Thailand Live Tuesday 2 Oct 2012

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Thailand Live Tuesday 2 October 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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Storms set to dump heavy rains on Thailand this weekend

THE NATION

About 50 villagers from Kookot Pattana community in Pathum Thani

100mm-per-hour deluge forecast for Northeast, North, Central regions

BANGKOK: -- Large storms are expected to bring heavy downpours throughout the country by the coming weekend, a senior weatherman said yesterday.

Full story:

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THAI-US TIES

Parliament to debate Nasa study

Panya Thiewsangwan/Somroutai Sapsomboon/Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

But govt won't allow vote on project today

BANGKOK: -- Ajoint meeting of the two Houses of Parliament will today debate an urgent motion on whether the government should allow Nasa to conduct a climate study in Thailand.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

Shinawatras likely to keep things all in the family

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is at a crossroads. One path would allow her true leadership to shine, while the other would see her remain a puppet.

Full story:

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AirAsia flies out of Don Mueang without a hitch

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Don Mueang International Airport started buzzing from 3am yesterday as its first flight of the day, AirAsia's FD3677, took off for Denpasar, Bali, on the dot of 6.15am as scheduled. All the ground staff, especially Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld, were delighted by the smooth takeoff.

Full story:

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Not a single seat left

MANTA KLANGBOONKRONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Maroon 5 are back with a new album of songs, and Impact will be jammed

Full story:

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New Thai spellings for 176 loan words

PAKAMARD JAICHALARD,

SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Institute has come up with new spellings of 176 words borrowed from English in order to better reflect how they are pronounced in Thai.

Full story:

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TAXATION

Tax rebates begin under first-car scheme

KINGSLEY WIJAYASINHA,

SUPHANNEE POOTPISUT

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry yesterday started paying tax rebates to first-car owners. So far 250,000 buyers have applied for rebates worth Bt18 billion. Toyota Vios, Mazda2 and Honda Brio cars and Isuzu and Toyota pickup trucks are the preferred brands under the scheme.

Full story:

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PHETCHABURI MYSTERY

Missing man's parents face setback

THE NATION

Dr Pornthip not able to verify police autopsy as remains cannot be moved

PHETCHABURI: -- The parents of a man - missing for three years with his wife - are facing a new setback because their request for the police autopsy on three skeletons to be verified is untenable as human remains cannot lawfully be removed from police custody. The remains were found in a police doctor's ranch in Phetchaburi.

Full story:

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Thai broadcaster axes panda reality TV

BANGKOK, Oct 2, 2012 (AFP) - After three years of following her every move, a Thai broadcaster has pulled the plug on one of the kingdom's most-loved but lethargic reality TV celebrities -- a giant panda.

Full story:

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Border residents busily clearing garbage from drains

SA KAEO, Oct 1 – The Thai authorities, police and military, have joined hands with merchants in this Thai-Cambodian border province to eliminate garbage and trash blocking the sewerage system near the border checkpoint of Aranyaprathet to facilitate trading and people’s communication.

Khmers on both sides of the border also helped clear the sewerage system including the canal beneath the Thai-Cambodian friendship bridge—the most vital traffic route between the two borders.

The bustling Rong Klua market on the border was flooded twice last month after heavy rainfall. Most sewers were blocked by garbage.

The authorities estimates that at least 50 tonnes of garbage was removed from sewers and canals leading to Klong Prom Hode, Aranyaphrathet’s main sewerage line. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-02

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NBTC okays 48 new digital channels

WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission will soon make at least 48 new digital terrestrial television channels available for potential broadcasters.

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC's broadcasting committee, said yesterday that his panel had approved a draft plan to divide available radio spectra into national digital terrestrial broadcasting services for community-based purposes, public services and commercial uses.

Under this plan, the NBTC will offer 12 standard-definition (SD) broadcasting channels for community-based service broadcasters per area and 12 SD channels for public service broadcasters. Meanwhile, commercial broadcasters will be granted at least 24 channels, comprising 20 SD channels and four high-definition (HD) channels.

Natee added that licences for community-based, public-service-oriented digital TV channels would be granted to those who meet the required qualifications by end of this year, while commercial broadcasters will get to bid for the spectrum at an auction expected to be held in March.

Additionally, the television channels for commercial broadcasting services have been divided into four groups, namely five SD channels providing programmes for kids and family, five SD news and information TV channels, and 10 SD channels and four HD channels for general programming.

This follows the NBTC's frequency-allocation plan for digital terrestrial broadcasting service, in which available spectra will be split into three parts: 20 per cent for community-based purposes, 20 per cent for public services and 60 per cent for commercial uses.

Natee said broadcasters who wanted to operate a digital TV station needed two licences, one for the spectrum and another for the broadcasting service.

The NBTC is also drafting a regulation that determines the maximum channels that a potential broadcaster can own and a regulation that sets the starting price for licences.

Natee added that these digital TV channels would be operated in line with the existing analog terrestrial channels, namely BEC's ThaiTV3, the Army's TV5, BBTV Channel 7, MCOT's Modernine TV, the Public Relations Department's NBT and Thai Public Broadcasting Service (ThaiPBS) until the analog is switched off or their contracts expire.

Once the analog era ends, the number of digital TV channels should more than double because the spectrum used by the six free-to-air channels is nearly half of the total.

Also, in the near future, when 41 towers for broadcasting digital terrestrial services nationwide are built, NBTC will be able to add more channels for regional and community-based levels.

-- The Nation 2012-10-02

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Former police inspector picked for NACC

The Nation

Sathaporn

BANGKOK: -- Pol General Sathaporn Laothong, a former police inspector, was appointed by the Senate yesterday as a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Senate voted 76-43 to install Sathaporn to the position after a five-hour debate in Parliament. He will replace Medhi Krongkaew, who retired.

Sathaporn's qualifications were the subject of hot debate yesterday. Some senators led by Somchai Sawaengkarn said people chosen to be anti-graft commissioners should have served at a level no lower than director-general. The position of police inspector is not equivalent to the level of a director-general.

But many other senators led by Direk Thuengfang argued that Sathaporn was qualified, as his previous position was indeed the same level as a director-general.

Finally, the session decided by majority vote to endorse Sathaporn, but Somchai said he would appeal to the Constitution Court to rule on doubts in regard to the qualifications for anti-graft commissioners.

-- The Nation 2012-10-02

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Students urged to re-think rice petition

Piyanart Srivalo

Yupin Pongthong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court yesterday rejected a petition calling for the cancellation of the rice-pledging scheme filed by 146 students of the National Institute Development Administration (NIDA) and Thammasat University.

Constitution Court spokesman Pimol Thammapitakpong said the NIDA and Thammasat University students must indicate in their petition which Articles of the charter are relevant to their recourse in seeking the court ruling - then they can re-submit the petition.

The group filed the petition accusing the government of violating Article 43 and 81 (1) of the Constitution by interfering in the market with price intervention and disrupting the free market with a monopoly.

Under the government's rice pledging scheme, farmers are given Bt15,000-Bt20,000 per tonne of rice depending on its quality, which is higher than market prices.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung criticised the move to stop the rice-pledging scheme, saying the academics do not know more than farmers when it comes to rice.

'Exporters spreading rumours'

"The government gets the credit, farmers get richer, exporters must buy at a higher price. Exporters will lose in this scheme so they try to create public misunderstanding that corruption is rife and Thailand is losing its export market to Vietnam. This government knows the exporters' game. We are not perturbed," he said. He denied the scheme was a monopoly. "If the price of rice goes up, the government will not suffer losses. Do not get jealous of the poor farmers,'' he added.

Chalerm said PM Yingluck Shinawatra was serious about checking corruption and appointed him to chair a committee to probe alleged irregularities in the scheme. "Five police officers are stationed at every rice miller undertaking the rice-pledging scheme,'' he said.

More than 700 members of the Thai Farmers Association will parade to the Government House today to encourage Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to proceed with the price pledging policy on rice.

The move came after university academics criticised the government's over-the-market price subsidy policy, saying the government should cancel such pledging measures.

Prasit Boonchuey, president of the association, said yesterday the government should hear from all concerned organisations on whether to move ahead with the scheme.

"The government should call a meeting with all agencies to table the truth as now the problem is bigger than the Kingdom's budget - and if we ignore this problem the government will face difficulties," Prasit said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-02

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Govt panel says it will hold public hearings

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A special government committee has acknowledged the final report of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand and is using its recommendations to hold public hearings, the spokesman of the panel said yesterday.

Full story:

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Fine Arts Dept to scrutinise BMA paint plans

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Fine Arts Department will be looking into the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's plans to paint old buildings and historic sites in the Rattanakosin area, the department's acting director general Sahawat Nanna said yesterday.

The types of paints and methods used must be examined to make sure the buildings will not be damaged, Sahawat said.

The BMA has announced a campaign with paint firms to renovate and paint such old city landmarks as the Mahakan Fort and the Phan Fah Leelas Bridge.

Permission must be obtained from the Fine Arts Department before starting any work, Sahawat said, but his agency has yet to receive a request.

-- The Nation 2012-10-02

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Yala police chief condemns insurgents

The Nation

YALA: -- A police commissioner in Yala yesterday condemned the recent attacks on civilians that have led to several deaths and injured many others, including a pregnant woman.

Pol Maj-General Peera Boonlieng said there were about 10 attacks over the weekend, resulting in three deaths and some eight others being injured.

"The injured include a three-month-pregnant woman who was riding a motorcycle in Bannang Sata district. She was shot from behind," Peera said.

"I condemn the attackers and want the public to do the same because she and the other parties affected are innocent and have nothing to do with the insurgents' ideologies. They should be fighting the enemies, not spectators, especially women."

Peera believed the insurgents were changing their tactics because they have not driven around on motorbikes, shooting randomly before.

Meanwhile, violence in Pattani province continued unabated, with insurgents launching several attacks, killing one and injuring two others.

Liki Kuno, 20, who was on his way home from a friend's place in Tung Yang Daeng district shortly after midnight yesterday, was shot dead, allegedly by insurgents.

Soon after, insurgents also shot at Waeuseng Ngaeyeng, 35, who was parking his car in the garage of his home in Nong Chik district at 2.10am. Waeuseng was rushed to Nong Chik Hospital and is now stable.

At 5.40am, Wilaiwai Sansara, 50, was at a road-sweeping job in tambon Panare municipality when an unknown number of insurgents fired at her. She is being treated at Panare Hospital.

-- The Nation 2012-10-02

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Aditya Birla, Nation Uni join up to boost teaching skills

THE NATION

Angthong

ANGTHONG: -- The Nation President Pana Janviroj (seated, second from left) signs the MoU with the Aditya Birla Group for the English-language teacher training in Angthong recently.

Full story:

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Hong Kong ferry crash kills dozens

HONG KONG: -- At least 25 people are dead after two ferries collided off Hong Kong’s Lamma Island ahead of a fireworks display to mark China’s National Day.

Full story:

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German tourist stabbed to death in Samui

Full story:

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Meth pills seized in North, 500 million more destined for Thailand

BANGKOK, Oct 2 – Over one million methamphetamine pills were recently confiscated and five men arrested in Chiang Rai province in a swoop which Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung described as just a small amount of a total 500 million pills that were to be smuggled into Thailand via the northern border.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,304.98, up 5.27 points /MCOT

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RT @mashable: IKEA Edits Women Out of Saudi Catalog http://on.mash.to/R86cQm

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Road subsides at Ngarm Wong Wan outbound to Vibhavadi Road, 2 metres square, one traffic lane closed /MCOT

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PM urged to find durable solution to land use problems

BANGKOK, Oct 2 - Some 30 social activists called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Tuesday to demand sustainable solutions from the government to the problems of settlements, stateless people and land expropriation from construction of the Pak Mool Dam in Ubon Ratchathani.

The representatives of a group calling itself People's Movement for a Just Society who met with the premier said the three major problems have been pending for years without solutions or any sign of progress.

Another one hundred activists with banners and loudspeakers demonstrated at a side entrance of Government House.

Ms Yingluck said she has set up working committees to resolve the problems, admitting that some of the issues--particularly land disputes--involved law enforcement.

She said more discussions on the issues are needed while the activists urged the premier to chair the committees she mentioned since the people are in great trouble.

They cited the issuance of community land title deeds as one the most crucial problems. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-02

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Breaking News: Tiger Disco charged over inferno deaths

Phuket Gazette

Patong Police Superintendent Chiraphat Pochanaphan at scene of the Tiger Discotheque fire. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The operators of Tiger Discotheque have been charged with negligence causing death and physical and mental injury to others, as well as with trading after hours, Patong Police Superintendent Chiraphat Pochanaphan has confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

Full story:

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Cabinet approves Deputy PM Chalerm to oversee Interior Ministry, Deputy Interior Minster Chuchart Hansawat to acting Interior Minister; approves appointment of 24 governors /MCOT

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New Phuket police chief targets tourist safety, drugs

Phuket Gazette

The superintendents of every police station in Phuket were ordered to boost tourist safety ahead of the upcoming tourism high season and to clear unsolved cases. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Freshly arrived from Narathiwat, in Thailand’s troubled Deep South, Phuket’s new Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Chote Chawanwiwat has named drugs and tourist safety as his top priorities. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket’s new Provincial Police Commander, Maj Gen Chote Chawanwiwat, has vowed to make drugs and tourist safety his top priorities.

Full story:

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Chalerm in charge of Yongyuth's responsibilities, Chuchart becomes caretaker interior minister

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung has been assigned to be in charge of responsibilities of former deputy prime minister Yongyuth Wichaidit.

Chalerm said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave him the assignment during the weekly Cabinet meeting Tuesday.

Chalerm said Yingluck also assigned Deputy Interior Minister Chuchart Harnsawat to become caretaker interior minister, replacing Yongyuth.

Yongyuth has resigned as deputy prime minister and interior minister following a retroactive disciplinary penalty against him related to the Alpine golf course controversy.

-- The Nation 2012-10-02