Thailand Live Sunday 21 Oct 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 21 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 Saturday 20 Oct 2012

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[Lite Beer]

NBTC member defends 3G auction, rejects bribe talk

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) member Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn yesterday denied rumours that NBTC members were bribed to hold the 3G auction in a way that favoured existing business operators, saying the stories were spread by ill-intentioned people.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592578-nbtc-member-defends-3g-auction-rejects-bribe-talk/#entry5770755

[Lite Beer]

ANTI-DRUGS STRATEGY

Klong Toei slum under close scrutiny

The Nation on Sunday

PM Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday greets people who have undergone a drug rehabilitation programme, as she presides over the opening ceremony of Ban Oonjai under the Chumchon Oonjai (heart-warming community) Project in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Addicted youths sent for treatment amid crackdown

Thailand will employ a proactive strategy in tackling drugs, the secretary of the National Narcotic Prevention and Supression Commission, Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592580-klong-toei-slum-under-close-scrutiny/#entry5770770

[Lite Beer]

PM and Cabinet visit Samui, nearby isles

The Nation on Sunday

KOH SAMUI: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra led her Cabinet on the start of a three-day tour of the South, touring Surat Thani province yesterday, which is a Democrat Party stronghold.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592581-pm-and-cabinet-visit-samui-nearby-isles/#entry5770783

[Lite Beer]

For 'de-programmed' elephants, return to wild is a slow, costly process

Thanapat Kitjakosol

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Two elephant conservation groups are working together to reintroduce domesticated elephants to the wild, releasing 84 of them over the past 10 years under an initiative of Her Majesty the Queen.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592582-for-de-programmed-elephants-return-to-wild-is-a-slow-costly-process/#entry5770794

[Lite Beer]

Russian woman killed saving daughter

The Nation on Sunday

CHON BURI: -- A 30-year-old Russian woman was killed while saving her year-and-seven-month-old daughter from getting hit by an 18-wheel trailer truck in Chon Buri's Sattahip district early yesterday morning.

Responding to reports of an accident at 1am, Na Jomtien Police found the Russian woman's body in the left lane of Sukhumvit (Pattaya-Sattahip) Road opposite the Dor-Shada Hotel. Her injured daughter had already been rushed to Krungthep Pattaya Hospital.

Truck driver Supachai Kanchanakrajang, 21, who surrendered to police at the scene, said he was heading home after making a delivery in Pattaya City when he heard screams and looked in the rear-view mirror to see that he had run over a person, so he made a U-turn.

Witness Wilawan Sriboribun said the woman, her husband and daughter were shopping for fruit when the daughter ran onto the road in front of the truck.

The mother pushed her daughter out of harm's way but was herself run over by the truck.

In related news, an 18-wheel trailer truck crashed into the rear of a bus transporting CPF Co workers in Prachin Buri's Sri Mahosod district at 3.30am yesterday before plunging into roadside canal, resulting in five deaths and two injuries. Police suspect truckdriver Eium Pho-ong, 50, dozed off behind the wheel.

-- The Nation 2012-10-21

[Lite Beer]

BBC ex-chief Krirk-Kiat dies at 63

The Nation on Sunday

Krirk-Kiat, succumbed to cancer.

BANGKOK: -- Banker at heart of long-running financial scandal was serving a 20-year jail term

Krirk-Kiat Jalichandra, 63, the disgraced ex-president of the now-defunct Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC), passed away yesterday, ending a controversial chapter in Thai banking history involving the scandal-tainted BBC.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592584-bbc-ex-chief-krirk-kiat-dies-at-63/#entry5770801

[Lite Beer]

Army aids housing project for poor

The Nation on Sunday

The Nakhon Phanom Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) has approved funding in its fiscal year 2013 budget for 24 more homes for local families living in extreme poverty.

This will enable the home-building project, which aims to make merit for His Majesty the King, to build a total of 99 homes for 99 poor families.

PAO president Somchob Nitiphoj and 3rd Infantry Battalion officer Lt-Colonel Siwadol Yakhlai yesterday turned over one home to a family of four led by Nuthong Lakangtha, 70, in tambon Pathai in Tha Uthen district. Siwadol said the Army's participation in the project, which is funded by the PAO and built by the battalion's soldiers, was in line with Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha's policy that soldiers should help the public.

-- The Nation 2012-10-21

[Lite Beer]

SANITATION

Reinventing the toilet

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation October 21, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- "A new generation of toilets" is being shaped now in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia for safe and sustainable sanitation, along with similar efforts in many other countries in the world.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592585-reinventing-the-toilet/#entry5770810

[Lite Beer]

GOOD GOVERNANCE

10 organisations honoured for good practices

The Nation October 21,

BANGKOK: -- Ten organisations were honoured with the "model white organisation awards" 2012, last week, in recognition of their incorporation of good governance into business practices.

They are Securities and Exchange Commission, Chai Boon Brother Co, Central Marketing Group, Toshiba Thailand Co, Toyota Deeyiam Co, Nakornthon Hospital, Bathroom Design Co, Lion (Thailand) Co, Sosuco and Group (2008) Co and LNS Group Co.

They have been lauded for good governance, having written manuals, and social responsibility.

The SEC in particular stands firm against corruption, being a pivotal partner of the Anti-Corruption Network and promotes anti-corruption campaigns and social responsibility among listed companies.

The awards are initiated by the Sasin Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University and DMG Group.

At the award presentation ceremony, Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said in a keynote speech that corruption is dragging down the Thai economy and that companies of all sizes must avoid paying bribes.

"Leakages will ruin Thailand's competitiveness. Aside from academic excellence and human resources, a transparent procurement process is important. As long as Thais still embrace corruption if they can get some benefits, Thailand will fall into a deep hole even before the start of the AEC [Asean Economic Community]," he said.

He emphasised that profits should not be the only aim of businesses. They should also care for society, by denouncing corruption and promoting integrity. This would enhance the country's competitiveness.

-- The Nation 2012-10-21

[Lite Beer]

Road safety campaign widened

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- After 24 years of campaign for road safety, Toyota Motor Thailand last year initiated the cities-with-safe-traffic campaign. Launched in June in Bangkok, the new campaign will be extended to 25 provinces. In September, Nakhon Nayok became the 21st province to join the campaign.

According to Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont, vice president of Toyota Motor Thailand, the campaign - a part of Toyota's CSR and co-inciding with the Transport Ministry's "Decade of Action for Road Safety" - has been launched to reduce road accidents caused by humans, vehicles and environment. Activities cover raising awareness and sharing knowledge.

"For road safety, vehicles must be safe and so must all using the roads. Motorists will be encouraged to share their responsibility," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-21

[Lite Beer]

Alms for monks from 4 lands

The Nation on Sunday

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) joined the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the National Office of Buddhism and allied organisations to host an alms-offering ceremony involving 2,600 monks from various countries at Benjasiri Park yesterday at 6.30am.

The event was held to mark the 2,600th anniversary of the Buddha's Enlightenment. BMA deputy Thaya Theepsuwan, who presided over the event, which also marked the World Fellowship of Buddhists' 40th anniversary, said the offerings would be sent to 323 temples in the four southern border provinces and to aid disaster victims nationwide.

-- The Nation 2012-10-21

[Lite Beer]

Forums 'will be like rallies'

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The government's plan to hold reconciliation forums across the country except in the South is nothing more than an opportunity for Pheu Thai to hold political rallies paid for by taxpayers in hope of amending the charter, Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592587-forums-will-be-like-rallies-says-abhisit/#entry5770847

[Lite Beer]

RT@Bangkok4Free: Thailand plays it's first game of rugby league in Bangkok Sunday 3pm. Free entry pic.twitter.com/NuiA54Vb /via @BrendenWoodTWO

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: 5 killed in accident on Saturday between a bus & 18-wheeled truck in Prachinburi's Si Mahosot district

[Lite Beer]

Phuket hospitals defend fractured pricing

Phuket Gazette –

A nurse attends to patients on the Provincial Hospital’s opening day in May last year. The facility received much praise from honorary consuls last month. Photo: Gazette file

PPAO Vice President Chawalit Na Nakorn, who is also on the Provincial Hospital’s board of directors. Photo: Orawin Narabal

SPECIAL REPORT

PHUKET: Top officials at the recently opened Phuket Provincial Hospital this week defended the facility’s practice of charging foreigners greatly inflated rates for treatment compared with those levied for Thai nationals.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592598-phuket-hospitals-defend-fractured-pricing/#entry5771032

[Lite Beer]

Pressure mounts on PM Yingluck to review Phuket ICEC cancellation

Phuket Gazette –

Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr defends the Phuket convention center during a site visit last year, while fellow Phuket Democrat MP Raywat Areerob looks on. Photo: Gazette file

After repeatedly denying the Phuket ICEC project the green light over environmental concerns at the site (pictured), Prime Minister Yingluck's Cabinet finally shelved the project on October 2. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Phuket MP Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr and Phuket’s sole representative senator, Thanyarat Achariyachai, are calling for Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to review the decision by Cabinet to cancel the 2.6-billion-baht project to build a Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592599-pressure-mounts-on-pm-yingluck-to-review-phuket-icec-cancellation/#entry5771043

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: The "NBA 3X Thailand 2012" continues today in front of CentralWorld. Basketball competitions & other fun activities

RT@KristieKenney: Cheerleading fans: the lovely & talented WashDC Wizards cheerleaders are @NBA event at Central World in BKK today pic.twitter.com/RLqISA2t

[Lite Beer]

Bombings, clashes between suspected insurgents, officials in Narathiwat's Tak Bai; 1 suspected insurgent killed, 1 official wounded. /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: When healthcare becomes a social insecurity

Phuket Gazette –

While Phuket strides ahead with its medical tourism drive, foreigners who have bought homes and are living on the island are being asked to pick up the tab for inflated hospital fees. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: The in-depth report of local hospitals charging foreigners more than Thais for all forms of healthcare (click here) should not come as a surprise to any long-term expats living in Phuket. The practice of two-tier pricing is so deeply entrenched into the local social fabric that the national parks have established it as a formal policy.

Full Story. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592623-phuket-opinion-when-healthcare-becomes-a-social-insecurity/#entry5771417

[Lite Beer]

One killed in bombings, clashes in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT, Oct 21 – One suspected insurgent was killed and one official wounded in bombings and clashes between suspected insurgents and security officials in this southern border province on Saturday night.

The violence occurred at five spots in Tak Bai district.

The first incident occurred at a marine police station when an unknown number of suspected insurgents commenced shooting and bombing attacks, leading to a clash with the police. One police officer was wounded. After the clash ended, the police found more than 50 cartridges and two grenades at the site.

Subsequently, another clash occurred at a checkpoint near a Muslim cemetery. One suspected insurgent was killed.

Meanwhile, three bombs exploded at a convenience store, a karaoke cafe and the parking of the Taba Plaza Hotel. The bomb at the convenience store was placed on a shelf, causing a fire which partly damaged the shop. The bomb at the karaoke cafe was attached to a motorcycle while the car bomb at the hotel damaged the building and the assets.

According to an initial investigation, more than ten suspected insurgents launched the series of attacks simultaneously, then threw tripod spikes on roads to thwart officials following them. Several cars were damaged by the strewn tripod spikes. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-21

[Lite Beer]

Two bombs kill one soldier, injure 7 others in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT, Oct 21 - Two bombs kill one soldier, injure seven others in Narathiwat’s Bacho district.

The bomb exploded around 8.30 am on a road when an armored Humvee, carrying four soldiers, was passing.

The explosion caused the vehicle to lose balance and it was hurled off the road. PO1 Issarawut Ponlasak, the driver, died at the scene, while three others who were wounded were rushed to the hospital.

Pieces of a remote controlled bomb, placed in cooking gas cylinder and buried underground, were found.

These officials were a response team to help four patrol marines, who were injured earlier in a separate bombing. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-21

[Lite Beer]

Swedish teacher dies in Thailand

Published: 21 Oct 12 09:35 CET

A Swedish teacher from Gävle in northern Sweden has died in a traffic accident on the holiday island of Koh Lanta in Thailand, according to a report in the Aftonbladet daily.

The 49-year-old Swede worked as a teacher on the popular island of Koh Lanta in Thailand and leaves three children.

The Swede was reported to be driving a motorcycle at the time when she collided with a large truck, dying immediately.

The Swedish priest from the nearby island of Phuket has joined the crisis group appointed by the Swedish embassy in Bangkok at the school where the woman worked.

Koh Lanta is a popular island with Swedish and other Scandinavian tourists. The island houses a semi-permanent Swedish population and features several schools offering tuition in Swedish.

Thailand ranks worst in the world for motorbike and moped casualties with more than 11,000 drivers of passengers dying per annum, according to official statistics.

Much of the blame for the high fatality rate is explained by the fact that only 47 percent wear helmets.

The Thai government designated 2010 as the year of the helmet in an attempt to meet UN road safety targets of fewer than 10 deaths per 100,000 people.

http://www.thelocal.se/43948/20121021/

-- THE LOCAL-- 2012-10-21

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[Lite Beer]

Phuket Vegetarian Festival ‘ma song’ unruffled by media coverage

Phuket Gazette –

Once a year Mr Peerapong is called on by the gods to take the pain in order to alleviate the suffering of others. Photo: Phuket Gazette

Back in the real world, Mr Peerapong is a hotel handyman. Photo: Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: Phuket native Peerapong Buapetch, 27, spends the majority of his year as a handyman for a local hotel. However, once a year he is called on to take part in one of the most important cultural events in Phuket – the Vegetarian Festival, which this year draws to a close on Tuesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592655-phuket-vegetarian-festival-ma-song-unruffled-by-media-coverage/#entry5772002

[Lite Beer]

RT@CoconutsBangkok: BREAKING: @ParisHilton is supposedly visiting Thailand this week pic.twitter.com/YnGdJSgjj

[Lite Beer]

Volume of Thailand rice exports decreases 44% in first nine months this year

BANGKOK, Oct 21 - Thai rice export figure decreased 44 percent in quantity and 32 percent in value from January to September 2012.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592668-volume-of-thailand-rice-exports-decreases-44-in-first-nine-months-this-year/#entry5772212

[Lite Beer]

Global survey ranks Bangkok taxis fifth best in the world

By Coconuts Bangkok

Photo: Coconuts Bangkok

The friendly taxis of Bangkok were ranked the fifth best in the world in a recent survey by American booking website Hotels.com.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....d/#entry5772230

[Lite Beer]

Irksome Ice Cream Man Busted by Bugged Cops

PATTAYA:--Pattaya police arrested an ice cream vendor for carrying a radio device tuned to the police frequency. Volunteer police initially let the vendor go, after he claimed he was helping the police. But the drunken vendor returned and acted so obnoxious that the irritated cops arrested him.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/592653-ice-cream-vendor-busted-with-police-band-radio/#entry5771978

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to continue:

Thailand Live Monday 22 Oct 2012