Mekong River murder case verdicts to be announced Tuesday

By Digital Media

KUNMING, Nov 6 (Xinhua) -- Verdicts for the six accused in the Mekong River murder case in which 13 Chinese sailors were killed will be announced on Tuesday, according to authorities of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

On Sept. 20, Naw Kham, head of an armed drug gang from Myanmar, and five of his gang members stood trial at the Intermediate People's Court of Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province for the murder in the waters of Thailand on the Mekong River in the Golden Triangle Region on Oct. 5, 2011.

The same court will announce the verdict.

The 13 Chinese sailors were killed after two cargo ships, the Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, were hijacked on the Mekong River, an important waterway in Southeast Asia.

Naw Kham, the principal suspect, pleaded guilty to murder. He expressed his penitence to the victims and their families in court.

All six suspects were charged with intentional homicide, drug trafficking, kidnapping and hijacking by the Kunming People's Procuratorate.

The Naw Kham crime ring was busted earlier this year in a joint operation by police from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand after the brutal murders triggered an outcry in China last year.

With a length of almost 5,000 km, the Mekong links China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It plays a crucial economic role among the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries.

Cargo ferries, though briefly suspended following the murders, resumed services on the river in December. Since then, China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand started joint patrols along the river. (Xinhua)

-- TNA 2012-11-06

British Consulate in Pattaya to close

PATTAYA: -- Following months of speculation, the British Embassy in Bangkok have now confirmed on their website that the British Consulate in Jomtien will close.

Full story:

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Pantip Plaza retailers charged of counterfeiting

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- More than 100 counterfeit Canon battery grips and camera batteries worth a total of Bt100,000 were found during a raid of retail shops at Pantip Plaza on Nov 1.

In a statement issued by Tilleke & Gibbins, Canon’s lawyer, the raid was led by representatives of Canon Kabushiki Kaisha in collaboration with police officers from the Economic Crime Division, led by Pol Lt Col Chaiwat Pradabthai, and officers from the Department of Intellectual Property, under a search warrant issued by the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.

The owners of the shops were charged with trademark infringement offenses, which carry a maximum penalty of four years of imprisonment or a fine of Bt400,000, or both.

"Canon is strongly committed to stamping out the presence of fake Canon battery grips and Canon camera batteries in the Thai market," said Cyril Chua, partner of ATMD Bird & Bird, Singapore, the representative of Canon. "This raid was the latest in our ongoing efforts to ensure that Thai consumers are not harmed by the criminal activities of infringers, as fake batteries can overheat, for example, causing damage to users."

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

Cabinet extends zero interest home loans project for first-time home buyers for six months; mortgage applications to be submitted by March 28, 2013 /MCOT

Four handed death penalty for Chinese sailor deaths

BEIJING, Nov 6, 2012 (AFP) - Four members of a gang accused of masterminding the murder of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River last year were sentenced to death at a court in southwest China on Tuesday.

Full story:

Thailand backs 3.5 billion dollar Mekong River dam project

VIENTIANE: -- Thailand on Tuesday threw its support behind a controversial hydropower dam on the lower Mekong River which neighbours, environmentalists and Thai communities have opposed.

Full story:

Chiang Mai Night Safari unveils twin white tiger clubs

By Digital Media

CHIANG MAI, Nov 6 -- Two white tiger cubs—as yet without names—new members of the Chiang Mai Night Safari in this northern province, were introduced to the public for the first time over the weekend. They will be on general display beginning at the end of this year – but first they need to have names.

Full story:

THAI Smile recruits female cabin crew

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THAI Smile, a business unit under Thai Airways International Plc, is launching another round of recruitment for female flight attendants.

Through Wingspan Services Co Ltd, the recruitment would take place during November 19-21 at THAI’s Cabin Crew Training Centre. Applicants must be younger than 24 years old, with minimum height of 160c and 600 of TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) score.

In a statement, the budget airline did not specify the number of new flight attendants to be recruited. THAI Smile’s first-round recruitment took place before it kicked off service in July.

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

SET index closed at 1300.84, down 5.86; Bt/USD30.65; GBP48.87; AUD31.77; EUR39.09; CAD30.63; HKD3.95; SGD24.88; JPY37.98

HOUSING

First-home scheme extended to March

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the 6-month extension in the first-home buyer scheme, as requested by the Government Housing Bank.

The scheme was originally ended in September, for transactions which must be completed by the end of this year.

Deputy Government Spokesman Pakdiharn Himathongkham said that under the extension, home buyers have until next March to obtain the loans with transactions to be completed by the end of June.

Under the scheme which targets to lend a total of Bt20 billion, borrowers can enjoy the zero per cent-rate loan for three years.

Worawit Chalimpamontri, president of the Government Housing Bank, earlier said that the extension should boost loans by another Bt4-Bt5 billion.

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

Bangkok Futsal Arena fails to win Fifa approval

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Futsal Arena, a multi-million stadium, failed to win Fifa approval to use in the upcoming Futsal World Cup for concerns of safety.

Fifa said in its website that the safety of spectators, teams and all other visitors to the stadium are of paramount importance.

The quarter-final matches scheduled to be played on 14 November will now be played at Bangkok's Nimibutr Stadium, whilst the semi-finals and final will be hosted at Bangkok's Indoor Stadium Huamark.

-- The Nation 2012-11-06

Thai 'wizard' held after 'bulletproof' tattoo brawls

BANGKOK, Nov 6, 2012 (AFP) - A "sorcerer" tattooist has been arrested in northeastern Thailand after several brawls involving his disciples who believed his body art made them invincible, police said Tuesday.

Full story:

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 7 Nov 2012