Thailand Live Wednesday 10 Oct 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 10 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 9 Oct 2012

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POLITICS

Red-shirt leaders met Thaksin

The Nation

Jatuporn and Natthawut got court permission to visit Hong Kong

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Natthawut Saikua were granted permission to leave the country temporarily because it was believed they would not jump bail, the Criminal Court said yesterday.

Full story:

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VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH

Make Fridays a holiday in South, scholar advises

THE NATION

YALA: -- A Muslim scholar in Yala urged the government yesterday to declare Fridays a public holiday in three southern provinces to be in line with people's ways of living and to reflect government's understanding.

Full story:

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Bangkok 'still at risk'

Jutarat Thipnumpa

The Nation

Bangkok still needs to be on guard against the risk of flooding, a prominent expert warned yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Working with the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), Royol Jitdon said his subcommittee on water-situation analysis had now requested pumps from the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy to boost the capital's ability to facilitate water flow out to the sea.

Full story:

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Winners and losers emerge in rice scheme

ACHARA PONGVUTITHAM,

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The government's rice-price pledging policy has paved the way for Siam Indiga to become the country's biggest exporter, with total export volume reaching 480,000 tonnes during the first nine months of this year.

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

Philippine-style talks 'not suited' to South

Kom Chad Luek, The Nation

File photo

Lack of <deleted>-style command to talk with, presence of drugs and other factors 'make autonomy deal unlikely'

BANGKOK: -- Thai security experts are reluctant to apply the "Philippine model" to Thailand's Muslim insurgency in the deep South, saying the two countries' separatist problems have their own peculiarities.

Full story:

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CORRUPTION

TV3 asked to reveal its stand on Sorayuth

The Nation

Sorrayuth

BANGKOK: -- The Anti Corruption Network yesterday released an open letter, asking TV Channel 3 to reveal its stand on alleged graft offences involving anchorman Sorayuth Suthassanachinda.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

A lesson for Thailand from the Philippines

The Nation

Bangkok must overcome its fear of foreign peace brokers if it wants to end the violence in the deep South

BANGKOK: -- After 15 years of negotiation, on Sunday the Philippines government finally reached agreement with the Muslim rebels in the country's southern region to end a 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people. This is good news for the Philippines and for Asean.

Full story:

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Well-known Australian Ex-pat Golfer arrested by Pattaya Immigration

Full story:

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Thailand urged to abolish death penalty

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP) on Tuesday sent an open letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, asking her to abolish the death penalty.

Full story:

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Thaksin passport to be explained

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Affairs Ministry will by Friday send its explanation on the decision to issue a passport to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to the Ombudsman, saying the issuance was made in accordance with Article 21 of the ministry regulations, a high-ranking official said.

The passport issuance was also made in line with the government's policy, which sees Thaksin as no threat, who did nothing to hurt the country, the source said.

The Ombudsman ruled a month ago that the ministry committed misconduct and must explain its decision in issuing a passport to the fugitive former premier, who faces conviction on corruption charges if he returns to Thailand.

-- The Nation 2012-10-10

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Thai politics is brutal': A political veteran reflects

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Former Thai Rak Thai Party executive Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan talks to The Nation about having mixed feelings about returning to politics in the first of a two-part interview.

Full story:

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Remove sandbags in 15 days, governor told

THE NATION

Plodprasob insist govt has right to oversee city admin

BANGKOK: -- The row over sandbags between Democrats and Pheu Thai Party raged on yesterday, with the Science Minister issuing an ultimatum for the city governor to remove the bags from Bangkok drainage canals within 15 days.

Full story:

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Governor wants to revive twin cities

THE NATION

CHIANG MAI: -- New Chiang Mai Governor Thanin Supasaen aims to revive the Thaksin Shinawatra administration’s shelved Chiang Mai-Lamphun twin-cities project.

Full story:

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Suphat's letter 'full of lies'

Kampanart Khantrakoon

The Nation

PHETCHABURI: -- Sawang Noomjui, who lodged a murder complaint against a former police doctor, dismissed the suspect's open letter as being full of 'lies' yesterday.

In his letter, Dr Suphat Laohawattana said Sawang was his brother's henchman and was being used to frame him.

Earlier this year, Sawang alleged that Suphat had killed his son - Samart - as well as Samart's wife Orasa Kerdsap. The couple has been missing for several years and their pick-up truck was found at a house linked to Suphat and his brother Suthep.

While Suthep and Sawang have been insisting that Suphat owned this house, the suspect says the property was under his brother's care. The siblings have been accusing each other of wanting to embezzle their ailing mother's money.

"I do not know Suthep," Sawang said yesterday, adding that Suphat's wife had told him that her husband had escorted both Samart and Orasa to his ranch in Phetchaburi, and after that, the couple had allegedly not been seen again.

"I believe their bodies were buried in his farm," Sawang said.

Meanwhile, Tha Mai Ruak Police Station's superintendent Colonel Pichai Pongpong yesterday led a team to scour Suphat's farm for the 12th time but found no additional evidence.

"The property is so vast. It would be difficult to find remains. But we hope that those involved will repent and identify the locations where the victims were buried," Pichai said.

Apart from this, Suphat's case is getting more complicated.

Pichai said police were now looking to see how the missing couple's pick-up truck showed up at a house in Nonthaburi, which is owned by Suphat. Police are also investigating a Myanmar worker who spoke up against Suphat but is now being accused of crimes himself. This worker, identified as "Kala", claimed that Suphat was cruel and had destroyed one of his arms.

After Kala spoke up, a prisoner at the Phetchaburi Prison wrote to the prison chief claiming that Kala was a murderer as well and had killed another worker from his country.

Prison chief Surasit Jitchobjai said inmate Anon Jarernchob had offered to testify in court.

"Kala was serving a term in the same prison as Anon and the two were quite close back then," Surasit said.

Meanwhile, Prasert "Kaew" Udomsap, who once worked for Suphat, said he did not believe the allegations made against his former employer.

"As far as I can remember, he is a kind person and took good care of everybody working at his farm," Kaew, who worked for Suphat for several years, said.

He also said that the reference in Suphat's letter about Suthep's factory running at a loss was true. "Due to this loss, he later sold it," Kaew said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-10

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THAI to focus on 'Thailand branding' strategy

BANGKOK, Oct 10 – The new president of Thai Airways International (THAI) says the national flag carrier will focus on a new strategy of 'Thailand branding' to improve services by combining ‘Thai-ness’ in the airline's services.

President Sorajak Kasemsuvan said THAI's 2013 operations plan will be complete by year end. He will meet with THAI's board of directors on Friday.

The 'Thailand branding' strategy is to improve services by bringing together the country's selling points such as on offers on natural tourist destinations, Thai smiles, and Thai food.

He said he would also like to see Thailand's One Tambon (subdistrict) One Product (OTOP) products offered for sale on the airline’s aircraft.

Mr Sorajak said these factors will help increase income in the future, particularly when a new fleet of up to 40 aircraft, both new and refurbished planes, will be available next year.

The strategy includes opening new routes in ASEAN markets as well as in China, India, and Russia, where the THAI president said will be opportunities for the national carrier to expand its business.

Mr Sorajak said he could not commit to what level of profit he might generate for the airline.

In apparent response to rumour, he denied that he assumed the helm of THAI as a result of political interference. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-10

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Mayor Pian unveils '14 strategies' to develop Patong

Phuket Gazette

Entering his self-imposed final term as Patong Mayor, Pian Keesin delivered his 14-strategy plan to his officers yesterday. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Pian Keesin, launching into his final term as Patong Mayor, has revealed a grand plan of “14 strategies” to transform Patong into a “Livable and Sustainable Tourist Destination City”.

Full story:

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Krabi farm owners pleads for return of fossils

Phuket Gazette

Krabi farmer Chob Pankaew inspects the area where fossil shells were stolen in the night. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

A close-up of one of the rocks containing the fossil shells, which experts say look similar to specimens found a few years ago near a power plant in the Klong Nua district of Krabi. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The owner of a plot of land in Krabi, believed to be the site of a massive shell fossil discovery, has asked for people to return the fossils stolen from his land and not to steal any more of them.

Full story:

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Cabinet approves sales of state lottery via online system to curb fraud and over-pricing of lottery tickets /The Nation

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Phuket scrubs up ahead of Vegetarian Festival

Phuket Gazette

A PRAYER BEFORE CLEANING: Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak (right, closest to monument) shares a moment of reverence with the 'troops' before the cleaning begins. Photo: Srisoonthorn Municipality

Vice Governor Somkiet lends a hand hosing the streets clean. Photo: Srisoonthorn Municipality

PHUKET: -- Residents in Phuket’s Srisoonthorn area today staged their “Big Cleaning Day” to prepare for the upcoming Vegetarian Festival, which will get underway on Sunday night.

Full story:

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Cheap commodities on Friday to attract uneasy shoppers

NARATHIWAT, Oct 10 – Anxieties from threats of attacks on business outlets and shops in this Muslim-predominant province on Fridays have yet to be overcome.

Provincial authorities are now planning a new attempt to allay the resident’s fears—a special ‘blue-flag market’ offering goods at reduced prices on Fridays. There will be 65 stalls with all kinds of products.

Narathiwat governor Apinan Sutanuwong said the blue-flag products will be available specially at Krom Luang Narathiwat Rajanagarind park in the provincial seat this Friday to stimulate the economy and boost the local people’s confidence.

The move came in the wake of widespread rumours since last month, threatening shopkeepers and vendors of possible violence if they carry on their businesses on Fridays.

Shops in Narathiwat and neighbouring Pattani and Yala have been closed for the last several Fridays to avoid attacks.

State authorities have tried in vain to hunt for those spreading the rumours.

Mr Apinan said the authorities concerned have provided full protection to the public and have set up many checkpoints. He said that more shops were open last Friday, representing a 26 per cent increase from the previous Friday. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-10

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,287.39, down 5.09 points /MCOT

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EDUCATION

BMA takes step forward with smart

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation

Pilot project aims to test effectiveness of tablets as learning devices

BANGKOK: -- A Prathom-4 student at Na Luang School enjoys using the tablet in her mathematics classroom, thanks to the "Smart Classroom Project" initiated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Full story:

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Crazed Man Attempts To Cut-Off His Own Penis At Jomtien Apartment

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/590203-crazed-man-attempts-to-cut-off-his-own-penis-at-jomtien-apartment/

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Six Thais nabbed for trespassing Laotian border

UBON RATCHATHANI, Oct 10 – Six local men from this northeastern Thai province are in custody in neighbouring Laos where they have been held since the weekend on charges of trespassing, according to police.

The seventh member of the group was not captured by Lao border authorities in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range which divides Thailand and the Lao PDR here.

Thai provincial police, army and civil officials, are meeting with the Lao authorities for the release of the six Thais apprehended while searching for forest products on a hill.

Somjai Buahom, chief of Nong Bua Patana village near the border, informed police that the seven men entered the forest near Phanom Dong Rak mountain on Saturday and camped in the woods some 500 metres from the border.

About 10 Laotian soldiers arrested them on Sunday morning and charged them with trespassing. The six Thais, aged 20 to 48, have been held in Laos since Sunday.

The Lao authorities demanded fines of US$1,000 or Bt30,000 each.

Saeng Chanacharn, 31, who eluded arrest, said the group walked on the mountain from Baan None Soong to find forest materials and bamboo to make furniture.

The villager said he heard gunshots Sunday morning when he was about 100 metres from the group. He saw Lao soldiers walking downhill with his group heading for Kusuma, a town in Laos. He insisted that the area where his companions were when arrested was within Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-10

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PM reasserts no imminent plan to reshuffle cabinet; instructs Commerce Ministry to clarify rice pledging scheme /MCOT

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An independent telecom academic, Anuparp Thiralarp, has petitioned the Constitution Court to issue an injunction halting the planned 3G auction by the NBTC. /BKK Post

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GAEMI

Flooding stabilises in Kanchanaburi

The Nation

File photo : Flooding in Kanchanaburi (October 9)

KANCHANABURI: -- Many roads in the western province of Kanchanaburi are still under water and impassable by small vehicles but the situation is said to have stabilised.

Kanchanaburi governor Chaiwat Limpawantha, distributed relief supplies to flood victims in Dan Makham Tia district.

Part of the province was hit by flash flooding on Monday night and water is now receding in some areas. However, the water level in one creek is flowing rapidly and has overflowed, inundating 4,000 acres of farmland and at least 500 houses.

The province declared Dan Makham Tia a disaster zone. A survey is being conducted to decide whether three other districts should also be considered disaster zones.

The situation is expected to return to normal in the next 2-3 days if there is no more flash flooding from the mountain range.

-- The Nation 2012-10-10

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Two tonnes of cannabis found in raid on Khon Kaen warehouse, where drug stored before shipping to Australia /MCOT