on practice during the emergency drill.

-- NNT 2012-08-06

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Sudarat says she will not contest in Bangkok governor election

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, a Pheu Thai core member, said Monday that she wold not contest in the next Bangkok governor election although she has exited the five-year political ban.

The current Bangkok governor's term will expire later this year.

Sudarat said she would like to support a younger executive to become the next Bangkok governor. She said she has approached some young executives to contest the gubernatorial election but they have not yet given her a reply.

-- The Nation 2012-08-06

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NACC: Transparency needed for country’s development

BANGKOK, 6 August 2012 (NNT) – The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has organized anti-corruption activities to promote transparency and strict law enforcement.

NACC President Panthep Klanarongran, who presided over the anti-corruption project, said transparency is the most important tool to gain people’s trust. He said good governance must be practiced under transparency and moral concepts.

He stated that the government is running several projects and the people must be informed of the projects’ details such as medium prices and expenses to prevent corruption. The NACC has proposed to the government measures to check and examine each of the projects to prevent corruption.

In 2011, Thailand ranked 80th in the world for Corruption Perception Index (CPI). Mr Panthep said Thai politics and ambiguous regulations are the root causes of corruption, hindering the nation’s development.

With the ASEAN Community about to be established in 2015, the NACC president elaborated, Thailand is still lacking behind other countries in many aspects such as language skills and law enforcement. He said therefore all sectors must help push for more transparency in the society.

-- NNT 2012-08-06

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SMUGGLING OF WEAPONS

Suspect in weapons case transferred buses after first broke down, police told

The Nation

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Police are checking security cameras at Nakhon Ratchasima's main bus terminal, the departure point of an inter-provincial bus loaded with war weapons, in a bid to find the owner of the AK-47 rifles and hand grenades.

Full story:

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SET index closed at 1208.01, up 10.48; Bt/USD31.39; GBP48.88; AUD32.97; EUR38.70; CAD31.20; HKD4.04; SGD25.13; JPY39.83

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Phuket cop arrested, linked to meth trade

Phuket Gazette

Although drug suspect Mr Mana (seated) was presented to the press, Sen Sgt Maj Kumthorn was not. He was ‘exercising his right’ not to appear before the public, said Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikhong. Photo: Orawin Narabal

Mr Mana was arrested allegedly in possession of the handgun and drugs on the table to the right. Sen Sgt Maj Kumthorn La-orsuwan was charged with illegal possession of the two guns on the table to the left. Photo: Orawin Narabal

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police arrested a fellow policeman on Saturday just hours after he was named by another drug suspect for involvement in the sale and distribution of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine).

Full story:

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Singaporean Arrested And Accused Of Stealing Money From A Thai Woman

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/575272-singaporean-arrested-and-accused-of-stealing-money-from-a-thai-woman/

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POLITICS

Senate to vote on new president next week

The Nation

Pichet

BANGKOK: -- The Senate will be voting for its new president next Tuesday, though only nominees with backing from at least 10 senators will be allowed to join the race.

Nikhom Vairatpanich, vice president of the Senate, said senators could not nominate themselves and that each candidate would be given 10 minutes to speak about their vision for the Senate before votes are cast.

Additional rounds of voting would be held should two or more candidates win the same number of votes.

So far, five contenders have emerged with appointed Senator Pichaet Sunthornpipit leading the pack.

Meanwhile, Senator Kamnoon Sitthisamarn has called on Nikhom to quit from his post as vice president now if he wishes to run for the top post so his replacement can be elected on the same day. Kamnoon said he believed this would set a good standard.

However, the Senate appears to be divided over this issue and Nikhom has said that he is not sure if he would be nominated for the presidency. He added that he would make his decision on the day of the election and called on his fellow senators to not pressure him.

"Can you give me the right [to consider]? Give me a chance and do not pressure me ... I have devoted myself to the House. I am a sportsman and will not make demands, but please don't pressure me," Nikhom said.

-- The Nation 2012-08-06

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Thailand Live Tuesday 7 Aug 2012