RT @191Thailand: RT @Juarawee: Gunman/men sprayed bullets w/ war guns at a car at Soi Ekamai 30 this morning, no casualties reported

Countdown to 3G auction begins

BANGKOK, 21 September 2012 (NNT) – After years and years of delay, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Thursday finally started a countdown to the 3G auction in Thailand, which will take place on October 16th.

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PTT opens prototype charging station for electric vehicles

PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA, 21 September 2012 (NNT) – The PTT Public Company Limited has opened a prototype charging station for electric vehicles at Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province.

Rattanawalee In-ochanont of the PTT Research & Technology Institute presided over the opening ceremony of the new charging station. According to her, electric vehicles are becoming popular globally as they produce no pollution, given they run on alternative energy instead of non-renewable energy such as fossil fuels.

To respond to the Energy Ministry’s plan to promote alternative energy, the institute has conducted a research and development on electric cars, part of which is the charging station. A network of charging stations will be set up to support electric cars under the research project.

Five more charging stations will be established in Bangkok and on the roads between Bangkok and Rayong by next year. Electrical charging will be provided at no charge until the entire project is completed.

As for the prototype charging station, charging a van may take from 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the type of electric charge used. The PTT will conduct further studies on environmental-friendly electricity generation to help reduce pollution.

-- NNT 2012-09-21

National Water and Flood Management Committee warns of continued rain until 22 Sept

BANGKOK, 21 September 2012 (NNT) – The National Water and Flood Management Committee has warned that rain will continue pouring down in various parts of the country, at least until this Saturday.

National Disaster Warning Centre director Somsak Khaosuwan, who is also a member of the National Water and Flood Management Committee, said on Thursday that the flood situation across the country has been improving, even though downpour will likely continue until September 22nd.

After this Saturday, Mr. Somsak said that rain will become more scattered and less severe in the eastern part of the country.

However, he warned residents in Prachinburi, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Phichit provinces to stay alert and keep monitoring the water level during the next few days.

Moreover, Mr. Somsak stated that as a tropical storm is forecast over the South China Sea during September 25th and 26th, its direct impact is less likely on Thailand except for the lower part of the Northeast, especially Ubon Ratchathani, and certain areas of the North and the western coast of the South.

The National Disaster Warning Centre director went on to say that the water release from Chainat Dam has been decreased to 1,600 cubic meters per second, and the water level in the Chao Phraya River Basin is less worrisome, at least until the sea tide rises again on September 26th.

-- NNT 2012-09-21

DDPM: 15 provinces now declared as flood-disaster zones

BANGKOK, 21 September 2012 (NNT) – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has announced that more provinces have fallen victim to the monsoon flooding, which has rampaged several parts of the country in the past weeks.

DDPM Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong said on Thursday that a total of 15 provinces have been declared flood-disaster zones. They include Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Pichit, Chainat, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Prachinburi, Sakaeo, Nakhon Pathom, Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao and Chaiyaphum.

According to Mr. Wiboon, 235,545 people from 88,438 families have been hit hard by severe flooding induced by recent heavy downpours.

He added that, Sakaeo locals have been hit by flash flood and forest run-off, while flash flood and run-off were also reported at the Rong Klua Market.

In Prachinburi, low-lying areas of the province have been inundated after the Prachinburi River burst the banks.

Mr. Wiboon stated that heavy rain has recently hit Tak Province and led to a significant rise in the water level of the Wang River while similar situation also led the Yom River in Sukhothai Province to overflow and water already flooded more areas.

-- NNT 2012-09-21

Social Development Ministry satisfied with its performances in the past year

BANGKOK, 21 September 2012 (NNT) – The Social Development Ministry has expressed satisfaction towards all its achievements during the past 12 months.

Social Development Minister Santi Promphat, on Thursday, held a press statement to announce the ministry’s achievements since he took office a year ago.

Mr. Santi said that the Social Development Ministry has been working hard to improve the well-being of the public while providing timely assistance to nationwide flood victims as well as those affected by political unrest during 2005 and 2010.

Moreover, the ministry has been working to promote the living conditions of residents of the 3 southern border provinces while tackling the problems of human trafficking and preparing the country for the realization of the ASEAN Community.

Mr. Santi also stated that the latest survey by Suan Dusit Poll found that the public has been most satisfied with the achievements of the Social Development Ministry.

-- NNT 2012-09-21

Gov't sets goal for iodine deficiency-free populus in 4 years

BANGKOK, Sept 21 – Thailand's prime minister and health minister announced the government's goal to eliminate iodine deficiency among five groups of Thais within four years.

Premier Yingluck Shinawatra, joined by Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri, on Friday presided over a ceremony to promote iodine sufficiency in the population.

The five groups of 14 million persons/year targeted to obtain adequate iodine are expectant mothers, breast-feeding mothers, infants, primary students, and schoolchildren.

Of the five groups, some 800,000 expectant mothers annually are encouraged to receive prenatal care immediately in order to monitor the level of iodine in their urine to achieve 150-249 microgrammes/litre. If the level is less than the minimum requirement, the mother will be receiving supplementary iodine, iron, and folate until six months after giving birth.

Salt consumption requires an iodine amount of 20-40 milligrammes/kilo.

According to Health Department's statistics, Thai students aged 6-15 years are found with intellectual quotient (IQ) at 99 from an international standard at 100.

Bangkok children have the highest IQ at 105, while those from the northeastern part of the country have the lowest IQ at 96 due to a lack of iodine which mainly affects brain development. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-21

Bangkok city hall, Irrigation Department join to speed up water drainage

BANGKOK, Sept 21 - Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Irrigation Department experts met Friday to speed drainage of large volumes of water more effectively in light of expected heavy downpours.

Bangkok deputy governor Vallop Suwandee said after the meeting that the capital has encountered a large amount of water due to continued heavy rains, combined with water drainage from the northern part of country.

He said the BMA and the irrigation department have worked closely to rapidly increase the capacity of the water drainage system, particularly in the eastern part of the city, in response to the expected heavy downpours in the next few days.

Concerned agencies will speed up water release through the Bangpakong River and the Gulf of Thailand, said Mr Vallop, pledging that the operations will not affect residents of Chachoengsao province.

He said the more dredging of main canals will take place, while more water-pushing machines and pumps will be installed in several flood-prone areas.

Regarding the current flooding in Bangkok, the deputy governor reaffirmed the BMA's water drainage system is functioning at full capacity, especially the giant tunnels which helped drain water rapidly.

Following questions on the capacity of the BMA drainage system, such as giant tunnels, Mr Vallop explained that the city was still flooded in many areas as a result of heavy rains of more than 100-millimetres per hour at the same time in many areas, exceeding the capacity of the water drainage ditches which can handle only 80-millimetre/hour of rainfall.

Mr Vallop said new city planning is needed for the building new drainage ditch, but for the city's newly extended areas such as Bang Khen and Ramindra, new ditches have already been installed to handle up to 100-millimetres/hour rainfall. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-21

Banpu to appeal court ruling

BANGKOK, Sept 21 - Thailand's leading mining company, Banpu Plc, said it would appeal the civil court ruling which ordered it to pay damages of at least Bt29.5 billion by 2039 to Siva Nganthavee and his associated companies.

Banpu, one of Asia's leading coal and coal energy providers, informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand about the outcome of the civil court case on Thursday.

Siva Nganthavee and his associated companies (“Plaintiffs”) filed suit against the company, its subsidiary companies and management (“Defendants”), demanding payment for damages totaling Bt63.5 billion.

The lawsuit is based on allegations that Banpu, the subsidiary companies and management had deceptively entered into a joint development agreement with them for the purpose of gaining information of coal mine concession and feasibility study reports of the lignite fired power plant project in Hongsa, Lao PDR (“Hongsa Project”), and that the company had misinformed the Lao PDR government resulting in the Lao government terminating their coal mine concession and power project agreements so Banpu could directly enter into a contract with the Lao government.

Thailand's Civil Court on Thursday ordered the company and Banpu Power Limited to pay the plaintiffs damages for information of Bt4 billion with 7.5 per cent interest per annum from the date of the complaint until the sum is fully paid, and for loss of opportunity of Bt860 million annually from 2015-2027 and Bt1.38 billion per year from 2028 to 2039.

The country's leading miner said it would exercise the right to appeal the judgment to the Appeal Court.

The company also said the court ruling would not impact on the Hongsa Project which is currently in progress as planned.

Shares of Banpu closed on the midday trading session at 399 baht, down 43 baht, from yesterday's closing price. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-21

60 more satang per liter collected in petrol sales contribution to state Oil Fund

BANGKOK, 21 September 2012 (NNT) – The National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) has agreed to collect an additional 60 satang per liter in petrol sales contribution to the state Oil Fund.

Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon said that the National Energy Policy Committee’s meeting on Thursday, which he chaired, has resolved to collect, for the Oil Fund, 60 more satang from every liter of petrol sold, except diesel. He stated the global oil price has recently reduced by more than 1 dollar per barrel; therefore more collections to the fund will not affect the retail oil prices.

Mr Arak explained that the move will help maintain marketing margin for oil retailers at 1.40-1.50 baht per liter. The higher contribution will help reduce the state Oil Fund’s daily loss of 106 million baht as a result of its subsidies for various types of petrol in the market, to 61 million baht per day.

The new contribution for benzene 95 is at 7.40 baht per liter, benzene 91 at 6.10 baht, and gasohol 95 at 1.70 baht. However, gasohol 91 contribution drops to 60 satang per liter, E20 to 90 satang a liter and E85 to 11.80 baht per liter. The diesel sale will not be deducted for the oil fund.

-- NNT 2012-09-21

RT@RichardBarrow: Some minor flooding at Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya caused by last night's heavy rain. Goes down quick pic.twitter.com/1pX6xlz6

Bangkok gangs danced 'Gangnam Style' before Ekkamai gun battle, report claims

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The gangs involved in today’s gun battle in Bangkok’s Ekkamai neighborhood provoked each other at a restaurant the night before – by dancing the “horse dance” from PSY’s massive K-Pop hit “Gangnam Style”, local news website INN is reporting.

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Five dead, nearly 40 wounded in Thai south car bomb: officials

Pattani, Thailand, Sept 21, 2012 (AFP) - At least five people were killed and almost 40 more were wounded Friday after a car bomb detonated in a packed market in Thailand's insurgency-hit south, officials told AFP.

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Aranyaprathet villager swept away, drowned in flood

SA KAEO, Sept 21 - The body of a 73-year-old man was found in a wooded area near the Thai-Cambodian border in this eastern province today.

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Phuket City to spend more than B100mn on flood defense

Phuket Gazette

Children play in the floodwaters that inundated Samkong, on the north side of Phuket Town, last month. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Songkrit Sappakit, executive director of Phisut Technology Co Ltd, which will spearhead the 10-million-baht study into Phuket Town flood defenses, expected to cost 100mn baht. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- In the wake of floodwaters inundating Phuket Town in August, Phuket City Municipality is looking to spend 100 million baht on flood defense measures, starting with a 10-million-baht study conducted by a private consultant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....-flood-defense/

INUNDATION

Floodwaters in Prachin Buri, Phitsanulok continue to rise

The Nation

PRACHIN BURI: -- Heavy rain in Prachin Buri in the early hours of Friday flooded Si Maha Phot market, and local authorities are closely monitoring rising water levels in the Prachin Buri River, which have already passed the critical level.

Continuous heavy rain and floodwaters flowing from Kabin Buri district have added more water, with flooding reaching Tha Prachoom, the Si Maha Phot municipality market, where the water level exceeded 40 centimetres.

Traders in the market rushed to pack their goods for fear that they would be damaged by the water.

Si Maha Phot municipality officials are closely monitoring the water situation, particularly the earth embankment along the Prachin Buri River at Wat Mai Krong Thong. If the dyke fails, the market would be totally flooded.

More than 20 pumps ran all night to drain water from the municipality, where some 100 homes were affected.

Meanwhile in Phitsanulok province, the flooding situation is still serious in many districts particularly Bang Rakam, Bundit Inta, the director of the Phitsanulok Irrigation Project said.

The district has been hardest hit by overflowing water from Yom River, he said. The water level of the river on Friday was 8.37 meters, higher than yesterday, when the recorded measurement was 8.17 meters. It is likely that the level will continue to increase over the next two days.

The district is at risk of inundation as floodwater from the districts of Muang Sukhothai and Prompiram will run off to Bang Rakam in the near future, an area that already has 50,000 rai of land under water.

If there is no rain in the meantime, the flooding level in Bang Rakam will reach its peak in the next two days before gradually decreasing, Bundit said, because the water will flow through Yom River to Phichit province and to the Nan River.

-- The Nation 2012-09-21

Four arrested, drugs seized in Nakhon Sawan crackdown

The Nation

NAKHON SAWAN: -- Four men were arrested and 500,000 methamphetamine pills were seized in an anti-narcotics crackdown in Nakhon Sawan province, 230km north of Bangkok, according to national police chief Prewpan Dhamapong.

He said a joint force of crime suppression and highway police nabbed the four suspects on a highway in Tha Tako district of Nakhon Sawan. Two men managed to escape from the scene.

Pol Gen Prewpan said the suspects are members of a Hmong ethnic minority drug trafficking gang. Some of its members were earlier arrested by the authorities.

-- The Nation 2012-09-21

FLOODS

Man drowns in Aranyaprathet; crocodile captured in field

The Nation

Aranyaprathet//Photo : Watcharachai Klaipong

SA KAEW: -- A 73-year-old man who was returning home after receiving a relief bag was drowned on Thursday after a flash flood swept him away in Sa Kaew's Aranyaprathet district.

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Photo Gallery : Floods in Sa Kaew

The Nation

Border district of Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaew has been hard hit by floods for weeks. The Nation's Photographer Watcharachai Klaipong took the photos for our online readers.

-- The Nation 2012-09-21

SET index closed at 1284.86, up 2.18; Bt/USD30.70; GBP49.83; AUD32.04; EUR39.80; CAD31.36; HKD3.95; SGD24.94; JPY39.03

Myanmar to deliver verdict on Thai detainees on Oct 1

KAWTHAUNG, 21 September 2012 (NNT) - Myanmar’s Kawthaung Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on the trial of two Thai suspects charged with narcotics possession on October 1.

The hearing has been postponed from September 10 due to officials’ engagement in the preparation for the granting of pardon to 83 other Thai detainees. The 83 villagers have returned safely to Thailand since September 18.

The two Thai villagers have been identified as Kalaya Thawo, 49, and Thanom Chansamut, 52, from Surat Thani and Chumphon provinces respectively. The Myanmar court has already handed down a verdict, sentencing Mr Thanom to 7 years in prison for firearm possession.

According to Thai border authorities, the two suspects had earlier pleaded guilty to the drug possession charges.

-- NNT 2012-09-21

SBPAC grants 7.5 million baht to victims of southern unrest

YALA, 21 Sepetmber 2012 (NNT) - The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre today grants an additional compensation payout of over 7 million baht to relatives of the southern unrest victims.

SBPAC Director Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong met with 395 family members of those slain during the 2004 Tak Bai incident and Sabayoi killings in Yala province to present 7.5 million baht of compensation. The move is seen integral to the reconciliation process in the strife-torn southern provinces.

The two tragedies are viewed as catalysts for an upsurge in the Deep South unrest, which has since left over 5,000 dead.

Police Colonel Thawee elaborated that the SBPAC had earlier given southern violence victims the first batch of compensation payout worth 3.5 million baht.

-- NNT 2012-09-21

Russian Resident goes berserk at his Jomtien apartment

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Thailand Live Saturday 22 Sep 2012