Thailand Live Thursday 16 Aug 2012

[Lite Beer]

Five transvestite Thammasat graduates allowed to be dressed as girl students for commencement

BANGKOK: -- Five transvestite newly graduates of Thammasat University have been allowed to be dressed as girl students for the royally-sponsored commencement at the end of this month, Thai Rath reported.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/577579-five-transvestite-thammasat-graduates-allowed-to-be-dressed-as-girl-students-for-commencement/#entry5577244

[Lite Beer]

Explosion in Narathiwat causes no injuries

NATATHIWAT: -- Eight soldiers patrolling a road as a protection unit for schoolteachers and students in Narathiwat province escaped injury Thursday morning when a bomb went off near them.

They were on a routine patrol on Yeengor-Jakwa road in Tambon Baan Tanote in Rusoh district at about 8am when the bomb went off. The eight make up the protection unit for four schools in the area.

The explosion was absorbed by a roadside wood although it destroyed the pole of village's name board where the bomb was planted.

-- The Nation 2012-08-16

[Lite Beer]

THAI-MYANMAR RELATIONS

Verdict on eight Thais in war weapon case "could take two weeks"

RANONG: -- The trial of eight Thais, arrested in Myanmar on charges of possessing war weapons, was scheduled to end on Thursday, but it could take two weeks before the court delivers its verdict, Thai Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Sek Wannamethee said on Thursday.

The spokesman added that two other Thais who have been charged with drug offences would appear before another court on the same day for witness hearings.

The maximum penalties for possessing military weapons and drug offences are 20 years and 30 years in jail respectively.

The eight are among 92 Thais, including ten women arrested by the Myanmar authorities at Koh Song or Victoria Point opposite Thailand's Ranong province on July 4. They were initially alleged to have encroached into Myanmar territory and having grown crops including marijuana there without a permit. The charges of illegal possession of weaponry and drugs were later added in certain cases.

Relatives of the eight Thais came to the coordination office in Ranong on Wednesday after learning about the trial. They wanted to cross the border and attend the trial but their request was rejected because they did not ask for permission in advance. They were allowed to wait for the verdict at the coordination office.

The suspects maintained they were misled by a broker into clearing land for a rubber plantation and only later learned the land was beyond the zone authorised by Myanmar officials for Thais to use.

In a courtesy call on Myanmar President Thein Sein on Wednesday, Thai Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat discussed the plight of the 92 Thai detainees and requested that they be released and returned to Thailand.

The Myanmar leader promised to look into the matter, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

-- The Nation 2012-08-16

[Lite Beer]

Security tightened in restive South during post-Ramadan period

BANGKOK, Aug 16 - Thai Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa said on Thursday that security officials have been instructed to be on high alert and monitor the situation in southern border provinces during a ten-day period after the the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan as intelligence reports indicate possible violent attacks.

The deputy premier who supervises national security said he has instructed security concerned agencies to keep close watch for ten days after Ramadan ends, especially between Aug 16-19 as the National Intelligence Agency learned that there are preparations for possible attacks.

Gen Yuthasak said the insurgents have been convinced that if they launch the attacks during this period, they will be more blessed by Allah.

The deputy prime minister added security personnel must closely monitor security in the city areas because if the attack is successful, it will create the perception of "violent incident".

Gen Yuthasak also revealed that the security personnel at operational level have discussed with some groups of insurgents to restore peace in Thailand's southern border region.

Officials however did not talk with the leaders of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK), but with two groups which separated from the RKK. The new factions led by a few key leaders comprise some 9,000 militia, mainly teenagers. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-16

[Lite Beer]

Roadside bombing attempted on Narathiwat teacher protection unit; no injuries.

NARATHIWAT, Aug 16 – An apparent manually-detonated bomb exploded without effect as an eight-man teacher protection unit patrol passed by before the explosive went off. There were no injuries.

Sgt Kengkat Siri led his team of seven soldiers on foot patrol along a road in Ruso district to provide security for teachers going to a school early this morning.

The bomb went off minutes after the soldiers passed by, and no one was hurt.

In the neighbouring province of Pattani, separate incidents occurred across three districts last night.

An unidentified teacher was shot in Saiburi district while riding his motorcycle home.

In Nong Chick district, three mobile phone signal transmission poles were burned. A transformer set afire, causing a blackout in a wide area.

Fire bombs were found in two shops but were disposed of. A gas pump at a filling station and 10 surveillance cameras were burned and a transformer was damaged by gunfire. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-16

[Lite Beer]

Thailand Post celebrates 10th year anniversary, setting up EMS Center

BANGKOK, 16 August 2012 (NNT) – Celebrating its 10th year anniversary on Wednesday, Thailand Post announced the launch of an EMS Center to provide a faster and more effective express mail service.

Thailand Post President Anusara Chittmittrapap has revealed that the company will continue to improve its service and transport systems after the service has reached its 10th year anniversary. Thailand Post has invested 18 million baht in setting up the EMS Center near the Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road.

Ms Anusara expected around 20% increase in express mails. Currently, the Thailand Post company delivers up to 100,000 parcels through its EMS service per month. With the rising demand in the express service, she anticipated that the company would recover its investment within two years.

According to her, Thailand Post has generated 860 million baht in profits in the first six months of this year.

Presiding over the opening of the EMS Center, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Anudith Nakornthap said the center establishment is an important step for Thailand’s logistics development. He said the company has been supporting the government’s Smart Thailand project. As for the free internet service, the Minister said the ICT will complete the installment of free internet hotspots at 1,200 branches of Thailand Post across the nation within this year.

-- NNT 2012-08-16

[webfact]

UPDATE

17 year old Swede released on bail

SA KAEO: -- The 17 year old Swede, who killed a 18 year old Thai August 3 in Sa Kaeo, was been released on bail Wednesday afternoon.

Full story:

[webfact]

Chulalongkorn University opens Museum of Human Body

BANGKOK, 16 August 2012 (NNT) – Chulalongkorn University has recently opened ASEAN’s first Museum of Human Body, showcasing a new technique of body preservation.

The Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, has opened the museum, which collects plastinated human bodies. The plastination process is a new preservation technique that prevents decomposition and produces no odor.

There are only 11 museums of human body in the world that display plastinated human bodies. This museum in Chulalongkorn University is the only one in Southeast Asia.

Altogether 131 pieces of human bodies, organs, and parts worth 100 million baht are on display at the museum.

-- NNT 2012-08-16

[webfact]

UPDATE

TRANSGENDER'S GRADUATION CEREMONY

Thammasat transgenders permitted to wear female graduation gown gets nod from Higher Education Commission

Thai Rath Thursday shows one of five new male graduates who are allowed to dress as female students in graduation ceremony this month.

Full story:

[webfact]

RT @pattweet_nt: Health Min will propose new law which not allow teenager aged under 18 to sell cigarettes and teenager aged under 20 to buy cigarettes

[webfact]

Thailand holds 'peace talks' with Muslim militants

Bangkok, Aug 16, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand said Thursday it was holding peace talks with some Muslim insurgent groups in its violence-wracked south, in a policy reversal which follows a recent surge in militant attacks.

Full story:

[webfact]

Soi Cowboy Bargirl Kills Co-Worker In Drug Rage

A Soi Cowboy bargirl stabbed her co-worker to death in a drug-induced rage, after they got into a fight while getting high on “ice” in their Bangkok apartment. They had apparently argued about boyfriends, when the dispute turned violent and deadly.

Full story:

[webfact]

Chuvit Facebook tip-off sparks Phuket gambling raid

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Police raided the gambling den near Baan Kathu School last night after Thai MP Chuvit revealed its location on his Facebook page. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Controversial Thai MP Chuvit Kamolvisit, pictured here in one of his Facebook photos, teased police that they already knew the locations of the Phuket gambling dens.

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police last night raided a gambling den operating near a major government school in Kathu after its location was revealed by controversial MP Chuwit Kamolvisit, leader of the Rak Thailand Party, on one of his Facebook pages.

Full story:

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1224.4, down 2.43; Bt/USD31.40; GBP49.14; AUD32.87; EUR38.53; CAD31.57; HKD4.04; SGD24.99; JPY39.50

[webfact]

Forensics to probe suspected Patong jet-ski 'arson attack'

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police yesterday called in forensic experts to investigate a fire that gutted a house and destroyed five jet-skis in Patong earlier that morning.

Full story:

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Law being drafted to raise age of smoking from 18 to 20 and to increase fine to 5,000 Baht for smoking in public places

[webfact]

Smokers to face harsher punishment for smoking in public

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Smokers who light up their cigarettes at a public place will be facing a harsher punishment and the minimum age of cigarette buyers will rise to 20 if ongoing efforts to push for a tougher antismoking law sail through.

Full story:

[webfact]

Government to host forum on flood strategy

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government will for the first time hold a big event to explain to the public how it has been working to prevent a repeat of last year's disastrous floods.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinnawatra will also organise a press conference to tell the media about the floodprevention measures her government has put in place this year.

Concerns about the government's flood and water management will be addressed by experts and relevant authorities during the threeday event from August 30 to September 1 at Central Plaza Lat Phrao.

-- The Nation 2012-08-16

[webfact]

More Thai farmers in debt: UTCC survey

BANGKOK, Aug 16 - A survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce finds that the number of farmers in debt in the outside system has increased.

Dr Thanawat Polwichai, Director of the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTTC) released the survey on the debt situation of Thai farmers.

The survey finds that their average debt was more than Bt100,000 per household -- Bt103,047 per household -- of which nearly two-thirds, 60.9 per cent, was outstanding debt with financial institutions and over one-third, 39.1 per cent, was debt owed to loan sharks, with the latter increasing from the 37.7 per cent recorded earlier.

For the first group in debt to financial institutions, most farmers owe Bt50,000-75,000 and most have the ability to pay all of their debts, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, 15 per cent of farmers are in debt outside the system, owing about 50,000-100,000 baht on average. In this group, 81 per cent say they are unable to pay back their debt.

Nearly one on four debtors outside the system -- 22.4 per cent-- owe Bt40,000-50,000, with most -- 61.4 per cent – saying they cannot settle their debt.

Comparing the latest harvest to the previous one, most farmers said that profits, selling prices, yields, capital cost, spending and saving are the same, reflecting that the one-year government policy on farming product prices did not help improve farmers’ quality of living.

They still ask the government to control production costs for farmers because they have no bargaining power.

Although their products can be sold at good prices, production costs still high. Mortgage schemes for farm produce did not help reduce their debts. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-16

[webfact]

Mother of Phuket Swedish murder victim sues for B24.5mn as trial postponed

Phuket Gazette

Swedish nationals Johan Ljung and Tommy Soderlund are marched through the crime scene during the re-enactment last year. Photo: Dean Noble

Soderlund points at the motorbike the pair allegedly stole after stabbing Mr Schantz. Photo: Dean Noble

PHUKET: -- Swedish nationals Johan Sebastian Ljung and Tommy Viktor Soderlund, who have been charged with the stabbing murder of Maksim Schantz on August 1 last year, appeared at Phuket Provincial Court on Tuesday.

Full story:

[webfact]

Phatthalung declares 8 districts drought disaster zones

PHATTHALUNG, 16 August 2012 (NNT) – The provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Phatthalung has declared 8 districts drought disaster zones, due to a severe lack of rainfall.

Acting chief of Phatthalung’s DDPM office, Prapart Kaodam, said over 150,000 rai of agricultural land has been damaged by the severe drought, with the total cost estimated at 4.1 million baht.

The office is coordinating with other related agencies in assisting residents in affected areas by distributing drinking water and water pumps to drought-hit areas as well as dredging waterways and building new reservoirs.

The provincial authorities have also sought help from the Royal Rainmaking Bureau in inducing artificial rain in the province.

The southern province has also been hit by swamp forest fires which have raged for the third day, with more than 160 rai of land destroyed. Local authorities have so far been unable to contain the intensifying fire.

-- NNT 2012-08-16

[webfact]

to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 17 Aug 2012