Thailand Live Friday 26 Oct 2012

[webfact]

Thailand Live Friday 26 October 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 25 Oct 2012

[webfact]

THAIVISA CONNECT

Thaivisa Forum Apps for your mobile or tablet

"Thaivisa Connect" for iPhone, iPad and iPod:

iTunes App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thaivisa-connect-thailand/id492600537

"Thaivisa Connect" for Android:

Android Market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkthaivisa.activity

OR

For QR code just go here with your desktop or mobile:

http://apps.thaivisa.com

[webfact]

RESHUFFLE

Jatuporn puts brave face on renewed Cabinet snub

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An obviously disappointed red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan has promised to go on supporting the government despite being passed over for a seat in the new Cabinet.

Full story:

[webfact]

THAILAND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Blanket daily wage hike to hurt economy: TDRI

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The implementation of the Bt300 daily minimum wage throughout the whole country on January 1 could shrink the economy by 2.5 per cent annually and throw one million people out of work, the Thailand Development Research Institute said yesterday.

Full story:

[webfact]

DOCTOR'S MURDER

Ex-senator's death sentence upheld

THE NATION

Three hired to kill physician Nitcharee in 1996 over business row get life terms after aiding probe

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence handed down by lower courts to former senator Sukhum Cherdchuen for ordering the assassination of a Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor 16 years ago, as well as the life sentences given to three other defendants.

Full story:

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Censure debate, internal rivalries shape new Cabinet

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three pressure points prodded Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra into prepping her third Cabinet squad.

Full story:

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

NBTC had 'legal obligation' to ensure fair 3G bid

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Since the auction of third-generation (3G) telecom operating licences last month, those involved in the bidding have faced heavy scrutiny from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Ombudsman's Office and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Full story:

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

No ducking the issue of rising gun crime

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With illegal possession of firearms rampant in Thailand, it should come as no surprise that we have the highest rate of gun murder in Asia

Full story:

[webfact]

Pakistani murder suspect arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport

SAMUT PRAKAN, Oct 26 - A Pakistani man was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on suspicion of murdering a 41-year-old Thai woman in the northern province of Chiang Mai.

Full story:

[webfact]

update

ANALYSIS

PM defies Thaksin on new line-up

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

Expected Cabinet reflects Yingluck's will but disappoints some in business

BANGKOK: -- If the names mentioned in speculation ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle are an indication, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra seems to have had a considerable say in the make-up of her new Cabinet.

Full story:

[webfact]

Head of hospital group warns of doctor shortage

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Thailand needs to drastically ramp up its training of physicians, as 40,000 more doctors are needed to provide quality healthcare, but only 2,500 graduate every year, the Private Hospital Association said yesterday.

Full story:

[webfact]

Confession sparks hunt for 6 suspects

PATINYA IAMTARN

THE NATION

Police are trying to track down six suspects implicated by a junior police officer who was arrested for allegedly delivering illicit narcotics.

BANGKOK: -- Pol Snr Sgt-Major Manas Suapho, who surrendered to police on Wednesday, has provided information about the role of many key members in his drug-trafficking network.

Full story:

[webfact]

Joint effort urged in boosting reading ability

SURIYAN PANYAWAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Parents, teachers and the government can all play a vital role in overcoming the dismal track record in reading by Thai children - less than five books a year, academics said yesterday.

Full story:

[webfact]

PM marks 10 years of village fund

SAOWANEE NIMPANPAYUNGWONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday presided over an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Thailand Village and Urban Revolving Fund at Nonthaburi's Impact Muang Thong Thani, where it was announced that the fund had generated Bt160 billion so far.

Full story:

[webfact]

Doctor federation backs Public Health pick

Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

Pradith

BANGKOK: -- Dr Pradith Sinthawanarong, who is tipped to become the new public health minister, yesterday got the backing of the Thai Federation of General and Central Hospital Doctors.

Pradith, 53, is a close friend of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. As an executive board member of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), he played a key role in merging the government's scheme with the unlimited emergency medical treatment plan.

He was an associate of Yingluck's when she was dealing in real estate and he ran an interior decoration business.

Moreover, he has the ear of current Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri, who always listened to Pradith's ideas in meetings of the NHSO executive board.

Pradith graduated from Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine and got a master's in international public health management at Harvard University. He has worked for several government health agencies, served as a board member of Thai Airways International and served as president of the home-furnishings chain Decor Mart.

"He is the man who truly understands the country's public health system and always listens to other people's opinions. I believe he would lead the country's public health system in the right direction," said Dr Prachumporn Boonchareon, chairperson of the federation.

A more cautious view was espoused by Nimitr Tian-udom of the Aids Access Foundation, who said he wants to wait and see what Pradith will do to improve public health.

More work needs to be done with regard to medical services for stateless people, the relationship between patient and doctor and the impact on public health from the Asean Economic Community 2015.

"He needs to take time to prove himself," Nimitr said. "We will keep a close eye on whether he will protect both doctor and patient or not."

Pradith yesterday refused to comment on his possible appointment.

-- The Nation 2012-10-26

[webfact]

Thais injured in flare-up near Gaza

The Nation

GAZA: -- Three Thai workers in Israel have been injured, two critically, as a result of fighting near the Gaza Strip, Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap said yesterday.

Phadermchai said he had been informed by the Thai Embassy in Israel that fighting between Israeli forces and the military wing of Hamas at 7am Israeli time injured three Thai workers. Hamas is the Palestinian political group that controls the Gaza Strip.

The Thais were working on a farm when the fighting erupted. Two of them were seriously injured and all three were sent to hospital for treatment. They could be initially identified only by their first names: Suchan, Somsak and Sawat.

Phadermchai said he had asked the Thai ambassador to Israel to take care of the three workers.

He said the location where the three Thais were working was considered a "risk area" and the ministry had earlier warned workers to avoid it. However, some Thais were willing to take the risk because they would be paid more.

-- The Nation 2012-10-26

[webfact]

Drug warning issued for UAE-bound workers

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Labour Ministry yesterday warned Thai workers against carrying over-the-counter medicines, including paracetamol, without accompanying English-language doctor's certificates when travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Labour Vice Minister Anusorn Kraiwatnussorn said that earlier this month a court in Abu Dhabi handed down a one-year jail term and a fine of 20,000 dirham (Bt178,000) to a Thai worker for possession of 195 paracetamol pills, 30 Tramadol painkiller pills and 195 allergy pills into the UAE.

"He will also be deported and banned from entering the UAE for life," Anusorn said.

According to the vice minister, the UAE has banned 374 common over-the-counter medicines since August of last year.

"Please consult the list of banned items in each country at www.overseas.doe.go.th before you head out," Anusorn said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-26

[webfact]

MICROSOFT

Microsoft launches Windows 8 for Asia-Pacific region

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation

Singapore

SINGAPORE: -- Microsoft yesterday launched Windows 8, its latest operating system, in Singapore for the Asia-Pacific region.

Full story:

[webfact]

Police collect evidence of M79 shooting at security checkpoint

NARATHIWAT, Oct 26 - Narathiwat police collected evidence from a crime scene following last night's M79 grenades attack at a security checkpoint in this restive southern border province, while security has been tightened on the eighth anniversary of the Tak Bai incident to prevent any possible attacks.

Police inspections came after assailants fired two M79 grenades at a security checkpoint in Tak Bai district late last night. No one was injured in the attack as the grenades fell under a tree and at the entrance gate of a village's water supply system building.

Police collected the evidence at the crime scene for further investigation.

Meanwhile, police, soldiers and defence volunteers sets up checkpoint on main and minor roads leading to Tak Bai district to thoroughly search vehicles.

The popular restaurant “Khok Khang” in the Tak Bai municipality was closed today.

The Tak Bai incident occurred on Oct 25, 2004 when hundreds of people were arrested while protesting against the arrest of six local men. The arrested protesters were handcuffed and piled into trucks heading for an army camp in nearby Pattani province. Arriving at the camp, at least 85 of them were found to have died from suffocation. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-26

[webfact]

Chinese Consul-General raises tourist safety concerns with Phuket Governor

Phuket Gazette

Chinese Consul-General Xu Mingliang (right) yesterday raised the issue of tourist safety with Governor Maitri Inthusut (center) following a spate of drowning deaths in Phuket earlier this year. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Chinese Consul-General Xu Mingliang yesterday raised the issue of tourist safety with Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut while personally welcoming the recently installed governor to office.

Full story:

[webfact]

Financially Stable Couple Snatch Gold In East Pattaya Street Robbery

Full story:

[webfact]

3 Suspected Drug Dealers And 2 Drug Users Caught At Central Pattaya Apartment

Full story:

[webfact]

Incident At Wedding Shop Leads To Arrest Of Illegal Money Lenders

Full story:

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,293.67, down 3.72 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Muslim Thais in Narathiwat celebrate Eid al-Adha festival

NARATHIWAT, Oct 26 -- Thailand's Muslim communities in the southern border province of Narathiwat on Friday celebrate the Eid al-Adha festival or the festival of sacrifice.

Thai Muslims in the province have begun the celebration early morning and then joining mass prayers at nearby mosques.

The “Aidil Adha” or the Sacrifice Celebration Day is celebrated about two months after Aidilfitri, marking the end of the sacrificial period.

During the festival, Muslim families would give meat to the poor so that they too can join in the festivities.

In Songkhla's Hat Yai, a special police force from the Provincial Police Region 9 was deployed to reinforce the joint operation of military, police and administrative staff to ensure the safety of the business district during the Muslim festival.

More tourists are expected to visit Hat Yai, particularly from Malaysia and Singapore, to celebrate Eid al-Adha over the weekend. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-26

[webfact]

Phuket Rotary Fair to mark 35 years

Phuket Gazette

Among the items to be auctioned at the fund-raising event is a painting by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The Rotary Club of Phuket will mark its 35th anniversary by holding a Rotary Fair at Saphan Hin on November 3 to 9.

Full story:

[webfact]

Pattaya represented at Moscow Travel Industry Fair

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/593711-pattaya-represented-at-moscow-travel-industry-fair/

[webfact]

Buffalos To Race Through Chonburi Oct. 26-Nov. 1

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/593712-buffalos-to-race-through-chonburi-oct-26-nov-1/

[webfact]

Foreigners found dead in hotel room

BANGKOK – A Canadian and an Australian were found dead in a hotel room in Klong Toey district of Bangkok, police said.

Full story:

[webfact]

Koh Samet Pier To Close Nov. 1

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/593716-koh-samet-pier-to-close-nov-1/