Thailand Live Saturday 20 Oct 2012

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Thailand Live Saturday 20 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 Friday 19 Oct 2012

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Red Bull heir did 'coke' before accident

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Traces of cocaine were found in the blood of the Red Bull heir who ran a traffic-police officer over with his Ferrari this year.

Full story:

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US fear over Thai rice dumping is 'groundless'

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom yesterday vehemently defended the government's rice-pledging policy, saying it had not breached any commitment under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the measure was aimed solely at helping domestic farmers.

Full story:

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NBTC vows limits on 3G fees soon

USANEE MONGKOLPORN,

SIRIVISH TOOMGUM

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has vowed to speedily issue regulations spelling out the maximum fees for 3G voice and data services provided under its licences to ensure that the three winners of this week's spectrum auction do not charge their clients high prices.

Full story:

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Suspicious truck seized in Yala village

The Nation

A young man prepares milk tea for customers in a Pattani market yesterday. Though it was a Friday, a large number of vendors opened up for business yesterday as concerns about insurgent attacks began to subside.

YALA: -- Police yesterday impounded a stolen pickup truck that has reportedly been used in insurgency attacks in the province and neighbouring Pattani.

People living in Pulasanor village in Raman district alerted police that a suspicious pickup had been abandoned in front of a house in the village.

Police and the bomb squad rushed to the spot but found no bombs hidden in the vehicle. The owner of the house, Farid Hama, told police that an unknown man had parked it in front of his house at about 2am.

Initial police investigation revealed that the pickup was stolen from Yala's Muang district on March 25 and that the licence plate had been changed from Bor Chor 2256 to Bor Chor 3635.

Pol Maj-General Pheera Boonlieng, a Yala police commander, said the pickup was used to deliver ice before being stolen. Police have sought to issue an arrest warrant for Abdul "Pele Dum" Rohhing for the alleged theft, especially since he has reportedly used the vehicle in several attacks in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.

Pheera said three other stolen pickups were being sought because they could be used in car-bomb attacks.

Meanwhile in Narathiwat's Si Sakhon district, police confiscated explosives from a house in a mountainous area. Security officials had to spend more than two hours travelling through thick forests and rubber plantations on the mountain to get to the house.

Police raided the house after the chief of the RKK insurgent group, Sof Tohluenoh, 38, was shot dead during a fight with security officials on October 15.

It is believed that members of his group were getting together to plan a revenge attack on the authorities.

However, when the forces reached the house, the alleged RKK members had already fled.

Police refused to reveal the names of the suspects.

-- The Nation 2012-10-20

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Wat Arun demon loses head to lightning, sparks talk of ill omen

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Lightning has struck off the head of a sculpture of a 'yaksa' demon adorning the top of a pagoda at Wat Arun, one of Bangkok's most famous monasteries.

Full story:

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PHNOM PENH

Yingluck pays last respects to late king

Nuntida Puangthong,

Anuphat Deechuay

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, right, offers condolences to Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk

Begs King Sihamoni, Hun Sen to overlook Channel 3 reporter's mistakes

PHNOM PENH: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra joined her regional counterparts, including leaders from Laos and Vietnam, to pay last respects to Cambodia's late King Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh yesterday.

Yingluck, who was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and Vice Foreign Minister Jullapong Nonsrichai, took a flight to Phnom Penh at 1pm yesterday in order to pay her respects to the late king at Chaktomuk Palace at 3.30pm.

Before Yingluck's arrival, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Lao Premier Thongsing Thammavong bid farewell to the late king, who is lying in state at the palace after his body arrived from China on Wednesday.

Cambodians have been mourning their "King Father" since Monday when he died of a heart attack in Beijing at the age of 89. The Cambodian government has made arrangements for a state funeral for the revered former king, who was at the core of building the nation since it gained independence from the French in 1953.

Thais have been familiar with King Sihanouk for a long time because he used Thailand as a haven for peace talks while his country was in political turbulence.

Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, King Sihanouk's son and successor King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed Yingluck and her delegation at the Throne Hall, where the late king is lying in state.

The arrival of King Sihanouk's body and the state funeral has been under the media spotlight across the world, especially Thailand, which has dispatched representatives to cover the event.

Thai Channel 3 reporter Thapanee Ietsrichai found herself in trouble when she was seen mistakenly stepping on a photograph of the late king while reporting on his funeral. Pictures of the reporter standing on the late king's portrait spread like wildfire, with Cambodians attacking her for disrespecting their much-loved monarch. The reporter and Channel 3 issued apologies later and the reporter was photographed paying obeisance to King Sihanouk.

According to Yuthasak, Yingluck explained the matter to Cambodian leaders and said she hoped such a mistake would not lead to conflict between the two countries. He added that Yingluck had tried to smooth ruffled feathers in a phone conversation with Hun Sen earlier.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Damrong Kraikruan said Yingluck took this matter very seriously and did not want it to damage relations between the two countries. He added that she would raise this issue with King Sihamoni and Hun Sen while in Phnom Penh.

-- The Nation 2012-10-20

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EDITORIAL

Political meddling prevents clarity in the deep South

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Security and intelligence officers must be freed from government interference so they can deliver a sound analysis of the situation

Full story:

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WEEKEND BRUNCH

Finally, the brakes are off

Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

Supant

BANGKOK: -- The information superhighway opened by the advent of 3G will bring huge new opportunities for Thai business, says a trio of business leaders

Full story:

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Democrats ordered use of snipers: Korkaew

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP and former red-shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong delivered a statement at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday, saying a police officer had once told him that the Democrat government had given security officers the green light to deploy snipers for crowd control.

Full story:

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Huge drug haul up North; several held

The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, fourth from left, and National Police commissioner Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, third left, announce the seizure of illicit drugs and the arrests of many drug suspects at a press conference

BANGKOK: -- Police have seized a total of 2.8 million amphetamine tablets and 31 kilograms of "ice" flakes, valued at more than Bt1 billion, and arrested several people for possessing or trafficking drugs.

Full story:

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Shooting suspect moved to prison

The Nation

SUKHOTHAI: -- A police officer accused of shooting his superintendent to death after a quarrel was put under detention yesterday at the Sukhothai provincial prison.

Investigators have opposed his bail request, saying the case constitutes a severe criminal offence. It will take about a week for the case to reach the Office of the Attorney-General.

Pol Lt-Major Jakrarom Thoopjaem, former crime-suppression commander at the Sri Samrong District Police Station, is accused of killing his superior Pol Colonel Thanatpong Prasertsiriprapa, and has been transferred to the main provincial prison after court approval. Previously he was being treated for injuries at Srisangworn Hospital.

A royally sponsored funeral of the slain officer will be held tomorrow.

-- The Nation 2012-10-20

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Senators send petition on rice deals to court

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court has accepted a petition from 67 senators asking it to examine whether the government-to-government rice trade undertaken by the Yingluck Shinawatra administration violated the charter.

Senate Speaker Nikom Vairatpanich submitted the petition to Constitution Court President Vasant Sroipisuth via the Senate Secretariat. The 7.32-million-tonne G2G deals may violate Paragraph 2 of Section 190 of the charter, which states that any treaties that could affect national sovereignty must be approved by Parliament.

Court spokesman Pimol Thammapitakpong said the court would first consider the validity of the petition. If it is valid, judges will be appointed to handle the case, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-20

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NBTC receives first 3G payments from two operators

BANGKOK, Oct 20 – Two of the three winning operators for the third-generation mobile spectrum handed over cheques, each worth more than Bt 7 billion, to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) today.

The initial payments were for licences to operate 3G frequencies awarded to them in an auction on Tuesday.

Advanced Wireless Network, a subsidiary of Advanced Info Service, was the first operator to make the payment with a Bt 7.824 billion cheque, followed by Real Future, a subsidiary of True Corp, which produced a Bt 7.222 billion cheque.

Dtac Network, a subsidiary of Total Access Communication, has yet to pay the first installment.

Letters of certification were given by the NBTC to all three operators today.

Thakorn Tantasit, NBTC secretary general, brushed aside an allegation of collusion with the private sector in the auction, explaining that it was done in accord with Section 45 of the Frequency Allocation Act since the NBTC is an independent, not government, agency.

The Finance Ministry and Electronic Government Procurement commission earlier today submitted a letter to the NBTC, warning that the Tuesday’s auction was a breach of the Price Collusion Act since there was no genuine price competition among bidders.

Mr Thakorn said an auction under the Frequency Allocation Act is separate from e-auction as stipulated by the 2006 regulation of the Prime Minister’s Office on e-auction procurement.

He said the NBTC is fully authorised to conduct the auction and the expense-deducted revenue will be income of the state, reaffirming that the NBTC will issue licences to the bid winners and the first batch of Bt 22.269 billion revenue will be sent to the state coffer.

He said the NBTC will protect consumers’ rights by demanding a reduction of 3G voice service to the maximum of 99 stang. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-20

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Nong Som killer forensic test results 'imminent': Police

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Police lead Kittikhun Wonghajak from the emotionally charged press conference earlier this year, when he confessed to smothering 17-year-old Sunisa ‘Nong Som’ Saiyoy with a pillow until she lay motionless. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police expect in the coming days to receive the results of forensic tests that will clear the way for bringing to trial the confessed killer of 17-year-old Sunisa “Nong Som” Saiyoy.

Full story:

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Plans unveiled for B450mn new Phuket Provincial Hall

Phuket Gazette

An artist's impression of what the completed seven-story building will look like, complete with rooftop helicopter pad. Image: Home One Design

The 450-million-baht plans also include making the popular Sanam Chai football field into a ‘green area to hold public events’. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Plans to spend 450 million baht on a new Phuket Provincial Hall took a leap forward this week with the announcement of official approval to clear the 14-rai site on the corner opposite the current building.

Full story:

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Phuket death in custody accepted as suicide

Phuket Gazette

Lt Col Watcharin Jiratthikanwiwat of the Thalang Police (left) questions corrections officer Ariya Loylom (far side of table) over the death of Mr Theerayuth. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A 28-year-old man, with a history of mental illness, was found hanged in the communal bathroom at Phuket’s Bang Jo Detention Center this afternoon.

Full story:

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Major Weekend Crime Suppression Operation by Pattaya Police

PATTAYA: -- Late on Friday Night, Pattaya Police conducted a major crime suppression operation with a focus on arresting those involved in either selling or consuming illegal drugs. The operation began with a parade at the site of the old Xzyte Discotheque on Pattaya Third Road where over 400 officers and volunteers from Pattaya Police Station, Immigration Police, Tourist Police and Highway Police were given specific instructions on where to go and what to look for.

Full story:

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UK Police Open Criminal Investigation Into Savile Child Abuse Scandal

Full story:

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@RichardBarrow: The Amari Watergate Midnight Run is tonight on Phetchaburi Rd. Distances are 6km & 12km. Entry is 300B & 1,000B which goes to charity.

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RT @RichardBarrow: Book Expo Thailand 2012 is this weekend at Queen Sirikit Convention Center, 10am-9pm. Discounted Thai & English books.

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RT @RichardBarrow: 34th Bangkok International Gift & Houseware Fairs 2012 at BITEC this weekend from 10am to 9pm. Access via BTS Bang Na

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Russian killed in Jomtien road crash

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592402-russian-killed-in-jomtien-road-crash/

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Phuket Punchline Comedy: Sit down for stand-up

Phuket Gazette

TASTES LIKE CHICKEN: Eddy Brimson gets into character.

PHUKET: -- Seasoned stand-up comedians Eddy Brimson, Mickey Hutton and Marcus Ryan are in town for one night of no-holds barred, stand-up comedy at the Holiday Inn, Patong on Wednesday, October 24 at 8pm.

Full story:

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PM Yingluck in Surat Thani to oversee development projects ahead of cabinet meeting in Koh Samui on Mon /The Nation

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Centre set up to help deal with cold in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son; upper North temperatures likely keep dropping next week /MCOT

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PM satisfied with ACD summit in Kuwait

BANGKOK, Oct 20 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday expressed her satisfaction over the results of the 1st Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit in Kuwait and planned to materialise cooperation agreed on at the gathering.

Speaking on her weekly TV programme "Yingluck Government Meets the People," Ms Yingluck explained the importance of the ACD which was initiated 10 years ago.

She said Thailand was a coordinator and a prime mover in the area for tourism and trade.

The ACD currently comprises 32 countries from all sub-continents of Asia.

The premier said that during the summit, leaders unanimously agreed on concrete cooperation among member countries and the successive ACD Summit meetings in the future.

For this matter, she said, Thailand proposed the establishment of an ACD Secretariat body to enable more cooperation, effective follow-up and forward planning.

Moreover, she also raised the issue of connectivity enhancement. She said that the physical connectivity network needs to be expanded from within Thailand to ASEAN and later to Asia to ensure inclusive development. Non-physical connectivity especially in social and cultural aspects needs to be pushed ahead as well.

According to Ms Yingluck, Asian countries, with great diversity and differences in needs, can support one another with each country’s strengths in such interconnected area as food and energy security.

It was also agreed at the summit on attempts to narrow economic gaps, especially during times of economic downturn when all must turn to sustainable development, and the Asian region must use its own strengths to their full potential to combat poverty and improve the standard of living of Asian people.

Kuwait committed to contributing US$300 million to the program, she added.

Ms Yingluck said Thailand has offered to host the ACD ministerial meeting and its summit in 2015. This would be a good opportunity to expand cooperation in ASEAN and Asia.

The premier said that on the sideline of the summit, she held a bilateral meeting with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the expansion of commercial and investment cooperation, especially in the area of food and energy security.

She took the opportunity to express gratitude to Kuwait for its support at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and said she will clarify the government’s policies in solving the Southern border conflict. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-20

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Thai gov't to promote islands in the Gulf of Thailand as tourist spots

BANGKOK, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Thai government is now promoting Thailand tourist spots in the country's southern region lying in the middle and along the shores of the Gulf of Thailand to further invigorate its already flourishing tourism industry.

Full story:

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RT @RichardBarrow: Basketball clinic for kids at CentralWorld with NBA legend Ron Harper http://thai.vi/R9xJDN