Thailand Live Thursday 8 Nov 2012

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Opposition Whip leads opposition MPs petitioning anti-graft agency via Senate president seeking to impeach PM, Sukumpol, and Chat for corruption /MCOT

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Thai PM pledges national reconciliation at Bali Democracy Forum

By Digital Media

BALI, Nov 8 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reaffirmed her government will listen to the people's voice and push forward national reconciliation as she addressed an international forum on democracy in this Indonesian resort island on Thursday.

Ms Yingluck is now attending the 5th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) which opened yesterday and closes later today. She was greeted by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the forum.

Ms Yingluck told the audience that the Thai people's rights must be protected and that the country’s democratic government must belong to the people, be by the people and be for the people.

The premier said Thailand experienced a number of coups in the past, actions which opposed the Thai people. She said the best way to protect democracy is to allow public participation in the democratic process so that the country’s citizens feel they belong to the system and see its value.

If democracy is violated, Ms Yingluck said, the people will rise up to fight for their rights. In this case, she referred to Thailand's political unrest in 2010 which claimed a number of lives.

Ms Yingluck pledged that she will not let such incidents happen again and that she will proceed with her plan for national reconciliation under a human rights framework.

Although the ruling Pheu Thai Party holds a majority of seats in the Thai parliament, the premier said the party will hear from all parties, as differing opinions should be respected to prevent further conflict in society.

The Thai premier said that the people must be provided equal opportunity and be allowed to join the country's economic development. Her government therefore adheres to people-centred policies including the daily minimum wage hike, the expanded healthcare scheme, the establishment of a Women’s Empowerment Fund, the promotion of SME businesses and the promotion of improved education policies.

Ms Yingluck said all countries should also help one another protect democracy. She took this opportunity to thank countries which opposed Thailand's 2006 military coup.

On the sidelines of the forum, Ms Yingluck is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Indonesian president, respectively.

She is scheduled to return to Bangkok this evening. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-08

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200 dogs saved from meat market

By Digital Media

NAKHON PHANOM, Nov 8 -- Some 200 dogs were rescued from a smuggling racket, found in a truck, about to cross the Mekong River to the neighbouring country of Laos.

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Four districts of Mekong-bordering Nakhon Phanom declared drought disaster zones

By Digital Media

NAKHON PHANOM, Nov 8 – Four districts in this northeastern Thai province bordering Laos and the Mekong River have been declared disaster zones affected by drought.

Anukoon Tangkananukoonchai, Nakhon Phanom governor and Jureerat Thep-ard, a disaster response official, visited the drought-impacted areas here to distribute assistance after a lack of rainfall has affected many households.

Some 4,800 acres of farmland in Na Kae district have been severely impacted so far. If the drought extends to all 12 districts, about 30,000 acres of all 56,000 farmland will be affected.

An initial disaster response budget of one million baht is allocated to each district. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-08

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POLITICS

Myanmar denies plot to assassinate Thaksin : WSJ

File photo : Thaksin

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The Andaman Culture Festival starts tomorrow

Phuket Gazette –

Schoolgirls adourned in traditional Southern Thai costumes of the classical dance epic known as ‘Manora’. Photo: Noppakun Dibakomud

GOOD GOVERNANCE: Minister Worawat Ua-Apinyakul is playing an essential role in promoting tourism in the Andaman region.

PHUKET: Six local provinces are preparing to host the Andaman Culture Festival. From tomorrow until Sunday the event will highlight the cultural identity of the region under the theme "Andaman – The World Experience".

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/596605-the-andaman-culture-festival-starts-tomorrow/#entry5824110

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Thai Opposition seeks to impeach PM Yingluck, two key ministers

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 8 – Thailand’s parliamentary opposition whip petitioned the country’s anti-graft agency via the president of the Senate seeking to impeach Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat and Deputy Interior Minister Pol Lt-Gen Chatt Kuladilok for corruption.

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Chiang Mai police find Ya Ba with new designer look

By Digital Media

CHIANG MAI, Nov 8 - A suspected drug dealer has been arrested at his home in this northern province with stocks of amphetamines, commonly called Ya Ba, packed ready for further distribution.

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Human Rights Commission investigates Racha Yai land titles

Phuket Gazette

Community leader Yutthana Chandi (right) walks the public route within the 48 rai parcel of land. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Sarit Chandi, elected president of the island’s conservation group, points out the various areas of contention. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- The Human Rights Commission of Thailand is investigating claims by villagers on Koh Racha Yai that the Phuket Land Office is refusing to issue title deeds for plots that families there have been living on for generations.

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Office of Ombudsman acts; petitions Central Administrative Court for judicial review of 3G mobile phone service licences auction; license issuing delayed /MCOT

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TELECOM

Dtac to lead industry into 4G era

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Total Access Communication (Dtac) shows its readiness to play a leading role in the Thai telecom industry, in bringing state-of-the-art 4G technology to consumers.

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Allegations of assault of 7 year old student by Pattaya School teacher

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/596632-allegations-of-assault-of-7-year-old-student-by-pattaya-school-teacher/

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Former top police officer's alleged drug accomplice extradited from Thailand

A man who allegedly corrupted former top crime fighter Mark Standen, plotting with him to import enough precursor drugs to make $120 million of the drug ice, has finally been extradited to Australia to face trial.

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RT @RichardBarrow: Remembrance Day Service at the British Embassy Bangkok will be held at 10:50am on Sun 11 Nov - http://tinyurl.com/bja7v2t

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SET index closed at 1293.7, down 6.04; Bt/USD30.56; GBP48.73; AUD31.74; EUR38.89; CAD30.53; HKD3.94; SGD24.83; JPY37.99

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TOURISM

Krabi tourism hit by Dutch video clip

The Nation

KRABI: -- Tourism in the seaside province of Krabi has been shaken by the viral video clip of a hit song produced by a Dutch father whose 19-year-old daughter was raped in the province earlier this year, Krabi Tourism Association president Ittirat Kinglek said yesterday.

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Thai Finance Minister: Obama policies may affect Thai baht

By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 8 – US President Barack Obama’s policy will contribute to weakening the US dollar and will add significant pressure leading to the strengthening of currencies in the Asian region, including the baht, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong said today.

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Royol resigns from water-situation analysis subcommittee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- One of the most prominent water experts in the government's camp, Royol Jitdon, has tendered his resignation from the subcommittee on water-situation analysis and water allocation.

Royol Thursday said he just wanted to step down to pave way for the accurate evaluation of his subcommittee's performance and for capable people to step in and contribute to the country's water management.

-- The Nation 2012-11-08

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Thailand Live Friday 9 Nov 2012