Thailand Live Wednesday 17 Oct 2012

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Floods still affecting 186,000 residents of 6 provinces: Phitsanulok, Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Chachoengsao, Prachinburi /The Nation

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Thai scientist assures quality and safety of Thai rice

BANGKOK: -- A Thai researcher at the Chulabhorn Research Institute assures consumers that arsenic concentration in Thai rice is only very tiny amount and poses no threat to consumers’ health.

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Thai government preparing proactive anti-drought measures

BANGKOK, Oct 17 - The Thai government is preparing proactive measures to deal with anticipated drought in the country.

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Confrontational debate for Obama, Romney

Photo : EPA

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama came out swinging Tuesday in a confrontational presidential debate against challenger Mitt Romney, as the incumbent sought to make up lost ground after a weak performance in their first encounter.

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3G AUCTION

Proposals of an NBTC commissioner

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission should host an urgent meeting to diffuse hiccups regarding to the Oct 16 3G auction, said a commissioner.

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Cambodian embassy opens for book signing, condolences for 'King-Father's death

BANGKOK, Oct 17 - The Cambodian embassy in Bangkok on Wednesday opened its premises for members of the public to sign a condolence book to express sadness for the death of former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk.

Foreign envoys based in Thailand such as the Chinese and Bangladeshi ambassadors appeared at the embassy this morning to sign the book, as well as a group of Buddhist monks.

The Cambodian embassy has opened compound for the book signing every day this week between 9.30am and noon and again from 2-4pm, through Friday.

The embassy lowered the Cambodian flag to half-mast to mourn for the late revered monarch, who was called 'King-Father' by many of his people.

The Thai authorities have deployed police to facilitate traffic in the area.

The Cambodian ex-monarch died on Monday of a heart attack in Beijing at the age of 89. He reigned from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his voluntary abdication on Oct 7, 2004 in favour of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej sent condolences to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni over the loss of his father.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra also sent a message to her counterpart Prime Minister Hun Sen, saying the Thai government shared the feeling of loss with the Cambodian people. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-17

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Paramilitary ranger volunteer wounded in Yala bomb attack

YALA, Oct 17 -- A group of eight paramilitary rangers volunteers on foot patrol in Yala was hit by roadside bomb ambush in Kabang district, with one volunteer sustaining injuries.

Police said the paramilitary ranger patrol from Ranger Forces Regiment 47 were on duty providing security to the public in Kabang district.

As they walked along Bundang Dama-Ban Nibong Road, a bomb hidden at the roadside exploded, wounding ranger.

Identified as Chokanand Limkhew, the victim was injured on his right leg and was sent to hospital.

In nearby Narathiwat, Ranger Forces Regiment 45 launched air and land operations in Tanyong Limo sub-district of Ra-ngae district to pressure insurgents in the area.

Checkpoints were set up at all routes to the village while sniffer dogs were used to detect firearms or explosives that may have been hidden in vehicles.

The search was conducted in response to information that three leading members of an insurgent group were prepared to launch a violent attack.

The air operation was aimed to monitor the movement of suspected insurgents and survey the landscape of the district.

It was believed that the three unidentified men are still hiding in the area. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-17

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Bt1 million reward for tips shedding light on killings in 2010 upheaval

BANGKOK, Oct 17 – Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has announced a Bt1 million reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of instigators involving in seven fatal attacks during Bangkok's political unrest in 2010.

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POLICY RATE

MPC expected to maintain rate at today's meeting

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Economists of Bangkok Bank and TMB Bank expected the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee, which is convening today, to maintain the policy rate at 3 per cent.

They also agreed that 2 of the 7 MPC members would suggest a rate cut.

Kobsak Pootrakul, executive vice president of BBL, said that the rate is expected to stay unchanged as global conditions are relatively stabilised.

Benjarong Suwankiri, vice president of TMB’s macroprudential risk department, added that there was no further negative development in the euro zone while some economic indicators in the US showed improvement.

He expected the policy rate to stay at this level until the middle of next year. Then, in the second half, inflation pressure will pressure following the nationwide wage hike, higher oil prices and external factors. It is anticipated that the US and China should demonstrate signs of economic recovery in the latter half of next year.

-- The Nation 2012-10-17

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Britain is to open an embassy in Vientiane in November during an Asian-European summit being hosted by the Lao capital. /ASEAN_NEWSROOM

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Thai authorities prepare for drought

The Nation

File photo : Plodprasob

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government is preparing proactive measures to deal with anticipated drought in the country.

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POLITICS

Democrats accused of defaming Thaksin

The Nation

Prompong

BANGKOK: -- The spokesman of the ruling Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday filed a complaint with police against senior Democrat Party members including leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, alleging them of defaming ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prompong Nopparit met Lumpini police and alleged that on October 13, Abhisit, Suthep Thaugsuban, Korn Chatikavanij, Sathit Pitudecha and Sirichok Sopa had given false information about Thaksin.

They alleged that Thaksin was behind the political violence in 2010. The allegations were wrong and damaged Thaksin's reputation, Prompong said.

The speeches had been widely disseminated and uploaded to the Internet. Prompong also sought lawsuits against the group for violating the computer act.

-- The Nation 2012-10-17

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POLICY RATE

MPC unexpectedly slashes rate to 2.75%

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee unexpectedly adopted the hawkish approach, with today's decision to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent.

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Deputy PM Yuthasak orders security agency alerted for 5th anniversary of Tak Bai incident Oct 25 /MCOT

Water agency shifts focus from flood to drought, orders artificial rainmaking in northeastern region: Plodprasop /MCOT

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Fake brand name products worth about Bt10 million seized

The Nation

Photo : Watcharachai Klaipong

BANGKOK: -- The department of Special Investigation holds a press conference showing fake brand name products seized during separate raids.

The confiscated products were estimated to be worth more than Bt10 million.

-- The Nation 2012-10-17

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Handicapped lottery sellers protest against online lottery

The Nation

Photo : Prasert Thepsri

BANGKOK: -- The federation of handicapped lottery sellers of Thailand gathered to protest against the government and the Government Lottery office's online lottery project.

They say the project will affect their sales of tickets.

-- The Nation 2012-10-17

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Bank of Thailand cuts rates as global economy slows

BANGKOK, Oct 17, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand's central bank cut interest rates for the first time in nine months Wednesday as it looks to support the country's manufacturing sector and fight the effects of a global slowdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....5/#entry5761010

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SET index closed at 1301.28, up 13.79; Bt/USD30.49; GBP49.04; AUD31.30; EUR39.84; CAD30.77; HKD3.93; SGD24.86; JPY38.47

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GPS to monitor paddy fields 'from the sky' under rice pledging scheme

BANGKOK, Oct 17 - The Agriculture Ministry will spend Bt48 million to install GPS tracking devices in 2,400 sub-districts nationwide to monitor farming areas registered under the government-sponsored rice pledging scheme, a senior official said today.

Nikorn Chamnong, adviser to the agriculture minister, said 882 districts have been equipped with the devices which are useful to the authorities in inspecting and monitoring agricultural areas, especially farmlands certified for the rice pledging scheme.

The GPS system will be expanded to 2,400 sub-districts and budget for the additional tracking devices will be allocated by the Agricultural Promotion Department, he said.

By the end of next fiscal year, 6,885 sub-districts which grow economic farm produce will be installed with the GPS tracking devices, he said, adding that emphasis will be given to 20 provinces along the Chao Phraya River and the borders.

The entire GPS programme will cost the government Bt120 million.

From August 9-October 12, over 4.2 million farmers were registered under the rice pledging scheme in the 2011-2012 harvest.

Mr Nikorn added that an investigation found 25 farmers violated the rice pledging regulations and legal action will be taken against them. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-17

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Retired teacher killed near home in South Thailand

PATTANI, Oct 17 - A retired teacher was shot twice on the head and died instantly today while heading home on his motorcycle in this southernmost province of Thailand, police said.

Police and forensic officials from Panare district inspected the scene and found the body of Chan Sisongsaeng, 62, on a road 300 metres from his house.

Eyewitnesses saw one of two men on a motorcycle fire at the victim with a 9mm revolver. A closed-circuit camera attached to a nearby lamp post was broken and did not record the incident.

Police suspect that the assailants were from an insurgent group in southern Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-17

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Thailand Live Thursday 18 Oct 2012