Thailand Live Wednesday 31 Oct 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 31 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 Tuesday 30 Oct 2012

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China offers loan for tablet scheme

SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- China has offered to provide a massive loan for full implementation of Thailand’s One Tablet Per Child scheme.

Full story:

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NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE

Censure debate set for Nov 25-26; vote set for Nov 28

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Opposition Democrat Party will submit a request on November 9 to hold its censure debate on November 25 and 26. Not all Bhum Jai Thai MPs have agreed to support a no-confidence motion, however.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

Hot air in Hanoi: Little gained from talks on rice, roads

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Vietnam's joint Cabinet meeting in Hanoi last Saturday lacked a policy initiative to forge cooperation for their mutual benefit as delegates kept discussions within a paradigm created by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2004.

Full story:

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Boonchai goes public about his happiness

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Actress Bongkot or Tak Kongmalai may not be Boonchai Bencharongkul's first love, but as far as his romantic history goes, she can be assured of his devotion.

The Dtac founder is not just an enormously wealthy businessman, but he is also an artist at heart. He is known for being passionate about whatever he does and is always devoted to the subject of his interest. He is the kind of guy who spends hours on projects that interest the woman he loves, and is known to cherish each minute they share.

At 58, Boonchai is still in many ways Prince Charming. After all, he has been ranked by Forbes magazine as the 13th richest guy in Thailand. "Once he becomes fascinated by a thing or a girl, he will do everything to get it or her," a close friend said.

So far, the tycoon has been in long-term relationships with at least five women, and has even wed a few of these lucky ladies. He now has five children.

The friend said that Boonchai's ideal woman is pretty, tanned and has big round eyes. This probably explains why Bongkot, 27, caught his attention.

The actress disclosed that they had been dating for just about a month before he proposed to her.

"So, I suggested that we get engaged first," she said.

The high-profile couple will be getting engaged at the museum on November 19. Boonchai, however, has been rather quiet about his much-publicised relationship with Bongkot, telling the media that he would only speak about it at the engagement party.

It is no secret that Boonchai ended his relationship with former actress Benja Baramee only late last year and yet declared undying love for her earlier this year.

"I may be legally divorced but I am still wearing our wedding ring," Boonchai was quoted as saying in a magazine interview in July, during which he also described Benja as the "love of his life".

"Nobody can love me as much as she does, and no one can love her as much as I do," he said.

The Boonchai-Benja love story began more than a decade ago when the tycoon was still legally married to Wanna Bencharongkul.

He met Benja at his home about 20 years ago when she was visiting his then-wife, Wanna. Even |though Boonchai did not intend to divorce Wanna initially, he eventually yielded to Benja's wishes.

However, he has insisted that Wanna continue using his last name because, after all, he sired two children with her.

Now, Boonchai is busy proving his love for Bongkot. Not only has he proved to his soon-to-be mother-in-law that he is indeed divorced, but has even painted his fiancee's portrait. Perhaps, Bongkot will soon be getting the financial backing she needs to fulfil her aspiration to become a film director. Her beau, after all, is known for his generosity.

As for Boonchai, he is elated.

His status on What's App reads "BB [boonchai Bencharongkul] is Happy" - an emotion his friends have put down to the latest developments in his love life.

-- The Nation 2012-10-31

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RICE

Govt set to sell rice below cost in secret deals, source says

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Commerce Ministry is secretly arranging to sell the government's rice to local traders at below cost, aiming to clear up its overwhelming stockpiles rapidly in preparation for upcoming rice production under the pledging project.

Full story:

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BOT move may not affect capital outflows, baht much, says Tisco

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A minimal impact on capital outflows and the baht is expected after the central bank recently relaxed regulations to encourage outflows, according to Tisco Securities.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Yingluck and her Cabinet full of glittering prizes

The Nation

Rewarding loyal Pheu Thai members serves selfish political interests while ignoring her duty to serve the country

BANGKOK: -- It is no surprise that the public's chief response to the latest Cabinet reshuffle has been indifference. Nor has the business community shown any excitement over the identity of incoming and outgoing members of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's latest government leaders.

Full story:

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STOPPAGE TIME

Hello & goodbye to what-are-their-names-again?

Tulsathit Taptim

Jatuporn Prompan is still a Mr Tu.

BANGKOK: -- There are not so many countries where a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle merely means a little more work for newspapers' graphic artists. A foreign diplomat asked me last week whether he was right in reporting to his headquarters that Thailand's ministerial shake-up "is just a quota thing" that took advantage of the need to find a new interior minister after Yongyuth Wichaidit's departure. I told him he was spot-on.

Full story:

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CABINET RESHUFFLE

General admits being a friend of Thaksin

Panya Thiosangwan

The Nation

Prin

BANGKOK: -- The appointment of General Prin Suvanadat as deputy transport minister in Yingluck Shinawatra's Cabinet was not a surprise. Prin was a highly trusted classmate of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra while they were in the Armed Forces Academies Prep School (Pre-Cadet) Class 10.

Full story:

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Conviction upheld over MP's smuggled vehicle

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Court of Appeals yesterday upheld the lower court's conviction and sentencing of former Thai Rak Thai Party MP Wichai Chaijitwanichkul over buying a smuggled vehicle and falsifying official documents.

Full story:

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Ministry offers to employ temp nurses

POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- After state-hospital nurses rallied for permanent employment contracts, the Public Health Ministry has drafted a regulation to make some nurses its own employees because of a limited quota for civil servants set by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC).

Full story:

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POLITICS

Charupong becomes head of Pheu Thai

The Nation

Kittirat

Kittirat elected deputy leader

BANGKOK: -- In a surprise move, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat NaRanong was elected a Pheu Thai Party deputy leader on Tuesday.

Full story:

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Varathep faces challenge over post

The Nation

Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, right, and his deputy Sermsak Pongpanich, left, talk to the media in front of the Thai Khu Fah building at Government House before attending their swearing-in ceremony.

BANGKOK: -- Varathep Ratanakorn, the new PM's Office Minister, may face a petition to the Constitution Court over whether he's qualified to take the Cabinet post.

Full story:

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Army, council to develop weapons

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army yesterday joined forces with the National Research Council of Thailand to develop military weapons.

Army chief-of-staff General Udomdech Seetabutr, who signed the three-year memorandum of understanding, praised this collaboration as a means of saving money and providing the Army with what it needs.

The Royal Thai Army yesterday joined forces with the National Research Council of Thailand to develop military weapons, while Army chief-of-staff General Udomdech Seetabutr, who signed the three-year memorandum of understanding, praised this collaboration as a means of saving money and providing the Army with what it needs.

-- The Nation 2012-10-31

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Ministry to tackle illegal labour

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap said yesterday that he has told the Labour Protection and Welfare Department to call meetings in order to explain the labour law to industrial operators, such as shrimp farmers and owners of sugarcane plantations, so as to ensure that they do not hire minors or illegal workers.

The meetings will first be held in the Central region at the end of November, before being held at least twice in the other three regions of the country, he said. After this, he warned, operators will face severe punishment if they continue breaking the law.

The minister explained that these measures would be reported to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as well as the United States later this year, so it can help remove Thailand from the "Tier 2 Watch List" on human trafficking, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-10-31

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HURRICANE SANDY EFFECT

Hurricane Sandy to have little effect on US tourism to Thailand, experts say

Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Hurricane Sandy, which hit New York and New Jersey on Monday, will have only a marginal impact on the number of American tourists coming to Thailand, as the United States is a big country with many international airports, according to executives in the tourism industry.

Full story:

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PCD to propose scheme to fight haze in North

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Pollution Control Department (PCD) plans to put forward its nine-point anti-haze plan, which includes a ban on outdoor fires in the nine northern-most provinces during the “80 dangerous days” between January 21 and April 10, 2013. It will submit its proposal to the Cabinet by the end of next month.

Full story:

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Thailand battles drug-resistant malaria

By Peter Janssen

KANCHANABURI: -- MAEO, 6, bravely held out her forefinger for a quick jab at the Malaria Post in Tai Muang, 10 km from the Myanmar border, in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province. A month ago, Maeo, whose family is from Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority group and lacks Thai citizenship, tested positive for malaria.

Full story:

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RT @mpoppel: Obama will travel to Atlantic City tomorrow to view storm damage with NJ Gov. Christie

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RT @mpoppel: REU: JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL OPEN AT 7 A.M. WEDNESDAY WITH LIMITED SERVICE; LA GUARDIA REMAINS CLOSED

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RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- Newark Liberty International Airport will re-open for limited operations at 7 PM on Wednesday

RT @mpoppel: FULL STATEMENT: JFK, Newark Liberty airports to reopen on Wednesday - http://tinyurl.com/94lwgbg

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RT @mpoppel: RT @nytjim: 40 of the best hi-rez storm images from NYT & news agency photographers. http://nyti.ms/RrP7nc

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Disney buying Lucasfilm, maker of Star Wars

LOS ANGELES: -- Disney is buying Lucasfilm, the maker of Star Wars, for around 4 billion dollars, the companies announced Tuesday.

Full story:

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RT @RichardBarrow: Dates for Loy Krathong for this year and next: 28 November 2012 and 17 November 2013

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,294.52, up 0.09 points /MCOT

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PM orders Foreign Ministry to closely monitor storm Sandy, help Thais

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Oct 31 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday said she has ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to closely monitor the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy as New York City and the eastern United States struggles with flooding and massive power outages.

Ms Yingluck said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would contact the Thais living in New York and nearby areas regarding what assistance they may need.

She said the government has closely coordinated with the US authorities.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Information Deputy Director-General Damrong Kraikruan earlier said that 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 the Thai Consulate-General in New York City has informed Thai nationals to follow the recommendations from the US authorities and to continue to monitor the situation.

Several Thai tourists were unable to return to Thailand due to flight cancellations and the Consulate-General in New York City is providing assistance.

Monster storm Sandy has left New York but transport systems in New York and New Jersey were crippled and expected to stay that way for days.

More than 8.1 million US homes and businesses were without power on Tuesday after Sandy tore down power lines and flooded electrical distribution systems. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-31

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Thai Army chief flies to US, Japan Oct 31-Nov 4 to strengthen bilateral military ties /MCOT

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Administrative Court orders BMA to compensate at 20% of demanded amount, to 12 Santika Pub fire victims for its negligence in venue safety inspections /MCOT