Thailand Live Friday 24 Aug 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 24 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 23 Aug 2012

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PROSTITUTION

Transvestites, women warned against sex trade in Mideast

Nantida Puangthong

The Nation

MUSCAT: -- Many Thai male cross-dressers get legitimate jobs in Oman as masseuses but choose to also offer sexual services on the side, a Thai embassy official in Muscat said.

Full story:

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INTERIVEW

'White lies sometimes needed'

Nakarin Srilert

The Nation

Although the global economic slump will hurt Thailand, GDP growth of 5-6% can still be achieved: Kittiratt

BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong admitted yesterday that sometimes he had to exaggerate about the country's economic growth, even though the government has been fully aware since early this year that the global economic slowdown would likely swamp Thailand.

Full story:

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NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE

Corruption details being saved for censure: Democrats

PRAPASRI OSATHANON

THE NATION

Chavanond

BANGKOK: -- Hopes that the opposition Democrat Party may release details of alleged massive corruption by the government when it holds a press conference today to attack the administration aren't high.

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

South residents urged to 'help themselves'

PANYA THIOSANGWAN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- With violent attacks continuing on a regular basis in the far South, Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat yesterday urged civilians to "help themselves" and cooperate with the authorities and military.

Full story:

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Second Friendship Bridge to be built at Mae Sot

Eleven Media Group

MAE SOT: -- A second "friendship bridge" linking Myawaddy and Mae Sot on the Thai-Myanmar border will be built soon, Myanmar's Ministry of Construction revealed this week.

Ministry managing director U Kyaw Linn said large vehicles up to 60 tonnes would use the new bridge, while the current bridge is for small and medium-sized vehicles. The construction site had already been identified.

Deputy Construction Minister U Kyaw Lwin saud: "We have a plan to build Friendship Bridge No 2 between Myanmar and Thailand. The Thai government will render assistance to construct this new bridge.

"A new site was chosen from three proposed places north of the existing bridge by representatives of both countries back in June 2010. The chosen site is located only three miles away from Myawaddy town," he said.

"The cost of the bridge will be arranged by the Thai side and they are making additional surveys for detailed calculation. The road department under Thailand's Ministry of Transport takes the lead in cooperating with Myanmar engineers and the feasibility survey is already done."

The existing Friendship Bridge was inaugurated in August 1997.

Myanmar closed the bridge in July 2010 when the Thai side reinforced the retaining wall on the Thaungyin River bank without consultation. It was only reopened in December 2011 after a series of negotiations between the two countries.

Myawaddy border trade has been brisk since, with exports from Myanmar hitting US$8.45 million (Bt264 million) while imports totalled $13.6 million from April to June.

-- The Nation 2012-08-24

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ASIAN PEACE AND RECONCILIATION COUNCIL

Leading figures back plan for Asia's peace council

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Some Asian statesmen and leading international public policy figures will meet in Bangkok next month to finalise a plan to set up an Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council in a bid to help regional peace efforts.

Full story:

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SKY TRAIN SCANDAL

BMA files corruption complaint over DSI probe

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation's investigation into the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's extension of the BTS Skytrain concession is a politically motivated vendetta aimed at undermining Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra's run for re-election, a top BMA official said yesterday.

Full story:

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'Bao bare their souls

KITCHANA LERSAKVANITCHAKUL

THE NATION

Songs-for-life band Carabao plans more big projects - a movie, a festival and a concert tour

BANGKOK: -- After celebrating three decades in the music business last year with 76 concerts, a six-nation tour and a Bangkok-based expo that cost in excess of Bt100 million, leading songs-for-life exponents Carabao are ensuring fans never forget who they are and where they came from with another new gargantuan project - the aptly called "Carabao: The Project".

Full story:

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New bail bid for jailed red-shirt Jeng

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leaders will submit a new bail request for Yoswarit Chooklom next week, Pheu Thai party-list MP and red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....rt-jeng-dokjik/

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Ex-prison warden held over drug charges

Krissana Thiwatsirikul

The Nation

Nakhon Si Thammarat

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- Police arrested a former warden of a Nakhon Si Thammarat prison, which is known for its drug-dealing activities, his wife and a female suspect on Wednesday night.

Natthaphon Raya, 37, is one of the three former wardens previously fired for allegedly being involved in supplying inmates with drugs and mobile phones. Nakhon Si Thammarat police also nabbed Natthaphon's wife Phornrujee Raya, 36, and Sakaoduan Thipkaeo, 25.

It is believed that a drug-dealing network hired Sakaoduan to open bank accounts for money laundering, Nakhon Si Thammarat police chief Maj-General Ronnapong Saikaeo said yesterday.

Police also seized the couple's assets yesterday morning, including a townhouse worth Bt1.6 million, a house worth Bt3.4 million and luxurious furnishings, three cars worth Bt3.5 million, bank deposits of Bt6 million as well as guns.

Ronnapong said police also hunted down five other suspects who were allegedly part of the drug network. Arrest warrants had been issued against all eight of the suspects, who were caught in Khanom, Hua Sai, Chawang and Muang districts of the province and seized assets worth tens of millions of baht.

Reports said police were in the process of seeking arrest warrants for another 15 suspects, including incumbent and former wardens as well as people outside the prison. Police expect the court to issue the warrants in a couple of days.

-- The Nation 2012-08-24

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Bt50,000 reward offered for killers of MP's son

THE NATION

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Police yesterday offered a reward of Bt50,000 for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of suspects for the fatal shooting of an MP's son.

Full story:

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Prince, Princess inspect flood work

The Nation

NAKHON PATHOM: -- His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Srirasmi yesterday visited flood prevention projects, on a personal barge trip in Nakhon Pathom and western Bangkok, after being invited by the government to check the progress of work prior to the wet season.

In remarks to officials and Cabinet members present in the entourage, the prince graciously told them to "learn from past les?sons" in efforts to prevent flooding, the Royal Irrigation Department chief Lertwiroj Kowatthana said.

The prince and royal consort were greeted by a large number of well-wishers along both sides of a 6km section of the 28km-long Maha Sawas canal, a man-made watercourse linking Bangkok's Watthana district with Phuttha Monthol and Nakhon Chaisri in Nakhon Pathom province.

Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha said His Royal Highness was pleased with the effi?ciency of all flood prevention work, and thanked the government, the RID and relevant state agencies for their efforts. "His Royal Highness has also given a suggestion that the Maha Sawas Canal be developed into a tourist attraction, and the government has heeded to his sug?gestion," the general added.

At a request by the government, His Royal Highness granted per?mission for it to deploy personnel and army engineers from the Armed Forces Development Command under the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters to assist many flood prevention works together with civilian agencies.

The Prince and Princess trav?elled to Nakhon Pathom in a motor?cade, and later boarded a barge, Kor Ror 911, at Wat Suwannaram pier, where they bestowed offerings to the abbot and its main Buddha image, before travelling along the Maha Sawas. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Army chief Prayuth and RID head Lertwiroj gave reports on projects to them along the way, and throughout the trip.

The maritime entourage stopped at two sites, including Phra Phimol water management station, where they gave garlands to the statue of King Rama V and signed the visitor's book. A villager, Phanee Maksudpran, 66, said she was happy with the visit and wished them longevity and good health. She expressed hope that the work will help prevent flooding this year.

-- The Nation 2012-08-24

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Thawil worried DSI's probe changing direction

SAMATCHA HUNSARA

ANAPAT DEECHUAY

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Security Council's former secretary-general, Thawil Pliensri, yesterday voiced concerns over the direction that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) probe into the 91 deaths during the 2010 crackdown on political rallies is taking, saying that some facts may have been altered. He added that officers should not be blamed for the deaths of the mostly red-shirt demonstrators.

Full story:

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Medical expo to feature spas and much more

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry will hold its biggest medical expo next week to highlight Thailand's capacity and competitiveness in healthcare - and try to gain attention from foreign investors.

Full story:

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DNP seeks stronger control over encroaching farmers

JANJIRA PONGRAI

THE NATION

Nakhon Si Thammarat

BANGKOK: -- The main forest watch agency will ask the Agriculture Ministry to register all farmers who grow rubber and oil-palm trees nationwide in a bid to prevent encroachment, which is one of the major causes of wildfires in protected peat swamp forests in two southern provinces.

Full story:

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Ranong on special alert for contagious diseases

RANONG, Aug 24 - Thai and Myanmar health officials in Thailand’s southern province of Ranong are working closely to fight against widespread malaria and dengue fever, a Thai health official said Thursday.

Full story:

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Full-scale tsunami rescue drill 'freaks out' Phuket tourists

Phuket Gazette

USE YOUR HEAD: Two boys with fake head wounds smile while taking part in the full-scale tsunami rescue drill off the east coast of Phuket. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Phuket tourist 'Ms Julie' thought she was witnessing a genuine disaster. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- Two tourists on holiday from Vietnam panicked after witnessing the full-scale tsunami rescue drill being conducted off the east coast of Phuket this afternoon.

Full story:

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John Lennon's killer denied parole

Mark David Chapman. File photo, source: wikimedia

NEW YORK: -- John Lennon's killer has been denied release from prison in his seventh appearance before a parole board.

Mark David Chapman, 57, was denied parole after a hearing on Wednesday, the New York Department of Corrections said on Thursday.

Full story:

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RT @AP: BREAKING: Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong drops fight against US Anti-Doping Agency drug charges -RJJ

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RT @RichardBarrow: True will launch Pattaya WiFi for free on 28th August - True เตรียมเปิดบริการ Pattaya WiFi ฟรี! ทั่วเมือง 28 สิงหาคมนี้

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RT @RichardBarrow: UPDATE: List of 29 national parks in Thailand which are raising prices to 500 Baht on 1st October: http://bit.ly/MHPGrU

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Security unit cordons off Narathiwat rubber plantation, exchange gunfire with insurgents, killing 1 wounding 1, three weapons seized /MCOT

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RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- AP: USADA to strip Lance Armstrong of 7 Tour de France titles, ban him from cycling for life.

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Foreign Ministry to push for the opening of more northern border trade areas with Myanmar

BANGKOK, 24 August 2012 (NNT) – The Foreign Ministry is poised to push for the opening of more Thai-Myanmar border trade areas in Chiang Mai Province.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul revealed on Thursday that he is planning to hold talks, on Friday, with national security-related agencies to discuss the opening of the Pang Tong and the San Ton Doo checkpoints in Chiang Mai Province.

Mr. Surapong said that the opening of the new border checkpoints is intended to help boost border trades, given the San Ton Doo checkpoint was once an active trade area between Thais and Myanmar nationals until its closure in 1995, due to national security reasons.

However, citing opinions from locals, the Foreign Minister is confident that the reopening of the checkpoint will not have significant impact on the security affairs in the area.

-- NNT 2012-08-24

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,231.67, down 5.97 points /MCOT

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Fire at polyester plant in Map Ta Phut, no casualties

RAYONG, Aug 24 -- A fire raged through a polyester factory in Rayong's Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate late Thursday night, with firefighters taking one hour to control the blaze. No casualties were reported.

Fire engines were mobilised from Map Ta Phut itself and from nearby factories to control the fire that raged at Indorama Polyester Industries Plc, a major producer of polyester fibre, on I-2 Road in the industrial estate.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control within an hour, but machinery and fibre products were damaged by the fire.

According to the initial investigation, workers saw fire break out in the upper level of the factory before spreading quickly to lower levels, burning machinery and already produced materials.

No one was killed or injured in the incident.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and damages could not be estimated, but waiting for experts to inspect the entire factory.

This is the second fire accident at the factory, as another fire occurred two years ago. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-24

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RT @ukinthailand: The British Embassy Bangkok has a vacancy for a new Driver. For more info click on http://bit.ly/NAM4Tg

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RT @BBCWorld: Apple and Samsung get Korea ban http://bbc.in/PBfqGG