Thailand Live Monday 15 Oct 2012

[webfact]

Thailand Live Monday 15 October 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Sunday 14 Oct 2012

[webfact]

THAIVISA CONNECT

Thaivisa Forum Apps for your mobile or tablet

"Thaivisa Connect" for iPhone, iPad and iPod:

iTunes App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thaivisa-connect-thailand/id492600537

"Thaivisa Connect" for Android:

Android Market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkthaivisa.activity

OR

For QR code just go here with your desktop or mobile:

http://apps.thaivisa.com

[webfact]

UK envoy tackles the local lingo

Nuthatai Chotechuang

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- New UK Ambassador Mark Kent doesn't look like your usual reserved diplomat. He carries a black backpack almost everywhere, and it's heavy. So what's in there?

Full story:

[webfact]

SPECIAL REPORT

Critical condition

Chularat Saengpassa,

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Thousands of nurses to rally at Govt House tomorrow; demanding permanent contracts, less workload

BANGKOK: -- Each year, hundreds of nurses at state hospitals have left their jobs due to hard work conditions and poor welfare. The staff exodus has forced some public hospitals to shut down wards.

Full story:

[webfact]

WOLFGANG SCHAEUBLE

A United States of Europe 'is not the answer'

THANONG KHANTHONG,

ACHARA DEBOONME

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- German Federal Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble advocates further integration of Europe to resolve the severe crisis, but not to the point of surrendering sovereignty.

Full story:

[webfact]

Thai filmmaker sees brighter path ahead

Phatarawadee Phataranawik

The Nation

BUSAN: -- Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, the Thai filmmaker who won a top award at the Busan International Film Festival, is confident he has a bright future as an independent filmmaker.

Full story:

[webfact]

Mozambique woman caught with drugs in Phuket

The Nation

PHUKET: -- A Mozambique woman was caught smuggling in six kilograms of methamphetamine worth Bt21 million at Phuket International Airport, police said yesterday.

Full story:

[webfact]

CAMPUS UPDATE

English debate final in Khon Kaen

The Nation

KHON KAEN: -- The 8th European Union Thailand Inter-varsity English Debate Championship's Grand Final Round of Debate and Awards Ceremony will take place tomorrow at Khon Kaen University.

This year's championship distinguishes itself from its seven preceding competitions in two ways. Firstly, the tournament takes place under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Secondly, after having been hosted by Thammasat and Mahidol universities in previous years, this year's tournament final is held outside of Bangkok for the first time, at Khon Kaen University.

Through its support for the debate competition, the European Union provides young Thai citizens a forum to practise a culture of critical analysis and intellectual debate in Thailand while promoting awareness and understanding of the European Union and its policy priorities.

At this year's championship, Thai students will propose the topics for debate from a range of EU's priority policies in politics, economics, the environment, science and technology, gender and sexuality, discrimination & differences, human rights & laws, to international relations. The topic to be debated at the Grand Final this year will be chosen from the students' proposals to endorse that this activity is driven and participated in by students themselves.

Over the past seven years, the European Union Thailand National Inter-varsity Debate Championship has developed into the largest English language inter-varsity debate contest in Thailand, with approximately 300 students from all regions of Thailand joining this competition, a student-led initiative and collaboration amongst English language debate societies in Thailand.

-- The Nation 2012-10-15

[webfact]

Migrants' help sought over missing couple

The Nation

PHETCHABURI: -- Police are hunting for Karen migrants from Myanmar based in Tak, as they might supply information on whether a migrant couple missing for three years was murdered by a police doctor.

Pol Colonel Phichai Pokpong, chief of Tha Mak Ruak police, said yesterday the witnesses used to work at the pineapple plantation run by Pol Colonel Suphat Laohawatthana, the doctor. They were present during a dispute between Suphat and the couple - Samart Noomjui and his wife Orasa Kerdsab - and supposedly know about the disappearance of the couple.

If the witnesses are back in Myanmar, they will be summoned by Myanmar police for questioning by Thai immigration police in Tak's Mae Sot district, Phichai said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-15

[webfact]

CAMPUS UPDATE

PSU student wins Technologist Award

The Nation

PHUKET: -- The 2012 Young Technologist Award went to Assist Prof Chinnawat Surussavadee from the Faculty of Technology and Environment, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Phuket Campus for his achievement in developing the global satellite passive microwave precipitation retrieval algorithm, called AMSU MIT Precipitation retrieval algorithm (AMP). AMP helps estimate precipitation all over the world.

He is also head of the Andaman Environment and Natural Disaster Research Centre at PSU.

Chinnawat and Prof David H Staelin at Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed AMP together. It is considered the most hi-tech algorithm and can estimate the precipitation accurately in every area, which helps estimate rain quantity effectively. And this is beneficial for disaster warnings and preparations.

Assoc Prof Nopporn Sittisombut from Faculty of Medicine of Chiang Mai University was honoured with the 2012 Outstanding Technologist Award for the achievement in the development of dengue vaccine candidate.

The Outstanding Technologist Award (Team Award) went to the Design and Engineering Research Unit from National Metal and Materials Technology Centre led by Julathep Kajornchaiyakul for the development of a thermal analysis system for assessment of liquid aluminium treatment.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will present each of them a shield of honour on October 17 in Chiang Mai.

The awards have been given annually by the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King.

-- The Nation 2012-10-15

[webfact]

CHINA BUSINESS WEEKLY

How Thailand can put indigenous innovation on the agenda

Suwatchai Songwanich

Chief executive Officer,

Bangkok Bank (China)

BANGKOK: -- With the global economy still weak and domestic industries around the world feeling the strain, it is unsurprising that there have been moves internationally to try to curb or penalize Chinese imports by toughening up trade policies. The key targets so far have been solar panel producers and auto parts manufacturers which have been putting pressure on the European and American industries.

Full story:

[webfact]

People commemorate 39th anniversary of Oct 14 uprising

BANGKOK, Oct 15— Survivors, relatives of deceased demonstrators and representatives from the government and the opposition on Sunday gathered at the October 14 Memorial on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to mark the 39th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 uprising.

The activity at Khok Wua intersection began with religious rites, merit-making for victims who lost their lives in the student-led political demonstration on Oct 14, 1973.

Wreaths were then laid at the memorial while tributes were read for those killed in the pro-democracy protest 39 years ago.

In addition to the survivors, relatives of the dead and representatives of relevant agencies, Prime Minister's Office Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul, as representative of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, as representative of opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, also attended at the event.

Meanwhile, Parinya Thewanaruemitkul, Thammasat University’s vice-rector for student affairs, said at the event that the October 14, 1973 incident was the country’s greatest pro-democracy demonstration.

The academic also urged that the new generation should learn lessons from previous political protests--not only the October 14, 1973 uprising but also the October 6, 1976 uprising, the traumatic ‘Black May’ events of May 1992 and the May 2010 anti-government protest--in order to avoid repetition of the political violence. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-15

[webfact]

Cambodia's ex-king Norodom Sihanouk dies in Beijing

BEIJING, Oct 15, 2012 (AFP) - Cambodia's former king Norodom Sihanouk, a revered figure in his home country who had suffered from a number of ailments in recent years, died in Beijing on Monday, Chinese state media and close aides said.

Full story:

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Yaowarat Road will be closed from Chinatown Gate to Chalermburi intersection, 2pm-11pm, for the opening ceremony of the Vegetarian Festival.

[webfact]

Teachers are the key, top educators agree

Chularat Saengpassa,

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

Teachers are the key to education reforms and improvements.

BANGKOK: -- Many countries have put a lot of effort into improving teachers’ capabilities so as to drive the reforms and improvements forward. Their success has been proven by students’ better performance and ability.

Full story:

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,294.47, down 2.51 points /MCOT

[webfact]

African woman caught with 6kg of meth at Phuket Airport

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Airport Customs Director Montira Cherchoo shows where the drugs were hidden in the suitcase. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Phuket Customs officials searched the suitcase after the x-ray machine showed an anomaly hidden within. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Customs officials at Phuket International Airport arrested a Mozambique woman attempting to smuggle six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) into the country on Saturday night.

Full story:

[webfact]

PM travels to Kuwait today for Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit; to strengthen bilateral ties, expand trade, investment between two countries /MCOT

[webfact]

6 cars burned in Pattaya Carpark Inferno

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/591291-6-cars-burned-in-pattaya-carpark-inferno/

[webfact]

Pattaya Shooting Range Suicide

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/591194-south-african-dies-after-gun-incident-at-shooting-range-on-pattaya-beach/#entry5754446

[webfact]

update

Bar Brawl Continues at Police Station

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....a/#entry5754456

[webfact]

Thai students win 2 silver, 2 bronze medals at 6th International Earth Science Olympiad, contest for high school students, in Buenos Aires, Argentina /MCOT

[webfact]

PM attends Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Kuwait to enhance bilateral ties,trade,investment opportunities /The Nation

10th Asia-Euro finance ministers meet in Bangkok to boost cooperation,economic,cultural ties,investment opportunities /The Nation

[webfact]

3G

NBTC under increasing pressure to raise 3G auction reserve price

USANEE MONGKOLPORN,

SIRIVISH TOOMGUM

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Besides the uncertainty over whether the auction of the 2.1GHz spectrum on Tuesday will be suspended by the court order in connection to consumer protection cases, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has also faced mounting pressure by many groups to raise the spectrum reserve price on a concern that the state coffer might gain less than it should have from the auction if it turns out to be a low-bidding competition.

The reserve price of Bt4.5 billion per spectrum slot, which was finalised in June, has been heavier criticised if it is too low when it is clear now that there are only three bidders pitching for nine spectrum slots and each is allowed to grab maximum three slots. The bidders are also believed to willingly pay high to win the spectrum to ensure that they would stay in the cellular business after the concession ends.

Last week activist Suriya Katasila said he and over ten of people network groups want to see the watchdog raising up the price to Bt6.4 billion per slot, which is the full value of the 2.1GHz spectrum slot of 5 MHz bandwidth as evaluated by the NBTC's working group on the reserve price, comprises a group of lecturers from Chulalongkorn University’s economics faculty. Like many parties, he is concerned that to auction the spectrum slot at the present price might make the country gain lesser proceedings than it should have. Suriyasai and the groups have also planned to petition for Central Administrative Court's injunction today (MON) to suspend the auction on ground that it might breach the law governing the anti bid collusion.

Three cases were already filed at the Central Administrative Court last week, including that of telecom scholar Anupap Tiralap, seeking a court order to suspend the auction. Anupap wants to see the NBTC complete issuance of key measures to bring optimal benefits to the population first before NBTC launching the auction.

The NBTC will call the bid of nine spectrum slots, each containing 5 MHz bandwidth. Each of the three bidders can grab maximum three slots. This had raised criticism of many parties and telecom scholars that this auction terms and conditions would pave way for them to grab three slots each at possible low competition, which if so, the country would have gained less proceeding from the auction than it should have.

The NBTC's original auction term and condition draft allowed each bidder to grab maximum four spectrum slots to ensure high bid competition amid possible three potential bidders. But after the public hearing on the draft in July, the watchdog changed this maximum number to three slots. This prompted some telecom committee members to propose that the committee should raise up the reserve price from Bt4.5 billion to match with the change to maximum three slots. But the telecom committee finally maintained the Bt4.5 billion price.

Once telecom committee chairman Settapong Malisuwan reasoned that the price of Bt4.5 billion is appropriate. He cited the study of the reserve price working group that the appropriate reserve price should not be lower than 67 per cent of the full spectrum value of 5 MHz bandwidth. Settapong said the reserve price should not be too high, given that soon the watchdog will also have other spectra available for future auctions.

As of last week Settapong was still convinced that the three bidders, Advanced Info Service's subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network, Total Access Communication's subsidiary DTAC Network, and True Corp's subsidiary Real Future, would compete to quote the highest price to be eligible to be the first to select the desired spectrum ranges. The auction features two phases - bid to select the desired spectrum slots and then the highest price offerer will be the first to select the desired spectrum ranges.

-- The Nation 2012-10-15

[webfact]

Flames engulf two Phuket tour buses

Phuket Gazette

Firemen from Phuket City Municipality Fire Department took about 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze. Photo: Thawit Binabdullar

The fire aboard the double-deck Phuket to Songkhla bus spread quickly to engulf a second bus parked alongside it. Photo: Thawit Binabdullar

PHUKET: A fire devoured two parked tour buses on Phuket in the middle of the afternoon yesterday, causing an estimated 7-million-baht worth of damage, though no one was reported injured.

Full story:

[webfact]

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2012 underway

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 'mah song' devotees begin their purification rites at the Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Thousands of Vegetarian Festival devotees and spectators joined the raising of the 'go teng' pole at the Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2012 began officially at midnight last night as lanterns were hung at the participating Chinese shrines on the island, marking that the Jade Emperor and nine Emperor Gods had descended from the heavens.

Full story:

[Lite Beer]

Prevention of Don Mueang blackout recurrence discussed today

BANGKOK, Oct 15 – Don Mueang Airport administrators called a meeting with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and commercial airlines today to work out blackout prevention measures following a power failure on Sunday morning which delayed 15 flights.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/591132-16-flights-delayed-due-to-don-mueang-power-outage/#entry5754815

[Lite Beer]

Thai PM leaves for regional summit in Kuwait

BANGKOK, Oct 15 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is leaving the capital on Monday to attend the first leaders summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Kuwait.

The Thai premier will also use this opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties with Kuwait during her three-day official visit today through Thursday.

Ms Yingluck said the ACD was initiated by Thailand with an aim to seek cooperation among Asian countries. She said ministerial meetings have been regularly held but this is the first time for a leaders' summit and representatives from the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund will attend the event to enhance trade and investment cooperation and connectivity in Asia, as well as culture and tourism.

Ms Yingluck said she planned to raise food and energy security issues for discussion at the summit of 30-nation bloc.

She said, during the summit, Thailand will propose the setup of a permanent Secretariat as a coordinator and an institutional database which will proceed to make tangible the ACD initiatives.

The Thai premier said she expects to hold talks with leaders of Arab countries crucial to Thailand in terms of energy resources, while Thailand is also seeking cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to support the market for Thai agricultural produce, food and rice.

ACD was inaugurated in June 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand, where 18 Asian Foreign Ministers met together for the first time. A continent-wide forum, ACD aims build links in Asia incorporating every Asian country, building an Asian community without duplicating other organisations or creating a bloc against others.

The grouping currently comprises 30 countries from East to West Asia, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Apart from the ACD summit which ends Wednesday, Ms Yingluck said she is scheduled to meet bilaterally with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

The discussion will focus on trade and investment between the two countries, particularly on the energy, industrial and construction sectors, according to the Thai prime minister.

Ms Yingluck said she will propose to her Kuwaiti counterpart that the two countries extend trade cooperation to cover the agro-food industry, as well as medical tourism and spas.

The Thai premier will be accompanied by a group of businesspersons from construction, jewellery, agro-food and public health industries to negotiate possible trade and investment expansion.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to return to Bangkok on Thursday at 10am. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-15

[Lite Beer]

Mother alleges daughter, 9, raped by a village shopowner

Phuket Gazette –

The nine-year-old girl sits at the Damrongtham Center this morning. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak was at the Damrongtham Center in person to receive the complaint. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: A single mother lodged a complaint with the Phuket Damrongtham Center (Provincial Ombudsman’s Office) this morning, citing Tah Chat Chai Police inaction over the alleged rape of her 9-year-old daughter by a neighbour.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/591345-mother-alleges-daughter-9-asaulted-by-a-village-shopowner/#entry5754877

[webfact]

RT @BPbreakingnews: The Administrative Court dismissed an injunction by Anuparp Thiralarp to suspend the 3G auction scheduled for Oct 16.