Thailand Live Wednesday 14 Nov 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 14 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 Tuesday 13 Nov 2012

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HISTORIC VISITS

King to meet Obama, Wen Jiabao

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Re-elected US President Barack Obama and outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao have both been granted an audience with His Majesty the King during the two leaders' visits to Thailand, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul confirmed yesterday.

After his arrival on Sunday at 3pm, Obama will meet the King at Siriraj Hospital at 5pm, before going to Government House. He will leave the next day.

Wen, during his two-day visit to Thailand next Tuesday and Wednesday, will be granted an audience by the King at Siriraj Hospital, which will be the last event in his itinerary, at 6pm on Wednesday, before he flies out the same day. He will also meet Privy Councillor Prem Tinsulanonda at his Si Sao Thewes Residence, at 4pm.

On Tuesday, Wen's flight arrives at Don Mueang Airport at 6.50pm. He will meet executives of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at Sathorn Road in Bangkok and stay at Shangri-La Hotel.

On Wednesday he will, with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, jointly preside over the opening ceremony of the Chinese Culture Centre on Ratchadaphisek Road at 9am, and head to Government House to discuss state affairs with her at 10am. He will meet representatives of Chinese Thais at the hotel at 3.15pm, before the meeting with Prem and His Majesty.

-- The Nation 2012-11-14

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THAI-US RELATIONS

Troops and 1,000 guards for Obama

Jirapong Prasertpolkrang,

Anapat Deechuay

The Nation

Police officers inspect the front yard of the Thai Khu Fah Building and Government House compound to ensure safety for US President Barack Obama, who is visiting on Sunday.

Huge security team with armoured limo, Black Hawk, the CIA, marines, and water

Full story:

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SAFETY

Firm ordered to stop building condo block in Lak Si

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Lak Si district office last night ordered a halt to the construction of a condominium near Soi Chinnaket in northern Bangkok after debris - including a 10kg steel object - repeatedly fell on nearby homes, causing property damage, but no casualties as of yet.

Full story:

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Aussie survives 18-storey hotel plunge

Phuket Gazette

Australian John Hurley, 39, suffered serious injuries in the fall from the 18th floor of this hotel, but he survived the incident. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation prepare to take Mr Hurley to Patong Hospital. Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation - Patong

PHUKET: -- The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony earlier today is recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

Full story:

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Kingdom promoted as ASEAN insurance hub

CHAMNAN NOISAMRAN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The World Bank and Japan will promote Thailand as the insurance centre of Asean to help develop the industry in neighbouring countries and provide professional services to the more advanced economies.

Full story:

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STOPPAGE TIME

Campaign against Abhisit could backfire

Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- That you don't understand the technicality of Abhisit Vejjajiva's "removal" from the Army doesn't mean you shouldn't be worried. A glance at the relevant timings may reveal the bigger picture. Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat signed the order removing Abhisit on the day the opposition named the Cabinet member in its censure motion.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Govt will not heed warnings on rice subsidy scheme

The Nation

A rice warehouse in Samut Prakan province on the outskirts of Bangkok.

BANGKOK: -- Debt levels are rapidly increasing as a result of price pledges to farmers, which have not been shown to benefit either them or Thai consumers

Full story:

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Many tall buildings lack anti-quake

THANATPONG KONGSAI,

JANJIRA PONGRAI

THE NATION

About 2,000 tall buildings in Bangkok do not have specific anti-quake features installed but can endure minor quakes.

BANGKOK: -- "They are designed to deal with wind load and shear stress, so they can withstand moderate quakes," Winai Limsakul, chief of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administra-tion's Public Works Department, said yesterday.

Full story:

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Three bodies found

The Nation

SURAT THANI: -- Police conducted a search for evidence at an abandoned hotel yesterday linked to several bodies found floating in the sea off Chaiya district in Surat Thani on Sunday.

The bodies were identified as Saengrawee Sitthiphan, 33, Phaithoon Phumngern and Sitthichai Phumngern, 34, while Arkhom Umphawa, a man who accompanied this group of people is still missing.

Police said they had been murdered before being dumped in the sea. They believe that Arkhom, dis?charged recently from a prison due to drug charge, was also murdered, and are searching for Arkhom's body in the sea.

Police found many drops of blood, shoes and a lot of wire insulation at the abandoned Tapi Riverside Hotel during the search. They would do DNA tests with the evidence collected from the hotel.

Wife of Saengrawee said he and the three friends went to the hotel to meet other friends on November 4. The day later, he called her saying they were trapped in the hotel and had lost touch since then. The hotel had belonged to Kosol O-thong, an ex-Surat Thani Municipality councillor.

Police said they were gathering evidence and preparing to request an arrest warrant.

-- The Nation 2012-11-14

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US defence pact 'won't affect' Thai neutrality

The Nation

Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn

While alliance with Washington will strengthen relations, govt should not get sucked into its orbit: security experts

BANGKOK: -- Security experts said this week that Thailand would not lose its neutrality after the decision to sign a new defence agreement with the United States during the upcoming visit of President Barack Obama, but the country must be careful not to be seen as moving too close to the American orbit.

Full story:

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Environmental quality slumps

The Natio

Air quality in and around Bangkok has deteriorated this year with residents subject to more fine dust particles.

BANGKOK: -- The country was also overwhelmed by some 16-million tonnes of garbage, while coastal seawater and river mouths were polluted by wastewater released from homes, industries, and farming.

Full story:

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New regulations on maids and child labour finally announced

THAMMARAT KIJCHALONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The number of days is part of a new regulation under the Labour Protection Act 1998, Department of Welfare and Labour Protection (DWLP) chief Pakorn Amornchewin said yesterday.

Full story:

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Stop lanterns!

The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- Governor Thanin Supasaen has ordered 40 local administrative organisations to try to control the release of hot-air lanterns during the Loy Krathong to prevent harm and damage.

Full story:

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Police get second murder warrant

The Nation

SANGKHLA: -- Songkhla police got an arrest warrant from the provincial court yesterday for another man involved in the November 7 murder of the town municipal mayor Peera Tantiseranee.

Royal Thai Police Adviser Gen Rachata Yensuang said the inquiry had progressed a lot and police obtained enough evidence for an arrest warrant for Niwat Rattanakaew. He assured that police would speedily investigate and gather evidence - with transparency and fairness - to arrest other gunmen and the mastermind.

Paisal Nuphan, a suspected gunman, had surrendered to police on Monday. Peera was shot dead last Wednesday night in a drive-by shooting suspected to stem from local politics or an office conflict.

-- The Nation 2012-11-14

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BURNING ISSUE

Balancing ties with two superpowers

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

BANGKOK: -- The government will need a keen sense of proportion this month when handling the flood of foreign missions - both arriving here and trips outside the country - to keep its balanced position in a world of rivalry.

Full story:

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MPs back cross-border crime treaty

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Parliament yesterday approved by a solid majority Thailand being a signatory to the International Treaty Against Trans-border Crime.

Full story:

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Thailand Cobra Seizure: Officials Rescue 600 Smuggled Snakes

BANGKOK -- Thai authorities have seized a pickup truck full of deadly cobras at a checkpoint in the country's central region. They believe the snakes came from Malaysia and were destined for a third country for use in traditional medicine or human consumption.

Full story:

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Plan to trim benefits for state doctors

DUANGKAMON SAJIRAWATTANAKUL

THE NATION

New minister proposes budget change

BANGKOK: -- In a bid to boost the morale of nurses, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said yesterday he would propose amending the budget - cut fringe benefits for doctors to boost salaries of other medical workers at state hospitals.

Full story:

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Snakes in a Pickup destined for foreign restaurants

By Staff Reporter

Seen by many as a method of reviving sex drive, The cobra can be found in many Asian restaurants, but Not in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Customs officers have seized a shipment of 600 live cobras being smuggled through Thailand from Malaysia and believed destined for restaurants in neighbouring countries.

Full story:

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Fingers "wot they used to be" after surgeons re-attach severed hand in Bangkok

By Staff Reporter

Bangkok; A team of surgeons at Chulalongkorn hospital has successfully reattached a man’s severed hand after it was kept on ice for more than eight hours, and the prognosis is very good.

Full story:

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,291.23, up 2.16 points /MCOT

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Army chief visits southern province, inspecting Road Number 410 in Yala before planned visit by PM /MCOT

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Thai PM seeking Thai, UK business opportunities

By Digital Media

LONDON, Nov 14 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is meeting her British counterpart David Cameron today for a trade-focused discussion on business opportunities between the two countries.

Full story:

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MOMENTOUS OCCASION FOR THAILAND & UK TRAVEL INDUSTRY

First ever meeting with Thai Prime Minister and UK Tour Operators

LONDON: -- A momentous occasion – the first ever address by the Prime Minister of Thailand to UK travel and tourism industry, Yingluck Shinawatra meets with 10 leading tour operators at Grosvenor House, London

Full story:

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Well-known Thai Country Singer reports burglary at his new shop in Jomtien

PATTAYA:--Well-known Thai Country Singer “Oh Warawoot” reported the theft of money and valuables from his newly opened Wine Shop and Art Gallery on the Thepprasit Road in Jomtien on Tuesday afternoon. The assailant broke into the premises at precisely 3.12am earlier on Tuesday as captured on CCTV installed at the new shop which opened on 28th September.

Full story:

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10th Anniversary Party of Thai Visa, coming to Pattaya this week

Pattaya:-- After a series of nationwide parties held for members of the Thai Visa forum, www.thaivisa.com, Pattaya will see its own celebration for members and friends on Friday.

[pattaya103][/pattaya103]

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....taya-this-week/

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Pool hall fight ends in gunfire and death

HUAY YAI: -- A 42 year old local farmer killed after being shot 5 times outside a pool bar

Full story:

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Phuket officials order airport taxi touts: 'Stop harassing tourists'

Phuket Gazette

Taxi touts at Phuket Airport stalk the exit of the arrivals hall, ready to pounce on tourists who have yet to gain even a glimpse of Phuket. Image: Phuket Airport CCTV

A lone tourist is approached by two taxi touts in the hope they can pressure her into using their service. Image: Phuket Airport CCTV

PHUKET: -- Taxi touts at Phuket International Airport have been told to stop following and harassing tourists arriving at the airport, and to stay at their own counters.

Full story: