Thailand Live Tuesday 13 Nov 2012

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Thailand's elite card refuses to die

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 13 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has mapped out an ambitious plan to recruit 10,000 new members for the ‘elite card’—a scheme which had ‘gone silent’, but is now to be resurrected following cabinet approval yesterday.

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,289.87, down 4.63 points /MCOT

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Thonburi: Four killed in shooting over stolen motorbike

By Coconuts Bangkok

Four men died in Bangkok in a shootout over the theft of a motorcycle Friday night.

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Korean tourist survives gash in head from longtail propeller

Phuket Gazette

Unconscious on arrival at Phuket International Hospital yesterday, Korean tourist Kang Chulgue is now awake and eating unassisted, say hospital staf. Photo: Thawit Bilabdulllar

PHUKET: -- A Korean tourist who was struck in the head by a longtail boat propeller while on a snorkeling trip off Koh Panyee is conscious and eating unassisted, staff at Phuket International Hospital told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

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Thai rice exports in past 10 months declines 46 percent, compared to last year's figures; govt to increase Hom Mali rice exports to European countries /MCOT

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Thailand, US to strengthen defence alliance

By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 13 – Thailand and the US will discuss an adjustment in military cooperation between the two countries to cope with new menacing challenges in Southeast Asia, according to Thai defence ministry spokesman Thanathip Sawangsaeng.

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Windows chief leaves Microsoft

SEATTLE: -- The man who led the development of Windows 8 and the introduction of Microsoft’s Surface tablet computer left the company abruptly Monday after 23 years of service, Microsoft said in a statement.

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US President to officially visit Thailand Nov 18-19

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 13 -- US President Barack Obama will officially visit Thailand as a guest of the government Sunday and Monday (Nov 18-19), according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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[Lite Beer]

Two dead in shooting incidents in Narathiwat, Pattani

NARATHIWAT, Nov 13 - Two men were gunned down in two southern Thai provinces this morning, in ambush shootings presumably related to the ongoing insurgency.

In Narathiwat, Sama-ae Malee, 52, was shot dead while he was riding a motorcycle in Ruso district. A gunman in a pickup truck fired at the victim and left the body at the roadside and stole the victim’s motorcycle.

Another incident occurred in Pattani, where Waesama-ae Sama-ae, 58, was ambushed by a gunman in Kapor district early today. Police initially presumed that the insurgency or a personal conflict was the motive behind the killing. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-13

[Lite Beer]

New Thai railways governor outlines vision.

TOKYO, Nov 13 - Newly-appointed State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Prapas Chongsanguan gave assurances here today that the public will see a concrete change in railway operations and service within six months.

His governorship of the SRT was officially endorsed by the cabinet on Monday while he was on a trip to Japan.

Mr Prapas said his priority is to improve the SRT image to earn people's trust on safety while using rail service.

On the much-crtiticised airport rail link between downtown Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mr Prapas said an urgent task is to speed up construction of a connecting platform at Makkasan station with the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) underground train.

Bidding for the project is complete, but there has been no progress in the construction work, he said, adding that facilities at airport link stations such as elevators, escalators and slopes must be improved.

Asked about the SRT's accumulating loss of Bt70 billion, Mr Prapas said he will apply the business concept of financial returns to the construction of infrastructure while SRT properties, especially those rented by the private sector, will be fully used.

"PTT headquarters is located on SRT property. It has never paid any [rental] fee to the SRT since it was rented on a government-to-government agreement. The contract is due to expire early next year. We need to discuss a new term, "he said.

He pointed out that future revenue will pay for its oil debt to the PTT at over Bt 10 billion. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2012-11-13

[Lite Beer]

German stabs dog to death in frenzied attack in Sattahip

SATTAHIP:--On Monday Afternoon a German resident in Sattahip reportedly stabbed a Golden Retriever a total of 17 times following numerous attacks by the 2 year old dog on his Pet Rottweiler.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/597703-german-stabs-dog-to-death-in-frenzied-attack-in-sattahip/#entry5839310

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CORPORATE WAR

Prachai acquitted of an embezzlement lawsuit

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court on Tuesday acquitted Prachai Leophairattana of charged violation of the Securities and Exchange Act, following his decision to rent TPI Building for 90 years.

Public prosecutors, IRPC Plc and Thai Petrochemical Industry Plc jointly filed a lawsuit against him years ago, after Prachai rented the building to an associated company for Bt956.8 million. They said that the rental period was longer than a permissible period in any law and Prachai did so to embezzle money from TPI. TPI was founded by Prachai but was taken over by creditors.

The court ruled that the decision by Prachai and associates did not cause damage to TPI and that he had no intention to cheat the company. If there were any damage, TPI’s rehabilitation planner should have intervened, it said.

-- The Nation 2012-11-13

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Dept PM Chalerm: 50,000 police to be deployed to ensure law and order at anti-govt Pitak Siam group mass rally at Royal Plaza Nov 24 /MCOT

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Australian man falls from 18th-storey balcony at Patong hotel

Phuket Gazette

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....t-patong-hotel/

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RT @BBCWorld: Workers seal off tomb of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat possibly to exhume body and verify poisoning claims made, says BBC's @JonDonnison

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Runaway Coach slams into street pylon on the North Pattaya Road

PATTAYA: -- A Bizarre road accident occurred on the North Pattaya Road in the early hours of Tuesday which caused 500,000 Baht’s worth of damage to a street pylon and the back-end of an empty coach.

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Three men injured following South Pattaya Pub Fighting and Shooting

PATTAYA:--Just after 6.30am on Tuesday, three men from opposing gangs were injured in a shooting incident which began with a brawl inside a South Pattaya Pub.

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POLITICS

Police plays down firecracker blast in front of Pitak Sayam leader's home Monday

The Nation

File photo : Boonlert

BANGKOK: -- A giant firecracker exploded in front of the house of an anti-government rally leader on Monday evening while Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung told red shirts not to hold a rally to counter the November 23 protest.

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Abhisit to lead censure debate: Somsak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit will lead the censure debate, House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont said Tuesday, saying Abhisit remains the opposition leader.

Abhisit's job credentials are being questioned after the Defence Ministry revised his resignation from the military service in 1989 to a dismissal due to the alleged use of false document to apply for the job.

"The Abhisit case involves several agencies and I think it is inappropriate to draw a hasty conclusion before a definitive ruling by relevant authorities," Somsak said.

-- The Nation 2012-11-13

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Man who murdered ex-wife in Thailand pardoned

Israeli man convicted of murdering and dismembering ex-wife released from prison, slated to return to Israel in six months. 'I'd rather die than see him again' says victim's mother

Aviel Magnezi

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NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE

Abhisit to lead censure despite his controversial job credentials

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit will lead the censure debate and he remains the opposition leader despite his job credentials are being questioned, House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont said Tuesday.

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SET index closed at 1289.07, down 5.43; Bt/USD30.55; GBP48.37; AUD31.62; EUR38.58; CAD30.37; HKD3.93; SGD24.84; JPY38.36

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Housemaids entitled for day off per week, six vacation leave days a year

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The housemaids, Thais or immigrants, now are entitled to at least one day off per week and six vacation leave days per year, Department of Welfare and Labor Protection (DWLP) chief Pakorn Amornchewin said Tuesday.

The leaves are required by the Labour Ministry's new regulation stipulated in the Labour Protection Act 1998, Pakorn said.

The regulation, in effect since November 9, gave housemaids, excluding those at cleaning companies, the seven additional welfares. They were; to have at least one day off per week, to have at least 13 traditional holidays including Labour Day, those maids with over a year in service to get at least six vacation days a year. It also allowed maids to have sick leave as needed -- up to 30 paid sick leave days

-- The Nation 2012-11-13

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Phuket teen ax murderer to face court next week

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The 15-year-old boy who confessed to murdering his stepfather with an ax on August 21 has been charged with premeditated murder and will go to trial next week, the Phuket Gazette has learned.

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Royal audiences granted to Obama and Wen Jiabao

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Visiting US President Barrack Obama and Chinese outgoing President Wen Jiabao have each been granted an audience with His Majesty the King, during both leaders' coming visit to Thailand, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul confirmed Tuesday.

Upon his arrival on November 18 at 3 pm, Obama will meet with the King at Siriraj Hospital at 5 pm on November 18, before a visit at the Thai government at 5 pm, and spending the night before leaving the next day.

Wen, during his twoday visit to Thailand on November 20 and 21, is granted an audience with the King at Siriraj Hospital, which will be the last event at 6 pm on November 21, before flying off Thailand the same day, after his earlier visit to Privy Councillor Prem Tinsulanonda, at this Si Sao Thewes Residence, at 4 pm.

-- The Nation 2012-11-13

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Red Shirt activists asked to stay put during political rally

By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 13 – Pheu Thai MP Weng Tochirakarn today called on the public to ignore on a mass rally by the conservative Pitak Siam group at the Royal Plaza on Nov 24.

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Chalerm uneasy with Nov 24 mass rally

By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 13 – Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung admitted today that he was concerned with possible third party instigation of violence in the rally planned by the anti-government Pitak Siam group at the Royal Plaza Nov 24.

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Thailand Live Wednesday 14 Nov 2012