Thailand Live Tuesday 6 Nov 2012

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Thailand Live Tuesday 6 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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UPDATE

FUGITIVE EX-PM

Thaksin cancels trip to Tachilek

The Nation

Thaksin's Children

BANGKOK: -- Panthongtae's claim of plot to kill his father given as reason; NSC chief changes stance after Chalerm lunch

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

Widows fight order to repay pension

ATTAPHUM ONGKULLANA

THE NATION

Dozens of widows of police and officers killed on duty fight state agency order

BANGKOK: -- More than 70 widows sought help from the Lawyers Council of Thailand yesterday over a move by the government to take back a military-compensation pension associated with their late husbands, all of who were killed while serving in the police or armed forces.

Full story:

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HEALTH

Women in Bangkok found working long hours

DUANGKAMON SAJIRAWATTANAKUL

THE NATION

Most women in Bangkok spend up to nine hours a day at work, which means many have little time to spend with their children.

BANGKOK: -- Hence the Public Health Ministry is planning four measures to tackle this issue next year. In a speech delivered at National Mental Health Week, Deputy Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew revealed the result of a survey conducted last month on 1,203 women in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

Debate could hurt Abhisit as well as Yingluck

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will share the limelight later this month - but for different reasons.

Full story:

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ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Report 'this week' on AIT charter

SURIYAN PANYAWAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul will report on the current status of the controversial new charter of the Asian Institute of Technology this week, a source said yesterday.

"He will hold a press conference to announce the results of discussions on the matter with representatives from the nine other countries," the source at the International Organisation Department said.

The AIT was plunged into a crisis this year when Parliament delayed ratification of its new charter, leaving fresh graduates under the charter confused about whether their hard-earned diplomas would be worth anything here in Thailand and perhaps elsewhere.

"We are most worried about the fact that some countries may not recognise the AIT degrees," said Amornpon Changsuphan, the coordinator for Thai students at the institute.

The new AIT charter has already been ratified by nine nations - Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Vietnam - so switching back to the old charter is not practical.

"Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry has not stayed idle. It has been trying to solve the problem and to minimise any adverse impacts," the source said.

Amornpon said his group, which called on the ministry yesterday, wants the foreign minister to act as a mediator in resolving the crisis.

"My group represents Thai and foreign students of the AIT," he said.

"This is the fourth time someone has officially submitted a petition about the AIT to the foreign minister," he said.

Chailert Limsomboon, deputy director-general of the International Organisation Department, accepted the petition from Amornpon on Surapong's behalf.

Chailert has promised to try to resolve the conflict via discussions with authorities, Amornpon said.

The Vietnamese government recently sought clarification from its embassy in Bangkok, he said.

Some Vietnamese have studied at the AIT, which had enjoyed a good reputation until this crisis struck.

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

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3G AUCTION

Only order from court or telecom panel can revoke result, says NBTC

USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Com-mission insists that only a court order or an instruction from its telecom committee could revoke the outcome of last month's auction of 2.1-gigahertz spectrum licences, NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasit said yesterday.

Full story:

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Google aiming to get 3 million SMEs online

ASINA PORNWASIN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Google Thailand next year will focus on helping 3 million small and medium-sized enterprises get online. Currently, only 10 per cent of the Kingdom's SMEs have adopted online business.

Full story:

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SMART POLICE

Bangkok traffic police to become 'smart'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police yesterday joined forces with National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre, 3BB Wi-Fi and the Thai Intelligent Transport Systems Association to launch the 'Smart Police' system at 395 intersections across Bangkok.

Full story:

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Seven provinces declared drought disaster zones

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD) Monday announced seven northeastern provinces as drought disaster zones following days of no rains.

DPMD chief Chatchai Phromlert said 64 districts in nine provinces, including Kalasin, Sakhon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Beung Kan, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Mahasarakham suffered from drought situation since October 1. So far 52 districts in seven provinces of Kalasin, Sakhon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Beung Kan, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu and Mukdahan were declared as drought disaster zones, he added.

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

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Ruling sought on coup call

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana yesterday petitioned the Constitution Court to rule on whether an anti-government protest can call for a military coup.

Full story:

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House panels 'being used as political tools'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The 35 House of Representatives committees have spent up to Bt345 million of the Bt379 million allocated to them so far, yet none have been able to show how this money was spent, a source said yesterday.

Full story:

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Talk of joining ICC 'won't affect 2010 probes'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Ongoing inquiries into deaths during the 2010 red-shirt protests by the National Anti-Corruption Commission would not be affected if the government decided to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), commissioner Wicha Mahakun said yesterday.

Full story:

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Rayong condo owners sue developer

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

The Nation

RAYONG: -- About a dozen people, including expatriates, were present at court yesterday to file a criminal lawsuit against the developer of a luxury condominium in Rayong and demand a refund because services offered in reality were not like the ones advertised.

Full story:

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5 men held for Nov 1 shooting

The Nation

SAMUT PRAKAN: -- Provincial Police Region 1 yesterday announced the arrest of five 'Talai' gangsters, who were involved in the November 1 shooting on Samut Prakan's Thepparak Road, which resulted in two men being killed and two other passengers of a Honda sedan being injured.

Jakkapat Khamsai, 29; Suthep Thongsuk, 27; Pongpol Kij-osod, 24; Tharatporn Wongphaed, 25; and Phurin Lhaokhajorn, 20; were nabbed at a rented house in Bang Bo district. Police also found three pistols in their possession. The suspects reportedly said they went on the shooting spree to take revenge for a previous row with the victims that resulted in one of their gang members being killed.

Samut Prakan police also seized 50 guns, 300 ammunition, 17,021 yaba tablets and 217.73 grams of "ice". They also arrested 544 drug-related suspects.

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

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Thai man pleads guilty in bogus rhino hunt case

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 05, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai national accused of organising bogus trophy hunts to sell rhino horns on the international black market pleaded guilty in a South African court on Monday, local media reported.

Chumlong Lemtongthai, who was allegedly part of a syndicate that paid prostitutes to pose as hunters, admitted to abusing the country's hunting permit system, Talk Radio 702's EyeWitness News reported.

South Africa is facing an unprecedented wave of rhino killings with close to 500 animals slaughtered this year alone.

Local media had reported that Chumlong would pay friends, strippers and prostitutes to pose as hunters and export the horns under trophy permits, of which a limited number are issued yearly.

Charges against five of Lemtongthai's co-accused were dropped in the court east of Johannesburg, the news report said.

The animals' distinctive horns are hacked off to be smuggled to the lucrative Asian black market, where the fingernail-like substance is falsely believed to have powerful healing properties.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-11-06

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Thailand says aims to be top rice exporter in 2013

* Thailand says aims to export 8.5 mln tonnes in 2013

* Thai intervention scheme has pushed prices to uncompetitive levels

* Southeast Asian country at risk of losing position as No.1 exporter this year

Full story:

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8 Month Old Baby injured & Middle-Eastern man arrested in East Pattaya incident

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ttaya-incident/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,308.34, gains 1.64 points /MCOT

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RT @tulsathit: Chalerm on Thaksin "assassination" plot: We didn't make it up. Working with Myanmar to get more info.

RT @tulsathit: Noppadon: TS was concerned about safety of ppl who would meet him at Tachilek. There're also lot of sms asking him not to go.

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Thaksin legal advisor says ex-PM postpones trip plans for Tachilek, but will meet Myanmar president Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Daw /The Nation

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RT @RichardBarrow: A reminder that no boats are allowed on the Chao Phraya River this afternoon between 12 PM and 6 PM.

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KBank issues ATM advisory to customers

Phuket Gazette

Police hold up 'skimming' equipment found in the rented bungalow of the Bulgarian duo. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Following the arrest of two Bulgarian men for “skimming” customer card details from a Kasikornbank (KBank) ATM in Karon, KBank has issued a statement to the Phuket Gazette calling for all its customers who suspect that their card details have been hacked to contact the bank immediately.

Full story:

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Thai PM reaffirms Asia's support for European economic recovery

By Digital Media

VIENTIANE, Nov 6 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday reaffirmed Asia’s support for European economic recovery by promoting mutual trade and investment to nurture Asia’s and Europe’s growth in the form of Partners for Prosperity.

Full story:

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Noppadon confirms cancellation of Thaksin's Tachilek visit

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has decided to cancel plans to visit Tachilek near the Thai border this Friday at the recommendation of Thai and Myanmar security authorities, his legal advisor Noppadon Pattama said Tuesday.

Noppadon linked the decision to a recent confiscation of war weapons including RPG explosives in Tachilek town.

He claimed a suspect arrested in the raid said the weapons were planned to assassinate Thaksin who was scheduled to visit the town for two days.

Noppadon further claimed that Thaksin was concerned that members of the red shirts members expected to gather in the area would be affected by the possible attacks.

Thaksin's visit to Nay Pyi Daw, new capital of Myanmar to meet Myanmar president, starting Thursday, is unaffected by the change.

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

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European leaders express satisfaction with Thailand's democracy, economy

By Digital Media

VIENTIANE, Nov 6 – Several European leaders said they are satisfied with and praised Thailand's democratic system as well as its efficient economic strategy.

Full story:

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Ammonia leak at ice factory injures 20 people

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 6 – An industrial accident in an production plant injured 20 people and led to vacating parts of the factory while ammonia leakage at the Taling Chan factory was being dealt with.

Leakages of ammonia used in making ice at an ice producing plant in Soi Suan Pak 26 has resulted

Some 20 factory workers and nearby residents inhaled the chemical, causing stiff chests and vomiting. Local authorities including emergency crews helped evacuate workers from the site of the leak, and factory technicians and engineers are trying to plug the hole of a chemical container before a more specific survey of the damage can be conducted.

One factory worker said an ammonia leak occurred once before but it was not as severe as it is this time. The equipment which caused the chemical leak had been in use for a long time before the accident happened. (MCTO online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-06

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Chiang Mai declares Inthanon first spot impacted by cold

By Digital Media

CHIANG MAI, Nov 6 – Thailand’s highest mountain peak is the country’s first area to be impacted by frigid temperatures. The northern province of Chiang Mai declared the upper reaches of its Inthanon mountain as the first area affected by cold spell after temperatures dropped below 15 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days.

Full story:

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: 1:50pm Last royal barge now leaving navy dockyard & heading up river to Rama VIII Bridge pic.twitter.com/e17Dcpv3