Thailand Live Friday 12 Oct 2012

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,299.96, up 5.06 points /MCOT

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Markets lively in southern Thailand

YALA, Oct 12 -- Despite leaflets and rumours warning business operators and shoppers stay away from Friday markets, the atmosphere at markets here in Thailand's southern provinces is more robust today compared with the previous two weeks amid tight security to provide safety for traders and shoppers.

Business at the Yala's Pimonchai fresh market was busier today than in recent weeks as more shops opened following a near lull for the past two Fridays. Both Thai and Muslim traders were selling their goods while shoppers were coming out to buy food and other goods normally.

It is the third Friday market to coincide with threats from rumours spread last month, warning shopkeepers, market and street vendors of possible violence if they carry on their businesses as usual on Fridays.

Shops in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala as well as some districts in Songkhla have been closed for the last several Fridays to avoid such attacks.

At Yala's old market area where there is a Muslim community, some shops and stalls have also opened.

In Pattani, a vigorous market was seen at Thetwiwat 1 in Pattani municipality. More shops have resumed business than in previous weeks.

However, merchants outside the provincial seat still feared for their safety, not wanting to take a chance at being targeted with violence. Traffic in Pattani municipality was reduced.

Combined military, police and local government civil servants has been deployed in the provincial seats of Yala and Pattani while strict security has been applied to ensure the safety of the public. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-12

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Arrest warrant for ex-Thaksin in KTB loan scandal was reported in several foreign media;Thaksin rejects case launched by now defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee /The Nation

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@tulsathit

Loving or loathing Sorrayuth has become something more or less defined by where you stand in the Thai political conflict.

ASTV has staunchly demanded Sorrayuth's departure from TV 3, while Matichon's put him gloriously on the cover of its weekend magazine.

Web boards have been divided. With anti-Sorryuth alliance bringing together dozens of organisations questioned about its motives.

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11:10am Chao Phraya River looking very strange with no boats on it. No express boats now until 6pm http://thai.vi/QnZdCM

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Most shops in the deep South opened for business today after closing down last Fri.under threats of violence from separatists /The Nation

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Thaivisa member photo

Pattaya - railway rd still now

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RT @RichardBarrow: 1pm The only boats allowed on the Chao Phraya River at the moment belong to the Royal Thai Navy thai.vi/PrgizG

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Facing crackdown, Jomtien jet ski vendors choose self-regulation

Full story:

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Narathiwat village protection unit member wounded in shooting attack by presumed insurgent while driving pickup truck on errand to Ruso district. /MCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: You can get some good pictures of the barge procession from on top of Rama VIII Bridge during rehearsals but on 9 Nov all bridges are closed

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Reuters: #Myanmar President Thein Sein tipped as possible contender for 2012 #Nobel Peace Prize /ASEAN_NEWSROOM

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More shops open for Friday trade in Thailand’s deep South

SONGKHLA, Oct 12 - More shops in Thailand’s restive southern border region have opened for business than on the previous two Fridays as the result of the authorities’ efficient campaign to boost public confidence despite threats of insurgent attacks.

In Yala municipality's Pimolchai fresh market, the number of open shops and consumers shopping is much more than previous Fridays after concerned authorities created better understanding among the public to trust in their tightened security measures.

The statements of Thailand’s national Muslim spiritual leader Chula Ratchamontri were posted and distributed in public venues, stating that working on Friday is not against Islamic practices.

Combined forces of soldiers, police and administrative officials were deployed to ensure safety for the local residents, as well as cooperation from the citizens to help monitor suspicious vehicles and persons who entered the marketplaces.

Security checkpoints have also been set up to inspect cars and motorcycles to boost the confidence of the public.

In Songkhla's Chana district, more shops opened in local markets. Shopkeepers and vendors said they have more confidence in the security measures of the authorities. They urged other shops which remained close to reopen so that more customers will come to spend their money and boost income for merchants.

Songkhla governor Kritsada Boonrach inspected the province's four districts to restore confidence among the public.

He said the situation is likely to improve and is expected to return to normal soon.

Narathiwat deputy governor Pradit Sukonthasawat said about 80 per cent of businesses resumed operations today after he and concerned officials visited the merchants and shop vendors at a municipal fresh market to create better understanding about the matter with them.

He said the province also held a special ‘Blue Flag Market’ offering goods at reduced prices at Krom Luang Narathiwat Rajanagarind park in the provincial seat today to relieve the shortage of products while some shops remained closed.

In nearby Pattani, shops on the outskirts of the provincial seat reportedly remained closed for three consecutive Fridays, while some factories also closed their doors as some Muslim workers asked for a day off amid fears of a possible attack today. They said they would work on Sunday instead. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-12

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City Hall launches official slogan for Bangkok

BANGKOK, Oct 12 - Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today launched an official slogan for the Thai capital chosen by over 40,000 voters.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/590636-bangkoks-new-city-motto-unveiled/page__st__25#entry5746746

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Authorities work to crack down on social network’s illegal drug trade

BANGKOK, Oct 12 – Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is working with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to thwart illegal drug selling using new technology’s social networks, according to Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, secretary-general.

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RT @mpoppel: Nobel Committee says it received valid Peace Prize nominations for 188 individuals and 43 organizations.

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Sweet longkong for Thailand’s father

NARATHIWAT, Oct 12 – A group of farmers in this southern province has joined hands in cultivating a specially-selected longkong variety to be presented to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej next month.

The 24 planters participated in the so-called “Father’s Longkong” project to show their loyalty to the King who has introduced the philosophy of sufficiency economy. Like all Thai citizens, they have looked up to His Majesty as a guiding light.

Narathiwat governor Apinan Sutanuwong said red ribbons were tied around a batch of longkong trees (L. domesticum) under the “Father’s Longkong” scheme.

The longkong trees will bear fruits of superior quality late next month.

Parn Suksathan, one of the 24 farmers, said he has always wanted to present longkong to His Majesty the King and immediately joined the project when he learned about it.

He said the popular ‘see poh’ variety, grown widely in Narathiwat’s Ra-ngae district, produces a sweet and fragrant odour.

Longkong is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia. Identified scientifically as Lansium domesticum, it is in the botanical family Meliaceae. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-12

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Vegetable prices skyrocket ahead of Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Phuket Gazette

Wirat Gerdjit, a vegetable seller at Kaset Market in Phuket Town, hopes prices do not continue to spiral. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Even a major festival such as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is not spared commerce’s principal ethos of “supply and demand”; as demonstrated by the hike in vegetable prices this week.

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Bangkok governor, Science Minister Plodprasob meet to discuss sandbags in drainage system; vow to work more closely /MCOT

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Two detained in ATM 'incident' in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Two 21 year old women were detained following an incident which occurred at a Bangkok Bank ATM located at the corner of Soi 16 on the Pratamnuk Road in South Pattaya, early on Friday morning.

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RT @mpoppel: The European Union has been awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.

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SET index closed at 1296.98, up 2.08; Bt/USD30.51; GBP48.89; AUD31.26; EUR39.50; CAD31.05; HKD3.93; SGD24.84; JPY38.64

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EU awarded Nobel peace prize

OSLO: -- Norway’s Nobel committee has awarded the 2012 Nobel peace prize to the European Union.

The candidate shortlist featured 231 names, including 43 public and international organizations.

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PM: arrest warrant for ex-PM Thaksin on Krung Thai Bank loan scandal is normal court procedure /MCOT

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PM inspects Don Mueang Airport, assigns Transport Ministry to oversee transportation network to facilitate passengers /MCOT

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Democrat convoy tours 2010 'men in black' sites

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party Friday held a mobile rally to raise awareness of the role of the so-called "men in black" during the political strife in 2010.

Participants drove through key sites, including Wat Pathum Wanaram, where men dressed in black appeared to intervene in crowd-control operations aimed at the 2010 red-shirt rallies.

Two Democrats, Boonyod Sooktinthai and Tankhun Jittisara, led a convoy along a circuitous route starting at the party's headquarters and ending at Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Avenue.

The convoy passed several roads on which the red shirts marched two years ago, before making its first stop at a Buddhist temple on Rama I Road.

-- The Nation 2012-10-12

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Phuket lawyer takes death plunge after ‘humiliating’ argument

Phuket Gazette –

Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers and Vachira Phuket Hospital staff attempted to keep Mr Puwanart alive as they rushed him to hospital. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Mr Puwanart’s had an argument with his girlfriend (pictured) immediately before his death. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: A Phuket lawyer died after plummeting from his third-floor apartment in Wichit last night, allegedly due to the humiliation of arguing with his girlfriend in front of apartment staff.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/590776-phuket-lawyer-takes-death-plunge-after-humiliating-argument/#entry5747198

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Phuket rapist blames demon drink

Phuket Gazette –

Peerayut said he was ‘out of control’ from alcohol when he decided to rape the 18-year-old woman. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: A confessed rapist, Peerayut Moottamara, 29, blamed his drunken state for the rape of a work colleague’s 18-year-old girlfriend in Chalong yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/590778-phuket-attacker-blames-demon-drink/#entry5747215

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Thailand whips up four gold medals at Culinary Olympics in Germany

BANGKOK, Oct 12 -- Thailand has proven its culinary prowess at the IKA World Culinary Olympics 2012 in Germany, winning four gold and one silver medals.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/590779-thailand-whips-up-four-gold-medals-at-culinary-olympics-in-germany/#entry5747230

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1,800 more troops to reinforce southern security by May: Army chief

BANGKOK, Oct 12 - Thai Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday urged counter-insurgency cooperation among all parties to enable local residents to lead their lives normally, adding that 1,800 more soldiers will be sent to the region by May.

The army chief comments came as more shops and businesses in the southern border region opened on Friday, defying threats of insurgent attacks which have disrupted normal Friday activities for the past two weeks.

Gen Prayuth said the situation is gradually improving as about a third of the shops remained open. He pledged that cooperation among police, soldiers and civilians would come about, as it is needed to ensure the public that business will carry on as usual. Otherwise, the insurgents could carry their threats further to interrupt public transportation.

In an attempt to assure public safety, the army chief said more 1,800 soldiers will be deployed in the region in May. Another batch of 2,100 soldiers will increase the military presence further, but at an unspecific date.

The army chief also said military personnel will be equipped with more powerful ammunition for better protection of the people.

At the same time, coordination with the neighbouring country is under way to pressure the insurgents, Gen Prayuth said. The state power will be challenged if all parties fail to cooperate to pressure the insurgents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-12