Thailand Live Saturday 1 Sep 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 1 September 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 Friday 31 Aug 2012

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UPDATE

SOUTH VIOLENCE

Insurgents launch 102 attacks in 1 day

The Nation

Five bombings leave 6 people injured; Malaysian flags planted all over region

YALA: -- Insurgents staged 102 violent incidents, including five bomb attacks that wounded six security officials, in the deep South yesterday, timing them to coincide with Malaysia's independence day for symbolic effect, the commander of the Fourth Army Area based in Pattani said yesterday.

Full story:

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UPDATE:

Teen found guilty of reckless driving in fatal tollway crash

Kesinee Tangkhieo,

Anapat Deechuay

The Nation

Thongpoon Panthong, mother of the driver of the van involved in the fatal accident, weeps after hearing yesterday

BANGKOK: --An 18-year-old girl yesterday received a guilty verdict and a suspended jail term for reckless driving that was blamed for the deaths of nine people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5623950

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Flood plan pleases diplomats

Pongphon Sarnsamak,

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrang

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presides over the Water Exhibition held by the National Water Resources and Flood Policy Committee yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- PM and key ministers demonstrate govt's preparedness at committee's exhibition; Yingluck outlines measures taken to prevent recurrence of last year's disaster

Full story:

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Man behind shooting of MP's son surrenders

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima

Mun Poolsup re-enacts the shooting during a press conference held at the Provincial Police Bureau 3 yesterday. On the night of August 20, Mun allegedly shot and killed an MP

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- The man who allegedly shot dead an MP's son in a road-rage incident claimed yesterday that he did it in self-defence because he was fired at first.

Full story:

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Yongyuth denies rumours of conflicts between govt, BMA over drainage tests

Jutarun Tipnampa,

Thanatpong Kongsai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit yesterday dismissed rumours that the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were fighting over the upcoming water-drainage tests in the capital.

Full story:

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INVESTMENT

Thailand, Asean focus of US investment: Amcham

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

Asean, and Thailand in particular, has been highlighted as a key investment zone for American companies, thanks to the region's economic strength and integration, as well as the reopening of Myanmar.

BANGKOK: -- According to a survey of Asean American Chambers of Commerce (Amcham) conducted in cooperation with Amcham in Washington and released in the presence of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday, 92 per cent of members are positive or very positive about the outlook for Thailand and Asean.

Full story:

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Bt30 scheme back, payment voluntary

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bt30 healthcare scheme returns today for holders of the government's so-called "golden card", but the payment is voluntary and required only in cases in which medication is prescribed.

Full story:

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French senators in Thailand on fact-finding trip

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A delegation of four French senators, members of the France-Southeast Asia parliamentarian friendship group, is scheduled to visit Thailand on a fact-finding trip tomorrow through Tuesday.

Full story:

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PM's Myanmar visit snag as she awaits okay from Nay Pyi Taw

Piyanart Sivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A question mark hangs over Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's planned visit to Dawei, Myanmar, scheduled for this month, as Nay Pyi Taw has yet to endorse the proposed itinerary.

Full story:

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Forensic test results delay trial of Nong Som's killer

Phuket Gazette

Arrested, charged and confessed, Nong Som's killer Kittikhun Wonghajak has yet to be brought to trial as police are still waiting for autopsy results. Photo: Gazette file

Sunisa 'Nong Som' Saiyoy was attacked and killed in her Phuket home on July 10. Photo: Handout image

PHUKET: -- The delay in receiving test results from the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital in Bangkok has resulted police having to defer bringing to trial the killer of 17-year-old Sunisa “Nong Som” Saiyoy.

Full story:

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Chalerm: ASEAN to get aggressive on drug eradication

BANGKOK, 1 September 2012 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has expressed his belief that the problem of narcotic drugs in the ASEAN region will ease off if drug smuggling from Myanmar’s Thachilek province is prevented.

Full story:

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BREAKING NEWS

Quebec sisters died in Thailand from drinking DEET

Bodies of Audrey and Noémi Bélanger found on June 15 at hotel on Phi Phi island

CBC News

Sisters Audrey and Noemi Belanger. Photo: Facebook.

BANGKOK: -- The death earlier this year in Thailand of two sisters from Quebec was caused by drinking a cocktail that contained the insect repellent DEET, an autopsy concluded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....sect-repellent/

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Bomb at Super department store in Narathiwat ignites fire at building, no report of casualties /MCOT

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National Security Council Sec-Gen inspects violence in Yala, reaffirms intelligence work did not fail but incidents hard to prevent /MCOT

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National Statistical Office: Young Thais are the most active readers

BANGKOK, 1 September 2012 (NNT) – The latest survey has shown that the young population of Thailand has been the most active in reading while newspapers continue to be the most preferred reading materials

National Statistical Office (NSO) Director General Viboondhat Sudhantanakit said on Friday that the NSO’s survey in 2011 concluded that 68 percent of Thais aged 6 years and over have been active readers, up slightly from 2008.

Mr. Viboondhat said that the survey also showed men have been more active than women when it comes to reading, while residents of Bangkok represented the highest level of reading at 84 percent of the total population.

Interestingly, children were found to be the most active readers, with 91 percent of them preferred reading, followed by youths, working age and the elderly.

The NSO chief stated that, since 2008, Thailand’s readership has continued to increase and newspapers have been the most preferred materials, with 63.4 percent of readers opted for the traditional prints.

Mr. Viboondhat went on to say that the survey has concluded that, in order to promote reading, book prices should be lower and the contents should be more interesting, with more libraries opened in all communities.

It also suggested parents should start teaching children to read at a very young age, while the books must carry attractive cover designs and be compact in size.

-- NNT 2012-09-01

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Phuket ready for ‘hungry ghost’ festival

Phuket Gazette

A traditional red turtle cake to feed the hungry ghosts expected to arrive in Phuket tomorrow. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Phuket City Deputy Mayor Kawee Tansukatanon cuts a slice of turtle cake ahead of the Hungry Ghost festival starting this weekend. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket City Municipality has organized a wide range of activities for the annual Por Tor festival from September 2 to 15, including colorful street processions tomorrow and next Sunday.

Full story:

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SSO approved an increase in work-related accident compensation to THB1mil

BANGKOK, 1 September 2012 (NNT) – The Social Security Office has agreed in principle to increase the medical care coverage for workers, who have suffered injuries from work-related accidents.

Permanent Secretary to Labor Somkiat Chayasriwong said that the Social Security Office (SSO) on Friday has resolved to raise the amount of medical expenses for workers injured on the job from 300,000 baht to 1 million baht each.

Mr. Somkiat said that the increase needs an endorsement from the Compensation Fund Committee before being put into effect.

In theory, workers, whose medical expenses exceed 300,000 baht, will need the treating hospital to calculate the Relative Weight (RW) of their conditions, to determine their eligibility for a higher compensation.

Mr. Somkiat said that only the cases of workers, whose RW is equivalent to or higher than 20, will be reviewed by the SSO to see if it will pay up to the maximum of 1 million baht, as suggested in the new policy.

If implemented, the Permanent Secretary to Labor reckoned that the first compensation, which is capped at 500,00 baht will be paid out within 15 days after the submission of all documents, while the balance, which is also limited at 500,000 baht will be disbursed within 30 days.

He expects the amendment of the ministerial rules in this issue to be officially approved and announced in the Royal Gazette within 6 months from now.

-- NNT 2012-09-01

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Intelligence works in Deep South did not fail: National Security Council chief

BANGKOK, Sept 1 - The National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree on Saturday inspected the situation in the restive southern province of Yala following the latest disturbances in Deep South, while reaffirming efficiency of ongoing intelligence work.

The NSC chief visit came as symbolic insurgent movements were conducted on Friday in the southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla with dozens of both dummy and real bombs planted in several locations, together with the Malaysian nationals flags.

Gen Wichean said he has been assigned by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to follow up the situation in seven main districts of the southernmost provinces, as well as the progress of development strategy implementation and the installation of more closed circuit televisions.

The NSC chief admitted that Friday's widespread bombings were aimed at causing symbolic disturbances and the perpetrators intentionally used the Malaysian flags to incite a rift between the two neighbouring countries.

Gen Wichean said Thailand and Malaysian has close ties in tackling the insurgency problems, as intelligence agencies have been informed of possible attacks on the crucial day by an insurgent group.

Deputy Prime Minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa, who oversees national security, earlier said that Friday’s widespread public disturbances were aimed at drawing attention to the anniversary of the Bersatu separatist group’s establishment and to show the public that the Malaysia-originated group is still operating.

Gen Wichean, however, said it was hard to prevent the attacks due to the vast area covered and that the attacks were carried out outside the government’s priority designated "safety zones."

"Intelligence work did not fail. We gave warnings continuously," said the NSC secretary-general.

Following a fire at Super Department Store in Narathiwat late Friday night, Gen Wichean said the incident may linked to the ongoing symbolic moves of an insurgent group, but that he has to wait for more details about the case. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-01

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Police search for evidence at burnt Super Department Store

NARATHIWAT, Sept 1 - Police forensic science experts have combed the Super Department Store, the biggest department store in the southern province of Narathiwat, seeking for evidence after the whole building was almost completely burned down late Friday night.

Narathiwat Forensic Science Office Chief Pol Lt Gen Krajang Raknarong led experts to inspect the Super Department Store in Narathiwat provincial seat after the department store was hit by fire.

The fire has caused some Bt10 million in damages.

According to the initial investigation, the blaze was started on the cleaning supplies section located to the left end of the department store entrance. The fire spread to ready to wear clothes and stationary and quickly raged through the whole building.

Collection of evidence was very difficult, as the fire totally burned the goods and debris piled up in the building.

However, the police believed that the fire was caused by a five kilogramme explosive and may have been tied with a petrol bottle in order to make the fire spread quickly.

Narathiwat police inspector superintendent Pol Col Satanfah Wamasing has order the investigation team to check CCTV footage around the areas to track down the attackers.

The fire broke out at around 10pm and dozen of fire engines were mobilised to control the fire which took around one hour to extinguish.

The authorities believed that the assailant pretended to be a customer and placed the bomb inside the department store before triggering the explosive.

There were no reports of casualties from the incident. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-01

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DEET in lethal 'party cocktail' killed Canadian sisters: Autopsy

Phuket Gazette

Autopsy results have revealed that Quebec sisters Audrey, 20, and Noemi, 25, died from ingesting DEET as part of a drug cocktail called '4 x 100'. Photo: Handout image

PHUKET: -- Krabi Provincial Police are now investigating where Canadian sisters Audrey and Noemi Belanger were possibly given a lethal cocktail containing kratom leaves and cough syrup, which may also have contained the insect repellent compound DEET.

Full story:

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Election alcohol ban in Patong this weekend

Phuket Gazette –

Pian Keesin (left) and rival candidate Kittisan Kuru hold hands ahead of the Patong mayoral election tomorrow, which leaves Phuket's leading tourism town dry for the second weekend in a row. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: All alcohol sales in Patong are banned tonight and tomorrow due to the elections for Patong Mayor and the municipal council being held in Phuket's busiest tourism town.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/581208-election-alcohol-ban-in-patong-this-weekend/#entry5625217

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Ministry of Transport to consider development of rail transportation for cargo

BANGKOK, 1 September 2012 (NNT) - The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) and the State Railway of Thailand are considering a possibility of a joint investment on developing cargo transportation via a rail system.

Deputy Transport Minister Pol Lt-Gen Chat Kuldilok said the joint project involves development of rail routes between a product packaging and separation station, or Inland Container Depot, ICD, in Lat Krabang district, Bangkok, and the Laem Chabang Pier in Chon Buri. The project also incorporates a plan to construct a second ICD.

Initially, it is expected that the budget for constructing the second ICD will be drawn from the PAT. The state enterprise will also fund the purchase of additional rail engines. Presently, only 27% of cargo is transported by railway, due to the lack of trains.

In the proposed joint project, the State Railway of Thailand will handle the management of the new railway section. However, the possibility of the issue must be firstly raised to the consideration of the Ministry of Finance. The Deputy Transport Minister made known that results of the consideration should be known within the year.

-- NNT 2012-09-01

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NSC visits southern border region for follow-up probe into continued violence

BANGKOK, 1 September 2012 (NNT) – The National Security Council (NSC) has returned to the southern border region to follow up on probes into continued insurgent attacks

NSC Secretary-General Wichean Potephosree, on Saturday, travelled to the 3 southern border provinces to get more information on the latest attacks in the region on August 31st.

Unidentified men have launched attacks, with symbolic effect, in various spots across the region on Friday. There were more than 100 violent incidents, including 5 bomb attacks that wounded 6 security officials, with Malaysian national flags displayed at the site of every incident.

Police General Wichean also visited the region to follow up on other investigative works and get the latest information, which will be reported back to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra later.

He added that 3 main concerns during his trip include the security measures in 7 safety zones, the installation of CCTVs and the distribution of police and military personnel in the region.

The NSC Secretary-General commented that the latest series of attacks were likely intended to instigate conflicts between Thailand and Malaysia, on the day that was the Malaysian national day and marked the founding day of the Malay separatist organization Bersatu.

He said that there is no need to bring the issue up with Malaysia as both countries have been collaborating closely in solving the Deep South violence.

-- NNT 2012-09-01

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Def Minister asserts after 1 year, govt on right track to fix southern problems, admits not easy to involves 66 agencies, 17 ministries /MCOT

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Setback for Thai economic growth over last 5 years

BANGKOK, Sept 1 - Thailand’s economic growth under the 10th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2006-2011) would not reach the projected five per cent growth rate, according to a senior economic official.

Full story:

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Canadian Sisters Autopsy reports still speculation

By Staff Reporter

The autopsy has been concluded on the two Canadian sisters who died together and alone in their Hotel room on Thailand’s Phi Phi island , earlier this summer, making senstational headlines in Canada and around the world.

Full story:

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ACM Sukumpol: Ministry of Defence has given importance to all security issues during first year of Yingluck administration

BANGKOK, 1 September 2012 (NNT) - Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat, Minister of Defense, stated that he had attached importance to all security-related activities during his first year in office, but with a special focus on solutions to the southern violence.

According to him, over the past year under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, the Ministry of Defense has continually carried out projects beneficial to the society which can be divided into seven fields.

One of the projects is the development and strengthening of the armed forces and the national defense potential, by drawing up a new defense strategy which is more in line with the changing circumstances. Another project is to protect the royal institution by developing an online system to prevent lese-majesty efforts and establish creative websites to honor the royal family.

The third project is resolving the southern unrest, which has been designated as an urgent mission in the government policy, and requires integrated cooperation among the 17 ministries. Other projects are focused on fostering relationships with neighboring countries, addressing natural disasters and dealing with narcotic spread. The Defence Ministry has actively supported both prevention and suppression of illicit drugs. The armed forces have also played an outstanding role in intercepting cross-border drug smuggling.

-- NNT 2012-09-01

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 2 Sep 2012

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/581239-thailand-live-sunday-2-sep-2012/