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Thailand Live Thursday 18 Oct 2012


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Thailand Live Thursday 18 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 Wednesday 17 Oct 2012

Posted

3G AUCTION

Bidders are just hungry for food

USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Speculation is running high over why the three cellular companies did not fight harder in the 3G auction on Tuesday. The late arrival of lunch could be one of the explanations.

Full story:

Posted

LOTTERY

Lottery-vending machines opposed

THE NATION

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BANGKOK: -- A recent survey shows that most students and teachers are against the government's plan to launch lottery-vending machines, saying that they would only encourage gambling.

Full story:

Posted

SOUTH CRISIS

Prayuth to rebels: show your faces

THE NATION

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BANGKOK: -- Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday called on the masterminds of the southern violence, who have never claimed responsibility, to come out of the shadows.

Full story:

Posted

ALLEGED ROYAL INSULT

Channel 3 apologises to Cambodians

THE NATION

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Denies reporter stepped on Sihanouk's image while covering funeral preparation

BANGKOK: -- Channel 3 yesterday apologised to Cambodians after its reporter appeared to have stepped on a picture of Cambodia's recently deceased former king Norodom Sihanouk.

Cambodian social media have been awash with the image of black-clad reporter Thapanee Ietsrichai appearing to put her right foot on a sheet of paper on the ground that carried King Sihanouk's picture. She was reporting in Phnom Penh on the preparations for the funeral of the ex-monarch, who died on Monday in Beijing.

Thapanee also expressed regret for the incident yesterday and said she would submit a written apology to the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.

The television station issued a statement, expressing "deep regret" for what happened.

"Channel 3 would like to request for pardon from the Cambodian royal family and for forgiveness from the government and people of Cambodia. We hope this incident will not affect the relations between the two countries," the statement said.

Thapanee had no intention of being disrespectful to the Cambodian monarchy, Channel 3 said, adding that the reporter did not step on the picture of Sihanouk's face.

In the photo on social-media websites, Thapanee is facing away from the camera, and it appears that her right foot is touching the edge of the piece of paper with Sihanouk's portrait on it. Channel 3 said the king's picture was on the ground "sufficiently away from her" but the angle made it look closer than it actually was.

After learning about the Cambodian anger on Tuesday night, the reporter prostrated before a photo of Sihanouk at the palace in Phnom Penh to offer her apology. She also decided to return to Thailand yesterday morning "to show her sincerity about this matter".

Passakorn Siriyaphan, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' East Asia Affairs Department, said that Thapanee's case was personal and it was unlikely to lead to sour ties between Thailand and Cambodia.

However, the Thai ambassador to Cambodia yesterday morning met with the Cambodian deputy foreign minister in Phnom Penh to discuss the matter. The Cambodian side appeared to show understanding, according to the ministry official. The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh also sent a letter to Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong to explain the situation.

The Facebook account "I Love Cambodia" was among the social media sharing the photo of Thapanee stepping on the paper, which appeared to be her news script.

Strongly worded criticisms came from many Cambodian Facebook users although others asked for restraint at this time of national sorrow in Cambodia. Some Thai Facebook users offered apologies.

In Thailand's province of Sa Kaew, the issue was widely discussed, particularly among Cambodians working at the Rong Klua Market.

Some vendors said they thought it was improper for the Thai reporter to step on an image of their former king and called on the reporter to apologise. Other Cambodians said the Thai government should take action regarding the matter before the issue triggers another dispute between the two countries.

They were using their mobile phones to access the social-media websites.

Across the border in the Cambodian town of Poipet, the photo of Thapanee was circulated in Internet cafes, angering many users.

In January 2003, rioters burned the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh and vandalised many Thai-owned businesses, including a luxury hotel. The riots were started by a Cambodian newspaper article that falsely reported that a Thai actress had claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

AIT students stage rally fearing degrees invalid

SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI

JUTHARAT THIPNAMPA

CHULEEPORN ARAMNET

THE NATION

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Complaint alleges degrees will not be certified; questions deal with US firm

BANGKOK: -- A number of Asian Institute of Technology students yesterday staged a protest against their president over concerns that their degrees will not be certified by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC), and suspicion that the president is opening up an opportunity to a US-based company to administer the institute.

Full story:

Posted

THAI TALK

Our kids' IQ is down? It's the education, stupid!

Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

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BANGKOK: -- Thai kids' IQ and EQ haven't improved in the past 10 years. Our children aged six to 15 are lagging far behind their counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia. Bhutan, which is economically behind Thailand, has placed more emphasis on improving its children's IQ than we have.

Full story:

Posted

Pattaya Police Bust Big Gang of Foreign Burglars

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Police arrested a big gang of 11 mostly South Americans who had been burglarizing homes in Pattaya and other areas. They mailed the stolen items back home or sold them at pawnshops. Many suspects also had expired visas.

PATTAYA – October 16, 2012 [PDN]; the arrests of 11 burglars mostly from South America was announced at the Pattaya Office of Immigration by Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanu Kerdlapphol, Commissioner of the Office of Immigration; Pol. Maj. Gen. Chitsanuphong Yutathat; Pol. Maj. Gen. Montri Potranan, Deputy Commissioner; Pol. Maj. Gen. Ronnasin Phusara, Commander; and Pol. Col. Itthiphol Itthisarnronnachai, Deputy Commander.

Full story:

Posted

Plan to revive Northeast water project

JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRANG

THE NATION

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BANGKOK: -- The Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) wants to revive a project to construct simple piped water systems in drought-stricken parts of the Northeast.

Full story:

Posted

Policeman turns gun on superior

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The superintendent of Sukhothai's Sri Samrong district police station died from gunshot wounds after being shot at by his subordinate at 9.20am yesterday.

Pol Lt-Colonel Jakrarom Thoopjaem, who heads the station's crime suppression division, allegedly shot Pol Colonel Thanatpong Prasertsiriprapa, who was pronounced dead in hospital later.

Provincial Police Region 6 chief Wanchai Thanatkij said the shooting had possibly resulted from Jakrarom's drinking habits and stress from being constantly rebuked by Thanatpong.

Police arrested Jakrarom, who tried to flee after the shooting but ended up crashing his car into a tree and injuring himself.

Jakrarom was initially charged with killing a police officer on duty and dismissed from civil service.

Since Thanatpong died on duty, he was promoted to the post of police general posthumously and granted pay and pension raises, Wanchai said.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

Fireworks blast kills woman, 67

The Nation

AYUTTHAYA: -- An accidental explosion of fireworks killed a 67-year-old widow yesterday morning in Ayutthaya's Muang Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district. She was making the fireworks for sale during the upcoming Loy Krathong festival.

Upon hearing of the explosion at 6am, police rushed to the house in tambon Suan Prik only to find the body of homeowner Urai Meemukkij with a severed right hand. The explosion also partially damaged a home nearby. Police suspected that Urai was filling egg-shaped plastic containers with gunpowder, which led to the explosion.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

DSI cracks down on online traders

The Nation

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BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) seized fake branded products sold online in two separate raids.

Full story:

Posted

BURNING ISSUE

Rifts in govt spokesmen's team coming to a head

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The lack of cohesiveness within the government spokesmen's team has become a thorn in the side of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration since it came into power over a year ago, despite the dumping of chief spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng, who was assigned as deputy secretary to the PM.

Full story:

Posted

Ruling on lese majeste law 'will not curb opposition'

PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court's ruling last week saying that the lese majeste law was within the realm of the charter will not stop opponents from campaigning for the amendment or abolition of the law, a key opponent and a prominent supporter of the law concurred.

"I don't think they care [about the Constitution Court's ruling]," Tul Sithisomwong, leader of a royalist group, said. "It's not that they are against the lese majeste law per se. Their concept is that the institution of monarchy impedes true democracy."

Meanwhile, Sawatree Suksri, from the Nitirat Group of Thammasat law lecturers and an opponent of the law, said the ruling does not mean that the law is free of problems and that moves to get it amended will continue.

Speaking in a personal capacity, she said she believes there are a couple of problems with the ruling. First, the Constitution Court appears to believe that protecting the monarch as an individual and protecting monarchy as an institution are one and the same; and that the monarchy needed special protection, which would put it under the category of national security. However, she said, there was no special protection for the other key pillars of Thai society, such as the Parliament or the courts of justice.

Sawatree also said that people's constitutional right to express their views was being curtailed by the lese majeste law.

To make matters worse, she said, the current penalty under this law was harsher than it would be under an absolute monarchy, which goes against the Constitution Court's ruling that the penalty is "proportionate".

Tul, however, sees things differently, saying the court's ruling made it clear that citizens were not barred from making legitimate critical remarks against the monarchy under the lese majeste law.

"I agreed with the court's ruling," Tul said.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

Abhisit pens account of 2010 violence

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday launched a book, "The Truth Has No Colour", chronicling his real-life ordeal during the 2010 red-shirt riots, during which he was the prime minister.

Full story:

Posted

House seeks to block funds for terrorists

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A House of Representatives committee yesterday put forward a draft bill on blocking financial support to terrorists in order to give the government a tough legal instrument to counter terrorism in the country, an official said.

The committee explained that the bill had been proposed because even though Thailand has an anti-terrorism law as part of the Penal Code as well as anti-money laundering laws, it did not have any instruments to prevent funds from getting to terrorists.

If this law is passed, the authorities will have the power to block financial transactions involving terrorists or suspected terrorists who are included in the United Nations blacklist.

Those who are found to have any connections with terrorists or providing financial support to terrorists will face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and/or a maximum fine of Bt300,000, a draft of the bill obtained by the The Nation showed.

Those who control property found to be connected with providing funds for terrorists will be fined up to Bt1 million as well as charged Bt10,000 per day until such time that the monetary transactions are brought to an end.

In addition, people who know, used to know or have done business with people listed as terrorists by the UN have the obligation to report to concerned authorities. If they fail to do so, they can be fined up to Bt500,000 and Bt5,000 per day if they continue to maintain contacts with terrorists.

Those who accept property, money or make arrangements for monetary transactions to support terrorists or organisations they know are connected with terrorism activities will face between two and 10 years in prison and/or be fined between Bt40,000 and Bt200,000.

Legal entities such as companies or foundations that are found committing wrongdoings under this law could be fined between Bt500,000 and Bt2 million. Managers or personnel of such entities found to be directly involved in monetary transactions or any other related wrongdoing could face two to 10 years in prison and/or be fined Bt40,000 to Bt200,000.

It is still not clear when the bill will be discussed in the House or how long it would take for the law to be passed.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

Suspect named in Yala bombing

The Nation

YALA: -- Police believe that a roadside bomb in Yala's Kabang district that injured a paramilitary ranger yesterday morning was placed by a group of insurgents led by suspect Adam Musordi.

Ranger Chok-anan Sinniang, 25, sustained injuries to his arm and leg when he and the other seven members of Ranger Company 4701 were patrolling the Nibong-Luboh Road in tambon Kabang at 8am yesterday.

In related news, Nakhon Yala Municipality deputy mayor Sathaporn Kanchanabut said the authorities were thinking about hosting a lucky draw in order to encourage shops to open on Fridays, despite the threats posed by insurgents. He said a lucky draw of cash prizes worth Bt5,000, Bt3,000 and Bt2,000 could be offered to shopowners, while workers could draw for nine gold necklaces.

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-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

Police overreacted, son claims

ATTAPOOM ONGKULNA,

MATTANA LADDASIRIPORN

THE NATION

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AKE Laohawattana, far left, son of former police doctor Suphat Laohawattana, attends an inquiry launched by the House Committee on Police Affairs yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Ake Laohawattana, son of police doctor Suphat Laohawattana, said yesterday he was pleased that the Crime Suppression Bureau had joined the investigation into the 2009 disappearance of Samart Noomjui and Orasa Kerdsap - a case in which his father is the key suspect.

Meanwhile, Provincial Police Region 7 chief Lt-General Hanpol Nitwibool insisted that police officers had not overreacted and were proceeding according to evidence found. He was summoned to speak before the House Committee on Police Affairs yesterday morning after Ake complained that police investigators had overreacted.

Ake said that Provincial Police Region 7 officers had used force to arrest his father even though several rounds of investigation in his Phetchaburi ranch had not yielded any extra evidence. He also said that police talked to the media as if his father was already convicted.

He also demanded to know why his father had not been granted bail when he had a permanent residence and was not a flight risk. Ake insisted that Provincial Police Region 7 investigators and Phetchaburi's Tha Mai Ruak precinct police officers had acted irrationally and hence a new investigation team should be put in charge of the case.

Meanwhile, deputy police chief General Pansiri Prapawat said national police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew had instructed investigators to be fair when dealing with the four charges against Suphat. The suspect faces charges of illegal detention, possession of weapons, human trafficking and murder.

He added that officers from the Crime Suppression Bureau had been part of the investigation for a while now and that Adul had sought updates on the case twice already. Hence, he said, Ake and the rest of Suphat's family should have confidence in the police.

Separately, Hanpol said police had not spoken to the press about the case and reporters were coming to their own conclusions. He added that though a 15-strong team of police officers were part of the arrest proceedings, Suphat had actually only been escorted out of the resort at which he was staying by two officers. He said Suphat had promised to surrender but never did and was still unable to explain clearly as to why he had 47 guns in his possession.

Urging Hanpol to keep data controlled in order to prevent damages to the accused, the committee said having Crime Suppression Bureau officers involved in the case should reduce doubts - a point that Ake and his lawyer were happy about. The panel will be meeting again next Wednesday to scrutinise the case and look into the legitimacy of the arrest warrant.

Meanwhile Samart's father, Sawang Noomjui, went to court to object against Suphat being granted bail for fear that he would tamper with evidence, threaten witnesses or harm Sawang's family.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

Knowledge parks to bridge divisions in deep South

Patcharee Luenguthai

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- The TK Park project in Narathiwat and Pattani provinces has the ambitious goal of helping to forge peace and reconciliation in the deep South through centres of knowledge and learning. The two "knowledge parks" aim to bridge divided communities by celebrating the diverse cultures of the area and alleviating the misunderstandings that years of violence have fed on. The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) decided to launch knowledge parks in Narathiwat and Pattani after witnessing the success of Yala TK Park, which was opened in early 2007.

The SBPAC signed a memorandum of understanding with Narathiwat and Pattani municipal authorities and TK Park, with a budget of Bt200 million for the two parks.

Dr Sirikorn Maneerin, an adviser to the project committee, reveals that the architectural designs would be completed this month. Construction work is scheduled to begin in January and the two parks are set to open in September 2014.

Sirikorn explains that the project received a positive response at public hearings in both provinces. In addition, the committee organised a project focus group of 100 people in each province, where they also polled three groups of 400 people - below-12s, 12- to 25-year-olds, and above 25 years-plus.

Moreover, the committee invited local people to share ideas and gain information about the project via its Facebook page.

Finally, the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA) transformed the opinions and suggestions gathered into a "Social Design" to suit local residents' needs.

The Social Design was thus the culmination of a process of public participation aimed at reflecting the experience of communities living amid mutual mistrust but striving for better understanding and integration with each other.

"The buildings' interior and exterior designs aim to create a common space for all groups of people. The parks will have the power to stimulate learning, imagination and intellectual development", says Sirikorn.

The Social Design criteria stipulate the parks must be highly visible landmarks located within the community and easily accessible. Also emphasised are easy and convenient access for all groups of people, along with safety. Importantly, they must be a common area for all cultures. Eco-friendly energy-conserving features are also a requirement.

In Narathiwat, the TK Park will be located in Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajnagarindra Park. The Pattani project will be built on vacant land on the city's Pattani Pirom road. Each park will comprise an area of 4,000 to 5,000 square metres.

The design of Pattani TK Park is inspired by the kolae fishing boat, a symbol of the three southernmost provinces. The walls of its reading room will feature images reflecting Pattani identity, such as the Krue Se Mosque, kolae boat, wong duen crescent-shaped kite, and Phraya Tani cannon. The ceiling will be decorated with glass motifs that reflect the Thai-Buddhist, Malay-Muslim and Chinese culture of Pattani.

Meanwhile, Narathiwat TK Park will feature a reading room designed with images of golden leaves, and hornbills from Hala-Bala Forest. The furniture designs will also take their cue from kolae boats and golden leaves.

Sirikorn says that when the project is completed, the SBPAC will run both parks for the first year, then transfer responsibility for their operation to the municipalities, with a recommendation that they seek professionals to do so.

The two parks will offer visitors books, learning tools, music, IT technology and activities. TK Park will coordinate with local educational institutions to make available 400 to 500 book titles in Thai, English and Malay (Yawi) for primary school-age children.

The parks' selection of books, magazines and music was made through focus groups of children, youths and adults.

Sirikorn adds that one of the project's main goals is to encourage reading habits, knowledge enhancement and creative learning in local children and youths. The parks also aim to be potential "engines of innovation", combining arts and culture, traditions, science and technology with an eye to mining local wisdom for new business opportunities.

Ultimately, the knowledge parks should become beacons of hope for their host provinces, transferring knowledge to their own communities and those in surrounding areas.

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-- The Nation 2012-10-18

Posted

Phuket wildlife officers warn of Bangla slow loris raids to come

Phuket Gazette

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A tourist on holiday in Phuket has his photograph taken with slow lorises, a protected species, on Soi Bangla in Patong. Photo: S Reynolds

PHUKET: -- The Environmental Conservation Unit of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) Phuket office will conduct more slow loris raids on Soi Bangla in Patong following the discovery of tourist touts still operating on the popular nightlife strip.

Full story:

Posted

Phuket Vegetarian Festival street processions in full swing

Phuket Gazette

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The street procession, attended by masses of spectators, started at Sapam Shrine and marched through Phuket Town to Saphan Hin. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

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Phuket dignitaries joined local residents in taking part or watching the procession to honor the birthdays of the Royal Family. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Sapam Shrine held their street procession today with some 2,000 spectators lining the route to watch ma song (spirit mediums) and to pay their respects to highly revered Chinese gods.

Full story:

Posted

180 stranded passengers of PC Air arrive Don Mueang Airport early Thursday

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A total of 180 Thai tourists, who were stranded at the Incheon Airport in South Korea since Tuesday, arrived at the Don Mueang International Airport early Thursday.

They were flown in the PC Air GT211, which was stranded at the airport for nearly two days.

The flight was supposed to depart from the airport on Tuesday but the airport refused to refill its fuel on allegations that the airlines owed it money. The helpless tourists were stranded in the airport for over 24 hours, and were ordered by airport officials to leave the compound. Some 20 of them bought tickets of another airline to return on their own.

An official of the Tourism Business Registration Office, Somphop Amkid, came to the Donmueang airport to receive complaints against the tour company that organised the trip.

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-- The Nation 2012-10-18

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