Thailand Live Tuesday 16 Oct 2012

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Thailand Live Tuesday 16 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 Monday 15 Oct 2012

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2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Thaksin to file complaint over claims he orchestrated violence

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has decided to take legal action against certain figures in the opposition Democrat Party for accusing him of masterminding violence during the political unrest in mid-2010.

Full story:

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TELECOMMUNICATION

3G auction set to go ahead today

USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The country's long-awaited auction of the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum slots will go ahead as scheduled today after the Central Administrative Court rejected telecom scholar Anupap Tiralap's petition for an injunction to suspend the bidding.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

Priewpan all set to be Yingluck's deputy

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

Priewpan

BANGKOK: -- Talking about Thaksin Shinawatra without making any mention of his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman Na Pombejra will never paint a complete picture of his party, Pheu Thai.

Full story:

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ANALYSIS

Priewpan decision to enter politics not a big surprise

Somroutai Sapsomboon

Praphan Jindalertudomdee

The Nation

Caretaker leader Viroj Pao-in helps former police chief Pol General Priewpan Damapong put on the Pheu Thai Party shirt after he registered for Pheu Thai membership.

Former police chief is not expected to take position of party leader

BANGKOK: -- The decision of former police chief Priewpan Damapong to enter politics by applying to become a member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party is no major surprise, as he is a member of the Shinawatra political clan.

Full story:

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Worker 'saw murder'

THE NATION

PHETCHABURI: -- Police investigating skeletal remains found on the property of a police doctor have met two Myanmar migrant workers believed to have seen or acknowledged incidents that led to a couple going missing three years ago.

Pol Colonel Phichai Pokpong, chief of Tha Mai Ruak police, went to Tak on Sunday to meet two Myanmar nationals in regard to missing couple Samart Noomjui and wife Orasa Kerdsab.

"The two were cooperative and volunteered a lot of useful information," Phichai said. "They have not been brought to Phetchaburi for their own safety and will be contacted for further statements. They promise to not return to Myanmar in the meantime."

The skeletal remains of three bodies were found buried on a farm of Pol Colonel Dr Suphat Laohawatthana in Phetch-aburi, south of Bangkok.

One of the bodies has been proven to be a Myanmar farmhand named Eta, who police suspect was killed by Suphat.

One of the two workers interviewed showed police a group photo taken by Suphat that included Eta. The other worker told the police chief he |witnessed the murder. The second worker also said there was another Myanmar labourer who saw the killing but |had since fled back to his homeland.

A few other Myanmar nationals are said to have also witnessed the murder and other incidents and are willing to give statements to police, Phichai said. They have applied for immigration |procedures to earn them |easier access to Thailand for interviews.

-- The Nation 2012-10-16

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INUNDATION

Sukhothai undergoes 3D analysis to plan flood management

JUTARAT THIPNUMPA,

TANATPONG KONGSAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Hydro and Agro Infomatics Institute is working on a three-dimensional model of Sukhothai for urban-flood management in collaboration with the Unesco-IHE Institute for Water Education.

Full story:

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TEMPLE OF DAWN

Bt170m sought for Wat Arun repairs

The Nation

The Fine Arts Department will seek Bt169.7 million for repairs to Wat Arun.

BANGKOK: -- Tharapong Srisuchart, head of the Archaeology Office, said Bt130 million would go to restoration of the riverside landmark's large stupas. The other Bt39.7 million was needed to restore two much-deteriorated small stupas and two pyramid-roofed square halls. The Culture Minister would seek the funds from Cabinet.

Before work can begin, officials plan to inspect the stability of foundations and produce a 3D survey of the temple. They also plan to install a seismograph to monitor earthquake activity.

-- The Nation 2012-10-16

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ART EXHIBITION

Creatures of the night

Jim Pollard

The Nation

Artist Chris Coles focuses on the bright lights and dark pulse of Bangkok's infamous nightlife

BANGKOK: -- Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the appeal of places or things that locals can be blind to. For Chris Coles, an American artist who has lived in Bangkok on and off for more than a decade, the urban jungle is the source of his inspiration.

Full story:

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PM hits back at charges of bankruptcy resulting from rice scheme

BANGKOK, Oct 16 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reasserted today that her government’s financial spending for the rice pledging scheme is strictly disciplined under the Bt400 billion budget earlier approved by the cabinet.

Full story:

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Justice Minister Pracha denies Bt16 billion was transferred to Hong Kong

Atapoom Ongkulna,

Prapasri Osathanon,

Anapat Deechuay

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Pracha Promnok yesterday dismissed reports that Thai politicians had sent Bt16 billion to Hong Kong, saying anti-money laundering agencies from other countries, including Hong Kong, had denied the report.

Full story:

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Dummy cops

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Dummy traffic police cops armed with cameras will be on the watch along 10 of Bangkok's most-congested roads, the Traffic Police Division said yesterday.

Motorists who cut in or dangerously overtake would be targeted by the dummy officer, "Jah Choey".

He'll record licence plate numbers and tickets will be mailed to the vehicle owners' homes, said Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai.

The police will also deploy reversible lanes from 4.30pm to 6pm to ease congestion between Pinklao Bridge and Buddha Mondhol III Road.

-- The Nation 2012-10-16

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Their Majesties and PM send condolences

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and Queen yesterday expressed their condolences over the death of Cambodia's former monarch Norodom Sihanouk.

In his letter to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, His Majesty said: "The Queen and I have learnt with deepest sorrow of the demise of His Majesty the King Father Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia. We would like to share with Your Majesty and all the members of the Royal Family as well as the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia our profound feelings of sadness, and to extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences for this great loss to your country and people."

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul sent separate letters to the Cambodian government, expressing their sorrow over the ex-monarch's demise.

-- The Nation 2012-10-16

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Lead paint found in BMA schools

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Paints containing lead pose a health threat to more than half of the children in pre-kindergarten nursery schools in Bangkok, researchers said yesterday at a seminar by the Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre.

Full story:

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STATE HOSPITALS CRISIS

Cost will limit positions for nurses

CHULARAT SAENGPASSA,

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

NURSES at Chai Badan Hospital in Lop Buri keep busy with patient registration. A shortage of staff caused by low pay and heavy workloads has hurt state hospitals across the country, with many nurses opting to take better paid jobs at private hospitals

Thousands to rally today for full-time jobs and better working conditions

BANGKOK: -- Government agencies appear unlikely to agree to all 17,000 temporary nurses who are demanding permanent positions, saying this would be a huge financial burden. But an effort looks likely to be made to alleviate the shortage in health staff at state hospitals.

Full story:

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Herbal cures for dementia possible: study

KASEM CHANATIRAJ

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A study that links certain trace elements found on hair to dementia has also shown that the disease could be treated by traditional Thai herbal medicines.

Full story:

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1 killed, 2 injured in Narathiwat

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- A rubber merchant was killed, while his wife and sister were wounded in a drive-by shooting in Narathiwat's Rangae district yesterday morning. Two gunmen on a motorbike fatally shot Nasae Uma, 32, and wounded his wife Rohpia Mading, 30, and sister Karatini Uma.

The attackers were driven off by Abdulkode Amiha who was tapping rubber nearby. He shot back at the gunmen, forcing them to flee.

In Pattani, three bombs went off on Sunday at a rubber warehouse behind the Yang Thai Pak Tai factory in Nong Chik. Police suspect the blasts were a warning for the factory owner to pay "protection fee".

-- The Nation 2012-10-16

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Vegetarian treat

THE NATION

THE MALL Bang Kapi kicks off the nine-day Vegetarian Festival yesterday by launching a culinary extravaganza. The opening was presided over by HRH Princess Somsavali.

BANGKOK: -- Thais nationwide started celebrating the nine-day Vegetarian Festival yesterday although there were many complaints over increases in the price of vegetables.

Thais nationwide started celebrating the nine-day Vegetarian Festival yesterday although there were many complaints over increases in the price of vegetables.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra presided over the opening ceremony of the festival in Yaowarat, or Chinatown, at 2pm.

In Sri Racha, the celebration is active, with most restaurants and shops in the Chon Buri municipality joining the festival. Shops are decorated with small yellow flags with the word je (vegetarian) on them.

Many vendors interviewed by The Nation said the prices of ingredients, particularly vegetables, had doubled.

However, they said they would not increase the prices of their dishes.

Vendor Nittaya Krasaechon said she had sold vegetarian food for almost 30 years and this year the prices of the raw materials were up. "No matter how much the prices rise, I will still sell the dishes the same prices, Bt25 to Bt35. This will help me keep my customers during bad economic situations."

Hat Yai's Vegetarian Festival, featuring 108 shops in Songkhla province, was expected to generate at least Bt200 million as Malaysian tourists have already fully booked accommodation in the city on the weekends, said Surapol Kampalanonwat, chairman of the Tourist Business Federation of Songkhla.

-- The Nation 2012-10-16

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One dead as empty Phuket tour bus slams into tree

Phuket Gazette

The bus driver, 45-year-old Kongklit Sriprom, from Udon Thani, died at the scene. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The driver of an empty tour bus died this afternoon after the bus he was driving overshot a curve near Ao Makham, on Phuket’s east coast, and slammed into a tree.

Full story:

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Britain, Scotland sign deal for independence referendum

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....nce-referendum/

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Win a 3 day, 2 night Island Escape to Koh Samet

Full story:

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Rescued dolphin doesn't make it

Phuket Gazette

The dolphin, rescued from being stranded on a Phuket beach last month, has died from an infection it was fighting. Photo: PMBC

PHUKET: -- The young dolphin thought to be on the path to recovery early last week, after being rescued from Mai Khao Beach, died on Saturday.

Full story:

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Russian couple caught up in South Pattaya street robbery

PATTAYA: -- Financial concerns and excessive alcohol are two factors thought to be behind a bag snatch in South Pattaya early on Tuesday Morning, involving two Russian Tourists, one of which was slightly injured.

Full story:

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Bangkok's Chinatown celebrates vegetarian festival in style

BANGKOK, Oct 16 – For a devout Chinese Buddhist vegetarian, the 10-day vegetarian festival is more than abstaining from eating meat of all creatures and vegetables with a pungent smell.

Wearing white outfits and praying to the Nine Emperor Gods at a Chinese Buddhist shrine are important rituals strictly observed by devout Buddhists. After all, the centuries-old tradition is also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.

At Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowaraj Road, all Chinese shrines are open for 10 consecutive days to enable devotees to pray to the Nine Emperor Gods.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra officially opened the Yaowaraj Vegetarian Festival with a fanfare on Monday by cooking the “Nine Dragon Emperors”—a special vegetarian dish for the occasion.

Vegetarian food stalls line both sides of Yaowaraj Road while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has made the heavily-congested Chinatown easily accessible by providing tram shuttles from Hualampong MRT station to Ratchawong pier from Monday Oct 15 through Tuesday Oct 23 during which traffic on Yaowaraj Road is closed from 2pm to 9pm. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-16

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,296.14, up 5.58 points /MCOT

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Phuket national park investigators to stage 'land probe lottery'

Phuket Gazette

Park Chief Cheewapap Cheewatham expects the investigation into every plot along the border of Phuket's Sirinath Marine National Park to begin before October 31. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The 366 officials named to carry out the huge investigation into every plot of privately owned land along the border of Phuket’s Sirinath Marine National Park will draw lots to determine who will investigate which plots.

Full story:

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Thai government to pledge rice from second crop

BANGKOK, Oct 16 – The Thai cabinet approved an additional Bt20.85 billion budget to pledge more rice from this year’s second crop, compelling the rice pledging scheme to totally incorporate 14.7 million tonnes of rice in the 2012/2013 harvest, according to government spokeswoman Sansaee Nakpong.

Full story:

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RT @veen_NT: Telecom stocks on the rise as the 3G auction is taking place.

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3G auction underway as 3 major mobile operators bid for portion of 45 MHz bandwidth on 2.1-GHz band /The Nation