Thailand Live Thursday 30 Aug 2012

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Thailand Live Thursday 30 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 Wednesday 29 Aug 2012

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Woman forced to eat MAGGOTS while locked up in Thai prison for NINE YEARS after trying to smuggle heroin into the U.S.

• Angela Carnegie, from Chicago, agreed to carry suitcase lined with drugs
  
• Sentenced to life in prison in 1993 at the infamous 'Bangkok Hilton' jail
  

By EMILY ANNE EPSTEIN and LOUISE BOYLE

BANGKOK: -- When Angela Carnegie made the disastrous decision to smuggle heroin from Thailand, she had no idea how much worse her life could get.

Full story:

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'Takeover king' Pin ends exile, back in Bangkok

The Nation

Ex-chief of Fin One returns as statute of limitations on his case has expired

BANGKOK: -- Pin Chakkaphak, once dubbed Thailand's "takeover king", is reported to have quietly returned to Bangkok after living in exile for the past 15 years and seeing out the statutory limit on his case, according to two people familiar with his movements.

Full story:

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ECONOMY

Kingdom is 'equipped for euro crisis'

SUCHEERA PINIJPARAKARN,

THITAREE LIKITNATHAM

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Global investors can be assured of Thailand's economic resilience in light of the eurozone crisis, which may prompt the Bank of Thailand to slash the policy rate and trade authorities to come up with measures to help the export sector, the central bank's governor said.

Full story:

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HEALTH

HIV nursing students get backing

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK,

SAOWANEE NIMPANPAYUNGWONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- In response to claims by three students that they were forced to move from nursing science to other fields because they had HIV, a foundation will request help from the National Aids Committee.

Full story:

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CONTROVERSIAL TRANSFER

Check the facts first : Yuthasak

The Nation

Yutthasak

BANGKOK: -- Critics should check all the facts before coming out against the nomination of a certain individual for permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said yesterday.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

'Lies' fall-out hurts more than Kittiratt's image

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong's "white lie" controversy has led to negative consequences against him as well as the government.

Full story:

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Only rubber bullets used on fatal day: Army marksmen

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- During almost seven hours of questioning yesterday, two Army marksmen dispatched during the political unrest of 2010 insisted they had used only rubber bullets when firing at approaching militant protesters, the chief investigator reported.

Full story:

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WATER-MANAGEMENT PROJECT

European firms' 'bids being ignored'

JANJIRA PONGRAI,

ANAN WIJITPRACHA

THE NATION

Companies refusing to offer kickbacks not considered in flood-prevention plan

BANGKOK: -- The government's Bt350-billion water-management projects look set to stay out of reach for European companies that cannot offer commissions without issuing receipts, a seminar was told yesterday.

Full story:

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Expert decries medical-hub plan

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A medical expert yesterday disagreed with government's plan to encourage large private hospitals to go ahead and start profiting from its policy to promote Thailand as an international healthcare destination.

Full story:

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More points for border passes

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Interior Ministry's Department of Provincial Administration will add 14 points for the issue of electronic border passes in Songkhla, Satun, Yala and Narathiwat by September, department chief Sukij Charoenrattanakul said yesterday.

The 35 E-border posts, which issue passes to bearers of Thai ID cards for a Bt30 fee, are in Chiang Rai, Tak and Ranong for the Myanmar border; Chiang Rai, Nan, Loei, Nong Khai, Beung Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani for Loatian borders; and Song Khla, Satun, Yala, Narathiwat for Malaysian borders.

-- The Nation 2012-08-30

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Rainmaking plane slides off runway

The Nation

UBON RATCHATHANI: -- Ubon Ratchathani International Airport was closed for hours yesterday after the Agriculture Ministry's rainmaking aircraft skidded off a runway made slippery after days of heavy downpours.

The CASA 212 aircraft was returning from a rainmaking operation in five Northeast provinces when it slid off the runway while landing. As fire crews and rescue workers checked the incident, in which no one was hurt, the airport was closed.

-- The Nation 2012-08-30

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World medicos to discuss violence

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The World Medical Association's general assembly will be held in Bangkok from October 10-13 to discuss key issues including progress on revising the Declaration of Helsinki to take into account changes in science and medical ethics.

Delegates will also discuss frequent attacks on doctors and medical facilities in countries suffering civil and military unrest; violence in the health sector when work is impeded by patients' verbal and physical assaults; and the need for guidance on the ethics of doctors' strikes and organ procurement.

-- The Nation 2012-08-30

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One arrested in fatal south train attack

THE NATION

NARATHIWAT: -- One suspect was arrested yesterday for Tuesday's attack on a passenger train in Narathiwat, which killed a security volunteer and seriously injured another. Police identified the suspect as a brother of Amri Dueramae, a suspected insurgent shot by a security volunteer on Saturday.

Pol Colonel Prayong Kotsakha, superintendent of Joh I Rong Police Station, said about 20 gunmen attacked the South-bound train, which was heading for Sungai Kolok from Surat Thani. The attack took place near Bukit station.

Security volunteer Suthipong Hiranpan was fatally shot and security volunteer Assasuwan Jehlateh was seriously injured. More than 100 soldiers and police combed the surrounding area.

Police found hundreds of spent bullet casings from M16 and AK-47 assault rifles. The second, third and fourth carriages of the eight-carriage train were hit.

The attackers are believed to be from the network of Linapideng Sama, a leading insurgent wanted by police for many serious crimes.

Police believed the RKK group under the leadership of Wae Ali Copter launched the attack in revenge for the killing of the suspected insurgent Amri outside the Joh I Rong train station on Saturday.

After the attack, security officials patrolled the train route in Joh I Rong subdistrict and Rangae and Rusoh districts. Despite the attack, passengers still lined up yesterday at Sungai Kolok station to take the train. They said such incidents were common.

Thanongsak Pongprasert, chief of the State Railway of Thailand's Southern Centre, called on the government to increase patrols, especially at 12 risky spots between Hat Yai and Sungai Kolok. Also yesterday, Lt-Colonel Chalat Sriwichian, deputy commander of the 11th special task force unit, led police and security volunteers to guard 30-year-old Sakariya Salaeh in a crime re-enactment.

Sakariya was arrested last Friday on suspicion of making a bomb that was detonated outside the Hen Bakery in Yala, destroying several buildings on Na Nakhon Road.

Police also suspect him of parking a motorcycle bomb at a Mazda showroom on Ruammit Road in Yala in May 2010, causing heavy casualties. A CCTV camera recorded the attack.

-- The Nation 2012-08-30

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Two men confess to attacks on prison, warden

THE NATION

PATTAYA: -- Chon Buri police yesterday arrested two men and seized a rifle and ammunition in connection with three separate attacks this year, on the home of a prison warden and on Pattaya Remand Prison.

Full story:

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Workers warned of duping risks

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Employment Department's Director-General Prawit Kiangpol yesterday announced a list of countries Thai workers were advised to avoid visiting on their own, because of the risk of being duped.

They include Libya, the US, Canada and Australia.

Prawit presided over a meeting on overseas workers' fees and claims that job agencies were overcharging workers. He said his office suspended the licences of 35 job agencies that had overcharged Thai workers wishing to work in Israel.

-- The Nation 2012-08-30

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Bangkok's water flow to be tested early next month

BANGKOK, AUG 30 – Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi told the capital's residents Wednesday to remain calm when government technicians test the flood-release efficiency in several parts of the city next week.

Full story:

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update:

Girl who cried wolf attacks Thailand's Policeforce from Australian TV Studio

By Staff Reporter

Thailand’s police force has to deal with three types of tourists; the genuine ones, the liars and the drunks and it doesn’t make for easy policing, especially in high density tourist areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5617734

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Russian tourist falls to death from Surat Thani hotel

Full story:

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RT @ukinthailand: British Chargé d’Affaires and Ambassador-Designate wave off the Thai Paralympians at Suvarnabhumi: http://alturl.com/kzvdw

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Tourism Ministry to review plans to raise entrance fees at all national parks

BANGKOK, 30 August 2012 (NNT) – The Tourism Ministry has agreed in principle to look at a request from the private sector to review the planned rise of entrance fees at all national parks.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1216.22, down 3.94 points /MCOT

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EGAT: Less water discharged from 2 major dams than last year

BANGKOK, 30 August 2012 (NNT) The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), which oversees the country’s major dams have assured that the level of water discharged into the natural waterways have been less than last year’s record.

EGAT Assistant Governor for Hydro Power Plants Kitti Tancharoen said on Wednesday that the latest report showed the total water stored at all EGAT-controlled dams stood at 39.05 billion cubic meters, or 64 percent of the total capacity. Mr. Kitti said that the current volume shows an increase of 605 million cubic meters from a week ago, but is still 17 percent or 7.7 billion cubic meters lower than last year’s.

He added that the combined water storage at Bhumibol Dam and Sirikit Dam is still 39 percent lower than last year and both can take in as much as 11.2 billion cubic meters of water The EGAT Assistant Governor assures that a close monitoring of the flood situation will continue in order to help it efficiently manage the water resources and prepare the country for future drought problems.

-- NNT 2012-08-30

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Yala villager beheaded by insurgents before body burned in pickup truck in Bannang Sata /MCOT

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'Furious masturbators' flash Phuket expat motorist in midday moment of madness

Phuket Gazette

Keep an eye out for the recently sighted 'furious masturbators' of the jungle. If you get the urge, call the police.

PHUKET: -- An American expat has told of her shock at witnessing two men furiously masturbating by the side of the road in the Patong-Karon hills.

Full story:

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Phuket Town flood victims apply for assistance

Phuket Gazette

Work is underway on flood prevention in Phuket Town and Kathu municipalities. The final stretch of the waterway, at Saphan Hin, is pictured here. Photo: Stephen Fein.

PHUKET: -- More than 100 Phuket Town families whose homes or businesses were damaged by flooding last week have registered for assistance through Phuket City Municipality.

Full story:

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WEALTH

Dhanin remains Thailand's wealthiest

The Nation

Dhanin Chearavanont

BANGKOK: -- Charoen Pokphand Group's Dhanin Chearavanont retains top spot of Thailand's 40 Richest on Forbes list, with US$9 billion in net worth.

Full story:

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Energy Ministry aims to boost solar power generation to 2,000 megawatts

BANGKOK, 30 August 2012 (NNT) - The Energy Ministry has set an ambitious goal to boost the country’s solar power generation capacity to 2,000 megawatts.

Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon said on Wednesday that independent power producer, Electricity Generating Company Limited (EGCO is currently running a total of 16 solar power projects across the country, producing around 94.5 megawatts of power.

Mr. Arak stated that EGCO now plans to expand its domestic investment to boost its combined solar power generation capacity 300 megawatts by 2015.

He stated that the Energy Ministry is determined to carry on its policy to promote solar power production in Thailand, with the target set at 2,000 megawatts in the future.

The Energy Minister said that the ministry is now reviewing all bidders, who have not fulfilled the investment pledges within the timeframe, and will terminate the previously-approved licenses before a new round of bidding is opened to help equip the country with more solar power supply.

-- NNT 2012-08-30

[Lite Beer]

Govt to highlight five points at water management exhibition

BANGKOK, 30 August 2012 (NNT) - Government agencies are set to highlight a five-point water management plan at a special exhibition showcasing the government’s initiatives during August 31-September 2 at Central Plaza Ladprao.

Secretary to Prime Minister's Office Wim Rungwattanajinda said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is slated to preside over the opening ceremony on August 31, will act as a tour leader guiding members of the press through all 5 sections of the exhibition.

Geographic Information System expert Dr Anond Sanitwong is in charge of the first section, which is an overview of the country’s water management system and policies.

Visitors will be led to a second section, where Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi is set to elaborate on the scale of damage sustained during last year’s flood crisis.

The third section, supervised by Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan, will comprise His Majesty the King’s royal projects and initiatives on water retention.

The fourth section will outline the government’s flood prevention projects in the upstream, middle-stream, and downstream provinces during the past year, which are estimated to be worth 120 billion baht, while the last section’s content will be primarily focused on future rehabilitation plans.

Over 100 foreign correspondents, diplomats, NGO’s representatives and business leaders are expected to attend the opening ceremony. Members of the public can visit the event from 11AM-9PM and can lodge any complaints related to the flood policies with officials at the exhibition.

-- NNT 2012-08-30