Thailand Live Tuesday 30 Oct 2012

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Thailand Live Tuesday 30 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 Monday 29 Oct 2012

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AIRPORT

AOT to push ahead with Suvarnabhumi expansion

NONGNAPAT MAIPANIT

THE NATION

Traffic congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK: -- Airports of Thailand will go ahead with Phases 3 and 4 of Suvarnabhumi Airport's development to boost its annual capacity to 90 million passengers.

Full story:

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TELECOM

3G winners jointly refute collusion claims

USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The three winners of slots at the recent 2.1GHz spectrum auction yesterday publicly joined forces to refute allegations of bidding collusion, and urged the telecom watchdog to press ahead and grant much-needed licences to kick-start their massive investment in setting up third-generation cellular service.

Full story:

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Satis, founder of Cheewajit lifestyle, dies at 86

DUANGKAMON SAJIRAWATTANAKUL

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Dr Satis Indrakamhaeng, founder of the Cheewajit way of life, succumbed to a stroke on Sunday. He was 86.

He was first admitted to Bangpakok 9 International Hospital two days ago after suffering from a fall.

"He was a selfless genius," Uamporn Saengsuwan, managing editor of the Cheewajit Magazine, said yesterday.

Together with the magazine, Satis began promoting Cheewajit way of life about two decades ago and won a large following. Followers of the Cheewajit philosophy are taught to be cautious with their choice of food and way of life. They are encouraged to embrace nature, lead simple lives and uphold the principles of fairness.

"With the right choices, we can avoid diseases such as cancer, heart problems and diabetes," Uamporn explained.

Born on March 14, 1926, Satis studied mass psychology, nutrition, molecular biology, macrobiotics, acupuncture and alternative medicine. While working in the United States, he came down with nasal-cavity cancer and decided to combat it by changing his lifestyle. His effort was a success and since then he started promoting his philosophy in the hope of helping others. He was also an avid supporter of integrated and alternative medicine.

"Many cancer patients have recovered because of him," Uamporn said.

Satis' legacy, Cheewajit, will live on Uamporn said, adding that this approach has already proved that it is hugely beneficial.

Apart from the magazine, the Cheewajit foundation has also launched the Cheewajit Home Clinic and also provides wellness services for cancer patients at the Bangpakok 9 International Hospital.

Satis has penned many books, including "Cheewajit: Karn Chai Cheewit Yang Khaojai Tammachart" (Cheewajit: Living with Understanding in Nature), "Cheewit Rermton Mua Aryu 70" (Life Begins at 70), "Mareng Haeng Cheewit" (Cancer of Life) and "Koo Nae" (I am Cool). He won the Writers' Association of Thailand's Narathip Award in 2006.

Funeral rites will be held at Bangkok's Wat Saket until November 2 and the royally-sponsored cremation will be held at 2am on the following morning.

-- The Nation 2012-10-30

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MURDER

Neighbour says he saw men take couple

THE NATION

PHETCHABURI

PHETCHABURI: -- Police yesterday brought a witness to the property of police doctor Suphat Laohawattanakul in order to confirm his statement that he saw Dr Suphat and men in what appeared to be police uniforms drive the missing couple Samart Noomjui and Orasa Kerdsap from Suphat's farm in 2009.

At that time, the witness, a male neighbour, had told Orasa's sister Sathisa Wongsing that she should visit the couple at the Thai Mai Ruak police station because he assumed the men in the pick-up truck were police.

Finding that they weren't in police custody, Sathisa contacted Samart's father Sawang Noomjui, who then filed a missing-persons report. Police at the time didn't pay much attention to the neighbour's claim because they thought he was drunk.

Also yesterday, police brought Suphat to the provincial court to seek permission for his fourth period of detention. The doctor has been detained for 36 days at the provincial prison.

-- The Nation 2012-10-30

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PM'S BROTHER

Thaksin to discuss Dawei in Myanmar: Noppodon

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra plans to visit Myanmar in order to meet its leaders to pave the way for huge investment in the Dawei deep-sea port project ahead of joint committees between the two nations in Thailand soon, his legal adviser said yesterday.

Full story:

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LOVE

Tycoon finds perfect mate in Museum

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Media were buzzing with talk of a “match made in heaven” when billionaire Boonchai Bencharongkul announced that he would tie the knot with actress Bongkot “Tak” Kongmalai, who is known not only for confidently flaunting her curvy figure, but also for openly expressing her political views.

Boonchai, 58, who is ranked as one of Thailand's 13 richest bachelors with a net worth of Bt29 billion, has been focusing on his information-technology business and charitable works. The founder of Total Access Communication (DTAC) initially sold his stake to its Norwegian strategic partner Telenor, but had to return as the firm's chairman because of legal issues.

Meanwhile, Anant Semathong, a close friend of the 27-year-old bride-to-be, said the tycoon had visited Bongkot's mother and asked her to bless the union almost two weeks ago.

The actress' mum, Thanapa, confirmed that the billionaire did indeed visit to show her court papers proving he was officially divorced from his previous wife.

The couple will be officially engaged on November 19 at Boonchai's Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), where they first caught sight of each other.

Boonchai, who married three times previously, has three children with his first wife. His last two wives were Sararat Rumruangwong and Bencha Baramee.

Though people have been gossiping about the couple's "lightning engagement", it has also been reported that Boonchai and Bongkot are already getting their matrimonial home constructed on a 30-rai (5-hectare) plot.

Anant, meanwhile, explained that he had lots of respect for Bongkot and had helped finance her last movie, which cost about Bt30 million to produce.

"If she were not a dignified lady, I would not have made such a big investment. After getting to know her, I realised that she is wonderful. I love her like my own child," he said.

He added that the couple met at the museum and discovered that they shared similar interests in dharma and making merit. Boonchai was apparently very impressed by the actress' generosity and her love and respect for her mother.

"Tak's charm is her simplicity. She is frank and direct without any artificial etiquette. Boonchai loves the way she devotes herself to her work and is wise with her hard-earned money, which she has put aside for her mum's future. She always meets her beau at a temple, where they both go to make merit," Anant said.

"If you get to know her, you will realise that she is totally different from the way she portrays herself on the big screen. In real life, she is usually seen in jeans and conservative clothes. She doesn't go for designer goods and spends most of her free time going on meditation retreats with her mum," he said.

Thanapa, meanwhile, said she would not ask her soon-to-be son-in-law for any dowry, adding that she found his love for making merit impressive.

"He is a billionaire who is very down-to-earth. He is very gentlemanly and has been consistent with his love for my daughter from the very first day she introduced him to me," she said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-30

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Yellows and reds busy but still a million miles apart

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Last Sunday was a particularly busy day due to the convergence of activities organised by different political stripes.

Full story:

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Surapong to oversee security and foreign affairs

Piyanart Srivalo

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung

Anhapat Deechuay

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- New deputy prime minister Surapong Towichukchaikul is expected to be given the job of overseeing security and foreign affairs, a Government House source said yesterday.

Full story:

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Pre-screening to be launched this year: Immigration Bureau

Kornkamon Aksorndej,

Ittipon Iamchoei

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Immigration Bureau is preparing to launch a pre-screening system for visitors to Thailand before the end of this year.

Full story:

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Plodprasob wants a new nuclear reactor

WANNAPA KHAOPA

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee vowed yesterday to build a new nuclear research reactor in Thailand within the next five years.

Full story:

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Police receive training in leading motorcades

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Training for police assigned to lead official motorcades of cabinet members and other VIPs was held Monday to ensure motorcades do not cause more traffic jams in Bangkok.

Full story:

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PUBLIC HEALTH

Hospitals to 'share' beds for patients

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Dr Winai Swasdhi-vorn, NHSO secretary-general

Six Bangkok centres join clinics in 29 provinces in rural referral system

BANGKOK: -- In a move to make emergency care more accessible in rural areas, the health ministry and National Health Security Office (NHSO) are teaming up with medical schools and Bangkok hospitals to help set up a patient-referral network.

Full story:

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Insurgents released under plea bargain

Pakorn Puengnetr

The Nation

Fourth Army Region Commander Udomchai Thammasarorat

First two graduates of amnesty plan complete six months of re-education

BANGKOK: -- A plea bargaining scheme under the Internal Security Act in the Deep South was implemented successfully for the first time yesterday - as a provincial court in Songkhla freed two convicted insurgents after six months of re-education.

Full story:

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Thai cabinet reshuffle sees return of Thaksin loyalists

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A cabinet reshuffle in Thailand has brought loyal allies of self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra into the government led by his sister, consolidating his grip on power as he bides his time before making a serious effort to come home.

Full story:

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F&N

Charoen's bid hangs in the air

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi's bid to take control of Singapore's Fraser and Neave (F&N) is apparently hanging in the air.

Full story:

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Slot machines Confiscated after Police raid on grocery store

By Staff Reporter

Two of three men arrested for operating gambling den

SATTAHIP: -- The owners of a grocery store were arrested for operating illegal gambling slot machines.

Full story:

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Storm Sandy makes landfall in eastern US

NEW JERSEY: -- A major storm bringing torrential rain, high winds, flood surges and heavy snow has made landfall on the east US coast.

Full story:

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RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- 6.2-magnitude earthquake hits the Queen Charlotte Islands off western Canada; no tsunami alert

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,282.14, up 2.57 points /MCOT

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Thai Consulate-General in New York closely monitoring storm Sandy

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Oct 30 – Thailand’s Consulate-General in New York City is closely monitoring the progress and is coordinating with Thai citizens in the metropolitan area as massive storm Sandy crashed ashore in the New Jersey and Delaware coast on Monday.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Information Deputy Director-General Damrong Kraikruan said the consulate-general staff in New York is in touch with Thais living in the metropolitan area as well as with Thai associations and Buddhist temples.

He said the consulate-general has prepared measures and procedures in case of emergency to assist Thai citizens.

Mr Damrong, acting foreign ministry spokesman, said there are some 30,000-40,000 Thais living in New York City and 10,000 in nearby areas which could be affected by the hurricane.

He said that Thai nationals can directly contact the consulate-general and that there are also some networks of Thais in the US which always provide information to each other.

On that basis, he said he believed that all Thais in storm-affected areas would receive information and are well prepared for the storm. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-30

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11 Senators petition ombudsman on 3G auction

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Oct 30 – Eleven senators have petitioned Thailand’s Administrative Court by means of the Office of the Ombudsman Monday seeking a court ruling on whether the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) telecom committee is authorised to endorse the recent 3G auction result.

Full story:

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Microsoft launches Windows Phone 8

SAN FRANCISCO: -- Microsoft on Monday officially launched its Windows Phone 8 operating system, stressing its tight integration with the company's other platforms, as it seeks to expand its small share in the global smartphone market.

Full story:

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Futsal organizers floored by import snag

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has encountered another obstacle in the construction of the Bangkok Futsal Arena, after flooring materials from China failed to arrive on time.

Deputy Bangkok governor Thirachon Manomaipibul said yesterday (28 October 21012) that the flooring materials had trouble obtaining customs clearance in China.

The BMA, which is responsible for the project, has been forced to cancel the transaction from China and instead place orders from Malaysia, Taiwan and Italy. Mr Thirachon revealed that the orders are expected to arrive today (29 October 21012) and will be installed immediately to be ready for a test of the facility tomorrow.

The deputy governor has expressed confidence that the Nong Chok arena will be complete in time for the Futsal World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday.

-- NNT 2012-10-30

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STUNNING IMAGES OF MANHATTAN UNDER WATER

Joe Weisenthal

By multiple accounts, the flooding in lower Manhattan is stunning.

Full story:

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RT @mpoppel: BNO News website down due to heavy load. For those interested in the HMS Bounty pic: http://twitpic.com/b8ntqa

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Opposition Whip to submit no confidence motion to Parliament on Nov 9, setting censure debate for Nov 25-26 before Nov 26 vote /MCOT

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Muslim religious teacher shot dead in Pattani, motive under investigation whether personal conflict, insurgency-related /MCOT

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Thai army chief confirms no coup

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....nfirms-no-coup/