Thailand Live Monday 10 Sep 2012

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Thailand Live Monday 10 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 Sunday 9 2012

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ACCIDENT

Girl, 12, in coma after escalator accident

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A 12-year-old girl is in a critical condition after her head got stuck between an escalator and the upper floor as the escalator was moving up at Future Park Rangsit, a mega-mall north of Bangkok yesterday.

Full story:

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ANALYSIS

Indictment the final blow to Yongyuth's lacklustre career

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Interrior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit led his team in announcing their one-year ministerial performance last week - but it was crystal clear he lacked any concrete results to show.

Full story:

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update:

WET WEATHER

Lower North, upper Central regions lashed

The Nation

A road section in Laplae district in Uttaradit was washed away by the flood.

Residents in Uttaradit fighting floods

UTTARADIT: -- Flash floods have hit several provinces in the lower North and upper Central regions after days of heavy rain. Many urban areas are still inundated, with two districts in Uttaradit hit the hardest.

Full story:

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ANALYSIS

Clash of economic doctrines

Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

Kosit

While the 'Keynesians' are calling for more government spending, the 'Austerians' are preaching govt spending cuts

BANGKOK: -- Life-and-death decisions being made to tackle serious economic woes in Europe and the United States, where opposing doctrines are colliding head on, will have far-reaching consequences for Thailand and the rest of the world, analysts say.

Full story:

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EDUCATION

More science classes needed, advisor says

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

Students should get 4 hours a week, US expert says

BANGKOK: -- Thailand allocates too little time to science education, a US-based researcher with years of experience working with Thai science teachers said recently.

Full story:

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Krungthep Turakij TV 'to be a trend-setter'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Announcing the launch of Krungthep Turakij Television yesterday, Nation Multimedia Group chairman Suthichai Yoon declared that this 24-hour satellite channel would become a media trend-setter, like its print version has been for the past 25 years as the country's leading business daily.

"Nation Multimedia Group has made history once again with the launch of Krungthep Turakij TV, which will act as an explainer of easy-to-understand business news and provider of business analyses to the Thai community," Suthichai said. September 9, the official launch day of Krungthep Turakij TV, marks the belief of Thais in the auspicious No 9, both in month and date.

"In the current economic situation, where minute-by-minute coverage of the world economy is essential and relevant to Thai businesses, the Thai audience needs business-related information all day regarding economic impacts from other regions, like the euro-zone crisis, or constant changes in policies for investments in Myanmar.

One of the strengths of Krungthep Turakij TV will be the coordination between the NMG broadcast and print news teams, comprising about 300 reporters who cover hard news and provide analyses and comprehensive reports about business and investment news in all industries. "This coverage will serve as a handbook for business people and investors who [need to] follow rapid change in all industries," the NMG chief added.

After its official launch, a number of special reports and how-to business programmes will be featured on Krungthep Turakij TV, on several channels and two sets of satellite frequencies on both C and KU bands. The special programmes, including the special forum titled "10 Leaders", can be watched also on NMG websites and social media along with apps on mobile phones and handheld devices.

The emergence of Krungthep Turakij TV follows the launch recently of the "Convergent Newsroom", which pools personnel and media resources from all NMG outlets. News editors of all publications, websites, social media and photographers work together and share their stories, which are featured on a time-sensitive basis on the online version, easy-to-access broadcast channels, or in-depth and comprehensive reports in print. The Convergent Newsroom also serves as a database of content to feed Krungthep Turakij TV.

"If Nation Multimedia Group is an aircraft, its satellite channels on The Nation and Krungthep Turakij will act like two main engines, boosted by other mechanisms like channels Mango TV, Rawangpai [crime] channel and Kid Zone TV and all publications that would further speed up the NMG jet to stay at the forefront of the media industry in the new media era," Suthichai added.

Duangkamol Chotana, president of NMG, said Krungthep Turakij TV brought a wealth of experience from 25 years of the Krungthep Turakij newspaper coupled with 12 years of NMG's Nation Channel. She said it would be source of knowledge, and would provide business-related information to the Thai audience.

-- The Nation 2012-09-10

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Nine-year-old boy steps on booby trap, leg ripped off

Full story:

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update:

Drainage test lifts confidence in flood preparations

Anuphan Chantana

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Most Bangkokians have confidence in the government's ability to handle floods this year as they were satisfied with the result of last week's drainage test in the western and eastern zones of the capital, according to Abac Poll.

Full story:

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Grants for innovative teaching ideas

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A learning and teaching innovation grants programme by Katanyu for the Thai Education Fund is looking for proposals from teachers and schools to submit their proposals on instructional innovation development.

The second Katanyu Innovation Award follows the announcement that proposals from nine schools have won grants under the first project. Each received a Bt200,000 grant.

Instructional innovations schools are invited to propose grants helpful for technological inventions or new and creative teaching methods.

Each team must have at least two members. Only those in Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces are eligible. The application deadline is December 31. The grants will be given to the selected schools in January-February next year.

For more information, 02-660-8999 or visit www.katanyu.com.

-- The Nation 2012-09-10

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Pracha keen to dispel doubts over shifting of graft-buster

Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

Dusadee

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Pracha Promnok has ordered the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission to hold a press conference today in order to dispel any lingering doubt on the transfer of PACC secretary general.

Full story:

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Thailand seeks China's help to crack down on fake goods

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Intellectual Property Department will join forces with the Customs Department in China's Yunnan province to crack down on counterfeit goods being brought across the border.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Country still held back by the same old problems

The Nation

Political instability remains a serious threat to national competitiveness and real progress in vital areas

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has moved up one notch in the Executive Opinion Survey for the World Economic Forum. But rising one rank in the Global Competitiveness Report is not necessarily a cause for celebration.

Full story:

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Thai athletes shine at Paralympics

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Pattaya TadtonG, centre, on the top of the victory podium after winning Thailand

LONDON: -- After an action-packed 11 days in London, the Thai delegation of physically challenged athletes ended their Paralympic Games campaign on a high note yesterday, finishing 31st overall with a total of four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Thailand sent a squad of 50 athletes to compete in 10 events at the 14th Paralympics, setting their sights on only two gold medals. However, the spirited contestants proved their talent went beyond their physical handicaps.

Rungroj Thainiyom, who has muscular dystrophy, made the country proud by getting its first gold in the men's individual table tennis on September 2.

The second gold came from an impressive performance by the quartet led by Pattaya Tadtong in mixed boccia, while wheelchair-bound fencer Saysunee Jana took the third gold in women's epee.

On Saturday, the penultimate day, 33-year-old Pattaya was on cloud nine after capturing his second gold at the London Paralympic Games by trouncing David Smith from host nation the United Kingdom 7-0 in the men's individual boccia showdown.

On the same day, a wheelchair-bound men's foursome picked up a well-earned silver medal in the 400-metre relay after clocking the season-best time of 3.13.28 minutes. The remarkable success put Thailand fifth in Asia and first in Asean.

-- The Nation 2012-09-10

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More and more Buddhist Thais in deep South are giving up their land after violence

BANGKOK, 10 September 2012 (NNT) – Security authorities have suspected that insurgents and influential groups are using violence in southern border provinces as a way to force Buddhist Thais to sell their land and leave the region.

Secretary General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center Tawee Sodsong said at least 47 land owners in three southern border provinces are currently selling their land. The SBPAC is investigating whether their cases are related to security issues or any threat made by influential people who want to occupy their land at low prices.

According to Police Colonel Tawee, the fact that there are influential groups of people who are menacing locals to sell land to them has long been known. He indicated that in many cases of killings facing villagers in the three southern border provinces were not related to secessionists, but involved with influential figures in the region who made use of the prevailing violence to intimidate owners of oil-palm plantations to abandon their land to them. Those who opposed the group were given death threat to force them to leave.

The government has recently allocated 1,200 million baht as a fund to buy land from southern border villagers to be kept for reclamation.

-- NNT 2012-09-10

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Can Thailand Avoid Becoming a Modern-Day Atlantis?

By Stephen Finch

BANGKOK: -- Just north, workers were scheduled by mid-September to finish protecting another cornerstone of Thailand’s economy – Ayutthaya, the ancient capital which draws millions of visitors each year.

Full story:

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Flood hits economic district of Sukhothai municipality; 4 schools closed; governor directing assistance for residents /The Nation

Former actress Pawana Chanajit, dubbed ”The Pearl of Asia” drowned at home; family suspects she was murdered, investigation in progress /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,250.03, up 3.93 points /MCOT

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Yom River overflows, floods Sukhothai business centre, forces four schools to close; 1,000 homes, market awash in 50 cm-1m floodwaters /MCOT

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Phuket's first underpass to spur new traffic woes

Phuket Gazette

The Highways Department has warned motorists to avoid the area when lanes in both directions will be shut down for work to begin on Phuket’s first underpass next month. Image: Highways Dept

An artist’s impression of the completed underpass in front of the Central Festival Phuket shopping complex. Image: Highways Dept

PHUKET: -- Motorists have been warned to expect major delays when construction begins next month on a 599-million-baht underpass at the Darasamuth Junction, on the bypass road near the Central Festival Phuket shopping mall.

Full story:

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35 more deer released into zoological park in Ubon Ratchathani

UBON RATCHATHANI, 9 September 2012 (NNT) - Mr. Sanchai Julamont, Director General of the Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) says that a number of animals from Khao Kheow Open Zoo and Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo have recently been transferred to the provincial zoo of Ubon Ratchathani, scheduled to open this December.

The new additions, totaling 35, are comprised of Sambar deer, barking deer, brown-antlered deer, and Hog deer. These deer are meant to attract visitors from within the province of Ubon Ratchatani, as well as from other provinces and neighboring countries.

The Ubon Ratchatani Zoo has an area of approximately 1,200 rai, or 480 acres, mostly a fertile forest. As the zoo has been set up as a jungle park, visitors are able to view animals in their natural habitats while their safety will be treated with utmost importance.

Mr. Sanchai adds that the zoo is more than a tourist destination. It is also a place for learning about wild animals and nature for both locals and foreigners. The zoo will be open to the public in December 2012.

-- NNT 2012-09-10

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Thai Red Cross Society holds World First Aid Day 2012

BANGKOK, 10 September 2012 (NNT) – The Thai Red Cross Society has organized ‘World First Aid Day’ activities to educate people on proper first aid procedures.

Thai Red Cross Society Secretary-General Pan Wannamethee presided over the opening ceremony of the event at Chulalongkorn University. The International Red Cross Society has designated the second Saturday of each September as World First Aid Day to raise awareness on dangers from accidents and teach people how to do first aid.

Coinciding with the more frequent natural disasters in this world, the International Red Cross Society holds activities on the day throughout the world. It is believed that if more people know the correct first aid procedures, there would be less number of casualties.

As Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Honorary President of the Thai Red Cross Society, turns 80 years old this year, the organization has cooperated with local officials to set up first aid and volunteer teams in each province to provide help to people when an emergency happens.

-- NNT 2012-09-10

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RT @RichardBarrow: Thai policeman caught on video taking a bribe from a taxi driver for a traffic violation

Full story:

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Death of German woman 'natural', say Phuket Police

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police do not suspect foul play in the death of a foreign woman found dead in her Phuket villa yesterday morning.

Full story:

[george]

PARTY TIME:

Thaivisa celebrates 10 years on the web

Thaivisa.com will be celebrating its tenth year of providing you news, information and of course the forum where all the fun happens!

To commemorate this auspicious occasion we will host six parties across the country, and you are invited:

More information and RSVP: http://www.thaivisa....nniversary.html

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Over 1 mil pieces of pirated products officially destroyed

BANGKOK, 10 September 2012 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has recently destroyed over 1 million pieces of pirated products, worth over 1.8 billion baht.

Full story:

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PM meets urgently with Water and Flood Management Commission; affirms flood in northern provinces can be handled /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Heavy overnight rain hampers railway repairs in North

LUMPHUN, Sept 10 - Over 100 State Railway of Thailand (SRT) workers and engineers from Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang are attempting to fill a sinkhole beneath the track between Lamphun and Chiang Mai, but the work is progressing slowly because of the heavy overnight rain.

Flash flooding caused the sinkhole to emerge under a 30 metre section of railway, dangling in the air since Saturday.

Incessant rain and ongoing flooding plus the sites hill-side location makes the repair task more difficult. The SRT earlier said it needs at least three more days to finish, but a new round of heavy rain has delayed the plan to resume service.

Nine backhoe trucks were called in to help fill the gap. Acting Lamphun Train stationmaster Prachai Praisri said that the repairs could not proceed as planned due to rain continuing to wash away the soil.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai stationmater Silrat Dewajee said service in Chiang Mai is operating normally although the repairs in Lamphun are still underway.

Inbound and outbound services stop at Lampang Station but to avoid disruption, Chiang Mai station has prepared buses to carry passengers from Chiang Mai to Lampang station to help passengers reach their intended destination. Meanwhile, passengers to Chiang Mai, have three to five buses provided to move them.

Mr Silrat said that there were 14 bus trips to Chiang Mai and 300 passengers using the services daily.

-- TNA 2012-09-10

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Sukhothai business district flooded

SUKHOTHAI, Sept 10 - The rising Yom River has flooded downtown areas of the Sukhothai provincial seat, damaging wide areas, bringing business and commerce to a halt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....strict-flooded/