Thailand Live Friday 2 Nov 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 2 November 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 Thursday 1 Nov 2012

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CORRUPTION

Panel warns no-show Sorrayuth

The Nation

TV host could be forced to testify

BANGKOK: -- A House sub-committee on mass media yesterday threatened to invoke the law to force embattled media personality Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda to testify over alleged embezzlement.

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

Soldiers watchful as South schools reopen

NAKARIN CHINNAVORNKOMON,

NARONG NUANSAKUN

THE NATION

The new school semester kicked off in the southernmost provinces yesterday amid tight security.

YALA: -- At least five Army Rangers were stationed in front of a local school in Yala's Muang district to prevent violent incidents, as unrest continues in the deep South.

Full story:

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ROYAL KATHIN CEREMONY

Wat Arun to become 'paradise' for ceremony

THE NATION

Workers from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration transport materials needed for decorating the grounds of Wat Arun yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- The grounds of Bangkok's Wat Arun are being landscaped to look like paradise - as it is described in Thai literature - in preparation for a special royal krathin ceremony, which will also mark His Majesty's seventh cycle birthday.

The temple's assistant abbot, Phra Khru Arun Thammanuwat, said officials were rushing to make the landscape look as if the King, as an avatar of a Hindu god, has come down to earth to present krathin robes to the monks.

His Majesty, however, has assigned HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to represent him at the ceremony, which will mark the end of the Buddhist Lent on November 9.

The assistant abbot said flowers and trees will be used to decorate the grounds, and that the buildings and chapel will be repainted and altars will be set up to look like those of Hindu gods.

Phra Khru Arun said the 60 senior monks participating in the ceremony would hold rehearsals of prayer chanting on Monday and Wednesday. They will also be trained in how to wear their robes correctly as well as given instructions on holding their monastic ranking fans so the ceremony can be held in line with the ancient tradition.

The monk said two spots will be cordoned off in the temple complex so some 400 people can watch the ceremony first-hand, while others will be able to see it on giant screens set up outside.

Meanwhile, Wijit Chaiwichit from the Fine Arts Department said yesterday that the royal barges were ready for a full dress rehearsal.

-- The Nation 2012-11-02

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3G

NBTC 'should grant licences to 3G winners'

Sirivish Toomgum

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission should press ahead with issuing the three 2.1-gigahertz spectrum licences or it will risk violating its own regulations, industry heavyweights and a scholar said yesterday.

Full story:

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3G

Broadcast panel member seeks explanation why spectrum

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A member of the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has requested that the NBTC's telecom committee give a clearer explanation for why it declined to increase the reserve price for slots on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum once it knew there were only three qualified bidders.

Full story:

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INFLATION

Inflation expected to come in at a low 3-3.1% this year

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Inflation will remain benign at only 3-3.1 per cent for the entire year - at the bottom of the expected range of 3-3.4 per cent - thanks to stability in both the economy and goods prices, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday.

Full story:

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Koh Samui Van Driver Tries To Sexually Assault Dutch Tourists

A 20-year-old van driver was arrested on Koh Samui island for trying to rape two Dutch tourists while returning from a Full Moon party on Koh Pangan. The driver denied the rape charges, but admitted being high on drugs and fighting with the women for overreacting when he drove to a secluded area.

Full story:

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Yingluck leads new ministers in oath-taking ceremony before King

Piyanart Srivalo,

Jirapong Prasertponkrang

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, centre front row, joins a group photo session with her 23 newly appointed Cabinet members at Government House yesterday. She led them for an audience with His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital later in the day

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King yesterday granted a royal audience to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 23 newly appointed Cabinet members who took their oaths in the monarch's presence before officially assuming their duties.

Full story:

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2 killed in Samut Prakan shooting

The Nation

SAMUT PRAKAN: -- Two people were killed and two others injured in a shooting on Theparak Road in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district at 12.30am yesterday.

Full story:

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Thai students win gold in S Korea

The Nation

SAMUT PRAKAN: -- Students from Samut Prakan's Satree Samut Prakan School won gold medials and honorable-mention awards, while the team from Chon Buri's Chonradsadornumrung School team won bronze medals at the 8th World Creativity Festival in South Korea. Satree Samut Prakan School teacher Kangsata Pibulnurak also won a silver medal in the public category.

Upon the group's return to Bangkok at 11pm on Wednesday, Kangsata said Thailand sent eight teams to join the contest, which aims to solve social problems.

Held from October 26 to 29, the festival was joined by a total of 50 teams from Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. This year's theme was for students to answer questions in English on humanitarian issues.

-- The Nation 2012-11-02

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Thais growing increasingly fond of sugar

DUANGKAMON SAJIRAWATTANAKUL

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Thais consume up to 20-25 teaspoons of sugar a day, according to a 2011 report - two teaspoons above the previous year and about quadruple the recommendation of six teaspoons.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

Charter change is the real battle

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Following yesterday's swearing-in ceremony, the new Cabinet will face its first litmus test in Parliament and its rise or fall will hinge on the outcome of skirmishes on the legislative floor.

Full story:

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OUSTANDING PHYSICIANS

Medical Council honours 3 doctors

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

From left: Dr Witthaya Chartbanchachai, Dr Khachonsak Silapaphochakul and Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat.

Winners chosen for their work in fighting disease, improving healthcare

BANGKOK: -- The Medical Council of Thailand has honoured three physicians this year for their dedication and outstanding work towards improving the country's healthcare system.

Full story:

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Rangsit, Chinese varsities set up herbal-drug factory

THE NATION

Krisana

BANGKOK: -- Privately run Rangsit University (RSU) has set up a factory to produce herbal medicines in collaboration with a Chinese institute of higher education.

Full story:

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Military will not step in to control protesters: Sukampol

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said yesterday that the government will not need to seek help from the military to suppress the anti-government rally led by the Pitak Siam group because the police were capable enough to handle the situation.

Full story:

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Senators file Varathep petition

The Nation

Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij, fourth from left, accepts a petition from Senator Prasarn Maruekapitak and 23 other senators that calls on the Constitution Court to rule on the qualifications of newly appointed PM Office minister

BANGKOK: -- Senator Prasarn Maruekapitak led a group of 23 other appointed senators to petition Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij to examine the eligibility of newly appointed Prime Minister's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn.

Full story:

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Senate debate brought forward to Nov 23-24

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Senate's general debate against the Yingluck Cabinet will be held on November 23-24, Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij said yesterday.

Full story:

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Toddler, grandfather drown at Phuket beach

Phuket Gazette

The grandfather had an injured knee, making it difficult to keep up with the young boy, said Capt Santi. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

The boy's body was recovered from the water at 12:34pm by rescue workers. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A 2-and-a-half-year-old boy and his grandfather drowned at Mai Khao Beach in Thalang, in the north of Phuket, this morning during a walk along the beach.

Full story:

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Similan National Park opens, fees remain the same for Phuket tourists

Phuket Gazette

Grab your snorkeling gear, because the Similan National Park re-opened today. Photo: Rhurtubia

PHUKET: -- The Similan National Park officially re-opened today with its park fees remaining unchanged as Phuket’s tourism high season approaches.

Full story:

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Street Gang Arrested in combined local operation

By Staff Reporter

Part of the gang arrested this week in a coordinated raid by local authorities

PATTAYA: -- Authorities in the Pattaya area worked together with Sattahip and other authorities as they arrested a complete gang of local hoodlums after numerous complaints from the public

Full story:

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Pickup truck Versus utility pole.. no contest in Sattahip

By Staff Reporter

SATTAHIP: -- A Truck wreck causes havoc and a local power outage at Sattahip

Full story:

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Container truck rear ends Pickup on main highway near Pattaya

By Staff Reporter

RAYONG: -- Container truck rear ends pickup on the main Bangkok to Rayong Highway near Pattaya

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,308.44, up 10.45 points /MCOT

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RT @mpoppel: Sandy causes 300,000 gallon oil spill on U.S. East Coast http://dlvr.it/2QJSqN

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11:15am All boats are now banned from the Chao Phraya River from Wat Arun to Rama VIII while they tow the royal barges upriver

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Market vendors protest relocation from new Phuket hospital site

Phuket Gazette

Protest organizer Chamcharn Pathan said that moving the market to near the Phuket Country Home housing estate would have a dire impact on the vendors’ livelihoods. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

About 50 of the 200-odd market vendors gathered at the Provincial Office to protest the move. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- About 50 market vendors gathered at the Phuket Provincial Office yesterday afternoon to protest being relocated to a new market site near Phuket Country Home in Chalong.

Full story:

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Amsterdam will not ban marijuana for tourists

AMSTERDAM: -- The Amsterdam authorities will not ban tourists from visiting cafes that sell marijuana, the city’s burgomaster said on Thursday.

Full story:

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Nissan to build new auto plant in Thailand

TOKYO, Nov 2, 2012 (AFP) - Nissan said Friday it would spend about $358 million to build its second auto assembly plant in Thailand, as it ramps up production away from its costly home base of Japan.

Full story: